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| News for the retail industry | December 13, 2011 |  | |
| Retailer Holiday Watch |  |  | | - "Merry Christmas" makes a comeback for some retailers
More retailers are trading the relatively safe "Happy Holidays" and returning to wishing their customers "Merry Christmas" in stores and marketing materials, this story says. Macy's doesn't shy away from the greeting and encourages its associates to offer the phrase that's appropriate to the situation. "Our intention is to make every customer feel welcomed and appreciated, whether they celebrate Christmas or other holidays," a spokesman said. Forbes (12/12)      - Stores go all out in the countdown to Christmas
Retailers are extending their hours and deepening discounts with less than two shopping weeks left until Christmas. Sears said Monday it will keep stores in 260 markets open until midnight starting Wednesday, to make the most of a season that's forecast to bring moderate sales growth. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (12/13) - 14 Macy's stores to pull all-nighters: Macy's plans to open the doors at 14 of its stores at 7 a.m. on Dec. 21 and not close them again until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. In addition, 27 other stores will stay open until 2 a.m. on the three days leading up to the holidays. Forbes (12/12)
| Seasonal Trends | | | | - A holiday season without a hot toy
No toy has emerged as the must-have gift this season, leading retailers to keep a close eye on their merchandising levels to avoid having to do deep post-holiday discounting. One possible reason for the lack of a hot holiday toy is the fact that retailers have gone heavy on perennial favorites like Legos that sell all year and cut back on items that aren't sure sellers. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (12/12) - Top gift categories for the 2011 holiday season: Traditional gifts including jewelry and books are hot this season, as are retro toys including Barbie dolls and Legos, retailers say. Also hot: tech-inspired fashion like the Hoodie Buddies sweatshirts at J.C. Penney that come with a place to put MP3 player cords. USA TODAY (12/11)
| Research and Releases | | | | - Most standard shipping deadlines for Christmas delivery extended to Dec. 20
Thanks to a calendar shift, procrastinators this holiday season will have a few more days to think about finding the perfect gift before buying online. According to Shop.org's eHoliday Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, almost nine in 10 retailers' standard shipping deadlines for Christmas delivery will expire before or on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Shoppers will also have the added advantage of shopping online as late as Dec. 23 as 5.3% of retailers say they will offer upgraded expedited shipping promotions up through that date. Read more. - Six in 10 holiday shoppers will accompany their gift-giving with return receipts
More than 60% of holiday shoppers say they'll provide a gift receipt most or some of the time when gift-giving this holiday season, according to NRF's 2011 Holiday Returns Survey -- the highest percent in the survey's history. The survey also found more people are paying attention to and agreeing with retailers' return policies as nine in 10 Americans say they find return policies to be fair. Coinciding with the survey data, NRF shares tips for stress-free returns after the holidays. Read more. | | | 
Product announcements appearing in SmartBrief are paid advertisements and do not reflect actual NRF endorsements. The news reported in SmartBrief does not necessarily reflect the official position of NRF. | This SmartBrief was created for cpgbrokers.data@blogger.com
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