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June 18, 2013
Small businesses anchor local economies and communities
“Small businesses have played an important role in fueling past economic recoveries,” said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. “We need to think carefully how in the current environment our nation can best provide small business and entrepreneurs with the support that they need to expand job opportunities.” The Fed Chairman’s comments on the vital role [...] more >
“Small businesses have played an important role in fueling past economic recoveries,” said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. “We need to think carefully how in the current environment our nation can best provide small business and entrepreneurs with the support that they need to expand job opportunities.” The Fed Chairman’s comments on the vital role [...] more >
June 17, 2013
Retail is America’s small business
Like millions of Americans, my first job was in retail. Maybold Shoe Store in Newark, Ohio sat right on the town square and was owned by Floyd McKenna, a well-known small business owner and active member of the community. As a teenager, I saw firsthand what it meant to own and operate a small business. [...] more >
Like millions of Americans, my first job was in retail. Maybold Shoe Store in Newark, Ohio sat right on the town square and was owned by Floyd McKenna, a well-known small business owner and active member of the community. As a teenager, I saw firsthand what it meant to own and operate a small business. [...] more >
June 14, 2013
To investigate ORC effectively, think beyond the norm
Solving organized retail crime cases sometimes requires a little outside-the-box thinking. Rather than a boots on the ground approach, you’ll probably need spreadsheets, reports, lots of data and a convincing presentation to law enforcement. On a panel at NRF’s Loss Prevention Conference & EXPO, Mark McClain, Director, Global Investigations, Walmart Stores, Inc.; Gail Morris, Regional [...] more >
Solving organized retail crime cases sometimes requires a little outside-the-box thinking. Rather than a boots on the ground approach, you’ll probably need spreadsheets, reports, lots of data and a convincing presentation to law enforcement. On a panel at NRF’s Loss Prevention Conference & EXPO, Mark McClain, Director, Global Investigations, Walmart Stores, Inc.; Gail Morris, Regional [...] more >
June 14, 2013
Five steps to create a culture of development right now
Through its This is Retail campaign, NRF has a placed a strong focus on showcasing the diversity of retail career paths. But long-term career growth and the next generation of retail leaders can’t and won’t happen without a culture of development. Sears Holding Corporation’s Trisa Gildard and Ramon Jara began their session at the NRF [...] more >
Through its This is Retail campaign, NRF has a placed a strong focus on showcasing the diversity of retail career paths. But long-term career growth and the next generation of retail leaders can’t and won’t happen without a culture of development. Sears Holding Corporation’s Trisa Gildard and Ramon Jara began their session at the NRF [...] more >
June 13, 2013
Lessons for protecting your employees, customers, and brand
It’s no surprise that Dr. Larry Barton, one of the world’s leading experts in threat assessment and workplace violence, packed the room in yesterday’s afternoon keynote at the NRF Loss Prevention Conference & Expo. And boy did he deliver. When talking about these issues, it’s impossible not to be intrigued and frightened by the stories [...] more >
It’s no surprise that Dr. Larry Barton, one of the world’s leading experts in threat assessment and workplace violence, packed the room in yesterday’s afternoon keynote at the NRF Loss Prevention Conference & Expo. And boy did he deliver. When talking about these issues, it’s impossible not to be intrigued and frightened by the stories [...] more >
June 13, 2013
How retailers can drive performance with video analytics
Not that long ago, it wasn’t uncommon for loss prevention offices to have VHS surveillance tapes stacked up in their corners. Now retailers are using video analytics to capture customer trends, track traffic, catch shoplifters and reduce fraud. At NRF’s Loss Prevention Conference, three retail LP leaders shared their experiences with implementing video analytics: Kenneth [...] more >
Not that long ago, it wasn’t uncommon for loss prevention offices to have VHS surveillance tapes stacked up in their corners. Now retailers are using video analytics to capture customer trends, track traffic, catch shoplifters and reduce fraud. At NRF’s Loss Prevention Conference, three retail LP leaders shared their experiences with implementing video analytics: Kenneth [...] more >
June 13, 2013
Building organized retail action plans through coordination, collaboration and ingenuity
The adage “there is no ‘I’ in team” certainly applies to retail. Analysts crunch data to find sales trends that drive the development of merchandise for design teams. But in retail loss prevention, these teams often stretch beyond internal resources. When it comes to building a cohesive organized retail crime action plan, creative partnerships are [...] more >
The adage “there is no ‘I’ in team” certainly applies to retail. Analysts crunch data to find sales trends that drive the development of merchandise for design teams. But in retail loss prevention, these teams often stretch beyond internal resources. When it comes to building a cohesive organized retail crime action plan, creative partnerships are [...] more >
June 13, 2013
Seven priceless leadership insights from a Navy SEAL Commander
