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 Friday
Facts - Archives -
Month
of September 2004
Current
Week
September 10, 2004
PAC event raises valuable money for the CRMAPAC. Member Services Update. Washington Update on new overtime rules. Retail News and Notes.
· On Thursday of this week, we held a fundraiser for our Political Action Committee, CRMA/PAC
· The event was a success as the money that we raised will be very helpful as we move closer and closer to Election Day.
· As we said before, every little bit counts and we thank all of those members that contributed to the event
· If you are still interested in contributing to our PAC it is not too late. Although we are not holding another event this year, the CRMAPAC can accept contributions from individuals on a year round basis.
· So, if you would like to contribute please call us and we will give you all the details, 860-527-1044.
Member Services update:
· Just a quick update to remind members that we have money saving programs out there for you to take advantage of.
· Our bankcard program with Global Payments continues to be a strong member benefit. Our rates are among the best in the state and with the tremendous changes that are taking place in the industry; our programs can give members a sense of security that CRMA is watching out for you.
· In the upcoming weeks, we will be making a couple announcements about our bankcard program that we think will make the program even more attractive.
· If you are interested in learning more about the CRMA/Global Payments program, please email Cathy in our office at cathy@crmaonline.com
· Also, many of our members are taking advantage of our newest member service program with One Beacon that can save you money on property casualty insurance.
· Again, look for more information in the upcoming weeks about improvements to this program
· In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about this program, or if you would like a free quote, we suggest you contact our insurance specialist at ABI, Frank Michaud, www.abiagnecy.net
· Finally, we also have an opportunity for members to save money on their telecommunication needs. If you are interested in that program, please email us through our website, www.crmaonline.com for more information.
Washington update:
· Here is a quick update on an issue we wrote about last week, the new overtime rules. This information is provided by our friends at the National Retail Federation
· We thank the NRF for this information and suggest members visit their site for more information. (www.nrf.com)
· On Thursday of this week, the House voted to approve an amendment to the Labor Department funding bill offered by Rep. David Obey, (D) Wisc.,
· The Obey amendment would allow DOL to enforce a portion of the new rules that guarantees overtime to all workers making up to $23,660, up from the $8,060 under the old regulations.
· The Obey amendment would bar the DOL from enforcing the other half of the package--language that determines which employees making over $23,660 are ‘white collar” managers or professionals who can be denied overtime.
· Of course, this issue must still be debated in the Senate, where the NRF tells us the Senate has not yet acted on its version of a Labor Department funding bill. It is doubtful whether senators will do so because Congress is scheduled to adjourn Oct. 1, 2004 in order to be home to campaign for the November elections.
· We will keep you up to date from time to time on this issue
Retail News and Notes:
· Target takes clothing to a "T"
The retailer yesterday said it is unveiling a Web site that will allow consumers to design and custom fit some of the brands carried in its stores. Sears also will start offering an online customizable service for its apparel brands, and several other retailers have similar services for items from jewelry to shoes. CBS MarketWatch (free registration) (9/7)
· Stores Shipping Generators To Florida
Home Depot is having stores in areas not hit by Frances ship generators to stores in Florida as residents continue to deal with hardships in the storm's wake.
[Associated Press/MSNBC - 9/7/04]
· FAO Schwarz takes high-end road for survival
NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Posh toy seller FAO Schwarz, forced into bankruptcy after a price war with discount giants like Wal-Mart, hopes offerings like a $12,000 treehouse will lure the penthouse-dwelling customers it is counting on for its revival. Wed Sep 8, 2004 07:01 PM ET by Angela Moore, [http://www.reuters.com/financeNewsArticle.jhtml?type=bondsNews&storyID=6185533
September 3, 2004
CRMA makes last minute push for PAC funds.
CRMA Educational and Charitable Foundation Update. DOL Overtime Regulations. Annual Meeting plans in place. Retail News and Notes.
· The end of summer is upon us, and we turn our attention to our fundraiser that will be held on September 9th to help raise funds for the CRMAPAC.
· This will be our last official announcement and we hope all members will make a contribution to our PAC. It is very important.
· Again, here the particulars on the event: On Thursday, September 9th, CRMA will host a breakfast in our office at 60 Forest Street at 9:00 a.m. Tickets for the event are $20.00. Tickets for the event must be paid for with a personal check or PAC check. Corporate checks can NOT be used for the purchase of tickets.
· To commemorate the breakfast, we will be producing an ad book. You or your company can purchase an ad using corporate funds. The price of an ad is $250 for a full page and $125 for a half page ad.
· All checks must be made payable to CRMA/PAC.
· Many companies have already purchased ads or tickets. To those that have done so, we thank you very much. And to those who have not, it is not too late.
· If you are interested in helping by purchasing an ad or tickets please email Cathy in our office at cathy@crmaonline.com for more information.
CRMA Charitable and Educational Foundation.
· Our foundation will hold a 3rd quarter board meeting on Tuesday September 7, 2004.
· One of the agenda items we will discuss is future projects, including the possibility of opening a retail skill center as well as updates on our internship program.
· Look for more information from Michele Mesek our Workforce Development Director and staff liaison to the Foundation in upcoming Friday Fax.
DOL Overtime Regulations
· By now, we are sure that you have heard of the new Department of Labor Overtime Regulations
· Rather than try to interpret these complicated new regulations, which may just confuse you even more, we have decided that it may be best for us to suggest some useful websites that you can visit that can explain far better than us these new rules.
· Here are just a few links we suggest:
U.S. DOL – Fair Pay Fact Sheet by exemption
http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/fairpay/fs17a_overview.htm
U.S. DOL – Fair Standards Labor Act Advisor
http://www.dol.gov/elaws/flsa.htm
U.S DOL– News Release
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20041674.htm
CRMA Annual Meeting
· Also, the end of summer means that our annual meeting is right around the corner.
· We are happy to announce that this year’s event will once again be held in the Autorino Great Hall at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT.
· The Autorino Great Hall is a beautiful location and we are hoping that you will be able to take some time away from your busy schedule to join us. We will have more information about our annual meeting out to members soon.
· In the meantime, we ask that you block off Oct. 26th from 11:30 am to approximately 2:00pm to spend some time with us.
Retail News and Notes
· Retailers' Results Weakest In 17 Months
NEW YORK -- The August start of the back-to-school shopping season was a disappointment for major retailers, delivering the industry a third straight month of tepid sales and its weakest gain in almost a year and a half. Higher gasoline prices and consumers' ongoing worries about jobs contributed to the poor showing. (September 3, 2004 By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO, Associated Press · http://www.ctnow.com/business/hc-retailsales.artsep03,1,2829851.story?coll=hc-headlines-business
· Upscale fashion hits the preschool sandbox
The $16.1 billion apparel market for toddlers and preschool children is growing, according to one retail analyst, and designers are happy to oblige with upscale fashions. Levi's offers a $120 denim jacket for fashionable youngsters, and a Brooklyn baby boutique sells rock t-shirts featuring bands like Led Zeppelin for $28. USA TODAY (8/26)
· Shoppers PO’d over BOGOs
Some single people and seniors believe they are being unfairly penalized by retail store deals that reward multiple purchases of a product while not offering the same unit pricing for the same item bought in lower quantity. Helen Arnold, a senior citizen from Arnold, Md., told the Washington Post, "This is not fair for the elderly who do not need quantity because of storage problems or price. Many are on limited budgets and cannot afford to buy volume, and many cannot use quantity." (Retail Wire 7/27/04 By George Anderson, free registration, http://www.retailwire.com/Discussions/Sngl_Discussion.cfm/10018
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