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January 30, 2004


CRMA announces new members service program to help members with property casualty insurance. Attention Loss Prevention Specialist. Legislative Update. 
Hold the Date. Retail News and Notes.

· We are very pleased announce today that CRMA has officially endorsed One Beacon Insurance company as our preferred provider of business insurance for members of CRMA.

· One Beacon is wholly owned by White Mountains Insurance Group, LTD (NYSE: WTM). They are headquartered in Boston, Ma with roots dating back 170 years. They have an A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent).

· The CRMA /One Beacon program will feature One Beacon’s OnePac product which targets the retail industry with custom insurance coverage and services for over 70 retail classes, which is perfect for the diverse membership of CRMA.

· We are also please to announce that we have reached an agreement with Associated Benefits Insurance (ABI) to assist us in the sales and marketing of this product to members and non-members alike. ABI will begin shortly contacting members to discuss this program with them.

· Look for continuous updates as this program matures. We are very excited about the potential that One Beacon brings to retailers throughout CT. They are a first rate company that will offer members great coverage at a very competitive cost.

· And ABI will help make our membership grow by working full time on requirement of non-members. ABI is a professional insurance agency that has considerable experience working with retailers. In September of 2003, the Retailers Association of Massachusetts endorsed them.

· If you are interested in talking to someone about your business insurance, please feel free to contact us immediately. You can call our offices at 860 –527 – 1044 or email by going to our website, www.crmaonline.com.

Attention Loss Prevention Professionals and Store Owners:

· Yesterday, we received notice from the Profile Bank of Rochester NH stating that there have been a number of fraudulent checks presented for payment to them for purchases in CT.

· According to Profile Bank, as of inclearing work dated 1/21/04, they received 57 fraudulent checks. The name on the Bank, Profile Bank, F.S.B., Rochester, NH 03867, is printed on the check along with the Banks ABA number 211470238.

· Again according to Profile Bank the name and address of the maker printed on the check is not their customer. All the checks have been written to various retailers in MA, CT and RI.

· If you would like more information about this issue, including the names of the individuals printed on the checks, please call our office or contact, Janet M. Hand, Executive Vice President, Profile Bank. Her number is 603-332-2610.

Legislative Update:

· As we mentioned in last weeks Friday Fax, the start of the legislative session is right around the corner. Wednesday in fact!

· The question of whether some members will not show up for the official start of the session to protest the governor’s ongoing difficulties has been answered.

· Both Sen. President Sullivan and House Majority Leader Amman said they have asked members to be present and respectful to the Governor when he makes his annual State of the State Address.

· Speaking of the Sen. Democrats, they announced yesterday that they plan on introducing an old new idea they have – a millionaire’s tax. The Governor’s response was rather mild, “I’m sure they can talk about it but we’ll see what happens.”

· Finally, the special committee inquiry into the governor’s impeachment is set to have its first meeting today.

Hold the Date:

· We know is cold outside, very cold, but spring is around the corner. That means our annual golf tournament can’t be that far behind.

· To that end, we have set June 8, 2004 as the date for our annual golf tournament. 

· We will be holding the event once again at the Blackledge Country Club in Hebron CT.

· So, hold JUNE 8, 2004 on your calendar and look for more information on the event in the upcoming weeks

Retail News and Notes

· Lands' End helps Sears get fashion upgrade 
Since handing over its apparel operations to executives at Lands' End, Sears, Roebuck and Co. has been working hard to integrate the former mail-order company's laid-back culture into its more traditional management style. One change brought by Lands' End's management team: a clearer distinction between Sears' five private-label women's clothing brands, with better store signs to highlight the products. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (1/28) 

· Expect humor from crop of Super Bowl ads 
Nearly 30 companies have purchased ad time for this Sunday's Super Bowl, with veterans PepsiCo and IBM joining newcomer Procter & Gamble. Although the highly coveted airtime for the ads goes for an average of $2.3 million, one survey found only 7% of consumers said a Super Bowl ad caused them to switch product brands. USA TODAY (1/27)

· China's Furniture Boom Festers in the U.S. 
Lecong is an important center for China's fast-growing furniture industry, which has become the target of an antidumping dispute. (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/29/business/worldbusiness/29furniture.html) 

· ESPN May Be Adriaen MVP - Hartford Courant
A novel ESPN attraction may become the key entertainment draw at Adriaen's Landing, exciting the project's private developer and state officials but aggravating a rift between them about how fast the project should move forward. (http://www.ctnow.com/news/custom/newsat3/) 

January 23, 2004


Speaker names ten lawmakers to sit on panel of inquiry to review charges against the governor. Legislative session is right around the corner. Predictions on what issues may be front and center. Retail news and notes

· On Thursday of this week Speaker of the House Moira K. Lyons officially named the legislators that will make up the special committee of inquiry to determine if any of the Governors recent actions rise to the level of impeachment.

