Marketing Tactics

Stage Stores guidance upstaged by holiday sales
Stage Stores is reporting a strong holiday sales season despite predictions from the company’s CEO that December would be very challenging for apparel retailers.

The parent company of Beall’s, Goody’s and other stores reported an increase in same store sales of 6.5% for the nine week period ending Jan. 3.
Target aims for a baby boom
Target is stepping up its efforts to attract new parents to its stores with a new partnership, educational classes and a social media campaign.

Bump Club and Beyond, the nation's largest social event network for new moms, is partnering with Target to present a national series of events designed to help expectant and new parents learn the "basics" of bringing up baby.

Elevating retail’s profile one mile at a time

Retailers will hear a lot about innovation at the National Retail Federation convention this year, but the most innovative thing many will see is the trade group’s latest effort to elevate the industry’s profile.
Big moves at Macy’s

Macy’s announced a series of major operational and merchandising moves to accelerate its omnichannel approach while also releasing solid holiday sales.
comScore: Total desktop holiday spend up 15%

Reston, Va. -- Retail e-commerce spending from desktop computers for the entire November-December 2014 holiday season totaled $53.3 billion, up 15% from the corresponding days last year.
Study: Discover Cards have best return extension plan

Arlington, Va. – Consumers who may need some time to decide if they want to keep a purchase should consider applying for a Discover card. According to the 2015 Credit Card Extension Report from CardHub, Discover Cards received top overall score (98%) for their return extension program.

Coming in second and third were Chase Sapphire Preferred (88%), and a tie among Chase Freedom, Barclaycard Arrival and Barclaycard Arrival Plus (79%).
Marble Slab, MaggieMoo’s run omnichannel New Year promo

Atlanta – New Year’s resolutions are notoriously hard to keep, and Marble Slab Creamery and MaggieMoo's Ice Cream & Treatery are attempting to make the task even harder for their customers. On Jan. 17, the traditional day consumers give up their resolutions, the chains are offering an omnichannel "Ditch Your New Year's Resolution" promotion.

Customers can visit the Facebook page of either retailer to claim an offer, as well as visit a store to receive a buy-one-get-one-free promotion.
Pure Barre to open three New Jersey locations

New York -- Dance-related fitness franchise Pure Barre will expand its base of 275 current locations by opening new spaces in three New Jersey markets — Denville, Short Hills and New Providence.

Winick Realty Group’s Gary Krauss is the exclusive broker representing Pure Barre in Northern New Jersey and he negotiated each of the three leases on behalf of the brand.
Lowe’s: Racers, start your Dremel tools

Lowe’s is teaming up with a key supplier to engage a new generation of shoppers with a multifaceted initiative that involves in-store and social media elements.

Tool manufacturer Dremel will be offering a series of in-store clinics at Lowe's to help families design and build a race-worthy Pinewood Derby Car. With the help of Dremel tools and accessories, participants will learn how to create a winning derby car without an elaborate set of tools.
ECRM: Retail circular advertising trends, December 2014

ECRM compared retail circular advertising in December 2013 vs. December 2014 and noted trends occurring across top retail chains. CVS used longer but fewer December circulars, increasing circular pages by 18%. The CVS Christmas Clearance Sale circular was not seen in 2014. Walgreens cut two December 2014 comparable circulars accounting for the 22% drop in circular pages. CVS added a large “THROW THE PERFECT PARTY” promotional block on the inside front page of the 2014 holiday week circular featuring snacks, cookies, coffee, ice cream and sparkling cider.
Target's next big thing: Lilly Pulitzer

Target shoppers looking for the next big thing in fashion are in for a splash of color and bold prints from the retailer’s next design partner.

Target has announced it is collaborating with American resort wear brand Lilly Pulitzer on a limited-edition collection featuring 15 exclusive prints, which are original works of art.
Ace looks to score sales as sponsor of PGA player

Ace Hardware is set to launch a “Free Store Pickup” program this April and has chosen PGA tour player Hunter Mahan to serve as pitchman for the omnichannel initiative.

The deal with six-time winner Mahan marks the first time the nation’s largest hardware cooperative has teamed with a professional athlete on an endorsement deal.