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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Furor Grows Over Dixie Chick’s Remark
Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks has apologized for her comments about President Bush but that may not be enough for some. Ms. Maines, the group’s lead singer and…
Self-Checkouts: Better Service or More Work?
A Boston Globe article about self-checkouts asks the question, “What’s in it for me?” As seen in a recent test, the self-checkout appeal for some and drawback to others is…
Fuddruckers Freedom Fries Dis French
The fast-food restaurant chain, Fuddruckers, announced that it would rename its french fries, Freedom Fries. What are your thoughts on Freedom Fries?
Office Depot Offers the Mother of All Excuses
Office Depot’s latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission cautions that a war with Iraq “could have a very serious adverse impact on our business in 2003 and beyond.”…
Manufacturers Have Issues with SBT
Proponents of scan-based trading (SBT) claim the technology produces a win-win situation for manufacturers and retailers alike. Others, however, claim the reality of SBT is lower profits for manufacturers. Do…
Recall List for Stores Debated
The Bush administration has made its opposition known on a bill that would require manufacturers/processors to identify stores that had received recalled meat. Elsa Murano, undersecretary for food safety, USDA…
Nash Finch is Back
Shares of grocery wholesaler, Nash Finch, were up 59% yesterday after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) agreed with the company’s accounting for the cost of goods sold. With the…
Safeway’s Labor Problems Grow
Associates of Genuardi’s Supermarkets held a labor rally at the Safeway company’s headquarters outside of Philadelphia yesterday. The protesting employees seek union representation with the United Food and Commercial Workers…
Red Carpet Fashion for the Masses
The Associated Press reports, “A growing number of high-end designers are heading to mass-market chains in search of big financial gains. While some are abandoning their upscale accounts, others like…
Student Watch 2002 Looks to the Future
A study, Student Watch 2002, from the National Association of College Stores offers retailers insights into the shopping behaviors of 18 – 22 year olds. Are the shopping habits of…
Influential 10 Percent Drive Sales
A new book, The Influentials, says 10 percent of consumers have a major influence over what the other 90 percent buy. “Consumers are turning to word of mouth from people…
Drive-offs Have Station Owners Seeing Red
The price for a gallon of gasoline has risen 47 percent in New York over the last year and that has led to an increase in the number of drive-offs,…
Gift Certificate Expirations Same as Stealing
The Lancaster Eagle Gazette says the practice of placing expiration dates on gift certificates “is tantamount to theft.” The paper made this charge in an editorial supporting a proposed state…
Are Consumers Running on Empty?
The high price of gas is beginning to crimp America’s driving style and a summer shortage might cause the economy to run out of gas and is especially critical in…
Locals Protest Beer Sales at Bi-Lo
Members of the North Lafayette (GA) Baptist Church and others are unhappy with Bi-Lo’s decision to beginning selling beer and wine coolers at the chain’s store in this community. The…
Retail Careers Calling
Nearly two out of three schools polled say they expect to see fewer recruiters on campus this spring. Sixty percent of employers report planning to hire fewer graduates. Does the…
No Time for Lunch or Vacations
Many in business today are reducing time spent at lunch or on vacation as they try to keep up with the demands created by a smaller workforce and an increasingly…
Crunchy Conservatives
There’s a new subculture of consumers that eat organic food, do not watch television and consider themselves economic and social conservatives. They are the “crunchy cons”. Crunchy, as in granola,…
Fast Food, O’Natural
A new fast food restaurant concept, O’Naturals, combines organic and healthy menu items delivered at the speed of McDonald’s. Will a restaurant concept such as O’Naturals have mass consumer appeal…
Kroger Negotiates
Kroger is reportedly interested in buying Dominick’s from Safeway. Dominick’s has continued to lose customers, market share and money under Safeway ownership and some believe the chain can be had…
Sainsbury’s Goes Fishing
Sainsbury’s announced that, within seven years, it would only sell wild fish caught in “sustainable” fisheries. The Independent reports Sainsbury’s “commitment is significant in view of mounting alarm at the…
