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Social and mobile media are familiar terms to most people with a business interest in marketing and PR. But the emphasis is increasingly falling on localised access and information, meaning these concepts are now vital if your business is to remain competitive in the modern marketplace.
You don’t need me to tell you about the launch of EE, the UK’s first 4G service, currently available in the country’s largest cities. Kevin Bacon has done a decent enough job explaining the ins and outs of high speed Internet on the go during the organisation’s no-doubt phenomenally expensive TV campaign.
What this means for the British public is those irritating buffer symbols, and default ‘Failed to open’ screens will soon be a thing of the past. Crucially then, consumers and customers will become less inclined to surf the web from their desktop or laptop. Not that browsing has been confined to computers for some time now.
Over the last three years State of Search contributor Neil Walker has been studying 402 Google Accounts, 70% of which were linked to B2B websites, with the majority therein small to medium sized enterprises. According to the statistics, since 2010 the percentage of visitors to participating URLs using mobile devices like tablets and smartphones has leapt from 1.6% to 20%.
More importantly, actions on mobile devices, i.e. when a person buys something via their phone, also increased exponentially, and currently account for over 10% of all online transactions made on the sites involved in the study. As such it’s not surprising SoLoMo is a term on everyone’s lips right now, not least fellow attendees at the recent SAScon media conference in Manchester.
Social, Local, and Mobile media is set to be the focal point for progressive British business in 2013, which quite simply means an amalgamation of the three platforms. Google+ accounts, for example, now have a Local tab, giving users area-specific information whenever they are logged in. It’s another step down the route pioneered by the likes of Foursquare and Facebook check-ins, and also indicates how Google sees SoLoMo as imperative for continued success.
The impact on PR of our improved online access and the proliferation of GPS programming will be pronounced. The same goes for sales, marketing, and advertising, as more geographical campaigns are launched to target specific people in particular places. In addition to the social networking aspect, ‘geofencing’ also offers much potential, namely by automatically issuing promotions to mobile users when they are within the vicinity of a business. Certainly food for thought, it should also be impetus to invest in innovative, customer focused ideas based on these concepts, if you’re not already doing so.


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Seagate's new portable SSD storage might work much the same as last year's products did but they look a whole lot more stylish.
Servers & Storage
Here are our picks for the best computers of 2018:
QNAP has launched the HS-453DX, a silent NAS that features an Intel Celeron quad-core processor, HDMI 2.0 output, 4K real-time transcoding and 10GbE high-speed connectivity.
Synology has launched the DiskStation DS1819+, an 8-bay desktop NAS and the RackStation RS1619xs+, a 1U 4-bay rackmount NAS.
OVH has announced a partnership with MyRepublic to offer MyRepublic’s Gamer customers access to OVH’s dedicated servers at exclusive rates.
Norton by Symantec has launched a New Zealand VPN server for its Norton Secure VPN product.
Western Digital has launched the WD Gaming Drive.
If you’re looking for a solid middle-of-the-road NAS that’s got six drives and just enough guts to do justice to most potential everyday applications, the DS1618+ is a good way to go.
QNAP has introduced the TS-2888X, an AI-ready NAS that combines hybrid storage and a ready-to-use software environment.
Crucial has announced the availability of the Crucial P1 SSD, a PC storage device that leverages the NVMe PCIe interface and Micron’s leading-edge QLC technology.
Latest News Articles
- Seagate show off new modular Lyve Drive storage solution
- Seagate's new portable SSDs are as colorful as they are compact
- Samsung give a new coat of paint (and a discount) to their T5 SSD
- Samsung introduce 970 EVO Plus NVMe SSD
- CES 2019: Seagate sharpen portable storage lineup
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LAST UPDATED : Jul 13, 2019, 11:12 AM IST
- Flipkart Republic Day Sale starts January 20: Get discounts on mobiles, electronics and more
Walmart-backed Flipkart has announced 'The Republic Day Sale' which will start on January 20. The e-tailer will offer discounts on mobiles, up to 75% off on TVs and appliances, up to 80% off electronics and accessories, 40-80% on fashion product and home and furniture, up to 90% on groceries and more.
- Amazon Great Indian Sale starts January 20: Get discounts on Xiaomi, Apple, OnePlus phones
Amazon Great Indian Sale will start on January 20 and will go on till January 23. The company will offer all the discounted products for Prime members 12 hours before the actual sale, which is 12 noon on January 19, 2019.
- Samsung says will gross higher sales revenue than Xiaomi in India mobile business
While the latest financial figures are yet to be filed by the company, Samsung’s revenues from the mobile phone business was at Rs 37,300 crore in fiscal 2017-18. Xiaomi, which has had a phenomenal run in India, had closed the same period with revenues of Rs 23,000 crore.
- Fake alcohol: How to check online the liquor you bought is authentic and know the actual price
The online service offered by the Delhi government excise department verifies the genuineness of the liquor. There is also a dedicated app called “mLiquorSaleCheck” on Android that can be used to avail the same service.
- Pullout from diesel won’t affect sales, market share: Maruti CFO
The relationship between Maruti’s Japanese parent Suzuki and compatriot Toyota will also be an enabler in the transition of the company towards more efficient and cleaner vehicles, including hybrids. With BS6 getting implemented from April next year, the company feels that the price of diesel models in the new emission regulation will become “prohibitive”, leading to a substantial shift in demand to petrol-run variants, CFO Ajay Seth told TOI.
- Save up to 80% through discount+ cashback on men's & women's fashion with Paytm Mall
For men, there are special offers on brands like Lotto, Red Tape, Sparx and Action that will help them own the best footwear at incredibly low prices. For women, you can find some stylish layered kurtis, long kurtis and even printed kurtis.
- Monitor lizard organs on sale at Rajkot bookstall
The forest department seized the organs of monitor lizard from a book stall in Rajkot during a raid on Monday. The officials also seized a black coral from the same place. They found 21 black corals and 18 organs of a monitor lizard. The organs of monitor lizard are used in some religious activity and performing black magic, said forest officials.


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Sheffield shoppers queue outside Primark as non-essential shops reopen
Shoppers flocked to Primark in Sheffield city centre this morning after the coronavirus lockdown restrictions were eased.
Non-essential stores in the city have been allowed to reopen in time for Christmas shopping after being forced to shut for one month – and many people wasted no time when their doors opened first thing.
Queues quickly formed outside Primark on The Moor with a one in, out out system in place.
The Meadowhall store will be open for a full 40 hours from 7am today (2 December) through until the closing time of 11pm tomorrow.
Primark chief executive Paul Marchant said: “We are delighted to re-open our stores in England on 2 December, with longer shopping hours to give our customers more time to safely do their festive shopping.
"We have everything this season that our customers expect from Primark, including our famous Christmas jumpers, festive pyjamas and much, much more."


