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Fashion and pizza: soaring sales despite credit crunch
Online fashion firm ASOS saw sales more than double in the six months to 30 September, compared to the same period a year earlier, a trading update shows.
Meanwhile Domino's Pizza saw sales up 8.8% year-on-year in the third quarter.
Both companies remain positive in their outlook and expect strong growth to continue, as consumers seek out deals.
Many firms have been hit as consumers try to tighten their belts, following higher fuel prices and mortgage costs.
However ASOS, which has its own brand clothing as well as discounted designer labels, has benefited from solid demand from young customers and a shift to online spending.
Chief executive Nick Robertson said: "We believe that our business dynamics and customer base should be resilient to the wider economic issues and that online shopping will continue to gain market share."
Domino's has also benefitted from consumers' desire to save money, as eating at home becomes increasingly attractive.
James Cooke, an analyst at Panmure Gordon stockbrokers, said: "Despite the slowing of the economy and squeeze on consumer spending, Domino's Pizza continues to see organic growth in the business". Online fashion firm ASOS saw sales more than double in the six months to 30 September, compared to the same period a year earlier, a t... more -
Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 9/6/08
Young Jeezy bumped a single slot in a week with his junior effort Recession [click to read] selling 89,941 in its second week. One of the new faces of Def Jam (along with Rick Ross) outsold one of the label's reasons for existence - LL Cool J, in his opening week with Exit 13 [click to read]. The rapper of over 23 years cracked the charts just above the 10 spot, selling 43,645 units in its first week, of an album given less than stellar critical reviews. One of LL's champion advocates, The Game [click to read] takes #7 with LAX [click to read] selling 49,241, nearly half of last week's numbers, but remaining the top-performing Interscope/Geffen/A&M rap artist - with Eminem and Dr. Dre returns forever in the mix.
After reigning the charts for weeks, Lil Wayne [click to read] stands between The Game and LL Cool J, at #8 with his Tha Carter III [click to read], selling 47,345 units. Lastly, rounding out the top rap-related showings, the Gym Class Heroes [click to read] reminded fans that they can still bully the charts on the playground, with their most recent major label showing, Quilt, doing 32,195 , placing them at #14.
See all the sales here....
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7721 Young Jeezy bumped a single slot in a week with his junior effort Recession [click to read] selling 89,941 in its second week. One of ... more -
Wal-Mart Sales Climb on Back-to-School Discounts
Sept. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s August sales exceeded analysts' estimates after discounts lured shoppers from department stores and malls facing what may be the worst back-to-school season in seven years.
Industry sales at stores open at least a year climbed 1.7 percent, the smallest monthly gain since March's 0.5 percent decline, the International Council of Shopping Centers said today. Same-store sales at Gap Inc., Target Corp. and Abercrombie & Fitch Co. fell.
Consumers headed to Wal-Mart and Costco Wholesale Corp. to buy groceries and gasoline as the spending boost from government tax rebates waned. J.C. Penney Co. and American Eagle Outfitters Inc. promoted discounts to entice customers to buy clothes, a strategy that may lower profits during the holidays.
``People waited as long as they possibly could to do their school shopping, and they were only out buying what they absolutely need,'' said Jon Fisher, a Minneapolis-based manager who oversees $1.5 billion in assets at Fifth Third Asset Management, including Target shares.
``It's going to be a tough Christmas,'' Fisher said. ``It's the same environment. Stores are going to have to discount to compete for what little traffic is out there.''
Back-to-school purchases from July through September, retailing's second-biggest season after Christmas, may climb 1 percent to $38.5 billion, according to the ICSC. That would be the slowest growth since 2001.
Wal-Mart Sales
August same-store sales rose 3 percent at Wal-Mart, exceeding its forecast for a 1 percent to 2 percent gain, as purchases accelerated during the second half of the month, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company said.
Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, fell 1 cent to $59.78 at 4:01 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Gap fell 4.2 percent, while Abercrombie & Fitch declined 6.8 percent.
U.S. shoppers cut back on non-discretionary purchases after gasoline prices surged past $4 a gallon earlier this year and costs to buy milk and bread rose. In response, the U.S. government issued rebate checks to stimulate consumer spending. Sept. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s August sales exceeded analysts' estimates after discounts lured shoppers from ... more -
Housing market declines
The turn of the Lower Mainland real estate market's cycle has been more dramatic than expected, with real estate boards reporting another drop in sales and slide in prices at the end of August. The turn of the Lower Mainland real estate market's cycle has been more dramatic than expected, with real estate boards reporting... more
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Is Pay-As-You-Go Car Insurance a Good Idea?
"Legislation is currently underway in California" that would make this possible and Progressive has a similar option to its customers in other states. Progressive's program requires access to when and how you drive. California officals will not make that part of the policy. Is this a crucial difference in ideas? Do you think that's too much informaton released?
