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Shopping Therapy at Your Fingertips: The Future of Online Sales

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According to a recent study conducted by Forrester Research Inc., 192 million consumers in the U.S. alone will shop online in 2016 – a number that’s up a whopping 15 percent from 167 million in 2012. However, an even more interesting statistic shows each of those shoppers will spend more on average, adding up to $1,738 online, a rise of 44 percent from $1,207 in 2012. This article explores why this is happening and what’s in store for future online shoppers. We’ll also talk about what the brick and mortar retailers plan to do in the face of this Internet spending spree.

The rise of online shopping

A decade ago, you online shoppers could be characterized somewhat narrowly – young, well-educated, tech-savvy, and with relatively high incomes. Now, a wide range of consumers shop online. One reason is that people are becoming more tech-savvy – the Internet is a part of their everyday lives, so making purchases online isn’t daunting. Not only that, but it has plenty of perks: inexpensive prices and easy price comparison, broad selection, convenience, and product reviews on demand to ensure you get a quality product.

What’s the future of online shopping?

With more customers using smartphones and tablets, the future of shopping is likely to be mobile, too. 2012 has been a hot year for the tablet, even during a slow economy, with the technology research firm Gartner predicting that nearly 120 million of these devices will be sold globally by the year’s end, almost double the number sold in 2011. By 2014, some estimate a full 40% of Americans will use a tablet.

Companies will have to respond to this trend, ensuring customers have positive mobile shopping experiences. These figures also mean shopping will likely become even more flexible – rather than being restricted to a brick and mortar store or a computer, consumers will be able to shop from virtually anywhere through highly-portable technology.

How are brick and mortar retailers responding to the ecommerce trend?

Those at the helm of major retailers realize that online shopping is a trend that won’t go away. One option is to fight it, an approach that most executives consider futile. Instead, many are embracing the reality of online shopping and changing business practices to reflect consumer demand.

For example, many major retailers now offer quick and easy in-store web pick-up and return, giving customers the opportunity to buy online for cheap, but still get their product in the same day. Some even give customers the option to pay for items selected online in cash at the store, a perk that online-only companies don’t offer.

But brick and mortar stores need to be more than convenient to compete with online shopping websites; they need to be inexpensive, too. After all, cost-effectiveness is one of the main reasons customers buy online. In response, many stores with an offline and online presence offer their online shoppers free shipping. They’re also starting to slash in-store prices; in late 2012, one major retail store specializing in technology plans to reduce prices in-store to match internet rates.

While the details of online shopping’s development remains to be seen, the fact remains: it’s here to stay. Those on the digital side will have to adapt for changing technologies, especially mobile and tablet devices, and brick and mortar stores will have to continue changing how they run to meet customers’ Internet-shaped expectations.

Kelly Rustin contributed this guest post for CheapSally.com. Kelly considers herself a shopping extraordinaire as she loves hunting down the best deals. She is also a freelance writer. Find out more about ZooStores.com deals.





How to Make A Home With Not Much Space Look More Sophisticated

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Most people would love to live in a vast palace complete with beautifully decorated rooms, a vast dining hall, sumptuous bedrooms, and acres of undulating gardens. Unfortunately this will remain a dream for most of us and so we are obliged to make the most of what we have. A lack of space does not necessarily mean a ugly home that you dread returning to each night, and which you could never invite guests. Here are a few tips on how to maximise your home’s potential and truly turn into the castle that it should be.

In order to add some sophistication to the home one of the first things to try and do is to create the impression that the space is bigger than it actually is. The age old advice of adding a mirror does work, but it also means that everything within the small room is reflected back by that very same mirror. A better way to emphasise size is to take advantage of any windows within the home. Windows add light and depth naturally to any room by drawing the eye beyond the confines of the home.


No home looks sophisticated if it full of clutter. Clutter includes not only things like coats, shoes, and bags which may block up an entrance way but also small unnecessary pieces of furniture. A great way to kill two birds with one stone here is by introducing some kind of built in cupboard to a room. This addition not only then provides an elegant space where things can be arranged more aesthetically but they also make small rooms seems more gracious and substantial by providing vertical interest and some much needed architectural detail.

Colour is also essential. Lighter colours are less oppressive and give the illusion of more space. Any window blinds also need to light and elegant rather than heavy and functional. Another way to add to this feeling of space whilst also evoking sophistication is to hang art or painting on a distant wall, ideally in an adjoining room. The simple trick of taking the eye beyond the room it is in helps to expand the perceived depth of field, naturally adding an “over-there” feeling.

