| March 28, 2012 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- The Limited shows off new look, maps California expansion
The Limited plans to open four new stores in California this year and will remodel others to reflect the apparel chain's updated look. A 3,950-square-foot store slated to open in San Diego's Fashion Valley Mall this fall will feature the new color scheme, lounge areas and expanded fitting rooms that are part of the new footprint. San Diego Union-Tribune (3/26)      - Christopher & Banks to reverse last year's price hikes
Women's apparel retailer Christopher & Banks will cut base prices by 20% this year, undoing price increases that led to a 14% drop in fourth-quarter same-store sales last year, interim CEO Joel Waller said Tuesday. The chain, which closed 93 stores between November and February, also plans to decrease the number of merchandise categories in its stores and add depth in a few key areas. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (3/27) - Fresh & Easy offers ground beef in exchange for "pink slime"
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market customers can trade in today as much as 2 pounds of lean finely textured beef, also known as "pink slime," for an equal amount of store-brand ground beef. "It's understandable that people would lose confidence in food retailers because of the use of pink slime," said Tim Mason, CEO of the Tesco-owned retailer. San Diego Union-Tribune (3/27) - Food Lion gives away groceries to mark strategic change
Food Lion stores in Danville, Va., were to give away 200 bags filled with groceries this morning to call attention to changes within the chain. Based on customer surveys, the Delhaize America-owned retailer is lowering prices, making aisles less cluttered and changing the brands of more than 600 private-label products to Home 360, my essentials, Healthy Accents, Nature's Place, Taste of Inspirations and Butcher's Brand. Danville Register & Bee (Va.) (3/27)  | Strategies to Increase Email Response Rates
A recent study conducted by researcher, Hornstein & Associates found that companies using BoldChat’s email management technology achieve more than 2x the response rates experienced by other etailers not employing BoldChat. Dramatically improve your email management strategies, download this report now. |
 - Retailers react to pricing strategy power shift
J.C. Penney's new "fair and square pricing" is part of a trend of retailers lowering their prices in response to growing demand from consumers who comparison shop via e-retail sites and mobile applications. Other retailers that are tinkering with pricing strategies to focus less on sales and more on value pricing include Urban Outfitters, Mango and American Eagle Outfitters. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (3/27) - Malls feel the pinch of shifting retail trends
The recession hit retail real estate hard, and the recovery is proving tepid as consumers contending with higher gas prices shift more of their spending online, according to a Tuesday panel of retail finance experts. Retail chains including Macy's, Kohl's, Wal-Mart and Target are adjusting to the new reality by shrinking store sizes, panelists said. Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.) (3/28)  | ROI of Social Media: Myths, Truths and How to Measure
This guide provides real social media ROI calculations and measurements, proven social media success stories, and social media metrics for different professionals - PR, Customer Service, Marketers and more. Learn to measure your metrics and distinguish your brand. |
 - Amazon and B&N sell Harry Potter e-books through Pottermore
Amazon and Barnes & Noble started marketing Harry Potter e-books for the Kindle and the Nook, but the companies are directing shoppers to author J.K. Rowling's Pottermore Shop website to register and buy. "J.K. Rowling is the Beatles," said digital-publishing consultant Mike Shatzkin. "Amazon decided that having the Potter books to sell was more important than the control they usually insist on." Reuters (3/27)  | Kettle Foods reduces reporting cycle from 8 weeks to just 3 weeks
An antiquated reporting system and lack of data insight can stop growth in even a strong company. Read the white paper to learn how: Kettle Foods used Inca Software, a Logicalis Company, and IBM Cognos Express to slash reporting time, enable fast amendment of reports and centralize data. |
  | Policy & Government Affairs |  |  | | |  | - Online transaction plan draws retail opposition
Retailers are voicing opposition to a Federal Trade Commission proposal calling for companies to delete consumer information after online transactions, instead of saving it for marketing purposes. "It's like asking the green grocer to open up his mind and forget that you like green lettuce," said Mallory Duncan, general counsel for the National Retail Federation. "You run the risk of seriously undermining consumer pleasure if you limited that information." The Wall Street Journal (3/27) - Congressional support grows for visa bill
Seven senators introduced a bill this week aimed at speeding the visa process, a measure they hope to pass this summer. Some lawmakers expressed security concerns, while supporters including NRF say the bill will boost tourism dollars and create jobs. "Foreign tourists and business people want to come to the United States and shop in our stores, but long lines for visas have them taking their money elsewhere," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. The Hill (3/27)  | 10 Principles for Building an Effective Human Capital Plan
The Human Capital Plan is an important tool that organizations use to drive focused actions that can ensure goal achievement and business success. It allows organizations to assess, plan for, and respond proactively to its human capital challenges and needs. Download the white paper to learn more. |
| NRF News | |  | |
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Starbucks brews plan to boost sales in Europe
Starbucks has turned things around at home and is now turning its attention to growing the business in Europe, which, together with the Middle East and Africa, accounts for about 10% of the company's sales. "Our business in Europe today is quite reminiscent of what we went through in the U.S. back in 2008 -- a tough economy, record unemployment, fierce competition and our own self-induced mistakes," said executive Michelle Gass. Chicago Tribune (3/27)  | Retailers, make change happen on Capitol Hill!
Join more than 100 retailers on Capitol Hill to advocate for the retail industry! Sign up now to visit with lawmakers during the NRF Washington Leadership Conference May 15-16, and help NRF advance job creation, corporate tax reform, sales tax fairness and more. Register now. | | |  | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | VP Retail Merchandising | Little Switzerland | St. Thomas, USVI, USA Virgin Islands | | Planner | Stein Mart | Jacksonville, FL | | Director, Store Environment & Merchandise Planning | Harbor Freight Tools | Calabasas, CA | | Director of Advertising Production | The Bon Ton Stores, Inc. | Milwaukee, WI | | Director of Online Marketing | The Men's Wearhouse | San Francisco, CA | | Corporate Recruiter | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Project Manager | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Cosmetics Buyer (Experience Required) | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | E-Commerce Merchant | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee / Menomonee Falls, WI | | Director, Online Marketing | Bath & Body Works Direct, Inc. | Columbus, OH | | Merchandise Planner | Kohl's Department Stores | Menomonee Falls, WI | | Merchandise Buyer | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee/Menomonee Falls, WI | | Director of Operations | Spencer Gifts | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Merchandise Planner | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Visual Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Huntington Station, NY | | Buyer | Smithsonian Museum Retail | Washington, DC | | eCommerce Web Analytics & Planner Manager | Bealls Florida | Bradenton, FL | | Manager of Store Communication | American Eagle Outfitters | Pittsburgh, PA | | Buyer, Petites | Stein Mart | Jacksonville, FL | | Vice President - General Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Stamford, CT | | Meat/Seafood Team Leader | Meijer | Cincinnati, OH | | Meat/Seafood Team Leader | Meijer | Westerville, OH | | Buyer - Youth, Girls | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Director of Real Estate | Burlington Coat Factory | Los Angeles, CA | | Director of Marketing | Moosejaw | Madison Heights, MI | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
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Gucci stores in 11 cities including New York, Paris and Tokyo have launched a personalized men's tailoring service called "Made to Measure," with a glossy ad campaign that features actor James Franco. 
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