· In the end Lyons set the committee number at ten, with an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. 

· As expected, she named her long time friend and ally, Rep. John Wayne Fox (D) Stamford as one of the co-chairs of the committee. 

· In addition to Fox, Lyons named four other Democrats. They were: Rep. James Abrams (D) Meriden, Rep. Wade Hyslop (D) New London, Rep. Jackie Cocco (D) Bridgeport, and Rep. Mike Lawlor, (D) New Haven.

· Speaker Lyons consulted with Rep. Bob Ward, (R) North Branford, before naming the five Republicans. The five GOP members are – co-chair Art O’Neill, (R) Southbury, Ray Kalinowski, (R) Durham, and the only freshmen on the panel Rep. Dolly Powers,(R) Greenwich Rep. Bill Hamzy (R) Terryville and Rep. Ruth Farhbach (R) Windsor.

· Lyons told the media that she expects the committee to wrap up its work by the end of April. She quickly added that if necessary the committee could ask for an extension.

· Fox said he would not be reluctant to ask for an extension. “I’m not going to let time control what we do”, Fox said.

· Next week the House of Representatives will gather in special session to pass a resolution that will officially form the committee. The committee can then begin their work

Legislative Regular Session to begin February 4, 2004

· With the special committee as a background the regular session of the General Assembly is scheduled to begin on February 4, 2004 with Governor Rowland making his state of the state address.

· The governor also uses this time to present changes or adjustments to the two-year budget that was adopted last year. 

· It should be interesting to see the reaction of the General Assembly when the governor makes his address. Something to keep an eye on.

· The regular session is scheduled to end on May 5, 2004

Predictions on major issues facing the General Assembly

· With the special panel of inquiry and the controversy surrounding the governor it is very difficult to predict what this year’s short session will bring.

· We know that the short session is supposed to only deal with fiscal issues, but it never does. 

· The Legislature’s Office of Legislative Research has produced a report to legislators predicting what some of the major issues could be this year.

· Among the issues OLR sees are:

· The Environment committee will look at changes to the bottle bill; 

· The GAE committee will have plenty of ethics and elections issues before them

· OLR predicts same sex marriage will be a big issue before the Judiciary Committee and smart growth will keep the Planning and Development Committee busy. 

· OLR also predicts that property tax reform will be back again this session with the dreaded local option of sales tax part of the debate

· Finally, OLR predicts that the smoking ban passed last year will be back again this year.

· If you would like to review the OLR report, we suggest you visit them through our website www.crmaonline.com once there simply double click resources, then double click Connecticut General Assembly.

Retail News and Notes

· Connecticut Town Faces Invasions of the Big Boxes 
Downtown Stamford, Conn., soon will open its first Target, to be followed by a Burlington Coat Factory and potentially a Wal-Mart, which local real estate executives say should bring a host of smaller retailers to the area as well. The executive director of a Stamford business improvement group hopes to add a specialty food store as well as boutiques to the mix. The New York Times (free registration) (1/21) 

· Gift Cards Evolve with Contact-less Options 
ViVOtech revealed its contact-less technology at the recent National Retail Federation show. The technology integrates RFID into POS systems and allows retailers to customize their gift cards, now a $50 billion market. ViVOtech says customers can reload the cards at the register, at an in-store kiosk, over the Web and eventually over mobile phone. RFID Journal (1/21)

· The New Latte Index 
The Economist magazine will now use the price of a tall latte from Starbucks around the world to compare foreign currencies to the dollar. The magazine used to compare values using the price of a McDonald's Big Mac. The Seattle Times (free registration) (1/23) 

January 16, 2004

Speaker of the House will appoint special committee to review the Governor’s actions. CRMA Member Services Update. Workforce Update. Retail News and Notes.

· As we predicted in our last Friday Facts, Speaker of the House Moria K. Lyons, announced this week that she is forming a bipartisan legislative committee to review the Governor’s actions to determine if they are grounds for impeachment.

· Lyons stressed that her committee would be bipartisan in nature. She did not give an exact number of members, but it is expected that the special panel will be made of 8–10 House members with equal number of Democrats and Republicans.

· Under CT Law the Speaker alone has the authority to name the members of the panel. She has said repeatedly that she will not allow the panel or the investigation to become partisan. It is expected that she will seek the input from her Republican counterpart, Rep. Bob Ward, (R) North Branford, before naming any Republicans. 

