Jim’s Blog: Retail Pioneer Changed Tire Biz
Little noted in the run-up to the holidays was the Dec. 14 passing of Sol Price, 93, a man described as a “business visionary.” Certainly he changed the face of retailing – particularly tire retailing. Who was Sol Price, you ask? Well, in 1976 he founded Price Club, the first bulk shopping warehouse “club” retail
Jim’s Blog: So, Where Did They Think Those Tires Went?
Asher Price of the Austin (TX) American-Statesmen wrote this story last week, a brilliant example of "he said-she said" finger pointing that inevitably ends badly for all involved. The really funny part: Apparently city officials thought that once their tires wore out they tires simply disappeared into thin air. Enjoy: State and county environmental investigators
Jim’s Blog: Break Out the Bubbly – We’re Building Tire Plants!
Congratulations to Leo Gerard and the rest of the crew at the USW. You got your wish. Your sly plan to leverage U.S. trade law to cut off supply of consumer tires from China is working. And some major tire companies ARE going to build new tire plants! Now all you need to do is
Jim’s Blog: Do You Hear What I Hear?
Remember when you were a kid and your parents got their annual Christmas record from the local Firestone or Goodyear dealer? Well, at least I do, and I actually still have some of them. Problem is, I don’t have a turntable, hi-fi or even a Victrola to playthem on. If fact, in these digital days,
Jim’s Blog: Road Trippin’ and Big Thinkin’
Found this little gem many months ago in the Internets. So long ago I don’t really remember where. But it’s an interesting part of Americana. Well, at least Americana back in the day. And it’s something we should be thankful for. Here’s the write-up that accompanied these photos: “The Swinging Sixties gave way to some
Jim’s Blog: Settle For More Than Malaise
Thirty years ago, then President Jimmy Carter delivered his infamous “National Malaise” televised speech, cautioning Americans about losing confidence, about becoming complacent. I thought about that speech – specifically the word “malaise” – in an e-mail exchange with Alpio Barbara, owner of Redwood General Tire in Redwood City, Calif., who wrote the Letter to the
Jim’s Blog: Misc. Musings from the Aisles (or What Happens in Vegas…)
• Full plane from Cleveland mid-day on Sunday. Browns game update from the pilot met with boos. Most of the passengers, turns out, are headed to the show and weren’t about to let that bum them out. • If you’ve never been to McCarren Airport in Vegas, let me describe for you. One part shopping
Jim’s Blog: The Tire Lady Strikes (and a Fond Look Back)
I’ve seen a lot of people try a lot of different things to become“memorable.” For as long as there has been advertising, there have beenpeople trying to bust through the clutter. Some worked, most fell flatand sometimes took the company and brand down with them. And then I got an e-mail from a friend, with
Jim’s Blog: The Show Goes On
In a few days we will be trekking off to Vegas for the annual SEMA Show. Thousands of others will be doing the same, all with different ideas on what they will encounter at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the other venues. So many rumors and thoughts have floated around the show, that one
Jim’s Blog: Making Lists and Counting Heads
We’re often asked why Tire Review doesn’t publish "Top" lists, like a rundown of the biggest dealers, retreaders, tire companies, etc. Sometimes, though not as often, we’re confused with others that do produce such lists. The reasons we don’t endeavor these exercises are simple. First, there are plenty of them to go around. One more