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Most Clicked NRF SmartBrief Stories


1. J. Crew leverages Michelle Obama connection

NRF SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2008

J. Crew is among the retailers that have sought to benefit from first-lady-to-be Michelle Obama's appeal by buying up related keywords on Google, Microsoft and Yahoo! after she has been seen wearing their outfits. In J. Crew's case, the retailer also created a Web page around a three-piece mustard-yellow ensemble Michelle Obama wore on an Oct. 27 "Tonight Show" appearance. New York Times, The (11/16)


2. Macy's brings back taste of Marshall Field's

NRF SmartBrief | Nov 14, 2008

Chicago-area Macy's stores are beginning to stock more of the high-end merchandise that was offered at Marshall Field's stores before those locations were converted to the Macy's banner. Macy's is testing a more local approach to its merchandising efforts, and so far the concept seems to be working. Chicago Tribune (free registration) (11/14)


3. Mexican billionaire makes big move on Circuit City stock

NRF SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2008

A Mexican billionaire named Ricardo Salinas Pliego now controls 47.2 million shares of Circuit City, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and has become the company's largest investor. Pliego, who also controls a chain of Latin American electronics stores, bought the majority of his Circuit City stock -- 30.3 million shares -- shortly after the Richmond, Va.-based company filed for bankruptcy protection last week. Seattle Times, The (11/17)


4. U.S. consumers making wrong decisions about "bargain" shopping

NRF SmartBrief | Nov 20, 2008

Many Americans have become flummoxed in these budget-conscious times by the attempt to determine time- versus cost-savings while shopping, as well as what discounted items are truly necessities. One expert says Americans are making "diagnostic errors." "They're stressed out, and using the wrong information to make a decision, and ignoring all other data that contradicts that decision," he said. New York Times, The (11/19)


5. IKEA CEO Anders Dahlvig discusses his company, the economy

NRF SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2008

In his decade-long tenure as CEO of IKEA, Anders Dahlvig has almost tripled the number of company stores and employees and has supported the incorporation of numerous eco-friendly policies. Dahlvig told TIME magazine that the economy works in IKEA's favor because the company has a conservative borrowing policy and a strong value message for consumers. TIME (11/18)


6. Victoria's Secret show forgets downturn for a day

NRF SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2008

Victoria's Secret held its annual fashion show Saturday at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami, and celebrities ranging from Robert Duvall and James Caan to Paris Hilton were in attendance. Heidi Klum noted there was no need to dwell on the negative aspects of the economy, as illustrated by a $5 million, 1,500-carat bra modeled by Brazilian Adriana Lima. USA TODAY (11/16)


7. Dillard's likely to shutter more stores in 2009

NRF SmartBrief | Nov 14, 2008

Dillard's closed 20 stores this year and expects more closings in 2009, according to the company. Investors have been pressuring the Arkansas-based retailer to make management changes. MSNBC (11/09)


8. Expert: Retail will be back, with changes

NRF SmartBrief | Nov 14, 2008

A drop in retail sales usually lags behind slumps in other economic sectors, and many people have expressed surprise at the recent crisis, according to one writer. Factors contributing to the trend have been building and include advertisers' inability to boost demand, a saturation of products in the U.S. and the onset of peer-to-peer commerce. HBR Editors' Blog (11/12)


9. Office Depot settles into new worker-friendly headquarters

NRF SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2008

Office Depot recently considered moving its headquarters out of South Florida, but decided instead to relocate from Delray Beach, Fla., to Boca Raton, Fla. The company built a $100 million concrete building that brings all of its corporate employees under one roof and features high-speed elevators, a cafeteria with an outdoor patio, standard-size offices and workstations, and "mothers' rooms," among other additions. Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (11/19)


10. Exec: J.C. Penney still here thanks to turnaround

NRF SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2008

The completion of J.C. Penney's multiyear turnaround effort has been key to the retailer's survival before and during the economic crisis, according to Ken C. Hicks, president and chief merchandising officer. The company's strategy includes expanding private-label, exclusive and national brand offerings, slowing store growth and developing off-mall stores. Dallas Morning News, The (11/17)




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