 | November 23, 2010 | News for the retail industry |  |  | | - Target issues upbeat holiday outlook
Target is expecting a successful holiday season, as a highly publicized 5% store credit card discount and newly remodeled stores bring in more shoppers. "While consumers remain conservative in their purchasing behavior, we're encouraged by recent signs in the broader economy that may signal somewhat stronger and more stable sales in the coming months," said Chairman and CEO Gregg Steinhafel. TMCNet.com/The Associated Press (11/22)       - T.J. Maxx builds buzz with $399 iPad "scavenger hunt"
T.J. Maxx, a discount chain known for its low prices on designer apparel, drew attention recently when some stores sold Apple iPads for $399, $100 off the usual price. The chain bought a very limited number of the devices from a retail outlet, likely taking a loss on each sale in exchange for the seasonal buzz the promotion created, one analyst said. CNBC (11/22)  | New Webinar on 12/2: Applying Social Commerce Technologies — Live Demo. Learn how innovative retailers are integrating social technologies like social sign-on, sharing and community to drive increased conversions, referral traffic and user engagement. Register now for the free webinar | - Shoppers pare down on stocking up
Consumers such as Rebecca Seabern of San Antonio, who at one time thought nothing of stocking up on rolls of paper towels and boxes of lasagna, are now purchasing for the short term instead of buying extra units when the price is attractive. Companies including Del Monte and Kimberly-Clark are responding by introducing smaller packages, and BJ's Wholesale Club now sells eggs and margarine in nonbulk sizes. The Wall Street Journal (11/23) - Retail chains aim to win new fans with outlet stores
Neiman Marcus debuted a smaller boutique-style outlet store this year, selling designer overstocks at deeply discounted prices with the goal of convincing middle-income customers that they can afford to shop at at least one of the luxury merchant's stores. A host of other retailers including Ann Taylor and Jos. A. Bank are testing similar strategies, with outlets that not only appeal to newly frugal consumers but also bring their brands to different sets of shoppers. The Sun (Baltimore) (11/15) - Struggling malls bank on Black Friday
Shopping centers that have outlived their heydays are looking to Black Friday to kick off a holiday season they hope will bring back regular customers, this story reports. At the 37-year-old Metrocenter in Phoenix, mall management has partnered with a local radio station to broadcast deals Friday and is depending on its mom-and-pop tenants to attract shoppers who will look beyond the center's 20% vacancy rate. The Wall Street Journal (11/23) - More U.S. merchants make their way to Canada
Retail sales in Canada have been growing faster than sales in the U.S. since mid-2006, prompting more American merchants to cross the border in search of new revenue. Chains including J.Crew, Kohl's, Lord & Taylor and Marshalls are among those making plans for a Canadian debut. ABC News/Reuters (11/22)  | Durable Data Security: Tokenization vs E2EE. How can you stop chasing the moving target of PCI compliance and secure your cardholder data once and for all? This new 14-page White Paper from Retail TouchPoints compares the pros and cons of today's two leading approaches, to help you decide which one will work best in your retail organization. Download your copy now! | - RFID market is in strong growth mode
The market for RFID technology products and services is expected to measure about $4.6 billion this year, and experts say demand is likely to see continued strong growth during the next two years, with retail deployments one of the fastest-growing business segments. Item-level apparel tracking is catching on at several chains, including Wal-Mart, J.C. Penney and American Apparel. Electronic Engineering Times (Asia) (11/23)  | Adobe Mobile Experience Survey: What Users Want from Media, Finance, Travel & Shopping. With more than 4.5 billion cell phone subscribers worldwide, it's no wonder businesses are betting big on mobile. Get a first-of-its-kind, bird's eye view of what consumers are doing on their mobile devices and what most engages them across 4 key industries. Download the whitepaper. | - The science of diversification
After four decades in business, EfstonScience was known around Toronto for selling scientific gadgets and educational toys, but officials knew the landmark store needed to diversify, said Irene Efston, vice president of marketing and strategy development. They decided to leverage their credibility, trust and knowledge to create a renewable-energy division. But even for a well-known brand, launching a new business line was no simple task: Because customers didn't know much about green energy, Efston says, the company had to focus on education as well as sales. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (11/18) - 10 tips for a flu-free workplace
