Q&As

Shoppers will spend more cautiously

The Federal Trade Commission has halted a telemarketing and Web operation that purported to sell coffee display rack franchises. The scammers offered display racks and location assistance in return for payments that ranged from $18,000 to $85,000.

Golden Gate Capital Inc. has completed its acquisition of Appleseed

Total sales for apparel marketer The Talbots Inc. were $426.3 million in third-quarter 2005, up from $413.2 million a year earlier. But much of the increase was generated from newly opened outlets: Same-store sales fell by 2%. The company’s net income dropped from $27.2 million a year ago to $20 million.

Hundreds of gamers at dozens of EB Games’ stores are about to play one another in a tournament that showcases the launch of a new game and gives the winner a Dodge Charger. The interactive video game tournament, Battlefield 2: Modern Combat …

New Line Cinema and the National Hockey League are rolling out a series of in-arena promotions around the upcoming film Just Friends, touting a sweepstakes for a chance to win tickets to the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Finals with one of the movie’s co-stars. …

Hoping to boost new subscriptions, XM Satellite Radio is adding brand integration as the latest tactic in its marketing mix with its debut on The Apprentice this week. In the latest product placement deal, representatives from XM Satellite Radio will …

The definition of the drive-thru window just soared to new heights. Via a partnership between AirTran Airways, The Coca-Cola Co. and Wendy’s International, Inc., a Boeing 737 taxied through a specially designed Wendy’s drive thru to bring attention to a …

GSN, the gaming network, is giving viewers an opportunity to walk in the shoes of a millionaire via a sweepstakes with retailer Fashion Bug. Consumers can enter the Live Like A Millionaire sweepstakes online at GSN.com or Fashionbug.com for a chance to …

The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, reported third quarter earnings of $1.5 billion, up 20%, versus $1.3 billion one year ago. Sales increased 10.5% to $20.7 billion. The company also reported a record average ticket of …