Marketing Tactics

This week I’d like to discuss the re-emergence of skyline signs, but first allow me to offer a quick thank you to the entire Chain Store Age and SPECS Show teams for executing a trade show I won’t soon forget.

Of course, I’m talking about last week’s show at the beautiful Hilton Anatole in Dallas, #SPECS2016.

The pace of expansion slowed at Shoe Carnival in 2015 but the company produced respectable growth against a challenging prior year comparison that has it poised to achieve a major milestone in 2016.

Businesses throughout North America can expect above normal temperatures in most markets over the Easter weekend (March 25-27), according to Planalytics.

The strongest warmth compared to normal will be along the West Coast and from the Plains to the East Coast. The Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast regions can expect intermittent showers leading up to the Easter holiday.

Tanger Outlets is bringing its celebration of spring fashion directly to shoppers.

The Greensboro, North Carolina-based operator of 42 upscale outlet shopping centers with two under construction is releasing its seasonal TangerSTYLE magazine. TangerSTYLE features brands including J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Cole Haan. The magazine is available free at Tanger Outlets locations, as well as online and via the Tanger Outlets mobile app.

New store expansion and expectations for same-store sales growth are in store for Michaels Companies in 2016, according to CEO Chuck Rubin.

Rubin sounded an optimistic tone about Michaels’ future following the release of fourth quarter results he characterized as “strong” and attributed to an improved shopping experience, increased customer communications and trend right holiday assortments.

Consumers have spoken, and there is a definite number of retailer emails that crosses the line.

According to a new survey of more than 1,000 U.S. shoppers from customer targeting technology provider First Insight, the average consumer subscribes to 2.3 retailer email lists and receives 13.1 emails a week from these lists.

Best Buy Co. Inc. is expanding a series of programs and partnerships designed to ensure the availability of a crucial IT component – human talent.

As part of this ongoing initiative, in spring 2016, the Best Buy Teen Tech Center network will open four new centers that offer year-round after-school programming. And from May through September, more than 6,000 students will attend free Geek Squad Academy (GSA) two-day sessions in communities around the country.

Storytelling is an intrinsic part of our daily lives. Movies, books, music, news, religion and art are all imbued with the stories we tell each other–and the stories we tell ourselves.

Even the spaces and places that we work, shop, eat and play are “speaking” to us – and through us – defining our dreams and desires, informing our values, and even shaping the contours of our hidden prejudices and deepest fears.

Ross Dress for Less on March 5 opened two new stores in the Chicago area.

The retailer opened a 27,000-sq.-ft. location in Berwyn, in Cermak Plaza, nine miles west of downtown Chicago at the southeast corner of West Cermak Road and Harlem Avenue.

It also opened an Archer Heights location, a 25,000-sq.-ft. store in the Pulaski Promenade, nine miles southwest of downtown Chicago at the northwest corner of 42nd Place and Pulaski Road.

Gap Inc. CEO Art Peck was in New York on March 16 to receive the 2016 Catalyst Award from an organization focused on accelerating progress for women through workplace inclusion.