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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Feds Investigate C-Stores for Terrorism Funding
Authorities are investigating more than 500 Muslim and Arab small businesses across the United States to determine whether they are dispatching money raised through criminal activity in the United States…
Potassium-laden Foods May Help Prevent Strokes
People with a low amount of potassium in their diet may have an increased risk of stroke, according to a study published in the August 13 issue of Neurology. …
Sales of Anti-Nuke Pills Climb
Worries about radiation from a terrorist attack or a nuclear-plant accident have triggered a run on the drug potassium iodide. Should retailers/pharmacists be counseling shoppers to not buy certain products?…
Hartz Commemorates 9/11 with Limited Edition Toy
The Hartz Mountain Corporation is issuing a limited edition “HELP A HERO” DOGNY Dog Toy to help raise awareness and money for DOGNY(TM). Is it a good business decision…
Amazon, Target, Marshall Field’s, Mervyn’s All Under One Site
Target Corporation unveiled Target.com, a comprehensive web site with millions of products including integrated offerings from Target, Marshall Field’s, Mervyn’s and Amazon.com. Which property will benefit the most from the…
Reports of Pay-Off to Racketeer Tank Stock
Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd., a Japanese maker of sweet milk-like drinks, denied it had made illegal payoffs to a suspected racketeer, but its shares still fell more than 10 percent…
Consumers Advise Merchants on Selling and Merchandising
In response to an invitation for readers to send their thoughts to wine shops, The Wall Street Journal received hundreds of suggestions the most important being feedback from the merchants…
Atlanta Better Business Bureau Delists Home Depot
Atlanta’s Better Business Bureau has delisted Home Depot as a member for not responding to more than 100 complaint letters, some of which went back as far as April. Does…
Bar Code Deadline Looming for Retailers
Many retailers in the United States and Canada have yet to focus on the 2005 deadline for the 12-digit bar code conversion to 13 digits. Are the concerns about…
CVS Tests Laboratory Testing Card
CVS is testing a pre-paid card for that will enable consumers to get up to 12 medical laboratory tests at a local Quest Diagnostics office, including cholesterol, hepatitis c and…
Multi-Channel Shoppers Too Smart For Retailers’ Own Good
According to a new study from Jupiter Research, “Redefining the Online Retail Consumer”, multi-channel shoppers may be doing a lot of buying but that does not necessarily add up to…
Gap Targets Boomers, Passes on Teens
Admitting that it has done a terrible job of marketing to the 18 – 24 consumer demographic, the Gap has decided to shift its focus back to the baby boomers…
West Nile Virus Affects Retail
The five reported fatalities in Louisiana from West Nile virus has spurred a run on insect repellents and insecticides in retail stores according. How do retailers and marketers of mosquito…
Asians Get Marketers’ Attention, With “Superlatives”
With the current size of the Asian American market at $253 billion in annual expenditures and annual income for one in three Asian Americans at $75,000 or more, this complex…
Customers Expect and Get Less
Columnist John Malmo asserts that customer service is a term that no longer applies in most businesses, directly linked to more relaxed and employee-friendly workplaces. Do you agree that customer…
General Mills Ripped by CNBC Managing Editor
Investors should steer clear of investing in General Mills according to Jon Markman, managing editor at CNBC, who claims that acquisition of Pillsbury left the company in debt to the…
Anaheim Officials Bar Gigante Citing Hispanic Focus
Officials in Anaheim, CA have denied Gigante USA permission to open a supermarket in a mall that serves an area of the community slated for redevelopment. How are growing immigrant…
Consumers Hot for Fair Trade Coffee
Consumers, some at least, appear willing to pay substantially more for coffee if they know that the higher price translates into better economic conditions for the coffee farmers. Should retailers…
Nothing Ailing Big Three Drug Store Chains
Walgreen’s, CVS and Rite Aid have all reported posting solid same-store sales increases for July despite a general slow down in consumer spending at retail. Have in-store pharmacies become a…
Are Teens Leaving the Mall for Good?
According to The Wall Street Journal, teenagers are leaving the mall and heading for Wal-Mart. “In fact, a recent slowdown in teenage spending has investors fearing that ‘recession’ has, like,…
Nestle Hot Pockets Chef America
Nestle has agreed to buy privately-held Chef America, makers of Hot Pockets, Lean Pockets, Croissant Pockets, Pizza Minis and Toaster Melts, giving them a foothold in the fast-growing handheld food…
