STORES Magazine - February 2009 - (Page 18)

trEnDS fullprice/markdown RETAIL Fake Mall of China HITS LIVING down to China’s reputation MISSES RK as “king of the counterfeiters” is a MA N new mall just east of Shanghai. DOW Last month, the U.K. Daily Mirror reported that a new shopping center dedicated to fake executive brands is nearing completion in Nanjing. Stores in the mall vice presiinclude a burger shop called McDnoald’s, Bucksstar Coffee dent for Giant and Pizza Huh. It seems absurd, but it appears to be true. Food (a diviIn each instance, the color and brand icon so closely resion of Royal sembles the original that the intent to confuse consumers Ahold). “If is undeniable. McDnoald’s, for example, features a red this is the awning with three golden arches; Bucksstar replicates way that we can help most people, why not?” Retail experts consider this an aggressive move in supermarkets’ heated battle for shoppers, particularly since WalMart has been offering nearly 300 generic drugs for $4 since 2006. Shortly after Giant Foods’ announcement, Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans revealed its plan for free frequently-prescribed generic antibiotics, noting that it had been in the works for some time. Florida-based Publix and Michigan-based Meijer also have similar programs. All seem to be singing from the same hymn book. Now is the time for retailers to look for ways to extend good will and to let shoppers know they understand their pain and they’re doing what they can to help. Seeing the Possibilities BLIND and visually impaired shoppers LL FU ICE can now feel more PR confident when shopping at Dollar General. The Goodlettsville, Tenn., discount retailer, which operates more than 8,000 stores in 35 states, is installing tactile POS devices in all its stores so that visually impaired customers can independently enter their PINs when making a purchase. The company began rolling out the devices, which have tactile keys arranged like a standard telephone keypad, in December and expects to install the equipment in all its stores in less than 18 months. The move is the result of a collaboration among Dollar General, the American Council of the Blind and the American Foundation for the Blind. “Making our stores and services accessible strengthens our mission to serve others,” says Kathleen Guion, division president of store operations and store development. “This is another step in meeting our customers’ needs and helping set a higher standard of customer service.” WWW.STORES.ORG & Starbuck’s signature green color and features a circular icon using a graphic of a woman surrounded by stars. According to the Mirror, Nanjing city leaders are already under pressure to shutter the soon-to-be-opened mall after pictures of the fake stores were leaked. Angry consumers, who fear they’ll be ripped off and not even realize it, began creating an uproar shortly after word of the plans leaked out. Copy cat brands are rife around the world; that’s bad enough. But to allow a mall to do business solely on the premise of cheating legitimate brands — and shoppers — is downright revolting. Free Cure GIANT FOOD stores in Washington, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia — along with the compaLL FU ICE ny’s sister chain Stop & Shop in New England, PR New York and New Jersey — are giving free generic antibiotics to customers with a prescription for three months. The program, which is scheduled to last through March 21, includes popular antibiotics like penicillin, amoxicillin and ciproflaxin. Economic pressure continues to make it difficult for many Americans to afford prescription drugs, says Robin Michel, 18 STORES / FEBRUARY 2009 http://WWW.STORES.ORG

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of STORES Magazine - February 2009

STORES Magazine - February 2009 Contents Executive Editor's Page President's Page Are You a Pusher or a Puller? What Shoppers Think Online Retail Satisfaction 10 Things You May Have Missed Numbers Worth Counting Full Price/Markdown Retail People Cover Story - Something’s Got to Give First Look Concept2Watch Online Partners Merchandising Sustainability Inventory Systems Drug Store Systems Business Intelligence Inventory Managment Online Marketing Supply Chain - Better Data, Better Decisions Returns Management - Identifying Fraud Data Security - Securing Intimate Data Anti-Shoplifting - Mall of Shame? Risk Management - Securing Consumer Confidence Loeb Retail letter ARTS Update Point of View NRF News Retail Crossword Retail Industry Calendar End Cap

STORES Magazine - February 2009

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