  | May 6, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Publix tests scanning system to streamline coupon use
To avoid a checkout backlog caused by customers using coupons, Publix Super Markets is testing a scanner that verifies information on coupons to save cashiers time. The chain is testing the equipment at 70 of its 1,000 stores. "We are working through some glitches, but we respect our customers' time, and this new system is more efficient than our cashiers manually verifying coupons against the order," said Publix spokeswoman Shannon Patten. The Tampa Tribune (Fla.) (5/6)       - Successful Borders reorganization needs publishers' support
 Borders is committed to making its reorganization plan work, but to be effective the bankrupt bookstore chain needs publishers to agree to new terms, CEO Mike Edwards said in an interview this week. The company is in the midst of presenting the 80-page plan to publishing houses and expects to know by mid-June whether some or all of them will sign on, Edwards said. AnnArbor.com (Mich.) (5/5)  | Akamai - The Right Partner with the Right Solution
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 | Retail trends |  | | | - Growing interest in bar codes
Big-box stores are embracing the use of scannable bar codes on products. Consumers scan the codes with a smartphone to retrieve product information, reviews and even demonstration videos. Big-box retailers Lowe's and Home Depot are using the technology in their garden stores, with codes leading to information on how to care for plants and flowers. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (5/5) - Report: High-end beauty products see renewed popularity
Consumers spent 5% more on high-end cosmetics, fragrances and skin-care products in the first three months of 2011 than they did in the same period last year, according to data from NPD Group. "Consumers of these products are in an optimistic mood. They're kind of settled. The sky didn't fall, after all -- and now there's a desire to treat oneself again," said NPD vice president Karen Grant. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (5/5)  | The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN
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| NRF News | | | | - NCCR welcomes bill to end ethanol tax credit and tariff
The National Council of Chain Restaurants, a division of NRF, welcomed the introduction of legislation that would repeal a 45 cents-per-gallon tax credit for ethanol producers and a tariff on imported ethanol. The bill, which is expected to be offered as an amendment to a small business bill pending in the Senate, would repeal the $6 billion-a-year Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, which directs 45 cents to refiners for every gallon of ethanol they blend with gasoline, effective July 1. It would also repeal an ethanol tariff comprised of a 54-cent Most Favored Nation duty and a 2.5% tax. Read more. - What's in store for mom this Mother's Day?
More splurge-worthy items like electronics and jewelry will be popular for Mother's Day this year, according to an NRF survey, and retailers are getting creative to entice those last-minute Mother's Day shoppers. From iPads to royalty-inspired jewels, Americans shopping for mom will have plenty of nontraditional gifts to choose from this year, writes NRF's Kathy Grannis. Read more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Chains search for deeper cuts as commodity costs rise
Commodity food costs are slated to rise at least 4% this year, but many restaurant chains can only pass along about half the increase to their customers, which means finding ways to make deeper cuts to avoid sacrificing profits. Popeye's, which cut $16 million in costs last year, now seeks to make smaller cuts on things such as cleaning supplies, Darden Restaurants has four programs under way aimed at saving up to $130 million in costs, and DineEquity's IHOP has begun using new food portioning tools that cut waste. Nasdaq.com/Dow Jones Newswires (5/5) - Behind the scenes at a Taco Bell drive-through
Spend a day working the drive-through at a Taco Bell and it'll dispel the notion that U.S. manufacturing is on the wane, writes Karl Taro Greenfeld, who did just that recently. Greenfeld's article details the chain's rise while giving readers a behind-the-scenes look what goes into turning out thousands of quickservice meals each day. "The most advanced operational thinking in the world is going on in the back of a QSR," said former Wendy's VP turned consultant Mike Watson. Bloomberg Businessweek (5/5) | Editor's Note | | | | - SmartBrief has an Android app
SmartBrief is proud to announce the launch of our Google Android application, available for download at Android Market. The app extends our promise to keep you informed and save you valuable time every day. Download the app, and tell us what you think.  | |  | | | | |  |  Stationery Buyer | Five Below, Inc. | Philadelphia, PA | | Web Project Manager | The Wet Seal, INC | Foothill Ranch, CA | | General Manager, Retail E-Commerce & Catalog | Smithsonian Enterprises | Washington, DC | | Director of Real Estate | Teavana | Atlanta, GA | | Telecom Business Mgr-OCONUS | AAFES | Okinawa, Japan | | Store Software Applications Architect | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Director of Talent Acquisition | rue21 | Warrendale, PA | | Merchandise Planner Analyst | Headquarters Marine Corps, MCCS | Quantico, VA | | Manager IS Data Center & Wintel | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Senior Corporate Internal Auditor | PetSmart, Inc. | Phoenix, AZ | | Director Talent Acquisition | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Flagship Store Manager | MacKenzie-Childs | New York, NY | | Director of Store Operations | Five Below, Inc. | Philadelphia, PA | | Retail Store Manager | Kitty Hawk Kites/Kitty Hawk Surf Company | Rodanthe, NC | | Marketing Manager Coupon Team | Target | Minneapolis, MN | | Senior Manager, Site Planning | Target | 55402, MN | | Business Process Consultant Target.com | Target | Minneapolis, MN | | Online Business Manager | Spencer Gifts | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | DVP Real Estate | Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | | |  | |  |
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The world's five biggest retailers have one thing in common: They all sell groceries. Source: 
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