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I 've become addicted to the TV reality series "The Restaurant." What about it caught my fancy? First of all, it's about two fascinating characters -- Rocco, the CIA (Culinary Institute of America graduate chef), and Jeffrey, the very successful New York City restaurant entrepreneur. Together, Rocco, the chef and operator, and Jeffrey, the "money-man" and behind-the-scenes operations Svengali, opened a restaurant called Rocco's on 22nd Street. They both had high hopes for the restaurant, but it hasn't turned out that way as the restaurant is losing money »

How do you set prices in your store? Do you have a documented process to guarantee that you capture all of the costs to bring in each product? Do you evaluate the expected sales volume at various price points -- along with the associated contribution margin -- before determining the price? Or is your system more along the lines of "these things need to get out on the floor; look and see what the ones on the shelf are marked and then price these at the same amount"? »

Once upon a time, retailers showcased tabletop in antiseptic walls of china that left consumers staring blankly into space. These were the walls of new brides and old grandmothers, but nothing spoke to the everyday shopper who had a busy life ¿ a job and maybe even a family. »

The Specialty Coffee Association of America held its 16th Annual Conference & Exhibition in Atlanta April 23¿26, 2004, welcoming nearly 8,000 coffee professionals from around the world in addition to coffee connoisseurs registered as cMembers.  »

Traditions die hard in the world of cheesemaking. So many of the distinguishing traits of our most beloved cheeses from Europe were dictated centuries ago by the constraints of the land, the nuances of the milk, the natural yeast and bacteria present in the area, and the absence of refrigeration.  »

Several changes awaited buyers attending the 2004 Spring Fancy Food Show in Chicago's McCormick Place. In addition to the NASFT's co-location with the annual trade exhibit for the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the U.S. Food Export Showcase, for the first time, the event included All Things Organic and the United Produce Expo »

Everywhere you turn in the business press, you read about the return of inflation. Is it true? And should we be happy about this change or worried about its consequences? »