Merchandising

Kohl's will start selling an exclusive "American Idol" clothing line in April, the department store said. The collection, called Authentic Icon, will be available in stores through June to coincide with the 11th season of the show. 

State of the Social Universe: What Marketers Should Keep in Mind, from 4 Experts Who Can Help You Reach for the Stars

They shared their insights on where things are now, what trends are emerging, what marketers need to emphasize, and how they can make the most of it all. Sections include:

1) Drive the Mobile Vehicle Smartly, and Honor Your Email Opt-In Relationships
- Sara Meaney President, Strategy & Growth, Hanson Dodge Creative

2) It's About Location, Location, Location: Know Where Your Customer Is
- Asif Khan Founder and president of the Location Based Marketing Association

3) On the Rise: Social Intelligence
- Doug Camplejohn CEO of Fliptop

4) Start - and End - with Your Content
- Ann Handley Chief content officer for MarketingProfs

The way we communicate is moving-literally. Smart phones are outselling PCs, and tablet sales are expected to outpace desktop sales by 2013. But although the screens may be smaller, the possibilities for engagement are larger than ever.

You'll find the following covered in this handy whitepaper:

- What Does Mocial Mean for Marketers?
- Determining Your Mocial Strategy and Goals
- Growing Your Email Database Through Social and Mobile
- Making Email More Social
- Extending the Reach of Social and Mobile
- Deploying Integrated Programs Across Email, Social and Mobile

Wal-Mart is launching a new service that will allow consumers to digitize the movies they own on DVD or Blu-ray, enabling them to watch them on their smartphones, computers or other internet-connected devices. "Wal-Mart is helping America get access to their DVD library," said John Aden, executive vice president for general merchandising at Wal-Mart U.S. "Wal-Mart Entertainment’s new disc-to-digital service will allow our customers to reconnect with the movies they already own on a variety of new devices while preserving the investments they’ve made in disc purchases over the years."

Vera Wang is busting out something new: her first color cosmetics line. In April the bridal guru will release a 74-piece makeup collection under her Simply Vera Vera Wang range for Kohl's, which will be the exclusive retailer.

Later this month, Target will complete remodels at more than 100 of its general merchandise stores where, beginning March 25, the retailer will offer a full selection of affordable and quality fresh foods.

Old Navy is set to unveil an overhaul of its T-shirts, a key product category. The new Best-Tees collection, which highlights the retailer's ongoing efforts to improve its offerings, includes new silhouettes, softer fabrics and more flattering fits. The line will be hyped by a marketing campaign and feature the aptly named Mr. T, as well as a massive product giveaway.

Smut sells, or so it seems. Sears is battling negative press this week due to a number of extremely offensive T-shirts that were (until very recently) for sale on the Sears.com website. Journalists found T-shirts jesting about violence against women. 

Madhouse, a nationwide chain of discount men's clothing stores, was branded "shameful" and "outrageous" by hundreds of Twitter users yesterday because of the label's washing instructions to "Give it to your woman." 

Peyton Manning's change of address is good news for Nike, which replaces Reebok next month as the maker of National Football League-branded apparel and uniforms. Manning, whose No. 18 jersey has been among the NFL's top 10 sellers since 2004, was released by the Indianapolis Colts, ending a record-setting era.