 | October 13, 2010 | News for the retail industry |  |  | | - Forever 21 finds expansion opportunities
Forever 21 is slated to take over 43,000 square feet in a California Sears store this spring, adding its popular presence to the shopping center and offering Sears the chance to attract younger shoppers. The move builds on the 25-year-old affordable-apparel chain's strategy of building bigger stores in newly empty retail spaces, including two shuttered Saks stores in Mission Viejo, Calif., and Charleston, S.C. "In each case, if you analyze what Forever 21 did, it relates to acquiring opportunistic real estate and making lemonade out of lemons," one analyst said. Los Angeles Business Journal (free registration) (10/11)       - Target launches aggressive price cuts on holiday toys
Target is among the first major merchants to begin aggressive holiday toy promotions, announcing that it plans to cut prices on more than 1,000 products, including 250 items available exclusively at its stores. Meanwhile, Toys R Us has issued its annual "hot list," citing collectibles, international offerings, 18-inch dolls and electric trains as the four categories likely to see the most action this season. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (10/12) - Blockbuster reportedly searches for a post-bankruptcy CEO
Blockbuster has begun searching for a CEO to operate the company after it emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, The Wall Street Journal reports. The chain reportedly has decided to hire executive search firm Korn/Ferry International. A spokeswoman for the retailer said it is "moving forward with what is consistent with our public disclosures and the requirements of the recapitalization plan. Jim remains fully engaged and committed to the business and the plan. This includes active participation in any evaluation of potential CEO candidates." The Wall Street Journal (10/12) - Macy's exec: 2-way conversations keep employees engaged
Clear, concise, conversational communication that fosters an atmosphere in which workers' feedback is taken into consideration is a vital part of an effective internal communications strategy likely to keep employees feeling a sense of ownership, says Macy's employee relations VP Lisa Gick. "Two-way communication that allows for dialogue creates strong relationships in the work environment, and that influences individual and organizational success." SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Workforce (10/13) - Survey: Wal-Mart is positioned to win shoppers this season
Discount-hungry consumers are likely to buy more at Wal-Mart this holiday season, according to a new survey from Consumer Edge Research. Budget-cutting trends are also likely to benefit other bargain-focused merchants, including Target, Amazon and eBay, said the survey, which also found that 27% of consumers expect to spend less on the holidays this year. Bloomberg (10/11)  | VDC and RBR Rank NCR as Global Market Leader in Self-Checkout According to VDC Research Group and Retail Banking Research, NCR is the global market leader in self-checkout. More than 150 retailers from 12 different retail segments and over 21 countries use NCR SelfServ™ Checkout, including many of the world's largest brands. Read this news release and learn more about the world's number one self-checkout solution. | - Discount fashion chains land on elite New York streets
Discount apparel chains including TJ Maxx, Century 21 and Nordstrom Rack are finding post-recession opportunities to open new stores in some of Manhattan's most upscale neighborhoods. "In the context of what is happening in our economy, off-price retail stores are optimized for growth," said Susan Reda, the editor of Stores Media, an arm of the National Retail Federation. The New York Times (free registration) (10/12) - Poll: "Made in America" label makes shoppers more likely to buy
About 60% of consumers polled recently said they would be more likely to purchase a product that's promoted as "Made in America," with older Americans more likely to be influenced by the tag, according to an Adweek Media/Harris Poll. Only 3% of respondents said the label of origin would make them less likely to buy an item. MarketingCharts.com (10/11) - Deloitte study sees value in retailer-CPG co-branding
In a Deloitte study, 80% of consumer respondents said they think most store brands are made by national brands, and 85% said they found store brands they like as much as national brands. By working together, CPG companies and retailers can consider "variations on current brands and what new innovations should be brought to market so as not to overwhelm an already substantial marketplace," said a Deloitte representative. Progressive Grocer (10/12)  | At Walmart.com, Global eCommerce & VUDU, your reach and impact is well beyond the walls of our stores. With over 1,000,000 products online, we harness the versatility and convenience of the Internet to save people money so they can live better. Are you an experienced Software Architect or Engineer interested in eCommerce? Join Walmart eCommerce today! | - Tween DIY design site FashionPlaytes Raises $4 Million
 FashionPlaytes has raised $4 million in a new round of venture capital funding led by Fairhaven Capital Partners. The tween-focused site lets users design their own looks, which are then manufactured and shipped to them. The company plans to use the new funding for product development and customer acquisition, including building a community that encourages young users to share their designs. TechCrunch (10/11)  | How can you control your largest source of shrink… if it can't even be seen? Learn how top retailers such as Vitamin Shoppe find, track, and stop employee theft. Our free White Paper explains key loss prevention facts and trends that you need to know, and how exception reporting—properly executed—can dramatically increase your profits and deliver big ROI! Get your copy now! |
| NRF News |  | | | - Retailers, complete benchmarking survey by Friday and receive customized report free
Retail department heads, complete your section of Retail Horizons by this Friday and receive a customized company report with key metrics to compare your company against the industry standard. Retail Horizons, NRF's most illustrious industry benchmarking report, collects data on retailers' intentions in nine areas of operations including customer insight, e-commerce, supply chain and marketing. The report will be released at Retail's BIG Show in January. Learn more. - NRF SmartStat: Oct. 13, 2010
 Almost two in 10 consumers use nontraditional payment methods to protect themselves from fraud or information misuse. Source: The State of Retailing Online report - Deadline to submit session ideas for NRF LP conference extended to Oct. 25
NRF is looking for motivating and intriguing retail speakers willing to share their loss prevention challenges and success stories at the 2011 NRF Loss Prevention Conference & EXPO, June 13 to 15 in Dallas. Suggested topics include fighting online fraud, enhancing global security, combating organized retail crime, and business continuity programs. The proposal submission deadline has been extended to Oct. 25. Learn more.
- Qdoba eyes Atlanta-area expansion
Qdoba Mexican Grill is focusing its expansion efforts on markets where it has little or no presence, making the Atlanta area ripe for growth, according to this report. Competition from chains including Chipotle and Moe's Southwest Grill have kept Qdoba from moving into the market sooner, but now the chain expects to expand from two locations to 30 franchise stores during the next three to five years. American City Business Journals/Atlanta (10/12) - McDonald's expands test of chicken flatbreads
McDonald's has expanded a test of four new chicken flatbread offerings to stores in Nebraska and New Mexico, after a Baltimore test run in August proved successful, BurgerBusiness reports. The wraps are reminiscent of a similar product offered for a limited time in 2002, but the latest version comes with a lower calorie count. BurgerBusiness.com (10/12)  | 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! |  | |  | | The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
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.
Interested in learning more about advertising in NRF SmartBrief? Contact Susan W. Kim at (202) 407-7877 or skim@smartbrief.com.  | |  | |  |
| 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 | | 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 | | Human Resources Manager | Neiman Marcus | Dallas, TX | | Director Non Perishable Food Sales | Meijer | Chicago, IL | | Manager of Associate Relations | Chico's FAS, Inc. | Fort Myers, FL | | General Merchandising Manager (GMM) | A'GACI, LLC. | Los Angeles, CA | | 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 | | 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 | | Category Manager | CVS Caremark | Woonsocket, RI | | Inventory Accountant - Intermediate | Follett Higher Education Group | Oak Brook, IL | | Manager, Strategic Retail Pricing | CVS Caremark | Woonsocket, RI | | | |  | |  | |
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