Costco co-founder to step down from CEO post on Jan. 1

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September 1, 2011 News for the retail industry   Industry Watch    Costco co-founder to step down from CEO post on Jan. 1 Costco CEO and co-founder Jim Sinegal said he'll step aside as chief on Jan. 1, and will be replaced by current president and COO Craig Jelinek. Sinegal will remain on the chain's board and said he'll remain at the company through 2013 to help with the transition. CNBC/Reuters (8/31)      Books-A-Million names Finley president and COO Books-A-Million promoted Chief Merchandising Officer Terrance Finley to president and chief operating officer. Finley has been with the bookseller since 1992. InternetRetailer.com (8/31)      Toys R Us to cut back on temporary holiday stores Toys R Us said Wednesday it will open fewer than the 600 pop-up stores it opened during the holidays last year, but said the exact number hasn't been determined yet. The chain, which operates Babies R Us and FAO Schwarz brands in addition to its namesake stores, filed for an $800 million IPO earlier this year but doesn't plan to go public until 2012. Reuters (8/31)      Other News Bloomingdale's scouts Florida for new outlet mall sites The Tampa Tribune (Fla.) (8/31)      Uniqlo to launch 2 new NYC stores this fall Forbes (8/31)      Comprehensive Business Solutions: Optimize Operations and Cut Costs Prepare for the new economy by cutting costs, increasing efficiency, and building lasting relationships with your customers. Read this solution brief to learn how to optimize your operations for profitable growth, and gain competitive insights through better business intelligence.   Retail trends    Survey: Specialty online retailers improve in customers' eyes Giants Amazon, Wal-Mart and eBay are still the top e-commerce sites in customers' eyes, but specialty merchants have been learning and improving enough to move up STORES' Favorite 50 list. As younger consumers become more focused on value, teen-focused retailer Aeropostale gained favor for offering more online deals and Forever21 jumped ahead by promoting new categories such as plus sizes in its online offerings. STORES magazine (9/2011)      Plus-size retailers revamp styles, listen to customers At least one-third of U.S. women qualify as plus size, but sales of plus-size apparel only comprise about 15% of overall clothing sales, a statistic chains including Lane Bryant and Avenue aim to boost with new styles created to flatter and fit better even when a woman fluctuates between a 12 and a 20. Chains say they're also incorporating new technology aimed at guaranteeing a better fit. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (9/1)      Surviving jewelry chains boost sales Chains from Zale to Tiffany have been reporting strong sales growth this spring and summer, as shoppers continue to spend on baubles despite gloomier financial times. Chains still standing after the recession claimed about 15% of their competitors say the smaller field is also helping bring in more shoppers. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (9/1)      Back-to-school shoppers opt for pens, not iPads Parents who fill their local retailers this week in a last-minute rush to make sure their children start school with all the necessary supplies are not likely to head over to the gadget aisles, per research from Publicis Groupe's MediaVest, which says the stress of the rocky economy is prompting parents to pare back their back-to-school shopping lists. Whereas mobile devices for their children were a top priority last year, parents' emphasis this year is on the most basic of supplies and clothing that are being offered on sale or in a discounted fashion. MediaPost Communications/MediaDailyNews (8/31)      Study: Americans are still spending on clothes, shoes this fall Reuters (8/31)      Your customers move fast. Can your POS keep up? Today's shoppers are fully connected, highly informed, omni-channel and fast — and they expect nothing less of you! Learn how mobility can meet their demands by enabling richer engagement, instant information, seamless service and enhanced functionality. This new RTP White Paper explains your options and opportunities. Get your free copy now!   Main Street  A hurricane hit your business -- now what? Businesses often turn to their insurance policies in the wake of natural disasters, but common mistakes can delay or derail payments, Carol Tice writes. She offers seven tips for navigating the claims process, including resisting the urge to clean up the damage until after an insurance representative checks the site. Also, business owners shouldn't be afraid to appeal a damage estimate they think is too low, Tice advises. Entrepreneur.com/The Daily Dose blog (8/31)      Earn 2X rewards points on shipping costs with The New Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN. Designed to earn Membership Rewards® points faster: • 3X points on airfare • 2X points on advertising, gas, and shipping • 1X points on everything