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Since taking the reins at NRF last May, I've heard one message loud and clear from executives across the country: Swipe fee reform must happen, and it must happen now.
NRF was instrumental in passing legislation that reduces the swipe fees merchants pay from an average of 44 cents per transaction to a flat 12 cents per transaction. That legislation is scheduled to go into effect on July 21, but now the banking industry is working vigorously to delay the reform.
Yesterday, NRF announced a major 60-day nationwide campaign to preserve this crucial legislation, and we need your help to make this campaign successful. I urge you to visit NRF's swipe fee resource center to get informed, Tweet your Senators, e-mail your Senators, and easily share with your friends through Facebook and Twitter the importance of this issue to retailers and to American consumers.
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 | May 19, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- NRF kicks off campaign to keep swipe-fee reform on track
NRF launched a 60-day campaign on Wednesday designed to convince members of Congress to stick to the timetable for implementing the lower transaction fees on debit-card transactions set by legislation passed last year. Hundreds of merchants are expected to head to Capitol Hill for a series of meetings with key lawmakers next month, as the industry fights back against banks' efforts to delay the lower fees. The Washington Post (5/18), The Hill/On the Money blog (5/18)      - Sen. Tester cuts proposed delay on fee reform by 9 months: Sen. Jon Tester is still pushing a bill to delay implementing swipe-fee reform, but has cut his request from 24 months to 15 months in an effort to win more support from fellow lawmakers. The news came on the same day that NRF launched a 60-day media and grassroots blitz aimed at holding Congress to the July 21 deadline it originally set. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)/Washington Wire blog (5/18)
 | Prevent employee theft in distribution centers
Brijot's Loss Prevention solution can be easily integrated into your existing security procedures. Personnel in your warehouses or DC's can screen for concealed items with fast throughput scanners and you are able to protect your assets without worrying about employee health or privacy concerns. | - Big Lots reportedly backs off sale plans
Big Lots reportedly has abandoned a plan to sell itself after receiving two buyout bids that didn't meet the expectations of the closeout chain's top executives, according to this story. The 1,400-store chain blamed severe winter weather in the north for a 0.5% decline in first-quarter sales, but some industry sources say the lower-than-expected bids stem from concerns over Big Lots' slower post-recession recovery compared to dollar-store chains. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (5/19) - How Apple stores went from upstart to retail case study
Apple opened its first retail store 10 years ago, a move that set the bar higher for fellow computer and gadget sellers. The stores went against all conventional wisdom at the time and succeeding in setting growth records in its first three years that other merchants have yet to match. USA TODAY (5/19) - Gap chief aims to turn around namesake brand
Glenn Murphy, CEO at Gap, is striving to turn around the company's namesake brand, but he faces significant challenges and has little time. Murphy recently has replaced the president and top designer of the brand, but the holiday season will largely determine whether his efforts have succeeded. "I have a much higher sense of urgency," Murphy said. "This brand is just too damn important to not see that kind of effort being put forward." The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (5/19)  | Akamai - The Right Partner with the Right Solution
Are you failing to to satisfy user expectations for an outstanding online shopping experience? Do you need to accelerate your dynamic content? Do you strive to be a retailer that pushes the envelope with site technology and offerings? Learn why the Akamai Dynamic Site Accelerator is the right solution for those issues and more. |
 - Innovative pop-up shops win kudos from consumers
