MARKETING/SOCIAL MEDIA

School may be back in session, but the back-to-school (BTS) shopping frenzy continues.    And as parents continue to purchase merchandise from newly distributed classroom supply lists, 42% of BTS shoppers expect to spend more this school year compared to 2016, according to new research and insights from Acosta, a sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and retail merchandising industry.  

Social media plays a huge role — bigger than pricing — when it comes to influencing the purchase decisions of Generation Z.   

Rue La La members are getting a new “perk” for their loyalty.   The online fashion retailer is partnering with Dunkin' Donuts in a new mobile marketing program. In a move to bolster the coffee giant’s DD Perks loyalty rewards program, models in Rue La La’s custom-branded, shoppable boutique, "Girl on the Go: Fall Style,” will be touting Dunkin’ Donuts beverages as accessories to their fall looks.  

Even headquarters have shelf life.   Walmart is planning to build a new, central headquarters — one better suited to a "digitally native" workforce — in its hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas. The discount giant revealed the news in a note by CEO Doug McMillion on the company's website.   

The president and CEO of Macy's, Jeff Gennette, and Google's president of global partnerships, Daniel Alegre, will be among the headliners at Shoptalk 2018, the nex-gen retail and e-commerce event.   Also on the bill: Alon Cohen, president and co-founder of Houzz, the home furnishings and design site. Shoptalk's final agenda will feature more than 400 speakers, an increase of 25% over 2017’s event.  

Office supply retailer Office Depot has tapped a 30-year marketing veteran to lead its marketing efforts.    Office Depot announced that Jerri DeVard has been appointed executive VP and chief marketing officer. She will report directly to Office Depot CEO Gerry Smith.  

Target Corp. is launching a new brand with HGTV's 'Fixer Upper' stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, and it's doing it just in time for the holidays.   The retailer announced an exclusive multi-year partnership with Magnolia, the home and lifestyle brand founded by the Gaines, to launch a home and lifestyle goods line called Hearth & Hand. It is Magnolia’s first collaboration with a retailer.   

Amazon is expanding into one of the go-to destinations for product discovery.   This was according to “Amazon: The Big E-Commerce Marketing Opportunity for Brands,” a report from Kenshoo. The study is based on 3,100 consumers in the United States, Germany, United Kingdom and France.  

Relevant, personalized messages are key to driving engagement, yet the quality of sourced data is negatively impacting results.   This was according to “More Data, More Problems: Trust, Transparency & Targeting in 2017.” The report from Bazaarvoice and Ad Age, is based on interviews of more than 300 agency and brand marketers.  

Face-to-face human contact is not necessary for a brand to make a strong connection with consumers.