Social Media

While the United States continues to experience slow, yet steady economic growth, the future of the domestic retail industry remains unclear as businesses are forced to adapt to a world where consumers are more cost-conscious than ever before. Amidst this challenging climate, retailers must be smarter at understanding their customers, products and the experiences they offer.

Revisiting Brand and Revenue Expansion Strategies

Food Lion is feeling good about recently reaching the milestone of 1 million Facebook fans, and is sharing the positive vibes.

In recognition of this social media achievement, Food Lion is donating 1 million meals to those in need. The meals will be donated to Feeding America in the form of a monetary donation (Feeding America provides an average of 11 meals for every dollar donated) and distributed evenly among 30 local Feeding America member food banks within the grocer's service area. The donation will span across its 10-state footprint.

Kroger customers are about to find out "how low" gas prices can go with a new contest from the nation's largest supermarket chain.

With Kroger's newest #FuelPointsSweeps giveaway, customers have a chance to win free fuel for a month, not to mention pay as little as 1 cent for a gallon of gas.

NYX Professional Makeup continues its brick-and-mortar expansion, opening a flagship at Westfield Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara, California.

The store is the first of several NYX locations set to open throughout the year. Upcoming locations include Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, California, and Willowbrook Mall, Wayne, New Jersey.

Retailers are generally optimistic about 2016, with such factors as low gas pricing and the housing market uptick working in the industry’s favor.

That’s according to a survey of store managers by real estate services firm Levin Management, which has 95 properties in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia and North Carolina. Several industry sources have also expressed a positive outlook, including Kiplinger, which anticipates retail will grow approximately 4% this year, and Trading Economics which expects 3.6% growth.

Chico’s FAS has sold its Boston Proper women’s apparel business to a Los Angeles-based, consumer-focused private equity firm.

Brentwood Associates, whose portfolio includes J. McLaughlin and Soft Surroundings, announced Tuesday it has acquired the women’s apparel brand. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Plus-size fashion retailer Torrid has a new model to showcase in its latest omnichannel marketing campaign.

The company has announced the winner of its model search: Lyanna Lynette. The 26-year-old Southern beauty was revealed in a 12-episode Web series on YouTube. The first of its kind in plus-size fashion, the series follows the four finalists as they compete to become the Face of Torrid 2016. The series can be watched, in full, on Torrid's YouTube channel.

There is a growing disconnect between shoppers’ growing in-store service expectations and retailers’ current service offerings and focus for the coming year.

Photo: Jack Ma and Howard Schultz, China Partner Family Forum

As we wrap up another holiday season, it’s time to review some of the most innovative and successful omnichannel promotions launched by retailers.

Some of these promotions were brand new, some were updated versions of established favorites. And some directly drove purchases while others built brand awareness and general holiday goodwill. But all five of the selected campaigns engaged customers in ways that should help boost loyalty long after holiday cheer fades.

Harry & David