Trend alert: The future of in-store shopping goes high tech

(ARA) – Gone are the days of loading the station wagon and heading to the local mall to spend the entire day getting everything the family needs. Today, American shoppers are savvy and smart. They know exactly what they want and how they’ll get it. As a result of this fast-paced shopping evolution, the retail environment is transforming, too.

Retailers are responding to this new “mission shopping” phenomenon by giving shoppers an intelligent, in-store experience driven by technology. The next time you visit your favorite store, don’t be surprised if you see high-tech innovations that enhance your experience and make shopping easier than ever before.

Trend 1: Gamification

It’s no secret that gaming is a popular pastime for many people. With the growth in availability and affordability of gaming systems in recent years, it seems everyone has their favorite game, and retailers are taking notice. It’s no surprise that stores are integrating the fun and interactivity of gaming to bring the shopping experience to the next level.

At the forefront of in-store gaming interactivity is the HSN Touchwall, which is enabling the company to expand its reach beyond existing channels to new shoppers. Using this digital display, shoppers can take a virtual cooking class from world-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck, learn how to use his products and create shopping lists. It’s all at the tips of their fingers – literally.

Trend 2: Connectivity

As our world becomes increasingly connected, people expect this trend to seamlessly integrate into every aspect of their lives, and retail is no exception.

Today, more shoppers are conducting research prior to making a purchase. Even while in-store, you’ll see many people looking up additional information on their mobile phones. In fact, 52 percent of adult cellphone owners use their devices while in-store to assist with purchasing decisions, according to the Pew American & Internet Life Project.

Much like how you access your smart phone to get additional information and to connect to others, the shopping experience is becoming more connected as well.

This transformation can be demonstrated with the adidas Virtual Footwear Wall, which is powered by Intel and allows shoppers to access the entire shoe inventory via a digital display, view the product from any angle and see what others are saying about it on social networks. The capability to communicate in real time with fellow shoppers about your purchasing decision is essential in today’s fast-paced, connected world.

Trend 3: Intelligent, customized advertising

Americans today are constantly bombarded with irrelevant advertising while companies are searching for ways to determine if their campaigns are effective. To resolve this, many retailers and advertisers are turning to digital signs to bring meaningful, immersive experiences to shoppers and enable more effective marketing for companies.

How does it work? Intel Audience Impression Metrics Suite (AIM Suite) anonymously detects user demographics – like gender and age – through an optical sensor, allowing the digital sign to instantly tailor its content. It’s a win-win situation. Shoppers now get personalized information and advertisers have measurable results. To maintain shopper anonymity, the software doesn’t collect any personally identifiable information or record any images or video footage.

One example is Kraft Foods’ DIJI-TASTE, which offers complimentary samples of TEMPTATIONS by JELL-O desserts. The innovation? This product is marketed exclusively to adults, and with the Intel AIM Suite software that can detect if an adult or child is approaching the kiosk, only adults will receive the samples.

These three technology trends are only the beginning of what likely will be big changes for the future of shopping. Visiting your favorite store has never been more useful and fun.

Tags: in store shopping, shopping in store, shopping news, shopping trends, Trend alert: The future of in-store shopping goes high tech

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Financial savings and more when shopping online

(ARA) – Saving money is a hot topic these days, from television shows about extreme coupon clipping to stores advertising huge savings for specially marked and bulk items.

There is a lot of information about how you can save money while traveling around town, comparing prices and cutting costs. But you might be surprised to discover how much money you can save while shopping online.

Try these online shopping tips and watch the savings pile up:

* Compare items and store prices from home, from your work computer, or while sitting on a bus in traffic using your mobile phone. Because you aren’t wasting gas driving back and forth across town, and can also find the best price available anywhere in the country, this tip gives you double savings. Also, if your schedule is different from the traditional 9-5 schedule, you can handle your shopping online at any time of the day – or night, when it’s convenient for you.

* Find coupon codes and free shipping codes through Ebates.com. While shopping for clothing at Target.com, children’s toys at Toys R Us, home and garden furnishings at Home Depot, or even vacation packages via Expedia, Ebates.com offers you discounts for more than 1,500 online stores. Because you’re online, you aren’t spending time searching for and clipping coupons that end up in a drawer for future use. Instead, they’re there when you need them.

