Marketing Tactics

Barnes & Noble is trying to generate excitement around its struggling Nook products with a giveaway tied to social media.

The retailer says the #NOOKReadingStyle Sweepstakes is designed to inspire book lovers to share their reading style on their Facebook pages and other social media channels. Through March 31, participants can enter for a chance to win exciting prizes, including a $500 Gilt E-Gift Card, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK and 100 $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Cards by completing the sweepstakes entry form on the NOOK Facebook page.

Sports Authority is targeting a new segment of shoppers looking for “athleisure” wear with a new line of plus-size clothing.

The retailer says its new Aspire and Aline Design lines were created specifically for women looking for stylish, affordable and cross-functional yoga and outdoor apparel that can be worn with confidence. The full product assortment is now available exclusively at Sports Authority stores and online at sportsauthority.com.

Just in time for spring’s college basketball showdown, Hhgregg is offering a winning deal to customers who shop in-store or online.

The retailer is offering zero down and no-interest financing until January 2018 on qualifying purchases from now until March 28.

Chicago-based True Value Co. showed its true colors -- and legacy when it comes to producing and selling paint -- on Monday during the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The company erected a 40-foot-tall True Value paint stick and stuck it in the water on the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue. The paint stick stunt was conceived by MARC USA Chicago to leverage True Value’s first time as a sponsor of the annual event. The paint stick will be embossed with the line, “The Value Of The Perfect Color.”

ShopRite is taking its Live Right initiative a step further with a new wellness experience for its customers in-store created in conjunction with Johnson & Johnson.

New York-based retailer Bob’s Stores has had stores all over the Northeast for more than a half-century, but now the company has finally set its sights on Maine shoppers.

The retailer will hold a grand opening for its first location in the state of Maine, in South Portland, at 301 Maine Mall Road, on March 22.

Bob’s last opened a store in October 2011 in East Northport, N.Y.

Freeport, Maine – L.L. Bean Inc. intends to almost triple its store count by 2020. In an internal company memo distributed Wednesday, March 11, L.L. Bean told employees it will open four stores in 2015 and at least 100 by 2020.

Currently, L.L. Bean operates 26 stores and 10 outlets in the U.S. The retailer does not have any stores west of Colorado, but plans to open new stores in the Pacific Northwest. All new stores will be full-price locations. The memo was signed by CEO Chris McCormack, who plans to retire in 2016.

C-Spire Wireless is providing a fresh take on  wireless shopping. The company's new, customer-inspired prototype provides a a hands-on, interactive experience in an easy-to-shop environment that encourages customers to explore.
 

Los Angeles -- Caruso Affiliated announced the appointment of Steven Martin to senior VP, strategic alliances & entertainment. Martin will oversee client sponsorships, large-scale entertainment events, brand activations, and new business development across Caruso Affiliated’s portfolio.  He will report to chief marketing and communications officer Judy Johnson.

Ann Inc. is blaming its huge fourth-quarter profit loss on expenses related to deep discounts and the West Coast ports dispute.

For the quarter ended Feb. 1, net earnings at Ann Inc. came in at $262,000, or 1 cent a share, compared with $4.7 million, or 10 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Total sales rose to $647.4 million from $623.3 million, beating the analysts’ estimates of $627 million. Same-store sales rose 1%, with Ann Taylor brand sales declining 0.4% and Loft brand sales rising 1.9%.