Limited CEO: Success comes from curiosity and teaching ability

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December 3, 2010 News for the retail industry   Industry Watch    Retailers saw November sales climb 6% Same-store sales at U.S. retailers easily beat analysts' predictions in November with a 6% increase over last year. Stores ranging from discounters to luxury brands reported strong sales throughout the month in addition to the usual post-Thanksgiving boost. The numbers could signal that the economic recovery is on track. The Wall Street Journal (12/3) , Los Angeles Times (12/3) , The New York Times (free registration) (12/2) Limited CEO: Success comes from curiosity and teaching ability Leslie Wexner grew up working in his immigrant parents' small store and opened his own shop in 1963, facing skeptics who told him that his concept for a lingerie company wouldn't become much of a business. Today Wexner heads Victoria's Secret parent Limited Brands, a company with more than 2,600 domestic specialty stores. Wexner cites his strong sense of curiosity and teaching skills as the drivers of his success. Smart Business (12/2010) Loehmann's files reorganization plan with bankruptcy court Discount designer retailer Loehmann's has filed a plan of reorganization with the bankruptcy court, which includes a requirement that the company seek a buyer for its assets. The plan also includes details on the chain's financing plans and gives Loehmann's until Jan. 14 to file papers requesting authorization to sell the company. Crain's New York Business/Bloomberg (12/2) Other News Wal-Mart tries "compact hypermarket" format in China Financial Times (tiered subscription model) (12/1) Mobile Marketing, Mobile Payments: Both or Neither? Trust ACI Worldwide as your payments system provider. Please click here to answer five short questions on how you see mobile being implemented in your organization.   Retail Trends    NRF releases list of top 10 stores for customer service This month, NRF released a list of 10 retailers ranked highest in customer service, according to a survey of 9,000 consumers who answered one question: "Thinking of all the different retail formats (store, catalog, Internet or home shopping), which retailer delivers the best customer service?" Their rankings are under wraps until next month; alphabetically, the winners range from Amazon to Zappos. Newsweek (12/2) Small NYC retailers adapt to new shopper mentality Independent retail owners in New York City are adjusting their inventory, cutting overhead costs and injecting a bit of old-fashioned flair into their merchandising as they discover changes in their customers' buying behaviors. Customers are seeking more substantial products that are less trendy. The New York Times (free registration) (12/1) Gift card sales may get a boost from new rules New rules that took effect in August eliminated many fees and expiration dates tied to gift cards. That move, along with new marketing efforts by merchants, are making the cards more attractive to gift buyers, who are expected to spend 5% more on gift cards this season, according to NRF figures. The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) (12/2) Other News Mall developers rush to build discount outlet centers The Wall Street Journal (12/3)   Multichannel Retailing 2010: Facts, Issues, and Opportunities for Growth. Most retailers operate with a combination of stores, websites and other channels. But what is really being achieved with the extension of multichannel retailing, and which challenges and opportunities do you need to address now to stay competitive in 2011? Find out with this free, in-depth market research.   ADVERTISEMENT   Retail Technology    Old Navy aims to speed in-store checkout with iPod-based system Old Navy stores are testing a new iPod-based system from Apple that's aimed at helping consumers speed through the checkout process without waiting in long lines. A modified iPod is attached to a bar code reader and credit card scanner, allowing clerks to complete transactions anywhere in the store. Fast Company (12/2010) Are you prepared to battle fraud in 2011? Watch The True Cost of Retail Fraud Webinar: What an Exclusive Study Reveals for 2010 and learn what trends are setting the stage for retail fraud in the upcoming year, along with powerful solutions and benchmarking best practices that can be used by companies of any size.   