Monthly Archives: September 2010

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Debenhams Announces 9000 Festive Jobs Up For Grabs

Debenhams announced that it is on the lookout for 9,000 seasonal temps to cope with its busiest time of year; Christmas.

Although the number of positions has increased, the number of hours remains the same. The retailer has altered its recruitment strategy by searching for more part-time roles. This emphasis on flexible shift patterns will ensure additional staff are in store whenever customers need them.

The jobs will be split across Debenhams’ 160 outlets and average out at 56 per store. The jobs are based in menswear, womenswear, accessories, childrenswear, home, gift or cosmetics departments.

Roles available are varied and include everything from stock handling and general sales advisor jobs to gift advisor roles which require special training.

While previous retail experience isn’t essential, excellent customer service and team working skills are.

Michael Sharp, Deputy Chief Executive at Debenhams said: “These jobs are sure to be welcomed by local economies during the most financially challenging part of the year.

“Our recruitment drive is so huge that for the first time we have trained a manager in all 160 stores to oversee staffing for Christmas.

“We are recruiting directly through our website and looking for energetic people with a talent for customer service.”

Minister for Employment, Chris Grayling said: “These new vacancies are a great boost for jobseekers, and flexible working patterns mean they can be family friendly too.

“We are committed to injecting new life into the private sector and this is another example of how employment in this sector is growing.”

Contracts will be for flexible working hours with the majority of positions running from November through to January, when the majority of customers will be carrying out their Christmas shop or indulging in the January sales.

More information and application forms can be found on www.debenhams-jobs.com or by contacting the local store.

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Jobless Turn To Part-Time Work With Kleeneze

Following recent reports that an increasing number of people are taking on part-time work to earn extra income, catalogue company Kleeneze has identified a rise in the number of applications from those struggling to find more traditional full-time jobs.

According to the Office of National Statistics, the UK is enjoying the largest rise in employment in 20 years between April and June this year as the number of part-time workers lifted by 115,000 to a record 7.84 million.

Jamie Stewart, managing director of Kleeneze, says: “With many people struggling to find full-time work in their chosen field, we’ve seen a significant increase in applications from those wishing to work with Kleeneze on a part-time basis to earn extra money.

“Working with Kleeneze allows distributors to build their own hours, working as little or as much as they like to generate some vital extra income. This makes it ideal for people who want to make some money while they look for a more permanent job role, and also for those feel let down by the current job market and want to explore Kleeneze as a full-time opportunity.

“Anyone who would like to find out more should get in touch to discover how the Kleeneze solution could work for them.”

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Cash Strapped Britons Take On Part Time Work With Kleeneze

With recent news reports that one in ten Britons fear they will have to work until they die to combat their lack of savings and pension, catalogue company Kleeneze is reporting a rise in applications from those in full time employment looking to earn extra income.

A recent report by insurance firm Aviva claims that millions have no savings and face large mortgages and ballooning debts. The Department for Work and Pensions also recently revealed that 60 per cent of the working age population don’t have a pension, meaning an increasing number of people are facing a financial struggle in later life.

Jamie Stewart, managing director of Kleeneze, says: “Many people are realising that they need to take action now in order to ensure they can retire and be comfortable in their old age.

“We’ve seen an upturn in applications from those looking to work with us part time in order to supplement the income from their full time job. Working with Kleeneze allows distributors to build their own hours, working as little or as much as they like to generate some vital extra income.

“Anyone who would like to find out more should get in touch to discover how the Kleeneze solution could work for them.”

To find out more about becoming a Kleeneze distributor and earn extra money, call 0844 848 5000 or visit http://www.kleeneze.co.uk/

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Compton and Woodhouse Launch Biggest Ever Christmas Catalogue

Compton & Woodhouse, leading retailer of prestige collectables and fine jewellery, is pleased to announce their highly anticipated Christmas catalogue will be released next week. The biggest ever catalogue created by Compton & Woodhouse is available from early October and will be almost twice the size of their previous catalogues.

