| April 11, 2012 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- How robots helped Saks Direct beef up its sales
After implementing a fulfillment system driven by robotic technology at its Aberdeen, Md., warehouse, Saks Direct saw a 21% increase in fourth quarter sales in 2011 over the same period the year before. In addition to boosting the warehouse's efficiencies, the Kiva mobile-robotic system also helped the company save space and become more flexible -- a key component in its ability to keep up with the dynamics of increased online shopping, says Michael Rodgers, executive vice president and CIO for Saks. STORES magazine (4/2012)       | Are you in control of your transportation spend? Specialty retailer Gump's gained control of theirs through enVista's web-based Transportation Spend Management solution. Download the case study to learn how Gump's gained near real-time visibility to transportation expenses, reduced shipping costs, and improved decision-making across their entire supply chain. | - Best Buy's mobile business is chain's saving grace
Best Buy's mobile unit remains one of the retailer's bright spots amid lower-than-expected results and Tuesday's announced departure of CEO Brian Dunn. The chain's computing and mobile phone unit, which makes up 40% of the company's revenues, posted 7.6% gains in same-store sales in the fourth quarter from a year ago. CNET (4/10) - SUPERVALU CEO touts hyperlocal stores
SUPERVALU President and CEO Craig Herkert said the company will remain focused on the hyperlocal concept in fiscal 2013, letting store directors fit prices, products and promotions to the community. "Hyperlocal will be our true point of differentiation," Herkert said. "This is a major cultural shift for our company but one that store teams have genuinely embraced." Drug Store News (4/10)  | The Business Case for Mobile and Tablet Shopping
Is mobility an out-of-reach luxury or could it really improve your business? Get the facts! Aberdeen’s Analyst Insight examines the impact of mobile solutions on retail transactions, customer expectations, and important profit opportunities. This research – a $399 value- is yours free! Download your copy here! |
 - How retailers are thwarting "showrooming"
Bricks-and-mortar retailers are taking action against the practice known as "showrooming," in which shoppers check out products in stores and then buy them at online-only retailers for a lower price. Target, for example, is offering exclusive products, sending coupons to mobile devices and selling items online at a lower cost than in the stores. The Wall Street Journal (4/10) - Top 10 "This is Retail" finalists boost industry's profile
Rhode Island's Alex and Ani, Hawaii's Eden in Love, Iowa's Heart 'n Home, South Carolina's Frame of Mind and Florida's The Polka Dot Press are all among the top 10 finalists in NRF's "This is Retail" video contest. The top five contestants will be announced on Monday. "The sheer number of votes for these retailers from their customers, business partners, family, friends and communities demonstrates the power of the retail industry and shows how our industry touches every single American," said NRF's Matthew Shay. WTXL-TV (Tallahassee, Fla.) (4/10), The State (Columbia, S.C.) (4/11), The Messenger (Fort Dodge, Iowa) (4/11), American City Business Journals/Pacific (4/10), The Providence Journal (R.I.) (free registration) (4/10), WQAD-TV (Moline, Ill.) (4/10) - Growing U.S. demand boosts global exports
An improving economy is raising U.S. consumer confidence and increasing demand for foreign goods, just as China's economy starts to decelerate and Europe grapples with the threat of a recession. U.S. consumers spent about $11 trillion last year and are on track to boost spending higher in 2012, analysts say. Bloomberg Businessweek (4/5)  - Retailers embrace scan-and-deliver model
Technology that allows mobile-device users to buy items for delivery by scanning an image is gaining popularity. Giant Food Stores installed ads at train stations for grocery delivery by Peapod. The concept is also used in Europe. MobileMag.com (4/10) - A recipe for successful multichannel retailing
Retailers must offer consistent branding and customer experiences across all channels, including online, mobile, in-store and contact centers, said Bon-Ton Stores executive Jimmy Mansker. "The customer sees you as one company," he said. "If they buy online, in-store, from a kiosk or from your call center, they should get a consistent message and service level." Internet Retailer (4/9)  | Create a Shopping Cart that Converts Browsers to Buyers
When a shopper starts the checkout process, retailers typically need to get out of the way. Find out how to create a clear path to checkout and get tips on how to reduce cart abandonment during a free webinar on Thursday, April 12, at 2 p.m. EDT, featuring Cam Jensen from Lands' End. Space is limited. Register today. |
 - The world of niche retail
One way that small retailers try to make a splash is by selling unique products. ManPacks.com, for example, sells men's undergarments and hygiene necessities, sending them in three-month intervals as customers run out of their favorite products. "At the end of the day, it's what makes a retailer different that helps drive their business," said NRF's Kathy Grannis. "Companies that can separate themselves from the competition will usually always find customers who are eager and interested in what they have to sell." The Patriot Ledger (Quincy, Mass.)/Marketing Daily/Mainstreet.com (4/11)  | A large men’s apparel retailer has found the key to loyalty success with an initiative that allows customers to engage with the brand on their terms, not based on a time sensitive promotion. Download A Cross-Channel Loyalty Case Study to learn how this retailer has ensured that its brand is aligned across channels for a cohesive loyalty program. |
