Thursday, March 31, 2011

Wal-Mart CEO sees serious inflation ahead for U.S. consumers

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March 31, 2011News for the retail industry

  Industry Watch 
 
  • Target revamps stores with a focus on food
    Target is in the midst of renovating stores from Charlotte, N.C. to Rockford, Ill., with remodels aimed at adding about 40% to the stores' food selections and upgrading the beauty, home and baby departments. The chain joins a growing number of retailers, including Kohl's and Wal-Mart, that have undertaken aggressive remodels as the economy improves, and recent data shows the ranks are likely to grow -- 41% of those surveyed for NRF's Retail Horizons forecast said they'll make expansion a priority in 2011, up from 25% last year and 20% in 2009. Drug Store News (3/30), Rockford Register Star (Ill.) (3/30) LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story
  • Wal-Mart CEO sees inflation ahead for U.S. consumers
    Consumers face higher prices in the coming months for food, clothing and other goods, Wal-Mart's U.S CEO Bill Simon warned this week, adding that the chain is working with its suppliers to minimize the impact of higher costs on consumers. Major retail chains such as Wal-Mart are likely to be in the strongest position to do that, said John Long, a retail strategist at Kurt Salmon, but no merchants are going to be able to shield their customers from inflation completely. USA TODAY (3/30) LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story
 
  • Will SK Telecom bid for part of Blockbuster?
    SK Telecom may invest in the bankrupt Blockbuster video-rental chain, according to a published report, which quotes sources inside the South Korean carrier who also say the operator has not made a final decision on the move. Analysts say they can't see any synergies between the companies. Reuters (3/30) LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story
  • Other News
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  Retail trends 
 
  • Interbrand names most valuable retail brands
    Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Best Buy and CVS took the top five spots on Interbrand's annual list of most valuable U.S. retail brands. Technology played a role in the evolution of some retail brands in 2010, including Macy's and Whole Foods, which reaped rewards from branded iPad applications, new microsites and efforts to include online feedback in the development of new products. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (3/30) LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story
  • Retailers watch as gas prices inch higher
    Higher prices at the pump are driving some consumers back to the frugal ways they adopted during the recession, and retailers are keeping a cautious eye on how big a bite higher fuel costs are likely to take out of shopping. "It clearly has been having impact but not enough to throw off our [4% growth] forecasts. We are still seeing overall steady economic growth. So right now, we are still encouraged," said NRF spokesman Scott Krugman. St. Louis Post-Dispatch (3/31) LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story
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  Retail Technology 
 
  • How to use mobile apps to improve inventory accuracy
    Retailers and product manufacturers have improved the quality of the information they share when it comes to keeping shelves stocked with the right number of right items, but estimates still see a margin of error of about 10%. Arming store employees with mobile inventory applications may go a long way toward further reducing errors in the ordering process that can take a bite out of sales, according to this story. TMCNet.com/4GWE (3/30) LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story
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  Main Street 
 
  • Other News
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  NRF News 
  • NRF releases updated active shooter response guidelines
    Complete with the most up to date information about emergency response protocols, NRF has released the newest version of its active shooter emergency response guidelines. NRF's Senior Asset Protection Advisor Joe LaRocca said, "It's imperative for retailers to educate their employees with the latest updates on emergency situations, which include in-store shootings. By working closely with law enforcement, retailers are able to provide potentially life-saving information for their most valuable assets -- their employees and their customers." Learn more. LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story
  • NRF SmartStat: March 31, 2011
    Despite the period's economic downturns, retailing accounted for 4.8% of all new jobs created from 1998 to 2008. Source: NRF's Retail Industry Indicators. LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story
 
  • Shop.org's Online Marketing Month returns for second year
    May is Online Marketing Month at Shop.org and includes weekly webinars, retailer networking dinners and two half-day workshops in New York City and San Francisco. Online marketers are encouraged to participate during the month to glean tips, best practices and strategies around four key areas: research, affiliates, mobile and SEO/e-mail. Learn more. LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story
Learn more about NRF ->Join NRF  |  Govt Relations  |  NRF Events  |  STORES  |  NRF Foundation

  Chain Restaurant News 
  • McDonald's works around supply-chain disruptions in Japan
    McDonald's Japan has begun importing supplies and ingredients that it typically makes or buys locally for its 3,300 restaurants in the country. Several of the chain's Japanese processing plants and a distribution facility sustained damage during the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and regular suppliers of milk, eggs and lettuce in the Sendai region were devastated when the wall of water swept through. The company estimates it will have to continue the costly practice for several months. The Wall Street Journal (3/31) LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story
 
  • How Panera grew during the recession by serving its niche
    Panera Bread Co. began as the St. Louis Bread Co., changing its name when then-Au Bon Pain owner Ron Shaich purchased the 19-store chain for $23 million in 1993, just as consumers were tiring of the sameness of chains and yearning for "specialness." In this profile, academics examine how Shaich has built the brand since, even growing as others struggled through the recession, by keeping a laserlike focus on its mission to provide healthy, affordable meals in a setting that encourages guests to gather and linger. Knowledge@Wharton (3/30) LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story
  • Other News
  Career Track 
Internal IT Auditor IIDollar GeneralGoodlettsville, TN
Senior Manager, Retail OperationsTotal WinePotomac, MD
Merchant Opportunities at Kohl'sKohl'sMenomonee Falls, WI
Vice President of Supply Chain & ReplenishmentTotal WinePotomac, MD
Senior Marketing ManagerStage Stores, Inc.Houston, TX
Director of Customer LoyaltyAeropostaleNew York, NY
Vice-President 24HourFitness.com24 Hour FitnessSan Ramon, CA
Senior Project ManagerPetSmartPhoenix, AZ
Energy ManagerTractor Supply CompanyBrentwood, TN
General Manager, MerchandiseSmithsonian EnterprisesWashington, DC
Inventory ManagerTractor Supply CompanyBrentwood, TN

  SmartQuote 
You are never strong enough that you don't need help."
--Cesar Chavez,
Mexican-American labor leader and civil rights activist,
quoted for his birthday, March 31, 1927


 
This SmartBrief was created for cpgbrokers.data@blogger.com
 
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