NRF News
Sustainability expert Wendy Evans discusses "Greening Retail"
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 06, 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.
Cirque du Soleil reaches new heights at NRF's BIG Show
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009
At NRF's BIG Show, 10 to 13 Jan., 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 updates "Buyer Beware" list of products on auction sites
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 04, 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.
Get the inside scoop on what's hot in retail
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 03, 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.
What happened on day 2 of the Global E-Commerce Summit
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 02, 2009
On the second day of the Global E-Commerce Summit, a Tommy Hilfiger executive discussed how retailers could centralise areas to gain efficiency and brand consistency, but also addressed why it was important to keep the local flavor. In addition, the CEO of Rakuten spoke about the future of e-commerce and the MOBshop co-founder made a bold statement about mobile. Read more.
Japan's Fast Retailing to receive International Retailer of the Year award
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 30, 2009
Fast Retailing CEO Tadashi Yanai will accept NRF's International Retailer of the Year award 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 COO of Polo Ralph Lauren will accept the Gold Medal award on behalf of the company. Read the news release.
Speaking submission deadline approaching for NRF LP conference
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 29, 2009
Retailers, industry leaders and educators, submit a session proposal by tomorrow, 30 Oct., for NRF's Loss Prevention Conference and EXPO. The conference, 14 to 16 June 2010 in Atlanta, offers more than 40 educational sessions and more than 2,400 attendees. Learn more.
Retailers discuss the industry at Global E-Commerce Summit in Monaco
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 28, 2009
Shop.org's Scott Silverman recaps the first day at the Global E-Commerce Summit in Monaco with photos and a rundown of speaker presentations. François Momboisse, vice president of EMOTA, and Susanne Czech, secretary general of EMOTA, told attendees that Europe is expecting 12% e-commerce growth in 2009. Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne shared concerns about the US capital markets. Read more.
How Marks & Spencer used the downturn to get close to customers
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 27, 2009
At NRF's BIG Show, 10 to 13 Jan. 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.
10 tips for adopting a consumer-centric approach
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 26, 2009
The focus on price as the basis for competition is not a desirable, long-term strategy for most organisations. 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.
Online retailers to emphasise free shipping, social media this holiday season
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 23, 2009
According to results of Shop.org's 2009 eHoliday Study, conducted by BIGresearch, American 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.
Register for the Retail Innovation & Marketing Conference and save $300
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 22, 2009
Join thousands of top-notch marketing and online retail executives at the inaugural Retail Innovation & Marketing Conference, 2 to 4 March 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, 23 Oct., to save $300 off on-site registration.
Learn how Google UK's retail advertising sales have grown
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 22, 2009
At the Global E-Commerce Summit, 26 to 28 Oct. in Monaco, Google's Peter Fitzgerald will share how he has developed and executed the strategy for delivering growth in the company's UK retail advertising sales revenues. Learn more.
NRF survey finds economy to impact two-thirds of families this holiday season
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 21, 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 Global SmartBrief | Oct 20, 2009
Last week, a woman who claimed she won the lottery offered to buy clothes for customers at a US 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.
Doing good when it matters most: Retail gives back
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 19, 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.
H1N1 vaccines purchased online are not safe
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 19, 2009
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to use extreme care when purchasing products over the Internet that claim to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure the H1N1 influenza virus. The warning comes after the FDA recently purchased and analysed several products online, which may pose risks to patients. From vaccines to aspirin, the bottom line is the same: Consumers should only purchase medication from sources they know and trust. Read more.
ARTS releases Cloud Computing for Retail report
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 16, 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.
Retail marketing: Who's the best?
NRF Global 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.
How Tommy Hilfiger is going global
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 15, 2009
At the Global E-Commerce Summit, 26 to 28 Oct. in Monaco, Tommy Hilfiger EVP of Global eCommerce Kate Terry will share how the company is building an organisation 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.
Get your company on CyberMonday.com by 31 Oct. and save $3,000 set-up fee
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 14, 2009
Maximise your sales this holiday season by being part of Shop.org's CyberMonday.com site, powered by Mall Networks. Last year, CyberMonday.com had 2.4 million unique visitors and generated more than $5 million in sales on Cyber Monday alone. If your company has an affiliate programme and is not already listed on the site, sign up by 31 Oct. and the $3,000 integration fee will be waived. Integration includes placement within the site listed in two categories and a logo listing along with a retailer description. Learn more.
"Freakonomics" author Stephen Dubner takes on the new retail ecosystem
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 13, 2009
As consumers change their habits, retailers are reacting as fast as they can with varying degrees of success. At Retail's BIG Show, 10 to 13 Jan. in New York City, "Freakonomics" author Stephen Dubner will explore today's globally integrated world and discuss how business-model innovation is necessary to help retailers capitalise on current marketing conditions and build and retain customer loyalty. Learn more.
NRF says credit card companies in arms race to increase swipe fees
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 12, 2009
NRF testified before the US Congress, warning that credit card companies are in an "arms race" to increase the $48 billion US in swipe fees paid by merchants and their customers each year. "Most consumers don't know it, but every time they swipe a rewards card with its miles and concierge services, they are driving up the price of everything they buy," NRF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Mallory Duncan said. Read the news release.
NRF asks Obama to reconsider international trade panel lobbyist ban
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 12, 2009
NRF asked President Obama to reconsider a new ban on registered lobbyists serving on committees that advise the administration on international trade policy issues. "If the concern is to ensure the inclusiveness of the committees in order to advance the public interest, then the answer is to broaden -- not restrict -- participation," NRF Vice President and International Trade Counsel Erik Autor said. Read the news release.
How Google keeps on growing
NRF Global SmartBrief | Oct 09, 2009
Google's head of retail told attendees at last month's Shop.org's Annual Summit that more than 50% of company growth is from markets outside the US and Google's CEO will not approve any programme unless a global plan is incorporated. Other international expansion discussions reviewed how global logistical expertise is evolving regionally and how social networking and mobile technology are cost effective and essential. Read the blog post.
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