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December 7, 2007

CRMA Annual Meeting Tuesday December 11, 2007
Member Services Update
Retail News and Notes

• CRMA Annual Membership Meeting will take place on Tuesday December 11, 2007.

• The meeting is open to all members of the Association and will be held at our offices at 60 Forest Street, Hartford, CT.

• Among the items that will take place during the meeting will be election of officers for the 2008 term and adoption of a 2008 budget.

• The meeting will take place at the conclusion of our 4th Qtr. Board of Directors meeting at approximately 10:15 am. If members are interested in attending or getting more information please contact our office at 860-527-1044.

Member Services Update

• In last weeks FF we announced that we have a new member service offering with Integrys Energy.

• We are looking for a roll out of this program sometime in mid January, after new rates have been filed by CL&P and UI.

• Once those rates have been filed, which we anticipate they will any day now, we will be able to set our price for members.

• Again, this program will be uniquely marketed. Look for pricing to be offered only during certain “windows” each week. This pricing schedule, adjusted weekly, ensures that we can offer members the most competitive pricing throughout the year.

• If you are interested in more information regarding this program, please call our office today.

• Also as we wind down the year, and we realize this is the busiest season for our members, we continue our pledge to work as hard as we can to find the right programs for our members to help them with their bottom line.

• If during this busiest time of the year, you have ANY questions regarding insurance, bank card issues or any other subject that you think we can help you on please call us.

• Remember, CRMA has a comprehensive Bank Card program that can help members lower their rates as well as review a statement to ensure you are not being overcharged.

• The CRMA Foundation has partnered with Castle Branch to offer CRMA members 15% off background check services when you mention the CRMA Foundation in your correspondence with them.

• For more information on Castle Branch please go to www.castlebranch.com.

• To get started, please contact Charlie Kessler at 1-888-723-4263 ext 7118. Don’t forget to mention the CRMA Foundation to receive the 15% discount on your services!!

• Finally, we continue the march toward efforts to form a Retailers Only Self Insured Workers Comp Program. If you are interested in learning more about that program, please call Frank Michaud of ABI Insurance at 1-800-211-4217 ext 226.

Retail News and Notes

• Economic climate drives online bargain hunting price and free shipping are the biggest incentives for buying online by far, followed distantly by special promotions and coupons, according to a late November survey by Synovate for Guidance. Forty-three percent of those surveyed named price as the most important factor, while 18% said it was free shipping. Retail Merchandiser (12/6)

• Holiday decor takes months of planning, most consumers don't realize that retailers spend most of the year planning the decorations that bring holiday cheer for just a few weeks every year. A Long Island City, N.Y., company called Holiday Image forecasts $10 million in sales this year as it works to bring the right ambiance to Tiffany & Co., Barneys, Cartier, Macy's and other major retailers. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (12/4)

 
• American Eagle to open flagship store in Times Square, American Eagle Outfitters has signed a lease to open a three-level flagship store in Times Square, the retailer announced Wednesday. The New York City location will be American Eagle's largest store in the world. San Diego Union-Tribune/Reuters (12/5)