BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Blackberry Storm 'pre-launched' on November 20? Rumor has smartphone lovers alert]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/12/blackberry-storm-pre-launched-on-november-20-rumor-has-smartp/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/12/blackberry-storm-pre-launched-on-november-20-rumor-has-smartp/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/12/blackberry-storm-pre-launched-on-november-20-rumor-has-smartp/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Consumers may be strapped for cash this year with Christmas approaching, but if there's one category which analysts expect to do well despite the downturn, it's smart phones. Analysts have called for Apple, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) to reduce its price on the 8GB iPhone to $99 (with a two-year AT&T contract), though reports that the company might scale back production point to somewhat depressed demand.

Will Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) finally have its iPhone contender; and just in time for the pre-holiday frenzy? Boy Genius Report has received a leaked presentation from Verizon management that indicates the Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) Blackberry Storm will be released in a "pre-launch special event" on November 20, the Thursday before Thanksgiving. The document indicates the Storm, Verizon's first chance at an iPhone-like device, would be available for testing and pre-ordering at 123 company stores, which would open an hour early for the extravaganza. Actual launch throughout the U.S. would occur on the 24th and 25th, Monday and Tuesday.

The Storm has no physical keyboard, instead using the touch-screen technology similar to the iPhone, a camera, and visual voicemail. Pricing will be $199.99 with a two-year agreement. With Verizon planning to stock plenty of these devices, the iPhone-style frenzy may not exist, but it should be popular for consumers who have been captive to Verizon for one reason or another -- and those whose loyalty lies with the Blackberry. Will this be the holiday season of the touchscreen smart phone? RIMM and Verizon can only put their nightcaps on and dream.

Blackberry Storm 'pre-launched' on November 20? Rumor has smartphone lovers alert originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryblackberry stormBlackberryStormchristmasholidashiphonerimmsmartphonestormvzWed, 12 Nov 2008 16:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Did Coca-Cola (KO) deck out Kris Kringle in corporate red? Ho Ho Ho!]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/20/did-coca-cola-ko-deck-out-kris-kringle-in-corporate-red-ho-ho/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/20/did-coca-cola-ko-deck-out-kris-kringle-in-corporate-red-ho-ho/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/20/did-coca-cola-ko-deck-out-kris-kringle-in-corporate-red-ho-ho/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. But no, The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) did not invent him.

It's hard to argue that Coke's advertising over the years hasn't left a large imprint on the American psyche. It's one of the America's signature brands, after all. The Real Thing. Indeed, it's long been rumored that Coke was behind the jolly red and white suit worn by Santa Claus.

Artist Haddon Sundblom was commissioned to create a large, jovial, pink-cheeked Santa for Coca-Cola ads. He did, and that image of Santa ran in 42 ads on billboards and in magazines from 1931 to
1964, cementing the image of a red-and-white-clad Santa for several generations of Americans.

Continue reading Did Coca-Cola (KO) deck out Kris Kringle in corporate red? Ho Ho Ho!

Did Coca-Cola (KO) deck out Kris Kringle in corporate red? Ho Ho Ho! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Coca-Cola Co.Coca-colaCo.holidashKOKris Kringle in Coke colorsKrisKringleInCokeColorsSanta Claus and CokeSantaClausAndCokeurban mythsUrbanMythsThu, 20 Dec 2007 18:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Wal-Mart donates millions of meals to America's Second Harvest]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/19/wal-mart-donates-3-million-meals-to-americas-second-harvest/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/19/wal-mart-donates-3-million-meals-to-americas-second-harvest/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/19/wal-mart-donates-3-million-meals-to-americas-second-harvest/#commentsFiled under: ,

Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), the world's largest retailer, will be donating 3 million meals (value: $1 million) to America's Second Harvest (ASH). ASH is the largest hunger-relief organization in the U.S., and with such a large donation, it's great to hear Wal-Mart contributing to those less fortunate as a response to the nationwide shortage in food banks this month.

