Retailers Books

This book is scary. The author goes through many case studies and examples of the horrible things we're allowing to happen in our communities --- all in the name of promised "economic growth". I think every city planner should read this book. Anyone interested in saving what's left of our communities should read it. Even if you are skeptical of the author's conclusions, the copious bibliography can point you to the sources of her information and many other articles on the subject.

She sometimes repeats stories in different chapters, which can be annoying. However, I enjoyed reading the book because each time I had a questions, the author would answer it in subsequent paragraphs or chapters.

My copy of this book will be passed around to everyone that I can get to read it.

An absolutely necessity, especially for people living in areas where a new "big box" is being considered.

The intricate financial benefits to the corporation are absolutely staggering.

Everyone loves a bargain, and American consumers seem particularly fond of the bargain-priced imported products available at big-box retailers.

Shopping at big-box retailers for the lowest prices may sometimes save us a bundle, but are there hidden costs? The author makes a convincing case that there are. She explains that by shopping at the big boxes, we are hurting our economy by diverting our dollars from locally-owned businesses to far-away head offices and foreign nations. But, you might ask, if those foreign nations don't in turn buy our goods, what will they buy instead? Will they buy our banks, our communications media, and perhaps our politicians as well? As their influence over our daily lives increases, will they support our democratic traditions?

According to the author, politicians need to stop favoring big-box retailers with unfair subsidies. And they need to stop requiring locally-owned business to foot the tax bill - even as they are forced out of existence. This practice is defeating the kind of small-business entrepreneurial spirit that has long been a pillar of our society. It is also destroying better-paying jobs, while increasing minimum wage employment.

Only concerted public pressure will prompt politicians to enact new laws that will level the playing field, giving small businesses a fighting chance at survival. But in the battle to win hearts and minds of politicians and the public, large corporations have an overwhelming advantage, with their deep pockets, public relations skill, and superior organization.

To be fair, the author should mention that some local retailers could be more competitive - by staying open for evening shopping, and by offering the kind of broad selection and one-stop shopping convenience that many consumers crave, for example.

Thankfully, this book does offer some hope, making plenty of suggestions about how small businesses can compete more effectively.

Regardless of which side of the debate you are on, this book will open your eyes. It is carefully researched, skillfully written, and absolutely fascinating. It will likely arouse your anger. And it may even change the way you shop.

Paul Francis Musgrave, author of Indispensable Marketing Strategies - How to Outwit Your Competition, Attract and Retain Customers, and Multiply Your Profits - Marketing Strategy Secrets for Profitable Small Business Management

This book should be required reading for all elected officials....especially those in city and county government. Mitchell backs up her findings with documented studies. A fascinating look at just how manipulated we are as consumers....and we allow it to happen!

I just started reading this book and I'm already blown away by the world it is revealing to me! Reading how Wal-Mart has corrupted the free enterprise system by manipulating all the mechanisms that enable/encourage fair trade, competition, market demand, consumer preference, cultural uniqueness, etc. was startling. And the part about how Wal-Mart is slowing gnawing its way inside the manufacturers to the point where it requires a company to buy raw materials from Wal-Mart, and soon won't even buy goods but will expect manufacturers to provide goods on consignment! I know that doesn't sound dramatic, but consider what happens when Wal-Mart tells P&G that it must have 100 cases of a new product in every store, in spite of what P& G's projections say the market demand is. The market doesn't go for the product, so only 60 cases are sold per store. Wal-Mart has no risk because they don't own the merchandise. So P&G has to eat the loss somehow. And as the book showed, if a company says no to Wal-Mart, they get kicked out of the store and the sudden loss of revenue can and has bankrupted companies. Good God!! And of course, Wal-Mart isn't the only one doing this.

Reading this book is like accidentally walking into a store's backroom and coming across some dirty sweatshop where everyone is in chains. Then some cleancut, smiling guy hooks your arm, leads you out and gives you some urgent story about how they're trying valiantly to keep such conditions from being necessary in every store in the world. Then stuffs a 30%-off coupon into your hand and guides you to the weekly sale rack.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a guy who likes popping into Target, Home Depot and a host of other chains. But seeing behind the shiny laminated displays makes you think....

The information presented in this book, is like its style and presentation, simple, immediately accessible and implementable.

The book may not apply to highly trained and experienced web designers, but will serve as a terrific information source for non-ICT people that need to get an immediate grasp of the key concepts, the terminology, the possible applications and ultimately in implementing the strategies and ideas.

