Friday, 23 December 2011

Over one in ten sales shoppers set to avoid the crowds this year by shopping on their mobiles

• 14 percent will be using their mobile phone to either purchase sales items online or find discounts from their favourite brands

Research by mBlox, the mobile consumer interaction and payment specialist, reveals that one in ten UK consumers are planning to avoid the High Street this sales season and are shopping from their mobile while they are on the go.

The research, commissioned by Opinion Matters, unveils how in the upcoming post-Christmas sales, nearly 10 percent of UK consumers would opt to use their mobile phone or smartphone to purchase items online, rather than shop in-store for bargains. These consumers indicated they would use the discounts and sales offers they receive on their mobile phone to purchase gifts in-store.

Michele Turner, Chief Marketing Officer of mBlox says: “We’re seeing more consumers who want to combine High Street shopping with mobile online purchasing while they are on the go.. The way in which shopping habits are evolving indicates that the way brands interact with their customers has never been so important. Our research demonstrates that 2012 is gearing up to be the year of mobile shopping, as more people choose this shopping and payment option as an alternative.”

The research also found that nearly 18% of those polled were happy to receive promotional offers on their mobile over the Christmas and New Year sales period. Of this figure, 12 percent preferred to receive offers that were relevant and personal to them.

Turner continues: “Customers still want to shop in-store for many purchases, which is good news for the High Street. However, with a growing proportion of consumers who are keen to engage with brands and shop on their mobile phones, there is now an opportunity for businesses to engage personally with these customers when they aren’t face-to-face in store. Yet, with mobile marketing being such a personal tool, consumers can be fickle if they find these promotions become a nuisance: brands may only have one opportunity to get it right. Businesses will need to market to its customers in the right way and be mindful that the consumer should have control over the messages they receive, whether that is through an opt-in service or through targeted and relevant content.”

FACTFILE:
mBlox is a mobile interaction and payment specialist that provides enterprises and solution providers with the fastest and most reliable way to engage with their customers on mobile devices without compromising on security. mBlox delivers a combination of software and services that allow businesses and solution providers to create mobile solutions with the greatest possible reach. Backed by leading venture capital firms, mBlox offers a network of more than 800 operators in over 180 countries, covering over 90% of the world’s population.

Notes to editors:

The research results from Opinion Matters can be found below. A further breakdown (gender/demographic etc.) is available on request.

The research was carried out between 5th December 2011 and 16th December 2011. A sample of 2002 UK mobile phone users and 2003 US UK mobile phone users was taken.

UK research results

Will you be using your mobile phone / smartphone to purchase items online in the post-Christmas sales, rather than shop for sales bargains in-store?

No, I will not be using my mobile phone / smartphone to shop online in the post-Christmas sales 88.3%
Yes to buy sales items online in the post-Christmas sales as I think there will be better bargains 5.2%
Yes to buy sales items online in the post-Christmas sales to avoid the crowds and the queues 4.5%
Yes but I won’t use it to purchase the items online. Instead, I will use it to find the discounts / sale offers of my favourite stores and then I will pay for these in-store 3.7%
Yes (other) 0.1%

Would you be happy for brands to send you promotional offers on your mobile about post-Christmas sales?

No, I do not want brands contacting me on my mobile with promotional offers 82.5%
Yes, I would like to receive promotional offers on sales items from brands on my mobile, providing they are relevant to me 12.1%
Yes, I would like to receive promotional offers on sales items from brands on my mobile 5.4%

US research results

Will you be using your mobile phone / smartphone to purchase items online in the post-Christmas sales, rather than shop for sales bargains in-store?

No, I will not be using my mobile phone / smartphone to shop online in the post-Christmas sales 85.3%
Yes to buy sales items online in the post-Christmas sales as I think there will be better bargains 7.2%
Yes to buy sales items online in the post-Christmas sales to avoid the crowds and the queues 6.7%
Yes but I won’t use it to purchase the items online. Instead, I will use it to find the discounts / sale offers of my favourite stores and then I will pay for these in-store 3.8%
Yes (other) 0.1%

Would you be happy for brands to send you promotional offers on your mobile about post-Christmas sales?

No, I do not want brands contacting me on my mobile with promotional offers 80.8%
Yes, I would like to receive promotional offers on sales items from brands on my mobile, providing they are relevant to me 11.7%
Yes, I would like to receive promotional offers on sales items from brands on my mobile 7.4%

Christmas comes to the Honey Monster's Sugar Puffs. Special Christmas edition

As if Sugar Puffs were not tasty and fun enough and also nutritional (there's nowt wrong with honey, cereal and a bit of sugar!) the clear chefs at Honey Monster Foods have created a new, limited edition version of this old favourite.

