Marketing Tactics

There is little doubt the public’s fear about safety has been heightened. In fact, the news these days is saturated with danger signals. Some people feel the threat of public spaces more acutely than others.

Having been trapped in a building two blocks from ground zero on 9/11, I myself have become hyperaware. I’ve devoted a lot of thought to how we can make shoppers feel more secure in the spaces we design so that they will be drawn to a store, be comfortable staying, and finally, lose themselves in the experience and want to return another day.

Spin, an entertainment concept that had its genesis in “Naked Ping Pong” parties in New York’s Tribeca neighborhood, has taken the ground floor space to close out leasing at a new retail venue in Philadelphia.   The glass-fronted, 55,000-sq.-ft. center in Rittenhouse Square, owned by an affiliate of Midwood Investment & Development, is co-anchored by The Cheesecake Factory and Verizon. Also inhabiting the three-story building is &Pizza and WeWork, a collaborative work space.  

A new partnership plans to open dozens of Dunkin’ Donuts locations in Louisiana.    The company announced that New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, in partnership with existing franchisee Vik Patel, has signed an agreement to develop up to 69 new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria, Louisiana over the coming years. Brees is a New Orleans Saints Super Bowl champion and MVP and former New York Giants offensive lineman.   

Initial reports about holiday spending bode well for retailers.   Consumers spent 16% more on holiday purchases this year than in 2015, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers Post-Holiday Shopping Survey.  

While results were conservative, holiday digital sales surpassed 2015 figures.  

Gracious Homes’ lease on a 17,000-sq.-ft. store in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan is on the auction block.   The location, which has 70 ft. of frontage on 25th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue is being made available at a “substantially below market” rate, according to Andy Graiser, co-president of A&G Realty Partners, which is handling the auction for the retailer that recently filed for bankruptcy protection.  

Making an even bigger push into private-label foods, Amazon launched a new line of natural snacks.   Already a player in non-food private label categories, including household goods and other items under the Amazon Basics and Amazon Elements brands, Amazon’s newest line, Wickedly Prime, is making a push into grocery — specifically among “foodies.” The line currently features popcorn, blue corn and sweet potato tortilla chips, and soft shell almonds.  

The Tile Shop is expanding, in new markets and existing ones.   The specialty retailer opened its first location in Washington, D.C., a 10,400-sq.-ft. store in the historic neighborhood of Tenleytown.    The Tile Shop also opened its twelfth location in the Chicago metro area, in Schererville, Indiana.