| January 3, 2012 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
 | Consolidating retail and e-commerce systems into a single platform can be a complex, yet highly beneficial project. Download our case study to see how enVista’s supply chain services enabled The Men’s Wearhouse to make the transition seamlessly and achieve improved operations, greater efficiencies, and flexibility in workforce and systems support. | | Industry Watch |  |  | | - Sears CEO: Tech to play key role in turnaround
Upgraded stores and new technology, including iPads that track inventory and customer orders, will be key to Sears' turnaround strategy, says CEO Lou D'Ambrosio. On Monday, Sears named former Brookstone CEO Ron Boire as chief merchandising officer; he'll focus on integrating Web and mobile services at Sears and Kmart stores, the company said. Bloomberg Businessweek (1/2)      - Analysts expect healthy December sales increase
Same-store sales at 22 chains that report monthly are likely to rise 4.3%, according to Thomson Reuters, reflecting a holiday season that gained momentum as the month progressed. Discount chains including Costco and Target are expected to see the highest numbers, along with higher-end department stores Saks, Nordstrom and Macy's. Reuters (1/3)  | See how Cardmembers use American Express OPEN Cards to help run their business:
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  - 5 holiday shopping season surprises
The holiday shopping season brought several surprising developments, five of which are detailed in this story. Among them: online retail moved into the forefront, almost 40% of smartphone owners used the gadgets to make purchases, and retailers rushed to keep up with their competitors' extended hours. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (1/2) - Study: Women turn to auction sites to sell their stuff
Three-quarters of women consumers think about resale value when making a purchase, up 10% from six months ago, as more of them turn to eBay and other selling sites, according to a study. Some 66% of women surveyed said they would rather spend $100 on a higher-quality product that would have a $35 resale value after a year than half that on a product they wouldn't be able to sell in 12 months. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (1/2) - D.C.-area boutiques breathe new life into menswear
Boutiques including the appointment-only Alton Lane shop that opened recently are raising the bar when it comes to upscale menswear in the Washington, D.C., area. Brooks Brothers, Jack Spade and the Streets of Georgetown are also feeding a growing demand for tailored suits and custom jeans, as sales growth in menswear continues to outpace women's fashions. The Washington Post (1/1) - Charlotte's small merchants turn optimistic
The year that just ended brought an uptick in sales and optimism for some small retailers in Charlotte, N.C., amid signs of a post-recession rebound and a renewed emphasis on frequenting local businesses. "This year's been really big about people saying they wanted to shop local. Small Business Saturday was really big," said Park Road Books owner Sally Brewster. The Charlotte Observer (N.C.) (12/31)  | Which retailers are winning with better customer engagement?
Aberdeen’s connected store survey shows how top-performing retailers are boosting profits by personalizing the shopping experience, and what other retailers are doing to catch up. This White Paper provides a practical roadmap for what Aberdeen identifies as a fundamental transformation in retailing. Today, it’s yours at no cost! Download your copy now! |
 - Report: Retailers need to beef up supply chain controls in 2012
A few high-profile holiday season out-of-stocks points to the need for merchants to get a strong handle on every point in the supply chain this year, according to a report from Aberdeen Group. Some 69% of retailers surveyed say they don't have programs in place that let them see suppliers' inventory levels, and 50% say they don't have access to real-time inventory and order data, making them vulnerable to demand shifts, the report says. InternetRetailer.com (12/30)  | Just announced — ChannelAdvisor’s 2012 US Catalyst Conference will be held at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas on April 16-18, 2012. Join representatives from all major online channels and leading retailers at the most valuable e-commerce conference of the year. Register today. |
 | Hot Topics | | | | Top five news stories selected by NRF SmartBrief readers in the past week. - Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.
