http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/retail/ en-us Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:15:47 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416949/posts Target Corp. retooled a training video to warn workers against a bill that would make union organizing easier. Michaels Stores Inc. told investors “our businesses could be impacted” by the measure. Enrollment in Jackson Lewis LLP’s “How to Stay Union-Free” seminars tripled. Companies are rallying to fend off a so-called card-check law sought by labor leaders and backed by President Barack Obama. While the bill stalled in Congress this year as health- care legislation dominated debate, anti-union groups say they expect the president and Democrats to deliver next year on a compromise version of the legislation. “As we approach the... Business Week http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416949/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:15:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415691/posts A Pennsylvania Walmart Supercenter videotaped employees and customers in a unisex bathroom, several former and current Walmart employees alleged in a lawsuit filed this week. Seven former and current employees from the Tire and Lube department at the Walmart in Easton, Pa., filed a lawsuit in county court against the Arkansas-based corporation and four local managers Dec. 21. Several employees discovered an "off-the-shelf" video camera in a store bathroom March 31, 2008, according to the court filing. The unisex bathroom, which also served as a changing room, was used by employees and customers. Customers and employees were not notifed of... ABC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415691/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:05:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414760/posts IT’S been a tough year for fashion. The juice has been virtually squeezed out of it. Luxury retailers, after seeing margins erode like Nantucket beachfront, have leaned on designers to cut their prices. To stay afloat, design houses are reducing quality and promoting value. Meanwhile fast-fashion chains are eating their lunch as they reproduce runway looks in six weeks. As a symbol of self-inflicted misery, the listless, half-starved model may be perfect after all. At least the fashion world had Michelle Obama and Sarah Palin to help avoid the impression that, you know, nobody cares about clothes and big dangly... The New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414760/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:42:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411143/posts For retailers, snow would pile on By Ylan Q. Mui Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, December 19, 2009; A11 Retailers can stop accusing the economy of holding back holiday sales. Now they can blame it on the weather. The mighty blizzard expected to descend on the Northeast today comes on the last Saturday before Christmas, typically the busiest day of the year for retailers. But with as much as a foot of snow forecast from North Carolina to New Jersey, retailers are worried that their customers will spend the Super Saturday shoveling rather than shopping. One meteorologist predicts that could... WP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411143/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:28:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410019/posts Retail Sales Fall As Shoppers Hold Off For Christmas BargainShoppers holding off buying Christmas presents in the hope that stores will cut prices in the next few days have been warned that they are likely to be disappointed. By Harry Wallop, Consumer Affairs Editor Published: 2:16PM GMT 17 Dec 2009 The ONS blamed an unexpected drop in retail sales in November on shoppers staying away from department stores. Suggestions that consumers are refusing to spend until stores offer discounts were given support by statistics showing that retail sales declined last month. The Office for National Statistics reported a 0.3 per... The Telegraph (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410019/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:08:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407194/posts US Retail Sales Stronger Than Expected By Chuck Butler 12/14/09 St. Louis, Missouri – It was announced this morning that Dubai’s government received $10 billion in financing from Abu Dhabi… Hmmm… You know, I read somewhere a couple of weeks ago, when this debt/loan repayment problem was announced, that in the end, the Abu Dhabi government would step in to bail out Dubai, since the people running the two governments are blood related; and even though there had been shots fired between the two, blood would run thick here… And voila that’s exactly what happened! In fact, at the time,... The Daily Reckoning http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407194/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:14:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399486/posts CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. retailers from Macy's to Costco posted much weaker-than-expected sales for November as shoppers focused only on big bargains at the start of the key holiday selling season. The Thomson Reuters same-store sales index rose 0.5 percent for the month, falling far short of Wall Street expectations for a 2.1 percent increase. Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399486/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 18:04:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396768/posts CHICAGO (Reuters) - Cash was king for consumers who shopped over the Thanksgiving weekend, according to survey results released on Sunday, and that factor could have cost retailers additional sales. Only 26 percent of people who shopped over the weekend said they used credit cards for their purchases, according to a poll conducted for Reuters by America's Research Group. "That's an amazing shift in consumers' habits," said Britt Beemer, founder of America's Research Group. Consumers shunning credit cards is a bad sign for retailers, since people who buy gifts with a credit card tend to spend anywhere from 20 to... