Brazilian tourists give U.S. retailers a boost

Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dqbSCaiGapCbzPqaCidawJCicNhMvt

December 21, 2011 News for the retail industry   Top Story    What today's policy decisions mean to retail's future Government leaders need to head in the right direction if retail is to flourish in the future, writes NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in the Harvard Business Review. The future of the retail industry, which is responsible for about 42 million U.S. jobs, depends on officials enacting policies that spur job creation, advance innovation and drive greater customer value. Harvard Business Review online/HBR Blog Network (12/20)      COMING SOON: The most valuable e-commerce conference of 2012, ChannelAdvisor Catalyst. Everyone who's anyone in e-commerce will be there. Follow @channeladvisor to find out the Where (hint: not NC) and When for Catalyst 2012   Industry Watch    Talbots turns down buyout offer, puts itself up for sale Talbots said Tuesday it has rejected an unsolicited $3-per-share buyout bid by private-equity firm Sycamore Partners as too low, and the women's apparel chain will instead explore other options, including a sale. Talbots and other brands in the misses apparel sector, including Coldwater Creek, Christopher & Banks and Fashion Bug, face challenges as department stores capture more of the market and aging core customers put less emphasis on fashion. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/DealBook blog (12/20), Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (12/20)      Bebe ties turnaround to tamer styles Bebe won't aim to reclaim its former role as the leader in ultra-low necklines and super-short skirts as it charts a turnaround course. Instead, the chain plans to gain ground with more modest new offerings, including a bridal collection that made its debut last month and a beefed-up collection of work-appropriate styles, says President Emilia Fabricant. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (12/20)      Pandora names footwear executive as new CEO Danish jeweler Pandora has named shoe industry executive Björn Gulden as its new chief executive officer, effective March 1. Gulden, a former Adidas executive, currently serves as managing director of German footwear conglomerate Deichmann Group, and heads its Rack Room and Off Broadway chains in the U.S. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (12/20)      Other News Ace Hardware taps longtime executive as new operating chief Chicago Tribune (12/20)      Stein Mart promotes chief administrator to COO post The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (12/20)      Harry & David names new finance chief American City Business Journals/Portland, Ore. (12/20)      The last thing customers want is to stand in a long line. That’s why queue busting is a proven way to improve the retail customer experience. Download this white paper Lift Customer Loyalty and Sales with Mobile Queue Busting to learn how modern mobile transaction systems from Zebra can reduce queues without adding expensive checkout counters or staff.   Retail trends    Brazilian tourists give U.S. retailers a boost Brazilians have unseated wealthy consumers from the U.K. and other markets to become the biggest spenders in U.S. tourist areas including New York City and Florida, taking advantage of their trips to buy everything from iPads to stylish fashions that cost twice as much at home. High taxes, inflation and an overvalued currency drive up the price of goods in Brazil, and some tourists save enough on their U.S. shopping sprees to cover the cost of their airfare and hotels. The Wall Street Journal (12/21)      Smaller tenants fill void left behind by big-box retailers Shopping centers are finding that smaller, independent retailers are good substitutes to fill the space left behind by bankrupt or departing big-box stores. In some cases, these new tenants are not retailers in the traditional sense: Some are medical centers, schools and even places of worship. USA TODAY (12/20)      Report: Shoppers flocked back to the malls last week Shoppers took a two-week break after setting shopping records on Thanksgiving weekend, but they were back and spending at brick-and-mortar stores last week. Same-store sales at 24 major U.S. chains rose 3.4%, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers' weekly index. The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)/The Associated Press (12/20)      Your job as an Exchange administrator isn't easy. You have to respond to lost messages, handle email discovery requirements, and keep everything up and running. Is there an easy way to manage your Exchange environment — and do it under budget? Learn about the challenges faced by three real organizations, and how using the right solution brought them peace of mind.   