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Written by: Ashley Perlmutter
As inflation continues to rise and be top of mind for the average household, we want to continue discussing how it is affecting our daily life and how to navigate this adjustment. Prices of nearly everything have been skyrocketing over the last few months, and a recent CPI report announced a 8.5% year over year increase in March. This is the highest inflation levels have been in four decades, so it’s certainly making an impact on the wallets of individuals. In fact, according to Moody’s Analytics analysis, inflation is costing the average American household an additional $327 per month.
So, as Americans face new and higher costs that impact their monthly and yearly budget, it is likely many will begin to cut back on their typical spending habits. The following tweet from Liz Ann Sonders shows that ~84% of Americans are expecting to slash their spending to account for inflation. How wIll you be adjusting your budget this spring and what strategies are you going to impose on your current spending habits to adjust to the higher cost of living? Maybe you’ll curb some travel and dine out less? Or, maybe you’ll cut back on “extras” that you might typically enjoy? If you are already changing some aspects of your spending, you are certainly not alone.
While we are discussing the strains inflation is inflicting on the households of many, we want to touch on another interesting tweet we saw – this one about credit card rates. Do you know what the current rates are on your credit cards and lines of credit? So many individuals are carrying credit card debt and do not make it their number one priority to pay it down. As you can see in the tweet below, the average credit card rate rose to a 2-year high of 16.43%, and is only going to rise more as the Fed plans to continually hike rates in order to combat inflation.
If you are carrying credit card debt, make sure you are aware of the interest rates each of these debts incur. You should be attempting to pay your debt with the highest interest rates down first so that you aren’t continuing to pay an exorbitant amount in interest each month. With rates only continuing to rise, you should start thinking more about the interest rates you are currently tied to and your finances as a whole. Setting up a plan to pay off your debts in a timely manner will be extremely advantageous to you and your finances in the long run.


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SMALL businesses in Yorkshire are going bust because of “corporate bullies” who don’t pay their bills on time, according to the regional chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Gordon Millward made his comments after research revealed that Britain’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) were owed more than £35bn in outstanding debts in December last year, which is £2bn higher than the figure reported six months earlier.
Across the UK, 785,000 SMEs were experiencing problems in December with late payments, including 168,000 in the north of England, according to research carried out by Bacs Payment Schemes (Bacs).
Although the number of SMEs experiencing late payments in December was smaller than it had been six months earlier – the figure was 861,000 in early July 2011 – their combined debt was bigger than ever.
In late December, the average SME in the north of England was owed £30,000, which was less than the UK average of £45,000.
The Bacs research indicated that many big businesses are not paying on time. Forty one per cent of SMEs said big firms were the “worst offenders” when compared with private companies, individuals, other SMEs and Government departments.
Mr Millward said yesterday: “Small firms do not have the same cash-flow buffers as larger businesses. Being paid late causes major disruption and is a primary cause of business bankruptcies.
“The Government’s commitment to pay all invoices to small firms within 10 days has improved things considerably, but it is now the larger public sector organisations which are the chief culprits.
“There is little doubt that a number of large household-name corporate organisations are using high-handed tactics to impose extended payment times on their smaller suppliers.
“These policies are being imposed unilaterally as a means of improving larger companies’ liquidity and cashflow situations. This form of corporate bullying is causing business closures and job losses in the small business sector, and are abhorrent and unacceptable.
“The FSB is calling on the Government to ensure that all public agencies follow the lead of central Government and pay all invoices to small firms within 10 days. All contractors used by the public sector should pay their sub-contractors within the same time and all private sector companies used by the public sector should sign up to the Prompt Payment Code.
“Our research shows that the time wasted by owners of small businesses in chasing late payments ranges between one and six hours per week. We are advising small firms to take control by making sure there is a contract in place which confirms payment times and then stipulates penalties – such as interest charges – if payment is late.”
Mike Hutchinson, a Bacs spokesman said: “Our research highlights the challenges faced by many thousands of SMEs in chasing payments from customers and maintaining a healthy cash flow which is the life blood of any successful business.”
Kenton Robbins, the regional director of the IoD, said that late payments stretched all businesses in challenging times.
He added: “The stress that comes from lack of cash then leads to businesses making poor decisions because they are financially constrained.”
A Department for Business, Innovation and Skills spokesman said that legislation alone was not enough to enforce prompt payment of suppliers. The spokesman added: “We need practical, business-focused solutions to help SMEs and make sure they are paid promptly. There are now more than 1,000 businesses signed up to the ICM’s Prompt Payment Code and the Government supports this industry-led approach in which suppliers, including SMEs, are in a position to support membership applications and report any failings.
“One of the most important steps is for businesses to formally agree terms of payments before transactions and stick to these terms.
“Simple practical measures can help SMEs make great strides in securing the cashflow that will help them thrive.”
A CBI spokesman said there was nobody available to comment from its policy staff yesterday.


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New Order To Release New Live Album NOMC15
Following on from the announcement of New Order’s Manchester International Festival residency, the band are pleased to launch the release of ‘NOMC15’.
Recorded in November 2015 at the Brixton Academy in South London, the two-night event saw the return of New Order in support of the new album ‘Music Complete’. The second of the two shows was captured by live recording specialists Live Here Now, and is set for release as ‘NOMC15’ (New Order Music Complete 15) on May 26, 2017. Available now to pre-order as Deluxe Limited Edition packages, the album is released on Double CD, Triple Clear Vinyl (180g) and high definition download, all featuring the new iconic artwork by Warren Jackson.
Additional bundles available exclusively via Live Here Now include a T-shirt and a limited run of A3 Art Prints, reproducing the NOMC15 artwork.
To pre-order and for more information, click here.


text: Image credit: everything possible/Shutterstock.com Starting a business is the dream of many. The vision of creating an environment where unrestrained creativity, innovation, and personal opportunity abounds is too much for hundreds of thousands of dreamers to resist each year. It is estimated that by 2020, 27 million Americans will leave the workforce every year to pursue the dream of self-employment. While a vast majority of new businesses survive the first year, the longer-range outlook is a bit more sobering. On average, nearly half of all businesses will fail to survive their fifth-year anniversary and 30% will survive 10 years. These statistics routinely fail to staunch the inherent optimism of budding entrepreneurs. April 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of Junction Creative Solutions (Junction). An explosive combination of passion and grit, Junction has grown to serve more than 325 brands since its launch and has become an award-winning strategic agency committed to creating high-impact solutions for SMB’s and Fortune 500 companies. While rankings and recognition are important in this highly-competitive industry, Junction’s persistent focus is on delivering superior performance. The Junction team is passionate about driving exceptional results for clients. An unrelenting pride in our work has resulted in Junction being recognized as a top design firm with industry awards on the shelf. “It feels like just yesterday we had reached the 7-year mark! As we achieve this 10-year anniversary, I reflect on the path that we have taken to arrive at this milestone,” commented Julie Gareleck, founder, CEO and Managing Partner of Junction. “The path to success isn’t a straight line. We’ve navigated and thrived in what was considered the worst economic climate, adapted to changes in technology, and tirelessly worked to deliver a positive impact to our clients.” It is imperative to remain passionate about the work and to implement the lessons learned along the way to ensure future growth for any organization. “Regardless of the circumstance, I continue to learn from the challenges and triumphs. We are a better organization today as a result of those lessons.” When asked about the growing team at Junction, Gareleck feels very fortunate to have amazing individuals and team players on her team. “I am humbled by the efforts of the Junction team for without them, this business would not operate. As a CEO, I strive to surround myself with individuals who drive greater value in the areas that I am the weakest. Their unwavering dedication to our clients and this business are what propels this business forward,” says Gareleck. “I also have gratitude for our clients who have trusted us with their business and initiatives. It’s rewarding to see that our work has impacted more than 325 companies, each with unique needs that give us the opportunity to drive value.” The challenges for businesses in this competitive and disruptive environment are unrelenting. As Junction’s portfolio continues to expand, the breadth of our expertise managing and executing multi-faceted, integrated strategies and solutions expands. For those organizations that continue to innovate and focus their efforts on building a long-term, customer-centric culture, the future can promise to be bright for decades to come. To learn more about what is happening across industry, visit our notebook to reference thought leadership that Junction’s team has been publishing for the last decade!