* When shopping for something specific – electronics, clothing or toys, for example – use shopping forums like FatWallet.com to learn about multiple saving opportunities. Always try to multiply your savings. For example, when grocery shopping, you can find manufacturer coupons for specific products, as well as discounts for those products offered by a specific grocery store online. Use both to stack the discounts. And also take advantage of the cash back rebates both FatWallet and Ebates offer. When shopping at their online stores, you get a cash back offering that will be added to your account based on a percent of your purchase totals. Use this cash back money for your next online shopping excursion, or consider donating it to a local or national charity of your choice. Cash back programs are simply a way of getting paid to shop.

The savings go far beyond just financial savings when shopping online – from wear and tear on your vehicle to better time management. So put these online shopping tips to use and start watching your savings pile up.

Tags: coupon codes, Financial savings and more when shopping online, online coupon codes, online coupons, Online Shopping

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Become an ethical shopper

(NC)—Shopping ethically can be difficult when the price for everything from coffee to gasoline to groceries has gone up and you just want the best deal. But there may be a reason why certain items like chocolate, clothing, and handbags are so inexpensive. Some countries subject children to inhumane practices in order to make a profit. By purchasing these items, you are supporting child labour practices and helping these businesses stay afloat.

Here are some simple steps consumers can take to think ethically and make small changes in the world:

• Buy products that are Fair Trade Certified like chocolate, coffee, and jewellery. Fair Trade is an international monitoring and certification system that: guarantees producers in developing countries are paid fair wages; prohibits abusive child labour; and promotes environmental sustainability. Look for the fair trade symbol and take comfort in knowing that the items you are purchasing will encourage just practices.

• Send a letter to a store where you regularly shop, asking if their products are made without the exploitation of labourers, and how they know. When customers care about ethical practices, stores start to care about producers.

• Get involved with organizations that help stop child labour like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (www.ccfcanada.ca) which ensures that children go to school in developing countries so they cannot be exploited and abused. Ask how your investments can be more ethical. Tell your investor you do not want to invest in companies that exploit children.

• Research how clothing is assembled. Make sure the clothing you buy is not produced in sweatshops or through child labour.

Consider taking these small steps of action to stop injustice. By being an ethical shopper, you will be taking a stand for oppressed and mistreated workers of all ages in developing countries.

www.newscanada.com

Tags: Become an ethical shopper, ethical shoppers, shopping, shopping tips, shopping tips for ethical shoppers

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Living room video calling is revolutionary

(NC)—The latest technology is bringing the video chat out of the home office and into the living room. New devices can even turn an HDTV into a large-screen video phone—and it is revolutionizing the way we keep in touch.

Video calling has traditionally involved a computer plus the installation of a call service like Skype or Google Talk.

This form of communication was a true advancement, giving phone calls the added benefit of a visual element. With the growth of smartphones and integrated software (like iPhone’s FaceTime) these services have greatly expanded. The TV phone appears to be the next step, taking video chats off the computer and on to the biggest screen in the home.

Indeed, In-Stat Research predicts that the number of people using video calling from the living room will increase from 1.5 million today to more than 16 million by 2015.

“The demand for high definition video calling will be driven by the growth of HDTVs, the fastest selling consumer electronics product in history, and the availability of high speed Internet,” says Matthew Shoemake, a wireless technology expert and CEO of Biscotti TV Phone. “The explosive growth of video calling is punctuated by the massive acquisition of Skype by tech giant Microsoft for $8.5B. These trends add up to a new era of personal video calling.”

Shoemake is forecasting that as many as 25 per cent of homes will be making hi-definition video calls every day within the next three years.

www.newscanada.com

Tags: electronics, Living room video calling is revolutionary, technology news, tv phone news, tv phones

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Busting credit myths that are often believed

(NC)—If household improvement projects are a priority with the arrival of spring, why not spruce up your financial situation as well? Equifax Canada steps up with some credit myth busting:

Myth: “I have only one credit score.”

