The Main Components of E-Commerce

Some field experts would consider all business deals and activities that are being conducted using modern Telecommunication and Information Technology methods as E-commerce. World Wide Web, mobile phones, fax and TV are some of the methods people use to conduct business nowadays. However, this article is going to focus primarily on the components of E-commerce for an Internet business being the most popular platform for E-commerce activities.


E Shopping

All E-Commerce sites have three components. The first is some type of catalog. A catalog can vary from just a few items to a complex presentation of thousands of products. The nature of the firm’s operation determines the type of catalog required. In every case, customers should be able to find the products of interest. Photos and product information are important in creating appealing online catalogs.

Second, each site must have some type of shopping cart to assist consumers as they select products. Again, the shopping cart can range from just checking a circle for an item when only a few products are offered to more complicated shopping carts that keep records of multiple purchases.

Third, each site must establish some way for customers to make payments for the things they purchase. For consumers, this normally is a credit card system. For business to business operations, payments are normally made through a voucher system. In other situations, a bill is generated or a computerized billing system is used so that the invoice goes directly to the buyer. In more trusting relationships, the invoice is added to the customer’s records without a physical bill ever being mailed.

In spite of the fact that such systems are already in place, many consumers are still wary of purchasing products over the Internet. There are two reasons for this reluctance: (1) Security issues and (2) Purchase behavior habits.

(1) Security Issues:

Consumer fears about security are based on worries about credit card number being stolen. Others are concerned about fraud where a retailer takes the money but does not ship the merchandise. Both can cause people to resist making Internet purchases.

To resolve these problems, a review of the past may be helpful. When telephone orders were first encouraged by email order firms, people were hesitant because of fears about giving out a phone or credit card number to a stranger they couldn’t see. Now, nearly everyone is willing to provide the information while placing orders on the phone. Also, it wasn’t that many years ago that credit card holders expressed anxiety about various store employees stealing those numbers. Originally, customers were instructed to – - take the carbon – - from a credit card purchase to make sure it was torn into shreds in order to prevent an employee from using the credit card number later.

The same pattern is likely to follow with internet shopping. As consumers become accustomed to using the Web, fears about giving out credit card information will be no greater than they are for telephone orders or credit card sales. IBM and Master Card have created a series of independent television commercials designed to calm and reassure people about the quality of their Internet security program; however, these efforts are set back each time a major virus is turned loose. Also, the Verified by Visa program is designed to create additional security for online credit card purchases.

(2) Purchasing Habits:

The second issue has strong ramifications regarding the ultimate success of E-commerce. Currently, many customers are most comfortable when they buy merchandise at retail stores. Some are also comfortable buying through catalogs. It will take time to change these habits, especially the preference for retail shopping.

At the retail store, consumers can view and touch the merchandise. They can inspect it for defects and compare brands. Clothes can be tried to make sure they fit. In addition, the customer can see how the clothing item look while being worn. Changing these habits requires the right kinds of incentives. Consumers and businesses must have valid reasons for switching to making purchases via E-commerce instead of traditional methods (at the retail store or following a call from a salesperson). To overcome this handicap, many E-commerce firms are trying to develop incentives that will attract customers to make purchases in this new format.

The Main Components of E-Commerce

What is e-Commerce – Advantages and Drawbacks!

Electronic Commerce or e-commerce is the trade of products and services by means of the Internet or other computer networks. E-commerce follows the same basic principles as traditional commerce that is, buyers and sellers come together to swap commodities for money. But rather than conducting business in the traditional way in shopping stores or through mail order catalogs and telephone operators — in e-commerce buyers and sellers transact business over networked computers.


E Shopping

E-commerce offers buyers maximum convenience. They can visit the web sites of multiple vendors round the clock a day to compare prices and make purchases, without having to leave their homes or offices from around the globe. In some cases, consumers can immediately obtain a product or service, such as an electronic book, a music file, or computer software, by downloading it over the Internet.