else • For a limited time, 50K bonus points when you spend $10K your first 5 months LEARN MORE AND APPLY   Sponsored Content    Building A Winning Mobile Commerce Website Presented by AT&T The Recipe For Business Success ELIZABETH GIGNILLIAT How Lethal Performance Used Customer Service To Move To The Fast Lane Kate Fisher Wisdom From Apple's New CEO: It's All About Intuition And Hard Work Michael Schwalbe From Journalist To Entrepreneur: The Story Of Paul Von Zielbauer Katie Morell   NRF News  Nordstrom, Macy's, GameStop make strides on STORES' Favorite 50 online retailers list Amazon.com, Walmart.com and eBay are holding down the top spots on STORES Magazine's Favorite 50 online retailers survey, but a new batch of online companies are making big impressions on online shoppers. According to the 2011 list, Macys.com joined the top 10 for the first time in the survey's history while Nordstrom and GameStop each debuted for the first time. Read more.      NRF SmartStat: Sept. 1, 2011 Almost 30% of consumers said they would do more comparative shopping online this year for back-to-school items. Source: NRF survey conducted by BIGresearch.        September is National Preparedness Month. Are you ready? This month, businesses and families are encouraged to set aside time to plan for an event that could cause everything from a disruption in the day-to-day to significant loss of life. In a recent post on Retail&'s BIG Blog, NRF's Joe LaRocca outlines how NRF is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to encourage retailers and private citizens to be informed, make a plan and get involved. Read more.      Learn more about NRF -> Join NRF  |  Govt Relations  |  NRF Events  |  STORES  |  NRF Foundation   Chain Restaurant News  FEMA official has Waffle House Index for gauging disaster damage Waffle House, with many of its 1,600 restaurant vulnerable to hurricanes, has a disaster plan that has caught the attention of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. According to the Waffle House Index, business as usual after a big storm earns a green rating, limited menus score a more cautious yellow, and locked doors mean big red flags, says FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (9/1)      Seattle's Best opens 12 new retail shops since April Starbucks-owned Seattle's Best recently opened the last of 12 new branded coffee shops to debut since April. The brew is available in about 50,000 locations, including nontraditional spots such as campuses and airports. QSRMagazine.com (8/31)      Position Title Company Name Location Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Forman Mills Pennsauken, NJ Sales Associate Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills, CA Selling Manager - Shoes Saks Fifth Avenue New York, NY SALES ASSOCIATE SAKS FIFTH AVENUE SHORT HILLS, NJ MDSR Buyer-Fashion Meijer Grand Rapids, MI Senior Manager, Training & Development Total Wine & More Potomac, MD Various Retail Opportunities within Deloitte Consulting LLP Multiple Locations, United States Marketing Director Saks Fifth Avenue San Francisco, CA Merchandise Planner Kohl's Department Stores Menomonee Falls, WI Assistant Buyer Kohl's Department Store Menomonee Falls, WI Sales Associates- Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Desert, CA Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Desert, CA Product Creative Design - Manager/Specialist Cabela's Sidney, NE Program/Engagement Manager The Yacobian Group Boston, MA IT Business Analyst - eComm / Internet Marketing Academy Sports & Outdoors Katy, TX Merchandise Buyer Kohl's Department Stores Milwaukee/Menomonee Falls, WI Regional Visual Trainer Victoria's Secret Dallas/Houston, TX Director of eCommerce Technology Moosejaw Madison Heights, MI Director of Stores A'GACI, LLC San Antonio, TX Sr. Internet Buyer Tween Brands Direct, LLC New Albany, OH Corporate Counsel - Employment Law Ross Stores Pleasanton, CA Loss Prevention Exception Reporting Manager Stein Mart Jacksonville, Florida, FL Fashion Buyer Target Minneapolis, MN Sales Associates - Saks Fifth Avenue - Career Fair - Chevy Chase, MD Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase, MD VP of Facility Management and Support AAFES Dallas, TX Regional Director Francesca's Collections Philadelphia, PA Click here to view more job listings. The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) Win-Holt Equipment Acquires Commercial Stainless Fabricators in Marietta, GA Interested in learning more about advertising in NRF SmartBrief? Contact Susan W. Kim at (202) 407-7877 or skim@smartbrief.com.    SmartQuote  Routine is not organization, any more than paralysis is order." --Arthur Helps, British writer        This SmartBrief was created for cpgbrokers.data@blogger.com   Subscriber Tools       Update account information | Change e-mail address | Unsubscribe | Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy Grab our News Widget Publish your Press Release   Advertise Associate Publisher:  Susan W. 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