Get rid of any doors that are non-essential. This automatically increases space both in real and perceived terms. Not only doors can be removed but the frames of doorways can be removed and extended all the way up to the ceiling. This is a much more economical option than removing entire walls and really does make a striking difference.

Pic. Table

Once you have managed to maximise the space within the home it is paramount that the furniture you choose to go inside this newly created living environment adds to the theme of sophistication you are looking to create. The designs of tables, chairs, and other essential pieces must be solid in colour but unique in style or texture. Glass is a classic and never fails to add a touch of style and cool surfaces of polished stone and marble continue the theme of space extension more than wood which tends to dominate the room.

It is also important to bear in mind that sophistication does not mean boring. It is easy to become obsessed with subtle simplicity at the expense of character. Look for small things like lamps which can be small and delicate in design but which possess real elegance in their shape and colour. It is the little unexpected and understated surprises that help to define sophistication.

Attached Images:

Guest Post by Tom Faulkner – Designer furniture by Tom Faulkner.

How Much Can Your Old Movie Posters Worth?

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Many collectors of movie posters are wondering what the posters are worth. Movie posters can provide some extra money for those who want to liquidate. Vintage photographs can actually be worth a lot if they are kept in good condition. Obtaining pricing for posters can be difficult, but there are a few criteria that every vintage photo must meet. Here are a few tips:

1. Keep the Poster in Good Condition

For the highest value, the poster should be in incredible condition. There should be no scratches, wrinkles, fading and scrapes. Every old movie poster should be placed in a poster frame. The poster frames should not allow UV-rays to permeate the glass. The frame should also not break if the picture falls on the ground.

2. Know the Demand

The value of your poster will depend on the demand. If the poster is in high demand, good condition and is one of a few on the market, the poster’s value will rise. If no demand exists, the poster’s value will be low. The value will also be low if there is demand and plenty of supply. You must have a poster that other people do not have and everyone wants. All of your posters should be kept in good condition. You never know when the demand will increase.

3. Volume

Unfortunately for collectors, the value of vintage movie posters rises and falls like the ebb and flow of the ocean. If there are only five to 10 copies of a movie poster, the demand for the poster will be greater than if there were 10,000 copies of a poster. When you purchase a poster, know the volume of the poster to determine the approximate value. For instance, a low volume poster may be worth $500, and a high volume poster may be worth $100. The value is highly dependent upon the total volume in circulation.

4. Era

Typically, the value of an older poster will be worth more than a newer poster. Many posters can be worth more if the posters are kept in dimly lit rooms. Some well-preserved older posters are worth more than some antiques. Posters that come from the first runs are likely to be worth more than a poster that was created at a later time period. Cult movie posters are often worth more also.

Find Out How Much Your Old Posters are Worth

Find out how much your old movie posters are worth. When you are ready to sell, you will know what the posters are worth. Talking to vintage sellers will help you determine how much your old posters are worth. It is best to be prepared before you are ready to sell. This will help you get the best price for your movie posters. If you follow these tips, you will be better prepared to sell for a more substantial sum.

Written by Kerstin K.

Kerstin has a strong passion in graphic design. She works in a printing service company in Sydney. Kerstin knows back to front of her clients’ needs, she is an expert in producing large format printing and designing personalised gift for any occasions.

Educating Your Child About the Legal Ramifications of Truancy

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So many kids these days play truant – because they can easily get away with it. They skip classes because they want to do other things other than study; and there are also some who just want to sit around and do nothing. But truancy or being absent from class has some serious consequences, especially if there’s no valid reason for an absence. Parents of truant kids could be fined, or worse, go to jail. Truant students could also be punished. Apart from punishment, children who don’t regularly go to their classes fall behind in class. This could lead to a variety of academic problems. For instance, they won’t be able to attain the grades that they need in order to get accepted into a good university, and they might also fail or get low scores on assessments and other examinations.

The Chronic and Habitual Truant

Is your child absent from school for 10% or more of the school days in a designated school year? If so, then he is classified, under Education Code Section 48263.6, as a chronic truant. Also, a child who has been reported for truancy 3 or more times in one school term is a habitual truant. In case a student is a habitual truant, the school will most likely have reported or have tried to communicate the truancy to the child’s parents, guardian or custodian.

