Marketing Tactics

Telling the real stories of retail
At NRF, we like to think of ourselves as the industry’s chief storyteller. As the nation’s largest private-sector employer, with 3.7 million retail establishments across the country employing close to 30 million people serving every community in the nation, retail has a lot of stories to tell.
eBay provides close look at parents
What if you could target parents based on their specific stage of parenthood, such as expectant or parents of a newborn? According to The Drum, eBay Advertising is rolling out a new tool that will let retailers using its service do just that. [The Drum]

Report: What’s the Starbucks flap all about?

Experts and regular folks alike are puzzled by the uproar over Starbucks’ holiday cup design, the Associated Press reported. Even New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan sounded a curious note, saying "I don't think it's like Starbucks had the Christmas crib on their cups to begin with.” [Associated Press]
Sears takes an exclusive approach to Black Friday

Sears is going the private, members-only route this Black Friday in an effort to drive traffic to its stores.

For the first time ever, Sears will open all of its stores to select Shop Your Way members for a private night of shopping for many of its Thanksgiving/Black Friday doorbusters four days early. Sears will hold its "Members Private Night" in all stores on Nov. 22 from 6-9 p.m. While access to the event is by email or text invitation only, members can text the word "EXCLUSIVE" to 73277 to receive an invitation, while supplies last.
At Dick's Sporting Goods, Black Friday is all about social media

While all the major retailers will be offering deals and discounts on Black Friday weekend, Dick's Sporting Goods plans to woo shoppers with an exciting social media promotion.
Expansion takes root at Orchard Supply Hardware

Orchard Supply Hardware is still marching toward its expansion goal of 100 stores and $1 billion in sales by 2017. And the San Jose, California-based retailer with deep Golden State roots has learned a thing or two during its journey, according to president Bob Tellier.

The 76-store chain is actively upgrading its fleet into a shopper-friendly "neighborhood format" while finding a comfortable home in various urban locations.
Shopify visualizes easy e-commerce

Image-based e-commerce is becoming more popular on the consumer side, and now Shopify is making the retailer side more visually based.

The new Sello mobile app from e-commerce platform Shopify allows retailers to create a free online store by taking and posting photos of the products they want to sell, and then adding price and a brief description. No coding is involved.
Retailers can also use Sello to promote and sell products via platforms such as social media, email and SMS text. The only charges are fees from payment processors.
Can Walmart restore sanity to Black Friday?

Walmart’s Thanksgiving weekend promotional strategy is taking a more digital, less promotional turn that may hurt sales but should lessen the scenes of customer chaos and conflict that find their way onto YouTube.
At Dick's, Black Friday is all about social media

While all the major retailers will be offering deals and discounts on Black Friday weekend, Dick's Sporting Goods plans to woo shoppers with an exciting social media promotion.
ShopAdvisor, Elle read into seamless shopping

Personalized shopping app ShopAdvisor and Elle magazine are turning readers into brick-and-mortar shoppers.

Elle and ShopAdvisor have released results of the August 2015 “Shop Now With Elle” proximity mobile marketing program. The program connected consumers to retailers and provided them with exclusive content and offers using location-based mobile technology, including beacons and geo-fences.
Three Ways Retailers Can Increase Safety and Sales on Black Friday

Even with a slight decline this past year, Thanksgiving weekend has upheld its reputation as the most popular shopping weekend of the year. Last year, over 130 million people shopped or planned to shop over the holiday weekend, according to the National Retail Federation. More specifically, a whopping 80 million of those shoppers participated in Black Friday shopping.
Target, Instacart take Thanksgiving on the road

Purchasing all the ingredients needed for a Thanksgiving meal just got easier for San Francisco residents.

Target and Instacart are partnering to provide a food truck featuring Thanksgiving recipes and coupon codes, as well as grocery delivery, in downtown San Francisco.