NRF Association News
What you need to know about adopting whitelisting for PCI compliance
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 06, 2009
While blacklisting is up against malware variants and malicious behaviors, many retailers have turned to whitelisting. During this Nov. 12 STORES Knowledge Series webinar, learn why application whitelisting is important and the relevance for PCI compliance, differentiate between the whitelist and blacklist approaches, and where the adoption of application whitelisting is most applicable while examining compliance and cost implications. Learn more.
Tax refund approved in unemployment bill will save retail jobs
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 06, 2009
NRF welcomed the passage of legislation that will bring recession-plagued retailers more than $10 billion in badly needed cash by lengthening the period during which they can "carry back" current losses to claim a tax refund from previous years when they made a profit. NRF testified on the issue before the House Small Business committee in September. Learn more.
NRF SmartStat: Nov. 6, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 06, 2009
Alli weight loss aids, Dyson vacuums and e.p.t. pregnancy tests are among the most popular items stolen and then sold on online auction sites. Source: NRF
Sustainability expert Wendy Evans discusses "Greening Retail"
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009
In a recent blog post, Wendy Evans, co-author of a study identifying sustainability practices in retail, talks about how green initiatives have changed over the past few years, why the grocery sector has led the charge, and ways to measure success. Read more.
NRF SmartStat: Nov. 5, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009
The No. 1 reason to attend Retail's BIG Show? Everyone's going to be there. Source: NRF.
NRF defends stance on organized retail crime legislation
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009
With the debate about organized retail crime legislation heating up in Congress this week, NRF's Joe LaRocca confronts allegations by auction sites over NRF's stance on the issue. "This is not about large businesses or small businesses, online or offline companies," he writes. "It's about selling legitimate merchandise versus stolen merchandise." Read more.
Cirque du Soleil reaches new heights at NRF's BIG Show
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 04, 2009
At NRF's BIG Show, Jan. 10 to 13, the DESiGN STUDiO will play host to the creative minds behind Cirque du Soleil's reinvented front-of-house experience. Hear about Cirque's approach to their space, its importance to the brand, the sources of inspiration used in the creation of a sky-breaking design, and how operational realities were addressed and engineered. Learn more.
NRF SmartStat: Nov. 4, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 04, 2009
Almost nine in 10 retailers with strong year-over-year growth say a customer-centric approach is one of the top three most important factors to business success. Source: NRF Retail Reference Center white paper
Straight from the shopper: How the economy is impacting holiday sales
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 04, 2009
From shopping earlier to "buying one big gift for the kids to share," see real shoppers talk about how they plan to cut back this holiday season. Watch the three-minute video.
NRF SmartStat: Nov. 3, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009
NRF's 2009 Holiday Survival Kit has been downloaded more than 1,000 times. Source: NRF
NRF updates "Buyer Beware" list of products on auction sites
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009
NRF has added new products to a consumer alert about common household items being sold through some online auction sites, warning that these items could be stolen or tainted, posing health risks to consumers. New products on the list include Alli weight-loss aids, Pureology and Dyson vacuums. Read the news release.
Retailers dodge a bullet on CIT bankruptcy
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009
NRF's Mallory Duncan shares his thoughts on the CIT bankruptcy, saying retailers "dodged a bullet" with the timing of the announcement. Read more.
Get the inside scoop on what's hot in retail
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 02, 2009
What did retailers find most valuable last month? October's biggest news included a blog post about 10 holiday trends, a webinar on how going green can save companies money, congressional testimony about swipe fees, and information on how retailers can control crowds. Check out the hottest news from October.
NRF SmartStat: Nov. 2, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 02, 2009
NRF is expecting holiday retail sales to decline 1% in 2009. Source: NRF.
Retailers descend on Capitol to fight threat to instant credit
NRF SmartBrief | Nov 02, 2009
NRF will take senior-level executives from major retail companies to Capitol Hill this week to meet with lawmakers on proposed new rules that could put an end to retailers' highly popular instant credit programs. If requirements to verify information on income and assets are approved, "instant" credit could take days. Read more.
Polo Ralph Lauren, Zappos.com, Fast Retailing to receive awards at Retail's BIG Show
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 30, 2009
Polo Ralph Lauren COO Roger Farah will accept NRF's prestigious Gold Medal award on behalf of the company at NRF's Annual Convention and EXPO this January in New York. In addition, the Zappos.com CEO will accept the Innovator of the Year award and the CEO of Fast Retailing will accept the International Retailer of the Year award. Read the news release.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 30, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 30, 2009
Top Halloween costumes for adults this year include witch, vampire and pirate. What will you be? Source: NRF survey conducted by BIGresearch.
