Time to ‘revenge shop’: China’s virus hot spot reopens

WUHAN, China (AP) — The city at the center of China’s virus outbreak was reopening for business Monday after authorities lifted more of the controls that locked downs tens of millions of people for two months. “I want to revenge shop,” declared an excited customer at one of Wuhan’s major shopping streets.

Customers were still scarce. Those who ventured out were greeted by shop employees who wore masks and carried signs that told them to “keep a safe distance.”

A teacher from the eastern city of Nanjing was visiting her family in Wuhan when most access to the city of 11 million was suspended Jan. 23 to stem the coronavirus spread.


“I’m so excited, I want to cry,” said the woman, who would give only the English name Kat, at the Chuhe Hanjie pedestrian mall.

“After two months trapped at home, I want to jump,” she added, jumping up and down excitedly.

While governments worldwide tighten travel and other controls, the ruling Communist Party has rolled back curbs on Wuhan and other areas as it tries to revive the world’s second-largest economy after declaring victory over the outbreak.

The city in Hubei province is the last major population center still under travel controls. Residents were allowed to go to other parts of Hubei but could not leave the province. Restrictions on other Hubei residents were lifted March 23. The final curbs on Wuhan end April 8.

Wuhan became the center of the most intensive anti-disease controls ever imposed after the virus emerged in December. Some researchers suggest it may have jumped to humans from a bat at one of the city’s wildlife markets.

The ruling party suppressed information about the outbreak and reprimanded doctors in Wuhan who tried to warn the public. As late as Jan. 19, city leaders went ahead with a dinner for 40,000 households to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Local leaders held one more event, a Jan. 22 holiday gala at which musicians and actors were sniffling and coughing, before the government acknowledged the severity of the problem. The next morning, residents awoke to news that their sprawling city that straddles the Yangtze River was cut off from the outside world.


Wuhan became the center of a massive effort to treat the sick, understand the virus and stop its spread. Two temporary hospitals with more than 1,000 beds each were built and a third was set up in an exhibition center. Hundreds of military doctors and nurses were dispatched to the city, along with tons of medical supplies.

Police set up roadblocks at expressway entrances. Only truckers leaving the city to collect food and a handful of other drivers with official passes were allowed through. Bus and subway service was shut down.

Restaurants, shops, cinemas and other businesses were ordered to close, leaving streets empty and silent in a foreshadowing of controls that would spread to other countries. Families were ordered to stay home.

Restrictions spread to cities near Wuhan and eventually expanded to cover some 800 million people, more than half of China’s population.

President Xi Jinping visited Wuhan for the first time March 10 in a show of official confidence the virus was under control. The next day, the government began to ease controls on Hubei, allowing some factories and other businesses deemed essential to reopen.

On Monday, about 75% of shops in the Chuhe Hanjie mall in the city center were open but many imposed limits on how many people could enter. Shopkeepers set up dispensers for hand sanitizer and checked customers for signs of fever.

Buses and subways started to run again Saturday and the train station reopened, bringing thousands of people to the city.

At the same time, the ruling party rolled out a massive propaganda effort to portray its leaders as the heroes of the outbreak and deflect accusations they allowed the virus to spread due to politically motivated foot-dragging.

Government spokespeople have suggested the coronavirus’ origin is unknown, contradicting earlier official statements that it came from Wuhan. A foreign ministry spokesman said the virus might have been brought by visiting American military officials, a claim that prompted an angry response from Washington.

Wuhan suffered 2,547 coronavirus deaths, accounting for about 80% of China’s total fatality toll of 3,186 as of Sunday, according to the National Health Commission. The country had a total of 81,470 confirmed cases, though some foreign commentators have accused Beijing of failing to report the full total of deaths and illnesses.

Officials are under orders to revive manufacturing, retailing and other industries while also preventing a spike in infections as people return to work.

This week, visitors to Wuhan were required to report how they arrived and their reason for coming. Hotel guests were checked twice a day for fever. They were required to show a code on a smartphone app that tracks the user’s health status and travel.

Authorities set aside five hotels to quarantine visitors, including foreigners who lack Chinese identity cards. Hotel staff in protective coveralls sprayed guests and their luggage with disinfectant.

Passengers who wanted to board a public bus had to show the smartphone health code to volunteers in red vests.

Customers at the upscale Wuhan International Mall were greeted by employees who wore masks and carried signs that said, “Please wear masks all the way. Please don’t gather. Please keep a safe distance.”

Automakers and other manufacturers in Wuhan reopened but said they needed to restore the flow of components from suppliers before production can return to normal levels.

Some were waiting for employees who went to their hometowns for the Lunar New Year holiday and were stranded when plane, train and bus service in areas deemed at high risk were suspended.

The owner of a candy shop in the Chuhe Hanjie mall said two of her four employees were back at work but she wasn’t sure whether the others were willing to come back.

“We’ve only prepared a little stock,” said the owner, Li Zhen. “Most people are still afraid of the virus.”

A poster at the entrance to the mall asked customers to wear masks and cooperate with fever checks.

A banner nearby said, “Wuhan We Are Coming Back. Thank You.”

Two women in protective clothing that identified them as medical workers were surrounded by pedestrians who waved Chinese flags at them in a gesture of gratitude. Li gave them bags of candy.

“We may have to wait for a while to see when things can return to normal,” Li. said

___

McDonald reported from Beijing. Associated Press producer Olivia Zhang contributed to this report.

AP

WATCH: High tech mattress can detect cheating partners

Cheats between the sheets, beware—there’s a new detective in town.

Men and women have a new way of finding out if their partner is being unfaithful, as Spanish firm Durmet has come up with a high-tech mattress that can monitor “suspicious movement” in the bed.

The ‘Smarttress’, a normal looking-mattress, offers a one-of-a kind “Lover Detection System”  that uses 24 ultrasonic sensors to detect when it’s in motion and how many occupants are using it.

Citing reports from the Huffington Post, the slick invention generates a 3D map to show which areas of the mattress are receiving greater pressure and what movement is taking place.

