MARKETING/SOCIAL MEDIA

In the wake of Amazon’s Prime Day hype, J.C. Penney is eager to drive momentum among its own online shoppers.    The department store retailer is getting ready to host its own online-only shopping event, “Penney Palooza.” The second annual two-day sale, which is set to run July 11-12, will feature “48 hours of non-stop savings,” according to the retailer.   

Days before Prime Day commences, Amazon is upping the ante once again.   Starting Wednesday, July 5, Alexa shoppers will have access to more than 100 exclusive deals on Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, Amazon Tap, Fire TV or compatible Fire tablets. Voice shoppers will also get first dibs on select Prime Day deals on July 10, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. PST — two hours before the general public, according to Amazon.  

Technology giants, including a retailer, dominated an annual ranking of the world's most valuable brands.   

Mark Tritton, Target’s executive VP and chief merchandising officer, discussed the retailer's new exclusive brands in a posting on the company's corporate website. Here are some key excerpts:    What’s the inspiration behind these new brands?

Target Corp. is doubling down on its efforts to distinguish itself with exclusive brands and to be a leader in two key categories.     The discounter revealed in a posting on its web site that it will launch three new apparel brands and one new home goods brand in its stores and online this fall.    

Sur La Table is inviting shoppers to its version of Black Friday in July.   Replacing multiple smaller weekend sales that typically run throughout the month, the kitchenware retailer is introducing a one-day shopping event called “Lime Day.” The sale, which is set to launch on July 10, will feature more than 300 lime-themed items on sale for up to 75% off.   

Plenty of consumers will be shopping for deals over Independence Day— and they plan to use social media to find them.   Forty-three percent of consumers plan to shop for deals on Independence Day, according to a survey by ChargeItSpot. When asked what resource they will use to hunt down deals and sales, the majority of respondents (37%) said social media, followed by online deal sites (17%) and mobile coupon apps (17%) – meaning in-store shoppers are finding their deals online.    

Affluence is out. So are the days of the mass market.    A new report projects 10 years out and reveals three fundamental principles that are shaping tomorrow's consumer packaged goods and retail industries: trust, influence and personalization. In a preview of its 2017 Global Future Consumer study, A.T. Kearney predicts the death of the scale economy that focuses on catering to affluence in favor of one driven by the influence of industry stakeholders, particularly by the hyper-connectivity of the younger generations.