DSN Retailing Today articles from November 2001

DSN Retailing Today archives from November 2001

House2home's failure echoes in northeast.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... IRVINE, CALIF. - The implications of House2Home's recent liquidation are being felt far beyond the home decor channel, making waves most notably with Massachusetts-based BJ's Wholesale Corp. and TJX Cos., both burdened with lease obligations...

IMRA foresees spike in consumer spending.(Holidays)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... NATIONWIDE DSNRT REPORT - Armed with well-managed inventories, as well as recent sales results that reflect a growing consumer affinity for the discount channel, savvy mass merchants are bracing to meet the make-or-break fourth quarter head...

K*B teams with Safeway Impulse and frequency at heart of nation wide program.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... PITTSFIELD, MASS. - Milk, eggs, Cheerios and Sugar Plum Princess Barbie does not read like a typical grocery list, but then again the success of K*B Toys' seasonal toy displays in more than 1,000 Safeway grocery stores this holiday hinges on...

Kmart opens 15 supercenters; 'In-the-box' conversions less costly but cramped.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... TROY, MICH. - Kmart's opening of a record 15 supercenters in two months may be a positive sign that turnaround efforts are paying off, with attention shifting from fixing the fundamentals of its business to concentrating on growth strategies....

Kmart opens 15 supercenters; Smaller formats pose management challenge.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. - While Kmart's new generation of in-the-box supercenters will drive sales volume through the addition of grocery and perishables operations, a quick walk-through suggests running the new format will be a challenge in store...

Swiss Army pitches tent in NYC.(Opens even after Islamic terrorist attacks)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... NEW YORK -- The timing of a store opening for a brand most often associated with precision knives may seem peculiar in the wake of Sept. 11. But in the world of New York real estate, where a retailer may wait years for prime locations to...

Wal-Mart to open five in Beijing.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... BENTONVILLE, ARK. -- Wal-Mart's focus on government relations in China has paid off as the retailer recently secured approval to enter the Beijing market with five stores. Recent press reports from the Far East indicated that Beijing...

Frank's ceo refocuses on core sterngths in turnaround effort.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... TROY, MICH. -- Come what may this holiday season, the new ceo of Frank's Nursery & Crafts is determined to keep the bankrupt retailer from joining the ranks of other chains that went bust last year following dismal sales. Through an...

Target shows off Visa card and pines for all the credit.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp. hosted its annual analyst meeting late last month, and in spite of current events and economic issues, management was clearly focused on the future--one that includes increased operational efficiencies, more high...

Mycal sale opens door to Japan: But financial baggage gives pause to three leading suitors.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... LOS ANGELES -- Wal-Mart Stores and Costco Wholesale Corp. are on a short list of prospective buyers for failed Japanese supermarket chain Mycal Corp., a purchase that would give either retailer a major foothold in a country they've left...

Staples makes technology moves. (Market Watch).(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... FRAMINGHAM, MASS. - Staples chairman and Harvard graduate Tom Steinberg has shown his proclivity to hire fellow alumni again with the recent naming of Paul Gaffney as cio. Gaffney, currently a senior vp at Schwab Technology, also held several...

Amazon offers another way to pay. (Market Watch).(Citibank Cards)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... SEATTLE - Amazon is offering customers the ability to buy now and pay later this holiday season. Amazon teamed up with Citi Commerce Solutions, a division of Citibank Cards, to provide the Amazon Credit Account as an alternative to...

Venator changes name to Foot Locker. (Market Watch).(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... NEW YORK - No one knew what Venator meant when the former Woolworth company adopted the name, and now it doesn't matter anyway because the company has changed its name to Foot Locker. The company contends that the Foot Locker name best...

New joint venture is vowing to simplify store fixturing problems. (Market Watch).(Huffy Service First)(Bekins Worldwide Solutions)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... MIAMISBURG, OHIO - Retailers looking for a turnkey store fixturing solution have a new service provider to turn to following the creation of a joint venture between Huffy Service First and Bekins Worldwide Solutions. The joint venture, called...

