Amazon teases new Kindle Fire devices during NFL kick-off while Kobo unveils new range of "e-readers for everyone."

Albertsons scales back retail operation with store closures.

Andy Roddick retires after U.S. Open loss, as Roger Federer is knocked out and loses world #1 title.

Ben & Jerry's sues over x-rated Ben & Cherry's.

Bentley moves US management team to VW HQ.

Bill Clinton helps seal Barack Obama nomination at DNC convention.

Billabong attracts $700 million bid from Bain Capital.

BP unveils new technology to boost oil production.Continue reading...

Net-a-Porter today revealed Karl, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld's first "masstige" collection, in a global series of events that includes five pop-ups (in Sydney, New York, Paris, London & Berlin) for Lagerfeld's first diffusion line.

Launch elements included a mysterious cube in Paris, an augmented reality app to enhance the five pop-ups, and a series of fake news reports on Net-a-Porter's YouTube channel to build buzz ahead of the launch.

The collection is available exclusively on Net-a-Porter.com starting today (including rebranding its Facebook, Twitter and website with Lagerfeld's logo today) before it's available on the designer's website next month.Continue reading...

The creative director for Chanel and Fendi is taking his solo act to the Web.

With backing by Apax Partners, Karl Lagerfeld is launching "Karl," described as a "rock chic" diffusion line (priced at $85 to $400, reports AFP) as an online-only collection. The fashion e-tailer net-a-porter will sell the line exclusively starting January 25th before it goes on sale in February at KarlLagerfeld.com.

Lagerfeld, who dipped his well-shod foot into the masstige business with affordable streetwear collections for H&M (a collaboration that didn't end well) and Macy's, also has a second signature collection in the works.

According to Reuters, "Lagerfeld, 78, is also planning to launch in autumn 2012 a more upmarket label called "Karl Lagerfeld Paris", [to be] sold in multi-brand and department stores, with items priced between 300 and 2,000 euros."Continue reading...

DirecTV can now track police information. [Consumerist]

Apple should update censors for its iTunes material. [Boston Herald]

Verizon is slashing Palm Pixi and Pre prices. [NY Times]

Dov Charney disagrees, but American Apparel is doing poorly. [LA Times]

GameSpot, Univision join forces for a new gaming site. [Adweek]

Jennifer Hudson is the new face for Weight Watchers. [AP]Continue reading...

With sales up, luxury e-boutique Net-a-Porter was bought by Richemont. [Vogue UK]

MG Icon, Madonna's fashion project, will include Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses. [WWD]

French Connection will decrease its stores and sell the Nicole Farhi brand. [Reuters]

Continental Airlines is pricing its in-flight meals to save costs. [NY Times]

J. Crew products will now be available internationally thanks to Net-a-Porter. [WWD]

Intel plans to invest in budding companies and hire more recent college graduates. [WSJ]

Wal-Mart is opening 35 to 40 new stores in Canada, creating over 6,500 jobs. [AP]

CBS' new 'Undercover Boss' has given brands both good and bad press. [BrandFreak]

This week, Emanuel Ungaro hinted to journalists that Lindsay Lohan had sucked the soul out of the label he founded. Retailers agree, since after terrible reviews for the show marking Lohan's debut as artistic adviser, Neiman Marcus and Net-A-Porter dropped the Spring 2010 line by Estrella Archs and Lindsay Lohan.

Notably, those two were the only major retailers selling the label outside of freestanding Ungaro stores. Barneys and Saks haven't carried the line for several seasons, and also decided not to pick it up for spring. Style.com reports that you can still find the line at Vivaldi on the Upper East Side.Continue reading...