 | April 28, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- J.C. Penney goes large to compete in big and tall arena
J.C. Penney today unveiled The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co., a big and tall men's clothing concept, at five Dallas-area stores, with plans to grow to 100 by 2013. The Foundry will compete with established leaders including Casual Male and Men's Wearhouse for a piece of the growing retail segment, which brings in an estimated $6 billion in annual sales. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (4/28)       - Customers run out of money at month's end, Wal-Mart CEO says
Wal-Mart Stores CEO Mike Duke said customers are spending more early in the month, after receiving their paycheck, and "buying smaller-pack sizes and less discretionary items near the end of the month." He said customers are focused on "value and price," and high fuel prices make one-stop shopping attractive. "I like the traction and direction we are in," Duke said. MarketWatch (4/27) - Wal-Mart re-arms gun departments: Wal-Mart has added rifles, shotguns and ammunition back into the mix at hundreds of its U.S. stores in a move partly designed to attract more male shoppers. The chain had removed hunting rifles and bullets from two-thirds of its stores five years ago after sales declined. Now about half the retailer's 3,600 U.S. locations will stock guns and ammo. Nationally, gun sales grew 12.7% in the first quarter, but the increase was mostly in handguns, which the stores won't sell. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (4/28)
- SUPERVALU plans to open 160 Save-A-Lot stores this year
SUPERVALU said it will add 160 Save-A-Lot stores this year to 1,280 already operating, after opening 92 in 2010. SUPERVALU, with about 4,300 stores under various brands, is focusing on the value chain after seeing same-store sales decline at its regular chains, said a spokesman. GlobeSt.com (4/27)  | New Strategies for Inside Sales Success. A specialized process helps your team win new business, close more sales in less time, and build lasting customer relationships. Find out how to overcome inside sales challenges and meet your business goals. Download the free research report now. |
 - Royal wedding is a fairy tale for marketers, too
Friday's royal wedding will be all about romance, pageantry and no small amount of marketing magic from just about any cable network with a possible tie-in. "Yes, there's cynicism about celebrating a huge royal wedding while the world economy struggles," said Eileen O'Neill, group president for Discovery Channel and TLC at Discovery Communications. "But we're delighted about enjoying a moment of happiness. So many of us believe fairy tales come true." The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (4/27) - Has the Royal Wedding marketing frenzy gone too far?: The number of marketers, including chocolatiers, soft drink companies and even potato producers, trying to promote real or imagined connections to the Royal Wedding ranges from "the merely absurd to the utterly surreal," according to blogger Tim Hayward. "Even if I was planning to spend the day 'celebrating' I wouldn't want to do it with any of the products that are being stretched to fitting 'regality' for the occasion," he writes. The Guardian (London)/Word of Mouth blog (4/26)
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 - Meijer adds in-store pickup for online shoppers
Meijer launched Order-to-Store, which allows users to buy from thousands of items online, then pick them up at a physical store. Products including groceries, kitchen appliances, sporting goods and furniture are shipped for free to the store, typically within three days, and online coupons can be used. InternetRetailer.com (4/27)  | Turning Online Shopper Uncertainty into a New Source of Sales and Profits. Eliminating consumer uncertainty is a challenge for all online merchants. The question is, how can you address shoppers' concerns and increase sales and profits in the process? Download the buySAFE white paper to learn more NOW! |
 - A 9-point checklist for business insurance
When it's time to renew your business insurance coverage, Brian Smith recommends nine steps to make sure you're getting the best policy at the best price. Check for "cyber liability" coverage, and know the replacement value of all your equipment, Smith writes. Also, with commercial insurance in a "soft" period, be sure to get at least three competing quotes to find the best deal. Journal of Accountancy (5/2011) - A franchisor learns to cover his bases
Tom Wood says he watched in dismay as the mortgage crisis rocked his franchise business, Floor Coverings International, forcing 16 out of 75 franchisees to close. Rather than wait for customers to start spending again, Wood directed corporate employees into the field to help franchisees forge new partnerships with home inspectors, kitchen remodelers and other professionals who could offer sales leads. "We were going out and finding customers before they even needed flooring," he says, and the effort helped boost sales 17% last year. Entrepreneur.com/Finding Customers blog (4/18) 
| NRF News |  | | | - This Mother's Day, Mom gets what she wants, not what she needs
Indulgence is the theme when it comes to gifts for mom this Mother's Day. According to a recent NRF survey conducted by BIGresearch, electronics and jewelry purchases will jump this year compared to last, signifying a move away from frugality. "This Mother's Day, the woman who often puts herself last is being put first," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. Total spending for the holiday is expected to reach $16.3 billion. Read more. - NRF SmartStat: April 28, 2011
 U.S. retail container traffic is expected to be up 9% in April compared to the same month last year. Source: NRF's Global Port Tracker report. - How secure is your customer data?
In the aftermath of a data security breach, companies experience customer losses of 8 percent to 10 percent, according to Forrester Research,. With the proper infrastructure in place, reputation damage can be avoided altogether. In an upcoming STORES Knowledge Series webinar on May 19, Andrew Wagoner, senior security engineer for Del SecureWorks, will discuss the tools available to detect and prevent attacks throughout your retail environment. Learn more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Technomic: Starbucks now outsells Burger King and Wendy's
In a reflection of American consumers' shift toward what they perceive to be healthier food offerings and the growing popularity of coffee, Starbucks beat out Burger King and Wendy's for the third place spot on Technomic's annual list of top U.S. restaurant chains by sales, behind only McDonald's and Subway. "Starbucks keeps gaining and gaining. Carrying a Starbucks cup in your hand says something about you as a person," said Technomic President Ron Paul. USA TODAY (4/27), American Public Media/Marketplace (4/27) - Buffalo Wild Wings details game plan for NFL lockout
Buffalo Wild Wings has designed a game plan to shore up profits in the event there's an NFL lockout, including new happy hour promotions that have boosted alcohol sales, planned local promotions designed to bring in Sunday traffic and possible future price increases. The chain also has launched a campaign urging fans to voice their displeasure with the ongoing NFL dispute, in the hopes convincing owners and players to work out their differences. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (4/27)  | |  | | | | |  |  Web Project Manager | The Wet Seal, INC | Foothill Ranch, CA | | General Manager, Retail E-Commerce & Catalog | Smithsonian Enterprises | Washington, DC | | Senior Corporate Internal Auditor | PetSmart, Inc. | Phoenix, AZ | | Director Talent Acquisition | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Manager IS Data Center & Wintel | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Buyer - Mens Outdoor/Sportswear | Bealls Department Stores | Bradenton, FL | | Flagship Store Manager | MacKenzie-Childs | New York, NY | | Director of Store Operations | Five Below, Inc. | Philadelphia, PA | | Retail Store Manager | Kitty Hawk Kites/Kitty Hawk Surf Company | Rodanthe, NC | | Marketing Manager Coupon Team | Target | Minneapolis, MN | | Senior Manager, Site Planning | Target | 55402, MN | | Business Process Consultant Target.com | Target | Minneapolis, MN | | Online Business Manager | Spencer Gifts | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | DVP Real Estate | Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | | |  | |  |
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