Marketing Tactics

Old Navy to open at Bayshore Town Center
Glendale, Wis. -- Olshan Properties announced that Old Navy will open a store at Bayshore Town Center, in Glendale, Wisconsin. Old Navy will occupy a 17,025-sq.-ft. space that formerly housed Applebee’s, which has relocated to a larger location within the center.
Google opens its first-ever branded retail space
New York -- Yet 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. It is the first time the Internet giant has opened a retail space under its own name, and two additional shops are slated to open later this year, in Currys PC World’s Fulham and Thurrock locations.

GameStop expands gift card trade-in program

GameStop is trying to make it even easier for customers to shop its stores and website by expanding its gift card exchange program.

The retailer announced that customers can now sell even more select gift cards to GameStop in exchange for the products they want to buy at any of its more than 4,000 retail locations as well as online.
Women-owned logo arrives on Walmart shelves

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.
Amazon targets early adopters with new 'store'

Amazon.com is appealing to early adopters with the launch of a new "store" called Amazon Exclusives.

The company has opened a new store called Amazon Exclusives, which aims to give consumers direct access to hot, innovative products from up-and-coming brands. For now, the store will focus on electronic accessories, toys, sporting equipment and some fashion items. It will also sell some products featured on the TV program Shark Tank.
In the works: 4 new retail concepts

Retailing Today's sister publication Chain Store Age reported this week that new concepts remain the lifeblood of retail.
Old Navy promotes spring fashions to Millennials via Tumblr, Yahoo

New York -- Old Navy is promoting its spring fashions with a new marketing campaign running across Tumblr and Yahoo. Designed to engage Millennial women, the campaign will use Old Navy’s Tumblr page as the content hub and combine native, video and display advertising across Yahoo properties and its extended network.
Survey: Small businesses optimistic, seek higher revenue

Framingham, Mass. - The majority of small business leaders (87%) are optimistic about the year ahead. According to a recent Staples small business survey conducted online by Research Now, leaders are focused on results, with the top three small business goals in 2015 consisting of increasing revenue (76%), driving profits (70%) and gaining more customers (70%).

Promotional marketing (46%), better organization (38%) and software technology upgrades (35%) are the top tactics small businesses plan to use to meet these goals.
Urban Outfitters Q4 profit falls but beats Street

Philadelphia – Net income fell at Urban Outfitters Inc. during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, but still beat Wall Street expectations.

Urban Outfitters reported net income of $80.3 million, down 9% from $88.68 million the same quarter a year earlier. Lower initial merchandise markups, increased markdowns and higher selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses all contributed to the decline.
Under Armour’s Chicago store is brand’s largest to date

Baltimore -- Under Armour has opened its largest store to date, on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. With nearly 30,000 sq. ft. of retail space, the store is designed to provide an immersive and interactive brand experience. It features the latest in video and digital technology, and also includes a section dedicated to wearable fitness devices. And for a local feel, a large wall is covered in ivy, inspired by the Wrigley Field ivy.
FullBeauty Brands renews credit, loyalty agreement with Alliance Data

New York – Specialty apparel retailer FullBeauty Brands has signed a long-term renewal agreement to continue receiving private label credit card services from Alliance Data Systems Corp. Alliance Data will launch the newly branded credit card programs tailored for FullBeauty Brands and work to enhance the company's long-term loyalty efforts through a new integrated rewards program.
In the Works: Four new retail concepts

New York -- New concepts remain the lifeblood of retail. Here are four currently in the works:

1. Ice hockey equipment manufacturer Bauer Hockey is throwing its puck in the retail arena. The company will open its first-ever store this summer, in the Boston suburb of Burlington, Massachusetts, followed by a second location in the fall, in the Minneapolis area.