Marketing Tactics

Rite Aid kicks off annual Children's Miracle Network fundraiser
Rite Aid's 22nd annual Miracle Balloon campaign for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is now underway, the company announced Monday. From now through April 30, Rite Aid customers can support their local children's hospital by purchasing $1 paper Miracle Balloons at any Rite Aid store.
Saks Off 5th comes to Canada
Less than a month after Hudson’s Bay Company brought Saks Fifth Avenue to Canadian shoppers, the company this month is opening the first of 25 planned Saks Off 5th stores.

Three new Saks Off 5th stores are scheduled to open on March 17 in Vaughan Mills, Halton Hills and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The openings will allow Canadians to experience the ultimate "thrill of the hunt" shopping that Saks Off 5th is renowned for, with access to the some of the best brands and fantastic finds, in a fun to shop store format,” according to the company.

The Finish Line is mad (and social) about hoops

The “March Madness” college basketball tournament will no doubt a major trending topic on social media for the next few weeks, and sporting goods retailer The Finish Line Inc. is joining the craziness.

The Finish Line is offering customers two opportunities to digitally celebrate March Madness games this year. The retailer is offering a Finish Line Bracket Challenge for its Winner’s Circle loyalty program members with a top prize of $5,000, as well as the #CallYourShot social campaign that will last the duration of the tournament.
Kohl's overhauls its largest private home and fashion brand

Kohl’s has unveiled a re-launch of itsSonoma Goods for Life private brand that includes new designs, in-store and online.
Whose Brand Are You Building? Retail-Branded Product Protection Enhances the Retail Brand

The explosive growth of connected devices combined with consumer preference for retailer-brand protection plans creates a growing opportunity for retailers to boost revenue and shopper loyalty.
Ulta Beauty sizzles, plans 100 more stores

No retailer has more momentum right now than Ulta Beauty. The company’s fourth quarter same store sales increased 12.5% on top of a prior year gain of 11.1% and 2016 could be another year of double digits gains.
Kirkland's is laser-focused on e-commerce growth

Home furnishings retailer Kirkland's says its soaring digital sales are proof of the success of its omnichannel transformation, and the retailer plans to grow e-commerce even more in 2016.
Strong e-commerce sales not enough to save Stein Mart in Q4

Fourth quarter profits at Stein Mart were cut in half as the company relied on heavy promotional activity to clear inventory and eke out a 1% same-store sales increase.
ModCloth delves deeper into brick-and-mortar

ModCloth is going on tour this summer.

The online apparel retailer known for its indie and vintage-inspired styles is launching the “ModCloth IRL (in real life) Tour,” a series of five pop-up shops.

The IRL shops are modeled after ModCloth’s first-ever physical outpost, a pop-up in San Francisco. The store opened last July and is due to close March 26.
CVS Health targets youth in new anti-smoking efforts

CVS Health on Thursday announced the launch of "Be The First," a five-year $50 million initiative to help deliver the nation's first tobacco-free generation.
Specialty retailer mobilizes social efforts

Bag, Borrow or Steal, a specialty online retailer that allows consumers to buy, rent and sell luxury handbags and accessories, is all about creating a sense of community.
365 by Whole Foods Market’s first partner doesn’t eat meat

Whole Foods Market has chosen a fast-casual vegan eatery as the first partner in its “Friends of 365” program to allow like-minded, innovative businesses to establish their own independent retail spaces in 365 by Whole Foods Market stores.

The retailer announced that by Chloe will be part of the first 365 location, which is scheduled to open in late May in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles. It will be the plant-based vegan brand’s first location outside of New York City.