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Retail Alliance Newsletter
Greetings!
Virginians will soon have the safest, most secure driver's licenses and ID cards
in the U.S. In the spring, DMV will implement newly designed driver's licenses
and ID cards and a new issuance process.
The cards will have a new
look and feel that includes state- of-the-art security features. Adult licenses
will remain horizontal and include an outline of the state capitol building.
Cards for those under 21 will be vertical and carry images of Virginia's state
flower, the dogwood, and will show the dates that the individual turns 18 and
21. Driver's license banners will have blue lettering; ID card banners will
have green lettering; and children's ID card banners will have gold lettering.
The primary photo will be black and white.
The most notable of the
security features is a clear window, containing a black and white photograph of
the cardholder, visible from the front and back of the card. Other security
features include laser engraved polycarbonate construction, raised lettering in
the customer number, date of birth, expiration date and signature fields and an
ultraviolet (UV) feature displaying the state seal. These features make the
cards difficult to counterfeit.
The new design,
security features and issuance process will make Virginia's driver's licenses
and ID cards one of the most secure and trusted state-issued credentials in the
nation.
Between March and July, customers will begin experiencing the
enhanced process and receiving the new secure credentials by mail. Currently
issued driver's licenses and ID cards will remain valid until expiration
dates.
For more information, visit www.dmvNOW.com.
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10 Left to Nominate Who You Think Deserves Retailer of the Year!
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 worthy 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 (one per member; $35 for additional tickets; $60 for non-members), 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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Consumers Say Sustainable Packaging is ImportantConsumers are interested
in recyclable pack  aging, and they ranked recyclable and biodegradable packaging
over minimal packaging. An official with The Hartman Group, which conducted the
survey, noted that packaging is "a great way to communicate your sustainability
message." Brandweek has the full
story. |
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Women Keep Buying Cosmetics
Women might be cutting back on new clothing,
but they're still  willing to splurge on high-end makeup. In Mississippi, at a
Dillard's and a Belk, cosmetic sales were up or flat, while apparel sales were
down. Said an NRF vice president: "Many people are looking for a small way to
treat themselves right now."
The Clarion-Ledger has the full story.
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Retail 2 Retail
Tonight!
Tuesday,
March 3
6-8 p.m.
Vintner's Cellar
1213-C George Washington Mem. Hwy.
Yorktown, VA 23693
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. |
Safeway Urges Food Makers to Cut Prices
Safeway will start aggressively promoting its private-label brands if
food manufacturers do not lower prices on their goods, CEO Steve Burd said. Its
O Organics and Eating Right brands have higher profit margins.
The Wall Street Journal has the full story.
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E-mails Make Many Customers More Likely to Buy
Data show that customers like receiving e-mail from companies with which they register. Many shoppers also are more likely to make a purchase -- either in a store or online -- from a business that has sent them e-mail.
MarketingVOX has the full story.
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Consumers Willing to Pay More for Value, Survey Shows
A survey found that customers will remain loyal to brands, even expensive ones, if they perceive that the value is worth the price. Brandweek has the full story. |
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Legislative Scoreboard
Virginia's budget $3.7 billion budget shortfall survived painful cuts due to the federal stimulus package infusion of $1.5 billion. The new money enabled lawmakers to save key programs in education and health care. And retailers came out on top, retaining the Dealer Discount and winning pilot project funding for Plastic Bag Recycling programs in Isle of Wight, Alexandria and Henry County.
Retailers Succeed in Keeping Dealer Discounts
The governor's proposal to scrap merchants' dealer discounts for sales tax and motor fuels taxes collection were defeated in the final hours of the budget conference sessions. In negotiations with House and Senate conferees, retail lobbyists convinced legislators that dealer discount fees are fair compensation for operational expenditures retailers must make in order to collect sales and use and motor fuels taxes for the state.
In return for keeping the dealer discount whole, legislators came up with a new sales tax payment schedule for dealers' at the $12 million plus revenue threshold. Large box retailers originally suggested the payment schedule start at a threshold of $5 million, a proposal rejected by the Virginia Retail Federation as a negative for small retailers. The VRF tracked down conferees, often behind closed doors, and convinced them that a $5 million threshold would impact many small merchants that do not have the operational efficiencies larger retailers enjoy. In the end, the conferees agreed to raise the threshold to a more reasonable level.
The new payment schedule, starting June 20, 2010, will force retailers at the $12 million and above threshold to pay sales tax for both the preceding month (May) with an additional payment for the first two weeks of June. In July, retailers will "true up" the estimated June payment, pay sales taxes for the remainder of June and pay estimated taxes for the first two weeks in July. This payment schedule will become permanent on a monthly basis. It is expected to generate approximately $97.8 million in revenue for the Commonwealth.
Although considered an accounting "gimmick" by retail advocates, the negotiations required retail representatives to hold their noses and agree or lose the dealer discount. For many merchants, retaining the dealer discount during the current economic crisis will help bridge the gap to survival. Because the new accounting changes do not begin until June, 2010, retailers will have time to work through another legislative session with lawmakers and perhaps craft a more palatable sales tax collection
Over 95 percent of Virginia Retail Federation and Retail Alliance members continue to be exempt from Dealer Discount Repeal.
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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.
Deadline for nomination is March 15, 2009.
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