Top Story

• Earlier storm warnings prove positive for retailers
  Stores in parts of the Northeast closed early as the snow piled up on Friday, and some didn't reopen until Sunday, an event that may pinch February retail sales. But experts say today's sophisticated forecasting capabilities may help offset the damage. Longer lead times mean people have more time to hit the stores and stock up on storm supplies. CNBC (2/8), Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (2/10)     

Industry Watch

• "Growth" is Penney's watchword in 2013, CEO says
  J.C. Penney's top priority this year is to return to growth, an achievable goal as the 110-year-old department store chain transforms into a collection of brand-name shops in the coming months, says CEO Ron Johnson. Penney's has no plans to close any stores, despite frequent rumors questioning the fate of 400 smaller locations, Johnson said. "We need to develop a strategy for the smaller stores. We want those stores to thrive as well." The Dallas Morning News (free content) (2/9)     

• Gap sees progress after investing in fashion, supply chain
  Gap ended 2012 with a 6.4% sales rise, after several years of working to right-size the company and create collections from colorful jeans at Gap and Old Navy to "Mad Men"-inspired styles at Banana Republic that could compete with trendier fast-fashion rivals. CEO Glenn Murphy cut the number of U.S. stores after taking the helm in 2007, and now the company is working to expand internationally. The Wall Street Journal (2/10)     

• Other News

• Sur La Table promotes vice president to head of merchandising
  Retailing Today (2/8)     

Retail Trends

• Luxury spending shifted from stores to spas
  Wealthy consumers spent 25.4% less on high-end fashions than they did in the same period in 2011, according to Unity Marketing, opting instead to spend 45.2% more to pamper themselves with "experiential" luxuries such as spa visits. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (2/11)     

• Children clamor for original new toys
  Mattel's new Monster High toy line and Activision Blizzard's Skylanders are taking a different tack from competitors touting retro toys at the American International Toy Fair in New York City this week. The originality is resonating with children who are driving strong sales of the new brands, analysts say. The Wall Street Journal (2/10)     

• Snow didn't slow Fashion Week shows
  Designers trotted out their new looks for fall and winter Saturday to New York Fashion Week crowds undeterred by the snow. Rich silks and velvets, deep colors and jet black looks were on display from designers including Ruffian, Lacoste and Porsche Design. Reuters (2/9)     

Retail Technology

• Are digital shelf tags next?
  A typical supermarket changes the price of about 10,000 items each week, a daunting challenge for workers tasked with making sure the shelf price matches with what's in the computer. San Jose, Calif.-based Altierre has spent a decade developing the technology to power digital shelf tags that change with the computer. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (2/9)     

Hot Topics

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

• SUPERVALU taps Duncan as president and CEO (American City Business Journals)

• Saks switches to omnichannel management (Women's Wear Daily (subscription required))

• Penney's CEO: New pricing approach was right (The Wall Street Journal)

• Wet Seal maps plan to save $5.5 million (The Wall Street Journal)

• The best retail workplaces share common traits (Retail's BIG Blog)

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

NRF News

• U.S. retail container imports to rise 8.5% in February
  The nation’s major retail container ports should see a steady rise in traffic this month despite unresolved labor contracts on both coasts. According to the monthly Global Port Tracker report by NRF and Hackett Associates, major U.S. retail container ports are expected to show an increase of more than 8% from the same month last year, with retailers keeping a close watch on a new East Coast-Gulf Coast contract that is awaiting ratification and a contract at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach that was rejected last week. Read more.     

• NRF SmartStat: Feb. 11, 2013
  The average American intends to spend an average of $130 on candy, cards and more this Valentine’s Day. Source: NRF survey conducted by BIGinsight.     

5 essential lessons in international e-commerce Digital commerce has become a primary driver for growth for the retail industry around the world, but each market presents its own unique opportunities and challenges. In a webinar on Feb. 20, executives from Econsultancy will explain the state of retail e-commerce in Europe, the U.K. and South America, provide a glimpse at the mobile experience in these areas, and share examples from brands that have successfully branched beyond local borders. Learn more or register.

Chain Restaurant News

• Starbucks goes social with snowstorm
  Starbucks began planning Wednesday for real-time Snow Day-themed Twitter and Facebook ads to run as East Coast brand fans coped with the snowstorm that hit on Friday. "We always want to stay highly relevant to what's going on. We want to be a part of [consumers'] decisions as they get ready for the weekend in terms of their product needs, such as coffee," said spokeswoman Linda Mills. Adweek (2/8)     

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 Kitchen & Company Wilmington, DE Senior Strategic Planner TracyLocke Wilton, CT Director Loyalty Marketing REI Kent, WA Trade Compliance Manager West Marine Watsonville, CA Director of E-Commerce DC & Logistics Francesca's Houston, TX CLIENT SERVICES BUSINESS ANALYST KWI Greenvale, NY Assistant Implementation Manager KWI Greenvale, NY Planner STEIN MART Jacksonville, FL eCommerce Systems and Operations Lead STEIN MART Jacksonville, FL Replenishment Manager REI Kent, WA WW Director Digital Strategy & Platforms Johnson & Johnson Multiple Locations, United States Human Resources Director Saks Fifth Avenue San Francisco, CA Chief Financial Officer Kitchen & Company Wilmington, DE 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 Vice President of Stores Kitchen & Company Wilmington, DE Immediate Opening for Experienced Transactional Real Estate Attorney Confidential San Francisco, CA Vice President of Marketing Sleep Experts Carrollton, TX VP Marketing Little Switzerland St. Thomas, USA Virgin Islands

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SmartQuote

The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. ... The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them." --George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright