Bob Niedt
Bob is a Senior Online Editor at Kiplinger.com. He has more than 40 years of experience in online, print and visual journalism. Bob has worked as an award-winning writer and editor in the Washington, D.C., market as well as at news organizations in New York, Michigan and California. Bob joined Kiplinger in 2016, bringing a wealth of expertise covering retail, entertainment, and money-saving trends and topics. He was one of the first journalists at a daily news organization to aggressively cover retail as a specialty, and has been lauded in the retail industry for his expertise. Bob has also been an adjunct and associate professor of print, online and visual journalism at Syracuse University and Ithaca College. He has a master’s degree from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and a bachelor’s degree in communications and theater from Hope College.
Latest articles by Bob Niedt
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Inflation Scrooge Won't Humbug Holiday Shopping, Retail Group Forecasts
The National Retail Federation maintains a sunny outlook even as consumer confidence wanes amid the crush of inflation.
By Bob Niedt Published
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Google Adding Features to Help Find Holiday Shopping Deals
Price insights, coupons and deal comparisons will be up front on the search site.
By Bob Niedt Published
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Amazon Gives Prime Members Lots More Music
Amazon both sweetens the deal for Prime members as well as music listeners willing to pay for its service a la carte.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
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Aldi, Lidl Cut Inflation-Rocked Prices Ahead of Thanksgiving Grocery Shopping
The German no-frills chains are aiming to allay concerns about skyrocketing grocery prices.
By Bob Niedt Published
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Goodbye to Another Fun Amazon Prime Perk: Treasure Truck
Amazon sends out a text message saying Tuesday’s Treasure Truck deal was the last one.
By Bob Niedt Published
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Netflix Comes to Walmart for a 1980s Throwback
Netflix and Walmart are building on Boomer and Gen X nostalgia for Blockbuster with in-store shopping options for a trip back in time.
By Bob Niedt Published
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Apple Shops Are Popping Up in Target Stores
Target is pairing up with the creator of iPad and iPhones to bring specialty services to its select Target Circle members. Free Apple Fitness+? Yes, please.
By Bob Niedt Published
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Walmart Ups Augmented Reality as Part of Digital Push
The ability to “see” what a TV looks like in your home is part of an enhanced digital shopping experience designed to compete with Amazon.com
By Bob Niedt Published
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Amazon Sees Slowing Sales for the Holiday Season. Here’s What That Means for Shoppers
The giant online retailer forecasts holiday season sales increasing at the lowest rate since 2001. Will that mean more bargains or out-of-stocks?
By Bob Niedt Published
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Amazon to Close Many Stores, Focus on Groceries
Amazon Prime Amazon bookstores and 4-Star stores will shutter, reflecting shoppers’ love affair with online retail.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
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Amazon Raising Annual Fees for Amazon Prime Membership
Amazon Prime As expected, Amazon is hiking the cost of Amazon Prime membership for the first time in four years.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
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Shop Early, Get Rewards, Says Bank of America
The bank’s first More Rewards Day is designed to play into early holiday shopping demand.
By Bob Niedt Published
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Walmart AI Lets You Try On Clothing in a Virtual Fitting Room
Driven by artificial intelligence, the online virtual fitting room outfits a model who looks just like you.
By Bob Niedt Published
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Let It Snow: Amazon Prime Day II a Rousing Success (Says Amazon)
The online retailer’s Prime Early Access Sale sold more than 100 million items in the two-day event designed to kick-start the 2022 holiday shopping season – very early.
By Bob Niedt Published
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11 Reasons You Don't Want to Retire in Florida
retirement An overabundance of boomers, critters, sweat and weirdness. Welcome to the dark side of the Sunshine State.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
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Some Google Maps Users May Get Free Wireless Service for the Rest of 2022
Some super users, called Local Guides, are being offered free Google Fi cellular service for the remainder of 2022. Here’s what to do.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
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Watch Out for Flood-Damaged Cars from Hurricane Ian
Buying & Leasing a Car In the wake of Hurricane Ian, more flood-damaged cars may hit the market. Car prices may rise further because of increased demand as well.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
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Amazon Early Prime Access Sale Is a Prime Day Redux
Amazon Prime Prime Day: So nice they had to try it twice. A fall event will follow the model of blowout sales over two days. But it will come with a different name.
By Bob Niedt Published
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Costco Deals Ripe for the Pillage in the “Treasure Hunt”
Costco You don’t have to be a pirate to go on this Treasure Hunt, where you can buy $55,000 diamond rings, $650 Wagyu filets or a $35 fur trapper hat. But hurry – supplies are limited (really).
By Bob Niedt Published
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Will There Be a Second Amazon Prime Day 2022? Stand By
Amazon Prime Purportedly leaked documents indicate Amazon is asking retailers for possible “lightning” deal options for an October Amazon Prime Day 2022.
By Bob Niedt Published
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MoviePass is Relaunching. Should You Sign Up?
Smart Buying The subscription discount movie card company has a checkered past and an army of disillusioned former cardholders. If you want to try the reboot, you’ll need to hurry.
By Bob Niedt Published
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The Open Secret of Costco Shopping: Costco Next
Costco What is Costco Next? It’s a specialty shopping zone of Costco.com that has highly curated products at discounted prices.
By Bob Niedt Published
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HBO Max Is Offering Huge Discounts
Smart Buying Looking for a streaming service deal? Warner Bros. Discovery is cutting the price of HBO Max.
By Bob Niedt Published
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Latest Costco Perk: Pickup Lockers
Costco Costco’s lockers will let you buy some products without having to roam the aisles.. But don’t expect to use it to buy a generator, mattress, whole goat or other large item.
By Bob Niedt Published
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