How To Reach Us:
St. Louis Front Page
P.O. Box 1354
St. Louis, MO 63188
Voice: 314-771-0200
Fax: 314-771-0300
To submit news, contact:
editor@slfp.com
To advertise, contact:
advertising@slfp.com
|
|
|
ST. LOUIS NEWS TODAY - Thursday, November 29, 2007
|
Job Creation Initiatives Take Effect
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), November 25, 2007 - Several job creation initiatives Gov. Matt Blunt called for and signed into law take effect today, including Enhanced Enterprise Zones which will build on the tens of thousands of new jobs Missourians have created since January 2005.
In a statement, Gov. Blunt said, "By creating a solid framework for economic growth and job creation, we have increased the opportunities available to all Missourians. All Missourians benefit from living in a more prosperous state, where everyone has the chance to live up to their full potential. This strong job creation bill is a part of my ongoing efforts to ensure Missouri is a state of opportunity that cultivates growth and the entrepreneurial spirit."
Legislative provisions effective today are the result of the successful special session the governor called to enact an economic development package designed to build on the strong growth in Missouri's economy since the governor took office. Pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives that go into effect today include:
* Increasing the Enhanced Enterprise Zone capacity from $7 million to $14 million
* Allowing land assemblage tax credits to support urban redevelopment and make a significant injection of resources to encourage private investment into areas that have been neglected and impoverished for decades
* Establishing the Qualified Beef Tax Credit to support Missouri farm families and Missouri quality beef
* Extending the sunset for Job Training programs at community colleges by ten years
* Eliminating the ban on the resale of tickets and making it easier for fans to gain access to all types of events as requested by sports teams including the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams and St. Louis Blues, who testified in support of the provision. Missouri now joins 48 other states that allow some form of ticket resale.
* Making charitable organizations eligible for several additional tax credits
* Establishing the Missouri Workforce Investment Board to help improve the state's competitiveness and productivity
It's A Holly, Jolly, 'Generational' Christmas
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), November 25, 2007 - Whether its braving the crowds at a store or surfing the Internet for great deals on Cyber Monday, there are holiday shopping differences for Gen Y, Gen X, Boomers and the Silent Generation, according to a recent Maritz(R) Poll.
Large crowds, long lines and jammed parking lots are just a few reasons that consumers dread shopping during the holidays. Retailers can increase traffic to their stores by improving the customer experience based on their target audience's preferences.
When asked about the single most important improvement that retailers can make to create a better holiday shopping experience, nearly four in 10 respondents (38 percent) cited more sales and special holiday offers. In addition, half of respondents (49 percent) recommended that retailers add more associates for check-out and returns, and more than 20 percent (22 percent) chose training personnel to maintain a friendlier attitude towards shoppers.
What is on the list of holiday shopping enhancements for Gen X and Gen Y, in terms of the experience? Both generations were significantly more likely than other generations to prefer longer store hours (Gen X: 25 percent, Gen Y: 19 percent) and Gen Y was significantly more likely to choose valet parking (9 percent) than any other generation.
"Gen X and Gen Y are busy people who are likely juggling rising careers and young families while shopping for parents, spouses, children, extended family and friends," said Gloria Park Bartolone, vice president of Maritz Research Retail Group. "While valet parking might seem extravagant, retailers that provide time-saving services will be better able to capture the Gen X and Gen Y spend."
According to the poll, consumer buying behaviors vary by generation. Gen X on average plans to spend the most money on holiday shopping at $778, while Gen Y will spend the least at $549. Boomers and the Silent Generation will each spend on average roughly $600.
Also, retailers can expect a significant portion of Gen X's holiday spend to occur early in the season, with the group saying on average they will do more than 45 percent (46 percent) of their shopping -- more than any other generation -- on Black Friday. The Silent Generation will only do 38 percent of their shopping the day after Thanksgiving, which is less than any other generation.
When it comes to Cyber Monday, Gen X (30 percent) and Gen Y (24 percent) are significantly more likely to shop than any other generational group.
"Although retailers are bracing for tightened wallets this holiday season, because Gen X is planning to spend more than other generations, and the fact that Gen Y is typically a prime target because of their affinity for fashion and impulse buying, both big box stores and Macy's should be pleased to be topping their lists," said Bartolone. "Nevertheless, other mall-based stores have not fallen out of Gen Y's favor and need to do everything they can -- from the right assortments to competitive pricing -- to capture their share of wallet."
|
STL-News is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group as a special feature of the Saint Louis Front Page for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com
All rights reserved world wide
© 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group .
|
|
Archived St. Louis News:
|
|
