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 Friday
Facts - Archives -
Month
of June 2004
Current
Week
June 25, 2004
Governor Rowland resigns effective July 1, 2004;
Lt. Governor Rell to assume office.
Sen. President Sullivan to leave State Senate and a new leader will be elected.
Retail News and Notes.
· Monday, June 21, 2004 will forever by a historic day in Connecticut history
· It was the day that CT Governor John G. Rowland announced that he would resign as Governor effective noon on July 1, 2004.
· Lt. Governor M. Jodi Rell will become Governor that day.
· Rowland’s announcement although historic by any measure, was still not completely unexpected.
· As you know, he and his administration have been under intense investigation by both the Federal Government and a special Legislative Committee that was empanelled to investigate whether he should be impeached.
· There is no telling exactly what motivated Mr. Rowland to take this step at this time (he had indicated that he would never resign) but some factors may include the fact that on Friday of last week the State Supreme Court ruled against him in his efforts to squash a subpoena that the Impeachment Committee sent to him requesting his testimony before them.
· In addition, it was becoming increasingly clear that the Governor would have been impeached by the House and that a trial would take place soon after that in the Senate and his chances of surviving that were not good.
· There may be other reasons that we may never know about.
· In the end, we think the soon to be Lt. Governor Kevin Sullivan summed it up best when he said, “You’re prepared, but you’re never prepared.”
Lt. Governor Rell to take office July 1, 2004
· CT’s constitution requires that if the Governor should leave office that the Lt. Governor assumes the position of Governor. In this cases that means that M. Jodi Rell becomes Connecticut’s next Governor.
· We are in good hands with Ms. Rell. She is an outstanding person, with high ethical standards and a strong sense of duty.
· A moderate Republican, she is an experienced lawmaker who served in the House prior to being Rowland’s running mate and “partner in policy” as she described it.
· For more information about Governor Rell, we suggest you visit her website,
www.otlg.state.ct.us
· Rell has indicated that changes in staff will take place but has not tipped her hand just yet as to which agencies will undergo changes.
· We will have more information in next week’s Friday Facts as word leaks out as to who is in and who is out in the new Rell Administration.
· Finally, Governor Rell is a friend of the retail industry and CRMA. She was our keynote speaker at our Annual Luncheon in 1997 and has traveled around the State with us in promoting Connecticut’s sales tax free week.
· We wish nothing but good things to the new Rell Administration and look forward to working with them.
Resignation has a ripple effect.
· With the Lt. Governor moving into the Governor’s office, Sen. President Kevin Sullivan moves into the Lt. Governor’s office, and we are not so sure that makes him so happy.
· Sullivan has been in the State Senate for over 18 years and loved every minute of it including the last 8 as President Pro Tem. He had enormous power and clout. That may not be true as Lt. Governor.
· With Senator Sullivan leaving the Senate, there needs to be a new Sen. President Pro Temp.
· In this case, the current Majority Leader Marty Looney (D-New Haven) will not move up. We hear that Sen. Don Williams (D-Killingly) will be elected by the caucus as the new President Pro Temp.
· Williams is not an unknown, but has kept a lower profile. He is moderate to liberal Democratic who has chaired the Environment Committee and has been in Senate leadership since 1995.
· For more information on Williams you can visit his website, by going to
http://www.senatedems.state.ct.us/Williams.html.
· With the change at the top of the CT State Government, there will be lots of news in upcoming months and we will keep you as up to date as possible.
· In the meantime if you have any questions about what is going on, please feel free to contact us at 860-527-1044
Retail News and Notes:
· U.S. babies go glam
As American parents grow older and have more money to spend on their children, an increasing amount of high-level, imported baby furniture has hit the U.S. market. Highchairs have become akin to haute couture and are part of what was a $9.7 billion market in 2003, including furnishing and toys for babies.
. The
Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (6/25)
· Tiffany sues eBay, alleging promotion of trademark infringement
Jeweler Tiffany & Co. says eBay should be doing more to stop counterfeit items being listed on its auction site, and has sued the online retailer in federal court for contributing to trademark infringement. Tiffany says it purchased 186 pieces of silver jewelry advertised as Tiffany and 73% of it was fake. EBay says it takes these concerns seriously and has worked with Tiffany in the past to remove counterfeit merchandise.
Los
Angeles Times (free registration) (6/22)
· Analysis: Suit may hurt Wal-Mart in cities
A federal judge's ruling granting class-action status to a sex discrimination suit against Wal-Mart may have the effect of emboldening the chain's critics, especially in more cosmopolitan areas, analysts say. Los Angeles planning officials are considering a proposal that would strictly limit the construction of Wal-Mart supercenters within city limits; a move the company says amounts to government limiting consumer choice.
Los
Angeles Times (free registration) (6/24), ), Financial
Times (London) (subscription required) (6/23)
June
18, 2004
Impeach
Inquiry Continues. Member Services Update.
Retail
News and Notes
· The Legislature’s Committee of Inquiry, which was
established to determine if there are grounds for
impeachment against Governor Rowland, is completing its
first full week of testimony. The committee met three days
last week.