It gets better, the deception-detecting device also measures frequency, intensity, time of use and speed—which then sends an alert via a smartphone app, informing the worried party that their bed is being used.

The 1-minute and 41-seconds promotional video shown , also gave a glimpse of the company’s hilarious tag-line “If your partner isn’t faithful, at least your mattress is.”

According to Durmet, the idea behind ‘Smarttress’ stems from studies showing that men and women in Spain are the most unfaithful bunch in Europe.

“We came up with an idea that could reassure men and women not only during the night, but also during the day when they leave their home to go to work,” said company spokesperson Jose Antonio Muíño.

“Smarttress isn’t the type of product you’d go shopping for at the weekend with your partner if you suspected them of cheating, so it will only be available on request,” he added.

The infidelity-exposing mattress comes in four different sizes and buyers can expect total confidentiality with every purchase.

Those who seek to catch their partner red handed, however, must be prepared to shell-out a hefty $1,350 (P62,565). Khristian Ibarrola, INQUIRER.net

source: technology.inquirer.net

Beyoncé’s Athleisure Brand, Ivy Park Is Now Available to the World, Including the Philippines

It came as a surprise to all of us when Beyoncé suddenly revealed her athleisure line Ivy Park earlier this month. Today, the brand is officially available for purchase in several countries, including the Philippines.

Yup, you read that right: Queen Bey has blessed our shores with her athleisure line via shopping website Zalora PH. In a statement, Zalora Group CEO Michele Ferrario expressed his excitement for the venture, saying that they want to “continue our commitment to bring the best global fashion brands to style-minded women across the Southeast Asian region.”

The line consists of tank tops with built-in sports bras, body suits, sweatshirts, and jersey vests fitting for all our workout needs. The price of the clothes also ranges from P1,199 to P5,349, which seems like a hefty price for some. But can you really put a price on something designed by Beyoncé?

 Photo courtesy of Ivy Park’s Instagram

source: preen.inquirer.net

Oakley rides on growth in PH

Andrew McMahon, a young Australian executive and cyclist, was on his bike just three kilometers away from his house in Melbourne when a driver made a turn without noticing him. He flew off his bike, hit the top of the car and eventually landed on the gutter. As he fell, the frame of his Oakley sunglasses cut his cheekbone, but the lenses remained intact.

McMahon was rushed to the hospital and was in a coma for three days. Except for his eye area, his entire face underwent reconstructive surgery.

“It was a major accident, but I’ve had fine vision since,” he says. Doctors told him that if it weren’t for the protective eyewear, he would have lost his eyesight.

McMahon, Oakley’s retail manager for Southeast Asia and India, then cites other testimonies of how Oakley’s patented impact-protection lenses saved the eyes of soldiers in Iraq; children getting directly hit during baseball games; athletes riding mountain bikes and skidding into tree trunks.

“We don’t push it hugely on the protective side, but we definitely have the same lens technology in every piece, be it a woman’s fashion piece or our most technologically advanced sports eyewear,” says McMahon. “We have over 600 patents on our eyewear and most center around protection, comfort, fit, and then design.”

Although Oakley is known for high-end sports performance eyewear and equipment, it’s also doing good business in the lifestyle component.

“Our technology for sports will trickle into the lifestyle [segment]. We make the best eyewear that is optically correct,” he says.

In Australia, where there is concern for ozone thinning, eyewear with UV protection has become a must. McMahon’s two boys wear Oakleys even if the family is just going shopping.

Growing market

McMahon says the Philippines is the fastest growing market for Oakley in the region.

The popularity of outdoor sports such as triathlons, the re-emergence of marathons, surfing and skating have driven up sales. Billionaire and triathlete Wilfred Uytengsu Jr. and TV host Kim Atienza are brand ambassadors.

The price of the eyewear ranges from P5,595 to P29,995 for the collector’s items.

The Holbrook, known for its square frames and polarized lenses, is the world’s most popular style. The custom-engineered design and the lightweight materials of the $400-Madman make it the most expensive style available locally.

While the global business consists of 60 percent eyewear and 40 percent AFA (apparel, footwear and accessories), the acceptance of apparel in the Philippines is higher than in other markets. More than half of the local business (55 percent) comes from apparel while eyewear contributes 45 percent.

McMahon attributes the apparel line’s success to the right merchandising, the youthful designs and proportions that suit the Filipino body type. The sandals and the military-inspired backpacks are also popular.

Active creator

With the changing lifestyle and habits of consumers, Oakley is positioning itself to catering to a younger market and offering more personalized service through online and standalone stores.

Worldwide, the average age of the Oakley user is 49 years old. Although midlifers have a lot of disposable income, they are viewed as an aging market.

“We need to re-engage the youth like we did in the ’80s. We will have a much more youthful product. Our marketing will be focused on that area, but we won’t forget our consumers whom we currently sell to as well,” says McMahon.

In the Philippines, the typical consumer for Oakley is between 33 and 35 years old.

“It’s slightly younger, but it’s still not the way we want to see it. We’re driven by what we call an ‘active creator’ or the ‘millennials.’ Most brands will be heading in that direction,” he says.

He says the global retail market is shifting preferences from traditional department or multibrand stores to the freestanding stores in malls.

“The department store business declined, but the standalone business has grown rapidly. Our feeling is that we are going to see that here in the Philippines and throughout Asia over the next five years,” says McMahon.

Customer experience

Freestanding stores are designed to provide positive customer experiences. An intimate setting creates an atmosphere where staffers can listen well to their customers, make a connection with them and show the value of their product offerings.

“The staff there knows the product; they embrace the brand, live and breathe it,” he explains. “I walk into a store and someone is that fiery about the brand, I know they’re going to give me what I need.”

Another advantage is that fully customized eyewear can be created only in standalone stores. Customers can select their preferred styles, frames and lenses and walk out with their personalized eyewear.

Oakley’s local distributor, Meera Enterprises, is undertaking aggressive expansion with the opening of more freestanding stores.

Oakley currently has six stores in the Philippines. By the end of the year, it will have 11 outlets.