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396768/posts#comment Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:38:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2396823/posts 1 out of every 6 Americans will participate in some form of online shopping today:Cyber Monday.Black Friday is the day when we stand pressed together in the dark waiting for doors to open at our favorite retail outlet. We race the aisles and grab and elbow our way to shopping nirvana.Today, Cyber Monday, is the day we do it from the comfort of our own home via the internet. TheCypressTimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2396823/posts#comment Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:59:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396636/posts This year, the Muslim holiday of Eid El-Adha fell on the same weekend as Black Friday, the famous shopping spree tradition. Best Buy, one of the retailers participating in the event, posted a season’s greeting on one of their flyers: a little circle with “Happy Eid El-Adha” above the giant “Thanksgiving” greeting. It was a gentle nod toward a minority group whose holiday happened to fall on the same day. It was a great gesture toward inclusiveness. No one could possibly spin glad tidings and season greetings into a negative thing, right? Think again. The noble gesture has caused quite... The Lantern http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396636/posts#comment Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:04:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396525/posts American consumers shopped more for bargains at the start of the U.S. holiday season and spent significantly less than a year ago, according to early data released on Sunday. Consumers said they will have spent nearly 8 percent less on average, or about $343 per person, over the weekend that includes U.S. Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday and runs through Sunday, according to the National Retail Federation. American consumers shopped more for bargains at the start of the U.S. holiday season and spent significantly less than a year ago, according to early data released on Sunday. Consumers said they will have... CNBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396525/posts#comment Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:25:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396448/posts Call it a wash. The biggest retail day of the year managed to match up against the sales figures from last year, eking out a 0.5% increase — perhaps not even enough to cover what little inflation may have occurred over the past year. Retailers took in $10.66 billion on Friday, but the news reports leave out an important question: Shoppers who endured long lines and sometimes-frigid temperatures spent only slightly more during their Black Friday shopping sprees than they did last year, according to data released Saturday by a research firm. At the same time, their pajama-clad counterparts, a... Hotair http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396448/posts#comment Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:38:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2396352/posts Just got back from the local Home Depot (the one that Joe biden has never set foot in). Bought my Christmas tree, among other things for the yard. Lady at the checkout noticed my USMC hat and jacket and gave me 10% off. Anybody else see this in their part of the country? Oh, and welcomed the Merry Christmas greeting. Semper fi http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2396352/posts#comment Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:39:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2395595/posts Early Reports Point Toward A Nationwide Black Friday Shopping Frenzy John CarneyNov. 27, 2009, 10:58 AM If local media reports are accurate, shoppers have turned out in huge numbers across the country for Black Friday. We did a survey of local news sites to gather the latest Black Frdiay news. And it looks very good for retailers. Cincinnati, Ohio: "A long line of shoppers looking for the best priced toys for Christmas waited outside a Western Hills Toys R' Us store on Glenway Avenue, since late Thursday night to be among the first in line. After the doors opened at... The Business Insider http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2395595/posts#comment Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:32:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393641/posts Allah forbid a major big box retailer send holiday wishes to members of one of the world’s largest religions. But that’s what Best Buy did, including a small message wishing Muslims a “Happy Eid al-Adha” in a circular. And now the Twin Cities-based retailer is facing a boycott by commenters at the rightwing Free Republic forum. Best Buy, as we reporter earlier, was the target of a rightwing “War on Christmas” campaign in 2006 for not using the word “Christmas” in its holiday marketing, but this year, it’s been upgraded on the American Family Association’s list from anti-Christmas to merely... Minnesota Independent http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393641/posts#comment Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:06:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393921/posts RICHFIELD, Minn. - A scanned version of the Best Buy Black Friday ad on BestBuy.com wishes Muslims a happy Eid al-Adha, which falls on the extended Thanksgiving weekend. Since the ad was posted, a message board on BestBuy.com has filled up with plenty of responses. Tuesday morning, a discussion of the ad on BestBuy.com had more than 100 responses. Some of those comments were supportive of the greeting and some called for a boycott of the retailer, including boldly racist remarks. Here's a look at some of the posts on the BestBuy.com message board : I worked part time at... myfoxtwincities.