NRF

NEW YORK -- Retailers plan to focus on supply chain efficiency in order to stay competitive this year, according to new research by the NRF Foundation and BearingPoint, Inc., unveiled yesterday at the NRF Annual Convention & EXPO here.

NEW YORK -- The future of retail technology hinges on the adoption and execution of radio frequency identification, according to the top information executives at three of the world¿s largest retailers.

DALLAS - Consumers purchased and gave more gift cards this holiday season than ever before, according to a survey conducted by Paymentech, a payment-processing company based here.

Washington, D.C. - Customer service is important to nearly all consumers ¿ regardless of whether they shop in a store or online -- according to a comprehensive national survey on customer service conducted by the NRF Foundation, the research and education arm of the National Retail Federation and the American Express Company.

WASHINGTON - Seems that retailers are in for a treat this Halloween, as sales are estimated to reach $3.12 billion, up from $2.96 billion last year, according to the National Retail Federation's 2004 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch.

BOSTON/CHICAGO - Retailers are expected to increase their IT spending by more than 9 percent in 2004, indicating a dramatic upward trend in an industry typically conservative in its approach to technology, according to AMR Research.

NEW YORK - Several new customer contracts were announced by various technology companies during the National Retail Federation Show here this week.

NEW YORK - As the holiday season kicked off over Thanksgiving weekend, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other discounters reported the strongest sales. Total retail sales Friday were up 4.8 percent to $7.2 billion from the same period a year ago, according to ShopperTrak.