Report: U.S. retail sales show biggest gain in 5 months

Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dyAnCaiGapCctBbGCidawJCicNRKdw

March 13, 2012 News for the retail industry   Top Story    Sears ties turnaround strategy to technology and data Sears Holdings CEO Lou D'Ambrosio worked for tech companies before landing at the retailer, and he's leading a technology-driven turnaround strategy. A loyalty program rewards shoppers for sharing personal data that the chain uses to tweak its store layouts and merchandise mix. The Wall Street Journal (3/12)      Do your facilities support your evolving supply chain and business growth? Download our case study to learn how enVista's Facility Layout and Design Build services enabled Epson America to optimize their labor, equipment, space and operations, all within a critical seven-month project window.   Industry Watch    Penney's names top merchandising, branding executives J.C. Penney has promoted former executive vice president Liz Sweney to the post of chief merchant, one of several new executive appointments on the department store chain's merchandising and brand strategies teams. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (3/12)      Barnes & Noble will add 25 boutiques for publisher Penguin Barnes & Noble plans to increase in-store Penguin boutiques from 10 to 35. The 200-square-foot spaces are devoted to the publisher's titles and branded merchandise, such as tote bags and mugs. The Wall Street Journal (3/12)      Macy's adds a 3rd Fashion Incubator Macy's is expanding a program that offers select designers with space and guidance as they work to make a name for themselves. The Fashion Incubator program, which launched in Chicago in 2008 and expanded to Philadelphia last month, will grow to the chain's San Francisco flagship this month. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (3/12)      Other News Gap-owned Athleta to open first Chicago store next month Chicago Tribune (3/12)      Data powers all your online channels and as a marketer you are involved with how this information is being used to reach customers. Federal regulations require protection of that consumer data to avoid potential risks and lawsuits. Watch these videos to learn how to create a comprehensive data privacy strategy.   Retail trends  Report: U.S. retail sales show biggest gain in 5 months U.S. retail sales rose 1.1% in February, the biggest boost in five months as consumers spent on cars, clothing and other goods despite higher gas prices, according to a Commerce Department report released today. Sales at clothing stores increased 1.8%, the biggest jump since November 2010, and sales at garden and home-improvement stores rose 1.4%. Reuters (3/13), Bloomberg Businessweek (3/13)      Defining the modern shopper Today's shopper has the patience to wait it out for the best bargains and will head to a discount chain for the cheapest basics then spend the savings on higher-end brands, says Stephen Wyss, a partner in BDO's retail practice. Another trend: men are outspending women when it comes to luxury apparel. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (3/10)        Why Saks, Macy's and H&M signed on for "Fashion Star" Executives at Saks, Macy's and H&M see the new NBC show "Fashion Star" as a series-length product integration opportunity, according to the show creator Ben Silverman. Buyers from the three retailers are appearing as judges on the show. The Wall Street Journal (3/12)      How to turn money you already spend into points you can use: The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN, designed to earn Membership Rewards® points faster: 3X on airfare. 2X on advertising, gas & shipping. 1X on everything else. Use points to pay for travel, Amazon.com purchases, Facebook ads, and more. LEARN MORE & APPLY   Main Street    Survey reveals small-business owners' top worries When small-business owners can't fall asleep or wake up screaming in the night, it's likely because they're worried about revenue, cash flow or forgetting to invoice a customer, according to a survey from Western Union Payments. Crain's Chicago Business/On Entrepreneurs blog (3/12)      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.   