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IContain Launches External Asset Tracker for RTO
IContain, the leading provider of electronic interrupt tools for the rent-to-own
industry, announced the release of the ICX external remote tracking device. The
ICX can be installed externally on any rental merchandise - thus avoiding issues
with product warranties...more
 California
Democrat Cosponsors Rent-to-Own Legislation
Congressman Joe Baca (D -CA) and Shelly Capito (R-WV) announced their support
for the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act increasing the cosponsor count in
the House to 109. Baca is just the third of California's 53 representatives to
cosponsor the Act...more
 Radio
Rentals Predicts Significant Growth into 2010
Radio Rentals, Australia's largest rent-to-own company, is forecasting 18%
growth for the company's fiscal year ending in March, 2010. Managing director
John Hughes said, "The growth in profitability from the core business really
underlines the ability of the organization to not only perform strongly during
the good times, but also during times of economic uncertainty."...more
Rent-A-Center Q3 Conference Call Set for October 27
Rent-A-Center, the nation's largest rent-to-own operator, will broadcast its
quarterly earnings conference call on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 10:45 AM ET...more
 Rent
to Own Franchise Week 2009: ColorTyme
By Bob Bloom, president and CEO, ColorTyme
Throughout the past five years, ColorTyme has steadily grown its new franchise
base. Although it's become increasingly difficult for many entrepreneurs to find
the financing they need to pursue their dreams of owning a business, ColorTyme
continues to match franchisees with a financing program that fits…and works...more
Employee Recognition a Cost-Effective Motivational Tool Study Finds
Recent studies that show a high correlation between recognition and improved
employee engagement, which in turn improves job performance and captures
business value...more
 Rent-to-Own
Training Series Topic 14: Ten Pitfalls of Pitiful Meetings
If your RTO team members hear "Meeting at 3:00" and think, here comes another
waste of my time, then it's time for a meetings overhaul at your organization.
Author Kimberly Douglas stresses that meetings can be important team-building
and idea-generating opportunities for your employees. The key, she says, is
knowing how to do them the right way...more
Wisconsin Assembly Schedules Public Payday Loan Hearing
The Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Financial Institutions has scheduled a
public hearing on AB 392, a bill that would limit finance charges on
payday-lending to 36%. The 36% cap has been used by other states as a back-door
method of limiting consumer access to short term credit vehicles like payday
lending...more
 Consumer
Protection Agency Hearing Set for Wednesday
The House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing on the Obama
administration's proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA). The
witness list includes Michael Calhoun, President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Center for Responsible Lending...more
DSI Holds First Annual Vendor Summit
DSI Systems, a major supplier of consumer electronics to the Rent to Own
channel, held its first annual Vendor Summit at its corporate headquarters last
week in Des Moines, Iowa...more
 ColorTyme
University Celebrates Graduates of First Multi-unit Management Course
ColorTyme, Inc. and its ColorTyme University program celebrated with the first
10 graduates of its all-new multi-unit management training course, held Sept.
21-23...more
 RTO
Magazine Publishes Second Franchise Edition
RTO Magazine, the rent-to-own industry's leading trade publication, published
the 2009 Rent to Own Franchise Edition. In addition to featuring the industry's
leading franchisors, the issue contains an introduction by the International
Franchise Association (IFA)...more
Small Business Owners Oppose Mandatory Health Care
The National Small Business Association today released the 2009 Small Business
Health Care Reform Survey which provides an updated snapshot of how the
small-business community is faring when it comes to health care...more
Small Business Owners: Recession Not Over
When asked whether they agree or disagree that the recession is over for their
businesses, 69 percent of small business owners disagreed...more
Simmons Bankrupt; Announces Restructuring
"I want to thank our employees and advisors who have worked very hard in the
face of an unprecedented industry downturn to bring us to this significant and
welcome milestone." - Stephen G. Fendrich, President and Chief Operating
Officer, Simmons Bedding...more
DSI Systems Releases 2009/2010 Catalog
DSI Systems, a major supplier of electronics to the Rent to Own sector, today
announced the release of their 2009/20010 catalog. The new issue contains the
latest models of consumer electronics as well as all of the accessories needed
to complete an installation...more
easyhome Looking for the Nation's Best RTO Operator
easyhome, Canada's largest Rent to Own operator. now franchising in the US, has
launched an unprecedented campaign to identify the best RTO operators in the
United States. The grand prize - a fully funded easyhome franchise...more
ColorTyme, RimTyme Ad Campaigns Recognized
ColorTyme's two brands, ColorTyme and RimTyme, were honored with 14 Rental
Advertising Excellence (RAE) Awards...more
Aaron's Predicts Slight Uptick in Same Store Sales
Aaron's (NYSE:AAN), the nation's second largest rent-to-own operator, said today
