Social Media

Guess? may be a global brand, but worldwide diversification wasn’t enough to help the company avoid a fourth quarter sales decline and weakness at North American retail locations.

Unlike other retailers, Guess? made no mention of horrible winter weather when it reported a decline in fourth quarter sales and profits that were especially evident in North America.

Pop star Robin Thicke will help Express commemorate the grand opening of what promises to be a stunning 28,000-sq.-ft. flagship location in New York’s Times Square on March 25.

The fashion forward operator of more than 600 predominantly mall-based stores is looking to make a splash with the Times Square location company chairman and CEO Michael Weiss billed as “Express on steroids.”

San Diego – Nine-in-10 (91%) women conduct online research prior to making a purchase, and 92% are willing to pay more for competing products that receive positive online reviews. A new consumer survey from Interactions, “Retail Perceptions - The Power of Persuasion,” also found that 30% of women use a mobile device to conduct research and 37% of mobile users say they conduct research during their shopping trip.

Dole Fruit Squish'ems is kicking off a partnership with two-time FIFA Women's World Cup winner and mom Brandi Chastain to help soccer families across the country gear up for game days.

To celebrate the start of the men’s and women’s college basketball tournament, appliance and electronics retailer Hhgregg is kicking off its March into Hhgregg event,”which will award more than $50,000 in prizes from LG Electronics.

From now through April 7, Hhgregg shoppers can enter daily online, via smartphone, on Facebook and in-store. Winners will be selected instantly, weekly, and one grand prize winner will be selected on April 8.

Sephora has launched Beauty Board, a social shopping platform designed to engage clients through beauty images. Users will be able to post, share, browse and shop Sephora's photo gallery directly on Sephora.com, the mobile site, iPhone and Android apps.

Users will also be able to upload photos, tag the products they use and give helpful tips on how they achieved the look.

San Francisco -- Sephora has launched a new social shopping platform, called Beauty Board, to engage customers through beauty images and allow them to post, share, browse and shop the company’s photo gallery directly on its web site, mobile site, iPhone and Android apps. Shoppers will be able to upload photos, tag the products they use, and give helpful tips on how they achieved the look.

Vancouver, Canada -- PayWith Inc. has launched a new smartphone app called the mCard that simply and securely enables in-store transactions with mobile devices. PayWith has signed a North American license agreement with a global payment network that allows PayWith to provide merchants and consumers with a secure and convenient smartphone-based payment, loyalty rewards, and commission sales solution.

Columbus, Ohio – DSW Inc. opens a new store in Davenport, Iowa on March 20. As of March 20, DSW will operate 398 stores in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

DSW Rewards is a free loyalty program in which customers earn certificates toward future DSW purchases and receive special member-only offers. Customers can also participate in a Shoe Lover community on Facebook to receive exclusive offers and giveaways.

Cleveland - Sherwin-Williams is launching an online Spanish-language platform, SWLatino.com, focusing on Hispanic homeowners, contractors and designers. Sherwin-Williams will feature tips, how-to articles and color information from leading Hispanic bloggers and Sherwin-Williams color experts.

The new site, integrated with Sherwin-Williams Facebook and Twitter accounts, will connect Latino paint and color professionals, homeowners and designers with Spanish-language content.