Safe drivers might like Progressive's idea because they hope that they will be rewarded for their great driving with lower rates. I personally don't see that as the case. What do you think? "Legislation is currently underway in California" that would make this possible and Progressive has a similar option to its ... more -
Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 8/17/08
Not a whole lot going on in Hip Hop this week as Lil Wayne continues his dominance on the charts. In his 10th week on the charts, Weezy’s Tha Carter 3 holds steady at #6 with 61k sold (2,204,760 sold overall). Rihanna’s re-release of Good Girl Gone Bad continues to surge as it pushes its way to #9 with another 42k sold in its 63rd week on the charts (1,636,704 sold to date). Lloyd’s Lessons In Love falls ten slots to #17 with 22k sold while Nas’ Untitled continues to head towards gold with just under 19k sold (335,176k sold overall). Yung Berg makes a splash with his Look What You Made Me album debuting at #20 with 19,150 sold.
See all the numbers here....
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7548 Not a whole lot going on in Hip Hop this week as Lil Wayne continues his dominance on the charts. In his 10th week on the charts, Weez... more -
Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 8/10/08
Still a slow week for Hip Hop as Lil Wayne remains at the #5 spot this week with 67,100 sold. Tha Carter 3 was beat out by releases from the Mama Mia soundtrack, Miley Cyrus, Sugarland, and Kid Rock, respectively.
R&B crooner Lloyd's latest effort, Lessons in Love, driven by its lead single "Girls Around the World" featuring Lil Wayne, debuted at #7 this week selling 51,000 copies in its first week. Rihanna's re-release of Good Girl Gone Bad continues to climb the charts from #12 to #9 this week, selling 43,800 copies. Nas takes a drop from #10 to #17 with his controversial untitled album selling 24,900, while Usher rounds out the top 5 for Hip Hop and R&B with 15,500 copies sold. Here I Stand is now inching towards that coveted platinum plaque.
See the numbers here....
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7506 Still a slow week for Hip Hop as Lil Wayne remains at the #5 spot this week with 67,100 sold. Tha Carter 3 was beat out by releases fr... more -
Microsoft lies to XP users—and they start to love Vista
In about two weeks, Redmond has managed to turn a marketing idea into something that may just shock you. Microsoft blogger Ina Fried is reporting that Microsoft managed to trick XP users in San Francisco into loving Vista simply by telling them a small fib. The company told these users that they were using a new version of Windows, codenamed "Mojave." When asked about their experience with using Mojave, over 90 percent said they were impressed with what they saw. Then Microsoft told them they had been using Vista all along.
The company hasn't figured out how it will use this to market Vista (the company has video footage of users exclaiming "wow!" and so on), but the Mojave project will likely help in Microsoft's plan to tell the "real Vista story." This is some real ammo here: these are XP lovers saying they love Vista, not just more Microsoft employees giving statements to sell the software giant's latest operating system.
Bill Veghte, Microsoft's senior vice president of Online Services & Windows Business Group and the man who recently outlined the Windows roadmap, strongly believes that Vista's negative opinion by many users is due to poor perceptions created by the media, from Apple's anti-Vista ads to many journalists spewing Vista hate because it brings in the hits. Mojave is a perfect example of this—to an extent. Microsoft has time and again admitted that Vista has its problems, but has also emphasized that the majority of problems have been fixed. What's your take on the Mojave story? In about two weeks, Redmond has managed to turn a marketing idea into something that may just shock you. Microsoft blogger Ina Fried i... more -
GM bankruptcy possible
Shares of GM fell more than 4 percent to $11.25 in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Murphy also lowered his forecast for 2008 U.S. industry-wide light vehicle sales for the third time this year and said the recent drastic decline in sales would likely to continue through 2009. Shares of GM fell more than 4 percent to $11.25 in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Murphy also lowered his forecast for ... more
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Switching part 2 - Short Film
We catch up with Royston and Dennis in our sequel to Switching
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Switching 2 - Theatrical Trailer
Theatrical trailer to our original Switching comedy short starring Ken Mabbott and Eddie Butler
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Switching - Short Film
Meet Royston Burton. A sales rep from TNT Energy. He has a passion for film and is paid commission for switching customers back to the company that he works for. He really just wants a friend. Meet Royston Burton. A sales rep from TNT Energy. He has a passion for film and is paid commission for switching customers back to the... more
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Japan's sales tax may rise due to aging population
In short, the current 5% sales tax will not be enough to pay for the influx of people that will be eligible for aid next fiscal year. The Financial Minster pushes the idea to increase the national sales tax to combat the costs as soon as possible. Prime Minister Fukuda expresses similar concern. Tokyo is already the second most expensive city in the world to live in-- imagine after the tax!
Sooner more than ever, travelers should shop duty-free! In short, the current 5% sales tax will not be enough to pay for the influx of people that will be eligible for aid next fiscal year. ... more -
Lease on a Channel island up for sale
Herm in the Channel Islands is about 1.5 miles long and less than half a mile wide. It has only 50 inhabitants, which are swelled by 80 staff during the holiday season, and now its tenants are selling the lease. Adrian and Pennie Heyworth, who have run the island for the past 28 years, have decided it is time to move on.
