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Hipsters might save the economy
In the face of economic recession, one demographic continues to go on happily pumping money into the retail sector: the hipsters. According to Forbes magazine, this group might not make loads of money right now, but it's a group growing in numbers with incredible buying power that will follow them into the future. In the face of economic recession, one demographic continues to go on happily pumping money into the retail sector: the hipsters. Acco... more
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TK Maxx sells hooded coat with concealed 2.5 inch blade on a chain
A high street clothing store popular with teenagers is selling jackets with hidden knives attached inside.
TK Maxx is stocking hooded coats priced at £59 which have a chain with a blade on the end concealed in an inner pocket.
The store, which has more than 200 outlets in the UK, has been accused of 'promoting knife crime' at a time when increasing numbers of youngsters are being harmed by weapons.
The coats on sale at TK Maxx are made in Switzerland and are known as Strellson Jackets.
They would normally sell for £200 but have been reduced to £59 at the store which specialises in budget clothing.
They are fitted with penknives with 2-and-a-half inch blades which are attached to chains sewn into the lining.
The chain leads to an inside pocket which means they are concealed from outside view.
Remarkably the store has taken the decision to sell the jackets just one year after one of its own female members of staff was stabbed to death at work. A high street clothing store popular with teenagers is selling jackets with hidden knives attached inside. ... more -
Electronics Store Buys Up Competitor's Televisions!
A daring public relations stunt by a newly opened electronics store in Malmö left its long established competitor with empty shelves and its CEO seething.
Nilsen was standing in front of a Malmö Elgiganten outlet to welcome customers interested in taking up the store’s offer of low priced flat screen televisions.
The sale was designed to coincide with the opening of the competing Media Markt electronics retailer's Malmö store.
But shortly after Elgiganten opened its doors, Nilsen watched in disbelief as a large truck pulled up and 20 people hopped out and started loading up the sale-priced televisions.
“I realized at once what was happening, I was a little upset. They probably hadn’t assumed that I would be there. The guy in charge confirmed they were from Media Markt and then went to call headquarters.”
The stunt was a coup for the upstart Media Markt, which later sent an email to Nilsen confirming they had pulled the stunt and warning him not to go to the press with the story.
“[They said] they would take certain measures if I did. It could be a violation of marketing laws or something like that, he thought,” said Nilsen.
Media Markt performed a similar maneuver when it opened an outlet in Kungens Kurva near Stockholm when it thwarted Elgiganten’s attempt to undercut its prices by simply buying all the items that were on sale.
“I’m totally surprised at how unprofessionally they’ve acted,” said Nilsen.
“I thought they’d learned something after last time when they got so much criticism in the press.”
Through its public relations agency, Media Markt confirmed to Dagens Media it had sent the email to Nilsen and stressed that it had to do with Sweden’s marketing laws, but refused to comment further other than to emphasize that the opening of its Malmö store had “exceeded all our expectations”. A daring public relations stunt by a newly opened electronics store in Malmö left its long established competitor with empty shelves a... more -
Experts Forecast Worst Holiday Season Since '91
Both TNS/Retail Forward and Deloitte came out with gloomy holiday forecasts predicting the 2008 holiday season to be the worst for stores since the 1.2% increase in 1991.
"The benefit from a letup in gasoline prices will be overwhelmed by the impact of rising unemployment, tighter credit and other hardships on households," says Frank Badillo, senior economist for Retail Forward. "Unfortunately, the trends in economic conditions offer no sign of an impending recovery."
As still-high gas prices keep many consumers close to home and shoppers become even more budget-minded, the Web will be increasingly attractive.
"With all of the challenges in the air this holiday season, bricks-and-mortar stores must entice the consumer like never before," says Christian Davies, a branding expert at design company FRCH. "Otherwise, it will be too tempting to click and surf."
Both online and in stores, experts say, retailers will be touting bigger and earlier deals this year. As Wal-Mart did in advance of last year's holiday season, Target is more aggressively cutting prices and promoting deals. Example: a week of free shipping on 60,000 products starting Nov. 30.
