The recently announced partnership between Walmart and the Department of Homeland Security—under which the discount retailer agrees to pepper customers with the cheerful holiday greeting, “If You See Something, Say Something”—has set off a rebellion among the conspiracy-theory crowd listeners of radio host Alex Jones, a number of whom are among the store’s Read More
As voters ponder the curious failure of the ruling Democratic Party even to pursue meaningful economic relief for millions of desperate and jobless Americans, it might be useful to recall certain passages from President Obama’s best-selling campaign manifesto, The Audacity of Hope. Of particular interest is a chapter titled “Opportunity,” wherein the ambitious senator discusses Read More
The False Trade Off
Since 1985, the Gallup poll has asked survey respondents to trade off environmental protection against economic growth. This past spring, for the first time, more people chose economic growth than environmental protection. (See Gallup graph) The data is an accurate reflection of public opinion, and there is no question that Read More
Some of us believe environmental sustainability can be a central element of the revival of the American economy. Some think this idea is mushy-headed, idealistic nonsense that should be rejected by hard-nosed business leaders. Wal-Mart, perhaps the best-known example of a company that has done well by doing good, provides evidence of how green business Read More
With government stimulus checks mostly spent, July was a gloomy month for retailers. WWD took a toll of the national chains that either fell short of expectations or took a hit last month–or both–compared to July 2007.
Sales were up 3 percent year-over-year at Wal-Mart, falling short of the 3.4 percent boost analysts Read More
According to the Fed, sky-rocketing fuel costs and a shaky job market have not stopped Americans from spending. The April Commerce Report released in Washington today said U.S. consumers spent more than twice what economists had forecast, excluding car sales, Bloomberg reported.
A 0.2 percent overall drop in retail spending–led by the auto industry’s Read More
Although Hillary Clinton severed her ties with Wal-Mart years ago (
Now, hours before another Democratic debate, Clinton supporter Stuart Appelbaum, who is also President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, has sent out a public statement defending her record:
“RWDSU families are proud to be in the forefront of the Read MoreSL Green Realty Corp. is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT, that predominantly acquires, owns, repositions and manages a portfolio of Manhattan office properties. As of June 30, 2007, the Company owned 32 New York City office properties totaling approximately 22.5 million square feet, making it New York's largest Read More
At a press conference in Times Square earlier today to announce new congestion-easing measures, Michael Bloomberg was asked about whether he thinks there ought to be a Wal-Mart outlet in the city. (Wal-Mart has tried and failed in the past to open one here.)
Bloomberg said, “It's not the city's business to keep anyone Read More
