Christmas Shopping: Will Sales Be as Low as Consumers Predict?
from The New York Times
A new Gallup poll finds that 35 percent of Americans say they will spend less on Christmas gifts this year than what they spent in 2007, and only 9 percent plan to spend more. Gallup calls it the “worst Christmas spending outlook in Gallup records.” Is that something to get freaked out about? More

Pavilions Store Unveils Alternative Power Source
from Ventura County Star
Solar power has come to the Pavilions grocery store in Simi Valley marking the first of parent company Safeway's solar-powered stores in Southern California. The company recognized the milestone with a ceremonial event at the Simi Valley store, noting that it was one of nine that added alternative power as part of the company's plan to install solar panels at 23 California stores. Although the Simi location was the first to be completed, a Camarillo store also is now equipped with solar panels. More

Fighting Fakes
from Shopping Center Magazine
When the world's retail brands went to war against merchandise counterfeiters, they naturally expected to face one pitched battle after another, and one heated skirmish upon another. They never anticipated a game of whack-a-mole; as soon as one seller of fakes got shut down over here, another would pop up over there. More

Kmart Continues Popular Layaway Program for the Holidays
from The Wall Street Journal
The Kmart famed "Mr. Bluelight" just might be the nation's favorite gift-guy this holiday season, as the retailer, responding to American families' belt-tightening moves, announced it will continue to offer layaway during the holiday season. Currently, Kmart is the only national discount department store that offers layaway. More

Opening Window, Adding Sensors Help Reduce Cost of Lighting
from The Wall Street Journal
In the U.S., buildings account for about 40 percent of total energy use, and lighting is the biggest single contributor, says Mr. Glicksman, who heads MIT's building-technology program. So designers are finding ways to bring more daylight deeper into a structure's interior. One example: The year-old New York Times building is screened with hundreds of ceramic rods that reflect light into the building while reducing glare, cutting the total energy bill by 13 percent. More

Walgreen Working on Store Changes
from Reuters
Walgreen Co., under pressure to define its strategy after a failed acquisition bid, is working on changes to its drugstore format and has hired consultants Booz Allen Hamilton, the company said recently. Walgreen could also introduce a loyalty card, spruce up its stores or do more to promote its lower-priced generic plan to help boost traffic and sales as rival CVS Caremark. More

Personalized Store Ads Take Off
from The Wall Street Journal
For years, supermarket cashiers have handed shoppers coupons as they left the checkout aisle. These days, shoppers often get narrow paper strips printed with something else: ads related to the shopper's own buying habits. Recently, Stouffer's has used such ads to encourage buyers of its single-serve frozen entrées to join its Dinner Club. More

Chertoff to Propose Changes to Immigrant Hiring Rules
from USA Today
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff plans to announce changes to rules designed to stop businesses from hiring people working in the country illegally. The rules proposed to force employers to fire workers whose names don't match their Social Security numbers. More

Target's Star Designer is Leaving
from The Detroit Free Press
What will we do without Isaac Mizrahi? For five years, the New York fashion designer has been selling a relatively low-priced collection –dresses for under $60 – exclusively at Target, bringing chic fashions and his name to those of us who either can't afford to shop high-end or prefer to spend our money elsewhere. Now, after an extraordinary run, the designer is leaving. More

Giant Eagle Supermarket Tapped as First LEED Gold Grocer
from Greener Buildings
Supermarket retailer Giant Eagle earned LEED Gold status for a store in Columbus, Ohio, the first to receive such a high eco-friendly rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. The 75,000-square-foot store opened in August 2007, was awarded its certification in late September and received a plaque honoring its achievement in a ceremony yesterday. More

Energy Awareness Month: Window Film Yields Up to 30 Percent in Energy Savings
from Earthtimes
October is Energy Awareness Month and across the country, businesses and home owners alike are looking to cut energy-related expenditures. Whether motivated by rising costs or a desire to reduce carbon emissions, property owners and building and facility managers can also reap tremendous benefits from professionally installed window film. More