 | April 29, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Tornadoes wreak havoc on stores in the South
Retail chains with operations in Alabama and other Southern markets hit by tornadoes this week are dealing with property destruction, power outages and missing staffers. One off-duty Belk employee was reported killed, and the retailer was working to reach 20 to 30 employees late Thursday. In northern Alabama, 27 Wal-Mart stores remain closed, largely due to widespread power outages that have also interrupted operations for some Macy's and Stage Stores. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (4/29)       - Walgreen puts its best face forward to win beauty battle
Walgreen is in the midst of a radical revamp of its beauty and skin-care offerings, aiming to outshine rival CVS when it comes to the cosmetics counter. The effort gained momentum with the chain's acquisition of Duane Reade, which already boasted an established beauty department called Look Boutique, and Walgreen gained additional expertise with its recent purchase of Drugstore.com and its Beauty.com and Skinstore.com sites. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (4/29) - Hudson's Bay owner to debut Canadian home store in the U.S.
The American owner of HBC, which operates Hudson's Bay stores and other concepts in Canada, has plans to roll out a modified version of its upscale HBC Home Outfitters concept in the U.S., with the first two stores slated to open in New Jersey this summer. The company plans to use some of the more than $1.8 billion it received when it sold its Zellers stores to Target earlier this year to finance new specialty store concepts. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (4/28) - Rock & Republic brand to be sold only at Kohl's
Kohl's, under a licensing deal with VF Corp., will be the sole retailer for the Rock & Republic brand. The discount department store chain in spring 2012 will roll out a revamped line with clothing and footwear for men and women, with the possibility of adding children's apparel, accessories and items for the home. Chicago Tribune (4/28)  | Akamai - The Right Partner with the Right Solution
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 | Retail trends |  | | | - Upscale retailers up their investments in Detroit-area mall
The Somerset Collection mall in Troy, Mich., has seen a surge in store improvements and expansions by upscale retailers including Burberry and Max Mara, a reflection of the luxury sector's rebound from the recession that's also being seen elsewhere in the state, mall operators say. Also at Somerset, Apple and North Face plan expansions, J.Crew opened one of eight U.S. bridal boutiques this week and next week the mall will welcome the state's first The Art of Shaving store. The Detroit News (4/26) - Survey: Families set to spend more on mom this year
Online retailers and department stores are in line to reap big Mother's Day sales increases this year, as consumers expect to spend an average of $140.73 on mom this year, up from $126.09 last year, according to a NRF forecast. Shoppers who go online expect to spend about 10% more than last year, and a record 32% of respondents said they'll do their Mother's Day shopping at department stores. BizReport (4/28) - Retailers ready for Mother's Day: Marketers ranging from Lowe's to Hallmark are rolling out their Mother's Day specials, but mothers themselves may not be in the mood. More than any kind of merchandise, mothers want time off from housework for their special day, according to a survey by the Martin Agency's Mom Complex. And after that, they prefer homemade gifts. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (4/28)
- Grocery retailers to pass along price increases on consumer goods
Consumer product makers announced price increases on a raft of goods this week, from Gillette razors to Huggies diapers to Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Grocery chains including Kroger and Safeway said they plan to pass along the higher prices to shoppers, but industry watchers say they walk a fine line between maintaining profits and losing cash-strapped customers. "You've got to be real sensitive to consumers and their ability to afford higher-priced products," said Edward Jones analyst Jack Russo. The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah)/The Associated Press (4/28)  | Business Gold Rewards Card®
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  - Security firm says cybercriminals seek to shake down retailers
The same speedier Internet service that's helping e-commerce companies grow is also proving a boon to criminals looking to profit from protection schemes. Online criminals are increasingly demanding that online retailers pay them to prevent them from launching attacks that will slow or take down their sites at peak sales times, according to Akamai Technologies. InternetRetailer.com (4/28)  | New Strategies for Inside Sales Success. A specialized process helps your team win new business, close more sales in less time, and build lasting customer relationships. Find out how to overcome inside sales challenges and meet your business goals. Download the free research report now. |
| NRF News | | | | - NRF SmartStat: April 29, 2011
 The number of Mother's Day shoppers who plan on buying electronics is expected to rise 48% from last year. Source: NRF survey conducted by BIGresearch - Tried-and-true tactics from an affiliate marketing guru
Affiliate marketing programs have been given a second chance at life with the introduction of social media. In a recent Q&A on the Shop.org blog, Shawn Collins, an affiliate marketer who's been in the space since 1997, shares his thoughts on the ever-changing role this type of marketing plays in a constantly evolving medium, who's who (and successful) in the affiliate marketing space, and tips to help jumpstart any affiliate program. Read more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | |  | |  | | | | |  |  Web Project Manager | The Wet Seal, INC | Foothill Ranch, CA | | General Manager, Retail E-Commerce & Catalog | Smithsonian Enterprises | Washington, DC | | Merchandise Planner Analyst | Headquarters Marine Corps, MCCS | Quantico, VA | | Senior Corporate Internal Auditor | PetSmart, Inc. | Phoenix, AZ | | Director Talent Acquisition | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Manager IS Data Center & Wintel | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Buyer - Mens Outdoor/Sportswear | Bealls Department Stores | Bradenton, FL | | Flagship Store Manager | MacKenzie-Childs | New York, NY | | Director of Store Operations | Five Below, Inc. | Philadelphia, PA | | Retail Store Manager | Kitty Hawk Kites/Kitty Hawk Surf Company | Rodanthe, NC | | Marketing Manager Coupon Team | Target | Minneapolis, MN | | Senior Manager, Site Planning | Target | 55402, MN | | Business Process Consultant Target.com | Target | Minneapolis, MN | | Online Business Manager | Spencer Gifts | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | DVP Real Estate | Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | | |  | |  |
| SmartQuote | | | |  | A man does not plant a tree for himself; he plants it for posterity."
--Alexander Smith,
Scottish poet,
quoted for Arbor Day, April 29, 2011  |
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