 | June 8, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Survey: Organized retail theft hits more merchants
Organized retail theft is on the rise and the number of U.S. retailers hit rose 6% last year, spurred by a combination of factors including cutbacks in security staffing, technology that makes it easy to sell stolen goods online and a growing consumer demand for bargains, according to a new NRF survey. "We are hearing that the groups are becoming more brazen and aggressive and stealing larger quantities. That indicates to us they have a bigger marketplace and market share, especially in a weak economy," said NRF's Joe LaRocca. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.)/Reuters (6/8), Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (6/8)       - Sophisticated retail theft rings and how they work: Organized retail criminals have become much more sophisticated in their efforts to spirit stolen goods out of stores, slipping merchandise into foil-lined bags, specially constructed boxes and even baby strollers and leaving stores undetected, says NRF's Joe LaRocca in this audio interview. Consumers pay in higher prices, lost sales tax revenue for services and potential safety hazards from improperly stored goods. MarketWatch (6/8)
- Loehmann's names CEO with an eye on expansion
Discount women's apparel retailer Loehmann's named former Ashley Stewart President Steven Newman as its permanent CEO, replacing interim chief Joe Melvin who will resume his COO post. Newman said Tuesday he hopes to expand the chain, which emerged from bankruptcy reorganization in March. Reuters (6/7) - Navarro launches private-label line aimed at Hispanic consumers
Miami-based drugstore chain Navarro has created a line of private-label products that will debut at its 28 Florida stores, and will also be for sale online and through the chain's wholesale channels. The Vida Mia product lines include health and beauty products, personal care and snack food items, and are designed to appeal to Hispanic consumers, said CEO Steve Kaczynski. The Miami Herald (free registration) (6/6)  | 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 our new handheld device, AllClear™, without worrying about employee health or privacy concerns. | - Retailers expect big back-to-school tablet sales
 Tablet computers are becoming more common in the classroom, a trend with the potential to push up back-to-school sales for consumer electronics retailers, according to this analysis. Chains including Wal-Mart, OfficeMax and Staples are promoting an array of tablet options. "The year will be the first year where there is a broad set of competitive products out in the marketplace. Everybody is pretty bullish about the potential for that product," said OfficeMax merchandising chief Ryan Vero. International Business Times (6/7) - Survey: Consumers frustrated by poor customer service
A majority of consumers frustrated with a lack of competent customer service have walked out of a store without making a purchase or hung up on a phone call before resolving a service issue, according to a new survey from Consumer Reports. Respondents reported that Apple stores and Micro Center boasted the most knowledgeable employees. MSNBC/Reuters (6/7) - Lipsticks, hemlines and economic theory
Sales of lipstick are on the rise, a fact that may not bode well for the overall economy, some industry watchers say. The Lipstick Theory holds that when times get tough, women opt for small indulgences such as lipsticks and hold off on larger purchases. Some economists also are keeping track of hemlines, on the theory that longer skirts that can be altered seasonally sell better in gloomier times. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (6/7)  | How do you stay ahead of the curve and remain in the black while consumers continue to be frugal in these difficult times? Find out how product lifecycle management solutions are helping manufacturers maximize production efficiencies, reduce time to market, and solve design and production problems before they reach the prototype stage. |
 - Groupon experiments with supermarkets
Groupon might be looking to extend its reach into groceries, with a deal that lets users prepay for a seafood "grill pack." Funds are preloaded on a customer's loyalty card for Massachusetts chain Big Y Foods. If other grocery chains sign on and Groupon follows up, the daily-deal website will be positioned as a serious competitor for traditional coupon companies, such as Valassis Communications and News Corp.-owned SmartSource. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (6/7)  | FedEx SmartPost Returns is an ideal way for businesses with over 100 daily returns to provide a convenient returns method for low-weight residential packages. It's a cost-effective, reliable solution that utilizes the strength of the FedEx® network and the U.S. Postal Service®. Learn more.
The U.S. Postal Service and USPS are registered trademarks of the United States Postal Service |
 | Policy & Government Affairs |  | | | - Senate may vote on amended swipe fee bill today
The Senate is poised to vote as early as today on an amended bill that would cut a delay in cutting debit-card transaction fees from two years to one, but would require the Federal Reserve to consider more than just the costs associated with processing the transactions. NRF sent a letter to all Senators asking them to oppose the measure, which was introduced by Montana Sen. Jon Tester. "Retailers and their customers could be forced to subsidize banks' costs of installing new ATM machines or building new branches," said NRF's David French. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (6/7), Pymnts.com (6/7)  | The Plum Card®
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  | NRF News | | | | - Survey shows organized retail criminals becoming more violent
Organized retail crime isn't only costly for businesses -- it's dangerous. The results of NRF's seventh annual Organized Retail Crime survey show that organized criminals are becoming more brazen, as almost 15% of apprehensions lead to some level of violence. Survey results also indicate a major increase in cargo theft and detail the top 10 U.S. cities for organized retail crime. Read more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - The 4 pillars of Wingstop's success
Roark Capital quickly established four pillars for building on Wingstop's success when it acquired the company last year. It started with increasing sales with the addition of a chicken sandwich and other new menu items, increased focus on social marketing efforts and adding more seats in existing restaurants, said vice president Geoff Hill. FastCasual.com (6/7)  | |  | | | | |  |  Associate Buyer | Dreams Retail | Northbrook, IL | | Retail Sales Director | BoConcept USA, Inc. | Bayonne, NJ | | Senior Vice President, Communities & Networks and Executive Director | Shop.org | Washington, DC | | Divisional Merchandise Manager, Consumables | Headquarters Marine Corps, MCCS | Quantico, VA | | District Manager NY/ NJ | Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH | New York, NY | | Sales Associate - Stylist - Concierge | Saks Fifth Avenue | New York, NY | | Retail Training & Development Manager | Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers | Columbus, GA | | Senior Manager Retail Marketing | The Timberland Company | Stratham , NH | | Vice President, Real Estate | Earls Restaurant Ltd | Vancouver, Canada | | Licensed Product Manager | Harley-Davidson | Milwaukee, WI | | Financial Analyst III | PetSmart, Inc. | Phoenix, AZ | | Merchandise Buyer | Five Below, Inc. | Philadelphia, PA | | Learning Solutions Manager - Southwest (Training Manager) | Petsmart | Southern California , CA | | Director of Retail | Wisteria | Dallas, TX | | Merchandise Planning Administrator | Headquarters Marine Corps, MCCS | Quantico, VA | | Fashion Buyer | Target | Minneapolis, MN | | 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 | | Retail Marketing Manager | L.L.BEAN | Freeport, ME | | Purchasing Buyer, National Accounts | Bed Bath & Beyond | Union, NJ | | Manager General Merchandise #792BR | Harley-Davidson | Milwaukee, WI | | | |  | |  |
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95% of retailers report being a victim of organized retail crime in the last year. Source: 
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