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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Starbucks: New Size, New Payment Method]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/19/starbucks-new-size-new-payment-method/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/19/starbucks-new-size-new-payment-method/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/19/starbucks-new-size-new-payment-method/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/consumer-experience/" rel="tag">Consumer Experience</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/competitive-strategy/" rel="tag">Competitive Strategy</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/sbux/" rel="tag">Starbucks (SBUX)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/technology/" rel="tag">Technology</a></p><p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.dailyfinance.com/media/2011/01/starbucks240-1295440188.jpg" alt="Starbucks (SBUX)" />It's not enough to be on every metropolitan street corner; now Starbucks (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/starbucks-corporation/sbux/nas">SBUX</a>) is trying to be even bigger (in one sense of the word) -- and faster, too. Thirsty folks longing for a <i>Big Gulp&shy;</i>-style coffee beverage are in luck as the Seattle-based coffee chain is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpps/news/is-the-trenta-the-biggest-cup-of-coffee-dpgoha-20110119-fc_11491940">set to roll out</a> its new "Trenta" size for iced drinks.</p>
<p>The new size, seven ounces bigger than the Venti, will be 31 ounces. <i>Trenta</i>, by the way, means "thirty" in Italian. It's also a valley in Slovenia and a small town in the Italian province of Cosenza. This new size trumps Dunkin Donuts, which offers its iced beverages in 24-ounce serving sizes.</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/19/starbucks-new-size-new-payment-method/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Starbucks: New Size, New Payment Method</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/19/starbucks-new-size-new-payment-method/">Starbucks: New Size, New Payment Method</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/19/starbucks-new-size-new-payment-method/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19806860/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/19/starbucks-new-size-new-payment-method/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>AAPL</category><category>Apple</category><category>BlackBerry</category><category>featured</category><category>inthenews</category><category>iPhone</category><category>MA</category><category>MasterCard</category><category>pay by phone</category><category>Research in Motion</category><category>RIM</category><category>RIMM</category><category>SBUX</category><category>Smartphones</category><category>Starbucks</category><category>Starbucks payment app</category><category>Trenta</category><category>V</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ed Hardy Banned in Australian Town]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/19/ed-hardy-banned-in-australian-town/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/19/ed-hardy-banned-in-australian-town/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/19/ed-hardy-banned-in-australian-town/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/consumer-experience/" rel="tag">Consumer Experience</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/comic-relief/" rel="tag">Comic Relief</a></p><p><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="Ed Hardy logo"  src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2010/10/edhardylogo.jpg" />Never in the fickle landscape of American fashion has there been a more polarizing brand than Ed Hardy. Some (Bret Michaels, Jon Gosselin, my old boss) love the pricey tees and hoodies inspired by the art of tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy. Some feel it is at best gaudy and at worst a sign of the imminent demise of civilization as we know it.</p>
<p>City officials in Stonnington, Australia are in the latter camp, it seems, as they have <a target="_blank" href="http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/10/18/if-you-like-ed-hardy-cross-stonnington-australia-off-your-vacation-destination-list/">banned all Ed Hardy clothing</a>. While this "law" is only enforced by a crudely-worded (and NSFW) sign posted on the door of a defunct Hardy shop, it's a sign that the fashion isn't welcome in the town.</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/19/ed-hardy-banned-in-australian-town/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ed Hardy Banned in Australian Town</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/19/ed-hardy-banned-in-australian-town/">Ed Hardy Banned in Australian Town</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/10/18/if-you-like-ed-hardy-cross-stonnington-australia-off-your-vacation-destination-list/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/19/ed-hardy-banned-in-australian-town/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19680027/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/19/ed-hardy-banned-in-australian-town/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Australia</category><category>Ed Hardy</category><category>Fashion</category><category>ICON</category><category>Iconix Brands</category><category>inthenews</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sex(y) Sells: Abercrombie Bringing Back Controversial Catalog]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/abercrombie-and-fitch-controversial-catalog/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/abercrombie-and-fitch-controversial-catalog/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/abercrombie-and-fitch-controversial-catalog/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/magazines/" rel="tag">Magazines</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/competitive-strategy/" rel="tag">Competitive Strategy</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/marketing-and-advertising/" rel="tag">Marketing and Advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/anf/" rel="tag">Abercrombie and Fitch (ANF)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/media-world/" rel="tag">Media World</a></p><img border="1" align="right" vspace="4" hspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2010/02/anf-logo.jpg" alt="" />Ooh la la! Fans of the old-school Abercrombie &amp; Fitch (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/abercrombie-and-fitch-co/anf/nys" class="inlinked">ANF</a>) catalog have something to giggle about. After seven long years, the risque quarterly featuring scantily clad young adults is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/25/BU871E4VCF.DTL&amp;feed=rss.business">being reinstated</a>. And even though the catalog is ostensibly just marketing itself -- advertising the clothes that the models are barely wearing -- it will cost you $10 (it is available for pre-order now at the Abercrombie website and will hit shelves July 17). <br />
