Amazon is already duking it out with Wal-Mart and Target in the competition for new book sales, and now Sears is getting in on the action in a big way with its “Keep America Reading” promotion.
Is ‘Too Big to Fail’ too big to read?
I stole a copy of Andrew Ross Sorkin’s Too Big to Fail from his book party last night. I mean, I don’t think it was really theft. But there were few enough copies on display that it felt a bit illicit. It also felt heavy. The book is 600 pages long with the index, notes, etc. (544 pages without them). It weighs 2.15 pounds. And it was …
The downside of job interviews over Skype
I’m getting a number of e-mails and calls about this story on how companies are using Skype to interview job candidates over the web. All the comments so far have been positive—video chatting is a whole lot cheaper than flying out for an in-person interview, and who doesn’t like to save money. The more I sit with this story, though, …
On the Second War of Christmas, Barbie is Attacked by Plastic Doll Rivals
Mattel is spending millions to promote the new “Fashionista” Barbie at the same time competitors like Bratz and Liv dolls are turning up the pressure in the battle for doll dollars. The squabbles are getting nasty, and will probably grow more so as the winter holiday shopping season hits full throttle: “The Fashionista Barbies don’t even …
It’s a Deal: $10 to $25 Off at the Discovery Store
Toy and DVD purchases are being discounted by $10 to $25 today only (October 21) at the Discovery Store website. Use the coupon code SAVE10 to save $10 off a $60 purchase, SAVE15 to save $15 off of a $75 purchase, or SAVE25 to save $25 off of a $100 purchase, via Bargainist.
On the First War of Christmas, Amazon is Attacked on Three Sides
The upcoming winter holiday period is shaping up to be one of the most competitive, wildest shopping seasons ever. Stores started hosting Christmas displays way back in July, and toy store skirmishes are already well under way. And now, preeminent online retailer Amazon is fighting battles on several fronts.
The freakonomists vs. the world
Stephen Dubner and Nathan Myhrvold have now both written retorts to the many critiques of the chapter on global warming in the new book Superfreakonomics (which is co-authored by Dubner and economist Steven Levitt and stars, in its global warming segments, inventor-dude Myhrvold). They’re both mainly responding to the lengthy critique …
Introducing the $70 Refrigerator
Also, the $23 stove, the $2,200 automobile, the $43 water-purification system, and the $20 cell phone with 2¢-per-minute rates—all courtesy of India, where engineers and innovators are coming up with ingenious products that are within reach of the country’s poorest citizens.
Dick Fuld’s fundamental strategic mistake
Sorry, been working on my column this morning. Now I can’t figure out how to embed this week-old Bird & Fortune video from FT.com. It’s long, but highly entertaining, and while it’s already been making the rounds for a while I want to make sure nobody misses it. A sample:
There is a rule that property values never go on rising forever.
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BYO Bags to Save Money at Target and CVS
Much like bottled water, plastic shopping bags are viewed as wasteful and bad for the earth. They’re natural (unnatural?) targets for environmentalists and tightwads alike. Starting on November 1, all Target stores in the country will begin giving customers a discount for every plastic bag they don’t use.
New Debit Card Overdraft Law Would Change the Game Entirely
Banks have grown accustomed to reaping in big bucks off of overdraft fees—$35 or so assessed each time a customer uses a debit card when there’s not enough money in the account to cover the tab. This year, banks are expected to take in more than $38 billion (!) in such fees.
It’s a Deal: $31 Flights Anywhere in the Country on Halloween
One-way tickets on JetBlue are on sale for $31 on any route in the country—with the stipulation that you must fly on Halloween (October 31) after 12 noon. Tickets must be purchased today to get the special sale price. More details here.