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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Bread and Atkins
John White, director of the Federation of Bakers told the newspaper that bread sales were off in the UK has consumers sought to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they consume.
Costco Tempers Expectations
Costco Wholesale now says it expects to earn between 46 cents and 48 cents per share in the fourth quarter, down from its earlier forecast of 54 cents to 56…
McDonald’s Takes Heat for Kids’ Marketing
What has helped make McDonald’s a household name has also brought the company criticism fron nutritionists for unleashing what the New York Times refers to as ‘a blitzkrieg that perverts…
Breakfast Bars Eat Up Market Share
Nutritionists and food manufacturers agree there is a need for nutritious, portable breakfast foods and beverages. What they don’t agree on is the success food companies have had in developing…
Coke and Burger King Make Up
Coca-Cola and Burger King have agreed to put the their past problems including the rigging of a marketing test for Frozen Coke behind them, according to an Associated Press report.
No Embargo But Gas Lines Are Forming
It is amazing how far consumers will go to save a few cents on a gallon of gasoline. Pump up the savings to 20-cents or so a gallon and watch…
Malls Are Getting Mauled
Reuters reported on Friday that consumer purchases in stores located within malls are half of what they were in 1995. Mall stores represent 19 percent of retail sales in 2002…
Tax Free Makes Consumers Feel Good
According to an article in USA Today, “There’s a growing recognition among retailers and savvy mall owners that shoppers are suckers for ‘tax-free’ sales — discounts equal to the sales…
Former Manager Competes with Wal-Mart
Don Koontz knows how to compete against Wal-Mart better than most. He managed a Wal-Mart for five years before opening his own hardware store business in Hiawatha, Kansas in 1997…
Dyer Turned Around Lands’ End, Leaves Sears
Dave Dyer, credited with leading Lands’ End’s turnaround before the company was sold to Sears told employees this week he would be leaving the company on August 8 to pursue…
Americans, President and Pope Oppose Same-Sex Marriages
A new CBS News/New York Times poll has found 55 percent of Americans surveyed would oppose a law allowing homosexual couples to marry. Sixty-one percent of 18- to 29-year-olds favor…
Know Thy Online Consumer
Ken Treske, chief marketing officer, CoolSavings, writes in the latest issue of the company newsletter, Know Thy Customer, “By and large, retail has missed the opportunity to embrace the Internet…
Food Lion Puts Its Label on Healthy Ice Cream
Food Lion is introducing what it says is the first premium store brand ice cream that is sweetened with sucralose and is gluten-free. Donna Smith, a spokesperson for the…
Department Store Seeks Help for Schizophrenia
By most accounts, the department store chain, Lord & Taylor, has had difficulty finding its place among competitors ranging from Bloomingdale’s to Kohl’s. Marvin Traub, retail consultant and former…
Guitar Center Sales Hit High Note
Based on Guitar Center’s latest quarterly report, people are making their own music (or at least attempting to) in growing numbers. Sales for stores open at least a year were…
Barnes & Noble Shows Bertelsmann the Money
Barnes & Noble has agreed to pay $164 million to acquire Bertelsmann AG’s share of barnesandnoble.com. Bertelsmann sells its stake at a time when the dot-com venture appears to be…
Late Night with Ronald McDonald
The introduction of premium salads has sparked consumer interest and helped boost sales. Now, McDonald’s is expanding store hours in a further attempt to build business, reports Reuters. What are…
Staples To Text Message Teens
Staples in Canada wants teenagers going back to school to buy supplies in its stores. That’s why the company has launched a marketing campaign that will send text messages to…
Safeway.com Making Money, Opening New Markets
Critics contend Safeway has turned-off once loyal shoppers and lost business with its one-size-fits-all approach. In contrast, however, two years ago, Safeway partnered with Tesco to run its e-tail business…
Middle America Grocers See Organic Growth
Organic foods aren’t just for consumers in Boston and San Francisco anymore. Today, shoppers in places such as Fort Wayne, Indiana are increasingly turning to organic foods rather than purchasing…
UFCW Wants Alternative to Supervalu
Two presidents of United Food & Commercial Workers’ locals have thrown cold water on the prospects of a negotiated deal with Supervalu over its acquisition of Dominick’s Finer Foods from…
