  | May 5, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Late Easter gives April retail sales a boost
Retail sales rose strongly in April, driven by a late Easter that spurred candy, apparel and gift sales. Higher fuel and food prices helped boost sales for supermarket chains and discount stores, including Costco which reported a 12% increase in April same-store sales. Victoria's Secret parent Limited Brands and teen apparel store The Buckle also reported April sales surges, but chains including Target and Stage stores warned that their shoppers are facing budgets squeezes from high gas prices. Reuters (5/5), The Bismarck Tribune (N.D.)/The Associated Press (5/5)       - HSN goes shopping for acquisitions
Flush with cash and fresh from several years of success expanding its TV shopping network into an e-commerce player, HSN has gone into acquisition mode. Executives said Wednesday that they are seeking acquisitions to build on their TV offerings and also may look to add properties with an eye on rebuilding international operations. St. Petersburg Times (Fla.) (5/5) - Chicago's Topshop store to feature exclusive local designs
Topshop's second U.S. store, set to open in Chicago this fall, will feature about 50 men's and women's designs shoppers won't find anywhere else and opening-day pieces that won't make their way to the New York store until two weeks later. "It's part of our American expansion plan to open new stores that each offer a little bit of differentiation," said owner Philip Green. Crain's Chicago Business (5/4) - Wal-Mart agrees to sell Amazon's Kindle
Wal-Mart Stores is the latest and largest brick-and-mortar retailer to add Amazon's Kindle to its lineup. The retail giant agreed to sell the e-reader at all 3,200 stores. Kindle is already available at chains including Target, Best Buy and Staples. ZDNet/The ToyBox blog (5/4)  | 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. |
 | Retail trends |  | | | - More insight into the buying habits of moms
Recession-era thriftiness didn't stop moms from spending on their children and their homes, but it did drive them to seek out online bargains in greater numbers, according to research from BSM Media and Totsy.com. The majority favor Groupon for their daily deal shopping, and clothing, home items and entertainment were the items they purchased most last year. MediaPost Communications/Engage: Moms (5/4) - Retailers get in on the fresh-food game
Quickservice chains aren't just competing with each other these days -- convenience stores, supermarkets, pharmacies and even vending machines are getting in on the act with fresh food offerings and grab-and-go snacks, writes consultant Denise Lee Yohn. Yohn advises chains and operators to take a good look at the new rivals and figure out how to compete on their terms, whether it's the cooking demonstrations at Whole Foods or using technology to beat the speed of a vending machine. QSR Magazine (5/2011)  | The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN
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   | Main Street | | | | - How to avoid credit fraud
 Credit fraud carries direct and indirect risks to businesses, such as the financial hit when they have to reimburse customers and pay nonrefundable processing fees, and the less-obvious loss of customer trust that can wear away at a brand's reputation over time. SmartBrief's Sam Taute offers five tips to help companies prevent credit fraud, starting with identifying vulnerabilities in your systems and keeping databases and virus-protection software current. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (5/4) | Policy & Government Affairs | | | | - Pennsylvania merchants push for online sales tax
Pennsylvania retailers, academics and one revenue official testified to a state Senate Finance Committee this week to push for new laws to require online retailers to collect sales tax on in-state purchases. The group estimates that Pennsylvania's coffers lose about $350 million annually because residents don't remit sales tax on their online purchases. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (5/4)
| NRF News | | | | - Retailers say swipe fee reform will have no impact on debit card acceptance, contrary to banking industry claims
In a letter to congressional leaders, merchants say their policy of accepting debit cards from both large and small banks alike will not change once swipe fee reform takes effect this summer. "We are writing to make clear that we have no contractual or practical ability to treat debit cards issued by small financial institutions or credit unions differently than those issued by large institutions," NRF, National Council of Chain Restaurants and 18 other merchant groups said in a letter to Capitol Hill. The banking industry, which has made repeated claims that retailers will reject cards from smaller banks once fees for big banks are lowered, is trying to have swipe fee reform delayed by two years. Read more. - Retail and law enforcement: Understanding active shooter events from both perspectives
During a session at NRF's upcoming Loss Prevention Conference, June 13-15 in Dallas, Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz and Starbucks Director of Partner and Asset Protection Steven Bova will discuss strategies for reducing risk should a shooting situation occur. The demonstration will also feature real 911 calls, photos from crime scenes and a 3-D re-creation of active shooter events. Learn more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - How franchisees can make the most of their sponsorships
Former Checker's COO turned Rally's franchisee David Miller made a concerted effort to market his 28 Kentucky and Indiana stores by sponsoring local and college sports teams. Such sponsorships only work when the brand and the team are seen as partners inside and outside the sporting arena, he advises. Start by seeking out teams that have local pull, he says, and make the most of your investment by finding every chance to tie your names together. QSR Magazine (5/2011) | 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.  | |  | | | | |  |  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 | | Buyer - Mens Sportswear | Bealls Department Stores | Bradenton, FL | | 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 | | Online Business Manager | Spencer Gifts | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Business Process Consultant Target.com | Target | Minneapolis, MN | | DVP Real Estate | Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | | |  | |  |
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The average Mother's Day shopper is expected to spend $140.73 on gifts this year, up from $126.90 in 2010. Source: 
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