 | February 21, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Profile: Terry Lundgren's rise from assistant buyer to CEO
Terry Lundgren began his retail career as an assistant buyer at the Federated Department Stores-owned Bullock's chain after college, and by 34 had become president and CEO of the $120 million division. In his current post as chairman and CEO of Macy's, Lundgren is credited with doubling the company's size and heading a successful turnaround, and he has also increasingly turned his skills to issues affecting the industry since taking over as NRF chairman last year. "Terry has a vision that the industry, since it plays such a critical role in the economy, should have influence in setting the agenda for issues discussed by Congress," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. Cincinnati.com (2/20)       - Toys "R" Us to build its own private-label toy lines
Toys "R" Us has created a new line of licensed toys and play sets tied to the June launch of Disney-Pixar's "Cars 2," part of a larger shift for the retailer as it looks to beef up its private-label lines of toys, apparel, sporting goods and furniture. The company opened a 100-person office in China last year to be able to deal directly with manufacturers as it develops new products. The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) (2/19) - Inflation worries likely to temper strong holiday sales
The rising cost of cotton and other commodities may dominate the conversation as retail chains such as Saks, Nordstrom, Wal-Mart and Target prepare to release their holiday-sales results this week. A key topic will be whether retailers can raise prices without losing shoppers, analysts say. "The question is whether they can pass along rising input costs to today's much smarter shoppers -- or whether these shopping app-equipped consumers will simply get the same item elsewhere, or online," said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners. CNBC/Consumer Nation blog (2/18) - Discount supermarkets see an opportunity in Chicago
Discount supermarket chains, including Save-A-Lot and ALDI, are opening dozens of stores in the Chicago area, focusing on smaller formats and urban neighborhoods. "I think we're going to see more stores close [and] more new formats opening up, especially in the downtown Chicago area," said industry consultant Phil Lempert. Chicago Tribune (2/21)  | 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! |
 - Arizona illustrates change in national retail trends
Tech-driven shifts in shoppers' behavior are increasingly reflected in retail environments in Arizona and throughout the country, as e-commerce plays an ever-larger role and mass merchandisers including Amazon.com, Wal-Mart and Costco capitalize on their economies of scale. The result of these trends are likely to include more store closings, smaller brick-and-mortar stores and more satisfied consumers as retailers step up their customer service initiatives. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (2/21) - Apparel fabric disappears from store shelves
The number of stores selling fabric that's appropriate for creating clothing is apparently on the decline, even as shows like "Project Runway" contribute to a resurgence in sewing by younger consumers. "We're one of the few fabric stores that still has a little bit of everything," says Larry Grapin, co-owner of 54-year-old Paramus Fabric Center. The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) (2/17) - Toronto welcomes big-box retailers downtown
Big-box retailers and supermarket chains are operating smaller-scale stores in the heart of Toronto, and are being met with positive consumer response. Yet finding the retail space in an urban setting can be challenging so retailers are showing creativity in their leasing options. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (2/19)  | Each year U.S businesses spend trillions of dollars on goods and services. Focus Research empowers buyers to spend their budget wisely by offering easily accessible and trustworthy information on vendors that support small and mid-size business operations. Download this free whitepaper that compares leading CRM vendors to ensure you choose what's best for your organization. |
 - More merchants test in-store iPads to boost sales
A growing number of retailers are using iPads and tablets to encourage gadget-savvy shoppers to spend more time in their stores, using the devices as everything from mobile catalogs that give shoppers choices beyond what's in stock to portable cash registers that speed payment and keep more staffers on the sales floor. "Everybody has something in development," said Ken Nisch, chairman of retail design firm JGA. "This is not going to be a novelty. It's going to be a sea change in how retailers transact and interact with customers." Chicago Tribune (2/20)  | How to Make Your Case in 30 Seconds or Less
Are you ready to run into Warren Buffet on the street? Are you prepared for an elevator ride with your CEO? This Harvard Management Communication Letter provides eight tips to hone your winning pitch. Order here in hard copy or PDF. (Talking to a group instead? Grab their attention right from the start.) |
 | Hot Topics |  | | | Top five news stories selected by NRF SmartBrief readers in the past week. - Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.
| Policy & Government Affairs | | | | - Bloomberg joins fashion leaders in call for immigration reform
As his city hosted the fashion world last week, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined many of the industry's leaders in a public call for sensible immigration reform and easier visa procedures to promote American industry and expand the country's economy. Bloomberg and 11 leading fashion industry companies including Brooks Brothers and Diane Von Furstenberg joined the Partnership for a New American Economy, an alliance of business leaders and U.S. mayors that aims to influence leaders on immigration reform. International Business Times (2/19) | | | Most Popular Headlines from Last Week Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers. |
| NRF News | | | | - NRF releases latest Retail Sales Outlook
 "Recent economic data indicate that we are heading into a sustainable period of expansion," says chief economist Jack Kleinhenz in NRF's most recent Retail Sales Outlook, a quarterly report on industry sales. The report analyzes the impact of key indicators such as employment and the housing market on retail sales growth. NRF members, download a free copy of the report. Learn more. - NRF SmartStat: Feb. 21, 2011
 Postponement of debit card swipe fee reform could cost retailers and their customers more than $1 billion per month. Source: NRF - Holiday planning already? 3 trends for 2011 holiday strategy
It won't be long before retailers begin planning and implementing strategies for the 2011 holiday season. But according to the results of Shop.org's post-holiday survey, you may want to start thinking about these strategies now. Survey results found that many retailers are considering big changes, such as inventory management or e-commerce infrastructure -- changes that will take months to implement. Read more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - KFC aims to create healthier fare for U.K. consumers
KFC is working to cultivate an image as a quickservice company selling healthier food in the U.K., with plans to post calories on its menu boards at 800 eateries and shift to frying only in rapeseed oil, which is lower in saturated fat. The chain is also investing in new ovens so it will be able to serve new, lower-calorie menu items, including a Brazer burger and tortilla wrap. Telegraph (London) (2/20) - Australia's Oporto burger chain to open first U.S. eatery
Former Del Taco executive Arnold Dominguez will open the first of three planned Oporto burger locations, in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., this week. Australia-based Oporto is known for its chicken burgers and a menu that mixes Australian and Portuguese flavors. The 25-year-old chain operates 130 restaurants in Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and China. FastCasual.com (2/18) | Career Track | | | |  | |  | | | | |  |  Merchandise Planning and Inventory Management Senior Manager | Kurt Salmon | Multiple Locations, United States | | Product Development and Sourcing Senior Manager | Kurt Salmon | Multiple Locations, United States | | VP MS, SOFTLINES DIV | AAFES | Dallas, TX | | District Sales Manager- Texas & Oklahoma Market | Lakeshore Learning Materials | Houston, TX | | BUSINESS PLANNING BRANCH MANAGER | AAFES | Dallas, TX | | SR IT AUDIT ANALYST | AAFES | Dallas, TX | | Associate Creative Director: In-home Communications | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Director of Merchandising | Lakeshore Learning Materials | Carson, CA | | Multi-Channel Strategy Sr. Manager | Deloitte Consulting LLP | Nationwide, United States | | Buyer (Consumer Electronics) | Purchasing Power | atlanta, GA | | Project Manager, Multi-Channel POS | Sports Authority | Englewood, CO | | Senior Vice President, Communities & Networks and Executive Director, Shop.org | National Retail Federation | Washington, DC | | Vice President, Sterling | Sterling Shoes Inc. | VANCOUVER, Canada | | | |  | |  |
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