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Metals Thoughts: Fall classic edition
Brad Yates Natural ResourcesMetals have traded largely lower in the last 10 days, but has a bit of sideways feel to it ahead of the FOMC nondecision. Our breakout from this year's lower-highs, lower-lows trend is still alive, but a move below 1156 and 1104 would have the world looking at the $1K price target yet again. We will feel it is confirmed if we breach $1,200 to the upside, but that will certainly require some external stimulus from headlines or the dollar.
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Instacart vs. Amazon: Delivering groceries to your home
Bambi Majumdar RetailTarget's partnership announcement with Instacart has taken the grocery wars to the next level. The market has already been abuzz with the changes Amazon is bringing in its own grocery delivery service, which is poised for major expansion. Now Target customers can have groceries delivered to their doorstep for as little as $3.99 per order.
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Metals Thoughts: Austrian economics edition
Brad Yates Natural ResourcesIt has been almost nonstop bid since the non-farm payrolls disappointed for the September number. For the first time since January, we positively breached the 50-, 100- and 200-day moving averages. While momentum has run out in the last 48 hours, it is not uncommon during a rally to take a breather, especially considering it's LME Week in London and the LBMA industry conference begins tomorrow in Vienna.
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Tips for negotiating renewal-option clauses
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailThe renewal-option clause in a lease is there for the sole benefit of the tenant. Essentially, its purpose is to ensure that you're allowed to lease your commercial space for another lease term — providing you meet the predetermined conditions in the lease agreement.
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Change in bank card technology envelops retailers, consumers
Bob Kowalski RetailTechnology moves forward every day, but one of the latest advances carries big implications for banks, retailers and consumers. In this case, the technology involves purchases made with credit or debit cards via card readers. Encoded chips are being embedded in newly issued cards, which are designed to improve security by replacing the magnetic strip that was more susceptible to hacking.
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The Canadian economy’s impact on the retail holiday season ahead
Katherine Radin RetailThe Canadian retail sector has seen several closures this year — Target, Future Shop, and Black's, to name a few. Combined with the country's current economic state, the holiday season ahead might not bring the most positive outlook for retailers.
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Smart shelves: Taking customer satisfaction to the next level
Danielle Manley RetailHow important is customer service to the success of a retailer? Approximately 50 percent of shoppers who experience poor customer service will stop doing business with that retailer, according to Kissmetrics. In addition, 81 percent of shoppers who have a good customer service experience will become repeat shoppers.
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Take a ‘long’ look at your customer relationships
Fred Berns RetailWhat's it take to develop long-term customer relationships? How can you turn contacts into ongoing contracts? How can you convert current clients into continuing ones? Those are critical questions, considering that increasing your repeat business by 40 percent can help you double your income in a year.
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Metals Thoughts: As good as it gets?
Brad Yates Natural ResourcesFriday's weak non-farm payrolls and even weaker August revision have effectively changed the prevailing paradigm for risk markets. Gold and (especially) silver have caught a bid, equity markets are having their longest winning streak of the year and yields are much lower all across the curve.
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Metals Thoughts: 1 step back
Brad Yates RetailAfter a volatile week, gold is basically right where we left it last week, but with a failed move above the 100 DMA at 1149. Silver has not fared nearly as well amidst the uncertainty and seems to be getting dragged along with PGMs and other more cyclical metals.
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