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Covering the latest news in the retail industry
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Circuit City Sells Its Credit Card
Circuit City is selling its private label credit card business to Bank One for a deal valued at $355 million.
Wal-Mart January Sales On Plan
Wal-Mart said sales of stores open at least a year are within its plan of three to five percent growth.
Kraft’s Frozen Pizza Sales Slow
Kraft Foods, the number one seller of frozen pizza with brands including DiGiorno, Tombstone, Jack’s and California Pizza Kitchen, saw its third-quarter sales volume decline.
Consumers Want Pop-Up Ads Popped
Consumer annoyance with pop-up ads has resulted in a boom in programs designed to block them. Will getting rid of pop-ups mean consumers will have to pay for content that…
The State of Retailing in 2004
It appears that 2004 will be a good year for retailers as consumers continue to spend with an improving economy.
Price War May Hurt UK Farmers
There is concern that a price war among the major supermarket chains in England may hurt a recovering, albeit fragile, farming industry.
Healthy Food Home Delivery Opens in Atlanta
Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating delivers freshly prepared healthy meals to consumers in Atlanta.
Papa John’s Opens In Russia
Papa John’s looks to build international sales with its newest market being open with a franchised restaurant in Moscow.
Report: Avon Shares Too High
A report in Barron’s suggests share prices of Avon Products might be overvalued with slowing sales and pending litigation against the company.
Poultry Industry Not Well With Avian Flu
An outbreak of avian flu in Vietnam has the potential to destroy the region’s poultry sales.
The SoCal Grocery Lockout/Strike: Day 100
Fifteen picketers were arrested this weekend in front of Vons as the grocery lockout/strike reached 100 days with little hope of a resolution in sight.
Seiyu to Cut Jobs
The Japanese supermarket chain Seiyu, half owned by Wal-Mart, announced it will eliminate 1,600 jobs through a voluntary retirement program.
Armani Targets Metrosexuals
Giorgio Armani has designed his new line of clothes to appeal to the so-called metrosexual market of men interested in personal care and fashion as well as sports and other…
McD’s Same-Stores Sales Up 12.2%
McDonald’s announced December was its ninth straight month stores open at least 13 months had experienced an increase. Same-store sales for the month were up 12.2 percent.
Philly School System Bans Soda Sales
The Philadelphia school system has placed a ban on vending machines selling soda in an effort to reduce obesity in its students.
Judge Rules Against Bottling Plant Bombing Suspects
A federal judge has issued a ruling requiring two environmental activists to provide palm prints and saliva swabs to law enforcement officials in connection with incendiary devices placed inside an…
Gillette’s New Razor Called Rolls-Royce of Shavers
Gillette announced it will roll out a new high-tech version of its Mach3Turbo razor in May. Hailed as a breakthrough in shaving technology, the new razor will have a tiny,…
Drugstores Get Behind Senior Discount Card Program
Although initially against the Bush administration’s proposal for a pharmacy discount card program for seniors, the drugstore industry is now supporting the plan in its modified form.
Avon Top Company For Women Execs
Avon has been named number one in the Top 30 Companies for Executive Women by the National Association of Female Executives. The association claims a lack of training, not ambition,…
CDC: Flu Vaccine Didn’t Work Very Well
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a report that says this year’s flu vaccine had “no or low effectiveness against influenza-like illness.”
McD’s to Add 100 Restaurants in China
McDonald’s announced plans to open nearly 100 new outlets around China this year.
Limited to Close Aura Stores
Limited Brands is closing its nine aura science stores but plans to offer the aura science line of beauty care products in other company stores.
Starbucks Takes Paris
Starbucks has opened its first shop in France.
Coke Subject of SEC Probe
Coca-Cola announced yesterday it would cooperate fully with a SEC investigation arising from allegations made in a lawsuit filed by a former employee.
Cost of Utilities at 10 Year High
Record cold temperatures have helped drive up the cost of heating oil and natural gas.
Retail Sales Up Only Slightly in December
The Commerce Department released retail sales numbers from December, which were up a disappointing 0.5 percent including a 1.6 percent gain in auto sales.