MAGAZINE
vol. 60 no. 5 October/November 2011VIEW2011
Holiday Gift Guide
Award of ExcellenceSetting the Standard for
Community Giving
Breast Cancer Awareness Spread the Word, Hope for a Cure
table of contentsStore Profile: Waxahachie, Texas ................................3
Award of Excellence ................................................................4
Fashion Buzz: Holiday Hit List .......................................6
Merchandisers’ Picks for Men......................................7
Merchandisers’ Picks for the Home ......................8
News of Note .................................................................................10
LP Awareness .................................................................................11
Holiday: A Classic Beauty ................................................12
belk fast factsFounded in 1888303 Stores16 States24,000 associates$3.5 billion FY11 revenues
3 Divisions:Northern (Raleigh, N.C.)Southern (Atlanta, Ga.)Western (Birmingham, Ala.)
special thanks
Tim Bogert, Lisa Edwards, Sydney English, Arlene Goldstein, Jessica Graham, Gigi Luedeman, Erick Guenther, Jason Market, Becky Pinion, Tiffany Silver, Dianna Dix Vanegas, Bob Vranek, Darrell Williams and all the Belk merchandise buyers and executives who provide information for View Magazine.
our missionTo satisfy the modern Southern lifestyle like no one else, so that our customers get the fashion they desire and the value they deserve.
our visionFor the modern Southern woman to count
on Belk first. For her, for her family, for life.
our valuesBe encouraging of growth and change.
Be proud of our rich heritage.
Be involved in our communities.
Be relentless with customer care.
Be committed to the success of our associates.
Be the best at what we do.
When planned well, holiday shopping is one of the things
I enjoy most during the year. I love all the decorations and
holiday trim around the stores. My trips to Belk turn into
great adventures in finding the perfect gifts for my friends
and loved ones. This, of course, eliminates any guilt around
spending money because I know I am spreading joy to
those I love most. Usually, I find several things for myself
and add them to my own Christmas list.
For most of you, my fellow associates in the stores, I know it’s the busiest
working season of the year. It’s a tough time, but show your holiday spirit
and have fun! Become part of your customers’ shopping adventures.
Ask questions, share your own stories, make customers feel good about
the purchases (and savings!) they make with you.
Being relentless in customer service will help ensure customers have a great
experience and leave Belk feeling happy and satisfied. You also have a great
opportunity to make new friends and customers since there are many more
people shopping during this time and some will be totally new to the Belk
experience.
In this issue, we’ve given you the annual “Merchandisers’ Picks Holiday
Guide” to give you many great gift ideas that you can share with your cus-
tomers. From shoes and men’s fashions to home decor, kitchen must-haves,
cosmetics, fragrances and more! Keep safe during the holidays and enjoy
your season.
Peace and joy –
my viewpoint
contributorsto the
following
2New to Belk this season, women’s
Columbia Benton Fleece jackets
($34.99) and vests ($29.99).
editor’s product pickColumbia Fleece
I recently met a delightful retired
couple who spent many years in a
hiking club, traveling the world
enjoying exciting hiking adventures
with their friends. This is the life I
want to lead! For now, I wear my
Columbia sportswear and take
short local hikes with my kids.
We have just as much fun and
sometimes when we close our
eyes and imagine…we are in the
Swiss Alps!
3
When Eddie Carty sat down to discuss his Belk store’s success in
Waxahachie, Texas, he brought his entire management team to back him up.
“I don’t do this alone,” he states. “We work as a team in the store and I want
them involved in everything we do, including this interview.” This is pure
testament to Carty’s approach with all his associates. No doubt, it’s a team
environment and he’s the lead cheerleader.
Standing ProudIn a community of proud Texans, Belk associates are held to a high standard
of service and show a special pride in their work. “They are the voice of our
store in the community because we are still building an awareness of our
company in this area,” said Carty. Associates live out customer service
values by treating customers as friends and family, he added. When an
associate places a call to a customer to let her know about a sale or event,
they also take time to ask how she is doing in life. “That makes us very
unique, and people tell us that all the time,” he said.
