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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Drinking Binge Stereotypes Debunked
Many think binge drinking is just for frat boys. That is simply not true, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Should retailers…
2003 To Be More of the Same?
By numerous measures, 2002 was an awful year for business and, understandably, few are sad to see the year behind them. Unfortunately, many retail industry analysts believe that 2003 (at…
What’s Hot for 2003
Sam Goody asked teenagers in its locations across the US what products and trends would be hot for 2003. Among other findings, nearly two-thirds report having had their fill of…
Walgreen’s Speaks Its Customers’ Languages
Consumers picking up medicine at their local Walgreen’s pharmacy have the option of having their prescription labels printed in one of eight languages (including English) and approximately 40 percent of…
Fill ‘Er Up With The Lavender
Biodiesel is “a pollution-reducing fuel gleaned from restaurant grease or the oil of crops such as soybeans.” Biodiesel, say its proponents, can extend the life of a vehicle’s engine, increase…
The Retail Survivor Series
If you’re looking for reality programming, you need look no further than the competitive retail market. It’s an everyday battle for survival where the big question is which retailers will…
Advil Allergy Goes OTC
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Advil Allergy Sinus Caplets for over the counter (OTC) sales. Should there be a third classification for medicine sales to fill-in between…
The High Cost of Generic Health
Pharmacy retailers and many others have been strong proponents of generics as a means to lowering medical expenses for consumers and their own businesses. The savings hoped for, however, may…
Stores Grow by Inches, Sites by Miles
Online retailers were the big winners of the Christmas 2002 selling season. Estimates range from 20 to 41 percent growth for B2C web sites for this year. Does this year’s…
Newspaper: Others Should Follow Coke’s Lead
An editorial in the Christian Science Monitor praises Coca-Cola’s recently announced decision to stop releasing forecasts of its earnings every three months. According to the paper, “If other big companies…
UK Department Stores: That’s Retailtainment
US department store retailers continue to lose ground to mass merchants and specialty retailers while searching for a means to reverse the downward fall. For many, that means looking to…
Customers Just Aren’t Buying It
Before Christmas, retailers were wishing that consumers would make a last minute push for Christmas gifts. Their wishes didn’t come true. What lessons can retailers learn from this year to…
Customers From Hell
The holiday season is a stressful time for many trying to squeeze shopping, party planning, etc. into already demanding work and personal lives. Some find a release from their stress…
Independents’ Day
Independent supermarkets are finding their niche and business is good, says The Baltimore Sun. Customer service is the common thread that links the independents that are holding fast against larger…
Dollar Stores For the Rich and Famous
Canadian based franchiser Your Dollar Store With More seeks store locations and sells products of value to a more upscale customer base than other competitors in the format. The company…
Nestle/Ethiopian Controversy Escalates
Nestle is rethinking its demand that Ethiopia, the world’s poorest government, pay $6 million for a business unit nationalized by a former military government in 1975. The international food…
Wal-Mart Raises $6.3 Million for Local Charities
While an Oregon jury was finding Wal-Mart guilty of ‘scrooging’ its own associates on overtime pay, the world’s largest retailer was announcing that it had raised $6.3 million for local…
Jury to Wal-Mart: Pay Overtime
A federal jury ruled yesterday that Wal-Mart had forced over 400 employees in Oregon stores to work overtime without pay. This suit, says Reuters, “was the first of 30 or…
Dumping Customers for Profit
A Strategy + Business article says that more companies are crunching numbers to determine which customers cost more to do business with than they are worth. Do companies have the…
NFPA Opposes FDA Trans Fat Labeling Proposal
The NFPA contends that qualitative or quantitative consumer research is needed before deciding if the reference “Intake of trans fat should be as low as possible” should be included on…
Georgetown Study Questions Brewers’ Motives
The question of the influence that beer advertising has on underage consumers has been raised again by a study that claims that this audience sees more beer commercials than pitches…
