Marketing Tactics

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Summer is an interesting time in the world of retail. With lazy vacation-stilted months in June and July and the comparatively bustling back-to-school energy of August, it is a season of contradictions. While, yes, the unique challenges and opportunities of summer sales patterns and scheduling are different than any other time of the year, understanding what is likely on tap for retailers this summer requires an appreciation for certain universal factors that play a role no matter what the calendar says.
Study: Five ways to target millennial shoppers
Retailers often treat millennials like some sort of marketing Holy Grail, but there may be some simple ways to boost revenues from this emerging consumer generation.

According to a new study from online marketing platform provider Cue Commerce, “Consumer Moments of Truth,” the 80-plus-million shoppers who are part of the millennial generation can be categorized into the following five broad shopping personas.

First Look: Target’s new 'Connected Living' in-store pilot

Target Corp. is testing some of the concepts from its innovative Open House format in San Francisco in a traditional store setting. The discounter has debuted Connected Living, an in-store experience dedicated to showing customers how connected products can work together to make life easier, more convenient and more efficient. The test is taking place in Target’s Ridgedale location in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Exclusive Videos: CSA TV interviews at RECon 2016

Retail real estate leaders and analysts discuss the retail landscape, trends in the industry, and projects to keep an eye on.

Watch the videos here.
Study: Improving economy helps some retail verticals

Consumers are being choosy about where they are spending extra money that is becoming available with the end of the recession.

According to a new study from Mintel, more than two in five (44%) Americans describe their financial situations as "healthy" in 2016, compared to 37% in 2015 and 33% in 2013, indicating that improvements in the economy are being felt at a household level. However, different retail categories are receiving the benefit more than others.
Study: The ins and outs of online shopping

E-commerce is generally popular with consumers, but some offerings are better received than others.

According to the Walker Sands 2016 Future of Retail Study, based on a survey of more than 1,400 U.S. respondents, most consumers shop online with some level of frequency. Forty percent shop online once or more a month, 21% one- to two-times a week, and 7% three or more times a week. This means that about two-thirds (68%) shop online at least monthly, while only 4% shop online one- to three-times a year.
Study: What grocers satisfy customers the most (and least)?

When it comes to customer experience, not all grocery chains are created equal.

According to the new Customer Quotient (CQ) survey from global customer intelligence agency C Space, Trader Joe’s is the most customer-centric grocer. Conversely, Shaw’s scored the lowest of 27 options.
Report: Target asks suppliers for help

Target is reportedly requesting that many of its suppliers assume up to 3% to 5% more of the cost of promotions and price reductions on some items.

According to Reuters, at least 12 Target suppliers have confirmed they were asked to pay for more of the promotional cost for a variety of slow-moving products. Target reported declining sales in its most recent fiscal quarter and publicly said it would likely enter an extended promotional period.
Dollarama sees green in Q1; plans new stores

Dollarama Inc. got fiscal 2017 off to a strong start.

Dollarama Inc. reported sharp increases in profit and revenue during the first quarter of fiscal 2017, and intends to open a net of 60-70 new stores by end of the year.

Net earnings soared 28% to $83.2 million from $64.8 million the same quarter a year earlier. Improvement of the gross margin and lower selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percentage of sales helped drive net earnings growth.
Familiar name leads retailers in brand value

An organization that has taken the retail world by storm in the past several years just earned another accolade.

According to the 2016 BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands ranking released by WPP and Millward Brown, Amazon.com has become the World's Most Valuable Global Retail Brand
Sephora extends shopping capability

Sephora is taking the next step in social commerce.

According to Mobile Commerce Daily, the specialty beauty chain is enabling customers to make purchases from products featured on its Snapchat feed via the ShopStyle mobile app.

Click here to read more.
NRF: Consumers will remember Dad this year

Anyone who is a dad, or sells products dads like, may be in for a happy Father’s Day.

According to a new survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insight and Analytics, consumers say they will spend more than ever on Father’s Day in 2016 (Sunday, June 19). Shoppers are expected to spend an average $125.92 for the holiday, up 9% from the prior year’s $115.57. Total spending is expected to reach $14.3 billion, the highest in the survey’s 13-year history but still below the 2016 Mother’s Day total of $21.4 billion.