News Briefs

Target is reducing prices on more than 2,000 items across private label and national brands this holiday season. The move will include lower prices on items for holiday preparations, gifting and everyday essentials, such as toys, board games, beauty products, bathroom items, food and beverages, and cough and cold medicine.

Target has previously adjusted its prices to remain competitive in markets across the country. In May, Target cut prices on about 5,000 items throughout the summer. The retailer ultimately surpassed its 5,000-item price cuts to more than 8,000 total items year to date. By the end of the holiday season, Target will have lowered prices on over 10,000 items during the year.  

The reduced prices on everyday and holiday items are partially a response to inflation and economic uncertainty, as recent research points to a majority of consumers saying the rate of inflation will have at least a somewhat negative impact on their holiday spending. At the same time, many households plan to take part in familiar routines and gatherings similar in size to last year, for Thanksgiving and December festivities, according to data from Kroger’s 84.51°. Additionally, most shoppers are prioritizing deals and promotions ahead of the holidays.

Target is also offering season-long deals and a wide selection of gifting and gathering items. That includes its largest holiday assortment ever featuring thousands of toys with over half under $20, exclusive products from owned and national brands and $5 and $10 options.

Target’s reduced pricing, promotions and availability may vary by store location and via Target.com, per a media release. For example, in markets across the country from Phoenix to Dallas and Detroit to Atlanta, most stores, Target.com and the Target app are now featuring discounts on products from Mattel’s Lego, B&G Foods’ Crisco, Nestle’s Coffee Mate and Purina, and private label up&up.

"We know families are excited to celebrate the holidays, so Target is committed to helping them find joy without compromise — with great products across our assortment at even lower prices," Rick Gomez, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Target, said in the release. "From meal prep and gifting to everyday needs, Target's offering the kind of exceptional value that'll make it even easier for everyone to save money as they embrace the magic of the season."

Two analytics platforms and technology solution providers, Glimpse Analytics and Retail Aware, are merging to form a retail analytics powerhouse. The new entity will operate under the Glimpse brand, reflecting the enhanced capabilities and unified vision of both companies, according to a media release.

The combined company will leverage expertise in customer behavior, location data and advanced analytics to offer a more robust suite of solutions for retailers, brands and transport operators.

On its own, Glimpse Analytics used a suite of advanced technologies, including computer vision, proprietary sensors and machine learning, to provide brick-and-mortar retailers real-time data on customer behavior and marketing performance. Retail Aware’s sensor-informed analytics platform was designed to help brands, retailers and their partners analyze shopper movement, dwell times and product movement in real time.

"This acquisition marks a pivotal moment," John Price, CEO of Glimpse Analytics, said in the release. "By uniting Glimpse's best-in-class customer intelligence with Retail Aware's sensor-based analytics capabilities, we are creating an industry leading platform that delivers deeper, real-time insights to optimize performance and personalize customer experiences."

The combined company will offer a set of customer insights and solutions across three key sectors: retail intelligence, brand performance and connected transport.

These enhanced customer insights are designed to help retailers, brands:

• Finetune marketing and merchandising strategies based on detailed customer data.
• Optimize store layouts, staffing and inventory using real-time customer behavior insights, asset tracking and performance and ROI measurement.
• Elevate the customer experience through personalized interactions across channels.

Additionally, the company will offer transport partners revenue protection, passenger counting and safety solutions.

"We are thrilled to join forces with Glimpse Analytics," added Keith Fix, founder of Retail Aware. "This transaction positions us to deliver even more value to our retail partners, helping them achieve their business objectives with actionable insights that redefine what's possible in real-world analytics."

As NexChapter, an advisory firm for the convenience and grocery retail sectors, expands its offerings to include marketing advisory, the company has added Matt Riezman as a partner. 

Riezman brings more than 15 years of experience in marketing leadership roles across the retail and CPG industry, and he will play a key role in helping NexChapter clients overcome marketing challenges and build more effective growth strategies, according to a media release shared with P2PI.

Most recently, Riezman worked at Kum & Go leading its marketing transformation, including a full brand refresh and an overhaul of the c-store’s &Rewards loyalty program with a new technology stack. He also designed the retailer’s first always-on paid media strategy. His work increased foot traffic, digital engagement and food sales, per the release. 

"I’m excited to join NexChapter at a time when marketing is undergoing such a profound transformation,” Riezman said in the release. “Retailers are increasingly challenged to not only engage customers, but to do so in ways that are deeply personalized and data driven. Having worked in both industry and consulting roles, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of leveraging technology and creativity to create meaningful customer experiences.”

