Marketing Tactics

A new e-commerce startup is aiming to shift the paradigm in the world of online shopping with the release of a customizable deal dashboard.   Mytotefish.com offers a dashboard for users to organize their favorite stores (including coupons, sales and shipping deals) in one centralized location.   

New York -- Fitness buffs can shop and also get in a workout at Nike’s new women’s store at Fashion Island, in Newport Beach, California. The 6,000-sq-ft. plus space combines the best of the company’s women’s products with an in-store fitness studio.

The glass- and wood-paneled studio, the first for Nike in a U.S. retail location, features free group or personal fitness training sessions. It also enable customers to try out training and running footwear and apparel.

Las Vegas -- A giant “starburst ” a 14-ft.-diameter structure composed of 911 custom-cut Swarovski crystal spheres that put on a dazzling show at midnight, is the sparkling centerpiece of Las Vegas’ newest retail destination, Grand Bazaar Shops. The starburst, was created for — and towers above—the outdoor center’s new Swarovski store, whose exterior is composed of dozens of large, angular facets designed to make it resemble a cut crystal.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is aiming to attract more families with a new corporate giving campaign.

The fabric and craft specialty retailer announced that Boys & Girls Clubs of America will be a major recipient of Jo-Ann corporate giving in 2015. To help inspire young minds, customers will be able to purchase a “pin-up” upon checkout to benefit the organization from March 1 through April 4 at all Jo-Ann stores nationwide.

The Center for Retailing Excellence just scored another coup with the addition of Walmart COO Judith McKenna to the agenda for an upcoming conference that already included Walmart CEO Doug McMillon.

The Center, part of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, is scheduled to hold its annual Emerging Trends in Retail conference on June 11 at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale near Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville headquarters.

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Pizza retailer Domino’s, which recently shortened its name from “Domino’s Pizza,” is reportedly turning to social media to promote the name change and also locate out-of-date signs. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Domino’s is encouraging consumers to upload photos of signs with the old Domino’s Pizza logo and name to Instagram using the hashtags #LogoInformants and #Sweeps.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea announced that it has chosen VCC to serve as construction manager both for the site work and store development of its new, larger store in Burbank, California. The new location will replace the chain’s existing Burbank store, which is also Ikea’s oldest store in the Western United States.

Pending remaining approvals and permits, groundbreaking is on track for fall 2015 and store opening in spring 2017. Until the new, roomier store opens on the new site, customers can continue to shop at the existing Ikea Burbank.

Cranberry Township, Pa. -- Teen retailer rue21 announced the opening of its flagship, which is located less than one mile from its corporate office. The 8,000-sq.-ft. store includes apparel and accessories for both girls and guys as well as the chain’s newest and fastest-growing division, rue+ plus sizes. The merchandise mix also features fragrance, beauty and room decor.