Target sees overwhelming response to Missoni collection

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September 14, 2011 News for the retail industry   Top Story    U.S. retail sales stand still in August Retail sales including autos remained flat last month as cautious consumers spent less on cars, clothes and furniture amid higher prices for groceries and gas, according to a Commerce Department report released today. "Policy makers have to be focused on growth because growth seems to have come close to stalling in August," said JP Morgan Chase chief U.S. economist Michael Feroli. Bloomberg (9/14), The Washington Post/The Associated Press (9/14), The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (9/14)      NRF: August retail sales remain flat as spending stalls       Special Offer for SmartBrief Readers: How to Win at the Local Marketing Game. Marketing guru John Jantsch gives five strategies for helping any local business to stand out online. Want to help your business get to the top of a consumer's search? Click here for a free white paper from American Express OPEN outlining John's time-tested strategies for success in today's hyperlocal marketplace.   Industry Watch    Columbia Sportswear rebuilds its brand one icy step at a time Columbia Sportswear has revitalized its brand with an ad campaign featuring daredevil adventurer Wim Hof, who has trained himself to withstand extreme cold temperatures. At Shop.org's Annual Summit this week, Executive Vice President Mick McCormick discussed the strategy and the innovative campaign aimed at selling "warmth at the touch of a button" to outdoorsy types without Hof's internal thermostat. View videos that were unveiled at the conference. Retail's BIG Blog (9/14)        Target sees overwhelming response to Missoni collection Shoppers lined up by the hundreds and overwhelmed Target's website several times on Tuesday in a quest to snap up a limited-line of clothing, housewares, luggage and bikes from luxury knitwear designer Missoni. The flood of fans seeking sale prices on products from the 400-piece collection followed a similar run on the chain's Fashion Week pop-up store, which was slated to stay open for three days but closed after selling out in six hours. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (9/13), The Washington Post/Faster Forward blog (9/13), Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash.)/The Associated Press (9/13)      Wal-Mart unveils 5-year plan to improve lives of women Wal-Mart said Tuesday it will spend $20 billion in the next five years to purchase products from women-owned companies in the U.S. and also vowed to double what it currently spends with women-owned businesses in other countries. The chain, which saw a class-action suit by women employees thrown out but may still face individual discrimination lawsuits, also said it will work to increase the number of women in top jobs at its largest suppliers. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (9/14), CBSMoneyWatch.com/The Associated Press (9/14)      Other News NYC discounter Daffy's aims to upgrade image Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (9/13)      Swarovski names VP to head North American consumer goods Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (9/13)      Whole Foods offers half-off groceries via LivingSocial Los Angeles Times/Money & Company blog (9/13)      Used to verify compliance, understand operations and identify risks, LP audits are an essential part of asset protection in retail. However, many retailers are not getting the most out of their audits. Click here to learn how LP audits can help your retail business reduce losses and increase profits.   Retail trends    Retailers can expect "decent" holiday sales, consultant says What consumers say in September about their plans for holiday spending typically don't play out, and merchants can likely expect a decent if not stellar holiday season, says retail consultant Craig R. Johnson. Department stores from Macy's to Saks will continue to do well, and discounters including Wal-Mart are in for a bit of a holiday bounce, he predicts. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (9/13)        Study: What influences affluent consumers? Billboards, TV, mail, magazines and radio are still the top advertising influences on affluent consumers -- those who earn $100,000 more more -- but digital media is growing strong, according to a new study from Ipsos Mendelsohn. Affluent households represent less than a quarter of all U.S. households but they command about 60% of all income. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (9/13)      Achieving Operational Efficiency: Business Solutions for Midsize Companies from SAP Learn how your organization can use SAP Business All-in-One to make smarter decisions, adapt to changing conditions faster, and lower total costs. Download this white paper for specific insights on this ERP solution and how industry-specific functionality can yield a competitive advantage.   Retail Technology    Social can improve service, not direct sales, says Charming CEO Facebook, Foursquare and other social tools may help merchants improve their service and customer relationships, but the social networks don't drive direct sales, Charming Shoppes CEO Bill Bass told attendees at Shop.org's Annual Summit. DMNews (9/13)      New cloud management techniques enable IBM to provide a simplified "anywhere, anytime" self-service approach for the delivery and consumption of IT services. Read this paper to see how using a cloud-based approach for your IT can free you to reap immediate benefits of a specific technology instead of having to spend time, resources, and money focusing on how to implement it.   