  | March 2, 2012 | News for the retail industry |  |  | |
- Macy's gets new look on Facebook
 Macy's has revamped its Facebook page using new timeline tools that help the department store better tell its story, and is getting ready to launch other social initiatives aimed at keeping existing customers happy while currying favor with younger consumers, says digital marketing executive Jennifer Kasper. "The rule of thumb for us is really thinking through how the customer is using the channel and then using it appropriately." MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (3/1)       | 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! |
 - Wal-Mart says U.S. shoppers are coming back
International and e-commerce are growth engines for Wal-Mart, but the retailer has also seen the return of shoppers to its U.S. stores, CEO Mike Duke said Thursday. "Our core Wal-Mart U.S. business is back on track." Forbes (3/1) - Wal-Mart Canada welcomes Target, CEO says
Wal-Mart Canada isn't worried about Target's planned arrival in the country next year, and aims to succeed by sticking to its lowest-price strategy, says CEO Shelley Broader. "It's freedom of choice for our customer. There's nothing like good competition to make you sharper and smarter and better at what you do." The Toronto Star (3/1)  | Top 5 HR Compliance Concerns for Small Business
Small and medium sized companies spend a lot of time focusing on core business issues, but they may overlook one of the most potentially serious and costly issues — regulatory compliance. How do you know what issues to look for in order to protect the company? Download this must-read paper that discusses the top 5 HR compliance issues. |
 | Retail trends |  |  | | - Return fraud is on the rise
A tight economy and online retailers' generous returns policies have more consumers taking back that little black dress and other outfits after they've been worn, retailers say. Return fraud cost U.S. merchants $14.4 billion last year, up from $9.4 billion in 2009, according to NRF data. The Economist (3/3) - Retailers change policies to cope with extreme couponers
Retailers weary of extreme couponers who clear shelves and double up on paper and digital discounts have been slowly making small policy changes designed to discourage the most aggressive of them. Wal-Mart and others reportedly have increased the "hassle factor" for couponers by requiring separate transactions, and Kroger has tweaked its policy several times to reduce the number of digital coupons shoppers can use. Time.com (2/29) - The science of gathering shopper data
Retailers seeking detailed information about shoppers are using measures such as cameras that show where consumers' eyes move. Some digital signs can detect whether a shopper is male or female and adjust the message accordingly. Loyalty cards show shopping patterns and might include information such as birthdays. USA TODAY (3/2) - Retail chains partner in mobile-payment race
Major retailers including Wal-Mart Stores and Target reportedly are collaborating to create a mobile-payment option to compete with Google Wallet and efforts from cellphone companies. One estimate has the market for mobile payment topping $600 billion by 2016. The Wall Street Journal (3/2)  | 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! |
 | Policy & Government Affairs | | | | - RATE Coalition counts down to change in U.S. corporate tax status
The 35% corporate tax rate in the U.S. -- soon to be the highest in the industrialized world, following a planned drop in Japan's tax rate on April 1 -- discourages businesses from bringing their operations to the U.S. and hinders economic growth. NRF and other members of the RATE Coalition support more competitive approaches, such as the one proposed by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., and the 28% tax rate proposed by President Obama. Retail's BIG Blog (3/1)  | Fly a lot? Earn 3X rewards points on airline purchases with The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN. Designed to earn Membership Rewards® points faster:
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| NRF News | | | | - How to make e-commerce a little more social
Social media websites have created an informal way for people to share activities, interests and memorable experiences with the click of a button. Since the advent of these platforms, e-commerce executives have been experimenting with the most effective ways to motivate consumes to share what their buying with their online friends. A recent STORES magazine article takes a closer look at Active.com's new technique of e-commerce interactivity, illustrating that leveraging this virtual word-of-mouth can have a positive effect on earning new business from consumers who appear particularly influenced by peers' opinions. Read the full article. - NRF: Don't broaden cybersecurity legislation
While two major cybersecurity bills in the Senate are focused on increasing the sharing of information between the government and the private sector and protecting "critical infrastructure," NRF believes the legislation should not stray from these key purposes and be expanded to include data breach legislation or broad new privacy regimes. "The goals underlying the cybersecurity legislation and provisions in data breach notification legislation are fundamentally contradictory," NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French said. Read more.
| Chain Restaurant News | | | | | |  | | Position Title | Company Name | Location | | Business Analyst | QuantiSense | Atlanta, GA | | Implementation Consultant | QuantiSense | Atlanta, GA | | Email Marketing Manager | Golfsmith | Austin, TX | | Director, Store Environment & Merchandise Planning | Harbor Freight Tools | Calabasas, CA | | Vice President of Human Resources | Teavana | Atlanta, GA | | Talent Acquisition Manager - Stores | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Director, Online Marketing | Bath & Body Works Direct, Inc. | Columbus, OH | | Merchandise Planner | Burlington Coat Factory | Burlington, NJ | | Vice President Real Estate | Pier 1 Imports | Fort Worth, TX | | Manager Training & Development | Naarjtie Kids | Salt Lake City, UT | | Global Insights Manager | Burt's Bees | Durham, NC | | Designer - Footwear/Girlcare | Tween Brands Service Co. | New Albany, OH | | Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager | Total Wine & More | Potomac, MD | | National Advertising Sales Manager | Intent Media | New York City , NY | | Maintenance Associate | Rooms To Go | Charlotte, NC | | The North Face: Customer Relationship Management Manager | The North Face | San Leandro, CA | | Senior Product Manager | dunnhumby | Cincinnati, OH | | DVP Spirit Halloween Marketing, Licensing & Creative Services | Spirit Halloween | Egg Harbor Township, NJ | | Visual Merchandiser Manager | Castle Megastore Group | Tempe, AZ | | AVP - Marketing | West Marine | Watsonville, CA | | Senior Manager, Manhattan WMS Applications | PEAPOD | Lake Zurich, IL | | Merchandise Planner | The Bon Ton Stores | Milwaukee, WI | | Selling Manager, Women's Shoes - NYC Store | Saks Fifth Avenue - NYC Store | New York, NY | | Buyer (Missy & Special Size Separates) | Navy Exchange Service Command | Virginia Beach, VA | | Direct Marketing Manager | RadioShack | Fort Worth, TX | | | Click here to view more job listings. | | |
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More than 81% of retailers surveyed experienced return of merchandise purchase of fraudulent or stolen tender last year, up from 68% in 2010. Source: 
