| April 13, 2012 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Investor buys 80% of Earth Fare
Private-equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners acquired about 80% of Earth Fare, a natural and organic grocery chain founded in 1975 in Asheville, N.C. "Earth Fare is well positioned for expansion given robust consumer demand for natural and organic food, widespread interest in environmental sustainability and significant market opportunity across the United States," said Tyler Wolfram, a partner at the firm. Times-News (Hendersonville, N.C.) (4/11)       | Let's Build A Smarter Planet Together
IBM Business Partners have access to a broad array of benefits. Whether you’re considering joining IBM® PartnerWorld® or are already an IBM Business Partner, read this program guide to navigate the support available to members, learn more about membership levels and consider the benefits the program delivers for marketing, sales, technical support, training and collaboration. |
 - Wal-Mart to focus global efforts on existing markets
Wal-Mart plans to increase its presence in China, ramp up its offerings in Canada and focus on other international markets where it already operates rather than invest in entering new markets, the company said this week. China's recent slowdown won't hurt the retailer's expansion plans there, Wal-Mart Asia CEO Scott Price said. "In relative numbers, China's still the fastest-growing GDP in the world." Reuters (4/12), The Wall Street Journal (4/13) - Wal-Mart launches meal-donation campaign: Wal-Mart Stores is donating meals to families in need through a campaign with ConAgra Foods, General Mills, Kraft Foods and Kellogg. The campaign, with support from The Band Perry and actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, uses in-store signs to point consumers toward participating products. Labels show how to donate by scanning a QR code, tweeting a hashtag or entering product codes online. The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah) (4/12), Progressive Grocer (4/9)
- Gap turnaround driven by colored denim, '60s dresses
U.S. consumers have been rediscovering Gap and investors have followed suit -- better-than-expected same-store sales growth in February and March have led to a 37% rise in the company's share price. New product lines including colored denim at the retailer's namesake stores and "Mad Men" inspired '60s style dresses at Banana Republic are helping fuel the turnaround. Bloomberg Businessweek (4/12)  | Leveraging Cloud Security to Weather Threatening Storms
Web attacks and retribution campaigns are on the rise, and they have become more frequent, more random and more extreme. This paper assesses the current cyber threat environment and discusses the use of distributed cloud services as an effective means to protect against evolving, modern-day IT threats. |
 - How technology is changing shopper marketing
 Shopper marketing is a huge growth area, fueled by technology that is changing the way consumers interact with brands, said retail strategist and ShopWork Managing Director Laura Davis-Taylor. "People now create a different shopping experience every time," she said. "They buy what they want, where they want, at the price they want -- and it's not just in stores; it's across home, life and stores." Adweek (4/11) - Do style-conscious consumers want greener clothes?
A slew of apparel brands from Gucci and YSL to Levi's and Timberland have invested significantly to create more sustainable production systems, but the jury's still out on whether brands can convince fashion-conscious consumers to pay more to shop green. A new initiative from the Danish Fashion Institute and BSR aims to change minds. GreenBiz.com (4/12)  | The Business Case for Mobile and Tablet Shopping
Is mobility an out-of-reach luxury or could it really improve your business? Get the facts! Aberdeen’s Analyst Insight examines the impact of mobile solutions on retail transactions, customer expectations, and important profit opportunities. This research – a $399 value- is yours free! Download your copy here! |
 - How online retail inspires Macy's new in-store features
Kiosks that offer Macy's customers real-time electronic help from beauty consultants and digital displays of the items available at all 800 of the chain's department stores are in the works, driven by ideas gleaned from online retail, says Macy's CEO Terry Lundgren. "I am focused on how do we make them feel as comfortable and ready to buy in our stores as they do online." Reuters (4/12) - Gucci arms store associates with iPhones