What’s in it For Me?Keeping associates informed, pumped up at morning and evening rallies and
providing recognition are some of the ways that Carty and his team motivate
associates to excel. “It’s important to explain the ‘why’ of what we’re doing or
asking of them so our associates are fully informed of the logic and reason-
ing behind an idea and can easily get on board with it,” he said. “It’s the only
way to make a true connection between an associate and a goal.”
Pencil In Some FunAnd, having fun from time to time also doesn’t hurt in keeping morale on the
high. “We are always doing something entertaining around here, whether
it’s a potluck dinner, a birthday celebration, coffee with the boss, or an RCC
award presentation. We really challenge our associates and we want them to
know we are invested in them.”
Belk Serves Up Big Time in Proud State of Texas
Waxahachie, Texas #341Division: Western
Store Manager: Eddie Carty
Number of Associates: 40
Selling Space: 60,596 sq. ft.
Successes: Shoe business up 46.3% YTD;
RCC score 82%; Better sportswear up 18.5% YTD
waxahachie, texas
Waxahachie Towne Center
1 Robyn Spurgeon, Jon Phares, Cathy Rachesky and Donna Light have won the Shoe Award for three consecutive months.
2 Debbie McCary and Donna Light.
3 Karen Rhodes, Juan Aguilar and Angela Faseler.
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2
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stor
e pr
ofile
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Elizabeth DavisMen’s Department, Gainesville, Ga. #87
A widow since 1983, Elizabeth Davis supported her family with work in retail grocery and real estate before joining our team at Belk. As her children grew, she made time to put her faith into action. For example, when a family member succumbed to drug ad-diction, Elizabeth was “hands-on,” participating in rehab sessions and “tough love” counseling. She continues to welcome other
struggling addicts into her home, providing critical support in their early stages of recovery.
She also works with her church and local law enforcement to establish a jail ministry to help recently released inmates have a chance at a better life. Last year, Elizabeth had a life-changing experience when she traveled to an orphanage in Haiti where she organized food, clothing, and medical supplies for some of the poorest and most despeate people in the world. She rejoiced among their smiling faces and vowed to return to Haiti and continue this vital work.
Leneria EdwardsHuman Resources, Athens, Ga. #54
Leneria Edwards discovered a calling when she came across police and medics tending to one of the many homeless who seek shelter under a local bridge during the winter months.
Concerned for their safety, Leneria called a meeting of the hospitality ministry at church and told them of her vision to help the homeless. With a carload of warm clothing
and blankets, Leneria looked for a sign to guide her next step. She found it at the police department, which directed her to a new homeless shelter going up beside the snowy bridge – the source of her initial inspiration. When Leneria dropped off her items she stayed long enough to watch the people make their selections and it was “like children on a Christmas morning,” she said. Her passion for this overlooked population continues to inspire donation drives for the shelter among friends and co-workers.
32nd
Community involvement and charitable giving is a hallmark of our company. And it’s reflected in the values and compassion of our associates every day. Each year, over one hundred associates are nominated for the Award of Excellence, the company’s highest honor given for community achievement. Only six win the award.
We are happy to introduce to you the 2011 Award of Excellence winners:
Setting the Standard for
Community Giving
5
John HurleySales and Training Coordinator Lancôme CosmeticsWestern Division
John Hurley has seen up-close the toll that the AIDS virus has taken on friends and the community. As a board member of Birmingham AIDS Outreach (BAO) John lives the mission of providing emotional support and education to those affected by HIV/AIDS, and by assisting with daily needs such as clothing, food, nutritional supple-ments and transportation. This year, John co-chaired BAO’s 20th anni-
versary fundraiser which raised more than $60,000 through an art auction.
John also joined the effort this year to assist those affected by the deadly tornado in Tuscaloosa, Ala. When designer Alfred Dunner donated 24,000 pieces of clothing, a distribu-tion site was set up where survivors who’d lost everything could select new garments. Beyond the fitting rooms, John organized a Lancôme station where he distributed bags of
creams and cosmetics to match the new apparel.
