October 7, 2008 Issue: 39 Retail Alliance Newsletter   Greetings! Your Vote Counts! Retail Alliance will host our first Party Politics event on Tuesday, October 28 in conjunction with this year's November elections.  It is the first of its kind to be conducted in the Hampton Roads area, and will serve as a vital tool for voters, at decision time in November.   The event will be held at the Webb Center on the campus of Old Dominion University off Hampton Blvd. and 49th Street in Norfolk. This is an informal event open to public where Hampton Roads citizens will have the opportunity to cast their votes on a non-scientific ballot and meet with several candidates in a casual setting.  Attendees will have the chance to voice their concerns and opinions to political candidates.  Towards the end of the event, the election results will be revealed, and the candidates will have the chance to see where they stand with voters in Hampton Roads.  Please join Retail Alliance for Party Politics and engage with your potential politicians.  This event has a $5 entry fee and we encourage everyone to come out and cast their vote! Light hor d'oeuvres and cash bar For more information on Party Politics contact Jen Webber at jwebber@retail-alliance.com.  Retailers Get Smart to Retain Staff Turnover is generally high in the retail industry because of factors ranging from long hours and tedious work to competition for staff from other retailers. Companies that have taken special approaches to worker retention include Finish Line, which developed distinctive strategies to attract and retain Generation Y workers, and Duane Reade, which deployed a work force management application to boost customer service and scheduling flexibility. STORES magazine has the full story.  Study: 30% of Shoppers Choose Brand in the Store An Ogilvy Group study has found that 30% of shoppers worldwide choose which brand to buy after they are in the store. The "Shopper Decisions Made In-Store" study, based on 14,000 shopper interviews in 700 retail outlets around the globe, also found various gaps between what customers plan to purchase before entering the store and what they buy. Progressive Grocer has the full story.   In This Issue Retailers Get Smart to Retain Staff Study: 30% of Shoppers Choose Brand in the Store Upcoming Retail 2 Retail Sam's Club Virginia Beach Study: Free Samples Lead to Increased Purchases Holiday Window Works Contest Retail 2 Retail 6-8 p.m. Tonight! Salsa's Mexican Grill 704 Mariners Row  Suite 110 Newport News, 23606 Join fellow retailers for an entertaining evening of networking and fun, complete with refreshments. Retail 2 Retail takes place the first and third Tuesday of each month and is free to RETAIL ALLIANCE members. To RSVP call Jen Webber at 757.455.9323   For directions to this R2R and to view upcoming R2Rs click here. Study: Free Samples Lead to Increased Purchases More than one-third of consumers have purchased an item after trying a sample during the same shopping trip, a survey shows. Arbitron found that sampling works for customers new to a product and those who are already familiar with it. Brandweek has the full story. Legislative Scoreboard Proposed Larceny Threshold Increase Raises Retail Anxiety On October 14, the Virginia State Crime Commission (VSCC) will hold hearings on the larceny threshold and the potential need to increase the threshold.  Senator Ken Stolle (R-Va. Beach), vice chairman of the VSCC, has requested a meeting with retail security and law enforcement professionals that belong to the Virginia Retail Federation's grassroots task forces.  He wants to offer alternative proposals to retailers that would enhance misdemeanor prosecutions if the threshold is increased.  The meeting will be held October 8, 2 p.m., at the Town Point Club in the World Trade Center on Main Street in downtown Norfolk.  For reservations and directions, contact Jen Webber, jwebber@retail-alliance.com, 757-455-9323. To date, Retail Alliance members are adamantly opposed to the increase.  The association is organizing a grassroots presentation and transportation to the October 14 hearings in Richmond.  A motor coach will leave from the Wal-Mart parking lot at Chesapeake Square at 7 a.m.  The hearings start at 10 a.m.  Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.  For more information and reservations, contact Margaret Ballard, 757-406-9431, mballard@retail-alliance.com. Plastic Bag Coalition Completes Action Plan The Virginia Plastic Bag Coalition is now armed with an action plan that will provide recycling education, greater recycling opportunities and, hopefully, a grant that will enhance these efforts in Isle of Wight County. All members of the Virginia General Assembly have received copies of the plan. Retail Alliance and the Virginia Retail Federation orchestrated a partnership with Isle of Wight County that addressed the county's needs to eliminate plastic bag litter.  The group brought together a broad spectrum of businesses, consumer groups, government officials, environmental and industry representatives to discuss and learn more about plastic bags in our economy and environment. We are proud of the work that came out of this coalition An aggressive education and recycling effort created by the Isle of Wight that can be replicated in communities throughout the state, A renewed effort by Trex, Inc. to capture more recyclable plastic in Virginia, A recommendation that plastic bag use gradually decrease through the introduction by retailers of alternatives and recycling opportunities, A recommendation that municipalities encourage multi-store developments to include recycling opportunities for tenants and customers, Creation of parking lot and store signage by the Virginia Retail Federation for merchants to encourage the use of plastic bag alternatives and recycling. We realize that this effort parallels a study undertaken by Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) and we are pleased to report that our recommendations are much the same: Do not legislate the ban of plastic bags Do not institute a tax/deposit/fee for plastic bag use Investigate and promote plastic alternatives Encourage recycling Holiday Window Works It's not too early to sign up for your chance to win $1500! Click here to learn more and download your sign-up sheet

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