This book gives professionals and students an excellent introduction and overview on clicks and mortar, on analysis of opportunities, development of marketing and branding strategies and on planning, implementation and control of marketing programs. There is a focus on the traditional marketing process and there are good examples on many topics in the book.

Well written, easy to read with examples, and quite innovative.
This book will appeal to those who prefer the visualisation of models and concepts alongside in depth examples, and the format will be particularly liked by those whom have followed an MBA degree or similar training.
The book is a step-by-step manual as well as a very detailed review of the changes we can expect to see in the future within the world of clicks and mortar.

A concise overview on clicks and mortar principles is provided by the book. Despite the condensed nature of its content, many illustrative examples are given throughout the chapters. It serves well as a great introduction for readers who are planning to establish a clicks and mortar program.

Lindstrom draws on speeches he's given in worldwide and textbook basics to craft an informative and refreshing marketing text. Highlighting the primary tools and techniques used by marketing professionals, he encourages companies to think about the true value of a clicks and mortar approach. Since it's cheaper to retain an existing customer than to acquire a new one, companies should use all of the resources at their disposal - including marketing - in building long-term clicks and mortar relationships. Beyond the customer-value sermon, Lindstrom offers a systemic review of clicks and mortar concepts that have been very useful for me and which I can heartily recommend to beginners, who quickly will find their copies of this book glowing with highlighter yellow, as well as marketing veterans, who will enjoy and learn from the book's fresh take on familiar topics.

While I didn't disagree with any concepts in the book, based on the reviews that I had read prior to purchasing the book, I thought it was going to be more insightful. After purchasing I found this mainly to be what I consider common sense retail concepts. Overall I was disappointed with the content.

This book outlines simple steps that retailers can take to increase their profits. It's not about accounting or finance. It's about people. The people that work in your store and the people that come into your store. This books outlines how to take care of both. Too often, shopping experiences are less than desirable for the customer. Not because of the cleanliness of the store or how the displays looked, but because of how the customer was treated. A customer leaving a store feeling less than respected is likely to be one less customer down the road, not to mention the potential customers they will tell to avoid your store. Don't be one of "those" stores. Read this book and be enlightened. Your customers will appreciate it. Your profits will too.

This book is full of practical information and recommendations that are valuable not just for retailers but for anyone whose work requires them to interact with clients/customers. Fleener's style is very readable and approachable. Highly recommended!

The Profitable Retailer describes what a great customer experience should be and how to create a great retail store. I just want to buy 99 copies of this book and give it to the next 100 retail stores that I go into because it seems that only about 1 in a hundred gives me what I need as a customer. This book is practical, funny and filled with numerous examples that every retailer has experienced. The Profitable Retailer is worth every penny.

I have both used Doug Fleener as a personal consultant for my retail business and I have read the book and I keep referring back to the book. The best thing I did EARLY on when I opened my store was to hire Doug. I wanted to do that BEFORE I had a potential problem, not after. So far, so good. With Doug's advise and suggestions, we are celebrating three years of business in October. Doug does not "sugar coat". He uses common sense to put you on the right track of running a business and managing people. I felt very energized after our personal consultation and after reading his book. No fancy marketing tricks with Doug.......just no-nonsense suggestions. Doug taught me to look outside the box and he taught me how to step back and look at my store from the customer's perspective. Doug has the experience and the knowledge to help you succeed and I highly recommend this book for any owner and/or manager of a retail store. Kathy H. The Essential Gourmet.

This was my first Patrick Gale experience and will certainly cause me to try another. A most powerfully crafted and original story, filled with sadness and taboo subjects, yet warmly sympathetic to human weaknesses and perceptive that it is so often what people fail to tell their loved ones that represents their strongest feelings. Tragedy unfolds with riveting and tender sensitivity.

Reading this book was similar to listening to a beautiful composition by, say, Vaughn Williams. It begins and ends on the same note but the music in between makes the final note shimmer with aching poignancy. The tension builds in the plotline -- both plotlines, the Beachcomber and the Blue House -- symmetrically. There is such justice in the final fate of the characters. I don't want to give anything away, but the author does a great job of having the successive generation mirror the mistakes their parents made. What a powerful, intense, and moving work! I look forward to reading Gale's other works.

Many times in life we come across books and stories that resemble real life in certain ways. Often they only resemble real life in passing, but can't seem to hold a candle to the real thing. Unusually, this book can and does a comparitively good job at doing just that: holding a candle to the real.

This beautiful story resemnbles life in a kind of symmetry. The author is incredibly skilled in the way he chooses words and constructs sentences, paragraphs, and pages of a glowing, real life. This book is touching, remarkable, and wholly likable. If you enjoy literature that is true to life -and the truer it has never been- then read this book.

