Electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Honda Fit EV used to languish on dealership lots for months. A pricing war with aggressive incentives and cheap lease deals has changed all that.
Smart Spending
Four Months After the ‘Poop Cruise,’ the Carnival Triumph Sails Again — and Is Sold Out
Is it safe to go back in the water? Based on how the Carnival Triumph was fully booked last week, when it embarked on its first departure after the infamous “poop cruise” incident, plenty of cruise passengers seem to say yes.
Why Dads Get Short Shrift on Father’s Day — and Dads Are O.K. With It
When it comes to their respective days of honor, why do dads get funny ties and moms get diamond-heart necklaces? Why do we spend 40% more on Mother’s Day than Father’s Day? Some seemingly ungrateful children (and a few dads) …
Amazon’s New Grocery Service: For $299, You Never Have to Leave the House Again
Would you pay $299 annually if it meant never having to go to the supermarket? Amazon.com is testing a service with that idea in mind. And that’s on top of Amazon’s other services that already eliminate the need to go to the mall.
Jos. A. Bank and JC Penney: When Retailers Try to ‘Retrain the Customer’
The Rise of the Swanky No-Name Brand
The generic “store brand” label has been losing its stigma for years. Now, Target is attempting to further dispel the notion that an in-house brand equates to low quality with the launch of an organic, upscale food line.
In Fast Food, Five—As in $5—Is Now the Magic Number
It’s not particularly complicated: $5 is a nice round, approachable, affordable-sounding number. At a time when popular fast-casual chains are pushing the average diner bill upward, the $5 price point is especially likely to get the attention of deal hunters. And that’s why fast food customers are seeing more and more of the fiver.
Gimme a Price Already! Edmunds Tries to End the Most Aggravating Part of Car Shopping
“How much?” In almost every retail environment, this wouldn’t be a difficult question to answer. But at the car dealership, the process of getting a concrete final price can take hours. The folks at Edmunds.com now have a tool that promises to make retrieving car prices as quick and easy as shopping at Amazon.
Free Donuts! Everything You Need to Know to Celebrate National Donut Day
National Donut Day falls on the first Friday of June—this year it’s today, June 7. But considering what the day is best known for—free donuts—perhaps it’s time to go ahead and change the name of “holiday” to Free Donut Day.
A Financial Cloud Over Wedding Season: How to Pop the (Money) Question
A week into wedding season, many betrotheds haven’t a clue about their soulmate’s finances. Here’s how to pop the money question.
Sharing Is Hard: Legal Trouble for Airbnb, RelayRides, FlightCar
As more consumers turn to services like peer-to-peer rental-car outfits rather than Hertz, local authorities are penalizing participants with fines and ordering the companies to cease operations. Is it still safe to share?
Good For You, Better For Them: The Truth About Retailer Guarantees
Wal-Mart’s new money-back guarantee, like most retailer promises, look terrific on first glance. But the reality is that these guarantees are mainly empty marketing tactics, the commercial equivalent of a date pulling out his wallet with no intention of paying.