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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Seniors4Hire
Senior citizens are in big demand by retailers and other service companies looking to fill positions previously hired out to teenagers.
Wendy’s Buys 69 Wendy’s in Florida
Wendy’s is looking to accelerate its expansion plans in Florida by purchasing 69 restaurants from franchisees, according to an Orlando Sentinel report.
UFCW Labors On
According to a Pioneer Press report, the United Food and Commercials Workers Union (UFCW) wants to organize associates at Target.
Yucaipa Sues Safeway Over Dominick’s
Yucaipa sued Safeway claiming it had an “anyone but Yucaipa” strategy when it put Dominick’s Finer Foods up for sale. The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court seeks to…
Marsh to Enter Tough Chicago Market
On the heels of a report of lower earnings for its first quarter, Marsh Supermarkets has announced it will expand into the Chicago market with a new store concept, according…
Starbucks Steamed By S.F. Vandals
San Francisco police reported as many as 17 Starbucks were vandalized throughout the city early Tuesday morning.
McDonald’s Fast Forwards to the Future
McDonald’s store of the future is being tested, right now, in a lab approximately 15 miles from the company’s headquarters, reports the Associated Press.
Blacks Lack Selection
USA Today reports a study conducted by Community Health Councils Inc., the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) has found grocery stores in predominantly…
Giant Eagle Gets Going
Giant Eagle is opening another Get Go gas station/convenience store on August 18th. In addition to the pump facility and convenience store, the Somerset, PA location will include a car…
Bread and Atkins
John White, director of the Federation of Bakers told the newspaper that bread sales were off in the UK has consumers sought to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they consume.
Costco Tempers Expectations
Costco Wholesale now says it expects to earn between 46 cents and 48 cents per share in the fourth quarter, down from its earlier forecast of 54 cents to 56…
McDonald’s Takes Heat for Kids’ Marketing
What has helped make McDonald’s a household name has also brought the company criticism fron nutritionists for unleashing what the New York Times refers to as ‘a blitzkrieg that perverts…
Breakfast Bars Eat Up Market Share
Nutritionists and food manufacturers agree there is a need for nutritious, portable breakfast foods and beverages. What they don’t agree on is the success food companies have had in developing…
Coke and Burger King Make Up
Coca-Cola and Burger King have agreed to put the their past problems including the rigging of a marketing test for Frozen Coke behind them, according to an Associated Press report.
No Embargo But Gas Lines Are Forming
It is amazing how far consumers will go to save a few cents on a gallon of gasoline. Pump up the savings to 20-cents or so a gallon and watch…
Malls Are Getting Mauled
Reuters reported on Friday that consumer purchases in stores located within malls are half of what they were in 1995. Mall stores represent 19 percent of retail sales in 2002…
Tax Free Makes Consumers Feel Good
According to an article in USA Today, “There’s a growing recognition among retailers and savvy mall owners that shoppers are suckers for ‘tax-free’ sales — discounts equal to the sales…
Former Manager Competes with Wal-Mart
Don Koontz knows how to compete against Wal-Mart better than most. He managed a Wal-Mart for five years before opening his own hardware store business in Hiawatha, Kansas in 1997…
Dyer Turned Around Lands’ End, Leaves Sears
Dave Dyer, credited with leading Lands’ End’s turnaround before the company was sold to Sears told employees this week he would be leaving the company on August 8 to pursue…
Americans, President and Pope Oppose Same-Sex Marriages
A new CBS News/New York Times poll has found 55 percent of Americans surveyed would oppose a law allowing homosexual couples to marry. Sixty-one percent of 18- to 29-year-olds favor…
Know Thy Online Consumer
Ken Treske, chief marketing officer, CoolSavings, writes in the latest issue of the company newsletter, Know Thy Customer, “By and large, retail has missed the opportunity to embrace the Internet…
