DailyFinance.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.comDailyFinance.comhttp://o.aolcdn.com/os/df/2013/img/2-dailyfinance_logo_m.pngDailyFinance.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.comen-usCopyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Ding Dong! Walmart to Test Home Deliveryhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/05/ding-dong-walmart-to-test-home-delivery/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/05/ding-dong-walmart-to-test-home-delivery/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/05/ding-dong-walmart-to-test-home-delivery/#commentsFiled under:

Walmart sign - walmart home deliveryThe rumor mill is roiling with tales of Walmart test projects, including the possibility of home delivery. There's just one problem, it's all rumors.

An anonymous source apparently told Bloomberg News that Walmart is thinking of testing home delivery in the San Jose, Calif. area with the code name "Project Titan." Often, where there's smoke there's fire, and this is no exception. Especially since there's a project name and very specific location being mentioned. But Walmart has made no secret of its interest in home delivery and has said as much.

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]]>grocery deliverykmartpeapodsafewaysearswalmartWalmart home deliveryLaura HellerTue, 05 Apr 2011 15:00:00 ESTHigher and Higher: Walmart CEO Predicts Inflation on Consumer Basicshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/01/walmart-ceo-predicts-inflation-on-consumer-basics/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/01/walmart-ceo-predicts-inflation-on-consumer-basics/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/01/walmart-ceo-predicts-inflation-on-consumer-basics/#commentsFiled under: ,

walmart shopper - inflationWalmart is warning the public about pending inflation. CEO Bill Simon told USA Today that inflation is "going to be serious. We're seeing cost increases starting to come through at a pretty rapid rate."

Prices are moving up on things like food and clothing. We've reported on commodity prices rising in the past. Cotton, for example, is expected to increase close to 30% in the first half of this year, and most of us have felt the pinch at the gas pump. Prices in Chicago, where I live, are hovering around $4 a gallon for regular gasoline; that's nearly $1 more than this time last year.

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]]>Bill Simongas pricesinflationmilk priceswalmartwalmart ceo bill simonwalmart inflationLaura HellerFri, 01 Apr 2011 08:00:00 ESTAbercrombie's Push-Up Bikini for 'Tweens Doesn't Hold Uphttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/30/abercrombies-push-up-bikini-for-tweens-doesnt-hold-up/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/30/abercrombies-push-up-bikini-for-tweens-doesnt-hold-up/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/30/abercrombies-push-up-bikini-for-tweens-doesnt-hold-up/#commentsFiled under:

exterior of Abercrombie & Fitch StoreAbercrombie & Fitch caught a lot of flack recently with its new push-up bikini top for girls as young as seven, so much so, it dropped the term "push-up" within a week of its launch. Whether it's a marketing scheme or publicity stunt, will it affect sales?

Abercrombie & Fitch Kids' Ashely triangle bathing suit top was described as a "push-up" top, and the negative reaction was deafening. But if attention-getting moves from other retailers are any indication, shoppers rarely vote with their wallets unless it's to actually buy more. A lot of parents said they wouldn't buy it for their kid, but would they stop shopping at Abercrombie in protest?

Continue reading Abercrombie's Push-Up Bikini for 'Tweens Doesn't Hold Up


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]]>abercrombieabercrombie and fitchabercrombie+push+upabercrombie+push+up+bikiniabercrombiepushupabercrombiepushupbikinigeogirlhollisterpush up bikinipush-up topsShoppingtween girlswalmartLaura HellerWed, 30 Mar 2011 15:15:00 ESTWalgreens Buys Drugstore.com, Amazon Buys Soap.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/25/walgreens-buys-drugstore-com-amazon-buys-soap-com/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/25/walgreens-buys-drugstore-com-amazon-buys-soap-com/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/25/walgreens-buys-drugstore-com-amazon-buys-soap-com/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

walgreen's logoWalgreen drugstore chain is buying Drugstore.com for $409 million. That's nearly 102% more than the company is valued at, but the move lets the traditional retailer gain a foothold on the Internet that it's been unable to do on its own.

