Marketing Tactics

Barneys New York in spectacular homecoming
Barneys New York has opened flagship in downtown Manhattan on the same block that the upscale retailer was founded on in 1923 and maintained a presence through the late 1990's.
Off-pricer to make Canadian debut
Nordstrom continues to expand north of the border.

The retailer announced that its Nordstrom Rack off-price division will open its first Canadian location, in Toronto, in 2018.

The 38,600-sq.-ft. store will be located at One Bloor in Yorkville, on the southeast corner of Yonge Street and Bloor Street, a well-known shopping district in Toronto. It will be approximately one mile north of the Nordstrom full-line store, which is scheduled to open in September 2016 at CF Eaton Centre.

Use Visual Merchandising Online to Ring Up Profits

Fashion and department stores, perhaps more than other retail segments, understand the benefits of visual merchandising. Consumers may set out to shop for a specific item, but seeing “that item” curated as part of an outfit with related garments and accessories is a surefire way to upsell complementary apparel.
Build-A-Bear Workshop’s future: More outlet stores, pop-ups — and cruise ships

Build-A-Bear Workshop on Tuesday said it will continue to diversify its store portfolio — including the opening of a branded experience on a cruise ship — as the chain announced disappointing results for its fourth quarter.

The retailer reported a better-than-expected profit of $20.6 million for the quarter, ended January 3, 2016, compared to net income of $11.8 million in the year ago period.
Product of the Year winners revealed and celebrated

Twenty-nine new products were recognized as “Product of the Year,” at a gala event in New York recently, but earning that distinction comes at a hefty price and leveraging it as part of a marketing effort costs even more.
Report: Whole Foods Market considering tattoo parlors in new chain

Shoppers at Whole Foods Market’s new 365 chain might be able to get a tattoo while they stock up on organic kale smoothies and non-GMO dog food.

In an interview on Bloomberg TV, Whole Foods CEO Walter Robb says the 365 format is going to try some tactics outside of the traditional supermarket playbook, including setting up tattoo parlors in the stores.
Tech Guest Viewpoint: Driving Impulse Buy with Technology

The term “impulse buy” has a negative connotation to many. Picking up that guilty pleasure snack in the checkout line at the supermarket, that gadget you don’t really need, or those shoes that are on sale all qualify.
Food Lion recognizes store manager of the year

Food Lion's focus on employee excellence was on display this week when the grocery chain recognized some of its exemplary managers with awards.
Nordstrom teases New Yorkers with a glimpse of the future

Nordstrom revealed dramatic plans for a massive and elaborate flagship in Manhattan designed to wow residents of a city accustomed to the best retailers have to offer.

The approximately 363,000-sq.-ft. store will encompass four individual properties in the Columbus Circle neighborhood of Manhattan, along Broadway between West 57th and West 58th Streets. Slated to open in 2019, it will be the retailer’s second largest store to date (the largest, at 383,000 sq. ft., is in its Seattle hometown).
Apple Pay use lags awareness

Consumers know about Apple Pay, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are conducting mobile payments with it.

According to a December 2015 survey of 1,300 U.S. household financial decision-makers, including 580 iPhone 6 users, conducted by First Annapolis Consulting Inc. awareness of Apple Pay is quite high. Among all survey respondents, 73% have heard of Apple Pay, while awareness jumps up to 84% for the sub-group of iPhone 6 owners.
World to get glimpse of Canadian cool at summer Olympics

The contingent of athletes representing Canada at this summer’s Olympic games in Brazil will be feeling strong and confident during the opening ceremonies thanks to a new design deal announced by Hudson’s Bay Company.

Hudson's Bay, Canada's iconic retailer, announced that Dean and Dan Caten, Dsquared2 will design the outfit for Team Canada for the Opening Ceremonies at the upcoming 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.
JCPenney targets millennials with new private brand

One of the major components of JCPenney's transformation strategy is getting a boost this week when the retailer launches its new Belle + Sky collection aimed at millennials.