The 2010 Racie call for entries is now open
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 30, 2009
The Racie Awards honor the best retail ads, commercials, digital efforts and other communication materials that consumers first experienced during the past year. Enter any one category for $75 and receive one free entry to the RAMA Board of Directors Creative Award. The deadline for 1st-3rd quarter entries is Nov. 20. Learn more.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 29, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 29, 2009
Two-thirds of Americans regularly use a mobile device; the numbers are even higher among young adults and those with household income of $50,000 or higher. Source: Shop.org survey conducted by BIGresearch
Maximize profits, reduce out of stock merchandise and balance inventory
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 29, 2009
Specific tactics can help retailers maximize profits, reduce out of stock merchandise, decrease carrying costs and more effectively balance inventory investment with their sales goals. Join a STORES Knowledge Series webinar Nov. 5 to learn how retailers are improving profits and service levels by becoming more market-specific. Read more.
Return fraud to cost retailers $2.7 billion this holiday
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 29, 2009
According to NRF's annual Return Fraud Survey, two-thirds of retailers say their company's return policy has changed in the past to account for fraud, and nine in 10 say stolen merchandise has been returned to stores in the last year. "Retailers are constantly trying to fine-tune return policies to create guidelines that honest customers can live with and dishonest people can't get around," said Joe LaRocca, NRF senior asset protection advisor. Read the news release.
How Marks & Spencer used the downturn to get close to customers
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 28, 2009
At NRF's BIG Show, Jan. 10 to 13 in New York, hear from Marks & Spencer customer service head Jo Moran about how the company is using customer-centric strategies to reach its shoppers during the recession. Learn more.
Preparing our next generation of retailers
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 28, 2009
At a meeting last week on Capitol Hill, Angela Elder from the NRF Foundation spoke to a panel about workforce preparedness alongside students from Stone Bridge High School's DECA co-op and School-based Enterprise Program and Tracy Aguilar, manager of field staffing-Marmaxx, from The TJX Cos. Inc. The panel featured high school students who not only work in but also manage all aspects of their high school store by negotiating with vendors, tracking inventory and planning back-to-school promotions. Read more.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 28, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 28, 2009
Top Halloween costumes for adults include witches and vampires, while nurses and politicians are nowhere to be found. Source: NRF survey conducted by BIGresearch
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 27, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 27, 2009
Nearly half of retailers said they will increase their use of social media this holiday season. Source: Shop.org survey conducted by BIGresearch
Walk in the shoes of Collective Brands' CEO
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 27, 2009
In a recent interview, Matt Rubel, the chairman, CEO and president of Collective Brands, shares his take on how the economy has affected shopping, how Payless and Stride-Rite give back to the community, and what shoes he's wearing now. Learn more.
Speaking submission deadline approaching for NRF LP conference
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 27, 2009
Retailers, industry leaders and educators, submit a session proposal by Friday, Oct. 30, for NRF's Loss Prevention Conference and EXPO. The conference, June 14 to 16, 2010, in Atlanta, offers more than 40 educational sessions and more than 2,400 attendees. Learn more.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 26, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 26, 2009
More than one-fourth of Americans say the economy is forcing them to travel less or not at all for the holidays. Source: NRF survey conducted by BIGresearch
Amendment could let struggling retailers claim billions in tax refunds
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 26, 2009
In a move that could potentially bring billions of dollars to cash-strapped retailers, Congress is crafting an amendment that is expected to give both large and small businesses the ability to "carry back" net losses suffered in the current recession in order to claim a refund from taxes paid in previous years when they made a profit. Read more.
10 tips for adopting a consumer-centric approach
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 26, 2009
The focus on price as the basis for competition is not a desirable, long-term strategy for most organizations. Instead, learn how to adopt a comprehensive customer-centric approach to business in the newest white paper posted in NRF's Reference Center, "Winning at Consumer Centricity." Learn more.
1-800-FLOWERS.COM exec to discuss business in a volatile economy
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 23, 2009
At NRF's BIG Show, Jan. 10 to 13 in New York, learn how to strengthen your organization for the long term through better decision making. Chris McCann, president of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, will discuss how and why business analytics most effectively support meeting the challenges of a volatile economy, regulations, talent shortages and increased competition. Join thousands of your industry peers to network, attend educational sessions and walk the EXPO floor. Learn more.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 23, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 23, 2009
More than 8,100 people have earned the National Professional Certification in Customer Service since Jan. 1. Source: NRF Foundation
Checkers saves big by cutting WAN costs and achieving PCI compliance
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 23, 2009
Join us Oct. 28 as Antonio Zambrano, director of IT for Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, shares his IT playbook, specifically addressing how the company is revamping its network infrastructure to cut WAN costs, achieve PCI compliance and improve the ability to serve internal customers. The latest developments in remote access, security and wireless technologies and how they can be applied to meet contemporary IT challenges will also be discussed. Learn more.