The decision will bring to an end the longest tenancy in Herm's history, dating back to 1949 when Mrs Heyworth's father, the late Major Peter Wood, took on the lease. Since 1980 Mr and Mrs Heyworth have held the lease of the island which is owned by the States of Guernsey. Herm in the Channel Islands is about 1.5 miles long and less than half a mile wide. It has only 50 inhabitants, which are swelled by 8... more -
Man gives buyers false hope; sells fake viagra
The general manager of a Shanghai chemical company was jailed for two years on Thursday for selling fake tablets of the male impotence drug Viagra on the Internet, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Yu Bohuai made a profit of over 60,000 yuan ($8,585) in 2006 and 2007 by selling 14,030 fake tablets to clients abroad and in Shanghai. He was arrested last July.
Can you imagine how distraught his buyers were; "I've taken 5 of these pills and nothings happening!! WHAT's WRONG WITH ME!!!???" The general manager of a Shanghai chemical company was jailed for two years on Thursday for selling fake tablets of the male impotence... more -
Little Known Tip for When You Advertise
Use testimonials rather than a typical ad message! Why? For 2 reasons...
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How to Become A “Guru” and Gain More Customers
If you are seen as the expert, then you no longer have to sell, you recommend. A doctor doesn’t sell his services, he or she recommends solutions as the expert. People would rather buy from experts than from a salesperson or even an ad. If you are seen as the expert, then you no longer have to sell, you recommend. A doctor doesn’t sell his services, he or she recommend... more
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5 Mistakes Many Entrepreneurs Make
Whether you are an emerging entrepreneur just launching out or you’ve been in business for several years, you may have been (or still could be) guilty of one of these mistakes that many entrepreneurs make. Whether you are an emerging entrepreneur just launching out or you’ve been in business for several years, you may have been (or still ... more
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Rising Sales of Bottled Water Trigger Strong Reaction From U.S. Conservationists
Bottled water sales in the United States reached 8.82 billion gallons in 2007, worth $11.7 billion, making the U.S. market for bottled water the largest in the world, according to Beverage Marketing, a provider of beverage industry data. Worldwide, water bottlers sold 47 billion gallons, or 178 billion liters, in 2006, up from 43 billion gallons in 2005.
Campaigners against bottled water cite concerns that include energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, waste, the environmental effect of water extraction, the perils of privatization and social issues.
"We're at the beginning of an awakening of the costs of our bottled water use," said Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute, a sustainable development research organization in Oakland, California.
Last year, the institute saw "cities canceling contracts and prohibiting employees from buying bottled water," Gleick said. "We saw restaurants very publicly moving away from bottled water. We saw public campaigns starting. We saw local controversies."
In the United States, city, state, and county governments have legislated to limit bottled water use or promoting tap water. Restaurants, schools, and religious groups have adopted similar policies, according to the Earth Policy Institute, in Washington.
The energy required to make water bottles in the United States is equivalent to 17 million barrels of oil annually, Gleick said. Globally, the bottling industry uses the equivalent of nearly 100 million barrels of oil each year, excluding transportation. Gleick said the Fiji brand of bottled water sold in Los Angeles traveled about 2,000 miles, or more than 3,000 kilometers, from the source to the store, effectively doubling its use of energy.
Making plastic water bottles causes greenhouse gas emissions and uses water - about three liters of water to produce one liter of bottled water, Gleick said.
In the United States, less than 20 percent of water bottles are recycled, according to the Container Recycling Institute.
Jane Lazgin, spokeswoman for Nestlé Waters North America, said Nestlé was an industry leader in reducing the plastic in bottles. In April 2007, it introduced a bottle that used 30 percent less plastic than regular bottles. The company planned to move all of its products to the new bottle, she said.
Extraction also can have environmental effect. "Water is a renewable resource," Gleick said. "It's a cycle. But a renewable resource by definition is a flow-limited resource." Overextraction "affects everything around it: flows and rivers and streams, ecosystems, groundwater levels."
Climate change will increase pressure on freshwater supplies, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Gigi Kellett, director of the Think Outside the Bottle campaign with Corporate Accountability International, an organization that fights corporate abuse, said the water bottle industry was changing the public's opinion about water, from a basic right to a commodity. Bottled water sales in the United States reached 8.82 billion gallons in 2007, worth $11.7 billion, making the U.S. market for bottled... more -
February NPD sales show a declining Xbox 360 and rising PS3
"The console sales numbers for February are here, and sales have yet to slow down appreciably from the phenomenal year we had in 2007. But Microsoft has cause for concern about Sony's performance. The Xbox 360 maker told us to expect this a slow month due to supply constraints, but many observers won't concern themselves with the whys of a second consecutive disappointing month. Instead, the story will be that Sony has smoked Microsoft two months running. Sony now has some strong momentum that it can ride into the launch of industry juggernauts like Metal Gear Solid 4—which Sony will exploit with a new system bundle to draw in first-time PS3 buyers—and Gran Turismo 5: Prologue." "The console sales numbers for February are here, and sales have yet to slow down appreciably from the phenomenal year we had in ... more
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