Social Media

A new online resource created by the International Housewares Association (IHA) delivers fresh content on emerging home trends and housewares products.

The site, IHAInspiredHome.org, offers compelling information and ideas across a broad spectrum of home lifestyle categories, enabling consumers to connect directly with brands and companies that can meet their housewares needs.

The holidays will be a little more joyous this year for some of the 14.7 million U.S. children living in poverty. 

Procter & Gamble has introduced a new ad campaign for its Olay brand featuring Katie Holmes in which the actress encourages woman to be their best beautiful.

Created in partnership with Saatchi & Saatchi New York, Holmes encourages women around the world to be their best beautiful – in their lives and their skincare while featuring Regenerist and other Olay products.

New York -- REI has launched a news mobile app that allows users to check snow conditions at popular ski destinations.   The recently introduced iPad app offers an optimized shopping and product research experience and gives users access to a broad and inspiring product selection of the top brands in camping, backpacking, cycling, climbing, skiing, fitness and more.   

Duluth, Minn. –- Maurices is ramping up its store openings in time for the holiday season with plans to open 16 new stores. These expansions will give the girls’ apparel retailer a total of 938 locations, advancing it toward its goal of having more than 1,300 stores in the United States and Canada.   

Oak Brook, Ill. -- McDonald’s USA will answer questions from customers through a multichannel effort called “Our Food. Your Questions.” The company invites people to submit their food questions via social media.    McDonald’s will respond with behind-the-scenes webisodes and other social content that provides facts on ingredients, how food is made and how it’s prepared in restaurants.    

Community shopping centers are evolving to become more than service providers to a neighborhood or trade area.  Designed and merchandised correctly, they are fostering a sense of community and building experience.

The Maurices division of Ascena Retail Group is rolling toward a footprint of more than 1,000 locations with a new round of stores opening in advance of the holidays.

Maurices plans to open sixteen locations before November 10 giving the Ascena subsidiary a total of 938 locations. The company contends the U.S. and Canada can support more than 1,300 locations.

Nestle’s Gerber brand is asking parent to upload photos of their infants as part of its 5th annual “Be Our Baby” contest and a chance to appear in a television commercial.

Outdoor enthusiasts have been given a host of new capabilities on REI’s newest mobile app – including the ability to check snow conditions at popular ski destinations.