http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorMon, 06 Oct 2008 13:59:07 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38631/worried-retailers-call-all-out-and-earlier-holiday-blitz.html?refid=rss_all_defaultHoliday displays already are popping up—and they’re likely to increase in number and urgency as retailers try to spruce up what’s likely to be the worst Christmas shopping season in years, reports Advertising Age . With 5 fewer days than last year because of a late Thanksgiving, retailers are scared. “This year we'll certainly see promotions before Thanksgiving,” one analyst said.http://www.newser.com/story/38631/worried-retailers-call-all-out-and-earlier-holiday-blitz.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 29 Sep 2008 7:02:10 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38407/the-costco-effect-buy-cheap-spend-and-eat-more.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSure, warehouse stores are cheap: one exec says Costco marks up product at around 10%, compared to 20% at normal supermarkets. But, Neal Templin wonders in the Wall Street Journal , do bulk purchases actually save you money? “When there are more bagels in my refrigerator, I consume more of them,” he writes. “I think that's human nature. Call it the Costco Effect.”http://www.newser.com/story/38407/the-costco-effect-buy-cheap-spend-and-eat-more.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 25 Sep 2008 13:31:23 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38282/outlets-keep-luxury-stores-afloat.html?refid=rss_all_defaultIn a stagnant economy, luxury retailers are opening off-price outlet stores at a faster clip, drawing in customers with sale prices they’d never see at a flagship, BusinessWeek reports. Including such names as Saks, Nordstrom and Coach, a trend is emerging: While visits and sales at boutique stores are down, outlet or factory locations are busier, and customers are spending more per visit.http://www.newser.com/story/38282/outlets-keep-luxury-stores-afloat.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 24 Sep 2008 10:16:10 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/37084/overbuilding-leaves-malls-under-occupied.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA decade of rapid expansion by developers and an increase in store closings has created a glut of space in malls that could persist for years, the Wall Street Journal reports. “There were a lot of projects that shouldn't have been built” during the past decade, the CEO of the top US mall-owner says. An upside: Rent is coming down for retailers.http://www.newser.com/story/37084/overbuilding-leaves-malls-under-occupied.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 10 Sep 2008 9:15:33 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/37033/for-retail-workers-big-bro-is-tracking.html?refid=rss_all_defaultAs a sluggish economy pinches retailers, many are now turning to computer programs to track employee productivity, the Wall Street Journal reports. At Ann Taylor stores, a computer system calculates average sales per hour, units sold, and dollars per transaction—then automatically schedules the best workers during the store’s peak hours.http://www.newser.com/story/37033/for-retail-workers-big-bro-is-tracking.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 09 Sep 2008 21:44:17 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/37043/supermarkets-downsize-to-speed-up-shopping.html?refid=rss_all_defaultAmerican supermarkets are starting to shrink after decades of getting bigger and bigger, the New York Times reports. The average supermarket is still larger than a football field, but retailers have begun opening smaller outlets to appeal to rushed consumers who want to pick up groceries without having to wander through dozens of cavernous aisles.http://www.newser.com/story/37043/supermarkets-downsize-to-speed-up-shopping.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 09 Sep 2008 23:33:54 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/36954/99-cents-only-hikes-prices-but-only-by-099-cent.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe store where nothing costs more than 99¢ has become the store where nothing costs more than 99.99¢, reports the LA Times . The top price at 99 Cents Only will go up by 99/100 of a penny this month, say executives at the discount chain, who blame inflationary pressures. The move is expected to earn the chain an extra $12 million.http://www.newser.com/story/36954/99-cents-only-hikes-prices-but-only-by-099-cent.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 08 Sep 2008 23:25:06 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/36511/small-cars-carry-big-price-tags.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWith sales of SUVs and trucks dwindling, car companies have begun to push smaller, more fuel-efficient models—but not for the same small prices. Without the $10,000 profit that was typical on SUVs, automakers can no longer sell cars like the Ford Focus for an average profit of $100. Some are using extras to lure higher-spending customers.http://www.newser.com/story/36511/small-cars-carry-big-price-tags.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 03 Sep 2008 9:28:45 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/35341/ebay-slashes-listing-fees-75-to-lure-back-sellers.html?refid=rss_all_defaultLooking to compete more aggressively with Amazon for users who want to sell items at a fixed cost, eBay is changing its pricing model, lowering listing fees by up to 75% and increasing its final sales commission, BusinessWeek reports. The goal is to increase inventory of items listed at a "buy-it-now" price, increasingly popular with buyers weary of waiting for auctions to play out.http://www.newser.com/story/35341/ebay-slashes-listing-fees-75-to-lure-back-sellers.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 20 Aug 2008 7:38:31 CDT