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Adult web cam no credit or money
That’s nearly eight percentage points higher than today’s average credit card APR.
“Most merchant services companies do not want to accept credit card transactions from cannabis businesses,” says Kristi Kelly, executive director of the Marijuana Industry Group, a non-profit trade organization for licensed cannabis businesses. Discover and American Express confirmed they don’t allow cardholders to buy medical or recreational marijuana. Mastercard pleads the Fifth, acknowledging the legality isn’t clear-cut. Click Here to See Who is Online at My Free Cams right now! You can watch hundreds of girls on webcam and video chat with them for FREE!Keep in mind the high cost of a credit card cash advance.The average APR on such a transaction is 23.68 percent, according to a 2017 survey by Credit Visa and Mastercard declined to comment on their policies toward purchases of lottery tickets.
If you do defy the odds, make sure you put your windfall to work so it continues to grow.
After a 2013 New York Times article highlighting the shady business of mug shot removal services, all of the major payment processors — Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express along with Pay Pal — began eliminating mug shot removal companies as customers.
They say the camera adds 10 pounds, and what if that’s true? The camming industry, also known as the live content industry, has blown up in the past few years. The site Cam4 usually offers 500 tokens for around $100, 250 tokens for $50 and 100 tokens for $18.99.
The ban extends to American Express gift cards and prepaid cards as well.
Visa declined to comment, while Mastercard and Discover did not respond to inquiries about their online pornography purchase policies. that permit customers to gamble directly with credit cards,” says Steve Doty, a spokesman for the American Gaming Association.
Capitalizing on the desire to keep former foibles private, mug shot sites will typically cull booking photos, which are publically available government records, and post them online.


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Ad agencies are going through a phase of massive upheaval. Their margins are being squeezed, their services commoditized, and their roles disrupted as technology continues to replace people in the marketing world.
Agencies frequently talk about “reinventing” their business models, but their challenges keep mounting. Here are ten statistics that speak volumes about the situation many agencies currently find themselves in:
In 2011 the revenue of the big four ad holding companies (WPP, Omnicom Group, Publicis Groupe, and Interpublic Group of Cos.) was almost twice as large as that generated by the rest of the top 50 combined – $45 billion to $23.7 billion. (AdAge Agency Report)
In 1984, the average client-agency relationship tenure was 7.2 years. By 1997 that number declined by 25 percent to 5.3 years. Today the average client-agency tenure is thought to be less than three years. (The Bedford Group)
Agency revenue growth has slowed considerably since 2010 for all four of the major ad holding companies. IPG even saw a contraction of 0.9 percent during the third quarter of 2012. (IPG, BusinessInsider.)
The operating profit margin of the top 10 U.S. advertisers in 2010 was one third higher than for the holding companies they engaged. The average profit margin for agency holding companies was 12 percent, compared with 16.5 percent for their marketer clients. (4A’s Profit Presentation)
The average CMO tenure is rising, which could be good news for agencies. It currently hovers somewhere around 43 months, compared with 23.2 months in 2006. (SpencerStuart)
The rates major agency creatives get billed out at is falling. The average hourly billing figure for New York-based creatives fell from $751 an hour in 2008 to $637 an hour in 2011. (4A’s Labor Hourly Billing Rate Survey Report)
The average salary for a media buyer in New York is $40,000. (Glassdoor)
Two thirds of advertising agencies in the U.S. employ fewer than five people. (US Census Bureau)
There were more than 13,200 advertising agencies in the U.S. in 2010. (US Census Bureau)
More than 30 percent of U.S. agency revenue came from digital in 2012, representing more than $10 billion. (AdAge Agency Report)
Image via Shutterstock
U by Kotex believes normalizing periods will help it reach millennials, Gen Z
U by Kotex is looking to continue with recent streaming ads, digital spots, banner ads, shopper marketing and influencer partnerships focused on “Normalizing Periods.”
How the push for anti-‘woke’ advertising could create controversy for brand startups
As some push back on inclusive marketing, startups with more to lose sound off.
Digiday+ Research Briefing: CMO Strategies — How marketers’ social platform budgets stack up
In this week's Digiday+ Research Briefing, we share focal points from Digiday's recently released reports on how marketers’ social platform budgets stack up, and how agencies are feeling less pessimistic about the death of the third-party cookie.
SponsoredWhat the measurement and currency discussion really means to TV advertisers
Ali Mack, head of TV and agency, Experian Major streaming video providers have recently made headlines by adopting new currencies for ad measurement, threatening Nielsen’s long-standing TV ratings monopoly. NBCUniversal, for example, has certified iSpot and VideoAmp as currencies for advanced audiences and formed the Joint Industry Committee with Paramount, TelevisaUnivision and Warner Bros. Discovery. […]
With TikTok star Keith Lee, Pepsi hopes to draw Gen Z to Black-owned restaurants
Pepsi is teaming up with TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee to promote the best Black-owned restaurants with a focus on Gen Z.
Can Meta remain the ‘holy grail of paid advertising’ with challenges, challengers and Advantage+?
With more competitors and less solutions, advertisers sound off on Meta's social ad dominance.


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Innovation is the secret of success for these young guns. They believe a simple idea can transform lives. They dream big and are passionate about their ideas. . . meet India's brilliant young innovators in this special series. Oh yes, they are also winners of the latest Nasscom Innovation Awards.
Part 2: 'Let's create a silicon coast in India'
It has been a rollercoaster ride for Sanjay Vijayakumar who bunked classes during the final year in the engineering college to experiment with new ideas. He was lucky not to be thrown out of his college in Thiruvanathapuram for spending more time during his fifth semester envisioning a start-up, than concentrating in studies.
At 21, when most youngsters of his age would have been busy applying for jobs in the corporate sector, Sanjay decided to begin his own innovative mobile value-added services company, MobMe.
"The company was build out of a passion for technology and a desire to be job creators rather than be job seekers," he says.
Mobile solutions was the obvious choice as they could identify with the people of the same age group and understand their needs. Interestingly, the core team members have known each other for 17 years.
MobMe is the first college start up from Kerala. All the members of MobMe are classmates and friends. Sanjay and his friends are happy to be an inspiration to many students. "There are many opportunities in solving real problems. Be passionate about your idea, and get started," says Sanjay.
Most of the engineering colleges in Kerala have now started an entrepreneurship development cell and are promoting start-ups in campuses.
Incubated at The Technopark, Thiruvanathapuram, the company received a sound platform to scale up. Currently, there are about 40 start ups at the Technopark. "Kerala has the potential to become a telecom hub. There are a number of people with great ideas and now is the time to take the plunge," believes Sanjay.
We are now actively promoting entrepreneurship and incubation of new ideas," he said.
"We dream of the day when the sun will rise to see the 'Dawn of a Silicon Coast' in India," said Vijayakumar who the CEO of MobMe.
Cool and modest about his achievements, Sanjay hopes many more students to think out of the box and take the exciting entrepreneurial journey.
What are the features of the award winning product?
Mobshare is an innovative Mobile Content Sharing and Distribution Network and is MobMe's flagship platform. The peer to peer version allows users to share mobile photos and videos with multiple friends across multiple operators in a single click.
The enterprise version allows media companies/brands to utilise this platform to distribute rich content directly onto a user's mobile as well as allow users to contribute mobile content.
MobMe, a dream come true...
Part 1: India's pride: world's first six-core microchip!
Image: Sony Joy, COO, Sanjay Vijayakumar, CEO, Vivek Steve Francis, CFO(L to R). | Photograph, courtesy: MobMe
ngpay: 1st Indian firm to win WEF tech award
|Live updates on money.rediff.com


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Boise, ID (May 15, 2012) —Through the generosity of customers and associates, Albertson’s LLC is making a $56,000 donation to The Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts in the South and Midwest, following the devastating series of spring tornadoes that impacted the area. The campaign, which began on April 4th and concluded on April 30, allowed customers to select a $1, $3 or $5 donation coupon while paying for their groceries.
“Our customers and associates are amazing, and their generosity during times of crisis is unparalleled,” said Wayne Denningham, president of the Southern Division for Albertson’s LLC. “While the immediate result of the tornado in early April was certainly cause to mobilize, the process of rebuilding takes time and help is still needed as survivors rebuild their lives. We’re grateful that we’re in a position to assist The Salvation Army with its disaster relief mission again this year.”
“The Salvation Army deeply appreciates the generosity of our friends at Albertson’s and their customers,” said Major C. Mark Brown, Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army USA Southern Territory. “When disaster strikes, many people have told us how grateful they are to see our Salvation Army feeding units on the streets, handing out food and drinks to both rescue workers and survivors. But what they can’t see is the army behind the Army — our donors. It is through their generosity that The Salvation Army can help others in times of crisis.”
Albertsons stores from Arizona to Florida participated in the collection campaign via the company’s in-store Food for All program, and over the last year, customers and associates have contributed over $600,000 to help local organizations and disaster relief in the United States.
About Albertson’s LLC
Albertson’s LLC is working to become the favorite food and drug retailer in every market it serves. The company is privately owned and currently operates over 200 stores under the Albertsons banner in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas. For more information about the company, please visit www.albertsonsmarket.com.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army assists nearly 30 million American each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster survivors, clothing and shelter for the homeless, outreach to the elderly and ill, and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, please visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.
About Food For All
Food For All is a non-profit, charitable marketing organization that runs point-of-purchase fundraisers in over 6,000 retail locations nationwide. Proceeds from these fundraisers are allocated to hundreds of anti-hunger organizations and non-profits around the country. Since the organization’s inception in 1985, Food For All has raised over $61 million to fight hunger in America and abroad. For more information, please visit our website at www.foodforall.org or email email@example.com.


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SanDisk unveiled a new microSD card that packs 400 GB of storage, and currently it is the world’s highest capacity card. In an era where people are capturing and sharing more and more photos and video on smartphones, the company is working hard to keep pace with the demands of today’s data-heavy mobile user.
Company claims that its new 400 GB microSD can hold up to 40 hours of full HD video with transfer speeds of up to 100 MB per second, allowing users to move 1,200 photos per minute. SanDisk also promises faster app-loading, with the card meeting the A1 App Performance Class specification.
SanDisk’s 400 GB microSD card will be priced at around US$250, though the company hasn’t detailed when exactly it will become available.
Shopping on Amazon


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Displaying items 85-96 of 284 » View ktuu.com items only< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11-24 Next >
Dear Answer Angel: I frequently work out at the gym after work. If I wear shorts or capri-length (sorry, but yes I do wear capris at the gym occasionally) workout pants, the "sock marks" from my trouser socks show! Is there any way to eliminate these...
Tags: Weddings, Rubber Products Industry, Diabetes, Family, Marriage
Peter Hayes Devin, 55, passed away peacefully in his home on December 30, 2012, after a four year battle with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was surrounded by love and family as he was welcomed into heaven and the arms of...
Bugaboo, the children's brand that introduced $1,000 strollers to the world, is recalling more than 50,000 of its Donkey and Cameleon models after finding a problem with the handle that poses a falling and choking hazard to children. The Dutch company...
Designer Jason Wu's new contemporary collection Miss Wu hits select Nordstrom stores Monday. The 40-piece collection is a mix of relaxed, colorful pieces that showcase Wu's whimsical, street-ready aesthetic. There are plenty of pleated skirts, printed...
Tags: Google+, Kim Kardashian, Jason Wu
Chicago ShoppingHoliday shipping deadlines are receding in the rear view mirror and all the sale ads scream “last minute,” but you haven't even begun to shop. Still, there's no need to pout, because the shops are pulling out the stops for last minute...
L.A. NOWNewport Beach police are setting up a command post near the intersection of Newport Center and Anacapa drives after shots were fired at the Fashion Island mall Saturday afternoon, authorities said....
Actress Elizabeth Banks, notable last year in "The Hunger Games," "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and "People Like Us," is on tap to help celebrate the launch of the limited-edition BabyGap Peter Rabbit Collection at The Grove on Saturday. Banks is...
Sun SentinelMonday is Free Shipping Day 2012 with more than 1,600 merchants offering guaranteed Christmas Eve delivery on online purchases. Some of the store participating: Kohl's, JC Penney, Sears, Kmart, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bed Bath &...
AP Retail WriterNEW YORK (AP) — This holiday season, Burger King won't be the only place where you can have it your way. It used to be enough for stores to promise discounts of up to 70 percent off to lure shoppers during the busy holiday shopping season. But...
Dear Answer Angel: I gave my friend one of those old-timey napkin holders that you see in diners. Now the napkins are gone. Where do I find replacements? — M.P. Dear M.P.: Your question gives me the opening I've been waiting for to issue this...
Tags: Science and Technology
Wary holiday shoppers forced retailers to heavily discount items during December, ultimately handing merchants decent sales but raising worries about consumer spending in the new year. Major chain stores posted a 4.5% sales increase in December compared...
NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market pulled back slightly Thursday, a day after the Dow Jones industrial average posted its strongest gain in more than a year. Retailers reported mixed sales and the prospect of a new budget battle in Congress helped...
Jan 18, 2013 |Column| Chicago Tribune
Jan 4, 2013 |Story| Daily Pilot
Jan 15, 2013 |Story| Los Angeles Times
Jan 7, 2013 |Story| Los Angeles Times
Dec 19, 2012 |Story| Chicago Shopping
Dec 15, 2012 | Los Angeles Times
Jan 9, 2013 |Story| Los Angeles Times
Dec 17, 2012 |Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Nov 26, 2012 |Story| Daily American
Dec 17, 2012 |Column| Chicago Tribune
Jan 3, 2013 |Story| Los Angeles Times
Jan 3, 2013 |Story| Petoskey News
Original site for Nordstrom topic gallery.


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Blog posts tagged "cellphone"
April 17, 2005⇒ Just in case you had any doubts that Verizon’s CEO is an asshole, this interview is awesome.
CEO of Verizon says cell phones suck, and its not his problem.0. (Aside capitalism, cellphone, verizon, wireless)
October 6, 2004⇒ Much of this discrepancy can be explained by increasing cell phone usage, which is distorting the results of phone polling..
it is illegal for pollsters to call cell phone numbers … and there are major demographic differences between landline and cellphone users0. (Aside cellphone, culture, election)


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AT&T-owned satellite network DirecTV has launched an app that will take boxing fans ringside, by way of virtual reality.
The company announced its first foray into the immersive technology today, via an app it calls Big Knockout Boxing VR.
The new software will not stream new fights live, instead offering fans highlights from several of the the Big Knockout Boxing events that took place at Vegas’ Mandalay Bay on June 27 of this year.
The app works for Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR, and will allow users to experience the fights — or at least the highlights — from what appears to be a ringside seat. It promises to be a pretty impressive spectacle, and marks what could be the first of many ways VR technology will be used by the company to promote sales of exclusive downloadable content.
To capture the fight from the perspective of a typical front-row audience member in 360 degrees, the company used five cameras that were specially designed for the task. No word on whether fellow fight-goers can be spied on in the audience, or whether faces and/or bodies are blurred out, but, unless DirecTV provided everyone a release to sign, it is relatively safe to assume they will be.
Jon Molod, the company’s vice president of digital entertainment products, says he sees this app as the first of many ways VR can be used for sports.
“We know that VR can be a deeply engaging entertainment medium. It delivers a compelling sense of ‘being there’ that’s unmatched by any other technology,” he said, “As the technology evolves we hope to find new ways to use VR to enhance not just BKB, but all sports experiences.”
Being able to watch the highlights of your favorite sports team as though you were there is certainly an idea that could catch on, and the use of VR in sporting contexts will surely see more audience testing as the tech and software develops further.


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New Delhi: Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Ditribution, said that Department of Consumer Affairs is working on bringing Hallmarking regulations under the new BIS Act 2016. Shri Paswan commended the revision of the standards on gold jewellery with only three categories i.e, 14, 18 and 22 Karats/Carats under Hallmarking. Shri Ram Vilas Paswan stated it while inaugurating the seminar on “Standards Make Cities Smarter” organized by Bureau of Indian Standard on the occasion of 48th World Standards Day in New Delhi, today. Shri Paswan laid special emphasis on the consumer protection that would get enhanced through new Consumer Protection and the BIS Act.
Shri Ram Vilas Paswan released a pre standardization report regarding Unified, Secure & Resilient ICT Backbone for Smart Cities. Shri Paswan stated that building a smart city is a highly complex task having its own challenges and standards are the only common denominator that can simplify this task. National Standards make the smart cities work safely and smoothly. Besides, it provides important guidance for all aspects of city life, including energy-efficient buildings, intelligent transportation, and improved waste management, thereby builds sustainable communities.
Shri C.R. Chaudhary, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution emphasised on the importance of standards for international cooperation. He stated, that standards provide practical tools for tackling many of today’s global challenges, ranging from managing resources to improving the safety and quality of the life. Shri Chaudhary appreciated the active involvement of BIS in regional standardization work for developing common standards to facilitate trade.
Earlier, Shri Avinash K Shrivastava, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, in his keynote address stressed on the changing scenario and the role Bureau of Indian Standards is playing in the national and international arena.
The theme for this year’s World Standards Day “Standards Make Cities Smarter” was chosen collectively by International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU).


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Samsung has launched the smart phone for the middle class down. Currently, the product named Samsung Galaxy Samsung v. relatives of the Samsung Galaxy has published first in Viet Nam, and September 2014 for this exists in Indonesia.
The current price of HP Samsung Galaxy V i.e. Rp. 1.199, 000.0, which is possible at the Lazada. The price includes a discount. As smart phones at a price of 1 million will compete with other smartphones like the Nokia Redmi Xiaomi 1S and snow 530. So if your phone is capable of competing in the market of Indonesia?
Source: Harga HP Samsung Galaxy V


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Despite the fact that the Ford F-150 has shed a lot of weight thanks to the use of aluminium, it seems that Ford still isn’t happy with the weight of the vehicle. There 2018 Ford F-150 is going to be upgraded and Ford is using more aluminium than before to help make the truck lighter.
The 2018 Ford F-150 is going to not only be lighter than before thanks to Ford adding on even more aluminium, it will also come with plenty of state-of-the- art technology, just as the 2015 model did. Ford do want to stay ahead of the competition and this includes the vehicles from GMC, Chevrolet and Ram.
Recently the Ford F-150 was seen with the Land Rover Ranger Rover Evoque and while there hasn’t been confirmation it does look like it will offer the 3 litre diesel engine that comes from Jaguar Land Rover.
The recent spy photos suggest that the 2018 Ford F-150 has sport redesigned body panels. However, as it was covered up heavily it was difficult to tell if the changes are going to be big or small.
The 2017 version of the Ford F-150 offered up an upgraded engine and this was the V6 3.5 litre EcoBoost, giving 370 horses and 475 of torque and it came with the 10 speed auto transmission. This should be kept with the 2018 Ford F-150 too.


