In early 2012, JC Penney promised the end of “fake prices”—ones that were inflated just so that shoppers could be tricked into thinking the inevitable discounts represented amazing deals. Well, it’s already time to welcome back …
Companies & Industries
Forget the Dollar Menu: 25¢ Burgers at White Castle Throughout May
Got a dollar? That’ll buy four sliders at White Castle in May. Even though the special deal is available throughout the month, you’ll have to time it carefully to take advantage.
The Splurge Surge: Luxury Spending on the Rise
Wealthy Americans don’t really think that good times are here again for the economy. But they’re going on shopping sprees anyway, with increasing sales seen for luxury hotel stays, high-end automobiles, and more.
Bangladesh Factory Collapse Will Force Companies to Rethink Outsourced Manufacturing
The news of yet another disaster in the Bangladeshi garment industry will force large western corporations to reevaluate where they produce their goods.
Here Come Gun-Focused Retail Super Centers
Picture a sprawling 30,000-square-foot Best Buy store—only instead of electronic gadgets and games, every aisle inside the big-box center is devoted to firearms, bullets, and “tactical gear.” This is the hot retail concept spreading throughout the Midwest.
Is the Price of Gold Signaling an Economic Slowdown?
Gold and other commodities seem to be signaling that the U.S. economy is sluggish and will get weaker still.
Staying Aloft as the Cupcake Bubble Deflates
Thanks to plummeting stock prices, many experts are warning that Americans have had their fill of cupcakes. But some bakeries are thriving.
New Game for Baseball Fans: Go to the Ballpark Without Spending a Dime
Watch any Major League Baseball game on TV. More often than not, when a view of the “crowd” pops onto the screen, you’ll see more empty seats than people. And the fans who did actually show up may be spending little or nothing to …
Can Frozen-Food Companies Make TV Dinners Cool Again?
American diners have been giving frozen food the cold shoulder lately. Aging boomers are put off by high sodium and calorie counts in many frozen dishes, while many young adults would rather stop by Subway, Chipotle or Domino’s …
Hungry and Lazy Consumers, Rejoice! It’s Getting Even Easier to Order Food
Burgers, pizza, and a wide range of groceries are on the menu for consumers who are too busy, or just too lazy, to make a food run—or even bother picking up the phone.
Light Switch: Why You’ll Start Using LED Bulbs This Year
LED bulbs are already the go-to technology for illuminating cell phones, tablets and TVs. They haven’t become the standard in the lamps and lights in American households, however, largely because they’re so expensive. But as prices drop sharply, the upgrade to LED makes more and more sense.
Who Is Happiest At Work? Probably Not Who You Think
How to find happiness in the workplace? One theory has it that the most deeply fulfilled workers are those facing the most daunting challenges. Another holds that the formula for contentment is being surrounded by colleagues that pick up your slack.