Marketing Tactics

Target tests recipe for food growth
Target Corp.’s partnership with MIT Media Lab and global design firm IDEO is bearing fruit — literally.
High-profile brand taps into activewear craze with dedicated store
Stores devoted to women’s activewear (or athleisure) are one of the fastest- growing segments in retailing and now Tory Burch has joined the crowd. The company has opened Tory Sport in the Flatiron District of Manhattan. The store features the entire Tory Sport collection, which ranges from running gear to golf clothing, reported NY Racked, and has a decor inspired by different elements of sports. [NY Racked]

Starbucks to donate all unsold food

Starbucks Corp. announced a major initiative to help the nation’s neediest citizens.

The coffee giant is launching FoodShare, a program to donate all leftover ready-to-eat meals from its 7,600 U.S. company-operated stores to food banks. In the first year alone, the program will be able to provide nearly 5 million meals, according to company estimates.
Aaron’s makes a difference in D.C., and beyond

Store managers from 2,000 Aaron’s location gathered in Washington, D.C., for their annual meeting and to participatein a wide range of unique community outreach efforts.

The giving efforts kicked off with a donation event in which Aaron's donated furniture to 28 apartments for families who have experienced homelessness. This effort supports Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser's (pictured above) efforts to ensure safe, dignified housing for all Washingtonians and end homelessness in the District of Columbia.
Groupon expands online delivery presence

In case you needed yet another reminder of how competitive the online delivery vertical is getting, online deal platform Groupon is adding a new city of operation to its OrderUp on-demand food delivery app.
Mattress Firm names company veteran CEO

The integration of a major acquisition and the accelerated closure of non-performing stores top the list of priorities awaiting Ken Murphy as he assumes leadership of the nation’s largest bedding retailer.
Target looks to disrupt food category

Target Corp.’s partnership with MIT Media Lab and global design firm IDEO is bearing fruit — literally.

In January, Target announced the launch of the Food + Future coLab, a multi-year collaboration with MIT and IDEO to explore the future of food. Although it’s only been a couple of months, Target is already testing two ideas from the coli.
Hot Canadian brand signs lease for first U.S. store

A popular goose has found a nest in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood.

Canada Goose, best known for its signature goose-down jacket with Arctic Circle logo and fur-trimmed hood, has signed a lease for an approximate 4,400-sq.-ft. store on Wooster Street, The Real Deal reported. The asking rent for the space, according to the Real Deal, was $550 a foot.
Being There: In-Store Apparel Retailers Put Advantages to Good Use

It’s been more than 15 years since they started ringing the death knell for brick-and-mortar retail. And although the Internet shopping base continues to grow, the in-store experience is here to stay. Even the doomsayers have quieted during recent years. There are simply too many things about in-store shopping that the online experience can’t offer.
GameStop partners with Autism Speaks for Autism Awareness Month

GameStop Corp. is launching an omnichannel campaign to raise funds for a cause that is near and dear to the hearts of many of the retailer's customers.
Top retailers and brands win shopper marketing awards

Photo: Neal Davies, president and CEO, Effie Worldwide, (left) and Amy Hahn, senior VP of marketing, Ahold, (right) present an Effie Award to Matthew Parry, senior director of marketing at Walmart and Haley Prowell, associate marketing manager at Walmart.

Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Walmart and CVS Health were among this year winners of Effie awards, which recognize excellence in shopper marketing.
Rue La La aligns with oldest digital platform of all

Specialty online fashion retailer Rue La La is launching a series of themed online boutiques that tie in with the original digital consumer engagement channel – TV.

Rue La La is entering an exclusive partnership with ABC's hit show "Dancing with the Stars” by offering themed online shopping experiences. The first boutique, live at 3 p.m. ET on Monday, March 21, aligns with the premiere of "Dancing with the Stars" and is merchandised for a night of dancing for both men and women.