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Retail Alliance Newsletter
Greetings!
Viva Las Vegas comes to Hampton
Roads in April 2009, to hon or retailers all over Virginia. Starting a
business is not a simple task, the market is challenging and the
obstacles retailers face are difficult. It takes more than the
ordinary entrepreneur to succeed in this competitive industry.
Retailers deserve to be recognized for outstanding customer service and
devotion to their community.
This year Retail Alliance will bring Vegas to Hampton Roads for an
exhilarating award show unlike anything you have ever been to before!
Which glitzy retailer will take home the prestigious award this year?
On the evening of Friday, April 24, Retail Alliance members and  guests
will be entertained and dazzled during the non-stop action awards
program at the Westin Town Center Hotel in Virginia Beach, for the
second annual Retailer of the Year Gala Event. The clinking of chips,
the sound of jazz and the array of Vegas style activities will make
this night unforgettable!
All Retail Alliance members are invited to attend this event at no
charge, but an RSVP is required. Seating is limited. A cancellation fee
will be charged to those who are unable to attend after RSVP within
three days of the event.
Retail Alliance is currently accepting nominations for the 2009
Retailer of the Year. (see below)
If you have any questions or you are interested in attending the
Retailer of the Year Awards please contact Jen Webber at 757.455.9323
or email jwebber@retail-alliance.com.
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 Thursday, February 26
5:00 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Waterside Marriott Norfolk
MediaFest is a program created by Retail Alliance® to provide tools to make
retail businesses more effective. The tradeshow will feature an
extensive variety of advertising opportunities ranging from traditional
media to unique marketing approaches, numerous advertising and
networking opportunities, entertainment, an educational component,
media exposure, delicious food provided by local restaurants, and
more! The media trade show will take place from 4:00 p.m. -
8:00 p.m. on February 26 at the Waterside Marriott in downtown
Norfolk.  MediaFest is free for Retail Alliance® members, so be sure to
take advantage of this opportunity. Whether you want your advertising
to resonate with potential customers, or you want to find creative ways
to help your business grow, MediaFest is an event you don't want to
miss! Remember, advertising is about consistency and always
being in the consumer's mind. Customers may not want to buy at the
moment, but if you're the first business that comes to mind, ultimately
you are likely to earn the sale. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming an exhibitor at Media Fest 2009 contact Jen Webber at 757.455.9323 or jwebber@retail-alliance.com. All Retail Alliance® members will be sent complimentary tickets or simply show your Member-to-Member card at the registration desk. |
6 Reasons Why the Recession Isn't All Bad
 Despite being tagged a "dismal
holiday season," there really was some good news that came from a December
same-store sales dip, deep discounts and bargain shoppers. Here are six bits of
good news.
U.S. News & World Report
has the full story.
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Workers Exercised More with Company-Based Program
A study involving 1,442
Home Depot employees found those who participated in a company program for
setting exercise goals had sustained increases in their physical activity. The
program linked incentives to weekly personal and team goals. After six weeks,
more than 50% of the workers did at least five 30-minute moderate exercise
sessions or two 20-minute vigorous sessions a week, up from the 30% who were at
that level prior to the study.
Yahoo!/HealthDay News
has the full story.
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Retail 2 Retail
Tuesday,
January 20
6-8 p.m.
Savannah's Restaurant
1296 Battlefield Blvd
Chesapeake, VA
23322
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. |
After-Christmas Sales Might Boost Overall Holiday Season
Though the holiday
season might already be called the worst in recent history, after-Christmas
sales might buoy the bleak numbers, the NRF reported. Some 15% of all holiday
sales take place the week after Christmas.
The Washington Independent has the full story.
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Retailers Worry Shoppers Are Too Accustomed to Deals
With shoppers used to
steep discounts and competition from liquidating businesses, retailers are
worried that they'll have to cut prices quickly on spring merchandise as well.
Some such as J.Crew have already started.
The Washington Post/The Associated Press
has the full story.
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Retailer of the Year 2009 Nominations
Retail Alliance is currently accepting
 nominations for the 2009 Retailer of the Year. Nominees should be
nominated for their creativity, business acumen, retail success, and
ability to thrive in a tough economy. Judges will be making selections
based on business growth, financial strength and stability, community
involvement and other criteria.
Click here to download the nomination form
Simply fill out the nomination form and send it back to Retail
Alliance, Attn: ROTY Nomination, 500 East Plume Street, Suite 500,
Norfolk, VA 23320.
For questions please contact jwebber@retail-alliance.com.
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Legislative Scoreboard
Virginia Retail Federation
(VRF) representatives met with Governor Kaine's staff January 5 to  start
negotiations on the governor's proposed elimination of the "dealer discount."
The "dealer discount" is the small percentage of the sales tax that the state
remits back to merchants as compensation for collecting the tax. The fee has
been in place since 1966 when the Virginia sales tax was
established.
The VRF will propose a number of options to the governor
and the General Assembly for replacing budget money that would be gained by the
state for gutting the fee. One proposal is to collect tax from internet
sellers, like Amazon, which has locations in Sterling and Ashburn, VA, and
collects data in Ashburn, and ships orders from Sterling. Under Virginia code,
out-of-state internet dealers with "nexus," or place of business in Virginia,
must be subject to sales tax.
The General Assembly convenes January 15.
Please contact your legislators immediately to:
1) Oppose elimination of
the "dealer discount;"
2) Support taxation of internet or out-of-state
dealers that are selling and shipping from locations in Virginia, but not
collecting or paying sales tax.
To find and contact your legislator, go
to the Virginia General Assembly Web site, www.legis.state.va.us.
For more information on this issue, contact Margaret Ballard, 757-406-9431, mballard@retail-alliance.com.
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