For sellers, e-commerce offers a way to cut costs and expand their markets. They do not need to build, staff, or maintain a physical store or print and distribute mail order catalogs. Automated order tracking and billing systems cut additional labor costs, and if the product or service can be downloaded then e-commerce firms have no distribution costs involved. Because the products can be sold sell over the global Internet, sellers have the potential to market their products or services globally and are not limited by the physical location of a store. Internet technologies also permit sellers to track the interests and preferences of their customers with the customer’s permission and then use this information to build an ongoing relationship with the customer by customizing products and services to meet the customer’s needs.

E-commerce however has some drawbacks. Consumers are hesitant to buy some products online. Online furniture businesses, for example, have failed for the most part because customers want to test the comfort of an expensive item such as a sofa before they purchase it. Many people also consider shopping a social experience. For instance, they may enjoy going to a store or a shopping mall with friends or family, an experience that they cannot duplicate online. Consumers also need to be reassured that credit card transactions are secure and that their privacy is respected.

In the existence of these few disadvantages e-commerce has opened new horizons to versatile the modern age. It puts away time, energies, labor and money.

What is e-Commerce – Advantages and Drawbacks!

Dubai Airport Shopping – Duty Free Shopping at Dubai Airport

The Dubai Duty Free is definitely worth a visit the next time you are in Dubai. A whopping 0 million expansion of the Dubai International Airport resulted in making it a shopping heaven. You can notice it right in the middle of Sheikh Zayed Terminal.


E Shopping

Dubai Duty Free is most famous for its electronics and jewelry selection. You will additionally find stores that carry certified Dubai diamond jewelry, Souvenirs, Tobacco and some of the world’s best fresh chocolates.

Do not blow your budget out of the water, save some cash on the way back to catch your flight back home. You can get some very good deals at the Dubai Duty Free. I was in the market for the second generation Ipod in early 2008.

I had a couple hours layover in Dubai from my trip from India to USA and was going through the electronics store at the Dubai Duty Free. I found the iPod to be forty dollars cheaper than the best price I found in the US.

Other wonderful bargains I observed were on perfumes, cigarettes (amazing deals) and gold! The Dubai government has made sure to deliver quality airport shopping experience. The duty free appears no different than a mall. You will see the same glamour, same service and the same marble floors all over!

If you are not visiting Dubai specifically but have to travel for work or pleasure elsewhere, I suggest taking an Emirates flight whenever you could (particularly if you visit the far east many times).

Aside from the 657 million wonderful things about the world class Emirates airlines, I’m recommending it this time because you’ll likely make a stop in Dubai. And when you do, I hope you do relish the Dubai airport shopping experience.

The shops at the duty free are some of the best you will find around the world and the prices are just as attractive even when you compare them to other duty free stores elsewhere. It’s incredibly easy to get carried away shopping here and miss your flight so be aware of the time and your wallet.

The Dubai Information Site is a website on Dubai City put together from a practical and first-hand perspective.

Dubai Airport Shopping – Duty Free Shopping at Dubai Airport

Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages

Many of us know that solar energy is a good thing, but few really understand why. Therefore, I compiled a comprehensive list of solar energy advantages and disadvantages that will enable you to make an educated decision whether on not Solar Power is right for YOU.


E Shopping

Solar Energy Advantages

1. Saves you money

After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE.
The recovery/ payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity your household uses.
Financial incentives are available form the government that will reduce your cost.
If your system produce more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! This is called net metering.
It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all.
Solar energy does not require any fuel.
It’s not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline.
The savings are immediate and for many years to come.
The use of solar energy indirectly reduces health costs.

2. Environmentally friendly

Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment.
It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generations does.
Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute to global warming, acid rain or smog.
It actively contributes to the decrease of harmful green house gas emissions.
It’s generated where it is needed.
By not using any fuel, Solar Energy does not contribute to the cost and problems of the recovery and transportation of fuel or the storage of radioactive waste.

