Social Media

As retailers try varying ways to attract the interest of shoppers, Stuart Weitzman is launching a totally new kind of digital campaign.

The retailer says it is the first company in the apparel industry to launch what is called a "cinemagraph advertising campaign" on Instagram. Cinemagraphs — still photographs incorporating looping video elements — are increasingly popular as retailers experiment with new visual tricks and gimmicks designed to make consumers stop and take notice.

New York – Lane Bryant is launching its #ImNoAngel omnichannel spring campaign Monday, April 6. The #ImNoAngel campaign, conceptualized by creative agency- Laird+Partners, kicks off with a series of TV advertisements and photographs taken by photographer Cass Bird.

The comprehensive national advertising campaign will feature Bird's images and video across Lane Bryant's stores and social media channels, as well as on billboards, public transportation (including on buses and subways), television and in print.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart is launching the spring “Fight Hunger. Spark Change” campaign, a nationwide initiative inviting the public to take action in the fight against hunger. Working with food companies including Campbell’s, ConAgra Foods, General Mills, Kellogg Company, Kraft, and Unilever, Wal-Mart aims to donate up to $3 million to Feeding America based on customer participation in the #WeSparkChange social media challenge.

Lane Bryant is launching an omnichannel spring marketing campaign that hopes to drive women to embrace what makes them unique.

The plus-size retailer is encouraging customers to celebrate the fact that they’re different to the prototypical "Victoria's Secret Angel” and that all sizes can (and deserve to) be sexy. 

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon's statement on social media Wednesday asking the state of Arkansas to reject legislation that critics say could allow discrimination against lesbians and gay men is indicative of the retailer's increased role in many social issues, according to the New York Times.

New York – Walmart on Wednesday sent out a tweet in which it commended Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson and legislative leaders for reconsidering a law that some people and organizations fear would open the door to discrimination against gays and lesbians. The “religious freedom” measure (HB1228) in Arkansas is similar to the one that has kicked up a firestorm in Indiana. Earlier in the day on Wednesday, Gov, Hutchinson said he wouldn’t sign the bill in its present form and called for changes to be made.

On the heels of questions over quality control standards for its herbal supplements, GNC has announced three new marketing partners.

GNC said the new agency partners – Consigliere (brand management/creative/advertising), CROSSMEDIA (media/communications planning) and 22squared (digital and social media) – will help drive profitable growth for the brand.

Procter & Gamble is expanding its outreach to African American consumers with its sponsorship of the 2015 Black Girls Rock! Awards.

The company, together with Target, will celebrate African American girls who are making a positive difference and will invite the community to “change the beauty conversation” by joining P&G’s Imagine a Future (IAF) program.

Bolingbrook, Ill. - For fast-growing retailer Ulta Beauty, having an omnichannel presence does not just mean selling products across multiple touch-points. As Ulta Beauty executives explained during a presentation at the recent Oracle Industry Connect 2015 conference, the retailer uses an Oracle Retail technology platform to support a range of omnichannel experiences that engage customers at a highly personal level.

Trendy teen retailer American Apparel reported a deep decline in fourth quarter revenue, as the company grapples with a social media scandal and losses stemming from an investigation of its former CEO.