Wal-Mart will deliver 50 food-filled trucks to each state in the U.S. with an equal share of the 3 million donated meals, which will comprise the main portion of the retailer's donation. As a kudos to Wal-Mart, it was listed as being the first corporation to respond to ASH's call to action based on a national food shortage in food banks all over the U.S. To ensure those in need at least have a holiday meal to enjoy, Wal-Mart's donation will supply 25% of the 12 million meals the ASH says are needed. Meals will include grocery items like macaroni and cheese, oatmeal, peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti pasta and sauce, corn, beans and potatoes.

Will Wal-Mart win some positive PR by getting all these food donations in place within every U.S. state by next Tuesday -- Christmas Day? Most likely, yes. In a year that saw the giant retailer fend off sharp arrows from just about every critic it has, all that needs to be put aside to recognize the latitude of this kind of corporate giving. To other retailers that have not yet responded: Wal-Mart has set the bar for you. Let's see other food retailers measure up during the remainder of this week.

Wal-Mart donates millions of meals to America's Second Harvest originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charityholidashinthenewsWal-MartWal-Mart donationsWal-martDonationsWMTWed, 19 Dec 2007 16:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Wal-Mart brings back Santa Claus]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/10/wal-mart-brings-back-santa-claus/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/10/wal-mart-brings-back-santa-claus/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/10/wal-mart-brings-back-santa-claus/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Santas in Sydney might not be allowed to say "Ho, ho, ho" this holiday season, but Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is making some progress on the sticking-it-to-political-correctness front: it's bringing back Santa.

Two years ago, Wal-Mart shocked the world when it ended its tradition of wishing shoppers a "Merry Christmas" in favor of the increasingly annoying "Happy Holidays." Now, Wal-Mart is shedding its agnosticism in favor of Santa. The chain is bringing Santa Claus back into its stores, and will be offering children free photos with the bearded one.

Bloomberg discusses some of Wal-Mart's other Christmas festivities. The move makes a lot of sense for Wal-Mart. Anyone who is likely to be offended by "Merry Christmas" at Wal-Mart could probably find better things in the stores to be offended by: low wages, poor benefits, lousy working conditions, a slew of discrimination lawsuits, and the strong chance of being attacked in the store's parking lot, just to name a few.

Wal-Mart may be able to pick up some sales from conservative Christians who are resentful of being sold "winter trees" at other stores. The decision to welcome back Santa with open arms is a good one for Wal-Mart and its shareholders.

Wal-Mart brings back Santa Claus originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChristmasHolidashHolidaysinthenewspolitically correctPoliticallyCorrectSanta ClausSantaClausWal-MartWMTMon, 10 Dec 2007 11:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Holiday retail profits may get squeezed more]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/03/holiday-retail-profits-may-get-squeezed-more/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/03/holiday-retail-profits-may-get-squeezed-more/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/03/holiday-retail-profits-may-get-squeezed-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The poor earnings at companies like Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD) may be getting worse. A study released by America's Research Group indicates that shoppers will wait for another cut in retail goods toward the end of the month before making more purchases. "Half of America went shopping this weekend but they weren't very serious about it," Britt Beemer, founder and chairman of the group, told Reuters.

Details from the survey indicate that shoppers are simply sitting and waiting for deeper discounts, assuming that they will have to come.

The good news is that the consumer will be back to retail outlets, big and small. This means that Americans do not feel so pinched by current economic problems that they feel they cannot afford a nice holiday.

But the bad news is that they want retailers to bring down prices again to get them back into stores, and are willing to wait late in the season to see if deals improve.

