Marketing Tactics

Golf retailer expanding west
PGA Tour Superstore continues to broaden its footprint with its first store in Utah.

The retailer announced it will open a 25,000-sq.-ft. store in Sandy, Utah, in April. The Sandy store, which will feature four state-of-the-art simulators, four practice hitting bays and an expansive putting green measuring more than 750 sq. ft., is the first of five new store locations the company has announced for 2016.
Retail marketers find less is more with coupons
Some major retailers sharply reduced their use of printed free standing inserts (FSIs) last year but the total dollar value of FSIs still grew to a record $515 billion.

The value of free standing insert (FSI) coupons increased 3.7% in 2015 to $515 billion, according to Kantar Media. However, the number of FSI pages distributed fell 8.1% as marketers cut back on pages that didn’t include a coupon. The number of coupons circulated increased nominally versus the prior year, and combined with higher face value led to growth in dollars circulated.

Holiday e-commerce customers offer mixed returns

E-commerce retailers might think new customers acquired during the holiday season are a gift, but they many not keep on giving.
Walmart CEO McMillon funding innovation at alma mater

It may seem an unlikely location, but the future of retail may soon be invented in abandoned gift shop on the ground floor of a parking garage at the University of Arkansas thank
Guitar Center contest is a big hit

Guitar Center's annual drumming competition has crowned another winner, drawing celebrity musicians and music lovers from all over the United States for the big event.
Pottery Barn Kids has babies on the brain

Pottery Barn Kids is looking to attract more new parents by unveiling its first nursery collection.

The new collection is designed in collaboration with celebrated celebrity stylists and fashion design team Emily Current and Meritt Elliott. The collection includes the XO Nursery that features a glamorous black and white color palette, graphic prints and patterns and bold accents. The Star Nursery features dreamy pink and neutral colors with layers of soft denim and gold accents.
More email in 2016 holiday forecast

If this past holiday season was any indication, American consumers can expect to receive even more email from retailers in the coming year as improved targeting has increased the efficacy of the marketing tactic.
Unilever targets football fans with Carson Palmer, Jordy Nelson ads

With the NFL Playoffs under way and Super Bowl 50 right around the corner, Dove Men+Care is challenging the idea that athletes’ strongest accomplishments happen on the field by celebrating the heroic impact of football greats in their personal moments.
Sam's Club SCOREs a partnership to benefit small businesses

Sam's Club is teaming up with a national nonprofit dedicated to mentoring small business owners to launch the 2016 American Small Business Championship.

The SCORE competition is open to small business owners and entrepreneurs from coast to coast with one winner receiving a $25,000 grand prize.
Quick-change Manhattan retailer Story partnering with health insurance giant

Story, the 2,000-sq.-ft. Manhattan store that changes its theme, interior design and product mix every four to eight weeks, is teaming up with health services provide Cigna for its next iteration.

The retailer will unveil its “Feel Good” concept on Tuesday, Jan. 19. The installation will be open through Feb. 28, and customers will be able to participate in a variety of classes and panel discussions focusing on health and wellness, in addition to shopping for the latest trends in healthy living.
Dillard's cookbook nets more than $850K for RMHC

Dillard’s Inc. is giving more than $850,000 to local Chapters of Ronald McDonald House Charities after selling its exclusive Southern Living Christmas Cookbook.

For the eighth time, Dillard’s offered a special custom edition of the Southern Living Christmas Cookbook to benefit RMHC. This exclusive, 288-page hardbound cookbook is filled with fabulous holiday recipes, color photos, menus, decorating tips and entertaining ideas.
A surging J.C. Penney to re-enter category it left 30 years ago

As more millennials enter the real estate market and a rising number of homeowners invest in updating their homes, J.C. Penney is re-entering the appliance business.

The retailer announced that it will introduce a leading assortment of major appliances in 22 pilot stores beginning Feb. 1. Backed by customer research that reinforces the company’s decision to enter the appliance market, the pilot is one of several strategic initiatives aimed at improving its home department sales productivity, the company said.