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October 31, 2008


No Surprises Expected in Upcoming Election
Legislative Committee Meeting
Annual Luncheon now Just Two Weeks Away
Another Major Member Joins our Demand Response Program
Retail News and Notes


• With Election Day now just days away, CT is once again expected to see no real surprises when the dust settles.

• On the State level, we expect, despite a new public financing law that was expected to level the playing field, Democrats to once again win an overwhelming majority in both Chambers of the General Assembly.

• There will be some upsets, no doubt, but we expect to be dealing with Democratic Majorities again for the next two years.

• On the Congressional races, only one remains in real question.

• In the Fourth Congressional District, Rep. Christopher Shays is currently the ONLY Republican member of congress from New England.

• Shays is once again in a battle for his seat, which is in a strong Republican District, this time against former business executive Jim Himes.

• Himes recently got a hand from Democratic Presidential nominee Barak Obama, who did a radio spot endorsing Himes this week.

• The other congressional races should see the incumbents return.

Legislative Committee Meeting

• Our Legislative Committee will review the results of the election and its impact on the retail industry in a special conference call on Thursday November 6th at 3:00 p.m. EST.

• We will look at the results and what we think the major issues that we will deal with when the legislature begins its work in January.

• The call is open to all members and we invite you to join in.

• If you are interested in participating, please call Cathy in our office, at 860-527-1044 for more information.

Annual Luncheon now Just Two Weeks Away

• Speaking of previewing the legislative session, don’t forget that prior to our Annual Luncheon; CRMA will be hosting a special legislative panel with the top legislative leaders to talk about the upcoming legislative session.

• That legislative panel will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Seaverns room at the Bushnell.

• Please plan on attending this important part of our day.

• You will be able to personally talk to these top leaders how you feel about issues and what you would like to see them work on next year.

• The panel is open to all attendees, so, please send in your registration to the luncheon now and come early for an important discussion.

• You can call our office today for more information about this event or you can visit our website, and register.

Another Major Member Joins our Demand Response Program

• We are very pleased to announce today that Ethan Allen has agreed this week to participate in the CRMA/Consumer PowerLine Demand Response Program

• The Demand Response Program allows retailers to EARN MONEY by reducing the energy load during peak times during the year.

• Ethan Allen joins Sears/Kmart and Target as major retailers participating in this MONEY earning program.

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

Retail News and Notes

• Wal-Mart's remodeled stores to be "more experiential"
Wal-Mart unveiled a format for remodeled stores Wednesday. The new design features understated shelving and soft colors, and it more carefully ties together different parts of the store. The New York Times/The Associated Press (10/29)

• Americans will be thrifty this holiday season, survey shows
A recent Information Resources survey of 1,000 consumers suggests that holiday spending this year will be consistent with last year's levels, but there are many signs that Americans are planning more frugal holiday celebrations than last year. Almost twice as many respondents said they will be spending less on their holiday menus this year versus last year, and 91% said private-label products will be on the dining table. Advertising Age (10/29)

• Starbucks teams with (Red) for Global Fund push
Coffee chain Starbucks is joining forces with cause-marketing effort (Red), co-founded by U2 singer Bono, to donate a portion of the purchase price of select items to the Global Fund, which fights AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Five cents from the sale of each of three holiday beverages will go to the Global Fund. Adweek (10/29)

 
October 24, 2008


Stew Leonard’s CRMA’s 2008 Retailer of the Year
Annual Luncheon to Honor this Year’s Winner
Retail News and Notes


• We are extremely pleased to announce today that the CRMA has named Stew Leonard’s as our 2008 Retailer of the Year.

• We had a number of great nominations, and we thank all of you who took the time to nominate someone, but this year, it was clear that Stew’s was head and shoulders the best of the bunch.

• Stew’s is a 4th generation retailer and is lead by the dynamic Stew Leonard, Jr., as its President and CEO.

• They have strong CT roots with 3 stores in the state. One in Norwalk, Danbury and Newington.

• Stew Leonard’s is a tremendous retailer. They specialize in innovative marketing techniques, great customer service and with over 2,000 employees they have a strong and dedicated employee base.

• We encourage all members to visit a Stew Leonard’s near you and we think you will agree with us that this retailer is worthy of our selection as the 2008 Retailer of the Year.

Annual Luncheon to Honor this Year’s Winner

• We will be presenting Stew Leonard and his team as our Retailer of the Year, at our Annual Awards Luncheon on Nov. 13, 2008 at the Bushnell in Hartford.