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When the recession hit and allowances dried up, ANF suffered even more than most of its peers as teens and young adults offered for similarly trendy fashion at cheaper prices, turning to the Gap's (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/gap-inc-del/gps/nys">GPS</a>) Old Navy, Aeropostale (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/aeropostale-inc/aro/nys" class="inlinked">ARO</a>), and American Eagle (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/american-eagle-outfitters-inc/aeo/nys" class="inlinked">AEO</a>) as substitutes. After months of resistance (or denial), ANF finally cut the prices on some items, but it is still facing lackluster sales and revenue numbers. The shares, meanwhile, are down 50% over the last two years.<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/abercrombie-and-fitch-controversial-catalog/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Sex(y) Sells: Abercrombie Bringing Back Controversial Catalog</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/abercrombie-and-fitch-controversial-catalog/">Sex(y) Sells: Abercrombie Bringing Back Controversial Catalog</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:40:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/25/BU871E4VCF.DTL&amp;feed=rss.business>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/abercrombie-and-fitch-controversial-catalog/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19534536/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/abercrombie-and-fitch-controversial-catalog/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>abercrombie and fitch</category><category>ANF</category><category>apparel</category><category>catalogs</category><category>featured</category><category>inthenews</category><category>Retail sales</category><category>sex</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:40:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[McDonald's Eyes Yet Another Market -- Smoothies]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/mcdonalds-smoothies/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/mcdonalds-smoothies/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/mcdonalds-smoothies/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/consumer-experience/" rel="tag">Consumer Experience</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/competitive-strategy/" rel="tag">Competitive Strategy</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mcd/" rel="tag">McDonald's (MCD)</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2007/08/mcdonaldstjb1_240.jpg" />Not satisfied to wear the crown among fast-food companies, McDonald's (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/mcdonald-s-corporation/mcd/nys">MCD</a>) continues to strive toward new ways to attract customers into its establishments in the off-peak hours. The company has already launched a salvo at Starbucks (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/starbucks-corporation/sbux/nas">SBUX</a>) with its McCafe concept of lattes and cappuccinos, and now it is moving into the smoothie market. You may remember the company first <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/02/16/mcdonalds-mcd-adds-another-healthy-option/" target="_blank">unveiled the concept</a> at the Winter Olympics, with familiar faces such as Picabo Street endorsing the frozen beverages. <br />
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After roughly a year of research and iteration, the <a target="_blank" href="http://adage.com/article?article_id=144703">smoothies are coming</a> to a McDonald's near you next month, in two flavors -- Strawberry Banana and Wild Berry. Meanwhile, MCD is using some of its Austin and Michigan stores to test "frozen juice blends."<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/mcdonalds-smoothies/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>McDonald's Eyes Yet Another Market -- Smoothies</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/mcdonalds-smoothies/">McDonald's Eyes Yet Another Market -- Smoothies</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://consumerist.com/2010/06/mcdonalds-wants-you-to-come-in-for-a-drink.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/mcdonalds-smoothies/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19534517/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/mcdonalds-smoothies/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>coffee</category><category>competition</category><category>fast food</category><category>featured</category><category>inthenews</category><category>jmba</category><category>MCD</category><category>mcdonalds</category><category>sbux</category><category>smoothie</category><category>sonc</category><category>starbucks</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Research in Motion Poised to Drop After Earnings Report]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/25/research-in-motion-poised-to-drop-after-earnings-report/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/25/research-in-motion-poised-to-drop-after-earnings-report/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/25/research-in-motion-poised-to-drop-after-earnings-report/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings Reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/bad-news/" rel="tag">Bad News</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/rimm/" rel="tag">Research in Motion (RIMM)</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2008/09/499730630_743d90c143_m[1].jpg" alt="Research in Motion (RIMM) BlackBerry" />Research in Motion (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/research-in-motion-limited/rimm/nas" class="inlinked">RIMM</a>) shareholders may be in for a bumpy Friday after the company <a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/media/rimm-earnings/19530161/">fell short</a> of sales estimates in its Thursday evening earnings report. But first, the good news. Fiscal first-quarter profit rose almost 20% to $769 million, or $1.38 per share, up from $643 million ($1.12) in the year-ago period. Analysts were targeting per-share <a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/category/earnings/" class="inlinked">earnings</a> of $1.34. <br />
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Quarterly revenue, however, rose 24% to $4.24 billion, falling short of the $4.35 billion expected by analysts. While the BlackBerry smart phone remains a top choice, especially among business men and women, competition is closing in from Apple's(<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/apple-inc/aapl/nas">AAPL</a>) iPhone, in all of its incarnations, as well as Motorola's (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/motorola-inc/mot/nys" class="inlinked">MOT</a>) Droid. And the new BlackBerry models just don't seem to be coming to market as quickly as its rivals. While increased competition is no fun, the number of smart phone users <a href="http://www.palminfocenter.com/news/6470/worldwide-mobile-phone-market-grows-22/">globally</a> is actually increasing -- and its a market that is still largely untapped (hard to believe if you live in America). <br />
