News

Heard on the Street: News that makes your 'tongue tingle'

Nick Eklund thinks he has found a sweet, recession-proof spot in the economy -- chocolate.

On Thursday, he will launch Chocolatique, a holiday kiosk selling hand-made American chocolates in Rochester's Apache Mall.

Expect gift boxes of specialty chocolates, hand-made marshmallows and drinking chocolate. Read more...

Shopping centers determined not to let the Grinch steal this Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like a heavy-handed push to drive shoppers to the stores this holiday season.

With Black Friday right around the corner, mall and store owners are bracing for thrifty spending by consumers tight on cash and even tighter on consumer optimism.

To counteract what could be a dismal holiday spending season, look for special mall promotions and events, plus individual store discount programs, on a grand scale.

Simon Property Group Inc. (NYSE: SPG), the largest shopping mall owner in America, has started pitching a marketing program that seeks to lure shoppers with discounts and other special offers from its retail tenants. Read more...

Specialty stores offer a bright spot for retail

The 2008 holiday shopping season may be one of the most challenging for retailers.

Nationwide, many retailers already have rolled out pre-holiday sales and special promotions to put consumers into a spending mood and try to meet or beat a modest forecast of 2.2 percent increase in sales, the slowest growth since 2002.

Concerns about the economy, job layoffs and the continuing crisis in the credit and mortgage industries have overshadowed many consumers' plans for holiday shopping sprees. Read more...

Marketing events encourage mall shopping

Danville, Illinois — The Village Mall is again decked out in its finest for the holiday season, with Santa soon to be taking center stage.

Jean Ramirez, vice president of retail operations with B&G Property Management of Holland, Mich., said there are several new marketing events planned during the next two months to encourage people to shop at the mall.

The largely known difference in men’s and women’s shopping habits, with women often shopping early and men often waiting until the last minute to shop, was seen with a promotion that started with a Girl’s Night Out last week and will conclude with a Guy’s Night out on Dec. 16. Read more...

Retailers gearing up to dial for dollars

In need of a shopping companion to help you navigate the upcoming blitz of holiday bargains and specials?

This season, the best partner already may be in your pocket or purse.

Cellular phones, with an evolving link between retail and technology, have the potential this Christmas season to ring true in buying merchandise at decent prices.

"It's really developed into a wonderful marketing tool that not only gives you text messages about products, but since mobile Web browsing is now available, you can find out when it goes on sale and where it's available," said Scott Krugman, a spokesman with the National Retail Federation. Read more...

Toy Recalls Drop 46 Percent

Toy recalls are down 46 percent from last year, when manufacturers and retailers were forced to clear shelves of toys containing lead paint, dangerous magnets and in one case, a chemical that left children temporarily comatose.

But federal safety regulators said yesterday that parents should still be on the lookout for toys with small parts that could pose a choking hazard for children, including uninflated or broken balloons. They should also supervise children around scooters, ride-on toys, and battery chargers and adapters that come with electronic toys.

While naming those items as the top toy hazards, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said the number of toy recalls had dropped to 74 in 2008 from 138 in 2007. Read more...

Web Sales Tax Looms

Attention, online shoppers! This may be the last holiday season you can dodge sales taxes by buying presents on the Web. (Admit it, you do this.) State legislators, retailers and lawyers say 2009 may be the year Internet taxes finally come to pass.

The idea, which would levy sales tax on most goods bought online, has been tossed around for nearly a decade. A perfect storm of factors, including record state budget deficits, a new Congress and continued e-commerce growth, appear likely to rekindle the issue. Experts say that cash-strapped states view this revenue, estimated to be several billions of dollars, as money left on the table. Read more...

Toronto Pearson Wins First Place Award for :10 Minute Manicure

On November 12, Toronto Pearson International Airport was awarded first place honours in the Best Consumer Services Concept category for :10 Minute Manicure. The announcement was made during the 2008 Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) Conference, at which more than 300 representatives of the North American airport concessions industry were in attendance. Hosted by the GTAA in Toronto from November 10 through to November 13, the conference helped demonstrate the critical role that concessions play in delivering a superior quality airport experience to customers.

ACI-NA represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. In addition to this award, 25 other airports of all sizes throughout the US and Canada were recognized in various categories for their exceptional concessions programs. Read more...

Local Malls Seeing More People

Everywhere we turn, there's evidence of the effects of a tough economy.

Local News 8 reported Wednesday night, the owner of two local malls is one business struggling.

In fact, General Growth Properties, known as GGP, may have to file for bankruptcy protection. But, they say this will not affect their businesses in Eastern Idaho.

GGP operates more than 200 malls in 44 states across the country, including Grand Teton Mall in Idaho Falls and Chubbuck's Pine Ridge Mall. Read more...

Retailers Feel Pinch of Returns

Shopping at Nordstrom in Miami this month, Maria Kakouris indulged herself with a $200 pair of satin-and-snakeskin pumps. Then came a spasm of buyer’s remorse. “Those shoes — they are still in my car with the receipt,” said Ms. Kakouris, a real estate agent. “I’m thinking, where am I going to wear them?”

In less challenging times, Ms. Kakouris might have hung onto the shoes. But now she is more circumspect. “They’re going right back where they came from,” she said.

In giving up her splurge, Ms. Kakouris joined a steeply rising number of shoppers who, driven by anxiety over jobs and savings, or an immediate need for cash, are marching back to stores with their purchases. Read more...