Retail
Quiznos slashes price, touts 20 new low-carb subs
Quiznos Sub is serving up the ‘largest low-carb menu in Canada,’ with a new ad campaign to match.
H&R Block: from tax partner to financial partner
Tax king repositions for growth with flagship store, new market group and maybe even year-round ads
How can they put the blockbuster back in Blockbuster?
Like most revolutions, the one ushering in DVD technology isn’t equally rewarding all of its staunchest supporters. Blockbuster may have helped lead the move to DVDs, but New York-based parent Viacom recently made quite a statement on the future of the rental market by announcing plans to divest itself of the movie rental king. Viacom cited a DVD rental market that is slumping because consumers are deciding to buy (primarily from large retailers such as Wal-Mart) rather than rent. Business is down in Canada as well, but Blockbuster, which operates 411 stores here, says it’s going to fight back.
Selling to the store
Vendors are now spending more on trade promotion than any other form of marketing – so why are so many in-store programs described as ‘just dreadful’?
‘A no-brainer for advertisers’
New shopping magazines tap emerging ‘acquisition mind-set’ to create a new vehicle for marketers
Small but mighty
Specialty retailers tap into consumers’ need for attention as ‘exodus from department stores’ continues
Big box goes downtown
Category killers like Home Depot and Costco have conquered suburbia
- but can they hack it in the big city?
Digitizing the experience
74% of Canadians treasure the social aspect of shopping – so e-tailers are integrating with the real thing
Home for the holidays
This Christmas will see a 5% growth in retail spend – and a focus on unique gifts for the home will try to make the most of it
How would you turn around Sears?
Times have been tough for Sears Canada. The numbers tell the story: Over the last year, same-store sales decreases at Sears ranged from 4.9% in the fourth quarter of 2002, to a dismal 14.1% in the first quarter of 2003. Meanwhile, total revenues for Q2 2003 were $1.468 billion versus $1.593 billion in the same quarter last year, down by 7.8%. But Sears is doing its share of damage control by introducing new brands, which are supported by advertising, and adopting a cleaner look.
Dixie: cheap is out, value is in
Dixie Outlet Mall isn’t all about bins of cheap clothing. That’s why a new $400,000 marketing campaign for the Mississauga, Ont.-based venue will emphasize that it carries popular brands for value prices.
Hot Property
Emerging trends for reaching youth
What’s in store across the border?
Agency, clients charter a bus to Buffalo to check out the U.S. retail scene
Shopaholics unite
Campaign spurs excitement for expanded Calgary mall
Farmer Jack meets Mr. Whiskers
What’s the ultimate testament to the tenderness of a grocer’s beef? How about a gaggle of seniors – minus their dentures – gumming down meat in the back room. This is the wacky premise of one of the spots in a new TV campaign for U.S.-based Farmer Jack by Vancouver shop Rethink.