There is an old saying that companies can lose money on each item and make it up on volume. That was not true when the saying was coined and it is no truer today. Margins at retailers are about to get pushed down again.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Holiday retail profits may get squeezed more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChristmasholidashinthenewsretailSearsSHLDshoppingMon, 03 Dec 2007 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Home Depot's 'miracle trees' -- another sign of the War on Christmas?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/28/home-depots-miracle-trees-another-sign-of-the-war-on-chris/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/28/home-depots-miracle-trees-another-sign-of-the-war-on-chris/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/28/home-depots-miracle-trees-another-sign-of-the-war-on-chris/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In a move bound to arouse the ire of a few religious conservatives, The Home Depot (NYSE: HD) is selling what it calls "Miracle Trees" on its web site.

These "Miracle Trees" look suspiciously like what some folks call "Christmas trees." In fact, the company says that people who buy them will "enjoy less mess and more cheer." A representative for Atlanta-based Home Depot couldn't immediately be reached for comment, so it remains unclear what "miracle" these things are supposed to perform. I'll update the post if I hear from the company. The name of the product came from the manufacturer, according to a Home Depot spokeswoman, who added that the company continues to call Christmas trees by their given name.

The right-wing American Family Association, which earlier this month criticized Lowe's Companies (NYSE: LOW) for calling Christmas trees "holiday trees," was aware of the the Home Depot "Miracle Trees" but had no other immediate comment. Word of the "Miracle Trees" also has spread to talk radio.

With the holiday season about a month away, AFA already is on a heightened state of alert to ferret out Christmas slights. The Gap (NYSE: GPS) is in the group's penalty box for "censoring Christmas" for the second year in a row.

"At Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic, Christmas hardly exists. For these three companies, all owned by Gap, the only items listed as having anything to do with Christmas were a pair of boxer shorts and a child's sleepwear set," the group says. A spokesperson for San Francisco-based Gap couldn't immediately be reached for comment. Update: Gap spokesman Greg Rossiter denies the retailer is anti-Christmas. The company encourages its 150,000 workers to greet customers "warmly" during the holiday season. "They are not required to use that greeting (Merry Christmas) nor are they required not to," he said in an interview.

Who would have thought that Christmas wasn't commercialized enough?

Gallery: 'Tis the season to boycott: Would Christmas by any other name be so controversial?

'Miracle' Trees: Is this another attack on Christmas?Celebrate 'Family Trees' with Lowe'sNo Ho, Santa!Un-Merry Christmas: U.K. elementary school bans Christmas cardsSacreligious toys at Wal-Mart?


Home Depot's 'miracle trees' -- another sign of the War on Christmas? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afaamerican family associationAmericanFamilyAssociationChristmasholidashHome DepotHomeDepotwar on christmasWarOnChristmasWed, 28 Nov 2007 18:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Holiday gifts with a twist: self-turning sausages]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/27/holiday-gifts-with-a-twist-self-turning-sausages/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/27/holiday-gifts-with-a-twist-self-turning-sausages/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/27/holiday-gifts-with-a-twist-self-turning-sausages/#commentsFiled under: ,

As the holiday season approaches, we thought you might appreciate some gift suggestions with a twist, appropriate for those on your list who aren't satisfied with the same old, same old.

I admit to an abiding fascination with automata, mechanical devices, usually hand-cranked, that perform often-elaborate movements (think cuckoo clocks on steroids). If you have someone like me on your holiday gift list, and an unlimited budget, check out the offerings of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre.

Among my favorites:

  • Anubis operating a jackhammer
  • Wankel's Self-turning Sausages
  • Honeymoon Bed (yes, it bounces)
  • The Queen's Royal Wave
  • Miniature jousting knights that fit in your palm
  • Guillotine fun
  • Spaghetti eater sitting in bathtub

Lest you think these are toys, note the prices: $500 to $2,000. The Cabaret Mechanical Theatre also tours a collection of much more elaborate automata.

