Save Green and Earn Green

Earn Green

Black Friday and Cyber Monday

The term Cyber Monday refers to the Monday immediately following Thanksgiving. We all are familiar with Black Friday. Year after year retailers open their doors very early on Friday to a great amount of shoppers who are willing to catch the best deal.

For the last couple of years the great offers and promotions go beyond the brick-and-mortar opening the doors to online shoppers. Great deals are found online from many retailers with amazing deals on shipping.

Cyber Monday symbolizes a very busy day for online retailers, it started when shoppers couldn't find in stores an item. But Cyber Monday has evolved now into a significant marketing event in which online retailers low prices and promotions and it is sponsored by the National Retail Federation.

In late November 2005 it was reported that online spending on Cyber Monday, excluding travel, was 448 million, a 26% increase from the previous year.

With the Holidays so close, there are a few recommendations to follow to maximize our savings while shopping:

1. Make a list (and check it twice) with the names of the people you will give a present.



2. Decide the margin of the amount you want to spend on each person on your list.



3. Write down some ideas of the products you want to get, maybe you can combine on one order from one place different presents.



4. Register with the stores you think you will be shopping this year to receive the latest promotions and discounts.



5. Plan ahead in order to receive your products with enough time.



6. Think "green first" - There are thousands of green products that can make a perfect gift, and that are better for us and for our planet and it will show that you care.
   

Remember, it is only 38 days until Christmas, spend more time with your family and less time fighting the crowds at the stores.

Want to learn more? CLICK HERE

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E-commerce Facts

According with the U.S. Census Bureau statistics of May, 2009 in 2007, e-commerce grew faster than total economic activity in three of the four major economic sectors covered by the E-Stats report. E-commerce accounted for $1,856 billion of manufacturing shipments in 2007, up from
$1,567 billion in 2006, an annual increase of 18.4 percent.

Rapid growth in e-retail has been the norm. From 2002 to 2007, retail e-sales increased at an average annual growth rate of 23.1 percent, com. All E-Stats reports are available at www.census.gov/estats

Some of the top fie products to buy online are (but not limited):

1. Travel arrangements
2. Music, DVD's and video games
3. Books
4. Electronics
5. Holiday shopping (for example: toys)

One of the main reasons why someone is persuaded to buy online is recommendation. Almost everyone agrees that they shopped from certain retailer after they heard the positive experience from someone they know. Another reason for shopping online is the possibility of using promotional codes and special online offers that alow online shoppers to save more.

Talking About Saving Money

In time of economic struggle we all learn to tight up our budgets. We always look for the best deals to save as much as we can in our businesses as well as for our household. Getting bargains online is easier than you think and it can save you hundreds of dollars a year:

• Save gas
• Save Tax buying from Non-Tax stores
• Online retailers offer great deals on online purchases only
• Save more using discount coupons during checkout

And don't forget to use coupon codes to maximize your savings!

E-Commerce Trends

As e-commerce continues to grow during 2009, I thought these fragment of an article by Irwin Kramer (06/16/09) has a lot of vital information to help us understand the new trends that retailers in the U.S. face during the crisis.

The Multichannel E-Commerce Path Out of the Recession By Irwin Kramer
In the midst of the U.S. economic crisis, cautious spending and downsizing have left the retail industry in dire straits. The Commerce department recently reported that retail sales continued to fall in March -- down 1.1 percent from February's sales figures. March 2009 saw a 9 percent decline compared with March 2008.

Even as retail numbers drop, however, online shopping and total online sales continue to show steady growth in the face of adverse economic conditions.
Forty-six percent of the 117 online retailers that participated in a recent Forrester survey claimed they intended to spend as planned on their Web businesses. A quarter of respondents expected to spend more than they had originally planned. In January, Forrester forecast online sales would grow 11 percent to US$156.1 billion in 2009, following a 13 percent increase in 2008.
Given cautious consumer spending and tight credit, why is online retail continuing to surge while overall retail numbers drop? Retailers need look no further than the tremendous benefits and savings of selling via a multichannel e-commerce platform. As in-store retailers that haven't embraced online shopping go out of business, orphaned shoppers are turning to the retailers that have.

Better Efficiency and Immediate Cost Savings
Increasing attention is being placed on green business practices these days, and an e-commerce platform helps retailers promote ecologically friendly business practices. From a business perspective, retailers can save significant costs by eliminating traditional paper marketing and distribution methods.
Retailers used to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on printing and materials for paper catalogs; an e-commerce platform allows retailers to cut catalog expenses through email marketing, easily updatable online catalogs, and catalogs offered through multiple distribution channels.

Data Capture and Analysis
With the evolution of business intelligence, more and more companies (regardless of size) are recognizing that an efficient system for data capture and analysis is necessary to grow their businesses. An e-commerce platform simplifies raw sales data capture, as well as data for customer profiling and order-processing information any data that is necessary to provide a greater understanding of the retailer's business.


I can highlight the basic 4 reasons why businesses around the world start an online store in order to increase their annual sales and why E-commerce will continue to grow at a very rapid pace during the upcoming years:

• 24-hour availability to customers
• Global reach and presence
• Ability to interact with customers
• Provide information to customer such as sizing, measurements and other specs.

As a customer, buying online can save us gas, time and effort while shipping charges are very low or sometimes we can receive our order with no shipping charges.

This week cupons

Office Depot

15% off your delivery order of $100 or more. Valid until 08/10/09. Use coupon: 11499298

Bath & Body Works

Free True Blue Spa offer (one per customer) Valid until 08/02/09. Use code: 9684

Free Shipping on orders of $65 or more. Valid until 07/26/09 Use code: FREESHIP65

MexGrocer.com

20% off your entire order. No minimum. Until 07/31/09. Use code: MICHELADA

Famous Footwear

Buy One, Get one 1/2 price + Free Shipping.

FromYouFlowers.com

Save $10 when you send Sunny Smiles and Birthday Flowers and Gourmet gifts too!

Borders

25% off your entire purchase! Valid until 07/12/09. Use code: SLB7010T

Steve Madden

Steve Madden 50% off selected styles + Free shipping. Use code: SMFREESHIP

Personalization Mall

Christmas in July. Save 70% until 07/12/09

Target

Get $5 off your purchase of $50 + Valid until 07/11/09. Use code: TCBBYPAT

Walgreens

10c prints on orders of 50 or more 4x6. Valid until 07/11/09. Use code JULY

20% off Photo Gifts. Valid until 07/11/09. Use code: GIFT20

Perfumania
15% off orders until July 20th. Code: AFCJU15

Kmart
10% off Kids bedding set until July 11th. Code: JUV10

Travelocity
Get $50 off any 4+ Night Flight + Hotel vacation packages when you book with Travelocity. *$500 min. trip cost Until June 30th. use Code: CWINNER50

Musicians Friend
Get $65 off orders over $350 valid until July 31st. Use Code: MINE

Appetizerstogo
Get 10% off orders at Appetizers To Go. Limited Time Offer. Use Code: REF10

123inkjets.com
Get 10% off orders until June 30th. Use code: INKYARM63

Target
Get $5 off your $50 purchase valid until July 4th. Use code: TC8678YH

Shoes.com
20% OFF until Friday 12/31/2009 Coupon Code: ENJOY09

The Internet offers a convenience that is not available from any other shopping outlet. From the comfort of your home, you can search for items from countless vendors, compare prices with a few simple mouse clicks, and make purchases without waiting in line.