it expects a slight uptick in same store sales for the third quarter...more
 Rent-A-Center
Furnishes Bronx Teen Center
Teens at Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club will have an exciting new place to hang out
and call their own, thanks to a partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of
America (BGCA) and Rent-A-Center (NASDAQ:RCII), the nation's largest Rent to Own
company...more
 Panasonic
Celebrates 50th Anniversary in US
Panasonic Corporation, a major supplier of consumer
electronics to the Rent to Own channel, celebrated its 50th anniversary in the
US Thursday...more
 Bank
Founded by Aaron's Patriarch May Fail
Buckhead Community Bank, founded by Aaron Rents (NYSE:AAN) patriarch Charlie
Loudermilk in the mid 90s, may be closed by regulators...more
Beemer Predicts Q4 Retail Train Wreck
"The average amount that American consumers are cutting out of their monthly
spending is $191.11, the highest figure ever recorded for spending cuts in 13
years of ARG Consumer Mind Reader surveys." - Britt Beemer, CEO and Founder,
America's Research Group...more
Consumer Electronics Purchases Down in First Half of 2009
The recession continues to limit consumer-electronics (CE) shopping, as nearly
50% of U.S. broadband households did not buy a CE product in the first half of
2009, according to Parks Associates' Consumer Decision Process...more
Say What: 57% of Californians Oppose Proposal to Ban Big Screen TVs
If adopted, television manufacturers would be required to meet an artificial
energy use limit in order to sell their televisions in California. The CEC's
regulation would effectively ban the sale of 25 percent of current big screen TV
models and 100 percent of plasma TVs larger than 60 inches in California...more
Video: Furniture Designers Identify Hottest Trends
Three of the nation's leading designers presented their top picks on the Las
Vegas Furniture Market's interactive webcast and live panel discussion. See
video "Ahead of the Curve"...more
DAC Products Declares Recent RTO Show a Huge Success
DAC Products, maker of electronics merchandising displays exhibited at the
recent APRO Show in Las Vegas and announced that they were very pleased with the
results...more
 Childers
Brings ColorTyme Back to Pasco, Washington
Pasco, Washington residents welcomed ColorTyme back to the community. After
weeks of preparation, Franchise Owner Mark Childers and his Vice President of
Operations, Albert Vasquez, worked together to open a new store on West Court
St. The long-anticipated location (a former auto parts store) has been
completely remodeled and modified to adequately fit ColorTyme's showroom floor
needs...more
 Wexler
Supports Rental Purchase Act
Seven term Democrat Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), along with California
Democrat Diane Watson (D-CA), today announced their support of the Consumer
Rental Purchase Agreement Act - bringing the cosponsor count in the House to 107...more
Aaron's NASCAR Drivers Support of the Armed Forces Foundation
NASCAR Drivers from the Aaron's Team, David Reutimann and Trevor Bayne visited
wounded veterans at the McGuire VA Hospital on September 10th during a monthly
dinner sponsored by the Armed Forces Foundation...more
Vegas Furniture Market Registrations Up
The inaugural September Las Vegas Furniture Market is reporting strong buyer
pre-registration - a sign, say Market officials, that the home furnishings
industry is preparing for recovery. The market is set for September 14 – 17...more
Rent-A-Center Furnishes 20th RAC Room This Year
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, New York is the 20th
recipient this year of a "RAC Room" - a program by launched
by Rent-A-Center (NASDAQ:RCII) in 2005 that furnishes Boy's
and Girls Clubs around the country. Rent-A-Center operates
over 3,000 locations and is the world's largest Rent to Own
company...more
 Rent
to Own Legislation Gains New Support
Congressman Lee is the third Representative from the
battleground state of New York to publicly support The Act
(HR 1744) - legislation that would define Rent to own
transactions as leases and set minimum disclosure
requirements in all 50 states...more
 Trade
Association to Oversight Chair: Ridiculous
The Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA), a national
payday lending industry trade association, yesterday challenged Elizabeth Warren
to cite any scholarship proving her continued assertions that "small lenders"
contributed to the economic crisis...more
Consumers Hammered by Negative Events
Americans feel far worse about their financial situation than they have in the
past seven months and continue to be pounded by financial woes driven by
increased credit card, healthcare and personal loan issues...more
Aaron's Partners With University of Alabama
Aaron's and the University of Alabama today announced a three-year
partnership giving Aaron's premier exposure at Alabama's three largest athletic
venues: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Coleman Coliseum and Sewell-Thomas Stadium...more
RTOStats.com Launches Performance Tracking Service
Ron Manyo and Doug Butler, who combined claim 50 years of RTO industry
experience, have launched RTOStats.com, an online service where Rent to Own
dealers can compare performance in key operational areas...more
 Rent-A-Center
Supports Buffalo Mayor's Literacy Program
In celebration of National Literacy Month and as part of the company's Random
Acts of Caring program, Rent-A-Center co-workers from Western New York donated
more than $8,500 to Mayor Byron W. Brown's Reading Rules! 2009 Kids Summer
Reading Challenge program...more
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