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First 79 Of The 100+ Sears And Kmart Stores Being Closed Are Identified

There are 79 stores in 25 states on the first list of Sears and Kmart locations being closed in the coming year, Sears Holdings has announced. The 79 locations are posted here. Some details: – 11 of the stores are in Florida, the most of any state. – The second-most stores (6) are in Georgia, [...]

‘Outrage’ Over Verizon’s Plan For $2 Payment Fee

There’s been an “uproar on the Web,” as The New York Times says this morning, over the plan by Verizon Wireless to charge $2 for some methods of paying your bill. Indeed, a simple Twitter search of “Verizon” turns up words such as “backlash,” “OUTRAGEOUS,” and “Cancel your contract!” And there’s the inevitable online petition. [...]

Oprah Winfrey Network Still Finding Its Footing

Ratings have been a major disappointment for the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), but that could change now that Oprah Winfrey is about to debut her own show on the cable channel. When Winfrey ended her longtime show on broadcast TV earlier this year, there were lots of tears and endless tributes to the queen of [...]

Fla.’s Economic Pain, Anger Could Shape 2012 Race

Florida is once again poised to play an important role in selecting the president in 2012. Its Republican primary on Jan. 31 is the nation’s fourth nominating contest. But Florida is a very different state than it was four years ago. It is reeling from the housing collapse — more than 200,000 homes are facing [...]

Coconut Water Companies Sell Image, Not Taste

A couple of years ago if you wanted to drink coconut water, you had to buy your own coconut, bring it to your kitchen, and start whacking away with a knife. Today, you can find packaged coconut water in a convenience store, Wal-Mart or your friendly neighborhood yoga studio. “I think it was a great [...]

In Sales, Android Has Upper Hand On The iPhone

Apple’s iPhones may seem more cool, but the Google-backed Android phones are much more popular in the United States. In 2011, Android’s U.S. market share was 53 percent, compared to 29 percent for the iPhone, according to the research group NPD. And those Android phones are everywhere, even in foodtrucks. Kristi Whitfield owns Curbside Cupcake, [...]

Gas Pains? U.S. Diesel, Gas Exports Surpass Imports

For the first time in more than six decades, the United States is exporting more gasoline and diesel than it imports. To be clear, we’re talking about finished petroleum products, not crude oil. The U.S. still imports about half the crude it consumes. Refineries are touting this new export statistic — after all, gasoline and [...]

N.H. Voters Look For Calm Amid Economic Jitters

The economic fears and hopes of the electorate in early-voting states like New Hampshire will play a significant role in determining who emerges from the pack of Republican presidential candidates. And despite the Granite State’s financial stability, lots of Republican voters see cloudy skies ahead. Economist Ross Gittell says New Hampshire has some attractive numbers: [...]

David Carr: A Media Omnivore Discusses His Diet

This week on Fresh Air, we’re marking the year’s end by revisiting some of the most memorable conversations we’ve had in 2011. This interview was originally broadcast on October 27, 2011. David Carr has a cold. On Sunday night, the media columnist for The New York Times tweeted to his more than 335,000 followers that [...]

IBM Sees A Big Boost As It Turns 100

In 2011, IBM’s stock rose more than tech hotshots Google and Apple. IBM is 100 years old, but it has totally remade its business for the 21st century. “There is no such thing as an IBM PC,” declares IBM managing partner Adam Klaber. More than 83 percent of their business is now services and software. [...]