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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Adult Food Not For Kids
Novartis-owned Gerber Products is expected to run a two-page ad in Time magazine Monday that promotes better eating choices for babies. Will the growing media coverage on the detrimental health…
Back-to-School Buying Relies on Students
Merchants might have to rely on the shopping power of young people — the group that appears to be the least affected by the recession — for back-to-school buying. Who…
Kmart Cuts 680 Jobs to Save $66M
Kmart announced a plan to cut costs by immediately eliminating 400 positions at its corporate headquarters and another 50 jobs that provide corporate support. Is Kmart management moving aggressively enough…
Lowe’s Takes Market Share from Home Depot
Shifting to large, edge-of-town warehouse stores later than Home Depot appears to have helped Lowe’s report faster sales growth than the home improvement frontrunner. Is Lowe’s better positioned than Home…
Wegmans’ Sales Weck-ing
The latest innovation from Wegmans comes from the exotic locale of Buffalo, NY – Charlie the Butcher’s “beef on weck”. Is the corporate culture of Wegmans more innovative than…
Marsh Delivers Groceries to Havana
Ranging far outside its heartland base, Marsh International delivered the first direct shipment of U.S. brand name products to Cuba in over 40 years. Should the U.S. lift the Cuban…
Coke Cans Old Classic Design
Coca-Cola has announced that it will be revamping the graphics on Coke Classic cans and bottles beginning in 2003. Does this signal that the company is going to be intensifying…
Scotland’s Davids Losing Fight to American Giant
Asda-Wal-Mart has opened its first supercenter in Scotland and local merchants are worried about their ability to compete. Does the presence of big box retailers add to, detract from…
Healthy Sales Growth to Be Driven by “Nutrajunk” Foods
Marketers have largely overcome the challenge of maintaining the flavor and taste of a food with nutraceutical elements by using new technologies and ingredient implementing techniques, according to a newly…
Winn-Dixie Scores Points with Tickets Deal
Winn-Dixie Stores have agreed to purchase thousands of Jacksonville Jaguar tickets to ensure no home game is blacked out on television this season. What do you think of Winn-Dixie’s decision…
Man to Do Four Years Time for ID Theft Crime
A Cook County, Illinois, Circuit Judge sentenced a Chicago man, who pleaded guilty to four counts of financial identity theft, to four years in prison. The theif used personal information…
Private-Label Nicotine Gum Hits Pharmacies Soon
Watson Pharmaceuticals’ Rugby Laboratories will launch a private-label nicotine gum, which it expects to be available in pharmacies within the next few weeks. Should all retailers that sell tobacco products…
Box Tops for Education Program Doubles
Newstream reports that the General Mills Box Tops for Education is adding new brands, which will double the program’s size. How can retailers build on manufacturer programs like Box…
Ad Blackouts Planned for 9/11
Retailers, including Target and Sears, are putting off their advertising plans for the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attack. Will retailers and other marketers suffer any lasting adverse effects…
Linux Conversion Saves Amazon Millions
At the LinuxWorld trade show this week, Amazon.com presented that it converted 92 percent of its computer network to the freely shared Linux operating system last September to help the…
Nordstrom Profits Grow in Flat Retail Environment
Nordstrom profit grew by 18.4 percent last quarter, even amid a retail market hit by sluggish consumer spending. Has Nordstrom’s reversed its fortunes? What are the keys for the chain…
Trans Fat Labeling Battle Rages
Consumer groups despair that even if the amount of trans fatty acids is added to nutrition labels after nearly a decade of delay, it may not say enough. How should…
Consumers Save More Outside Grocery Channel
Although the majority of consumers conduct their primary shopping at supermarkets, they expect to save more money and receive better value when shopping at warehouse club stores and supercenters; realizing…
Change Is Good Business
A chief challenge for executives these days is to respect their employees’ apprehension about change while encouraging them to be flexible. Are most upper management executives positive role models for…
Ames Posts Going Out of Business Signs
Ames Department Stores is closing its 327 stores according to a release on the company’s web site. Can regional discount chains make it in today’s competitive marketplace?
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…