Merchants have been finding creative ways to bring temporary stores or "pop-up shops" to consumers since 2002 when Target set up a holiday shop on a barge in New York Harbor; more recently, designer Cynthia Rowley took her fashions to the streets of Atlanta in a former DHL delivery truck. "They are a terrific way to get your brand out there and go into new markets and test or expose customers to what you sell," said Mike Gatti, executive director of NRF's marketing division. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (5/18)  | Ad Compliance Best Practices Kit — Stay ahead of consumer concern and government regulation with TRUSTe. Gain an overview of what Behavioral Advertising (OBA) is, why it is important, and what your options are. Insights from the FTC, DAA, TRUSTe, Forbes, Publisher's Clearing House and more. Register Now. |
 - Department stores boost their use of QR codes
Upscale department store chains including Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman have increased their use of QR codes in marketing efforts aimed at creating more personal relationships with shoppers. "Luxury shoppers may be less likely to buy online, so getting them into the store experience is critical," said Mike Wehrs, CEO of Scanbuy, New York. MobileCommerceDaily.com (5/18) - Merchants bet big on the future of f-commerce
Retailers including J.C. Penney and GNC have embraced social commerce with Facebook sites that offer users the option of shopping their full online stores without ever leaving Facebook. Facebook currently accounts for less than 1% of all online sales, according to estimates from Forrester Research, but retailers say social commerce is likely to become a key channel in the future. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (5/19)  | Help protect your employees by managing business travel risks with Zurich's white paper 'Managing the Risks of Business Travel: What every business needs to know'. Click here for the FREE download! |
| NRF News |  | | | - Act now! NRF launches swipe fee take-action center
As a part of NRF's 60-day campaign to preserve much-needed swipe fee reform, NRF has created a take-action center for merchants and consumers to make their voices heard. Through the site, retailers can tweet their senators, share their support on Facebook, download NRF ads, sign up to receive e-mail updates on the issue, and e-mail their elected officials. Learn more. - NRF SmartStat: May 19, 2011
 U.S. import cargo volume is expected to level off this month after nearly 18 months of year-over-year gains. Source: NRF's monthly Port Tracker report. - Pier 1 Imports CIO to headline NRFtech 2011
Registration has opened for the premier technology leadership event of the year -- NRFtech 2011. This year's event will feature Andrew Laudato, senior vice president and chief information officer of Pier 1 Imports, as the official emcee. During the conference, Aug. 14 to 16 at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nev., Laudato will share his insights on how to create productive technology systems that support innovative retail concepts. Learn more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - El Pollo Loco turns up the flame under turnaround plan
Orange County, Calif.-based El Pollo Loco has ramped up its efforts to reverse flagging sales, attract higher-income customers and fend off a growing field of rivals. The 400-unit flame-broiled chicken chain has dropped unpopular menu items, added spicier limited-time offerings, hired a new ad agency to upgrade its image in the media and signed an architecture firm to improve the look of its stores. Los Angeles Times (5/19)  | |  | | | | |  |  Senior Vice President, Communities & Networks and Executive Director | Shop.org | Washington, DC | | Stationery Buyer | Five Below, Inc. | Philadelphia, PA | | General Manager, Retail E-Commerce & Catalog | Smithsonian Enterprises | Washington, DC | | Web Project Manager | The Wet Seal, INC | Foothill Ranch, CA | | Director of Real Estate | Teavana | Atlanta, GA | | Retail Planogram Specialist | Headquarters Marine Corps, MCCS | Quantico, VA | | Entry Level Culinary Full Time | Wegmans Food Markets | Bridgewater , NJ | | Entry Level Culinary Part Time | Wegmans Food Markets | Ocean , NJ | | Cook III Full-Time Customer Service | Wegmans Food Markets | Bridgewater, NJ | | Tax Senior | PetSmart, Inc. | Phoenix, AZ | | Director of Talent Acquisition | rue21 | Warrendale, PA | | Retail Marketing Manager | L.L.BEAN | Freeport, ME | | DVP Real Estate | Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Planner | Spencer Gifts | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Senior Financial Analyst | Art Van Furniture | Warren, MI | | Purchasing Buyer, National Accounts | Bed Bath & Beyond | Union, NJ | | | |  | |  |
| SmartQuote | | | |  | If you hire only those people you understand, the company will never get people better than you are. Always remember that you often find outstanding people among those you don't particularly like."
--Soichiro Honda,
Japanese engineer and industrialist  |
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