3. Independent/ semi-independent

Solar Energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. It does not only reduce your electricity bill, but will also continue to supply your home/ business with electricity in the event of a power outage.
A Solar Energy system can operate entirely independent, not requiring a connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can therefore be installed in remote locations (like holiday log cabins), making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of utility electricity to a new site.
The use of Solar Energy reduces our dependence on foreign and/or centralized sources of energy, influenced by natural disasters or international events and so contributes to a sustainable future.
Solar Energy supports local job and wealth creation, fuelling local economies.

4. Low/ no maintenance

Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free and will last for decades.
Once installed, there are no recurring costs.
They operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to add any fuel.
More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family’s needs grow.

Solar Energy Disadvantages

The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing a solar energy system, largely because of the high cost of the semi-conducting materials used in building one.
The cost of solar energy is also high compared to non-renewable utility-supplied electricity. As energy shortages are becoming more common, solar energy is becoming more price-competitive.
Solar panels require quite a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency.
The efficiency of the system also relies on the location of the sun, although this problem can be overcome with the installation of certain components.
The production of solar energy is influenced by the presence of clouds or pollution in the air.
Similarly, no solar energy will be produced during nighttime although a battery backup system and/or net metering will solve this problem. See http://www.dsireusa.org for details on how net metering allows you to save electricity and money.
As far as solar powered cars go – their slower speed might not appeal to everyone caught up in today’s rat race.

Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages

Five Best Sexual Positions to Get Pregnant Fast

Before we get to discussing the best position to get pregnant, let’s get one important thing straight first: you can get pregnant in any position-man on top, woman on top, standing, sitting, lying down or on all fours. Pregnancy happens when the male sperm enters the woman’s vagina and meets up with an egg on its way to the uterus up the fallopian tube. Ideally, this is possible with any sexual position that you assume.


E Shopping

Unfortunately, however, some couples do find it hard to conceive for several reasons, including weak or insufficient sperm count. In some cases, as when nature needs a boost, a little push from you and your partner can go a long way in getting pregnant. When it comes to the best position to get pregnant, the general rule is that the male sperm must be deposited as near to the female cervix as possible.

This has something to do with the life spans of the female egg and the male sperm. Once an egg is released from the ovary-a stage also known as ovulation-it begins its path down the fallopian tube to the uterus. A released egg typically survives for only 24 hours, while a sperm can last anywhere from three to five days in the female body. As such, the egg has to be as close to the egg as possible so they can meet and join before the egg dies.

While not a lot of people will agree that the sexual positions have anything to do with getting pregnant, the logical inference is that it makes sense to assume the position that can help the sperm meet the egg in the shortest possible time.

This is especially true when for couples who have problems or difficulty conceiving. Having said this, the first “best position to get pregnant” tip is to avoid positions that least expose the cervix to the male sperm, and that generally defy gravity such as sex while standing up, sitting down, or with the woman on top. When trying to conceive, it is best to limit the amount of sperm that flows back out of the vagina.

The woman’s hips should also be positioned in such a way that the sperm released is kept inside, giving it enough time to swim up to the female cervix.

Consider the following positions instead:

1. The missionary position, or man-on-top, is said to be the position that’s best for getting pregnant. This is because this particular position allows for the deepest possible penetration, making it possible for the sperm to get deposited closest to the cervix.

2. Elevating the hips, which can be done by placing a pillow behind her, can also be helpful because this exposes the female cervix to as much semen as the male can release.

3. The rear-entry position where the man enters the woman from behind is also a recommended position. In this position, sperm is also deposited closest to the cervix, thereby helping increase the chances of conception.

4. You can also try having intercourse while lying side by side. This position likewise causes the most exposure of the cervix to the male sperm.

5. Finally, while this has nothing to do with sexual positions, there are also researches that suggest the importance of the female orgasm in conceiving. According to studies, female orgasm leads to contractions that could push sperm up into the cervix. The lesson: have fun while trying to conceive.

