| News for the retail industry | January 10, 2013 |
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| Special Report Introduction |  |  |
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A look ahead to Retail's BIG Show
NRF's 102nd Annual Convention & EXPO |
NRF's 102nd Annual Convention & EXPO will be held Jan. 13 to 16 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. Thought leaders, retailers and vendors from around the globe are preparing to learn, network and experience at Retail's BIG Show. From mobile retailing and sustainability to research and global issues, this year's event is guaranteed to offer the education and opportunities you need to continue evolving your business.
This year's BIG Show highlights include keynotes from Wal-Mart's Bill S. Simon, the United Nations' Kofi Annan, Macy's Terry J. Lundgren, Whole Foods' Walter Robb, Starbucks' Howard Schultz, and The Container Store's Kip Tindell, among others. Also be sure to check out the Main Street Retailing Forum, Shop.org's First Look, the EXPO Hall, and the full schedule of educational sessions.
This Special Report on the BIG Show offers a preview of the hot topics and special events attendees can expect in New York City. For updates throughout the event, check out Retail's BIG Blog and the NRF SmartBrief Storify live feed. |
 | Coca-Cola helps consumers make smart choices
Helping people achieve active, healthy lifestyles is a priority at Coca-Cola®. From our broad portfolio of beverages — including 180+ low- or no-calorie products — to our new Clear on Calories program, we support smart choices.
Visit the NRF Members Coca-Cola® Happiness Lounge or click to learn more. |
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| A Look Ahead | | |
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- Walgreens exec: What consumers want from a retailer
Online shopping will continue to grow, as will showrooming, and Walgreens has devised strategies to meet customers wherever they want to shop, says executive Joseph C. Magnacca, who will be part of a panel at NRF's Big Show on Sunday. The retailer has also struck a chord with its new Balance Rewards customer loyalty program, which attracted about 50 million members in just four months. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership
(1/9)     
- Tractor Supply's secret? Changing with the customer
 Consumers' expectations are changing faster than ever in a digital age, and Tractor Supply CEO Jim Wright knows better than most how vital it is to keep up. In this interview, he shares how lessons learned in the 1990s helped the chain thrive during the recent downturn and offers advice for young people looking to have a career in retail. Retail's BIG Blog
(1/8)
- NRF aims to support economic growth in 2013
NRF vowed at last year's BIG Show to raise the retail industry's political voice to match its importance to the economy, writes CEO Matthew Shay. He touts NRF's accomplishments as this year's show approaches, including the success of the "Retail Means Votes" campaign and wins on tax policy and visa reform, and reminds members there's more work ahead in 2013. STORES magazine
(1/2013)
 | Coca-Cola Freestyle® Mobile App creates fun and traffic
The Coca-Cola Freestyle® Mobile App helps consumers find Coca-Cola Freestyle® locations and invites them to download a fun interactive game. See how our mobile app can help you deliver the ultimate beverage experience at the NRF Members Coca-Cola® Happiness Lounge or click here to learn more. |
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| Digital and Mobile Retail | | |
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- Digital advances drive store innovation
Brick-and-mortar stores are working to meld in-store and online experiences to offer customers new reasons to come to the store when it's time to buy, experts say. About 65% of U.S. consumers research online and then buy in the store, says Jon Stine, a director of Cisco’s Internet Business Solutions Group. "With so many decisions formed from online sources, it’s critical to bring that same digital content ... into the store environment." STORES magazine
(1/2013)
- What do shoppers want from their mobile gadgets?
Shoppers are incorporating their mobile devices into the shopping experience in growing numbers, hoping to save time even more than money, according to a survey from Latitude. Consumers want retailers to meet them on their mobiles: 79% want to receive digital content while shopping and try on clothes virtually while in the store, and 86% would appreciate a mobile alert when they're nearing a store selling popular items, the survey found. MediaPost Communications
(1/7)
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Download the Program Quick Guide for an overview of conference details, education sessions and the EXPO Hall hours.
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| | Supercharge your marketing and merchandising
Coca-Cola® customers are enjoying powerful support aimed at making their businesses flourish. Take advantage of strategies, tools and online resources to supercharge your marketing and merchandising efforts. Learn more at the NRF Members Coca-Cola® Happiness Lounge or click here now.
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| Merchandising and Store Design | | |
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- How Build-A-Bear built a better workshop
Build-A-Bear Workshop took several years to plan a measured approach to updating its stores, accounting for the fact that children have graduated from board games to computer games while preserving the core teddy bear experience, says founder and CEO Maxine Clark. "We always intended to reinvent it and we looked at a lot of different ideas. But a lot of the proposals were throwing out things that the customer likes." STORES magazine
(1/2013)
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Whether you're interested in the digital shopper, omnichannel retail or Big Data, Retail's BIG Show's Big !deas sessions will have you covered.
- Target centers the bull's-eye on urban areas
Target opened its first five downsized CityTarget stores last year, making it one of a growing number of retailers that are revamping their footprints in the race to capture prime urban retail spots. "Urban is one of the few remaining areas available for retail development by the national chains. It’s a matter of who gets there first, and who gets the prime real estate," said Planet Retail's North American research director Sandy Skrovan. STORES magazine
(1/2013)
| Marketing and Brand Management | | |
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- How Mango mapped a winning global growth strategy
Mango makes most of its sales outside its native Spain, with 2,400 stores in 110 countries and a winning expansion strategy, including a flexible footprint that fits several sizes of standalone stores as well as the chain's in-store shops at J.C. Penney, says executive Jose Gomez. He shares some insights in advance of his talk at NRF's Big Show in New York City later this month. Retail's BIG Blog
(1/3)
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Can't make it to the event? NRF will be live streaming three keynotes for free from NYC.
- At Ann Inc., success means giving back
Product donations are a key part of the business model at Ann Inc., the parent of Ann Taylor and LOFT, where corporate social responsibility is an important value at all levels of the organization, says Jeannette Ferran Astorga, vice president of corporate social responsibility. "Our company is passionate about women’s issues and this makes my job very easy ... our associates are committed to CSR, responsible business practices and making a positive impact on the communities we touch and serve." Retail's BIG Blog
(12/18)
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Don't see what you need covered in this Special Report? The Resource Center has all the event details.
| NRF SmartStat | | |
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 | More than 25,500 engaged retail professionals from 78 countries attended Retail's BIG Show 2012. Will you be at the 2013 event?
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Product announcements appearing in SmartBrief are paid advertisements and do not
reflect actual NRF endorsements. The news reported in SmartBrief does not necessarily
reflect the official position of NRF.
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| | Recent NRF SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, January 09, 2013
- Tuesday, January 08, 2013
- Monday, January 07, 2013
- Friday, January 04, 2013
- Thursday, January 03, 2013
| | | Lead Editor: Megan Conniff
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