Spam Lines instead of Soup Lines

Spam is making a comeback, so says the New York Times. When the economy falls, Spam sales climb. The workers of the Hormel plant in Austin, Minn. have been working seven days a week since July and will continue too with no break in sight except one day for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas. Whether to be mocked or eatten, everyone knows the name of Spam. While other, expensive foods are seeing a decrease in sales, the owners of Spam are sitting back and watching the numbers rise. Spam is a cheap way to get your protein.

Spam was invented by Jay Hormel during the Great Depression. Whether you may want to know this or not, it is a "combination of ham, pork, sugar, salt, water, potato starch, and a 'hint' of sodium nitrate 'to help it keep its gorgeous pink color.'" Besides cheap protein another added benefit is that it can last in its can for years.

Other products that are seeing a rise in sales include; pancake mixes, instant potatoes, vitamins, fruit and veggie preservatives, and beer. A spokesperson for the Safeway grocery chain reported a double-digit increase in the sale of rice and beans. Kraft Foods have also had growth with their macaroni and cheese, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, and Velveeta.

For more information you can access the article at : http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/15/business/15spam.html?pagewanted=2&em

Circuit City's Not the Only One Hurting

A recent article in the New York Times reported Best Buy cutting their 2009 earnings forecast. Lately all we have been hearing about is how bad Circuit City is doing and how they filed for bankruptcy and are laying off thousands and thousands of people. Yet, they're not the only electronics company doing poorly. Best Buy is also hurting. A Best Buy spokesperson is quoted saying, "Rapid, seismic changes in consumer behavior have created the most difficult climate we’ve ever seen," and it was " being hammered by the worst retail environment in its 42-year history." Over the Christmas season the store plans to offer deep discounts to keep customers coming in, which si good for us!!

Maybe now we'll be hearing more about Best Buy performing poorly also. The article stated the company's same-store sales fell 7.6% in October. They predict same-store sales will fall another 5-15% from November to February. Even though many analysts knew Best Buy would have to cut their earnings, no one predicted the magnitude at whcih they would. The forecasted revenue fell from $45.4 billion to $43.7 billion. Expected earnings decreased to $2.30 to $2.90 from $3.25 to $3.40 a share.

To access the article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/technology/companies/13best.html?ref=business

McDonald's Reports Big Sales Growth for October

An article published in the New York Times on Nov. 10 reported that McDonald's had an 8.2% sales growth in the month of October. They speculate this is due to consumers not being able to afford more expensive restaurants and they are trying to watch their spending. Many conventional restaurant chains reported step declines in sales during October. Some new products such as the Southern Style Chicken sandwich also drew in people along with the company's launch of its annual Monopoly promotion.

I have actually noticed that I have been going to McDonald's more or even just fast food places in general. It almost seems that its quicker, easier, and cheaper just to eat out as compared to trying to go buy groceries and then cook a meal. Groceries aren't cheap anymore and you also have to consider your time to buy the groceries, the gas to get there and back, and the time to make a meal. As compared to driving two minutes down the road and getting a quick value sandwich.

You can go to http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/business/11mcdonalds.html?ref=business to read the entire article.

Pegasus Taverna

Never before have I had Greek food, been to a Greek restaurant, or just basically enjoyed the whole Greek dining experience. And quite an experience it is!!! Pegasus was a very enjoyable dining experience with good food, good drinks, and a good wait staff. For a Friday night, with group of seven women, we were in and out in less than an hour. We ordered appetizers, drinks, full meals and they arrived very promptly, I was shocked. You can't even get that fast of service in Muskegon on slow day. On top of that the waiter never once wrote anything down and got it all the special orders right. He also had quite the personality and cracked dry humor jokes when you weren't expecting it that made the whole table break out in laughter. The food turned out to be delicious and all of us were complaining of how full we were, even though not one of us finished our plates. Overall, this was a great dining experience and I would definetly recommend stopping by this restaurant whenever your in downtown Detroit.