• Invitations and registration information has been sent to all members for this event and we hope all of you can join us.

• The CRMA Annual Awards Luncheon is an opportunity for us to not only honor this year’s winner of the Retailer of the Year, but a chance for members to do a little networking with their colleagues in the retail industry.

• Please join us this year. If you need additional information or would like to reserve a table for the lunch, please call Cathy in our office at 860-527-1044 or email her at cathy@crmaonline.com

Retail News and Notes


• Walgreen buys specialty pharmacy
Walgreen acquired McKesson Corp.'s specialty-pharmacy operations. The deal expands the retailer's platform in oncology, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other specialty areas. Chicago Tribune (free registration) (10/22) , Drug Store News (free registration) (10/22)

• Ben & Jerry's new freezers save money, fight global warming
Ben & Jerry's has introduced the first freezers in the U.S. that lack hydrofluorocarbons. "A company can be responsible in terms of the environment, it can be proactive in terms of solving problems, and it can make money at the same time," company co-founder Ben Cohen said. "That's what we should expect from all corporations in this country." CNNmoney.com/Fortune (10/22)

• American Eagle launches "77kids" apparel line
American Eagle Outfitters debuts a line of children's apparel today dubbed "77kids by american eagle." The launch is being backed by a "play. wash. repeat." feature on the company's Web site targeted to moms who know clothes need to stand up to numerous washings. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (10/23)

October 17, 2008


Retail Survive & Thrive
CRMA Annual Retailer of the Year Award
Legislative Panel will get the Day Started
Retail News and Notes

• On Tuesday of next week, CRMA is pleased to co-host an important event that we think will help all size retailers navigate their way thru difficult times.

• CRMA is happy to support a one day seminar entitled Survive & Thrive that helps retailers continue to compete in this current economy.

• Hosted by Radiant Systems and Retail Control Systems this seminar will be held on Oct 21, 2008 at the Marriott/Rocky Hill and includes 5 breakout sessions on important topics for all size retailers.

• If you are interested in learning more about this event, please feel free to contact our office at 860-527-1044 or by emailing Dick Calio of RJ Calio Consulting at rcalio@snet.net.

CRMA Annual Retailer of the Year Award

• As many of you know, CRMA annually names a Retailer of the Year.

• This award is given to the retailer that demonstrates excellence in a number of important categories of running a retail business.

• They excel in customer service, marketing, employee relations, and community service.

• In 2007 we were very pleased to present the Retailer of the Year to Michaels of Waterbury CT.

• This year we have once again received a number of outstanding nominations for the 2008 Retailer of the Year.

• Our committee has culled thru the nominations and met this week with the finalist for the award.

• We will make our formal announcement of the 2008 Retailer of the Year in next week’s Friday Facts.

• The awarding of the Retailer of the Year will be made at our Annual Awards Luncheon that will be held at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford CT on Nov 13, 2008.

• Invitations for the event were sent to members last week. We encourage you to return your reservation to our office to secure your spot for this year’s luncheon.

Legislative Panel will get the Day Started

• Speaking of our Annual Awards Luncheon, we are once again pleased to begin the day with a very special legislative panel discussion.

• CRMA is the only statewide trade association that brings together 4 top leaders of the 4 legislative caucuses to preview the upcoming session.

• This year we, once again, will have Tom Monahan of NBC Channel 30 act as our moderator.

• There will be lots to talk about in this year’s event.

• The election season will finally be over and these leaders will have their sights set on what will be the big issues for the 2008 – 2009 legislative session.

• So, please make your reservation for this exciting and informative and important discussion. These 4 leaders have a tremendous amount of influence on what issues will be taken up during the session and they need to hear from YOU as to what your important issues are.

• If you have any questions about this years legislative panel discussion, please call our office today or email Cathy in our office at cathy@crmaonline.com.