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<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/25/research-in-motion-poised-to-drop-after-earnings-report/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Research in Motion Poised to Drop After Earnings Report</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/25/research-in-motion-poised-to-drop-after-earnings-report/">Research in Motion Poised to Drop After Earnings Report</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/media/rimm-earnings/19530161/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/25/research-in-motion-poised-to-drop-after-earnings-report/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19530386/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/25/research-in-motion-poised-to-drop-after-earnings-report/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>BlackBerry</category><category>earnings</category><category>earnings reports</category><category>featured</category><category>inthenews</category><category>Research in Motion</category><category>RIM</category><category>RIMM</category><category>sales</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nike Moving Lower Post-Earnings]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/nike-moving-lower-post-earnings/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/nike-moving-lower-post-earnings/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/nike-moving-lower-post-earnings/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings Reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/nke/" rel="tag">NIKE, Inc'B' (NKE)</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2009/12/nike_logo-240.jpg"  alt="Nike NKE logo" />As promised, Nike, Inc. (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/nike-inc/nke/nys">NKE</a>) reported <a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/category/earnings/" class="inlinked">earnings</a> after the close today, and it was a bit of good news, and a bit of bad news. Net income at the athletic apparel giant rose to $1.06 per share, a 53% rise from year-ago results. Sales were up 8% to $5.1 billion. These numbers, respectively, were just above and just below analysts' estimates for per-share results of $1.05 on $5.14 billion in revenue (according to Thomson Reuters). <br />
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Orders in North America rose 8%, while orders rose 19% in Greater China and jumped 30% in emerging markets. Estimates for global future orders rose 7% to $8.8 billion and rose 10% excluding currency charges. While this momentum in China and elsewhere helped buoy profits, higher labor wages and an appreciating yuan in the People's Republic may be a detriment in the coming months, according to analysts.<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/nike-moving-lower-post-earnings/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Nike Moving Lower Post-Earnings</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/nike-moving-lower-post-earnings/">Nike Moving Lower Post-Earnings</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/emerging-markets-lift-nikes-53-profit-gain-2010-06-23?reflink=MW_news_stmp>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/nike-moving-lower-post-earnings/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19528616/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/nike-moving-lower-post-earnings/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>analysts estimates</category><category>earnings reports</category><category>inthenews</category><category>Nike</category><category>NKE</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hotel Chains to Cut Back on Housekeeping]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/hotel-chains-to-cut-back-on-housekeeping/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/hotel-chains-to-cut-back-on-housekeeping/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/hotel-chains-to-cut-back-on-housekeeping/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/consumer-experience/" rel="tag">Consumer Experience</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/green-stocks/" rel="tag">Green   Stocks</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/recession/" rel="tag">Recession</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2009/09/525824977_c7fdd88759_m.jpg" />We've all seen those gently worded, politically correct suggestions in our hotel rooms - "____ gallons of water are used each day cleaning towels and sheets that have been used just once..." While guests are invited to re-use sheets or towels in the name of environmental friendliness, the conservation serves another purpose -- lowering housekeeping costs. <br />
<br />
With occupancy rates on the decline, hotel chains are looking for ways to limit expenses, and one of these ways is by <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2010-06-23-1Ahotelcleaning23_ST_N.htm" target="_blank">reducing housekeeping efforts</a>. Some Wyhndham Worldwide (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/wyndham-worldwide-corporation/wyn/nys">WYN</a>) chains, such as Howard Johnson, Ramada, and Super 8, leave linens unchanged whenever possible. WYN's Days Inn chain is soon going to adopt a three-day change rule (I'm assuming all hotels still change between guests, regardless of the length of stay). <br />
<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/hotel-chains-to-cut-back-on-housekeeping/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Hotel Chains to Cut Back on Housekeeping</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/hotel-chains-to-cut-back-on-housekeeping/">Hotel Chains to Cut Back on Housekeeping</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2010-06-23-1Ahotelcleaning23_ST_N.htm>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/hotel-chains-to-cut-back-on-housekeeping/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19528458/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/hotel-chains-to-cut-back-on-housekeeping/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>EnvironmentallyFriendly</category><category>featured</category><category>green</category><category>hotel chains</category><category>housekeeping</category><category>inthenews</category><category>maid service</category><category>WYN</category><category>wyndham</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Number of World's Millionaires on the Rise]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/number-of-worlds-millionaires-on-the-rise/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/number-of-worlds-millionaires-on-the-rise/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/number-of-worlds-millionaires-on-the-rise/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mandftoday/" rel="tag">Money and Finance Today</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/rich-in-america/" rel="tag">Rich in America</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/personalfinance/" rel="tag">Personal Finance</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" align="right" alt=""  src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2010/01/money-stacks-240.jpg" />Well, millionaires of the world, your club has become a bit less elite. The number of millionaires across the globe <a target="_blank" href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-22/world-s-millionaires-rise-by-17-merrill-lynch-says.html">rose by an astounding 17%</a> in 2009, according to the 14th annual "World Wealth Report" published by Merrill Lynch and Capgemini SA. That's a lot of wealth in a time of global economic crisis. <br />
