Are you making the most of your middle managers?
Companies don't properly value their middle managers, writes David Burkus. Recognizing effective middle managers and helping them share their skills is a great way to boost productivity, research suggests. "[L]eadership happens at all levels. In most organizations, the impact of…
Are you breaking the law with these common pay mistakes?
Companies forked over nearly $467 million in 2012 to settle wage-and-hour lawsuits, and much of that is because employers failed to understand the law and potential violations, David Hackett writes. For example, nonexempt workers must be compensated when they bring…
Fight Swipe Fees Now
The National Retail Federation announced today that it will formally oppose a proposed settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit over credit card swipe fees charged by Visa and MasterCard, and urged retailers to carefully consider their own decisions before next…
How Pinterest inspired 3 major retail chains
Photo-centric social site Pinterest has more than 25 million users and is growing 400% month-over-month, inspiring retailers to create sites with more visual features. Wal-Mart's site now includes a "Trending Now" section that urges shoppers to "Get Inspired," and Sears…
Employers consider skinny benefit plans to avoid ACA penalties
Minimal benefit plans that offer preventive services but little more are being promoted as a way for employers to comply with the Affordable Care Act without incurring penalties, experts say. It's not yet clear whether such plans will pass muster…
Are You On Tumbler?
Tumblr boasts 300 million monthly unique visitors and 120,000 signups every day, 900 posts per second and 24 billion minutes spent on site each month, and is now being purchased by Yahoo. Full Story.
The pros and cons of filling online orders from store shelves
Fulfilling online orders from one of its 13 brick-and-mortar stores costs Peter Glenn Ski and Sports about 30% more than shipping the goods from a warehouse, but it makes more sense than losing the sale because the retailer can't deliver…
Will mobile payment systems mean the end of the cash register?
Mobile payment providers including Square, PayPal and Groupon are beefing up their efforts to replace traditional cash registers. Square Stand, for example, comes with a place for the iPad, a card reader and various other accessories including printers, bar code…
Food Lion hires 800 for overhauled stores
Based on consumer feedback, Food Lion has renovated 178 stores in five states and has added 800 employees as part of a rebranding initiative. Grand-opening events are being held at improved stores, which offer increased produce offerings and lower prices…