Marketing Tactics

Barnes & Noble is trying to generate excitement around its struggling Nook products with a giveaway tied to social media.

The retailer says the #NOOKReadingStyle Sweepstakes is designed to inspire book lovers to share their reading style on their Facebook pages and other social media channels. Through March 31, participants can enter for a chance to win exciting prizes, including a $500 Gilt E-Gift Card, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK and 100 $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Cards by completing the sweepstakes entry form on the NOOK Facebook page.

Mountain View, Calif. – Move over mom, baseball and apple pie. The new three things everyone loves are iPhone, Apple and retail.

According to a new survey of global English-speaking consumers in 84 countries, the “NetBase Brand Passion Report,” iPhone is the most-loved brand in the world. Apple comes in at number three. And retail and Apple dominate the rest of the top 10 brands, which are Etsy (4th), iPad (5th), MacBook Air (6th), Starbucks (7th), Chipotle (9th) and McDonald’s (10th).

Indianapolis – Just in time for the annual college basketball championship tournament, Hhgregg is running an omnichannel “March Markdown” promotion. From March 16 – April 6, customers can enter up to four times per day via Facebook, online, or by sharing the Hhgregg “Acrobatic Dunk Madness” video.

Sports Authority is targeting a new segment of shoppers looking for “athleisure” wear with a new line of plus-size clothing.

The retailer says its new Aspire and Aline Design lines were created specifically for women looking for stylish, affordable and cross-functional yoga and outdoor apparel that can be worn with confidence. The full product assortment is now available exclusively at Sports Authority stores and online at sportsauthority.com.

Los Angeles -- Caruso Affiliated announced the appointment of Steven Martin to senior VP, strategic alliances & entertainment. Martin will oversee client sponsorships, large-scale entertainment events, brand activations, and new business development across Caruso Affiliated’s portfolio.  He will report to chief marketing and communications officer Judy Johnson.

Ann Inc. is blaming its huge fourth-quarter profit loss on expenses related to deep discounts and the West Coast ports dispute.

For the quarter ended Feb. 1, net earnings at Ann Inc. came in at $262,000, or 1 cent a share, compared with $4.7 million, or 10 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Total sales rose to $647.4 million from $623.3 million, beating the analysts’ estimates of $627 million. Same-store sales rose 1%, with Ann Taylor brand sales declining 0.4% and Loft brand sales rising 1.9%.

Freeport, Maine – L.L. Bean Inc. intends to almost triple its store count by 2020. In an internal company memo distributed Wednesday, March 11, L.L. Bean told employees it will open four stores in 2015 and at least 100 by 2020.

Currently, L.L. Bean operates 26 stores and 10 outlets in the U.S. The retailer does not have any stores west of Colorado, but plans to open new stores in the Pacific Northwest. All new stores will be full-price locations. The memo was signed by CEO Chris McCormack, who plans to retire in 2016.

C-Spire Wireless is providing a fresh take on  wireless shopping. The company's new, customer-inspired prototype provides a a hands-on, interactive experience in an easy-to-shop environment that encourages customers to explore.