Sales & Marketing

AUSTIN, Texas - Office Depot is currently utilizing a new location-based mobile marketing app, Shazom In-Store, in all of its Office Depot and OfficeMax retail store locations throughout the country. The solution combines Shazam, one of the world’s most popular apps, with proprietary technology from Mood Media.

Armonk, N.Y. - Online sales were up 18.7% the weekend before Thanksgiving (Nov. 22-23) compared to the same two-day period in 2013. According to IBM Digital Benchmark analysis, mobile traffic accounted for 48.8% of all online traffic, an increase of 24.4% year-over-year.

In addition, mobile sales accounted for 26.6% of all online sales, an increase of 23.9% year-over-year.

New York - More than two-thirds (69%) of 276 finance industry executives expect 2014 Black Friday sales figures to grow at least 2% from their 2013 levels, with more than one-third (37%) expecting growth of 4% or more. Similarly, almost three-quarters of respondents to a survey from global brokerage firm Convergex (71%) say they expect total holiday season sales numbers to grow at least 2%, with 39% of respondents predicting a gain of 4% or more.

Apex, N.C. - TechPay Mobile Payment Systems has launched the SwiftPay mobile payment system. SwiftPay requires no new hardware for the merchant to install, it integrates directly into the retailer’s existing system.

Redbox is raising its prices in an effort to boost stagnant sales and get more revenue out of its existing customers.  

With the recent announcement that it will build a new digital innovation lab in Boston, CVS Health has joined the ranks of retailers, including Wal-Mart Stores and Target Corp,  who have also launched similar facilities.  Not every retailer is in the position to build its own proprietary innovation hot house,  but there are many advantages for those with the resources to do so.  Following are three key reasons that retail innovation labs are a good idea.

CHICAGO - Best Buy’s 43 Chicagoland stores are sporting a fresher look and assortment upgrades after the retailer’s $20 million overhaul earlier this year.

The stores’ face-lifts cover multiple areas, from new fixtures, carpeting, lighting and paint, to new customer experiences and shopping areas in stores.

Store enhancements include:

Black Friday is known for great deals, but a new study shows that consumers may want to add one more item to their holiday shopping carts.  

Product protection plan leader Asurion recently surveyed consumers and nearly one-third of the items they purchased last Black Friday broke in less than a year. In addition, almost half (45%) of those surveyed plan to replace at least one damaged, lost or stolen item this Black Friday.