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Archive for “Shopping” news
Anthropologie Selling $400 Racist Lamp
By Simon van Zuylen-Wood 1/11/2013
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Gawker flags the offending item: a racially insensitive candlestick featuring some caricatured versions of an Asian person, what might be a clown or Inuit person, and what is certainly a black "Mammy" figure. With JFK thrown in there for good measure. As one Gawker commenter puts it: "And to think I'd completely given up hope on finding an accessory to complement my Sambo-watermelon, no-ticky-no-washy, lazy sombrero Mexican, hook-nosed avarist Jew dinette set." [Gawker]
Starbucks Now Selling $450 Stainless Steel Gift Cards
By Simon van Zuylen-Wood 12/10/2012
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When its ballyhooed seven dollar cup of coffee was unveiled a couple weeks ago, it seemed Starbucks had reached a plateau in the art of ripping people off. Not so. Late last week, it introduced--just in time for the holidays--its first-ever (the first-ever) stainless steel gift card for $450. This isn't some Visa "Platinum" word game, mind you. The card is made of actual steel alloy. Which explains why, when your lucky relative goes to redeem his or her thoughtful gift, it'll only be worth $400; seems you pay for the parts too. Between the seven dollar "Geisha Cup," the titillating
Joe Biden’s D.C. Costco Trip Nets Modest-Sized Television, Large Apple Pie
By Nick Vadala 11/29/2012
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Philly Was Too Smart to Fall for Small Business Saturday
By Gene Marks 11/29/2012
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We had Black Friday. Then Cyber Monday. For God’s sake, now someone’s even come up with Giving Tuesday. And in the middle of it all was Small Business Saturday. Does anyone care? I’m a small-business owner. And I do. But not for the reasons you may think.
IKEA Apologizes for Using BILLY Clubs on PRYSYN LÅBÖRERS
By Timothy Haas 11/16/2012
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Apparently the Swedo-Dutch DIY retail giant has tortured more than just its customers. The company is apologizing today after a report that some of its suppliers in the former East Germany forced political prisoners to manufacture its unpronounceably named furniture slices. However, the chain continues to deny more serious allegations that the prisoners were forced to subsist solely on leftover meatballs from its 300 cafes. [HuffPo]
Apple Sold 3 Million iPads in Three Days After Launching iPad Mini
By Mike Bertha 11/05/2012
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On Friday, people were waiting in line for gas, public transit, wifi and iPads. The iPad mini hit shelves late last week as much of the region was still without power. Apple claims that it sold at least 3 million iPads of all varieties in the three days following the launch. When the third-generation iPad launched back in March—and the price of the iPad 2 dropped—Apple only sold 1.5 million iPads and there wasn't a hurricane. [Philly.com]
Philly Shoppers Expected to Spend More on Holiday Presents in 2012
By Mike Bertha 11/02/2012
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A recent survey indicates that Philadelphians will spend more money on holiday gifts than they did in 2011. The annual survey from Deloitte predicts a 10-percent increase in spending per person. The national average is expected to dip from $395 to $386, but folks in Philly are expected to spend $478 a piece. If you're looking for someone to spend that dough on, I'll happily accept a Teenage Mutant Nina Turtles Secret Sewer Lair playset and accompanying accessories/action figures. Thanks in advance. [Philadelphia Business Journal]
Wegmans Recalls Salad Due to E. Coli Concerns
By Mike Bertha 11/02/2012
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Uh oh. Wegman's has issued a recall of its Organic Spinach and Spring Mix salads due to concerns that the item may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. Packages—both the five and 11 oz. containers—purchased between October 14th and November 1st should be thrown out. If you purchased this item during that time, you can go to Wegman's for a refund. Also, if you still have salad in your fridge from October 14th, you've got other issues to worry about in addition to possible E. coli, like why you have 20-day old salad in your fridge. [CBS 3]
Walmart and Target Are Basically the Same and Totally Different
By Mike Bertha 11/02/2012
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There are two types of people in this world: people who shop at Target and people who shop at Walmart. The thing is, though, that the two competing retail behemoths are actually incredibly similar. Like, way more similar than you're aware of.
“The remarkable thing,” said Charles Fishman, author of “The Wal-Mart Effect,” “is that 80 percent of the stuff in Target and Wal-Mart is identical.” The prices are often identical, too. The most recent comparison by Bloomberg Businessweek found only a 46-cent difference between the two retailers per $100 of purchases. (You’ll save that 46 cents
Apple Unveils iPad Mini, New Macbook
By Mike Bertha 10/23/2012
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On Tuesday, the folks at Apple held a keynote event in San Jose at which they unveiled a slew of new products, including the highly anticipated iPad Mini. The device touts a 7.9-inch display and weighs 0.68 pounds. Apple didn't announce what the device's price tag will read, but rumors suggest it'll start between $329. The event also included introductions to the new iMac mini and the 13-inch MacBook Pro with retina display. Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly ordered 10 million iPad Minis from the company's Chinese manufacturer. Happy holiday shopping, you guys. [Gizmodo]