Retail container volume expected to be lowest since 2004
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 22, 2009
Import cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports is now expected to total 12.7 million containers for 2009, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released by NRF and IHS Global Insight. The revised number is significantly below last year's total but shows continuing growth over what was forecast this summer. Read the news release.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 22, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 22, 2009
A Visa/MasterCard settlement could bring retailers $1 billion in time for Christmas. Source: NRF
Register for the Retail Innovation & Marketing Conference and save $300
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 22, 2009
Join thousands of top-notch marketing and online retail executives at the inaugural Retail Innovation & Marketing Conference, March 2 to 4 in San Francisco. The conference, powered by RAMA and Shop.org, will examine the challenges and strategies of blending traditional and digital channels to best reach, engage and retain the consumer. Register by tomorrow, Oct. 23, to save $300 off on-site registration.
Online retailers to emphasize free shipping, social media this holiday season
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 22, 2009
According to results of Shop.org's 2009 eHoliday Study, conducted by BIGresearch, shoppers will be seeing changes in retail marketing and promotions this holiday season in response to economic uncertainty. In addition to a strong focus on Facebook and Twitter, 80% will offer free shipping. Many online retailers say they have been cutting back on inventory and will promote holiday items earlier this year. Read more.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 21, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 21, 2009
More than 60 sessions for NRF's Annual Convention have already been posted online. Source: NRF
How does your company stack up against the industry?
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 21, 2009
Retail department heads who participate in the Retail Horizons survey by Friday, Oct. 23, will receive a customized report on key metrics in addition to the new report when it is released in January and a free copy of your sections of the 2008/2009 report. The survey provides statistics on e-commerce, payroll, inventory, marketing and more. Learn more.
How to maximize your Cyber Monday efforts
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 21, 2009
Retailers have been planning for the holiday season for most of 2009, and Shop.org has been planning, too. With Cyber Monday less than two months away, learn how Shop.org can help retailers capitalize on Cyber Monday through media outreach and Shop.org's CyberMonday.com. Read more.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 20, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 20, 2009
NRF has nearly 500 followers on Twitter. Source: Twitter
Doing good when it matters most: Retail gives back
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 20, 2009
From Payless donating 77,000 pairs of shoes to children and Macy's providing 10 million meals to the hungry, retailers are giving back in a year when every penny counts. Read more.
NRF survey finds economy to impact two-thirds of families this holiday season
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 20, 2009
According to NRF's first holiday survey, conducted by BIGresearch, Americans plan to spend an average of $682.74 on holiday-related shopping, a decrease from last year's $705.01. "While last holiday season was filled with chaotic confusion, adjusting to uncertainty has now become routine for many Americans," said NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin. With inventory levels at the lowest in years, NRF is advising shoppers to buy early. Read the news release.
Crowd control: How to prepare for the unexpected
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 19, 2009
Last week, a woman in Ohio who claimed she won the lottery offered to buy clothes for customers at a local Burlington Coat Factory. After learning the woman was lying, shoppers looted, leaving the store ransacked. Though crowd control can feel like an impossible task, experts say planning for the unexpected can be done. Read more.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 19, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 19, 2009
The average person will spend about $20 on Halloween costumes this year. Source: NRF survey conducted by BIGresearch
The bottom line of going green: Retailer case studies
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 19, 2009
Wal-Mart, Alliance Boots, Home Depot and others are leading the charge to green retailing. Join NRF on Oct. 20 for a complimentary webinar to learn some of the most successful environmental practices along with strategies and tactics that work. Learn more.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 16, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 16, 2009
Witches will be the most popular adult Halloween costume this year. Source: NRF survey conducted by BIGresearch
Save $400 by registering for NRF's BIG Show today
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 16, 2009
Join thousands of your industry peers at Retail's BIG Show this January in New York to network, attend educational sessions and walk the EXPO floor. Register by today, Oct. 16, to save $400 off on-site registration. Learn more.
Retail marketing: Who's the best?
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 16, 2009
The Racie awards honor the best retail ads, commercials, digital efforts and other communication materials during the past year. Learn more about the ins and outs of the awards, which categories are new this year, and memorable entries from previous years. The Racie awards will be presented at the Retail Innovation and Marketing Conference, powered by Shop.org and RAMA. Read more.
