Barnes & Noble Faces Steep Challenge as Holiday Nook Sales Decline 
Barnes & Noble on Thursday announced disappointing holiday sales figures, with steep declines that underscored the challenge it faces in transforming from its traditional retail format. Retail sales from the company’s bookstores and its Web site, BN.com, decreased 10.9 percent from the comparable nine-week holiday period a year earlier, to $1.2 billion, the company reported. More worrisome for the long-term future of the company, sales in the Nook unit that includes e-readers, tablets, digital content and accessories decreased 12.6 percent over the same period, to $311 million. (Source nytimes.com)

Macy’s to close 6 stores Nationwide, opening or expanding 9 others in 2013.   Macy's Inc. had a strong holiday shopping season, posting same-store sales increases in December. It also made an unrelated announcement that it plans to close six underperforming stores in 2013. The Cincinnati-based retailer reported total sales of $5.1 billion for its December period, up 3.6 percent from $4.9 billion a year earlier, and up 4.1 percent on a same-store basis. Macy's said it was closing stores in Paseo, Colo., Belmont, Mass., Honolulu, St. Paul, Minn., and Houston. (Source upi.com)

Security worries still keep 12% of consumers from shopping online 
Some want to see goods before purchasing, but many of the online holdouts are concerned about fraud and privacy according to a new study by Javelin Strategy & Research. The single biggest reason for not shopping online, cited by 32% of those who don’t, is that they want to purchase in person so they can see merchandise and avoid returns. But 26% are concerned that personal information will be used fraudulently, 21% that credit or debit card data could be used to commit fraud, and 18% that personal information will be sold to other merchants. 20% say shipping costs are too high. (Source internetretailer.com)

Canada's Prime Minister to honor Toronto Chinatown grocer, who chased down shoplifter and held him until police arrived, with Diamond Jubilee medal  Toronto Chinatown grocer David Chen, who gained notoriety three years ago for catching a shoplifter and throwing him into a delivery van until police arrived, will receive a Diamond Jubilee medal from the Prime Minister on Jan. 12. The Conservative government’s “citizen’s arrest” law was created based on the grocer’s actions, according to a Toronto Star article. The law took effect last June, and allows people to take “reasonable” actions to protect themselves, their family and their property if the option of using police isn’t available. (Source canadiangrocer.com)

Palm Beach County Commissioner pushing for more police and mall security rules after Boynton Beach Mall incident just before Christmas  Palm Beach County Commissioner Shelley Vana was shopping with her family at the Boynton Beach Mall just before Christmas when an “altercation” erupted and she dove to the floor to protect her 5-year-old granddaughter — an episode she said highlights the need for better security at places where people gather. Deputy County Administrator Verdenia Baker said Thursday that she planned to meet with county attorneys to discuss whether the county could require addition security. Mall officials said that safety and security is their “top priority." (Source palmbeachpost.com)

Student died after being restrained by customers in shoplifting apprehension
Customers at the store restrained Corey Stingley, 16, outside VJ's Food Mart, in Milwaukee, on Dec. 14. Police and paramedics revived him, and doctors at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa later determined that Stingley had suffered major brain damage, according to medical updates posted by Stingley's family. Stingley died Saturday. After the incident the three customers were taken into custody for questioning and one of them was referred to the district attorney's office on suspicion of causing injury, the chief said. (Source jsonline.com)


South Carolina teen busted with $15,000 of counterfeit phone cases.  The York, South Carolina teen was arrested by York County Deputies following an investigation into the trafficking of counterfeit Otter Box cell phone cases on Craigslist. A search of the 16 year old suspect’s home revealed $15,000 of inventory; no charges have yet been filed. (Source wcnc.com)



Man accused of six armed robberies in seven days in Portland area
Clackamas County deputies arrested a man accused of six armed store robberies over the span of seven days. Hitting small markets the man hit 3 on Dec. 26 alone. No one was hurt in any of the robberies. (Source kptv.com)