Sponsored Content    5 Ways To Thrive In A Overcrowded Industry Katie Morell Vocal Grooming: Gossiping In The Workplace Bruna Martinuzzi How To Create More Value And Less Stress With Every Word You Write John Jantsch API: 3 Letters That Help You Manage Your Business Better RACHEL BLANKSTEIN 6 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Writing A Business Book Katie Morell   NRF News  August retail sales remain flat as spending stalls, according to NRF August retail sales showed strong year-over-year growth but modest month-to-month gains, signaling a slight resistance from consumers who may be exhibiting signs of spending fatigue. According to NRF, August retail industry sales rose 0.1% seasonally adjusted over July and 6% unadjusted year-over-year. NRF’s Matthew Shay said consumer spending in August “was tempered by a continued lack of confidence in the strength of our economy.” Read more.      NRF SmartStat: Sept. 14, 2011 Of all retailers on the STORES Hot 100, Amazon.com had the highest total growth between 2005 and 2010. Source: STORES Hot 100        Ticketmaster finds the ROI in Facebook integration Ticketmaster may have uncovered a key component of F-commerce that has yet to be demonstrated: an actual monetary dollar amount return-on-investment based on Facebook integration. Through Facebook Likes and an integrated RSVP feature, the entertainment ticketing company has seen an increase of $5 in ticket sales per Facebook interaction. Next up for Ticketmaster? Social connectivity through an interactive seat map. Read more. Shop.org Blog (9/13)      Learn more about NRF -> Join NRF  |  Govt Relations  |  NRF Events  |  STORES  |  NRF Foundation   Chain Restaurant News  Restaurant chains celebrate double-digit anniversaries Several restaurant chains are celebrating multiple decades in business, including Jersey Mike's Subs, which marked its 55th birthday with a Month of Giving in March. McDonald's Hamburger University and Wienerschnitzel both marked golden anniversaries this year, and chains including Jake's Wayback Burgers, Pizza Patron and Togo's also celebrated milestones. QSR Magazine (9/2011)      Melting Pot parent starts seeking franchisees for Burger 21 Burger 21 launched its first restaurant late last year in Tampa, Fla., where it fine-tuned the menu and brought in enough business to start franchising, executives say. The fast-casual "better burger" concept from the operator of Melting Pot Restaurants is named for the 21-burger menu, which includes chicken, turkey, veggie and seafood sandwiches as well as beef burgers. BurgerBusiness.com (9/14)        Position Title Company Name Location Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Forman Mills Pennsauken, NJ SALES ASSOCIATES SAKS FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK, NY SALES ASSOCIATES SAKS FIFTH AVENUE GREENWICH, CT Sales Associate Career Day at South Coast Plaza Saks Fifth Avenue Costa Mesa, CA Replenishment Manager Headquarters, MCCS Quantico, VA REGIONAL RECRUITING MANAGER SAKS FIFTH AVENUE ATLANTA, GA Buyer (Lawn & Garden/Seasonal/Trim-A-Tree) Navy Exchange Service Command Virginia Beach, VA Vice President of Distribution and Logistics Sleep Experts Dallas, TX Sales Associate Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills, CA Selling Manager - Shoes Saks Fifth Avenue New York, NY Visual Manager Saks Fifth Avenue San Francisco, CA Saks Fifth Avenue- Designer Sales Associate Saks Fifth Avenue Houston, TX Saks Fifth Avenue- Sales Associate Career Fair- New Orleans, LA Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans, LA Regional Director Francesca's Collections Philadelphia, PA SALES ASSOCIATES - FULL-TIME, PART-TIME, SEASONAL SAKS FIFTH AVENUE TROY, MI Product Creative Design - Manager/Specialist Cabela's Sidney, NE Various Retail Opportunities within Deloitte Consulting LLP Multiple Locations, United States Location Director - Home Delivery Organic and Natural Food Suburban Organics Ottsville, PA Corporate Counsel - Employment Law Ross Stores Pleasanton, CA IT Business Analyst - eComm / Internet Marketing Academy Sports & Outdoors Katy, TX Director of Stores A'GACI, LLC San Antonio, TX Fashion Buyer Target Minneapolis, MN Loss Prevention Exception Reporting Manager Stein Mart Jacksonville, Florida, FL Candy Merchant Five Below, Inc. Philadelphia, PA Saks Fifth Avenue - FT and PT Sales Associates - Sales Support - St. Louis, MO Saks Fifth Avenue St. Louis, MO Click here to view more job listings. The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) Glory (U.S.A.) Inc. Unveils New Technology Release to Enhance Its Portfolio of Cash Recyclers Interested in learning more about advertising with SmartBrief? Click here for detailed industry information and media kits.    SmartQuote  The basis of tragedy is man's helplessness against disease, war and death; the basis of comedy is man's helplessness against vanity." --Dawn Powell, American writer        This SmartBrief was created for cpgbrokers.data@blogger.com   Subscriber Tools       Update account information | Change e-mail address | Unsubscribe | Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy Grab our News Widget Publish your Press Release   Advertise Associate Publisher:  Susan W. 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