That strategy could resonate with shoppers, analysts say. "If they still feel good about their job," Badillo says, "their income is still growing and they find a great deal on a product, they're going to take advantage of that opportunity, even if Lehman Bros. is going bankrupt." Both TNS/Retail Forward and Deloitte came out with gloomy holiday forecasts predicting the 2008 holiday season to be the worst for sto... more -
Welcome, but No Boys Allowed!!
On a desolate and grim street in downtown LA, lies a hidden gem. It's a (somewhat) secret place known to its regulars as "Fight Club". This of course is because of the first (and second) rule of "Fight Club" which is "We don't talk about Fight Club!". The place is Shareen Vintage.
A lack of dressing rooms, led to a "no boys allowed" policy, and what ensued, was unique community for women. Owner Shareen Mitchell says, " What actually goes on here is a loving exchange with and about women." A place where they can gather not only to shop, but to discuss and work through their problems with friends and strangers alike, in an atmosphere set up much like a home (with a bed, bureaus, and even living room area complete with snacks and magazines) It takes the meaning of "retail therapy" to a whole new level! On a desolate and grim street in downtown LA, lies a hidden gem. It's a (somewhat) secret place known to its regulars as "F... more -
Is it acceptable for Businesses to set purchasing minimums for credit cards?
Absolutely not. Have you ever gone into a "convenience" store with no cash to purchase something only to be told that you are not buying enough to put it on credit card? This has happened to me multiple times. You either have to buy some things you don't want or walk away empty handed. I have asked friends in the credit card industry about this they confirmed that you cannot put minimums or maximums on cardholders in good standing. This is a form of discrimination that is not only unacceptable; you can be fined for doing so.
According to the credit card industry, it is against credit card company regulations for a merchant to require a minimum amount for credit cards. I have pressed the issue on a few occasions since I had encountered this situation before. Here are what the regulations state according to the big three credit cards.
DISCOVER NETWORK
A. As per page four (4) of The "Merchant Operating Regulations," incorporated into the "Merchant Services Agreement" as Exhibit A, expressly prohibits the following merchant conduct:
3.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
3.6 Minimum/Maximum Dollar Limits and Other Limits
You may not require that any Card member make a minimum dollar purchase in order to use a Card and, other than when we have not authorized a Card member's transaction, you may not limit the maximum amount that a Card member may spend when using a Card.
3.7 Equal Treatment of Card Sales versus other Cards
You may not institute or adopt any practice that discriminates or provides unequal treatment for users of a Card versus any other card products that you accept.
MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED
A. As per pages two-twenty one (2-21) through two-twenty two (2-22) of the "Merchant Rules Manual," the following MasterCard Rules are imposed on merchant conduct:
9.11 Honor MasterCard Cards
9.12 Prohibited Practices
9.12.3 Minimum/Maximum Transaction Amount Prohibited
A merchant must not require, or post signs indicating that it requires, a minimum or maximum transaction amount to accept a valid MasterCard card.
B. As per page two-nineteen (2-19) through two-twenty (2-20) of the "Merchant Rules Manual," any violation by a merchant of the aforementioned MasterCard Rules is addressed as follows:
9.5 Merchant Noncompliance
9.5.1 Specified Rules Violations
9.5.2 Assessments
If the Corporation's staff becomes aware of any merchant or any DSE in violation of section 9.15 of these rules, the Corporation may identify and advise the acquirer of such violation, and may impose an assessment for noncompliance of up to USD 100,000 per individual violation, with a maximum aggregate assessment of USD 500,000 for additional or continuing violations during any consecutive 12-month period.
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VISA U.S.A. INCORPORATED
A. As per page ten (10) of the "Rules for Visa Merchants: Card Acceptance and Chargeback Management Guidelines," the following Visa Rules are imposed on merchant conduct:
Dollar Minimums and Maximums - Always honor valid Visa cards, in your acceptance category, regardless of the dollar amount of the purchase. Imposing minimum or maximum purchase amounts is a violation.
Minimum Purchase
Visa merchants are not permitted to establish minimum transaction amounts, even on sale items. They also are not permitted to charge you a fee when you want to use your Visa card.
