Shop Talk
Retailers, consumers and prices
Check Out Line: Can new systems get Best Buy back on its game?
Check out the impending barrage of new video games. 
It is all about motion sensors and 3D as Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony introduce new systems and devices to get more people gaming.
Microsoft has a full-body motion-sensing system called Kinect. Nintendo has a new DS handheld device that can play games and show movies in 3D. Sony has the “Move,” which uses a wand like the Wii to simulate motion in games.
Which system will you buy? Don’t know? Sounds confusing?
That could be just the thing Best Buy needs to boost sales.
The largest U.S. electronics retailer posted worse-than-expected earnings amid sluggish sales and higher costs on Tuesday.
Some analysts are hoping that the new video games and 3D televisions could help lift Best Buy later this year.
Check Out Line: Vampires and caped heroes rule in online swap world
Check out the popularity of vampires and werewolves, Taylor Swift and caped superheros in the online trading world.
Swaptree.com, an online company that allows consumers to trade books, CDs, DVDs and video games for free with others, provided its top swaps of 2009.
Just how wonderful is your brand?
Just how “wonderful” consumers think your brand is can help your stock price, especially in a recession, according to a study by market research agencies Kadence, Brand Care and So What Research.
The study looked at consumer perceptions of 650 leading U.S. brands and found there is a link between the affection consumers hold for a brand — or the “wonderfulness” of the brand – and its stock performance.
Check Out Line: Hannah Montana rising
Check out the marketing power of Hannah Montana.
Watch out Barbie. Hannah is clawing her way up behind you. At least as far as girl’s toys are concerned.
According the National Retail Federation’s 2008 top toy survey, Hannah Montana has moved up four spots to the number two position for girls’ in the Top Toys survey, trailing on Mattel’s Barbie.
Toys based on the Disney character, who is played by Miley Cyrus
, knocked those scrappy Bratz dolls out of the number two spot. Bratz fell all the way to number four behind just-plain-old, everyday, no-specific-name dolls.
As far as boys are concerned, the list is similar to last year, with video games in general topping the survey and the Nintendo Wii in the number two spot. Legos, cars and Transformers round out the top five.
While the weak economy is leading to expectations of a dismal holiday shopping season, parents could find some bargains in toys.
“The good news for parents is that many retailers are featuring toys as loss leaders this year, heavily discounting and promoting these items to bring shoppers into stores,” NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin said.
Also in the basket:
CPI drops at record pace in October
BJ’s Wholesale quarterly profit jumps
Why Doesn’t Costco accept food stamps? (N.Y. Times City Room)
(Reuters photo)
Check Out Line: Pink iPod helps lead hot toy parade
Check Out how the iPod finally made it into the Toys “R” Us hot toys list for the 
holidays.
This holiday season, Apple’s pink 8 GB iPod nano, Nintendo’s Wii Fit and the Fisher-Price Sesame Street Elmo Live toy are topping the list of most sought-after toys.
Check Out Line: Here a Nerf, there a Nerf…
Check out that foam-rubber t-shirt!?!
Hasbro is putting the Nerf brand everywhere with a series of licensing deals announced today at the International Licensing Show in New York.
Among the deals is one for Nerf apparel with Fortune Fashion. The plan calls for an array of t-shirts for tween boys this summer, with an array of other items such as hoodies and track pants to follow. (Okay, the clothes will probably not be made of the same stuff as a Nerf ball).
Video game maker Electronic Arts will also come out with the “N-Strike” video game bundle for the Nintendo Wii, combining the fun of shooting foam-rubber weapons with the uber-popular video game. So your fake digital avatar can use your fake foam-rubber gun to shoot at fake stuff on your real television.
“This makes it the first time that Hasbro has put a forceful effort behind the licensing program supporting Nerf,” said Bryony Bouyer, senior vice president of licensing at Hasbro.
We’re guessing Hasbro could use some help in its push to expand the Nerf name. What would you like to see rendered in Nerf?
Also in the basket:
Dubai World buys Wal-Mart property firm Gazeley
Constellation sells some wine brands
(Photo: Reuters)
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