Macy’s closing 11 stores

By Jill Kelley | Friday, January 9, 2009, 07:56 AM

On the heels of news that DaytonDailyNews.com”>December was abysmal for retailers across the board, Macy’s has made the decision to close 11 of its stores — although none of the closures will take place in Ohio.

The affected stores are:

Ernst & Young Plaza (Citicorp Plaza), Los Angeles (135,000 square feet; 136 employees; opened in 1986).

The Citadel, Colorado Springs, Colo. (195,000 square feet; 105 employees; opened in 1984).

Westminster Mall, Westminster, Colo. (156,000 square feet; 110 employees; opened in 1986).

Palm Beach Mall, West Palm Beach, Fla. (190,000 square feet; 71 employees; opened in 1979).

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, Island of Hawaii (3,000 square feet; three employees; opened in 1983).

Lafayette Square, Indianapolis (160,000 square feet; 84 employees; opened in 1974).

Brookdale Center, Brooklyn Center, Minn. (195,000 square feet; 72 employees; opened in 1966).

Crestwood Mall, St. Louis (166,000 square feet; 176 employees; opened in 1969).

Natrona Heights Plaza, Natrona Heights, Pa. (73,000 square feet; 124 employees; opened in 1956).

Century III Furniture and Clearance, West Mifflin, Pa. (83,000 square feet; three employees; opened in 2000).

Bellevue Center, Nashville, Tenn. (211,000 square feet; 76 employees; opened in 1990).

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Law clarified regarding thrift stores

By Jill Kelley | Thursday, January 8, 2009, 03:09 PM

The public is hard at work — and it is paying off.

I just received the following e-mail from the Consumer Product Safety Commission clarifying the Consumer Product Safety Act of 2008, following outcry from consumers (see earlier post) regarding how it would affect resellers of used children’s clothing:

“CPSC Clarifies Requirements of New Children’s Product Safety Laws Taking Effect in February; Guidance Intended for Resellers of Children’s Products, Thrift and Consignment Stores

“In February 2009, new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act take effect.

“Manufacturers, importers and retailers are expected to comply with the new Congressionally mandated laws.

“Beginning February 10, 2009, children’s products cannot be sold if they contain more than 600 parts per million (ppm) total lead.

“Certain children’s products manufactured on or after February 10, 2009 cannot be sold if they contain more that 0.1% of certain specific phthalates or if they fail to meet new mandatory standards for toys.

“Under the new law, children’s products with more than 600 ppm total lead cannot lawfully be sold in the United States on or after February 10, 2009, even if they were manufactured before that date. The total lead limit drops to 300 ppm on August 14, 2009.

“The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban.

“Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.

“The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold.

“However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit.

“Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.

“When the CPSIA was signed into law on August 14, 2008, it became unlawful to sell recalled products. All resellers should check the CPSC Web site (www.cpsc.gov) for information on recalled products before taking into inventory or selling a product. The selling of recalled products also could carry civil and/or criminal penalties.

“The agency intends to focus its enforcement efforts on products of greatest risk and largest exposure. While CPSC expects every company to comply fully with the new laws resellers should pay special attention to certain product categories.

“Among these are recalled children’s products, particularly cribs and play yards; children’s products that may contain lead, such as children’s jewelry and painted wooden or metal toys; flimsily made toys that are easily breakable into small parts; toys that lack the required age warnings; and dolls and stuffed toys that have buttons, eyes, noses or other small parts that are not securely fastened and could present a choking hazard for young children.

“The agency has under way a number of rulemaking proposals intended to provide guidance on the new lead limit requirements.

“Please visit the CPSC Web site at www.cpsc.gov for more information.”

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Law to protect kids has big down side

By Jill Kelley | Thursday, January 8, 2009, 12:02 PM

The recently passed Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which was drafted to protect children from lead-based products, would require businesses to test wares designated for anyone 12 and younger. That law goes into effect Feb. 10.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that the wording on the law is such that it would also apply to many smaller retail outlets, thrift and consignment stores, churches — any place that sells used clothing or toys — and, by requiring extensive expensive testing, effectively put them out of business. It could even be applied to yard sales and Internet trading.

