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 Friday
Facts - Archives -
Month of June 2008Current
Week
June 27, 2008
Legislature Overrides Governors Veto
Minimum Wage to Increase in January
Retailer of the Year Nominations in the Mail
CRMA Golf Outing Update
Member Services Update
Retail News and Notes
• Early this week the CGA voted by the slimmest possible
margin in the House, to override Governor Rell’s veto of a
bill that would increase the State’s minimum wage.
• There was considerable question as to whether the House
Democratic Majority had the votes to override, particularly
because many members had already started summer vacation and
were not present.
• And despite the Governor’s plea that this year was not the
time for an increase and that an increase would have a
negative effect on business in the State, the Democratic
Majority in the House mustered the votes, including getting
help from one member of the GOP to make it happen.
• With the override, the minimum wage in CT will now move to
$8.00 on January 1, 2009 and to $8.35 on January1, 2010.
Retailer of the Year Nominations in the
Mail
• Nomination letters for the 2009 Retailer of the Year will
soon go out to members.
• Our annual presentation to the Retailer of the Year will
take place on November 13, 2008 at the Bushnell Theater’s
Autorino Hall.
• When you receive your nomination form, please take a minute
and review it. The CRMA Annual selection of a Retailer of the
Year is the highest honor we bestow upon a retailer in CT and
your input is critical to our selection committee’s decision.
CRMA Golf Outing Update
• Speaking of events, the CRMA Golf Outing is going under some
changes this year, including where and when the event will
take place.
• We are very happy to report that the Golf Committee has
selected the Hartford Golf Club as the site for this year’s
CRMA Golf Outing. The Hartford Golf Club is one of the finest
private golf clubs in CT and we are very honored to be
selected among the very few organizations that they allow for
outings.
• In addition to a new location, we have moved the time frame
that our outing will take place.
• This year the Golf Outing will be held on Oct 6, 2008.
• Look for more registration information regarding the Golf
Outing very soon.
Member Services Update
• This is not a news flash to CRMA members, but the rising
cost of fuel has put pressure on all businesses and consumers.
• Some retailers may also see an increase in their utility
bills beginning July 1, 2008 when the DPUC puts into place new
prices for certain commercial class codes and in certain
utility areas.
• In particular retailers that are located in the United
Illuminating territory may see across the board increases in
their energy bills. While some larger commercial uses in the
CL& P territory are expected to increase as well.
• For CRMA members, we may have some relief for you.
• The CRMA/Intergys Energy supply program offers members the
ability to compare your rates with the incumbent utility. In
short, you have alternatives to look at if your energy costs
go up.
• We urge all members to call us today to get more information
about our program. We will do a free analysis of your existing
bill and determine if there is a way that we can help lower
your utility bill.
• Also, you can contact Dennis McCaffery at Intergys directly
by calling 781-340-1700.
Retail News and Notes
•
Retailers seek ways to curb catalog costs
Companies including L.L. Bean and Neiman Marcus are examining
ways to cut catalog mailing costs in the face of rising prices
for paper and postage. Williams-Sonoma is now using ZIP code
data to remove customers from its mailing list who are
unlikely to buy.
The Wall Street Journal
(subscription required) (6/24)
•
Kmart tests new store formats
Sears Holdings is experimenting with a new format it hopes
will help its Kmart brand achieve a turnaround. Two test
stores have been built in relatively obscure Illinois
locations as part of a cautious strategy to determine whether
a makeover will work.
Chicago Tribune (free
registration) (6/23)
•
Kmart tests new store formats
CVS is one of several retailers testing a new
shrink-management program. Checkpoint Systems' Evolve system
features RFID and software-defined radio.
Drug Store News (free registration) (6/23)
June 13, 2008
Special Session Attempts to Lower Gas Tax
Minimum Wage Override put off to Next Week
CRMA Golf Classic Plans Announced
New Utility Rates on the Horizon
Retail News and Notes
• As we mentioned in last weeks Friday Facts, the CGA went
into special session to deal with some left over issues from
the regular session that ended in early May.
• As has become the norm for the past 10 years, special
sessions become secretive, behind closed doors affairs with
the general public, the media and insiders like us, really
only left to guess as to what is on the mind of leaders.
• Remember when in special session, the legislature can set
its own rules and that means if they want, and they usually
do, they have no committee meetings, no public hearings; none
of the normal process that takes place during the regular
session.