It is called Snowy Puffs, and it is ordinary, super tasty Sugar Puffs with the special addition of fantastic little balls of crunchy sweet white meringue! Children, adults and African Grey Parrots just love them!

To find out more about these delicious Breakfast treats just visit www.honeymonster.co.uk

You can also follow them on Facebook, too!

Unfortunately Snowy Puffs are limited edition only. Unless, of course, enough people ask for them to be a regular breakfast food? Just a though!

That's Christmas: See former That's Christmas stories

That's Christmas: See former That's Christmas stories: Stuck for Christmas inspiration? Like to look back on last Christmas and see what stories That's Christmas was carrying then? If that is t...

See former That's Christmas stories

Stuck for Christmas inspiration? Like to look back on last Christmas and see what stories That's Christmas was carrying then?

If that is the case, then just visit the following link http://www.thatschristmas.co.uk and you can look at what we carried back in the day, to coin a phrase!

Guylian for Christmas

Stuck for Christmas inspiration? Look no further than a delicious box of Guylian Chocolates from the world’s favourite Belgian chocolatier. Because almost everyone who likes chocolate will love Guylian.

And their Christmas range has something for everyone, and as Guylian is stocked throughout the high street, it’s easy to pick up a box of Guylian chocolates when you hit the shops this Christmas.

Guylian Belgium Classics
A selection of Guylian favourites – Original Seashells, La Trufflina and Opus. Pre packaged into a stylish and generous 540g gift box, they provide an excellent tabletop box for visitors to select from, but be warned – this tempting selection box won’t stay full for long!

Guylian Praline Seashells
Only the finest, hand selected Mediterranean hazelnuts are roasted and   caramelised, before being blended with premium Belgian chocolate to make this iconic and best selling box of Guylian chocolates. You’ll struggle to find anyone who won’t be delighted with a box of these come Christmas morning. Available in a variety of sizes from most major high street retailers, it’s easy to pick up a box at the last minute too. Available in a selection of sizes.

Guylian Seashells Selection
 This stunning combination of original and dark praline seashells are perfect for impressing discerning guests and relatives this Christmas. 

Guylian Opus
Opus is a selection of assorted Guylian chocolates masterpieces, each named after internationally renowned operas like Aida and Romeo and Juliet, and each with a different centre. Opus are also available in an already beautifully gift wrapped in a double layer, continental ballotin box with a luxurious ribbon that is the prefect ready-made gift-to-go. 

Guylian La Trufflina
A stunning combination of premium dark, milk and white chocolate Belgian truffles, La Trufflina is also available in a gift wrapped option for a luxurious last minute gift.  

Guylian’s Temptations
Guylian’s Temptations are a premium gift ideal for sharing. Individually wrapped finest Guylian chocolates in the iconic seahorse shape are available in a choice of the three most popular flavours; original praline, dark praline, and milk truffle. The packaging doubles up as a sharing box, but if you don’t like to share, Guylian’s Temp tations are also available in handy impulse packs for the ultimate in self indulgence this Christmas. RSP 

Stocking Fillers
Both Guylian’s Original and Extra Praline Seashells are also available in 65g mini gift boxes for the perfect stocking filler.

Available in all good supermarkets and chocalatiers, it's also available in some duty free shops so look out for them if you are going abroad for Christmas and need to pick up a good Chirstmas present at the airport or the terminal!

Retail Deals Site DiscountVouchers.co.uk Breaks Through 6 Million Subscriber Barrier

Money-saving website reports massive leap in registered users through previous three months

With more than 6 million registered subscribers, DiscountVouchers.co.uk this week announces that it has enjoyed a spike in sign-ups throughout the past three months. The dedicated money saving website reports that it has achieved the figure thanks to 10,000 new registered users every day.

Gerard Doyle, CEO of DiscountVouchers.co.uk, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to announce these new numbers, reaching 6 million users is a terrific achievement. It is also a real endorsement of our recently-launched daily deals service. People can look forward to saving more money at hundreds of top stores with us in 2012.”

For further information please see: www.discountvouchers.co.uk

That's Food and Drink: London Dining with Table7

That's Food and Drink: London Dining with Table7: table7.com offers London diners access to a hand-picked selection of top restaurants coupled with excellent customer service and discreet sa...

Around the World in Eight New Year's Eves!

Not content with a single New Year’s countdown, Adventure Bar venues in Covent Garden will be hosting not one, not three, not even five…but EIGHT New Year’s Eves in one! And what’s more, they are guaranteeing that you will have a brilliant night – or your money back!

Adventure Bar won’t let the party stop for the whole evening, celebrating the turn of the year with eight different countries from around the world. After opening at 6.30pm, each hour from 8pm will be marked with its own countdown with Moscow, Athens, Paris, Rio De Janeiro and New York with the highlight being London at midnight GMT. Each hour will be celebrated with token New Year’s kisses, and the most party poppers you will have ever seen. Really. They'll have over 5,000.

