  | October 20, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Whole Foods stores stop taking checks
Many of the 300 Whole Foods stores in the U.S. have stopped accepting checks as part of a policy to limit the amount of personal information they collect from shoppers and speed service. The policy isn't taking hold at other chains, since merchants keep 100 cents on the dollar when people pay by check, said NRF Vice President J. Craig Shearman. "What (retailers) prefer most is cash or checks." The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) (10/20)       | Will the $100k+ Household Continue to Spend in This Economy? Retailers have relied on upper income consumers for purchases over the past two years. Will that change as economic concerns grow? Download a free report from The NPD Group's The Economy Tracker, which compares consumer sentiment and spending plans today to the 2008/2009 recession. | - Doo-Ri Chung next in Macy's guest designer lineup
Award-winning Korean-American designer Doo-Ri Chung -- most recently in the news for dressing Michelle Obama -- has joined the roster of Macy's guest designer series with a line of hip women's clothing featuring her signature traits of detailed knitwear with draping silhouettes. Chung's line continues a strategy Macy's is using to draw younger customers to its contemporary department and follows other designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Kinder Aggugini. The line will appear next February in Macy's stores and will retail for $39 to $159. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (10/19)  | Kettle Foods reduces reporting cycle from 8 weeks to just 3 weeks
An antiquated reporting system and lack of data insight can stop growth in even a strong company. Read the white paper to learn how: Kettle Foods used Inca Software, a Logicalis Company, and IBM Cognos Express to slash reporting time, enable fast amendment of reports and centralize data. |
 - Small merchants hope for a better holiday
Retailers of all sizes generate a significant portion of their sales in the holiday season, and another slow year could spell the end for some small merchants, whose tighter margins mean they must attract shoppers by other means than cutting prices. "They need make sure their product is presented well, their stores are clean, and they're doing all the things a good retailer does. It's a challenging time," said NRF Vice President Daniel Butler. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (10/20) - Inflation growth slowed in September
Consumer prices rose 0.3% in September, the slowest rate in three months, a possible signal that inflation is moderating according to a plan set out by the Federal Reserve. Retailers from Gap to Safeway say they're limited in their ability to raise prices as consumers' budgets continue to be squeezed. Bloomberg (10/19) - Volatile cotton prices drive up domestic apparel
Prices on apparel made in the U.S. rose 0.7% in September over the previous month and 4.6% over the same month last year, driven largely by volatility in the price of cotton, according to a Labor Department report. "There was a marked contrast between men's and women's prices, which suggests producers have found it easier to pass cost increases through on men's and boys' apparel rather than on women's," said economist Nigel Gault. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (10/18)  | John Jantsch invites you to go local
As customers continue to rely on the Web to help them screen local businesses, local businesses must take steps to ensure that they pop to the top of online searches. Duct Tape Marketing's John Jantsch offers strategies for local marketing success in this free white paper from American Express OPEN, How to Win at the Local Marketing Game. Download your free copy now, exclusively for SmartBrief readers. |
 - Online and in-store are coming together
Rapid adoption of mobile technology is hastening a convergence of in-store and online retail, said industry executives at a recent conference. "The lines [between online and offline shopping] are blurring as people use devices to find the best prices and who has the products they want before they hit the road," said eBay CEO John Donahoe. Computerworld (10/19)  | Consumer Insights Your Brand Needs to Know: Latest Trends in Behavioral Advertising
Learn what brand managers, advertisers, as well as networks, agencies, and publishers need to know about consumer survey insights into behavioral ad serving, also known as interest-based advertising. Learn more today! |
 - How 3 friends turned a retail dream into a $32 million business
The three women who founded mail-order children's apparel and costume company Chasing Fireflies realized their dream to turn a profit in the first year, and last year the company booked $32 million in revenue. High-end Halloween costumes are one of the company's sweet spots, and business is growing as Americans spend more on the holiday. Portfolio.com (10/19)  | Logistics is much more than the movement of goods and services. It's also your pre-game strategy. Before you step on the court, you need the right players running the right plays at the right time. Learn more about those key plays in this free whitepaper from UPS and get in the game of logistics. |
 | Policy & Government Affairs |  |  | | - States try to determine sales tax for daily deals
Some states are working on how to calculate tax on daily deals. Officials in New York studied the issue for months before ruling that merchants should collect sales tax when consumers redeem their daily-deal vouchers. They should calculate the tax based on the face value of merchandise, while service providers need to collect only on the amount paid. Portfolio.com/Daily Brief blog (10/18)  | |  | | The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
As the largest landlord to Kroger, TJ Maxx, Stop & Shop/Giant, and Staples, it might be time to add your name to this list. Meet Brixmor. Grow your business, build out your prototype, and find your next new address with the well-capitalized Brixmor as a partner. Choose from almost 200 markets in 39 states. Click to find your next location.
