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Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

We’re now half way through October and a definite chill has drifted over the UK. The supermarket shelves have been dressed with festive chocolates and signs reminding you to order your Turkey have been displayed around the car parks.  Weather forecasters are already beginning to predict whether or not we are going to have a white Christmas!

Companies across the UK will be starting to think about booking their Christmas events soon, whether this is a traditional Christmas dinner or team building style event, and it won’t be long until festive tunes play out across department stores…and it won’t be much longer until the high streets are heaving with shoppers looking to buy all of their presents!

Now, as much as I love a good old wintery shopping trip I know how stressful it can be too. This is why I believe we should do as much research online as possible so that you have a good idea on which presents you’re looking for and you’re fully prepared when you hit the shops.

Browsing at shops online gives you an idea on how much different gifts are likely to cost and what gifts are actually out there. You can also compare different products from different stores to guarantee that you get the best price too. To avoid disappointment you can even reserve items online!

These few simple steps will help to make sure that your Christmas shopping trip isn’t a stressful affair – you will still have the festive shopping experience, but without the stress!

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Christmas shopping online…. are you aware of the security risks?

It’s ONLY 49days, 15hours and 34mins to Christmas!!! Well at least it was when I started this blog, but you get the gist, it’s that time of year again. The pandemonium is descending upon us as quickly as the associated bills will flood many hall floors in January.

Love it or hate it, the festive season is very hard to avoid particularly if you intend doing any sort of shopping. It’s a retailers dream Christmas, a huge percentage of the population all buying mindlessly at once, so I suppose you can’t really blame them for shoving it in our faces before the last apple has been bobbed for… however if you’ve opted to avoid the total madness of the shops and opted for the peace of shopping online, then take note of the following and don’t run the risk of online security forcing you to adopt a wholly bah humbug opinion of the festive season!

Oh Mr retailer how secure are my details?

I love Christmas don’t get me wrong, but with more and more people opting to buy their stocking fillers and presents from the comfort of their own home, my fear is the level of online internet protection that the general public are receiving when they enter their card details online. The problem is that most people are of the opinion that if the retailer they are purchasing from online is a well-known brand, or a high street chain, that this automatically classifies them as safe but unfortunately this is not an assumption that we can automatically conclude. Therefore it’s important to make sure you apply a high level of computer security and that yourself informed as to which companies are publicised as have ongoing security issues.

Security in numbers… public opinion is split on online security!?!

It does seem however that a section of the population have become much more realistic about the possibility that even their favourite retailer is not immune to a security failure, if adequate online security service precautions have not been taken by them, thus relinquishing any previous loyalty. According to ‘U shop safe’ a new report has found that 10 per cent of UK consumers will leave their trusted online retailers or banking services, if they lose trust in the institution because of a security breach or data loss incident.

This is quite a positive revelation; however the next part of the Unisys Security Index report is much more frightening,
Eighty-five per cent of UK consumers do not consider online fraud or identity theft to be a real risk for them.

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This is an extremely scary statistic and stinks of the, ‘it won’t happen to me’ idea, not the most intelligent of online security plans. Yet on the contrary, the next statistic on the report states that three quarters of respondents suggested they would not start a relationship with a retailer or bank which had been proven to have inadequate security in the past. What? Is it just me or does this seem somewhat nonsensical, taking absolutely no action until it’s been reported that something’s gone wrong?

So what have we learned from the Unisys report… As UK consumers the plan for our online security goes something like this;

Do nothing because it won’t happen to me but if I happen to see something in the news involving a security issue with one of the retailers I use then I’ll just stop buying from them. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh come on people a bit more diligence please!

In actual fact, according to shopsafe.co.uk, two million UK citizens suffer from ID theft annually, making it a significant problem for the public sector, not the best thing to ignore! Additionally, Computer Weekly reported back in October that Identity theft costs the UK £2.7bn a year, so I think it’s fair to say your online security is worth considering.

In the conclusion of Miller’s report he notes the advice of Economist Benjamin Williamson, who suggested that ecommerce firms and online bank operators would have to address trust issues and plug security holes, to avoid shedding users in the event of a scandal involving a breach.

Even PayPal experiences a security stumble

It’s not that using your card to shop online is a bad thing, it’s just important to make sure your internet’s protected from treats such as viruses, malware and phishing scams which are created purposefully to steal your personal information leading to fraud and identity theft or causing serious damage to your computer.

Even online payment store, PayPal which regards itself as, ‘the safer way to pay online’, was flagged with security concerns this week regarding its iPhone app.

