February 23, 2021
CONNECT WITH NRF  LinkedInFacebookTwitter
NRF SmartBrief
Today's top retail newsSIGN UP ⋅   SHARE
Top Story
Best Buy has teamed with UnitedHealth and marketing agency Wunderman Thompson to contribute $1 million to fund a fellowship program for increasing diversity in marketing and advertising. Fellows will work stints at all three companies through the program run by Minneapolis-based nonprofit BrandLab, and the companies will also offer help with resumes, career advice and job referrals.
Full Story: Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (tiered subscription model) (2/22) 
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Industry Watch
Macy's marks stronger-than-forecast Q4
(Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images)
Macy's beat holiday sales forecasts and reported its first profitable quarter in a year as shoppers spent more on home goods, watches and jewelry and less on clothes and high-end footwear, the company said. Online sales grew 21% in the fourth quarter, and the department store attracted almost 7 million new shoppers.
Full Story: CNBC (2/23) 
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Kohl's responds to activist investors
(Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Kohl's is in the midst of a turnaround plan and return to growth that would be disrupted by efforts of activist investors to take control of the board, the retailer said in a statement in response to moves by activist investors to replace nine of 12 board members. Kohl's has taken proactive steps, such as partnering with Amazon and Sephora to drive store traffic and sales growth.
Full Story: Bloomberg (2/22),  The Wall Street Journal (2/22) 
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Home Depot built on home improvement boost in Q4
(Nicholas Kamm/Getty Images)
Home Depot reported a 25% jump in US same-store sales in the fourth quarter, as the pandemic continued to spur consumers to spend more on home projects and the real estate market remained strong. Sales and earnings growth beat analysts' forecasts for the quarter.
Full Story: CNBC (2/23) 
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Retail Trends
Gap has launched a new campaign aimed at appealing to multiple generations with a diverse group of artists, activists and other influencers and a focus on sustainability. The multichannel "Generation Good" campaign promotes a new collection set to launch on March 22, which is World Water Day.
Full Story: Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (2/22) 
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
US manufacturers that powered down their factories because of the pandemic are struggling to get back up to speed to meet unexpectedly strong consumer demand for home appliances, workout gear and other goods. US production of long-lasting goods fell 8.4% last year while spending rose 6.4%, fueling shortages and price increases.
Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (2/22) 
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
NRF News
Prior to the pandemic, at least half of Hella Cocktail's business came from the foodservice and hospitality industry. Leaning into company values helped the team focus on where to grow in a sustainable way. Hella Cocktail CEO Jomaree Pinkard joins the Retail Gets Real podcast to share how the company is serving up good drinks and good service. Listen to the episode and subscribe.
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
About 32% of consumers are planning a special dinner or celebration at home for St. Patrick's Day this year. Source: NRF's 2021 Annual St. Patrick's Day Spending Survey, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
In its newest move to reduce waste and promote sustainability, IKEA announced plans to sell spare parts for its products. This initiative allows customers to purchase new pieces to replace broken ones, extending the furniture's life and dispelling the notion that IKEA furniture is disposable. Read more.
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
LEARN MORE ABOUT NRF:
Join NRF | Advocacy | Insights and Trends
Events | Resources | NRF Foundation
Chain Restaurant News
Shake Shack signs local chefs for short-term collaborations
(Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)
Shake Shack is joining local chefs in select markets to launch a series of one-day-only menu items. The promotion, called Now Serving: A Collab Series by Shake Shack, will launch first in Houston on March 4, with a Southern Smoke Chicken sandwich created by Underbelly Hospitality executive chef Chris Shepherd.
Full Story: Restaurant Business online (2/22),  Nation's Restaurant News (free registration) (2/22) 
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Press ReleasesSponsored Content
  Crew Launches Crew Email, the First Fully Unified Inbox, Custom Built for Frontline Employees
Post a Press Release
NRF JOB BOARD
  Director, Supply Chain Engineering Strategic Sourcing
ROSS STORES - Dublin, California, United States
  Director of Merchandising - Perry Ellis
PERRY ELLIS INTERNATIONAL - New York, New York, United States
  Senior Digital User Experience (UX) Designer
BELK - Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
  Director Field Human Resources Job
BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB - Middle Village, New York, United States
  Senior Director of Data & Analytics Technology
DICK'S SPORTING GOODS - Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, United States
  Director of CX/UX Design, Research Testing
QURATE RETAIL GROUP - West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
  Global Sourcing Manager
BELK - Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
  Director Distribution Job
BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB - Burlington, New Jersey, United States
  Vice President - FP&A
GAP, INC - San Francisco, CA, United States
  Manager, Facilities Finance & Data Analytics
BURLINGTON STORES - Burlington, New Jersey, United States
  Sr. Manager, Performance Marketing
PETSMART - Phoenix, Arizona, United States
  Director - Specialty Brand Communications
GAP, INC - San Francisco, CA, United States
View More Listings | Post a Job
Enthusiasm is the electricity of life. How do you get it? You act enthusiastic until you make it a habit.
Gordon Parks,
photographer, film director, musician, writer, co-founder of Essence magazine
February is Black History Month
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
SmartBrief publishes more than 200 free industry newsletters - Browse our portfolio
Sign Up  |    Update Profile  |    Advertise with SmartBrief
Unsubscribe  |    Privacy policy
CONTACT US: FEEDBACK  |    ADVERTISE
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004