9 of 10 American families shop at Walmart at least once a year, says USAToday, which puts the retailer in an excellent position to tell us something about consumer behavior. So, what has Walmart been observing? “Disturbing behavior.”
retail
Oil Prices May Go Down, But Don't Expect Your Grocery Bill To Shrink
By 10.20.08
Now that the price of oil has dropped — you should expect some of those skyrocketing grocery bills you’ve been paying to drop, right? Yeah… probably not.
Circuit City May Close 150 Stores, Fire Thousands
By 10.20.08
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that beleaguered retailer Circuit City is considering a plan to close 150 stores and cut thousands of jobs in an effort to avoid bankruptcy.
Circuit City Promises The Same Price In The Store And On The Web
By 10.15.08
Circuit City has announced that, after extensive research, they’ve decided that consumers want to see the same prices in the stores as on-line.
Back-To-School Season Was Abject Failure For Retailers
By 10.15.08
The Back-To-School season is usually the best season for retailers aside from the holidays, but not this year. Retail spending was down for the third consecutive month as shoppers stayed away from stores and ignored bargains.
By 10.14.08
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HDTV sales could be down this holiday season, report analysts. You don’t say? [Engadget]
Is Circuit City Going Bankrupt?
By 10.9.08
Since the end of May, Circuit City’s stock has lost about 87% of its value; the company has fired its CEO, lost a $1.3 billion takeover offer from Blockbuster, and posted quarterly losses of $239.2 million. Now the Washington Post says that the company lost a recommendation from a firm that advises manufacturers on whether to ship goods to retailers — meaning that Circuit City may be having trouble paying its vendors. Are they ready to go under?
By 10.3.08
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Best Buy has apparently launched a new “woman-friendly” store where the “Home Theater” section is marked “Family Room” and there is a “lower sink for children in the bathroom, lotion near the paper towels, and a private room for new mothers, with carpeting, a rocking chair, free diapers and softer lighting.” [Minneapolis Star-Tribune]
Dear New Circuit City CEO: Here's How To Fix Your Stores
By 10.1.08
Yesterday, we asked you to tell us how Circuit City’s new CEO should fix his stores. It’s been a troubled few years for Circuit City. Before the former CEO resigned last week, he’d embarked on an expensive and drastic “turn around” plan that, well, let’s be honest — failed.
Circuit City Is Hemorrhaging Money: How Would You Fix It?
By 9.30.08
Somebody stop the bleeding! After losing $164.8 million in the first quarter, Circuit City has announced that they’ve taken it to the next level, and, not to be outdone by last quarter’s disaster, have managed to lose $240 million dollars.
By 9.30.08 — Updated: 10.25.12
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Walmart just inked a deal to exclusively sell AC/DC’s new album as well as the new Rock Band video game, “AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack.” Why must you go to Walmart? “If you want to be a physical band, you better make an alliance with a strong physical retailer,” said Steve Barnett, chairman of Columbia Records. “It’s a great way to sell the new album, the catalog, the game, merchandise and DVDs.” [NYT]
Hot Topic Likes Your Art So Much… They're Selling It!
By 9.30.08
I’m glad I’m bad at everything so I never have to worry about anyone plagiarizing my work. Sadly, this is not the case for Nina Matsumoto. Whoever is in charge of “designing” Halloween merchandise for Hot Topic is apparently a big fan of Nina’s.
Shaw's Wants You To Shop More With Their Wheeled Baskets
By 9.29.08
Shaw’s has wised up to the trick of using a basket instead of a shopping cart to physically limit your grocery purchases, and they’ve come up with a creative workaround: convertible baskets that you can drag behind you on wheels when they become too heavy to carry.
Confirmed: Christmas Is Creeping
By 9.28.08
The Chicago Tribune confirms that Christmas is creeping up earlier this year as skittish retailers try to stay ahead of the ever-crescendoing non-recession. Walgreens, Kohls, and Home Depot were all singled out for defying the calendar, but blame also belongs with consumers who fuel seasonal ignorance with their buying choices.
Is This Computer Water Damaged? Circuit City Says Yes
By 9.25.08
Robert bought an extended warranty from Circuit City, but they won’t honor it to repair his broken computer because they claim it has water damage. Robert writes, “As God is my witness, this computer has never seen water,” and he sent us the photos Circuit City sent him.
Retailers Like Target May Be In Trouble As Consumers Run Out Of Money
By 9.22.08
Forbes says that Wall Street is starting to be concerned about Target because of an increase in the amount of delinquencies in its credit card operation. Uh oh…
Target Is Apparently Aware Christmas Isn't Anytime Soon
By 9.20.08
Back to school supplies? Halloween decorations? Depressing! Instead, focus on the distant future with this grossly unseasonal timepiece, a perfect gift for oblivious retail merchandisers and the counting impaired. Thanks, Target! (and Heather!)
"A Woman Has Needs. And Right Now, I Need This Wild Cherry Steam Thing"
By 9.18.08
The copy on this Best Buy ad sent in by tipster Jordan reads, “A woman has needs. And right now, I need this wild cherry steam thing.” Oh, it’s a washer. And a dryer too, you say? Golly! I’ll take two. Let me just give you some of these emerald rectangle monetary devices out of my ebony zippery pouch device here… Full size inside.
