According to Internet Retailer, "threats by [Web] retailers to cut off affiliate marketing relationships in states that are trying to tax sales generated by affiliates have had an effect. The governors of California and Hawaii have vetoed legislation that would have imposed such taxes in those states.
"The governors acted after such major online retailers as Amazon.com Inc., Blue Nile Inc. and Overstock.com Inc. began this week cutting off affiliates in states that adopted laws requiring collection of sales taxes by e-retailers with affiliates in those states."
Overstock CEO/Chairman Patrick Byrne points out that in New York, where Overstock has stopped working with affiliates because of a similar law in that state, affiliates represent about 1% of Overstock’s business and about 0.05% of its net profit there. But because New York represents about 10% of Overstock’s overall sales, it doesn’t make economic sense to maintain its affiliate relationships there, he says. “It comes down to, do we start charging sales tax on 10% of our business or give up 0.05% of our profit?” he says. “Even setting aside the additional costs of collecting and remitting sales tax, the economic effect is so horrible, it’s better to give up affiliate sales.”
Click HERE for more details.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Monday, July 06, 2009
Social Security Numbers At Risk
According to Wired magazine, computer scientists from Carnegie Mellon University discovered distinct patterns in how Social Securty Numbers (SSNs) are assignedby by analyzing a public data set called the “Death Master File,” which contains SSNs and birth information for people who have died. In many cases, knowing the date and state of an individual’s birth was enough to predict a person’s SSN.
“I have long argued that Congress or the Federal Trade Commission should prohibit companies from using SSNs as a means to verify identity,” Daniel J. Solove, professor of law at George Washington University Law School, wrote in an e-mail. “Merely protecting against their disclosure is insufficient since [the Carnegie Mellon scientists] demonstrate that they can readily be predicted.”
As a first step, the researchers suggest that the Social Security Administration start randomizing the assignment of SSNs.
“It can buy us more time, but it isn’t going to change the underlying problem,” one of the researchers said. “These numbers are supposed to be secret, but your bank has it, your insurance company has it, even your doctor has it. As long as we rely on numbers that are used as both identifiers and authenticators, then we have a system that remains insecure.”
Click HERE for further details.
“I have long argued that Congress or the Federal Trade Commission should prohibit companies from using SSNs as a means to verify identity,” Daniel J. Solove, professor of law at George Washington University Law School, wrote in an e-mail. “Merely protecting against their disclosure is insufficient since [the Carnegie Mellon scientists] demonstrate that they can readily be predicted.”
As a first step, the researchers suggest that the Social Security Administration start randomizing the assignment of SSNs.
“It can buy us more time, but it isn’t going to change the underlying problem,” one of the researchers said. “These numbers are supposed to be secret, but your bank has it, your insurance company has it, even your doctor has it. As long as we rely on numbers that are used as both identifiers and authenticators, then we have a system that remains insecure.”
Click HERE for further details.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
StrongMail Acquires PopularMedia
StrongMail Systems, Inc. has acquired PopularMedia, a provider of social media marketing solutions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, according to Direct magazine.
PopularMedia helps marketers leverage the viral nature of email and social networks in a way that is both trackable and measureable. The acquisition will allow StrongMail to provide integrated e-mail and social network campaigns.
"StrongMail's acquisition of PopularMedia puts the marketer in a powerful position to fully leverage the potential of social media in a way that is both measureable and fully integrated with their email marketing programs," said Sam Cece, CEO of StrongMail Systems, in a statement quoted by Direct.
Cece continued, "By enabling marketers to create viral campaigns that they can monitor and optimize based on response rates, StrongMail is going way beyond the simple 'share to social' functionality that is offered today by most email service providers."
"With the symbiotic relationship between email and social media allowing each to fuel the other, PopularMedia's solutions are a natural fit for StrongMail's customers, and we are happy to be joining their talented team," said Jim Calhoun, CEO of PopularMedia, in a statement.
PopularMedia helps marketers leverage the viral nature of email and social networks in a way that is both trackable and measureable. The acquisition will allow StrongMail to provide integrated e-mail and social network campaigns.
