Consumer Goods & Services News by GLG Council Members

Orbitz stock fell 7.2% on Thursday, largely attributed to the fact that 87% of its bookings are US domestic and 74% of their product sold is comprised of air tickets. Priceline also fell, but not as substantially.  Only Expedia reported a rise in value. The following facts substantiate this observation about the online industry being myopic in its approach to the travel marketplace. • ...

Current a condition is taking place in the auto industry that is not new put is puzzling to some auto observers.  Large American made cars simply are not selling in the US market place.  This is not the first time this has happened and will probably not be the last.  Here is why:   1.      American made large cars are not as fuel efficient as some import...

 Despite dramatic increases in incentive spending, U.S. auto sales tumbled for the 10th straight month. Incentives on slow-selling trucks and SUVs and GM's employee pricing promotion failed to ignite demand from struggling consumers in August.

Online Travel Demand may continue to decline. Consumers are looking for greater expertise and accountability for their big dollar travel purchases.

As currently structured and focused, the online travel industry has limited potential for growth in sales and profitabilty. The industry offers very little in the way of benefits to the consumer or the providers of travel services.

By current accounts, Signet plans to ignore the price war that is shaping up in the jewelry industry this fall.  That could cost share holders a lot of value now and in the future too.  Here's why investors should be concerned.  

1.  This article shows how far the #1 has fallen. 2. Winning companies don't harass their customers.3. Employee feedback and discipline should be done one on one, face to face, not with attorneys in the press.  See #1.

Everyone has seen input prices rise this year, including the consumers' inputs for their stomachs.  Overall food prices have increased or will increase by the end of the year because most products are made in one place and trucked to another for sale (plus trucked to at least 2 places in between for wareshousing).  How can we not expect all food prices to rise when oil prices have been ...

The summer of 2008 with its monthly dose of double-digit sales declines is over. But will autumn be any better? Maybe.

The recent inflation in the USDA choice beef cutout has been mostly due to appreciation in many of the end cut sections of the carcass.  This could be could good news for beef middle meat and portioned steak buyers going forward.  Probably not good news for beef trimming and grinds buyers.