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On October 20, 2009. By Benjamin, under Other News.
Welcome to EDI Options new WordPress based blog. We’re proud to have moved to this stronger and more robust platform. We look forward to bringing you even more fantastic news from now on. Enjoy…
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On October 6, 2009. By Fran, under Tech Talk.
One of the spookiest parts of Halloween this year may be the amount people plan to spend on celebrating the 31st. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, consumers are expected to spend an average of $56.31 on Halloween, down from $66.54 total spending on the holiday is expected to plummet.
Like most holidays, Halloween will also be hit hard by the economic strife making this season a bit more frightful, but not in a good way. A report surfaced regarding that 71.2% households will forgo passing out candies to local children taking part in the most festive event, trick or treating. I find this appalling to suggest that the average American or 71.2% has suffered so greatly that a few bags of candy and the cost is a deal breaker for a few dozen children ringing neighborhood doors.
Frankly I also find the decline in costumes or dressing up, even pumpkin carving will plummet so drastically that kids & teens will show unpainted, uncloaked faces, pumpkins will only be cut for making pies to feed the homeless and Halloween parties will require canned goods before entering. I wonder sometimes who actually runs these reports and what group of educated persons comes to statics on such degrees of ridiculousness. Halloween has and always will be about resources. Taking bed sheets, broken charcoal for face painting, and flour in a sock, you know using what is around. I can remember getting pennies in my treat bag and as much as that was always a complete downer, it was still something.
I say take all the pennies you can find, or passing up fast food for lunch, lotto, even that rainy day cash we all have tucked away and spend it on treats, and if you’re still that destitute, send all those kids to my house, the one on the block with the carved pumpkins, spooky decorations and plenty of trick and treats to go round, even if it cost me a dollar and a dream.
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On August 17, 2009. By Fran, under Tech Talk.
The 852 provides the ability to be proactive in production planning and understand how products are selling, and across different locations and assists changes in marketing to gain sales. Using the 852, you can compare POS data and transactions and track selling statics between different locations and regions.
There are three reports that form the backbone of retail POS data analysis: item sell-thru by store, inventory on-hand by item and store, and top selling items. From these three reports you can create a library of very useful decision support tools segmented by geographic region, product category, and by retail partner. Vendors are working hard to understand how to best use retail POS and inventory data which is made available via EDI 852.
Considering the amount of information that is offered via the 852 document it may seem like a overload of confusing data, but working with your EDI provider, the right EDI provider who understands each function, you can road-map a plan of action and tailor the 852 exactly to your needs. Using this 852 document will provide a wealth of vital information that will most definitely surpass manual records, standard POS software reports and manual inventory controlling.
Every square foot of any warehouse or distributing center is prime inventory real-estate. Products are placed according to style, color or season, like a well oiled machine every component from receiving to stocking must achieve maximum ability. The 852 provides the document allows warehouse fine-tuning to adjust or increase production, report inventory changes for product movement and placement as well as plan upcoming orders both in receiving and shipping.
I have a small insight to this myself, working in retail and performed labored POS reports daily that consumed a volume of paper. Each report was compiled data of daily or weekly sales figures, stock and location sales. The POS reports are retrieved with software that is installed to a main register (cash) thermal. This terminal is accessed through a PC with standard POS software that is quite defunct by technology standards. Each report is a mass of confusion for anyone to master.
To have the ability to customize reports ranks the 852 ranks as a top performing solution with robust opportunities for any supplier.
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On July 14, 2009. By Fran, under Tech Talk.
It’s hard to think that September’s biggest season for back-to-school shopping is already underway. Maybe not on the minds of kids and teens but retailers are gearing up for fall 2009 in big ways. Lots of focus will be on the returning school year sales marking for the first time since the financial crisis went south last September.
Second only to the winter holidays, consumers spent $54.1 billion on apparel, shoes, electronics and other items for school kids and those heading back to college as of last year’s reports. Retailers are beefing up major marketing, promotions and anything possible to lure this year’s students into big sales for retail victory.
Consumers are holding off buying items until they really need it, and are hoping that they will get them at bargain prices, but will parents hold off all that much?
This question is quite significant, and if so, this will force retailers to slash prices when a season has just started usually when holding prices at full margin for a new season gains interest and demand. Moreover, retailers are up against a tough assignment since the 2008 back-to-school period got a boost from shoppers spending up to $600 in stimulus checks.