Pep Boys adds new marketer. (Market Watch).(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... PHILADELPHIA - Former Home Depot and Circuit City marketing executive Jeffrey Palmer has joined Pep Boys as senior vp of marketing and advertising. Pep Boys ceo Mitchell Leibovitz expects Palmer's background at Home Depot to help the auto...

PriceSmart fiscal year sales increase 63%, a record sales note. (Market Watch).(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... San DIEGO - PriceSmart, operator of 22 warehouse clubs in 11 countries in Central America, the Caribbean and Asia, said it plans to open six clubs and achieve annual sales of $650 million during its fiscal year that began Sept. 1. The...

OfficeMax modifies responsibility for leading dot-com executives. (Market Watch).(of OfficeMax.com)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... CLEVELAND - OfficeMax executive vp of OfficeMax.com/Direct has been given additional responsibility for the company's product buying groups, including category management, marketing and advertising. Gene O'Donnell, an executive vp who...

Power of produce comes through in space and variety.(Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit 2001 International Convention & Exposition)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... PHILADELPHIA - Unlike many trade shows that have fallen on tough times, the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit 2001 International Convention & Exposition, held this year at the Philadelphia Convention Center Oct. 26 to 30 continues to...

Aftermarket execs ponder future of shared marketing programs.(afternmarket automotive parts and accessories executives)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... LAS VEGAS - Among the challenges dogging the automotive aftermarket are excess inventory, a technician shortage and the industry's inability to market itself to its full potential. A panel of top executives from major aftermarket companies...

Home Depot launches online gift center. (e-Watch).(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... ATLANTA - The Home Depot has opened the doors to its new virtual store, the Online Holiday Gift Center. This latest offering ranks 200 top-selling products from $5 stocking stuffers to $500 "ultimate gifts" and arranges them in various...

Wine.com adds gift sets for the holidays. (e-Watch).(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... PORTLAND, ORE. - Wine.com by eVineyard and Dean & DeLuca, purveyors of fine food, wine and kitchenware, have partnered to offer a selection of gift sets for every taste, ranging from Food Gift Collections to Wine Country Gift Collections. The...

New site offers broad jewelry selection. (e-Watch).(Jewelry.com)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... NEW YORK - Jewelry.com launched earlier this month as a premier online resource for jewelry shoppers. The first venture of its kind, it's a consumer-centric environment that features merchandise from Zales Jewelers, Service Merchandise,...

Hallmark offers photo greeting cards. (e-Watch).(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... KANSAS CITY, MO. - This holiday season, Hallmark will combine its greeting card expertise with consumers' digital photos into custom-printed greeting cards. Photo Cards by Hallmark Stories, the new online service and product line from...

BlueLight ISP to offer payment options. (e-Watch).(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... SAN JOSE, CALIF. - Kmart's BlueLight.com has signed an agreement with eBillit, the leading payment service provider, to broaden the billing and collections infrastructure for its BlueLight Unlimited ISP customers. Through its agreement with...

Online holiday sales retreat from previous years' pace.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 19, 2001... NATIONWIDE DSNRT REPORT - On the heels of this fall's tepid sales revenues, the holiday season is shaping up to be a challenging one for traditional retailers. The good news, however, is that they're not alone. Like their off-line...

Former Sears executive to lead Yahoo's global marketing team.(John Costello)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... SUNNYVALE, CALIF. - Former founding father of Sears, Roebuck & Co.'s e-commerce division, John Costello, will now lead Yahoo!'s worldwide branding efforts. Yahoo! announced Nov. 6 the appointment of Costello as chief marketing officer. In...

Insider Trades.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... NATIONWIDE DSN REPORT -- The following are major insider trades as reported to the SEC. STOCKS BOUGHT AutoZone: Stephen Odland, chairman, bought 10,000 shares on Oct. 15 at $56.09 to $56.20, now owns 50,000 shares. The...

