RECENT discussions
Discussions
Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Wal-Mart Called Threat to Community Banks
If Congress passes legislation allowing retailers, most notably Wal-Mart, to offer checking and savings accounts, it could mean the end for community banks, say opponents. Kenneth Guenther, president and chief…
Closeout Retailer Targets New Shoppers
Big Lots is looking to broaden its appeal and attract shoppers beyond its lower-middle income base, according to the Indianapolis Star. The 1,400 store chain is remodeling stores, identifying product…
Hy-Vee Opens 21st Century Market
Hy-Vee has opened its newest store in St. Joseph, MO yesterday and the company’s chairman and chief executive officer, Ron Pearson said, “This is a store of the 21st century…
7-Eleven Takes New England
Jim Keyes, chief executive officer, 7-Eleven and a favorite son of Grafton, Mass., has announced the company plans to add 60 Boston-area stores over the next three years. The decision…
Walgreen Blames the Weather
Walgreens said third quarter sales of front-end items were off, in part, because unusually cool and wet weather in many parts of the country has slowed sales of many spring…
Sears, Dell Deal Crashes
Four months after introducing Dell Computer kiosks in Sears’ stores, the two companies have decided to end the test. According to Crain’s Chicago Business, “Dell entered into the trial with…
It’s Raining Shoppers
Bad weather doesn’t leave much opportunity for outside activities, unless going outside is a means to get to the store. Retailers across parts of the rain-soaked Eastern US are…
What Did Sam Walton Mean?
In his autobiography, Sam Walton wrote, “The folks who come after me are eventually going to have to face up to this question. Even by thinking small, can a $100…
Potter Sales Pure Magic
The latest edition to the series of magical fantasy novels, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, set a record with over five million copies sold in the US…
Amazon Sells Itself
Amazon.com sees a bright future for itself in the B2B arena. MerchantsatAmazon.com enables retailers such as Gap and Nordstrom to display their clothes and accessories on Amazon.com. According to The…
Small Grocers Outdo Chains
According to the Roslindale Transcript, smaller chains and independents in its area, such as Roche Bros. and Village Market, offer lower prices and better service than larger supermarkets, such as…
Ethnic Frozen Foods Draw American Dollars
Ethnic frozen foods with dishes from China, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico and elsewhere are filling the shelves of stores catering to the needs of immigrants but also to American…
Super Values Reshape Wine Market
A survey of more than 300 drinkers of California Super Value Wine (Price points of $3 or less) found most are regular wine drinkers who are trading down from higher…
Sears Adds Computer Kiosk to HR Staff
Applicants looking for a sales job at Sears need to impress the kiosk before they can move on to an interview with a person, according to a report in the…
Ad Burns Smokeless Tobacco Company
US Smokeless Tobacco, manufacturer of Copenhagen and Skoal, has been accused of irresponsible behavior for sending free samples of its products to Marines stationed in Iraq. Reps. Henry Waxman, D-Calif.,…
Kash n’ Karry Gets Broader Perspective
Delhaize America has named Shelley Broader as president and chief operating officer of its 137 store Kash n’ Karry chain in Florida. Ms. Broader moves to her new position from…
Wholesalers in Fighting Mood
It goes without saying that wholesalers and the independents they serve are under serious pressure from Wal-Mart, dollar stores, category killers, the struggling economy, etc. So it was a bit…
Wal-Mart Loses First Union Vote
Wal-Mart has been ordered by a National Labor Relations Board administrative law judge to recognize a meat-cutters union voted on by butchers at its Jacksonville store in 2000. The decision…
Employers Want Waistlines Downsized
Companies including Pepsico and General Mills have joined in a campaign to get overweight employees to shed some pounds, according to a report in The New York Times. The companies…
More Moms and Dads Staying Home
There were 13 percent more stay-at-home moms and 18 percent more Mr. Moms last year than a decade earlier says the Census Bureau. Do retailers need to develop separate marketing…
An Upside to Fleming’s Downside
Grocery wholesaler competitors such as Supervalu and Nash Finch have been the beneficiaries of Fleming’s bankruptcy problems, with added business and higher stock prices. According to the Star Tribune,…
