A New PayPal report reveals that online spending is the only factor that will enable the British retail sector to grow by the end of 2011
-Almost one in four UK adults (24%) believe online shopping will become the norm and the high street will eventually die out.
- By the end of 2011 shoppers are forecast to spend at least one in every 14 pounds online

Online shopping in Britain is set to boom from £8.9 billion to as much as £21.3 billion in annual sales by the end of 2011, according to forecasts in a new report by online payment service PayPal. This forecast 137 per cent growth in online spending means consumers in 2011 will spend the equivalent of approximately £430 for every UK adult more than doubling the current annual online spending.

As experts debate when Britain will come out of recession, the PayPal UK Online Retail Report, conducted by Experian, predicts that 2011 will offer the first signs that UK retailing has emerged from recession. Online shopping is forecast to see its strongest year ever in 2011, and offline sales are predicted to begin to pick up once again. The report suggests that in the 18 months up to the end of 2010, online shopping is the only area of retailing likely to record sales growth. Without this forecast growth UK retailing could be on track to fall in value by an estimated £11.8 billion by the end of 2011, unless consumers choose to move any of their purchases to other channels.

PayPals report looks at the impact of the recession on shoppers and how shopping habits affect the economy. It forecasts that by the end of 2011, adults will dramatically change where and how they shop.

A new era of considered consumption

A mood of considered consumption is now well established amongst UK adults, with shoppers now scrutinising every purchase before committing to spending money. The need to make the most of their money is also driving consumers online where they believe they will find the best deals.

Nearly 4 in 10 online shoppers (8.7 million) now believe that it is easier for them to budget by purchasing items online rather than the high street, while 47 per cent (10.8 million) believe their money goes further online. Meanwhile seven in ten consumers (33.6 million) say they gather as much information as possible before committing to a purchase, and 62 per cent of online shoppers (14.2 million) believe that the best deals are only available online.

So is this the end of the high street?

While millions will continue to visit UK high streets over the next few years, consumers are set to shift more of their shopping online. By the end of 2011 the forecast is that at least one in every 14 pounds spent shopping will be online, which is undoubtedly made easier now that 15 million homes in the UK have a broadband connection. Already 8.6 million UK adults shop online at least once a week and now nearly a quarter of adults (11.7 million) believe that shopping online will soon become the norm and high street shopping will eventually die out.

Carl Scheible, Managing Director of PayPal UK, said: As we all try to make our budgets work harder during the recession it is hardly surprising many of us have headed online to seek a better deal. In fact almost nine million of us now shop online at least once a week. Online shops have already seen phenomenal growth and by the end of 2011, when the recession is expected to be over, we will be spending at least one in every 14 pounds online.€

Growing sectors

Over the last six months online shoppers have spent the most money per head in travel, financial services and other major purchases, like white goods and cars. These are all areas in which people want to shop around and compare prices, something the internet has revolutionised.

Carl Scheible concluded: The downturn has meant quick impulse buys may be a thing of the past as we now spend longer thinking about what we purchase. However, cost is not the only deciding factor when buying online; an easy and secure final check out is also important to shoppers. 

PayPal offers shoppers a faster and easier way to shop online without having to enter sensitive financial details each time, or even to share them with the online retailer. According to the Payments Council Report, PayPal is the UKs favourite online payment service, with a 21% share of consumer internet payments. Almost one in every ten pounds spent online globally is currently sent via PayPal.

Also of note the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index has predicted internet shopping to continue to grow in 2010 after reporting an increase in online sales growth over Christmas.Online retail sales rose by 17% year-on-year in December to £5.46 billion, ahead of the 2009 average growth rate of 14%. 2010 growth is predicted to be 13%.
“2010 looks set to produce another year of strong results for e-retail, with demand expected to remain high as consumers habitually look online for best buys, and a pipeline of significant improvements emerge, including wider product range availability, even better websites and a greater choice of convenient and more reliable delivery options,” said IMRG chief executive James Roper to Internet Retailing.
Sales of accessories, gifts, electrical goods and health and beauty products all rose strongly in December.
A 13% month-on-month rise in sales at “multi-channel” retailers, which also operate stores, contrasted with an 8% fall at Internet-only companies.
But IMRG said this may have been due to a number of multi-channel retailers, like large department stores, offering guaranteed delivery for Christmas.
Several store groups, including John Lewis and Sainsbury’s, have warned retail sales growth could be slower this year or even flat, as consumers struggle to pay off debts and worry about higher taxes and unemployment.

