OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

New Canaan, Conn. -- Value-focused but financially healthier American consumers will propel 2011 holiday sales to a record $554 billion, according to retail consultancy Customer Growth Partners’ 10th annual holiday forecast. The forecast, which is significantly more upbeat than other holiday surveys, predicts total retail sales growth of 6.5% for the November-December period over last year, the most rapid growth since 6.9% in 2004 — and over twice consensus forecasts called for lackluster growth of only 2.5%-3%.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys "R" Us holiday plans mix technology — QR — codes and retro ads that speak to the company’s heritage.

As part of its 2011 holiday advertising campaign, the chain will air a series of themed television commercials designed to showcase the company's toy expertise and its strengths as a specialty retailer. The commercials include two ads from its archives which celebrate the heritage of the brand. Another group of ads feature products exclusive to Toys “R” Us.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. said Friday that it will open its stores across the country at midnight on Thanksgiving for the first time in the retailer’s history.

Stores opened at 4 a.m. on Black Friday last year.

Target, which said its move was in response to customer demand, said its stores will stay open for 23 hours and close at 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25.

Last year, most Walmart stores opened by midnight on Thanksgiving.
 

Fort Worth, Texas -- A holiday social media program has earned RadioShack top honors in a national media award event.

The retailer’s 2010 holiday social media program, supported by imc2 as RadioShack's social media agency, won in its category at the Fifth Annual Forrester Groundswell Awards.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores said Thursday it has launched a smartphone application that will help customers manage prescriptions and locate the nearest Winn-Dixie Pharmacy with their iPhone, Android or Blackberry smartphones.

“Using the new app will help guests view and reorder prescriptions, receive alerts when their prescription is ready, set reminders to take their medications and remind them of dosage, and even remind them to schedule a doctor’s appointment,” said Mary Kellmanson, Winn-Dixie group VP marketing.

Chicago -- The third annual Mobile Audit, released Thursday by e-commerce and digital marketing company Acquity Group, found that mobile adoption is on the rise. In fact, the percentage of retailers with a mobile site reached 37% in 2011, up from 12% in 2010 and only 4% in 2009 – a 210% increase over the past year alone.

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp. said Thursday that it has signed a new long-term agreement to provide private-label credit card services for Christopher & Banks.

Under terms of the agreement, Alliance Data will provide Christopher & Banks and CJ Banks with private-label credit card services, as well as beefed-up loyalty benefits.

Dallas -- Neiman Marcus announced Thursday that it had entered into agreements with Visa and MasterCard to begin, effective Nov. 1, accepting MasterCard and Visa credit, debit and prepaid cards at all 41 Neiman Marcus stores.

The luxury retailer had long been criticized for accepting only its private-label credit cards, American Express and cash.

"We listened to our customers and heard that they wanted more flexibility in their payment choices," said Karen Katz, president and CEO, Neiman Marcus.