For a while, it looked like cashiers would keep disappearing and self-checkout would become ubiquitous. But retailers—supermarkets especially—are falling out love with self-checkout. They still love trying to tempt shoppers into impulse purchases and gather customer e-mail addresses at checkout, though.
All sorts of promotions entice the tax-weary to head out and indulge a bit on Tax Day—perhaps with free Cinnabon cupcakes or free tacos, a discount on your dinner tab or tax-free shopping at a range of retailers.
Personal finance blogger Len Penzo brought together a panel of very opinionated people—11 members of his family—to compare national brands of cookies, kielbasa, tortilla chips, and other foods with the equivalent products sold under the store brand of his local Albertsons supermarket. The blind taste-testers included Aunt Doris (how can you not trust Aunt Doris?) [...]