· The committee has set a June 30, 2004 deadline, but it
looks like it may take a bit longer than that. Although,
the House Chair of the Committee, Rep Wayne Fox
(D-Stamford), thinks they will be pretty close to that
date.
· In the meantime, the State Supreme Court is schedule to
hear oral arguments to determine whether the committee has
the power to force the Governor to testify before the
committee. It is expected that the State Supreme Court
will decide that question quickly.
· The impeachment proceedings are being televised live on
local cable access as well as being fed via web cast. You
can watch the proceedings by visiting the Connecticut
General Assembly’s website.
· Here’s how you do it: First visit our website, www.crmaonline.com. Double click on “Resources”, then
double click “Connecticut General Assembly”.
· From the CGA home page, click on “Broadcast Media”,
and then click on either “House Streaming Video” or
“Senate Streaming Video”. This will allow you to
follow the impeachment proceedings. The hearings are
expected to resume at 1:00 p.m. Friday.
· One other Capitol related note. The General Assembly
has scheduled a veto session for June 28, 2004. The
governor has vetoed only one bill and that is not expected
to be overridden.
Member Services Update:
· Two quick notes from our member service department.
· Our newest member service program is open to all
members and we encourage all members to take advantage of
it today. That program is the new CRMA/One Beacon Property
Casualty offering.
· We have used our purchasing power to work with One
Beacon to offer retailers in CT an outstanding program,
one that can save any member money. If you are interested
in learning more about this call us today at 860-527-1044.
· Also, CRMA has one of the best bankcard programs in the
state. Our program with Global Payments has helped
retailers of all sizes and volume.
· Our rates are among the most competitive in the market.
In addition to the rates, Global Payments has a great
service department to handle any questions that members
may have.
· Call us today for more information about these two
programs. Or, visit our website, www.crmaonline.com for
more information.
· Finally on the member services front, we are working
with a well known telecommunication reseller to educate
members on the potential savings on their
telecommunication needs.
· We will have more information on this program in the
near future. In the meantime, if you are interested in
having a free analysis on your telecommunication bill,
call us today or email us at crma@crmaonline.com
Retail News and Notes:
· Exofficio's "Buzz Off" clothing line keeps
away bugs
Outdoor clothing company Exofficio makes a line of
"Buzz Off" apparel that it says repels
mosquitoes, no-see-ums and ticks as well as, or better
than, any bug spray. Costing $7 to $20 more than
non-repellant equivalents, the Buzz Off clothes are made
by using an odorless chemical found in the chrysanthemum
plant, and the effectiveness lasts up to 25 washes,
according to Exofficio. The Miami Herald/The Ledger (free
registration) (6/14)
· Retailers concerned about effect of gas prices on teen
spending
As gas prices continue to stay above the $2 per gallon
mark, retailers are concerned teenagers may cut back on
spending during the summer. "Teenage spending is
always crucial," said Ellen Tolley of the National
Retail Federation, noting higher gas prices can impact
spending on food, clothing and entertainment. Sarasota
Herald-Tribune (6/9)
· Think twice before skipping out on paying for Girl
Scout cookies
While uncollected revenues on Girl Scout cookies account
for less than 1% of sales, that can still leave regions
short tens of thousands of dollars once Thin Mint season
is over. In order to collect outstanding debts, and also
set a good example according to a Girl Scouts spokeswoman,
the organization has hired a debt collector and even
placed liens against people's credit. BusinessWeek (6/17)
· New changes to wine have some upset over end of
tradition
Corbett Canyon recently became the largest winery to
replace corks with screwtops, a move one restaurateur says
is due to shortage of good cork. Although the metal tops
are supposed to help keep the wine longer, some
connoisseurs say the changes, along with upscale
wine-in-a-box and a new canned champagne, are hurting the
industry's traditions. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul)
(free registration) (6/15)
June 11, 2004
Golf Classic
wrap up. Governor signs Sales Tax Free Week.
Impeachment
Hearings begin this week. Retail News and Notes.
On Tuesday of this week
we held our 3rd
Annual Golf Classic at Blackledge Country Club in Hebron,
CT, under blue skies.
· The event was a huge
success, if we do say so ourselves, with about 90 golfers
on the course enjoying the beautiful weather and staying
to reap the benefits that our raffle had to offer.
· For those of you that
took the time out of your schedule to join us on Tuesday,
we cannot thank you enough for your time. We understand
that it is hard to take time away from the office and it
means a great deal to us that you chose our Golf
Tournament.
· Also, to those 51
companies who purchased tee signs, we thank you as well.
This year we had the highest number of tee signs we have
ever had and could not do it without you.
· Finally, we want to
send a special thank you out to Tom Wholley, of Better
Bedding, for his leadership in putting our Golf Tournament
together. He helped make the event the best we have held
so far, and we are very grateful for his time and energy.
