WalMart Cuts Toy Prices Again

Does Walmart want the kids to have a Merry Christmas — or are they just trying to drive their competitors crazy? In the fight for Christmas dollars 2009 Walmart is getting nasty.

The behemoth retailer said it will reduce prices 20% to 30% on another 100 toys, including the Buzz Lightyear talking action figure and Rocky the Robot. These new prices will be available through Christmas, or while supplies last.

Previously Wal-Mart announced it will offer 100 toys for $10 during the holiday season.

The discounter is also lowering prices on other items like books and said it will roll-back prices on select items every week until Christmas.

As Wal-Mart continues to lower prices, rivals are following suit, launch something of a holiday-season price war.

In September Target reduced prices as much as 50% on popular toys and announced on Friday that it is expanding its free shipping offer. Now shoppers can get free shipping on 50% more items on the retailers Web site.

Amazon is offering a similar promotion when it comes to books, slashing prices on popular new hardcover releases.

Science Working on the Perfect Christmas Tree

Summer’s not even over but people in Puyallup are already zeroed in on Christmas.

Here, scientists are trying to produce the picture perfect Christmas tree.

“I get a lot of calls from people who want to make extra money by growing a few trees on their back 40,” said Gary Chastagner. “They have no idea how much work it is.”

Tree experts from Norway to North Carolina are here at WSU’s research and extension center.

Researchers are trying to figure out what causes conifers to drop needles.

“You get to something like this and they’re just coming off like crazy,” said Chastagner.

It’s not the surprise under the tree customers crave.

These scientists are looking for a new higher quality species that will last longer in your home and offer a whole new niche.

“35 to 40 percent of all trees grown in U.S. come from Washington and Oregon,” Chastagner said.

Growing good trees is good business. Growers in Washington and Oregon harvest more than 10 million trees a year at a wholesale value of $176 million.

To get your money’s worth, find a tree stand that holds at least a gallon of water.

“One of the issues is many of the stands on the market place don’t hold an adequate amount of water for the trees that are displayed,” Chastagner said.

The tree experts also told us don’t bother with water additives, they add no benefit to your tree. Just water alone is the single most important ingredient.

It may be three months until the holiday, but every day revolves around Christmas for these guys.