Could the recession kill Crocs? Only an economy of excess could have produced a shoe so ugly, yet so beloved. A look at the fast-rising fortunes and rapid decline of the shoe that we love to hate (and secretly hate to love).
Posted: Monday, June 1, 2009, Double X
Link: http://www.doublex.com/section/news-politics/how-your-pedicure-could-end-recession
WE’VE heard the nation’s leaders warn that we can’t really dig ourselves out of this economic ditch until consumer confidence returns—in other words, until we all feel safe enough to get out there and shop. But this plan of action feels rash. Excessive, reckless, down-payment-in-shoes-style consumption is what got [...]
Posted: Monday, August 10, 2009, Double X
Link: http://www.doublex.com/section/life/will-“extreme-saving”-improve-your-sex-life
AS many of us tighten our budgetary belts, some people are taking the concept to a new extreme by vowing not to spend any money at all. No movie rentals or drinks with friends. No parking the car at the garage, no newspaper for the subway ride. No groceries, [...]
Published on: Tuesday, 5/12/2009, The Washington Post, front page
Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/11/AR2009051103607.html
THE nation’s retailers have begun to embrace the new cost-conscious consumer, developing products they can sell at lower prices without driving themselves out of business in the post-splurge era.
Starbucks dropped the price of a medium iced coffee last week to just under $2. American Eagle cut out the [...]
The recession has changed the conversation in America.At play dates and happy hours, friends are swapping recipes instead of making restaurant reservations. Teenagers are skipping flashy block-long limos and showing up to prom in minivans. Coupons has become a more popular search term than Britney Spears on Google. Instead of feeling self-conscious about spending less, people are flaunting their frugality.
Published on: Friday, 7/10/2009, The Washington Post, front page
Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/09/AR2009070903026.html
OPENING more stores wasn’t enough for retailers during boom times. They wanted to create new forms of life.
Specialty chains spun off new concepts that targeted different demographics. Teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch spawned Ruehl for postgrads, while rival chain American Eagle created Martin + Osa with casual clothes [...]
Published on: Saturday, 8/15/2009, The Washington Post, front page
Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/14/AR2009081403463.html
EVERY action must have an equal and opposite reaction, or so the laws of physics say. Push and pull. Proton and electron. Gravity and levity.
And now, Red Bull and Drank.
Drank falls in an emerging category of “relaxation beverages,” concocted to soothe the overextended, overbooked and overworked masses that [...]
Published on: Thursday, 2/26/2009, The Washington Post, front page
Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/25/AR2009022504009.html
THE economic downturn is forcing America’s households to learn a tough lesson: how to fend for themselves.
Sales of starter sewing kits have shot up by 30 percent at Wal-Mart as families forgo the tailor. Landscaping companies have suffered a 7 percent drop in revenue over the past year. Procter [...]
Even during these tough economic times, sales of beer remain strong. A look at the most stable of vice industries.
