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Guitar Center Strikes The Right Chord
Guitar Center has been called “the Wal-Mart of the music world.” As it has grown, it has faced some of the same challenges of Wal-Mart and others, namely, “how to…
Logistics Crisis Looming
According to Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, 10,000 truck companies fold every time the cost of diesel fuel increases by a dime. With the…
Chain Follows the Money to Areas with Little of It
A headline in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal nicely sums up Save-A-Lot’s strategy for success: No-frills grocer goes where other chains won’t. Catering to consumer households with annual incomes of $35,000…
Must Be the Big Screens, More People Watching Television
Just when you thought consumers in the 18 to 34 year-old group were turning away from traditional media such as television, it turns out they’re not. Nielsen Media Research reports…
Farmer Jack Employees Make No Concessions
Even Victoria Collins, president of the UFCW Local 876 can not believe that employees of Farmer Jack voted to reject a 10 percent cut in pay and other concessions that…
Gas Station Chain Converts to Ethanol
Robert Bolduc, president of Pride, a 16 gas station chain headquartered in Springfield, Mass., knows that ethanol blend gasoline is currently cheaper than gasoline alone but that’s not the reason…
Penney Gets ‘Skool’d’ on Teens
J.C. Penney’s turnaround in recent years has been remarkable, even more so, when you consider the department store chain has focused increased attention on fickle teenagers to help it achieve…
Wal-Mart CEO Thinks British Should Investigate Tesco
There’s a new benchmark for determining what constitutes a surreal experience in the retail business. Lee Scott, CEO and chairman of Wal-Mart, believes it is time the British government looked…
And the Survey Says: Focus On Selling
A recent study published by the GMDC Education Foundation, sponsored by Meridian Consulting Group and Premier Greetings, concludes that retailers (and manufacturers) that tried to ‘save’ their way to profitability…
Sears Watches Others Grab Appliance Sales Share
Sears is still the number one seller of major appliances in the U.S. but others, notably Home Depot and Lowe’s, are gradually taking share. According to a Chicago Tribune report,…
Serena Williams Adds Celebrity to Kohl’s Cosmetics
Forget about Lauren, Versace, Chanel, etc. Today, when you want a beauty and fashion winner, you need Simpson, Diddy, Paris and, heck, even Mary Kate and Ashley. What is…
Wal-Mart Looks to Lift Spirits
As a Wall Street Journal piece from Aug. 17 correctly pointed out, Wal-Mart’s alcohol-free headquarters is located in a dry county and, when it comes to the sale of hard…
Pet Retailer Emphasizes Smart Over Mart
Petsmart knows its customers get it. Now, it’s hoping that a new logo and marketing campaign will help the two-legged members of its customers’ households come to the conclusion that…
New Boss at Pathmark
Yucaipa wants a solid return on the $150 million it has put into Pathmark and the investment firm now has its own man, former Rite Aid chief financial officer John…
Wal-Mart’s New ‘Tude
It wants more upscale shoppers without driving away its core consumers. It wants to be known for chic as well as cheap. It is Wal-Mart. The retailer has recently announced…
The High Cost of Gas Theft
Based on the numbers, Jeff Lenard is right. The National Association of Convenience Stores’ (NACS) spokesperson told The Associated Press, “As the price of gas climbs, people’s values decline.” Do…
The United States of Obesity
Don Imus, the cantankerous and turkey-necked host of the popular syndicated radio program Imus In The Morning, has been known over the years for remarking on the weight of guests…
Gap Goes Forth & Towne
Forth & Towne, Gap Inc.’s highly anticipated retail concept, is opening for business in the New York City suburb of West Nyack at the Palisades Center mall. The 8,000-square-foot unit…
Some Retailers Happy to See Record Gas Prices
The owner of Scooter Centrale and Vespa Hartford in Plainville, Conn. has no worries about the rise to record gasoline prices at the pump. The motor scooter business has never…
Help Wanted: Tattoos/Piercings Not a Problem
Unemployment in Hawaii is at an all-time low and restaurant operators and retailers are learning that, to find good employees, it is necessary to get beyond their looks, as in…
The Multi-Generational Home
It is becoming increasingly common to find households in the U.S. where grandparents are caring for grandchildren or where three generations -grandparent(s), parent(s) and children – are living under one…
