Marketing Tactics

Alibaba’s payment provider launches in Australia
Alibaba’s newest partnership is further expanding the global reach of mobile payments. Alipay, a digital wallet payment platform run by Alibaba's affiliate Ant Financial, and Quest Payment Systems Pty Ltd, an Australian payments provider, are teaming up to roll out Alipay at select stores in Australia. The digital wallet, which is currently used by Chinese nationals to pay for in-store purchases using their mobile phones, is now available at select stores within The Chemist Warehouse and My Chemist pharmacy groups.
Kantar Study: Dollar General and Walmart least expensive
It’s a draw. Dollar General and Walmart tied for the least expensive overall basket, at $27 each, in Kantar Retail's Opening Price Point Study, which seeks to determine how select retailers meet the grocery and consumable needs of shoppers looking for the lowest absolute shelf prices.

Target sponsors home decor pop-up in Manhattan

Target Corp. has teamed up with Domino, a trendy home decor magazine. Domino has opened its first-ever retail store, a pop-up sponsored by Target, in Manhattan, Mediapost.com reported.
Ten Brands to Watch in 2017

Brand-building consultant Denise Lee Yohn has released her annual “Brands to Watch” list for 2017. There are 26 companies on the list, with retail and social media brands accounting for 10 of the spots. Here’s a review: Barnes & Noble. The venerable bookstore chain has let its CEO go, lowered sales expectations, and shrunk its footprint by dozens of stores. Meanwhile Amazon Books is opening stores. Is 2017 the year B&N’s death will become imminent?!
Will West Coast Retailer Migration Continue as Northeast Rents Rise?

When the nation’s retail industry recently congregated in New York City for ICSC’s National Deal Making conference, much of the discussion centered on the evolving mindset of consumers throughout the country. For retail real estate professionals in the Northeast, this conversation is vital.
Physical stores remain go-to location for cosmetic and grooming purchases

Beliefs that online shopping has replaced brick-and-mortar shopping are exaggerated, especially when it comes cosmetic and grooming purchases, according to a new The Harris Poll.
PayPal makes cash gift-gifting more personal — and stylish

PayPal tapped noted designer Jonathan Adler to personalize gift cards for the payment company’s person-to-person (P2P) payment service. Consumers who opt to use the service to give money to friends and family, can now choose from six exclusive yet customizable digital holiday and generic gifting cards — a move that personalizes their “gift of money,” and adds a chic touch to an often impersonal gift option.
Home improvement retailer ups ante with price optimization

The Home Depot Mexico is one step closer to delivering on its promise "to provide the highest level of service, the broadest selection of products and the most competitive prices.”
Michaels disappoints in Q3

Michaels came up short in the third quarter, posting earnings and revenue that missed analysts’ forecasts. The art and craft retailer reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of 40 cents per diluted share, missing analysts' estimates of 43 cents per share. Net sales increased 5.0% to $1.227 billion, primarily a result of the acquisition of Lamrite West in February 2016 and sales from 19 additional stores.
Trademark taps digital ace Keeton as marketing chief

Fort Worth-based Trademark Property Co. is making a move to more data-driven marketing efforts with the hiring of Jency Keeton as director of corporate marketing. As digital brand manager for global marketing at Fossil, Keeton doubled the retailer’s social media audience and directed its website, email, blogging, and influencer programs. Her digital promotions, contests, and user-generated content programs were deployed in stores and all other customer touch-points.
Tech Bytes: Want to succeed this holiday season? Build up the ‘team’

Clearly, Cyber Week’s promotions helped to produce record-breaking sales — but discounts alone won’t drive success this holiday season. Let’s face it — even the best deals won’t matter if a retailer doesn’t have those highly-coveted Hatchimals or wireless Dr. Dre Beats in-stock and ready to be shipped in record-time. This battle will be won with a focused staff that is trained and ready to handle an onslaught of incoming orders; respond to customer questions and efficiently fulfill orders.
Report: Online retailers continue to move to brick-and-mortar

There is one trend from the past couple of years shows no signs of stopping anytime soon: the movement of online-only retailers to the physical space. If anything, it’s gaining more momentum. According to JLL’s Screens to Stores report, even more online retailers will experiment with physical locations in the next five years.