Holiday gifts with a twist: self-turning sausages originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmas giftsChristmasGiftshanukkah giftHanukkahGiftholidashholiday giftsHolidayGiftsTue, 27 Nov 2007 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Holiday gifts with a twist - Hammer time]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/26/holiday-gifts-with-a-twist-hammer-time/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/26/holiday-gifts-with-a-twist-hammer-time/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/26/holiday-gifts-with-a-twist-hammer-time/#commentsFiled under:

As the holiday season approaches, we thought you might appreciate some gift suggestions with a twist, appropriate for those on your list who aren't satisfied with the same old, same old.

Today's suggestion: The Flat-packed Hammer from Vert Design. The hammer comes in a flat sheet cut into pieces, resembling the snap-apart sections of an old-style model car or plane. The person you give this gift to snaps the component pieces apart and, by carefully assembling them, ends up with a handsome wooden mallet. The tool is perfect for bopping home a loose peg in a bookcase, a cat lunging for the cheese log, or a younger brother unaware of the power of armaments.

Vert Design is an Australian company. The hammer will set you back $45, Australian, or about US $40.

(thanks to Boing Boing)

Holiday gifts with a twist - Hammer time originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmaschristmas giftsChristmasGiftshanukkahholidashholiday giftsHolidayGiftsMon, 26 Nov 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Is your credit card information at risk this holiday season?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/26/is-your-credit-card-information-at-risk-this-holiday-season/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/26/is-your-credit-card-information-at-risk-this-holiday-season/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/26/is-your-credit-card-information-at-risk-this-holiday-season/#commentsFiled under: ,

The next time you're in a retail store paying for your purchase with a credit or debit card, you may want to take a deep breath. That credit card machine that verifies your customer status and credit line/checking account balance may be broadcasting that sensitive financial information right into the air. With the right equipment, data thieves may even be able to snatch it.

Similar to how some folks piggyback on their neighbors' Wi-Fi wireless internet connections, data thieves could be sitting outside the entrance to a local Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) or Target (NYSE: TGT) location just waiting to snatch those wireless transmissions from the air and possibly see all that personal, financial information. Yes, it's the kind used to steal one's identity.

According to some industry watchers, purchasing goods this holiday season using a website and credit card may actually be safer than swiping a physical card at a retail location just due to the security provided. Are those wireless credit card machines securely encrypted at all your favorite retail locations?

Sounds odd, but it never hurts to ask for a store manager and see what the answer is. Otherwise, one of those retailers could be broadcasting your information to whoever is listening just outside the door. With millions of credit card transactions set to take place in the next month, perhaps the information technology teams of these retailers should ensure customer information is completely protected.

Is your credit card information at risk this holiday season? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>credit card securityCreditCardSecurityholidashholiday salesHolidaySalesinthenewsretailerswireless securitywireless transactionsWirelessSecurityWirelessTransactionsMon, 26 Nov 2007 17:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Duck the crowds, get your gifts at local stores]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/23/duck-the-crowds-get-your-gifts-at-local-stores/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/23/duck-the-crowds-get-your-gifts-at-local-stores/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/23/duck-the-crowds-get-your-gifts-at-local-stores/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Art And Underwear in New York's Soho neighborhood It's easy for me to preach "shop local" from my blogger's perch in Manhattan. While many companies are headquartered here in New York, boutiques, bodegas and mom & pop shops rule this roost. Aside from Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) -- c'mon, they're ubiquitous -- and maybe Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD), I'd have to hike a mile or so to reach the nearest publicly traded business.

But committing my Christmas dollars to local businesses is a tradition I picked up from my ex back in North Carolina, and I think I'm all the better for it -- and all the better served.

For starters, you're far more likely to be wowed with the service from a small shop. At a local business, often you deal directly with the shop owners, who have an undeniable stake in your transaction. Because their equity and livelihood depend upon the repeat business of customers like yourself, you're worth more to the small business owner than the customer queued up at a crowded cash register at Circuit City (NYSE: CC) or Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD), and that value is evident in the transaction.