Retail Technology    IKEA uses Facebook to drive in-store traffic Swedish furniture chain IKEA has launched a Facebook campaign aimed at boosting traffic at its brick-and-mortar stores by offering deals for users who "like" the brand and invite their friends to do likewise. The promotion will include reduced prices, complimentary meals on Jan. 14 and the chance to win a shopping spree. ClickZ (12/20)      Retail lessons from Amazon, eBay and Groupon A recent spate of holiday promotions from Amazon, eBay and Groupon illustrates the growing role of mobile in retail marketing, this story says. Some industry experts say the biggest shift next year will come as multichannel retailers move from broad mobile promotions to personalized offers. MobileCommerceDaily.com (12/20)      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!   Sponsored Content    6 Ways To Snap Up Opportunities Your Competitors May Miss Neil Patel Innovation Management Helps Make Your Idea Reality Anita Campbell A Workaholic's Guide To Staying Healthy Katie Morell Do Customers Trust Your Business? Suzanne Sataline The 5 Hiring Mistakes You Need To Stop Making Now Karlee Weinmann   NRF News  Target, Wal-Mart, Macy's and Best Buy score top spots for holiday ads Last year's best holiday commercials may have been touching and poignant, but for 2011, it's all about the laughs. According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association's 2011 Favorite Ads survey, more than 30% of consumers said Target had the best holiday television commercial, followed by Wal-Mart, Macy's and Best Buy -- each playing up the humor of the holidays. The best part? Nearly two in five shoppers said they were actually motivated to shop from a particular retailer because of their commercial. Watch the ads.      NRF SmartStat: Dec. 21, 2011 Amazon.com, JCPenney, Kohl's, Lands' End, L.L.Bean, Newegg, Nordstrom, Overstock.com, QVC and Zappos were selected by shoppers as finalists for having the best retail customer service. Source: 7th annual NRF Foundation/American Express® Customers' Choice survey        Store tours offer a peak behind the scenes of New York retailers From Madison Ave. landmarks to charming neighborhood boutiques, New York City knows retail. Attendees of Retail's BIG Show in New York City, Jan. 15 to 18, can tour, scout, shop and learn on one of seven store tours offered Jan. 14 and Jan. 18. Learn more.      Learn more about NRF -> Join NRF  |  Govt Relations  |  NRF Events  |  STORES  |  NRF Foundation   Chain Restaurant News  Captain D's acquires Dallas-based Grandy's chain Nashville-based seafood chain Captain D's has acquired 65-unit comfort-food concept Grandy's Country Cookin'. The Dallas-based chain will operate as a subsidiary of Captain D's, which operates 527 namesake restaurants in 25 states. American City Business Journals/Nashville (12/20), QSRWeb.com (12/20)      Position Title Company Name Location Footwear Buyer Forman Mills Pennsauken, NJ Senior Buyer, Fine Jewelry Kohl's Department Stores Milwaukee, WI Buyer - Shoes Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ HR Analyst (HR Metrics) Petsmart, Inc Phoenix, AZ VP Retail Delaware North Companies - Corporate Office Buffalo, NY Buyer - Maternity/Petite Sportswear Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ VP DMM Ladies Shoes Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ Regional Manager Aspen Dental Tampa, FL Coordinator, Communications and Public Affairs National Retail Federation Washington, DC Assistant (Associate) Buyers - Brick & Mortar and Ecommerce Kohl's Department Stores Milwaukee, WI Director of Store Operations Francesca's Collections Houston, TX Manager, Brand Marketing & Public Relations La-Z-Boy Monroe, MI Associate Buyer - Procurement Services Petsmart, Inc Phoenix, AZ Regional Zone Manager Spirit Halloween Paramus, NJ Visual Merchandising Manager Castle Megastore Tempe, AZ VP DMM Boys Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ Mens Buyer Burlington Coat Factory Burlington, NJ Logistics 3PL Manager Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween Egg Harbor Township, NJ Click here to view more job listings.   SmartQuote  Has fortune dealt you some bad cards. Then let wisdom make you a good gamester." --Francis Quarles, British poet        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:  Dena Malouf (202) 407-7837 Download Media Kit Job Board:  Jackie Basso (202) 407-7871       Recent NRF SmartBrief Issues: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 Monday, December 19, 2011 Friday, December 16, 2011 Thursday, December 15, 2011 Wednesday, December 14, 2011     Lead Editor:  Megan Conniff Contributing Editor:  Faye Rapoport     Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004     © 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information