| | | Most Popular Headlines from Last Week Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers. |
| NRF News | | | | - How Guess? enhances the customer experience with mobile payments
Mobile payments and the services they enable at the store level can be a powerful and disruptive force in retail. At Retail's BIG Show, Jan. 15-18 in New York City, Michael Relich, executive vice president and CIO for Guess?, joins a panel of experts to review the latest in this rapidly evolving technology and business. Learn more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Darden CEO outlines plans for the new year
 Olive Garden got too adventurous last year, turning off loyal guests in an effort to bring in new customers, and it plans to refocus on more familiar dishes and more value-pricing this year, says CEO Clarence Otis Jr. Also on tap for Darden-owned eateries this year: expansion of specialty chains Seasons 52, Eddie V's and Wildfish. SmartMoney.com (1/2)  | Save $150 on Retail’s BIG Show by Jan. 6
With 120+ sessions, 250+ speakers, 400+ solution providers, and countless opportunities for inspiration, the NRF 101st Annual Convention & EXPO, Jan. 15-18 in New York City, offers first-class education and networking with today’s top retail leaders. Register now. | | |  | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | Buyer | Jeans Warehouse | Honolulu, HI | | Buyer | Jeans Warehouse | Honolulu, HI | | Sr. Director, Store Planning and Construction | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Sr. Director, Store Planning and Construction | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Sr. Director, Store Planning and Construction | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Sr. Director, Store Planning and Construction | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Sales Associate - RTW Women's WEAR/Contemporary | Saks Fifth Avenue | Tampa, FL | | Sales Associate - RTW Women's WEAR/Contemporary | Saks Fifth Avenue | Tampa, FL | | Assistant Controller | Brooks Brothers | Enfield, CT | | Assistant Controller | Brooks Brothers | Enfield, CT | | Brand Ambassadors- Escada, Cartier and Burberry | Saks Fifth Avenue | Tulsa, TX | | Brand Ambassadors- Escada, Cartier and Burberry | Saks Fifth Avenue | Tulsa, TX | | Director of Digital Marketing Strategy | The Limited | Columbus, OH | | Director of Digital Marketing Strategy | The Limited | Columbus, OH | | Mens Sweater Buyer | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Mens Sweater Buyer | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Senior Merchant, Fine Jewelry | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | Senior Merchant, Fine Jewelry | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | Buyer - Shoes | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Buyer - Shoes | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Buyer - Maternity/Petite Sportswear | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Buyer - Maternity/Petite Sportswear | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | VP DMM Ladies Shoes | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | VP DMM Ladies Shoes | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Regional Manager | Aspen Dental | Tampa, FL | | Regional Manager | Aspen Dental | Tampa, FL | | Assistant (Associate) Buyers - Brick & Mortar and Ecommerce | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | Assistant (Associate) Buyers - Brick & Mortar and Ecommerce | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | Manager, Brand Marketing & Public Relations | La-Z-Boy | Monroe, MI | | Manager, Brand Marketing & Public Relations | La-Z-Boy | Monroe, MI | | VP DMM Boys | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | VP DMM Boys | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Logistics Manager | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Logistics Manager | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Visual Merchandising Manager | Castle Megastore | Tempe, AZ | | Visual Merchandising Manager | Castle Megastore | Tempe, AZ | | Mens Buyer | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Mens Buyer | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
| | | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | Buyer | Jeans Warehouse | Honolulu, HI | | Buyer | Jeans Warehouse | Honolulu, HI | | Sr. Director, Store Planning and Construction | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Sr. Director, Store Planning and Construction | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Sr. Director, Store Planning and Construction | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Sr. Director, Store Planning and Construction | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Sales Associate - RTW Women's WEAR/Contemporary | Saks Fifth Avenue | Tampa, FL | | Sales Associate - RTW Women's WEAR/Contemporary | Saks Fifth Avenue | Tampa, FL | | Assistant Controller | Brooks Brothers | Enfield, CT | | Assistant Controller | Brooks Brothers | Enfield, CT | | Brand Ambassadors- Escada, Cartier and Burberry | Saks Fifth Avenue | Tulsa, TX | | Brand Ambassadors- Escada, Cartier and Burberry | Saks Fifth Avenue | Tulsa, TX | | Director of Digital Marketing Strategy | The Limited | Columbus, OH | | Director of Digital Marketing Strategy | The Limited | Columbus, OH | | Mens Sweater Buyer | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Mens Sweater Buyer | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Senior Merchant, Fine Jewelry | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | Senior Merchant, Fine Jewelry | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | Buyer - Shoes | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Buyer - Shoes | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Buyer - Maternity/Petite Sportswear | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Buyer - Maternity/Petite Sportswear | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | VP DMM Ladies Shoes | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | VP DMM Ladies Shoes | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Regional Manager | Aspen Dental | Tampa, FL | | Regional Manager | Aspen Dental | Tampa, FL | | Assistant (Associate) Buyers - Brick & Mortar and Ecommerce | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | Assistant (Associate) Buyers - Brick & Mortar and Ecommerce | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | Manager, Brand Marketing & Public Relations | La-Z-Boy | Monroe, MI | | Manager, Brand Marketing & Public Relations | La-Z-Boy | Monroe, MI | | VP DMM Boys | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | VP DMM Boys | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Logistics Manager | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Logistics Manager | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Visual Merchandising Manager | Castle Megastore | Tempe, AZ | | Visual Merchandising Manager | Castle Megastore | Tempe, AZ | | Mens Buyer | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Mens Buyer | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
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