Continue reading Duck the crowds, get your gifts at local stores

Duck the crowds, get your gifts at local stores originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buy localBuyLocalChristmas shoppingChristmasShoppingholidashlocalsmall businessSmallBusinessFri, 23 Nov 2007 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Wal-Mart heavily publicizes website shopping for Black Friday]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/21/wal-mart-heavily-publicizes-website-shopping-for-black-friday/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/21/wal-mart-heavily-publicizes-website-shopping-for-black-friday/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/21/wal-mart-heavily-publicizes-website-shopping-for-black-friday/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) said this week that it would heavily publicize its website for this Friday's Black Friday sales event and would kick off the 'official' start to holiday sales on Thanksgiving Day. It will launch several web-only sales tomorrow and will accept orders as well on turkey day. Then, come Friday morning, stores will unleash into pandemonium most likely, along with other retailers nationwide.

Some of the deals that will be visible on www.walmart.com tomorrow have already been officially announced by the retailer. Examples: the Microsoft Zune 30 gigabyte MP3 video player for $98.87, and the Garmin Nuvi 650 Portable global positioning system for $298.87. In the case of the Zune, it's last year's model that is already selling for under $100 at many web retailers, so that's not a surprise.

In addition to "visible" sales that will launch on the Wal-Mart website tomorrow, the retailer will have a special "secret" deals area on its website to allude to deals that will be available in stores first thing Friday morning. That is, Black Friday morning.

Those "secret" deals won't be advertised in its circulars, which are the most common ways customers find Black Friday sales information. I said last week that Wal-Mart needs to become a little more creative in its Black Friday marketing efforts. This isn't a huge start, but it's a start.

Wal-Mart heavily publicizes website shopping for Black Friday originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Black FridayBlackFridayholidashWal-MartWal-Mart StoresWal-martStoresWMTWed, 21 Nov 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Friday laptop deals will be plentiful]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/21/black-friday-laptop-deals-will-be-plentiful/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/21/black-friday-laptop-deals-will-be-plentiful/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/21/black-friday-laptop-deals-will-be-plentiful/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Once again, one of the hotter items during the holiday season will be computer products. Specifically, laptop computers will probably make the mark as one of the most popular gift items this season, right along with HDTVs and gaming consoles. Consumers continue to replace clunky desktop computer systems with portable and light laptops, and retailers are more than happy to oblige with loss-leader priced laptops to lure shoppers into stores.

Big box giants Best Buy, Inc. (NYSE: BBY), Circuit City Stores, Inc. (NYSE: CC) and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) are expected to join the fray, and these retailers will most likely spill the beans today and tomorrow (Thanksgiving Day) to whet the appetites of computer bargain hunters come this Friday morning -- also known, of course, as Black Friday.

Continue reading Black Friday laptop deals will be plentiful

Black Friday laptop deals will be plentiful originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBYBest BuyBestBuyBlack FridayBlackFridayCCCircuit CityCircuitCityCompUSAholidashinthenewslaptopPC notebookPcNotebookWal-MartWMTWed, 21 Nov 2007 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony, Microsoft will benefit from Wii shortage]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/20/sony-microsoft-will-benefit-from-wii-shortage/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/20/sony-microsoft-will-benefit-from-wii-shortage/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/20/sony-microsoft-will-benefit-from-wii-shortage/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nintendo Wii boxing If you still hope to put a Nintendo (OTC: NTDOY) Wii under the tree this year, you best stop reading right now and run out to the mall. Supplies of the breakout gaming console are reportedly slim already, and should virtually disappear on Black Friday.

Bad news for you procrastinating shoppers, but good news for Sony (NYSE: SNE) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). Though sales of Microsoft's Xbox have spiked in recent months -- directly attributed to the debut of the Xbox-exclusive Halo 3 game -- sales of Sony's PlayStation 3 were outpaced by Wii last month by more than four-to-one. Expect that to change through year's end as overflow demand for the scant remaining Wiis rings up sales of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles, with parents refusing to retreat home empty-handed.

