According to the Economist, businesses need to get better at charging more – especially in an age of austerity. When bosses promise to make their companies more profitable, they usually say they will do so by increasing sales or cutting costs. But a third road to profits is rarely mentioned: putting prices up. Because managers often…
Bloomberg reports that Maserati, the Italian maker of exotic cars, is shifting its focus from the elite to the merely wealthy. They hope to shift their target market (slightly) with a mid-sized sedan called the Ghibli. The new car, which will start at $65,600, is said to represent a direct challenge to mainstay German models like…
Reuters reports that U.S. rail and trucking companies are making big investments on both sides of the border. This, in accordance with Mexico trade boom – to and fro the U.S. And as the U.S. economy creaks along, the growing business with Mexico is a cause for cheer: Both Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific are reporting…
By making it easy to shop around, the new reality of online shopping was supposed to drive prices lower and be easy on the consumer’s pocket. But online seller sharks saw a golden money-making opportunity by taking keen interest in a new type of software that helps them spot wealthy and eager customers – so to…
The Economist puts China in the spotlight once more, and not only for its legacy of malinvestment. As it stands, Economists and policymakers around the world want China to consume more, in return for a reduction of its dependence on investment. The overall conception is that no economy that invests so heavily can possibly invest it all…
Recession Plagued At a recent stockholder’s meeting, the Vice President of Sales for a global manufacturer reported, “The economy has been tough on our industry. Sales volumes significantly declined and have not nearly returned to pre-recession levels. The company has laid off employees, cut expenses and, unfortunately, has had to cut price to remain competitive. Competitors have cut price…
