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Marketplace for Thursday, January 16, 2014
Jan 16, 2014

Marketplace for Thursday, January 16, 2014

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Kids' pizza palace Chuck E. Cheese sold for almost $1 billion today. We dig into the rather curious story of the buck-toothed mouse, the business empire extraordinaire, and the equally unusual leader behind it. Then, we look at how tech companies and the individuals who run them want President Obama to restrict the NSA’s data collection and spying. Finally, news out today suggests that traditional retail is in trouble -- Best Buy produced some horrendous earnings results, and JC Penney appears on the verge of collapse. The closure of these kind of stores would doubtless cause us some pain: Many people would be laid off. But otherwise, how much do these kinds of stores really matter to the economy? 

Segments From this episode

Fox News and Roger Ailes 'reversed the economics of TV news'

Jan 16, 2014
"The Loudest Voice in the Room" is Gabriel Sherman's new book chronicling the legacy of Fox News creator Roger Ailes.

Why the demise of brick and mortar stores may not be such a big deal for the economy

Jan 16, 2014
It sounds cold-blooded, but with shopping habits changing fast, the demise of the brick and mortar store may not matter much to the economy in the long run.
Customers shop for electronics items during Black Friday at a Best Buy store in San Diego, Calif.
Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

What tech companies want from Obama's NSA proposal

Jan 16, 2014
How tech companies want President Obama to restrict the NSA’s data collection and spying.

5 facts you'd never guess about Chuck E. Cheese

Jan 16, 2014
A private-equity firm plans to buy the kids' pizza palace. What on earth will they do with it?

Meet the modern guidance counselor

Jan 16, 2014
President and First Lady Obama met with more than a hundred college and university presidents and leaders from business and nonprofits to talk about helping low-income students finish college. One solution starts well before college, with high school guidance counselors.

Some towns fight to hang onto their JC Penney

Jan 16, 2014
JC Penney announced it will close 33 stores across the country, including the store in Butte, Montana.

Kids’ pizza palace Chuck E. Cheese sold for almost $1 billion today. We dig into the rather curious story of the buck-toothed mouse, the business empire extraordinaire, and the equally unusual leader behind it. Then, we look at how tech companies and the individuals who run them want President Obama to restrict the NSA’s data collection and spying. Finally, news out today suggests that traditional retail is in trouble — Best Buy produced some horrendous earnings results, and JC Penney appears on the verge of collapse. The closure of these kind of stores would doubtless cause us some pain: Many people would be laid off. But otherwise, how much do these kinds of stores really matter to the economy?