Take it slow. Savor each movement and chapter until you come to the end. When you finish, then stop. Think about it and remember it in your heart, because this is the kind of book one can be touched by intimately and come away not sad, but enriched.

And may you enjoy it as much as I have.

I have never read a novel that was put together like this one by Patrick Gale. At first, I was put off by the obviously British staunchness of some of the characters and the back and forth telling of two separate stories each taking turns chapter by chapter. Through this technique, Gale weaves a tremendous story that illustrates family values, dynamics unlike I've ever seen. What he does with the main character - 40 yr old Will Paget is magnificent. He receieves a vacation present from his sister for his 40th birthday and he invites his parents to accompany him. What happens from there made me turn page after page after page. I didn't want this story to end. To say anymore would give away the plot - something I do not want to do. Read this mystery novel for laughter, surprises and shock.

As an avid reader of fiction, I expected very little from this casual purchase, but not since Chabon's "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" have I been so captivated by both the story and style of a modern novel.
The reviews below give you all (and unfortunately in once case, too much) of the detail of the story. But Gale dissects the British version of the 'American Beauty' family dysfunction while weaving the emotional turmoil and mystery of the best of Ian McEwan. His 'prison' metaphor is incisive without being blunt, never giving the slightest hint as to how these somewhat damages souls will resolve - or even survive.
And while I'm extolling Mr. Gale's writing, you might want to check out a much earlier work of his - 'Kansas in August': a very different novel, without doubt, but one that is a true charmer - witty and fun, but still skillfully crafted with twists that delight to the final page.
Do yourself a personal favor: read 'Rough Music' - you will never forget it.

This book is a great addition to the expanding series that is the Edge Chronicles. It gives the reader a lot more information about the work performed in Undertown, as well as about Sky Pirates. I would definitely recommend this book to people who love fantasy, and also to those who are fans of Harry Potter and looking for another series to fall in love with. The story is very well written and the illustrations are fantastic. This book definitely met my expectations.

Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell's The Edge Chronicles 9: Clash of the Sky Galleons presents yet another Edge adventure: this revolving around the return of Turbot Smeal and the encounters of a knight academic, Quint, who finds himself involved in his father's search for vengeance. A ship and its crew find themselves spearheaded by an insane agenda in this involving fantasy adventure.

Well worth. You wont be able to put the book down once you get started.

I can't stay away from these books. I hate how people and creatures I don't want to die have a habit of doing just that. However, I always buy the next book in the series as soon as I see it has been released. The stories are cleverly written and the imagery is very vivid. The format is quite unique in that the books aren't necessarily in chronological order. The illustrations really capture the tone of the stories, too.

if you ask me this is one of the best book series ever read and iv'e read a lot of other books series like th golden compeass and eragon and i would definetly say that these books are much better, i would say that it just as good or better thay books like harry potter and the chronicles of Narnia. but i would note that i think that i would have liked to see more of an overall story, and a little bit more character development, but overall i think that the story is gerat. Another thing i relly like about the series is that it's Unpredictable you never get that with books like harry potter you konw that j.k rowing is not going to kill harry or kill
ron, but in these book you never konw.


joshua.b

joshua.b

Anyone with an interest in business history has to be fascinated by the story of Wal-Mart. Starting from a single store in an obscure Southern town, the company expanded relentlessly over the course of thirty-five years to become the most powerful retailer in the world. At the center of this story stands the enigmatic figure of Sam Walton, a folksy and sincerely genial man who ran the single store back in the mid -1950's and still controlled the burgeoning corporate empire at the time of his death in 1992, having by then amassed the largest personal fortune in America. Bob Ortega has done a workman-like job in telling the story of both the company and its founder. However, Ortega is an investigative journalist by trade, not a biographer or business historian. His interest in Wal-Mart began with a series of muckraking reports he did on the company during the 1990's, and he devotes the last half of "In Sam We Trust" to rambling through much of this material, focusing on Wal-Mart's longstanding compliance with abusive and illegal labor practices on the part of its suppliers, and on it ruthless real-estate practices that have for the last three decades steam-rollered over what remains of the cultural ethos of small-town America. Ortega is a good writer and a conscientious journalist, laboring hard to stick to facts and avoid sensationalism. And given his obvious distaste for what Wal-Mart has become, it speaks well of his literary integrity that the historical and biographical portions of this book are objectively told. Sam Walton himself is portrayed with his all positive personal qualities intact - he's rather likeable - and his flaws, while apparent, aren't blown out of proportion either. The fascination with him, which is well-presented, lies in the paradox of such an amiable fellow possessing a ruthless competitive drive rivaling that of the any of the legendary 19th century Robber Barons. The problem with Ortega's book is that the biographical and historical half doesn't fit together very cohesively with the muckraking half, even though both portions are well-enough done in their own terms. Anyone wanting business history here is going to get a little bored with the repetitive accounts of third-world sweatshops and anti-Wal-Mart community action drives. I recommend the book, but many readers should be prepared skim over portions of it.

