Red, White and Blue Chips MarketWatch

Online grocer Peapod is opening virtual grocery stores at transit stations across the country. Alisa Parenti reports in Red, White and Blue Chips.

The Build-A-Bear Workshops are aiming to become half-retail, half-theme park. Alisa Parenti has Red, White and Blue Chips.

Merck has settled a class-action lawsuit involving the labeling and advertising of its Coppertone products. Alisa Parenti has Red, White and Blue Chips.

The National Retail Federation's annual Halloween survey finds spending and participation plans at their highest levels on record, and fewer people are spooked by the economy this year.

Even when they're negative, reviews of hotel chains are being linked to the chain's own websites. The move boosts credibility and gives hotels valuable feedback, as Alisa Parenti reports in Red, White and Blue Chips.

With the exception of Wayne Gretzky, NHL players struggle for the attention of marketers. Doug Shabelman of Burns Entertainment says the NHL lockout will make their endorsement chances even worse.