· Although Lyons has not named her Democratic legislators to the panel, we expect that Rep. Wayne Fox, (D) Stamford, a close ally of Lyons and one of the most respected members in the House to be named chair of the panel. It is also expected that the House Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Mike Lawlor, (D) East Haven will also be named by Lyons to serve on the panel.

· Ward has yet to name his members as well. We expect that Rep Peter Metz, (R) Clinton, a colleague of Fox’s on the General Law Committee and a lawyer in private practice as well as Ward’s Deputy Larry Carfero, (R) Norwalk will be two of Ward’s appointees.

· Lyons and Ward meet late this week. We expect the full panel will be announced sometime early next week.

· What happens next?

· All the early action happens in the House. Next week the House will take the first step by going into session to formalize the formation of the committee.

· The special panel will then review all the chargers against the Governor, including holding hearings and taking testimony. 

· They will then make a recommendation to the full House as to whether the Governor should be impeached. A simple majority vote is required for impeachment

· The Speaker has indicated that she would like the committee to begin its work immediately. She has not placed a timetable on when the committee has to conclude its work. It remains to be seen how much this will impact the regular session which is to begin on Feb. 4, with the Governor’s State of the State address before a joint session of the Legislature.

· The story is unfolding daily. As we mentioned last week, we recommend you go to www.ctpoliticalwatch.blogspot.com to keep up to date on this story. 

CRMA Member Services Update:

· We are moving closer to finalizing a deal in the area of commercial insurance that we think will be of great benefit to all members.

· Look for more information on this program to be sent to you within the next week or two. 

· In the meantime, if you need assistance in the area of property casualty insurance, call us right away and we will get you some assistance, 860-527-1044.

Workforce Update

· CRMA is partnering with the Hartford One Stop system to pre-train and place deserving students in "behind the scene" internships in retail. 

· Both large and small retailers are welcome to participate in our internship program by hosting an intern. We encourage every retail member to participate.

· We are asking that you give every consideration to hosting an intern for a period of 3 months, twice a year. We would like to place interns in these departments:

      Marketing Public Relations Store Management
      Advertising Human Resources Development
      Loss prevention Accounting Mall Management
      Distribution Buying

· The Retailer responsibilities are few, and are outlined below.

· Before the interns are placed, a checklist of duties/competencies that will be performed by the intern or will be learned by the intern by the conclusion of their internship will be compiled.

· The retailer contact will be responsible for communicating feedback about the intern's performance and learning experience twice per month via telephone, fax or email, and tracking the student’s time sheet weekly. 

· Interns will NOT be paid for time worked by the retailer. The Capital Region Workforce Development Board will pay the students based on the time sheets you submit. 

· At the conclusion of the internship, the intern's supervisor will be asked to submit a letter of recommendation if they feel the student had a successful internship.

· Please contact Michele Mesek at 860-527-1044 to participate or if you have any questions. 

Retail News and Notes

· Levi's Signature Hits Target 
The mass-priced Levi Strauss Signature line filed into Target Stores’ 1,227 units Wednesday, marking the brand’s second full rollout across a major U.S. discounter. www.wwd.com (01/15/04)

· Rules to Live By, and Break, According to Staples Founder Thomas Stemberg 

Thomas Stemberg, founder and executive chairman of Staples, an office products retail chain, doesn’t agree with one piece of advice that is often given to aspiring entrepreneurs: Follow your passion. http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/index.cfm?fa=viewCat&CID=12 

· Lifestyle centers are gaining popularity over traditional malls 

Research indicates malls are being supplemented by lifestyle centers as shown by Simon Property Group's retail projects -- none of which fit the traditional mall mold. The company's Texas-based Wolf Ranch is a 750,000-square-foot, open-air retail shopping center that will be home to 12 anchor tenants, including Target, restaurants and more than 17 acres of park land. American City Business Journals/Austin (1/12) 

January 9, 2004

Governor facing serious challenge as controversy continues. House Democrats meet to discuss action. State Senate awaits House decision. What all this means for CRMA’s legislative efforts. CRMA workforce program. Retail News and notes.

· Happy New Year and welcome to another year of our Friday Facts.

· By now you are all familiar with the current controversy revolving around Governor Rowland. 

· As the Friday Facts goes to print, here is the latest.

· Late last evening the House Democrats, who have the responsibility to make the first move in any action that could be taken against the governor, such as impeachment, meet to discuss those options.

· Emerging some 7 hours later, House Speaker Moria K. Lyons, (D) Stamford, made headlines with this simple message: “We must take action”

· Essentially, the House Democrats have decided to create a special investigative committee that would investigate the Governor’s actions and then make a recommendation to the Speaker to determine if a formal impeachment should take place. This is what most insiders predicted they would do.

