Retail briefs
By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 3/26/2004
Home Depot launches online gift registry
The Home Depot has launched a home improvement Online Gift Registry. Available at www.homedepot.com, it is designed for any number of gift-giving occasions, including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and housewarmings.
The Home Depot Online Gift Registry offers some 9,000 items, including the Home Depot Gift Card. Consumers can search for gift recommendations by price, occasion or category.
Online gift registries are continuously updated and registrants receive e-mail notification as registered gift selections are purchased. Additionally, registrants can monitor or change their entries at any time.
Sears plans second 'Grand' store
Gurnee Mills will become the location of Sears' second "Grand" format store, which offer a broader general merchandise assortment than mall-based stores.
The one-stop shopping format includes pantry items, shopping carts, an optical department, and custom window blind service.
The new pilot store will open April 3. At 201,000 square feet, the unit is smaller by 9,000 square feet than the inaugural Grand unit, which opened this past October in West Jordan, Utah.
Big Lots embarks on TV brand-building effort
Big Lots last week launched a $45 million television ad campaign that will run nationwide through December. Featuring comedian Jerry Van Dyke, the ads continue the retailer's existing "Convert Campaign."
"The new campaign has Jerry continuing on his mission to help closeout shopping fanatics stay grounded," said the company.
Leslie Beck takes home into ShopKo
Four Leslie Beck American Casual bedding ensembles from Dan River are slated to roll out chainwide to ShopKo stores beginning in May, according to the designer's licensing agency.
The designs — Cherries Jubilee, Herb Garden, Hiways & Biways and Reminisce — will be merchandised in the chain's power rack display and feature header cards promoting the brand.
"Her classic designs with her signature down-home appeal are a perfect fit for ShopKo's customer and for everyone else who loves her traditional and comfort-oriented design sensibility," said Kevin Jareck, vice president, Dan River Home Fashions.
The licensing agency Wildflower Group's branding strategy for the program is intended to transform the designs of the artist into a dynamic, cross-category lifestyle program, featuring fabrics and home decor for the mass market and specialty channels.
