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Consumerist.com
Senior Editor of Consumerist.com, an online consumer blog published by Consumers Union
PROFILE
Chris Morran
Guest
FROM Chris Morran
To the Point
Walmart, Wages, and Black Friday Walkouts In Miami today, Walmart workers became the latest participants in a week of labor actions scheduled to culminate on Black Friday. Workers are demanding $25,000 a year, full-time jobs for those who want them and an end to retaliation against those who participating in labor actions. As it leads other retailers in opening up for business on Thanksgiving Day, how is Walmart responding? What's the potential impact on the consumer economy?
To the Point
The High Price of Cheap Clothing Almost a week after the collapse of a clothing factory in Bangladesh, the search for bodies goes on. Almost 400 are known to have been killed, and hundreds suffered crushed rib cages and amputations. A recent fire killed 112 factory workers. But Bangladesh won't enforce its own laws on working conditions in 5000 factories so it can be the cheapest clothing maker in Asia. Walmart, H&M, JC Penny and other western companies have refused to fund an independent inspection program. Would it make a difference? Should the US and other western governments apply pressure under international trading agreements? In the meantime, what's a consumer to do?
To the Point
Amazon Outrages Brick and Mortar Stores with New Price Comparison App Amazon has a new, smart-phone strategy for competitive pricing. Traditional stores are outraged. Starting tomorrow, the online retailer is offering discounts to shoppers who use its smart-phone app to scan bar codes in brick and mortar stores and then buy the products from Amazon. Is all fair in love, war and retail?
Which Way, L.A.?
Shopping on Thanksgiving: Has Christmas Creep Crept Too Far? So maybe you've gotten used to hearing Frosty the Snowman playing in stores before trick-or-treaters ever ring your doorbell, or you've even made a list of deals you want to score on Black Friday, traditionally the biggest retail day of the year, the day after Thanksgiving. But this year, big stores may have crossed one retail line too many, with Black Friday mega-sales actually starting on Thanksgiving Day. Toys "R" Us and Walmart will be opening their doors at 9 and 10 pm, with several other big chains opening at midnight. The move into Thanksgiving Day itself appears to have pushed a button among consumers and retail employees, who are fighting back. What drives the Black Friday urge, consumers who want a deal, retailers who want to sell as much as possible, or a bit of both? Could this be the year the tide starts to turn against the commercialization of one of America's most beloved holidays?
To the Point
Shopping on Thanksgiving: Has Christmas Creep Crept Too Far? So maybe you've gotten used to hearing Frosty the Snowman playing in stores before trick-or-treaters ever ring your doorbell, or you've even made a list of deals you want to score on Black Friday, traditionally the biggest retail day of the year, the day after Thanksgiving. But this year, big stores may have crossed one retail line too many, with Black Friday mega-sales actually starting on Thanksgiving Day. Toys "R" Us and Walmart will be opening their doors at 9 and 10 pm, with several other big chains opening at midnight. The move into Thanksgiving Day itself appears to have pushed a button among consumers and retail employees, who are fighting back. What drives the Black Friday urge, consumers who want a deal, retailers who want to sell as much as possible, or a bit of both? Could this be the year the tide starts to turn against the commercialization of one of America's most beloved holidays?
To the Point
Borders Forced to Liquidate Borders will liquidate its assets and close all 399 of its bookstores in order to pay off its creditors. The creditors include Random House, Simon & Schuster and other publishers. Where to they sell their products now? Chris Moran is Senior Editor of Consumerist.com , an online consumer blog published by Consumers Union.
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