Archive for February, 2010
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.
Posted in 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.