"Drugstore.com significantly accelerates our multi-channel initiatives by expanding our product selection for our customers, adding new capabilities through their well-known beauty and skin care websites," said Walgreen's President of E-commerce Sona Chawla.

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]]>drugstore.cominternet taxonline shoppingquidsisales taxsoap.comwalgreenwalgreens+buys+drugstore.comwalgreensbuysdrugstore.comLaura HellerFri, 25 Mar 2011 15:00:00 ESTWalmart Launching Same-Day Pickup of Online Purchaseshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/24/walmart-launching-same-day-pickup-of-online-purchases/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/24/walmart-launching-same-day-pickup-of-online-purchases/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/24/walmart-launching-same-day-pickup-of-online-purchases/#commentsFiled under:

Walmart storeThe lines between online and in-store shopping are getting a whole lot blurrier and the whole experience is more streamlined for shoppers: Walmart has launched "Pick Up Today."

Pick Up Today is different from "Site to Store," which lets you order select items online and have them shipped to the nearest location. This new service offers same-day pick up of online purchases, for free. Walmart began testing the program at 750 stores in 20 markets late last year and will roll it out nationally to all locations by the end of March.

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]]>KmartmygoferPick up TodaySearsSite to StoreWalmartLaura HellerThu, 24 Mar 2011 14:00:00 ESTWhere's Lunch? 'Groupon Now' to Offer Location-Based Dealshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/21/wheres-lunch-groupon-now-to-offer-location-based-deals/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/21/wheres-lunch-groupon-now-to-offer-location-based-deals/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/21/wheres-lunch-groupon-now-to-offer-location-based-deals/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ext. groupon building logo - Groupon NowIt seems there's no end to the ways in which Groupon can grow, but come April, the "Groupon Now" mobile app will use mobile devices to offer deals based on where you are at any given moment.

Groupon founder and CEO Andrew Mason outlined the ambitious new program in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek and simply put, Mason plans to change the way we buy stuff and make Groupon the portal through which we do.

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]]>Daily DealsGrouponGroupon Nowlocation-specific dealsonline dealsshoppingtechnologyLaura HellerMon, 21 Mar 2011 08:00:00 ESTBad Romance: Target Wins Ethical Award, Lady Gaga Still Nixes Dealhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/16/bad-romance-target-wins-ethical-award-lady-gaga-still-nixes-de/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/16/bad-romance-target-wins-ethical-award-lady-gaga-still-nixes-de/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/16/bad-romance-target-wins-ethical-award-lady-gaga-still-nixes-de/#commentsFiled under:

Target has been named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for 2011 by Ethisphere Institute, an international business ethics organization. But international superstar Lady Gaga disagrees. Gaga has killed a deal to release an exclusive version of her new album at Target stores, thanks to the company's support of an anti-gay politician.

Last summer Target made a $150,000 donation to Minnesota Forward and its affiliation with a controversial gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. Emmer held some extreme anti-gay views and was affiliated with a group that reportedly advocated executing homosexuals.

Emmer ultimately lost the election but not before Target was the subject of a massive protest, forcing the retailer to re-examine how it makes political contributions in the future. That incident came as a surprise; Target had long been considered a progressive company and extends benefits to same sex partners.

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]]>Lady Gagalady+gaga+targetladygagatargetLGBTMinnesota ForwardTargettarget boycotttarget+lady+gagatargetladygagaTom EmmerLaura HellerWed, 16 Mar 2011 16:30:00 ESTHundreds of Small Walmarts Are Coming Soonhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/16/hundreds-of-small-walmarts-are-coming-soon/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/16/hundreds-of-small-walmarts-are-coming-soon/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/16/hundreds-of-small-walmarts-are-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under:

Small Walmart store called a Neighborhood MarketHammer another nail in the coffin of mom and pop shops. Walmart is moving ahead with a plan to open hundreds of small format stores, while Target is readying a modified version of its own big box.

Someday soon, most neighborhoods will be served by different kinds of Walmart stores in a variety of sizes and flavors. Large supercenters and discount stores for monthly stock-up trips, supermarkets for weekly groceries, and convenience stores for everything else. This has long been the company's plan, but Walmart is finally pushing forward with plans to open thousands of small markets.