• In this year’s case, Legislative leaders were clear that
they wanted to extend the real estate conveyance tax but after
that it was anybody’s guess.
• As we moved closer to the start of the session other issues
emerged, including putting off another gas tax increase,
bailing out the UConn Health Center and trying again to pass a
so called ethics bill.
• On Wednesday and into Thursday they did all of that and a
little more.
• First, they did pass an extension of the real estate
conveyance tax which municipalities wanted and real estate
agents did not; they passed a UConn Health Center bail out
which the Health Center wanted and some private hospitals did
not and they eliminated an increase on the gross receipts tax
on gas which everybody wanted.
• One other thing legislature did, was they will allow
gasoline retailers the ability to offer LOWER prices on a
gallon of gas if a customer pays with cash as opposed to
credit.
• Gee- do you think they finally are getting that credit card
fees are a little high?
Minimum Wage Override put off to Next
Week
• With all this stuff going on during the special session, the
Democratic majority decided that it was not the day to include
an override attempt of a gubernatorial veto of the minimum
wage bill.
• The word around the Capitol is that the General Assembly
will be back in veto session sometime around June 23rd, June
24th or June 25th.
• It is still unclear if the votes are there for an override,
so we will keep a close ear to the ground.
CRMA Golf Classic Plans Announced
• We are very pleased today to announce that we have set the
date, time and place for the 2008 CRMA Golf Classic.
• The Hartford Golf Club will be the site for this year’s
event which will be held October 6, 2008.
• We are very excited to make this announcement. The Hartford
Golf Club is a very prestigious golf venue in CT and only
allows a very select number of outings a year.
• Please set aside October 6, 2008 for this year’s CRMA Golf
Classic. We are working on more of the details and will soon
send out registration materials for you to review. In the
meantime, if you are interested in serving on our Golf
Committee, please contact Cathy in our office today at
860-527-1044 or
cathy@crmaonline.com.
New Utility Rates on the Horizon
• The so called standard offer, which is the base price that
the state’s two incumbent utilities, CL&P and UI use are due
to expire on July 1, 2008.
• The utilities are expected to file new rates next week with
the DPUC; those rates will be reviewed by the DPUC with a
final determination and announcement of the new rates made the
following week.
• We are hearing that the rates are expected to increase. By
how much and for which rate class, i.e., residential and or
business is still unclear.
• For CRMA members, we are keeping a close eye on this
announcement because we know that the cost of energy supply is
a big part of your business. We also know that our energy
supply program with Intergys is poised to offer members a
competitive alternative should those rates rise too much.
• If you are interested in learning more about our energy
supply program, please contact our office today at
860-527-1044.
Retail News and Notes
•
Victoria's Secret opens
clearance outlets
Victoria's Secret has been hesitant to sell its merchandise
through outlet stores -- until now. The lingerie retailer has
opened four clearance stores over the past eight months and
plans a fifth by the end of the year.
American
City Business Journals/Columbus
(6/6)
•
Steve & Barry's, surfer launch apparel line
Surfing star Laird Hamilton unveiled a surf-and-skate-inspired
apparel and accessories line at Steve & Barry's last month.
The 200 items are priced at $8.98 or less.
The Detroit News (6/9)
•
Developers tweak retail spaces over fresh
starts
Mall developers are looking to revamp properties rather than
build new ones because of the economic downturn, retail
closings and a lack of room for new projects. Many are seeking
new retail formats, expanding food offerings, and adding
entertainment features, office space and hotels.
Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (6/9)
June 6, 2008
Special Session May Include Mini Wage Override
Other News and Notes from the State Capitol
Retailers Only Self Insured Workers Compensation Trust Moves
Closer to Reality
Member Services Update
CRMA to Host Eastern States Conference of Executives this
Summer
Retail News and Notes
• The Connecticut General Assembly is going back into special
session on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 to consider the extension
of the real estate conveyance tax.
• But it may also take up another issue that will impact
retailers.
• If you recall during the regular session the Legislature
passed House Bill 5105 which increased the state’s minimum
wage from $7.65 to $8.00 beginning January 1, 2009 then in
January 1, 2010 it would take the minimum wage to $8.35.
• Governor Rell, sighting a slowing economy and the potential
harmful affect that the increase would have on business,
vetoed the bill.