· We expect that the Speaker will name her members of the panel, while giving equal number of members to the House Republicans. The House Republican leader, Bob Ward, has vowed not to stand in the way of an investigation of the governor, as long as their are equal number of Democrats and Republicans on the panel.

· Look for Chairman of the General Law Committee, Wayne Fox, (D) Stamford, and a very close ally of Lyons, to be named as Special Chair of the committee.

· Fox is a very fair and well respected Legislator who also happens to be the only member of the House to serve on the only other impeachment panel created by the CT. Legislature in 1983 to investigate a probate court judge. That judge later resigned before any action could take place. 

State Senate Awaits House Decision

· Meanwhile in the State Senate they will await whatever action the House decides to take, primarily because they have no role until after any House action happens.

· CT. impeachment process mirrors the federal process, with the House voting on impeachment, and the Senate holding the trial.
· Senators have not been altogether quiet about what has been going on, however.

· On Wednesday of this week, about an hour before the Governor went on statewide TV to ask for forgiveness, Sen. President Sullivan called on the Governor to resign.

· In addition, Sen. John Kissell, (R) Enfield, became the first member of the Republican Senate caucus to publicly call for the Governor to resign. We have heard rumblings that there are others in the Republican camp that have also asked the Governor to resign.

· Remember, if the governor is removed from office, or if he resigns, which he has said repeatedly that he will not do, Lt. Governor Rell would become governor and Sen. President Sullivan would become Lt. Governor with a special election to be held for Sullivan’s Senate seat.

· With events on this issue unfolding almost daily, we suggest members that are interested visit a web site that a lot of CT. political insiders have been using, http://ctpoliticalwatch.blogspot.com/

· This site will give you all the latest newspaper coverage as well as some out of state coverage on what’s happening in CT. political circles.

What does all this mean for CRMA?

· The drama-taking place at the State capitol will no doubt have impact on anybody that does business at the capitol, and retailers are no different.

· For starters, the Chairman of the General Law, which has primary jurisdiction over retail issues, Rep Fox, will be preoccupied as chair of this special committee. That could mean that he would defer more to his Sen. Chair, Colopietero.

· In addition, we expect that other key legislators in the House, like House Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Rep. Lawlor (D) New Haven will also play an important role in the committee that could consume much of his time as well.

· In the Senate, Senator Sullivan, Sen. President, will be a major player in terms of any impeachment trail that may take place. Sen. Sullivan has been helpful to retailers in the past and has expressed a willingness to help us resolve the current problems with the new gift card legislation. 

· If Rowland resigns, Sullivan will leave the senate to become the Lt. Governor.

· In addition to these specific cases, the general feeling is that the whole legislative process will no doubt be preoccupied with issues surrounding the Governor and because of that, any semblance of a typical legislative session will be gone.

· We will keep you updated on this issue when events require. If you have any questions about what is happening please call our office at 860-527-1044.

CRMA Workforce Program

· Development of our Internship Pilot Program is nearing completion. This exciting venture into guidance, mentoring and education is in need of end users.

· If your office currently provides internship opportunities or has considered doing so, give us a call at 860-527-1044 or send an email to michele@crmaonline.com. We would be happy to discuss the guidelines in detail.

· Currently we are catering to the Hartford area and wish to provide internship opportunities in a variety of departments including, but not limited to: Accounting, Loss Prevention, Distribution, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, Management, Human Resources, Information Technology, Buying etc.

· Upon completion of an 18-hour pre training course, interns will be placed in internships for 12 weeks, or the amount of time decided upon by the intern and retailer. 

· Participation is at no charge to the retailer. Students will become eligible for a scholarship upon successful completion of their internship. Contributions to the scholarship fund are voluntary.

Retail News and Notes

· “Keeping It in the Family: Estée Lauder Cos. Taps William Lauder as CEO
William Lauder, 43, currently chief operating officer of the Estée Lauder Cos. and grandson of company founder Estée Lauder, will become the corporation’s new ceo on July 1, succeeding Fred Langhammer, 59. At that time, Langhammer will assume the newly created post of chairman of global affairs.” (www.wwd.com 01/07/04)

· “Speculation about what’s ahead for Levi Strauss & Co., for years one of the jeans industry’s favorite pastimes, is reaching a fever pitch. The Levi Strauss Signature brand is set to roll out fully to Target Stores this month.” (www.wwd.com 01/08/04)

· “At the Luxury End, Holiday Sales Were Hopping. The nation’s high rolling shoppers, full of pent-up desire to spend, propelled luxury stores like Neiman Marcus, Tiffany and Saks Fifth avenue to hearty increases last month, but over all, many merchants were disappointed by the holiday season.” (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/09/business/09shop.html)