  | October 22, 2010 | News for the retail industry |  |  | | - Tommy boutiques take aim at the youth market
Tommy Hilfiger debuted the first of three planned Tommy boutiques in New York this week, a 1,000-square-foot shop aimed at younger shoppers. The styles, dubbed "downtown prep," offer edgier and more irreverent options than the company's more traditional lines, Hilfiger said. "There's a lot of experimentation with fabrics, washes and displays. It gives us the opportunity to understand the young customer again." Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (10/22)       - Wal-Mart deal to help Barnes & Noble expand sales of Nook
Wal-Mart is slated to start selling Barnes & Noble's e-reader as early as Sunday in a deal designed to significantly broaden the Nook's distribution. The two retail chains have a long history of competition when it comes to sales of traditional hardcover books. The rivalry heated up last year when the discount giant joined Amazon and Target in selling popular hardcover titles for $9 online. The Wall Street Journal (10/21) - Esprit's U.S. expansion centers on outlet stores
German apparel retailer Esprit's splashy new Times Square store is the last full-price U.S. location planned for the next year. Instead, the chain plans to focus on outlet stores, with 15 to 20 planned to open during the next 12 months. "This is not a bad growth vehicle without damaging your name or your regular-priced stores," said executive John Gunn. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (10/22) - Sears adds a monthly payment plan
Sears is launching a new monthly payment option designed to appeal to shoppers who can't afford to pay for big-ticket items in full but are wary about using credit cards. Under the new plan, Sears will finance purchases over four years at a fixed finance charge and set monthly payment. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (10/21)  | How can you control your largest source of shrink… if it can't even be seen? Learn how top retailers such as Vitamin Shoppe find, track, and stop employee theft. Our free White Paper explains key loss prevention facts and trends that you need to know, and how exception reporting—properly executed—can dramatically increase your profits and deliver big ROI! Get your copy now! | - 3 top Generation Y holiday shopping trends
This week's holiday shopping survey from the National Retail Federation points to a few interesting trends among young adults, starting with the growing propensity to use their smartphones to research products, comparison-shop and make purchases. The age group also ranked customer service as its highest priority, and members are also more likely than other generations to shop for themselves as well as others this year. CBSMoneyWatch.com/You're So Money blog (10/21) - When the customer isn't right
While customer service is clearly important, leaders also must know the value of saying "no," writes Susan Roth. With demanding clients who ask for the impossible, she says, you have three choices: try and potentially fail, which could create a toxic situation; try to work out a mutually agreeable solution; or politely part ways. She outlines several cases in her own business when that advice has served her well. BNET/Owners Only blog (10/20) - Supermarkets find more uses for QR codes
A growing number of grocery-store products, shelf tags and point-of-sale ads are boasting two-dimensional codes that shoppers can scan with mobile devices to access more information. Supermarkets such as PCC Natural Markets are finding additional uses for the QR codes, including posters promoting a third-party program that certifies products free of genetically modified organisms. Supermarket News (10/18) - Newfangled credit cards will expand payment options
The next generation of credit cards won't immediately replace the plastic rectangles in our wallets, but they do promise to offer more payment options and increased security features. Citibank is slated to start testing a new version next month that lets users decide whether to pay with credit or rewards points; others are replacing traditional magnetic strips with chips and PIN codes designed to enhance security. The New York Times (free registration) (10/21)  | Adobe Mobile Experience Survey: What Users Want from Media, Finance, Travel & Shopping. With more than 4.5 billion cell phone subscribers worldwide, it's no wonder businesses are betting big on mobile. Get a first-of-its-kind, bird's eye view of what consumers are doing on their mobile devices and what most engages them across 4 key industries. Download the whitepaper. |
| NRF News |  | | | - This year's Halloween costumes with buzz
More than 120 million adults, children and pets will dress up this Halloween, and many are sidelining traditional options for creative costumes pulled straight from the headlines. From the GEICO Gecko to an infamous pair of party crashers, NRF's Kathy Grannis shares a list of what's expected to appear at Halloween festivities all over America. Read more.
- McDonald's plans price increases amid rising food costs
McDonald's expects to raise menu prices in the U.S. and Europe next year as a way to pass along part of the projected 2% to 3% increase in commodity costs. The chain has thrived during the downturn by keeping prices low on many items while boosting sales of higher-margin products, including its new line of smoothies. The Wall Street Journal (10/22) - McDonald's turns its attention to the grocery store: McDonald's has managed to prosper during the downturn and stay significantly ahead of its quickservice competitors; now the chain turns its attention to another rival -- the grocery store. As consumers dine at home more often, grocery chains are working to capture more of the prepared-food business. Chicago Tribune (10/21)
 | Good pair of shoes? Or a great career?
Forgo that new pair of shoes and put your hard earned money toward finding a satisfying career. Tap into the practical advice and proven strategies of 20 of the best recruiters, coaches, columnists and experts at the fully online Career Summit 2010. The first of 13 sessions starts on 10/26. Register today! | | Career Track | | | |
 | |  | | | | | | |  |  Inventory Control Analyst | Castle Megastore Group | Tempe, AZ | | Systems Analyst-Labor Applications | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Director, Strategic Communications and Campaign | Universal Technical Institute Inc. | Phoenix, AZ | | Senior Ecommerce Manager | Expedia | Seattle, WA | | Division Merchandise Manager | Sears | Hoffman Estates, IL | | Human Resources Manager | Neiman Marcus | Dallas, TX | | Senior Planner | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Inventory Accountant - Intermediate | Follett Higher Education Group | Oak Brook, IL | | Senior Retail Marketing Manager | Cabela's | Sidney, NE | | Head of eCommerce Operations | Crate and Barrel | Northbrook, IL | | Senior Director - Retail Applications | DSW, Inc. | Columbus, OH | | Controller | Pacific Gateway Concessions | South San Francisco, CA | | Product Development Foods Associate | Meijer | Grand Rapids, MI | | Merchandise Planner - Emblematic Apparel and Gifts, U.S. Stores | Follett Higher Education Group | Oak Brook, IL | | Foods Product Development Associate Sourcing Manager | Meijer | Grand Rapids, MI | | Foods Product Development Sourcing Manager | Meijer | Grand Rapids, MI | | Senior Merchandise Planner - Emblematic Apparel and Gifts, U.S. Stores | Follett Higher Education Group | Oak Brook, IL | | Manager of Associate Relations | Chico's FAS, Inc. | Fort Myers, FL | | Senior Marketing Manager-Customer Experience | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Category Manager - Own Brands (Food & Consumables) | Sears | Hoffman Estates, IL | | | |  | |  | |
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One out of three retailers say their 2010 budget for free shipping is higher than last holiday season. Source: 
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