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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
SuperEgg to the Rescue
The British Egg Information Service wants consumers to eat an egg a day and it has come up with a novel means to seek to influence behavior. A prototype egg…
Consumers Say: Give Till It Helps
Thirty-five percent of consumers say that a company’s charitable contributions affect them “a lot” in making purchasing decisions, according to a new Porter-Novelli survey. How should retailers and other…
It Must Have Been the Fish
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) believes that eating fish may be hazardous to the health of consumers and it wants the FDA to do something about…
“Did you Wawa today?”
Speakers at the NACS Show workshop, “Differentiating Yourself From the Competition,” offered their views on what it takes to stand in the crowded and highly competitive retail marketplace. Do you…
Price More Important than Brand with Consumers
Most consumers are willing to trade brands for the right price, according to results of a new survey. Nearly 80% of consumers switch brands because of a deal on…
Fleming’s Thatcher to Focus on IGA
Fleming announced that it has named Jim Thatcher, president, Fleming IGA. Mr. Thatcher previously served as president for Fleming Retail’s southern operations. What is the current state of IGA retailers?…
Conventional Convenience Stores R.I.P.
“You can no longer have stores that rely on cigarettes, beer and cheap gas,” says Clay Hamner, co-founder of the bankrupt Swifty Serve convenience store chain. “That business model is…
Wal-Mart Tests Another New Concept
Wal-Mart is testing a new concept, known as the Personal Business Center, that combines a bank, post office and an office products store within a supercenter. It often appears that…
Warren Wanders in PL Packaging Land
Warren Thayer’s, ‘Warren’s Wanderings’, column in the September 2002 issue of PL Buyer magazine touches on the negative reaction of manufacturers to retailers “dictating which packaging supplier to use for…
Starbucks New Drinks Called Obscene
The CSPI says that Starbucks new Coconut Crème and Vanilla Crème Frappuccinos are downright obscene (health-wise). The nonprofit organization named the two items to its list of Food Porn of…
Ruling May Scare Away Costume Sales
The prices on Halloween costumes might get downright scary next year if a federal appeals court upholds an earlier ruling that these items should be treated and taxed as though…
POP Increases C-Store Sales from the Pump to the Fountain
New research from POPAI reports that in-store displays, signage and media can grow sales from five to 13 percent in convenience stores. Are most c-stores, and retailers in general, making…
Express Lanes Not for Everyone
Some D’Agostino’s have eliminated express lanes believing that when they are empty they increase the waiting time of shoppers on the non-express lines. The chain believes that operating all the…
Backpack Nation
The mobile lifestyle of modern Americans has meant that pocketbooks are out and backpacks are in, according to the October 2002 Shopper Report from The Consumer Network, Inc. What…
Product Recalls and Health Warnings Make Headlines
Sliced turkey deli meat has been identified as the culprit behind 40 illnesses and seven deaths from infections caused by Listeria bacteria. Additionally, on Friday, A&P said it was recalling…
Tobacco Companies and Retailers Want to Legislate Philip Morris’ Program
A new coalition of six tobacco companies, led by Brown & Williamson and the Liggett Group, announced that they are seeking legislative relief at the state level from “anti-competitive” trade…
Research Shows OTC Supplement’s Promise
Clinical research on the OTC supplement SAM-e indicates that it may be suitable as an alternative treatment to prescription medicines for depression, osteoarthritis and some chronic liver conditions. Do retailers…
Marathon Ashland Petroleum Fills it Up with Folgers
Marathon Ashland Petroleum (MAP) is rolling out the Procter & Gamble “Folgers Cafe” program to all its convenience stores by January 2003. Are retailers in the coffee-service business better served…
Data Warehousing and the Retail Enterprise
At the core of many retail enterprises, companies like Wal-Mart and SUPERVALU are using data warehousing to better serve their customers and improve the flow of mission-critical information both within…
Consumers Opt for Treats at Halloween
The economic picture looks pretty scary at the moment but it shouldn’t deter consumers from shopping for Halloween. Retailers are expected to do roughly $7 billion in Halloween-related sales this…
Consumers Shop for Discounts Outside Grocery and Drug Stores
A new consumer survey reconfirms the obvious. “A growing number of discount store shoppers are purchasing both over-the-counter drugs and convenience grocery products at discount stores.” Is share erosion a…