Five Best Sexual Positions to Get Pregnant Fast

Japanese Hair Straightening

By now, I’m sure you’ve heard of the hair straightening process invented in Japan that has swept America and made countless women forever grateful to it’s hair-transforming powers. It goes by several different names – Japanese Straightening, Thermal Reconditioning, Straight Perm, and Japanese Straight Perm. So, what exactly can you expect after a thermal reconditioning service? Well, it’s actually nothing short of miraculous, if you choose the right product and stylist.


E Shopping

I had my treatment done at a Japanese salon that specializes in this service. After about six hours of sitting in the salon, being alternately shampooed, heated under intense heat lamps, blown out, flat ironed, and then going through the entire process again, I emerged from the salon with a completely retexturized, smooth and sleek head of hair.

All together, the straightening process cost about 0, including a VERY generous tip (I tend to tip too much, I know) and a large bottle of shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for my new tresses. The going hourly rate is usually 0 for this service I was under strict instructions to guard my hair from water exposure or any type of moisture, including sweating so working out was out of the question, for the next 72 hours.

I was completely thrilled with my new hair. The light reflected off of it like crazy, and it blew naturally in the breeze, not at all dried out or artificial, like you might expect after a chemical treatment. It actually was in the best condition ever, which seemed counter intuitive since it had essentially just been through six hours of chemical and heat treatment. Nevertheless, it was absolutely and undeniably true.

I was told I would need to come back for a touch up on the new growth anywhere from 6 months to a year, depending on how straight I wanted it to stay and the rate of hair growth. It is now six months later, and even though it has more body, it is still shiny and smooth. I actually like it a little more with some body at the roots. It gives it a little extra lift, and the remaining hair is still straight and manageable.

There are some things you want to look out for when searching for a salon that offers thermal reconditioning. First, find out which straightening product they use. There are two major Japanese Straightening Systems which are Liscio, and the second is Yuko. Both are made in Japan. Any others are to be cautiously researched. Second, make sure the technician performing the service has plenty of experience in the process. Any good salon will provide you with before and after pictures of their work.

Third, be sure to be open and honest with the stylist about any prior haircoloring or processing, so they can adjust the treatment accordingly for the best results. Don’t fall in to the trap of buying expensive shampoos and conditioners like I did (I spent about on shampoo and conditioner).

After Japanese Straightening, you do want to be sure to keep hair protected from the sun and moisturized, so frequent deep conditioning and an SPF spray or other UV protective hair product is highly recommended. You must wait at least one to two months before coloring your hair after the treatment, depending on your stylist’s recommendations. If you can, go to a stylist who was actually trained by a top technician at the corporate headquarters for the system they use. This assures they have been trained correctly and specifically on how to get the best results possible.

What this means for you is a lower risk of getting a “botched” straightening job or damaged hair. Do your research. Get online and find the salons in your area that offer the service along with their credentials. After all, you don’t want to waste your hard-earned money on something that is less than a superior result. The cost of the treatment can be very high, especially if your hair is particularly long or hard to “de-curl”. Typically, the longer and curlier the hair, the longer the process takes, and the more you will spend.

Bottom line, if your hair is unruly, frizzy, or overly curly and you would like to have low maintenance, hassle free hair that is shiny and straight, the “Japanese Straight Perm” is just the thing for you. I know I will be going back for a second round!

Japanese Hair Straightening

Belfast Shopping

Belfast shopping in the Greater Belfast Area

I am a man and therefore no absolutely nothing about shopping. However I am a married man with an excellent shopping wife and two twenty year old shopping daughters. When I came to write this post, I therefore went to them for their expert advice, so here goes. With the Peace Process now in place many people are now either returning to shop in Belfast, or are visiting Belfast for the first time. When visitors are discovering is that there is a thriving cultural scene along with a very unique heritage. There has been a complete regeneration of the city over the last five years and Belfast is a much changed city.


