
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

Amazon Prime Video Regains HBO Max
After a brief departure from Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max is back.
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Walgreens Delivery: Same-Day Delivery Now 24/7
Need that Advil and Diet Coke right now? The pharmacy giant is the first of its kind to offer 24-hour same-day delivery.
By Bob Niedt
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Amazon Health Care Has a New Virtual Clinic: Amazon Clinic
Amazon’s latest foray into health care is Amazon Clinic, offering retail customers treatment for a range of ailments. But don’t expect to actually see anyone.
By Bob Niedt
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Claire’s, Your Kids’ First Jewelry Store, Goes From Malls to Macy’s
The shopping center staple has teamed up with mall anchor Macy’s to open shops-within-a-shop
By Bob Niedt
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McDonald’s Gold Card: The Mysterious Piece of Plastic That Gets You Free Food for Life
Order from the McDonald’s app in December for a shot at winning a rare McDonald’s McGold Card and free food for life.
By Bob Niedt
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Target, Starbucks Team Up for Curbside Pickup
Drive to Target, pick up your stuff — and get coffee without leaving the car. Prefer to stay home altogether? Buy into an offer of free home delivery from Target for a year.
By Bob Niedt
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Here’s How to Score a Free (or Cheap) Amazon Smart Speaker for the Holidays
If you have the right connections, you could buy a $40 Echo Dot from Amazon for just $1.
By Bob Niedt
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Amazon Prime Shoppers Can Now Fall into The Gap
Gap products, including clothing, are now available on Amazon Fashion at Amazon.com.
By Bob Niedt
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New Target Stores Will Be Huge
The discount retailer will expand its footprint and design with more stores and remodels that will reflect the new concept.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Amazon Raising Annual Fees for Amazon Prime Membership
Feature As expected, Amazon is hiking the cost of Amazon Prime membership for the first time in four years.
By Bob Niedt
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Buying & Leasing a Car