Just two quick links for today:
In regards to today’s earlier entry about the perils of catching a shoplifter, I came across another recent story on the same topic. Last week, a shoplifter tried to stab a Home Depot security guard with a screwdriver he just stole.
Then there’s an article from the Billings Gazette about how retailers and others are recruiting teenagers to fill Summer jobs. Good look at a local American Eagle Outfitters location and how the manager there goes about recruiting new employees, as well as some of the methods used by others to fill other, non-retail, jobs.
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Entering the weekend, here’s some things that I’m reading tonight:
Starbucks is pulling Jones Soda out of their stores in order to create room for more salads. Interesting.
Kelly Clarkson has cancelled her summer tour and one Consumerist reader has found out that Ticketmaster’s non-refundable fees are, well, non-refunable.
Margaret Brennan at CNBC is talking about how critical the next few days are going to be for retailers. Get rid of the clothing now or else you’re selling it marked down in July.
Finally, Canadian retailer Futureshop will be opening forums on their website next week. Allowing customers to interact with employees, it will be a very interesting website to watch. Will parent company Best Buy follow suit?
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Some links for today:
First off, two stories from the Consumerist. In one, an Target employee alleges that security there “mostly follows black people”. Article contains a rebuttal on most of the points from another current Target employee. As usual with the Consumerist, great comments on that article with some more interesting information.
Also from the Consumerist, some leaked internal documents from AT&T, in regards to the retail end of the iPhone launch. As the biggest technology and consumer electronics launch of this year, this will have huge implications on retail. With so many people wanting to get it, I’m interested to see how other retailers (non AT&T/Apple) react to this and try to get people to buy their products on iPhone launch day.
Yesterday’s New York Post has an article, Macy’s Margins, on the behind the scenes concerns of Macy’s regional buying officiers and what that means to the consumer.
Finally, Zumiez’s Couch Tour was in Deptford, NJ (just outside of Philadelphia). Reports are that several teenagers were hurt at the concert. But what is amazing to me is that estimates put the crowd at 2,000 to 2,500 people. Great turnout for this event. I’d imagine Zumiez is happy with those kinds of figures. More coverage from the Gloucester County Times.
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A few days ago, Nitro:licious shared some photos of the Bitten By Sarah Jessica Parker launch day crowds at Steve and Barry’s Manhattan Mall location. Seems like the the new line is generating some excitement. Love photos of in-store visual merchandising. More at Nitro:licious, Very Bitten.
MTV’s Style Blog has a look at the new line from Forever 21. Dubbed Twelve By Twelve, the line is going to be geared towards a slightly older demo with prices a little more north of what Forever 21 currently carries. More at the MTV Style Blog, Forever 21 Aims Higher.
Twitter is a hot technology in the web world right now. In the ever-growing field of social media resources, this is a great concept that only looks like it will grow as time goes on. Get Elastic is talking about how this technology could be used by retailers. They cite examples of Amazon and woot.com, two retailers who are already using the technology to reach customers.
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Rundown of things I’m digging, on the web, today, June 5:
This link has made it’s way around the web, but for good reason: New York Magazine has provided a fascinating look into how various businesses are run, and able to stay alive, in New York City. Called The Profit Calculator, this article looks at different levels of retail - from Macy’s Herald Square to a dollar store. What makes them work and where does their profit come from? Love this. [via kottke and Signals vs. Noise]
Does Macy’s Herald Square really get 15-20 trucks a day?
Came across a fairly new blog by the name of Talented Blonde. An experience retail analyst blogging provides for some good reading. Today she shares her thoughts on May store comp numbers, which are due to be released later this week, and her projected winners and losers.
I’ve linked to this Service Untitled before and recommend that you check them out often, too. Positive perspective on customer service and ways you can improve your business. Today they’re talking about working for 99% of your customers, not the 1%.
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Stories that I’ve come across today on the web that I’d like to share:
Originally announced back in August, the Rite Aid purchase of Eckerd and Brooks pharmacy chains is official today. Rite Aid will have to divest certain properties to allow for competition. Conversion of the stores should take 16 months. Once this deal is complete, Rite Aid will be the third largest pharmacy chain in the US (behind Walgreens and CVS) and the predominant pharmacy retailer on the East Coast. More thoughts from the Albany Times Union.
I’ve got to say that I’m sad to see the Eckerd brand go. Part of it is the fact that the Eckerd stores in my area are newer than the Rite Aid locations, making for a more pleasurable shopping experience.
Last week the Motley Fool had a good look at Abercrombie & Fitch, this week they’ve got a good look at J.Crew. They’ve had a succesful IPO, improved their gross margin, increased revenue, and increased same store sales. Good times for that retailer.
Recently, Target introduced a line of wedding dresses and related apparel by Isaac Mizrahi. Today, the Chicago Tribune is talking about this, what it means for Target, and what it means for the industry.
Finally, lux.et.umbra is asking whether summer hours would improve business in Silicon Valley. Good thoughts. The budgets for small retailers is tight, but not being open when your customers want to shop is bad business. That’s not to say that everyone should be open 24 hours, but late hours during the Summer may not be a bad thing.
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New month, new day, new collection of stories from around the web that I am finding interesting:
A reminder that fulfilling promises to customers is important, and no detail is too small: Mike Wagner at Own Your Brand talks about a recent stay at a hotel that may have cost the hotel a $30,000 contract. Retailers, hotels, airlines, whoever is involved in customer service needs to remember that every customer and every detail counts.
Compete Blog looks into the question, What effect does gas prices have on consumers? Detailed looked at the traffic that two gas price watch websites get compared to the rise in gas prices. Are people really as fed up with gas prices as some people (retailers) would like us to believe?
Just how important are personalized e-mails from retailers to customers? Apparently, a new survey says that they are very important. We can’t forget how important e-mail is in the transaction cycle for retailers.
Finally, Customers are Always provides a list of 11 ways to lose customers.
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Threadless is an innovative apparel maker who has built a fantastic online community and delivered great products. Guy Kawasaki has visited their office and brought back some photos of their awesome pad.
Last week at Big Box Watch, I compiled a wrap up of the pre-opening preparations for the new Ikea in Draper, UT. Now, the Salt Lake Tribune has a recap of the grand opening festivities. When Ikea opens, they open big.
Kohl’s has grand re-opened this year’s batch of remodeled stores. Here’s a quick article about the remodeled Frederick, MD location with a small photo of the new Chaps home (bath/bedding) shop.
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Transworld has an in-depth article about the state of women’s skate footwear: Is Womens Skate Footwear Still A Viable Category For Independent Retailers? I like this article because it talks about the state of an industry in relation to one single category. How can an entire segment of retailers (independent skate shops) better compete with an entirely different segment of retailers (everyone else). Good analysis, good article.
Walgreen has announced that they are buying in-store health clinic, Take Care Health Systems. They look to expand their in-store health clinics to 400 by the end of 2008. Like I said when Wal-Mart made a similar commitment last month, I think that this move is good for the company and good for consumers.
Finally, troubled VOIP company, Vonage, is having problems hiring and retaining talent. Who would have thought all of the bad press that they have been getting is having an impact on HR?
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