A report by the Wall Street Journal states that the software was failing to verify digital certificates on PayPal’s website, an oversight which could have allowed a hacker to intercept users’ account passwords by tricking them into thinking they were on PayPal’s secure website.

The appWatchdog service scanned both PayPal’s iPhone and Android apps on 3rd of November and the results worryingly reported that the iPhone app failed on three out of four measures; securely storing application data on the device, securely storing usernames, and “additional” security tests, according to viaForensics.

According to eweek.com, the lack of security in mobile apps was highlighted recently by a study published by a Bucknell University network administrator, who found that 68 percent of apps listed in the “most popular” and “top free” categories on the app store transmitted personal information in plain text

A PayPal spokesperson said the firm is not aware of any users who’ve been affected by the online security issue, but added that the company will reimburse anyone who has fallen victim to fraudulent activity.

A welcomed boost for online security

There is some good news though! A separate article released by Shop Safe, announced new regulations handed out by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCISSC), will make it much safer to shop online. While these improvements are noted as being relatively small in scale, they will definitely have an impact on the average consumer’s ability to be assured of experiencing safe shopping online, according to PCISSC Spokesperson, Bob Russo (Shop Safe)

So if your intention is to complete (or start) your Christmas shopping from your sofa, in front of the fire with a nice mug of coco (the ideal scenario). Don’t be put off by the possible security issues involved in your online purchasing, but please just be somewhat more vigilant than the statistics suggest we are being currently!

Business owners don’t get caught up in employees shopping expenses!

As an extra note, if you’re a business owner a lot of your employees’ Christmas shopping is likely to take place during your time and whilst you don’t want to be the festive Scrooge, there’s no need to sit back and be taken advantage of!

There’s a happy media with services such asMaildistiller‘s WEBaware product which allows you to exert control on your employees browsing habits, keeping their productivity high and your organisation’s online security protection at a maximum.

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Christmas is upon us yet again, meaning it’s time to show friends and family how much they are loved by the exchange of gifts, which is good news for the retail sector. Unfazed by the recent credit crunch, a new survey by professional services firm Deloitte shows that consumer spending on Christmas presents in the UK is likely to increase 7% from last year, from £662 per person to £706, despite consumer pessimism towards the state of the economy.

Furthermore, The Annual Christmas Retail Survey, released this week and available at the Deloitte website, predicts that this Christmas the most prominent trends in shopping are the increased use of the internet and demand for high-tech items.

The survey, which gathered, information from 1000 respondents, found that twice as many are expected to buy their gifts online compared to last year’s 14%. The survey also found that only one in 10 will spend a full day on the high street. This trend was aided by consumers becoming more familiar and confident with shopping online and improved customer service from e-tailers. The advantage of the internet as a shopping resource is obvious – consumers can avoid queues and items being out of stock while price comparison between different providers is only a click away. The important thing to remember if you are going do your Christmas shopping online is to allow for enough time for shipping in order to get items on time.

Consumer spending on high-tech items is also set to increase. Deloitte found that 44% of the respondents were planning to buy a computer game as a gift, up from 38% last year. 26% said they expected to purchase an MP3 player, an increase from 20% last year. If you aren’t looking to shell out the kind of cash required for a Nintendo Wii or an iPhone, there are plenty of more affordable gadgets available as an alternative. Most retailers will have a selection of Christmas gifts for him to satisfy most men’s inner geek, from Simpsons Doughnut Makers to radio-controlled Daleks. There are also now plenty of gadgets aimed specifically at women, from microwaveable slippers to USB-powered vacuum cleaners and hand spa centres.

In the end, Christmas is more about giving than receiving, and despite the trend towards increased spending; it is the thought that counts behind each present. With a little over a month away until Christmas it is should be easy to find gifts for most loved ones, whatever your budget, online or on the highstreet.

A Christmas shopping trip in Norwich is like no other.  With a great selection of department, chain, and independent stores, it is easy to find that perfect gift for that special someone.  No wonder Norwich is considered one of the top 5 shopping destinations in the UK.