Cassey JacksonHousekeeping Supervisor, Natchez, Miss. #677
Cassey Jackson inspires all with her fighting spirit, resilience, and self-lessness. A “take charge” mom of two, she and her husband fought to take in a niece and nephew whose mother was addicted to drugs. While in their care, Cassey’s nephew complained of leg pain. Despite modest means, Cassey persevered to have her nephew examined by an orthopedist, and eventually at St. Jude’s, where he was diagnosed
and successfully treated for bone cancer.
In this same period, her niece became pregnant and left school. Cassey attended doctor’s visits and assisted with the delivery of the baby. She has since helped her niece graduate high school and obtain a full scholarship to college. When Cassey and her husband subsequently opened their small home to additional family members in critical need of shelter. In the midst of these trials, Cassey also found time to organize multiple fundraisers for her
pastor, collecting $32,000 for his cancer treatment and care.
Sherrel KingManager of Fine Jewelry, Jacksonville, Fla. #142
Sherrel King knows how it feels to watch a happy home slip away. By age 16, Sherrel had lost both of his parents and was on his own. He car-ried with him a deep empathy for those who bear life’s scars, and a determination to change the world by helping one person at a time.
He found his calling as a volunteer at a nearby children’s home, where he works with what he calls
America’s “throwaway children.” They come to the 160-acre farm from homes filled with mental, physical and sexual abuse. As he tends the earth with the boys, Sherrel delivers on the camp’s promise of hard work, discipline and uncondi-tional love. Sherrel devotes his two days off each week and his full three weeks of vacation to making a comfortable and healthy home for these children, many of whom have never experienced a safe place to live.
Sherrel and his wife paid to remodel the boys’ dormitory with fresh tile, paint, furnishings and a new stove and bought a tractor so the children could enjoy fresh vegetables in their diet.
Allysa McKenzieCosmetic Beauty Advisor, Shallotte, N.C. #263
When Allysa McKenzie steps up as a volunteer, she stands toe to toe against the brutal exploitation of women in the ugly world of human trafficking and enslavement.
Upon first learning of human beings sold into forced labor, including the commercial sex trade, Allysa’s thoughts turned to the world that her own children would inherit. Witnessing her passion for
these victims, Allysa’s church sponsored her for training in how to battle human trafficking and minister to its survivors. She learned to identify captives, report suspicious activity, and advocate for the thousands of children and adults who fall into the hands of traffickers each year.
Now accredited as a Certified Christian Counselor, Allysa has partnered with law enforcement agencies and organized multiple seminars to raise awareness on the issue. She formed a non-profit, Stand Against Trafficking, and is the founder and Director of the Life Skilled Facility, a 27-acre safe haven currently under development for women who’ve been brutalized.
6
fashion buzzBy Arlene Goldstein, Vice President, Trend Merchandising, Fashion Direction
holiday hit listTis’ the season to dazzle and delight. Check out these amazing gifts for all the gals you know – including super-stylish you!
New Shape Dress
Fashion Watch Sweater Dress
Short Wool Coat
Latest Denim Designer Handbag
Something Fur
Boots, boots, boots
Soft Wrap Robe
A Classic Fragrance
7
2011 Holiday Gift GuideMerchandisers’ Picks for Men
ColumbiaFleece jackets
$29.99–$99
Red CamelFaux leather moto style jackets $84 Fleece hoodies in solids and stripes $58
SweatersFine gauge pattern sweaters $29.99
Moderate topsReversible 1/4 zip knit tops $34.99
Polo French Rib Half Zip Knit Sweater $95
ChapsLong Sleeve Wovens $28.99
Team Sport Collegiate outerwear, fleece, t-shirt multi-packs $38–$75
Premium OuterwearWool, canvas, faux leather and nylon jackets by Buffalo David Bitton $169
8
Gift GuideMerchandisers’ Picks for the Home
Cook’s Tools Cooking In ColorAdd a touch of color to your kitchen with Cook’s Tools
Ceramic Bakeware and Cast Iron Casseroles suitable
for everyday use and ready for instant entertainment.
