Monthly Archives: October 2009

Oct30

Why this really is the year to shop early

By Kathy Grannis, NRF spokesperson | Published: October 30, 2009

Be the first to comment | Posted in Holidays, Video

For those who consider themselves “shopaholics” or simply can’t start holiday shopping early enough (for example, those who buy next year’s holiday gifts on December 26 when retailers start their clearance sales) – this is the season to brag about the fantastic bargains that are out there. Everywhere you look, there are great prices on [...]

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Oct29

The season of bad health reform

By Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care | Published: October 29, 2009

Be the first to comment | Posted in Health Care, Public Policy

Health care reform will reemerge from the shadows of the House Majority leadership’s office today; Senate Majority Leader Reid is having a little more trouble getting the Senate version out to the launch pad. Both proposals are a bust … doomed to failure before they start. Why did they go so wrong? In a word, [...]

Posted in: Health Care | Public Policy Tagged employer mandates, health care reform, Senate, Senate Majority Leader Reid |

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Oct27

Preparing our next generation of retailers

By Angela Elder, Senior Director, NRF Foundation | Published: October 27, 2009

2 Comments | Posted in NRF Foundation

Negotiating with vendors. Tracking inventory. Planning back-to-school promotions. Sounds like any normal retailer, right? Except there’s one major difference – these duties are performed by high school students, who not only work in, but manage all aspects of their high school store. School stores are part of Career and Technical Education (CTE), and DECA’s School-based [...]

Posted in: NRF Foundation Tagged Career and Technical Education, DECA, employment, Marmaxx, National Advisory Board, NRF, NRF Foundation, retail certification, retailing, School-based Enterprise Program, TJX Companies |

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Oct26

A footwear CEO talks about the economy, shoes and giving back

By Ana Van Engelen, Director, Communications | Published: October 26, 2009

Be the first to comment | Posted in eCommerce, Retail Companies

This week, NRF’s Ellen Davis had the opportunity to interview Matt Rubel, the Chairman, CEO and President of Collective Brands. Collective Brands is the empire of such iconic companies as Payless, Stride Rite, Keds, and Sperry Top-Sider, to name a few. During the interview, Matt shares his take on how the economy has affected customers’ [...]

Posted in: eCommerce | Retail Companies Tagged Collective Brands, Keds, Matt Rubel, Payless, Shop.org, Sperry Top-Sider, Stride Rite |

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Oct26

Amendment could let struggling retailers claim billions in tax refunds

By Craig Shearman, VP, Government Affairs PR | Published: October 26, 2009

3 Comments | Posted in Public Policy

In a move that could potentially bring billions of dollars to cash-strapped retailers and other industries, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus are crafting an amendment that would add an expanded operating loss “carryback” provision to unemployment insurance legislation scheduled to be considered this week. The amendment is expected to [...]

Posted in: Public Policy Tagged Carryback, inance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, Mark Zandi of Moody’s, Net Operating Loss Carryback Act, operating loss, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid |

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Oct26

Catch me if you can: How Albuquerque retailers caught a thief

By Joe LaRocca, Senior Asset Protection Advisor | Published: October 26, 2009

Be the first to comment | Posted in Loss Prevention

Last week, a shoplifting suspect in New Mexico named Joe Cabral fled the courtroom after learning retailers and police officials were waiting to testify at his sentencing hearing. Cabral, who has been arrested on shoplifting and burglary-related charges more than twenty times, was scheduled to be sentenced last Monday. As his turn approached, he asked [...]

Posted in: Loss Prevention Tagged Albuquerque Retailers Asset Protection Association, Joe Cabral, shoplifting |

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Oct23

Jokes about retailers’ LP policies are no laughing matter

By Joe LaRocca, Senior Asset Protection Advisor | Published: October 23, 2009

1 Comment | Posted in Loss Prevention, Retail Companies

Earlier this week, a Wal-Mart employee was fired for chasing a shoplifter in a Florida parking lot. According to the Ocala Star-Banner, the shoplifter placed a pack of golf balls down his pants and ate a deli chicken (you cannot even make this stuff up). When confronted by three employees, the man pulled a knife [...]

Posted in: Loss Prevention | Retail Companies Tagged Best Buy, Jay Leno, Ocala Star-Banner, shoplifting, Wal-Mart |

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Oct23

He’s got Spirit: Spencer Gifts CEO talks Halloween, CIT and retail careers

By Denise Brasse, SVP, Industry Relations | Published: October 23, 2009

8 Comments | Posted in @NRF, Retail Companies, Retail Trends

Nowhere is Halloween more revered than at Spirit Halloween, the largest seasonal Halloween retailer in the country. Each year around Labor Day, these stores pop up in shopping centers and malls to help trick-or-treaters with their costumed revelry and provide home décor to trick out Halloween houses. For the sake of one special day, Spirit [...]

Posted in: @NRF | Retail Companies | Retail Trends Tagged Bloomingdale's, CIT, Cornell University, Halloweekend, Halloween, Jay H. Baker Retailing Initiative, Linens n Things, Macy's, National Retail Federation, NRF, Spencer Gifts, Spirit Halloween, Spirit of Children, Steven Silverstein, Wharton School of Business |

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Oct21

Franken-Bill – A Halloween fright?

By Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care | Published: October 21, 2009

Be the first to comment | Posted in Health Care, Public Policy

Like Dr. Frankenstein up in his castle, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) are working with Obama Administration officials (including White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel) behind closed Capitol doors to cobble together a new health reform bill out [...]

Posted in: Health Care | Public Policy Tagged cbo, congressional budget office, Frankenstein, Obama Administration, Rahm Emanuel, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, Senate Finance Committee Max Baucus, Senate HELP, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid |

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Oct20

Top ten holiday trends for 2009

By Ellen Davis, SVP | Published: October 20, 2009

15 Comments | Posted in eCommerce, Holidays, Research, Retail Trends

In a media and analyst briefing earlier today, BIGresearch’s Phil Rist and I shared ten insights of what to expect this holiday season based largely on findings from NRF’s first holiday survey. Listen in on the complete briefing, or view the top 10 below: #1: Americans aren’t ready to declare an end to the recession. [...]