Laura Kennedy
Associate Editor, The Kiplinger Letter
Retailers Bank on In-Store Wi-Fi
Business Costs & Regulation
Retailers Bank on In-Store Wi-Fi
Go ahead and check out our competition, they say, betting that you won’t bother schlepping to another store after all.
January 6, 2011
The Cashless Lifestyle Catches On
Technology
The Cashless Lifestyle Catches On
New electronic transfer technologies will turn paper and coin into historical anachronisms.
December 15, 2010
Government to Put Product Safety Info Online
Business Costs & Regulation
Government to Put Product Safety Info Online
Manufacturers worry that a new government information bank could become a gold mine of information for class action suits.
November 30, 2010
Playing Catch-up in Foreign Language Education
business
Playing Catch-up in Foreign Language Education
Firms -- and students -- that use new language-learning programs can get a leg up on their international competition.
October 28, 2010
Local Businesses Find Strength in Numbers
business
Local Businesses Find Strength in Numbers
Independent business alliances are helping small and midsize companies build markets, cut costs and boost profits.
October 1, 2010
Retailers Aim for a Head Start on Holidays
Business Costs & Regulation
Retailers Aim for a Head Start on Holidays
Stores’ most important season is bound to be better than last year’s. The question is by how much.
September 23, 2010
Earn Rewards by Going Green
spending
Earn Rewards by Going Green
There’s a new spin on loyalty programs -- rewards for cutting back on trash.
August 30, 2010
6 Ways Colleges Are Trying to Lower the Cost of a Higher Education
Paying for College
6 Ways Colleges Are Trying to Lower the Cost of a Higher Education
As the financial effects of the recession linger, higher-education institutions are making long-term changes so they, and students, get more bang for …
August 5, 2010
Slow Start for Back-to-School Sales
Smart Buying
Slow Start for Back-to-School Sales
Consumers are still saying 'show me the discount' but in the end, they'll stock up.
July 12, 2010
Fight over Debit Card Fees Far from Over
business
Fight over Debit Card Fees Far from Over
State governments are joining banks in the protest over lower processing fees.
June 10, 2010
Online Daily Deals Help Firms Gain Traffic
business
Online Daily Deals Help Firms Gain Traffic
E-mailed promotions lure new customers with big discounts
May 14, 2010
Supermarkets: Mergers Ahead
Economic Forecasts
Supermarkets: Mergers Ahead
Consumers will actually benefit from a new wave of consolidation, driven in part by Wal-Mart's gains.
April 28, 2010
Higher Prices Won't Deter Apparel Shoppers
Economic Forecasts
Higher Prices Won't Deter Apparel Shoppers
Retailers -- except at the bottom end -- can look forward to brighter prospects.
April 16, 2010
Credit Card Micropayments About to Surge
business
Credit Card Micropayments About to Surge
A 50¢ credit card charge to read an article online? A buck to skip the cash register? It’s coming soon.
April 7, 2010
Technology, Recession Changing Marketing Forever
Business Costs & Regulation
Technology, Recession Changing Marketing Forever
Companies have more ways than ever to reach customers.
February 23, 2010
Smart-Phone Advertising Helps Small Firms Grab Business
Business Costs & Regulation
Smart-Phone Advertising Helps Small Firms Grab Business
Services that target ads and offers to customers around the corner offer a new inroad.
February 11, 2010
Hints of a Rebirth for Commercial Real Estate?
real estate
Hints of a Rebirth for Commercial Real Estate?
Investors are taking an interest in commercial real estate, primarily apartment and office buildings. Retail space -- not so much.
January 29, 2010
Holiday Retailers Take a Different Tack
Business Costs & Regulation
Holiday Retailers Take a Different Tack
Cost cutting and lower wholesale prices should help merchants turn a profit, even though sales volume won’t give them much to cheer about.
January 28, 2010
TV Ads Worth Watching?
Business Costs & Regulation
TV Ads Worth Watching?
Cable operators and advertisers believe their long-sought Holy Grail of interactive ads is in reach. But will viewers play along?
January 20, 2010
A Temporary Lift for Retail Sales
Economic Forecasts
A Temporary Lift for Retail Sales
Buoyed by the federal cash for clunkers program, late summer retail sales also reflect
consumers’ improved outlook.
November 12, 2009
Retailers Feel CIT’s Pain
Business Costs & Regulation
Retailers Feel CIT’s Pain
The impact on holiday sales could hamper the recovery’s start.
November 12, 2009