National Retail Federation “disappointed” in Supreme Court health care decision
Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation
The National Retail Federation’s president and CEO Matthew Shay says he’s disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision on the Affordable Care Act, which he says focuses too much on penalizing employers, not reducing health care costs.
Shay released this statement: “As the voice of retailers of all types and sizes, we’re disappointed by today’s ruling. The Court missed an opportunity to redress the many shortcomings of the law.
As it stands, the law wrongly focuses more on penalizing employers and the private sector than reducing health costs. For these reasons, NRF has been a consistent skeptic of the Affordable Care Act.
NRF worked closely with lawmakers throughout the debate with the hopes that bipartisan reform would help make coverage more accessible and affordable. The law that emerged in 2010 was a controversial and partisan measure riddled with punitive mandates and penalties that were as unreasonable as they were unworkable.
Although the Court upheld the law’s constitutionality, many problems remain: it penalizes employers too much; it doesn’t do enough to reduce the cost of health care; and it is unreasonably complicated and difficult to implement and administer.
This law will have a dramatic, negative impact on every employer and employee in the United States and further constrain job creation and economic growth.
NRF will redouble our efforts to repeal the law while we continue to work, in good faith, with regulators to smooth implementation for retailers and businesses alike.”
Flash mob thefts reported in Oregon, elsewhere
Now here’s a trend I hope doesn’t catch on. A reader sent me a link to a story about a group of about 10 teenagers who ran into a Nordstrom store in Oregon, snatched clothes off the racks and fled. A similar incident occurred there at a convenience store, The Oregonian newspaper reported, and ABC News says 30-40 teens ransacked an Albertson’s last week. Some are calling it a “flash rob.” Read The Oregonian’s story here.
Half-price ice cream shakes at Sonic today
In honor of the summer solstice (the longest day of the year), Sonic is offering half-price ice cream shakes all day today. Yum!
Mobile Thunder Shop plans stop at Classen Curve this Saturday
Mobile Thunder Shop
The official Mobile Thunder Shop, a traveling fan store on wheels, will be parked at Classen Curve shopping center 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. The new venture began this week, visiting Stillwater on Thursday night. More stops around the state are planned, according to the official Oklahoma City Thunder staff blog. Happy shopping!
Costco is America’s favorite gasoline station, study finds
Motorists pump gasoline at a Costco, consumers' favorite place to fill up.
Costco and Kroger are consumers’ top choices to fill up their gas tank, according to a new consumer study by Market Force Information, which polled more than 4,500 people in April. Neither retailer has a store in Oklahoma but it’s interesting to note how warehouse retailers and grocers are overtaking traditional convenience store chains as the most popular gasoline stations. Convenience (48%) and price (46%) were the top drivers, followed by cleanliness, ease of entry onto the property, brand reputation, fuel quality and customer service.
The survey found these were the top gasoline retailers:
1. Costco
2. Kroger
3. Sam’s Club
Other top choices include Shell, chosen for the quality and environmental friendliness of its fuel, and 7-Eleven, which earned mention for its amenities and merchandise selection.
Outlet mall hosts Thunder watch party this Thursday
The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City
The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City is offering a new venue to watch the game with other fans. The mall at Interstate 40 and Council Road is planning a watch party starting at 8 p.m. in the food court this Thursday for Game 2 against the Miami Heat. A concert by The Mavericks begins at 7 p.m. in center court and attendees can enter to win a trip to the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. Thunder up!
Macy’s hires 1,000 college students
Outside a Macy's store.
Macy’s has hired more than 1,000 college students nationwide for its Executive Development Program and summer internships, an increase of nearly 30 % compared to 2011′s college hires. The hires include 730 new graduates for full-time positions and 326 interns at both Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores, the company announced this week. The 2012 college hires were recruited from more than 50 U.S. colleges. The Executive Development Program is a step toward becoming leadership and many of Macy’s current executives graduated from the program.
Survey finds Hispanic women are the best bargain shoppers
According to WSL/Strategic Retail, Hispanic women are the best bargain shoppers and are more actively using mobile devices, coupons, online searches, dollar stores and deep discount retailers to save money, compared to other female demographics.
“Hispanic women are an important population to watch as early adopters of the future of shopping,” said Candace Corlett, president of WSL/Strategic Retail. “To achieve the American Dream of having it all, Hispanic women shop more creatively than other demographics, utilizing every savings opportunity to get what their families need at the lowest price.”
Their findings from a national internet survey of nearly 2,000 people in December include:
- Nearly 60% of Hispanic women use apps to search for the lowest price.
- 53% make it a point to search online before going shopping.
- 53% are using their mobile devices in the store to find electronic coupons, sales and discount codes.
- 75% are using traditional coupons to get the lowest sale price.
- 54% only buy items that are on sale.
- 63% will travel further to shop at a store where they can save money.
- 43% will buy a pre-owned product if it lets them get a brand that they couldn’t afford new.
