msnbc.com: Retail

McDonald’s sales rise globally, decline in U.S.

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 14:06:07 GMT

McDonald's Inc., the world's largest fast-food chain, said Tuesday a key sales comparison rose 2.6 percent in January, as strong overseas sales more than offset a decline in the U.S.

McDonald - Fast food - United States - Business - Hospitality

States weigh getting out of the liquor business

Sun, 7 Feb 2010 19:16:21 GMT

Thousands of cases of whiskey, vodka and rum zip along three miles of conveyor belts inside a massive distribution center in industrial south Seattle, the sole location for shipping booze to liquor stores across Washington state.

Washington - Seattle - United States - Conveyor belt - Business

After 40 years, Heinz revamps ketchup packets

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 00:17:10 GMT

The ketchup packet has been around for more than 40 years, and complaints about it for nearly as long: too messy, too small, too hard to open.

H. J. Heinz Company - Ketchup - United States - Supplies - Recreation

ConsumerMan: 'Unfair' piggybacking tactics

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 18:42:41 GMT

N.Y. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is probing 22 retailers he claims tricked customers into accepting offers from another companies via pop-up ads that looked like discount offers.

Andrew Cuomo - Attorney general - Law - United States - Law Enforcement

Stores report modest sales gains in January

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 16:02:46 GMT

Stores received a pleasant surprise in January as shoppers bought a little more clothing at mall stores, providing more hope that a spending recovery is being sustained.

Business - Retailing - Shopping - Business and Economy - Salesmanship

Burger King probes spitting-in-food complaint

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 14:54:44 GMT

A Burger King spokeswoman says the fast-food chain is investigating allegations that a white employee in a northwestern Pennsylvania restaurant spat on a black man's food.

burgerking - Fast food - Business - Pennsylvania - Hospitality

Wal-Mart laying off 300 workers at HQ

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 00:02:53 GMT

Wal-Mart announced it will lay off 300 people at its headquarters, calling the cut the "last major" step in a yearlong effort to streamline its operations and eliminate duplication.

Wal-Mart - Business - Layoff - Allegedly Unethical Firms - retail

Tough economy spurs shift to cheaper liquor

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 20:11:58 GMT

Americans' love affair with top-shelf booze cooled last year as the recession took a toll on high-priced drinks.

United States - Business - Marriage - Relationships - Poetry

Seed shortages may imperil home gardens

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 18:21:17 GMT

A poor growing season last year and increased orders from Europe could make it difficult for home gardeners to get seeds for popular vegetables this spring.

garden - Growing season - Seed - Plant - Home & Garden

Bloomingdale’s in Dubai is first outside U.S.

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:58:44 GMT

The city with the world's tallest building now has one more claim to fame: the only Bloomingdale's outside the United States.

Dubai - United States - List of tallest buildings and structures in the world - United Arab Emirates - Middle East

ConsumerMan: Insurance and credit scores

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:02:12 GMT

Why do insurance companies consider your credit history when they set your rates? The industry says it makes sense, but consumer groups say it is unfair and discriminatory.

Insurance - Credit score - Business - Financial Services - Credit Report

Wal-Mart reorganizing into regional operations

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:44:17 GMT

Wal-Mart said Thursday it is realigning its U.S. operations in an effort to give more autonomy to executives in regional markets and reinvigorate U.S. growth.

Wal-Mart - United States - Business - Market - Allegedly Unethical Firms

It’s likely closing time for these chains in 2010

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:51:21 GMT

Tight-fisted consumers, plunging sales and shuttered stores. That was pretty much the retail story during the bulk of 2008 and 2009.

Retail - Business - Retail Trade - Business and Economy - Retailers

EBay nixes ‘listing’ fees for occasional sellers

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:50:02 GMT

EBay hopes to lure more sellers by essentially doing away with "listing" fees for people who occasionally auction items on its site. Instead it will take a cut of the final selling price.

Auction - EBay - Shopping - Artwork - art

Target pulls farmed salmon from its stores

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:47:24 GMT

Target Corp., the nation's second-largest discounter after Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said Tuesday that it pulled all farmed salmon from its stores as it looks to be more environmentally conscious.

Wal-Mart - Target Corporation - Business - Salmon - Allegedly Unethical Firms

Wal-Mart cutting 11,200 jobs at Sam’s Club

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:42:51 GMT

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Sunday it is cutting more than 10,000 jobs at Sam's Club, representing about 9 percent of the warehouse club operator's staff.

Wal-Mart - Sams Club - Sam - Business - Warehouse club

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