Truth: There are two credit reporting agencies in Canada and each of them has a proprietary scoring model – so your credit score can vary across these two agencies.

Myth:“When I check my own credit report, it is considered a credit hit against me.”

Truth: Viewing your own report and score is counted as a “soft inquiry” and doesn’t have an impact on your credit score.

Myth:”By signing up for a credit monitoring product, I allow agencies access to more information than before.”

Truth: The credit reporting agency has already collected information from your creditors; by registering for a credit monitoring product, the agency can now alert you when changes occur on your credit report.

Myth:”I monitor my credit card and bank activity, so I don’t need to check my reports regularly.”

Truth: Accounts can be opened in your name without your knowledge. Checking your credit report regularly can help ensure you become aware of all the credit activity being recorded in your name.

More information is available online at www.equifax.ca.

www.newcanada.com

Tags: Busting credit myths that are often believed, credit card myths, credit cards, shopping with credit cards, using credit

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Avoiding personal fraud year-round

(NC)—This past March was Personal Fraud Prevention month. According to Sigma Assistel, a Desjardins Financial Security subsidiary specializing in telephone assistance services, it’s becoming increasingly more common across the country. Identity theft occurs when someone obtains another person’s personal information without consent (such as a credit card number, driver’s license, social insurance number, date of birth, etc.) to commit a crime like fraud. Once armed with this information, an identity thief can easily defraud victims of thousands of dollars. In fact, you may already know someone who has been victimized by this crime. Worse yet, you may become a victim sometime in the future.

Luckily, there are steps that you can take to prevent this crime from happening to you:

• Systematically shred all unnecessary documents that contain any personal information that could be used to identify you, such as your date of birth, home address or social insurance number.

• Never confirm your PIN, credit card numbers, SIN, driver’s license or other personal information over the phone or e-mail unless you initiated the request.

• Collect your mail every day. Or, if you’re about to go on vacation, ask a trusted friend or member to collect it for you.

• Only do business over the web with reputable companies that have high Internet security standards.

• Use a credit card with a low credit limit when making online purchases.

• Be aware of gift cards and prepaid credit cards scams.

Gift and prepaid credit card scams are similar to credit and debit card fraud. Scammers will buy blank cards and may register them with a small dollar amount or leave them blank. These fraudulent cards are then commonly sold on online auction sites, exchange or barter sites, or through third non-retailers. Here are things to look for when purchasing gift or prepaid credit cards from retail vendors:

• The store name and brand should figure prominently. For example, the Sears name should not appear on a gift card from Wal-Mart. Some cards are redeemable at more than one establishment, like shopping mall gift cards or department stores like HBC, whose cards can be used in the Bay or Zellers.

• Make sure that the gift card clearly states its monetary value. Does the amount match the value stated by the seller? Before you buy, make sure the gift card is valid in Canada.

• Read the fine print on the card. Make sure it does not include any important spelling or grammar mistakes. If it comes from a Canadian company, make sure it is written in both English and French.

• Make sure that your card is validated correctly in the store at the time of purchase. If it’s done incorrectly, the card could be worthless and you’ll end up losing money.

For more information on how you can reduce your risk, visit Desjardins Financial Security at www.desjardinslifeinsurance.ca or Sigma Assistel at www.assistel.com.

www.newscanada.com

Tags: Avoiding personal fraud year-round, fraud vicitims, Online Shopping, shopping safety, shopping tips

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Secrets to online shopping: How to access the best designer deals

(ARA) – The Internet is reinventing how we shop for fashion. Now, no matter where you live and whatever your budget, the best designer offerings are available to those in the know.

Whether shopping through your phone, sharing shopping secrets through social media, or gaining access to specialized online shopping sites, like members-only private sales, Internet shopping has never been more rewarding. Here’s what you need to know about these exciting shopping trends, and how you can be part of the action:

Get in on the secret
By going online, in a matter of minutes you can compare prices, see availability, place an order or get on a waiting list. Some women use special members-only sales sites that offer great merchandise at incredible prices. The best sites are invitation only, so be on the lookout for email invitations, or friends with memberships that can get you in the virtual front door.