Of course, the real winners in this are the early bird eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) merchants, salivating at the prime seller's bonanza about to unfold. eBay currently lists several lots of multiple Wiis -- perhaps you can get your Grinch on, buy a bunch of 'em up and flip them through the shopping season. I'm just saying.

Then again, you could always get your kid tennis lessons, maybe a Louisville Slugger. No kid's going pro in Wii-sports anytime soon.

Shares of Microsoft were up 2% in early afternoon trading Tuesday, while Sony shares sat 1.37% higher.

Sony, Microsoft will benefit from Wii shortage originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holidashMicrosoftMSFTNintendoPlayStationretail salesRetailSalessalesSNESonyvideo gamesVideoGamesWiiTue, 20 Nov 2007 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Lowe's, PetSmart targeted by conservatives battling the 'war on Christmas']]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/16/lowes-petsmart-targeted-by-conservatives-fighting-war-on-chri/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/16/lowes-petsmart-targeted-by-conservatives-fighting-war-on-chri/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/16/lowes-petsmart-targeted-by-conservatives-fighting-war-on-chri/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

PetSmart Christmas site Looks like the so-called "war on Christmas" has begun. Lowe's Cos. (NYSE: LOW) and PetSmart Inc. (NASDAQ: PETS) have angered the American Family Association, a prominent religious conservative group.

The home improvement retailer earned AFA's ire by calling Christmas trees "family trees" in a catalog. A Lowe's spokeswoman, speaking to the Charlotte Observer, called using the term an error that came during the "creative process." Lowe's has profusely apologized and the AFA has apparently forgiven the company. "We appreciate Lowe's for listening to its customers and responding appropriately to our concerns," AFA said on its website.

Gallery: 'Tis the season to boycott: Would Christmas by any other name be so controversial?

'Miracle' Trees: Is this another attack on Christmas?Celebrate 'Family Trees' with Lowe'sNo Ho, Santa!Un-Merry Christmas: U.K. elementary school bans Christmas cardsSacreligious toys at Wal-Mart?

Continue reading Lowe's, PetSmart targeted by conservatives battling the 'war on Christmas'

Lowe's, PetSmart targeted by conservatives battling the 'war on Christmas' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AFAAmericanFamilyAssociationChristmasFfeaturedfordholidashholidaylowLowe'sPETSpetsmartFri, 16 Nov 2007 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[For safe holiday shopping here are 500+ toys not made in China]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/16/for-safe-holiday-shopping-here-are-500-toys-not-made-in-china/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/16/for-safe-holiday-shopping-here-are-500-toys-not-made-in-china/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/16/for-safe-holiday-shopping-here-are-500-toys-not-made-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With all the recalls this year of toys made in China -- due to lead paint and other hazards -- TheDailyGreen was kind enough to publish a list from Toys "R" Us marked "not made in China."

The list includes the item numbers on the Toys "R" Us web site. And unfortunately, there are no guarantees that all the products are really not made in China. Even if the toys are made in countries other than China, that does not necessarily mean that the toys are safe.

To be sure, you'll need to check the safety of the toys yourself by calling the manufacturer. It would be nice if the government could help make toy shopping safe for Americans. But it won't so you'll have to take responsibility for protecting your children from toy manufacturers.

For safe holiday shopping here are 500+ toys not made in China originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chinaholidashinthenewsmade in usaMadeInUsatoysFri, 16 Nov 2007 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Censoring Santa in Sydney: No to Ho, Ho, Ho]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/15/censoring-santa-in-sydney-no-to-ho-ho-ho/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/15/censoring-santa-in-sydney-no-to-ho-ho-ho/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/15/censoring-santa-in-sydney-no-to-ho-ho-ho/#commentsSo this is pretty stupid: Santas in Sydney are being urged to say "Ha, Ha, Ha," instead of "Ho, Ho, Ho."

