Offense is the strategy to fight the crisis in the retail industry. Big department stores are taking the initiative to launch new promotions, make new exclusive deals and stock themselves with only the most fashion forward items that they know will keep the consumer constantly excited about what is next.
“Communicating to customers our value proposition of style and quality at a smart price [is both a challenge and an opportunity for us],” said Cindy O’Connor, GMM of family footwear and accessories for JC Penney.
“It would be easier to stay on stock plan, [but] playing a game of offense at this moment is vitally important” Bloomingdale’s CEO Michael Gould told Footwear News recently.
See more at http://www.wwd.com/footwear-news/big-retailers-revamp-for-09-2092038

While some companies go down in their sales and face bankruptcy, others fill in the blanks and find opportunities to grow and develop. As a result, retail shares rallied a strong 4.3 percent last Thursday as the G-20 meeting of world leaders in London produced signs of at least temporary unity
Among the retail gainers were the companies singled out by Deutsche Bank analyst Bill Dreher as those likely to pick up sales as other chains shutter doors or liquidate. The group included Macy’s, ahead 12.7 percent to $10.18; Penney’s, 6.9 percent to $21.97; Target, 4.9 percent to $36.06; Kohl’s, 3.5 percent to $45.10, and Wal-Mart, 1.6 percent to $53.64. Check this out at http://www.wwd.com/business-news/retail-stocks-soar-thursday-2089991?navSection=retail-news

Music and multimedia for Brown Shoe-Following the line of instant messaging and constant updates for promotions and offers, Trusonic, the largest provider of Internet delivered music and messaging services for retailers, today announced that Brown Shoe Company, Inc. through its Brown Group Retail, Inc. and Brown Shoe Company of Canada LTD divisions, will deploy Trusonic’s in-store music and messaging solution to approximately 1,300 locations throughout the United States and Canada.
Music to our “soles”! Read this at http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/retail/fluid-music-canadas-trusonicr-chosen-provide-music-messaging-brown-shoe-retail/

And all the basketball aficionados will be very happy to know that this year’s Reebook’s Headliner Tryout Camp will be going from Regional to National seeking new talent and giving opportunities for all teenagers that may have a bright future playing for colleges and universities.
Reebok Headliner Tryout Camps will tip-off in basketball hot spots across the country. Top Ballers at each site will earn invitations to one of the summer’s three premier exposure camps: Reebok All American Camp, Reebok Breakout Underclass Camp, and Reebok Proving Ground Regional Combine.
“I think Headliner is a great thing for players who are under the radar….it gives guys a chance to put themselves on the map without relying on someone else doing it for them…It helped me get to the level that I’m now at…..starting at Oak Hill Academy.”
Check http://www.ballercircuit.com/?page_id=8

Tax season 2009 doesn’t have to be that harsh on retailers with Obama’s new aid package for small business, especially those that faced major losses.
Obama’s stimulus plan allows for greater write-offs on investments in 2008. Small business owners may now deduct as much as $250,000 in equipment, furniture and other large expenses as part of Section 179, which previously allowed $125,000. And this is only the beginning.
Read more at http://www.wwd.com/footwear-news/#/article/footwear-news/help-desk-2009-tax-tips-2091864?navSection=footwear-news