Featured Content    How NOT to Use Twitter to Promote Your Restaurant Adam Kuban The Importance of Branding Shira Levine Federal Grants Available to Support Local Agriculture in 2011 Mike Periu Run Away Success Story: Jimmy Beans Wool Katie Morell 10 Customizable Tech Gifts for Holidays Around the Office Sharlyn Lauby   NRF News  3 new (and complicated) product safety regulations to watch The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act has set new safety standards that have created significant problems and confusion for retailers and manufacturers. In a recent blog post, NRF Vice President of Supply Chain Jon Gold details three specific rulings that are causing confusion as retailers struggle to comply. Gold writes, "It is critical for retailers to fully understand what is required under this comprehensive and oftentimes confusing law so as not to end up with products which could be subject to a costly recall." Read more. NRF SmartStat: Dec. 3, 2010 The number of people who shop on Thanksgiving -- both online and in stores -- has doubled over the past five years, from 10.3 million in 2005 to 22.3 million in 2010. Source: NRF survey conducted by BIGresearch   From Nordstrom to Wal-Mart: 11 retailers who "get" social media After realizing the impact of ratings and reviews on their company's brand -- and sales -- many retailers have taken their social outreach to a new level. In a new blog post, NRF's Margaret Little explores retail's social media standouts with Josh Bernoff, senior vice president of idea development at Forrester Research. Among the best retailers for social media, according to Bernoff: Amazon.com, Threadless and Dunkin' Donuts. Read more. Learn more about NRF -> Join NRF  |  Govt Relations  |  NRF Events  |  STORES  |  NRF Foundation   Chain Restaurant News    Papa Gino's tries data-driven rewards system Papa Gino's, which runs its namesake pizza chain as well as the D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches chain, has streamlined its customer database with the help of Conversen in order to target customers with promotions based on their interests and purchasing habits. Some promotions are geared around sporting events, and are further refined with different appeals to high-frequency customers and those without recent activity. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (12/1) Panera to open its first Brooklyn store Panera Bread signed a lease to open its first store in Brooklyn, N.Y., a two-story, 4,500-square-foot restaurant set to open in the spring. The fast-casual chain already operates 26 units in Long Island, Staten Island and Queens, but hasn't yet made its way to Manhattan. Crain's New York Business (12/1) Other News Golden Chick to expand in China QSR Magazine (12/2010) FREE Forrester Research Report: What Every Exec Needs to Know About the Future of eCommerce Technology, compliments of Adobe. From shopping in Facebook to mobile purchases, this indispensable guide covers all the key emerging eCommerce technologies to help you make the right technological investments for your online business. Download the report.   Career Track  PC Mall Services, Inc. Hires Greg Richey as President Jason Nielsen Joins Proxibid as Vice President of Risk Management and Payments Systemax Technology Group Appoints Two Senior Executives Jim Clerkin Appointed CEO of Mo t Hennessy USA Director, Guest Services Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween/ToyZam! Egg Harbor Township, NJ Manager, Web Merchandising Intelligence Kohl's Corporate Offices Menomonee Falls, WI Director of Marketing and Licensing Spencer Gifts Egg Harbor Township, NJ Merchandise Planner Kohl's Corporate Offices Milwaukee, WI VP of Marketing Teavana Atlanta - Buckhead, GA Planogram Specialist (Temporary not to exceed 2 Years) Headquarters Marine Corps/ Marine Corps Exchange Quantico, VA Buyer IV - Mens Softlines Exchange (Army Air Force Exchange Service) Dallas, TX Regional Manager Development Program Follett Higher Education Group Multiple Locations, United States Retail Construction Project Manager Teavana Atlanta, GA Director of Field Construction Rent-A-Center Plano, TX Manager, Home Office Human Resources (Recruitment & Employee Relations) Follett Higher Education Group Oak Brook, IL Assistant Category Manager - Reader's Market Sears Hoffman Estates, IL Business Process Analyst QVC West Chester, PA Legal Counsel Kohl's Menomonee Falls, WI   SmartQuote  One can be very happy without demanding that others agree with them." --Ira Gershwin, American lyricist   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   Advertise Senior Account Director:  Susan Kim (202) 407-7877 Download Media Kit Job Board:  Celia Rothschild (202) 470-1159       Recent NRF SmartBrief Issues: Thursday, December 02, 2010 Wednesday, December 01, 2010 Tuesday, November 30, 2010 Monday, November 29, 2010 Wednesday, November 24, 2010     Lead Editor:  Megan Conniff Contributing Editor:  Faye Rapoport     Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005     © 1999-2010 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information