May 12, 2009
Issue: 17
 
Greetings!


Staying on the right side of the law can be a complicated .undertaking when the rules change...If you own an establishment that serves alcohol, you should be aware of changes made to ABC regulations by the 2009 General Assembly.  Similarly, any Virginia establishment that previously allowed smoking may be impacted by the statewide ban.

Failure to stay up to date on these changes could have serious economic consequences for your business.

Join fellow merchants for a free informative session on new Virginia laws impacting tobacco and alcohol.  The session will be held 8:30 - 1 a.m. on June 3 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Hampton (700 SETTLERS LANDING ROAD, HAMPTON VA. 23669)

Experts from the law firm of LeClair Ryan will share the latest news on changes approved during the 2009 session and discuss changes anticipated in the future.  Topics include penalties for violations, food to alcohol percentages, cigarette taxes and the intricacies of the smoking ban.

Attendance is limited, so reserve your space today by contact Jen Webber at jwebber@retail-alliance.com.

Sears Offers Social-Networking Sites 

Sears Holdings is looking to engage better with customers through MySears.com and MyKmart.com, using Viewpoints Technology Platform. On the Web sites, users can interact through reviews and comments.
Retailers Aim to Make Maternity Fashionable
 
Expectant mothers are no longer forced to wear big clothes with big buttons as retailers offer more tailored, fashionable maternity options. Online retailer Isabella Oliver was one of Angelina Jolie's favorites when she was pregnant, and Christian Siriano recently launched Fierce Mamas.
 
Forbes has the full story.
Retailers Continue to Open Stores Despite Economy

Retailers are expected to open 4,000 stores in the U.S.this year and close 3,600, CoStar Group found. Chains expected to open the most stores include Walgreen, Dollar General, CVS.

The Post and Courier has the full story.

Blockbuster Straddles Retail Channels

Blockbuster, the movie-rental company that once was the only game in town, is seeking market share against a number of competitors on a variety of fronts, including online and in vending machines, according to this report. The retailer reports its quarterly earnings Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal has more
In This Issue
Sears Offers Social-Networking Sites
Retailers Aim to Make Maternity Fashionable
Retailers Continue to Open Stores Despite Economy
Blockbuster Straddles Retail Channels
Retail 2 Retail
China has Appetite for Luxury Goods

Retail 2 Retail



Tuesday,

May 19th
6-8 p.m.


Savannah's
Bar & Grill

1296 S. Battlefield Blvd
Suite 108
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
China has Appetite for Luxury Goods



Though China's $8 billion luxury-goods market is a small percent of global sales, it is expected to be one of the fastest-growing markets for luxury products through 2012. Luxury sales grew 25% last year in China, Bain  Co. found.


The Washington Post/The Associated Press has the full story