Hey Hulugans!
It’s almost unbelievable how fast the retail world moves. Starting later this July retailers are going to start marketing their “back to school basics” as you reminisce the times when light up sneakers were in style. You are going to see little kids going ga-ga over their new Frozen themed back packs and getting loads of crayons and pencils. Pretty soon all of the summer clothing will be on sale (hooray!) leaving room for the colder weather fashion. Halloween costumes and candy-corn will soon trickle into your nearby retailer as you plan out the perfect Entourage costume for your crew. Even though the retail world is a reminder about how fast time flies, it is argumentatively one of the most “constant” industries in the way that the retail life-cycle has been pretty consistent since the beginning.
Basically, retail therapy looks like it’s going to be here for awhile longer!
#JennyFromTheSquad
Some “pun-ny” jokes because everyone should have a punderful day…
What are a ghosts favorite pants?
Boo jeans!
What kind of socks does a pirate wear?
Arrrrrgyle!
What does a cloud wear under her raincoat?
Thunderwear! (hehe)
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Walmart Challenges Amazon with $50-per-year Unlimited Shipping
http://recode.net/2015/05/13/walmart-challenges-amazon-with-50-per-year-unlimited-shipping/
- Walmart is planning to test a new unlimited online shipping service this summer for $50 per year, a move to compete with Amazon’s annual $99 Prime shipping service.
- The plan will offer selected products on the company’s website to customers in the three days or less
- but the company said that they will go forward depending on customer feedback
Walmart partners with Alibaba unit to offer mobile pay in China
http://www.thecitywire.com/node/37531#.VaAPIflVhBc 
- Retail giant Walmart Stores confirmed that is has partnered with Alibaba’s financial arm
- The primary reason Walmart said it made the deal is because Alibaba will help better serve customers
- “Retailers offering mobile pay in China are creating a leapfrog effect over credit and debit cards.” Kali said. “The fact Wal-Mart is testing this first in Shenzen, where they are headquartered is the equivalent of them testing in Bentonville like they often do.”
- Mobile pay in China is further along which gives Wal-Mart an opportunity to use
- its global presence to test the payment form before it become more mainstream in the U.S.
Where do millennials love to shop? Hint: It’s based in Bentonville, Ark
http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/surpriise-walmart-wins-millennials/299030/
- “Millennials now, as a generation, like Walmart the best, more so than Generation X, more so than boomers,” said Matt Kistler, Walmart senior VP-consumer insights and analytic.
- “That kind of shocks a lot of people, including inside the company,” admitted Walmart Chief Marketing Officer Stephen Quinn.
- Last, its price positioning resonates, Mr. Kistler said. “The millennial customer grew up with a lot of hardship. They see Walmart as a place where they can save money.”
Macy’s to Restructure Merchandising and Marketing Approach
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/01/08/business/ap-us-macys-sales.html?_r=0
- Macy’s plans to restructure it’s operations in response to changes in the way customers shop in stores and online
- It will close 14 department stores to save 140 million and reinvest in more online initiatives
- “We must continue to invest in our business to focus on where the customer is headed — to prepare for what’s next,” said Terry J. Lundgren, Macy’s chairman and CEO in a statement.
Macy’s is now focusing on mobile marketing
http://mobilemarketingwatch.com/macys-focusing-more-on-mobile-marketing-50084/ 
- The company has put high importance on mobile marketing
- “Backstage is a new retail concept that the Macy’s team has built from scratch over the past six months. It will be an exciting shopping experience supported with compelling marketing, both traditional and mobile,” says Chief Innovation Officer Peter Sachse. “As with all of Macy’s innovations, we will test and learn to see what resonates most with customers so we can adjust before rolling out additional locations.”
Macy’s new summer marketing campaign
- #AmericanSelfie
- -customers will post photos with the hashtag celebrating what America means to them
- it also seeks to c=highlight the most American places and people
- For ever photo uploaded on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, Macy’s will donate $1 (up to 250,000) to a War Veteran foundation
- If shoppers pay $3 towards the cause, they will get 25% off their day’s purchase
Marketers are going after the Hispanic population
- Launches “retool your school” campaign to reach out to the Hispanic population
- It is a fund that donates money to low-income areas/schools to provide better education
- By doing so, it gives the notion that home Depot is “looking out” for their consumers and care for their well-being of their children and families
Making use of Social Media via vine
– Fix in Six Campaign
– “Consumers are saying we’re also a style brand, particularly through Pinterest where it’s about inspiration and style,” says Lamb. “And if you look at our competition on these platforms, they’re very transnational and product-focused, getting pigeonholed and positioned in a way that is not the same.”
– Lowe’s has tailored its approach to reflect a generation of kids who didn’t grow up holding their dad’s hammer.
– They want people to know that Lowe’s is an approachable brand. Having a light-hearted tone (via Vine video or a TV spot exemplifies this)
Lowe’s users Virtual Reality
http://www.skyword.com/contentstandard/news/virtual-reality-the-next-content-marketing-storyteller/
- Specific stores in Toronto, customers can build a bathroom on the ipad which includes certain fixtures, tubs and tiles
- After they create it on the iPad users then use VR to see what they created
- Content marketing that uses VR to tell better stories—stories that excite, teach, inform or entertain—will inspire consumers to keep coming back for more.
meaningful edge needed to entice younger diners into stores.
designed to show appreciation for and engender the loyalty and support of McDonald’s customers who consider themselves “global citizens,” and reward this constituency with 24 “gifts of joy” through various marketing events (schedule and details below), which include everything from a pajama party in Milan to a drone selfie in Dubai and a pop-up library in Paris.
Our World Wide Web 