Teen brands employ texting to engage customers

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August 3, 2012 News for the retail industry   Top Story    July retail sales surpass analysts' expectations July same-store sales showed a 4.3% increase in July, compared with expectations of 1.5%, according to Thomson Reuters. Gap Inc. and Limited Brands each reported comparable-store sales gains more than 6 percentage points higher than expected, with 10% and 12% increases, respectively. Target reported a 3.1% increase in same-store sales, and Macy's reported an increase of 4.1% The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (8/2), Los Angeles Times/The Associated Press (tiered subscription model) (8/2), The Wall Street Journal (8/2)      Could you get more ROI from CRM? It's no secret that closer customer relationships generate more sales. But if you haven't introduced your associates to the power of advanced clienteling, you haven't even begun to realize your full profit potential! Learn how with our in-depth White Paper: Five Steps to a Better Class of Clienteling. Download your copy now!   Industry Watch    H&M Home to arrive in the U.S. H&M will debut its home collection to Americans in 2013. The brand introduced Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands and Austria to the collection in 2009. H&M Home is divided according to rooms of the house and follows the company's fast-fashion doctrine. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (8/2)      Rising "compassionate consumerism" requires authenticity Shoe brands such as Skechers are using the idea of "compassionate consumerism" -- wherein a purchase funds a charitable endeavor -- to move reluctant American shoppers. "Compassion Inc." author Mara Einstein says that the millennial generation is susceptible to that pitch but that the ubiquity of brands hitching sales to that wagon threatens to create "marketing wallpaper." Toms, Threads for Thoughts, Krochet for Kids, FEED Projects and Treasure & Bond are among the brands making products related to emerging markets, and big retailers can get some reflected gloss by selling the products, providing the pitch is perceived as authentic. Bloomberg Businessweek (8/2)      Michael Kors makes philanthropy a company priority July was Michael Kors Month at nonprofit God's Love We Deliver due to the organization's gratitude for the company's work there over the past 20 years. Kors employees were allowed to volunteer there during business hours, and many did so, including designer Michael Kors and the label's president and CEO John Idol. Luxury Daily (8/2)      The State of Customer Data Integration in 2012: Industry Report This free report from Scribe Software covers the What, Why & How of CRM Integration. In this report learn how customer data integration can play a critical role in addressing operational challenges in sales, marketing and customer service. Download the free report now.   Retail Trends    Teen brands employ texting to engage customers Teens and twentysomethings exhibit rapid response rates to marketing texts, according to retailers. Retailers such as Charlotte Russe, Claire's Boutique and Vans are targeting these customers through texts offering discounts, special offers and insider information. Charlotte Russe noted that 10% of its e-mail promotions are opened, compared with a 95% read rate for texts. The Wall Street Journal (8/1)      New Whitepaper: 12 Tips for Better Cash-Flow Management Managing cash flow is a fundamental part of running a small business, and for most small business owners it's an on-going balancing act. In this white paper, we've rounded up 12 top pieces of advice from seasoned small business owners and finance experts. Download the free white paper now brought to you by American Express OPEN, exclusively for SmartBrief readers   Retail Technology  Ahold USA shifts scanner capability to smartphones Since 2001, Ahold USA has been developing a hand-held scanner that is available for customers at about 750 stores. The chain is shifting such capability to smartphones, with Apple iPhone and Google Android applications that let customers scan items as they shop, as well as receive coupons. MediaPost Communications/The Third Screen blog (8/1)      E-retail sites adopting membership-based strategy For a flat monthly rate, customers of ShopStyle, JewelMint, BeautyMint, ShoeDazzle and other membership-based e-commerce sites receive personalized style recommendations and have the option to purchase or pass on the outfits, jewelry and shoes available for purchase that month. Many of the sites have celebrity partners, such as Kate Bosworth for JewelMint, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen for StyleMint, and Jessica Simpson for ShoeMint. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (8/2)        Sponsored Content    A Personality Test for Entrepreneurs Matthew E. May Illinois, Like Maryland, Bans Boss Request of Facebook Passwords Courtney Rubin Landing Pages: The Secret to Online Sales Angela Stringfellow Getting Started with Content Marketing JAMES LANDERS How to Find the Right Video Production Vendor Katrina Diamond   NRF News  Study up on this year's back-to-school shopper with NRF's Cheat Sheet America is in the heart of the back-to-school shopping season, and retailers must be on top of their game to engage these budget-conscious consumers. Enter NRF's Back-to-School Cheat Sheet, which is chock full of the top trends driving consumer spending, historical data, insights into the influence of tweens and teens this year, and much more. This new addition to NRF's Back-to-School Headquarters is the industry's one-stop shop to learn more about these shoppers. Download the Cheat Sheet.      NRF SmartStat: Aug. 3, 2012 Nearly seven in 10 retailers surveyed said they reduced IT integration efforts through the use of ARTS-based solutions. Source: ARTS member survey by TechValidate.        How ModCloth ignites inspiration through community-centric commerce For today's digital-infused retailing, choice and convenience are not differentiators--only brands that inspire will stand apart. And at ModCloth, an innovative e-tailer of independent women's fashion and decor, empowering its community of shoppers to directly impact and inspire the brand and product selection is a top priority. At NRFtech: the IT Leadership Summit, ModCloth co-founder and CEO Eric Koger will share his insights on user-curated product discovery experiences and how to inspire your customers and your team. Learn more.      Learn more about NRF -> Join NRF  |  Govt Relations  |  NRF Events  |  STORES  |  NRF Foundation   Chain Restaurant News  McDonald's adds breakfast items to menu for night owls McDonald's has started offering its most popular breakfast menu items starting at midnight at its 24-hour stores, including hotcakes and the Egg McMuffin. The fast food chain is also launching a "Nocturnivore" advertising campaign aimed at a younger demographic it hopes to attract through advertising in video games in addition to traditional channels. American City Business Journals/Columbus, Ohio (7/31)        Editor's Note  SmartBrief exclusive from Guy Kawasaki NRF SmartBrief is proud to share an exclusive chapter from best-selling author Guy Kawasaki's new book, "What the Plus! Google+ for the Rest of Us." In return for updating your SmartBrief profile, we will give you Chapter 6 of Kawasaki's book on Google+ -– "How To Share Posts" -– absolutely free. Learn more here.      Position Title Company Name Location Director of Human Resources The Buckle, Inc. Kearney, NE Divisional Merchandising Manager, Men's Stein Mart Jacksonville, FL Director of Planning Hot Topic, Inc City of Industry, CA Retail Sales Support Sr. Manager (req.#4243BR) Cabela's Sidney, NE Product Safety & Quality Control Specialist Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ Assistant General Manager of Merchandising Saks Fifth Avenue San Antonio, TX Retail Buyer - Home Target Minneapolis , MN Director - Financial Planning & Analysis (Real Estate) Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ Specialty Shop Planner REI Kent, WA VP Customer Strategy Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ Buyer Payless ShoeSource Topeka, KS Planner – Merchandise Distribution Payless ShoeSource Topeka, KS Sr. Buyer PetSmart Phoenix, AZ Marketing Manager Sleep Experts Dallas, TX Director of Visual Merchandise Spirit Halloween Egg Harbor Township, NJ Fashion Buyer Target Minneapolis, MN Merchandise Planner (various categories) Kohl's Department Stores Menomonee Falls, WI Target.com Merchandising Buyer Target Minneapolis, MN Experienced Retail & Wine Managers Total Wine & More Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Sr. ETL Developer PetSmart Phoenix, AZ Selling Manager Saks Fifth Avenue Sarasota, FL Inventory Analyst REI Kent, WA Vice President - Tax Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ Director of Compensation Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ Category Manager Saks Fifth Avenue New York, NY Click here to view more job listings.   SmartQuote  The greatest blunders, like the thickest ropes, are often compounded of a multitude of strands." --Victor Hugo, French novelist and poet        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: Thursday, August 02, 2012 Wednesday, August 01, 2012 Tuesday, July 31, 2012 Monday, July 30, 2012 Friday, July 27, 2012     Lead Editor:  Megan Conniff       Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004     © 1999-2012 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information