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     May 28, 2010

Convention Over with a Few Surprises
Primary Season upon Us
Governor Veto’s Energy Bill
CRMA Golf Outing Update
Member Services
Retail News and Notes


• The 2010 State wide conventions are now history and as we take a quick look back there were some surprises but no great drama.

• For political junkies like us, the conventions were great fun, but the end result was that not much got settled and if you like primaries then this is your year.

• All through the primary season and into the fall elections we will keep you up to date on the highlights of the campaigns.

Primary Season upon Us

• The end results of conventions were there will be primaries for most of the major races and the campaigning for those races should begin this weekend.

• Here is a quick rundown of what happened at each party convention:

• Republicans:

• Governor: The Republicans did what we expected in nominating former Irish Ambassador Tom Foley as their nominee but both Lt Gov Mike Fedele and Metro Chamber President Oz Griebel will primary.

• Attorney General: the R’s nominated Avon lawyer and former AG candidate Martha Dean for the AG spot. Attorney Ross Garber will primary her.

• Newington Mayor Christopher Wright will run as the GOP candidate for Treasurer, while DCP Commissioner Jerry Farrell was the GOP choice for Secretary of the State. Greenwich businessman Jack Orchulli got the nod for Comptroller.

• The real drama for the R’s was in the race for the United States Senate seat.

• Going into the convention, we expected that former Congressman Rob Simmons would get the nomination but that Linda McMahon would gain more than enough to primary.

• But, as often happens with conventions, something unexpected happened and the reversal took place.

• The McMahon floor operation steamrolled Simmons and before he could look up he was out and McMahon had won the endorsement of the convention.

• Two days later, Simmons opted not to primary McMahon, who will now set her sites on Richard Blumenthal for the US Senate seat.

• Democrats:

• The D’s had their share of mini dramas and will result in primaries as well.

• Governor: The D’s did the expected in nominating Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy but just as expected Ned Lamont gained enough delegates to primary.

• There will also be a primary for Lt. Gov with both Malloy’s choice, Comptroller Nancy Wymann and Lamont’s choice Simsbury Mayor Mary Glassman squaring off.

• AG: Former State Senator and Democratic Party Chair George Jepson easily won the nomination for AG, with no primary opponent.

• Comptroller: There was a wild little food fight for this spot going a couple of ballots before Health Care Advocate Kevin Lembo took the nomination. No word on if he will have primary opponents just yet.

• Sec. of State: House Majority Leader Denise Merrill will be the Democrats endorsed candidate for this office but State Senator Jonathan Harris has enough to primary.

• Treasurer: Denise Nappier will once again be the D’s choice for Treasurer with no primary opposition.

• US. Senate: Richard Blumenthal, weathered the storm over his controversial statements of last week and gained, without opposition, the D’s nomination for US Senate.

• McMahon vs. Blumenthal should be lots of fun and with no primaries for either candidate; they can go right at it!

Governor Veto’s Energy Bill

• Many of you may have seen the special notice we sent to members of the legislative committee but it bears repeating: Governor Rell this week vetoed Senate Bill 493 "AN ACT REDUCING ELECTRICITY COSTS AND PROMOTING RENEWABLE ENERGY".

• You can view the governor's veto message by going here and you can view the legislative response by going here.

• We are very pleased the governor vetoed the bill, but we have to stand guard against any override attempts.

CRMA Golf Outing Update

• By now you should have received your invitation to the CRMA Golf Classic which will be held on September 27, 2010 at the Hartford Golf Club.

• We are very excited about this year’s event due to some of the changes that we have made.

• Please review the invitation today and send in your check for a foursome. We promise you that this year’s event will be our best ever!

• If you would like more information about the golf outing, please call Cathy in our office today at 860-527-1044.

Member Services

• With the Memorial Day holiday this weekend, the summer season is right around the corner and that means some hot weather may be in store.

• With that in mind, please remember you can EARN MONEY during the hot season by participating in the CRMA/CPowered Demand Response program.

• CPowered is one of the leading energy companies that specialize in DR programs and we strongly encourage you call us today for more information on how to participate in this program.

• While we are on the subject of energy, if you are still on standard service with either United Illuminating or CL&P, you are paying too much for your energy supply cost.

• CRMA has teamed up with Public Power to offer members a SAVINGS on their energy supply cost.

• We have already had a number of members switch from standard service to CRMA/Public Power and one member saved over $200 per month.

• Please call us today and we will show you how this program can put money BACK into your pocket.

Retail News and Notes

• Interior designer turns green goals into retail franchise
Interior designer Nicole Goldman's green home makeover took longer than it should have, as the Cape Cod resident combed the country for the bamboo flooring and other materials she needed. The experience spurred Goldman to launch 'g' Green Design Center, a retail showroom for sustainable home products. The business, which also matches buyers with qualified contractors, has been such a hit that Goldman is now franchising. Entrepreneur (6/2010)

• Pricey purses are popping up at midpriced chains
Renewed confidence about consumer spending has merchants stocking more high-priced handbags this spring, The Wall Street Journal reports. Shoppers at midpriced apparel stores including Ann Taylor and Talbots are finding high-end designer bags. The move may mark a shift in strategy, as the chains seek to build reputations as "entry-level luxury players." The Wall Street Journal (5/27)

• 21 secrets of top converting websites
Bryan Eisenberg, the best-selling author of "Call to Action: Secret Formulas to Improve Online Results," says retailers should leverage 21 tips to increase conversion rates and bring in sales. At Shop.org's Merchandising Workshop, July 12 to 14 in Huntington Beach, Calif., hear Eisenberg present examples from retail, B2B, publishers and everything in between. Learn more.