Retail loss prevention professionals are facing plenty of challenges today, which just emphasizes the importance of good leadership. And on that, NRF’s Loss Prevention Conference opened today with an inspiring keynote on leadership from Rorke Denver, Lieutenant Commander (LCDR), United States Navy SEALs. While what goes into making a Navy SEAL is a lot more [...] more >
Retail loss prevention professionals are facing plenty of challenges today, which just emphasizes the importance of good leadership. And on that, NRF’s Loss Prevention Conference opened today with an inspiring keynote on leadership from Rorke Denver, Lieutenant Commander (LCDR), United States Navy SEALs. While what goes into making a Navy SEAL is a lot more [...] more >
June 11, 2013
Hot topics at this week’s Loss Prevention Conference
This week, NRF’s Loss Prevention Conference and EXPO kicks off in San Diego, attracting more than 2,400 loss prevention and law enforcement professionals. Like many other areas of the retail industry, loss prevention has changed dramatically in recent years. As we illustrated earlier with our LP leaders series, those who have more than 15 years [...] more >
This week, NRF’s Loss Prevention Conference and EXPO kicks off in San Diego, attracting more than 2,400 loss prevention and law enforcement professionals. Like many other areas of the retail industry, loss prevention has changed dramatically in recent years. As we illustrated earlier with our LP leaders series, those who have more than 15 years [...] more >
June 10, 2013
Top five things on the minds of retail recruiters
Just before the new career hub Retail Jobs powered by NRF was launched, nearly 40 retail companies gathered in New York City for the inaugural Retail Recruiter Network meeting. One of the biggest topics of conversation covered the most pressing issues related to talent acquisition. Here are the top five things on the minds of retail [...] more >
Just before the new career hub Retail Jobs powered by NRF was launched, nearly 40 retail companies gathered in New York City for the inaugural Retail Recruiter Network meeting. One of the biggest topics of conversation covered the most pressing issues related to talent acquisition. Here are the top five things on the minds of retail [...] more >
June 7, 2013
London's "The Shard" and Johannesburg's "Schoolhouse South Africa" Take Top Honors at ENR Global Best Projects Awards
Engineering News-Record (ENR, http://www.enr.com/), McGraw Hill Construction's industry-leading information source, announced the winners of the ENR Global Best Projects Awards last night in Manhattan. The first annual awards, sponsored by CMiC, were presented at a dinner celebration as part of ENR’s Global Construction Summit. more >
Engineering News-Record (ENR, http://www.enr.com/), McGraw Hill Construction's industry-leading information source, announced the winners of the ENR Global Best Projects Awards last night in Manhattan. The first annual awards, sponsored by CMiC, were presented at a dinner celebration as part of ENR’s Global Construction Summit. more >
June 7, 2013
Dodge Momentum Index Up for Sixth Straight Month in May
The Dodge Momentum Index rose 3.6% in May from the previous month, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. more >
The Dodge Momentum Index rose 3.6% in May from the previous month, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. more >
June 7, 2013
The best tool for combating ORC: Partnerships
In NRF’s ninth annual Organized Retail Crime (ORC) survey, eight in 10 respondents said ORC has increased in the past three years, and 90 percent said they have been victims of it. And with ORC on the rise, more retailers and law enforcement are joining forces to fight it. Across the country, organized retail crime [...] more >
In NRF’s ninth annual Organized Retail Crime (ORC) survey, eight in 10 respondents said ORC has increased in the past three years, and 90 percent said they have been victims of it. And with ORC on the rise, more retailers and law enforcement are joining forces to fight it. Across the country, organized retail crime [...] more >
June 7, 2013
Retailers are retailers, ‘not patent experts’
When the White House decided to crack down on patent trolls this week, Administration officials didn’t waste time identifying the industry that has quickly become one of trolls’ biggest targets – retail. “Patent trolls are increasingly targeting Main Street retailers,” the White House said, specifically citing infringement claims over retail point of sale software and [...] more >
When the White House decided to crack down on patent trolls this week, Administration officials didn’t waste time identifying the industry that has quickly become one of trolls’ biggest targets – retail. “Patent trolls are increasingly targeting Main Street retailers,” the White House said, specifically citing infringement claims over retail point of sale software and [...] more >
June 6, 2013
Current challenges in organized retail crime
The variety of issues that retail loss prevention professionals face range from shoplifting to return fraud, but no issue has grown as significantly in the past few years as organized retail crime. This is shown in the results of NRF’s ninth annual ORC survey, which found for the third consecutive year that 90 percent of [...] more >
The variety of issues that retail loss prevention professionals face range from shoplifting to return fraud, but no issue has grown as significantly in the past few years as organized retail crime. This is shown in the results of NRF’s ninth annual ORC survey, which found for the third consecutive year that 90 percent of [...] more >
June 5, 2013
Retailers answer call for jobs across the nation
