[Source: Computerworld Retail News ]

Online retailing did well, but the growth rate was not as large as last year's holiday season, comScore says.

(click here for original article)

[Source: Footwear News ]

"Our hope in continuing to rebuild these surfaces in the community is to bring sport back to New Orleans youth, while providing the community with a place to relax and exercise"

Children in this city still rebuilding following Hurricane Katrina could have five new basketball courts to play on soon, courtesy of thousands of recycled gym shoes collected by Nike Inc. via KATC-TV Lafayette

(click here for original article)

[Source: Smallbiztechnology.com ]

Earlier this month I spoke with John Magee, Vice President of Symantec who gave me an update of where Symantec stands in the market place and its vision for small business security and information management.

Symantec is the fourth largest independent software company and over the past few years it has changed its focus from just security to information and systems management. Thinking of its "past", only recently did I throw out my dusty copies of 3.5" floppy Norton Anti-Virus diskettes!

As security has evolved from viruses to other & more complex threats, companies need more solutions such as storage management, information management, content filtering and other things beyond just security solutions. Symantec aims to fill this void with a plethora of solutions.

(click here for original article)

[Source: About.com Retail Industry: What's Hot Now ] Retailers must develop new online selling skills to appeal to the millions of consumers with broadband Internet access. According to new research from Forrester Research, broadband results in smarter, more demanding shoppers, who also spend more money.(click here for original article)

[Source: Smallbiztechnology.com ] If you don't have a specific reason to use open source technology in your business, I've always advocated sticking with Microsoft based PC software. (note - NOT just Microsoft Software, but software that runs on Microsoft Windows). However, if you have a local consultant who can help you use open source (free) software, it's worth a try and definitely money saving to use open source technology. You don't pay money for the software but pay for services to support the software. Listen to John Locke, about running open source systems in your business.  (click here for original article)

[Source: Footwear News ]I am very confident that Zohar is the right person to fill this important role and oversee our expansion plans in the years ahead"

Current Deckers Outdoor Corporation CFO Zohar Ziv is to take on the new position of company COO with effect from 1 January 2008. via Just-Style (click here for original article)

[Source: Footwear News ]"I am doing it because I have no other alternative. I have a large family and my father is the only earning member. So to help him out, I have to work and assist him financially"

By Brajesh Kumar Singh, Agra: Despite laws banning child labour in India, children continue to work in footwear factories in Agra, one of the leading centres of footwear industry in the country. via Newkerala.com (click here for original article)

[Source: Footwear News ]

"There doesn't seem to be a fashion element that is working this year"For those who thought the Ugg craze was just a fad, think again. It looks like we're stuck with those fury, sheepskin boots, like it or not.

via CNN (click here for original article)

[Source: Computerworld Retail News ]

Online holiday spending for the first two days of this week increased 29% over the same two days last year, according to comScore.

(click here for original article)

[Source: Daily apparel & textile news and comment - from just-style.com ]

Casualwear maker VF Corporation is maintaining positive predictions for the company’s fourth quarter revenues and earnings.

(click here for original article)

[Source: Daily apparel & textile news and comment - from just-style.com ]

Current Deckers Outdoor Corporation CFO Zohar Ziv is to take on the new position of company COO with effect from 1 January 2008.

(click here for original article)

[Source: The Retail Bulletin ]

Latest e-retail sales figures released from 'IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index' shows UK shoppers are leaving Christmas shopping until the last moment

(click here for original article)

[Source: Footwear News ]

"We have competencies to leverage our overall portfolio better, so we'll see more of that in coming years."

Nike Inc. said today its second-quarter 2008 earnings jumped to 71 cents a share.via Bizjournals

(click here for original article)

[Source: WSJ.com: What's News Europe ]MasterCard must drop the fees it charges stores for cross-border credit-card purchases within six months or face massive daily fines, the European Commission ruled. (click here for original article)

[Source: eWeek Retail ] Click-to-call technology has been key to reducing the number of abandoned shopping carts, a study shows. (click here for original article)

[Source: Footwear News ]"We believe the opportunity exists for UGG Australia stores in many of the major metropolitan cities around the world" Deckers Outdoor Corp. will open its first UGG Australia store in Chicago this winter. via VMSD (click here for original article)

