Merchandising

The NBA lockout, despite all the talk that “no one cares,” is going to be more like the gigantic asteroid effect from an economic standpoint in a lot of areas. There are cities that depend on the revenue created by game nights for bars, restaurants, shopping.

Office-supply chain Staples has teamed with Martha Stewart — whose home decorating empire includes a talk show, magazine and books — to create a new line of designer office supplies for the home office, the retailer said today.  Avery Dennison Corp. Latest from The Business Journals Stocks stumble on new stimulus talksStocks rally on Europe financial newsConsumer spending cuts drive down stocks Follow this company 

Pigskin, nachos, beer and cupcake decorating? With a newly launched site, Party Collection, and expanded women's fashion line, the NFL is hoping to make "homegating" as popular as tailgating and team-name purses as widespread as jerseys. The party collection, branded with NFL team logos of choice, runs the gamut from cheese boards to coasters to side tables.

More than 20,000 Missoni for Target items have been posted for sale on eBay less than 24 hours since becoming available. Some of the most expensive items to turn up on the internet auction site were the Missoni bike, a tea set, and a comforter/sham set.

Topman is the latest to join the "Awful T-Shirt Club." One of the new shirts reads: "Nice new girlfriend — what breed is she?" The second, and arguably worse culprit is the "I'm So Sorry" shirt for the men who want to not-so-subtly let the world know they suck — either because they caused a fight or, as one may infer, violent.

The media world was up in arms over a J.C. Penney girls' T-shirt that read, "I'm too pretty to do homework so my brother has to do it for me." The shirt, which essentially told girls that being pretty and smart were mutually exclusive, was quickly pulled from the retailer's website. But now another shirt has popped up that's strikingly similar, but is it equally offensive?

A backlash erupted in the blogosphere over J.C. Penney's top for girls emblazoned with the slogan: "I'm too pretty to do homework so my brother has to do it for me." The description alongside the item read: "Who has time for homework when there's a new Justin Bieber album out? She'll love this tee that's just as cute and sassy as she is."

Old Navy made a small mistake that has some grammar sticklers speaking out. The retailer produced a new line of college and NFL team tees called "Superfan Nation," with almost every shirt unfortunately reading "Lets go!!" No apostrophe.

The Dodgers' merchandise vendor must take the financial risk of ordering gear for next season without knowing whether the Dodgers might boot the vendor before the season starts, a federal bankruptcy judge ruled.

Looking to profit from the lucrative sports market, apparel chain Old Navy will open Superfan Nation, an in-store shop featuring licensed sports gear, at its U.S. stores this month. Beginning Aug. 18, Old Navy will sell apparel and accessories from NFL and select collegiate sports teams at about 1,000 stores, with each catering to the local community's favorite teams.