 | March 28, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Harry & David files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Oregon-based specialty gift-basket retailer Harry & David filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization on Monday morning in Delaware. The filing included agreements with lenders aimed at eliminating much of the company's debt and providing Harry & David with enough equity financing to restructure and emerge from the bankruptcy filing. The 77-year-old company, which saw sales tumble as consumers cut back on luxury gifts during the recession, plans to continue operating during the Chapter 11 proceedings. The Wall Street Journal (3/28), Bloomberg (3/28)       - Charming Shoppes to shutter 240 stores
Charming Shoppes will close 240 locations during the next two years. In addition to shuttering all 30 Catherines Plus Size stores, the company expects to close more than 120 Fashion Bug stores. Charming also named acting CEO Anthony M. Romano to the post permanently and appointed Brian Woolf as president of the Lane Bryant division. The Philadelphia Inquirer (3/25) - College student creates new J.C. Penney logo
The new logo recently unveiled by J.C. Penney was designed by third-year University of Cincinnati graphic design student Luke Langhus. His simple, lower-case, red-and-white logo beat out more than 200 others submitted by other students, professional design firms and Penney's employees, all of whom submitted their creations after the department store chain launched a search to find an updated look to better showcase new product lines and exclusive brand partnerships. American City Business Journals/Albuquerque, N.M. (3/25)  | Akamai - The Right Partner with the Right Solution
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 | Retail trends |  | | | - On-site officer snags more shoplifters at Wal-Mart store
A Wal-Mart store in Newton, Iowa, reported 13 shoplifting incidents in the first two months of the year, up from one during the same period in 2010, an increase the local police chief attributes to having a loss-prevention officer on site. Retailers look at several factors including theft trends, store locations and "amateur vs. organized" crime when deciding whether to hire or increase on-site loss prevention teams, said NRF's Joe Larocca. Newton Daily News (Iowa) (3/25) - Consumers and merchants see benefits to buy-back programs
Promises to buy back gadgets that go quickly from shiny and new to nearly obsolete with the release of the next version are appealing to consumers and merchants alike. For shoppers, buy-back programs make their purchase a bit of a better investment, while retailers see the plans as a way to ensure future purchases by current customers. Chicago Tribune (3/25)  | Financial Control.
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  - Wal-Mart launches store-pickup service
Wal-Mart is set to join other major retailers including Target, Best Buy and LL Bean in offering online ordering and store-pickup services at 3,600 locations across the U.S. by June. Wal-Mart hopes the program -- "Pick Up Today" - will increase store visits and sales. The Hartford Courant (Conn.) (3/26) - Study: Mobile is becoming an important path to purchase
Mobile phones are becoming an increasingly popular peripheral for shoppers looking to find the best deals or score extra coupons, according to this report. "The idea of a single path to purchase is dead," said William Rosen, president and chief creative officer of Arc Worldwide, the Leo Burnett unit that just completed a study on the topic. "There are many paths to purchase, and mobile technology is enabling people to shop in different ways, [and] take different routes to a transaction, than we've ever seen before." Reuters (3/25)  | Complimentary Aberdeen Cross-Channel Research
Learn what your competitors are planning and doing now to advance from multi-channel to integrated cross-channel retailing, and how you can keep pace. This in-depth, 30-page market research report - a $399 value - is now yours at no cost. |
 | 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.
| | | Most Popular Headlines from Last Week Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers. |
| NRF News | | | | - How to get involved in the 2011 National Level Exercise
NRF has been working with the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to help Americans prepare and respond to a variety of crisis events. In May, private companies and federal partners will conduct a comprehensive exercise to simulate a full-scale test on federal crisis plans, called the National Level Exercise. This exercise is based on a catastrophic earthquake event in the United States. NRF will host a webinar on Friday detailing the NLE program and how retailers can become involved. Learn more. - DSW, Exel Direct and Ohio State University talk supply chain talent
As supply chains become more complex, so does the struggle to recruit and develop supply chain talent. At the 2011 Global Supply Chain Summit in Columbus, Ohio, April 10-12, a diverse group of experts from DSW, Exel Direct and Ohio State University will lead an interactive session on the importance of recruiting and developing tomorrow's supply chain leaders. Learn more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Darden CEO is optimistic for 2011, despite higher food prices
Higher commodity and gas prices are a modest challenge compared with the struggles Darden Restaurants has already weathered, said CEO Clarence Otis. The parent of Red Lobster and Olive Garden reported a double-digit increase in third-quarter earnings and raised its outlook for the year. "There are a few headwinds for sure, but they pale in comparison to what we've faced over the past three years," Otis said. Nasdaq.com/Dow Jones Newswires (3/25) | Career Track | | | |  | |  | | | | |  |  Merchant Opportunities at Kohl's | Kohl's | Menomonee Falls, WI | | Senior Buyer, Sports & Outdoors | Amazon.com | Seattle, WA | | Senior Marketing Manager | Stage Stores, Inc. | Houston, TX | | Senior Project Manager | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Director of Customer Loyalty | Aeropostale | New York, NY | | Regional Retail Point of Sale (ROPS) Coordinator/NTE 2 years | Headquarters, MCCS | Quantico, VA | | Industrial Engineer LOGS | Walmart | Bentonville, AR | | Sr. Strategy Project Manager, Logistics | Walmart | Bentonville, AR | | Senior Planner, Various Categories | Walmart | Bentonville, AR | | Replenishment Manager | Walmart | Bentonville, AR | | Distribution Center Area Director | PetSmart | Atlanta, GA | | Vice-President 24HourFitness.com | 24 Hour Fitness | San Ramon, CA | | Energy Manager | Tractor Supply Company | Brentwood, TN | | General Manager, Merchandise | Smithsonian Enterprises | Washington, DC | | Inventory Manager | Tractor Supply Company | brentwood, TN | | Retail Manager | Tri-County Feeds | Marshall, VA | | | |  | |  |
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