May 7, 2010

CT General Assembly Adjourns the Regular Session
ORC Bill Passes both Chambers
Other News and Notes from the Capitol
Member Services Update
Retail News and Notes


• As we go to print on this edition of the FF, we are a little groggy but very relieved that the CT General Assembly has concluded its’ business for the regular session.

• We are fairly confident that they are done for the year, but the way things have been going, one is never sure if they or the Governor will call them back into Special Session to deal with the one issue or another.

• Before we get to the wrap up on bills, we want to once again thank members who participated in our bi-weekly conference calls during the session to review bills and help us shape strategy.

• Your participation in that committee is circuital to our success and we thank you for your support.

• Any member that did not have a chance to participate this year, we hope you can find the time next session to join us. The Legislative Committee is a great way for members of all sizes to learn what is going on at the State Capitol and to help us as we deal with the variety of issues facing retailers.

ORC Bill Passes both Chambers

• We are extremely pleased to report today the HB 5223 passed both chambers this year and is on its way to Governor for her signature.

• The bill put into statue for the first time, a definition of retail theft and assigns a stiff penalty to anyone who breaks this new law.

• We want to thank all the members of the CT Loss Prevention Committee who helped us in drafting and reviewing this bill and who gave us the inspiration to keep this effort going.

• CT now joins 18 other states in enacting ORC legislation and hope this new law will continue our momentum in CT to strengthen our LP community to help combat this growing problem that retailers are facing.

• Finally, we will be reviewing this bill at our next LP Regional Meeting which will take place on June 23, 2010 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at the Westfarms Mall.

• If you are interested in attending that meeting, please call our office today. The spaces for the meeting are limited, and we are fast approaching capacity; so, please call Cathy today for more information at 860-527-1044.

Other News and Notes from the Capitol

• As the Legislature trudged toward adjournment day, behind the scenes key Legislators and the Governor’s office were hammering away at adjustments to the State budget that was out of balance by some $700 million dollars.

• A deal was made before adjournment and the Senate debated the budget early Wednesday evening and sent it to House who wrapped it up on Wednesday before midnight.

• The budget calls for some more borrowing and some additional cuts in State spending, but does not include any new taxes or elimination of the sales tax holiday.

• It is not without controversy however, as the House and Senate Republicans, spilt with their Republican Governor over the final package.

• You can go here to get a good overview of the budget and the Legislative Republican’s reaction to it.

• The state Senate failed to act before midnight on a paint stewardship bill, thereby killing it for the session.

• In a race to the finish, the Senate amended the children’s cadmium bill at approximately 11:15 and sent it down to the House, who scrambled to get it on a consent calendar as its last bill before adjournment.

• We were surprised that the Senate did not act on restocking bill, which we thought had not opposition in the Senate.

• SB 63, paid sick leave, did not even get a vote in the Senate this year.

• An effort to regulate Pawnbrokers, HB 5432, also did not come up for a vote in House this year and therefore is dead for the year.

• Changes in Energy policy passes despite threat from the Governor.

• The issue that took up a majority of the legislature’s time during the last week of the session was energy policy.

• The Co-chairs of the Energy Committee, Rep. Vicki Nardello (D-Beacon Falls) and Sen. John Fonfara (D- Hartford) came together to craft a bill in the very last days of the session.

• Here is the link to the fiscal impact statement on the bill done by the Office of Fiscal Analysis. We think the bill will increase the cost of energy and harm deregulation more than helps it.

• The buzz around the Capitol is that the Governor is seriously leaning towards vetoing the bill, which we would strongly urge her to do.

• We will keep you posted on the Governor’s actions as soon as a decision is made.

Members Services Update

• Speaking of energy supply, CRMA has a great way to help members save money RIGHT away, by purchasing their energy supply thru our endorsed energy supplier Public Power.

• Public Power is a CT based energy supply company and we strongly encourage all members to visit their website today to sign up for the CRMA program with them.

• Go today to www.ppanu.com to learn more about public power and call our office today to learn how we can save you money.

• You are cordially invited to participate in the live audience for the Connecticut Public Television Live Town Meeting Silver Linings in a Dark Economy, to be held at the Connecticut Public Television station, 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT on Tuesday, May 18 at 8 pm. Please click here for more information.

• Audience participants must arrive by 7:15 p.m.that evening. The live broadcast will air from 8 - 9 p.m. Please RSVP To Amy Williamson at Connecticut Public Television at (860) 275-7540 or awilliamson@cptv.org.

Retail News and Notes

• NRF CEO Mullin discusses how retailing has changed
National Retail Federation president and CEO Tracy Mullin is retiring. In this interview with USA TODAY, Mullin describes how retailing has changed over the years, going from department stores as the drivers to the current mix of department stores, specialty stores and more. Mullin also talks about dealing with lawmakers and outstanding retail CEOs. USA TODAY (5/7)

• CVS adds fresh offerings to food lineup, CVS Caremark plans to expand its grocery section in urban stores, bringing in new fresh items and prepared-food offerings such as salads and sandwiches. The move comes in an attempt to meet the demand of city dwellers for more prepared-food choices and increase sales from nonpharmacy items. The Cincinnati Enquirer/Bloomberg (5/5)

• Whether casual or buttoned up, work wear retains refinement; Trends in office-appropriate garb have morphed through the years, from buttoned-up suits to polos and khakis. Working women are mixing it up more, says Macy's exec Nicole Fischelis, incorporating more fashion elements to diversify their professional styles. One standard remains in place despite the shifting trends -- office apparel aims for a more professional and polished look than what we wear in our off-hours, experts say. The Seattle Times/The Associated Press (5/4)