Marketing Tactics

Jo-Ann makes executive moves
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the nation’s leading fabric and craft specialty retailer, has announced two significant organizational changes in the merchandising and marketing areas.

Megan Featherston, formerly senior vice president, merchandising, at Jo-Ann, has been promoted to executive vice president, merchandising & marketing. In her new role, Megan will oversee the retailer’s merchandising, marketing, Joann.com and business intelligence and analytics teams.
Consumers — especially millennials — will pay for loyalty programs
Cincinnati -- Consumers, especially millennials, are willing to ante up for fee-based loyalty programs.

In a survey by LoyaltyOne, 62% of respondents said they’d consider joining a fee-based rewards program if their favorite retailer offered one. The number was even higher among millennials with 75% of 18-24 year-olds and 77% of 25-34 year-olds saying they’d consider joining a fee-based rewards program.

Peapod hops on farm box trend

Quincy, Mass. -- Online grocer Peapod.com has joined the “farm box” movement that many local farmers markets and supermarkets are now promoting.

The company unveiled its Local Farm Box service, whereby customers in New York City; New Jersey; Eastern Massachusetts; Rhode Island; Pennsylvania; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Virginia; Illinois; Indiana and Wisconsin will have the option of adding a box of produce from local farms to their virtual grocery cart.
Bigger is better for this furniture retailer

Warren, Mich. -- At least one retailer is bucking the current smaller store trend by opening its biggest location to date.

Art Van Furniture will open a two-story, 112,000-sq.-ft. store showroom in Downers Grove, Ill., on July 30. It will not only be the largest Art Van Furniture store among the company's 90 Midwest locations, but also and the largest furniture store in Chicagoland.
Canadian Tire rallies around the flag with omnichannel campaign

Toronto – Canadian Tire Corp. is rallying around a flag that contains no controversy with a new omnichannel promotional campaign. To celebrate the upcoming July 1 Canada Day holiday, Canadian Tire has posted a promotional video on YouTube using the hashtag #FlyYourCdnFlag.

Canadian Tire is encouraging consumers to post photos and videos on social networks such as Twitter, YouTube and Instagram using the #FlyYourCdnFlag hashtag.
Shopping at Ikea just got a lot sweeter

As retailers continue to benefit from surging sales in the candy aisle, Ikea is expanding its grocery offerings with European sweets.

The retailer announced it is venturing into the candy business by bringing over treats from Europe and installing in-store candy shops, which will offer Lördagsgodis "pick and mix sweets" at select stores across the country.
ECRM does data, elevates insights offer with Zannelli

Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM) continues to expand its capabilities and has done so again with another key retail industry hire.

ECRM recently hired retail and consumer packaged goods data veteran Jennifer Zannelli to the newly created role of ECRM Data Sales. In this capacity, Zannelli will lead strategic sales initiatives for ECRM Data and also help develop new products and services.
Back to the future for Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble is debuting a strangely appropriate omnichannel promotion for a retailer who might wish it could go back to an era in which bookshops were more relevant.
Save Mart synonymous with Sonoma Raceway

Save Mart Supermarkets is revving up its marketing efforts with a multi-year agreement to co- sponsor the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway.

Save Mart Supermarkets’ status as either title or co-title sponsor of the annual Cup event in Sonoma is one of the longest runs in all of NASCAR Cup racing. The new agreement is for five years, extending through 2020. First partnering with the raceway in 1992, Save Mart will celebrate its 25thanniversary as a race sponsor in Sonoma in 2016.
Peapod debuts 'farm in a box'

As food delivery increases in popularity among U.S. consumers, online grocer Peapod is launching an innovative service focused on produce.

The company is going to start offering the Peapod Local Farm Box. Throughout the summer, Peapod customers in New York City, New Jersey, Eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin will have the option of adding a box of produce from local farms to their virtual grocery cart.
Gap moving into Times Square in a big way

New York -- It’s official: Toys “R” Us is moving out of Times Square and Gap is moving in, but not just with one store.

Gap is planning to open two separate flagships, one for its namesake brand the other for Old Navy, in the space now occupied by Toys “R” Us.

“We're pleased to confirm our plans to construct our newest Gap and Old Navy flagship stores in one of one of the world's most well-known locations – Times Square,” the company said.
Another brand is going brick-and-mortar

New York -- Put your dukes up: Everlast Worldwide is going to open physical stores.

Everlast Worldwide, a global leader in the design, manufacturing, licensing and marketing of authentic boxing equipment and apparel, will open its first-ever U.S. stores this summer. The company, whose roots date back to 1910, will open three locations in Florida, at Westfield Broward Mall in Plantation, Pembroke Lakes Mall in Pembroke Pines, according to Licensemag.com.