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]]>aol originalsmall Walmart storesTarget Storeswalmartwalmart marketwalmart on campuswalmart+coming+to+chicagowalmartcomingtochicagoLaura HellerWed, 16 Mar 2011 13:00:00 ESTWatch 'Dark Knight' on Facebook ... Netflix Doesn't Like Thishttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/09/facebook-and-warners-bros-launch-movie-rentals/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/09/facebook-and-warners-bros-launch-movie-rentals/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/09/facebook-and-warners-bros-launch-movie-rentals/#commentsFiled under: ,

a couple watches a movie on a laptop - facebook movie rentalsNow you can view a movie on Facebook, in addition to updating your status, wishing friends a happy birthday and uploading photos from the kids' graduation. Warner Bros. will begin offering movies on demand via the social network for just $3 (or 30 Facebook Credits).

It's just one movie -- "The Dark Knight" -- as a test, but a Time Warner executive implied it's a move to counter Netflix's service that streams content and offers unlimited DVD rentals for $7.99 and $9.99 a month, respectively.

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]]>Dark KnightFacebookFacebook moviesNetflixtechnologyWarner BrosLaura HellerWed, 09 Mar 2011 15:30:00 ESTSubway Is Now Bigger Than McDonald'shttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/08/subway-is-bigger-than-mcdonalds/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/08/subway-is-bigger-than-mcdonalds/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/08/subway-is-bigger-than-mcdonalds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Subway CEO Jared and runner - subwaySubway may promote itself as a fast food option that helps shrink the waistline, but the chain is now the largest kid on the restaurant block, surpassing McDonald's with more stores, coming in at 33,749 units compared to McDonald's 32,737.

We've come to think of McDonald's as an iconic symbol of American consumerism, can Subway fill those same shoes? It's got lots of room yet to grow in developing countries, with just 199 stores in China thus far. It passed McDonald's as the largest quick serve chain, store-wise, nine years ago, thanks to Subway outlets in gas stations, Walmart stores and pretty much anywhere it can sandwich in a $5 foot-long.

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]]>circuit cityfast foodfoodmcdonaldssubwayLaura HellerTue, 08 Mar 2011 17:00:00 ESTLooming Internet Sales Tax Prompts Amazon Threat to Cut Off Affiliateshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/04/looming-internet-sales-tax-prompts-amazon-threat-to-cut-off-aff/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/04/looming-internet-sales-tax-prompts-amazon-threat-to-cut-off-aff/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/04/looming-internet-sales-tax-prompts-amazon-threat-to-cut-off-aff/#commentsFiled under: , ,

UPS deliveryman has package from Internet giant Amazon.comCalifornia's pending legislation to collect sales tax from Amazon.com has prompted the online retailer to threaten cutting loose its affiliates. Now several retailers -- Barnes & Noble, Sears and Walmart -- are trying to get Amazon affiliates to jump ship and replace that revenue with links to other retailers, making it harder for consumers to find links to products on Amazon.

The issue of collecting internet sales tax from goods sold online is contentious, complicated and ongoing. Basically, most states don't require online-only retailers collect sales tax. Only retailers with a physical presence in that state do so. The states may require consumers to pay on their own, but few actually pursue it. So a retailer with stores across the country, like Sears, must collect state sales tax for online orders, while Amazon shoppers get off tax free, with a few exceptions.

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]]>amazon affiliatesamazon affliatesamazon.comAmazonKindlebarnes and nobleinternet sales taxinternet taxsearswalmartLaura HellerFri, 04 Mar 2011 15:00:00 ESTSomething Bargain: Bridal Gown Now Offered at Costcohttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/02/something-bargain-bridal-gown-now-offered-at-costco/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/02/something-bargain-bridal-gown-now-offered-at-costco/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/02/something-bargain-bridal-gown-now-offered-at-costco/#commentsFiled under: , ,

two bridal figures for cake - costco bridalNow you can buy a wedding dress at Costco. The warehouse club is opening pop-up bridal shops at select stores, hoping to cash in on the booming bridal business.