When it comes to children, parents often overspend when the new school year rolls around regardless of a set budget or economic blunders. New jeans and sneakers top the list for must have fashion wants and coming in close second are electronics. A lot remains to be seen, even though July is the official start of the back-to-school and only a month away.
Easy as A, B and C?
Speculation can be made along with polls and statistics, but the only ones with all the moxie are consumers, or is it? How and what we consider necessity or luxury determines everything.
I wonder sometimes, if we as a consumer ever stop to understand the power in consumption, or the other way around. Think about that next time, when your kids drag you under a trail of strategic marketing signs to the next & new must have necessity.
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On July 6, 2009. By Fran, under Industry News.
Top 100 Retailer’s Annual Revenue: July 2008-2009
1. Wal-Mart – $405,607,000
2. Kroger – $76,000,000
3. Costco – $72,483,020
4. Home Depot – $71,288,000
5. Target – $64,948,000
6. Walgreen – $59,034,000
7. CVS Caremark – $48,989,900
8. Lowe’s – $48,230,000
9. Sears Holdings – $46,770,000
10. Best Buy – $45,015,000
—————————————————- Top Ten
11. SUPERVALU – $44,564,000
12. Safeway – $44,104,000
13. Rite Aid – $26,289,268
14. Macy’s – $24,892,000
15. Publix – $23,929,06400
16. McDonald’s – $23,522,400
17. Ahold – $21,830,000
18. Delhaize America – $19,239,000
19. Amazon.com – $19,166,000.
20. TJX – $18,999,505
21. J.C. Penney – $18,486,000
22. 7-Eleven – $16,681,000
23. Pilot Travel Centers – $16,500,000
24. Kohl’s – $16,389,000
25. Alimentation Couche Tard – $15,583,000
—————————————————- Top Twenty Five
26. H.E.B – $14,647,680
27. Gap – $14,526,000
28. Meijer – $14,321,000
29. Staples – $14,153,851
30. Toys “R” Us – $13,724,000
31. Love’s – $12,450,000
32. Dell Global Consumer – $11,529,000.
33. Yum! Brands – $11,279,000
34. Valero – $10,528,000
35. Dollar General – $10,457,668
36. Starbucks – $10,383,000
37. Office Depot – $10,353,398
38. BJ’s Wholesale Club – $10,027,366
39. Army Air Force Exchange – $9,900,000
40. Apple Stores/iTunes – $9,655,000
41. A&P-Montvale – $9,516,186
42. Limited Brands – $9,043,000
43. The Pantry – $8,995,626
44. GameStop – $8,805,897
45. Quik Trip – $8,640,300
46. Nordstrom – $8,573,000
47. RaceTrac Petroleum – $8,000,000
48. Whole Foods Markets – $7,953,912
49. Travel Centers of America – $7,658,379
50. Menard – $7,500,000
—————————————————- Top Fifty
51. Winn-Dixie Stores – $7,340,000
52. QVC – $7,303,000
53. Darden Restaurants – $7,223,000
54. Bed Bath & Beyond – $7,208,340
55. Dillard’s – $6,988,440
56. Family Dollar – $6,983,628
57. Giant Eagle – $6,749,103
58. Verizon Wireless – $6,697,000
59. Aldi – $6,633,500
60. AutoZone – $6,522,706
61. Ross Stores – $6,486,139
62. Hy-Vee – $6,200,000
63. Defense Commissary Agency – $5,800,000
64. Albertsons – $5,367,185
65. Blockbuster – $5,287,900
66. Foot Locker – $237,000
67. Advance Auto Parts – $5,142,255
68. Barnes & Noble – $5,121,804
69. Save Mart – $5,100,480
70. Pet Smart – $5,065,293
71. AT&T Wireless – $4,925,000
72. Trader Joe’s – $4,896,000
73. Sherwin-Williams – $4,834,897
74. Wegmans Food Markets – $4,668,480
75. Big Lots Columbus – $4,645,283
76. Dollar Tree Stores – $4,644,900
77. Casey’s General Stores – $4,687,895
78. Neiman Marcus Group – $4,600,536
79. Luxottica Retail – $4,549,459
80. Susser Holdings – $4,239,883
81. RadioShack – $4,224,500
82. Dick’s Sporting Goods – $4,130,128
83. Sheetz – $4,106,700
84. WinCo Foods – $4,000,000
85. OSI Restaurant Partners – $3,962,857
86. OfficeMax – $3,957,000
87. Bass Pro Shops – $3,930,000
88. Michaels Stores – $3,817,000
89. Roundy’s Supermarkets – $3,788,262
90. Stater Bros. Holdings – $3,741,254
91. Harris Teeter – $3,664,804
92. Raley’s – $3,659,488
93. Brinker International – $3,628,594
94. O’Reilly Automotive – $3,576,553
95. Burlington Coat Factory – $3,542,000
96. Abercrombie & Fitch – $3,540,276
97. Belk – $3,499,423
98. Collective Brands – $3,442,000
99. Wawa – $3,395,700
100. Williams-Sonoma – $3,361,472
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On June 22, 2009. By Fran, under Industry News, Tech Talk.