Head towards the Norwich Castle, and you will find the family orientated Mall, Norwich.  Known to locals as The Castle Mall and open seven days a week, you will find over 50 + retailers offering a great selection of ladies wear, menswear, toys and games, jewellery, watches, electrical items and home ware.
The Mall, Norwich is an architectural wonder.  Opened in 1993 on the old Cattle Market site, it is an unusual building, built into the side of a hill and mostly underground.   It also manages to hold a secure car park with over 800 spaces, with very reasonable fees.
There are plenty of places to stop and take a load off during your shopping trip.  On the Food Court you can enjoy a drink, snack or meal with plenty of choice to suit every palate. To entertain the kids, there is a Santa’s grotto on the ground floor where they can meet Father Christmas and some of his elves, and even have a photo taken with the man himself!

Norwich Royal Arcade runs from Norwich Castle to the Market Place and was designed in 1899.  Amongst its many remarkable features are some exclusively designed tiles by the world famous pottery house Doulton, featuring images of beautiful peacocks and various flowers.
Today the Royal Arcade houses some striking timber fronted independent shops including the world famous Colman’s Mustard Shop, and one of the cities best toy and model shops, Langley’s.

After the Norman conquest of 1066, Norwich Market was moved from Tombland (meaning open space in Saxon English) to an area then known as the Mancroft.  Today Norwich Market remains one of England’s finest open air markets, with the front facing side pointing towards Gentleman’s Walk and the Royal Arcade.  Open Monday to Saturday, it houses roughly 200 traditional stalls, covered with a colourful canopy of striped canvas offering a variety of local produce, clothing, books, electrical items and home ware.

From Norwich Market it is easy to find the Norwich Lanes.  Norwich lanes are a group of independent retailers, including the Norwich’s only independent department store Jarrold’s.  Situated along narrow, cobbled streets there are some lovely individual shops, bars and restaurants.

Norwich’s newest shopping centre, Chapelfield was completed in 2005 on the former Nestlé site.  Boasting 80 + retailers, with a large flagship House of Fraser on site and several cafés and restaurants.  There is also a 1,000 capacity car park conveniently situated beneath the shopping centre, which is open seven days a week.
Chapelfield also offers a fantastic Shopmobility scheme where the elderly, temporarily or permanently disabled can loan scooters, electric or manual wheelchairs for a small fee.  There are allowed to be taken out of the shopping centre as long as they are kept within the inner city ring road and can also be exchanged with the Shopmobility scheme at The Mall, Norwich.
During the festive season there are many events and competitions held throughout the shopping centre, with most of the fun and frolics happening in the courtyard.  With plenty to see and do, and gifts galore, make sure you take the time to stop at Chapelfield and sample the fantastic atmosphere.

After spending your time searching for that perfect gift, you’ll need somewhere comfortable and welcoming to stay in Norwich.  <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link/3220198']);” href=”http://www.norfolkbroads.com/accommodation/norfolk/norwich-norfolk-area/hotels/”>Hotels in Norwich</a> offer excellent choice and value for money, whether you are on a budget or searching for something a little more luxurious.  Take a look at <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link/3220198']);” href=”http://www.arlingtonhotelgroup.co.uk/”>Norwich Hotels</a>  today.

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Usually, we would spend lots of money on shopping to celebrate the grand Christmas Day. However, we are able to reduce the expenditure in fact. Just make a plan and a holiday shopping budget, you can save your money effectively.

Saving money on Christmas gifts isn’t hard, you just need to plan ahead. Planning a shopping budget is essential to saving money this holiday season.

First write down every one you’d like to buy a Christmas gift for and then the maximum dollar amount you are willing to spend on each person. Also list gift ideas down next to each name. Carry this list around with you, in your purse, wallet, or even in your car. The next time you are at the mall and see a good sale, refer to your Christmas list. If you start shopping for Christmas early enough you can save a lot of money by hitting clearance sales.

Shopping online isa great way to save money on Christmas gifts. There are many of these low cost stores online where you can pick up some great deals on fabulous gifts. Buying things onsale doesn’t mean you are being cheap, it simply means you are shopping smart!

Here’s a wonderful online shopping web which has daily discounts. This great site I like to visit most is “DealExtreme”. Dealextreme.com has a wide range of gifts, accessories, gadgets and gizmos for everyone on your Christmas list.

Dealextreme is a great site with some wonderful deep discounts. Be sure to check out their clearances often because they do change and are often limited to stock on hand. What’s more, everything at dealextreme.com is free shipping worldwide. I think it will save you a large deal of money during Christmas festival.

In conclusion, dealextreme is a smart choice to shop for Christmas decorations and gifts, and an effective way to save money for a happier festival!

Ellen shared some of the not-so-exciting items she found while shopping online — from an incredibly specific CD to an unfortunately suggestive fruit holder.
Video Rating: 5 / 5