Top Story

• East Coast ports reach tentative labor deal
  The U.S. Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen's Association reached a tentative deal on a new contract Friday that would end the specter of a strike. "Our ports and the cargo that flows through them, be it automobiles or ottomans, are truly our economic lifeline to the world," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. The Wall Street Journal (2/2), Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (2/2)     

Event-Driven Marketing: Omni-Channel, Real-Time Success Real-time, event-driven marketing is the key to loyalty and profitability in a world where technology is changing fast. It's time to look forward - and back - to better influence today's consumer. Learn the differences between traditional campaign and event-driven marketing plus the benefits of a single-platform as the hub between you and your customer. Download the whitepaper and register for the webinar on 2/12.

Industry Watch

• Wet Seal maps plan to save $5.5 million
  Teen apparel retailer Wet Seal has eliminated the post of chief operating officer and cut 35 other positions as part of a larger cost-cutting plan aimed at saving $5.5 million this year, the company said Friday. COO Ken Seipel has resigned effective immediately, and his duties will be split between new CEO John Goodman and CFO Steve Benrubi. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (2/1)     

• OfficeMax to debut smaller footprint
  OfficeMax is the latest chain to announce plans for smaller stores. The new urban footprint, set to debut in April, will range in size from 5,000 to 15,000 square feet, significantly smaller than the chain's 30,000-square-foot big box stores, said CEO Ravi Saligram. Crain's Chicago Business (1/31)     

• Fresh & Easy doesn't plan to close stores
  In a Facebook message, Tesco's U.S. banner, Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, told shoppers that though it is undergoing a strategic review, it is not about to close. "While we don't know exactly what the outcome of this strategic review process will be, we want to assure you we don't have plans to close stores and we're confident Fresh & Easy can continue to be your favorite neighborhood market," Fresh & Easy said. Bloomberg Businessweek (2/1)     

• Former Tesco CEO discusses his leadership approach: Terry Leahy became CEO of British supermarket chain Tesco at the age of 40, and says he was completely unprepared for the task. Still, he made up for his inexperience with an innovative streak and a strong work ethic. "I had no sort of natural authority. But, compensating on the other side, I had a lot of energy," he recalls. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (2/2)     

• Competition doesn't faze prepaid-card seller Green Dot
  Sales of Green Dot's prepaid debit cards are as strong as ever, despite increased competition from financial services companies including American Express, JP Morgan Chase and Western Union, CEO Steve Streit said. Green Dot sells its prepaid cards at thousands of U.S. retail stores including Wal-Mart. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (2/1)     

Retail Trends

• Knitting factories bring production back to NYC
  The "Made in the USA" movement is winning new converts in New York City, where apparel companies are investing in factories that hope to help revitalize the city's garment industry. "We are just the first of many to come," said Ricky Schiffer, who with partner Leonard Keff invested $2.6 million to open a New York City sweater factory in December. Crain's New York Business (2/3)     

• Clothing retailers boosted January payrolls
  Specialty apparel and accessories retailers added 10,000 jobs last month, while department stores and general merchandise stores trimmed their payrolls, according to the Labor Department. Overall, the economy added 157,000 jobs in January, the report said. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (2/1)     

Retail Technology

• Aether turns shipping containers into store
  Online apparel retailer Aether has created a San Francisco boutique from three stacked shipping containers. The shop showcases the merchandise using a conveyor belt that runs from the first to the third floor. The Verge (2/2)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by NRF SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• J.C. Penney to bring back discounts (The Washington Post)

• Target, Wal-Mart, Macy's won't add credit fees (American City Business Journals)

• How retail could mimic the airline industry in 10 years (Fast Company online)

• Tiffany readies engagement rings for Valentine's Day push (Luxury Daily)

• Apple wins U.S. trademark for store design (Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model))

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

NRF News

• The can't-miss commercials from Super Bowl XLVII
  Last night's nail-biting finish and the "Blackout on the Bayou" aren't the only buzz from Super Sunday. Advertising veteran and Retail Advertising and Marketing Association Chairman Kevin Brown provides his take on the most creative and thought-provoking ads, and says the best ads thrive on evoking a strong emotion. Read more. Retail's BIG Blog (2/2)     

• NRF SmartStat: Feb. 4, 2013
  On average, retailers surveyed experienced a 129% lift in year-over-year sales on smartphones and a 178% increase from tablets. Source: 2012 Shop.org State of Retailing Online Report.     

• Why consumers are being falsely "warned" about credit card surcharges
  A blitz of propaganda has erupted across the country in recent weeks as credit card companies look to divert shoppers' attention away from the consistent rise in swipe fees, which have tripled over the past decade. A proposed settlement of merchants' lawsuit over swipe fees would theoretically let retailers surcharge for credit card use, but NRF President and General Counsel Mallory Duncan says most merchants have no plans to do so. Read more. Retail's BIG Blog (2/1)     

Chain Restaurant News

• Pizza Hut hopes petite pies will boost sales
  Pizza Hut aims to shake up the post-Super Bowl slowdown with today's introduction of "pizza sliders," tiny pies sold in packs of three or nine designed to give each family member his or her choice of toppings. The Washington Post/The Associated Press (2/4)     

Position Title Company Name Location Director of Customer Experience Francesca's Houston, TX Experienced Retail Manager Total Wine & More Seattle, WA Director of E-Commerce DC & Logistics Francesca's Houston, TX CLIENT SERVICES BUSINESS ANALYST KWI Greenvale, NY Assistant Implementation Manager KWI Greenvale, NY Senior Counsel Meijer Grand Rapids, MI Cosmetics Selling Manager Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach Gardens, FL Selling Manager - Women's Shoes Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach Gardens, FL Retail Director #2936 Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) Albany, GA Store Director In Training Meijer Statewide , IN Mechanical Technician (A+ Certification Required) Meijer Mishawaka, IN Director- Branding & Packaging Graphics Meijer Grand Rapids, MI Store Detective Meijer Defiance, OH Vice President of Stores Kitchen & Company Wilmington, DE Immediate Opening for Experienced Transactional Real Estate Attorney Confidential San Francisco, CA Buyer Century 21 Department Stores new york city, NY Oracle Merchandise Operations Management Consultants Oracle America Inc Nationwide, United States Vice President of Marketing Sleep Experts Carrollton, TX Journeyman Meat Cutter - Indianapolis Market Meijer Greenwood, IN VP Marketing Little Switzerland St. Thomas, USA Virgin Islands

Click here to view more job listings.

	The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) BloomNet Send to Win Promotion Offers a Dream Vacation to Hawaii Interested in learning more about advertising with SmartBrief? Click here for detailed industry information and media kits.

SmartQuote

To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, subtract things every day." --Laozi, Chinese philosopher