In the early 1970s, Levi’s were the brand that everyone wanted, far above competitors like Lee and Wrangler. As Levi’s were the original brand of jeans, any store that carried the line had guaranteed sales and cachet. At that time, the so called “designer” jean brands like Sasson, Calvin KleinMORE HERE
Consolidation has ruined the radio industry, destroying the legacy of generations of independent radio stations, and local radio voices. But a new (but very old) idea has come back to possibly rescue the industry. It is the advertiser owned radio station. Over a century after the founding of radio inMORE HERE
When you look at consumer items, or any sort of item designed or sold, there are certain rules brand managers and product designers need to follow. One such rule is that the product name should always appear on at least one side of the package, so consumers can store itMORE HERE
CHICAGO – When the family of the True Value Company gathers in Chicago March 16-19 for its 2023 Reunion, it will have something to celebrate. The hardware retailer, now a network of over 4,500 stores, is now one of the world’s largest dry goods wholesalers. Its success gives evidence ofMORE HERE
Looking at the piles of refuse in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, one of the biggest contributors to waste are rusted patio grills, rusty and broken lawn furniture, and plastic furniture. On top of that, and where HOAs permit, there are plastic fences, blown far and wide. Seemingly repairable appliances,MORE HERE
This spring, JCPenney unveiled a new shopping position. “Shopping is Back.” The company used a fictional character named Penny James, or “Ms. James,” to sell the slogan. She is played by Melissa Villaseñor, a comedienne and current cast member of Saturday Night Live. In the campaign, Ms. James samples theMORE HERE
The last time Americans saw mass shortages of multiple products at retailers was World War II, when U.S. manufacturers concentrated on munitions and war production. Consumers saw the result of a command economy firsthand, as ration books became the second currency of the land. The idea of having nothing toMORE HERE
Goodbye, frozen vegetable brick. In spite of the recent explosion in frozen foods, changing consumer habits have meant the loss of one of the best known types of frozen food, the frozen food block. In the photo above, the sole remaining frozen vegetable brick at a Super Target is spinach,MORE HERE
Bed Bath & Beyond is now beyond boring. The state of the company cannot be blamed on China shipments, post-covid retail shoppers, or fickle consumers. Bed Bath and Beyond, where the stock price has collapsed to less than $9 a share from over $44, is a disaster the company hasMORE HERE
LINDEN, N.J. – The west coast lighting retailer Lamps Plus has struck an exclusive deal to market classic Stiffel Lamps, a brand that has returned production to the U.S. recent years. “Stiffel is a brand with a great history. The lamps are truly unique and considered works of art,” saidMORE HERE