E Shopping

Belfast is now awash with prestigious shopping malls like the Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt Shopping Centre. There are many big brand High Street stores, family run businesses, luxurious designer shops and speciality shops to chose from. These combined with a huge variety of pubs and restaurants is more then enough to have a cracking day out with your credit card. Belfast also has many visitor attractions, fascinating tours, award winning hotels and a great nightlife to match.

If you like your style then start in Donegall Place with stores like Karen Millen and Zara and not far from that the CastleCourt contains Debenhams, GAP and Warehouse. The new Victoria Square Shopping Centre has shops like Apple, CRUISE, House of Fraser and Build A Bear. There are also streets in the City Centre such as Liberty Blue, the Carter Style Emporium and stores like Rio, Brazil, Hilfiger, Miss Sixty and Diesel. Slightly out of town on the busy Lisburn Road, you will find an array of unique boutiques and designer Meccas. It is known locally as the “BT9″ area, which is simply a post code associated with a good area to live in. There are a host of great spas, restaurants, chocolate specialists and grooming parlours there as well so you will not be spoiled for choice.

In the remainder of the City there are also some great boutiques in Bloomfield Avenue including Utopia, Equinox, Steensons and The Wicker Man. There is also the multi award designer Una Rodden in Arthur Street just off Corn Market who designs for many celebrities. Catherine B makes much sought after jewellery and Mary Rose McGrath is famous for her dress design. Anita Flavin is also a famous shoe designer for celebrities such as Christine Bleakley, Shirley McLaine and Zoe Salmon.

My wife and daughters usually begin here in the Victoria Square Shopping Mall in the City Centre and check out what is new there. There are also a couple of good cafes inside the House of Fraser and I especially like the small coffee shop. Their coffee is fabulous. There are around 70 stores there so plenty to do and see. It is also packed with other eating places which offer a variety of dining options to suit almost any taste.

From there they move out and into Corn Market, browse through the shops there and make their way across to CastleCourt Shopping Mall. After that they could end up anywhere. The Ormeau Road has recently become a haven for top independent boutiques. This includes the rather exclusive Evelin Brandt, a very stylish European woman’s label.

Just a 10 minute taxi ride from the city centre is the chic Bloomfield Avenue and Belmont Road in the East of the City. If you are into Vintage, then make a point of visiting Raspberry Beret. You will also find there The White Bicycle and The Peel Fashion Store. From there it is easy to get to the range of cafes in the Connswater Shopping Centre. I have mentioned the Lisburn Road (BT9) area in the leafy suburbs of the Malone Road which is close to Queen’s University. This is best described as “every girl’s dream come true.” If you are looking for the top names in couture, accessories, beauty and designer shops then this is the place for you. It is often called a mile of style. It is rich with some of the best Art Galleries in Belfast.

Here is a quick list of Shopping Centres in Belfast and the Greater Belfast Area:

Abbey Centre – in Newtownabbey about 15-20 minutes from Belfast City Centre
Boucher Road Retail Park – a 10 minute taxi drive from the City Centre and includes shops like New Look, Next and Matalan
Bow Street Mall – In Lisburn which is a 20 minute drive or taxi ride from Belfast.
Castlecourt – right in the middle of the City Centre and has Debenhams, GAP and Miss Selfridge, Bargain Books
Castle Mall – In the town of Antrim and about half an hour from Belfast City Centre
Connswater – Bloomfield Avenue with over 50 shops including Tescos, Argos, Dunne’s Stores and Game.
De Courcy Centre – In Carrickfergus and about 30 minutes from Belfast City Centre
Forestside – This is in Upper Galwally about 15 minutes from Belfast and very popular – includes M&S, Sainsburys and Dunnes.
InShops – Right in the centre of Belfast and has many different shops, Oriental Art, Babes and Braids
Junction One International Outlet Centre – In Antrim about 30 minutes drive with over 70 stores and 60% discounts (My daughters fav)
Lisburn Square – In Lisburn and about 20-30 minutes driveand a trendy place to be seen
Queen’s Arcade – The Victorian decadence of this beautiful arcade and includes Lunn’s stores famous for their jewellery, Atelier and others
Sprucefield Shopping Centre – a short taxi ride away with shops like M&S, Boots, JJB Sports
The Outlet – In Banbridge and a good 45 minute drive but again a designer outlet with great discounted prices.
Victoria Square – Right in the centre of Belfast and already discussed
Westwood Shopping Centre – In Belfast with stores like Safeway, SUperdrug, NPO and Tylers