As the nation’s largest private sector employer, no one knows “jobs” better than the retail industry. And with the current state of our economy, retailers have taken that jobs call to heart. Through NRF’s This is Retail campaign, we’ve focused on telling the story of not only retail jobs, but retail careers. We have some [...] more >
As the nation’s largest private sector employer, no one knows “jobs” better than the retail industry. And with the current state of our economy, retailers have taken that jobs call to heart. Through NRF’s This is Retail campaign, we’ve focused on telling the story of not only retail jobs, but retail careers. We have some [...] more >
June 3, 2013
What’s hot in retail – May ’13
May was a memorable month in many ways for the retail industry. Senate passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act on May 6 at the beginning of NRF’s annual Washington Leadership Conference provided a spark of excitement leading into retailers’ visits on Capitol Hill that week. But just two weeks later, America’s eyes turned to the [...] more >
May was a memorable month in many ways for the retail industry. Senate passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act on May 6 at the beginning of NRF’s annual Washington Leadership Conference provided a spark of excitement leading into retailers’ visits on Capitol Hill that week. But just two weeks later, America’s eyes turned to the [...] more >
June 3, 2013
U.S. Department of State’s Fernandez on creating a responsible supply chain for mineral sourcing
Transparency and good governance are key elements for retailers to ensure a responsible supply chain. This is very evident when considering responsible mineral sourcing, especially as retailers comply with regulations impacting products containing diamonds and other minerals. While there has been a concerted public and private effort to ensure retailers’ products meet these requirements, the [...] more >
Transparency and good governance are key elements for retailers to ensure a responsible supply chain. This is very evident when considering responsible mineral sourcing, especially as retailers comply with regulations impacting products containing diamonds and other minerals. While there has been a concerted public and private effort to ensure retailers’ products meet these requirements, the [...] more >
May 31, 2013
Words like ‘surrender’ and ‘evil’ show retailers’ emotions over swipe fees
Writing about the average legal brief – and making it sound interesting – usually isn’t easy. Phrases like “statement of objection to final approval of the proposed Rule 23(B)(2) agreement” or “See Section I.D.1-3” just aren’t the “Four score and seven years ago” or “December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy” of [...] more >
Writing about the average legal brief – and making it sound interesting – usually isn’t easy. Phrases like “statement of objection to final approval of the proposed Rule 23(B)(2) agreement” or “See Section I.D.1-3” just aren’t the “Four score and seven years ago” or “December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy” of [...] more >
May 30, 2013
The fraud prevention measure at retailers’ fingertips
Key fobs, swipe cards, PINs and passwords are all commonplace in today’s work environment. But for a growing number of retailers, these security measures are not secure enough to protect company assets and customer data. Swipe cards can be lost or traded. PINs and passwords are often forgotten. But since you can’t leave home without [...] more >
Key fobs, swipe cards, PINs and passwords are all commonplace in today’s work environment. But for a growing number of retailers, these security measures are not secure enough to protect company assets and customer data. Swipe cards can be lost or traded. PINs and passwords are often forgotten. But since you can’t leave home without [...] more >
May 29, 2013
NRF’s Washington Leadership Conference: A retailer’s perspective
Twenty-five hundred miles. That’s how far Brion Torgerson traveled for NRF’s Washington Leadership Conference. Torgerson’s, a century-old farm equipment business in Great Falls that he runs with his brothers, has been a member of the Montana Retail Association since the association’s inception almost 50 years ago. Thanks to an invitation from NRF to the association [...] more >
Twenty-five hundred miles. That’s how far Brion Torgerson traveled for NRF’s Washington Leadership Conference. Torgerson’s, a century-old farm equipment business in Great Falls that he runs with his brothers, has been a member of the Montana Retail Association since the association’s inception almost 50 years ago. Thanks to an invitation from NRF to the association [...] more >
May 28, 2013
The year for retail on Forbes 2013 list of Most Powerful Women
It was said more than once at this year’s Student Program at Retail’s BIG Show that retail is one of the few places that your last name doesn’t matter, where you grew up is almost irrelevant, you can start at any level or any position, and you can end up at the top. Two retailers [...] more >
It was said more than once at this year’s Student Program at Retail’s BIG Show that retail is one of the few places that your last name doesn’t matter, where you grew up is almost irrelevant, you can start at any level or any position, and you can end up at the top. Two retailers [...] more >
May 24, 2013
Retail supply chain executives collaborate in Dallas
Executives from more than 60 companies arrived in Dallas on Sunday to spend the next few days learning how to navigate the increasingly complex supply chain business. The opening keynote at NRF’s Global Supply Chain Summit set the tone for what to expect in the next year as the industry deals with an onslaught of [...] more >