Riezman also previously worked in brand management and marketing at Kraft Heinz and in consulting at Deloitte. He has also served on the National Association of Convenience Stores’ (NACS) strategic communications committee, where he advised on key communication challenges facing the convenience retail industry.

Additionally, P2PI sibling brand Convenience Store News named Riezman a Future Leader in Convenience in 2021. He’s also earned multiple Shorty, Effie and One Show awards for his creative work. 

“Marketing is evolving faster than ever,” added Art Sebastian, founder and CEO of NexChapter. “Retailers are navigating a more complex landscape of customer data, digital engagement and an exploding assortment of media channels. With [Riezman’s] wealth of experience and his track record of success, NexChapter is uniquely positioned to help convenience and grocery retailers modernize their marketing strategies and achieve meaningful growth.” 

Best Buy is again turning 800 of its stores into temporary PokeStops as part of Niantic's Pokemon Go, the augmented reality mobile game that lets players explore real-world locations for digital monsters. This year, the retailer extended the opportunity from two weeks in 2022 to three.

The experience will take place Oct. 4-25. At the same time, Best Buy is promoting its latest Pokemon product drops, including the Pokemon trading card game: Paradox Wisdom Premium collection and Charizard ex Super-Premium collection. 

The retailer also encouraged players to check out the photo discs featuring Charizard, a Pokemon creature, and the special-edition themed sticker, Best Buy said in a corporate blog post.

“Whether you’re looking for your very own Pikachu or going head-to-head with a Dragonite, we’re here to help take your adventure to the next level,” per the post.

Ripple Street, a marketing agency and consumer discovery platform, has appointed former PepsiCo, ESPN and Nielsen executive Vikram Somaya to its board of directors, the company announced in a media release first shared with the Path to Purchase Institute. 

Most recently, Somaya served as chief data and analytics officer at PepsiCo since 2019. In this role, he led teams of data scientists and business innovators to optimize the manufacturer’s data value chain and drive an enterprise-wide digital transformation.

In addition to his time at PepsiCo, Somaya brings a wealth of experience from previous roles at Nielsen, where he served as executive vice president and chief data officer, as well as at ESPN, where he served as senior vice president, global data officer. In this role, he spearheaded data strategies to enhance consumer insights and drive innovative revenue models. 

Ripple Street, which connects brands with its engaged consumer community, believes Somaya’s “unique ability to rapidly adapt go-to-market solutions in response to shifting consumer needs” will give it a competitive edge as the agency expands strategic relationships with clients.

“The pace and nature of change in consumer behavior are unlike anything we’ve seen before,” Somaya said in the release. “Brands face unprecedented competition — from category leaders and private labels to shifting macroeconomic trends — alongside dwindling consumer loyalty. Ripple Street is uniquely positioned to empower brands to navigate these challenges, providing robust capabilities to cultivate and sustain authentic relationships with a deeply engaged community of consumers. I am excited to collaborate with the team to enhance our value proposition by tapping into the rich insights derived from Ripple Street’s community. The potential for growth is limitless.”

As Ripple Street continues to innovate and expand, the company said the addition of Somaya to the board marks a significant milestone in its ongoing mission to provide solutions for agency and brand partners, such as shopper marketers from Mondelez International, Anheuser-Busch and General Mills.

“When it comes to evaluating any business decision, [Somaya] relentlessly represents the voice of our customers — both brand marketers and consumers,” added Mike Leo, Ripple Street’s CEO. “He’s exceptional at approaching problems with data-driven rigor, which not only illuminates new pathways for growth but also enhances our platform strategy in meaningful ways. I’m eager to dive in with [Somaya] to unlock new avenues of growth that will elevate Ripple Street to new heights.”

Vanguard Cos., a Kansas City, Missouri-based marketing and merchandising solution provider, has appointed Chadd Lenartowicz and Jerry Solberg as national account managers.

Chris Cummings, executive vice president of sales, said in media releases that Vanguard is excited to welcome the two and noted their industry insight, retail expertise and passion to help drive growth opportunities for the company. "Working with our creative services, marketing and regional sales teams, [they] will be responsible for expanding our presence across national channels, as well as developing our corrugated merchandising solutions and graphic packaging offerings in targeted market segments,” Cummings said. 

Both Lenartowicz and Solberg’s roles will involve creating value and serving Vanguard’s clients while growing profitable business. They’re tasked with developing new opportunities, nurturing existing relationships with established accounts to increase revenue and “maintaining a high level of integrity and accountability,” per the releases. 

Both men bring a wealth of experience in national account management and new business development within the corrugated packaging and point-of-purchase display industry. They’ve both led sales initiatives, implemented new strategies and generated new business opportunities with big brands and retailers.

Last month, Vanguard also announced the appointment of Pete Coulborn as national account manager.