Marketing Tactics

Sears thinks ‘dirty’ to drive brand growth
Sears has teamed up with organizers of a next-generation athletic event that involves slogging through mud to promote its best-selling Kenmore brand in stores, online and via social media.

The Kenmore brand announced that for the second consecutive year, it will be the official household appliance sponsor of the Dity Girl Mud Run, the original women-only national 5K obstacle and race event.
North Face offers mountain workouts
The North Face’s latest unique marketing campaign is inviting customers to the mountains for a workout without ever leaving the store.

The outdoors and fitness apparel company's latest promotion will bring Mountain Athletics workouts to five cities across the country, and customers are invited to sign up and engage in-store and online via a variety of digital marketing offerings.

Beginning March 31, the North Face will host twice-weekly free strength and conditioning workouts in Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Boston.

Lighting rebate trends: Incentives for controls stay strong

Princeton, N.J. -- This year 2015 is shaping up to be another great year for rebates and incentives in North America, particularly when it comes to controls, according to a report BriteSwitch, which helps large national take advantage of rebate programs. Currently, 72% of the country is covered by an active commercial lighting rebate program.
American Apparel’s Dov Charney seeks $40 million in damages as chain’s loss widens

New York -- There is no let up of bad news for American Apparel. The company’s founder and ousted CEO, Dov Charney, plans to file a lawsuit claiming $40 million in damages related to breaches of his employment contract.

The disclosure came on the heels of news that the Securities and Exchange Commission has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Charney’s departure.
American Apparel's struggles continue

Trendy teen retailer American Apparel reported a deep decline in fourth quarter revenue, as the company grapples with a social media scandal and losses stemming from an investigation of its former CEO.
Coming soon to Sam's Club: 3D printers

Home Depot had it first, but now MakerBot is coming to an even wider mass-market arena as the 3D printer rolls out at more than 300 Sam's Club locations in the United States.
Capgemini report finds loyalty programs lacking in a digital age

New York -- U.S. companies spend $2 billion on loyalty programs, but the investment isn’t yielding the type of increased engagement which drove implementation of the programs, according to a new report from Capgemini Consulting. For example, the firm found that the average U.S. household is a member of 21 loyalty programs, but only actively uses 44% of them.
Soft Surroundings enhances customer experience with Ambius scenting

Reading, Pa. -- Specialty retailer Soft Surroundings has chosen Ambius Premium Scenting to enhance the shopping experience for its customers at all 18 retail locations. The scenting is designed to create greater customer dwell time and increase purchasing intent for this innovative retailer.
Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay, Hudson’s Bay, Toronto

Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay, a luxurious 14,000-sq.-ft. bridal shop on the top floor of the Hudson’s Bay flagship and headquarters building in Toronto, took the top prize — Store of the Year — in the Association for Retail Environments 2015 Design Award.
Publix celebrates 20 years of giving

On the eve of its next fundraising campaign, Publix is celebrating 20 years of raising more than $51 million for the March of Dimes.

To support more breakthroughs for babies, the grocery giant will ask its customers to join them in their annual fundraising drive from April 6-26. The register campaign coincides with March for Babies, the March of Dimes signature event, which occurs on April 25 in most areas. Associates will sell the cutouts at the checkout and ask customers to sign their name or the name of a baby they love.
Trade organizations looking to merge

At the recent GlobalShop show in Las Vegas two trade groups serving the visual merchandising industry said their boards voted to pursue a merger agreement.

The boards of directors of the Association for Retail Environments (ARE) and the Point of Purchase Advertising International (POPAI) voted to enter a due diligence phase and work in good faith toward a definitive agreement to merge the two associations.
Mall of San Juan opens in Puerto Rico

The mall is certainly not dead in Puerto Rico, where Taubman Centers Inc. held the grand opening for the Mall of San Juan on Thursday.

The island's first upscale shopping center features a singular collection of retailers, more than 60% of which are unique-to-market and the Caribbean's only Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. The 650,000-square-foot shopping center was developed through a partnership between Taubman and New Century Development, Inc.