At a time when supermarket profits remain slow because of rising labor and energy costs customer shopping has changed. Popular supermarkets around the country are forecasting for new lower-price campaigns.
In-store promotions, coupons, BOGO (buy one get one free) have hit the isles full throttle as the looming economy has not lifted its hold on purse strings. Household budgets tighten as smart shoppers watch for national-chain coupons and sales.
Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons, Kroger, Safeway and Supervalue have all jumped into action trying to forgo short-term plans to build longer relations and better customer service through promotions and discounts. National-brand food manufacturers are working with grocers by cutting their own prices to gain buying power. National brands have been targeted as thrifty consumers have turned to store-brand, the old standby no-frills as famous maker products are just too expensive.
Offering deep discounts and coupons on maker brands is all triggered to bring the consumer back to what they are accustom to, before the economic slide. Common foods and goods are the most discounted that has been seen so far. Staples such as breads, dairy, baby food, lesser cut meats and produce will get the most attention for racking up the sales.
The dollar store concept has finally come to the grocer. More & more Dollar Days, Saturday Specials and the like have become common ground among leading supermarkets. The iconic Sunday circular has gotten larger, bolder with more to clip, cut and redeem.
There was a time when the supermarket was a Mecca for in store freebies like china or collecting a set of canisters with weekly stamps, holiday bucks and more. This brought people back each week or month, and was enjoyable, making grocery shopping fun.
All this sounds good for the consumer and just might get even better. Competition has grown strong among theses food giants, all ready with a new plan on just how to keep their local weekly fans.
Moreover, with sales and completion outdoing the other, restaurant sales have dropped as consumers have skipped restaurant trips to make more meals at home.
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On June 4, 2009. By Fran, under Industry News.
Grills, big screen televisions and many other toys that Dad’s only dream about have gotten a head-start this year. Father’s Day advertisements and sales has been an aggressive push for retailers for this summer holiday.
Consumers are expected to spend $9.4 billion on gifts for Dad, or an average of $90.89 per person, down very slightly from $94.54 last year. That is not too bad considering the economic slump has affected gift giving over the past twelve months.
Consumers spend an average of $123.89 dollars or $14.1 billion on Mother’s Day as Father’s Day generally lacks behind with fewer sales every season. Not to say good old Dad is on the back burner or less important- Mom’s are just easier to shop for. With bulk of sales going toward floral senders, spa and personal care items and a slew of cutesy bric-a-brac, Father’s Day is usually the same- tie’s, cuff links, a wallet or his favorite aftershave.
Facts & sales
Handy pops who tinker with home improvements bring $522 million.
Hip Dad’s and their video games/electronics rake in a whopping $1 billion.
For the savvy man of the house, gift-cards represent a total of $1.2 billion
Four out of ten will spend Father’s Day on restaurant, brunch or dessert themed function.
Seven out of ten people will purchase a card from a drugstore or large chain stationary shop.
Dad may be the hardest of all to shop for considering the fact that he has everything already. Everything, not in material bulk like a new fishing rod or a plaza TV, but stuff one can’t shop for.
Gifts like wisdom, life experience, patience, war stories, a whole lot of understanding and plenty of criticism to boot. If we can’t give in sometimes, like say Father’s Day and tell him he is always right, then that may be the most perfect gift of all!
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On June 2, 2009. By Fran, under Tech Talk.
Each season, the color experts at Pantone Color Institute release a report detailing the palette of hues that fashion designers expect to be indicative of the season.