And to celebrate each countdown at this truly international party, guests are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite hour, or their favourite country. Expect to see Magic Eight Balls dancing with the Statue of Liberty, French Maids doing shots with Rio Carnival dancers and Russian Oligarchs kissing Greek Goddesses.

Every hour, on the hour, they will be playing a special song to commemorate each country – so every guest will have their moment to shine. Think outside the box, as the best dressed party-goers will receive a bottle of champagne and an exclusive Adventure Bar Trophy to treasure forever.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Adventure Bar will also be holding a raffle at 7.30pm in each of their venues where two lucky winners drawn at random and will receive £50 worth of drinks vouchers to really kick-start all of your eight New Year’s parties.

Adventure Bar promises the end to rubbish New Year’s Eve parties (we’ve all had them!) - guaranteeing you a great time by offering 100% of your money back on your ticket if you fail to have a fun New Year’s Eve. Guests can ask for their ticket money back any time, for up to 60 days after New Year’s Eve, for a full cash refund.

In true Adventure Bar fashion, they never want to end a good party – so we will be staying open until the last man standing. If you are still going, so will we! Our latest close so far has been 6am so pace yourself for a marathon New Year’s 2011.

1. Standard Ticket - Guaranteed entry before 9pm

· Entry only - £25 / £30 Covent Garden.

2. Premium Ticket - Guaranteed entry before 9pm, coat and bag check, a cocktail, a house shot and finger food

· For just £5 more, we throw in a cocktail, an infused vodka shot, coat and bag check and some finger food. Being on our mailing list, you get this for just £30 / £35 Covent Garden

3. Premium Table For 10 – Guaranteed entry for 10 people before 9pm, 10 coat and bag checks, 20 free cocktails, 10 house shots, finger food 7-8pm, and 2 free bottles of house Champagne

· To get your group a table, two cocktails each, a whole round of infused vodka shots, coat and bag checks and finger food for everyone, AND two bottles of house Champagne, select a table for just £550 / £650 Covent Garden! We will also be giving our tables confetti canons for the big London party so you can make the biggest mess of all, what better way to bring in the New Year?!

WWW.ADVENTUREBAR.CO.UK

The Jive Aces perform at Trading Boundaries New Year's Eve Party!

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style and join Trading Boundaries for a ‘house’ style party in the wonderfully ambient setting of their candlelit restaurant, The Elephant Cafe.

Following a Champagne reception guests can enjoy unlimited wine and beer from a selection carefully chosen to compliment the generous Gala Hot Fork Buffet. Canapé style desserts will be followed by Gourmet Cheeseboards.

Performances from Europe's premier jive and swing band The Jive Aces and other special guests will have guests dancing the night away!

Champagne will be served at Midnight when party-goers will count in the New Year to the sound of Big Ben and enjoy live firework coverage from London and around the world, shown on Trading Boundaries 10ft screen - complete with surround sound.

There will be a cash bar for guests who would like to purchase spirits, port and additional champagne.

The Elephant Café at Trading Boundaries is fast becoming known as one of the hottest music venues in Sussex. Having undergone a fantastic refurbishment earlier this year, the Café boasts an intimate, relaxed environment, complimented by brilliant acoustics.

Doors open 8.00 pm carriages 1.45 am

Tickets £145 per person

DRESS CODE: Black Tie

BOX OFFICE 01825 790200

Thursday, 22 December 2011

Entertaining at Christmas? Here are some tips from expert, Joanna Wood

Colour is going to be everywhere this year – people really need cheering up, so they will be going for a glamorous, opulent look filled with light.

Get the candle sticks out, polish up the crystal and off you go! Use lots warm, rich colours for your Christmas scheme. All shades of purple are cool at the moment, from lavender and mauve to royal purple. Red is on trend for fashion and for the home, so match your must-have red stilettos to your Christmas table.

The key to this look is to keep it crisp rather than dark using lots of glass, silver and lovely bright light. Low-voltage electric candles are useful for this.

For maximum impact, use lots of flowers down the middle of the table, displayed in matching pots or vases. A table runner is always a good way to add more interest to the look.

Place gold and silver sweets in little pots across the table for a glamorous touch of extra twinkle. A great tip is to get hold of some gold spray paint - use to spray tips of pears, apples and artichokes. These will dry out nicely to last the whole festive period.

Use crisp white linen and napkins to layer and to lighten the overall feel of your Christmas table. For a country look, use ever-green leave as place cards by writing on the names in gold or silver pen. Then use nuts and fir cones as accessories, as well as feathered place mats.

For more information visit www.joannawood.co.uk