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The Chicago auto show has a reputation as a truck show, and it won't give much ground on that this year. General Motors gm, especially, is rolling out an intriguing array of trucks not seen at the Detroit show last month — or anywhere else.
Other automakers have a variety of models top show, including sleek coupes and updated sedans.
Here's the hot stuff making its debut at the Chicago show, open to media representatives Wednesday and Thursday and to the public Friday through Feb. 17.
Yes! Roadster: German automaker Funke & Will will sell its two-door Yes! Roadster in North America for the first time starting this summer, the company announced at the Chicago Auto Show.
Yes! sports cars, which are handcrafted in Germany, have been sold abroad since 2001. The distinctive Roadster has gullwing doors, a rounded hood and wedge-shaped sides. It comes with a soft top and/or an optional removable hard top.
The standard Roadster 3.2, which starts at $77,995, has an Audi 3.2-liter, V-6 engine with 225 horsepower. For $97,995, there's a turbocharged version with 355 horsepower that can hit zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. An extra $7,995 upgrades the Roadster 3.2 Turbo with a 415-horsepower engine that hits top speeds of 200 mph.
The company will announce the locations of its North American dealers in the next few weeks.
Volvo goes to the dogs: Volvo didn't unveil any new products at the Chicago Auto Show, but it won some hearts anyway with a campaign about pet safety.
With dogs hopping in and out of the XC90, which was fitted with an optional, factory-installed cage that can help protect pets, Volvo says Thursday it is teaming up with Bark Buckle Up, a San Diego-based group that promotes safer pet travel.
The group wants to educate consumers on using cages while pets are traveling or pet harnesses that can be threaded through safety belts.
Bark-BuckleUp says that even if a car is going just 30 miles per hour, a 60-pound dog can cause an impact of 1,200 pounds.
2009 Acura RL: The remade Acura RL gets the largest engine every to grace the upscale Honda brand.
The new 3.7-liter V-6 develops 300 horsepower. It has a five-speed paddle-shifting automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The RL also gets bigger wheels — 18-inch instead of the 17-inch rims in the current model.
It goes on sale in the spring. No price yet.
2009 Volkswagen Routan: German automaker Volkswagen's flat-nosed, rear-engine Transporter (a.k.a. VW Bus) introduced the USA to the idea of a minivan about 50 years ago, even though Chrysler's 1984 vans often get the credit.
Now, VW says, it's time to sell a van again. And this time it's ... a Chrysler minivan. With a VW-styled nose and rump, a typically classy VW interior and, VW is quick and forceful to note, a Volkswagen suspension.
Chrysler will build it for VW at Chrysler's Windsor, Ontario, minivan factory. VW says partnering with Chrysler is a way to get into the van market quickly and relatively inexpensively, and to be sure the van can be produced in large volumes if it catches on. Expect it in showrooms in the fall, starting at less than $25,000.


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Customers select vegetables at a supermarket in Danzhai County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 16, 2020. (Photo by Huang Xiaohai/Xinhua)
BEIJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's retail sales of consumer goods climbed 3.3 percent year on year in September, the National Bureau of Statistics said Monday.
The growth picked up after the major consumption gauge posted its first positive growth this year in August by rising 0.5 percent year on year. ■


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For some time, unemployment has been one of the hot-button economic issues in the UK. At the height of the downturn, which still lingers long in the memory of many people, unemployment soared past 2.5 million people. However, as the latest set of stats for the labour market reveals, the number of people out of work is steadily climbing downwards.
In the three months between December 2013 and February 2014, unemployment in the UK dropped by 77,000, reaching its lowest level for just over five years. Compared to the same period a year ago, 320,000 fewer people were classed as unemployed. In terms of job creation, the April labour market statistics make for even better reading.
Full steam ahead?
For jobseekers, employees and employees alike, it seems that the broader picture hints at everything becoming much, much rosier. As Joshua Raymond, Chief Market Strategist at cityindex.co.uk explains, all the stats seem to go in favour of jobseekers as well as those currently in work. He said:
“The UK unemployment rate fell more than expected to 6.9%, its lowest level since February 2009. At the same time, UK earnings grew with three month average earnings hitting 1.7% and rising above inflation (1.6%) for the first time in four years. All in all, this is another pleasing example of improvement in the UK labour market.
“The fact we now have three-month average earnings rising faster than inflation is an important milestone in the UK recovery. Pressure on consumer spending has been one of the weakest parts of the UK economy in recent years and the ability of the consumer to now earn more than prices are rising gives them greater power and potentially adds another string to the UK recovery”, he added.
Wages catching up
Pay including bonuses rose over the three-month period by 1.7%, compared to just 1.4% a month ago. While unemployment has been falling for some time, the one area where there was room for improvement was wages, which had failed to keep pace with inflation. Fortunately, with inflation falling and wage growth on the up, the employment picture as a whole is improving.


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The Indian rupee is anticipated to experience a downward trend on Wednesday, influenced by losses observed in other Asian currencies and its inability to surpass a crucial resistance level, Reuters reported,
Forecasts from non-deliverable forwards suggest that the rupee may open slightly weaker against the US dollar, following the previous session’s closing rate of 82.8975. Traders emphasise the significance of the 82.80-82.85 range, considering it a pivotal level for the currency.
Despite reported inflows, the rupee has struggled to make headway beyond the mentioned resistance. Some traders speculate that the Reserve Bank of India might be actively acquiring dollars in recent sessions.
On the global front, Asian currencies are generally on a downward trajectory, while the dollar index remains just below the 104 mark. The impact of weaker-than-expected US durable goods and consumer confidence data on the dollar seems limited, with US orders for durable goods experiencing a 6.1% decline last month, surpassing economists’ forecasts.
Analysts from ING Bank describe the US durable goods data as “messy” but note that various core elements and capital shipments figures weren’t soft. Market attention now turns to the upcoming US core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) release.
This follows higher US inflation data for January, leading investors to recalibrate expectations for interest rate cuts this year. The current pricing reflects 80 basis points of anticipated rate cuts, significantly lower than the 175 bps priced in around mid-January.


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Red Lobster has been making some fishy claims about its product, according to a class- action lawsuit filed in California. According to court documents, the plaintiffs say the chain markets its lobster and shrimp as "sustainable" and "responsible" when the truth is very different, IntraFish reports. The lawsuit, which accuses Red Lobster of making deceptive claims, says the chain's Maine lobster comes from suppliers who use "environmentally destructive practices that threaten endangered populations of North American right whales." Part of the Maine lobster fishery lost its Marine Stewardship Council certification last year after a judge ruled that it was a threat to whales.
The lawsuit also states that Red Lobster's shrimp comes from sources that "do not employ the highest environmental or animal welfare standards," including farms in Indonesia, Vietnam, India, and China. The lawsuit calls for the chain to pay damages to consumers and drop its claims of sustainability. Red Lobster declined to comment on the suit, but Marianne LaCroix, executive director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative, tells Maine Public Radio that it is misguided. "The fishermen and the state have been working to protect right whales for over 20 years now and have made great strides," she says. " (Read more lobster stories.)