<br />
But first, what defines a millionaire? No, having a baseball-card collection that <em>might </em>fetch that kind of a price tag doesn't count (unfortunately). The way the Merrill study defines it is those households with at least $1 million in investable assets, <em>not including </em>primary residences. There are now 10 million of these households in the world, up from 8.6 million in 2008.<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/number-of-worlds-millionaires-on-the-rise/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Number of World's Millionaires on the Rise</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/number-of-worlds-millionaires-on-the-rise/">Number of World's Millionaires on the Rise</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:20:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-22/world-s-millionaires-rise-by-17-merrill-lynch-says.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/number-of-worlds-millionaires-on-the-rise/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19527024/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/number-of-worlds-millionaires-on-the-rise/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>featured</category><category>Merrill Lynch</category><category>millionaire</category><category>wealthy</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:20:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Walmart Finally Coming to Chicago?]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/walmart-finally-coming-to-chicago/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/walmart-finally-coming-to-chicago/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/walmart-finally-coming-to-chicago/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/consumer-experience/" rel="tag">Consumer Experience</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/competitive-strategy/" rel="tag">Competitive Strategy</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/wmt/" rel="tag">Wal-Mart (WMT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/politics/" rel="tag">Politics</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2007/08/wal-mart-wmt-supercenter-chicago.jpg" />After years of pretty staunch resistance, Walmart (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/wal-mart-stores-inc/wmt/nys">WMT</a>) may finally be gaining access to the nation's third-biggest market: Chicago. In the past, labor unions and other organizations had banned the retailing giant from the metro area, citing unreasonable salaries and unfair treatment. <br />
<br />
In an effort to respond to these concerns, WMT has devised the "<a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walmart-announces-goal-to-work-with-the-city-to-increase-store-growth-over-five-years-96832069.html" target="_blank">Chicago Community Investment Partnership</a>," which carries enough economic clout to win over the Windy City's decision-makers. As Alderman Anthony A. Beale summed up in a release, "most of all, [the city of Chicago] need(s) good jobs." <br />
<br />
The Partnership, to be carried out over the next five years, promises the following: <p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/walmart-finally-coming-to-chicago/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Walmart Finally Coming to Chicago?</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/walmart-finally-coming-to-chicago/">Walmart Finally Coming to Chicago?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/feed/ct-biz-0622-walmart-20100621,0,3966595.story>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walmart-announces-goal-to-work-with-the-city-to-increase-store-growth-over-five-years-96832069.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/walmart-finally-coming-to-chicago/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19526988/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/23/walmart-finally-coming-to-chicago/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Chicago</category><category>Consumer Experience</category><category>Employment</category><category>featured</category><category>inthenews</category><category>Politics</category><category>Retail</category><category>Unions</category><category>Wal-Mart Stores</category><category>WMT</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Amazon and Nook Prices Drop as E-reader Battle Wages On]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/the-e-reader-battle-wages-on/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/the-e-reader-battle-wages-on/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/the-e-reader-battle-wages-on/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/competitive-strategy/" rel="tag">Competitive Strategy</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/aapl/" rel="tag">Apple Inc (AAPL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/amzn/" rel="tag">Amazon.com (AMZN)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/iphone/" rel="tag">iPhone</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/technology/" rel="tag">Technology</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2009/12/amazon-kindle-200x150.jpg" alt="" />Good news for those of you who haven't yet hopped on the e-reader bandwagon; now you can climb aboard for cheaper. A pricing battle between Barnes &amp; Noble (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/barnes-and-noble-inc/bks/nys">BKS</a>) - which makes the Nook -- and Amazon.com, Inc. (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/amazon-com-inc/amzn/nas">AMZN</a>) -- parent of the Kindle -- leaves consumers the winners, as the devices are <a href="http://mashable.com/2010/06/21/ereader-price-cuts/" target="_blank">now priced south of $200</a>. <br />
<br />
