Mr. Mark Buss

President, MB Consulting

GLG News by Mr. Mark Buss, President

Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.

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Driving Small Appliance Margins Higher

September 18, 2006

Analysis of:Food Network host inks deal for appliance line | www.retailingtoday.com

Home shopping and other TV sales venues are great channels!

Nothing beats a testimonial or celebrity endorsement!

Brand differentiation is key to penetrating new channels.

Defining & Targeting the "Wal-Mart" consumer locally

September 18, 2006

Analysis of:Wal-Mart launches new merchandising strategy | www.icsc.org

Regional purchasing and merchandising strategies are not new to this channel.

Finding the right vendor partners will be a big help.

How do they assure this change is profitable.

Office Depot is off to Europe

September 7, 2006

Analysis of:Office Depot Acquires B2B business of Papirius | www.retailingtoday.com

Low US sales growth is driving business globally

Go it alone, or take on a partner, which path is best?

Can this business expand beyond its base and not be distractive?

Wal-Mart's Japanese Adventures

September 7, 2006

Analysis of:Wal-Mart & Aeon eye potential of Marubeni stake in Daiei | money.cnn.com

Can Wal-Mart penetrate the tough Japanese marketplace?

How does this deal impact their market strategy?

What makes Japan so different versus other global expansions?

Wang line adds to already strong Kohl's momentum

September 5, 2006

Analysis of:Kohl's to add exclusive Vera Wang line | www.retailingtoday.com

No news is bad news in the Department Store channel.

When you have strong performance in sales and profits, you can afford to try on additional brands.

Wang line adds new price points

Is China a good initial International adventure for Best Buy?

September 5, 2006

Analysis of:Best Buy open its first retail outlet in China | www.thestreet.com

US retailers do not have a great track record of success abroad.

The Chinese market is atttractive in size, but distractingly difficult.

Does Best Buy have "Asian" cultural patience to wait for profits?

Consumer uncertainty or media focus on negatives

September 1, 2006

Analysis of:Consumer confidence falls sharply in August | www.footwearnews.com

Consumers are weary from an overabundance of bad news

Consumer spending is a healthy indication.

Retail numbers are better barometer

Donuts to Dogs is it a Barker?

August 31, 2006

Analysis of:Dunkin' Donuts to offer hot dogs, other foods beyond breakfast | www.boston.com

Can Dunkin Donuts draw in the dinner crowd?

How long will it take to taste success or smell failure?

Macy's moves allow Federated to begin getting Slim and Trim

August 30, 2006

Analysis of:Federated hitches its retail wagon to Macy's | www.nydailynews.com

This is the right move, but is it soon enough to catch the competition?

Consumers will appreciate the changes.

Is this a last gasp chance to breathe new life into this retail channel?

Challenges of globalization and distribution

August 30, 2006

Analysis of:A mixed bag of problems: globalization and other challenges are changing the face of distribution, according to annual survey of distributor operations | www.manufacturing.net

This is an evolutionary process that should not be surprising.

Distributor’s in the industrial goods segment should “go to school” on more experienced channels

Any remaining multi-step distribution is a competitor’s dream target

Global battery compatibility is an Issue

August 21, 2006

Analysis of:Need for Battery Power Runs Into Basic Hurdles of Science | www.nytimes.com

As science seeks out alternatives to improve rechargeable batteries, environmental concerns must be a factor.

Finding a truly patentable product would be nirvana.

Retail Sales Spotlight

August 21, 2006

Analysis of:3 ominous signs for retail...maybe | money.cnn.com

Monthly Retail comp sales numbers can be misleading as a trend.

The current outlook has uncertainty and is impacted by consumer spending habits in some other sectors.

Wal-Mart - Living Wage for their Demographic

August 14, 2006

Analysis of:Wal-Mart, Under Fire Over Pay, Raises Some Starting Wages 6% | online.wsj.com

Wal-Mart has a huge employee base against which to absorb this hit, but must respond to the living wage argument… globally.

Wages go up but pricing must be EDLP (everyday low price)… who is going to pay the difference?

eBay helps Home Depot & Wal-Mart lower costs

August 14, 2006

Analysis of:Advertisers, eBay to Test Ad Sales Idea | biz.yahoo.com

Fresh off auctions with manufacturers, eBay is providing fertile ground.

What other service sectors are next?

Contractors can provide less costly growth vehicle

August 10, 2006

Analysis of:Home Depot, Seeking Growth, Knocks on Contractors' Doors | online.wsj.com

Why would HD want to limit its growth?

Why not benefit from its current competencies

Wal-Mart July Sales versus the market and 2006

August 4, 2006

Analysis of:Wal-Mart's July Sales Gain Signals Retail Strength | users1.wsj.com

1. Wal-Mart's July numbers, while better than a dismal June, were beaten by other retailers.

2. What does this mean as we finish the summer season and move towards the holidays and year-end.

Germany pull-out is predictable

August 4, 2006

Analysis of:Wal-Mart Decides to Pull Out of Germany | www.nytimes.com

1. Why was Germany different?

2. What next? What international markets will Wal-Mart succeed in going forward?

What will it take for Investors to Win!

August 3, 2006

Analysis of:Hamilton Beach to become largest Small Appliance Company | money.cnn.com

1.The key to achieving operating cost and working capital synergies goes beyond staffing decisions and cutting skus.

2.How will the retailers react to the giants of Hamilton Beach/Applica merger and the Jarden/Holmes/Sunbeam Oster combination?

3.What part does innovation play in success.

Lower Retail Inventories

August 3, 2006