Ikea Debuts Its CSR-minded Circular Hub

Community Room, Retailer Roundup, Sustainability

At the retailer’s new sustainability department, one person’s abandoned furniture is another one’s bargain find.

Old Ikea furniture deserves a second life. That’s a powerful statement coming from a retail giant that has made its fortunes outfitting customers’ homes. The company’s Australian arm has unveiled its new concept: Circular Hub, where pre-l[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Hybrid is Ralph Lauren’s B2C Summer Style

Mobile Commerce, Retailer Roundup, Sales Promotions & More, Shopping Center Business, Technology Lab, Technology News

Pop in or hop online, the choice is up to fashionistas who are loyal customers of the brand.

Stepping out to shop means stepping onto the web these days for lovers of Lauren Ralph Lauren. Summer collections and edits await on the little digital screen where the brand operates a virtual boutique resembling its Woodbury Common Premium Ou[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Mall Incubator Gives Home Bakers a Lift

Pop-Up Stores, Retailer Roundup, Shopping Center Business

In addition to trying new tasty bites, Baker X customers get a chance to earn loyalty rewards.

Would-be F&B entrepreneurs are stepping out of their comfort zone and into the competitive retail market, taking their home baking into Orchard Central. Last month, the Singapore mall launched Baker X, and, until June 30, it will be the place f[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

The Schoolyard Effect

Charity Partnerships, Community Relations, Community Room, Fundraisers, Retailer Roundup

Macy’s turns its CSR attention to underutilized community playgrounds.

If Trust for Public Land (TPL) had its way, every family in America would have a public park within a 10-minute walk from home. The reality is that 100 million people living in the country don't, including 28 million children. However, a recent[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

What’s Next: Social Enterprise Vending Machines

Community Room, Fundraisers, Retailer Roundup, Shopping Center Business

Sock Footage is on a mission to fill a major gap in support for the homeless.

Marisa Sheff has spent more than a decade working with the homeless community and knows first-hand how difficult it is to secure sustained support for vulnerable people. That prompted her to launch Sock Footage, a Canadian social enterprise tha[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Why This Clickbait Might Actually Work

Retailer Roundup, Social Media Campaigns

Small essential businesses gained hero status during the pandemic. You should celebrate the fact that your center houses them.

Homebase's new YouTube series, Grit & Greenlights, launches with the sort of clickbait that might make one cringe: A celebrity frontman with enough natural charm to move even non-fans to press play. If you're a mall marketer, you shouldn't dwel[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

H&M Adds Second-hand to Retail Strategy

Retailer Roundup, Shopping Center Business

After slowing down its fast-fashion cadence, the Swedish chain’s Canadian arm is about to launch its new Rewear brand.

By this time next week, Canadian consumers will have access to a new online platform to buy and sell pre-loved fashions and it's coming from an unexpected source: H&M. Created to promote circularity and sustainability, Rewear will not only feat[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Who’s Buying the VS Rebrand?

Advertising Creative Design, Design Studio, Retailer Roundup

The New Moon creative agency’s Brenda Martinez wonders if it isn’t simply too little too late for the once lingerie powerhouse.

It feels like Victoria's Secret has been falling out of favor for years, first gradually and then suddenly. The decline was precipitated by former exec Ed Razek's transphobic and body-shaming remarks and the subsequent cancellation of the VS Fa[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Brookfield Properties Casts a Wider Tenant Net

Community Relations, Retailer Roundup, Shopping Center Business

Knowledge sharing program points to a more diverse future in retail.

Corporate social responsibility begins with intent and it needs action, especially funding, for its vision to be realized. Brookfield Properties is pumping US$25 million over five years into a mentorship program targeted at aspiring black- and [...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Sustainable Luxury? HRO Is Giving It a Go

Retailer Roundup, Shopping Center Business, Sustainability

The retailer’s revamped building is its attempt to evolve towards a more eco-friendly future without sacrificing design tradition.

Implicit in the notion of luxury retailing is indulgence. That's not exactly what we tend to perceive as the ideal state of mind to consider, let alone pursue, sustainability. The team at Lemay architecture firm evidently is of a different opin[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...