Marketing Tactics

Eighty-eight percent of consumers plan to celebrate Mother’s Day 2016 and clothing is this year’s big winner.

That’s according to the annual Brand Keys Mother’s Day survey, which found that consumers intend to spend on average $205.00 this year, up 6% over 2015.

Men, following a long-standing tradition, intend to spend more than women, reporting an anticipated average spend of $228. Women reported an anticipated spend of $182.

Skechers retail stores could be in for a sales boost later this year as pro football Hall of Famer Howie Long becomes the newest member of the footwear brand’s endorsement roster.
 
Skechers, operator of 1,340 stores, inked Long for a multi-year deal that involves TV, print and digital components through 2018. Long is best known today as a game day commentator of Fox’s NFL broadcasts, but prior to that he was one of the league’s most dominating defensive linemen during a 12 year career with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders.
 

Office Depot Inc. is turning to virtual reality (VR) to enhance how products are displayed and merchandised in its stores.

The retailer is leveraging the ShopperMX online 3D VR platform from InContext Solutions to create engaging in-store experiences that provide customers with hyper-realistic virtual simulations. This may include virtually enhanced signage and product displays, as well as entirely new store concepts.

Target Corp.’s latest limited-edition collaboration, with the Finnish brand Marimekko, was not a bust, but it also didn’t spark the excitement and shopping frenzy that marked the launch of the retailer’s previous exclusive collections — particularly its past partnerships with Missoni and Lily Putlizer.

Consumers are taking stock of their financial health and how it will affect their decisions to make CPG purchases in the coming months.

According to the new first quarter 2016 IRI Consumer Connect survey, 67% of respondents feel their financial health will improve in the next six months. As a result, CPG spending will generally improve, but shoppers have some specific needs and wants to fulfill.

Anthropologie is coming to Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, in a big way.

The brand, a division of Urban Outfitters, will open a 10,000-sq.-ft. flagship on the mall’s expanded first level. It is expected to open in time for the holiday season.

CVS Pharmacy is bringing its CVS Pharmacy y más to the Los Angeles market.

The retailer first debuted the concept, designed to provide enhanced, personalized service to the local Hispanic community, in June 2015, in Miami, opening 12 stores. Nine stores in the greater Los Angeles market will have the new format.

Restaurant operator Johnny Rockers is celebrating its 30th anniversary year — and reaching out to millennials — by giving itself a brand refresh.

The chain is best known for its 1950s diner look, complete with jukeboxes filled with oldies songs and dancing servers dressed in nostalgic soda-jerk uniforms. But it’s rolling out a new prototype that includes a much more modern-looking exterior and interior, a new logo, a more contemporary music soundtrack, and new uniforms for associates. Also on the bill: a self-serve ordering kiosk for to-go orders.

In a first, Tiffany & Co. will sell its jewelry online, on a site other than its own.

Tiffany has entered into a limited collaboration with online retailer Net-A-Porter to make select Tiffany items available for purchase on the global fashion site.

“With their recognized edit and fashion authority, Net-A-Porter will re-introduce Tiffany as more than the legendary jeweler, but an expression of personal style,” said Philippe Galtie, senior vice president of international sales at Tiffany & Co.

Amazon comes out on top — way on top — as the top shopping web site for teens.

That’s according to Piper Jaffray Companies’ 31st semi-annual “Taking Stock With Teens” research survey, which highlights spending trends and brand preferences amongst 6,500 U.S. teens across 46 U.S. states.