 | March 23, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Hot Topic chief steps down
Hot Topic CEO Betsy McLaughlin has resigned, and board member and former Gymboree chief Lisa Harper will take her place. The move is the latest in a string of changes at the top for chains struggling to meet the demands of changing teen trends. Aeropostale lost co-CEO Mindy Meads in December, Wet Seal recently named a new CEO, and American Eagle plans to do so soon. Los Angeles Times (3/22), Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (3/23)       - Supervalu packs more into bags to cut costs
Supervalu is training workers at its 1,100 Albertsons, Acme Markets and Jewel-Osco stores to pack more items into shopping bags, a move that shaves costs by a few pennies per customer and adds up to millions in annual savings, the company says. Supermarket chains have long had money-saving bagging procedures in place, but Supervalu takes it further -- the rules also outlaw double-bagging and tell staff to leave out bags altogether on items with handles. The Wall Street Journal (3/23)  | To become a top-performing distributor, you must:
• Achieve 98% inventory accuracy.
• Reach 95% on-time and complete shipment rates.
• Maintain 12-hour order-to-shipment cycle times.
• Achieve 13% cycle-time reductions from ERP use.
Distributors, how do you stack up against top performers? View the Aberdeen webcast to find out. | - How to cut down on retail theft
Merchants in Omaha, Neb., large national chains and area law enforcement agencies have increased efforts to share information including descriptions of shoplifters and security video to help each other in the fight against retail theft, which resulted in $33.5 billion in losses in 2009, according to NRF figures. "The most concern for external theft is shoplifting by opportunists. There are also more professional 'boosters' stealing large quantities for the purpose of resale," said NRF's Joe LaRocca. Omaha World-Herald (Neb.) (3/23) - Consumers find room in their budget for small luxuries
It's the little treats that matter in a down economy, and consumers look more willing to spend on those small luxuries, according to a survey by BIGResearch for STORES Magazine. The percentage of consumers unwilling to cut costs for things such as haircuts, dinner out and their daily cup of java increased in every category, according to the data. AOL Small Business (3/21)  | Akamai - The Right Partner with the Right Solution
Are you failing to to satisfy user expectations for an outstanding online shopping experience? Do you need to accelerate your dynamic content? Do you strive to be a retailer that pushes the envelope with site technology and offerings? Learn why the Akamai Dynamic Site Accelerator is the right solution for those issues and more. |
 - Home Depot adds mobile barcodes aimed at the DIY set
The Home Depot is adding mobile barcodes from Scanbuy to its ads, store shelves and point-of-sale signage. Smartphone users can download an app that reads the codes and allows them to access how-to videos, product demonstrations and project guides, as well as make online purchases. Mashable (3/22)  | A Strategic Overview for Multi-Channel Retailers
E-commerce growth has significantly impacted the retail industry. Mail and phone orders will continue to exist, but are increasingly ceding ground to e-commerce. Download this white paper to learn more about the retail trends and strategies needed to thrive in the retail industry. |
| NRF News |  | | | - Health reform: One year out from a missed opportunity
Today marks the one-year anniversary of signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -- a mammoth law with implications many retailers are still grasping to understand. In a new blog post, NRF's Neil Trautwein explains how the law's mandates and its failure to lower health insurance costs are affecting retailers now and what will come in the future. Read more. - Retail's "state of the industry" report available now
For nine years, NRF and KPMG have produced the retail industry's most authoritative source for benchmarks and trends, based on an annual survey of hundreds of retail executives. The 2011 report, "Retail Horizons: Benchmarks for 2010, Forecasts for 2011," is now available for purchase and covers topics such as store and field operations, e-commerce, supply chain management, merchandising, marketing and advertising, customer insight and human capital. Learn more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Pollo Tropical broadens its appeal
Pollo Tropical has expanded its menu along with its store base over the years, adding wings, fajitas and other dishes aimed at capturing audiences outside of its South Florida home. More recently, the 23-year-old chain has been testing upscale touches including real plates and silverware and table service in some markets, as it positions itself to spin off from parent Carrols Restaurant Group this year. The Miami Herald (free registration) (3/21) - Tim Hortons jolts its coffee offerings
Tim Hortons is testing some 20 specialty coffee drinks containing espresso and steamed milk in restaurants in central Ohio. The drinks, which include iced and hot lattes, cappuccinos, espressos and americanos, are expected to fill an untapped market in the Midwest, according to a company executive. QSRWeb.com (3/21)  | |  | | The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Attract A Crowd — EXPERIENCE PLAYTIME! Play areas are a great place to exercise kids on a shopping trip. Trust PLAYTIME to custom-create a stunning play area that increases shopper frequency and length of stay. EXPERIENCE PLAYTIME and get ready for a crowd. Visit www.experienceplaytime.com or contact David O'Niones (DavidO@ExperiencePlaytime.com, 303-662-0302) to learn more.
Interested in learning more about advertising in NRF SmartBrief? Contact Susan W. Kim at (202) 407-7877 or skim@smartbrief.com.  | |  | |  |
| Career Track | | | |  | |  | | | | |  |  Merchant Opportunities at Kohl's | Kohl's | Menomonee Falls, WI | | Senior Buyer, Sports & Outdoors | Amazon.com | Seattle, WA | | Senior Project Manager | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Director of Customer Loyalty | Aeropostale | New York, NY | | Regional Retail Point of Sale (ROPS) Coordinator/NTE 2 years | Headquarters, MCCS | Quantico, VA | | Industrial Engineer LOGS | Walmart | Bentonville, AR | | Sr. Strategy Project Manager, Logistics | Walmart | Bentonville, AR | | Senior Planner, Various Categories | Walmart | Bentonville, AR | | Replenishment Manager | Walmart | Bentonville, AR | | Distribution Center Area Director | PetSmart | Atlanta, GA | | Vice-President 24HourFitness.com | 24 Hour Fitness | San Ramon, CA | | Energy Manager | Tractor Supply Company | Brentwood, TN | | Softlines Sourcing Manager | Meijer | Grand Rapids, MI | | Senior Marketing Manager, Search Engine Optimization | macys.com | San Francisco, CA | | General Manager, Merchandise | Smithsonian Enterprises | Washington, DC | | Retail Manager | Tri-County Feeds | Marshall, VA | | Inventory Manager | Tractor Supply Company | brentwood, TN | | | |  | |  |
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More than 40% of consumers plan to use their 2010 tax refunds to pay down debt. Source: 
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