And for fall 2009, designers are forecasting a palette of earth tones, from true red and deep orange to vibrant blue. Designers recognize the desire for basics that speak to the current economic conditions, but also understand the need to incorporate vibrant color to grab the consumers’ eyes and entice them to buy.
Some of the top colors designers identified as the most popular hues for fall:
- American Beauty - true red
- Purple Heart - jewel tone purple
- Honey Yellow - a warm yellow
- Burt Sienna - earthy shade of orange
- Rapture Rose - vibrant fuchsia & soft pink
- Warm Olive - rich yellow-green
- Majolica Blue - deep teal
Out of the ten colors that made the fall list, Neutral Iron received the highest rating from designers, a choice that points to practicality and sale-ability.
Color is the most significant role in how consumers gravitate or shy away from making purchases. We as humans have a relationship with color, how one formulates our likes and dislikes, what makes us feel emotion and moods.
Consistently is key for designers as to sustain sales and keep customers returning every season. A garish color palette could potentially hurt sales by a drastic disinterest and for jewelry that could mean big ticket items.
These tones serve as an ideal canvas for jewelry, whether that means sticking to one of the all-metal or neutral iron statement necklaces that will be big for Fall, or selecting colored gemstones with intense hues that are far from shy and make a bold statement.
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On May 22, 2009. By Fran, under Industry News.
As the end of the school year approaches, seniors everywhere will toss up caps in glory of the ultimate teen experience, graduation.
That’s why it makes sense for retailers to try to get a piece of the graduation action, since it’s a $3.9 billion enterprise, according to the National Retail Federation. That estimate for this graduation season is down from $4.37 billion a year ago, as consumers count their pennies.
Not to damper all the pomp with economic circumstance, this year graduation will still serve up plenty of back yard barbecue’s, pool parties and basic affairs rather than formal, in-house catered events. Formality for graduation has taken a backseat to more economical ways to celebrate with family and friends.
“The high school senior year is a very important year, because it’s the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood”
Wouldn’t keys to a new car be the ultimate gift for junior as he sets off for college? Not this year son, but on a positive note, retailers such as Hallmark cards, Things Remembered specializing in personalized items and jewelry chain locations offering keepsakes still hold presence.
All together these items might not seem like a huge margin as gift cards and personal checks dominate, but still carry enough market power for this annual summer tradition.
A Retailers’ Trade Association study showed the appeal of cash is practical and needed in tight times, especially for the younger set.
Maybe a new lap top for college, career clothes for the office or helping Mom & Dad toward tuition fees. Those monetary presents will no doubt come in handy and not leave much left over this year for extracurricular activates-beer.
But hey, that’s the breaks, kid.
Along with those prized cash rewards for all the hard work and endless hours of homework, this year comes with another one, a real reality check…
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On May 20, 2009. By Fran, under Industry News.
If this blundering economy hasn’t done enough already, conflicting reports seem to always be on the top of the list. Retailers are expected to open 4,000 stores in the U.S. this year and close 3,600. Chains expected to open the most stores include Walgreen’s, Dollar General and CVS. Closing up shop, has been Bed Bath & Beyond, Circuit City and Fortunoff’s.
If all 4,000 stores are opened, store-opening activity will still be down 39 percent compared to 2007 levels.
Retailers in pet supply, dollar store, warehouse club, drugstore, grocery store and discount categories are projecting the biggest gain in stores this year while retailers in the electronics, jewelry, apparel and office-supply categories expect to see the biggest loss in store counts.
Those planning to open the most U.S. stores this year include:
- Walgreen’s (540)
- Dollar General (450)
- CVS (275)
- Dollar Tree (235)
- Family Dollar (200)
Some merchants who have either folded or are downsizing considerably:
- Circuit City (567)
- Steve & Barry’s (252)
- Jones Apparel (225)
- Blockbuster (150)
Having spent Saturday afternoon at my local mall, I noticed just how many empty storefronts stood blacked-out & baron. An eerie echo of bustling shoppers who once darted across from shop to shop, now only have to go past one or two of these darken stalls to see the dismal reality of the economy.
Let’s hope some-four odd thousand shops do open to much success & longevity, but just how much pet supplies, paper clips and industry size toilet paper can one shop for, before being a tad self-indulgent becomes discounted.
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