Welcome to The Week in Retail, a weekly roundup for marketers from Quad Insights that covers the latest must-know news surrounding the retail space.
Target announces plans to reduce prices on 5,000 everyday items
Target just announced that it plans to lower prices on approximately 5,000 “frequently purchased” items. The retailer already recently reduced prices on 1,500 items, with more discounts planned throughout the summer. Discounts will span categories, as well as both national brands and Target’s own store brands, and include items such as milk, meat, produce, snacks, coffee, diapers, pet food and more. Target says the move will help customers collectively save millions of dollars as they “continue to struggle with inflationary pressures as they head into Memorial Day and the summer season,” per Chain Store Age’s Marianne Wilson.
See also: “Target captures ‘That Target Feeling’ in new ad campaign” (Marketing Dive)
Staples launches Father’s Day “Cable” Knit Sweater Vest giveaway
To celebrate Father’s Day, Staples is encouraging consumers to recycle their old electronics and accessories for the chance to win a sweater vest created, in part, with charging cables, Brand Innovators’ Aaron Baar reports. The promotion takes place between May 20 and June 10, when consumers can bring their items into a Staples location to receive a code to enter the “Cable” Knit Sweater Vest giveaway, as well as a coupon for $10 off a $30 purchase. In addition to making people aware that Staples is a recycling destination, the Father’s Day promotion “is a wink at dads’ hoarding tendencies, particularly when it comes to electronics and accessories that could one day have an alternative use,” Baar writes.
Previously: “Best Buy partners with Microsoft and Junk Kouture on Earth Month activation” from the April 12 edition of The Week in Retail.
Walmart debuts new immersive virtual shopping experience Walmart Realm
Walmart has debuted a new immersive virtual shopping experience that features “three distinct shopping environments designed around social trends and influencers,” per Retail TouchPoints’ Adam Blair. Called Walmart Realm, the experience includes So Jelly, an underwater world; Y’allternative, where “wild wild west meets gothic glam,” as Walmart Realm’s website puts it; and Go Chromatic, a “melted metallic world dripping in style.” Walmart Realm was created with technology from Emperia.
See also: “Walmart adding pet telehealth benefit to Walmart+” (Chain Store Age)
Petco Love launches animated campaign to help lost pets
Petco Love, an independent nonprofit organization associated with the Petco brand, just announced the launch of its “My Ruff Day” campaign to raise awareness of its national lost-and-found database for pets, per a brand statement. Called Lost Love, the database uses image-recognition technology to help reunite humans with their lost pets using a single photo. An animated short series, “My Ruff Day” features lost pets as they try to find their way home. “The first episode follows Boomer on moving day as he heroically seeks to find his family’s missing toy, only to find himself lost and alone in his new neighborhood,” per Petco Love’s statement. Using Love Lost, strangers help reunite Boomer (voiced by actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas) with his family. The campaign was informed by data showing that 10 million pets go missing each year — many of them during the summer.
See also: “Here’s the Scoop: Petco Now Offers Dog-Friendly Ice Cream” (Retail TouchPoints)
Further reading
Retail trends:
Retail performance:
- “TJX’s stock rises toward a record after earnings, as customers shopped more” (MarketWatch)
- “Major retailers sustain capital expenditures despite higher interest rates” (Retail Brew)
Retail launches and partnerships:
- “The Home Depot expands same-day delivery options with Instacart” (Chain Store Age)
- “UNFI extends Whole Foods distribution deal into 2032” (Grocery Dive)
- “Schnucks Joining Ibotta Performance Network” (Progressive Grocer)
- “Levi’s Vintage Clothing reproduces its oldest archival jean” (Rivet)
- “Ulta Beauty offers delivery via DoorDash across all 50 states” (Drug Store News)
- “AWG Brands Launches Upscale Private Label Ice Cream” (Store Brands)
- “Janie and Jack Team Up with Photographer Gray Malin” (Trend Hunter)
- “Amazon Providing Same-Day 2-Hour Grocery Delivery From Lucky Supermarkets” (Progressive Grocer)
- ICYMI: “CVS debuts new Well Market private-label consumables line” (Retail Brew)
Retail campaigns and promotions:
- “Model and actress Iris Law features in nostalgic campaign for new Guess Jeans label” (Rivet)
- “Skechers becomes first brand to buy Super Bowl LIX ad” (Chain Store Age)
- “Amazon ad shows how not to be jealous of your brand’s rivals” (Ad Age)
Retail operations and expansions:
- “Best Buy to offer expert support for new Microsoft AI PCs” (Chain Store Age)
- “Macy’s Ad Sales Reach $37 Million” (MediaPost)
- “Ralph Lauren’s Michigan Avenue Store in Chicago Gets a Gilded Age-inspired Renovation” (Women’s Wear Daily)
- “Kizik Opens At Mall Of America With Plans For Nationwide Expansion” (Forbes)
- “Saks Evolves Saks Social Club, Focusing on Mental Health and Art Initiatives” (Retail TouchPoints)
- “Walmart Debuts Expanded Versions of Neighborhood Market” (PYMNTS)
- “Academy Sports + Outdoors Expanding Into Ohio” (Store Brands)
- “Party City to re-open 3 stores featuring new format” (Retail Dive)
- “‘Whole Paycheck’ no more? Whole Foods is ramping up value messaging” (Grocery Dive)
- “How Michaels Reconfigured its Fulfillment Models to Dramatically Enhance Ship-From-Store Performance” (Retail TouchPoints)