Executives from more than 60 companies arrived in Dallas on Sunday to spend the next few days learning how to navigate the increasingly complex supply chain business. The opening keynote at NRF’s Global Supply Chain Summit set the tone for what to expect in the next year as the industry deals with an onslaught of [...] more >
May 23, 2013
ENR Global Construction Summit to Explore Impact of Globalization, June 6-7 in NYC
Engineering News-Record (ENR, http://enr.construction.com/), McGraw Hill Construction's industry-leading information source, will bring together leaders from the major construction markets around the world for the Global Construction Summit 2013, to be held June 6-7 in New York. Approximately 300 design and construction professionals are expected to gather and hear global thought leaders share insights on growth opportunities and solutions to the most pressing global industry challenges. more >
Engineering News-Record (ENR, http://enr.construction.com/), McGraw Hill Construction's industry-leading information source, will bring together leaders from the major construction markets around the world for the Global Construction Summit 2013, to be held June 6-7 in New York. Approximately 300 design and construction professionals are expected to gather and hear global thought leaders share insights on growth opportunities and solutions to the most pressing global industry challenges. more >
May 23, 2013
How to move your retail business toward the “North Star” in four steps
While much of the buzz at NRF’s Washington Leadership Conference addressed public policy topics such as online sales tax collection, sessions at WLC’s Main Street Retailing Forum focused on what retailers can do to tackle operational issues in the retail industry and identify strategic courses of action to reach their sales goals. For Precision Door [...] more >
While much of the buzz at NRF’s Washington Leadership Conference addressed public policy topics such as online sales tax collection, sessions at WLC’s Main Street Retailing Forum focused on what retailers can do to tackle operational issues in the retail industry and identify strategic courses of action to reach their sales goals. For Precision Door [...] more >
May 22, 2013
Resources for retailers, communities recovering from Oklahoma City storms
Recent tragic events in Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas are on the minds of every citizen in this country. At NRF, our thoughts go out to every person and business who have been impacted by the storm. If you are an Oklahoma retailer and had to shut down business operations as a result of [...] more >
Recent tragic events in Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas are on the minds of every citizen in this country. At NRF, our thoughts go out to every person and business who have been impacted by the storm. If you are an Oklahoma retailer and had to shut down business operations as a result of [...] more >
May 21, 2013
What does failing infrastructure mean for the retail supply chain?
In the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the United States scored a D+ average. Not exactly “hang-on-the-refrigerator” type grades. In a Tuesday presentation at NRF’s Global Supply Chain Summit, the society’s Brian T. Pallasch presented a somewhat grim portrait of the nation’s roads, railways, airports and other infrastructure. Although [...] more >
In the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the United States scored a D+ average. Not exactly “hang-on-the-refrigerator” type grades. In a Tuesday presentation at NRF’s Global Supply Chain Summit, the society’s Brian T. Pallasch presented a somewhat grim portrait of the nation’s roads, railways, airports and other infrastructure. Although [...] more >
May 21, 2013
The Home Depot standard of giving
Retailers at NRF’s Global Supply Chain Summit are learning about how to make their supply chains more effective and serve their businesses better. And, as they learned at one session, that sometimes includes giving stuff away. Charles Johnston, director of the repair and liquidation center at The Home Depot, joined Good360 Vice President of donor Relations Doyle [...] more >
Retailers at NRF’s Global Supply Chain Summit are learning about how to make their supply chains more effective and serve their businesses better. And, as they learned at one session, that sometimes includes giving stuff away. Charles Johnston, director of the repair and liquidation center at The Home Depot, joined Good360 Vice President of donor Relations Doyle [...] more >
May 21, 2013
April Construction Slips One Percent
New construction starts in April settled back 1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $473.0 billion, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. more >
New construction starts in April settled back 1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $473.0 billion, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. more >
May 21, 2013
Positive economic reports might not paint entire picture of consumer confidence
Is the lack of “bad” economic news affecting consumers’ spending habits and sentiment in a good way? Bloomberg recently reported that confidence in the economy climbed to the highest level in almost six years in May as rising real estate values and record stock prices boosted household wealth. And NRF’s latest consumer survey conducted by Prosper [...] more >
Is the lack of “bad” economic news affecting consumers’ spending habits and sentiment in a good way? Bloomberg recently reported that confidence in the economy climbed to the highest level in almost six years in May as rising real estate values and record stock prices boosted household wealth. And NRF’s latest consumer survey conducted by Prosper [...] more >