After overwhelming customer interest for increased products and offers, the latest catalogue will feature over 600 offers across the range, including jewellery, figurines, collectables, bears and home decor items. Featuring a greater range of products and styles throughout the catalogue than ever before, over 250 new products will be included this year due to meet this rising consumer demand.

Mark Dugdale, Chief Executive of Compton & Woodhouse, said, “This year, we’ve been able to source a greater number of new products than ever before, and also have been able to introduce new brands to our collection, all featuring the exquisite design, excellent quality and outstanding value that Compton & Woodhouse is renowned for.”

With such a broad range of products, Christmas shopping has never been easier with the Compton & Woodhouse catalogue. Customers can avoid the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping on the high street this year by shopping for gifts through the Compton & Woodhouse catalogue or online on their fully transactional website.

With a 30 day home trial and money back guarantee, customers can shop with confidence that if their Christmas gifts aren’t suitable, they can easily be returned. Best of all, Compton & Woodhouse offer an interest free instalment plan, making budgeting for Christmas gifts over the holiday season a breeze.

Always a popular and memorable Christmas gift, jewellery features heavily in this year’s catalogue. Including both men’s and women’s jewellery, customers will be delighted at the collection of breathtaking rings, pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and watches, all perfect Christmas gifts for loved ones. What’s more, many of the covetable jewellery items are exclusive to Compton & Woodhouse and not available on the high street.

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The North Face Nuptse Will Keep You Warm With Style, Says Webtogs

As the nights draw in and the temperature drops it’s time to turn to the comfort and warmth of down and Webtogs’ regular best seller, the classic North Face Nuptse jacket. A classic for a reason, the North Face Nuptse has the style to look good on or off the mountain but doesn’t compromise when it comes to performance.

Using high lofting 700 Fill Power down and a sewn through construction the Nuptse delivers the warmth needed for cold dry days or sitting round an evening camp fire while compressing small enough to fit in any pack. Designed to be versatile the Nuptse is zip-in compatible offering the option to add extra insulation with a fleece from the extensive North Face range.

The North Face Nuptse jacket uses a mix of miniripstop and plain weave 50D fabrics with double layer taffeta on the shoulders for added protection when carrying a pack. On the inside a soft touch lining gives a reassuringly gentle and warm feel from first touch even on T shirted arms. With a straight cut the Nuptse goes on easily over mid and base layers without looking excessively bulky but is equally at home in the high street on a cold winter day. With a choice of five colours for men and four for women Webtogs offer one of the all-time classics in a range fit for every purpose and occasion.

The North Face Nuptse is designed for comfort with an easily adjustable hem cinchcord and nice chunky Velcro cuff adjusters to keep the draughts out whilst a pair of zipped pockets provide refuge for hands when the wind starts to blow. Finished with a DWR coating the Nuptse can shrug off rain and snow long enough for the wearer to find shelter but can be quickly compressed into its own internal pockets if the need arises. For real emergencies the Nuptse also has a taffeta hood that can be pulled up for added wind protection.

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House of Fraser Launches Dickins & Jones Launches Autumn/Winter 2010 Collection Online

House of Fraser has announced the launch of the new Dickins & Jones fashion label debut collection for autumn/winter 10, which is being made available exclusively online.

A quirky but quintessentially British brand, the Dickins & Jones name was inspired by the much-loved Dickins & Jones department store. The flagship store which was based on London’s Regent Street was bought by House of Fraser in 1959 and closed its doors in 2006.

Dickins & Jones has launched its new autumn/winter 2010 collection through the House of Fraser website. The debut collection comprises colourful clothing which offers a relaxed approach to dressing. Customers can shop online and purchase bright colours and contemporary printed clothing that is integral to the range. Simple shapes and feminine detailing is at the heart of the Dickins & Jones Clothing designs. Texture is a key feature of the autumn 10 collection with attention to detail seen in the form of vintage-style buttons and intricate ribbon trims.

