 | October 12, 2010 | News for the retail industry |  |  | | - Gymboree attracts $1.8 billion buyout deal
Private-equity investor Bain Capital has agreed to acquire children's retail chain Gymboree for $1.8 billion, making it the year's second-largest buyout deal. Industry experts say the chain garnered such a high price on the strength of its brand and the fact that parents have continued spending on their children even as they cut other expenses during the recession. The Wall Street Journal (10/12)       - U.K. chain Accessorize to make U.S. debut
British retail chain Accessorize plans to open its first two U.S. stores in New York in the coming weeks, the start of an aggressive expansion plan that calls for 100 locations by 2015, Women's Wear Daily reports. The chain, a division of the Monsoon retail group, also plans to launch a U.S. retail website, selling its growing lineup of jewelry, purses, scarves and other accessories. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (10/12) - Gap goes back to familiar logo
Gap announced on its Facebook page Monday it will scrap its much-maligned new logo in favor of its familiar icon, four days after confirming plans to adopt the new design. "There may be a time to evolve our logo, but if and when that time comes, we'll handle it in a different way," Gap North America President Marka Hansen said in a statement. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (10/11)  | Get key demographic and market facts about any location in the U.S. on the go with the Business Analyst Online app. Download the free app now and instantly evaluate an area on-site. | - Merchants play with discount percentages
More retailers are advertising their discounts and promotions in percentages as consumers continue to hunt down the best bargains. Some, including Macy's and Bloomingdale's, take it a step further with additional percentages off already discounted merchandise. Merchants depend on the promotions to drive traffic to the stores in the expectation that, once there, shoppers will pay full price for other items as well, said one retail ad expert. The New York Times (free registration) (10/11) - Apparel companies eye shifts as China's labor costs rise
Rising labor costs in China mean opportunity for workers in other countries, as apparel manufacturers begin looking to cut costs by moving to operations in Vietnam, India, Bangladesh and other less pricey labor markets. Many companies are taking a product-by-product approach, sticking with China's higher-skilled workforce for luxury products while moving manufacturing of lower-priced goods to less-expensive countries. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (10/12)  | Are Your Margins Ready for Free Shipping? Last year more than 80% of retailers offered free shipping. This year free shipping offers are expected to be earlier, more frequent and more aggressive. What is this going to do to your margins? Contact Distribution Management Group to learn how to signficantly reduce your shipping costs. | - Barnes & Noble microsite targets parents and teachers
Barnes & Noble launched a microsite this week aimed at providing information and product suggestions for parents and teachers of younger children. B&N Kids' Expert Circle is slated to include advice in a host of areas including literacy, education and child development. DMNews (10/11) - As elder-care responsibilities grow, small businesses must prepare
As the population ages, many small-business owners or key employees may need extended time off to care for aging parents, but most small businesses aren't prepared for those instances, experts say. Small-business owners and experts recommend four ways to prepare, including cross-training on different jobs and offering telecommuting and other flexible work arrangements. Los Angeles Times (10/11) - How Into the Music found a new groove
Entrepreneur Greg Tonn said he turned his personal record collection into a retail shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, called Into the Music, which quickly gained a reputation as a top source for hard-to-find recordings. Business boomed through the 1990s as CDs gained popularity, eventually accounting for nearly two-thirds of sales. But recently that number plunged to about 40%, endangering a key revenue stream. Looking at the numbers, Tonn reinvented his store as a middleman for serious music collectors, many of whom prefer vinyl LPs. The move seems to be working: In 2009, Into the Music had its best year since the mid-1990s. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (10/8)  | Supercharging the Online Channel
Getting to the right shoppers and then converting them to buyers in your online store is every retailer's key objective. Short purchase windows, impatient buyers, and new mandates around security are creating unprecedented demands on commerce sites. Learn how to attract customers to your site, optimize their online shopping experience and drive more transactions. Watch the webinar NOW! |
| NRF News |  | | | - Retail's BIG Show adds Sustainable Retailing Symposium to agenda
NRF is celebrating its 100th Big Show in a BIG way. This year Retail's BIG Show, Jan. 9 to 12 in New York, will host the International Sustainable Retailing Symposium, which will include more than 10 sessions focusing on the sustainability efforts, challenges and successes of retailers and vendors around the world. Read more. - NRF SmartStat: Oct. 12, 2010
 During the 2009 holiday season, retailers increased their hires by more than 450,000. Source: NRF Holiday Survival Kit - How Sephora prepares its website for the holiday rush
Want to take the guesswork out of Web performance this holiday season? During an Oct. 14 STORES Knowledge Series webinar, Sephora's director of e-commerce Melanie Lucas will discuss the technology her company is using to minimize site abandonment and key metrics that have helped with holiday forecasting and planning. Learn more.
- Checkers' conservative approach to growth
Even in the midst of a franchise expansion, Checkers remains conservative and focused on the details. Led by Chief Development Officer and former Dunkin' Brands Vice President Lynette McKee, the quickservice chain aims to expand from 800 to 1,200 units by first building franchise counts in existing markets and then evaluating new potential cities including Philadelphia, Baltimore and Chicago. QSRWeb.com (10/11)  | Get a life, not a job
Discover how to attain financial and professional security, career satisfaction and work-life harmony with Dr. Paula Caliguiri. Paula & 19 other career experts share insights and strategies to help you put your career on track during the fully online Career Summit 2010. 25% off pricing ends 10/17 — register today! | | Career Track | | | |
 | |  | | | | | | |  |  Inventory Control Analyst | Castle Megastore Group | Tempe, AZ | | Key Account Manager- Internet | Chanel Inc | New York, NY | | Retail Solution/Application Consultant | MicroStrategy | Chicago, IL | | Branch Head, Field Operations | Headquarters Marine Corps/Marine Corps Exchanges | Quantico, VA | | Merchandising Branch Head | Headquarters Marine Corps/Marine Corps Exchanges | Quantico, VA | | Human Resources Manager | Neiman Marcus | Dallas, TX | | Senior Planner | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Manager of Associate Relations | Chico's FAS, Inc. | Fort Myers, FL | | Director Non Perishable Food Sales | Meijer | Chicago, IL | | Buyer/Merchant (Foods Merchandising) | Meijer | Grand Rapids, MI | | Branch Head Logistics & Communication | Headquarters Marine Corps/Marine Corps Exchanges | Quantico, VA | | Director of Stores | Confidential | Los Angeles, CA | | General Merchandising Manager (GMM) | A'GACI, LLC. | Los Angeles, CA | | Controller | Pacific Gateway Concessions | South San Francisco, CA | | Associate Buyer (Merchant) | Zale Corporation | Irving (DFW), TX | | IT Development Manager | The Timberland Company | Stratham, NH | | Retail Merchandise Manager | Hallmark Cards | Kansas City, MO | | Lead Business Systems Analyst - CRM | Chico's FAS, Inc. | Fort Myers, FL | | Category Manager | CVS Caremark | Woonsocket, RI | | Senior Retail Marketing Manager | Cabela's | Sidney, NE | | Inventory Accountant - Intermediate | Follett Higher Education Group | Oak Brook, IL | | Head of eCommerce Operations | Crate and Barrel | Northbrook, IL | | Manager, Strategic Retail Pricing | CVS Caremark | Woonsocket, RI | | eCommerce Web Buyer | Belk | Charlotte, NC | | Website Analyst | Follett Higher Education Group | Oak Brook, IL | | | |  | |  | |
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