[Source: http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/923099/ ]ST. LOUIS, Dec 18, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- BKRS | charts | news | PowerRating -- Bakers Footwear Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: BKRS), a leading specialty retailer of moderately priced fashion footwear for young women, with 257 stores, today announced results for the thirteen and thirty nine-weeks ended November 3, 2007. (click here for original article)

[Source: http://www.rttnews.com/sp/breakingnews.asp?date=12/17/2007&item=92 ]12/17/2007 5:47:25 PM Monday, Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (ICON), announced completion of the acquisition of the brand Starter. The company said the purchase price for the deal was $60.00 million in cash. (click here for original article)

[Source: Smallbiztechnology.com ] Selling online is a bit like a roller coaster. It's fun to watch sales increase, but it's a bit harrowing to watch sales decrease. Overall the ride, if you've done your homework and things are going well is great. One aspect of sales that you should consider is which payment options you will accept. Of course, every retailer will accept Visa and Mastercard and probably American Express. However, what about accepting paper check payments, electronic check payments and of course - Pay Pal? LIke many decisions in business, it's really best to consider what your customers want. If many of your customers are Pay Pal users, enabling Pay Pal payments makes the process much easier for them. (click here for original article)

[Source: Computerworld Retail News ] More online shoppers are happy with their Web-buying experiences this year, according to ForeSee Results -- and holiday spending on the Web is up 19% over 2006 levels. (click here for original article)

[Source: Footwear News ] "For the company to get to 30% in the next three to five years, the business needs to grow significantly and a financial commitment is necessary to do so" The history of Ugg Australia is truly rags to riches. The sheepskin boot was brought to the U.S. more than 25 years ago by an Australian surfer. The boot found a home among California's surfing community and it started to gain traction. In 1995, Deckers Outdoor (DECK) bought Ugg Australia and branded it as a high-end luxury footwear. The Goleta, Calif.-based company is a leading designer and maker of innovative, high-quality footwear for men, women and kids in the sport sandal, luxury sheepskin and sustainable footwear segments. Read more (click here for original article)

[Source: Daily apparel & textile news and comment - from just-style.com ] The Stride Rite Corporation has hired Gregg Ribatt from Stuart Weitzman Holdings to serve as its president and chief executive officer, replacing Rick Thornton who was left the firm to pursue other opportunities. (click here for original article)

[Source: Footwear News ] "Why do we want to tax these people?" Footwear makers and retailers are trying to stomp out a Depression-era U.S. government shoe tax, a move they say could save American consumers hundreds of millions of dollars annually and kick-start relatively ... via KING-TV Seattle (click here for original article)

[Source: Retailnet.com: Retail Industry News ] The Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards (DSS) were created out of a growing need to protect the confidential information of consumers against the vulnerability of potential security threats. Businesses that do not comply with PCI DSS may face fines up to $500,000 and also will be sub (click here for original article)

[Source: Boston Herald] Athletic shoe maker New Balance has bought the Vital Apparel Group in a move that will accelerate the growth of its apparel line. (click here for original article)

[Source: Daily apparel & textile news and comment - from just-style.com ] SmartWool, the Merino wool outdoor apparel, socks and accessories company, has launched a new online ordering system for more than 4,000 retail dealers and sales reps throughout North America. (click here for original article)

[Source: Smallbiztechnology.com ] AT&T recently conducted a survey which reveals that many smaller businesses really don't care enough about their data security. Are you in that group? (more...)

[Source: Retailnet.com: Retail Industry News ] Opening arguments were heard Monday in the trial involving Genesco Inc.'s attempts to salvage a $1.5 billion buyout by The Finish Line Inc.In his opening statement, Finish Line's attorney said that if a judge forces the chain to complete the buyout, both companies would ultimately fail.Rob (click here for original article)

[Source: Footwear News ] "The best part about this partnership is that Reebok is not interested in entering into a relationship for a year and walking away. The company shares our commitment to growth for the National Marathon and for the sport of running in this region." The 2008 National Marathon has announced Reebok International, Ltd. as the "Official Outfitter" for its 3rd marathon and half-marathon to be run on Saturday, March 29, 2008. via Runnersweb.com (click here for original article)

[Source: Computerworld Retail News ] When it comes to online shopping, women and men go about their buying with different priorities in mind, according to a survey by Harris Interactive for GSI Commerce. (click here for original article)