This is a brief overview of shopping in Belfast and I hope it gets you started for now.

Belfast Shopping

Selling Your Shop As ‘The’ Place To Work

If you’re a ‘smart cookie’ you advertise, you market, you engage the services of professionals to assist in the sale of products and services… But who sells your business to prospective employees?


E Shopping

Now that’s a tough one! And it’s not something that too many people think about. Recruiting new employees in most industries is done on an ‘as needed’ basis and therein lies the problem – no future planning, and no ‘selling’ consideration.

The opener to my column this month raises the point that you likely spend time and resources trying to capture new clients. You make sure that you can (to the best of your ability) service them in a way that corresponds to your sales promise.

— What do you ‘promise’ your future employees?

Your sales promise is one of the principle reasons why customers bring their business to you. And so long as your internal reality (the way you perform and deliver on that promise) matches your external reality (the way in which you are perceived) you can expect success.

But again, how do you market and sell to the second most important people in your company – your staff? And don’t think for a moment that once you’ve got them they’re going to simply stick around… Do your customers just stay?

You’ve got to resell and recommit them to you and your business. Just like customers who get up one day and leave, never to return, so do employees. They’re people just like you and I and things change. Life is constantly in flux and evolving and as a species we are adapting.

— Nothing happens until someone sells something…in this case it’s you!

Now without getting too ‘deep’, simply think of it this way, you sell to employees – they buy your money and sell you their time. Alternatively your Clients (or customers) buy your services (provided by your employees) and pay you money. Without a steady and constant stream of buying and selling transactions – you have no business!

Okay, so now that I’ve established that we need to sell ourselves (or at least our businesses) to prospective employees, so that we have a stream of available resources as we need them, the question becomes how?

Ironically, you can approach the process of selling your company as ‘the’ place to work in the same fashion that you advertise your business as ‘the’ place for customers to bring their vehicles: you simply advertise.

— But this time it’s different:

o The market is not the same because the people who will buy your ‘job offer’ are not the same as the people who would buy your vehicle repair services.

o The advertising mediums will likely overlap a little, but just like a certain bait only works for certain fish, this too will cause things to change. Serious enquirers will likely want quality information so expect to create brochures and other sales pieces tailored to their needs.

o And the message will most definitely be different. TIP – Position yourself a ‘leading local business’ that’s offering a ‘unique opportunity’ not a job.

— Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise!

As I suggested, serious enquirers will likely want more information. I’d recommend at least a good employment brochure – a standard tri-fold will suffice. You’ll need to talk about the opportunity, explain their benefits, your history and a host of other proven topics.

The content, design and structure of a typical employment brochure is beyond the scope of this article, however if you’d like a template and more information feel free to visit my website and drop me line (I’ve got one kicking around somewhere…)

Once you’ve created your employee brochure make sure it’s placed on your counter, make it available to potential candidates via email, direct mail and ‘take one’ displays.

Encourage your staff to suggest referrals. You can use display advertising but again, you’ll need to do things a little differently than perhaps your used to. Either way, there are plenty of good resources that can show you how to target market future employees.

In conclusion, don’t treat marketing to your employees as an after thought: your future depends on it. And remember, even once they’re on board, you’ve got to give them reasons to stay – and it will need to include more than just money based incentives.

Happy hunting!