Boutique bonanza
Flash sales – exclusive sales that only last a limited time – make online shopping fun and exciting. For instance, Rue La La offers members today’s top trends, brands and designers with six to eight new daily Boutiques that last 48 hours. The experience is truly appointment shopping – each day you receive an email at 11 a.m. EST letting you in on the new items, brands and designers available that day. These premium and luxury items are up to 70 percent off retail pricing. If the item sells out, members can often still request it and the concierge will work hard to try to find additional availability.

Hassle-free haven
Shopping online allows you to find the best deals on designer fashion without the hassle of driving to the mall and waiting in a long line. When shopping, look for websites that use models to show the clothing and accessories, this and special zoom and angle features will let you know just what it looks like on models – better photography means you can view the item from all angles so there will be no surprises when it arrives at your doorstep.

Shipping and returns made simple
With the increase of online shopping, many retailers offer free shipping or specials to make the value of shopping online even more attractive. Weigh out the options – attractive websites will provide great customer service including the best shipping and return options. Rue La La, for instance, offers the option of paying a single low, shipping fee that covers standard shipping for any additional orders for the next 30 days. As for easy returns, pre-addressed return labels simplify the returns process and make returning an online purchase easier than ever.

Think social for the inside scoop
Online shopping and social networking go hand in hand. Facebook and Twitter are popular social networks for engaging with your favorite brands and gaining unique backstage access to exclusive offers, special savings, and even sneak peeks on upcoming deals.

Coveted convenience
Today there are more ways than ever to shop your favorite top brands through the Internet. Many online stores have apps that you can download to your phone to make the shopping process even more convenient, no matter where you are.

Private sale “appointment shopping” is perfect for mobile devices. For example, Rue La La members can download apps for their iPhone, Android and iPad allowing them shop wherever they are and never miss accessing a Boutique.

Have it all with in-store pickup
Some retailers are now offering the ability to place your order online and pick it up at the physical store location – even on the same day. Now you can shop for your favorite fashion on your lunch break and pick it up on your drive home.

Tags: designer shopping, Secrets to online shopping: How to access the best designer deals, shopping online, shopping online tips, tips for shopping online

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Great gifts for green thumbs

(NC)—Almost every one of us knows someone who loves to work in the garden. But buying gifts for gardeners can be difficult, especially if you’re not as horticulturally-inclined as they are. Here are some suggestions that can make any serious gardener happy:

Tools and gadgets

If it looks like their gardening spades have seen better days, get them a new set of gardening tools. If you aren’t sure, have someone at the store help you choose the most useful items. Also, kits that help test the soil, meters that help measure soil moisture and other gadgets that make gardening chores easier or more comfortable (think kneeling pads and good gloves) will surely please any avid gardener.

Decorations

Every garden needs a few quirky yard decorations. If the gardener in your life has a sense of humour, consider a decoration which reflects that personality trait. Buy decorations made for outdoor use and designed to blend in with different garden themes. A hummingbird feeder is another popular item that all gardeners can appreciate. Just don’t forget the food. Hummingbird feeders are filled with a sugary liquid that keeps these beautiful birds coming back for more.

Think outside the box

Finding it hard to uncover a special something for the gardener in your life who seems to already have everything under the sun? Consider a gift certificate from their favourite supplier or a local botanical garden. You can also purchase garden essentials through a non-profit organization like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (www.ccfcanada.ca) on behalf of the gardener in your life. Your donation will help equip families living in extreme poverty with tools to grow nutritious fruits and vegetables that can be sold to provide a source of income. It makes an excellent gift and can help save lives.

www.newscanada.com

Tags: environmentally friendly gift ideas, gifts for green people, Great gifts for green thumbs, green gift ideas, green gifts

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This Valentine’s Day give gifts from the heart for the heart.

This Valentine’s Day give gifts from the heart for the heart.