Retail IPO Scoreboard. (FINANCE WATCH).(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... Retail IPO scoreboard Exchange/Company Gross Shares % Chg. proceeds sold since (in $mil.) (in mil.) offering Initial...

Major Indices. (FINANCE WATCH).(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... Major indices Close Close Net Percent 10/19/01 11/2/01 Change Change DSN Retailing Today 4746.78 4788.67 41.90 0.88% Dow Jones Ind. Avg. 9204.11 9323.54 119.43...

Top gainers & Top losers. (FINANCE WATCH).
November 19, 2001... TOP GAINERS For 2 weeks ended 11/2/01 Goody's Family Clthg. 28.89% Gart Sports 27.19 Today's Man 16.67 PetsMart (H) 16.53 Sports Authority (H) 14.58 TOP LOSERS...

Earnings Digest. (FINANCE WATCH).(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... Earnings digest '01 '00 %Chg. Amazon.com 3Q 9/30/01 Sales 639.3 637.9 0.2 Net Income (169.9) (240.5) NA Barnesandnoble.com 3Q 9/30/01 ...

DSN Retailing today stock analysis. (FINANCE WATCH).
November 19, 2001... DSN Retailing today stock analysis CLOSING CLOSING NET PERCENT PRICE PRICE CHANGE CHANGE COMPANY 10/19/01 11/2/01 PERIOD PERIOD ...

Former Sears exec gets personal. (Editorial).(Arthur Martinez )(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... The latest book released in the retail turnaround category penned by former Sears chairman and ceo Arthur Martinez is plain and predictable. Yet "The Hard Road to the Softer Side: Lessons from the Transformation of Sears" (Crown...

Don't waste the dot-com clout. (ViewPoint).(dot-corn consumer advertising)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... It was comforting for us New Yorkers to see that the Yankee's historically strong batting presence wasn't the only thing missing from the World Series this year. Conspicuously absent from the 2001 baseball finals was also the high-ticket,...

Raise the flag and pass the cranberry sauce. (Guest Column).(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... Happy Thanksgiving! In view of the current situation in the country, the idea of a happy holiday may seem strange. Given the still-smoldering rubble at the World Trade Center, the lingering sorrow and outrage over the deaths of thousands of...

What's getting consumers into stores in time for the holidays. (Guest Column).(American public intent on getting on with their lives)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... U.S. troops are on foreign soil, bioterrorism threatens at home, the U.S. economy is experiencing negative growth. But based on what American consumers are saying in recent RoperASW polls, this holiday season may not be quite as bleak as some...

Study shows home meals on rise.(eating patterns in America )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 19, 2001... PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.--A report on eating patterns in America from The NPD Group showed that after nearly a decade of declines in the number of meals Americans prepared at home, this number inched up last year for the first time since the...

Nash Finch grows food concepts.(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... MINNEAPOLIS -- Growth formats for Nash Finch going forward will be Buy 'n Save, its extreme-value concept, and Avanzando, a new Hispanic food format still in development. The company now operates 111 stores in the upper Midwest, primarily...

Sales decline takes toll on Harry's.(Harry's Farmers Market )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 19, 2001... ROSWELL, GA. -- Even with the recent sale of three of Harry's Farmers Market megastores to Whole Foods Market for $35 million, the future of the company's takeout concept remains unclear. The 14-year-old company, which changed its name to...

Frozen finds niche in mass with innovative merchandising.(varied approaches to this burgeoning category )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 19, 2001... Managing the $27 billion frozen food category is like a game of chess; it's almost impossible to predict the consumer's next move. And although sales of frozen items are expected to rise 6% this year, there's no telling where the next trend...

Newness is in the eye of the beholder.(product innovations)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... Whatever happened to genuine innovation? Today's successful new products are seldom unique brands. Instead, the hottest "new" products are either line extensions or specialty items that have broadened distribution. Take, for example,...