| NRF News |  |  | | - Retail container traffic to rise 3.2% in April
With rising consumer confidence, job gains and other economic indicators, retailers are beginning to build up their inventories. According to the monthly Global Port Tracker report by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, U.S. ports are expected to see more than a 3% rise compared to the same month last year, and year-over-year gains should continue through the end of summer. Read more. - How Wi-Fi can change the way retailers engage in-store customers
The mobile revolution continues to grow and evolve, and shoppers are arming themselves with smartphones and tablets for their trip to their favorite store. And some retail companies are leveraging in-store wireless connections to better understand their customers. In an April 19 STORES webinar, executives from Dell and Retail Systems Research will explain retailer Wi-Fi strategies that can improve customer loyalty and quickly bring companies ROI by implementing a secure and scalable wireless infrastructure. Learn more and register.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Fruit-themed offerings debut at Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme is offering foods and drinks with a "fruit stand" theme at its stores through May 20. The foods include strawberry doughnuts and organic oatmeal available with fruit or brown sugar toppings, and the chain is also offering berry- and lemonade-flavored Frozen Chillers that are sweetened with cane sugar. QSRWeb.com (4/10)  | |  | | The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
 | | | Interested in learning more about advertising with SmartBrief? Click here for detailed industry information and media kits.  | | |  | |  |
| Editor's Note | | | | - Correction
Because of an error in the source article, a summary in Tuesday's NRF SmartBrief misstated the position of Safeway Chairman and CEO Steve Burd. He also is the outgoing president. SmartBrief regrets the error. | |  | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | VP Retail Merchandising | Little Switzerland | St. Thomas, USVI, USA Virgin Islands | | Director of Advertising Production | The Bon Ton Stores, Inc. | Milwaukee, WI | | Senior Buyer | Floor and Decor Outlets of America, Inc. | Smryna, GA | | Senior Manager, Training & Development | Total Wine & More | Potomac, MD | | Manager of Visual Merchandising, e-commerce | The TJX Companies, Inc. | Framingham, MA | | Corporate Counsel - Commercial Generalist | Meijer | Grand Rapids, MI | | District Manager | Hallmark | Nashville, TN | | Director of [RE]FRESH (a store supporting Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition) | [RE]FRESH: A Fashion Coalition | St. Louis, MO | | Director of Marketing | Moosejaw | Madison Heights, MI | | VP eCommerce | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Senior Vice President - Human Resources | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Enterprise Architect – Global IT Omni-Channel | Levi Strauss & Co. | San Francisco, CA | | Sr. Business Analyst, Multi-Channel Retail IT | Levi Strauss & Co. | San Francisco, CA | | Cosmetics Buyer (Experience Required) | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | E-Commerce Merchant | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee / Menomonee Falls, WI | | Business Analyst-Supply Chain | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Systems Analyst | PetSmart | Phoenix, AZ | | Merchandise Planner | Kohl's Department Stores | Menomonee Falls, WI | | Merchandise Buyer - Multiple Categories | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee/Menomonee Falls, WI | | Director of Operations | Spencer Gifts | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Manager of Store Communication | American Eagle Outfitters | Pittsburgh, PA | | Director E-Commerce Fulfillment Operations | Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. | Multiple Locations, United States | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
| SmartQuote | | | |  | You're never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you're never as bad as they say when you lose."
--Lou Holtz,
American football coach, sportscaster, author and speaker  |
| | This SmartBrief was created for cpgbrokers.data@blogger.com
| | | | | | | | | Recent NRF SmartBrief Issues: - Tuesday, April 10, 2012
- Monday, April 09, 2012
- Friday, April 06, 2012
- Thursday, April 05, 2012
- Wednesday, April 04, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Megan Conniff
Contributing Editor: Faye Rapoport
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 | | | | | | © 1999-2012 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information |
|
Almost one in five executives say they plan to invest in RFID tags in 2012. Source: 
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please comment thoughtfully CPG Brokers, your best resource to optimize your in store self exposure and maximize sku distribution.