Marketing Tactics

Sears, Target Get 'Smart'
Retailers open spaces dedicated to the connected home

Sears and Target have looked into the future (a future that some would say is already here) of residential living, and it’s “connected.” The two retailers have both opened spaces that showcase the concept of the connected home — a house where, put simply, appliances and accessories come with digital sensors that connect to the Internet and can be controlled from anywhere via a smartphone.

These so-called “smart” devices span a range of categories, from washers and refrigerators to safety and
Listen Up
Facebook and Twitter don’t have the power to move mountains (not yet anyway), but one thing is certain: Retailers are not only listening to the conversations going on out there about their brands, but, increasingly and when it makes brand-sense, acting on them. At least the smart ones are.

Consider Topshop. The global fashion retailer came under fire for using ultra-thin mannequins in its stores.

The Green Bay Packers unveil master plan for mixed-use project

Green Bay, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers announced details for the master plan of the Titletown District, a destination area to be created immediately west of Lambeau Field Stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers will invest approximately $65 million in Titletown, with a cumulative initial investment by all parties to be between $120 million-130 million.
Under Armour promotes training as lifestyle across consumer lives

Baltimore - Under Armour is promoting the idea of training as a lifestyle across every touch-point of consumers’ lives.

The vertical specialty fitness retailer’s Rule Yourself marketing campaign includes TV, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and a variety of lifestyle, digital and mobile outlets.
Modernizing Broadway Mall

Hicksville, N.Y. -- Pacific Retail Capital Partners announced renovations are underway for Broadway Mall located in Hicksville, New York. Mall renovations will focus on updating the main entrance to provide a grander, more recognizable entrance, modernizing the walkways with new flooring and improving outdoor hardscapes and landscapes with new benches, seating, foliage and flowers.
Walmart pledges $25M on Katrina anniversary

As the 10th anniversary of Hurrican Katrina approaches, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are making a commitment to disaster relief efforts.
Dollar General digs deep in pockets for literacy

Dollar General is trying to launch a literacy revolution in in its home state of Tennessee.

The retailer presented a surprise check to students, teachers and administrators at H.B. Williams Elementary in White House, Tenn., for $50,000 to support literacy initiatives at the school.

"Reading is critical to a child's success in school and in life. We hope this gift will help infuse a renewed excitement about reading and strengthen the literacy programs available to the students," said Denine Torr, senior director of Community Initiatives at Dollar General.
Macy's asks consumers to give back while shopping

Macy’s is appealing to customers with a favorite cause by asking shoppers to participate in the retailer's marquee charity event.

The retailer will hold its annual “Shop For A Cause” event, a unique, one-day-only shopping event created to support local charities’ fundraising efforts, on Aug. 29. Since 2006, the program has helped raise tens of millions of dollars for thousands of charities across the country.
Autumn at Lands' End is all about omnichannel

Lands’ End has announced a new omnichannel fall marketing campaign which includes a catalog strategy, complementary digital initiatives and an overall brand advertising campaign.
Hibbett Sports misses Street in Q2

Birmingham, Ala. – Hibbett Sports Inc. missed Wall Street expectations for profit and sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income fell 20% to $8.4 million from $7 million the same quarter the prior fiscal year. An increase in store operating, selling and administrative expenses helped cut profit. Net sales rose 3% to $199.26 million from $193.92 million. Same-store sales dropped 1.1%.
Lands’ End launches omnichannel fall campaign

Dodgeville, Wis. — Lands’ End has announced a new omnichannel fall marketing campaign which includes a catalog strategy, complementary digital initiatives and an overall brand advertising campaign.

Lands’ End will kick off the new strategy with the introduction of different initiatives including two new lifestyle campaigns, Quality.Time and A Closer Look at the Land. Each will be featured online and in catalog format.
Gap to test 'fast fashion' in some stores

With another difficult fiscal quarter under its belt, the CEO of Gap Inc. says the retailer will begin testing fast fashion merchandise in select stores.