Marketing Tactics

Report: Raley’s considers smaller, urban format
West Sacramento, Calif. – Raley’s Supermarkets is considering hitting the big city. According to The Sacramento Bee, Raley’s is evaluating the launch of a smaller “farmer’s market” store format aimed at hip urban dwellers.

The format would focus on healthy and locally produced items. If Raley’s goes ahead with the concept, it could take up to two years to roll them out. Raley’s is considering opening two of the urban stores in downtown Sacramento.
Tech Bytes: Three Lessons from Amazon Prime Day
Now that the dust is clearing from the Amazon Prime Day sales “holiday,” we can take a look back at this unique retail event, which livened up the typical lull of mid-summer. Let’s review three initial lessons the retail industry can learn from what some observers called the “summer Black Friday.”

Every Day can be a Holiday

Taylor Swift picks Chinese e-commerce partner – it’s not Alibaba

Beijing – Pop star Taylor Swift has selected a Chinese e-commerce partner – and it isn’t Alibaba. Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com will be the first authorized seller of Taylor Swift merchandise in China.

The new JD.com store will be the official online source of Taylor Swift items, including a new fashion line the music superstar designed specifically for the Chinese market.
Harry & David selects PR firm

New York - Harry & David has selected MWW Public Relations to serve as its official public relations agency. To help drive Harry & David's brand relevance among target consumers, MWWPR is charged with developing and implementing a strategic communication plan that focuses on media and influencer engagement and strengthening Harry & David as a household name.
Randolph Mall welcomes two new retail tenants

Chattanooga, Tenn. - Ross Dress for Less and Ulta Beauty are coming to Randolph Mall in Asheboro, North Carolina. The two new stores will be situated in the former J.C. Penney location.

Construction is expected to begin in October with the grand opening for both stores scheduled for 2016. Randolph Mall is a 400,000-sq.-ft. mall featuring more than 40 specialty stores and is anchored by Belk, Dunham’s Sports, and Sears.
Staples, UPS take easy shipping approach

Framingham, Mass. – Staples Inc., famous for the “easy button,” is partnering with UPS to ease the shipment of UPS packages from any U.S. store location. Customers now can charge the cost of shipments at Staples to their UPS account, which means they don't have to prepare labels ahead of time and will see the invoice, and any customized rates, on their regular UPS invoice.
Johnny Rockets goes to school

Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Count Johnny Rockets among those looking forward to starting college later this year. Johnny Rockets is launching a further expansion into college and university campuses through its Express prototype.

Johnny Rockets Express, a quick-service prototype aimed at universities, airports, malls and other entertainment destinations, offers flexible floor plans with options ranging from a 150-sq.-ft., free-standing kiosk to a 1,100-sq.-ft. restaurant.
Alibaba gives CPG giant direct access to Chinese customers

Hangzhou, China - Alibaba Group is providing the Chinese arm of a major global CPG company direct access to the Chinese consumer market. Alibaba and Unilever China are launching a comprehensive strategic partnership focused on areas including rural China penetration, cross-border e-commerce, Big Data-driven advertising, and supply chain optimization.

This agreement builds on a partnership that started five years ago with a single Tmall store. Through this strategic partnership, Alibaba Group and Unilever China will work together to:
‘Tahget’ localizes Boston assortment

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is presenting itself as “Tahget” to Boston-area shoppers. The Boston Globe reports that Target is offering an assortment of “Local Pride” T-shirts with stereotypically Boston phrases and slang, such as “Wicked Smaht,” in its store located in Somerville, Massachusetts, a small city bordering Boston.

The localized assortment will also be featured in Target’s new CityTarget location scheduled to open in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston on Wednesday, July 22.
Macy’s makes giving fashionable

New York – Macy’s Inc. is attempting to make charitable donations fashionable. The retailer’s new Fashion Pass program provides customers 15%-20% off storewide, plus $10 off a $30 purchase, when they give $5 at the register from July 22 to Aug. 15.
Taylor Swift goes with JD.com in China

In the e-commerce fight between China's Alibaba and JD.com, Taylor Swift has declared a winner.

The pop superstar announced that JD.com will be the official online source of Taylor Swift items in China, including a new fashion line the music superstar designed specifically for the Chinese market.
Southeastern Grocers to donate $3M to Wounded Warrior

BI-LO, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery stores raised an impressive $3 million over the Fourth of July weekend to support the Wounded Warrior Project Independence Program.