I read this after seeing the PBS Frontline story on Walmart. I had never realized how much of an effect this store has on American communities, workers and manufacturing. As the book explains well, Walmart is not the only one to blame for the negative trends, but it is the biggest and was a trendsetter for this style of megabusiness whose only goal is to grow and eliminates all concerns except the bottom line.

The book was a pageturner for me. Really interesting and well written. I'd like to see a new edition that is updated with info from the last 6 years. Walmart has grown ALOT in 6 years!

Organizations reflect the people in charge. IN SAM WE TRUST by Bob Ortega tells how, after the death of founder Sam Walton, Wal-Mart department stores lost its way with both employees and the public.

According to IN SAM WE TRUST, Sam Walton made Wal-Mart employees and customers feel as though he cared about them even when his business practices said otherwise. With at least false hope, those people continued working and shopping at Wal-Mart.

Sam Walton died in 1992, and, as IN SAM WE TRUST tells it, subsequent Wal-Mart leadership did not care nor pretend to care about people. The book's final chapters document just how cold Wal-Mart headquarters became.

Everyday low prices? Yes. Everyday people? Only on Sly Stone's greatest hits album. Read IN SAM WE TRUST.

I started reading this book when I was looking for a topic for one of my term papers (I had thought about writing a paper on Wal-Mart). When I decided to do my paper on sweatshops, I still used the book for reference purposes --especially on the infamous Kathie Lee Gifford/Wal-Mart/sweatshop scandal. However, I couldn't put it down. I would read a few pages and then I would need to know what happened before and what happened after. The book is very informative and well-written but I think the writing is accessibly to most people. It's an interesting book that offers a view of Wal-Mart that most of us don't get to see. It doesn' bash the retail-giant, but it provides us with a perspective of a business built by a determined man and what that business has meant to the country since it's beginning. I really enjoyed reading this book and I think a lot of you out there would as well.

This is an excellent book. It's not merely the account of a powerful businessman and how he sahped a company. It's also an account of modern American socio-economic history. Ortega expalins hoe Sam Walton maanged to take advantage of changes that were occurring in demographic distribution, technology and savvy business techniques from those who taught him and his competitors. Ortega provides a history of retailing in the USA from the late 19th century and explains the success of the modern outlet store in terms of its roots in the catalogue stores, department stores and demographic distribution. The history of the WalMart company is told by focusing on its relentless founder Sam Walton. ortega reveals Walton's hiring processes, the reasons that led him to develop the worker profit-sharing programs and how the ideas of the cheer and other details, now familiar to any Wal Mart shopper, came to be. Ortega does not set out to accuse Walton, he lets the story speak for itself and the reader can decide whether or not they wish to continue shopping there. All in all this Business profile is well worth reading.

This book simply explains different scenerios from different viewpoints. It wasn't in depth enough as far as "rights" were concerned.

I am new to the field of Loss Prevention. I found this book very informative and insightful. Its too bad I didn't have it when I started six months ago as I would have avoided some rookie mistakes! The case reviews are interesting and instructional.

I recommend this book to anyone just entering the LP field.

It first when I saw the title "Shoplifters vs. Retailers: The Rights of Both" all I could think of was the only rights shoplifters should have is to be "hooked and booked". However, after reading the book I would say the book should be required reading for begining Loss Prevention Agents. I like the Scenario and Analysis set up of the book. But there are far too many "single item" detentions in the book. For me to risk my badge, possibly my job, and a lawsuit on a bad detention if I am wrong on a single item, I have to be VERY certain that a shoplift has occurred and that the individual has the merchandise. Not that I have not been involved in single item detentions, but sometimes it's better to let someone walk with the merchandise; because if the person is a true shoplifter they will be back.

"I have read many books on shoplifting and this tops them all. It is now required reading for all of our shoplift agents. I especially like the no nonsense, straight to the point scenarios."

