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Intro to Business News is South-Western's service to provide summaries of the latest Business news stories. Review the brief summaries and, for stories of interest, select the full summary. |
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Consumers are increasingly under pressure to purchase extended warranties for their new gadgets. However, experts say such purchases are almost always a waste of money. (Updated February 2007) |
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There was a time when only the biggest products—cars, airplanes, supercomputers—took five years to design and build. With the introduction of Sony PlayStation 3 in November 2006, however, there's a newer, smaller entrant to that list: the video game console. (Updated February 2007) |
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As demonstrated by the recent opening of a Costco in San Luis Obispo, Calif., a top retailer's arrival on the scene has wide-ranging implications for municipalities, local businesses, and everyday shoppers. (Updated December 2006) |
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With its recent successful IPO on Wall Street and distinction as the manufacturer behind one of Time magazine's "Most Amazing Inventions of 2005," Burlington, Mass.-based iRobot has industry watchers buzzing that the age of practical robots is finally upon us. (Updated December 2005) |
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As consumers ring in the New Year and recover from holiday excesses, more and more supermarkets are pushing DVD releases as a way to keep the shopping spree alive in the post-holiday period. (Updated December 2005) |
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Packaging plays an important role in identifying brands and protecting products from breaking and spoilage. Manufacturers are always on the lookout for innovative package ideas, and new advances in package design may change the way some products are used and stored. (Updated October 2005) |
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Gas prices hit record highs this year, as soaring oil and Hurricane Katrina delivered a one-two punch to American motorists. And while some policymakers say that tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is the answer to the crisis, automakers are promoting a solution of their own: hybrid vehicles. (Updated October 2005) |
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Video game maker Rockstar Games irked industry regulators and consumer groups when it was recently caught embedding sexually explicit material into the latest installment of its bestselling Grand Theft Auto game for PlayStation 2. The discovery drew an "Adults Only" rating from the industry ratings board, prompting retailers to quickly pull Grand Theft Auto from stores. (Updated September 2005) |
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This report highlights five areas where distributors have been redefining their value-add and examines how some solution providers are taking advantage of these services to reduce costs or expand sales opportunities. The services range from developing ISV partnership opportunities to offering programs that help solution providers move into new markets. (Updated August 2004) |
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This article compares two approaches to human resource management. Costco Wholesale Corp. pays above average wages in hope of encouraging loyalty and boosting productivity, while Wal-Mart is focusing on minimizing operating expenses by paying sub-standard wages. (Updated May 2004) |
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This article describes the challenges Coca-Cola Inc. faces in its effort to penetrate foreign markets. Coke has set-up a vast distribution channel, partnering with an array of local companies to bottle and distribute its sodas. As the market entry strategies have varied from country to country, so have the ethical challenges the company faces, from dealing with local business practices to being caught in the middle of a local civil war. (Updated January 2004) |
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