Independent Funeral Homes Rebound

Date: 1 May 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Just a few years ago, industry observers were predicting the demise of independent funeral homes. Four giant companies were buying up thousands of independent mortuaries and rapidly consolidating the industry. By processing bodies at large regional embalming plants, buying in bulk, and sharing employees across multiple homes, the chains were expected to gain a significant financial edge over their independent competitors. … Read More

Local Bookstore Files Antitrust Suit Against Chains

Date: 1 May 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The now defunct Intimate Bookshop of North Carolina has filed suit against Barnes & Noble and Borders Books alleging that the chains used their market power to pressure publishers for special discounts and terms unavailable to other retailers. According to documents filed in the case by Intimate’s attorney, Carl Person, the chains received an effective discount of 60 percent off the cover price, compared to only about 40-46 percent given to independent bookstores. … Read More

Wal-Mart Developer’s Tactics Questioned in New Orleans

Date: 1 May 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Rumors of a citizens lawsuit are beginning to circulate in New Orleans less than a month after the city council approved a 200,000 square foot suburban-style Wal-Mart supercenter. The 17-acre development will be situated along Tchoupitoulas Street in the Lower Garden District, a historic neighborhood wedged between a bend in the Mississippi River and downtown.… Read More

Alaska Governor Chides Safeway Over Switch to Starbucks

Date: 2 Mar 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Less than a month after announcing it would replace locally roasted coffee with Starbucks at its Alaska stores, the Safeway supermarket chain is backing down. A barrage of protest from angry residents and a strongly worded letter from Governor Tony Knowles forced the retailer to reconsider its decision to eliminate two Anchorage roasters in favor of Starbucks at its in-store coffee bars. … Read More

Oregon County Bans Big Box Stores

Date: 2 Mar 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In late January, after more than two hours of mostly favorable public testimony, the Board of Commissioners in Hood River County, Oregon voted unanimously to bar new retail stores over 50,000 square feet. The new ordinance also establishes a design review process for new retail buildings between 25,000 and 50,000 square feet. The ordinance applies to land that lies outside the Hood River town limits, but is still within the community’s urban growth boundary.… Read More

California Bill Aims to Quell Quest for Big Retail

Date: 2 Mar 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In every region of the country, chain store developers have successfully played neighboring communities against one another to gain approval for their stores and to exact the biggest tax breaks and public subsidies. But nowhere have city officials been as desperate for sales tax revenue—and thus big box stores, shopping malls, and auto dealerships—than in California, where the competition for retail development has been especially costly and destructive. … Read More

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