1 Aug 2002

Big Box Sprawl Causes Sharp Rise in Police Costs

by | Date: 1 Aug 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Many city officials welcome large chain retailers for the tax revenue that create. Rarely do they consider the other side of the balance sheet: the tax losses that occur when chains displace local stores and the added costs of providing roads, sewers, police, fire, and other public services to the sprawling new development.

Added police costs are proving especially difficult for many communities that once welcomed big box stores. Take Port Richey, Florida, for example. … Read More
1 Aug 2002

Wal-Mart Decision Challenged in New Orleans

by | Date: 1 Aug 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Opponents of a massive Wal-Mart supercenter approved by the New Orleans City Council in April are fighting the so-called "done deal" on several fronts. A coalition of organizations has filed two lawsuits challenging the decision. The plaintiffs include Smart Growth for Louisiana, the Coliseum Square Association, the Louisiana Landmarks Society, the Historic Magazine Row Association, and the Urban Conservancy. … Read More
1 Aug 2002

“Independents Week” Celebrated in Tampa

by | Date: 1 Aug 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Posters declaring "Celebrate Independents Week!" greeted customers of local stores in Tampa, Florida, during the week of July 4th. "As we celebrate our nation’s independence, we invite you to join us in celebrating our great local independents," the posters read.

Independents Week was conceived by Carla Jimenez, co-owner of Inkwood Books. For several years, Inkwood has used Independence Day as an opportunity to remind customers of the importance of locally owned businesses to the community.… Read More
1 Aug 2002

At Borders, Mega Publishers Get the Keys to the Kingdom

by | Date: 1 Aug 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Leading publishers will be involved in determining which books are carried at Borders Books stores under a new "category management" plan being phased in this year. Under the plan, Borders is assigning each of 250 book categories—ranging from thrillers to romance novels—to one of the top publishers in that category. Borders will provide this "category captain" with detailed sales data for all titles in the category, including those of competitors. … Read More
1 Aug 2002

Community Hero Card Promotes Local Businesses and Volunteering

by | Date: 1 Aug 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

A new program in Minneapolis rewards residents for supporting locally owned businesses and volunteering at local nonprofits. Developed by CHC Data Inc., the new Community HeroCard enables residents to earn rebates by shopping at more than 40 local stores. The rebate doubles if the cardholder volunteers at a nonprofit organization. The card looks like a credit card with a magnetic data strip that works in a standard debit card machine. … Read More
1 Aug 2002

Mexico Investigates Wal-Mart For Antitrust Violations

by | Date: 1 Aug 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In late May, Mexico’s antitrust agency, the Federal Competition Commission, opened an investigation into Wal-Mart for "monopolistic practices." The action was prompted by charges that Wal-Mart has abused its market power by pressuring suppliers to sell goods below cost or at prices substantially lower than those available to other retailers (even after accounting for reasonable volume discounts).… Read More
1 May 2002

San Francisco Mayor Vetoes Big Box Law

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

San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown vetoed an ordinance to require greater scrutiny of big box development. The measure passed the Board of Supervisors on a 7-to-4 vote in March. Eight votes are needed to override a mayoral veto.

The citywide ordinance would have required retail development projects larger than 50,000 square feet to undergo an impact review and obtain a conditional use permit before proceeding.

… Read More
1 May 2002

Austin Independent Business Alliance Takes Off

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

Steve Bercu, owner of Book People, a large independent bookstore in Austin, Texas, has been increasingly concerned about the decline of the city’s homegrown businesses. Like the rest of the country, Austin has seen as steady influx of national chains. Meanwhile, the local businesses so central to the city’s sense of place and character are disappearing. About a year-and-a-half ago, Bercu learned about the Boulder Independent Business Alliance (BIBA) in Boulder, Colorado and decided to replicate the approach in Austin. … Read More

1 … 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 … 79