BrandlandUSA’s first polling contest is over. In our poll, we asked readers the simple question. “What department store do you miss most?” Our readers top pick for a store to bring back? F. W. Woolworth, America’s legendary five and dime. We assume it’s probably because we’ve been writing about theMORE HERE
The British candy bar Wispa is back. It was a result of an online campaign by fans, all led by the very notable Alan Simonds website called bringitback.ecclesweb.co.uk. Even Iggy Pop got into the campaign, allowing a banner unfurling at a concert. Quoting the Writers/Authors Snacking at Work cyberpunk site,MORE HERE
Apollo Management of New York has sunk $1 billion into NCL Corp. Ltd., or Norwegian Cruise Line. Apollo, known for turnarounds, has an opportunity on its hands after its Friday, August 17 announcement, reported in the Miami Herald. But this will be a challenge, even for the crew at Apollo,MORE HERE
The news on RadioShack Corp. is not good. Sales are down in the current quarter by 15 percent, and the Fort Worth, Texas retailer has closed hundreds of stores. Wall Street has all sorts of answers for why this Corner Electronic Geekfest Gathering Spot is failing, and they wonder whyMORE HERE
What do Cheryl Lynn, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, Ralph Stanley and Tony Bennett have in common? It’s Columbia Records, one of the greatest brand names in record history. Columbia, like all the record brands, is having a very long-playing spin these days, and it isn’t happy. Each record brand hasMORE HERE
Morton’s (though the packaging said Morton) was encyclopedic in its frozen grocery offerings, and each package, at least in the 70s, was stylish. (Pictured above is an old Look magazine ad from 1969, before a 70s super-graphic redesign.) There were Morton Pot Pies, Morton Creme Pies, Morton Cinnamon Rolls. Morton Honey Buns came four to a package, and there was so much sugar on each that when you pulled the buns out, the sugar frosting was all over the package and the four came out like a brick. MORE HERE
Below is a list of the best American brands that are no more. These are but a few, but we know there are hundreds more regional and niche brands that are no more but still have a name or following. Do you have a suggestion? If so, add one atMORE HERE
Some stores can be brand archeology exhibits. While market researchers admire Vermont Country Store, of course, another is Walgreen’s, if only because it is usually next door, and has prescriptions and film. The store itself is proof that providing odd, seemingly outmoded products for strange, unfashionable consumers is quite aMORE HERE
Are Howard Johnson’s subliminally seductive clam strips returning to a hotel coffee shop near you? Could it be that HoJo has momentum?We talked to the editors of HoJoLand.com, the website that tracks all things related to Howard Johnson under the banner “Serving up Warm History of an American Icon.” ItMORE HERE
While Woolworth is still alive in Mexico, Bahrain, Oman, South Africa, the U.K. and Germany, Americans have had to go to eBay to get anything related to Woolworth’s. And that’s not only a pity, it’s a lost opportunity for struggling Foot Locker, the company that killed the brand off inMORE HERE