Are Amazon’s bookstores headed for the same future as struggling chains like Barnes & Noble? It’s possible, according to the company’s latest financials, which suggest the company’s physical bookstores aren’t doing so hot. [More]
sales
Americans Still Buying Lots Of Beer, Just Not Budweiser
If you’ve ever wondered why massive, international beer behemoths like AB InBev, which is already home to Budweiser and dozens of others, keep gobbling up small craft brewers? Because more Americans are sneering at mass-produced lagers and seeking out local and craft brews instead. As a country, we’re still drinking plenty of beer; we’re just not drinking Bud. [More]
Target’s Holiday Plan: Fewer Sales, More Focus On Everyday Low Prices
From “doorbusters” to “advance deals” to hourly specials all through Black Friday weekend (not to mention Cyber Monday), the holiday shopping season is a continuous barrage of retail promotions varying in quality and value. In an attempt to rein things in, Target says it plans to offer fewer sales this holiday and hope that customers will be won over by everyday lower prices. [More]
Pepsi Admits It Spent Too Much Pushing Healthier Beverages
Americans are slowly losing our taste for fizzy sugar water, but PepsiCo may have overestimated how quickly that’s happening. The company admits that it spent the third quarter stuffing shelves with more “healthy” products than the public was ready for. [More]
27% Of Vehicles At Carmax Have An Open Safety Recall
Even though CarMax, the nation’s largest seller of used cars, has been called out publicly by safety advocates and federal regulators, a new report claims that more than 1-in-4 vehicles being sold by CarMax is currently under an open safety recall.
[More]
5 Things We Learned About How Aldi Can Compete With Grocery Stores
The battle between Aldi and other grocery chains has been raging for a while now; from the price war with Walmart to earmarking $1.6 billion to upgrade stores to be more Whole Foods-esque. But just how can the relatively small supermarket chain compete with bigger chains and win over customers? [More]
Nintendo Bringing Back NES Classic Next Year, Increasing Shipments Of Super NES Console
Nostalgia lovers worried they might miss out on Nintendo’s upcoming miniature Super Nintendo gaming system might be able to breathe a sigh of relief, as the company has increased inventory of the in-demand game, while also offering nostalgia lovers another chance to get their hands on the company’s classic console system — next year, that is. [More]
Target Slashing Prices On Thousands Of Items As Amazon Heats Up Grocery Wars
As Amazon heats up the grocery store wars with new discounts at Whole Foods — which has been bringing in more shoppers since the companies became one — Target is fighting back by promising to cut prices on thousands of items. [More]
Best Buy Is Finally Selling More Stuff, But CEO Says Don’t Get Used To It
For the better part of 2017, Best Buy has attempted to dig itself out of a long running sales slump by appealing to customers through revamped, high-tech store displays, and pilot programs, such as try-before-you-buy. These strategies just might be working as the electronics retailer reported higher than expected sales for the second quarter of the year. But will that last? [More]
You Might Be Paying More For Avocados (Yes, Again)
If you’re already planning your end-of-summer barbecue, you might want to set aside a few extra pennies for that guacamole on the menu: The price of avocados has increased again. [More]
Dick’s Sporting Goods Hopes Discounted Prices Will Save It From Doom
Let’s take a moment to pay our respects to the dearly departed sporting good stores who have passed on in recent years: Sports Authority, Gander Mountain, Eastern Mountain Sports, Sport Chalet, Golfsmith and we’re probably missing a few. Dick’s Sporting Goods has fed on the bones of some of its former competitors, taking over their locations and inventory, but it still needs a plan to stave off the doom that consumed so many of its competitors. [More]
Amazon May Take On Ticketmaster With New Event-Ticketing Business
Though many have tried, no online ticket sellers have even come close to touching Ticketmaster. It doesn’t hurt that its parent company is Live Nation, which owns or operates many of the biggest concert venues and promotes the biggest touring acts. Is Amazon one of the few companies with enough size and reach to actually take on Ticketmaster? We might soon find out. [More]
4 Things LuLaRoe Sellers Say About The Stress & Cost Of Their Job
LuLaRoe, best known as the company behind the lycra leggings that at least six of your high school friends are trying to sell through Facebook, markets itself to freelance “consultants” as a possible pathway to financial independence and stability. But once again, LuLaRoe sellers are coming out of the woodwork to allege that this job is putting stress on their well-being, financially and physically. [More]
Which States Have Tax-Free Holidays, And When Do They Happen?
As families prepare to send their little ones back to school, they’re heading to malls, big box stores, and other retailers to fill their backpacks and closets. While many companies offer deals and programs targeting back-to-school season — we’re looking at you Target — many states are also offering their own deals in the way of sales tax-free weekends. [More]
JCPenney, Kohl’s & Others Jumping On Amazon’s Prime Day Coattails With Their Own Promotions, Deals
Amazon isn’t the only retailer looking to shore up sales with its annual Prime Day promotion. As with previous years, some traditional brick-and-mortar retailers are jumping into the Prime Day fray, offering their own discounts and deals, too. [More]
Online Consignment Retailer ThredUP To Open Physical Stores
While some traditional retailers are moving their businesses online-only, one previously online-only clothier is doing the opposite: Online consignment and thrift store ThredUP is taking its business offline, opening several bricks-and-mortar stores. [More]
Dunkin’ Donuts Says Fast Food Rivals Are Hurting Afternoon Sales
Sure, Dunkin’ Donuts was “obviously” paying attention to McDonald’s all-day breakfast roll out, but it’s not the morning meal that’s causing trouble for the coffee chain: Dunkin’ says it’s losing customers to McDonald’s, Burger King, and other fast food rivals when it comes to customers’ afternoon caffeine fix. [More]