Wal-Mart.(Misinformation spelled bad news for Kodak)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... Misinformation spelled bad news for branded film manufacturers late last month, Kodak in particular. Kodak shares dropped, in part, on false reports that Wal-Mart had signed an exclusive deal to sell Polaroid brand film in lieu of launching a...

Ritz Camera completed its purchase of Wolf Camera for $84.7 million.(deal also reunites family)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... Ritz Camera completed its purchase of Wolf Camera for $84.7 million. When Wolf filed for bankruptcy protection last June, it listed assets of more than $100 million. The deal merges the 1,000-store Ritz chain with Wolf's 420 units, and the...

Polaroid.(Chapter 11 bankruptcy )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 19, 2001... Polaroid filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 12, unable to renegotiate its bank and bond debt. Although the company has received approval for $40 million in debtor-in-possession financing and $13.1 million in emergency funds,...

Kodak.(Eliminates jobs)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... Kodak said it would eliminate up to 4,000 jobs, on top of the 3,500 job cuts initiated last April. Kodak cut its third quarter estimates in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks and said pressure on profits going into the fourth quarter would...

Private-label film.(consumers are cutting back on film purchases)(Brief Article)
November 19, 2001... Hard hit by the slowing economy, it comes as no surprise consumers are cutting back on film purchases. Even growth in former category drivers, such as APS and single-use units, are suffering as consumers take fewer vacations, trim frivolous...

Consumer awareness efforts key to digital printing growth.
November 19, 2001... Digital cameras have continued to rack up sales in spite of a weak economy. As household penetration rises, the number of printed or processed photographs decreases, taking a bite out of retailers' photofinishing services. While the issue...

Sears gets radical with competitive measures.(Statistical Data Included)
November 5, 2001... CHICAGO -- For years, Sears has chosen to face the growing competition from the mass channel by maintaining the merchandising strategy of a traditional department store. But as consumers continue to embrace the discount model and Sears'...

Toy lists reflect 'cocooning' but still see room for fun.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 5, 2001... NATIONWIDE DSNRT REPORT -- Despite a challenging outlook for holiday--with uncertainty likely to play a pivotal role in keeping consumers close to home-Americans' increased focus on family could work in favor of the toy industry this year,...

Few hold out hope for spike in holiday sales.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 5, 2001... NATIONWIDE DSNRT REPORT -- Although it will not be ushered in with a wave of consumer confidence or greeted with a robust economy, the all-important holiday buying season should serve this year as a lifting of spirits for both the retail...

Best Buy enters Seattle market.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 5, 2001... Concept 5 chosen for Northwest's tech-friendly town SEATTLE -- Best Buy officially bowed its latest prototype here 11 days ago and simultaneously entered its last remaining major U.S. market. The store represents the latest merchandising...

Lechters to go OOB; 315 prime locations hang in the balance.(out of business)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 5, 2001... HARRISON, N.J. -- Time has run out on Lechters, as even the vision of holiday sales wasn't enough to keep the long-established home specialist in business. On Oct. 16, Lechters announced that it would shutter its remaining 315 stores,...

Tweeter's new HQ affords room for future growth.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 5, 2001... CANTON, MASS. -- When a company doubles in size in just two short years, it doesn't take long to outgrow office space. Tweeter Home Electronics has done just that, and last month staff moved into a brand new facility built just yards away...

J&R Music and Computer World co-owner Rachelle Friedman.(reopens after renovation)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... NEW YORK -- J&R (left), the largest privately-owned consumer electronics dealer in New York, was temporarily closed following Sept. 11 because of its location within the "Frozen Zone," a quarter-mile radius surrounding the former World Trade...

Petco pumps up 'Millennium' prototype.(creates interactive experience with centralized grooming and companion animals up front)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Format creates interactive experience with centralized grooming and companion animals up front SAN DIEGO -- To grab an even greater share of the estimated $28.5 billion pet products market, Petco Animal Supplies has joined big-box rival...

