 | October 14, 2010 | News for the retail industry |  |  | | - NRF: VAT would eliminate 850,000 jobs
A European-style value-added tax would result in drastic consequences to the U.S. economy and the retail industry, potentially cutting $2.5 trillion from consumer spending during the next 10 years and eliminating 850,000 jobs almost immediately, according an NRF report. "Supporters claim a VAT is the solution to the nation's economic ills, but nothing could be further from the truth," said NRF President and CEO Matt Shay. "This report has found that a VAT would have negative economic consequences for most working Americans alive today." The Washington Post (10/14) , Reuters (10/14)       - Charming Shoppes CEO resigns as company renews focus on apparel
Plus-size apparel retailer Charming Shoppes announced the resignation of CEO James Fogarty, who will also leave his seat on the company's board of directors. The company, which operates the Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug and Catherines chains, will launch a search for a new CEO as it completes a financial restructuring and moves forward to focus on apparel. The company has also promoted global sourcing executive Anthony Romano to the post of chief operating officer. The Wall Street Journal (10/14) - Wal-Mart sets its sights on big cities
Wal-Mart says it will open dozens of smaller stores in major cities, selling mostly groceries. The stores will be 30,000 to 60,000 square feet, and the concept will be tested with 30 to 40 stores over the next few years before a larger rollout. The new stores come in response to changing consumer shopping preferences, industry experts say. "Consumers don't want to spend their days walking up and down the aisles of stores that are the size of football fields," said NRF's Susan Reda. The Wall Street Journal (10/13) , American Public Media/Marketplace (10/13)  | How the 'Like' Button Impacts Search Results
Do you know how Social and Search intersect today? Find out how your site can apply the open graph and Facebook's "Like" button to bridge social and search and drive increased site traffic. Download this FREE whitepaper now. | - Regional department stores aim to compete with bigger rivals
Regional department store chains haven't given up their fight to compete with stronger national chains. Chains including Bon-Ton Stores, Stage Stores, Belk and Dillard's have all recently announced efforts to raise their profiles, including new private label fashion lines, enhanced beauty offerings and ambitious image-makeover plans. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (10/14) - Temporary Halloween stores grow 15% this year
The number of Halloween-themed pop-up shops grew to about 15,000 nationwide this year, buoyed by predictions that the season's sales will be less scary than in recent years. NRF predicts a 3.9% increase in sales of decorations, candy and costumes over last year. Chicago Sun-Times (10/12) - Supermarkets ramp up ad budgets
Supermarkets facing increased pressure from discounters, drugstores and more are responding by spending more on advertising. Safeway, Kroger and SUPERVALU are among the chains that have increased their ad budgets. "The weekly ad circular probably doesn't have the impact that it used to have," said one Kroger executive. The Wall Street Journal (10/14)  | Mobile barcodes make traditional media both interactive and measurable. When consumers scan these barcodes with their mobile devices, they are immediately connected to the web where they can view videos, coupons, and more. Want to learn more about mobile barcodes? Sign up for a FREE webinar today. | - American Apparel now takes reservations
American Apparel has launched a test of a reservation system that allows online shoppers to select the items they want to buy, find the nearest store that has them in stock and reserve the pieces for pickup. Staffers in the store put the items on hold within 30 minutes of the reservation, and American Apparel then sends the consumer an e-mail letting him or her know the order is ready. InternetRetailer.com (10/12) - Old stories help sell new products online
In their efforts to compete against the big online players, small merchants are discovering that their best bet may be to tell true tales of bygone eras. For Abe's Market, a year-old online seller of natural and organic products, that means telling the story of the founder's grandfather, who owned a neighborhood pharmacy in Chicago during the Depression and handed out free advice to customers who couldn't afford the doctor. The New York Times (free registration) (10/13) - To be a better manager, unlearn a few lessons
Your mother probably taught you some wonderful life lessons -- but they might not apply in the small-business world, Jay Goltz writes. The "meek will inherit the earth," for instance, but the corner office usually needs a more assertive leader. And "innocent until proven guilty"? When it comes to interviewing and hiring, you might be better off assuming just the opposite, he writes. NYTimes.com/You're the Boss blog (10/13)  | The Lowdown on Health Care Reform
By Polly Schneider Traylor, September 07, 2010
National health care reform will make benefits planning for next year and beyond more complex. Here's how to get started evaluating what the impact could be on your company's bottom line. |
| NRF News |  | | | - Study says Value Added Tax would cost retailers $2.5 trillion over 10 years
A new economic analysis released today by NRF found that the creation of a European-style VAT, being proposed by some Washington policymakers to reduce the federal deficit, would result in the loss of 850,000 jobs in the first year. According to the study, such changes to federal tax policy would also reduce gross domestic product for three years and bring a permanent drop in retail spending totaling $2.5 trillion over the first 10 years. Read more. - NRF SmartStat: Oct. 14, 2010
Holiday retail sales are expected to increase 2.3% in 2010. Source: NRF - 3 ways to make the most out of Cyber Monday
In 2009, nearly 100 million people shopped on Cyber Monday, and many retailers are looking to the Monday after Thanksgiving to bring another sales surge this year. NRF's Ellen Davis shares three ways retailers can get involved in the Cyber Monday excitement, including social media and public relations opportunities, as well as signing up as a featured retailer on CyberMonday.com. Read more.
- Starbucks to change coffee-making process for baristas
Starbucks is instructing its baristas to make no more than two drinks at a time, an edict that could result in longer lines, say some baristas. In other potentially time-consuming changes, baristas also are being told to steam milk for each individual drink instead of filling a pitcher, to rinse pitchers after each use, and to operate just one espresso machine at a time. "As with any new behavior, it will take time for baristas to become comfortable with the new method," said a Starbucks spokeswoman. The Wall Street Journal (10/13)  | 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 | | Division Merchandise Manager | Sears | Hoffman Estates, IL | | Product Development Foods Associate | Meijer | Grand Rapids, MI | | Merchandise Planner - Emblematic Apparel and Gifts, U.S. Stores | Follett Higher Education Group | Oak Brook, IL | | Foods Product Development Associate Sourcing Manager | Meijer | Grand Rapids, MI | | Foods Product Development Sourcing Manager | Meijer | Grand Rapids, MI | | Senior Merchandise Planner - Emblematic Apparel and Gifts, U.S. Stores | Follett Higher Education Group | Oak Brook, IL | | Senior Planner | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Lead Business Systems Analyst - CRM | Chico's FAS, Inc. | Fort Myers, FL | | Director Non Perishable Food Sales | Meijer | Chicago, IL | | Senior Retail Marketing Manager | Cabela's | Sidney, NE | | Head of eCommerce Operations | Crate and Barrel | Northbrook, IL | | General Merchandising Manager (GMM) | A'GACI, LLC. | Los Angeles, CA | | Controller | Pacific Gateway Concessions | South San Francisco, CA | | Website Analyst | Follett Higher Education Group | Oak Brook, IL | | eCommerce Web Buyer | Belk | Charlotte, NC | | Buyer/Merchant (Foods Merchandising) | Meijer | Grand Rapids, MI | | Category Manager | CVS Caremark | Woonsocket, RI | | Branch Head Logistics & Communication | Headquarters Marine Corps/Marine Corps Exchanges | Quantico, VA | | Manager of Associate Relations | Chico's FAS, Inc. | Fort Myers, FL | | Human Resources Manager | Neiman Marcus | Dallas, TX | | | |  | |  | |
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