The chain will roll out a collection of dresses from designer Kirstie Kelly. The Signature Collection is comprised of six different styles in sizes 2-24, ranging in price from $650-$1,400. And no, you won't have to buy them in bulk or try them on next to the frozen foods or giant packages of toilet paper. The stores will erect temporary, enclosed salons with private changing rooms and lounge areas in select stores, beginning in Southern California.

Kelly is a self-professed celebrity designer. Another, well-known designer, Vera Wang, also announced a line of inexpensive dresses. White by Vera Wang is sold exclusively through David's Bridal and has 12 styles in the exact same price range as Costco's Kelly: $600-$1,400.

Continue reading Something Bargain: Bridal Gown Now Offered at Costco


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]]>bridal gownsbridesmaidcostcocostco+wedding+dressescostcoweddingdressesDavids bridalj.crewmass-market wedding gownsNordstrom bridalVera Wangwedding gownsweddingswhite houseblack marketLaura HellerWed, 02 Mar 2011 16:30:00 ESTJCPenney's New Logo Goes for Fun and Younghttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/25/jcpenneys-new-logo-goes-for-fun-and-young/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/25/jcpenneys-new-logo-goes-for-fun-and-young/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/25/jcpenneys-new-logo-goes-for-fun-and-young/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jcpenney new logoOscar viewers will get a glimpse of jcpenney's new look on Sunday when the chain unveils a redesigned logo, tag line and fashion focus in several commercial spots during the awards ceremony. It's part of the department store's effort to refresh its image for a more modern customer.

"We've made significant progress transforming our company over the last several years by infusing great style into our assortments, delivering world-class customer service, and introducing new and innovative retail technologies that have made jcpenney a retail leader in the digital age," said Mike Ullman, chairman and CEO for jcpenney. "Our new logo reflects the modern retailer we've become while continuing to honor our rich legacy." The new tag line declares, "We Make It Affordable, You Make It Yours."

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]]>brandingJCPenneyjcpenney new logojcpenney Oscar adsthe gapLaura HellerFri, 25 Feb 2011 10:00:00 ESTOverstock.com Gets Spanked by Google for Gaming Its Rankingshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/24/overstock-com-gets-spanked-by-google-for-gaming-its-ranking/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/24/overstock-com-gets-spanked-by-google-for-gaming-its-ranking/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/24/overstock-com-gets-spanked-by-google-for-gaming-its-ranking/#commentsFiled under: ,

computer user - overstockYet another retailer has been caught trying to game Google's search system. Seems Overstock.com was compensating some sites to link to the retailer's site on certain keywords, thus causing its rankings to rise in Google searches.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Overstock.com actually offered a 10% discount to university and college-affiliated sites for linking to the shopping site. Websites with a .edu rather than .com are more highly valued by Google's analytics. Academic institutions rarely link to commercial sites, so when it happens, that site's rankings soar relative to the keywords containing the links.

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]]>Black Hat optimizationGoogleJCPenneyOverstockOverstock gaming google ratingsoverstock.comsearch engine gamingsearch rankingsseoLaura HellerThu, 24 Feb 2011 15:00:00 ESTAmazon Prime Now Competing With Netflixhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/23/amazon-prime-now-competing-with-netflix/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/23/amazon-prime-now-competing-with-netflix/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/23/amazon-prime-now-competing-with-netflix/#commentsFiled under: ,

a couple looking into dueling laptops - Amazon PrimeAmazon Prime just got a bit more premium. The program just added unlimited streaming entertainment content from Amazon's library of approximately 5,000 titles. Amazon Prime lets members receive free two-day shipping on all orders for a $79 annual fee. Now members can add streaming content to the benefits, included in the base membership price.

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]]>Amazon PrimeNeflixStreaming videoLaura HellerWed, 23 Feb 2011 15:30:00 ESTGrocery Chain Wegmans Freezing Prices on Foodhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/23/grocery-chain-wegmans-freezing-prices-on-food/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/23/grocery-chain-wegmans-freezing-prices-on-food/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/23/grocery-chain-wegmans-freezing-prices-on-food/#commentsFiled under:

Wegmans storeFood and commodity prices may be climbing, but one grocer has announced plans to freeze prices on dozens of items that families buy most. Wegmans Food Markets says it won't increase prices on these products through 2011.