The WiFi-only Nook is now available for just $149 (the 3G version is priced at $199) and the 3G-enabled Kindle has been marked down to $189 from $259. That's a 27% savings. It's also conveniently $10 less than the comparable Nook.<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/the-e-reader-battle-wages-on/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Amazon and Nook Prices Drop as E-reader Battle Wages On</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/the-e-reader-battle-wages-on/">Amazon and Nook Prices Drop as E-reader Battle Wages On</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://mashable.com/2010/06/21/ereader-price-cuts/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/the-e-reader-battle-wages-on/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19525140/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/the-e-reader-battle-wages-on/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Amazon.com</category><category>AMZN</category><category>BarnesAndNoble</category><category>BKS</category><category>competition</category><category>e-reader</category><category>ibooks</category><category>inthenews</category><category>iPad</category><category>iPhone4</category><category>Kindle</category><category>nook</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[More Options Volume in Las Vegas Sands; This Time on the Bull Side]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/more-options-volume-in-las-vegas-sands-this-time-on-the-bull-s/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/more-options-volume-in-las-vegas-sands-this-time-on-the-bull-s/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/more-options-volume-in-las-vegas-sands-this-time-on-the-bull-s/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/options/" rel="tag">Options</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/lvs/" rel="tag">Las Vegas Sands (LVS)</a></p><div><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2010/06/sands.jpg" alt="Las Vegas Sands in 1955" style="width: 208px; height: 220px;" />Earlier this morning, Elizabeth Harrow wrote about a <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/option-trader-calls-a-top-to-las-vegas-sands-ascent/" target="_blank">call seller</a> in front-month Las Vegas Sands (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/las-vegas-sands-corp/lvs/nys" class="inlinked">LVS</a>) options, expressing a moderately bearish outlook. That wasn't all the excitement in the Sands pits today, however, as we also saw <a href="http://www.onn.tv/volatility-overlays/las-vegas-sands-nyselvs-spread-buyer-boosts-call-volume/" target="_blank">call-spread activity</a> in the September series. In contrast to the call selling, this particular trade represented a moderately bullish thesis.</div>
<div><br />
In late-morning action, more than 8,000 calls had changed hands simultaneously on both the September 23 and 27 strikes. Given the open interest levels heading into today's session, it is probable that this volume was initiated to open. It looks as though the 23-strike calls (in-the-money by more than $4) were bought for $6.08 per contract while the 27-strike calls (in-the-money by about 60 cents) were sold for $3.48 each, resulting in a net debit of $2.60 per bull call spread.</div><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/more-options-volume-in-las-vegas-sands-this-time-on-the-bull-s/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>More Options Volume in Las Vegas Sands; This Time on the Bull Side</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/more-options-volume-in-las-vegas-sands-this-time-on-the-bull-s/">More Options Volume in Las Vegas Sands; This Time on the Bull Side</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.onn.tv/volatility-overlays/las-vegas-sands-nyselvs-spread-buyer-boosts-call-volume/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/more-options-volume-in-las-vegas-sands-this-time-on-the-bull-s/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19524849/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/more-options-volume-in-las-vegas-sands-this-time-on-the-bull-s/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>call buying</category><category>call spreads</category><category>Las Vegas Sands</category><category>LVS</category><category>options</category><category>Options Trading</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA['Toy Story' Franchise Is Alive and Well]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/toy-story/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/toy-story/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/toy-story/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/dis/" rel="tag">Walt Disney (DIS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/film/" rel="tag">Film</a></p><p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2009/07/pixar_logo.jpg" />Last week, Steven Mallas asked, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/disneys-toy-story-3-is-here-does-the-market-care/" target="_blank">Disney's 'Toy Story 3' Is Here: Does the Market Care</a>? We'll see Monday how Wall Street rewards Walt Disney Company's (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/the-walt-disney-company/dis/nys">DIS</a>) shares, but this weekend's box-office receipts indicate that moviegoers <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/21/movies/21box.html" target="_blank">very much care</a> about the continuing adventures of Buzz, Woody, and the rest of the gang. Fans were waiting anxiously for the latest installment of the Tom-Hanks-led franchise, which hit theaters initially in 1995 (part 2 was released in 1999).</p>
<p>The film was a strong number-one at the box office this weekend (the 11th Pixar title to nab the top spot) and secured $109 million in North American ticket sales. Analysts are now targeting a domestic gross of more than $400 million. This was Pixar's best opening ever (even when adjusting for inflation).</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/toy-story/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>'Toy Story' Franchise Is Alive and Well</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/toy-story/">'Toy Story' Franchise Is Alive and Well</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/21/movies/21box.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/toy-story/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19524155/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/toy-story/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>box office</category><category>DIS</category><category>featured</category><category>inthenews</category><category>movie business</category><category>toy story 3</category><category>walt disney</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Best Buy to Start Dealing in Used Games]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/best-buy-to-deal-in-used-games/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/best-buy-to-deal-in-used-games/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/best-buy-to-deal-in-used-games/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/bby/" rel="tag">Best Buy (BBY)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/gme/" rel="tag">GameStop Corp (GME)</a></p><p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2009/12/bestbuy-logo-240.jpg" alt="Best Buy BBY logo" />I remember 15 years ago, I rarely felt more satisfied than when I sold an unwanted CD for a decent price (still looking for someone to take that Spin Doctors album off my hands). It was also a rush to score a CD that was new (and cheap) to me, even if it had been dismissed by its former owner. That business may have suffered a precipitous fall, the trade of used goods continues to thrive among the gaming community.</p>
