Marketing Tactics

Bentonville, Ark. - At an event with President Barack Obama, Walmart announced that it will double the number of on-site solar energy projects at its U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and distribution centers by 2020. The commitment is part of Walmart’s global initiative to drive the production or procurement of 7 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy by the end of 2020.

Littleton, Mass. - Dover Saddlery, Inc. reported a net loss of $543,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, virtually flat with the $538,000 net loss reported in the first quarter of the prior year. Total revenues for the first quarter of 2014 increased 9.4% to $19.7 million, from $18 million achieved in first quarter 2013.

Dover Saddlery plans on opening four to six new stores during fiscal 2014.

New York -- Xcel Brands announced the launch of the first Isaac Mizrahi New York e-commerce website, IsaacMizrahi.com.

Phase one of the user-friendly website will offer a wide array of Isaac Mizrahi New York product offerings including women's sportswear, dresses, footwear, handbags, eyewear, watches, tech accessories and fragrance. Additionally, a dedicated section of the website will consolidate the brand's recent social media feeds, providing a view into what inspires Isaac's style.

Bebe stores cited various factors, among them severe weather conditions that caused 136 store closures, the shuttering of 19 unproductive stores and the timing of Easter in late April, as contributing to its 17.2% net sales decrease in the third quarter from the prior-year quarter.  

Net sales dropped to $93.5 million from $112.9 million for the third quarter a year ago. Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased 5.7%. The sales decrease, according to the company, was also fueled by one fewer retail week in January in the current fiscal year.

Everyone loves pop-ups right? They’re exciting, they’re new, they’re fun and you have to hurry and get there while the getting’s good. Especially during the holidays. It’s the cool new merchandising trend.

But pop-ups are becoming, and will continue to become, more than just a trend. They are increasingly an important element of the marketing mix. I define the next phase of pop-up shops as focused physical presentations that integrate e-commerce. Here’s what’s coming next.

Customer acquisition

American Express has revealed the winners of its “Epic Everyday Getaway” contest. More than 7,000 Americans submitted snapshots and selfies along with a short story describing their favorite every moments with the aptly named hashtag #EveryDayMoments.

Each winner and a guest will get their own “VIP” treatment when they head to New York June 18-21, for a three-day trip that includes:

San Francisco -- Revel Systems, a leading provider of iPad point-of-sale solutions, has opened its first pop-up store, in historic Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco. The initiative is a joint effort between Revel Systems and PopUpShopUp. The Revel pop-up is designed as a multi-use space hosting a variety of QSR & retail businesses that Revel has invited to be given the opportunity to have a physical store for the first time.

Albuquerque, N.M. -- Consumers can shop for clothes categorized by astrological signs at the newly launched Fashionsofthezodiac.com, described as the world's first online store to organize its clothing and accessories by the 12 signs of the zodiac. The company expects to open a store early next year, in Denver.

New York -- Many retailers reported better than expected sales in April, helped by warmer weather and a later-than-usual Easter. Gap Inc., L Brands, Costco Wholesale Club, The Buckle, Stein Mart and Zumiez all came in ahead of analysts estimates.

At Gap Inc., same-store rose a better-than-expected 9% in April. By banner, sales were up 3% at Gap stores, 7% at Banana Republic and 18% at Old Navy. Analysts had expected Gap’s total same-store sales to inch up 0.1%.

Santa Monica, Calif. - Hollister Co. will open the Hollister House this summer, focusing an omni-channel marketing campaign on a beach house that will run from Memorial Day weekend through early August. The retailer will feature new summer styles and host music performances at the house all summer long, with consumers able to follow through Hollister’s social media channels.