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393921/posts#comment Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:46:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2393126/posts As you can see here (via TechCrunch) a few people are mad that BestBuy’s thanksgiving advertisement features a 14-letter phrase (or 15 if you count the hyphen). Who’s going to BestBuy this weekend? Mujahideen Ryder http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2393126/posts#comment Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:44:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392932/posts Here it comes: Best Buy ran a national Black Friday ad inviting the world to celebrate Thanksgiving and Eid Al-Adha, the Muslim festival of sacrifice. Fair enough, right? Happy Eid! Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392932/posts#comment Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:22:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392163/posts WASHINGTON (AFP) – US retailers are taking desperate measures to spark holiday sales in the face of what promises to be another troubled year-end shopping season. Merchants are furiously working to ramp up consumer interest ahead of "Black Friday," on November 27, the day after the Thanksgiving Day holiday that marks the traditional kickoff of the holiday gift season. Some are promising price cuts of 50 percent or more on some hot electronics, and planning for big events to bring out shoppers for big sales promotions. AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392163/posts#comment Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:47:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2392326/posts Shop Thanksgiving Day at Bestbuy.com Best Buy Weekly Insert Ad http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2392326/posts#comment Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:08:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392302/posts There are only 35 shopping days left until Christmas. I'm keenly aware of this primarily because of those overcaffeinated Glee-show-choir-in-red-white-and-blue-alpine-sweaters-and-ear-flaps-making-high school-cheerleading-pyramids Gap ads that started running about a week ago. You know, the ones where they chant a little ditty titled, annoyingly, "Happy Dowhateveryouwannukah." "Go Christmas! Go Hannukah! Go Kwanzaa! Go Solstice!" the exceptionally good-looking, multicultural, skinny-jeans-clad cheerbots shout. "You 86 the rules, you do what just feels right," they cheer, before entreating us to "do whatever [we] wannukkah" this ambiguous winter holiday season. Their jangly dance number ends by wishing us "a cheery night." How festive, you say? Meh.... Chicago Sun-Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392302/posts#comment Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:14:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2392258/posts It's not Thanksgiving yet, and already it's nearly impossible to find a Zhu Zhu Pet. The fuzzy, life-size mechanical hamsters are emerging as the early runaway success of the season. They coo and purr as they scurry around the house. Unlike the real thing, they don't smell, die, or make noise at 3 a.m. And the toy comes appropriately priced for this economy: $8 at Wal-Mart and Target - except they often don't have any. "It's a frenzy," said Paul Jones, chief executive officer at Green Bay-based Shopko. "It's the Tickle Me Elmo of past years."The Zhu Zhu isn't the... JSOnline http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2392258/posts#comment Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:06:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391445/posts When the U.S. holiday shopping season kicks off on the day after Thanksgiving, retailers can expect to see millions of less frightened but even more bargain hungry customers cross their thresholds. Industry experts expect a strong turnout on Black Friday, which falls on November 27 this year, as deep discounts lure shoppers after more than a year of subdued spending. But they caution it will not mean a bumper holiday season in the weeks leading up to Christmas since consumers still remain cautious. "Given what we know about consumer shopping patterns, even this month, I would suspect it will turn... Al Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391445/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:52:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2389342/posts NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Wal-Mart's much-awaited Black Friday deals will focus on a gamut of gadgets such as high-definition TVs, laptops and Blu-ray players, as well as holiday gift favorites such as toys and DVDs, according to a copy of the retailer's circular obtained by CNNMoney.com. While not confirming the entire circular, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman confirmed some of the deals, which will be available between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. local time on Nov. 27, that appear in the leaked circular. "There's a lot of excitement that builds up around electronics," said Wal-Mart's Tara Raddohl. Items with confirmed prices for... CNN http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2389342/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:50:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389082/posts BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Retailers beware. Some tried-and-true discounting tactics for pepping up holiday season sales can be a boon for some products -- but a bust for others. First-of-its kind research from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business confirms that certain kinds of point-of-purchase discounts can effectively attract more buyers in the short-term but for some products can tarnish sales and brand equity over time. The Journal of Business http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389082/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:42:43 GMT