Marketing Tactics

Report: Disillusioned Black Friday shoppers will head online
Black Friday may be considered one of the biggest shopping events of the year, but interest among consumers continues to dwindle. Specifically, 31% of respondents in the United States said they have always disliked shopping on Black Friday, and 29% believe it is simply a marketing trick with retailers manipulating pricing to convince consumers they are getting a good deal.
Commentary: ‘Down-ballot’ issues that could impact retailers and other businesses
Because of the tone and tenor of the presidential campaign, lots of folks might be surprised to learn there are many other significant races going on across the country. These so-called “down-ballot” elections for governors’ offices, U.S. House and Senate seats, state legislatures and other offices may hold the real clues for what the next four years entail for employers, no matter who wins the White House. Believe it or not, there are substantive candidates actually discussing substantive kitchen table issues that impact families and communities.

Name change for P&R Architects

Architectural firm P+R Architects (Perkowitz + Ruth Architects), based in Long Beach, California, has changed its name to Retail Design Collaborative.
First Look: Under Armour, Boston

Under Armour has brought its “brand house” interactive store format to Boston, opening a location at the Prudential Center. With nearly 19,000-sq.-ft. of retail space across two floors, the store delivers an immersive, engaging brand experience enhanced by state-of-the-art digital displays designed to both inform and inspire.
Instagram helps its users go shopping

In addition to posting, liking and commenting on photos, Instagram users now can also purchase from their favorite brands. Starting Tuesday, Nov. 1, the mobile-driven social site added shoppable tags on photos from 20 retail brands, including Kate Spade, Warby Parker and JackThreads, among others — a move that will enable consumers to learn more about the items they view within an Instagram post, and even make a purchase.
Newegg kicks off ‘Black November’

For the eighth year running, Newegg is giving shoppers access to special Black Friday promotions during the entire month of November. A program designed to make it more convenient to shop for the season¹s most sought-after products, Newegg’s promotional month will highlight specific sales that will last for a full week.
Report: Almost half of consumers skipping Black Friday

Year-round e-commerce sales and discounting have dulled the impact of traditional Black Friday sales for many consumers. These shoppers are so desensitized to “Black Friday hype” that nearly three in four respondents (73%) said they prefer to do their holiday shopping outside of the holiday season, during e-commerce sales, such as Amazon Prime Day. These preferences have influenced 47% of shoppers to skip Black Friday or Cyber Monday altogether this year, according to the second annual “JDA Consumer Survey.”
The single biggest shopping day in the world is almost here

Singles' Day, a festival that started in China some 20 years ago to celebrate being single, is fast approaching. And the country’s e-commerce giant is pulling out all the stops this year.
Nordstrom focuses on customers in holiday marketing
Nine Predictions for the 2016 Retail Holiday Season

With Halloween now behind us, the unofficial start of the 2016 retail holiday season is upon us. Amid intensifying competition, where are retailers placing their bets? Here are observations and expectations from Profitero for the critical fourth quarter seasonal period:
Coach profit surges in Q1

Luxury handbag and accessories brand Coach posted a 22% increase in profit for the first quarter, a result that one analyst said show the company’s turnaround is delivering. Profit totaled $117.4 million in the quarter, or 42 cents per diluted share. Adjusted net income for the quarter totaled $126 million, or 45 cents per diluted share, slightly ahead of forecasts.
Amazon launches Black Friday deals — starting now

For every shopper that asks “Alexa, what are your holiday deals?,” Amazon now has answers. The Internet giant has officially kicked off the holiday countdown with the launch of its Black Friday Deals Store and curated holiday gift guides, along with an array of other digital services geared to attract shoppers this shopping season.