BU Now » Wal-Mart

Is “cheap” worth it?

Dick Taffe — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:37:43 +0000

America has a fixation with discount retail prices, and it’s costing us. College of Communication Professor Ellen Ruppel Shell, who explores the history, science, psychology, economics, and societal implications of low prices in her new book, “Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture,” discusses the subject in a TIME magazine Q&A.

Contact Ellen Ruppel Shell, 617-353-5973, eshell@bu.edu

Wal-Mart backs key healthcare reform

Dick Taffe — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:54:41 +0000

In a surprise that “flabbergasted” the National Retail Federation, Wal-Mart says it backs President Obama’s plan to force employers to provide health insurance to workers. School of Management Professor Alan Cohen, executive director of the Health Policy Institute, can discuss what the endorsment by the nation’s largest private employer might mean for the healthcare reform effort.

Contact Alan Cohen, 617-353-9222, abcohen@bu.edu

Wal-Mart pushing electronics

Dick Taffe — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:56:37 +0000

This week Wal-Mart is taking the fight to Best Buy and Amazon (as Circuit City fades away) by upgrading the electronics departments in its 3,500 stores across the country. School of Management marketing Professor Frederic Brunel says it’s a consequence of the ubiquitous nature of easy-to-install/operate consumer electronics.

“This is self-service selling, and thus the champions of self-service will be the winners. Excluding very high-end devices or custom installation solutions, it makes perfect sense that most customer electronics be distributed by mass-discounters such as Wal-Mart, Amazon or Costco.”

Contact Frederic Brunel, 617-353-4609, brunel@bu.edu