McMahon underscores the importance of location inside the top 10 malls of a country. “Where we are going to go or how fast we are going to grow is having that right location and having the right tenancy around us.”

Of all its standalone stores, Oakley in Greenbelt 3 posts the highest sales followed by the newly-opened SM Pampanga, which is the largest store at 100 sqm.

Oakley also has presence in high-end malls such as Rockwell Power Plant, SM Aura and Century City Mall. It will also be opening in SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, Uptown Place Mall and Bonifacio High Street.

The provincial network includes SM Lipa and soon, in SM Cebu as well as in Pueblo Verde, owned by the Aboitizes.

“I’d be disappointed if I don’t see a 10-percent growth in the Philippines,” says McMahon on the revenues.

“The timing is right. There’s a want,” he says, adding the distributor hit the formula with the right product mix, staff training and genuine customer interaction.

“Now, we’re at a place where we can just start to roll them out, and know that they’re going to succeed,” says McMahon.

source: business.inquirer.net

Review: Amazon’s cheap Fire tablet does a lot for $50

NEW YORK—The thing to remember about Amazon’s new $50 Fire tablet is that it’s a $50 tablet.

It’s not as light or as thin as a tablet that costs five or six times more. The camera isn’t as good, and the screen isn’t as sharp. But it works well as a budget device for the basics — reading, Facebook, video and, of course, shopping on Amazon.

Over the years, Amazon.com Inc. has done a good job of making tablets affordable for the masses. The new Fire tablet is Amazon’s cheapest yet, joining a fall lineup that maxes out at $230 ($15 more if you want Amazon to remove ads on the lock screen). By contrast, Apple’s iPads start at $269, ad-free.

Of course, you get less for $50.

Among the trade-offs:

The feel: The 7-inch tablet is bulky, about two-thirds as thick as a deck of cards. This runs counter to a trend of gadgets getting thinner and thinner. But this is reasonable for budget devices, as they use older, larger components to cut costs. At 11 ounces, the tablet also feels heavy for a device that size.

Lower resolution: The screen is just short of displaying video in full high definition, otherwise known as 1080p. As Amazon’s HDX tablets and Apple’s “Retina” iPads tout super-sharp displays, the screen on the new Fire feels retro.

Video displays fine. Where the lower resolution is most noticeable is with small text. When reading, some of the vertical lines in d’s and l’s look fat. It feels like a typewriter with metal type that hasn’t been cleaned of gunk, forming misshaped letters when some of that gunk hits the ink ribbon. (For our younger readers, typewriters are machines that produce letters on paper, rather than a screen. And paper is a sheet of writing material made from trees.)

Taking pictures: The main camera is just 2 megapixels, compared with 5 or 8 megapixels on higher-end Amazon tablets. Photos come out fuzzy, and low-light images have plenty of color distortion. The camera’s lens also isn’t able to capture as much as other gadgets from the same distance. It’s as though the camera has a permanent zoom. That said, most people already have smartphones with decent cameras. There’s no need to pay more to duplicate technology.

Wi-Fi: The Fire has an older, single-band form of Wi-Fi that doesn’t support the highest available speeds, technically known as the 802.11ac standard. In practice, that means signal range and data speed might be lower. But in my limited testing, the new tablet downloaded a video file faster than last year’s HDX 8.9 tablet from Amazon, which has dual-band Wi-Fi, so this is hardly cut-and-dried. Many other factors affect performance, even if you have top-of-the-line technology.

In fact, the inexpensive Fire tablet surprised me in many ways. The display has in-plane switching technology, which means it can be viewed from an angle—twice as wide as standard screens, according to Amazon. The tablet was also fast for Web surfing, email and other common tasks. It seemed to take an extra second or two to launch video on Hulu and Netflix, but playback was smooth once it started.

Unlike iPads, the Fire allows you to set up multiple profiles, including ones for kids, and to establish parental limits on apps and usage time. But the Amazon tablet doesn’t have anti-glare technology found in the latest iPads, nor does it have a fingerprint reader to bypass passcodes.

Promised battery life is seven hours, which is reasonable for $50.

And as with other Amazon devices, the Fire tablet works nicely with other Amazon services, including Kindle e-books, Audible audiobooks, Prime video streaming and e-commerce. Just swipe right from the home screen to scroll through the various services. After signing in with my Amazon account, the shopping page reminded me what type of replacement vacuum bags I need. I also found a mini plunger to deal with that nagging clogged sink in my kitchen.

A swipe to the left gets you recently accessed content and apps, plus recommendations. It’s a good way to get to frequent tasks without spending a lot of time moving around icons on the home screen. Older Amazon devices will get this feature, too, with an upcoming software update.

The Fire is also a good option for kids. They won’t complain about what’s missing, and if they lose the device, it’s only $50 to replace. Amazon will even sell you six for the price of five, so each family member can have one.

I’d be highly disappointed with the Fire if its price tag were $250 or more. But it’s not—not even close.

source: technology.inquirer.net

These bangles were made for stacking (and giving)

Kristel Cue first met Alex and Ani founder Carolyn Rafaelian as a student in New York in 2006. “She welcomed our college organization in her office for an inspiring career talk,” Kristel recalled.

After the talk, Carolyn gave each of the students a bangle. “It was to remind us to pursue our passion,” said Kristel, who got a Fleur de Lis bangle in Rafaelian Gold—something she still wears today.

Six years later, Kristel and her business partner Celine Tang decided to bring the brand, which has a solid following around the world, to Manila. “We saw a market in the Philippines for a lifestyle brand with real meaning to the wearer. Very few brands, especially in fashion, focus on creating a positive impact as its core mission,” said Kristel.

Their store in SM Aura has been a huge hit, both with long-time customers of the brand who discovered it while abroad and with new Alex and Ani fans.

Women stop by regularly to create their stacks. Yes, Alex and Ani bracelets are meant to be worn in a pretty pile on your wrists. Some women choose to build slowly, choosing bangles with charms that have a special meaning for them, while others amass an impressive collection in just one visit.

Kristel said, “They say building a stack can be quite addictive—which is true! It’s also a perfect gift item.”