Policy & Government Affairs    NRF's voice grows under CEO Matthew Shay NRF has increased its lobbying efforts and gained a higher profile in Washington in the nearly two years since Matthew Shay took over as president and CEO, with a platform that focuses on the retail industry's role as a job creator. "We are playing with a new level of aggressiveness and a new level of influence," he said. Roll Call (free content) (3/13)      RadioShack has a global presence and a variety of innovative products and services. With reasonable investment levels and hundreds of potential markets, a RadioShack franchise represents an exciting opportunity for you to associate with a powerful retail brand. Click here to learn more.   Sponsored Content    Why John Burges Left Wall Street to Head Up a Gold Mining Outfit Melanie Hicken 4 Ways to Better Manage Gen-Y Dan Schawbel Female Entrepreneurs Seek Capital and Connections at SXSW Jane Applegate 5 Lessons From NBC's 'The Voice' on How to Differentiate Your Brand Denise Lee Yohn Ethics and Social Media: Where Should You Draw The Line? Sharlyn Lauby   NRF News  Positive February retail sales marks 20 straight months of growth The retail industry tallied another month of steady sales increases in February, showing a sustained growth in consumer sentiment despite the continued rise in gasoline prices. According to NRF, February industry sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.5% in a month favored by unseasonably mild weather. Read the full release.      NRF SmartStat: March 13, 2012 In Ohio, retail supports more than 1.5 million jobs and is directly and indirectly responsible for 18% of the state's GDP. Source: NRF survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers.        When it comes to employment screenings, nobody wants to get it wrong Background checks are critical to the safety of shoppers and store associates across the country. In a post on Retail's BIG Blog, NRF's VP of Loss Prevention Rich Mellor explains that new guidelines being contemplated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission could severely restrict or even remove the pre-employment screening process. Read more. Retail's BIG Blog (3/13)      Learn more about NRF -> Join NRF  |  Govt Relations  |  NRF Events  |  STORES  |  NRF Foundation   Chain Restaurant News  Quickservice sector attracts pro athletes A growing number of professional athletes from NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte to NBA legend Magic Johnson have been drawn to quickservice franchising after their sports careers. Athletes are entrepreneurial risk-takers who don't fear hard work and thrive on the fast pace of the quickservice world, franchisees and franchisors say. QSR Magazine (3/2012)      Position Title Company Name Location Planner Stein Mart Jacksonville, FL Business Analyst QuantiSense Atlanta, GA Implementation Consultant QuantiSense Atlanta, GA Director, Store Environment & Merchandise Planning Harbor Freight Tools Calabasas, CA Vice President of Human Resources Teavana Atlanta, GA Buyer Smithsonian Museum Retail Washington, DC Director of Store Initiatives Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ VP eCommerce Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ Director, Online Marketing Bath & Body Works Direct, Inc. Columbus, OH Talent Acquisition Manager - Stores Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ Buyer, Petites Stein Mart Jacksonville, FL AVP - Marketing West Marine Watsonville, CA Senior Manager, Manhattan WMS Applications PEAPOD Lake Zurich, IL Merchandise Planner The Bon Ton Stores Milwaukee, WI Direct Marketing Manager RadioShack Fort Worth, TX Director of Operations Spencer Gifts Egg Harbor Township, NJ Merchandise Planner Kohl's Department Stores Menomonee Falls, WI Merchandise Buyer Kohl's Department Stores Milwaukee/Menomonee Falls, WI Demand Planner Staples, Inc. Framingham, MA Assistant General Manager of Merchandising (AGMM) Saks Fifth Avenue Atlanta, GA Merchandise Planner Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ Global Insights Manager Burt's Bees Durham, NC Designer - Footwear/Girlcare Tween Brands Service Co. New Albany, OH Click here to view more job listings.   SmartQuote  To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." --Elbert Hubbard, American writer, artist and philosopher        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:  Dena Malouf (202) 407-7837 Download Media Kit Job Board:  Jackie Basso (202) 407-7871       Recent NRF SmartBrief Issues: Monday, March 12, 2012 Friday, March 09, 2012 Thursday, March 08, 2012 Wednesday, March 07, 2012 Tuesday, March 06, 2012     Lead Editor:  Megan Conniff Contributing Editor:  Faye Rapoport     Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004     © 1999-2012 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information