   | September 7, 2010 | News for the retail industry |  |  | | - Estee Lauder updates department store cosmetic counters
Estee Lauder is taking a new approach to its department store makeup counters, making it easier for shoppers to see prices and try products for themselves, as part of an effort to counter growing competition from a myriad of players, from websites to drugstore makeup counters. The company is testing new layouts that streamline the process and make self-serve easier for customers at its Clinique, MAC and Estee Lauder counters in department stores including Macy's and Lord & Taylor. The Wall Street Journal (9/7)       - How Best Buy uses social media to wow customers
Best Buy's "twelpforce" offers real-time technical support to 28,000 Twitter followers, allowing the company to show off its know-how and customer-service chops in front of a captive audience. The service's biggest strengths are that it's active 24 hours a day, is run by real, human Best Buy employees and is designed to be approachable even for Twitter novices. MarketingProfs (free registration) (9/2) - Redbox hits the 1-billion-served milestone
A copy of "Clash of the Titans" that was rented Sunday from a Redbox kiosk in Tampa, Fla., became the company's billionth DVD rental. The firm, which launched in 2004, is using the occasion to stage a promotion that offers customers one free rental through the end of the month. Home Media Magazine (9/6)  | Retail clothing store opportunities are leaking out of ZIP Code 92704. Do you know what's happening in your market? Get a free ESRI Retail MarketPlace Profile report from Business Analyst Online to understand supply and demand, and review the number of businesses by industry sector such as clothing, shoes, furniture, electronics, and more. | - Unique fashions keep boutiques afloat
The downturn spurred some boutiques in the Lexington, Ky., area to shut their doors, but the survivors say they're making ends meet by continuing to focus on bringing one-of-a-kind designs to their customers. "People definitely want unique items, something special you are not going to see everywhere else. Even in difficult economic times, people still want specialty items, to keep things new and fresh," said one boutique manager. Lexington Herald-Leader (Ky.) (9/6) - Why shopper marketing is critical for retail success
 John Ross, CEO of Shopper Sciences, a new unit of Interpublic Group's Mediabrands, discusses why top retailers need new tools to connect with consumers, how social media is changing the way people shop and why understanding influencers is key to retailers' bottom lines. Adweek (9/5)  | How are your competitors using cross-channel to get ahead—and how can you achieve more? Multichannel retailing is now the norm, but cross-channel strategies vary widely—and so do the results! Boost yours by leveraging the insights in Martec's original research on Multichannel Retailing 2010: Facts, Issues, and Opportunities for Growth. Download your copy now! | - Marketers see the importance of branding virtual products
Brands such as MTV Networks are leading the way in a new marketing trend to sell virtual goods as part of online games in the hopes of selling real products in the brick-and-mortar world. "It's all about constant connectivity. People live in real time, and established brands have to find ways to keep in touch," said Marshal Cohen, chief retail analyst for the NPD Group. "Brands are beginning to dabble in reaching out, especially to the under-40 crowd -- many still can make discretionary spends." The New York Times (free registration) (9/6)  | The retail industry has been redefined by macro-economics, socio-demographics and new consumer technology. Industry leaders remain competitive by redesigning the customer experience, reinvigorating operational excellence and reimagining growth. Download this white paper to learn how retailers should evaluate their strategic plans as they mobilize for a new era of retailing. | | 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.
| Policy & Government Affairs | | | | - South Los Angeles quickservice ban may become permanent
As the expiration date looms on a 2-year-old ordinance that severely limited development of new quickservice restaurants in South Los Angeles, the City Council is moving to enact permanent rules that would include distance requirements between quickservice stores. Chains oppose the move, saying such government regulations unfairly restrict the free market. "The government should not be making decisions on what they think people should be eating or where they should be eating," said Ellen Davis, spokeswoman for the NRF's National Council of Chain Restaurants. Los Angeles Business Journal (free registration) (9/6) - New York boroughs may be ready to reverse limits on retail
Commercial developers are hoping that cash-strapped communities in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island will relax long-held opposition to new retail projects as they seek new sources of tax revenue. "There's a heightened sensitivity to the idea of anything new, anything vibrant, anything fresh on the Island because it potentially represents jobs," said one town supervisor. The Wall Street Journal (9/7)
| NRF News | | | | - Been on vacation? Here's what you missed.
For retail enthusiasts returning to their desks today after vacations or extended travel, NRF's Ellen Davis recaps what you may have missed in August. The hottest news in retail last month included an update on back-to-school spending, a list of the fastest-growing retailers in America and an inspiring story of how one associate's simple gesture transformed an entire store. Read more. - Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities available for LP '11
If you have a product, solution, technology or service that will revolutionize how retailers protect their company's profits and assets, sponsor or exhibit at the NRF Loss Prevention Conference & EXPO, June 13 to 15, 2011, in Dallas. Branding opportunities include networking events, print and online ads and more. Learn more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Domino's boosts online orders and pizza profits
Domino's receives about one-quarter of its pizza orders online, proving a boost to the chain's profits and placing the company in the top five of U.S. online merchants. Customers like the online ordering system because they can take their time to create the perfect pizza, seek out promotional deals and calculate the calories for a particular pie, says one Domino's franchisee. Detroit Free Press (9/7) - Wendy's launches hometown test of new breakfast menu
Wendy's is testing the waters in the ultra-competitive breakfast segment with several new morning menu items including traditional breakfast sandwiches and new creations including a bacon fire-roasted burrito and an artisan egg sandwich. The chain has been testing the new items in three markets, and recently expanded the experiment to 10 stores in its home market of central Ohio. The chain saw limited success with earlier breakfast efforts -- in 2009, Wendy's quit serving the meal at 300 of its locations to cut costs. The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) (9/3) | Career Track | | | |
 | |  | | | | | | |  |  Director of Merchandising | Total Wine & More | Potomac, MD | | Store Team Leader - Tucson | Target Corporation | Tucson, AZ | | Buyer - Childrens | The TJX Companies, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA | | Buyer - Big and Tall | The TJX Companies, Inc. | Framingham, MA | | Buyer | The TJX Companies | Framingham, MA | | Principal Business Consultant | Oracle Corporation | Atlanta, GA | | Online Buyer - Home Electronics | Sears | Hoffman Estates, IL | | Analyst | Oakley, Inc | Foothill Ranch, CA | | Human Resources Director, Merchant Development | Wal-Mart | Bentonville, AR | | CRM Credit Card Marketing Analyst | HSN | St. Petersburg, FL | | Buyer | Headquarters Marine Corps, Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) | Quantico, VA | | Assistant Buyer | Headquarters Marine Corps/Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) | Quantico, VA | | Director, Public Affairs | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | SVP of Merchandising | Neiman Marcus | Dallas, TX | | VP of Neiman Marcus Stores Marketing | Neiman Marcus | Dallas , TX | | e-Commerce Retail Manager | AutoZone, Inc. | Memphis, TN | | Director, Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) | Headquarters Marine Corps | Yuma, AZ | | Manager of Children's (Kids) Product Development | TJX Companies | Boston, MA | | SR. Pet Product Development Design Specialist | TJX Companies | Boston, MA | | Social Media Specialist | The Finish Line | Indianapolis, IN | | Email Marketing Manager | The Finish Line | Indianapolis, IN | | VP of Business Systems & Process Implementation / Administration | Dick's Sporting Goods | Pittsburgh, PA | | Graphic Designer - Apparel | Tween Brands | New Albany, OH | | | |  | |  | |
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