<p>Gamestop (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/gamestop-corp-new/gme/nys">GME</a>) makes much of its business (<a href="http://industry.bnet.com/technology/10008837/why-best-buy-should-kick-gamestops-rear-and-wont/" target="_blank">27% in the last quarter</a>, to be exact) in the used trade, and it makes good business sense. Once a consumer buys a title from, say, Electronic Arts (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/electronic-arts-inc/erts/nas">ERTS</a>), the publisher has made its money. The profit from used discs goes to the seller and the middle man (which happens to be Gamestop). While used games comprised just 27% of Gamestop sales last quarter, they made up 48% of the company's gross profit.</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/best-buy-to-deal-in-used-games/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Best Buy to Start Dealing in Used Games</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/best-buy-to-deal-in-used-games/">Best Buy to Start Dealing in Used Games</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:20:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/best-buy-to-deal-in-used-games/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19521239/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/best-buy-to-deal-in-used-games/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>BBY</category><category>Best Buy</category><category>consumers</category><category>electronics retailers</category><category>featured</category><category>Gamestop</category><category>GME</category><category>inthenews</category><category>video games</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:20:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Limited Brands Sells The Limited]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/limited-brands-sells-the-limited/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/limited-brands-sells-the-limited/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/limited-brands-sells-the-limited/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/deals/" rel="tag">Deals</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ltd/" rel="tag">Limited Brands (LTD)</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2010/06/35888956121cebee26acm.jpg" alt="" />The Limited is under Limited Brands (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/limited-brands-inc/ltd/nys" class="inlinked">LTD</a>) no more. The retail company <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/17/business/17limited.html?partner=rss&amp;emc=rss" target="_blank">unloaded</a> the remaining 25% of the eponymous women's apparel retailer to private equity firm Sun Capital Partners, which already held 75% of the company. The final chunk of the 220-store chain sold for roughly $32 million. Sun bought its initial 75% stake in the name in August 2007. <br />
<br />
Sun Capital's influence has been good for The Limited, which posted positive pretax annual earnings for the first time since 1993 (ironically, that's the year when I spent 90% of my allowance on their clothes. Honeycomb sweaters, anyone?).<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/limited-brands-sells-the-limited/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Limited Brands Sells The Limited</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/limited-brands-sells-the-limited/">Limited Brands Sells The Limited</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/17/business/17limited.html?partner=rss&amp;emc=rss>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/limited-brands-sells-the-limited/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19520805/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/18/limited-brands-sells-the-limited/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Deals</category><category>featured</category><category>inthenews</category><category>Limited Brands</category><category>LTD</category><category>retailers</category><category>Sun Capital</category><category>The Limited</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bulls Buying Calls in Research in Motion]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/17/bulls-buying-calls-in-research-in-motion-rimm/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/17/bulls-buying-calls-in-research-in-motion-rimm/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/17/bulls-buying-calls-in-research-in-motion-rimm/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/rimm/" rel="tag">Research in Motion (RIMM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/options/" rel="tag">Options</a></p><img  border="1" hspace="4" alt="Research in Motion RIMM logo" vspace="4" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2010/03/rimm.jpg" />Research in Motion (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/research-in-motion-limited/rimm/nas">RIMM</a>) shares closed down Wednesday, under-performing the broader market, which finished near break even. RIMM didn't report any news of its own accord, but investors likely reacted to an ill-received earnings guidance from mobile-phone peer Nokia Corporation (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/nokia-corporation/nok/nys">NOK</a>). A large-scale options trader evidently used yesterday's pullback as an opportunity to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.onn.tv/volatility-overlays/buying-upside-in-research-in-motion-nasdaqrimm-ahead-of-earnings/">scoop up some longer-dated call options</a>. <br />
<br />
Early yesterday, a block of around 7,000 out-of-the-money January 85 calls hit the tape for $1.45 per contract ($145 apiece), for a total premium of slightly more than $1 million paid. While open interest is already 10,000 at this strike, it appears these calls were bought to open, judging from an increase in implied volatility (and the fact that these options have more than six months until expiration).<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/17/bulls-buying-calls-in-research-in-motion-rimm/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Bulls Buying Calls in Research in Motion</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/17/bulls-buying-calls-in-research-in-motion-rimm/">Bulls Buying Calls in Research in Motion</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.onn.tv/volatility-overlays/buying-upside-in-research-in-motion-nasdaqrimm-ahead-of-earnings/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/17/bulls-buying-calls-in-research-in-motion-rimm/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19519323/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/17/bulls-buying-calls-in-research-in-motion-rimm/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>call buying</category><category>call options</category><category>derivatives</category><category>inthenews</category><category>options trading</category><category>Research In Motion</category><category>RIM</category><category>RIMM</category><category>speculation</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 17 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[iPhone 4 Pre-Order Sales Trump 3GS]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/iphone-4-pre-order-sales-trump-3gs/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/iphone-4-pre-order-sales-trump-3gs/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/iphone-4-pre-order-sales-trump-3gs/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/aapl/" rel="tag">Apple Inc (AAPL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/iphone/" rel="tag">iPhone</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2010/06/46802752723927aa7281m-1276718299.jpg" />Apple, Inc. (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/apple-inc/aapl/nas">AAPL</a>) needs to send personalized holiday cards to all of its customers to thank them for their unwavering and fierce loyalty. Apple-philes are a special breed of fanatic, and they are always in search of the next innovation. Witness the initial iPad sales, which surpassed even Apple's optimistic expectations. And witness early pre-orders of the iPhone 4, debuting in the U.S. on June 24. <br />
