| October 17, 2012 | News for the retail industry |
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 | An Optimized Supply Chain = Happy Customers
Optimizing your retail supply chain network offers substantial benefits, especially when it comes to improving customer service. Hibbett Sports increased customer satisfaction by implementing the optimal supply chain strategy, aligning inventory with demand, which increased their speed-to-market, reduced store returns and increased annual sales. Download the case study to learn more. |
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| Industry Watch |  |  |
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- Kroger unveils expansion plan
Kroger announced a growth plan that includes expanding the Kroger Marketplace format and selling apparel and other nongrocery items. "We are finding more and more opportunities to expand our stores and build new stores ... And there is tremendous opportunity to grow market share as we improve our customer experience while our competitors aren't," President and Chief Operating Officer Rodney McMullen said at Kroger's annual investor meeting, where the company said it will invest $200 million a year to expand in new and existing markets. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires
(10/16)     
- Gap reorganizes management by brands
Gap has announced several executive changes and will effectively eliminate its separate international and online divisions as part of a reorganization that organizes the company into four separate divisions based on brand. Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic will each be a separate division, along with a fourth division called Innovation, Digital Strategy and New Brands to oversee brands including Athleta and Piperlime. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required)
(10/16)
| Retail Trends | | |
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- NRF: U.S. consumers to spend slightly more this season
U.S. consumers expect to spend about 1.2% more on the holidays this year than they did in 2011, according to a new survey from NRF and BIGinsight. "We've seen this pattern of cautious optimism all year and despite the challenges that still exist in our economy, it looks as if consumers are eager to celebrate with friends and family," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. Chicago Tribune/Reuters (free registration)
(10/16), The Wall Street Journal
(10/17)
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Shoppers to spend on holiday gifts for themselves: Some 60% of consumers surveyed said that they plan to spend some of their holiday budgets on gifts for themselves this year, according to a survey from NRF and BIGinsight. Consumers expect to spend an average of $139.92 on self-gifting, with adults 18-to-24 leading the trend. CNBC
(10/17)
- Report: Apparel prices rose in September
Prices for women's and girls' apparel in enough last month to offset declines in men's clothing prices and result in a 0.3% rise in overall apparel prices, according to the U.S. Labor Department. In the women's category, outerwear and dress prices took the biggest leaps, rising 8.2% and 5.7% respectively. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required)
(10/16)
| Retail Technology | | |
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- Holiday marketers have Pinterest on their social lists
Brands as diverse as Sephora and the Boston Celtics are pinning their holiday hopes on social media sites such as Pinterest, which is valued for its outsized influence on purchase behavior. "Our Pinterest referrals spend 70% more than nonsocial channels, including search," says Wayfair rep Jane Carpenter. NBA franchises such as the Celtics as well as Major League Baseball are using Pinterest despite the site's female skew. Adweek
(10/16)
| NRF News | | |
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- Survey: Economic uncertainty to keep shoppers’ holiday budgets tight
A pattern of cautious optimism is expected to continue into the winter holidays for U.S. shoppers this year. According to NRF’s latest holiday consumer survey, shoppers will spend an average of nearly $750 on holiday gifts, with more completing their lists earlier and doing more comparative shopping online. “We’ve seen this pattern of cautious optimism all year and despite the challenges that still exist in our economy, it looks as if consumers are eager to celebrate with friends and family,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. Read more
- 14 essential tactics to master mobile marketing
A new Google study shows that 61% of mobile users indicated they are unlikely to revisit a mobile site if they’ve had trouble viewing it on a phone. With 6.6 billion mobile connections made in 2011 alone, brands must continuously optimize mobile platforms to harness the opportunity of this unprecedented reach. In a new white paper in the Shop.org library, Mobify explains best practices for mobile search, e-mail and social media marketing that are critical to maximizing opportunities in this space. Download the white paper.
| Chain Restaurant News | | |
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- Starbucks teams with Alsea to grow in Latin America
Latin America's largest restaurant operator will invest about $110 million to open 220 Starbucks restaurants in Mexico and Argentina in the next three years. The company, Alsea, already operates Starbucks franchises in Mexico, along with Domino's Pizza and Burger King eateries there. Reuters
(10/15)
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| Position Title | Company Name | Location |
| The Divisional Merchandise Manager - Ladies | Stein Mart | Jacksonville, FL |
| Director of Merchandising - Factory House | Under Armour | Baltimore, MD |
| Retail Associate Merchandise Manager | Hallmark | Kansas City, MO |
| Selling Manager - Women's Shoes | Saks Fifth Avenue | Atlanta, GA |
| Selling Manager - Men's | Saks Fifth Avenue | Short Hills, NJ |
| Sr. Food Buyer | 99¢ Only Stores | Los Angeles, CA |
| Sr. General Merchandise Buyer | 99¢ Only Stores | Los Angeles, CA |
| SALES SUPPORT TEAM MANAGER | Saks Fifth Avenue | Birmingham, AL |
| Corporate Saks Fifth Avenue Recruiting Manager | Saks Fifth Avenue | Miami, FL |
| Associate Buyer | Floor and Decor | Smyrna, GA |
| Corporate Safety Manager | OfficeMax | Naperville, IL |
| RECRUITING MANAGER | Saks Fifth Avenue | Boca Raton, FL |
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| Click here to view more job listings. |
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| SmartQuote | | |
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 | In times of change, learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists."
--Eric Hoffer,
American social writer
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| | Recent NRF SmartBrief Issues:
- Tuesday, October 16, 2012
- Monday, October 15, 2012
- Friday, October 12, 2012
- Thursday, October 11, 2012
- Wednesday, October 10, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Megan Conniff
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More than 70% of shoppers ages 18-24 said they will take advantage of midnight and early-bird Black Friday promotions. Source: 