Students – Penalties or Punishment for Truancy

Education Code 48264.5 defines the punishments for kids who play truant. In general, punishments for first-time offenders are not as severe compared with what’s in store for habitual or chronic truants. Schools can use several methods to punish truants, but actions should still be in accordance with EC 48264.5. For instance, the punishment for a teenager who plays truant for the first time will most likely include a written warning, and the student will have to go to makeup classes. Kids who always fail to attend their classes will endure more serious consequences. More serious penalties include community service, payment of fines, or suspension of learner’s permit or driver’s license. Some students may also be required by the court to attend truancy prevention programs.

Parents – Punishment for Child Truancy

The parents or guardians of a truant child can be punished under the Education Code and Penal Code. Parents of first-time truants will likely pay fines. But penalties will progress in case truancy persists. Fines will increase, and there is also possibility of conviction. Depending on the court’s decision, parents will also be required to meet with school representatives, including teachers, counselors, or psychologists. If parents have existing problems, such as addiction or lack of finances, the court might also refer them to government services, like those that help with child care and housing, or substance abuse treatment.

Dealing with Truancy

In order for parents to know the activities of their kids in school, they should regularly communicate with teachers and other school authorities. It is also essential for parents and children to have open lines of communication. This way, a child will be able to inform his parents why he doesn’t want to go to school. There might be issues regarding bullying or inability to cope with academic activities.

Citations:
  • Photo courtesy of Ambro at www.freedigitalphotos.net/.
Attached Images:
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: 

Claire Brown is a freelance writer. She blogs for many legal websites. She also writes for Bail Bonds Direct, CA which is a company that provides bail assistance to those who are having problems with the law.

Do You Recognise The 3 Early Warning Signs of Ageing Skin?

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The word that all women fear…ageing.  We hate it.

When we notice our first signs of ageing, be it the first wrinkle or the first strand of grey hair, it can be a knock to our confidence. It is a sudden feeling of distance from the attractiveness of youth.

So let’s have a look at those first and most common signs of ageing skin and find a way to fight them!

Crow’s Feet

A common early indicator of aging skin is ‘crow’s feet’. Those annoying little wrinkly imprints that appear along the outside corners of your eyes telling you that you’re getting older.

Crow’s Feet are a signal that your skin is now loosing elasticity. Skin contains elastic fibres that enable skin to snap back into place, and a protective protein called collagen.

Considered one of the nicer signs of ageing, crow’s feet are often called a person’s smile marks and signal a happy life. However crow’s feet can be caused by many factors other than laughter; smoking, sun exposure, not drinking enough water and sleep, to name a few.

To slow down oncoming crow’s feet you can make some simple changes to your diet to help improve your skins elasticity. Swap stodgy foods for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and protein. Include fruits high in antioxidants like strawberries and cranberries.

 

Dry, dull looking skin

With time your skin loses its ability to exfoliate effectively. If exfoliating is not a part of your skin care routine it can leave your skin feeling dry, irritated and dull.

Even if you moisturise and use the best face creams, they won’t do their job properly if you have a build up of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin.

Your daily skin routine should start with cleansing. It’s essential to make sure that you removed all your make-up before going to bed the night before. By cleansing your face in the morning, you are getting rid of any leftover traces of dirt. Make sure that you exfoliate regularly and use a rich, hydrating moisturiser in order to keep your skin moist and healthy looking. To push back ageing a few more years and reduce wrinkles, look for creams containing either glycolic acid or tretinoin (Retin-A). These will promote the formation of smoother skin.

Also never underestimate the power that just 30 minutes of daily exercise can have on your skin. It can help induce deeper sleeping patterns which makes you skin looks fresher.

Age spots

Age spots are brown blemishes that appear on your face because of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. They were once incorrectly believed to be caused by liver problems, and so are also widely known as liver spots.

From age of 40 your skin looses the ability to regenerate from sun exposure, hence age spots are very common for middle-aged people.

The best thing you can do to prevent ageing spots is to protect yourself from the sun. Make sure you use a good quality sun screen when out and about in strong sun. And even on less sunny days you can wear UV protection moisturiser or foundation.

There is a wide spectrum of creams that can help you to fade the age spots. You can also try glycolic acid treatment or if you need something more powerful and effective, or you could arrange an appointment with your dermatologist to ask about a glycolic acid peel.

So start today! Be nice to your body, take care of your skin, keep it hydrated and start treating your body like a temple and you will quickly see great results and will feel better and healthier every day!

Attached Images:

Eliza writes for Lenstore, an online contact lens retailer that sells top brands such as Acuvue moist.

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