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 Friday
Facts - Archives -
Month
of September 2003
Current
Week
September
26, 2003
CRMA Annual meeting inches closer. Washington update. Election of next Speaker of the House sparks interest. Retail news and notes. State bids goodbye to long time public servant.
· As we head into the weekend, we want to remind folks that our annual meeting and luncheon is now just 5 weeks away.
· If you have not sent in your registration sheets please do so today. The CRMA annual meeting and luncheon is one of our major events of the year. It is a way for us to honor a leading CT. retailer and give members a chance to get away from the office and talk to other retailers.
· We are excited about this years annual meeting for its location (the newly renovated Bushnell Theatre) our guest speaker (the world famous Dr. Henry Lee) and for this years retailer of the year (Bob's Discount Furniture)
· Please call us at 860-527-1044 if you did not receive an invitation and would like to register for this event.
Washington update:
· Our friends at the NRF have their hands full these days with lots of stuff effecting retailing on the Washington radar screen.
· To begin with, this week one federal court ruled the FTC did not have authority from Congress to develop and enforce the Do Not Call list. Congress then responded by passing legislation authorizing the FTC to establish and operate the list.
· About the same time U.S. District Judge Edward W. Nottingham issued a ruling in Denver saying that the Do Not Call list was unconstitutional because it banned calls from commercial telemarketers while exempting non-commercial callers like charities and politicians.
· As of today, the FTC has not announced whether they would appeal the Denver Ruling.
· For more information about the Do Not Call issue, we suggest you contact Mallory Duncan from the NRF at 202-783-7971.
· Also, from Washington comes news that a battle is brewing over renewal of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
(FCRA)
· This week the Senate Banking Committee passed its version of the bill and set aside some provisions that would have been harmful to retailers.
· Again, our friends at NRF indicated that this issue still has a way to go, with the House already taking action on a FCRA renewal and with many Senators saying they might still make amendments that would be troublesome for retailers.
· On both of these issues, we suggest you visit the NRF website,
www.nrf.com for more information.
Speakers Race heating up.
· Today’s Hartford Courant, has a story concerning the race for Speaker in 2005
(www.ctnow.com)
· It has been assumed for sometime now that the current Speaker of the House Lyons would step down after her term ends and that current House Majority Leader Jim Amann (D - Milford) had the votes to succeed her.
· However, House Appropriation Chair and veteran lawmaker, Bill Dyson (D – New Haven) has thrown his hat in the ring.
· Dyson is no lightweight, having served in legislature for almost 28 years.
· So his entry into the race should not be taken lightly. However, as crazy as it may sound with the race 15 months away, it may be too late for Dyson. Amman may have already locked up the votes.
· There is also a race shaping up for House Majority Leader. Rep. Donovan (D- Meriden) appears to have pulled ahead of Rep. Stone (D- East Hartford)
· In any event we will keep a close eye these races as we get ready for the next session of the General Assembly.
Retail news and notes.
· Levi closes last two plants in North America
Facing slipping sales, the jeans maker will close the last of its North American manufacturing plants, eliminating some 2,000 jobs in San Antonio, Texas and Canada, and shifting them to Latin America and Asia. Levi, Strauss & Co. was one of the few remaining U.S. apparel makers with manufacturing facilities in the U.S. San Francisco Chronicle/Associated Press (9/26),
· Greater Danbury gets a lift
"The creation of 700 new jobs at drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim would generate about 500 additional jobs in
Greater Danbury, a state economic development official says."
www.ctnow.com
· "Sears has a changed philosophy about selling apparel online.
Sears.com will begin selling apparel late next year, along with tools, appliances and replacement parts.
Selling apparel online — something Sears has resisted ever since sears.com went live in 1997 — is a strategy to boost revenues and get the Sears selling channels in sync, so sears.com mirrors what the Sears stores sell."
www.wwd.com
Goodbye to long time public servant.
· We end this week's Friday facts on a sad note. Earlier this week former Chief State’s Attorney Jack Bailey passed away.
· Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bailey family, as well as Jack’s sister, former Congresswoman Barbara Kennelly and his brother in law CRMA Foundation board member Brewster Perkins.
· Jack served Connecticut with great honor and distinction he will be greatly missed.
September
19, 2003
CRMA annual meeting and awards luncheon honored to have Dr. Henry Lee as the keynote speaker. Shakeup within the Rowland Administration leads to new commissioner of
DCP. Three quick “hugs” with Jack Mitchell. Workers Comp update. LP Update. Retail News and notes.
· By now I am sure you have received your invitation to our annual meeting and award ceremony. If you have not received your invitation and would like to attend, please email
crma@crmaonline.com or call the office at 860-527-1044.
· We are thrilled that this year we have a real celebrity and CT. resident as our keynote speaker. Dr. Henry Lee has agreed to join us this year and we could not be happier.
· He is best know to all of us for his expert testimony in many high profile investigations in both national and international cases. Most of you are familiar with Dr. Lee’s work but we think it is worth mentioning again.
· Dr. Lee is the one of the world’s foremost forensic scientist. Currently he is the Chief Emeritus of the Connecticut State Police Laboratory. He was the Director of Public Safety for the State of Connecticut and was the former Director of the Connecticut State Police Forensics Science Laboratory.
· Dr. Lee has received several hundred medals, commendations, and awards from police Departments, Universities, governments, and civic groups around the world for his contribution and achievements in police work, criminal investigations, law enforcement, forensic sciences and education.
