Description:  Whole Foods uses the Internet and aggressive in-store displays to sell thousands of turkeys in its Northeast stores.  Embedded video from CNNMoney.com Video Date: 11/24/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/11/24/n_whole_foods_turkeys.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the special distribution strategies followed by the retailer to meet the demand at this time of year. How important do you think this… Read more »
Monthly Archives: November 2009
Early shopping tally: Some gems, some coal
Description: Store sales up only slightly from last year, according to tracking firm. But signs of strength seen at some merchants, in West and online. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 11/28/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/28/news/economy/holiday_shopping_saturday/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the thinking about expected holiday shopping behaviour this year. Do you think this will be an exceptional shopping season in comparison to… Read more »
Thanksgiving Day a boon for online shopping
Description: Consumers found time this U.S. Thanksgiving Day to squeeze in a lot more holiday shopping online, in between spending time with family, watching football and feasting on turkey. Source: Reuters.com Date: 11/27/2009 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN2743536720091127 Questions for discussion: Why can online retailing be of particular advantage to both consumers and retailers at this time of… Read more »
Credit card usury bill coming soon in House
Description: Several congressional Democrats said on Wednesday they plan to introduce legislation next week to cap credit card interest rates. Source: Reuters.com Date: 11/25/2009 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE5AO4ZO20091125 Questions for discussion: What the arguments for and against regulating credit card interest rates? Do you believe rates should be regulated? Explain your answer. What are the likely consequences… Read more »
P&G’s plan: 1 billion new users
Description: The global consumer products company wants to grow its consumer base from 4 billion to 5 billion in the next five years. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 11/18/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2009/11/18/f_sl_procter_gamble_growth.mov.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Discuss P&G’s effort to expand internationally in terms of ethical and social responsibility? What are the arguments for and… Read more »
Dirty secrets of Black Friday ‘doorbusters’
Description: Here are a few things bargain-hungry consumers need to know before they hit stores before dawn the day after Thanksgiving. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 11/20/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/20/news/economy/black_friday_doorbuster_secrets/index.htm Questions for discussion: Do you think these complaints about the kick-off to holiday shopping are fair? Explain your answer. How is the strategy expected to ignite shopping? How… Read more »
Ferrero family steps out of shadows for Cadbury
Description: The Ferrero family’s round Rocher chocolates are recognized worldwide but Italy’s richest man, Michele Ferrero, and his two sons, have shunned publicity and kept their company very private — up until now. Source: Reuters.com Date: 11/18/2009 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/ousivMolt/idUSTRE5AH4U220091118 Questions for discussion: What advantages and disadvantages are there for the Ferrero company, should it go… Read more »
Panama remakes its famous canal for giant ships
Description: One of the world’s greatest engineering marvels is being overhauled as work crews blast through hills to widen and deepen the Panama Canal to make room for a new generation of mega-ships. Source: Reuters.com Date: 11/18/2009 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN1834602520091118 Questions for discussion: Summarize the economic value of this project to local as well as international… Read more »
From fashion passion to profit
Description: An enthusiasm for vintage threads led entrepreneurs to create the successful online clothing retailer, ModCloth.com. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 11/10/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2009/11/10/sbiz_makeover_modcloth.smb/ Questions for discussion: Why do you think this small business has succeeded? What problems are these entrepreneurs facing, now that they are beginning to grow their business? How would… Read more »
McDonald’s: 1,000 new restaurants in 2010
Description: Fast food giant plans to increase sales by 5% and invest $2.4 billion to enhance its brand. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 11/13/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/12/news/companies/McDonalds/index.htm Questions for discussion: What do these plans at McDonald’s suggest to you about management’s sense of its future? Explain your thinking.  Do you believe McDonald’s will find more growth outside of… Read more »