That is bad not only for those selling these items, but for those buying them as well.

The law also would be retroactive and require anyone selling such products to certify they are lead-free or throw them out, which would mean more bad news for those who need the items being tossed — not to mention the landfills.

As the Wall Street Journal reported today, Jan. 8:

The new rules, which impose stricter limits on lead allowed in children’s products, also make it illegal to sell recalled products. But it is difficult for thrift shops to verify whether the items they sell comply with safety regulations, says the National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops, which represents 1,000 stores in the multibillion-dollar secondhand retail industry. Stores can be fined up to $100,000 per violation. And many shops are in danger of going out of business or suffering significant losses when the standards go into effect on Feb. 10, says the group.

However, there may be some reprieve. Due to the resounding response from consumers and retailers, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is looking into altering the law.

As the Tennessean wrote today, Jan. 8:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission gives a preliminary OK to exempt some items from testing after complaints of hardship to thrift stores and sellers of handmade toys.

But, will it be too little too late?

As noted in an L.A. Times report from Tuesday, “no final changes will be made before Feb. 10, and that’s the date after which all products not tested for lead content will be considered hazardous.”

So it remains to be seen how this will affect local stores and their patrons.

If you are interested in registering a complaint about the law, there is an online petition called “Save Kids’ Clothing Resale, Consignment & Thrift Stores from Closing!” that is compiling letters and e-mails.

What do you think? Should the law stand as it is? What modifications should be made?

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Monster job index loses some bite

By Jill Kelley | Thursday, January 8, 2009, 09:45 AM

Monster Worldwide, the online career and recruiting firm, reports that its employment index fell to 131 points in December, down from 143 in November. The December reading is down 22 percent from 169 a year ago.

According to a story today on CNBC.com, the monthly gauge of online labor demand in the United States slid in December, suggesting job conditions worsened with the economy stuck in a recession, a private employment group said.

Online job availability has fallen as employers have drastically pared payrolls to cut costs in the current business downturn, according to Monster.

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Have you changed your shopping habits?

By Jill Kelley | Thursday, January 8, 2009, 09:01 AM

According to a report on December sales figures published today, Jan. 8, retailers reported their weakest holiday season in four decades.

Even Walmart, who looked like they might weather this financial tsunami unscathed, reported decreased sales for the month.

For the complete story, see DaytonDailyNews.com.

This industry shift shows that most people have altered their spending — some say for good.

How have you changed your shopping habits because of the economy?

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10 ways to help keep your job

By Jill Kelley | Thursday, January 8, 2009, 08:01 AM

If you don’t want to change jobs but want to keep the one you have, there is news you can use as well.

CNNMoney.com had a story Wednesday, Jan. 7, offering a 10-point survival guide to keeping your job.

Their tips are:

1. Create successes for yourself. “When there’s a lot of negativity around, you need to find ways to feel successful.”

2. Set 30-day and 60-day goals. Share them with your boss and then, as you get closer to your targets, update him or her on that, too.

3. Watch your attitude.

4. Keep your network active. Always bring something of value to the conversation, even if it’s just a tidbit of information or the name of a useful contact.

5. Update your skills. Take a class, read a book, keep up with trade publications.

6. Make sure your work serves the larger goals of the organization. Take on as many responsibilities as you can, and learn to delegate.

7. For now, forget about work-life balance. You need to concentrate on doing whatever it takes to make yourself indispensable.

8. Take a hard look at your finances. Do you have the resources to coast through a seven- or eight-month (or longer) job hunt? If not, it’s time to put yourself on a budget and stick to it.

9. Never badmouth anyone. If you can’t be positive toward someone, be neutral.

10. Take care of yourself. Remember, in the knowledge economy, you are the product. Get enough sleep, eat right, and take time to work out a few times a week. You’ll need all the confidence you can muster.

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Do it yourself and save cash

By Jill Kelley | Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 04:38 PM

According to the magazine ShopSmart;) — the only magazine I know of with an emoticon in its name — there are some great Web sites out there to help you do home repair yourself and save money.

The sites they recommend are:

Diynetwork.com

Expertvillage.com

Wikihow.com

Bejane.com (aimed at women)

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