Magnetic Hematite Bracelets

Reputed to be the best thing for ailments of the hands, wrists and fingers, although knees and back pain have been helped. In many circumstances some people have recorded a difference within 48 hours. Has also helped tension headaches and light migraines.

These are some of the best natural magnetic bracelets and necklaces available because each bead has been magnetised. This produces a very powerful effect by increasing the circulation within the body. Many of our customers recommend these over all other bracelets , because they are comfortable to wear and are made from natural materials. This ensures they will not irritate or leave marks when worn.

How does magnetic therapy work? Nobody knows how the magnets work, but it is widely accepted that magnetism aids blood flow by removing harmful toxins and improving the circulation of oxygen, proteins and minerals around the body. This promotes healthy new cell growth and enhances the body’s own natural ability to heal itself.

Poor blood circulation can be to blame for many of today’s ills. The use of magnets can help enormously in combating the effects of migraines, neck, back and knee pain, rheumatism, arthritis, cramp, gout, angina, depression, period pains and insomnia. Poor blood circulation can cause the whole body to be below par. Magnetic therapy can improve this and give a whole new impetus for life.

The use of magnets as therapeutic devices is not new. Magnetic Therapy is an age-old practice going back many civilisations and was mentioned in ancient writings from many cultures. It is now undergoing a popular revival, this is in part through the influence of modern magnetic materials and also due to the increasing use of magnet therapy in the health and sports arena to relieve pain and encourage healing of injuries.

Magnet Therapy has become an alternative treatment method for many medical conditions. Magnetic therapy is well advanced in Japan, China, India, Australia and Germany. There is growing interest from other countries including Great Britain, Holland, Canada and the United States.

Magnet Deficiency

Magnetism is a basic force in nature: The Earth itself has a natural magnetic field and all creatures are born and live out their lives under the influence of this natural force. It protects life on the planet by shielding us from harmful radiation, and it is said to have a nourishing and beneficial effect on us. Magnetic Deficiency: Many people believe that modern day mankind may be “magnetic deficient” . This condition may be arising from modern life, the insulating effect of living and working in concrete and high-rise buildings. Added to this we are surrounded by a surfeit of electronic and electrical gadgetry. Both of these effects actually block our natural exposure to the earth’s magnetic field. There is also a relatively recent decline in the Earth’s magnetic field. If this ‘magnetic deficiency’ is true, it may be the cause behind many recent unexplained illnesses, and why the use of magnets can have a positive effect in so many conditions.

How Does it Work? One Possible Theory

There are many viewpoints and theories, both new and old, as to how magnets work therapeutically. Is it all in the blood? Many commentators believe magnets have a significant effect on the blood mechanisms within the tissues. While it may be too simplistic to say that blood flow is improved under the influence of magnets, there maybe improvement in certain aspects of the bloods quality and function.

Improved Oxygenation? Magnetic therapy is based on the biological effects of magnetic fields on the living organism. When magnetic fields are properly applied (polarity, intensity and frequency) there is a reaction that is utilized in the treatment of illness, the alleviation of pain, and the general promotion of well being. A magnetic field penetrates every single cell being exposed to the field. This in turn is believed to influence the ion exchange within the cell, which improves the oxygen utilization of the cell. This is important for the healing and regeneration process.

New Product, we now have a range of Hematite Bracelets available for dropship.

