| Coming Soon: SR to Release E-mail Exchanges ... (Not so fast...)
In an effort to appeal to a wider audience, The Pope was on hand to tape a very special Christmas Edition of Friday Night Smackdown in which he crowned "Bad Azzzzz Bartholomew" the new "People's Champion" and Heavyweight Champion of the WWE. Bartholomew's signature moves include "The Divine Drop," and "Staff Infection"--his knockout move which utilizes the staff he is seen holding here -- PDX Pup. HM: JBelle You guys. were. so. dang. good. with your cutlines. that I took the easy way out. and made my winners more or less a family affair. Way to go Kan 'EWA. And everyone else. Funny. For the rest of today's terrific cutlines, click here. .
Retailers mix offerings to lure shoppers
Out with the old, in with the new. As holiday gift cards prod more shoppers into stores this week, retailers are clearing shelves with their traditional deep discounts. But in an emerging trend aimed at plumping profits, they're also making room for fresh, new merchandise at full price.
Part of what's driving the shift is the continuing growth of holiday gift cards that spur late December and January sales.
"We're starting to see stores use deep discounts as a loss leader," said Dennis Tootelian, a marketing expert at California State University, Sacramento. "Then they're bringing in more trendy, new merchandise at full price. People with gift cards are more willing to pay that because they feel like the card is free money."
Retailers are casting about for new marketing strategies in the wake of a holiday season that will likely end as their worst for sales growth in five years.
Red Sox, Snyder agree to deal
The 30-year-old Snyder, acquired on waivers from Kansas City in June 2006, was 2-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 46 relief appearances with the Red Sox last year, his first full season in the majors. Youkilis, renewed at $424,500 by the Red Sox in 2007, has requested a salary of $3.7 million, with the Sox offering $2.525 million. The Sox have not gone to an arbitration hearing since Epstein became general manager prior to the 2003 season. If necessary, a hearing on Youkilis would take place next month. Single-game tickets for most 2008 home games will go on sale today at 10 a.m. at redsox.com or by touchtone phone at 617-482-4769. A maximum of eight tickets per person will be sold. Fans with disabilities should call 877-REDSOX9. The Sox' TTY number for hearing-impaired fans is 617-226-6644.
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