According to FOX News, "Recruitment firm Westaff (NASDAQ: WSTF) -- which supplies hundreds of Santas across the country -- has told its trainees that the "Ho Ho Ho" phrase could frighten children and could even be derogatory to women."

"Ho, Ho, Ho" is offensive? I could understand if Santas were walking around calling people nappy-headed 'hos, but the reality is that "ho, ho, ho" has been around a lot longer than the other connotation made popular in song lyrics.

Gallery: 'Tis the season to boycott: Would Christmas by any other name be so controversial?

'Miracle' Trees: Is this another attack on Christmas?Celebrate 'Family Trees' with Lowe'sNo Ho, Santa!Un-Merry Christmas: U.K. elementary school bans Christmas cardsSacreligious toys at Wal-Mart?


Is there anyone reading this who doesn't think this is completely nuts (sorry, "insane")? If so, leave a comment and explain, because I don't get it.

Censoring Santa in Sydney: No to Ho, Ho, Ho originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expire-images:2008-11-14ho ho hoHoHoHoholidashsantasydneyThu, 15 Nov 2007 15:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Censoring Santa: Sydney says no, no, no to Ho, Ho, Ho]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/15/censoring-santa-sydney-says-no-no-no-to-ho-ho-ho/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/15/censoring-santa-sydney-says-no-no-no-to-ho-ho-ho/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/15/censoring-santa-sydney-says-no-no-no-to-ho-ho-ho/#commentsFiled under:

Christmas (or should I say "Xmas" -- "the holiday season" maybe?) continues to be criminalized and the companies that make a business of tinsel, gaily wrapped packages and "ho, ho, ho" don't know whether to embrace or hide from the specter of political incorrectness.

I'm sorry. Did I offend you?

In the latest blow to the no-longer-holy holidays, Santas in Sydney, Australia are being urged to say "ha, ha, ha," instead of "ho, ho, ho."

Recruitment firm Westaff (NASDAQ: WSTF), which contracts with hundreds of Santas, sending them to stores and social appearances throughout Australia, has re-vamped its training. It's telling would-be Santas that the "ho ho ho" phrase "could frighten children and could even be derogatory to women," according to an Australian newspaper.

As Zac Bissonnette says, "ho, ho, ho" is offensive? I could understand if Santas were walking around calling people nappy-headed 'hos," but Santa's jolly greeting is more kid lit than gangsta rap.

Continue reading Censoring Santa: Sydney says no, no, no to Ho, Ho, Ho

Censoring Santa: Sydney says no, no, no to Ho, Ho, Ho originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AustraliacensorshipHo Ho HoHoHoHoholidashpolitical correctnessPoliticalCorrectnesspolitically correctPoliticallyCorrectSantaSanta ClausSantaClausSydneyWestaffWSTFThu, 15 Nov 2007 14:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Online shopping deals on the rise]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/13/online-shopping-deals-on-the-rise/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/13/online-shopping-deals-on-the-rise/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/13/online-shopping-deals-on-the-rise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Internet shopper Attention holiday shoppers: online merchants are planning to make it really worth your while to buy stuff from their websites this holiday season. That may not be such great news for investors, though.

As the Wall Street Journal notes, the offers will include free shipping, online-only discounts and gift wrapping, a skill I have never mastered. The news isn't that these offers are available, but that more of them are coming. Even with the worries about overall holiday spending, online holiday spending is expected to rise 21% this year to $33 billion, the paper said, citing data from Forrester Research.

Though this is great news for consumers, it underscores how worried retailers are about the holiday season, which most pundits expect to be lackluster overall. High gas prices also may keep consumers away from shopping malls.

That's good news for the likes of Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN), which is offering Black Friday deals for the first time, and eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY), which is offering free shipping on some goods. Bricks-and-mortar merchants are already getting the message.

Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), which had been in Wall Street's dog house for quite a while, is well-aware of these trends. The world's largest retailer surprised Wall Street when it said that its decision to start discounting two weeks earlier than usual paid off. The company's quarterly profit rose more than analysts' forecasts, and it boosted its full-year outlook. Though shares have jumped the most in five years, they are still down for the year.

Further crimping the profits of online merchants is the rising popularity of comparison shopping sites such as Shopzilla. For instance, I found prices for the Nintendo Wii console ranging from $329 to $650, so it pays to comparison shop. That's great for consumers but bad for merchants because it ratchets up price competition.

Online shopping deals on the rise originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amzncyber mondayCyberMondayebayecommerceholidashholiday shoppingHolidayShoppingonline holiday salesonline merchantsOnlineHolidaySalesOnlineMerchantswmtTue, 13 Nov 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy holidays for Walmart.com]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/07/happy-holidays-for-walmart-com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/07/happy-holidays-for-walmart-com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/07/happy-holidays-for-walmart-com/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

WalMart.com screen shot The head of Walmart.com says that Halloween sales were particularly strong. And, he thinks the upcoming holiday season will do just as well. "Customers are still spending for the holidays. Halloween was very good for us, so I suspect that Christmas is going to be great," said Raul Vazquez in a talk with Reuters.

The website may be benefiting from the fact that parent Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) cut holiday prices early this year, about a month ahead of the normal Thanksgiving weekend time frame.

But there could be other explanations. Wal-Mart has been especially good at tying its website to its stores. Customers can order items on the internet and pick them up at the local retail outlet, saving shipping charges. This combination of convenience and low price may be increasing use of the website.

The other reason the site may be doing well is the rotation away from buying goods in stores and toward buying online. While same-store sales at many big retailers are relatively flat, e-commerce revenue is expected to rise over 20% in the last two months of the year.

Or, there is one other explanation. Wal-Mart may be doing better than most investors think.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Happy holidays for Walmart.com originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChristmasChristmas salesChristmasSalesgiftsholidashholiday salesHolidaysHolidaySalesinthenewsWal-MartWalmart.comWMTWed, 07 Nov 2007 09:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Funny bidness -- Metric time, Christmas suggestion]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/06/funny-bidness-metric-time-christmas-suggestion/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/06/funny-bidness-metric-time-christmas-suggestion/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/06/funny-bidness-metric-time-christmas-suggestion/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When I say "face recognition software," what do you think of? Terrorist identification? Missing child recovery? ATM transaction security?

How about keeping kids from buying smokes? The Japanese company Fujitaka has developed a cigarette vending machine that employs FRS software to read the face of the would-be purchaser, using wrinkles, sagging skin and the like to judge if they can buy a pack or not. It claims 90% accuracy, and those who look younger than their true age can override the software by inserting a driver's license proving they are of legal age. Not that smokers often look younger than they are.

From our "Solutions in search of a problem department" comes news that the campaign for a metric time system is still alive. Last seen during the bloody days of the French Revolution, where it did for timekeeping what the guillotine did for neck wear, the system divides the day into tenths; 10 hours to a day, 100 minutes to the hour, etc. Defenders might note how the stock market benefited from a move to decimals.

I'm getting a mixed message from the unveiling of the Prius Limo. Perfect for those who want to shade their wretched excess with a veneer of green respectability, I suppose.

Finally, the first item of BloggingStocks' Holiday Gift Guide is a little number from the Kropserkel catalog, the severed horse head pillow. Perfect for the Godfather fan in your family, this plush bed companion comes stuffed or unstuffed. Imagine the squeals of delight when this is unwrapped on Christmas morning!

Funny bidness -- Metric time, Christmas suggestion originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>face recognitionFaceRecognitionFaceRecognitionCigaretteMachinesfujitakaholidashHorseHeadPillowkropserkalmetric time systemMetricTimeSystemprius limoPriusLimoTue, 06 Nov 2007 17:00:00 EST