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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
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…
Potassium-laden Foods May Help Prevent Strokes
People with a low amount of potassium in their diet may have an increased risk of stroke, according to a study published in the August 13 issue of Neurology. …
Sales of Anti-Nuke Pills Climb
Worries about radiation from a terrorist attack or a nuclear-plant accident have triggered a run on the drug potassium iodide. Should retailers/pharmacists be counseling shoppers to not buy certain products?…
Hartz Commemorates 9/11 with Limited Edition Toy
The Hartz Mountain Corporation is issuing a limited edition “HELP A HERO” DOGNY Dog Toy to help raise awareness and money for DOGNY(TM). Is it a good business decision…
Amazon, Target, Marshall Field’s, Mervyn’s All Under One Site
Target Corporation unveiled Target.com, a comprehensive web site with millions of products including integrated offerings from Target, Marshall Field’s, Mervyn’s and Amazon.com. Which property will benefit the most from the…
Reports of Pay-Off to Racketeer Tank Stock
Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd., a Japanese maker of sweet milk-like drinks, denied it had made illegal payoffs to a suspected racketeer, but its shares still fell more than 10 percent…
Consumers Advise Merchants on Selling and Merchandising
In response to an invitation for readers to send their thoughts to wine shops, The Wall Street Journal received hundreds of suggestions the most important being feedback from the merchants…
Atlanta Better Business Bureau Delists Home Depot
Atlanta’s Better Business Bureau has delisted Home Depot as a member for not responding to more than 100 complaint letters, some of which went back as far as April. Does…
