Marketing Tactics

A rough summer season, and an adjusted fiscal year end, took a toll on Gymboree’s third quarter earnings.   The retailer’s net sales for the three months ended July 30, 2016, were $250.3 million, a decrease of 4% compared to $261.8 million for the three months ended August 1, 2015.   

Starting Nov. 1, more than 5 million Sears MasterCard holders whose cards are linked to the Shop Your Way program will earn more Shop Your Way points at Kmart and many of their favorite retailers.   These Sears MasterCard holders will automatically earn more Shop Your Way points on a complimentary basis through December 31, 2017, including:

• 5% back in points on eligible purchases made at gas stations;
• 3% back in points on eligible purchases at grocery stores and restaurants

Value and promotions will take center stage in Target Corp.’s holiday plans, along with a televised “musical” starring a 10-time Grammy-winning recording artist.   In addition to new and exclusive merchandise in every product category, Target is offering an array of holiday deals, including the return — and extension by one week — of free shipping for all online orders from Oct. 25 through Jan. 1, 2017.    

Looking to attract shoppers in what is expected to be a highly competitive season, Best Buy is waiving online shipping fees.   For the second year in a row, the electronics retailer is offering free shipping on all online purchases — with no minimum threshold — made during the holiday shopping season. The perk will run between Oct. 25, and Jan. 2. Best Buy typically charges a fee for all orders below $35.  

U.S. shoppers love mobile commerce, yet mobile payments still account for just 2% of all transactions.  

The fast-growing beauty category represented 17% of QVC’s global sales in 2015, but the retailer wants more.    To grab a bigger share of the category, the digital retailer will launch the Beauty iQ network, a multi-platform beauty shopping experience designed to engage beauty lovers. The program, which is set to launch on Oct. 31, will be viewable in over 40 million homes in the U.S. via distributors, including DirecTV, U-verse, Dish and Roku.   

Starbucks Corp. has unveiled a new store environment for its Teavana division.    In the new store design, tea is not hidden in tins. Instead, loose-leaf teas are boldly displayed in large glass cylinders for customers to see and smell as employees help them create custom blends.  

Spence Diamonds is dropping anchor in the United States with an innovative store concept and unique product offering.    The diamond retailer will open a store in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 7, followed by a location in San Jose, Calif., on Nov. 10. A store in Scottsdale, Arizona is planned for first quarter 2017, with additional markets to be announced soon.  

While many retailers still struggle with how to leverage the Black Friday sales frenzy, REI has other plans in mind.   For the second year, REI will remain closed on both Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. “Instead of feeding the Black Friday frenzy, we're closing our 149 stores and giving our 12,287 employees a paid day off,” REI’s website reported.   

The venue where the Beatles performed their first concert in the United States now houses REI’s newest flagship location.