Marketing Tactics

Costco is trying to increase its membership base in Canada with an innovative social media campaign.

The warehouse club retailer has launched a customer referral program twinned with social media that uses technology from a firm called Buyapowa.

The campaign launched this week in partnership with Proctor & Gamble and will allow Costco members to win $20 of P&G Goods for every friend they refer to Costco to become a member. All successful referrers will be shown on a leaderboard, with additional P&G prizes awarded to those when the promotion ends.

New York -- It’s no secret that the past winter took a heavy toll on retailers, with bitterly cold weather and snow storms keeping customers at home and sales down. But the snow also had a negative impact on retailers in other ways, as Kohl’s Corp. revealed Thursday on its quarterly conference with analysts.

Starbucks has unveiled its new “express” store format, just across from the New York Stock Exchange in downtown Manhattan. The 538-sq.-ft. space is one of the most streamlined in the company’s diverse portfolio.

Philadelphia - Five Below will make its initial entry into the Kansas City, Missouri market with the opening of three stores on May 15. The tween and teen specialty retailer expects to open a total of 70 new stores during 2015, on top of opening 62 stores in 2014

The three approximately 7,500-sq.-ft. Five Below Kansas City stores are located in Tiffany Springs Market Center in Kansas City, Adam's Dairy Landing in Blue Springs, Missouri, and Olathe Pointe Shopping Center in Olathe, Kansas.

New York – Fast-fashion retailer H&M estimates that it will continue to expand annually at a rate of 10% to 15%, which would take the U.S. store count to more than 400 and the total store count to almost 4,000 stores by the end of the year.

During 2015, the Swedish retailer has thus far announced it will open 61 stores, including the Herald Square flagship in New York City, which will become the largest H&M in the world when it opens on May 20.

Kohl’s couldn't combat weak consumer spending in the first quarter despite launching a loyalty program and new advertising initiatives.

Kevin Mansell, Kohl's chairman, chief executive officer and president, said: "Sales were modestly below our original expectations for the quarter, but accelerated in the March/April combined period after a weak February. We are very pleased with our earnings results, with a more balanced promotional calendar driving merchandise margin combined with strong expense control."

Five Below is accelerating its expansion plans with the opening of three new stores in Kansas City this week.

"Entering the Kansas City metro area and opening our first store in Kansas, our 24th state, is very exciting as we continue to grow our footprint across the country," said Joel Anderson, CEO of Five Below. "We're thrilled to develop new relationships with customers in this dynamic market. Kids and parents looking for a fun place to shop for trend-right, high quality products at a great value will surely enjoy Five Below."

Walmart is reportedly testing an unlimited shipping service that could undercut Amazon Prime.

Office Depot is trying to get shoppers to think about computers instead of barbecue grills with a Memorial Day promotion.

The retailer has announced two weeks of Memorial Day sales beginning on May 17 while also offering clearance deals of up to 65% off the regular price on tech, supplies and more and furniture discounts up to 40% off the regular price that are sure to please every retail store shopper.

The hottest items in the “Gear Up for Great” sale will include:

Skechers USA Inc. is making a big donation to support children affected by the earthquake in Nepal.

The company says it will give more than 62,000 pairs of new shoes to children in that nation. The company has distributed 11 million pairs of shoes to children in need worldwide since its BOBS charitable program launched in 2011.