  | November 3, 2011 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
 | Are you prepared? Representing the biggest, longest and busiest time of year, the holiday season is an exciting time in retail stores. However, the opportunity for increased revenue from higher than normal traffic also increases the risk for potential loss. Read Wren’s white paper to learn how to out-think the Grinch, and manage holiday shrink. |
 - Wal-Mart to offer early Black Friday previews
For the first time in history, Wal-Mart will offer an advance look at the deals it plans to offer on Black Friday to consumers who sign up at either Walmart.com or the retailer's Facebook page. Competition among merchants is likely to be even tougher this holiday season as consumers cope with ongoing economic and employment uncertainty, said NRF CEO and President Matthew Shay. CNN (11/2)      - Amazon unveils its picks for hot holiday toys
Amazon released its 2011 Holiday Toy List this week, with picks ranging from the book "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever" for $6.96 to a LEGO Mindstorms set priced at $269.99. The searchable list lets shoppers hunt based on a host of criteria including "best selling" and "price," and filter the results based on the age and gender of the child. International Business Times (11/2) - Bon-Ton updates its merchandise mix to boost sales
Bon-Ton has struggled in recent years with stores in markets with double-digit unemployment, and the chain is working to boost sales by revamping its merchandise mix and even renovating restrooms to make its stores more appealing, said president Bud Bergren. Two Pennsylvania locations have become test stores, and the chain launched a branding campaign with the tagline "Rediscover Bon-Ton." Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (11/1)  - Retailers can't wait for Black Friday
Retailers aren't waiting for Black Friday to bring in shoppers with holiday season sales. Wal-Mart said it will host a Super Saturday sale this weekend, Sears and Kmart are giving loyalty-club members with a Sears credit card 5% back on their purchases, and Kohl's, Macy's and Target all plan to open at midnight the day after Thanksgiving. CNBC (11/2)  | You may be considering a cloud computing solution or in the midst of specifying one or even implementing a solution. Read this paper to see what IBM discovered about how companies like yours are adopting, implementing and using cloud computing solutions. Learn about the current rate of adoption, drivers, barriers, and considerations that are influencing the adoption of cloud computing. |
 - Lord & Taylor sees boost in shoe sales with RFID
Shoe sales have increased significantly at six Lord & Taylor stores that implemented radio frequency identification to track inventory, says CIO Dan Smith. The stores use the system to make sure that every shoe in stock is on display on the selling floor, he said. RFID Journal (11/2) - PayPal will bring out its own Wallet
PayPal plans to launch a payment system that will replace credit cards at the register, but unlike Google Wallet, the system won't rely solely on near-field communications technology built into mobile phones. PayPal Wallet will allow use of a special card or a PIN at checkout and will eventually include the option of tapping an NFC-enabled phone. Mashable (11/2)  | Want the Secret to Customer Loyalty?
When it comes to customer loyalty, leaders beat laggards by more than 14 percent. Download the white paper Increase Customer Satisfaction with Productivity-Based Scheduling to learn how scheduling the right employees at the right times will make your customers want to buy more, recommend you, and stay in your store. |
 - Why today is your day to start thinking about taxes
Businesses need to act before the end of the year to take advantage of a number of tax rules that will expire. For example, companies that hire before the end of the year can claim a 40% tax credit on the first $6,000 in wages for certain employees. Also, businesses that buy capital equipment can get more favorable deductions than may be available next year. Forbes (10/28)  | Business Credit Reports and Scores – Free Trial
• Choose appropriate suppliers and prospects
• Gain better insight into your portfolio
• Manage risk while optimizing business with profitable customers
Receive 30-day free trial access to our essential business credit management tools and our Business Benchmark Report for insight on the health of US businesses. |
| NRF News |  |  | | - Go behind the scenes with My Macy's
Want the secrets behind Macy's successful My Macy's shopping experience? At Retail's BIG Show, Jan. 15-18 in New York City, Macy's EVP Martine Reardon and CMO Peter Sachse will take an in-depth look at the strategies of the three-year-old effort and discuss how communications, promotions, assortment and vendor collection have created the best local shopping experience for their customer. Learn more. - NRF's 2011 Holiday Headquarters is open for business
This may be our third year opening NRF's Holiday Headquarters, but 2011 has brought on a few fresh twists, including interactive charts and a professionally-designed Holiday Survival Kit. If you're a retailer, reporter or even just a very engaged and interested consumer, you can access all of NRF's holiday press releases, survey results, top trends, guidelines, blog posts, frequently asked holiday questions and of course, historical holiday information all in one spot. Learn more.
| |  | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | VP of Marketing | Teavana | Atlanta - Buckhead, GA | | Catalog/Ecommerce Merchandise Planner | Smithsonian Museum Retail | Washington, DC | | HR Director, Retail Stores | SalonCentric | Based in NJ & NYC, NJ | | Manager, Retail Communications/Training | L.L. Bean | Freeport, ME | | Director, International Government Affair | The Clorox Company | Oakland, CA | | Director- Marketing | Saks Fifth Avenue- Palm Desert, CA | Palm Desert, CA | | Buyer - Junior Tops, Dresses and Related Separates | Bealls | Bradenton, FL | | Selling Director - Intimates - New York, NY | Saks Fifth Avenue | New York, NY | | Selling Director - Men's Luxury Apparel - New York, NY | Saks Fifth Avenue | New York, NY | | Director - Asset Protection - New York, NY | Saks Fifth Avenue | New York, NY | | Fashion Buyer | Target | Minneapolis, MN | | Merchandise Buyer - Fashion Apparel | Kohl's Department Stores | Menomonee Falls, WI | | Sr. Systems Training and Communications Specialist | Bj's Wholesale Club, Inc. | Westborough, MA | | Director, Store Planning and Design | Ross Stores, Inc. | Pleasanton, CA | | Killian Fragrance Specialist | Saks Fifth Avenue | New Orleans, LA | | Chantecaille Beauty Specialist | Saks Fifth Avenue | New Orleans, LA | | Escada Brand Ambassador | Saks Fifth Avenue | San Antonio, TX | | Asset Protection Associate | Saks Fifth Avenue | San Francisco, CA | | Seasonal Selling Professional | Saks Fifth Avenue | Troy, MI | | Beauty Specialist | Saks Fifth Avenue | Atlanta, GA | | Cosmetics Business Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Atlanta, GA | | Recruiting Manager - Atlanta Area | Saks Fifth Avenue | Atlanta, GA | | Marketing Director - Bala Cynwyd, PA - Saks Fifth Avenue | Saks Fifth Avenue | Bala Cynwyd, PA | | Enterprise Architect Manager | Cabela's | Sidney, NE | | Assistant General Manager Operations (AGMO) | Saks Fifth Avenue | Birmingham, AL | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
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Over half of all shoppers say they'd like to receive a gift card this holiday season. Source: 