Familiar and reassuring, the Dickins & Jones label aims to appeal to the discerning female who has her own sense of style. Looking good is important to the Dickins & Jones woman but she’s not a slave to fashion trends. With the emphasis on quality and comfort the collection exudes quiet confidence. The clothing range enables busy women to effortlessly build the perfect outfit for almost any occasion – from a dinner party, to lunch with the ladies or even an ‘oh so elegant’ supermarket dash.

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Displaysense Aims To Arm Small Businesses Against Government Cutbacks

Displaysense has announced that it is supplying a new range of affordable clothes streamers to assist independent fashion retailers in the wake of the latest round of government cutback for small and medium enterprises (SME).

As the government starts to squeeze spending across the nation’s services and industries, the initial optimism of a rosy post-recession economy has started to once again take on a dreary, grey outlook of austere, frugal consumer spending that could threaten the existence of smaller businesses.

Displaysense has taken steps to help these independent stores by offering a range of cost effective products that help promote retailers merchandise without breaking the bank. The flagship product range of this new drive is a selection of garment steamers from Fridja.

Coming in at under £100, these brightly coloured, user friendly clothes steamers are proving a big success with those looking for all of the benefits of a high capacity steamer without having to remortgage their house or sell a kidney on the black market. Already securing interest across the fashion industry, the Fidja steamers represent the opening salvo of a counter attack mentality that Displaysense are mounting on the severe spending cuts imposed on the country.

Continuing to source high quality, low cost products is a top priority for the UK based display company who believe that businesses should be able to look their best no matter how tight the margins. Designed to be a much quicker and cleaner alternative to traditional ironing practices, these low cost, high performing steamers from Fridja are already being championed by major brands such as Pepe and Sienna Millers Twenty8Twelve thanks to their eye catching colours and user friendly design that allows clothes to be steamed whilst still on their coat hangers.

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Burton Introduce Any Fit Any Wash Jeans

Burton has introduced a new way of buying jeans on its website by allowing customers to personalise the fit and wash of their new pair of jeans.

The new service will be launched on October 1st 2010 and will be available through Burton’s website. Customers will have a choice of eight washes and five fits that can be put together to create the perfect pair of jeans for them.

The washes that will be available to choose from include light blue wash, dirty mid blue wash, true blue wash, deep blue wash, dirty dark blue wash, slate grey wash, black wash and the fits range from skinny to straight cut. Customers can also save money if they choose to buy two pairs of Any Fit, Any Wash jeans at the same time.

Burton’s inspiration behind Any Fit, Any Wash is the possibility for customers to create their own style with ease. The new service gives the customer complete control in choosing their own style of jeans, allowing them to create jeans from 40 possible combinations. Burton hopes that the flexibility to be able to select the fit and wash of the jeans will give the customer a wide choice and a better shopping experience.

Burton recognises that going shopping for anything on the high street can be a stressful experience, no matter what the customer is looking for. Whatever type of jeans a customer may want to buy, this new service allows the customers to avoid the going to the high street themselves, which could save them time and effort.

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Baby Einstein Introduces Worlds Of Discovery With New Toy & Gear Product Launch

Baby Einstein, an award-winning leader of infant products, has announced the introduction of a new collection of toy and gear products designed to bring the colors, textures, sights and sounds of the world to babies and their parents.

Ranging from interactive plush to a new jumper, the products will hit shelves nationwide this summer and bring to life beautiful classical music, art, language and nature.

“Seeing the world through a baby’s eyes and developing trusted products that truly engage baby are the inspirations behind this new line,” said Susan McLain, vice president and general manager for The Baby Einstein Company. “The new products feature the real world imagery, classical music, engaging colors and multiple languages that together make Baby Einstein products unique and loved.”

The new products include:
-The Baby Einstein Jumper which is based on an award-winning colorful design and features a marquee musical piano with three languages, a mirror, teething toy, sun stalk and ‘Secure Support Seat’ with a higher back to support smaller babies. The Jumper folds easily and features a 360 degree swivel.