Selling Your Shop As ‘The’ Place To Work

Littlest Pet Shop

The Littlest Pet Shop toys were introduced in the year 1992 by Kenner and then reintroduced by HASBRO in 2005 with a brand new design and look. The new HASBRO line of the Littlest Pet Shop toys has sold over 60 million products. These products include animal figurines, places for you to play with them, and even digital hand-held pets. There are Stamper Pets that consist of an animal figurine on top and a rolling stamper underneath. Chattering Pets are a set of three animals that make different noises depending on which animal set you get. Littlest Pet shop animals have even been featured in fast food happy meals. Most of the animals come with ID tags, food dishes, toys, and some even come with homes. Some examples of animals you can find are dogs, kittens, horses, mice, chameleons, bunnies, panda, elephants, penguins, fish, and monkeys.


E Shopping

There have been many different play sets released so your child can enjoy playing with the creatures in a variety of locations. There is the Beethoven set, which comes with Saint Bernard dogs. The Family sets come with animal mom’s that have magnetized babies so your child can recreate the nursing process. The Adoption Center has cages for different creatures, and includes 2 husky dogs. Your child can pretend to exercise their animal with the Fitness Center, which includes 2 exclusive figures. Your child can also pretend to babysit pets with the daycare center, which comes with 1 animal and a removable jungle gym. Deco Pets are available to help with your child’s creative side by letting them decorate their own pet with included stickers, glue, glitter and a collar. The Littlest Pet Shop Postcard Pet’s include one pet, accessories and a postcard you can send to friends. Teeniest Tiniest Pet Shop Pets are also available. These are mini versions of the normal pets and include play sets such as a pasture, the desert, an island, a mouse cage, and an aquarium.

Virtual Interactive Pets (VIPs) let you enter a code from the collar of a Littlest Pet Shop animal and be part of the online interactive world. Here, your child can name their pet, dress them, and play games to earn Kibble Points to buy them things.

The Littlest Pet Shop brand also has many other products available such as party supplies, clothes, video games, board games and journals.

Littlest Pet Shop

Mall Vs Internet Shopping

Walking through crowded malls while carrying packages, juggling your coat, and trying to keep your kids from breaking anything you can’t afford to buy makes you an attractive target for criminals looking to grab your wallet, purse, or any of your purchases. This is a growing problem today as criminals find new ways to capitalize on your misfortunes.


E Shopping

Now lets talk parking in the mall parking lots. As parking lots fill during the holiday season, shoppers are often forced to park far from mall exits, sometimes in poorly lighted areas. Now that there is less daylight, your likely to find yourself going to the mall while it’s light outside and leaving when it’s dark out. This is also where you will find criminals hiding and waiting for the right person to attack.

Perhaps the most distressing fact about mall crime is that it is so broad. No mall has only one type of crime. There are three main factors inherent to malls themselves that contribute to high instance of crime; false sense of safety, layout, and the obvious, poor security measures.

1. A false sense of safety: most people after shopping in the mall with music playing, beautiful decorations, and the satisfaction of finishing their shopping, they are not thinking of the threat that can be waiting for them when they leave. This is what criminals are hoping for to catch you off guard.

2. Layout: Have you noticed that a lot of exits in the malls are dark and are not made for the safety of the shoppers. The restrooms are down a long hallway where very few people are around if you need help. These are just the kind of places for criminals to lie in wait for people who have their hands full with shopping bags.

3. Poor Security: You can ask any mall and they will tell you that they have more security during the holidays. The problem is do you want that 60 year old guy there to help you if you need help. How about that 18 year old who only interest is the young girls he can pick up. This is the problem with mall security.

Now with the conveniences of the internet and secure sites for making purchases you can stay safe and shop for name brand items you want. No more trying to run to the mall to pick up a couple of items only to find out you can’t find a parking spot. Then when you do get in you have to deal with a crowded mall and long lines. Now all you have to do is sit back, kick your shoes off, and drink your favorite beverage while shopping in a safe place, YOUR HOME.

Mall Vs Internet Shopping