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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Food Banks Running Low on Food
Companies and individuals hurt by the economic downturn are donating less money and food to assistance agencies.
Buffett Buys McLane from Wal-Mart
CBS MarketWatch is reporting Wal-Mart has agreed to sell its wholesale grocery operation, McLane Company, to Berkshire Hathaway owned by the superstar investor Warren Buffett. What will the sale of…
One in Five Not Buying French
A USA Today/CNN/Gallup survey says nearly one in five American consumers who once regularly bought French products have stopped because of France’s opposition to the war in Iraq. How are…
Shoplifter Apologizes and Sends Cash
Dave Skogen, who runs two IGA and six festival foods in Wisconsin, received a letter containing money with a note that read, “The money is due to you because it…
Chickens Need Humane Treatment Too
KFC announced yesterday the chain has adopted eight guidelines for its poultry that coveres “adequate feeding of chickens, providing adequate growth space for normal development and inspections of facilities.” The…
The Diet Fight: Atkins Vs. Ornish
Dr. Robert Atkins may no longer be with us, but his low carb/high protein diet is and consumers are buying into it in a big way. Conversely, the popularity of…
Recommendation Programs Need Human Touch
Less than eight percent of online shoppers who are given a product recommendation on a web site actually purchase the item, according to Forrester Research. In fact, only 22 percent…
Rebuilding Home Depot
Matthew Maier’s Free Advice column on Business 2.0 asks three experts what Home Depot needs to do to get growing again. Their recommendations covered employee quality, store remodeling to…
Wal-Mart’s Bricks and Clicks Report to Coughlin
Last week’s announcement of the promotion of Tom Coughlin to executive vice president and vice chairman of Wal-Mart’s US store and online operations will result in closer ties between the…
Retailers: Advertising is Numbers Game
Daniel Edelman, chairman, The Bon Marche, told attendees at the annual convention of the Newspaper Association of America that papers needed to boost circulation if they wanted to receive a…
Hess Profits Without Mideast Oil
Amerada Hess reported yesterday that its first quarter profits rose 25 percent from the previous year on net income of $176 million. The latest Department of Energy (DOE) report of…
Cancer Institute Says Eat Your Veggies
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) says men need to eat nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day; women should consume seven servings and kids five. Was the “Eat 5…
Consumer Spending Rebounds
Consumer spending increased by 0.4 percent in March, according to the Commerce Department. Personal incomes grew by the same amount. Have you seen any signs suggesting that more jobs will…
Kroger Goes Au Naturale Nationwide
Kroger has announced the national launch of its Naturally Preferred brand of natural and organic products “offering a wide variety of high-quality natural and organic products that are an affordable…
MasterCard Settles, Visa Doesn’t
MasterCard agreed to settle its share of the multi-billion antitrust suit brought against it and Visa by a group of retailers. Will a ruling or settlement in favor of the…
Apple Opens 99 Cents Music Store
Apple Computer launched its new iTunes Music Store yesterday, providing consumers with a means to purchase music online for 99 cents a song. Will Apple’s new venture be successful? Will…
Guinness Changes Brew for New Irish Consumer
The Guinness Extra Stout sold in Nigeria is not the same famous frothy beverage brewed in Ireland. Guinness intends to remedy this situation, somewhat, when it begins brewing its African-style…
Wegmans: Store Is a Wonderland
The Baltimore Sun calls Wegmans “an escape, where the harried parents can grab a cafe latte, relax over lunch…then stroll a European-style marketplace bursting with baguettes and Italian bread, raspberry…
Board Endorses Sexual Orientation Resolution
J.C. Penney’s board of directors has said it will support a resolution to include sexual orientation in the retailer’s nondiscrimination policy. Shareholders will take a vote on the resolution at…
It Don’t Come Easy for Wal-Mart in New Orleans
The New York Times reports that a plan to bring a Wal-Mart Supercenter to the heart of New Orleans has brought out opponents from all corners. “Lawsuits have been…
CSPI: Quorn Should Be Pulled From Stores
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) says the meat substitute made from fungus, Quorn, is making people sick and should not be sold in food stores. Michael…
