| February 2, 2012 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Why The Limited launched online plus-sized brand Eloquii
 The Limited launched its plus-size fashion brand, Eloquii, online last year and expects to open brick-and-mortar stores soon in a push to appeal to consumers who crave more fashion choices, says branding strategist Anne Connell. CEO Linda Heasley saw a niche, Connell says, because more than half of U.S. women are plus-sized yet the clothing makes up only 19% of apparel sales. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (2/1)       | Learn Customer Engagement Best Practices from Aberdeen!
Aberdeen Group’s recent research on customer intelligence and engagement strategies reveals what today’s leading retailers are doing to gain insight into the mindshare of their customers, respond to their elevated expectations, and strengthen customer centricity. This $399 report is yours free! Download your copy now! |
 | Industry Watch |  |  | | - Esprit to shutter all stores in North America
Hong Kong-based apparel retailer Esprit has failed to find a buyer for its North American division, which lost about $206 million during the past four years. The company now plans to close all 93 of the division's stores and file either a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US or the equivalent proceeding in Canada. Bloomberg Businessweek (2/1)  |  |  | | How to turn money you already spend into points you can use:
Introducing The New Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN, designed to earn Membership Rewards® points faster: 3X on airfare. 2X on advertising, gas & shipping. 1X on everything else. Use points to pay for travel, Amazon.com purchases, Facebook ads, and more.
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  - The art, science and role of pricing strategies
Retailers in a digital age can't depend solely on pricing to set themselves apart, experts say. Crafting clear, transparent pricing strategies that work for the brand takes art, science and a bit of psychology. "There is almost always something consumers value alongside price. The challenge is to find the right thing — and communicate it to the right consumers effectively," says RSR managing partner Paula Rosenblum. STORES magazine (2/2012) - Consumers hang onto careful spending habits
The recession may be over, but new spending habits appear to be here to stay, according to a survey by BIGinsight, which ranked 36 products from most to least expendable. More than 75% of respondents rated 22 of the items as expendable while only Internet, mobile phone service and cable or satellite TV won "must have" ratings from more than half of those surveyed. STORES magazine (2/2012)  | 10 Principles for Building an Effective Human Capital Plan
The Human Capital Plan is an important tool that organizations use to drive focused actions that can ensure goal achievement and business success. It allows organizations to assess, plan for, and respond proactively to its human capital challenges and needs. Download the white paper to learn more. |
 - Consumer demand for NFC technology is expected to build
Near-field communications-enabled smartphones have been slow to take hold in the U.S., but VDC Research predicts that consumer demand will lead brands to turn increasingly to the technology in hopes of swaying smartphone users' buying decisions. VDC estimates that 100 million NFC-equipped phones will ship globally this year and cited better display technology as one reason for the increased uptake. VDC pointed to a number of companies that have adopted NFC for various uses. MediaPost Communications/Online Media Daily (2/1)  | 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! |
 - Cut stress and save money with outsourcing and internships
Retaining employees can be difficult for small businesses, so it's important to hire interns and outsource certain tasks, writes Gladys Edmunds. "[B]efore you turn your work over to an outside source that you are unfamiliar with, contact people you know to see who they use," she recommends. Reaching out to local schools can help you to find interns, she writes. USA TODAY (1/31)  | Costs are rising in China and Japan, prompting high-tech firms across Asia to consider new sourcing locations so they can remain efficient, while focusing more on service. What will be the impact of this behavioral shift? Learn about the findings in this free white paper. |
| NRF News | | | | - Transportation bill would improve retail supply chain bottlenecks, inefficiencies
NRF urged the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to approve a major surface transportation reauthorization bill set for a vote today, saying the measure would help ease bottlenecks that are slowing down retail supply chains. In a letter, NRF told committee members that the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act "provides the stability our federal surface transportation programs require for cost-effective planning and management." Read more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | | |  | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | Divisional Merchandise Manager | West Marine | Watsonville, CA | | Marketing Manager | West Marine | Watsonville, CA | | Retail Analytics Specialist | QuantiSense | Atlanta, GA | | Footwear Buyer | Big 5 Sporting Goods | El Segundo, CA | | Merchandising Director | Stein Mart | New York, NY | | Corporate Retail Visual Presentation Manager | Soft Surroundings | St. Louis, MO | | VP, Division Planning Manager | The Bon Ton Stores, Inc. | Milwaukee, WI | | Database Marketing Manager | West Marine | Watsonville, CA | | AVP - Product Development | West Marine | Watsonville, CA | | VP Customer Strategy | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Buyer | Bed, Bath & Beyond | Union, NJ | | Assistant (Associate) Buyers - Brick & Mortar and Ecommerce | Kohl's Department Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | Merchandise Manager - Housewares | Pier 1 Imports | Dallas / Ft. Worth, TX | | Regional Manager (West) | Perry Ellis International | Dallas, TX | | DVP Spirit Halloween Marketing, Licensing & Creative Services | Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Sr. Director, Store Planning and Construction | Spencer Gifts/Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Business Developer | IKEA Trading Services Inc. | Houston, TX | | Pricing Analyst | Barnes & Noble, Inc. | New York, NY | | Handbag Buyer | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Divisional Planner | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Senior Marketing Strategy & Loyalty Consultant | Alliance Data | Columbus, OH | | Planogram Specialist | Headquarters Marine Corps, Semper Fit and Exchange Services | Quantico, VA | | Merchandise Replenishmnet Analyst | Headquarters Marine Corps, Semper Fit & Exchange Services | Quantico, VA | | Buyer | Jeans Warehouse | Los Angeles, CA | | Merchandise Planner | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
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Almost 10% of Americans plan to buy team apparel or accessories for Super Bowl Sunday. Source: 
Denny's has launched a new campaign to connect with Hispanic consumers that features famous dog trainer Cesar Millan in his new role as the "Skillet Whisperer." Videos produced by Funny or Die in English and Spanish follow Millan as he works to help a family tame their wild skillets. 
