| April 2, 2012 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Numbers tell the story of retail in America
 The retail industry supports one in four U.S. jobs, more than any other industry, and contributes billions to sectors including manufacturing, real estate and financial services, says NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in this video. Tomorrow, the public will get a chance to hear, and vote on, the top 20 retail stories submitted for the association's "This Is Retail" video contest. Retail's BIG Blog (4/2)       | A large men’s apparel retailer has found the key to loyalty success with an initiative that allows customers to engage with the brand on their terms, not based on a time sensitive promotion. Download A Cross-Channel Loyalty Case Study to learn how this retailer has ensured that its brand is aligned across channels for a cohesive loyalty program. |
 - Macy's to make over NYC flagship
Macy's plans to invest $400 million to make over its Herald Square flagship, incorporating interactive store directories, live video feeds of national events and other tech-driven innovations while taking care to preserve aspects of the store that made it a New York City retail icon. DMNews (4/1) - How Pet Supermarket redesigned its stores for female shoppers
Florida-based Pet Supermarket is a niche chain that sets itself apart from bigger competitors with a focus on personal service, pet education and a clean, colorful layout that encourages women pet owners to shop for more than the dog food they came in to buy, says president Diane Holtz. Sales at the 124-store chain grew from $184 million to $213 million last year, and the company expects to open 24 new locations this year. Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (3/30)  | 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. |
 - Supermarket choices heat up in South Florida
Whole Foods Market, The Fresh Market, ALDI and Save-A-Lot all entered the South Florida market in the past few years, giving shoppers more choice on the high and low ends. Meanwhile, Target stores are adding a grocery section, and Wal-Mart Stores has opened five stores since 2010 in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (3/30)  | What Data Thieves Don’t Want You to Know:
How a multi-layered data security solution, including encryption and tokenization, protects data in transit, in use and at rest. When combined, these two technologies provide a powerful method for securing sensitive data wherever it exists. Get proof here. |
 - Retailers boost use of mobile
Staples recently launched M.Staples, a mobile-optimized website tailored for tablet users to research products, as well as a mobile application aimed a speeding the buying process. Other chains including Wal-Mart are also boosting their mobile efforts as more consumers come to see their smartphones and tablets as shopping tools. DMNews (4/1) - Technology allows real-time use of customer data
Retailers have long had the ability to collect reams of data on customers' shopping habits and preferences. Now, new tech tools help merchants use that information in real-time to boost sales with systems smart enough to text shoppers immediately when products they've been searching for are about to become available, offer relevant discounts and reach out in other ways likely to persuade customers to make purchases. The Wall Street Journal (4/2)  | 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! |
  | Imagine collaborating with business leaders from around the world. MBA@UNC makes it happen. Earn an MBA online from the top-ranked mba program at UNC Kenan-Flagler.
* Learn anytime, anywhere
* Interact with world-class faculty
* Develop the leadership skills and networking connections to achieve your career goals
|
 | Hot Topics |  |  | | Top five news stories selected by NRF SmartBrief readers in the past week. - Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.
| | | Most Popular Headlines from Last Week Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers. |
| NRF News | | | | - Just announced: Retailers from 15 states battle for $25,000 in NRF's "This is Retail" contest
Ranging from wine shops to sporting goods retailers and from small businesses to national retail chains, the 20 finalists for NRF's "This is Retail" video contest have finally been revealed. Public viewing and voting on the videos begins tomorrow, April 3, as contestants will be whittled down each week in a bracket-style tournament where anyone can vote for their favorite videos through NRF's Retail Means Jobs website. The contest's top three finalists will be revealed on May 1, and winners will be announced at NRF's Washington Leadership Conference on May 16, where the retail employee behind the video with the most votes will receive a $25,000 grand prize. Read more. - What's hot for retail (and at NRF)
As an unseasonably warm winter trickled into the month of March, retailers were gearing up for an early start to the spring shopping season. But the weather wasn't the only thing hot for retailers last month, as NRF's most sought-after resources included our Easter consumer survey, NRF's 2012 Loss Prevention awards, and our results from the 2011 organized retail crime survey. Read more. Retail's BIG Blog (4/1)
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Starbucks to employ 30,000 in China by 2015
Starbucks plans to triple its store count in China from 500 to 1,500 and grow from 10,000 to 30,000 workers there by 2015, executive John Culver said Sunday. The coffee chain's Asia-Pacific sales rose 38% in the quarter ended Jan. 1, and Starbucks also plans to boost its growth in other Asian markets and open its first stores in India and Vietnam this year. The Wall Street Journal (4/1) | |  | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | VP Retail Merchandising | Little Switzerland | St. Thomas, USVI, USA Virgin Islands | | Planner | Stein Mart | Jacksonville, FL | | Director of Advertising Production | The Bon Ton Stores, Inc. | Milwaukee, WI | | Director of [RE]FRESH (a store supporting Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition) | [RE]FRESH: A Fashion Coalition | St. Louis, MO | | VP eCommerce | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Senior Vice President - Human Resources | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Corporate Recruiter | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Director of Online Marketing | The Men's Wearhouse | San Francisco, CA | | Director of Marketing | Moosejaw | Madison Heights, MI | | Business Analyst-Supply Chain | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Systems Analyst | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Merchandise Planner | Kohl's Department Stores | Menomonee Falls, WI | | Merchandise Buyer - Multiple Categories | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee/Menomonee Falls, WI | | Project Manager | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Director of Real Estate | Burlington Coat Factory | Los Angeles, CA | | Cosmetics Buyer (Experience Required) | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | E-Commerce Merchant | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee / Menomonee Falls, WI | | Director of Operations | Spencer Gifts | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Visual Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Huntington Station, NY | | eCommerce Web Analytics & Planner Manager | Bealls Florida | Bradenton, FL | | Manager of Store Communication | American Eagle Outfitters | Pittsburgh, PA | | Buyer - Youth, Girls | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Buyer, Petites | Stein Mart | Jacksonville, FL | | Vice President - General Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Stamford, CT | | Meat/Seafood Team Leader | Meijer | Cincinnati, OH | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
| SmartQuote | | | |  | A camel is a horse designed by committee."
--Sir Alec Issigonis,
Greek-British car designer  |
| | This SmartBrief was created for cpgbrokers.data@blogger.com
| | | | | | | | | Recent NRF SmartBrief Issues: - Friday, March 30, 2012
- Thursday, March 29, 2012
- Wednesday, March 28, 2012
- Tuesday, March 27, 2012
- Monday, March 26, 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 |
|
This Easter, shoppers will spend an average of $20.57 on gifts for their friends and family. Source: 