<br />
First, anxious shoppers <a target="_blank" href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20007758-260.html?tag=mncol;txt">crashed </a>AT&amp;T, Inc.'s (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/atandt-inc/t/nys">T</a>) shopping server in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. AT&amp;T has now suspended advance orders indefinitely. And still, the number of pre-orders for the iPhone 4 were <a target="_blank" href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/16/att-iphone-4-pre-order-sales-were-ten-times-higher-than-first-day-3gs-sales/">10 times higher</a> than orders for the 3GS last year. If you weren't one of the lucky ones to order through Apple or AT&amp;T while they still had existing inventory, you'll be waiting until the next shipment, expected to be before July 2.<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/iphone-4-pre-order-sales-trump-3gs/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>iPhone 4 Pre-Order Sales Trump 3GS</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/iphone-4-pre-order-sales-trump-3gs/">iPhone 4 Pre-Order Sales Trump 3GS</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/16/att-iphone-4-pre-order-sales-were-ten-times-higher-than-first-day-3gs-sales/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/iphone-4-pre-order-sales-trump-3gs/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19519292/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/iphone-4-pre-order-sales-trump-3gs/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>AAPL</category><category>Apple</category><category>apple stores</category><category>ATT</category><category>inthenews</category><category>iPhone</category><category>iPhone 3GS</category><category>iPhone 4</category><category>online shopping</category><category>T</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Papa John's Wins Customer Satisfaction Poll - Really?]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/papa-johns-wins-customer-satisfaction-poll/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/papa-johns-wins-customer-satisfaction-poll/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/papa-johns-wins-customer-satisfaction-poll/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/products-and-services/" rel="tag">Products and Services</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/consumer-experience/" rel="tag">Consumer Experience</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/marketing-and-advertising/" rel="tag">Marketing and Advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/dpz/" rel="tag">Domino's Pizza (DPZ)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thepizzareview/2573988028/"><img border="1" hspace="4" alt="" vspace="4" align="right" style="width: 169px; height: 239px" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2010/06/papajohns-1276638835.jpg" /></a>In the battle for pizza-chain dominance, it was Papa John's International (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/papa-john-s-international-inc/pzza/nas">PZZA</a>) that took the cake (or rather the crust). <a target="_blank" href="http://consumerist.com/2010/06/papa-johns-somehow-tops-customer-satisfaction-survey.html">The Consumerist</a> reports that the latest results from the University of Michigan's American Customer Satisfaction Index -- tracking points on customer expectations, perceived quality and value, customer complaints, and customer loyalty -- show Papa John's topped its peers in both the pizza business and the fast-food sector overall.</p>
<p>The chain improved its score by 6.7% from last year, hitting 80/100.</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/papa-johns-wins-customer-satisfaction-poll/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Papa John's Wins Customer Satisfaction Poll - Really?</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/papa-johns-wins-customer-satisfaction-poll/">Papa John's Wins Customer Satisfaction Poll - Really?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://consumerist.com/2010/06/papa-johns-somehow-tops-customer-satisfaction-survey.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/papa-johns-wins-customer-satisfaction-poll/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19517819/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/papa-johns-wins-customer-satisfaction-poll/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>customer satisfaction</category><category>dominos</category><category>fast food</category><category>featured</category><category>inthenews</category><category>papa johns</category><category>PZZA</category><category>surveys</category><category>university of michigan</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nestle Sues Sara Lee over Patent Infringement]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/nestle-sues-sara-lee-nespresso/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/nestle-sues-sara-lee-nespresso/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/nestle-sues-sara-lee-nespresso/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/other-issues/" rel="tag">Other Issues</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/bad-news/" rel="tag">Bad News</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/sle/" rel="tag">Sara Lee Corp (SLE)</a></p><p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" alt="Nestle logo"  src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2010/01/nestle-logo-240.jpg" />"Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/sara-lee-corporation/sle/nys" class="inlinked">SLE</a>)?" Think again. Swiss company Nestle has <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cnbc.com//id/37570647">filed a lawsuit</a> against the Illinois-based food giant, claiming patent infringement of the Nespresso coffee system. While the Swiss are known for staying neutral, Nestle felt compelled to seek legal action in an effort to protect its highest-selling product.</p>