Governor
signs Sales Tax Free Week
· While many of us were
playing in the Golf Tournament on Tuesday, Governor
Rowland made the day a little better by signing into law
continuation of the Sales Tax Free Week.
· If you recall the
Sales Tax Free Week was eliminated last session by the
General Assembly, but we were successful in keeping it
alive this year.
· The Sales Tax free
week will begin on Sunday August 15th and will end on
Saturday August 21st.
· If you would like to
review the language of the bill, please go to our website,
www.crmaonline.com.
From there click on “Resources” then, under state
links, click on “Connecticut General Assembly” and
insert bill number SB 35. That will take you to the
Public Act.
Impeachment
Hearings begin this week
· On Tuesday this week,
the General Assembly’s special inquiry into possible
impeachment of Governor Rowland, began its public hearing
phase.
· Hearings are expected
to last well into next week.
· Governor Rowland, who
was expected to testify Tuesday, is suing the Committee
and questioning the Legislature’s ability to force a
sitting Governor to testify before one of its Committees.
Late Thursday afternoon the Connecticut Supreme Court
agreed to hear oral arguments on this issue for next
Friday.
Retail
news and notes
·
May
emerges as winner in Marshall Field bidding
May Department
Stores has agreed to a
deal with Target to purchase the 62-store Marshall Fields chain for $3.24
billion. The deal is subject to approval and could be
sealed this summer. For now, May will keep the Marshall
Fields name on all stores as well as the store's entire
work force. St.
Louis Post-Dispatch
(6/9)
·
Ceremony
True To IKEA's Roots
IKEA will open its New Haven store July 28, but it
won't cut a ribbon to celebrate the Swedish home
furnishings retailer's first outlet in New England. Two
people will saw a log in half. Log sawing is a Swedish
tradition that symbolizes a new beginning....(June 9,
2004 By KENNETH R. GOSSELIN / Courant Staff Writer, http://www.ctnow.com/search/dispatcher.front?target=article&Query=ikea
)
·
Jelly
Belly honors Reagan
California-based Jelly
Belly sent then-Gov.
Ronald Reagan jelly beans in 1967 to help him quit
smoking, and Reagan made the candies a must-have at the
White House when he won the presidency. The company has
affixed black ribbons to a jelly bean mosaic of Reagan in
honor of his passing, and credits him for its worldwide
success. MSNBC/Associated
Press (6/8)
·
Home Depot plans Chinese expansion
Home Depot
created a new position of
president of Home Depot Asia and announced plans to expand
into the $50 billion Chinese home improvement sector. The
company didn't say how many new stores it will build, and
analysts speculate Home Depot may try to buy out existing
stores. CNNmoney/Reuters
(6/7)
June
4, 2004
It’s golf, golf
and more golf.
CRMA Golf Classic
ready to go.
Retail News and
Notes
-
On Tuesday,
June 8th, our third annual golf tournament
will be held. It is shaping up to become a great event! Thanks to all of you who will participate, for taking
time away from your busy schedules to join us.
-
Registration
is from 9:00a.m. – 10:00a.m we will begin with a shotgun start at 10:00 am sharp.
-
-
During the
day, there are a number of contests including a Hold in
One contest (a chance to win a free trip to the Masters
or $15,000 cash) longest drive and closest to the pin.
-
If you have
any last minute questions or if you have last minute
change to your foursome, please call us today. Also, it
is real late, but we can still sneak some additional
golfers. Call us today, at 860-527-1044 and we will add
your names to our list.
Retail
News and Notes
-
NRF
Foundation opens St. Louis service skills center, plans
for six more
The NRF Foundation, a division of the National Retail Federation, will officially open a Customer
Service Services Skills Center in St. Louis tomorrow,
the first in the Midwest and tenth nationwide. The
center provides free training on character development
and personal skills and assists with retail job
placement. The NRF Foundation plans to open six more of
the centers over the next two years. St.
Louis Post-Dispatch
(6/2)
-
Women's
apparel shops change sizing standards
For years Chico's FAS has sold clothing in sizes 0 through 3, and now
other retailers are changing how they label sizes.
"It's just a number, but it makes you feel
better," says one design academic. Chicago
Sun-Times (6/1)
-
Retailers
try "pop-up" stores for quick brand promotion
Target,
J.C. Penney
and Bluefly
are among some retailers experimenting with "pop-up
stores," temporary locations that offer promotional
or seasonal items. While the stores offer brand exposure
without long-term leases, Daniel Butler of the National
Retail Federation says there are "liability,
staffing and management issues" to
consider. USA
TODAY (5/27)
-
"Lifestyle
centers" redefine modern shopping mall concept
Among the hottest catchphrases
being mentioned at this week's annual convention of the
International Council of Shopping Centers in Las Vegas
is "lifestyle centers." The definition, though
still sketchy, is that they cater to the "lifestyle
pursuits of consumers," according to the ICSC, and,
found so far in mainly affluent areas, the centers
comprise large blocks of property with greater mixes of
retails stores, restaurants and entertainment
venues. CBS
MarketWatch (free registration)
(5/25)
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