Industry Watch

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Wal-Mart slashes toy prices again
Wal-Mart is cutting the prices on 100 toys again, this time by as much as 30%. This is the second time in as many months that the retailer has reduced toy prices after announcing in October that it would cut prices each week until Christmas. Target responded to Wal-Mart's last price cuts by slashing its toy prices by as much as 50%. Reuters (11/2)

Albertsons stores transition to Fresh Markets
Thirty-four Albertsons stores purchased by Associated Foods are now Fresh Markets. Most Albertsons employees have been hired to work in the stores, and customers who turn in their now-defunct Albertsons loyalty cards will receive a free 5-pound bag of Western Family sugar. The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah) (11/2)

Lacoste launches all-digital ad campaign
Lacoste is rolling out an all-digital ad campaign for the holiday season that will feature Web site banners, streaming video and engagement ads. The "Momentum" campaign, created by Euro RSCG 4D New York, also will allow consumers to build looks for Lacoste. The ads are designed to target young professionals and will be featured on sites such as Facebook, Hulu and Pandora. MediaPost Communications/Online Media Daily (11/2)

Dick's Sporting Goods expands across the West Coast
Dick's Sporting Goods will open its first store in Washington state next spring. The move is part of the retailer's efforts to expand on the West Coast. Dick's has 15 stores in California and seven planned for Oregon. The Washington store, planned for South Hill Mall in Puyallup, will cover 60,000 square feet. The Seattle Times (10/29)

How one boutique owner built a career in retail
For the owner of Darryl's, a contemporary boutique in New York, retail is part psychiatry. Darryl Gamble's fashion advice has won over so many women over the years that now some won't buy anything without consulting him. Gamble's previous work as a manager and with fashion retailers and wholesalers also gives him a well-rounded background that he applies to his boutiques. "This speaks to how retail can actually be a very exciting career field, because you can be a small-business owner, you can be an entrepreneur, or you can develop specialties within retail," said Angela Elder, director of the career development program for the National Retail Federation. Poughkeepsie Journal (N.Y.) (11/3)

Retail Trends

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The war between private labels, major brands
Retailers should keep long-term goals in mind by developing private-label products that have their own identities and are worthy rivals to those sold by major marketers, according to Terri Goldstein, CEO-founder of The Goldstein Group. Retailers also would be wise to keep shelf space available for major brands, because some consumers who have traded down to store labels will resume buying major brands, Goldstein writes. Brandweek (11/2)

Panel: Make store designs a "silent salesperson"
Visual merchandising should be a "silent salesperson," conveying a clear message to customers without them realizing it, according to members of a panel. The panel also stressed the importance of synergy between store design and brand presentation and noted the increasing incorporation of technology such as video and light boxes into stores' displays. DO NOT USE Sales & Marketing Management (10/29)

Retail Technology

Best Buy shifts from DVD sales into movie downloading
Best Buy is joining forces with CinemaNow, an online video provider, to develop a service that allows consumers to download movies via the Internet. The service would be integrated into most devices that can be connected to the Internet and are sold by Best Buy, such as phones, computers, DVD players and televisions. The move is part of Best Buy's push into digital delivery. Los Angeles Times (11/3)

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NRF News

NRF updates "Buyer Beware" list of products on auction sites
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. Blank (11/3)

NRF SmartStat: Nov. 3, 2009
NRF's 2009 Holiday Survival Kit has been downloaded more than 1,000 times. Source: NRF

Retailers dodge a bullet on CIT bankruptcy
NRF's Mallory Duncan shares his thoughts on the CIT bankruptcy, saying retailers "dodged a bullet" with the timing of the announcement. Read more. Blank (11/3)

Chain Restaurant News

Friendly's CEO: "I don't think we need to change who we are"
Ned Lidvall took over as chief executive for ice cream chain Friendly's just as consumers cut back on spending amid the recession. His company has responded to customers' tighter budgets by rolling out a $9.99 value meal, which Lidvall says is gaining "tremendous traction." In a Q-and-A, Lidvall talks about how Friendly's stays relevant amid other family restaurants and the frozen-yogurt craze. The Boston Globe (11/1)

Illy looks to fill American coffee cups
Italian coffee marketer IllyCaffè SpA is trying out a new retail plan to reach U.S. coffee drinkers. The company is offering cafes that want to sell Illy coffee a certification program under which the businesses use Italian equipment, recipes, techniques and, naturally, Illy coffee. So far, 28 shops in the U.S. boast the "Artisti del Gusto" certification. The Wall Street Journal (11/3)

Dairy Queen boosts sales, thanks to Happy Hour promotion
Dairy Queen's half-price Happy Hour beverage promotion has led to increased traffic, food and drink sales. The deal, offered since July, halves the prices of Dairy Queen's soft drinks, shakes and other frozen beverages from 2 to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Dairy Queen executives say customers taking advantage of the Happy Hour also often would buy food as a late lunch or early dinner, boosting sales. QSRWeb.com (11/2)

Career Track

Charming Shoppes, Inc. Announces Completion of Sale of Private Label Credit Card Program to Alliance Data; Announces Appointment of Global Sourcing Executives
 PRNewswire (11/2)

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