How technology hurts the entertainment industry just like Amazon hurts the retail industry.
August 1, 2023
Over the last three decades, Hollywood and many that rely on the entertainment industry have embraced ordering goods over Amazon.com. Recap: Amazon is a technology company that often cuts costs by replacing humans with code and robots and bypasses local red tape like, um, taxes and labor rules. Hollywood writers, producers, and ticket goers embraced a technology company that made their lives easier but often at the cost of others (aka retail workers).
In the early 2000s, the board game Cranium became a hit. The game combined elements of Scrabble and Pictionary with the goal of helping more people enjoy playing a game. Richard Tait, who created Cranium and sold it to Hasbro in 2008 for $77.5m, passed away in July. Like Mr. Tait, I had been a paperboy, but he went beyond what I ever offered: he came up with a new service that sold breakfast sandwiches along his newspaper route. He increased profits and made customers happier. ...
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An East Village Artist’s Death Prompts a Reflection on the State of Indie Retailers Today
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While thumbing through the Times, I noticed a smiling young woman’s picture in the obituaries. In the black and white photograph, she's standing on a fire escape with a historic building and a bridge in the distance. I was initially attracted to Ronni Solbert’s 1959 picture, yet I was even more drawn in by what I noticed next to her photo: a children&...
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Barcodes, first introduced in the 1960s, have come to symbolize shopping. Bridge, which helps unite the retail industry and make shopping easier, sought to pay tribute to the mighty little barcode. We transformed our logo into a barcode-like tribute.
I didn't know that an early use for barcodes was: railroad cars. The barcode would convey the car's owner and contents. Learn more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcode
This week, Amazon launched its online pharmacy targeting the 3.8 billion prescriptions filled in the U.S. each year. Shares of major pharmacy chains dropped about 10% on the news. Amazon honed this weapon in its Seattle lab and is eagerly unleashing it on retail chains and mom-and-pop pharmacies.
Something struck me while reading this news: Does Amazon remind you of Covid-19? The similarities:
Amazons kills many businesses in industries it touches. Pharmacies are now worried
Do businesses like Amazon that short-change our community affect our ability to respond to a crisis?
In this pandemic, Bridge thanks first responders and the many people that help our communities work together. When I think of communities during Covid-19, Amazon comes to mind. I do think there is value in looking back at the last 24 months leading up to today and asking: did Amazon slow down our community's ability to respond?
Amazon historically pays less in corporate taxes than other ...
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February 27, 2020
February 27, 2020
Due to the NYS Bag Ban our plastic bag is going away. We are ready to replace it with this beautiful Parkleigh reusable tote! Will we see yours around town, Rochester? ♻️✨?
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I’m writing to sadly share that my dad Don Solarek passed away last week. He was quiet, thoughtful, and would gladly walk in New York City from the Battery to Harlem.
Don always had time to chat with me, share a story, give a lesson, and encourage me. He helped me with my paper route at 6 am when it was 3º in Rochester. He came to every high school cross country race and wrestling match—which were often held around 3:30 pm. Likely not ...
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Market buildings are looking down the barrel of a gun. To find out why, check out my article in this month's Tableware Today.
THE LAST WORD
CHART YOUR FUTURE BEFORE BIG TECH DOES
by JASON SOLAREK
Market buildings are starting to take digital seriously. Why, finally? Because Amazon is nipping at retailers’ heels? No. Because Zola is stealing indie stores’ registry business? No. Sadly, the main thing that’s brought markets up to speed has to do with their own dollars and ...
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October 25, 2019
October 25, 2019
Thank you, Rochester, for voting us the Best Place to Buy a Gift in Rochester!!!
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September 23, 2019
September 23, 2019
Madelyn Posey Lady Printer, Owner of Posey Letterpress, Maker of all things crafty. Madelyn grew up in Rochester, NY. She is a self-proclaimed paper addict, ink mixer, and letterpress printer. She loves to send snail mail. When she is not behind an antique press you can find her leading a sing-a-long, learning the ukulele, or riding her cruiser when vacationing in Santa Cruz. Her cards featuring Rochester City’s symbol or lilacs have lots of city spirt and have delighted our customers. How do ...
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September 2, 2019
September 2, 2019
Happy Labor Day from us to you! Parkleigh will be closed today so that our staff can soak up some end of summer sun ☀️ we’ll be back tomorrow during our normal store hours. #parkleigh #rochesterny #laborday #weekend #shopsmall #local
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August 29, 2019
August 29, 2019
Amazon and Chinese companies have teamed up to bypass Main Street and ship goods directly to doorsteps. This is hurting American manufacturing as well as local city governments. To accomplish this, they're misleading Americans by putting out press releases that cherry-pick statistics.
Follow these 3 steps to see the issue at hand:
1. In an Amazon press release last week, Amazon claimed:
"Independent third-party sellers – primarily small and medium-sized businesses – ...
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August 19, 2019
August 19, 2019
Maker Scarlett Markham is actually a former Parkleigh employee! She developed her line, Flour Pail Kids while working here. We thought our customers would be as amused by it as we are by Scarlett. Her quirky sense of humor mixes nostalgic icons with the edge of today to inspire her work. What could be more full of Rochester spirit than a tiny Genny Beer pin? Her Rochester icon t-shirts are also a stand out among others around town. When Scarlett isn’t designing or doing one of her jack-of-all-...
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July 15, 2019
July 15, 2019
Our hearts were warmed after spotting the street art of Mr. Rodgers waving at us under an overpass on the way to work on day. We were fans of Dellarious before we even really knew what it was. His pictures of iconic Rochester places, his portraits of musical legends, and social justice heroes both local and global have found a perfect home at Parkleigh. We wanted to know more about the creative and activist spirit of Mike Dellaria and how he generates these incredible images that not only touch ...
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June 26, 2019
June 26, 2019
I’m just back from the Dallas show. I met with some wonderful people from the mart and they’re ready to go digital.
In general, I’m seeing that more market buildings are finally taking digital seriously. Why are they finally doing so? Because Amazon is nipping at their retailers heels? Because Zola is stealing the indie store’s registry business? No. Sadly, the main thing that brought the markets up to speed on the weather outside is: their own livelihood. Faire, a startup tech company ...
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April 29, 2019
April 29, 2019
Are you as excited about May in Rochester as we are? Check out all of the great events we have in store.
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March 13, 2019
March 13, 2019
It’s Plant a Flower Day. Ummm, Rochester, you might want to put a pin in it and use one of these cool planters from Bibliophile instead.
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December 31, 2018
December 31, 2018
Amazon will boost its two-hour delivery service to customers by building more Whole Foods, reports today’s WSJ. Amazon also offers a 30 minute grocery pickup. The retail future is increasingly about showing real-time stock online and encouraging customers to order it for delivery or pick it up. When Amazon gives faster delivery to more customers, those are often the same customers as those of indie stores. With these moves, Amazon is just eating more business’ customers.
I have a confession: I think Amazon can teach us something.
While I lead a fight to stop Amazon, I believe we can learn something by watching its massive growth.
We first have to accept this fact. Ready for it?
Here it is: you're in the software business.
Retail is becoming a software business for a few reasons, including:
1. Convenience: It’s easier to shop on your mobile vs. drive to the store. Proof: mobile sales are up 40% year over year. Indie stores have to close each night. Amazon is always ...
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