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Baking mix brand Betty Crocker has announced a partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support’s Coffee Morning.
Supported by Betty Crocker’s new ‘Bake a Difference’ campaign, the tie-in will see the brand donate £100,000 to Macmillan Cancer Support through a ‘one pack = one donation’ mechanic across four selected products:
- Devil’s food cake mix
- Chocolate fudge brownie mix
- Chocolate fudge icing
- Butter cream vanilla icing
The products will be wrapped in Macmillan Green shelf ready packaging to drive awareness. For every pack bought, Betty Crocker will donate 10p to Macmillan Cancer Support, for a total donation of £100,000.
‘Bake a Difference’ kicks-off on 23 August and runs until the event on 24 September. The campaign includes PR, social media, influencer, e-commerce and shopper activity.
Macmillan’s Coffee Morning is a key baking occasion, and this is the second year that Betty Crocker has collaborated with the charity to drive donations to make a difference for people living with cancer.
Maeve Judge, Marketing Manager, Meals & Baking at General Mills, said: “Betty Crocker shoppers bake with purpose – whether that’s a birthday, an event, cheering up a loved one or creating a reason to come together as family – and our partnership with Macmillan’s Coffee Morning highlights another important reason to get out the mixing bowl.
“The 2021 event will no doubt be extra special as people come together after an incredibly difficult 18 months. We’re therefore thrilled to be involved and honoured to play our part in helping the charity continue its crucial work.”
Claire Rowney, Executive Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Innovation at Macmillan Cancer Support, commented: “At a time when people affected by cancer need support more than ever, Macmillan is facing a £100m drop in income, because of the pandemic. Partnerships like this play a vital role in raising these funds so Macmillan can continue do whatever it takes to help people with cancer live life as fully as they can.”


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Wincanton profit drops but it holds dividend
Haulier Wincanton posted slightly lower full year underlying pretax profit on Thursday, but maintained its dividend and said it would emerge stronger from the current recession.
The company, which transports goods such as food, documents and recycling around the UK and mainland Europe, said profit came in at £41.3million ($67.22million) in the year to end March, down from £41.8million the previous year.
Wincanton issued a profit warning in February due to the economic downturn, but said in a statement it had been able to cut costs and that this would help offset continued decline in volumes in the year to March 2010.
Savings: Wincanton issued a profit warning in February due to the economic downturn, but said in a statement it had been able to cut costs
The dividend was held at 14.9 pence a share.
'We do not underestimate the short-term challenges facing the group but remain confident in its ability to again deliver good profit growth over time. We therefore believe it appropriate to maintain the full year dividend,' the company said in a statement.
Wincanton added that it would was keen to grow both organically and by acquisition, although deals are unlikely in the current year. It also said it had reached an agreement with pension fund trustees on how to wipe out a fund deficit.
'FY10 guidance is in line. And more significant is news of the deal with pension trustees, which appears to leave the dividend intact,' said Douglas McNeill, analyst at Blue Oar.
Wincanton shares, which have gained nearly 50 per cent in the past three months, were flat at 166.75 pence by 0710 GMT, valuing the business at £206million.
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In October 2019, Dean & DeLuca, the iconic gourmet grocery chain, closed its last location in Soho. The company had been on the decline since 2014, when it was purchased by Thai company Pace Development, with customers reporting empty shelves while vendors — many of them small, local businesses — begged the company to address unpaid invoices.
Nearly six months later, Dean & DeLuca has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to Bloomberg. In court documents, the company’s legal representatives say it is down to just one employee and listed liabilities totaling nearly $500 million against less than $50 million in assets. A large chunk of that includes $275 million in debt to creditors, the largest being the company’s owner, who is owed $250 million.
The numbers are grim, but apparently owner Pace Development hopes this won’t be the end. According to filings, they’re seeking to restructure the debt and eventually reopen stores in New York City.


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Warsaw-based OrthoPediatrics Corp. (Nasdaq: KIDS) is expanding its marketing footprint to Europe. The orthopedics device maker, specializing in children, says it has established a direct sales organization in Germany.
OrthoPediatrics GmbH is the Kosciusko County company’s first direct international organization.
“Having a direct organization in Germany will provide better insights on the unique needs of the pediatric community there, along with additional resources to meet the needs of our expanding customer base,” said Mark Karshner, senior vice president of international sales at OrthoPediatrics. “With our growing presence we aim to enhance surgeon relationships and provide a deeper level of service that we believe will ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.”
The company says it has maintained a presence in Germany in ten years in support of distributors. But Karshner says the new direct organization will lead to even deeper connections to Germany’s orthopedics community.


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The Coca-Cola Company and Brown-Forman – which produces, markets, and distributes fine spirits and wines – have announced a new ‘iconic’ partnership to bring ready to drink Jack Daniel’s & Coca‑Cola to consumers in Europe. Inspired by the classic bar cocktail, Jack Daniel’s & Coca‑Cola Ready-to-Drink (RTD) is a pre-mixed cocktail made with Jack Daniel’s…
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Half of identity fraud victims in 2012 had also received a data breach notification in the same year, a new report from Javelin Strategy & Research finds.
Javelin’s 2013 Data Breach Fraud Impact Report finds that data breaches are increasingly correlated with fraud; if your personal information is compromised in a data breach, you are much more likely to end up being a victim, said Al Pascual, a senior security, risk and fraud analyst at Javelin. The fraud in question usually involves using the stolen information to create a new account in your name, or to gain illegal access to an existing account.
Javelin cites information from the Open Security Foundation, a nonprofit that collects information about data breaches, which found that there were 1,611 breaches in 2012, a 48 percent increase over the prior year. And the impact can be significant. In a case study examined in the report, Javelin calculated that a breach of the South Carolina Department of Revenue, which led to the exposure of 3.6 million Social Security numbers and thousands of payment card numbers, cost affected consumers an average of 20 hours and $776 out of pocket to resolve.
While there is little consumers can do to prevent data breaches at large companies or government agencies, they can take steps to protect themselves if they get a notification of such a breach. But the statistics suggest that consumers aren’t acting when they are informed that their information was compromised, Mr. Pascual said.
“They’re getting notifications, but they’re not acting on them,” he said. “If they were, the numbers would be lower.”
His advice? If you receive a data breach letter, “Don’t just throw it away.”
Rather, he advises, if you receive a notification, there are some steps you should take as a result:
— If you are offered free identity protection services after a breach, use them. The services can help notify you of suspicious activity on your credit report, and offer assistance in resolving any fraud that occurs.
— Contact your bank or credit card company and ask about any potential effect the breach could have on your accounts.
— If your Social Security number is lost or stolen in a breach, placing a fraud alert on your credit report can flag lenders that any application for credit should be given greater scrutiny. A security freeze is a stronger option, as it will prevent any lender from accessing your credit file. But be aware that you will need to remember to lift the freeze temporarily, if you need to seek credit, apply for a job or rent an apartment.
— Monitor your financial accounts by signing up for e-mail or text alerts, which can notify you quickly of any unusual activity, such as an unauthorized funds transfer or a change of address. (According to Javelin, changing the physical address of a bank account occurred in more than half of account takeover frauds, in which a criminal illegally gains access to your bank account).
Have you been notified of a data breach? What steps did you take to protect yourself?