"StrongMail's acquisition of PopularMedia puts the marketer in a powerful position to fully leverage the potential of social media in a way that is both measureable and fully integrated with their email marketing programs," said Sam Cece, CEO of StrongMail Systems, in a statement quoted by Direct.
Cece continued, "By enabling marketers to create viral campaigns that they can monitor and optimize based on response rates, StrongMail is going way beyond the simple 'share to social' functionality that is offered today by most email service providers."
"With the symbiotic relationship between email and social media allowing each to fuel the other, PopularMedia's solutions are a natural fit for StrongMail's customers, and we are happy to be joining their talented team," said Jim Calhoun, CEO of PopularMedia, in a statement.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Sargento Upgrades WMS with RedPrairie
Consumer Goods Technology reports that Sargento Foods Inc., manufacturer, packager and marketer of natural cheese, has upgraded to a new version of RedPrairie Corporation's Warehouse Management.
"RedPrairie's Warehouse Management solution has been critical to our success for over five years," says Dennis Roehrborn, VP of Logistics at Sargento Foods. "By upgrading the solution in our Plymouth, Wis. distribution center, and satellite plants in Kiel and Hilbert, we are better equipped to exceed customer expectations for accurate order fulfillment and on-time delivery. With the support of RedPrairie's project team, we were able to complete the upgrade with minimal downtime and disruption. Moreover, the implementation was a success, exceeding our target goal for productivity within the Plymouth distribution center."
RedPrairie's Warehouse Management solution is expected to offer a series of functionality specifically tailored to the food and beverage industry, including superior product rotation; freshness, date and lot controls; catch weight; and variable aging support.
"RedPrairie's Warehouse Management solution has been critical to our success for over five years," says Dennis Roehrborn, VP of Logistics at Sargento Foods. "By upgrading the solution in our Plymouth, Wis. distribution center, and satellite plants in Kiel and Hilbert, we are better equipped to exceed customer expectations for accurate order fulfillment and on-time delivery. With the support of RedPrairie's project team, we were able to complete the upgrade with minimal downtime and disruption. Moreover, the implementation was a success, exceeding our target goal for productivity within the Plymouth distribution center."
RedPrairie's Warehouse Management solution is expected to offer a series of functionality specifically tailored to the food and beverage industry, including superior product rotation; freshness, date and lot controls; catch weight; and variable aging support.
USPS May Stop Saturday Delivery
In response to the financial crisis facing the Postal Service due to the severe national recession and the impact of electronic substitution, USPS management has launched an internal study on the feasibility of eliminating Saturday delivery across the United States, according to a press release from the National Association of Letter Carriers.
NRF, RILA Nix Merger
The National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) have ended previously announced merger discussions, reports Direct magazine.
“Following a deliberative process, RILA and NRF have ended discussions aimed at merging the two organizations. NRF and RILA will devote all resources to continuing the work they are each doing to address the serious issues that America’s consumers and retailers are facing in today’s economic environment,” said the two boards of directors in a joint statement.
“Following a deliberative process, RILA and NRF have ended discussions aimed at merging the two organizations. NRF and RILA will devote all resources to continuing the work they are each doing to address the serious issues that America’s consumers and retailers are facing in today’s economic environment,” said the two boards of directors in a joint statement.
Woolies Relaunches With Web in UK
According to catalogues/catalogues newsletter, Woolworths, which closed down last year in the UK, has reopened for business, but online only. Acquired out of administration earlier this year by Littlewoods's parent company, Shop Direct, Woolworths.co.uk comprises three departments: the Main Shop, which sells toys, children’s apparel, and consumer electronics; the Entertainment Shop, selling CDs, DVDs, games, and books; and the Party & Pic 'n' Mix Shop.
The Hut Group operates the entertainment site, and Party Delights handles the party site; both have independent checkout processes, though they are scheduled to be merged by autumn.
The Hut Group operates the entertainment site, and Party Delights handles the party site; both have independent checkout processes, though they are scheduled to be merged by autumn.
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