| March 30, 2012 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- H&M to create new retail brand in 2013
Sweden-based fast-fashion retailer H&M revealed plans Thursday to launch a new retail chain next year. H&M, which debuted higher-end sister chain COS in 2007, gave few details on the new brand but did say it won't be a luxury version of COS. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (3/29)      - Best Buy to focus on smaller mobile outlets
Best Buy will close 50 of its big-box stores and cut 400 corporate and support jobs as part of a plan to restructure and trim $800 million in costs, CEO Brian Dunn said Thursday. The chain, which faces growing competition from online retailers whose lower overhead allows them to sell electronics for less, also plans to begin opening much smaller stores that focus on selling mobile devices. The Wall Street Journal (3/29), Reuters (3/29) - Whole Foods CEO talks worker empowerment
Whole Foods Market CEO John Mackey, keynote speaker at the Great Place to Work Conference, said employees nominate health benefits every three years and vote on which ones to add. "You should decentralize as far down in the organization as you can, unless there are overwhelming economies of scale that would lead you not to," he said. Employee Benefit News (3/29)  | Redefining commerce in the age of the customer
Today's customers have information at their fingertips and can dictate a new set of terms in the dynamic relationship between buyers and sellers. Smarter Commerce puts the customer at the center of all operations. Read this brochure to learn how your organization can build better business processes. |
 - Retailers see ongoing rise in menswear sales
Sales of menswear rose 4% last year, driven by higher demand for workplace apparel, tailored clothing, dress shirts and ties at department stores including Macy's, Saks and Bloomingdale's. "We came out of an incredibly strong 2011, and it hasn't let up," said Bloomingdale's menswear merchandise manager David Fisher. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (3/29)  | 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! |
 - Amazon boosts focus on fashion
Amazon recently ran a print-ad campaign in fashion magazines to raise the profile of styles sold in its clothing store. The retailer also beefed up its staff with high-profile hires from the fashion industry, including veteran buyers from Nordstrom and Barneys New York. ApparelNews.net (3/30) - Net-A-Porter makes a living on the edge
Net-A-Porter has made a name for itself while proving that there's an online market for the edgiest and priciest couture fashions will sell online. The site routinely sells looks designers deem too pricey to mass produce for retail stores, including a pair of Christian Louboutin platform pumps priced at $6,395. The Wall Street Journal (3/28)  | 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 |  |  | | |  | - Service horse mandate brings federal lawsuit
A new federal mandate that requires businesses to accommodate people with disabilities who use miniature horses as service animals has already resulted in on lawsuit, and retailers and restaurants worry that more suits may follow. NRF is holding ongoing talks to determine how to best comply with the rule, said senior vice president Mallory Duncan. FoxNews.com (3/29)  | Retailers using a centralized cross-channel loyalty platform are experiencing a 20 percent increase in customer retention. Download our white paper, Cross-Channel Loyalty Technology, to learn how combining mobile and social technology with a centralized loyalty platform and POS data capture enables retailers to provide a truly cross-channel loyalty experience. |
| NRF News | |  | | - Retailers: It's time to unleash your inner lobbyist
NRF's dedicated team of lobbyists fight every day for retailers' policy priorities in Washington, but it's a retailer's real-life experience told in their own words that will break through the noise on the Hill. The hot issues on deck for discussion at NRF's 77th Annual Washington Leadership Conference will be part of a full-court legislative press on Capitol Hill, and lawmakers need to hear it from their constituents how legislation impacts them on main street. Learn more. Retail's BIG Blog (3/30) - How Winn-Dixie and Walgreens are fighting organized retail crime
How serious is ORC? Are you allocating too much—or not enough—time, effort and financial resources to combat the problem? At NRF's Loss Prevention Conference & EXPO, June 20 to 22 in New Orleans, experts from Walgreens and Winn-Dixie Stores will discuss two different approaches to quantifying the threat of ORC and the actions retailers can take to reduce it. Learn more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | |  | Retailers, make change happen on Capitol Hill!
Join more than 100 retailers on Capitol Hill to advocate for the retail industry! Sign up now to visit with lawmakers during the NRF Washington Leadership Conference May 15-16, and help NRF advance job creation, corporate tax reform, sales tax fairness and more. Register now. | | |  | | 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 | | Corporate Recruiter | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Project Manager | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Director of Online Marketing | The Men's Wearhouse | San Francisco, CA | | Director of Marketing | Moosejaw | Madison Heights, MI | | Merchandise Planner | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | 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 | | 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 | | Director of Operations | Spencer Gifts | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Buyer, Petites | Stein Mart | Jacksonville, FL | | Vice President - General Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Stamford, CT | | Meat/Seafood Team Leader | Meijer | Cincinnati, OH | | Meat/Seafood Team Leader | Meijer | Westerville, OH | | Buyer - Youth, Girls | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | 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 | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
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Americans intend to spend an average of $44.34 on Easter meals this year, up from $40.05 last year. Source: 