(ARA) – Buying the standard bouquet or box of candy for the love of your life doesn’t show you’ve put much thought into the sentiment. In fact, if your valentine is like many others, they are just six weeks into the new year that likely began with all sorts of promises to get fit or lose a few pounds. Will chocolate really say “I love you?” Will flowers convey your devotion?
Instead, consider a gift that not only comes from the heart but benefits the heart. Here are better options for Valentine’s Day when you want to say:

“You are adored.” There is nothing like a spa treatment to put your loved one on a pedestal. “A facial or massage is the gift of relaxation and self-care,” says Kate Rice, a massage therapist and the national massage educator for Life Time, The Healthy Way of Life Company. She says a gift certificate can be part of a bigger pampering day – perhaps along with breakfast in bed or an end-of-day bubble bath. “People tend to think of massage as a luxury, but it’s therapeutic and can help reground them. It’s also the perfect gift for someone who does so much for everyone else.”

“We’re in this together; we’re a team.” Working together on a common goal can make lasting memories. Signing up you and your valentine for a 5K, 10K, triathlon or other physical event can create memories to last a lifetime. That’s how Michael Lorenzen, 29, of Chicago ended up registered for his first ultra-distance triathlon. “My wonderful girlfriend, Brigit, gifted me a 2012 entry into a triathlon in Wisconsin.” He says his initial reaction was irritation, followed quickly by panic, which soon transpired into gratitude. “She did it because she knew I’d never sign up myself. I’ve never done an ultra-distance triathlon. I know I can, but committing to doing it is a big deal to me.” The gift, he says, showed him that she believes in him. It’s hard to get more romantic than that.

“I want you in my life forever.” The vow is “in sickness or in health,” but we’d all prefer good health. If your special someone knows they need to get fit or stay fit, they might need more than a gentle nudge. Hiring a personal trainer – for a private session or for the two of you – is a way to show your commitment to life and to each other. Tom Manella, vice president of personal training at Life Time, says they sell about 2,000 gift cards a year for personal training services. “The gift of fitness lasts,” he says, suggesting health-related gifts such as metabolism testing for someone who wants to refine his fitness goals, or a heart rate monitor to help her reach goals. “Valentine’s Day is about expressing how much you love someone,” he adds. “What better way to do so than giving the gift of health?”

Resist the urge to go the traditional (and unimaginative) route this Valentine’s Day. Think of your gift ideas with health in mind to make your love last. For more information, visit www.lifetimefitness.com.

Tags: shopping for spouse, This Valentine’s Day give gifts from the heart for the heart., Valentine's Day gift-giving tips, Valentine's Day shopping, Valentine's shopping

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Tips for safe online shopping

(NC)—Canada is very much online. Almost half of us shop online now, researchers say. There are about 13 million Facebook accounts, 3.5 million Twitter accounts, and we send nearly five billion text messages each month, states the Better Business Bureau. And because of this high degree of online activity, we are also susceptible to fraud. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, in 2009 for example, there were almost 4,500 victims of online fraud in Canada, reporting $14.5 million in losses.

Below are some safe shopping tips from Equifax Canada, the country’s largest credit reporting agency:

• Look at the address. If you’re shopping on a website and you’ve hit the “checkout” button, you should see a change in the Web address at the top of your browser. If the site you’re shopping on is equipped with security layers, you should see “http” change to “https”, and you might also see a small padlock icon, depending on your browser.

• Be careful about the information you give out. We’re often asked for our email addresses, postal codes and shopping habits online and while these can seem like innocent questions, they’re often used to create a profile of you for marketing purposes. If it gets into the wrong hands, all of that information about what you like and how you shop, can provide clues that are helpful in stealing your identity.

• Monitor yourself. To keep track of how your personal information is being used, consider signing up for a credit monitoring product. With this product, you will be notified if anyone signs up for an account in your name or with your personal information. Keep a close eye on your bank account and credit card statements to make sure that the purchases that are logged are ones you’ve made. It’s also a good idea to make the effort to check your own credit reports throughout the year for any illicit or unauthorized activity. This will not affect your credit rating, since you are allowed to check your credit report as often as you like throughout the year.

• Change your passwords. It’s good to switch your log-in passwords every so often.

More information is available at www.equifax.ca or toll-free at 1-800-465-7166.

www.newscanada.com

Tags: Online Shopping, online shopping safety tips, Online shopping tips, shopping online, Tips for safe online shopping

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