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the flu is responsible for about $10.4 billion in direct costs to U.S. businesses annually, and up to 20% of the population will suffer from the flu each year. To help keep the virus at bay, experts say business owners should encourage vaccinations, distribute hand sanitizers and promote "social distancing" during peak season. Entrepreneur.com (11/19)  | The retail industry has been redefined by macro-economics, socio-demographics and new consumer technology. Industry leaders remain competitive by redesigning the customer experience, reinvigorating operational excellence and reimagining growth. Download this white paper to learn how retailers should evaluate their strategic plans as they mobilize for a new era of retailing. |
 | Policy & Government Affairs |  |  | | |  | - Mini-med insurance plans win yearlong reprieve from new rules
Most health insurance companies that don't spend 80% of premiums on patient care next year will owe their customers rebates in 2012, under the new health-insurance laws, but low-premium, minimum coverage plans favored by some restaurant and retail chains, including McDonald's, are the exception. The so-called "mini-med" plans will only be required to spend half as much as other companies on health care in 2011, and federal officials will collect data on the plans before deciding how to proceed. The Wall Street Journal (11/23) , The New York Times (free registration) (11/22)
| NRF News | | | | - Top 10 retailers for customer service announced
As shoppers prepare to visit stores and websites after Thanksgiving, the finalists for the sixth annual Customers' Choice awards have been announced. The retailers, chosen by more than 9,000 shoppers through a write-in survey, include online greats such as Amazon.com and Zappos to multichannel contenders like L.L.Bean and Nordstrom. The final company rankings will be released from NRF's 100th Annual Convention, Jan. 9 to 12 in New York City. View the Top 10. - Join us! Win gift cards at tonight's CyberMonday.com Twitter Party
Retailers and shoppers are invited to participate in a holiday shopping kickoff Twitter Party tonight from 8 to 9 p.m. ET. Hosted by mommy blogger Amy Lupold Bair, the party will focus on shopping deals, gift ideas and ways to save this holiday season. (We'll also be giving away over $1,000 in retailer gift cards!) Follow @shopcybermonday or use hashtag #CyberMonday to join the party! Learn more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Dunkin' signs 19 new retailers to spur gift-card sales
Dunkin' Donuts has signed deals with 19 additional retail chains that will now sell the company's rechargeable gift cards, taking the number of stores where coffee and doughnut fans can find the cards from 4,600 to 18,800. New locations include Stop & Shop and Staples, as well as select J.C. Penney and Bed Bath & Beyond stores. Boston Herald (11/22)  | |  | | | | | | |  |  Senior Executive Assistant | Chico's FAS Inc., | Fort Myers, FL | | Product Marketing Manager | RPI | Seattle, WA | | Manager, Web Merchandising Intelligence | Kohl's Corporate Offices | Menomonee Falls, WI | | Buyer | Art Van Furniture | Warren, MI | | Director of Marketing and Licensing | Spencer Gifts | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Merchandise Planner | Kohl's Corporate Offices | Milwaukee, WI | | Director of E-Commerce | The Wet Seal, INC | Foothill Ranch, CA | | VP of Marketing | Teavana | Atlanta - Buckhead, GA | | Regional Manager Development Program | Follett Higher Education Group | Multiple Locations, United States | | Retail Construction Project Manager | Teavana | Atlanta, GA | | Buyer IV - Mens Softlines | Exchange (Army Air Force Exchange Service) | Dallas, TX | | Project Manager 2 | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Director of Display Advertising - ProFlowers, RedEnvelope and Shari's Berries | RedEnvelope / ProFlowers | San Diego, CA | | Director of Field Construction | Rent-A-Center | Plano, TX | | Manager, Home Office Human Resources (Recruitment & Employee Relations) | Follett Higher Education Group | Oak Brook, IL | | Associate Merchandise Manager, RedEnvelope | RedEnvelope | San Diego, CA | | Senior Planner - Toys | Walmart | Bentonville, AR | | Senior Product Development Analyst | The TJX Companies, Inc. | Framingham, MA | | Assistant Category Manager - Reader's Market | Sears | Hoffman Estates, IL | | Retail Marketing Director | OfficeMax, Inc | Naperville, IL | | Business Process Analyst | QVC | West Chester, PA | | | |  | |  | |
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More than 70 million people will shop for holiday gifts from the office this year. Source: 
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