This may seem like a trite thing but at least now you know. It is not a pleasant process. Usually you are dealing with a clerk who has been given specific instructions by the owner not to take credit cards for small amounts. It is imposed for obvious economic reasons--credit card merchant acquiring banks/institutions typically employ a tiered pricing schedule which penalizes small transactions. However, we should not be penalized unfairly. So the next time, depending on your mood, you can either whip out some cash or punch the clerk in the mouth. Just kidding of course!!! Absolutely not. Have you ever gone into a "convenience" store with no cash to purchase something only to be told that you a... more -
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada: An Insider's Guide to the City Part Two
Those who travel to Brandon, MB are treated to top accommodations, transit, and shopping in the province. Combine this with great attractions and the friendly and outgoing people that make up the city, and you may just find yourself returning. Maybe permanently! Those who travel to Brandon, MB are treated to top accommodations, transit, and shopping in the province. Combine this with great attr... more
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Best Buy to become first independent U.S. chain to sell iPhones
Add a feather to Best Buy's cap. Starting Sept. 7, the electronics retail giant will become the first independent U.S. chain of stores to sell Apple's iPhone, according to the Associated Press.The iPhone 3G, which sells for $199 and $299 (depending on the memory) and comes with a two-year wireless service plan, is currently available in the U.S. only at Apple and AT&T stores. AT&T is the iPhone's U.S. carrier.
The announcement comes as Best Buy has finished revamping its mobile phone operation, training employees and updating computer systems so that cellphones can be quickly activated. Best Buy already sells Apple's Mac computers and and iPod media players. Add a feather to Best Buy's cap. Starting Sept. 7, the electronics retail giant will become the first independent U.S. chain of s... more -
New Bay owner considers selling real estate assets
The new owner of Hudson's Bay Co. is shopping some of its flagship downtown Bay stores and former headquarters.
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Starbucks tries to keep a "Caffinated America".
Starbucks' afternoon drink deal goes nationwide - CNN.com
NEW YORK (AP) -- Looking to bring more value-seeking consumers through its doors for a late afternoon caffeine fix, Starbucks Corp. said it will now offer its morning customers any iced grande beverage for $2 after 2 p.m.
The price is a big cut from the normal price of most grande-sized iced drinks. A grande iced latte, for example, costs about $4. To get the discount, customers must present a receipt from their morning Starbucks visit.
The promotion was previously only offered in Seattle, Chicago and Miami. The company said it is taking it nationwide beginning Tuesday to answer consumers' calls for more value at the chain, which has seen traffic drop as gas prices rise and consumer spending falters. It runs until Sept. 2.
"I think we've kind of hit the nail on the head," said Brad Stevens, vice president of customer relationship management. "It's easy for baristas to implement and it's easy for customers to understand."
Follow link for full article.
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So what' your verdict? Does the $2 slash make you want to go back after work for another boost of the 'ffine? Or do you realize that $6 a day for coffee isn't any better than $8? What say you? Starbucks' afternoon drink deal goes nationwide - CNN.com ... more -
H&M Manager Forces Employees to Strip
Swedish retailing giant H&M is under fire after a manager at one of clothier’s German stores forced female employees to partially remove their clothes when leaving work for the evening.
The women were asked to unbutton their shirts so the manager could ensure they were only wearing one bra following following suspicions that the employees may have been stealing bras from the store.
“It did indeed occur at one of our affiliates in Munich,” said H&M spokesperson Hendrik Alpen to the Bild newspaper, but added that the company’s leadership didn’t accept the practice and immediately took action against the manager in question.
The incident first came to light in the latest edition of the magazine Stern in a piece claiming that the Swedish fashion giant systematically opposes all union labour.
Only 80 of H&M’s 325 German stories have any form of organized labour groups, and those who want to represent their colleagues must often go to court to fight for their right to do so.
For example, employee representatives have gone without pay for participating in union meetings and threatening with removal if it happened again.
Stern describes one case in which a union representative at a store in the Kröpcke district of Hannover went to the labour court to gain internet access to union-related work. And despite that H&M lost the case, the company allowed another case involving a second Hannover store also go to court.
The cases demonstrate those active in labour organizing efforts from carrying out their work, said lawyer Thomas Berger to Stern.
The company defended itself in Stern by saying that representatives “obviously” are allowed to use the telephone, fax machine, and email, but refused to comment on the specific cases.
