Marketing Tactics

Commentary: Emergence of Omnichannel Marketing
By Tracy Sloger, DataSource The role of “marketer” is not as simple as it used to be. Outbound and inbound methods are constantly evolving as traditional marketing efforts become more complex, and newer digital tactics are implemented and maintained at breathtaking speeds. Omnichannel marketing, while still a buzzword for some, is becoming more real for many.
GameStop and St. Jude “playing it forward”
GameStop has joined forces with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for another season of giving. For the second year, GameStop will participate in the annual St.

NPD identifies holiday tech trends

With technology products at the top of many wish lists this Christmas, The NPD Group’s top analyst covering the product category weighed in with a dozen expectations for the holiday season.

“The tech industry faces even more intense pricing and promotion than last year’s holiday shopping season,” said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at NPD. “The challenge of surpassing the impressive start to last year’s holiday season will be addressed head-on by the market’s emphasis on competitive offerings.”
Cardlytics secures more disruption dollars

Ad targeting firm Cardlytics said its secured an additional $70 million in funding led by Discovery Capital.

Cardlytics, an advertising and technology company regarded as a leader in card-linked marketing, said the new $70 million funding round brings its total venture capital funding to more than $170 million. Cardlytics intends to use the funds to continue to extend and expand the breadth of the company’s capabilities to make all marketing more relevant and measurable. Morgan Stanley acted as adviser on the deal.
Office Depot makes gift giving easier

Office Depot, Inc. is continuing its holiday initiatives. The merchant, formed by the merger of Office Depot and OfficeMax, has announced its “Your Holiday Workshop” campaign being kicked off across all store locations and online on Nov. 2.

To address the volume of early shoppers, Office Depot and OfficeMax will unveil exclusive daily and weekly product deals from its most popular shopping categories including technology, printers, and furniture alongside other business and home office supplies.
Blue Nile shines with new designers

Blue Nile, the original online jeweler, has added a couple of gems to its roster with Sloane Street and Lisa Jenks joining the ranks of the Blue Nile Designer Collective.
Wal-Mart enters used video game market

Bentonville, Ark. –- Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which launched a video game trade-in program in March 2014, is now building on the program by offering used video games for sale in 1,700 stores. These games will be sold in their own section or alongside other value titles.
Build-A-Bear opens NYC holiday pop-up

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop is opening a new store location in the Brill Building in Times Square in New York City on Tuesday, Oct. 28. This seasonal pop-up shop offers an assortment of proprietary products, licensed properties and New York City-themed merchandise.
Plug & Play’s CEO Corner: Polina Marchenko

Plug and Play brings together retailers and start-ups who offer specific technology and expertise that can relieve merchants’ pain points. Customer Disruption highlights one of those start-ups in each issue with a brief Q&A. This issue, the spotlight is on Polina Marchenko, CEO of KptnCook. What does KptnCook do?
Macy’s and Bloomingdale's stores to open in Abu Dhabi in 2018

Cincinnati -- Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores plan to open in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2018 as part of a strategic partnership with Al Tayer Group LLC, a UAE-based company with diversified businesses. This will be Macy’s first international store location and the second for Bloomingdale’s.
1-800-Flowers net loss continues in Q1

Carle Place, N.Y. –- 1-800-Flowers.com reported a net loss of $4.58 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2015, a slight improvement from the $4.64 million net loss reported in the same quarter a year earlier. Expenses drove the company’s net loss.
Report: Wal-Mart apologizes for online ‘fat girl’ costumes

Bentonville, Ark. –- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has reportedly apologized for offering Halloween outfits labeled as “fat girl” costumes on its e-commerce site. According to Bloomberg, Wal-Mart issued the apology after receiving social media criticism from offended consumers.