| Retail Beat | | Sponsored By: | |  |
| | | |
|
|  | Retailers hope to cash in on tax cut
Wal-Mart will allow customers to cash tax refund checks in the store, hoping that they will use the money to purchase big-ticket items. But there is concern among retailers that consumers will choose to save their money instead. MSNBC (7/9) |
|  | Wal-Mart reports same-store sales increases Sales at stores open at least a year were up 2.7% in the five weeks ending July 4. Though sales increased, they were down from last year's 7.9% increase for the same period. CNNMoney.com (7/10) |
| | Coinstar to remove coin-counting machines in Safeway stores
Coinstar was unable to renew a contract with its third-largest customer. The Bellevue, Wash.-based company plans to remove 1,083 machines from all Safeway stores by year's end. The Seattle Times (7/10) |
| | New York grocer installs its own microturbine
The Hauppauge Waldbaum's store is the first in the country to install its own 60-kilowatt microturbine. The gas-powered machine will supply 15% to 20% of the store's power and will aid in cutting costs; energy consumption is typically the third-highest expense for grocery stores. Newsday (Long Island, N.Y.) (7/10) |
 | |  |
|
| | Let Esteem Help You Hire Smarter! |  | | |
| Receive a FREE trial match of your current employees through Esteem. Esteem identifies those who have admitted to stealing at work or have been
caught shoplifting - but have not been convicted. Are any of your employees on the list? Click here and find out for FREE! |
 | |  |
|
|
| Trend-Spotter | | Sponsored By: | |  |
| | | |
|
| | Corporate security spending slightly increases
The average security spending increased to 9% among companies in the Northeast compared with 2.8% for the rest of the country. The ASIS International survey examined security measures spending by reviewing physical protection of workers, computer security and financial risk management. The Washington Post (7/10) |
| | Unemployment slowed retail growth in June
Retail sales were up about 2% in June, traditionally a strong month due to spring clearances and summer purchases. The numbers were likely affected by unemployment, which were at a nine-year high. The Detroit News/Bloomberg (7/10) |
| Food Safety and Security | | Sponsored By: | |  |
| | | |
|
| | Meat inspections along borders decline
Inspection of meat crossing U.S. borders has dropped from 17% to 6%, according to USDA data. A Public Citizen report due out today questions the reduced frequency of inspections and its impact on national food safety requirements. NYTimes.com (7/10) |
 | | Sure, we protect your business from pests, but it's your reputation we really defend. Even the slightest pest problem can close your business and ruin your reputation forever. Because once it happens, your customers never forget. Contact us to learn about a customized approach to pest management. Click here to learn more. |
|
| Technology Solutions |
|
|
| | An RFID mishap
The Auto-ID Center, a research group that promotes RFID technology, accidentally released confidential documents on its Web site this week. The documents addressed how to handle customer complaints that RFID violates their privacy, a concern the documents say 78% of respondents to an online survey have. The Philadelphia Inquirer/Associated Press (7/10) |
| Health, Nutrition & Pharmacy |
|
|
| | Popular drugs' price outpace inflation
A study by Families USA finds prices for some of the country's most-often prescribed drugs increased at a rate of three times that of inflation. The drugs are often prescribed for seniors; several lawmakers used the findings to push for a prescription-drug benefit plan. The Philadelphia Inquirer/Bloomberg (7/10), NYTimes.com (7/10), The Wall Street Journal (7/10) |
| | Food manufacturers to add trans fatty acid content to food labels
The FDA's new rule would require food manufacturers to include trans fatty acids on "Nutrition Facts" labels. The labeling rules, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2006, are aimed at helping consumers make healthier choices. The Washington Post (7/10), NYTimes.com (7/10), The Wall Street Journal (7/10) |
| | Some health experts are skeptical about food companies' efforts to reduce fat content and portion sizes. NYTimes.com (7/9) |
| | | Financing Store Brand Promotions: Marketing Management, Inc. invests funds with retailers and wholesalers to promote their brands through our Marketing Development Fund program. Over the last ten years, MMI invested
$185 million promoting store brands; for a total of $237 million since 1981. Click here to contact MMI and start your customized Marketing Developing Fund program. www.mmi-home.com
|
| | | Find what you need on eBay and save. It's true! On eBay, you can find everything you need to run your business. And for less money than you thought possible. Laptops, desktops, telecom equipment, printers and more. If you're ready to get more for less, go to www.ebaybusiness.com now. |
| |
|  | | Interested in learning more about advertising in the FMI Daily Lead? Contact Linda Blau at 212-677-5795 or lblau@smartbrief.com.
|  |
| Government Affairs |
|
|
| | Treasury secretary supports tax cuts
John Snow said in an interview that he believes the president's recently passed tax cut package will aid economic growth and boost the slumping U.S. economy. He also asserts the budget deficit, projected to hit $500 billion next year, is not unmanageable. USA TODAY (7/9) |
| FMI Spotlight |
|
|
| |
| FMI expands ChoicePoint employment screening services
FMI has expanded the employment background investigation services available to members through ChoicePoint. ScreenNow, with recently improved functionality, is suited for small to mid-size companies that need quick and reliable basic background checks for human resource departments. New to FMI members, Secure Point offers services specifically designed for medium to large retailers and loss prevention departments. Secure Point provides a wide variety of customized pre- and post-employment background screening products and drug tests. For more detailed information on both services, please click here.
| |
| Global Update |
|
|
| | Singapore may agree to partially lift chewing gum ban
If Singapore implements a partial ban on chewing gum, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. may sell its Orbit and Orbit White brands in the region. Since 1992, the company has lobbied for Singapore to end chewing gum restrictions. Chicago Sun-Times (7/10) |
| Supplier News |
|
|
| | Kraft loses two top execs
The food manufacturer's president of North American business and its group vice president of the North American biscuit business recently submitted their resignations to pursue other opportunities. Kraft stock prices dropped when news of the departures was made public, but analysts project the company will still hit its growth targets. USA TODAY/Reuters (7/9), The Wall Street Journal (7/10) |
"To err is human, to forgive divine."
-- Alexander Pope
|
|
|
| Editorial Team
|
|
|
| Advertising Contact
|
|
|
| Legal Information
Some links in the FMI dailyLead are time-sensitive. These links may move or
expire as the news changes throughout the day. Some sources also may require
registration or fee-based subscriptions.
Product announcements appearing in the FMI dailyLead are paid advertisements
and do not reflect actual FMI endorsements.
The news reported in the FMI dailyLead does not necessarily reflect the
official position of FMI.
Privacy and other legal information
Distributed by:
SmartBrief, Inc.
1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
Copyright © 1999-2005 SmartBrief Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|
| |  | |
Today's
Sponsors
LeadQuote
"To err is human, to forgive divine."
-- Alexander Pope
|
Utilities
TELL A FRIEND
-- Click to send your colleagues a one-time sample edition.
SUGGESTIONS
- Click to submit questions, comments or suggestions.
SIGN UP
- Click to receive a free subscription to the FMI dailyLead.
PROFESSIONAL EDGE
- Click to access the suite of tools to maximize your free dailyLead subscription.
 |
| is a service of SmartBrief Inc. |
 |