Ceramic Bakeware
Ceramic Bakeware Collection includes: pie plate,
set of 2 rectangle and square bakers, set of 2 round
bakers, set of 4 ramekins. Oven safe up to 500 degrees
Fahrenheit. $14.99–$27.99
Enamel Cast Iron Casseroles
(3.5 QT, 5.5Qt, 7 QT) $39.99–$79.99
2011 Holiday Belkie Bear$14.99
Holiday TabletopNew! Home Accents Holiday Glassware Collection $5.99–$29.99
New! Country Heritage Collection $8–$35 (Décor), $4–$14 (Ornaments)
Biltmore Game Birds Collection $19.99–$29.99
Christmas Tree Beverage Dispenser $29.99
Cook’s Tools Stainless Steel Kitchen Prep CollectionPerfectly modern and affordable
additions to any kitchen. Only $14.99
9-Piece Mix and Measure Set
Set includes bowl (6 cups),
4 pc. measuring cups (1/4, 1/3, 1/2 and
1 cup), and measuring spoons (1/4, 1/2,
and 1 teaspoon, 1 tablespoon).
7-Piece Tub of Tools
Set includes solid spoon, slotted
spoon, ladle, whisk, slotted spatula,
cheese grater and utensil holder.
Home Accents Holiday Glassware
Spode
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New Gift to Go!
Spode “Christmas Tree” appetizer plate with knife. $19.99
Fitz and Floyd cookie platters and sentiment trays great for gift giving or
to display your favorite hoilday baked goods. New this year, “Be Merry”
sentiment tray and “Merry Christmas Y’all” cookie platter. $9.99–$19.99
Laurie Gates
Lenox
Holiday Collections
New! Home Accents “Gingerbread Collection” set of
four, dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and mug with
11 accessories including a figural 12"x14" Gingerbread
man platter. $3.99–$49.99
Home Accents by Laurie Gates “Reindeer Games” set
of four, dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and mug with
accompanying accessories. $14.99–$34.99
New! Lenox “Winter Meadow” Collection. $9.99–$69.99
Waterford Snowflake Wishes Annual Collection. First
of a 10-year series of distinctive holiday ornaments,
champagne flutes, barware and giftware, each bearing
a unique snowflake design. $75–85
Home Accents Country Heritage Collection
KEEPING IN TOuCH with belk associates
new
s of
not
e
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Breast Cancer Awareness – Spread the Word, Hope for a Cure
Belk has spent the last two years raising money for Susan G. Komen for
the Cure and sharing facts about breast cancer and cancer prevention with
everyone we know. We believe that knowledge is a powerful key to beating this
disease. Throughout the month of October, associates and customers have
embraced the Pink Is Our Passion campaign and given hope to thousands of
women and the people who love them. Each Wall of Hope is already filled with
hundreds of well wishes and prayers for those affected by breast cancer.
Pink Shops are thriving. Vendors share our mission. Because of your help,
we are that much closer to our goal.
Associates wait in line for the Very Important Pink Party (V.I.P.P.), one of the many fundrais-ing events at Belk in Johnson City, Tenn. #688. The store has raised nearly $1,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Hungry customers donated nearly $1,500 at Belk’s hot dog and beverage sale during Mother’s and Father’s Day weekends in Goldsboro, N.C. #83.
Associates in the Intimates department in Carrollton, Ga. #44 started their own “Board of Hope” to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Customers donated $2 to honor a survivor or loved one and place a small pink ribbon on the board.
What are the FACTS about breast cancer? Even if no one in your family has had breast cancer, you are still at risk.Most women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
No one is too young or too old to get breast cancer. Older women do have a higher chance of getting breast cancer, but young women can get it too. All women are at risk.
Mammograms are not just used to check breast lumps.A mammogram is the best way to find breast cancer early, even when a lump is too small to feel.
Mammograms DO NOT cause breast cancer.Some people worry that the radiation used in mammograms could cause problems. But the amount of radiation used is very small.
Bruises or injuries to the breast DO NOT cause breast cancer. Some women worry about this. But there is no link between injury to the breast and the chances you’ll get breast cancer.
Breast cancer DOES NOT spread during surgery. Some people also worry about this, but there has been no case where breast cancer has spread during breast surgery.
Herbs cannot cure breast cancer. There are no herbs that have been proven to cure cancer.
Getting breast cancer does not mean death. When found early, there is almost 100 percent chance of surviving breast cancer. That’s why getting screened is so important.
