As part of a social media blitz promoting dorm deliveries and a range of essentials, Meijer is hosting an “awkward photo” competition with a $20,000 prize for college tuition. “Make good use of that bad photo,” reads the Dr Pepper-sponsored contest's Facebook page.
The controversial clothing chain American Apparel has finally yielded to consumer habits by producing a size XL. To celebrate the move, it's launching a search for the next big thing — a plus-size model to advertise the new size.
Many luxury retailers rely on international tourists for sales. Insight on how the sector was impacted by the storm, with Stacey Widlitz, independent retail analyst.
New York-based luxury jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co. recently announced plans to open 17 new stores between now and fiscal year-end on Jan. 31, 2012. The company plans to open six stores in the Americas, three in Europe and eight in the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, one store in Japan is slated for closure.
The Frye Co. has opened its first brick-and-mortar store in New York's SoHo neighborhood. Additionally, the company plans to roll out several more stores in North America and Europe over the next five years, including potential flagship locations in Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, Aspen, Colo., and London.
Collective Brands — which operates Payless ShoeSource and Stride Rite shoe stores — recently announced plans to close 475 underperforming and low-volume stores over the next three years. Approximately 400 Payless stores will close in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. About 75 Stride Rite locations will close. Additionally, about 270 Payless stores and 45 Stride Rite stores are expected to close by the end of 2011.
Hurricane Irene sent East Coast shoppers into stores to stock up on essentials last week instead of the clothes, notebooks and other supplies that retailers were counting on selling as children get ready to go back to school.
GameStop wants a do-over after angering customers by removing coupons for a competitor that were in boxes for a popular video game. Customers who bought the couponless game are being offered a $50 gift card and a “Buy Two, Get One Free” used game purchase coupon.
More than 1,000 people across the U.S. have joined a campaign on Change.org calling on toy retailer Learning Express to stop selling live frog "EcoAquariums." Laura Goldman, an animal welfare blogger, launched the campaign on Change.org after learning that live African dwarf frogs were being sold in 4-square-inch plastic cubes.
Search as a means of driving retail sales has evolved in the past few years. As recently as three years ago, most retailers still viewed their internet plan as a means of driving e-commerce. The internet was a distribution and sales channel measured by its ability to drive online revenues from their website.