In the Philippines, the bestsellers have been the Mother Mary and Four Leaf Clover designs, but Kristel’s favorite is The Path of Life: “I like what it symbolizes—strength, motivation, knowledge. Our Gypsy 66 wrap is also a great layering piece.”

On Dec. 14, Alex and Ani will hold a Christmas shopping event at SM Aura to celebrate the release of their newest collections—Night’s Mosaic, Buffed Epoxy and the highly anticipated Monopoly collection that was inspired by the classic boardgame.

Kristel loves talking to customers: “Hearing why they are purchasing Alex and Ani—whether for themselves or someone dear to them—can be heartwarming. The stories have been amazing, and we feel very lucky to be able to share this positive energy with people in the Philippines.”

Positive energy is important to founder Carolyn Rafaelian. She said, in this e-mail interview with Super: “From the beginning, the company’s purpose has been to create pieces that have meaning and a positive impact. To me, positive energy is love, kindness and making the best of each situation. It’s the driving force behind all things Alex and Ani, as well as in my own life.”

We asked Carolyn about the brand that she named after her daughters, her passions and her favorite bangles.

What inspired you to start Alex and Ani?

My father opened a jewelry factory, Cinerama, in Rhode Island in 1966. Working in the jewelry industry is a family tradition and something I’ve always been a part of. I grew up in an extremely creative environment with a supportive family. During the time spent in the factory, I experimented and created my own pieces. Ultimately, my passion became my enterprise.

What’s the most unforgettable thing your father taught you about jewelry?

That each piece you create is an expression of yourself, your individuality. I design each piece with the intention of empowering and inspiring others.

How does it feel to know that your brand has a lot of fans in the Philippines?

The whole experience is a blessing. The growth and progression of this company was very organic. As it grows around the world, I feel gratitude in my heart. It’s wonderful to know that our products hit home for so many around the world. It’s exciting! I plan to visit Asia soon and look forward to experiencing such a beautiful culture.

Which pieces are your personal favorites?

The “One People” bangle that both the Dalai Lama and I have. I created two: one for him and one for me. He blessed them, which was one of the most incredible moments of my life.

What’s your favorite stack to wear? Do you mix your metals?

I prefer to wear gold, but I do adore how the mixed metals look together; silver and gold definitely complement each other. My fathers’ gold chain bracelet and the One People bangle are always on my wrist. I wear what I am drawn to each day. New designs and other treasures that inspire me enhance my stack. These pieces are dear to my heart and soul…

We love that Alex and Ani has a lot of charity bangles. How do you choose which organizations to work with?

Ultimately it’s an organic process guided by the extraordinary team at Charity By Design (CBD). Each inquiry we receive is considered and valued. CBD   empowers nonprofit organizations to reach their goals by sharing what we do best, harnessing the power of positive energy through innovative, creative design. It’s also at a price point that could potentially attract new philanthropists. We’re currently working on making Charitable Bangles available worldwide.

You use recycled material for your jewelry. Is the environment something you feel passionate about?

Yes, definitely. Using sustainable materials is another way of saying, “Product made with integrity.” Knowing where something is made, who’s making it, and what their intentions are make all the difference. We make a conscious effort to remain environmentally sustainable, support local economies, and through thought, prayer and intentions, create the finest American products.

What else are you passionate about?

Living a life that’s a real example of the power of positive energy. Outside of Alex and Ani, my passions include spending time at Sakonnet Vineyard, creating wines from the oldest vines in New England, and restoring a Rhode Island historic landmark, Belcourt of Newport. I love absolutely everything about my job. I’m truly living my dream.

What’s the best thing people have said about your jewelry?

My favorite story is when someone gives a bangle to a friend (or stranger) right off their wrist. This is so cool! It’s like this great, pay-it-forward effect where someone is like, “Hey, you’re dealing with something, I dealt with something similar… put this bangle on and let it remind you that you have what it takes to get through it.” This is powerful…

Do you have any tips for people who are starting to build their stack or buying bangles for their loved ones?

Alex and Ani products are created for wearers to feel empowered, enlightened and beautiful. Words are powerful, symbols are powerful and the wearer can experience this heightened sense of inspiration through our pieces. The best advice I would give is to select symbols that resonate with you or the loved ones in your lives.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Thanksgiving: Turkey, parades and shopping deals

NEW YORK — Turkey, stuffing and a helium-filled Thomas the Tank Engine were on the menu as friends and families gathered across the United States to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Here's a look at how Americans prepared to celebrate Thanksgiving.

GIANTS IN THE SKY

The nationally televised Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will include six new giant balloons including Thomas the Tank Engine, Paddington bear and the Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger. The annual event brings out throngs of people along its midtown Manhattan parade route, ending in front of the store's flagship location.

On Wednesday, passers-by on the Upper West Side got a sneak preview, as the giant balloons were inflated with helium in the neighborhood around the American Museum of Natural History.

"It's really cool, they're huge," said San Francisco resident Ella Missan. Daisy Elliot of Boston, who said she's been coming to see the balloons since she was little, agreed. "It's really exciting for me to see the balloons year after year," she said.

The parade's executive producer, Amy Kule, said organizers were glad wintry weather that made sidewalks slick and travel treacherous on Wednesday was expected to be gone by Thursday.

"We're suffering through a little bit of this now but the end result is really going to be a beautiful parade," she said.

• • •

TRAVEL TROUBLES

Rain and snow on Wednesday made getting around on one of the busiest travel days of the year a chaotic experience for some. The sloppy mixture caused hundreds of flights to be grounded in the Northeast.

Some travelers tried to beat the storm by flying out earlier, and airlines tried to be helpful by waiving re-booking fees. But many flights already were filled, leaving travelers with few options.

The roads weren't much better. By midafternoon, the line between rain and snow went along Interstate 95, the major roadway connecting Boston to Washington, and accidents abounded. Snowfall totals were expected to be as much as 6 to 12 inches in the higher elevations west of I-95.

The AAA estimated that 41.3 million travelers would be on the road between Wednesday and Sunday. That's up 4.3 percent from last year.

