Value City Files for Bankruptcy

According to this Forbes Article, Value City Department Stores have filed for bankruptcy protection and plan to close it's stores. Value City still has about 66 stores still open and employs 4,500 employees in 14 states.

Google G1 Phones selling at Wal-mart starting today (10/28)

Wal-mart will start selling the Google G1 phone at a discounted price starting Wednesday 10/28. Wal-Mart will carry the Google G1 phone 550 Wal-Mart stores. The Google G1 Phone will sell at a reduced price of $ 148.88 for new customers, or existing customers eligible for an upgrade, who sign up for a two-year agreement. At T-Mobile the Google G1 Phone will cost 179.99.

Full Article

Walmart to flourish during economic downturn

Walmart CEO and President, Lee Scott, said that Wal-mart is expected to flourish during this economic downturn. Here's a direct quote: "We see this as an opportunity to widen our moat. ... This is Wal-Mart time". Their main emphasis in their advertising will be on prices this holiday season. They will also continue to push friendlier service, cleaner stores and faster checkout.

Full Article

Barnes & Noble Social Networking - My B&N - books, film and music

It looks like Barnes & Noble is getting into the Social Networking game. They announced the launch of"My B&N". My B&N is a social-networking feature that allows site users to create personal pages focusing on their interests in books, film and music.

After building your profile on My B&N, you can choose an avatar and pen name, choose your favorite local stores, you advanced list feature "Essential List", Share what you reading, and participate in Online book discussions.

The information can also be shared with Facebook and other online networks.

Retailer Survival Tips - 2008 Holiday Shopping Season

With the Holiday Shopping Season approaching fast, some articles are popping up giving retailers advice on how to survive/thrive during the 2008 Holiday Shopping season.

3 ways to maximize e-commerce efforts
He recommends providing the best possible customer service, including offering product recommendations and creating one unified commerce service center.

19 ways to boost online sales
The 19 ways are broken up into:
Seven Tips for Increasing Sales, Reducing Turn-Over
Six User-Generated Marketing Tactics in Six Minutes
Three Steps to Success for Data Feeds
Three Tactics to Improve Natural Search Now

This retail season may be pretty rough with the tough US economy. Folks may not be buying as much, and the average order value will most likely drop as well. So, employing some of the tips from experts may give you an edge on your competition.

Online Retailers Return Policies - Forrester Survey Results

According to Forrester, Online retailers with generous return policies will flourish.

Here are some of the key stats:

81 percent agreed that if a retailer makes it easier for them to return a product, they are more likely to buy from that retailer.


81 percent agreed that they are more loyal to retailers that have generous return policies (e.g. free return shipping, ability to return any time for any reason)”;


73 percent agreed that they are less likely to buy in the future from an online retailer where the returns process is a hassle.

Here are a few links to Online Return Policies I pulled together:

Best Buy
14-Day Return Period
Fourteen days from the date merchandise was received, refunds are available on computers, monitors, notebook computers, projectors, camcorders, digital cameras, and radar detectors.

30-Day Return Period
Thirty days from the date merchandise was received, refunds are available on the remainder of our products (exceptions)

Target
We will issue a full refund for most items returned in new condition within 90 days of the shipment date. Please note that all returns to Target must include either the original receipt or a Gift Receipt. (exceptions)


Walmart
All merchandise purchased from Walmart.com may be returned either to a store or by mail within 90 days of receiving (exceptions)

Sears
Our goal is that you are completely satisfied with your purchase. If for any reason you are not satisfied, simply return your purchase in its original packaging, with your receipt within 90 days of your purchase; 30 days for Home Electronics, Customized Jewelry and Mattresses for a refund or exchange. Video Games, CD, DVD must be unopened for a refund or exchange. If you are not satisfied with your purchase after these time periods, please let us know. Your satisfaction is important to Sears.(exceptions)


So, to summarize... the policies vary from store to store. So it's better to comparison shop for not just the products/prices, but also for the return policies.

James Bond 007 VAIO Notebook / Laptop - Sony Auction

The New James Bond Film, Quanum of Solace, is getting ready to debut. Sony doing a charity auction, auctioning off an exclusive 007 VAIO notebook. The Laptops/Notebook are limited in number (only 100 units) and one of the lucky winners will get the seventh notebook, that will have an engraved gun logo and matching carrying case.

Limited to only 100 units and specially numbered, one lucky winner will get the seventh notebook in the series complete with an engraved 007 gun logo and matching leather carrying case.

Procees of the auction will go to www.onepercentfortheplanet.org — an alliance of businesses committed to creating a healthier environment.


Read the Sony Press Release