FeedPosted Mar 2nd 2010 5:20PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: Bad News, Consumer Experience
Travelers using the U.S.'s air travel system, already groaning from more than a decade of inadequate maintenance, will have to bear with another hardship for four months as the longest runway at New York's JFK International Airport undergoes repairs, The Wall Street Journal reported (subscription required.)
One-third of JFK's traffic and half of its departures with be diverted to three smaller runways, resulting in longer lines at take-offs/landings, the AP reported.
How does work on JFK's Bay Runway affect travelers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, etc.? As veteran air travelers know, the U.S.'s air travel system is so efficient and interdependent that travel delays at one hub frequently ripple throughout the system.
Continue reading JFK Runway Repair May Increase Spring Air Travel Delays
Posted Mar 2nd 2010 1:00PM by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed)
Filed under: Consumer Experience, Internet
Where there are plenty of women, you're bound to find more and more men. Though the gain was small, the number of men on Facebook grew faster than women in February 2010, making the social networking site look a lot like every hot club in Manhattan -- men chasing women.
Facebook picked up an additional 5 million users in the United States last month, reaching 113 million. Since the middle of last year, the social media site has gained users every month. Though every demographic is showing increases, men are leading the charge. In January, women owned 56.07% of Facebook use, a share of activity that fell to 55.6% in February. Among users age 18 to 44, new male users outpaced females by approximately 2:1.
Continue reading Facebook Gains U.S. Traffic, Led by Men
Posted Feb 23rd 2010 6:00PM by Michael Fowlkes (RSS feed)
Filed under: International Markets, From the Boards, Products and Services, Consumer Experience, Toyota Motor Corp. (TM), Scandals, Japan

The recent massive safety recalls by
Toyota Motor Company (TM) have definitely hurt the company's image, and the uncertainty over the current safety of its vehicles has left many people wondering what exactly is going on with the Toyota recall. If people were concerned before, they are sure to be a bit more confused after a Toyota executive testified in front of the House Energy and Commerce Committee today that
the recall may not "totally solve" the current problems.
Last week Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda, was asked to come before Congress and testify over the current safety recalls. Mr. Toyoda will answer questions tomorrow, but today it was James E. Lentz III, the president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., that had his chance to answer questions in front of Congress.
Continue reading Toyota Official Testifies That Recall May Not Totally Fix Problems
Posted Feb 23rd 2010 11:20AM by Beth Gaston Moon (RSS feed)
Filed under: Earnings Reports, Deals, Consumer Experience, Competitive Strategy

Let the cone-bra jokes begin!
Women's Wear Daily is reporting that the music icon
is negotiating with Macy's (
M) about launching a line of women's contemporary apparel. The collection, which would be available exclusively through the department-store chain, would reportedly run the gamut of fashion, including apparel, lingerie, footwear and accessories.
Helping with the negotiations is Iconix Brand Group, a brand-management firm with several other impressive brands under its umbrella, including Candie's, London Fog, and Danskin. The firm already has experience dealing with iconic pop superstars; the Britney Spears line of Candie's is available exclusively at Kohl's (
KSS) stores. While Iconix has declined to comment so far, sources claim the deal is a foregone conclusion.
Continue reading Madonna Working a Deal with Macy's
Posted Feb 18th 2010 1:00PM by Beth Gaston Moon (RSS feed)
Filed under: Consumer Experience, Competitive Strategy, Target Corp. (TGT)
On my rather frequent trips to Target (TGT), I know I can get nearly everything on my list, from mascara to wood cleaner to a new sweater. Unless I venture out to a SuperTarget in the 'burbs, however, I won't be able to find, for example, broccoli or ground turkey. My local Target's grocery selection consists of basic dairy, frozen food, and nonperishable items.
Well, for a few hundred Target stores, that's about to change -- dun-dun-DUN!
Continue reading One-Stop Shopping at Target?
Posted Feb 17th 2010 4:30PM by Connie Madon (RSS feed)
Filed under: Good news, Products and Services, Industry, Consumer Experience, Economic Data, Personal Finance, Headline News, Housing, Federal Reserve
The numbers are looking good for January: both US home construction and industrial production rose.
Here are the stats:
- The Commerce Department reported that housing starts climbed 2.8% to a seasonally adjusted 591,000 annual rate.
- Housing starts and apartment construction were both up in January.
- Apartment construction rose 9.2% to 107,000
Continue reading Housing Starts and Industrial Production Up In January
Posted Feb 16th 2010 3:00PM by Beth Gaston Moon (RSS feed)
Filed under: Consumer Experience, Competitive Strategy, McDonald's (MCD)

Two all-beef patties, special sauce, and fresh fruit? In an effort to keep up with those consumers looking for quick but healthy options, McDonald's (
MCD) is
planning to offer "Real Fruit Smoothies," coming to a Golden Arches near you this summer. The drinks will come in three sizes and two flavors - strawberry banana and wild berry.
And who better to help McDonald's announce these new products than Olympic athletes (the pinnacle of health and well being)? The smoothies debuted at the chain's three Olympic-village restaurants (where athletes can also carbo-load their favorite items from Micky D's menus).
Continue reading McDonald's (MCD) Adds Another Healthy Option
Posted Feb 15th 2010 12:40PM by Connie Madon (RSS feed)
Filed under: Management, Law, Consumer Experience, Scandals
Federal law bars creditors from taking Social Security to recover a debt. Other deposits that are exempt include pensions, payments to disabled veterans and survivors' benefits for children.
Banks have been ignoring the law when it comes to garnishment orders. They freeze the accounts, then rip off people by charging them outrageous fees. First the account goes into deficit and there is a fee Then the account goes on hold and the customer cannot get access to his or her money. If the customer tries to use a debit card, it is rejected and another fee is added. Once the account is in deficit, the banks keep adding fees on and on ...
Continue reading Treasury to Stop Banks from Freezing Social Security Accounts
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