• • •

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

To the delight of some and consternation of others, it's increasingly become commonplace to see stores open on Thanksgiving, as retailers try to entice shoppers inside and kick off the holiday shopping season a day earlier than the traditional Black Friday. Some of the stores open for at least part of the day on the holiday include Kmart, Target, Sears, Macy's and Wal-Mart. Other stores, like Neiman-Marcus, Nordstrom and Costco, are closed.

source: lassvegassun.com

Twitter tests shopping service

Twitter is testing a way to let users go shopping or make charitable contributions between tweets.

A small percentage of users will receive tweets from Twitter test partners Monday featuring a “buy” button that lets them make purchases or donate money. Initial partners include the musical groups Soundgarden and Panic! At The Disco, retailers Home Depot and Burberry, and nonprofits The Nature Conservancy and gay rights group GLAAD.

After clicking the buy button, users will be prompted to enter shipping and payment information. Then the order will be sent to the merchant for delivery. 



Users’ personal information will be encrypted. And their credit card details won’t be given to sellers without permission.

source: technology.inquirer.net

More Americans shopped on their phones on Christmas

WASHINGTON – Most stores were closed but Americans still managed to shop on Christmas Day – increasingly on their smartphones.

An IBM survey showed Christmas Day online sales were up 16.5 percent over last year, with a strong boost from smartphones and tablets.

Mobile traffic was the highest IBM found over this holiday season, accounting for 48 percent of all online traffic. And mobile accounted for nearly 29 percent of all online sales, up 40 percent over 2012.

Smartphones drove 28.5 percent of all online traffic compared to 18.1 percent for tablets, according to IBM. But tablets drove twice as many sales – 19.4 percent of all online sales, to 9.3 percent for smartphones.

Tablet users averaged $95.61 per order, versus $85.11 for smartphone users.

IBM found that Apple iPhone and iPad users were bigger shoppers than their counterparts using Google Android-powered devices

As a percentage of total online sales, Apple’s iOS was more than five times higher than Android, driving 23 percent of sales to 4.6 percent for Android.

On average, iOS users spent $93.94 per order, to $48.10 per order for Android, according to the survey.

Shoppers referred from Facebook averaged $72.01 per order, while Pinterest referrals drove $86.83 per order, IBM said. However, Facebook referrals converted sales at nearly four times the rate of Pinterest referrals, the report found.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Amazon to compensate customers for late gifts

NEW YORK – Amazon Thursday said it would give $20 gift cards and pay shipping costs for customers affected by problems at UPS and FedEx that delayed some Christmas package deliveries.




The Amazon pledge came after UPS in particular came under fire for late packages despite vows from retailers to meet a December 25 deadline.

Some customers took to Twitter to voice their displeasure, likening one or both delivery giants to the “Grinch who stole Christmas.”

Amazon pointed the finger squarely at the delivery companies. The online retail giant did not give estimates for the number of affected shoppers.

“Amazon fulfillment centers processed and tendered customer orders to delivery carriers on time for holiday delivery,” said Amazon spokeswoman Mary Osako. “We are reviewing the performance of the delivery carriers.”

Walmart also will provide gift cards to customers who did not receive packages by the promised deadline, the New York Times reported.

Walmart did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“UPS experienced heavy holiday volume and is making every effort to get packages to their destination as quickly as possible,” UPS said on its website. “UPS has resumed normally scheduled service on December 26.”

A FedEx spokesperson also reported a “surge” in volume, but said the rise was typical.

“We had minimal service disruptions despite the increase in volumes, and are working directly with customers who may have experienced any delays,” said the FedEx spokesperson.

The delivery woes suggested the retail sector is still adjusting to shifting customer behavior with the rise of online shopping.

Analysts had expected brick and mortar shopping to rise just 3-4 percent in 2013, but online shopping to jump 13-14 percent.

More retailers have promised to execute Christmas-deadline deliveries ordered later and later in the season.

Amazon characterized its overall holiday shopping season as the “best ever” in the company’s history.

Particularly popular was the “Amazon Prime” service, which provides free two-day shipping services and streaming of some television shows and movies for $79 a year.

Amazon said it signed up more than one million customers for its “Prime” service in the third week of December.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Samsung, LG to unveil 105-inch curved TVs

SEOUL, South Korea — Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc. said their curved TVs will get bigger and sport the sharpness four times the regular HD television sets.

The world’s two largest TV makers will display ultra-HD TVs with curved screens that measure 105 inches diagonally in Las Vegas next month, they said in separate statements Thursday.

The South Korean TV makers began selling curved TV sets earlier this year made with advanced displays called OLED measuring 55 inches.

The upcoming premium TVs set will be made of LCD panels packing more than 11 million pixels, 5,120 pixels wide and 2,160 pixels high. But not much video content is available for the ultra-HD TV sets.

TV makers hope the launch of the new hardware technology will fuel growth of content. Japan’s Sony Corp., among the industry players betting that the ultra-HD images will become the new standard, is working on both gadgets and movies in ultra-HD, also known in the industry as 4K.

Asian TV makers are trying to excite shoppers with new display technology. But limited video content in ultra-HD resolution and price tags will likely limit appeal. Samsung and LG kept mum on prices.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Amazon unveils futuristic mini-drone delivery plan

WASHINGTON – Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos revealed Sunday that his company is looking to the future with plans to use “octocopter” mini-drones to fly small packages to consumers in just 30 minutes.

The US retail giant’s ambitious project still requires additional safety testing and federal approval, but Bezos estimated that Amazon “Prime Air” would be up and running within four to five years.

A demo video posted on the company’s website showed the tiny robotic devices picking up packages in small yellow buckets from Amazon’s fulfillment centers and then whizzing through the air to deliver the items to customers just 30 minutes after they made their purchase on Amazon.com.

“I know this looks like science fiction. It’s not,” Bezos told CBS television’s “60 Minutes” program.

“We can do half-hour delivery… and we can carry objects, we think, up to five pounds (2.3 kilograms), which covers 86 percent of the items that we deliver.”

