MARKETING/SOCIAL MEDIA

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and Shoptalk, organizer of the annual conference for retail/ecommerce innovation, announced a partnership focused on creating a global community and conversation for retail and e-commerce innovation.    The partnership will include Shoptalk Europe, which will be held on October 9-11, 2017 at the Bella Center in Copenhagen. It will also include Shoptalk 2018, which will take place on March 18-21, 2018 at the Venetian in Las Vegas.  

Consumer confidence increased in August to the second highest level since late 2000.    The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index rose to 122.9 in August, up from 120 in the prior month. Economists had expected the index to rise to 122.5 in August.    The Present Situation Index increased from 145.4 to 151.2. The Expectations Index rose marginally from 103.0 last month to 104.0.  

As promised, Target has moved its Cartwheel savings program into the retailer's app.   Target announced the move on Monday, saying that shoppers no longer need to switch back and forth, or maintain separate apps. The Target app is now listed as “Target—now with Cartwheel.”  

Pacific Sunwear of California is stepping up its game to better connect with its mobile-savvy customers.   Through a partnership with PredictSpring, the teen apparel chain has launched a new mobile app experience — one that is faster and more and visually rich. For example, the new app links to Instagram Shop-the-Look, a service that allows customers to browse and purchase directly from the PacSun Instagram feed.  

Hurricane Harvey, the first Category 4 Hurricane to make U.S. landfall since Charley in 2004, is poised to have the same, if not larger, economic impact.  

Expect an Amazon-dominated holiday retail season among U.S. consumers this year, with the e-commerce giant being the top destination for shoppers.  

Disney's marketing firepower will be on full display starting at  12:01 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, when it launches a global merchandise promotion — complete with augmented reality — of toys and products inspired by its upcoming film, "Star Wars: The Last Jedi."  

Mod Super Fast Pizza Holdings has named its first chief marketing officer.   The Seattle-based company has appointed Tracy Cioffi as chief marketing officer, effective immediately. She will lead the fast-casual restaurant chain's global marketing strategy.