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| NRF News | | | | - Retail container traffic to increase in October as shipping patterns shift back to normal
Import cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports is expected to increase 2.6% in October over the same month last year and should reach its highest level of the year as retailers stock up for the holiday season, according to NRF's monthly Global Port Tracker report. As the holidays near, NRF Vice President for Supply Chain Jon Gold noted, "Retailers are poised to succeed in maintaining the careful balance between inventory and sales that keeps customers happy while keeping retailers profitable." Read more. - NRF SmartStat: Oct. 20, 2011
 The average shopper is expected to spend about $400 toward gifts for family members this holiday season. Source: NRF survey conducted by BIGresearch - Prepare your holiday hires for selling and service
You want your customers to experience the best this holiday season, so train associates in the crucial areas of selling and service. NRF University wired's online courses teach associates strategies and skills essential for building strong customer relationships, delivering the best customer service, and closing the sale. Learn more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | | |  | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | Merchandise Planner | Smithsonian Museum Retail | Washington, DC | | Merchandise Manager | Party City | Rockaway, NJ | | VP of Marketing | Teavana | Atlanta - Buckhead, GA | | Shopper Marketing and Retail Promotions Director | Two West Inc. | Nationwide, United States | | Vice President, Business Development | Confidential | Akron, OH | | HR Director, Retail Stores | SalonCentric | Based in NJ & NYC, NJ | | Sr. Systems Training and Communications Specialist | Bj's Wholesale Club, Inc. | Westborough, MA | | Seasonal Selling Professional | Saks Fifth Avenue | Troy, MI | | Commission Sales Associates, Alterations/Fitter/Sewer, Department Managers, LP/Asset Protection | Saks Fifth Avenue | Chevy Chase, MD | | Beauty Specialist | Saks Fifth Avenue | Atlanta, GA | | Cosmetics Business Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Atlanta, GA | | Sales Associate Career Day - Dadeland, FL | Saks Fifth Avenue | Dadeland, FL | | Assistant General Manager - Merchandise | Saks Fifth Avenue | Boca Raton, FL | | Assistant General Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Tulsa, OK | | Sales Associates, Alterations, Asset Protection, Department Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Chevy Chase, MD | | Sales Associate - Jewelry | Saks Fifth Avenue | Naples, FL | | Fashion Buyer | Target | Minneapolis, MN | | Corporate Visuals Manager | MacKenzie-Childs LLC | New York , NY | | Cosmetics Business Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Bal Harbour, FL | | Contract Recruiter - Merchandising | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Store Manager-Luxury Retail-San Diego | Tourneau LLC | San Jose, CA | | Assistant Store Manager-Luxury Retail-San Jose | Tourneau LLC | San Jose, CA | | Buyer | Five Below, Inc. | Philadelphia, PA | | Director Global Trade & Compliance | Charming Shoppes, Inc. | Bensalem, PA | | Account Manager | SPANX, Inc | Atlanta, GA | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
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Cheesecake Factory founder David Overton put his professional drumming dreams on hold to help his parents build their cheesecake business, and the rest is history. In this interview, Overton talks about starting on a shoestring, early missteps on pricing and the power the eatery's name had to draw crowds from the beginning. 
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