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Retailers face a very unmerry Christmas
A sales crisis looms as frugal shoppers hang on to their cash.
ZHU ZHU Pets, pocket-sized hamster dolls that go by names like PipSqueek, Num Nums and Mr Squiggles, are being tipped by leading retailers as among the hottest toys for Christmas.
Kmart and Toys 'R' Us are so smitten with the interactive toy pets that they have packed their shelves with the little critters and placed upon their tiny furry shoulders their collective hopes that the fog engulfing Australian shoppers will clear just in time for the key gift-buying fortnight before December 25.
Items such as Zhu Zhus (Chinese for little pig) are typically priced under $20 - the critical price point that will provide an affordable indulgence for parents this Christmas while keeping children happy, according businesses and retail industry experts.
Items like these may also save the bottom line. This is because retailers are having to work overtime to encourage increasingly reluctant shoppers to open their wallets. A frugal mood has hung around since the middle of the year, and it has worsened since the official interest rate increase last month and the decision by the big four banks to go above the Reserve Bank's 25 basis points rise.
This thriftiness comes at a bad time for shops, big and small, as many make most of their annual profit between now and the new year.
Some retailers, like Myer, David Jones, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman, are increasingly relying on discounts and promotions to bring in customers. Others have deliberately selected merchandise to match the more frugal mood.
But retailers who ordered their Christmas stock nine months ago when consumer confidence was in better shape could be caught out.
''Budget constraints are definitely real and people are looking to shop around more than ever,'' says Kmart's general manager for marketing, Paul Church.
''Toys in the range between $10 and $20 are certainly shifting a lot of volumes and gifts right across the store at $20 or less is where the main offer is.''
Chris Ozdilian, owner of H&H Jewellery in Elsternwick, is acutely aware of the situation. ''Everything's a bit down,'' he says.
He says his profits are down about 10 per cent compared with last year, but he still feels lucky. ''I've been hearing from other jewellers - some of them are 40 per cent down,'' he says.
It seems shoppers have a lot on their minds. Higher interest rates, rising energy prices and a new fixation to reduce personal debt have diverted funds from suburban shopping centres and strips.
A recent consumer sentiment survey by Mortgage Choice found that 27 per cent of respondents were worried about the cost of living, compared with 17 per cent a year earlier.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data has confirmed this view, with spending on telecommunication goods and services, such as mobile phones and the internet, dropping by a record 3.1 per cent. Petrol sales fell 5.2 per cent in the year to September - the biggest decline in 25 years of records.
The sector cannot even rely on a balmy summer to generate sales. Unseasonably mild and wet weather, especially in the eastern states, has helped to push fashion and fashion accessories turnover even lower.
Retail figures released on Thursday revealed just how bad things have become: a 1.1 per cent slide in national retail sales in October was the worst result in more than a year; Victoria's wettest month in nearly six years helped slash cafe and restaurant sales 21 per cent; and non-food retailing dipped 2.2 per cent sales - the biggest retreat in 20 months.
''We're a fashion destination; we are full of summer fashion stock … categories like swimwear and beach towels are doing it tough,'' says David Jones chief executive Paul Zahra, speaking after the annual meeting yesterday.
''Even though we've had the odd hot day, it has to be a sustained period of warmth to motivate people to buy.''
But Zahra says he is ''cautiously optimistic'' entering the crucial holiday season.
''People tend to be holding back,'' he says ''Christmas may change that going into the next four weeks, but it might not.''
Westpac economist Matthew Hassan says the Christmas season is looking ''pretty ominous'' for retailers.
Australians, traditionally savings-averse, cranked up household savings to 10.2 per cent of income in the third quarter, up from 8.9 per cent in the previous quarter and the highest in two decades, except during the government stimulus handouts. ''Savings hasn't just risen, it has surged dramatically,'' Hassan says. ''We really can't understate the significance of that.''
He says consumers have been ''deeply traumatised'' by the financial crisis and rapidly rising interest rates. ''The two events really got households quite concerned about their debt levels,'' he says.
''I think many parts of the mortgage belt came very close to experiencing difficulties through that period. Since then the theme has been about getting debt levels under control.''
ComSec chief economist Craig James says it remains to be seen how long consumer conservatism will remain, but while it does retailers can expect fewer sales.
''Some consumers look at the rising cost of utility bills or their monthly rent or mortgage payments and feel that they have no alternative but to cut back on spending in other areas,'' he says.
''Whatever the rationale, consumers are very selective about purchases, are more active in budgeting, doing comparison shopping and scouring for bargains. Retailers remain under pressure in this environment.''
Toys 'R' Us general manager of marketing Marion Joyce says this year, when it comes to toys, small is beautiful.
''Collectible toys - like Zhu Zhu Pets, Party Animals, Mighty Beans and Polly Pocket - are part of one of the fastest growing categories of 2010 and are expected be best sellers this Christmas,'' she says.
Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens has welcomed the new enthusiasm for saving, which will probably only further infuriate retailers who strongly argued the November rate rise was unnecessary and a danger to the sector's health.
In a speech to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, delivered on Monday in Melbourne, Stevens said: ''In all the circumstances, considering what has happened around the world in recent years, more cautious behaviour by households is not surprising. Nor, I would argue, is it unwelcome.
''Consumption deferred - private or public - can easily be enjoyed in the future; consumption we get used to today is harder to wind back in the future if circumstances change.
''These issues, and the associated structural adjustment issues (some sectors could shrink), no doubt will pose a challenge. But that's the challenge of prosperity - and not a bad challenge to have.''
It's that shrinking feeling that many retailers are feeling now.
''People don't actually like seeing cash part from their fingers,'' says Jo Mancuso, owner of women's clothing store Urban Soul in Elsternwick. The long spring rains have not helped summer fashion, she says, and the government's stimulus money was spent long ago. People are buying on credit cards, she adds, but without enthusiasm. Turnover in her shop has dropped 10-20 per cent compared with last year.
''I can see people becoming more and more indecisive … they're not sure. People are holding back,'' she says.
At the bigger end of town, department store owners like Myer and David Jones are slashing prices, offering large discounts on key items well before the traditional Boxing Day sales.
This tactic is usually out of reach for smaller independent retailers and shopping centres that cannot afford to crimp margins further. Myer has no such qualms, after an attempt to limit its discounting strategy from July was met with a competitive onslaught from rivals such as JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Pumpkin Patch and Target. Myer quickly returned to its aggressive discount ways.
But if there is one thing binding the big department stores and retail chains with the small independent retailers during the consumer retail malaise, it is the growing threat of the internet.
Australians have grown more savvy and confident in surfing the net for shopping, just as parity or near-parity with the US dollar has made goods much cheaper to import from the US.
The huge shift online has caught the attention of one of Australia's most successful and outspoken retailers, Gerry Harvey. Last week, feeling the pinch of shoppers bypassing his shops and going online, he called for protectionist walls via the lowering of the $1000 threshold at which imported goods are exempt from GST.
The plea may have only served to encourage consumers to venture on to the web to see what all the fuss is about, and sites like eBay have been the immediate winners.
An estimated 6 million users a month are flipping through eBay's Australian site, with the business priming for a big Christmas sale to rival any large department store, offering 300 special items on heavy discount in a seasonal sale triple the size of last year's.
But eBay spokeswoman Jenny Thomas rejects the notion that online shoppers are robbing the local economy of revenue and jobs.
''That's not true from what we are seeing,'' she says. ''If you are online, you absolutely can reap the rewards of Aussie consumers who are going online to shop.''