  | October 17, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
 | 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. |
 - Home Depot aims to be contractors' convenience store
Handy homeowners may revel in the hours they spend cruising Home Depot's massive aisles, but contractors want to get in and out with what they need as quickly as possible. Catering to the big spenders in a down economy, the chain has added dedicated parking spots, boosted staff to load contractors' trucks and implemented a rewards program just for professionals. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (10/15)      - Publix works to open a third "hybrid" store
Publix Super Markets is building a third "hybrid" store, the company's second in Florida. The format offers tasting stations, a sit-down cafe, cooking demonstrations and more. "The store will have the best of both worlds," a Publix spokesman said. The concept is meant to compete with specialty stores such as Whole Foods Market. Florida Today (Melbourne) (10/16)  - Analysis: Impulse buying wanes at electronics retailers
Consumers are doing more online research about the gadgets they want to buy, and if they purchase those products in a brick-and-mortar store, they are less likely to browse the retail shelves and buy other items on an impulse, according to industry observers. ShopperTrak reports that these "mission shoppers" are visiting fewer stores in search of specific products. "There's been a fundamental change in buying behavior," said Bill Martin, chief executive of ShopperTrak. Bloomberg (10/16) - Boutiques burst forth in down economy
Boutiques are on the rise around the country as consumers search for looks that express their individuality and small merchants find leasing deals in a down economy. "It's a tough time for retailers, but it's also an opportunity to start something new," said NRF senior vice president Mike Gatti. Omaha World-Herald (Neb.) (10/16) - Designers put their stamp on bicycles
Missoni sold nearly all of the $399 bicycles bearing its signature stripes on the first day the two-wheelers went on sale at Target. Designers including Ralph Lauren and Kate Spade are seeing similar success with bikes that are relatively easy to customize and become rolling billboards for their brands. Chicago Tribune (10/15) - Retailers expect layaway programs to flourish
Retailers including Wal-Mart, Kmart and Sears expect their new and revamped layaway plans to find favor this holiday season as consumers across income levels use the programs as a holiday budgeting tool. "This year, there's not as much of a stigma for layaway as it has been in the past," said Christine Frietchen, editor-in-chief of ConsumerSearch.com. The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) (10/16)  | Want the Secret to Customer Loyalty?
When it comes to customer loyalty, leaders beat laggards by more than 14 percent. Download the white paper Increase Customer Satisfaction with Productivity-Based Scheduling to learn how scheduling the right employees at the right times will make your customers want to buy more, recommend you, and stay in your store. |
 - Saks to boost tech investment, cut store base
Saks has closed seven stores in the past two years and will close several more as the luxury retailer shifts its investment focus to technological innovations such as a new robotic system in the retailer's distribution center, CEO Steve Sadove said. "Technology represents the biggest growth opportunity for all of us." TheStreet.com (10/14)  | Privacy & Online Behavioral Advertising: What's Next?
Join a thought-provoking discussion with the FTC, Forbes.com, DAA, and TRUSTe focusing on how pieces of the privacy puzzle — self-regulation, browser features, Do Not Track, legislation and enforcement — fit together and their implications. A must-attend event for advertisers and compliance leads. Learn more |
 | Hot Topics |  |  | | Top five news stories selected by NRF SmartBrief readers in the past week. - Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.
| Policy & Government Affairs | |  | | |  | - Cities use sales tax rebates to bring in retailers
Vernon Hills, Ill., and other Illinois municipalities have succeeded in attracting new retail stores in a down economy by boosting their use of sales-tax rebates allowed under state law. Municipalities across the country are using the incentives, which are less popular in prosperous times, but Illinois municipalities use it more than most. Chicago Tribune (10/16)  | Improve Holiday Sales Results with Tools from Akamai!
Now is the perfect time to ensure your website will hold up to the rush of holiday shoppers headed your way. With the challenges facing retailers this holiday shopping season, it's never too soon to focus. Download Akamai's Holiday Toolkit now! |
 | | | Most Popular Headlines from Last Week Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers. |
| NRF News | | | |
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - McDonald's tries on TV to encourage lingering
McDonald's will introduce the McDonald's Channel in-store digital network, starting with 800 stores in south and central California. The channel's exclusive content will be tailored to local interests and designed to convince families and groups to see McDonald's as a place to linger over a meal rather than just grab a quick bite. Los Angeles Times (10/17) - Wingstop trials fast-casual sports concept
A Wingstop franchisee in Brownsville, Texas, will open the chain's first Wingstop Sports, a fast-casual eatery with an expanded menu, a larger footprint and TV screens focused on sports. While the chain doesn't aim to create a sports bar, it does expect higher alcohol sales at Wingstop Sports. FastCasual.com (10/14) | |  | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | HR Director, Retail Stores | SalonCentric | Based in NJ & NYC, NJ | | VP of Marketing | Teavana | Atlanta - Buckhead, GA | | Merchandise Manager | Party City | Rockaway, NJ | | Shopper Marketing and Retail Promotions Director | Two West Inc. | Nationwide, United States | | Vice President, Business Development | Confidential | Akron, OH | | Sales Associate - Jewelry | Saks Fifth Avenue | Naples, FL | | Merchandise Buyer - Fashion Apparel | Kohl's Department Stores | Menomonee Falls, WI | | Sales Associate Career Day- Las Vegas, NV | Saks Fifth Avenue | San Francisco, CA | | Marketing Director | Saks Fifth Avenue | Hackensack, NJ | | Visual Merchandising Manager | Headquarters, MCCS | Quantico, VA | | Cosmetics Business Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Bal Harbour, FL | | Assistant General Manager - Merchandise | Saks Fifth Avenue | Boca Raton, FL | | Assistant General Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Tulsa, OK | | Sales Associates, Alterations, Asset Protection, Department Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Chevy Chase, MD | | Sales Associate Career Day - Dadeland, FL | Saks Fifth Avenue | Dadeland, FL | | SELLING MANAGER | SAKS FIFTH AVENUE | Huntington Station, Long Island, NY | | Buyer | Five Below, Inc. | Philadelphia, PA | | Director Global Trade & Compliance | Charming Shoppes, Inc. | Bensalem, PA | | Assistant Store Manager-Luxury Retail-San Jose | Tourneau LLC | San Jose, CA | | Designer, Stores | Chico's FAS, Inc. | Fort Myers, FL | | Corporate Visuals Manager | MacKenzie-Childs LLC | New York , NY | | Manager of Store Design | Chico's FAS, Inc. | Fort Myers, FL | | Brand Ambassador- Women's Designer Sportswear | Saks Fifth Avenue | San Antonio, TX | | Account Manager | SPANX, Inc | Atlanta, GA | | Construction Project Manager | Chico's FAS, Inc. | Fort Myers, FL | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
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