Online retailers optimistic for '09, see opportunity ahead
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 16, 2009
Despite a progressively deteriorating economic environment, including the worst holiday season in decades, 57% of online retailers surveyed for Shop.org's State of Retailing Online said they were more profitable in 2008 than 2007. Executives are also optimistic: Four out of five believe the U.S. economy will improve within the next year, and half think their Web business will actually fare better than expected in the next 12 months. Read the news release.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 15, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 15, 2009
Almost three-fourths of Americans are watching the unemployment levels to signal the end of the recession. Source: BIGresearch
Give us 15 minutes. We'll give you free benchmarking data.
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 15, 2009
The Retail Horizons survey provides statistics on e-commerce, payroll, inventory, marketing and more. Retail department heads who spend 15 minutes completing their portion of the survey will receive the most recent data from their critical area for free, and will get the new report when it is released in January. Learn more.
Mallory Duncan discusses congressional testimony on swipe fees
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 15, 2009
NRF General Counsel Mallory Duncan discusses the increasing costs of interchange fees, complex rules including the requirement that fees be added into the cost of merchandise, and what he meant when he told Congress that credit card companies are in an "arms race" to raise fees even higher. Watch the interview.
ARTS releases Cloud Computing for Retail report
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 15, 2009
The Association for Retail Technology Standards, the standards division of NRF, announced the release of the draft version of Cloud Computing for Retail that will provide unbiased guidance for achieving optimum benefit of this computer technology. Cloud Computing, which effectively lowers IT costs for retailers, is an emerging computing model by which users can gain access to their applications from any location, through any connected device, making the infrastructure transparent to the user. Read the news release.
September retail sales see modest increases thanks to weather, late back-to-school sales
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 14, 2009
Consumers opened up their wallets last month to treat themselves to new fall apparel and other discretionary purchases, helping September retail sales see modest improvements. According to NRF, retail industry sales increased 0.5% from August, but fell 1.5% year-over-year. Learn more.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 14, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 14, 2009
Holiday sales are expected to decline 1% this year to $437.6 billion. Source: NRF
LP expert highlights takeaways from the National Retail Security Survey
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 14, 2009
NRF's Joe LaRocca shares five takeaways from the recently released National Retail Security Survey, conducted by the University of Florida in partnership with NRF. Survey findings indicate that employees often conspire with outsiders to steal, aggressive behavior among criminals is on the rise, and, although budgets are being cut, the amount retailers spend on loss prevention is staggering. Read more.
What went wrong with health care reform
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 13, 2009
With the Senate Finance Committee expected to vote today on its health care reform legislation, NRF's Neil Trautwein evaluates the current state of health care reform, his thoughts on what went wrong, and how to fix it. Read more.
"Freakonomics" meets retail at the BIG Show
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 13, 2009
"Freakonomics" author Stephen Dubner will keynote Retail's BIG Show on Jan. 10 to discuss how innovation is necessary to help retailers capitalize on current marketing conditions in today's globally integrated world. Learn more.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 13, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 13, 2009
Eleven college and university retail programs are currently part of NRF Foundation's College Partners network. Source: NRF Foundation
Check out RAMA's new Web site
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 12, 2009
The new Retail Advertising and Marketing Association Web site features improved functionality and a streamlined design. Check out the revamped site to download presentations from RAMA's CMO Summit, get more information on the 2010 RACIE awards, and view a list of the RAMA Board. Visit the site.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 12, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 12, 2009
More than 700 people downloaded NRF's 2009 Holiday Survival Kit last week. Source: NRF
Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities are available at Innovate
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 09, 2009
Do you have a solution, technology or process that will revolutionize how retailers drive customers to their brand? Sponsor or exhibit at the inaugural Retail Innovation & Marketing Conference, March 2 to 4 in San Francisco. This new conference, powered by RAMA and Shop.org, will examine the challenges and strategies of blending traditional and digital channels to best reach, engage and retain the consumer. Learn more.
NRF SmartStat: Oct. 9, 2009
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 09, 2009
Half of moms say they read blogs, while 15% maintain their own. Source: RAMA survey conducted by BIGresearch
How Tommy Hilfiger is going global
NRF SmartBrief | Oct 09, 2009
At the Global E-Commerce Summit, Oct. 26 to 28 in Monaco, Tommy Hilfiger EVP of Global eCommerce Kate Terry will share how the company is building an organization and infrastructure to become a true global brand. Terry will discuss successes and failures in implementation, global product and pricing challenges, and how to market both locally and globally. Learn more.
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