Can Retailers Compete With Government's "Crown Corporations”?
August 14, 2009
US EARNINGS WRAP: Wal-Mart Profit Flat, Kohl's Down 3% | online.wsj.com
Retailers now face competition from what Europeans call "Crown Corporations", i.e., companies that are controlled by the government, like General Motors and Chrysler. Here's why retailers are likely to be the losers.
Credit Contraction Threatens Jeweler's Sales Recovery
August 12, 2009
Consumer Credit Contraction Shows No Sign of Slowing | seekingalpha.com
Growing, not shrinking, problems threaten any fall recovery for retailers in general and jewelers specifically. Here is more.
August 10, 2009
Zale Corporation Announces Real Estate Realignment | www.reuters.com
Zale hastily closes 118 stores in the 4th quarter. But, is it panic or a part of plan? Here's more.
Finlay's (FNLY) Demise, Elegy for Big Jewelry Chains
August 7, 2009
Finlay Enterprises, Inc. Files for Protection Under Chapter 11 | www.google.com
Finlay's bankruptcy illustrates several fundamental challenges in managing large jewerly store chains. Here's more.
Will Second Half Jewelry Sales Disappoint?
August 6, 2009
Sluggish July sales show tight-fisted consumers | www.forbes.com
Despite all the media spin about the economy stabilizing, jewelers are likely to face bigger declines than expected during the second half. Here is why.
My View: The State of the Retail Jewelry Business
July 31, 2009
IDEX Online Research: Retail Jewelry Prices Down, Supplier Prices Up. How Much Longer? | www.idexonline.com
The next six months are the decisive period for the jewelry industry. Here why change is necessary and why it may arrive to late for many jewelers, large and small alike. Here's more.
Walmart, Beware a Juggernaut Swinging Sticks and Bearing Gifts.
July 25, 2009
Walmart Browbeats Marketers for Bigger Slice of Their Ad Budgets | adage.com
Whether Walmart is using strong arm tactics to convince consumer product goods companies to use their alternative media to advertise isn't clear, but what is clear, the retail juggernaut is seeking to further crush its remaining competition. Here more.
Does Zale (Zlc) Choose Unwisely Again?
July 24, 2009
Zale Names Richard A. Lennox as Its New Chief Marketing Officer | www.businesswire.com
Zale's selection of its new chief marketing officer is symtomatic of management's misguided view of what's wrong with the company and what it will take to turn the company around. Here's more.
Does Zale's(ZLN) Overlooked Distraction Make a Turnaround Less Likely?
July 15, 2009
IDEX Online Research: Piercing Pagoda is Zale’s Over-Looked Stepchild | www.idexonline.com
Despite Piercing Pagoda's current sales performance, the business may be making it more difficult for management to get its core business back to profitability. Here's more.
DeBeers Restructuring May Mean Lower Diamond Prices
July 15, 2009
De Beers Finances, Contd. | www.jckonline.com
DeBeers' restructuring further complicates diamond pricing in the midst of declining demand. Here's more.
E-Insurance: When will the insurance industry adopt modern communication tools?
February 14, 2012
ATMs could distribute prepaid Visa cards
January 23, 2012
PayPal can thrive as a standalone company
January 9, 2012
Europe's CO2 Emissions Trading System works, but it can be improved
December 16, 2011
European women wonder why their insurance premiums will increase
December 15, 2011