  | July 2, 2012 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- The changing face of airport retail
U.S. airports have been expanding their retail offerings beyond the traditional duty-free shops and newsstands, adding global brands with smaller-than-mall-store selections but comparable prices. "National retailers go into airport environments and their pricing is consistent with their store line," says NRF's Daniel Butler. The Wall Street Journal (6/30)       | Know Which Customers Are Persuadable Before You Market - The power of predicting the true impact your marketing offer will have on customer can be found in uplift modeling, a sophisticated approach that identifies where your marketing efforts can make a real difference. Download the white paper – The Uplift Advantage – and learn how retailers have become smarter about contacting customers – and are driving results. | - Best Buy debuts new Connected store format
Best Buy's new Connected store in Richfield, Minn., isn't just a scaled-down version of the traditional big box. The 45,000-square-foot space includes a tech support center modeled after Apple's Genius Bar and other display areas aimed at helping customers discover how they can use the latest technology to make their lives better, the company says. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (6/29) - Tesco CEO stands firm on Fresh & Easy
Tesco shareholders voiced concerns Friday about the company's focus on expanding its Fresh & Easy chain the U.S., with some even calling for executives to tie their futures at the company to the success of the chain. CEO Philip Clarke expressed confidence in Fresh & Easy's future. "If we see there is no chance of success, we make the tough decision as we have in Japan. ... But at the moment, F&E is improving and we are fully committed to its development." The Wall Street Journal (6/29)  | Interactive marketers are feeling the pressure from government to offer clear, transparent privacy regulations for consumers. This free whitepaper, discusses various legislation, such as the EU Cookie Directive, and outlines how marketers must comply while offering a positive and enriching consumer interaction via the new paradigms of consensual targeting. Get the free whitepaper here. |
 | Retail Trends |  |  | | - Retailers start back-to-school season earlier
Retailers including Macy's and Target already have begun marking down shorts and tank tops and displaying fall styles to capture back-to-school shoppers earlier amid ongoing economic uncertainty. "We've seen 23 straight months of year-over-year U.S. retail sales growth," said NRF's Kathy Grannis. "But at the same time, key factors like sentiment and consumers' overall attitude about a strong economy are slipping." The Wall Street Journal (7/1) - Surveys: Consumers plans 4th of July celebrations
A record 68% of Americans planning to celebrate Independence Day will host or attend a barbecue, and almost half will watch or light fireworks, according to an NRF survey. Separate research from Visa shows consumers overall expect to spend less on the holiday this year than they did in 2011. USA TODAY (7/1) | Retail Technology | | | | - IBM pitches augmented-reality mobile app to help shoppers
IBM is testing a mobile augmented-reality application with undisclosed major retailers that is aimed at making it easier for shoppers to find what they want. "You specify the things you're interested in, and then using your device and the video camera on the device, as you scan the product the app will recognize it and superimpose the information you're looking for on the product itself," said John Kennedy, an IBM vice president. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (7/2) | 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.
| Policy & Government Affairs | | | | - Seattle shoppers adjust to ban on plastic bags
A ban on plastic bags at Seattle grocers took effect Sunday, leading some shoppers to carry purchases home in their arms. At least one customer passed on a free reusable tote from Safeway, saying she has to get into the habit of remembering to bring bags. The Seattle Times (7/1) | | | Most Popular Headlines from Last Week Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers. |
| NRF News | | | | - Growth in grocery segment trends high in STORES Top 100 retailers report
There were only modest shifts in position among the nation's very largest retailers last year, according to STORES 2012 Top 100 Retailers report, with Wal-Mart staying at the No. 1 spot, followed by Kroger, Target, Walgreens and Costco. Indicative of a supermarket growth trend seen throughout the report, Safeway moved back into the top 10 following a five-year absence. The annual ranking of U.S. retailers by domestic sales will be featured in the July issue of STORES magazine. View the Top 100.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | - Applebee's president dishes on menu, decor changes
 Applebee's is on a mission to update its image, with the emphasis on a menu renovation focused on fresh, seasonal ingredients and new flavor profiles, says President Mike Archer in this lengthy interview. Changes also include remodeled restaurants that highlight the bar. "After 9 p.m., Mom and Dad and the kids are home, and you need to appeal to a younger clientele." USA TODAY (7/1) | |  | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | Spirits Buyer | Total Wine & More | Potomac, MD | | Area Director - Specialty Retail | The Container Store | Houston, TX | | Sr. Merchandise Planner | BevMo! | Concord, CA | | Buyer-Consumables (Food & Candy) | Headquarters Marine Corps-Marine Corps Exchanges | Quantico, VA | | Assistant General Manager of Merchandising (AGMM) | Saks Fifth Avenue | Huntington Station, NY | | Assistant General Manager of Merchandising (AGMM) | Saks Fifth Avenue | Sarasota, FL | | Inventory & General Ledger Analyst | WEST MARINE | Watsonville, CA | | Marketing Director | Saks Fifth Avenue | Huntington Station, NY | | IT Support | True Religion Brand Jeans | Vernon, CA | | Mobile Retail and Special Projects Manager | LEGO Systems, Inc. | Enfield, CT | | District Manager | Hallmark | Raleigh, NC | | District Manager | Hallmark | New Orleans, LA | | Divisional Vice President, Marketing - Customer | REI | Kent, WA | | Divisional Vice President, Marketing - Brand Creative | REI | Kent, WA | | Sr. Analyst, Customer Analytics | REI | Kent, WA | | Sr. Site Manager, Shopping Experience | Apple, Inc. | Cupertino, CA | | Manager, Information Systems Audit | PetSmart, Inc | Phoenix, AZ | | Associate Buyer - Toys | Shopko | Green Bay, WI | | Divisional Private Brand Manager - Ladies | Shopko | Green Bay, WI | | DMM | Francesca's Collections | Houston, TX | | Merchandise Planning Manager | Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
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