Marketing Tactics

St. Petersburg – HSN Inc. is partnering with the Card Services division of Alliance Data Systems Corp. (ADS) to provide private label credit card services for its Cornerstone business unit. Alliance Data will develop loyalty-driven card programs for five of Cornerstone's seven multichannel brands -- Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Grandin Road and Improvements – each incorporating a tailored approach for their unique customer base.

Sterling, Va. – Sixty-four percent of millennial graduates shopped at Target in the last three months, according to new data by Neustar, Inc. The real-time information services and analytics provider uncovered the buying behavior insights of recent millennial graduates and their preferences.

Some insights include:

The Vitamin Shoppe is hoping to attract more health-conscious shoppers by sponsoring a health expo this month at all 700 of its stores.

All Vitamin Shoppe stores across the country will host a "Share the Health" Expo from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Each store will provide samples of healthy goodies, offer consultations with local wellness partners, plus tips and recipes for healthy living this summer. The first 50 shoppers at each store will receive a free gift bag with product samples from a selection of brands.

Xcel Brands Inc. has appointed a veteran marketing executive of Target to the Xcel board of directors.

"We are thrilled to have Michael Francis join our board of directors," said Robert D'Loren, chairman and CEO of Xcel Brands Inc. "Michael brings incredible marketing, leadership, innovation, and extensive branding experience to our Board and Xcel, and we look forward to working with him in this new capacity." 

Mahwah, N.J. – Ascena Retail Group Inc. fell short of Wall Street expectations for profit and revenue in a difficult third quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income fell 23% to $24.4 million, from $33.2 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

Five Below reported an increase in same store sales and profit for the first quarter in the same week the company opened a new distribution center to support its expansion plans. 

CVS/pharmacy is launching a Hispanic-focused rebranding of some of its stores in South Florida, an initiative that the retailer hopes to eventually roll out nationally.

The new and remodeled stores are called CVS/pharmacy y mas. Twelve CVS/pharmacy y mas stores are now open in South Florida, including 11 remodeled CVS stores and one brand new store. They all feature a fully bilingual staff, the addition of more than 1,500 Hispanic products, more competitive pricing on hundreds of products, and new services unique to a national retail pharmacy.

Dallas - Trademark Property Co., the operating partner for The Shops at Highland Village, has started construction on its multi-million dollar renovation of the 389,090-sq.-ft. shopping center. Enhancements include: upgraded building façades, common area and landscaping improvements, public art, new amenities for adults and children, and new signage throughout the property.