Gucci has provided associates in select stores in the U.S., Europe and Asia with iPhones that free more workers to help shoppers on the sales floor and offer on-the-spot checkout. The gadgets connect with Gucci's point-of-sale system for checkout and e-mail customers digital receipts. Internet Retailer (4/12)  | Small-business owners can seize opportunities to help reduce their taxes, lower their expenses and reinvest in their businesses this tax season. This free white paper brought to you by American Express OPEN, will help you learn how to navigate changes in tax legislation, leverage often overlooked deductions and strategize for the coming years. SmartBrief readers: Download your 2012 Small Business Tax Strategy white paper now. |
 | Policy & Government Affairs |  |  | | |  | - Laws let Maryland merchants ban offenders
Shoppers at stores and other public spaces in Maryland and other states can be banned for bad behavior and prosecuted for violating the ban under state criminal-trespassing laws. "In the case of retailers, we have the right to refuse service to anyone. It can be very effective," said NRF's Joe LaRocca. The Sun (Baltimore) (4/12) 
| NRF News | |  | | - Retail Means Jobs road show visits Dallas
Speaking to more than 60 retail and business executives, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay took NRF's Retail Means Jobs road show to Dallas this week to discuss public policy priorities and how Texas retailers can help alter public perception about retail careers. At the event, co-hosted by the Dallas Regional Chamber and The Container Store, Shay challenged guests, "We have the ability to collectively help get our economy moving." Read more. Retail's BIG Blog (4/13) - "Domino effect" expected as American Express pulls gift cards out of New Jersey
A controversial state law has prompted one of the nation's largest gift card issuers and two of the biggest companies that distribute gift cards for retailers to withdraw their services from the state of New Jersey. American Express said that since it sells its cards through a number of third parties it is "not able to ensure compliance" with the new state law requirement to collect ZIP codes. Blackhawk Network and InComm, which together distribute more than 175 brands of gift cards to more than 3,800 retail locations in New Jersey, both said they would pull their cards in June. Read more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Quickservice chains see kids meal sales slow
McDonald's and other chains are seeing a slowdown in demand for children's meals, as parents increasingly choose less pricey a la carte items from the value menu and children outgrow Happy Meal toys at a younger age, according to NPD Group. Quickservice visits that included kids meal purchases have been on the decline since 2007 and fell 5% last year. Chicago Tribune (4/10) | |  | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | VP Retail Merchandising | Little Switzerland | St. Thomas, USVI, USA Virgin Islands | | Director of Advertising Production | The Bon Ton Stores, Inc. | Milwaukee, WI | | Senior Buyer | Floor and Decor Outlets of America, Inc. | Smryna, GA | | Director of Field Human Resources | The Vitamin Shoppe | North Bergen , NJ | | Retail Merchandise Manager | Le Creuset of America, Inc./Schiller Stores, Inc. | Early Branch, SC | | Senior Manager, Training & Development | Total Wine & More | Potomac, MD | | Director of [RE]FRESH (a store supporting Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition) | [RE]FRESH: A Fashion Coalition | St. Louis, MO | | District Manager | Hallmark | Nashville, TN | | Director of Marketing | Moosejaw | Madison Heights, MI | | Cosmetics Buyer (Experience Required) | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | E-Commerce Merchant | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee / Menomonee Falls, WI | | VP eCommerce | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Senior Vice President - Human Resources | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Enterprise Architect – Global IT Omni-Channel | Levi Strauss & Co. | San Francisco, CA | | Sr. Business Analyst, Multi-Channel Retail IT | Levi Strauss & Co. | San Francisco, CA | | Merchandise Planner | Kohl's Department Stores | Menomonee Falls, WI | | Merchandise Buyer - Multiple Categories | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee/Menomonee Falls, WI | | Director of Operations | Spencer Gifts | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Manager of Store Communication | American Eagle Outfitters | Pittsburgh, PA | | Manager of Visual Merchandising, e-commerce | The TJX Companies, Inc. | Framingham, MA | | Corporate Counsel - Commercial Generalist | Meijer | Grand Rapids, MI | | Director E-Commerce Fulfillment Operations | Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. | Multiple Locations, United States | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
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