Belk.com
special eventsFriends and FamilyFriday–Monday, Oct. 21–24 All Stores
Personal Appearance: Taylor Swift Friday, Oct. 28 Franklin, Tenn. #629
Fall Charity SaleSaturday, Nov. 5 All stores
Personal Appearance: Jessica and Ashlee Simpson Saturday, Nov. 5 Raleigh, N.C. #458
Associate Extra Discount DaysExtra 20% discount (excludes Home) Saturday, Nov. 12–Tuesday, Nov. 15
Elite NightWednesday, Nov. 30 All stores
Don’t have the item your customer
wants in your store? No problem.
Utilize item locator to find the
nearest store that has the item
and have it shipped directly to
the customer’s home. You get
credit for the sale, satisfying your
customers and making a holly,
jolly Christmas for all!
Great gifts available every day
at Belk.com. Last day to place
an order and have it delivered
in time for Christmas with no
additional fees is Sunday, Dec. 18.
Many Belk stores that do not
have a full time loss prevention
associate rely on their division
loss prevention managers to
train and guide them on safe
loss prevention techniques.
At Belk in Lenoir, N.C. #319, this
training paid off recently when a
group of sharp associates stood
up and helped track a suspect
who made off with over $800 in
jewelry.
Late this summer, sales associates Margaret McCall and Gladys
Salmeron were assisting customers at the jewelry counter. One customer
was particularly interested in the Silver Works Originality bracelets and
selected several bracelets, a necklace and a ring. After turning for a moment
to assist another customer, Salmeron realized that the customer and all the
jewelry were missing.
They immediately notified their manager, Karen Gray, who helped them
search the store for the customer. Moments later sales associate Emily
Durmire saw the customer go into the ladies fitting room. “Within minutes
the customer came out empty handed,” recalled Durmire. “While the
customer hurriedly left the store without making a purchase, we checked the
fitting rooms and found multiple Silver Works jewelry cards discarded on the
floor.” A description of the suspect and her car was obtained by associates
and Gray immediately notified the local police department and reported the
theft.
Thanks to the detailed description that Gray and sales associate,
Tina Triplett provided the police, officers were immediately able to locate
the suspect at the Gold & Silver Exchange store down the road from Belk,
and witnessed her attempting to sell several pieces of silver jewelry.
The merchandise was confiscated and returned to the Belk store for
identification. The customer was taken into police custody and arrested.
The total recovery included 13 Silver Works bracelets, a necklace and one
ring valued at $866.49.
Teamwork and Training Help Associates Track Down – and Take Down – Jewelry Thief
lp awareness
11
From left, Gladys Salmeron, Karen Gray, Margaret McCall, Tina Triplett and Emily Durmire.
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View Magazine is an internal publication produced by Belk’s Corporate Communications Department. It is intended solely for Belk associates and not for external distribution.
View Online is a companion newsletter published on The Hanger and the Associate Portal (http://associate.belk.com).
View Magazine • Belk, Inc. • 2801 W. Tyvola Rd. • Charlotte, N.C. 28217-4500
Send your comments or submissions to [email protected] or contact Lynda Stadler at (704) 426-8451.
EditorLynda Stadler
Art DirectorPamela Fernandez
VIEW MAGAZINEBelk, Inc.2801 W. Tyvola RoadCharlotte, N.C. 28217-4500
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Holiday A Classic Beauty
Season’s Worth of PrettyClinique’s purchase-with-purchase gift is an
all-inclusive kit featuring five Coulour Surge
Eye Shadow shades, two Blushing Blush
and one Fresh Bloom Allover Colour, and
five Butter Shine lipsticks. Comes complete
with eye shadow applicators, blush and lip
brushes, a mirror and illustrated instructions.
Only $32.50 with any Clinique purchase.
Holiday Fragrance Beauty BoxFree with any $55.00 Estée Lauder
purchase. Includes Pleasures 4ml EDP
spray, Beautiful 4.7ml EDP spray, Sensuous
Nude 4ml EDP spray.
Beauty Sensation by LancômeFeaturing 13 full size beauty essentials,
this gift is only $57.50 with any Lancôme
purchase; a $300 value. Choose your look!
Pretty plums or beautiful bronzes.