Marketing Tactics

Fairfax, Va. – A competitive promotional environment and delivery problems had a negative impact on net income and revenues at Geeknet, parent company of online retailer ThinkGeek.com and licensed merchandise distributor ThinkGeek Solutions, during the fourth quarter and full year 2014. Net income for fourth quarter 2014 was $1 million, down 80% from net income of $5.1 million in the same period a year earlier.

Total revenue for fourth quarter 2014 was $72.4 million, a decrease of 3% from $74.3 million.

Target is raising the stakes in the free online shipping game by undercutting not only Walmart but now also Amazon.com.

Target announced it has lowered the threshold for free shipping on online orders to $25, making it among the most competitive among major retailers. Its previous free-shipping minimum was $50, which placed it in the higher end of the spectrum.

PetSmart is hoping to stand out in the pet category with a new marketing campaign that celebrates “pethood.”

The campaign, called "Petsmart Partners in Pethood," explores how having a pet can be similar to having a child -- from potty training to feeding, bathing to doctors visits.

Amazon.com is looking to push farther into the category of high-end couture, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

The news service reports that Amazon has been embracing more profitable designer fashion by selling clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories from pricey brands with luxe reputations.

Earlier this year it was announced that the Internet retailer will be a sponsor of New York Fashion Week this summer. Amazon reportedly also signed a multiyear deal this month to sponsor India Fashion Week, according to Women's Wear Daily.

Cedar Hill, Texas -- Trademark Property Co., the operating partner for Uptown Village at Cedar Hill, has announced a multi-million dollar renovation of the 610,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Cedar Hill, Texas; the redo includes a re-brand, enhanced entrances, upgraded landscaping, common area improvements, a new children’s play area, new amenities for adults and children, and new signage throughout the property.

In addition, Trademark is working with several prospective junior anchors to add to the merchandising mix.
 

Thousand Oaks, Calif. -- Gourmet hot dog and burger concept Dog Haus will open its fifth franchise location in Thousand Oaks, California, on Feb. 21.

The Los Angeles-based brand is making its Ventura County debut at 50 East Thousand Oaks Blvd. in a former Denny’s space.  Franchisee owners are Paul Homayoun and Gina Candari; the Thousand Oaks unit will be Dog Haus’s eighth location.

Charlotte, N.C. – Nothing succeeds like success, and 300-plus-store department store chain Belk Inc. took a previously successful TV holiday campaign and modernized it for the omnichannel era, with impressive results.

Seattle - Starbucks has launched its Evenings Program in the U.K., offering a range of meals and shareable hot and cold snacks with premium wines and beers. The newly renovated Stansted Airport store in London, operated in partnership with SSP UK, is the first location to offer Starbucks Evenings, with plans to expand the program to additional stores.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. – The Wet Seal Inc. wants customers to have a social online shopping experience. Wet Seal will utilize 3 Tier Logic's Platform3 consumer-to-consumer content marketing and data mining platform to increase the quantity and duration of website visits and the conversion of those visits to generate more e-commerce transactions.

New York – Loyalty brand agency Bond Brand Loyalty, a Maritz company, has launched SynapzeSHOP, a new consumer mobile loyalty solution for CPG brands. With SynapzeSHOP, brands can offer consumers a personalized, branded mobile loyalty and rewards experience.