Magnetic energy is one of the most basic powers of nature and the strongest natural force in the universe.Widely used by crystal healers and New Age believers, crystal and gem healing is an art and practice, done on a metaphysical level, that is being rediscovered because of the power of the earth’s energies that have been absorbed by these Hematite objects that, in turn, inherit vital healing powers used to heal many types of ailments. It dissolves negativity and prevents you from absorbing the negativity of others.They believe that crystals have physical, spiritual, spirit, crystal energy, tranquility, spiritual awareness, zodiac, powers that can be used for Eastern Medicine treatment of everything from pain, stress, depression, therapy and feeling in the Mind, Spirit and Body. Crystal healers associate Hematite with blood and use it in their rituals for treating blood-related illnesses such as haemophilia, anaemia, heart, kidney and liver diseases, cardio-vascular weakness, menstrual cramps, and nose bleeds. Haematite restores, strengthens and regulates the blood supply, aiding blood conditions such as anaemia. It supports the kidneys and regenerates tissue. They also recommend it for use in treating the stress of jet lag, birth and surgery, tumours, insomnia, leg cramps, nervous disorders and fevers. Hematite was also a Native American remedy for dental problems, pimples, canker sores and alcohol abuse. Hematite stimulates the absorption of iron and formation of red blood cells. crystal healers credit Hematite with the ability to bring about a calm mental state making us feel safe and secure, improve memory, mental focus and concentration, bolster self-confidence, and increase the effectiveness of logical processes of the brain. Haematite is strong, supporting timidity, boosting self-esteem and survivability, enhancing willpower and reliability, and imparting confidence. It helps to overcome compulsions and addictions, treating overeating, smoking and other forms of overindulgence. Considered by followers of the New Age to be an excellent stone for treating mental stress, Hematite has a reputation for helping people bring order to mentally chaotic situations by drawing tension out of the body, neutralizing negativity and releasing anger. They also recognize its power for increasing mental function and believe it can improve memory, mathematical processes, logic, creativity and mental dexterity. Finally, it is an excellent aid in meditation, recognized by healers for calming the mental state, tuning the consciousness and increasing the pathways that lead to inner knowledge. Hematite utilises the magnetic qualities of our yin-yang energies to balance the meridians within the body and to provide a stable equilibrium between the ethereal nervous system and the physical nervous system. It focuses energy and emotions for balance between the body, mind and spirit. The medical benefits of magnets to give pain relief has been traced back more than 3000 years in china, with famous historical people like Cleopatra using magnetic load stones for various type of pain relief in Egyptian history. magnets have been used in the days of ancient Greece, when Hippocrates reportedly used the magnetic rock lodestone to treat sterility. Ancient scientists theorize that magnets promote healing by stimulating blood flow to the affected area, bringing extra oxygen and nutrients while reducing toxins. Another hypothesis is that magnets create a field that alters how pain signals are sent along the nervous system. In the Eastern World magnetic therapies have been used for centuries to treat recurring body pain. Recently in the Western World, it has been accepted as a valuable breakthrough in the relief of pain caused by variety of ailments. We all acquire the benefits from the Earth’s magnetic force. However, with giving this a boost by wearing a Magnetic product it can result in some exceptional benefits. Whilst magnets themselves can not heal, the increased blood flow will reduce pain as well as carrying away toxins, plus it brings in white blood cells which help reduce swelling and inflammation. Viewed as a non-invasive complimentary health product with no known adverse side effects, Magnetic therapy is now being used by top-level sports personalities, famous actors and ordinary people every day. How Does Magnotherapy work? As yet there is no recognised (in the UK) scientific proof but it is widely believed that magnetism aids blood flow by improving the circulation with oxygen and removing harmful toxins, thereby promoting the body’s own natural ability to heal itself through healthy new cell growth. It is also thought to reduce the lactic acid produced whilst doing sport or other strenuous activities. There are scientific reports being conducted that prove magnets have an effect on a saline solution and as blood is mainly a saline solution this could be the scientific proof required why thousands of people throughout the world claim great benefits from using magnets to relieve pain. What ailments have magnets been claimed to relieve? There is an endless list. Some of the more common ailments claimed to respond to Magnetic therapy are: Rheumatism, arthritis, headaches, poor blood circulation, cramp, joint pain, gout, most sports injuries, blood pressure (high or low), fatigue, insomnia and recovery from bone fractures plus many other ailments. Although it is possible magnets may help with the ailments mentioned it is recommend that you continue all medicines you are currently taking until advised differently by your doctor or your professional health practitioner. Are Magnetic therapy products safe for everyone? Yes with a few exceptions which are as follows: • Anyone who has a heart pace maker, insulin pump or similar, or used by their sleeping partner. • Anyone who is pregnant. • Anyone or their sleeping partner suffering from Epilepsy without first consulting their professional medical advisor.

