The newest Nook is for e-reading in the darkBarnes & Noble wants you to take your e-reader to bed. The latest iteration of the Nook, revealed by the book retailer Thursday, is a black-and-white device with a softly glowing backlit screen. It is designed to solve a common problem that consumers can encounter with e-readers: They are tough to use in the dark. The device, called the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, will go on sale immediately for preorders, with a price tag of $139. Shipping will start in early May.
Producer price index flat; 'core' index risesWholesale prices in the U.S. excluding food and fuel rose more than forecast in March, led by a pickup in the costs of light trucks and soaps. The overall producer price index was little changed, but the so-called core producer price index climbed 0.3 percent after a 0.2 percent rise, Labor Department figures showed. Economists projected a 0.2 percent gain, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey.
Drop in imports narrows U.S. trade deficitThe U.S. trade deficit narrowed in February for the largest percentage drop since May 2009, according to a government report that led analysts to raise estimates for first-quarter economic growth. The deficit measuring the difference between the nation's imports and exports hit $46 billion in February, compared with $52.5 billion in January -- a 12.4 percent drop, according to the Commerce Department. Overall exports rose 0.1 percent in February to $181.2 billion, while imports fell 2.7 percent to $227.2 billion.
Sony's revival plan includes 10,000 job cutsPromising change and announcing a string of goals, Sony's chief executive, Kazuo Hirai, laid out a revival plan for the electronics and entertainment company, including a focus away from its unprofitable television business and a plan to cut 10,000 jobs. Hirai said he would concentrate on three main businesses: mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets; cameras and camcorders; and games.
Calif. high court: Lunch breaks not mandatoryThe California Supreme Court ruled that employers are under no obligation to ensure that workers take legally mandated lunch breaks in a case that affects thousands of businesses and millions of workers. The unanimous opinion came after workers' attorneys argued that abuses are routine and widespread when companies aren't required to issue direct orders to take the breaks. They claimed employers take advantage of workers who don't want to leave colleagues during busy times.
Wal-Mart plans 'everyday low prices' in ChinaWal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, plans to push its everyday low price strategy in China and Brazil to accelerate international sales growth that is lagging behind competitors. Wal-Mart's Brazilian operations have been moving to an everyday low price strategy -- as opposed to using temporary sales and discounts -- and will start a similar push in China in the first quarter of next year, a company official said.
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