• The Democrats who hold majorities in both houses of the GA,
however, are confident they can muster the votes to override
her veto.
• They are confident, primarily, because there are two Sen.
Republicans who voted for the bill during the regular session
and do not seem inclined to change their votes.
• It will be a very interesting couple of days as the
Governor’s office and the Republican leadership are sure to
apply pressure to these 2 members to get them to switch their
votes.
• We will be there and will keep you up to date on that issue.
Other News and Notes from the State
Capitol
• With the rising price of gas no where in sight, there is
tremendous pressure on the GA to do something. Add to that
another scheduled increase in the gas tax of up to $.04 set to
go into effect in July.
• Governor Rell signaled this week that she would be willing
to postpone that increase if the majority Democrats would help
her find $25million in off setting cuts.
• The gas cuts along with another attempt by the minority
Republicans to offer their budget will be among the side
issues that will be sure to test the Democrats next week. It
could end up being a very long day.
• Also, with the Speaker of the House Jim Amann announcing
that he would not run for reelection this fall so that he can
concentrate full time on his run for Governor, there is the
very real possibility that the special session could turn into
a political food fight.
Retailers Only Self Insured Workers
Compensation Trust Moves Closer to Reality
• For those of you keeping track at home, and we know you are,
you will know that we have been working over the past year or
so to form a retailer’s only self insured workers compensation
trust for our members.
• And you also know that forming such a group is a major
undertaking especially given that CT is the home state to the
insurance industry.
• But over the course of the last 2 weeks we have made major
steps toward the formation of the group which we are confident
will allow members to receive savings on their workers
compensation cost.
• We are planning a major push over the next 3 weeks to finish
our application to the state so that we get this group off the
ground.
• Look for more information on this program in the very near
future.
Member Services Update
• In other member services information, as we head into the
warmer months, members are encouraged to contact us regarding
our demand response program with Consumer Power Line.
• Please remember, this program allows members to EARN MONEY
by shedding load during peak periods. A number of members are
now participating and we would be happy to explain the program
to you.
• Also, keep a close eye on your retail energy supply bill
this summer as we anticipate some increases in the standard
offer that the utilities are offering businesses.
• CRMA offers members the ability to purchase their energy
thru us and we are keeping a close eye on the standard offer
rate. The standard offer rate is set to expire on July 1, 2008
with new rates to be announced shortly.
• Please keep us in mind as those new rates are released. Our
program with Integrys Energy may be able to help you save
money on your energy supply.
• And, as always, CRMA offers members the best overall bank
card program in the market today.
• We can offer lower rates to go along with great services. We
will do a free analysis for you if you would like. Contact
Cathy in our office for more information on this member
service offering at 860-527-1044 or
cathy@crmaonline.com.
CRMA to Host Eastern States Conference
of Executives this Summer
• Finally, we are pleased this year to host a regional meeting
of state retail association executives this July.
• The meeting will be held at the Waters Edge Resort in
Westbrook, CT from July 13th to July 16th.
• The meeting will bring together Retail Association
Executives from the surrounding Eastern States, from Maine to
Maryland to discuss legislative and association management
issues.
• If you are interested in attending, please call Cathy in our
office for more information at 860-527-1044.
Retail News and Notes
•
Famous flagships benefit from tourist trend,
many national chain flagships are still going strong despite
many retail cutbacks this year. Retailers are pouring money
into renovations and presentation upgrades at such locations
as New York City's Bloomingdale's 59th Street, Macy's Herald
Square and Saks Fifth Avenue, as foreign tourists continue to
flock to these stores amid a tough economy.
Women's Wear Daily
(subscription required) (6/4)
•
Walgreen implements new monitoring system
Walgreen has completed the installation of Ionit Technologies'
digital-video-monitoring system in more than 6,000 stores and
other facilities. The real-time custom software will allow the
chain to monitor security better.
RedOrbit/Datamonitor (6/3)
•
NRF: Organized retail crime rates climb
Eighty-five percent of loss prevention executives in all
segments of retailing said their company was a victim of
organized retail crime sometime in the past year, up from 79%
in 2007, according to the NRF. The organization's vice
president of loss prevention said the jump is because of the
low-risk profitability for crime rings that steal merchandise,
such as baby formula and over-the-counter drugs, and sell it
at flea markets and pawn shops, or on the Internet.
Supermarket News (6/4)
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