After covering slow-moving local government and politics for 13 years, Mark Albright shifted his attention to why we buy. He's covered the ever-changing business of retailing — from flea markets to Neiman Marcus — since 1986. He's interviewed most every prominent merchant in the country. He's profiled Wal-Mart greeters and spent days following department store buyers making their rounds in New York's garment district. His work is quoted in retailing textbooks. He buys his own clothes and groceries. He's tight with a buck, but has been known to splurge. When things get slow at the office, he goes shopping.

Phone: (727)-893-8252

E-mail: albright@sptimes.com