While larger companies with professional shoplifter patrols may benefit the most from these case histories, Shoplifters vs. Retailers holds information not readily available in such a specific form and retailers and students of law alike will find it important. Shoplifters vs. Retailers covers legal issues and rights of both retailer and shoplifter, relying entirely on case histories of selected shoplifter apprehension scenarios; and will prove essential to retailers who wonder about recourse in identifying and detailing shoplifters or suspects.

After purchasing this book in a bookstore it was immediately "borrowed" by a vegetarian relative. My only recourse was to order another for myself. We obviously enjoy the recipies. I find all Williams-Sonoma cookbooks worthwhile.

A passionate home cook that has been honing her cooking skills for the last 25 years, concentrating on Italian cooking for the last 10 years, writes this review. My favorite cookbooks are "The Professional Chef" by the Culinary Institute and "Culinary Artistry". With more than 500 cookbooks in my collection I am usually disappointed in my recent cookbook acquisitions. This book is a nice addition to any cookbook library if you have a vegetarian in your family or just want to add a few meatless meals to your family table.

The book is subdivided as follows:
Introduction
Starters and Salads
Soups and Stews
Sauteed & Stir Fried Vegetables
Boiled and Steamed Vegetables
Baked, Roasted and Grilled Vegetables
Beans and Legumes
Pasta, Polenta & Rice
Eggs and Cheese
Basic Recipes & Techniques

This book is vegetarian, not vegan. However, there are many recipes in the book that are vegan or that can be easily changed to make them vegan. As a new follower of the mostly vegan "Eat to Live" plan I have been purchasing vegetarian cookbooks with abandon looking for new flavor ideas. This book has added a number of new recipes to my cooking repertoire.

My overall observations about the book are as follows:

Pros:
1. Book covers many ethnic cuisines in its recipes
2. Recipe directions are very thorough
3. Covers many different techniques for preparing veggies (stir fry, baking, roasting, grilling, etc.)
4. Many but not all of the recipes are healthy
5. Color photographs of all the dishes are provided
6. Small book, doesn't take up too much room on the counter
7. Nice sturdy binding that will stand up to many years of constant use


Cons:
1. No desserts
2. Uses while flour where whole wheat would work
3. Uses full fat-bechamel where low-fat bechamel would work and be a healthier option
4. Uses full fat cream a little too liberally

As a cook that relies mostly on Italian Cuisine and that is new to mostly vegan cooking I found many ideas in this book that I could add to my family table. If you wish to expand your cooking to include multiple ethnicities in a vegetarian environment I would recommend this book. I have given this book 4 stars instead of 5 because it did not try to make the recipes healthier by reducing the white flour and full fat dairy where appropriate.

Don't buy this book if you don't like/can't eat cheese. ;) It contains a LOT of it. The recipes are very tasty though. It's worth owning for sure.

No, I'm not actually a vegetarian but after cooking from this cookbook I may as well become one. My husband wanted me to start cooking with less meat and I had a very hard time doing it because most of the vegetarian dishes I cooked seemed so blah to me. This book has revolutionized my life! Awesome, awesome dishes.

Very eclectic and yet simple recipes- great presentation- very nutritious too.

My daughter and I enjoy Andreae's books and this is no exception. She is two and a half and love dinosaurs, so this was a big hit. It's got good pictures and fun rhymes. A good read.

We checked this book out at the library, then ended up buying it because my 2 year and 4 year olds really loved it. Colorful illustrations! The story keeps their attention throughout the entire book. Great book for your little dinosour lovers.

Especially recommended for school and community library collections, Dinosaurs Galore! combines the colorful and charming illustrations of David Wojtowycz with the rhythmic and rhyming text of Giles Andreae to engage young readers ages 3 to 7 with a picturebook approach to the daily lives of the great dinosaurs. As the sun lights the horizon,/and the mist begins to clear,/what shapes do you begin to see;/what noises do you hear?//Perhaps you'll see a swishing tail,/huge footprints, or a beak./I think I heard a distant roar.../and did you hear that shriek?//Some of them have huge long necks,/and some have giant jaws./So let's go to the swampland,/and meet the dinosaurs!

I have read many books on business and have found this one to really bring home the basic's. I feel that it is very important for all my key people to understand the running of a successsful long lasting business and the is the road map I have been looking to share with them.

Great practical book! I found The Retailer's Roadmap to Success to be full
of great ideas that can help any retailer. I have certainly used a number of
the ideas in my own business with great success and have actually bought
copies for some of my key staff to read. I recommend it.

This concise manual will help any independent or specialty retailer take business to a higher level. It synthesizes best practices and lessons learned by Andy Buyting into an effective road map for the entrepreneur who wants to thrive, not just survive.