Mega Monday follows sluggish November sales
Rosie BakerRetailers are preparing for the busiest online shopping day of the year amid predictions of a record Christmas trading period despite the latest figures showing sluggish sales in November.
Ann summers’ ‘sexiest ever’ TV ad
Rosie BakerAnn Summers is launching what it claims is the “sexiest ever Christmas TV advert” as part of its festive campaign.
Ebay eyes click and collect
Rosie BakerEBay and plans to ramp up its presence in offline shopping through initiatives such as click and collect as it looks to build a multichannel business.
Mini launches 26p-per hour car rental
Rosie BakerMini is launching a car rental scheme in London as part of its ‘Minifesto’ campaign to demonstrate how the vehicles are affordable.
Fiat in hot water over “rip-off” rap ad
Rosie BakerFiat is embroiled in a Twitter storm over accusations that its latest ad for the Fiat 500L copies an earlier ad from rival car marque Toyota.
Brands lend support to World Aids Day
Rosie BakerBrands including Durex and Liverpool Football Club and Belvedere vodka are lending support to World AIDS Day (1 December).
‘Movember message being lost on social media’
Rosie BakerThe men’s health message behind Movember is at risk of becoming sidelined by its success as a “fashion” movement, according to a report that analyses social media reactions to the charity initiative.
Asda shuns supermarket promo code
Rosie BakerEight supermarkets, including Tesco and Sainsbury’s have signed up to a voluntary supermarket code to address the consumer watchdog’s concerns over “misleading” price promotions and ensure promotions are “fair and meaningful”, but Asda has yet to join.
Wagamama in first charity tie up
Rosie BakerRestaurant chain Wagamama is launching a Christmas campaign celebrating good deeds as part of its first charity partnership.
Affiliate marketing as a force for good
Rosie BakerAffiliate marketing is often tarnished with a poor reputation, but at the Sustainable Brands conference in London this week I discovered a way that retailers can use performance marketing as a force for good.
SodaStream hits back at ad ban
Rosie BakerSodaStream is hitting back at its ad ban with a TV spot that directs viewers to the original campaign on YouTube, following Clearcast’s last minute cancellation of its campaign last week.
Homebase outlines modernisation plan as B&Q bolsters sales
Rosie BakerHomebase plans to modernise its business with the roll out a new store concept, multichannel improvements and an emphasis on exclusive brands such as Habitat to differentiate itself in a declining market as rival B&Q arrests decline in sales.
Cancer Research UK ask supporters to ‘go dry’
Rosie BakerCancer Research UK is launching a month-long awareness and fundraising campaign asking supporters to give up drinking during January.
Industry readies guidelines on social media competitions
Rosie BakerThe Institute of Promotional Marketing (IPM) is working with Facebook to develop a set of guidelines for brands running competitions on Facebook amid growing concern over the fairness of online competitions.
‘Brand awareness not enough to switch from off to online’
Rosie BakerBrand heritage is not enough to successfully move a high street brand online only. However, if affinity for the brand is allied with a bold creative strategy a brand that has floundered on the high street can go on to thrive as an e-tailer.