Amazon and Kohl's Surprising new Retail Friendship

As I was getting ready to return something on Amazon recently I was offered the choice to return the item at a nearby Kohl's instead of dropping it at a postal center, UPS or Amazon locker. All I had to do was select "return at Kohl's store" and it generated an email with a barcode that can be scanned on my phone at the store to process my return. No need to package it up or print any labels!

It was nice to see a retailer think of something new and convenient for customers that makes it easy to return something bought from Amazon and also gets people into their store; in this case Kohl's, a retailer I never otherwise frequent. Of course I spent money shopping at Kohl's while there, which is their plan. In fact they even printed me a 25% coupon with my Amazon return receipt.

Kohl's in Las Vegas

This is the kind of thinking that can help save retailers from having to close so many of their physical stores and go online. Many people still really enjoy shopping onsite. I know I do, and it's especially fun with a friend or family member or when shopping for a vacation, a new job, or a holiday. We just need retailers to stay fresh by being willing to try new ideas to draw us in and keep us there long enough to buy something. Kudos to Kohl's for their efforts!

How Retailers Can Make Us Go Shopping Again...Hollywood Underdog

On Days Like Today

For a long time I was afraid of her, holding the same preconceived notions that most strangers do - I even hid from her. Then a funny thing happened and we got to know each other and became friends. I started to see her through new eyes.
Now, she's my home and I've come to genuinely Love her! I wake up and she's happy to see me, when I'm hungry she provides more nourishment than I could dream of, if I'm feeling down and out she picks me up and shows me the wonders life, laughter and love, when I'm feeling alone she brings my friends to me, even ones that I hadn't previously met. When I'm with her she dazzles me with newness. She's always respected me and never tempted me with the things that earned her the moniker "Sin City". To me, she's wondrous, her beauty is raw and perfect, she is full of life and opportunity; warm, welcoming and resilient, she is constantly growing, she excites me every day...and is always, ALWAYS a lady.
Her history is so colorful and headline filled that even Rock Stars and Bikers are in awe of her, she's entertained Celebrities, Champs, Chairmen and a King, she's home to the brightest stars and billionaires, her allure is so magnetic that she pulls you into her orbit from across the globe.
She's had her fair share of tragedy, but she's always been able to get back up, compose herself and move into the future with grace.
Yes, I Love my darling Las Vegas and on days like today, she could use your thoughts and Love too! #VegasStrong

It seemed fitting to share this personal essay today that a friend and fellow Las Vegas local wrote, (with permission of course). It expresses perfectly how I also feel about this weird and WONDERFUL city that is my adopted hometown.