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Industrial Plastic Theft Task Force bust 8 member organized gang stealing plastic pallets The third bust in the past year of gang members stealing plastic pallets and grinding them up. More than $5 million in stolen trademark plastic had been recovered over the previous 12 months. And this group of six males and two females -- including five family members, two employees and the business owner had over $115,000 of stolen product located in two locations. (Source southgate-lynwood.patch.com)


Target store video captures “person of interest” in bank robbery hostage case.  A “person of interest’ was captured by several video cameras at a Target store, Police have released the video in an attempt to find the suspect in connection to two bank robberies in Phoenix. One bank employee was kidnapped at her home on Friday night by the suspect, then forced into the bank Saturday morning with what she was told may have been an explosive devise around her neck. (Source myfoxboston.com)

Three Rite Aid Robberies linked in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. 
Over the last two months, Rite Aid Pharmacies have been the target of what State Police claim to be the same suspect. Each time the hooded, masked suspect comes into the store and passes a note demanding Oxycodone. No weapon has been displayed, but the suspect has threatened employees and customers. Rite Aid is offering a $2500 reward for the arrest and conviction of the suspect. (Source ky3.com)


Walmart television thief being sough in Central, Louisiana.  One suspect is believe to have hit the Walmart in Central, Louisiana twice in the last few weeks stealing large screen televisions. The suspect was able to disarm a fire door in the Lawn and Garden department of the store and quickly escape. (Source wafb.com)




Dollar General robbery couple on the loose in Weslaco, Texas.  Authorities are asking for the public's help in finding a couple accused of robbing a Dollar General store off South Bridge Avenue in Weslaco on New Year's Day. Weslaco police said a man and a woman walked into the Dollar General around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Employees allegedly spotted them shoplifting and confronted them but the man threatened to assault an employee who called police. (Source krgv.com)

Louisville area Deputy struck by a car during shoplifting chase.  An off-duty Jefferson County Deputy witnessed a shoplifting indecent at a Walmart, attempting to make the stop the suspect ran into the parking lot. During the foot chase the Deputy was struck by a car, knocking him to the ground. The Deputy was treated at the scene and expected to be okay. As for the suspect Yaaman Lee, he is now in custody facing robbery, assault, fleeing and resisting arrest. (Source wave3.com)

Jewelry store shoot out with Police in Sweden ends with one suspect shot in the head.  Four masked men attempted to rob a jewelry store in Sweden Friday morning. Three masked suspects entered the store while the forth waited in the car; inside the three smashed out showcases and triggered an alarm. Police confirm that they engaged in a shoot-out with four masked robbers, one had been shot in the head, he was taken to hospital, but the extent of his injuries remains unclear. The three remaining suspects are still at large. (Source sverigesradio.se)


Fayetteville Robbers breaks into a Goodwill Store to access the safe of a Georgia Power Office next door.  Taking their time, two men broke into the Goodwill Store then busted out a connecting wall to access a safe at the Georgia Power office. The theft took 3 hours. Once inside the Georgia Power office the thieves were able to open the large safe and steal an undisclosed amount of cash and make a clean get-a-way. (Source wsbtv.com)


Two clerks stage robbery for $215 and a carton of cigarettes. Daytona Beach, Florida area convenience store workers conspired to stage a robbery and 911 call in order to get just enough money for one of the suspect’s car payments. The reward for the cashier on duty to play along was a carton of cigarettes. Both men now face multiple felony charges. (Source orlandosentinel.com)


December Same Store Sales Results

Costco up 9%
American Apparel up 9% with their online sales up 59%
Pier 1 Imports up 8.2%
Family Dollar up 2.5%
Walgreen down 6.1%
Wet Seal down 9.7%

Quarterly Same Store Sales Results

Family Dollar 1Q up 6.6% with sales up 12.7%




An active shooter exercise and training video - Everyone in every store and office needs to be trained and as we mentioned, a National Retail Certification Program is needed! Are your employees trained?