  | September 29, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Uniqlo aims to grow with focus on functional apparel
Japan-based Uniqlo will open three new U.S. and U.K. stores in October, fueling expansion with new lines focused more on functionality than fast-fashion trends. New lines including the Uniqlo Innovation Project, or IPJ, feature high-performance winter coats, zip-front jackets and antibacterial T-shirts that block UV rays while retaining body heat. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (9/29)      - Best Buy to add home energy management products
Best Buy will test sales of thermostats, energy usage monitors and other home energy management products and services at stores in Chicago, Houston and San Francisco starting next month, the result of an energy sustainability program launched three years ago. "We began to recognize the technology movement that was about to begin. Understanding [energy use] could change energy consumption," said senior director Kris Bowring. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (9/28) - Wal-Mart Canada promotes merchandising chief to CEO
 Wal-Mart Canada named retail veteran and chief merchandising officer Shelley Broader to the post of CEO, replacing David Cheesewright who will lead business development in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Canada. The appointment comes as more U.S. merchants expanding to Canada vie for top talent and scarce retail space. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (9/28)  - Retailers get conservative with holiday toy orders
Toymakers were optimistic about the upcoming holiday season at the annual Time to Play show in New York City this week, but they also said many retailers are taking a more conservative approach to ordering. Major merchants including Target and Wal-Mart don't want to end up with leftover merchandise so they're cutting back a bit on orders this year, said Timetoplaymag.com editor Jim Silver. NorthJersey.com (Hackensack, N.J.) (free registration) (9/28) - Low prices boost dollar store growth in tough economy
Family Dollar plans to open as many as 500 new stores in fiscal year 2012 because of strong profits driven by consumers focused on low-priced essentials. The move is also expected to help Family Dollar compete with Dollar General, which is also opening hundreds of new stores. Family Dollar predicted a 4% to 6% rise in sales this quarter at stores open for at least a year. Reuters (9/28)  | You may be considering a cloud computing solution or in the midst of specifying one or even implementing a solution. Read this paper to see what IBM discovered about how companies like yours are adopting, implementing and using cloud computing solutions. Learn about the current rate of adoption, drivers, barriers, and considerations that are influencing the adoption of cloud computing. |
 - Macy's, Bloomingdale's to beef up RFID in 2012
Macy's is moving toward greater adoption of radio frequency identification tags at its namesake and Bloomingdale's stores, with plans to begin the rollout in 2012 and have about 30% of merchandise tagged by the fall of 2013. Two years of testing the technology revealed RFID helps maintain inventory accuracy of 97% or better. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (9/28) - Luxury brands customize QR codes to build loyalty
Luxury retailers are taking their QR code campaigns a step further with customized offerings aimed at building loyalty and boosting CRM efforts, this story says. Generic black-and-white codes often go unnoticed, but QR codes that incorporate brand logos grab attention and convey prestige, said Red Fish Media president Matt McKenna. Luxury Daily (9/28)  |  |  | | Your customers move fast. Can your POS keep up?
Today's shoppers are fully connected, highly informed, omni-channel and fast — and they expect nothing less of you! Learn how mobility can meet their demands by enabling richer engagement, instant information, seamless service and enhanced functionality. This new RTP White Paper explains your options and opportunities. Get your free copy now! | |  |  |  |
 - Some rules that could save you money on employee benefits
Companies looking to save money on benefits packages should look at how their employees' spouses fit into the equation. Encouraging your employees' spouses to get insurance coverage through their employers can reduce your business' benefits costs, accountant Jeffrey Kraut says. To avoid running afoul of the law, it's also important to have a policy in place for adding and removing dependents from health insurance policies, said Matthew McDermott of Landmark Group of Brighton. Entrepreneur.com (9/28)  | Are you keeping up with the changing world of employee health care? Get The Basics of Employee Health Care for Small Business: A Guide to Creating a Company Benefit Plan, and find out what you need to know today. There's no obligation. Click to download a complimentary whitepaper. |
| NRF News |  |  | | - KPMG partner says investment in IT, expansion priority for retailers
According to a recent survey by KPMG, nearly half of retail executives indicate they intend to increase spending in information technology over the next year, by far the highest priority investment area for the industry. In a recent Q&A on Retail's BIG Blog, Mark Larson, partner at KPMG U.S. and a global retail industry leader, shares more about the insights previous surveys have offered and discusses what retailers can expect this holiday season. Read more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Arby's to add healthier children's meals
 Arby's will add two new children's meals to the menu on Monday and replace fries with apple slices and yogurt with all the offerings on its Kids Meal menu. The move came in response to requests from moms, said President Hala Moddelmog, and Arby's will promote the new meals in conjunction with its support of the No Kid Hungry campaign. QSR Magazine (9/2011), QSRMagazine.com (9/28) | |  | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | Director of Planning and Allocation | LittleMissMatched | New York, NY | | Merchandise Manager | Party City | Rockaway, NJ | | Payroll Manager | Party City | Rockaway, NJ | | Shopper Marketing and Retail Promotions Director | Two West Inc. | Nationwide, United States | | Vice President, Business Development | Confidential | Akron, OH | | Associate Merchant - Direct Import | OFFICE DEPOT | Boca Raton, FL | | Store Manager-Luxury Retail-San Diego | Tourneau LLC | San Jose, CA | | Permanent and Seasonal, FT and PT Sales Associates - Saks Fifth Avenue Career Day - Indianapolis, IN | Saks Fifth Avenue | Indianapolis, IN | | Assistant Store Manager-Luxury Retail-San Jose | Tourneau LLC | San Jose, CA | | Commercial Sales Analyst | TAG Heuer | Springfield, NJ | | Senior Corporate Internal Auditor | PetSmart, Inc. | Phoenix, AZ | | Sales Associate - Assistant Store Manager - Personal Shopper - Stylists - Visual Merchandisers | Saks Fifth Avenue | Boston, MA | | FIFTH AVENUE CLUB DIRECTOR | SAKS FIFTH AVENUE | BAL HARBOUR, FL | | Assistant General Manager Merchandise | Saks Fifth Avenue | Hackensack, NJ | | Sales Associate | Saks Fifth Avenue | Huntington Station, NY | | Sales Associates - Beauty Specialists - Career Fair - Beachwood, OH | Saks Fifth Avenue | Beachwood, OH | | Senior Wine Buyer | Total Wine & More | Potomac, MD | | Sales Associate Career Day at South Coast Plaza | Saks Fifth Avenue | Costa Mesa, CA | | Location Director - Home Delivery Organic and Natural Food | Suburban Organics | Ottsville, PA | | Fashion Buyer | Target | Minneapolis, MN | | SALES ASSOCIATE | SAKS FIFTH AVENUE | Hackensack, NJ | | Sales Associate- Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Desert | Saks Fifth Avenue | Palm Desert, CA | | Regional Director | Francesca's Collections | Philadelphia, PA | | Sales Associate Career Days at Saks Fifth Avenue- Dallas, TX! | Saks Fifth Avenue | Dallas, TX | | Account Manager | SPANX, Inc | Atlanta, GA | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
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Americans will spend on average $20 this year on Halloween candy. Source: 
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