<p>Nespresso is the business model that keeps on giving ... once customers buy one of the high-end machines, they also need to buy capsules of blended coffee (available in 16 varieties of varying flavors and intensity). The machines run from $199 to $599 and the capsules are about 55 cents apiece (which provides one cup). That 12-cup-a-day habit can add up quickly.</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/nestle-sues-sara-lee-nespresso/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Nestle Sues Sara Lee over Patent Infringement</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/nestle-sues-sara-lee-nespresso/">Nestle Sues Sara Lee over Patent Infringement</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/nestle-sues-sara-lee-nespresso/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19517009/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/nestle-sues-sara-lee-nespresso/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>inthenews</category><category>lawsuits</category><category>nespresso</category><category>Nestle</category><category>patent infringement</category><category>Sara Lee</category><category>SLE</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Isn't It Romantic? Shop Tiffany from Your Phone]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/isnt-it-romantic-shop-tiffany-from-your-phone/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/isnt-it-romantic-shop-tiffany-from-your-phone/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/isnt-it-romantic-shop-tiffany-from-your-phone/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/consumer-experience/" rel="tag">Consumer Experience</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/tif/" rel="tag">Tiffany and Co (TIF)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/iphone/" rel="tag">iPhone</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/smartphones/" rel="tag">Smartphones</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/technology/" rel="tag">Technology</a></p><img hspace="4" height="174" border="1" align="right" width="220" vspace="4" alt="diamond ring" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2007/11/tiffany_diamond.jpg" />Well, guys, it's become a little easier for your girlfriend to hint for that engagement ring. On the plus side, it's become easier for you to shop for one. Tiffany &amp; Co. (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/tiffany-and-company/tif/nys">TIF</a>) has launched a <a href="http://mashable.com/2010/06/14/tiffany-co-iphone-app/" target="_blank">new app</a> for Apple's (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/apple-inc/aapl/nas">AAPL</a>) iPhone, and it may just become a girl's best friend. <br />
<br />
The free app, called the "Engagement Ring Finder," allows a would-be groom (or bride) to browse through shapes, settings, metals, designs, and carat sizes (only up to 2.5 carats, so the super generous among you will have to visit a TIF store). It is also possible to view the rings from various angles and look at them "actual size." Users can save their favorite looks to consult with friends and family via text, email, Facebook, and Twitter.<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/isnt-it-romantic-shop-tiffany-from-your-phone/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Isn't It Romantic? Shop Tiffany from Your Phone</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/isnt-it-romantic-shop-tiffany-from-your-phone/">Isn't It Romantic? Shop Tiffany from Your Phone</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://mashable.com/2010/06/14/tiffany-co-iphone-app/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/isnt-it-romantic-shop-tiffany-from-your-phone/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19516158/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/isnt-it-romantic-shop-tiffany-from-your-phone/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>app store</category><category>Apple</category><category>diamonds</category><category>engagement ring</category><category>inthenews</category><category>iphone</category><category>shopping</category><category>tiffany</category><category>TiffanyAndCo</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Free WiFi at Starbucks: Good or Bad for Business?]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/free-wifi-at-starbucks-pro-or-con/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/free-wifi-at-starbucks-pro-or-con/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/free-wifi-at-starbucks-pro-or-con/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/consumer-experience/" rel="tag">Consumer Experience</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/competitive-strategy/" rel="tag">Competitive Strategy</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/sbux/" rel="tag">Starbucks (SBUX)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mcd/" rel="tag">McDonald's (MCD)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/t/" rel="tag">AT and T (T)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/technology/" rel="tag">Technology</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2008/02/sbux.jpg" alt="Working at Starbucks (SBUX)" />Starbucks (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/starbucks-corporation/sbux/nas" class="inlinked">SBUX</a>) CEO Howard Schultz said Monday that beginning July 1, the coffee king will offer <a target="_blank" href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/14/starbucks-partnering-with-yahoo-for-free-wifi-beginning-july-1/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader">free WiFi</a> in all company-owned stores. This is a change from the current policy, which allows two free hours to customers with a registered SBUX card, or free unrestricted service for AT&amp;T (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/atandt-inc/t/nys">T</a>) customers. <br />
<br />
Not only will the surfing be free, but SBUX-based users will have access to a free version of <em>The Wall Street Journal</em>, content from <em>Zagats, </em>and a free "pick of the week" iTunes download. Not too shabby. Why bother paying for service at home?<br />
<br />
This move makes sense, of course, and was a long time coming, as SBUX has to keep up with its competitors. Panera Bread (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/panera-bread-company/pnra/nas" class="inlinked">PNRA</a>) has offered free WiFi for years; so do most McDonald's (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/mcdonald-s-corporation/mcd/nys" class="inlinked">MCD</a>). <p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/free-wifi-at-starbucks-pro-or-con/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Free WiFi at Starbucks: Good or Bad for Business?</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/free-wifi-at-starbucks-pro-or-con/">Free WiFi at Starbucks: Good or Bad for Business?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/14/starbucks-partnering-with-yahoo-for-free-wifi-beginning-july-1/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/free-wifi-at-starbucks-pro-or-con/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19516136/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/15/free-wifi-at-starbucks-pro-or-con/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ATT</category><category>featured</category><category>inthenews</category><category>SBUX</category><category>starbucks</category><category>T</category><category>wifi</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Gaston Moon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
