Marketing Tactics

Story, the innovative retail store in Manhattan that totally reinvents itself every few months, is ready for the holidays with a one-stop shopping experience that offers something for everyone.    For its new installation, “Home for the Holidays,” the store has reconfigured its space into a series of designated rooms that correspond to different recipients on a shopper’s list: a living room for her, a library for him, a playroom for the kids, and a kitchen with something for everyone.   

On Nov. 16, the Mall of America will open the doors on a revolving collection of pop-up shops that will come and go throughout the year.   Branded as Debut, the 2,500-sq.-ft. space will be kicked off by an eclectic selection of nine brands including Askov Finlayson, West Elm Local, Woolrich, Pomegranate, and Laurel Way by Pam Mondale.  

Barneys New York named Josh Lieberman as its executive VP of digital.   Lieberman, who was previously senior VP of digital marketing, will oversee the enterprise’s e-commerce and digital businesses, including all marketing, merchandising, operations, creative and technology.  

J. Crew Group is exiting the bridal business, which it entered back in 2004.   The company has marked down its entire collection of wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses by up to 70% online and in stores, reported Business Insider.    Once the merchandise sells out, the retailer will no longer offer a wedding line, according to the report.  

Uber wants to put championship gear commemorating the Cubs’ World Series victory into fans’ hands as quickly as possible.   Through a partnership with licensed sports merchandise e-retailer Fanatics, Uber launched a program that enables Cubbies fans to purchase championship hats and t-shirts directly through the ride-hailing app, according to Recode.  

Taubman is taking the Santa experience to a higher level — literally — at 12 malls this holiday season.   On Nov. 11, the mall owner and manager will debut “Santa’s Flight Academy,” where kids will be able to register as members of the jolly old elf’s flight crew, help Sleigh Mechanic George or Reindeer Caretaker Flash prepare for liftoff and engage in what Taubman is describing as an “immersive holiday experience.”  

As a teaser for its Thanksgiving Day opening, Kohl’s is launching a one-day Black Friday sale Wednesday, Nov. 3.   Available in-store and on its website, Kohl’s will feature one day of Black Friday deals for shoppers eager to get a jump on their holiday shopping. The program supports its holiday tagline, the “First Place to Stop and Best Place to Shop.” Featured merchandise includes Serta gel memory foam mattresses, 50-inch LED TVs, inflatable hot tubs, and appliances, such as food processors, among other merchandise.

Petco will celebrate the grand opening of nine new stores nationwide in November and December.   The openings are in keeping with the company’s fast-paced 2016 growth plan, which includes 63 new Petco stores and one new Unleashed by Petco store year-to-date.   In addition to the nine new locations, Petco will also celebrate the grand reopening of a relocated store in Kettering, Ohio.  

Holiday spending is expected to spike by a solid 4%.   That’s according to the “2016 Holiday Season Forecast,” an annual report from investment firm JLL that is based on responses from 2,800 shoppers across 31 shopping centers.