Marketing Tactics

Synchrony Financial will continue to offer consumer financing to Pandora Jewelry customers.

The two companies have announced a multi-year extension of their consumer financing program agreement. The program, which began in 2011, will continue to provide Pandora shoppers with access to a range of payment options through the Pandora Preferred card program. Special financing will be available at select concept stores nationwide.

Henry Ford Health System, a six-hospital system headquartered here, and Kroger on Wednesday announced a new partnership designed to answer common dietary health questions and help consumers eat and shop healthier.

Henry Ford LiveWell Wednesdays debuts June 1 at all 126 Kroger stores throughout Michigan. Every Wednesday, Henry Ford will provide Kroger shoppers with a healthy recipe developed by registered dietitian nutritionists. Shoppers will receive a brochure including a list of all ingredients needed for the recipe and a link to a video cooking demonstration.

J.C. Penney Co. said Wednesday it is proposing to refinance a $2.25 billion senior secured term loan, and to extend the maturity of the loan, which is currently set at May 2018. The transaction is expected to be complete in June.

Penney also reported positive same-store sales for its quarter-to-date through Memorial Day.
 

Image Courtesy: Christopher Michel, CC by 2.0

Walmart is reviving a familiar icon to be the symbol of its low-price marketing.

The discounter announced it is bringing back its yellow smiley image, which has been in hibernation for some 10 years. The image can already be seen in some digital advertising and will expand to television ads and select in-store signage next week.

Ahold USA first quarter sales were up 4% to $8.2 billion. Excluding gas, sales increased 4.1% at constant exchange rates. The addition of 25 A&P stores in the New York Metro market in fourth quarter 2015 was the main contributor to the overall sales growth and resulted in an overall market share improvement in both dollars and volume, Ahold reported.

Storytelling elements provide an immersive brand experience at Ugg’s new global store concept, at Disney Springs, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The brand’s Californian roots, connections to nature and modernist vibe all come into play in the 2,828-sq.-ft. space, which has a relaxed, soothing ambience.

Cotton lovers in the Boston area have a two-day opportunity to shop an in-store collection before it becomes available online.
 
Rue La La has partnered with promotional group Cotton Inc. for a second year. To kick off the collaborations, the brands will launch a custom-developed pop-up shop. The co-branded #SummerofCotton pop-up shop will be located on Newbury Street in Boston for two days, June 4-5.
 

Online home furnishings retailer Wayfair Inc. is rolling out an in-house-developed display advertising platform that will deliver tailored messages and collect customer data.

Known as Magellan, the platform was built in-house by Wayfair’s engineering, data science, and marketing teams. Magellan leverages enhanced bidding models that allow the flexibility to continually enhance targeting capabilities over time. This targeting also lets third-party Wayfair Media Solutions users extend the reach of their advertising programs.

With a fast-growing $1.5 trillion grocery market, China is the ultimate prize for Wal-Mart, according to an Associated Press report. But the retailer will have to adapt to succeed in what it is a very different marketplace than America.

“If the Arkansas-based company wants to win over foreign consumers, it has to shed some of its American ways, and cater to very different customs and conventions that are fast changing,” the report said.