Viatek Consumer Products Group reported the sellout of its Shape Changer Bra during an apparently recent (though unspecified) airing on HSN. The maker claims the bra improves women’s posture and can boost busts by two sizes, although its biggest benefits may be psychological. “I just feel more empowered” is what TV Personality Stella Riches said. Viatek Consumer Product Group Press Release Jan. 15, 2009
Jan 192009
HSN Contracts Alliance Data Systems for Credit Card Services
Customers/Customer Service, DRTV Retailer
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Jan 162009
Alliance Data Systems Corp. (NYSE: ADS) has signed a multi-year agreement to provide co-brand and private label credit card services to HSN. Tampa Bay Business Journal Jan. 15, 2009
Jan 132009
QVC placed eighth on a list of ten companies providing excellent customer service. The fourth annual Customers’ Choice survey asked 8,167 consumers which retailer delivered best service regardless of whether they sold through stores, catalog, the web or television. It was conducted by market research firm BIGresearch in September, and sponsored by the NRF Foundation, the research and education arm of the National Research Federation, and payment card company American Express. First place went to LL Bean. Internet Retailer Jan. 13, 2009
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Brando Considered Dressing in Drag on QVC
Celebs & Stars
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Jan 122009
In 2003, near the end of his life, a cash-strapped Marlon Brando considered selling a variety of products on QVC, while dressed as a woman, according to an British magazine. Now Magazine (UK) Jan. 11, 2009
Former ShopNBC Host Kerry McNally Now Traffic Reporter for WCCO-TV in Twin Cities
Talent
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Jan 092009
According to the WCCO-TV website, McNally’s past experience includes broadcasting for Armed Forces Radio and Television, work in theater, voiceovers and stand-up comedy — in addition to his recent stint in television shopping at ShopNBC. WCCO-TV (MN) January 2009
Jan 092009
Over the past eight years, the price of gold has increased by 235 percent, from $271 to more than $1,000 an ounce. But the costs in human misery and environmental degradation may be even higher. National Geographic’s January cover story offers mostly sobering reading about mining for gold in far-flung spots around the world — whether the miners are employing age-old techniques to extract gold remnants from an old, artisinal mine (as in the Peruvian Andes) or working at a large, modern mine (as in Indonesia). Here is one interesting tid-bit: all of the gold that has been mined to date, worldwide, can be fit within the space of two Olympic-sized swimming pools. National Geographic January 2009 A WHYY Fresh Air radio interview with the auther and photographer of the story is also available from National Public Radio here. Jan. 8, 2009
Jewelry Television Cuts More Jobs
DRTV Retailer
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Jan 082009
Jewelry Television began another round of job cuts today, although the number of affected employees is not known. The retailer warned that workforce reductions may continue, as needed, until costs can be brought in line with declining revenues. JTV currently employs about 1,300 people, down from 2,000 a year ago. WVLT-TV (Knoxville, TN) Jan. 7, 2009 Knoxville News Sentinel (TN) Jan. 8, 2009
Macy’s to Close 11 Stores in 9 States
Bricks-and-Mortar, USA
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Jan 082009
In the wake of weak holiday sales, Macy’s today announced plans to close eleven underperforming stores in Los Angeles, West Palm Beach, Fla., Nashville, Tenn., and St. Louis and other locations. Clearance sales at the stores begin next week. AP via Yahoo! Finance Jan. 8, 2008
No Xmas Miracle; Retailers Report Dismal Holiday Sales
Bricks-and-Mortar, Research, Trends, Forecasts
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Jan 082009
Retail sales fell 2.2 percent for the November/December holiday shopping season, the biggest decline in almost 30 tears, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. The 1.7% drop in December sales came on the heels of a 2.7 percent decline during the previous month, as consumers fretted about tightened budgets and job insecurity. Luxury department stores like Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Nordstrom, plus many non-anchor, mall-based retailers experienced double digit sales declines. The New York Times Jan. 8, 2009