The mini-drones are powered by electric motors and could cover areas within a 10-mile (16-kilometer) radius of fulfillment centers, thus covering a significant portion of the population in urban areas.

They operate autonomously and drop the items at the target locations thanks to GPS coordinates transmitted to them.

“It’s very green, it’s better than driving trucks around,” said Bezos.

Amazon said the octocopters would be “ready to enter commercial operations as soon as the necessary regulations are in place,” noting that the Federal Aviation Administration was actively working on rules for unmanned aerial vehicles.

It projected a more optimistic timeline than Bezos himself for the project to be activated, saying the FAA’s rules could be in place as early as 2015 and that Amazon Prime Air would be ready at that time.

Bezos hinted that part of the motivation behind the mini-drones was to make sure Amazon remains on the cutting edge of the retail industry.

“Companies have short life spans… And Amazon will be disrupted one day,” he said.

“I would love for it to be after I’m dead.”

source: business.inquirer.net

Halloween-style statements to wear on your wrist

Get fashionably in theme this Halloween with orange and black watches from Swatch. Take your pick from different plastic models with silicone straps.

Go chic with the Swatch New Gent Faux Fox. It features big readable Arabic numerals on a contrasted dial, a matte black plastic case and an orange silicone strap with dark orange lizard print and black stitching print.

Have just a tinge of orange with the Swatch New Gent Dark Rebel. It comes in an all-black feel, from the dial to the case and strap, complemented by a pop of orange indexes and day/date window.

Standout with the Swatch Scuba Libre Sundowner. This timepiece has a black dial with orange and white superlite dots and indexes, a transparent orange plastic case and bezel with black-and-white indexes and Arabic numerals. Its strap is fashioned of solid orange silicone with a black buckle and a solid orange silicone loop.

Be bold with the Swatch Chrono Plastic X-Swatch. This watch has a black dial with superluminova indexes, making it glow in the dark. It also features a matte black plastic case and a black silicone strap and loop with red detail.



Sparkle and shine with the Swatch Gent Original Deep Orange. It has a sunbrushed dial framed by an eye-popping orange plastic case and a glittery orange silicone strap.

Check out the Swatch shops for more watches you can match with your Halloween wardrobe.

Swatch is available at Swatch shops in SM Megamall, Glorietta 1, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 5, Trinoma, Alabang Town Center, SM Mall of Asia, SM City North Edsa, SM City Davao, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Greenhills V-Mall, Shangri-La Plaza, Robinsons Place Ermita, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Festival Mall, Ayala Marquee Mall, Ayala Center Cebu and Abreeza Mall Davao.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Apple expected to rev up iPad line as tablet market heats

SAN FRANCISCO – Apple is expected to rev up its iPad line Tuesday as the tablet market heats up with competition from devices powered by software from Google and Microsoft.

Analysts agree that iPads will star at an invitation-only event being held in San Francisco on the cusp of the prime year-end holiday shopping season.

“Job One for Apple is to get something out there on the large-size iPad that gets people excited, then obviously from a specification focus, the Mini needs to catch up with what everybody else has done,” NPD analyst Stephen Baker told AFP.

“There are a lot of other things happening in that large-size tablet space and there is a huge amount of choices in smaller devices.”

Tablets face mounting competition from touch-screen notebook computers powered by Microsoft Windows software and priced between $350 and $500, according to the analyst.

“Apple will… be number one in large-size tablets probably for a long time, but the definition of competition will change,” Baker said.

Apple is also under pressure to adapt to the popularity of premium tablets with high-quality screens in the seven- to eight-inch (18- to 20-centimeter) range where the Mini competes.

Online retail titan Amazon.com on Friday began shipping new seven-inch Kindle Fire HDX tablets with boosted display quality and computing power at the starting price of $229.

“We can’t wait to get this tablet into our customers’ hands,” said Amazon Kindle vice president Peter Larsen.

Google’s latest Nexus 7 tablet powered by its Android software has been a hot seller at a similarly tempting price.

Emailed invitations to the Apple event revealed little other than the time and place, and bore the message: “We still have a lot to cover.”

A graphic in the shape of an iPad showed Apple’s iconic logo under a shower of colorful leaves.

Unconfirmed reports are that Apple will show off a new version of its full-size iPad that will be thinner than its predecessor and boast improved camera capabilities.

Scrutiny of Apple’s supply chain has industry trackers thinking the new iPad will get “narrower, thinner, and lighter” and possibly be built with processors at least as powerful as those used in the freshly-launched iPhone 5S, according to Gartner analyst Van Baker.

An upgraded version of the iPad mini with an improved screen is also expected.

Gartner’s Baker will be watching whether new iPad models have 64-bit processors as engines in a significant boost that would enable tablets to handle more heavy weight programs and games.

“It has the potential to make tablets much more compelling devices in terms of content creation; making devices more sophisticated with more horsepower-hungry applications,” the analyst said.

“It will increase the likelihood that tablets will displace PCs (personal computers).”

Analysts agreed that top-end, full-size iPads may get a fingerprint recognition security feature that has been a hit in the iPhone 5S.

Such upgrades would promise to entice buyers to pay a bit more for full-size tablets from Apple instead of choosing lower-priced Mini models, boding well for the company’s bottom line.

The iPad remains the largest-selling tablet, according to surveys, but its market share is being eroded by rivals using the Google Android operating system.

“Mobile connectivity continues to grow and its impact is much broader than business stories about which computer makers are selling the most units,” said Kristen Purcell, associate director for research at the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project.

“We see mobile connectivity affecting everything from the way people get news and learn to the way they take care of their health and the way they share their lives through social media.”

Apple was also expected to discuss its computer operating system and its MacBook laptop line at the event.

The company is coming off a wildly successful launch of two new iPhone models last month. It estimates selling a record nine million iPhones in the three days after launching two new versions of the smartphone.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Star of Tod’s collection is Sella purse

Tod’s is one of the most successful leather goods brands because it never veers far away from its roots, and thus does not alienate its core customers. The coming Fall-Winter season is no different; it is a collection that is a nod to “the quality and craftsmanship of Made in Italy.”

