Marketing Tactics

J. Crew Group’s efforts to pump up sales at its core brand didn’t quite take off in the second quarter.   Total revenues at J.Crew Group decreased 4% to $569.8 million in the second quarter.   Total same-store sales fell 8%, its eight consecutive quarterly decrease, with a 9% decline at the company’s namesake brand and a 3% increase at Madewell.   J. Crew reported a net loss of $8.6 million, compared with $13.6 million a year ago.  

In a deal that comes right before the all-important holiday selling season, Toys “R” Us has entered into an exclusive partnership with one of the toy industry’s premier doll brands.     Mattel’s American Girl division announced a multi-year partnership with Toys “R” Us that will make the toy giant the first — and only — U.S.-based retailer to feature American Girl in-store shops.   

Sears Holding Corp. is hoping to capitalize on the upswing in home improvement projects.   The retailer announced it is bringing back paint and related accessories to its stores under three different brands: Craftsman, Weatherbeater and Easy Living. It’s the first time the Craftsman brand will be extended to the paint category.        Sears will test the new offerings in 23 stores nationwide before a chainwide rollout.   

Uber riders in San Francisco and Los Angeles are getting even more benefits when they book a ride. A partnership between Uber and Visa will enable customers to earn discounted rides when they use their Visa credit card on file with Uber at their favorite local merchants.  

From new store prototypes to merchandise changes, Abercrombie & Fitch has been investing in efforts to transform and update its namesake and Hollister brands.     Unfortunately, getting consumers to change their ideas regarding the brands is not proving all that easy, according to Columbus Business First.     

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s turnaround was called in to question on Tuesday as the chain posted a wider loss in its second quarter, hurt by a decline in tourist traffic at its flagship locations.     The teen apparel retailer also revealed that it expects to close up to 60 U.S. stores as their leases expire this fiscal year. On its quarterly conference call, company executives said the chain has flexibility to close even more stores, with about half of its U.S. leases expiring by the end of 2017, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Target Corp. is losing its top marketing honcho just months before it enters its most important selling season.   Jeff Jones, executive VP, chief marketing officer at Target, will depart the discounter effective Sept. 9. Jones will be joining Uber as president, ridesharing. He will responsible for Uber’s operations, marketing and customer support globally.   Target is conducting an external and internal search for Jones' replacement.  

Nordstrom shoppers will now be able to purchase J.Crew apparel, as well as its sister brand Madewell.   Continuing to expand its partnerships with select brands, the department store retailer has entered into a new deal with J. Crew Group to sell an edited assortment of J.Crew apparel at select full-line Nordstrom and on its website beginning Sept. 12.       The assortment, to be featured in 16 Nordstrom locations, will include women's apparel, accessories and petites (online only).