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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
The M&M’s Color Purple
Traffic on the official M&M/Mars Web site increased 145 percent during the week ending 19 May. Visitors logged on to participate in the Global Color Vote for the newest M&M…
Meatpacking Trend May Lead Butchers to Slaughterhouse
Major players in the $80 billion U.S. red-meat packing and processing business are pushing into “case-ready” meat products that come to the store prepackaged for retail sale. Is case-ready only…
Online Delivery Service Plans to Expand to Houston
Greg Norrell, president and owner of Austin-based MoreHands.com, plans to expand grocery delivery and maid services into both Dallas and Houston within a year. What do you think of the…
PDX to Supply Retailers with Prescription Drugs
PDX Inc., a Fort Worth pharmaceutical company that has quietly written software for more than 10,000 retailers to verify, fill and bill for prescriptions, is tackling online drug giants via…
Supermarkets to Steal Sales from Car Dealers
A new survey by Accenture predicts that traditional car dealerships in Europe could see dominance of new auto sales cut by 53 percent by the end of the decade. Does…
Coke TipToes into the Chocolate Drink Arena
The Coca-Cola Co. plans to launch a chocolate dairy drink called “Choglit” this summer. Is Coca-Cola’s expanding brand portfolio a requisite requirement for maintaining its position in the marketplace? Does…
Tesco Tests PC Sales in Supermarkets
UK supermarket giant Tesco has begun a trial to sell two models of a PC by UK manufacturer Time in two of its stores. Will U.S. consumers ever be receptive…
Is Kmart Caught in a Doom Loop
When companies run into trouble, the desire for a quick fix can become overwhelming. Lurching from one solution to another, the company never gains any traction. Has Kmart finally learned…
7-Eleven Looks to Cash-In Online
7-Eleven plans to allow its interactive kiosks to accept cash for online purchases later this year. Will 7-Eleven’s interactive kiosk be successful with the convenience store’s customers?
BBQ Set Favors Ozzy’s Wife and Spider Man
In anticipation of the summer barbecue season beginning this weekend, a marketing agency released survey results of favorite barbecue personalities, the economy and world peace as part of its research…
Couples Work at Working at Home
Amid layoffs, restructuring and a boom in mobile-office technology, about 1.5 million couples now work together full time from home, either in a family business or in separate businesses or…
Heinz Introduces Upside-down Squeeze Container
Heinz has unveiled its Heinz Easy Squeeze, a new, upside-down squeezable container, which is due to hit supermarket shelves this summer. Will Heinz’ upside-down ketchup be successful? What other…
Woolworths’ HBC Gets Ugly
According to a report on the British newspaper site, the Woolworths chain’s struggles continue as it revealed disappointing sales and admitted its HBC-focused general stores had been a failure. What…
Frito-Lay Targets Hispanics with Snack Assortment
Frito-Lay launched an assortment of spicy snacks in cities with large Latino populations in November. Will large companies such as Frito-Lay continue to produce niche/targeted products if they fail to…
CoolSavings’ 20-Million-Member Milestone Reflects e-growth
More than 20 million consumers, representing 18.4 million U.S. households, have signed up at the CoolSavings Inc.’s Web site. Will overall coupon clipping increase because of the Internet or will…
Outside Sales Reps Rock
The best available statistics indicate that about 50 percent of all companies operating in North America use a contract sales force in some capacity. In general terms, are retailers, better…
Drug Prevention Takes a New Tact
A survey reveals that the nation’s most prominent anti-drug campaign has been largely ineffective. However, a growing body of scientific research is beginning to identify several basic principles proven to…
Schnucks Gives Seessel’s Its Name in June
Schnuck Markets, Inc. has decided to give the 12 remaining Seessel’s stores in the Memphis area its name. Is Schnucks making the right decision by replacing the Seessel’s name on…
Lowe’s Reports First Quarter Increases
Lowe’s Companies Inc. reports a 53.5 percent increase in net earnings for the quarter ended May 3 compared to the same period last year. Also, comparable store sales for the…
It Takes a Meijer Village
Meijer unveils four new “village-style” stores today in Bolingbrook and McHenry, Illinois, Madison Heights, Michigan, and Columbus, Ohio. Will Meijer’s village concept stores be a hit with consumers?
Tips on Marketing to Kids
Many marketers are surprised to find that in marketing to kids, every dollar spent can deliver three dollars of value. Which categories are most underdeveloped for the kids market? What…
