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Apple’s Stores Grow
As Apple Computer’s retail store expansion continues, the company will increasingly turn its attention to converting current Windows-based PC users to Macs. What is your evaluation of Apple’s multi-channel marketing…
One Study Proves Ephedra Safe and Effective
A recent study on the herbal diet remedy of ma huang ephedra and kola nut caffeine found that healthy, overweight people who took the product lost twice as much weight…
Study Examines Out-of-Stock Problem
Increasing product availability on the store shelf can boost retail sales by three percent or $200,000 annually per average supermarket, according to a new study from GMA’s Direct Store Delivery…
Foreign-Born Census Rises 57 Percent Since 1990
The foreign-born population of the United States numbered 31.1 million in 2000. The population represents a 57 percent increase compared to 1990, and a continuation of an upward trend that…
New Project Strives to Foster Creative Thinking
In an effort to invent original new toys, Mattel Inc. has launched an unusual process named Project Platypus aimed at unleashing employees’ creativity. How can retailers foster “out of the…
UK Retailers Consolidate Loyalty Cards
Loyalty Management International plans to launch a loyalty card program this autumn that consolidates those of J Sainsbury, Debenhams, BP and Barclaycard, reports BBC News. Air Miles founder Keith Mills…
Wal-Mart Chief Rates Chain a 6 Out of 10
Lee Scott, president and chief executive officer, Wal-Mart, only gives the retailing giant a six rating out of ten on the performance scale. Women’s Wear Daily followed up on Wal-Mart’s…
Organic Oranges Sport More Vitamin C
Organically grown oranges contain up to 30 percent more vitamin C than those grown conventionally at twice their size. Will organic fruits and vegetables replace conventionally grown produce sold in…
First BSE Case Confirmed in the Golan
Laboratory tests in Switzerland confirm suspicions that Israel has its first case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly know as mad cow disease, in a 10-year-old milk cow at Kibbutz…
Convenience Foods and Beverages Top Fastest-Growing List
Prepared alcoholic beverages, refrigerated ready-to-eat meals and meal makers led the fastest growing food and beverage categories in the global marketplace in 2001. Which of the fastest growth categories in…
Pepsi Organizes Holdings under One Umbrella
PepsiCo has combined Pepsi-Cola North America with the Gatorade, Tropicana and Quaker Oats businesses under one umbrella, the Pepsi Beverages and Food North American division. What will the consolidation of…
Drug Store Chains Grow Sales
Walgreen Co. and CVS Corporation report sales increases for May. Are independent pharmacists a dying breed? How can an independent compete against the drug, supermarket and mass chain pharmacies in…
Lasting Impressions Last in Customer Service
Last impressions count most, according to behavioral findings by researchers at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business in Los Angeles. How can retailers make a good…
Ham and Cheese Unite to Defend Slicing Rights
Parma is concerned about losing control of ham production and profits, a fear which is exacerbated by its debate with British supermarket chain Asda over who has the right to…
Dairy Queen Restaurant Experiment Grows
International Dairy Queen Inc. plans to bring its new DQ Grill & Chill to that city next year. Will the growth of fast casual dining result in fewer fast food…
Employers Adjust to Aging Labor Force
A fifth of the U.S. work force is likely to consist of retirement-age Americans deciding to maintain at least part-time hours within 15 years. Is age bias an issue in…
Best Buy to Combine Web and Store Data
Best Buy Co. plans to combine the customer data it collects from users of its Web site with the information it gathers from customers in its stores. Should multi-channel retailers…
Part-time Vegetarians Drive Growth
Although the number of full-fledged vegetarians has declined during the last few years, vegetarian food consumption remains unaffected. This is because the growing number of occasional vegetarians compensates for the…
Calorie Restriction Extends Longevity
Scientists are finding a prescription for long life that few may want to take. Calorie restriction, as it is called, is a diet so low in calories that most Americans…
Retailers Burned by Teens Cry ‘Mommy!’
Gap Inc. is among several apparel retailers that targeted younger shoppers only to incur the disfavor of one of the most powerful consuming groups, female baby boomers. What are…
M&S Signs Exclusivity Agreement for Kings’ Sale
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has signed an exclusivity agreement with the Gristede’s part of the Red Apple Group in a bid to sell its American supermarket chain, Kings. What lessons…