· He has over 35 years of practical experience and knowledge from several fields of medicine, chemical analysis, physics, biochemistry and material science.
· Dr. Lee has investigated more than 4,000 homicides and testifies as an expert witnesses more that 100 times a year. He has testified over 1,000 times in both criminal and civil cases.
· Dr. Lee is also hosting his own cable forensics show on Court TV titled "Trace Evidence: the Case Files of Dr. Henry Lee" which will air early in 2004. www.ctnow.com
· Dr. Lee is also an informative and engaging public speaker. We are very pleased that he can join at our annual meeting and hope that you will make every effort to be there as well.
· If you have not already returned you registration sheet, please do so today. This year's event promises to be one of our best ever and we want all our members to be able to join us. If you have any questions, or would like to reserve a space, please call the office at 860-527-1044 or email us through our website
www.crmaonline.com.
Capitol Shakeup
· The Rowland Administration announce on Friday that Theodore R. Anson, Commissioner of the Public Works Department had resigned Thursday.
· Anson was under pressure after it was disclosed that he had accepted a free set of design plans for a $190,000 addition to his home from an architectural firm, which his agency awarded a state contract to.
· What does this have to do with retailers? Well, the Governor also announced that Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner James Flemming would replace Anson at Public Works.
· Flemming was a friend of retailers while at DCP, the agency that regulates many retail operations. We wish him well on his new endeavors.
· To replace Fleming at DCP, the Governor has appointed Edwin. R. Rodriguez, 44, of
Wollcott. Rodriques will begin his new duties today. He had served as the department’s deputy commissioner for the past six years.
Three quick Questions
· This weeks three quick questions guest is Jack Mitchell, of Mitchells of Westport and Richards of Greenwich
(www.mitchellsonline.com). In addition to leading one of America’s great family business, Jack is now a best selling author.
· Hug your Customer (www.hugyourcustomer.com) is now in its sixth edition. If you remember Jack sent us an advanced copy and we are pleased to have him back to give us a few minutes and maybe a few words of advice on how we all can improve our “hugging” skills.
FF. Before we begin Jack, congratulations on your book. We have read it and it is tremendous. Continued good luck with it. There are many questions we could ask but only have time for three.
FF: In your book you mention often that without the vision of your mother and father there would be no Mitchell’s today. What advice would you give an independent retailer who wants to pass the business down to the next generation of family members?
JM: Several simple points for family business. I think the most important mind set you need to have is that it is a business first and what is good for business is good for family. Find an outside advisor that has experience in transitioning from one generation to another. Also, work very hard on developing an outside advisory board to help you in your business. In our case, we set up such a board and it has been a tremendous help. Also, we established some guidelines for family members who want to work in the business. One of the most important ones is that before working for the business you must have at least 5 years experience in work outside the family and there must be a real job for you in business before you can be brought on.
FF: Simply put what does hugging your customer mean?
JM: Hugging is our selling culture in our family business. Hugging is any caring thoughtful touch or act. Anything that personalizes the relationship with the customers. Hugging must apply to everyone. Everyone in the business has to put the customer in the center of the universe.
FF: Some of your advice seems so simple, why do many retailers miss it?
JM: It is because if they focus on bottom line, product price etc, they forget there are real people that buy their product. What we have found is that if you emphasis customer first then other things will fall into place.
FF: Bonus Question. What are some of the traits that you have found in people that are successful in retail or any walk of life?
JM: The answer to this question is not just my experience but is shared by my whole family. You need real passion and enjoy what you do. Focusing in on it and have a willingness to listen learn and grow. You also always need to be thinking about the future and to have the vision to be successful.
Workers Comp update:
· We continue pursuing our efforts to put together a self-insured workers compensation program for members of
CRMA. We have met with many members and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead.
· In addition to members we would like to hear from your brokers. Your broker will be a key person in our efforts. We would like to hear from you or your broker on what is going on in the marketplace and to see if there is interest in offering this program.
· If you or your broker are interested in this program please call or email us through our website www.crmaonline.com
LP update:
· Attention all Loss Prevention professionals: On September 25, 2003 we will be hosting a loss prevention meeting to reorganize our LP committee.
· The meeting will take place in our offices 60 Forest Street, Hartford, CT. If you are interested in participating please email us today at
crma@crmaonline.com.
· Also, Major John Butural, Executive Officer, Division of Homeland Security will join us as our guest speaker.
Retail News and Notes:
· Japanese fad brings food additives to clothes
Japanese clothing makers are seeing an increase in consumers' desires for clothes containing amino acids, caffeine and other natural ingredients. Some claim the contents can be absorbed into the skin, though doctors and nutritionists are doubtful the clothes have any nutritional value. Just Food (9/17)
· Retailers to enjoy a healthy holiday season
Holiday retail sales are expected to be up 5.7% this year, twice the 2002 gain, according to the National Retail Federation. Drug Store News (9/16) Chicago Sun-Times (9/17)
· Seattle rejects espresso tax
Seattle voters rejected a proposal yesterday that would have added a 10-cent tax on espresso drinks in order to fund childhood education programs. Nearly 70% of voters opposed the tax, which also was opposed by Starbucks and other coffee shops. Seattle Post-Intelligencer (9/17), The Washington Post/Associated Press (9/17)
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