Shopportunity!: How to Be a Retail Revolutionary

by Kate Newlin

Book Overview

Today's shopping culture is turning the shopper into a zombie--and the thrill of the hunt into the robotic management of inventory. We are in danger of losing a resonant personal ritual, replaced by the boring habitual. For millions of us, the sizzle of a daily shopping experience has devolved into a relentless acquisition of the okay, available, and cheap. Why are we willing to pay $3.50 for a latte at Starbucks, but bristle at a 10-cent increase...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060888407
• ISBN13: 9780060888404
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: HarperBusiness
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Highly Recommend This Book!

As a commercial actress who makes her living selling everything from paper towels, body lotions and automobiles, I was mesmerized by this book and had to take a figurative "look in the mirror" regarding my own consumer habits and responsibilities as a "peddler" of these products. Kate Newlin's literary prowess and indomitable wit make these "hard facts" regarding the downward spiral of our consumerism; the ever-growing (and ever related) obesity epidemic; and the complete disregard for the "hourly" workers in this country almost palatable. Her true love for the ideal "Shopportunity" is infectious and makes us want to be more conscience, responsible, and truly fulfilled members of the human race. I highly recommend this book.

Analysis of the American Shopping Landscape

After reading this fantastic analysis of the American retail market, I realize why I just cannot bring myself to go shopping in the majority of stores in this country. It brings no joy, no reward, just a major headache. Newlin explains in a succinct, entertaining style the reasons we shop. And, if we can just listen to some of her insights, shopping once again can be a fun and joyous activity.

Great Book!

I think the author has an excellent point! Never realised that one's simple purchase can affect a whole spectrum of people's lives. Makes you want to be a smarter shopper. I'm buying this book for all my friends and family! Very witty writing! Fun and informative reading!

It's Two, Two, Two Books in One!

I loved it and bought 10 copies for friends and colleagues. It's the first business-focused book I've read that reads like literature. She's an excellent and entertaining writer and poses some very interesting points. E.g. We save money at Wal-Mart but pay more in taxes to cover the healthcare costs of Wal-Mart's un-insured employees. She reminds us to EXPECT great service, quality and product-performance that aligns with its advertising claims -- rather than just buying the cheapest thing available from a surly clerk in a disorganized big box store. Support the little guy and feel better about spending your hard-earned money!

If You Shop, You Must Read This Book!

You can often discover a powerful idea by the polarizing reaction that greets it. Kate Newlin's Shopportunity has already put a lot of necks out of joint, including at least one presumably long, pale one at the Wall Street Journal. I suppose you could say that you're going to make more than a few enemies going after Walmart. But that alone doesn't get at what is so deeply disturbing to more than a few folks about Newlin's charming, sophisticated, erudite and appropriately innocent manifesto. Newlin sees a joyous ritual shattered by obsession, compulsion and some giant corporations that benefit from encouraging our addictive behaviour. We didn't like hearing it about alcohol, drugs, sex, cigarettes, gambling or food -- but we've come to accept that the addiction hypothesis does have a lot to say about the way many of us behave with regard to those substances and rituals. And now Newlin suggests that bargains and cheap, two gallon jars of pickles, can equally lead to robotic dehumanization, sucking the joy out of what can be a meaningful exploration of the artifacts of human ingenuity, craft, art and technology. An suddenly, denial isn't just a river in Africa once again! All I can say is that you will understand America and the world better by reading this book, you will understand yourself better too. You'll appreciate shopping more, and what it can be, which is, to Newlin, no less than an art form. What gorillas are to Goodall, boutiques are to Newlin. Does that bug you and feel politically incorrect? I can understand that. But to me, it's beautiful and inspiring as it is surprising. And it's important too, because these places are habitat to a species that means a lot to me and you: the human species. And Newlin has something important, inspiring, studied and deeply felt to say about that species. And by the way, it's a lot of fun too.