Marketing Tactics

Whole Foods plans 38-42 new stores as Q4 beats street
Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market reported that its net income rose a better-than-expected 5.8% to $128 million in its fiscal fourth quarter, ended Sept. 28, 2014, from $121 million in the year-ago period. The company also said it plans to open 38 to 42 stores, including five to six relocations, in fiscal 2015.
Survey: Free shipping makes consumers more likely to shop online
Jeffersonville, Ind. -- A majority of consumers (88%) say free shipping makes them more likely to shop online, while 30% shop online to find the best deal possible and 20% to avoid holiday crowds, according to a new survey from omnichannel customer engagement technology vendor Accent. Other notable findings include:

Staples launches omnichannel holiday promotions Nov. 16

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples Inc. is launching holiday in-store, online and mobile deals starting Nov. 16 through Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In addition to discounts on a variety of items, Staples is offering an in-store and online price match guarantee, a new mobile app with a redesigned weekly ad page, daily deals on Staples.com, and shopping from in-store kiosks for items not available in the store.
Staples setting holiday Style standard

Office products are getting a stylish makeover at Staples with two designer-driven collections arriving mid-November. “Style at Staples” is the name of a new assortment that features the new designs by Cynthia Rowley and British stationary brand Paperhouse.
Columbia gone fishing

Columbia Sportswear launched it’s first-ever flagship Performance Fishing Gear (PFG) concept store at the Avalon Mall in Alpharetta, Ga.

Inspired by the performance, style and comfort needs of professional and recreational anglers, Columbia’s PFG collection is being embraced as a lifestyle brand by consumers of all ages in temperate and tropical climates across the Western Hemisphere, according to the company.
Black November starts soon at Sam’s

Sam’s Club has joined the ranks of other retailers this holiday season with a pre-Black Friday-themed promotion occurring mid-month.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, Sam’s Club will host a one-day-only Holiday Savings Celebration featuring Black Friday pricing on featured technology, toys, apparel, jewelry and home goods items. Starting at 7 a.m. and exclusive to Sam’s Club members, families can fill their baskets in-club or online with top holiday picks while getting ahead of the typical Black Friday frenzy, according to Sam’s Club.
Texas gets its 80th Sam’s Club

The Houston suburb of Richmond is home to Sam’s Club’s 80th location in Texas following the opening of a new unit there on Thursday, Nov. 6.

Sam’s Club now operates 20 clubs in the sprawling Houston market and the 80 clubs the retailer operates in Texas account for more than 12% of the 643 Sam’s Clubs in operation nationwide as of September 30.
USPS will deliver seven days a week during holidays

In an effort to handle the expected double-digit package volume growth this holiday season, the Postal Service on Thursday announced that it would be delivering packages seven days a week in major cities and high-volume areas beginning Nov. 17 through Christmas Day.
Walmart EVP Huff to address suppliers

Walmart and Sam’s Club suppliers are in for a holiday treat of sorts when Sam’s Club hosts an upcoming meeting of the Bentonville Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce.

For the first time ever, the chamber’s Walstreet Speaker Series will be held in the expansive auditorium at Sam’s Club home office in Bentonville, Ark., with Walmart’s EVP of merchandising operations Scott Huff serving as the guest speaker.
Shopko Optical goes digital

Shopko has launched an exclusive online optical line, Asher & Ivy, which the company says combines hipster attitude with a bit of “geek chic.”

“The Asher & Ivy exclusive eyewear collection is trend-forward, fresh and fun,” said Don Bye, vp of Shopko Optical Services. “We are thrilled to introduce this new brand on our enhanced website.”

Asher & Ivy Eyewear is available exclusively online, however, the eyeglasses can also be shipped to any local Shopko Eyecare Center.
Sneak Peak into Meijer’s Black Friday

Meijer has prepared a lot of holiday deals for the Black Friday weekend and is now offering a sneak peek to allow its customers plan ahead of time.
Study: Facebook dominates social media

New York --Facebook, You Tube, Instagram and WeChat are the most important social media platforms, according to a new report by business intelligence company L2 Inc. The company's second annual Social Platforms Report, which assesses the social investment and performance of 382 brands across eight verticals and 17 platforms, finds that Facebook is the most dominant platform.