"We considered the importance of an item to a family when choosing our list of 40," said President Colleen Wegman, in a statement. "Such things as bananas, pasta, frozen vegetables and laundry detergent are in most shopping carts every week. They are products that families can't do without, so what they pay for these items really matters."

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]]>food prices 2011food prices risingWegmanswegmans+freezing+priceswegmansfreezingpricesLaura HellerWed, 23 Feb 2011 14:00:00 ESTJCPenney's Sneaky Search Tacticshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/21/jcpenneys-sneaky-search-tactics/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/21/jcpenneys-sneaky-search-tactics/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/21/jcpenneys-sneaky-search-tactics/#commentsFiled under: ,

JCPenney store in New YOrk CityDid you search for an item on Google in the past few months and find yourself directed to JCPenney? Was JCPenney the top returned retailer on just about everything you searched for on Google, even for things other retailers specialize in? You weren't alone; it seems JCPenney is apparently trying to best Google, shooting itself to the top of the search list.

It's a sneaky little practice that uses "search engine optimization" to skew results. Google uses incredibly complex and sophisticated methods to determine which sites get returned at the top of search rankings. One of the key measurements is how many websites use a key word and link out to another site. For example, if a blog, news site, or company specializing in say, luggage, mentions JCPenney, it rises in the rankings.

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]]>Black Hat optimizationGoogleJcPenneySEOLaura HellerMon, 21 Feb 2011 16:00:00 ESTSeven Retailers on the Financial Brinkhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/17/seven-retailers-on-the-financial-brink/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/17/seven-retailers-on-the-financial-brink/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/17/seven-retailers-on-the-financial-brink/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Borders Bookstore filed for Bankruptcy - retailers on the financial brinkBorders isn't the only retailer hoping for a little financial relief these days. It's been a difficult few years for U.S. retailers and even those that weathered the recession are still at risk of folding, even as the recovery gains momentum. This year could see the end, or at least some very big changes to, some big names. Here seven retailers on the financial brink:

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]]>acquisitionamerican eagle outfittersamerican+apparelamericanapparelbankruptcybjsbjs wholesale clubblockbusterbordersborders bookstorechapter 11 bankruptcyretailer bankruptcyretailersretailers closing doorstalbotsLaura HellerThu, 17 Feb 2011 15:15:00 ESTBorders Files for Chapter 11http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/16/borders-files-for-chapter-11/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/16/borders-files-for-chapter-11/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/16/borders-files-for-chapter-11/#commentsBorders Books store in Washington, D.C.
The inevitable has finally happened: Borders Books filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today. The nation's second largest bookseller plans to close hundreds of stores and reduce costs in the hopes of emerging a smaller, but intact company.

We've been writing about it for months now, and the causes are many, but simply put, Borders failed to get in front of the shift to digital content.

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]]>Borders BankrupctyBorders BooksChapter 11Laura HellerWed, 16 Feb 2011 11:59:00 ESTWalmart and Target Coming to a City Near Youhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/15/walmart-and-target-coming-to-a-city-near-you/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/15/walmart-and-target-coming-to-a-city-near-you/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/15/walmart-and-target-coming-to-a-city-near-you/#commentsFiled under:

exterior of a walmartIt's an evergreen topic: will Walmart conquer the urban market or won't it? Its reach into major metropolitan areas has been blocked by consumer protest groups, unions and elected officials. Yet it persists, winning small victories along the way. But why even try?

Urban markets in the U.S. are Walmart's last frontier, and proving to be the most difficult to breach. It's taken years for Walmart to gain a foothold in places like Chicago and New York, but it recently announced expansion plans in both locations, is negotiating with unions, and established a website expressly to promote itself to New Yorkers.

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]]>ChicagoNew YorkPeople of WalmartTargettarget+storestargetstoresWalmartWalmart NYWalmart urban storesLaura HellerTue, 15 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST