July 2 - Borders is recognizing the 40th anniversary of man's first steps on the moon with a sweepstakes and in-store event.

July 2 - Sam's Club makes an uncommon appearance in co-op FSIs this week to promote its "100 Days of Summer" campaign.

In May, Brandweek published an interview with Draftfcb executive vice president Jim Lucas that concluded with the interviewer suggesting that "most people" think shopper marketing is "about shelf talkers and things like that."

Lucas (a longtime member of the In-Store Marketing Institute and a frequent speaker at our events) had already been quoted in the article discussing the "power of the retail environment," the sea change in perception within the marketing community that has led to the store being viewed as a brand-building venue; the trend among retailers to build their own brands by taking greater control of the messages presented in their stores; the resultant move among product manufacturers to align their own marketing strategies "to work through the voice of the retailer"; and the realignment of traditional category-based merchandising to reflect shopping behavior and product usage.

And that's all supposed to be taking place on a shelf talker? Wow. Give those copywriters a raise. ...More

Matt Nitzberg of dunnhumbyUSA explores the underlying factors that make "shopper marketing" effective in building customer loyalty, sales, and profits over the short and long term.

With clean aisles, revamped adjacencies and other shopper-friendly features, a new supercenter in Orland Hills, IL, brings Walmart's "Project Impact" initiative to life.

Economic pressures are driving demand for affordable meal solutions and household products that deliver more efficiency or value, according to the "2008 New Product Pacesetters" report from Information Resources Inc.

Sustainability trends and new shopper insights

Whether it falls under marketing or sales, the principle remains the same -- structure should follow strategy.

The state of the industry at and around the Digital Signage Expo

The Home Depot's Brad Williams joins Larry Sorrel of Schawk Retail Marketing in discussing the retailer's holiday, outdoor living and "More Saving. More Doing." campaigns.

Herb Sorensen of TNS North America discusses research exploring how shopper "efficiency" is an overlooked concept that deserves far more attention from both retailers and brands.