H&M admits that it “can happen that our clear values and guidelines are not realized in the right way or that personal misunderstandings can occur”. Swedish retailing giant H&M is under fire after a manager at one of clothier’s German stores forced female employees to partially ... more -
Considerable cleavage? Then you'll have to pay
If you're a lady of considerable cleavage (DD or bigger, to be exact) and you buy bras from M&S's new and actually pretty damn good lingerie range, expect to pay a 'tit tax' of £2 per bra.
Marks & Spencer has defended its a policy of charging extra on some of its bigger than size DD bras, the BBC reports, claiming that it is standard industry practice to charge more for bigger sizes as they require more work in production.
But well-endowed women are not happy, and more than 900 people have joined a 'Busts 4 Justice' protest group on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18589103563
Its founders argue it is unfair that smaller bras are cheaper, because this logic does not apply to other clothes.
Should all larger clothes (that logically probably require more materials) be more expensive? Or would this simply be a further attack on the plus sized among us? Is it fair to ask customers to pay more if they are bigger breasted (and this isn't usually something you have a lot of influence over!)? Have you ever paid more for a bigger bra? Did you even notice the price difference? And do you even care? If you're a lady of considerable cleavage (DD or bigger, to be exact) and you buy bras from M&S's new and actually prett... more -
Oregon chain brings back vinyl after employee checked the "LP" code by a...
From the report: This spring, an employee intending to order a special CD-DVD edition of R.E.M.'s latest release "Accelerate" inadvertently entered the "LP" code instead. Soon boxes of the big, vinyl discs showed up at several stores.
Some sent them back. But a handful put them on the shelves, and 20 LPs sold the first day. From the report: This spring, an employee intending to order a special CD-DVD edition of R.E.M.'s latest release "Accelerat... more -
Should cigarette counters be banned?
Under new proposals set out by the government, displaying cigarettes in shops could soon become illegal in a bid to discourage children starting smoking as well as hopefully cutting the amount of smokers in the UK.
According to the BBC, Ministers are also considering tighter controls on vending machines in pubs and restaurants, with the public also getting to voice their opinions over the coming months.
Should there be stricter control over the sale of cigarettes, or are the Association of Convenience Stores' thoughts that the the move would be "ineffective" true? Under new proposals set out by the government, displaying cigarettes in shops could soon become illegal in a bid to discourage childre... more -
Hirst is allowed to open an art shop... after he passes interview
Damien Hirst is to open his first shop, selling everything from a £250,000 charm bracelet to a painted plastic skull for £25,000.
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Plastic bags, headed for a meltdown
The plastic bag, that staple of modern life, is about to become radioactive.
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Costco goes solar
Costco is in the process of installing skylights and solar panels in it's north American stores at a cost of $745,000.00 per store. It takes 3 - 5 years to regain the investment, but a Costco representative said, "We recognize, like all businesses, that we must continue to conserve and save the planet." Costco is in the process of installing skylights and solar panels in it's north American stores at a cost of $745,000.00 per stor... more
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Whole Foods Chain to Stop Use of Plastic Bags
The Whole Foods Market chain said Tuesday that it would stop offering plastic grocery bags, giving customers instead a choice between recycled paper or reusable bags. The Whole Foods Market chain said Tuesday that it would stop offering plastic grocery bags, giving customers instead a choice between ... more
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Uh Oh, Billabong!
Seems the designers from Billabong have lifted from Johnny Cupcakes, a t-shirt designer who started with very little and made out quite alright. More than alright!
He wanted us to spread the word about this "coincidence". Seems the designers from Billabong have lifted from Johnny Cupcakes, a t-shirt designer who started with very little and made out quit... more -
Online Christmas Shopping - Have You Seen My Present Anywhere?
Official research announced today suggests that around 5.6 million parcels will probably get lost in the post in the run-up to Christmas. (Unofficial research shows that this may lead to thousands of slightly desperate trips to the local Tesco or Asda store in order to get a last-minute replacement.) On Tuesday alone 370 million pounds sterling was spent at online stores, but with many retailers offering items for sale which are out of stock, and countless shoppers entering out of date - or just plain incorrect - delivery details, a failure rate of around 1 of every 200 parcels ordered look set to be conspicuously absent from Christmas trees around the country... Official research announced today suggests that around 5.6 million parcels will probably get lost in the post in the run-up to Christm... more
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