Equilibrium Hematite Bracelet PRICE INCLUDES PACKAGING, HANDLING AND DROPSHIP SERVICE CHARGE. Postage is calculated by weight at checkout and is based on Royal mail First Class Recorded Post. For other post options please go to SHIPPING / POST UPGRADES. *** Please note that Royal Mail do not class 1st Class post items as missing until after 14 Days. *** We would recommend a signed for service to guarantee receipt.

Royal mail strike statement for this week

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has chosen to call further national strike action this week. The details are as follows:

Mail services will operate as normal on Saturday 7th November.

We are really sorry for the significant disruption and inconvenience national industrial action taken by the CWU is having on our customers. We are continuing to urge the CWU to call off all strike action and concentrate with us on supporting customers during the autumn and Christmas peak mail period.

In the event this planned strike action takes place, mail services on Friday and Monday will be very limited and delay to the collection, sorting, distribution and delivery of mail will be inevitable.

What we will do to maintain and recover service
If national industrial action takes place, Royal Mail has strong contingency plans to do all we can to keep mail moving and minimise disruption for our customers:

• Keep mail moving – over 900 managerial and contract drivers will move mail around the country on strike days.
• Delivering mail – we will continue to deliver premium services (Special Delivery™ and Royal Mail Tracked™) to customers throughout the week.
• Use of around 5000 managerial and support people – to maintain premium services, open callers’ offices and to collect mail from Post Office branches, posting boxes and customers where possible on strike days.
• Support the distribution of packets and parcels – we have five additional dedicated and fully staffed sorting centres to aid the distribution of goods through our network.
• Deploy a targeted service recovery plan – concentrate our substantial support resources in areas most affected to deliver mail after the strikes.

Collection of mail

• Collections will operate as normal Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th November and on Saturday 7th November (if you usually receive a Saturday collection).
• Collections will be affected – and very limited – on Friday 6th November and Monday 9th November.
• Royal Mail service teams will be contacting business collection customers to advise as to how collection services will be affected and, in the event we may not be able to collect, provide alternatives for getting mail into our network.
• If resources on the day allow, we will perform extra collections. The late notice may mean that we cannot always contact collection customers in advance.
• We will be continuing to collect mail from all Post Office® branches and from posting boxes, prioritising heavily used boxes, such as those outside Post Offices®.

Delivery of mail

• Mail deliveries will take place Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th November, and on Saturday 7th November, although delivery times may be subject to some variation.
• On Friday 6th November and Monday 9th November mail deliveries in all areas will be limited to the delivery of premium services (Special Delivery™ and Royal Mail Tracked™).

http://www.uk-dropshipers.co.uk/

Service Information for customers

Service Summary for all customers – Tuesday 27th October

We are currently experiencing technical problems with the admin side of the site.

Orders are being received and processed. but we are unable to use the notification buttons for proces and delivered to advise on item dispatch.

If you need details about a specific order please use email to contact us.

We apologise for any inconvenience

As it appears that strike action is being targeted at the end of each week.

To avoid items being caught up in the backlog we would like your opinion as to whether to reduce posting out to between Saturday and Wednesday?

Please leave any feedback in the comment box bellow.

Millions of homes and businesses face over two weeks of postal disruption as as the Communication Workers Union start there strike action. Experts think it will take up to 3 weeks for all the backlog of post to get delivered and back to normal.

Jonathan de Carteret, founder of broker Post-Switch, said that Royal Mail was using special warehouses to house the undelivered mail which will get topped up as and when more strikes take place. Letters waylaid by the first strikes will be the last to get delivered because they will be literally at the bottom of the pile.

“While Royal Mail works through the backlog of letters, it’s unfortunately a case of first in, last out,” he said.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has called further national strike action next week. The details that will effect dropshipping orders are as follows:

Thursday 29th October: Mail Centres and Network Distribution Units. Limited processing, movement and collection of mail (if local collections performed by a Mail Centre)

Friday 30th October: Manual Data Entry Centres (MDEC).

