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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Toy Manufacturers Take Sides
Toy manufacturers concerned about Wal-Mart’s growing market share in the category and the impact of the retailer’s pricing policies on brand equity have begun offering exclusive roll-outs to toy stores…
Wal-Mart To Voluntarily Participate in COOL
Wal-Mart plans to voluntarily comply with country of origin labeling (COOL) well before it is required by the government on Sept. 30, 2006, according to a cover story report in…
Bill Wants To End Obesity Suits
A law introduced by California Assemblyman would prevent obese people from suing manufacturers and foodservice operators for weight problems. What are your thoughts on legislation that would make it impossible…
C&S Wholesale To Close Warehouse
C&S Wholesale Grocers has said it will close two distribution centers acquired from Supervalu last September. What do you make of C&S Wholesale Grocers’ latest move?
Saks Team Takes Shape
Galen Weston, owner of the Holt Renfrew Specialty Store Group in Canada, says his company’s “loss will be Saks Fifth Avenue’s gain.” What will be the primary challenges faced by…
USDA Done With Mad Cow Investigation
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared victory and said the investigation into the country’s first known case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy or mad cow disease is over, even though…
President Predicts Jobs Growth
The Bush administration is looking for the economy to create 2.6 million new payroll jobs by the end of 2004, according to the annual Economic Report of the President released…
It’s All in the Price: Understanding the Impact on Shopping Behavior
The growth of value retailers shows what happens when some retailers establish a much stronger price reputation than others. Is price more important to consumers in making the decision where…
Lights To Go Out On 19 Circuit City Stores
The nation’s second largest consumer electronics chain, Circuit City, announced it is closing 19 of its stores by the end of the month. Is there anything that should be read…
Romance Becoming More Expensive For Consumers
The ante has been upped from years past and consumers, especially males, will find a higher price tag association with romance this Valentine’s Day. Do you believe there will be…
Basha Warns of Economic Blitzkrieg
Eddie Basha, chief executive of the Bashas’ grocery chain claims Wal-Mart is carrying out what amounts to an economic blitzkrieg with practices that drive competitors out of business and forces…
McD’s: Improving Service Top Priority
An internal assessment by McDonald’s says the company has made improvements in customer service and cleanliness, but it still has a ways to go before it can begin feeling good…
Wal-Mart Willing To Raise Prices
A report on the Business Week Web site says Wal-Mart is being more flexible when it comes to suppliers raising prices on the cost of goods. Have you seen evidence,…
Home Depot Gets Recruiting Help From AARP
Home Depot and the AARP have agreed on a deal that will put the senior’s organization to work recruiting and training workers over 55 to work in the home improvement…
Whole Foods Makes It In NY, NY
Whole Foods Market has opened a store in Manhattan at Columbus Circle that is billed as “the ultimate grocery and lifestyle shopping experience.” Have grocery retailers rediscovered urban America? What…
Wal-Mart’s CIO Bangs The Drum For RFID
The chief information officer of Wal-Mart, Linda Dillman, believes that the benefits of radio frequency identification technology go beyond cost savings, as is frequently mentioned when the topic is being…
UFCW Arbitration Offer Rejected
The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) offered to immediately end its strike in Southern California yesterday and agree to binding arbitration with Albertsons, Kroger and Safeway in the…
Dunkin’ Donuts Wants To Be Consumers’ Only Choice
Dunkin’ Donuts chief executive, John Luther, told Reuters in a recent interview he wants everyone to drink his company’s coffee and he expects that will be the case in the…
Workers Expect Less In Retirement
A study by Towers Perrin, a personnel consulting firm, has found that employees are resigned to having employers cut their retirement benefits. What impact will the reduction in retirement benefits…
Witness Says Martha Covered Up Deal
A key witness for the prosecution in the securities fraud case against Martha Stewart testified she was involved in a cover-up to hide being tipped off to sell her shares…
The Heck With Growing Old Gracefully
Joan Bakewell, writing in The Guardian, said there’s an expression used in the UK to describe older women who try on younger women’s clothing. “Mutton dressed as lamb” is a…
