Industry headlines for Dec. 23
Seattle PI, US
For about a month each year, Beck is Kriss Kringle at the Bellevue Square mall. And though the economy is reeling, business is better than ever — on a good day, 50 kids an hour may sit on his lap and get their photos taken …
Mall wish trees help provide presents for hundreds
Goldsboro News-Argus, US
More than 650 children and senior citizens in Wayne County will have a much merrier Christmas this year because of holiday shoppers with big hearts.In early November, Berkeley Mall set out three wish trees in the main entrance — one for boys, one for girls and one for senior citizens — where mall goers could help grant a less fortunate neighbor’s Christmas wish …
Youngsters can Get Into retail with new scheme
Edinburgh Evening News, UK
Dozens of youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds have been signed up for a new retail academy in Edinburgh to learn how to be shop workers. The training programme, Get Into Retail, aims to help those who have faced barriers to employment because of homelessness, family trouble, lack of confidence or long-term unemployment …
German retailers see strong demand despite crisis
Guardian, UK
German retailers reported solid demand in this year’s Christmas shopping season despite the global economic crisis and sales could even exceed last year’s level, the HDE retail association said on Sunday …
Retailers predict Boxing Day shopping frenzy
Perth Now, AU
Perth retailers are predicting a shopping frenzy on Boxing Day as city stores slash prices. Major retailers Myer and David Jones will offer discounts on merchandise across all departments. David Jones Perth store manager Malcolm Reed said he expected Boxing Day trading in Perth city to be “big”…
Holiday shoppers get to malls, hunt for bargins
KDKA, US
Christmas is four days away, Hanukkah starts tonight, and that means last-minute shoppers are running out of time to find the perfect gift for their friends and loved ones. Because this is the last weekend before Christmas it’s considered a make or break time for retailers …
Chavez says mall to be expropriated in Venezuela
Associated Press, US
President Hugo Chavez ordered construction halted on a major shopping mall in Caracas on Sunday, saying the government will expropriate the unfinished building.The Venezuelan leader said it would be out of line with his government’s socialist vision to allow the new Sambil mall to take up precious urban real estate — and that unbridled consumerism isn’t his idea of progress either …
Retailers find Facebook friends in hopes of finding sales
Dallas News, US
Marketers are trying to figure out how to use social networking tools to do what they do best: persuade consumers to buy. They’re watching platforms such as Facebook, which has more than 130 million users worldwide, to see how they can use social commerce without turning consumers off …
