  | June 7, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Senate Democrats are split over swipe fees
Democratic lawmakers in the Senate are divided over a bill, which could come to a vote this week, that would delay new rules passed last year that cap swipe fees banks can charge merchants. "A populist Democrat like Jon Tester has a difficult dilemma," said NRF lobbyist David French. "How does he explain voting with MasterCard and Visa, which are located in San Francisco and New York, and voting against consumers and retail merchants in Montana?" Politico (Washington, D.C.) (6/7)       - J.C. Penney launches designer competition on YouTube
J.C. Penney has turned over its YouTube channel to a design competition in partnership with apparel line Bisou Bisou and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. The Runway Your Way Design Challenge lets YouTube viewers vote on their favorite entries from fashion students charged with designing runway styles for "today's modern woman," the company says. ClickZ (6/6) - Wal-Mart Wireless concept to be in 350 stores by year's end
Wal-Mart, which last fall began rolling out 2,000-square-foot, in-store mobile specialty shops in 200 of its retail supercenters, is expanding the concept to 150 more big-box locations this year. The Wal-Mart Wireless stores offer smartphones, cellphones and a variety of service plans, including the company's Common Cents and Family Mobile offerings. TWICE (6/6) - Benetton begins a new phase
Rather than try and compete with the new crop of fast-fashion players, 46-year-old Benetton has embarked on a new era that borrows heavily from the upscale casual wear brand's history, led by former Levi's VP You Nguyen as top designer and chief merchandising officer. "All of the company's efforts were design-driven, with a very definite language and discipline. This is not only about doing sweaters in 26 colors, anyone can do that, it's a more thought-out process, with the discipline of a painter." Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (6/6)  | Prevent employee theft in distribution centers
Brijot's Loss Prevention solution can be easily integrated into your existing security procedures. Personnel in your warehouses or DC's can screen for concealed items with our new handheld device, AllClear™, without worrying about employee health or privacy concerns. | | Retail trends |  | | | - Suits to get more expensive as wool prices rise
Droughts and flooding that have disrupted Australia's sheep business during the past few seasons have decreased global wool supplies just as demand is rising, and the combination drove a 74% price increase during the past year. For retailers and consumers, that means potentially higher prices suits, socks and sweaters. The Independent (London) (6/6) - Chinese apparel brands aim to capture fashion-conscious customers
 Chinese fashion brands including JNBY, Ochirly, Meters/bonwe and Youngor have been improving the quality of their clothing as part of a push to improve the reputation of the "Made in China" label and keep more of consumers' new wealth at home. European chains including Zara and H&M are seeing business boom in China, as consumers increasingly have the money to buy what they want as well as what they need. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (6/6)  | The Business Gold Rewards Card® from American Express OPEN
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  | Retail Technology | | | | - How smartphones are changing the in-store experience
Some retail chains are working quickly to change the in-store experience to meet the demands of mobile-savvy consumers who increasingly see their gadgets as an integral part of the shopping experience, whether they're buying a shirt at Nordstrom or searching for just the right screw at Home Depot. The shift takes power from manufacturers and gives more to the merchants, some experts say. The Denver Post (6/6)   | Main Street | | | | - States take back tax credits in their search for cash
U.S. state governments are deciding they can't afford the tax breaks they've been giving to businesses and individuals. Michigan has eliminated several tax breaks, and the Oklahoma Legislature formed a committee to review that state's tax incentives. In Ohio, three think tanks proposed reconsidering tax credits as the state tries to close its $8 billion budget deficit. USA TODAY (6/5)  | |  | | The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Harnessing the power of social media analytics allows you to sift through thousands of consumer comments to gain insights about how your brand is perceived. Learn how retailers can benefit from social media analytics from Lori Schafer, Executive Advisor for Retail at SAS, and hear her tips on how you can get started. Click here to listen to the podcast.
Interested in learning more about advertising in NRF SmartBrief? Contact Susan W. Kim at (202) 407-7877 or skim@smartbrief.com.  | |  | |  |
| NRF News | | | | - CNBC documents dangers and realities of organized retail crime
After working in tandem with NRF for over six months, an hourlong journey into the workings of organized retail crime rings will air tomorrow, June 8, on CNBC. Featuring exclusive interviews with retailers and law enforcement officials, the documentary "Crime Inc: Stolen Goods" offers an inside look at organized retail crime raids and cases. In a recent blog post, NRF's Joe LaRocca shares insight on how the episode came about and shows a preview of the piece. Watch the preview. - NRF SmartStat: June 7, 2011
 Father's Day shoppers across the country will spend more than $650 million on sporting goods this year for Dad. Source: NRF survey conducted by BIGresearch. - Has your brand attained "omni-channel" status?
Customer expectations for a seamless shopping experience have accelerated -- how is your company keeping up? Participate in a ten-minute survey on channel behavior conducted by Retail Systems Research in partnership with NRF and receive a copy of the resulting benchmark study. Take the survey.
 | Chain Restaurant News | | | | - 4 chains return to Orlando after leaving years ago
Bennigan's, Schlotzky's, Del Taco and Bruegger's are all chains that closed up shop in Orlando years ago and are now poised to relaunch in the tourist area amid an improving economy. For Bennigan's, which closed many of its U.S. locations nationwide after a 2008 bankruptcy filing and has since revamped its concept, Orlando offers an opportunity "for all those thousands of eyes to see the new Bennigan's," said the chain's CEO Paul Mangiamele. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) (6/4)  | |  | | | | |  |  Associate Buyer | Dreams Retail | Northbrook, IL | | Retail Sales Director | BoConcept USA, Inc. | Bayonne, NJ | | Senior Vice President, Communities & Networks and Executive Director | Shop.org | Washington, DC | | Divisional Merchandise Manager, Consumables | Headquarters Marine Corps, MCCS | Quantico, VA | | Retail Training & Development Manager | Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers | Columbus, GA | | Licensed Product Manager | Harley-Davidson | Milwaukee, WI | | Senior Manager Retail Marketing | The Timberland Company | Stratham , NH | | Financial Analyst III | PetSmart, Inc. | Phoenix, AZ | | Vice President, Real Estate | Earls Restaurant Ltd | Vancouver, Canada | | Merchandise Buyer | Five Below, Inc. | Philadelphia, PA | | Merchandise Planning Administrator | Headquarters Marine Corps, MCCS | Quantico, VA | | Learning Solutions Manager - Southwest (Training Manager) | Petsmart | Southern California , CA | | Director of Retail | Wisteria | Dallas, TX | | Fashion Buyer | Target | Minneapolis, MN | | Entry Level Culinary Full Time | Wegmans Food Markets | Bridgewater , NJ | | Entry Level Culinary Part Time | Wegmans Food Markets | Ocean , NJ | | Cook III Full-Time Customer Service | Wegmans Food Markets | Bridgewater, NJ | | Retail Marketing Manager | L.L.BEAN | Freeport, ME | | Senior Merchandise Planning Administrator | Headquarters Marine Corps, MCCS | Quantico, VA | | Purchasing Buyer, National Accounts | Bed Bath & Beyond | Union, NJ | | Manager General Merchandise #792BR | Harley-Davidson | Milwaukee, WI | | | |  | |  |
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