WINDOW SHOPPING

Express introduces free job app

Express Employment Professionals announced Thursday the release of its ExpressJobs mobile app.

The app is free to download in the United States and Canada for Apple and Android products through the Apple App Store and Google Play, offering location-based services for job seekers and Express associates.

“In creating an app with customized job results based on selected choices, we’re elevating our service to meet the needs of job seekers across North America,” Express CEO Bill Stoller said. “In a time of low unemployment, getting our clients the right talent, quickly, is the way we continue to grow the economy. ExpressJobs is another tool to help us do just that.”

With more than 12,000 jobs currently posted to ExpressJobs, the app helps users find jobs in their area, link to their social networks, apply to jobs, schedule interviews, access resources and manage their employment details, all within the same platform.

Additional features include live messaging capabilities to allow Express staff and job seekers to be in constant contact. This allows staffers to develop real relationships with job seekers and continue to maintain these touchpoints throughout their careers.

Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s to donate 50,000 rods, reels

Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris is challenging families to put down their digital devices and get outside through the Gone Fishing movement.

To kick off Gone Fishing, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are donating 50,000 rods and reels to nonprofit organizations that help kids from all backgrounds connect to the great outdoors.

The effort is part of the company’s mission to inspire future generations to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors. In the past five years, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s have donated more than 300,000 items to youth-focused nonprofit organizations across North America. In Oklahoma City, Shiloh Camp will receive a portion of the rods and reels and will be in attendance at local celebration of National Donation Day.

Local activities at the Oklahoma City Bass Pro Shops, at 200 Bass Pro Drive, will take place Thursday. Activities include fishing seminars, a free local fishing information guide, a “Gone Fishing” door hanger for the first 100 catch-and-release anglers at each location, and craft tables for kids planned at 1-4 p.m.

Gourmet Gallery hosts food tasting

Gourmet Gallery will host a tasting event on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring three Oklahoma product lines.

The stores at 1532 S Boulevard in Edmond, and in the Shoppes at Northpark in Oklahoma City, will host Cutters Cross, JR Okie Smokie and Triple AAA Soda.

Cutters Cross is an Oklahoma City company specializing in salsa, sweet hot jalapenos and a variety of rubs and spices. JR Okie Smokie specializes in BBQ sauces and Triple AAA Soda has been an Oklahoma institution since 1937.

Owners of each company will be at both locations sampling products complete with recipes perfect for your summer entertaining and Father’s Day ideas.

OKC’s entrepreneurial environment ranked

The OKC entrepreneurial ecosystem ranked 10th among regional peer cities, according to a recent survey commissioned by OK Innovate.

“These results show Oklahoma City has made amazing progress when it comes to identifying and supporting founders and startups which create jobs, wealth and opportunity,” OK Innovate Chief Operating Officer Joshua Fahrenbruck said. “The report also shows we have clear ways to move the needle and boost the level of entrepreneurship in our community.”

From 2013 to 2017, Oklahoma City ranked 16th out of 18 peer cities in the number of funding deals for startups and 14th in total funding. However, the metro area ranked 12th in its percentage of “cool jobs,” and talent levels appear to be strong, according to the study’s authors.

Chapman and Co., an Omaha, Nebraska-based firm specializing in research, strategy and developing leading entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems created the report.

Hair salon signs OKC franchise deal

Pigtails & Crewcuts, a children’s hair salon franchise based out of Atlanta, Georgia, recently signed a franchise agreement with Megan and Stephen Taylor in Oklahoma City.

The Taylors plan to open three salons, bringing the franchise to Oklahoma City and the surrounding area. Pigtails & Crewcuts currently has more than 50 children’s salons across the country. This will be the brand’s first venture into Oklahoma.

“We are excited to expand the franchise into Oklahoma and look forward to working with Megan and Stephen to find the ideal locations in Oklahoma City for their salons,” Pigtails & Crewcuts Vice President of Franchise Development Michelle Holliman said.

Crime top source of ‘shrink’ at U.S. retailers

The little guys and big guys — shoplifters and organized crime — account for the lion’s share of “shrink” at U.S. retailers.

Criminal activity along with bookkeeping errors canceled out an average of 1.33 percent of sales in 2017 versus 1.44 percent in 2016, according to the National Retail Federation and the University of Florida.

The breakdown:

• Shoplifting and organized retail crime, 36 percent

• Internal employee theft, 33 percent

• Administrative paperwork errors, 19 percent

• Vendor fraud or mistake, 6 percent

• Other, 6 percent

At the same time, six in 10 retailers said shrink was less of a problem last year versus four in 10 in 2016.

For the years ahead, cybersecurity is a top concern and many retailers have introduced online incident response plans.

“Criminals continue to become more sophisticated in this area,” said Richard Hollinger, a University of Florida criminology professor and the lead author of the report. “This is a growing threat that will require more resources going forward.”