Saturday 31st October: Delivery Offices. Limited delivery and collection of mail (if local collections performed by a Delivery Office)

Royal mail has said:-  We are really sorry for the significant disruption and inconvenience national industrial action taken by the CWU is having on customers and for the uncertainty further announcements of CWU industrial action will cause. We are continuing to urge the CWU to call off all strike action and concentrate with us on supporting customers during the autumn and Christmas peak mail period.

In the event this planned strike action takes place, mail services on Thursday and Saturday will be very limited and delay to the collection, sorting, distribution and delivery of mail will be inevitable.

What we will do to maintain and recover service
If national industrial action takes place, Royal Mail has strong contingency plans to do all we can to keep mail moving and minimise disruption for our customers:

• Keep mail moving – over 900 managerial and contract drivers will move mail around the country on strike days.
• Delivering mail – we will continue to deliver premium services (Special Delivery™ and Royal Mail Tracked™) to customers throughout the week.
• Use of around 5000 managerial and support people – to maintain premium services, open callers’ offices and to collect mail from Post Office branches, posting boxes and customers where possible on strike days.
• Support the distribution of packets and parcels – we have five additional dedicated and fully staffed sorting centres to aid the distribution of goods through our network.
• Deploy a targeted service recovery plan – concentrate our substantial support resources in areas most affected to deliver mail after the strikes.

Collection of mail

• Most collections will operate normally Monday-Friday next week.
• If a mail centre or collection unit located on a mail centre site performs a customer collection, these customer collections are likely to be affected on Thursday 29th October. If performed by a delivery office, collections are likely to be affected – and very limited- on Saturday 31st October.
• Wherever possible we will provide more certainty to customers about the day on which their collection is likely to be affected however, the nature of the CWU strike action means we may not be able to provide absolute certainty to all customers.
• Royal Mail service teams will be contacting business collection customers early next week to advise as to how collection services will be affected and, in the event we may not be able to collect, provide alternatives for getting mail into our network.
• We will be continuing to collect mail from all Post Office® branches and from posting boxes, prioritising heavily used boxes, such as those outside Post Offices®.

Delivery of mail

• In most areas, mail deliveries will take place next week Monday – Friday although delivery times may be subject to some variation.
• On Saturday 31st October, mail deliveries in most areas will be limited to the delivery of premium services (Special Delivery™ and Royal Mail Tracked™).
• Where delivery offices are located on the same site as mail centres, deliveries made from these offices may be affected on Thursday 29th October but will take place on Saturday 31st October.

More information
More detailed information about mail services, including the answers to our most frequently asked questions relating to industrial action, can be found on our website at http://www.royalmail.com/serviceupdates.

Alternatively, if you are a business customer please talk to your usual Royal Mail contact or call the Business Service Helpline on 08457 950950. Residential customers can call Royal Mail Customer Service on 08457 740740.

Again we’d like to say we’re really sorry for the inconvenience we know this industrial action may cause you, your business and your customers.

Regards,

Royal Mail Customer Services

Advice to our Customers during postal problems

Royal Mail workers’ union, the CWU, has announced plans for a national strike on 22 and 23 October, 2009. On the first day mail centre staff and drivers will strike. On the second day delivery and collection staff will strike.

Royal Mail have stated that post during the industrial action period will still be delivered, however delays will be inevitable.  We suggest you to contact your buyer and inform them there may be delays during this period.

To help with the current situation we’re taking a number of steps. 

We will be posting out at 1pm and 5pm on 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd and also 11am Saturday 24th during the disruption,

We have arrangements with alternative postal carriers for delivery of parcels. These rates start at £3.99 for a 3-5 day guaranteed courier delivery for packages up to 2kg this may be reduced to £3.60 soon though.

myHermes is owned by Hermes UK who operate their own delivery network delivering over 100 million parcels each year on behalf of some of the UK’s largest online retailers.
Simple service:

1) You choose the day you’d like us to pick up your parcel

2) Going out? Just tell us the safe place where you’ve left it

3) We’ll make 3 attempts to deliver to your customer

4) Track it online

Interparcel

Offers low cost courier rates, using some of the biggest carriers in the world.

If your item can be sent by an alternative postal carrier we suggest you can this as a new postage option immediately. While the uncertainty lasts, we will have available these alternative courier services to Royal Mail, as these aren’t affected by the industrial action.

http://www.uk-dropshipers.co.uk/