Marketing Tactics

HSN’s sluggish fourth quarter still beats analyst estimates
A disruptive retail climate and underperforming categories took their toll on HSN during the fourth quarter. HSN’s net income was $43.5 million for the quarter, or 82 cents per share, ended December 31, 2016, compared to $59.7 million for the same period last year. This exceeded analysts’ estimates of 74 cents per share.
NRF and retailers to U.S. Supreme Court: Let swipe card fees ruling stand
Payment card fees is a sore subject for the retail industry — especially with the possibility that a settlement is being revisited by parties seeking an appeal. The National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Associa-tion requested that the U.S. Supreme Court let stand an appeals court rul-ing that struck down a controversial 2012 settlement of a class action lawsuit over Visa and MasterCard’s swipe card fees.

Analysis: Macy’s making some progress

Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, comments on Macy’s fourth quarter results:
HSN’s new beauty program goes multichannel

HSN’s feature, “The Beauty Spy,” uses social media to introduce shoppers in the United States to new, emerging and exotic beauty trends. Now it is coming to the small screen. The program, which can be seen on HSN’s social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and SnapChat, will become a monthly program appearing exclusively on HSN — a move that will deliver a multi-platform experience to viewers.
Report: Messaging app provider tries its hand at e-commerce

Snapchat users may be in the market for a new gadget to share their pictures — a new way to purchase it. Snap, the parent company of the SnapChat messaging platform, launched a new e-retailing site, Spectacles.com, which highlights brightly colored, whimsical video-recording sunglasses, ReCode said.
Sporting goods retailer gears up for new store openings

Dick’s Sporting Goods is expanding its breadth. The chain is preparing to open five stores during the second week of March, a move totaling approximately 180,000 sq. ft. of retail space. Specifically, a new Dick’s Sporting Goods will open in the Glendale area of Queens, New York, in one of the former Sports Authority locations that the company took over late last year. Another Dick’s store will open in Hinesville, Georgia.
Nike, Miami

Nike has brought its experiential retail format to Miami Beach. The company has opened a two-story, digitally connected, 31,000-sq.-ft. store on Lincoln Road, in the heart of Miami Beach. Similar to Nike’s new store in Manhattan’s SoHo, the Miami location is designed to deliver the best of Nike products and personalized, immersive experiences services through a series of unique spaces. These include zones dedicated to running, soccer and basketball where consumers can try out the brand’s latest products.
Report: Online retailer’s sample sale gets ‘social’

Specialty retailer Bow & Drape is putting a new spin on how it sells its cheeky merchandise. The brand, which lets shoppers customize pun-inspired apparel, is rolling out sample sales on Instagram, Glossy said.
Another sporting goods retailer calling it quits

It’s closing time for MC Sports. The chain, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Feb. 14, is closing all 66 of its stores across the Midwest. A joint venture between Tiger Capital Group and Great American Group is conducting the going-out-of-business sales, which are now underway.
Allen Edmonds, King of Prussia, Pa.

An American classic — Allen Edmonds — has opened a prototype whose environment focuses on its lifestyle offerings while also honing in on the timeless, masculine essence of the 95-year-old brand.
Target to give a top-performing store a total makeover

Target plans to renovate its downtown Minneapolis flagship, adding an array of new features. The discounter will invest $10 million in a full-store remodel for the location, which opened in 2001, reported The Journal. Less ambitious updates are planned for other Target stores in the Twin Cities area.
Social media giant assists businesses with hiring

Retailers may have a new way to spread the word about their job openings. Facebook now allows businesses in the United States and Canada to post available positions on their company pages or in the new “Jobs on Facebook” bookmark. Facebook users can also see job posts in their news feed, and alongside other posts on Facebook’s business pages, the social network said.