Retail News and Notes

• Best Buy puts "Mobile Life" into malls
Best Buy is opening three "Mobile Life" outlets that are larger than the Best Buy Mobile retail sites, but smaller than its big-box stores, the company said. The shops -- which will open this month at malls in Fairfax, Va., and Schaumberg, Ill., as well as the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. -- will feature cell phones, notebook computers, and other hand-held products and accessories. Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (10/15)

• Apple iPods coming to Toys R Us
Toys R Us will begin selling iPods this month, displaying the Apple products in specially designed "iPod boutiques." Gift cards for iTunes, iPod carrying cases and other accessories also will be offered. TWICE (10/14)

• Fashion industry hit hard by retail, credit slump
Designers touting high-priced apparel on the runways are meeting with resistance from retailers experiencing a sales slump even in the luxury sector. Some designers might not survive the economic downturn because they rely on credit to buy fabrics for expensive apparel that does not earn revenue for at least six months. The New York Times (10/15)

October 10, 2008


Golf Tournament was Huge Success
Plans for 2009 event underway!
Annual Awards Luncheon Invitation in the Mail
Top Legislative Leaders Agree to Participate in Legislative Panel
Survive & Thrive Seminar – Oct 21, 2008
Retail News and Notes

• On Monday of this week, under bright blue sky (hey it never rains on the golf course) CRMA hosted our Annual Golf Outing.

• For those of you who participated we think you will agree with us, that this year’s event was a huge success.

• The Hartford Golf Club was the site for this year’s event and it was in tremendous shape. The Club gave participants a first class day, including the great buffet lunch, super golf, and a successful raffle to conclude the day.

• We extend once again our congratulations to the winners of the day, including the team winners and the contest winners.

• We also want to extend a special thank you to all of our sponsors who made the day a financial success as well.

• Finally, we want to thank the staff of The Hartford Golf Club for their great support and service to all of our participants.

Plans for 2009 event underway!

• Our golf planning committee is already thinking about next year’s golf outing.

• It is our intention to hold it again at The Hartford Golf Club, but we are considering some minor changes that we think will make the event even better.

• To that end, if you have any ideas on how we can improve on our golf outing, please feel free to email those suggestions to Cathy in our office.

• Cathy can be reached at cathy@crmaonline.com or by calling the office at 860-527-1044.

Annual Awards Luncheon Invitation in the Mail

• Our annual Awards Luncheon is scheduled to be held on Nov 13, 2008 at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT.

• Invitations for the luncheon will sent out to members today and you should receive them by mid week next week. We hope you will be able to join us again this year.

• During the Awards Luncheon, we will once again honor a CT retailer with our highest award, the Retailer of the Year.

• Please mark you calendar today for Nov 13, 2008 and return you registration form as soon as possible.

Top Legislative Leaders Agree to Participate in Legislative Panel

• We are very pleased to announce that we will host what is now our annual Legislative Panel Discussion with the top 4 legislative leaders in the CT General Assembly.

• We have confirmation from all four legislative caucuses that their top leaders will join us to preview the upcoming legislative session.

• Senate President Don Williams and the next Speaker of the House Chris Donavon will represent the Senate and House Democrats on the panel. While Deputy Senator Minority Leader, Len Fasano and House Minority Leader, Larry Cafero will represent the Republicans.

• The panel will be moderated by channel 30 political reporter Tom Monahan. The panel will be held in Seaverns Room and will begin at 10:00a.m.

Survive & Thrive Seminar – Oct 21, 2008

• CRMA is happy to support a one day seminar entitled Survive & Thrive that helps retailers continue to compete in this current economy.

• Hosted by Radiant Systems and Retail Control Systems this seminar will be held on Oct 21, 2008 at the Marriott/Rocky Hill and includes 5 breakout sessions on important topics for all size retailers.

• If you are interested in learning more about this event, please feel free to contact our office at 860-527-1044 or by emailing Dick Calio of RJ Calio Consulting at rcalio@snet.net.

Retail News and Notes

•Luxury online retailers may rebound first
The economy may be in shambles right now, but once it bounces back, the companies that cater to Internet-savvy "luxoholics" will reap the rewards. A study identified online shoppers as young and affluent, and stated that they spend more on luxury merchandise as opposed to those who shop in bricks-and-mortar stores.  Forbes (10/8)

 
• Macy's events celebrate 150th anniversary
Macy's 150th anniversary festivities will begin with a televised fashion show on Saturday hosted by Tori Spelling. "Macy's Passport: Fashion Cinema" will appear in movie theaters in 27 cities, and Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse, among others, will help open two new stores in New Orleans. Promo Magazine (10/8)

• Retailers prepare for holiday season in wake of September sales
While many major chains reported declines in September sales, the bargain-shopping market showed a little sales strength. "We feel good, not only about where we stand now but going into the holidays," a Wal-Mart executive said. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (10/9)