| January 29, 2013 | News for the retail industry |
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- NRF: Retailers expect smaller 2013 sales rise
A higher payroll tax that is taking a bigger bite of consumers' paychecks, as well as ongoing fiscal confusion in Washington, are expected to lead to the smallest increase in U.S. retail sales since 2010. Sales are expected to grow 3.4% in 2013, down from 4.2% last year and 5.8% in 2011, NRF said Monday. "Many people will be shopping for price more often, and there may be some trading down and reshuffling because of changes that many people are seeing in their paychecks," said President and CEO Matthew Shay. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required)
(1/28), Reuters
(1/28), The Wichita Eagle (Kan.)
(1/28), USA Today
(1/28), Fox Business/Dow Jones Newswires
(1/28)     
 | Reduce Transportation Costs & Gain Visibility
Analyzing parcel carrier data is critical to obtaining optimal shipping rates. Vera Bradley significantly reduced their annual transportation spend with enVista's carrier contract analysis and negotiation services, which helped them to determine their optimal carrier and identify carrier service failures and cost savings opportunities. Download the case study to learn more. |
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| Industry Watch |  |  |
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- J.C. Penney to bring back discounts
J.C. Penney will start adding sales back into the mix as it works to woo back shoppers and also plans to start posting price comparisons on in-store merchandise, to show shoppers how much they're saving, said CEO Ron Johnson. Penney's saw sales slide after dropping promotion-driven pricing in favor of an everyday low-price system. The Washington Post/The Associated Press
(1/28)
- Executive: Customers drive Wal-Mart's sustainability strategy
Retailers' sustainability efforts will only work in the long run if it results in affordable mainstream products that contribute to the bottom line as well as the environment, said Wal-Mart's senior sustainability director Jeffrey Rice. "Customers are strapped and look to us to help make sustainable products. This is quite different from the way retailers think. It’s not about putting sustainable brands next to other brands." Women's Wear Daily (subscription required)
(1/29)
 | 5 tips for managing negative online comments
The Internet gives your customers a voice online, but what can you do when that voice is yelling negative comments? With 5 tips, you can learn how to positively respond and help direct the conversation. Read the article and learn the 5 ways to respond positively. |
| Retail Technology | | |
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- Can retailers add Wi-Fi without breaking the bank?
In-store Wi-Fi is a perk more shoppers have come to expect and a bonus that can boost retail workers' productivity, but getting the system up and running can be incredibly costly and complicated. Rasmus Wegener and Rudy Puryear of Bain & Co. share tips on smoothing the process, starting with input from all departments on what Wi-Fi will do for the business. The Wall Street Journal/CIO Journal
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- How retailers will be spending their tech budgets in 2013
This year will be a transitional one for retail technology, as retailers boost their IT investments in their push to keep up, said analyst Deborah Weinswig. In 2013, Macy's will test RFID technology in its Herald Square shoe department, Belk will spend almost half of its $600 million capital expenditure budget for the next five years on IT, and Saks has added social and mobile components including a live shoe cam to promote its revamped footwear department. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required)
(1/28)
| NRF News | | |
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- A year in review: NRF releases 2012 Annual Report
View a snapshot of NRF's successes within and on behalf of the retail industry by visiting NRF’s recently-released and fully-interactive Annual Report. The 2012 digital edition covers NRF's campaigns for smarter health care changes, sales tax fairness and advocating for retailers on swipe fees; telling the industry’s story on Capitol Hill and thought leadership in national and international media; as well as a glimpse into 2012 events, such as Retail's BIG Show and the Shop.org Summit. Explore our year.
- 6 ways retailers are investing now for Holiday '13
On the heels of final results from 2012 holiday sales, retailers aren’t missing the chance to dissect results from last year to prepare for the year ahead. Conducted with research partner BIGinsight, Shop.org’s recently released eHoliday results polled both retailers and shoppers for lessons learned during the holiday season. Top priorities include a strong focus on creating a more holistic customer experience and a greater investment to enhance shipping services. Read more. Shop.org Blog
(1/28)
| Chain Restaurant News | | |
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- Bruegger's parent to pay $50 million for Mimi's Cafe
Bob Evans will sell its struggling 145-unit Mimi's Cafe chain to LeDuff America, in a $50 million deal expected to close within 45 days, the company said Monday. Dallas-based LeDuff America, the U.S. division of France's Groupe Le Duff, owns chains including Bruegger's Bagels and La Madeleine Country French Cafe. The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio)
(1/29)
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| Position Title | Company Name | Location |
| 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 |
| Marketing Manager | GFS Marketplace | Grand Rapids , MI |
| Vice President of Stores | Kitchen & Company | Wilmington, DE |
| Safety Program Manager | CarMax | Richmond, VA |
| Immediate Opening for Experienced Transactional Real Estate Attorney | Confidential | San Francisco, CA |
| Century 21 Department Stores eCommerce Project Manager | Century 21 | Secaucus, NJ |
| 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 |
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| Click here to view more job listings. |
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| SmartQuote | | |
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 | I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse."
--Florence Nightingale,
British social reformer, nurse and statistician
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| | Recent NRF SmartBrief Issues:
- Monday, January 28, 2013
- Friday, January 25, 2013
- Thursday, January 24, 2013
- Wednesday, January 23, 2013
- Tuesday, January 22, 2013
| | | Lead Editor: Megan Conniff
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Almost three in 10 retailers surveyed said they intend to focus on making their products available to global shoppers and providing fulfillment to international markets. Source: 