Tod’s has been masterfully reinventing its classic wheel. Apart from new iterations of its signature Gommini driving shoes—in polka dot suede, and zebra stripes and mottled calf pony for women this season—some of its Fall bags are reinterpretations of its classic styles, including the iconic D-bag.

The D-bag has five limited-edition couture styles, one of which is fully hand-embroidered with crystals. It weighs more than a supermodel.

Star

The star of Tod’s 2013 Fall-Winter collection, however, is the Sella purse, inspired by saddlemaking but interpreted in a minimalist, feminine, curved shape. It comes in three sizes: a full-size shopper in dark purple or brown calfskin; a small satchel in several colorways; and a stunning mini version with a detachable shoulder strap—in yellow, orange, hot pink, turquoise, nude and black.

The mini Sella also comes in zebra-striped and leopard-print calf pony. The bigger sizes have variants in crocodile and python.

The Italian company, one of the last brands to still craft all its products in Italy, incorporates an often-used signature element—the Gommini pebbles—on the dressier women’s footwear, on the heels of its calf pony booties and metallic pumps. Tod’s fans will also find saddle straps on its other booties and boots styles, done in either plain calf or calf pony.

Two loafers get the metallic treatment, with the vamp embossed with the Tod’s emblem.

At the recent presentation at Tod’s Greenbelt 4 in Makati City, the Stores Specialists Inc. (SSI) team highlighted Tod’s’ made-to-order men’s footwear business, offered only at the Italian flagship store in Milan. It’s a luxury space called Sartorial Touch, akin to an English men’s club, and includes a bar and a lounge. (SSI is Tod’s’ exclusive distributor here.)

The iPad presentation underscored each step of the handcrafted process, from the choice of leather to the painstaking hand-dyeing, all the way to the finished product.

Tod’s also offers made-to-order luggage, bags and small leather goods.

But if a trip to the Milan flagship isn’t an option, men can choose from the new season’s in-store collection that includes boots with elastic bands on the uppers, classic calf loafers, and suede or calf pony Gomminis, as well as sturdy-looking lace-ups with boot-lacing details reminiscent of trekking shoes.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Amazon's sellers unhappy about fee hikes, eye rivals

San Francisco — A brewing conflict between Amazon.com Inc. and its merchants over fee hikes could benefit rival eBay Inc., and provide an opening for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Google Inc., which are just getting into the space.

Amazon's online bazaar generates margins many times higher than traditional retail as the company takes a cut of every sale on its site made by a merchant, known as a third-party seller, and charges extra fees for handling logistics.

The growth of this business, which now accounts for almost 40 percent of unit sales, has helped push Amazon shares to record highs.

But a series of fee hikes over the past year and a half have alienated many merchants, and some are threatening to defect.

"If they increase fees too much, some sellers will decide to not sell there anymore," said Niraj Shah, chief executive of furniture retailer Wayfair, which uses Amazon, eBay and Wal-Mart's online marketplaces, as well as its own websites.

"That's against Amazon's plan, which is to get as much selection as possible on their site," Shah added. "The vast majority of Amazon sellers are perfectly happy to go to any marketplace offering meaningful volume."

Amazon said many of the fee increases have been driven by rising costs, such as higher gas prices and hence transport expenses. It said it has also invested in changes to get products to customers quicker— a push that third-party sellers will benefit from because faster shipping should increase sales.

But sellers see it differently, complaining on online seller forums that Amazon's fatter returns came partly from putting a heavier burden on their shoulders. "Shipping & fees are killing my margins," wrote one seller last month.

Another, in August, complained about higher fees for selling electronic accessories that were due to kick in early this year: "Holy crap! 8% to 15%?! Goodbye good deals from 3rd party sellers on Amazon in the electronics section."

A third ranted in August about higher costs for shipping products to multiple Amazon warehouses. "Amazon just pulled a fast one," the seller wrote. "Now that Amazon has all the power, they're imposing increased fee hikes to all those cozy sellers who have supported Amazon since Day 1."

The complaints became so raucous last year that the company took the forums down and re-launched them. The new forums let sellers give each other ratings for their posts—a move that some sellers viewed as a way to reduce extreme complaints.

"The updated forums were created to be more responsive to the needs of the seller community and give them information they need to help build their businesses," Amazon spokesman Erik Fairleigh said.

Multiple customers

EBay used to be the top online destination for sellers, but Amazon's marketplace ended its reign after its launch over a decade ago, helped in large part by "Fulfillment By Amazon," or FBA, a service that stores and ships items and even handles customer service on behalf of sellers.

Fees are a touchy topic for sellers with skimpy margins, as eBay knows from merchant revolts it has struggled to quell in the past. Fee hikes by Amazon are particularly irksome to sellers because they compete with the company, a seller in its own right, in many categories on the site. EBay does not hawk its own wares.

When Amazon introduced a new long-term storage fee for items that sit in its warehouses more than a year, some sellers elected to have the company destroy their unsold inventory as it was cheaper than getting the items shipped back to them.

Kat Simpson, a third-party merchant who also trains others how to sell on Amazon, said the company charges her 50 cents per item to return unsold inventory from its warehouses but just 15 cents per item to destroy it, she said.

"I would have said everybody needed to try FBA last year. Now I would say no," she said. "If you are selling items under $25, you won't do as well on Amazon as on eBay profit wise."

It costs $3.92 to sell a $10 item on Amazon and $2.72 on eBay, according to Bill Vogel of The Cumberland Companies, which sells on both. But eBay takes more time and most merchants store inventory themselves, adding other costs, he noted.

For now, many merchants remain tied to Amazon's marketplace, which has two million third-party sellers.

"Customers like lower prices, but customers also like greater convenience, faster shipping and great selection," said Tom Taylor, vice president of Amazon's FBA business.

Some seller fees, particularly for some larger products, have been cut, he noted.

Competitors


Wal-Mart's marketplace now features just six merchants: Wayfair, Plumstruck, eBags, ProTeam, ToolKing and Shoebuy. Spokesman Dan Toporek said the world's largest retailer is trying to expand available products and it "is a key component of that strategy to accelerate the growth."

