Lillama

Gift Card Sales Backfire: Implications for Retail Sector?

Interesting. Retailers love it when people hold on to their gift cards, because consumers often forget about them or lose them, and that certainly benefits the store. I think parents and grandparents like to give gift cards because cash can be used for drugs, alcohol, etc, so the gift card offers some control. It works well for gift-givers and businesses but not as well for consumers. I predict many of those saved cards will be lost, and while that's a shame, it's hardly a backfire for retailers.

Will There Be Anywhere Left to Shop in 2010?

Good point, and Wal-mart, well, it's like a cockroach in so many ways. I just can't shop there. I am hoping that consumers will notice that many Kohl's items sell for Wal-mart prices, and even Nordstrom has low prices on some things; for example, they have fine silk wedding gowns for around $200, the same price as those tacky polyester bridal barn types. If consumers are informed, these retailers can hold their own in a poorer America (should that come to pass).

Apple vs Amazon: A Valuation Analysis

I really appreciate the analysis you have done here. I would like to see more articles of this kind. I have been holding both of these stocks for many years, and recently, I have been really unsure about whether to sell some shares, but it is hard to decide since I lack the knowledge to analyze them as you have done. I hear so much commentary on them both being overvalued, but no one in the media has been specific enough, until now. Thank you so much.