Christmas Trade Show debuts myriad of pet apparel and nutrition products.(Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... CHICAGO -- From pooch apparel to kitten nutrition, there's no shortage of product on the market to feed consumers' preoccupation with pampering their pets. Each year manufacturers flood the market with innovative new items, and at this year's...

Dollar Stores post strong Sept. sales.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 5, 2001... NATIONWIDE DSNRT REPORT -- While mast retailers are doing all they can to weather the worst economic stretch in more than a decade, the nation's leading deep discount chains are reaping the benefits in this shaky economy. Industry giant...

Wal-Mart tests drive-through pharmacy.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Satellite concept offers new twist on prescription pickup MCALESTER, OKLA. -- The popularity of drive-through pharmacies at chain drugstores has not been lost on discount store and supercenter operators who increasingly are looking for...

Fleming takes distribution service to next level.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 5, 2001... NEW YORK -- Fleming Cos. Inc. has a long heritage as a supermarket supplier, but the company is realizing that heritage alone is not enough to achieve its ambitious goals. So, to stay competitive and become a premier food supplier, Fleming...

Home Depot says adios to South America.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... ATLANTA -- The Home Depot maintains it is committed to international growth, but its aspirations suffered a setback recently when the company announced it was pulling out of South America. Five stores in Chile will be sold to The Home Depot's...

Kmart adopts new grading system.(Martha Stewart Everday marketing)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... TROY, MICH. -- Kmart plans to institute a three-, four- and five-star grading system on all Martha Stewart Everday product categories broad enough to have a good, better and best merchandising strategy. MSE bed and bath products and cookware...

Ross Stores names new board member.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... NEWARK, CALIF. -- Ross Stores has classed up its board of directors with the addition of Bally North America president and ceo Michael Bush. From 1991 to 1995, Bush was a senior VP of strategic planning and marketing at Ross, but he left to...

H.H. Gregg opens four new units.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... CLEVELAND -- Appliance and electronics retailer H.H. Gregg increased its store count to 42 with the recent addition of four new stores in Ohio. Three of the stores in Mentor, North Randall and North Canton opened on Oct. 25, followed by the...

Safeway adding more supermarkets.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... PLEASANTON, CALIF. -- Safeway, operator of 1,759 stores in the United States and Canada, said it will spend $2.1 billion next year to build 80 to 85 new stores and remodel 250 others. The spending plan will increase Safeway's square footage...

Retailers embracing self-checkout.(Optimal Robotics)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... MONTREAL, CANADA -- Further evidence of the growing popularity of self-checkout systems can be found in the third quarter results of Optimal Robotics. The company, which manufactures the U-Scan system, saw its sales for the third quarter...

Williams-Sonoma debuts format in Canada.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... SAN FRANCISCO -- Williams-Sonoma has entered Canada for the first time with the recent openings of two Williams-Sonoma stores, two Pottery Barn stores and one Pottery Barn Kids store. One additional store under each format will be added in...

Canadian drug chain looks to shed debt.(IPO)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... TORONTO -- Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada's largest chain drugstore operator with 807 stores, is planning an initial public stock offering and plans to use the proceeds to repay debt.

Higher security and seminars highlight 11th annual SHOPA.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... NATIONWIDE DSNRT REPORT -- Unlike the preparation for any other School, Home & Office Products Association show in history, this year had an added dimension to the otherwise hectic lineup. For the last two months, SHOPA president Steven...

Traditional themes lend creativity to domestics market.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... NATIONWIDE DSNRT REPORT -- The domestics business has taken a turn toward the conservative. At Domestics Week, held Oct. 15 to 19 in New York, color palettes tightened and hues at either end of the scale were downplayed. A similar trend...

Mid-tier merchants admit to keeping eye on mass.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... NEW YORK -- The Fashion Institute of Technology's annual retail seminar, held on Oct. 16 at the school's Kate Murphy Amphitheater, demonstrated one thing for certain: The success of the discount store format is having a profound effect on...

