 | December 2, 2010 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Higher food prices may squeeze Kroger's margins
Grocery chains have struggled this year with the inability to pass along significant food-price increases to customers. Food-price inflation typically is beneficial for Kroger and other chains because it offers an opportunity to increase profit margins, but attempts to raise prices during the economic downturn resulted in fewer purchases by cost-conscious shoppers. The Wall Street Journal (12/2)       - Retailers include free-shipping offers with catalogs
A growing number of retailers are offering free shipping on catalog purchases this season, aiming to attract more of the bargain-hunting shoppers who are increasingly seeking out free delivery options with their online purchases. J.C. Penney, Pottery Barn, L.L. Bean and Crate & Barrel are among the merchants promoting their free-shipping deals via catalogs and other direct mail pieces. DMNews (12/1) - Aeropostale's co-CEO Meads resigns
Aeropostale's co-CEO Mindy Meads has resigned her post to pursue other interests, leaving counterpart Thomas Johnson as the teen-apparel chain's sole chief executive, the company said. The pair have shared CEO duties since former chief Julian Geiger resigned in February. Bloomberg (12/1)  | Mobile Marketing, Mobile Payments: Both or Neither?
Trust ACI Worldwide as your payments system provider. Please click here to answer five short questions on how you see mobile being implemented in your organization. | - Razor blades are in high demand among retail thieves
Razor-blade cartridges seem like an unusual item for shoplifters to pilfer, but it turns out that the products made by companies including Gillette are popular, merchants say. They're pricey, easy to conceal and popular among consumers, making them among the most shoplifted items at stores across the country. "The reality is, this is about items that are in high demand and easily resold," said NRF's Joseph LaRocca. Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, Pa.) (11/30) - Retailers reach out and touch shoppers through phones
Big-box retailers are not just selling cell phones for the holidays. They are using phones to reach shoppers by encouraging them to scan bar codes, find discounts and learn about products through their handsets. "In 2008 and 2009, mobile started out as a science project. It's accelerated so fast that it's becoming more mission-critical for retailers to deliver a mobile experience in a professional way," said Dave Sikora, head of consultancy Digby. Bloomberg Businessweek (12/2)  | |  | | | Multichannel Retailing 2010: Facts, Issues, and Opportunities for Growth.
Most retailers operate with a combination of stores, websites and other channels. But what is really being achieved with the extension of multichannel retailing, and which challenges and opportunities do you need to address now to stay competitive in 2011? Find out with this free, in-depth market research. | |  |  ADVERTISEMENT | |  |
- Moda Operandi aims to speed sales for new designer lines
A new website created by a former Gilt Groupe exec has announced an ambitious plan to post hot-off-the-runway designs for sale online within 48 hours of their debuts during Fashion Week in February. Moda Operandi will sell fashions from designers including Vera Wang and Narciso Rodriguez to lessen the six-month lag between the time new looks make their runway debut and when they appear in stores. The Wall Street Journal (12/1)  | FREE Forrester Research Report: What Every Exec Needs to Know About the Future of eCommerce Technology, compliments of Adobe. From shopping in Facebook to mobile purchases, this indispensable guide covers all the key emerging eCommerce technologies to help you make the right technological investments for your online business. Download the report. | - Connect with customers in local markets -- when you're not local
Convincing people that an organization is equipped to care for a disabled relative in perpetuity is not easy, especially if that organization is not a local one. Robert Stack, CEO of Community Options, offers businesses two suggestions to break through that reluctance: Hire local people and befriend the competition. Using those tactics, the company has expanded its operations to 30 cities in 10 states. BNET/Owners Only blog (12/1) - Why you should think about giving away the store
Do sweepstakes and contests actually work as a marketing tool? According to Jupiter Research, more than 50% of Internet users participate in contests at least once a month. Besides generating publicity, a well-planned contest can help you research your market or build your mailing list, writes John Arnold, who offers some tips for making the most of a giveaway. Entrepreneur.com (12/1)  | Supercharging the Online Channel
Getting to the right shoppers and then converting them to buyers in your online store is every retailer's key objective. Short purchase windows, impatient buyers, and new mandates around security are creating unprecedented demands on commerce sites. Learn how to attract customers to your site, optimize their online shopping experience and drive more transactions. Watch the webinar NOW! |
| NRF News |  | | | - Deficit Commission recommends spending cuts, tax reform over VAT
NRF welcomed yesterday's announcement of final recommendations by President Obama's deficit reduction commission, which emphasized government spending cuts and tax reform over a European-style Value Added Tax. "The commission's leaders have come to the same conclusion reached in our study: that bringing runaway government spending under control and working to improve the tax system we have is the best way to reduce our nation's soaring deficit and improve economic growth," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. Read more. - How mobile is making an impact this holiday season
Given its relative newness, how much of a difference is mobile actually making this holiday season? In a recent blog post, Shop.org's Head of Research Fiona Swerdlow shares survey data that point to increased investment in mobile by retailers -- a smart move as larger numbers of shoppers use mobile devices to shop this season. Read more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Starbucks targets China for expansion
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said the company has survived the economic downturn but remains aware of challenges ahead. He described plans to triple the number of Starbucks cafes in China, open new types of outlets and offer more products through grocery stores. MSNBC/The Associated Press (12/1)  | |  | | The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
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| Career Track | | | |  | |  | | | | | | |  |  Manager, Web Merchandising Intelligence | Kohl's Corporate Offices | Menomonee Falls, WI | | Director of Marketing and Licensing | Spencer Gifts | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Merchandise Planner | Kohl's Corporate Offices | Milwaukee, WI | | VP of Marketing | Teavana | Atlanta - Buckhead, GA | | Planogram Specialist (Temporary not to exceed 2 Years) | Headquarters Marine Corps/ Marine Corps Exchange | Quantico, VA | | Buyer IV - Mens Softlines | Exchange (Army Air Force Exchange Service) | Dallas, TX | | Regional Manager Development Program | Follett Higher Education Group | Multiple Locations, United States | | Retail Construction Project Manager | Teavana | Atlanta, GA | | Project Manager 2 | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Director of Field Construction | Rent-A-Center | Plano, TX | | Manager, Home Office Human Resources (Recruitment & Employee Relations) | Follett Higher Education Group | Oak Brook, IL | | Assistant Category Manager - Reader's Market | Sears | Hoffman Estates, IL | | Business Process Analyst | QVC | West Chester, PA | | Legal Counsel | Kohl's | Menomonee Falls, WI | | | |  | |  | |
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The average Black Friday weekend shopper spent $365.34 this year, up from $343.31 in 2009. Source: 
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