Imagine a world where humans are not only vessels for advertising multibillion-dollar global fast food chains, but where we’re expected to pay for that privilege. If that sounds good to you, then Taco Bell and Forever21 have some clothes they want you to buy. [More]
Retail Services
Here’s Where To Get Free Coffee & Other Deals For National Coffee Day
By 9.28.17
Is coffee your best friend? If so, Friday is your big moment: Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day, which means a slew of caffeine slingers are offering up discounts in celebration — and we can tell you how to score these deals. [More]
207,000 Resistance Bands Recalled Because They Could Break, Hit You In The Face
By 9.28.17
Planning to get a workout in this afternoon? You might want to rethink using those stretchy resistance bands: More than 207,000 pieces of the workout equipment sold at Dick’s Sporting Goods have been recalled as they pose an injury risk. [More]
IKEA Acquires TaskRabbit, Saving Relationships Nationwide
By 9.28.17
If you want to break up with your significant other, just spend an afternoon at IKEA, where all your previous petty disagreements will be awkwardly resurrected amid the snaking displays of furniture that neither of you really want but are better than living on milk crates. Thankfully, IKEA just purchased TaskRabbit, the company that will allow you to stay in your relationship by sending someone to shop at IKEA — and maybe even put your mid-priced furnishings together. [More]
Google Also Drops Price On 4K Video To Compete With Amazon & Apple
By 9.28.17
The late-but-welcome entry of Apple into 4K video rentals is finally shaking things up in the market for this ultra-HD content. Just days after Amazon slashed its 4K prices to compete with Apple, Google is following suit. [More]
Dunkin’ Donuts CEO Says There Are Too Many Restaurants, Even As His Company Expands
By 9.28.17
While a number of chain restaurants like Joe’s Crab Shack, Bob Evans, and Logan’s Roadhouse have closed locations in recent years, there’s still a wealth of options for people looking to dine out or grab a quick cup of java. But that’s not necessarily a good thing. [More]
Aid For Residents Of Puerto Rico Remains Unloaded At Docks
By 9.28.17
As residents of Puerto Rico continue to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, much of the needed aid sent to the island has yet to make it into their hands. Instead, cargo container after cargo container — holding things like meals, first aid materials, and other items — remain at port because the system in place to move the goods has been equally devastated by the storm. [More]
Bob’s Discount Furniture Accused Of Falsely Claiming Its Mattress Is Same As Serta But Cheaper
By 9.28.17
If you live in any of the 15 states where Bob’s Discount Furniture operates, you’re probably familiar with the retailer’s “Dare to Compare” ads that pit expensive brand-name furniture against Bob’s more affordable versions. But one major mattress maker claims some of these comparisons are misleading and illegal. [More]
Birchbox Will Share Your Mailing Address With Anyone Who Sends You A Gift Subscription
By 9.28.17 — Updated: 10.2.17
UPDATE: Birchbox has discontinued its practice of sharing gift recipients’ addresses with gift givers. The company tells Consumerist that sharing the information was an “oversight.”
We live in a world where it’s becoming increasingly common for people to send gifts to others without ever knowing their mailing address. Many online retailers now let you at least purchase gift cards or gift subscriptions with only the recipient’s email address. But for some reason, Birchbox will also tell you the recipient’s full shipping address. [More]
Why It’s A Problem For Chipotle That No One Wants Its Queso
By 9.27.17
Negative social media reactions don’t always hurt a product’s sales, but in the case of Chipotle’s new queso dip, it appears that no one is rushing out to try the menu addition — and those who do purchase the queso may be taking away from sales of other items on the Chipotle menu [More]
“Baby Arm Johnson” And Two Others Plead Guilty To Parts In $12M Retail Theft Ring
By 9.27.17
If you’re going to be involved in a massive, nationwide retail theft scheme, you might as well have a good nickname — like “Baby Arm Johnson” or the “Field Marshall” — for when you get caught. [More]
Apple Promises To Fix Weird Crackling Noise On iPhone 8 And 8 Plus
By 9.27.17
A new smartphone fresh out of the box shouldn’t make crackling noises during your phone calls, but that’s what users of the new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus report, and they’re customers of different mobile carriers. Apple has acknowledged the problem, and promises that a fix for it is on the way. [More]
Target Ends Freshii Concept, Closing 18 Salad & Wrap Cafes
By 9.27.17
After only two years, Target is giving up on a test of offering customers salads, pressed juices, and other supposedly healthy foods. The retailer is closing the handful of Freshii cafes it’s operated in stores since 2015. [More]
Child Makes Adorable Case In Favor Of Toys ‘R’ Us
By 9.27.17
The filings in bankruptcy cases, especially large and complex ones, tend to be long and not terribly exciting reading. You can find important bits of information like store closing lists and gift card policies, but what one doesn’t expect to find among thousands of pages of legal forms is a handwritten letter from a child defending a chain retailer with 866 stores. [More]
5 Things Amazon Should Remember As It Becomes Sears Circa 1926
By 9.26.17
As much as Amazon’s “Everything Store” approach might seem disruptive, particularly as the retailer branches out into supermarkets and physical stores, it’s not that different from what Sears did nearly a century ago as its wildly successful mail-order business transformed into a bricks-and-mortar mega-chain. The question is: Can Amazon keep from making the same mistakes that led to Sears’ fall from grace? [More]
Disney Testing Immersive Theme Park Infomercials In Some Stores
By 9.26.17
The majority of Americans don’t live within driving distance of a Disney theme park, but they do live within driving distance of a mall. That’s why Disney is experimenting with a new store concept in six of its 340 mall stores. A central feature of these stores is a large video screen where aspiring Mouseketeers can watch a live feed of the daily parade down Disneyland’s Main Street. [More]
What Will Happen To Cabela’s Nebraska Hometown After Merger With Bass Pro?
By 9.26.17
Located in western Nebraska, a couple hours’ drive to either Denver or Cheyenne, WY, the small city of Sidney has been home to outdoors outfitter Cabela’s for more than 50 years, as it grew from a little catalog operation to a retail chain with billions of dollars in annual sales. But now that Cabela’s has been purchased by Bass Pro Shops, what will happen to the 2,000 jobs that the company had provided to the local economy? [More]
Kardashians & Jenners Continue Posting Stealth Ads, Despite Warnings
By 9.26.17
The federal government has repeatedly advised both advertisers and celebrities that it’s against the law for someone to advertise a product without disclosing that it’s an ad or that the celeb was compensated. Yet it looks like reality TV’s most well-known family either didn’t get that memo or is choosing to ignore it. [More]