Albertson's expands online delivery service to San Diego market.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... SAN DIEGO -- Food and drug chain operator Albertson's has expanded its online grocery ordering and shopping operation, located at www.albertsons.com. With the new service, customers in the San Diego market can order groceries online and...

Barnesandnoble.com to offer e-books.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... NEW YORK -- Barnesandnoble.com has announced the launch of its first list of books from its recently formed electronic-publishing division, Barnes & Noble Digital. In September, Barnes & Noble Digital premiered its first e-publishing venture...

The Knot teams with Yahoo! Shopping.(Wedding fasshions)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... NEW YORK -- The Knot, a leading online wedding resource, has signed an agreement with Yahoo! Shopping to provide specialized content for the site's wedding category. This content will include galleries of wedding fashions for brides, grooms...

Brookstone relaunches site for holidays.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... NASHUA, N.H. -- Brookstone has launched a completely revamped and re-engineered e-commerce site to meet customer demand for the key holiday sales period. Customers immediately will notice a new look to the site, www.Brookstone.com, as they...

Amazon posts 3Q net loss.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 5, 2001... SEATTLE -- Amazon.com Inc. has announced financial results for its third quarter ended Sept. 30. Pro forma net loss, which includes $31 million of net interest and other expense, improved 35% to $58 million, or 16 cents per share, compared...

eBay reports record 3Q financials.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 5, 2001... SAN JOSE, CALIF. -- eBay Inc. has reported financial results for its third quarter ended Sept. 30. Consolidated net revenues totaled $194.4 million, representing a 71% increase over the $113.4 million generated in the same period last year....

7-Eleven kiosk venture expands to check cashing.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... DALLAS -- The launch of a pilot check-cashing program at 7-Eleven last month is the latest move on the part of this retailer to improve its competitive edge and become a destination for a variety of convenient services besides quick...

Expo Design Web site not yet fully committed to commerce.(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... ATLANTA -- The Home Depot's recent launch of a separate e-commerce site for Expo Design Center is the latest example of shifting retailer attitudes toward use of the Internet as a marketing tool rather than a selling mechanism. As the...

FINANCE WATCH.(retail store securities)(Statistical Data Included)
November 5, 2001... INSIDER TRADES NATIONWIDE DSN REPORT - The following are major insider trades as reported to the SEC. STOCKS BOUGHT A.C. Moore: Lawrence Fine, president, bought 1,700 shares on Sept. 21 to Sept. 24 at $12.78 to $13.07, now owns...

The story of two retailers in the aftermath of Sept. 11.(J&R Music and Computer World and Lechters struggle after terrorist attacks)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... The tragic events of Sept. 11 have certainly impacted the retail industry both directly and indirectly as one retailer that was damaged that tragic day reopened two weeks ago, while another chain announced it would close its doors forever....

There's no room for apprehension when it comes to finding Furby.(marketing slow after terrorist attacks)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... The only thing more elusive than Osama bin Laden these days is a consensus for holiday sales. This time last year, the pundits were gleefully throwing around 5%, 6% and 7% sales increases as if they were hedging bets on the growth of a...

Congressional impact on retail.(following terrorist attacks)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Here in Washington, the nation's legislative and regulatory priorities have undergone some remarkable changes since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Many of those changes affect areas of direct concern to the retail industry. Among the...

High unemployment has its benefits.(bad economy makes employees stay with one company)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... When Sears announced details of its strategic repositioning plan last month, initial news reports focused on the elimination of 4,900 jobs. The perception that this move was made in reaction to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was logical...

Game consoles a hot sell, despite threat of shortage.(supply and demand for Microsoft's X-Box and Nintendo's GameCube)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... NATIONWIDE DSNRT REPORT -- Retailers and analysts expect new video game consoles from Nintendo and Microsoft to drive consumers into stores during the holiday season despite launch delays and a potential shortage of hardware. Microsoft...