Marketing Tactics

Minneapolis - Retailer participation in freestanding insert (FSI) coupon events and digital coupons distributed on retailer websites benefited from double-digit increases in 2014 compared to 2013. According to data from Marx, a Kantar Media solution, those participation rates were up 11.8% and 16.5%, respectively.

York, Pa. – An insurance settlement from a store damaged by fire helped The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. increase net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 to $71.7 million, up 17% from net income of $61.3 million in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year.

Sales grew 3%to $942.6 million from $914.9 million. Top-performing merchandise categories included cold weather and active apparel and home. The company continued its trend of double-digit sales growth in e-commerce in the period. Same-store sales rose 4.3%.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General Corp. is not sitting back while rivals Family Dollar and Dollar Tree prepare to merge. Following its failed bid to acquire Family Dollar, Dollar General has accelerated its expansion plans for 2015. The discounter, which already has the retail industry’s most aggressive new store strategy said it will open 730 new stores and remodel 875 existing locations in 2015, translating into a 6% increase in total square footage. And looking ahead, Dollar General plans to grow its square footage by 7% in 2016.

New York - Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is opening its first Martha Stewart Cafe, in the Starrett-Lehigh building, home to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's corporate headquarters. The cafe will offer handcrafted espresso beverages and teas.

The menu, personally curated by Martha Stewart, will serve hot beverages, cold-brew iced coffee, artisanal loose-leaf teas, and pastries. The cafe is partnering with Kobrick Coffee, a New York City-based and family-owned roaster, and Wei Bertram of Connecticut-based Arogya Tea,

Before Lululemon and many others started selling "athleisure" apparel, Juicy Couture started the trend in the 1990s. Now the brand and retailer plans a comeback. 

The company says it expects to open 133 stores (through its various licensing partners) during the next five years, according to Women's Wear Daily. Juicy will open 31 international locations in eight countries this year, the report said. Three of the countries — India, South Africa and Azerbaijan — will be new market entries for the brand.

Another online company has entered the physical retail space: Google has opened an in-store shop in Currys PC World, on Tottenham Court Road in London.

Sprouts Farmers Market is hoping Nascar fans will be racing to its stores after the Phoenix-based retailer signed on for a major sponsorship.

The 200-unit retailer of fresh, natural and organic foods will be the primary sponsor of Cole Whitt’s number 35 Ford Fusion when the green flag drops at this weekend’s CampingWorld.com 500 at the Phoenix International Raceway. According to Sprouts, the 23-year-old Whitt is an Arizona native committed to living a healthy lifestyle. Sprouts also operates more than 20 stores in and around Phoenix.

Canada’s leading grocer has developed a novel idea that its supermarket competitors in the U.S. may want to think about using.

Loblaw has introduced Naturally Imperfect-labeled produce. The company describes the new line as the smaller, misshapen produce that still tastes great and is good for you. The produce will now be available at stores in Ontario and Quebec.

Chicago – A majority (82%) of shoppers look for coupons before grocery shopping, according to the Market Track 2015 Shopper Insight Survey. And 61% of grocery shoppers look for both print and digital coupons.

In contrast, only 33% look for print coupons. Other findings include that nearly 80% of shoppers will switch where they shop if prices are lower elsewhere, and 75% will switch the brand they buy if a different brand is on sale.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Shoppers interested in purchasing products from women-owned companies will find it easier to do so at Walmart with the introduction of a new logo and related promotional effort. The new initiative launched March 11 will see a unique logo featured on retail packaging of products from women-owned businesses, available both in-store and online.