Google may be the bigger threat. It already owns most of the necessary pieces, such as product search, listings and a payment service—it just hasn't combined them yet.

It began testing a same-day delivery service with retailers in recent weeks, sparking speculation it's building a marketplace. A spokeswoman said Google is always working to improve the user experience, including shopping.

"If somebody comes in, a Google for instance, and says you can list with us and we will give you wide exposure at much lower cost, that would be a problem for Amazon," said Scott Tilghman, an analyst at B. Riley Caris.

Consumers want selection, bargains and fast shipping, which all cost money. Getting sellers to cover those expenses could drive them elsewhere. Yet if marketplace operators cover such costs, their profits suffer and shareholders grumble.

"There's always a trade-off," said Ken Sena, an analyst at Evercore Partners. "There's always that risk that sellers could defect." — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Southern California malls target Asian shoppers

The arrival of the Lunar New Year this month seems to have sparked an epiphany for area shopping centers: Asian and Asian American consumers have a growing pile of money and want to spend it where they're welcome.

So in the Year of the Snake, malls around the Southland are hustling harder to make themselves more appealing to the demographic.

Desert Hills Premium Outlets, Ontario Mills and the Outlets at Orange are partnering on a "Snaking through Southern California" initiative to lure Chinese shoppers to their malls. Simon Property Group, which owns the centers, says it's attempting to market to Asian consumers with multilingual messaging and Lunar New Year decorations.

Many stores in South Coast Plaza now have Asian employees to cater to the influx of moneyed tourists from China, Japan and South Korea who flock to the upscale mall. The center also has a language-assistance program and maps in Asian languages.

Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia, a city where more than half the population is Asian/Asian American, is hosting its first-ever Lunar New Year festival Saturday afternoon. Free activities include a lion dance, Chinese calligraphy demonstrations and a Year of the Snake photo booth for families.

The San Gabriel Valley center hung a 120-foot, 600-pound red-and-gold dragon installation above its indoor carousel. Decorators brought in a Chinese pagoda as well as kumquat trees for good luck.

Even after the holiday, Westfield plans to continue tweaking the Santa Anita mall -- currently home to Nordstrom, AMC Theatres, Macy’s and more -- to better suit its Asian American clientele.

This summer, Hai Di Lao, a hot-pot restaurant chain based in China's Sichuan province, is to open its first U.S. location at the center. Beijing-based eatery Meizhou Dongpo is also scheduled to move in, in early 2014.

The mall already offers some store directories in Chinese.

The revamps could have a major economic payoff. Government projections peg 2013 as a record year for Chinese tourism to the United States. A report from Nielsen this past fall showed Asian American buying power surging over $1 trillion within five years, from $718.4 billion in 2012.

source: latimes.com

Earn Cash Rebates on Your Online Christmas Shopping

With Christmas just around the corner, the promise of rebates for shopping online at our favorite retailers is irresistible. Great Canadian Rebates is a website offering us just that. Although the site is Canadian, it has an extensive US membership and offers.









Here’s how the website works:

First, you need to register.  There is no fee required to register and there are no membership fees.  After registration, you can earn cash back rebates by shopping at hundreds of your favourite merchants on the Great Canadian Rebates website.  Just for becoming a member, GCR will deposit a toonie into your account.

For every purchase made through the website, Great Canadian Rebates gets a commission from the merchant and, according to them, they pass most of the commission back to you in the form of a cash back rebate, which is paid by cheque or can be directly deposited into your PayPal account on a bi-monthly basis. Most rebates are posted to your Great Canadian Rebates account within 72 hours but it may take up to 30 days from the time of the purchase for the rebate to appear.

There is a minimum 45 day wait period before you’ll actually be paid a rebate. This is so Great Canadian Rebates can collect their money from the retailer and ensure that merchandise hasn’t been returned. If you decide to return a purchase, the rebate earned will be debited from your account. The cash back rebate will remain if the return is only to exchange a size or get an item in a different colour.


Great Canadian Rebates updates their coupons, sales and deals daily. Some of the over 300 retailers you’ll find on the website include Walmart, Dell, The Bay, Sears, Expedia, Home Depot, Apple Store Canada, Chapters. Indigo, Hotels.com, Sony Style Canada, Groupon, MBNA, American Express and lots more.

Almost every purchase made through Great Canadian Rebates qualifies for a Cash Back Rebate. The exceptions are shipping and handling fees, taxes and any part of your purchase paid for with coupons, gift cards or store credits. You will earn an average of five percent cash back through the website and even more by using their coupons and sales links.

You can also earn referral bonuses of 10 percent on each of your friends who join and earn cash back rebates.
LIMITED TIME $60 MBNA BONUS!

They are also offering $60 cash back when you apply for an MBNA MasterCard and a $25 referral bonus per credit card when any of your referrals are approved by MBNA for any credit card listed on the site and reported to Great Canadian Rebates during November and December.

There are a few simple rules you need to follow in order to qualify for a rebate.

• All orders must be placed through the GCR website, not over the phone.
• You can’t use coupon codes found on other sites.
• Cookies must be turned on.
• Any Ad Blocker program you have must be turned off.
• Click on the appropriate link from GreatCanadianRebates.ca to the merchant before adding to a cart, before a purchase, a reservation or an application.
• Use coupon codes from the GCR site only.
• Purchases must be made by using the online cart, reservation system or application system.
• To make sure of your rebate, be sure to close all other windows you may have opened and click only the link on the GCR website.

All rebates are paid in Canadian funds. Any purchase made in US funds or reported by the merchant in US funds, will be converted into Canadian Dollars based on that day’s exchange rate.

If you do a lot of online shopping, especially at this time of year, you’ve got nothing to lose and cash back to gain when you sign up at Great Canadian Rebates.

Even More Cash Back Tip

If you use your cash back credit card, such as the MBNA SmartCash card, you can earn cash back on your credit card and Great Canadian Rebates.

source: financialhighway.com