-The Touch & Explore Discovery Book, which is an electronic interactive baby book that encourages dialogue and language discovery with lights and classical melodies.

-A Lights & Melodies Activity Phone that includes melodies from the new Baby Einstein World of Music DVD.

-Shapes & Numbers Discovery Cards that help introduce shapes & numbers through everyday objects. The Discovery cards easily attach to carriers, strollers and car seats and feature 3 languages: English, Spanish and French.

-A new World of Colors Peacock with multi-textured activity feathers, teethable textures, a crinkle bead chaser, squeaker and baby-safe mirror for self discovery.

-Three plush Baby Einstein Press & Play Pals that introduce baby to music and instruments.

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Furniture Choice Extend Its Bed Range

Furniture Choice has extended its bed range which is now available to view in its West Yorkshire showroom, with the range also on its website.

Furniture Choice is already an established and successful internet retailer in the upholstery and dining sectors, and has decided to include beds in its furniture range to extend its retail offer.

Tom Obbard, Managing Director, said: “This is an exciting time for Furniture Choice. Beds are a natural progression for us and an area that we have been looking at for some time. We have been very selective about our range and suppliers so that our customers don’t have to spend hours trawling though endless lists of similar beds. Customers will know that whichever bed they choose they will be getting the best quality item at the very best price.”

The new range will include mattresses, divans and a selection of exclusively designed leather bed frames. Mattresses on offer will range from soft to very firm, memory foam to latex, budget to luxury pocket sprung, while the beds range in size from small single to super king, and can even include built in storage.

The store’s carefully selected range signposts customer to the model they need, which could save time and prevent customers looking at too many similar options. Many of the beds in the range are also models which are exclusive to Furniture Choice’s new range.

Furniture Choice has recently expanded its distribution network to include two warehouses, which will give it further space, which will allow it to have a greater quantity of stock.

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IdeasByNet Supports Launch of ALRA North

IdeasByNet has pledged its support for London based drama school ALRA (The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts), which has recently opened its northern campus in Wigan, with a new cohort of students starting term on Monday 27th September.

ALRA has worked alongside IdeasByNet previously and the Sheffield based promotional gifts company offered to support the launch of the northern site by providing the students with a range of ALRA branded stationery including promotional pens and notebooks.

The products were warmly received by ALRA co-director, Adrian Hall, who said: “We’re delighted that IdeasByNet have chosen to support ALRA North by providing us with branded stationery free of charge. As well as our regular Open Days, we hold Outreach talks at schools and colleges across the country, to teach students more about life at drama school. It’s great to be able to take branded stationery along to these sessions for the students to take away with them.”

ALRA prides itself on its strong community relations, and has been working hard to raise awareness of the potential of the new campus locally. Local dance and drama groups are being welcomed in to share the performance and rehearsal spaces. Being able to hand out branded items will help spread the word even faster, and they’ll also offer the students a little bit extra as they join ALRA in their first week.

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Topshop Make Up Launches Heavy Duty – A Trend Led Collection For Autumn/Winter

Topshop will be launching its second limited-edition make up collection, Heavy Duty. Following the earlier festival inspired summer collection; Heavy Duty is an unapologetic homage to LA’s bohemian grunge aesthetic and pulls in Topshop’s key looks for the season.

Heavy Duty promises deep tones in never before seen formulas that will mix wet and dry textures while keeping the unique quirky packaging design as seen previously.

Top of the wish list for many is Heavy Duty’s Kohl Dust. This is designed to crumble beautifully into the eye to create that party girl ‘slept in’ chic look. Paired with the ‘bitten cherry shade of stain’ Lip Marker, this is the perfect finishing touch for the tough yet feminine winter chic look.

Lizzie Dawson, Topshop Senior Designer, commented, “On a recent cool hunting trip to LA, I was inspired by how Californian girls effortlessly mixed new brands with old American vintage. The result is an eclectic lived-in grungey glamour that embodies Heavy Duty.”

The full 14 piece collection encompasses colour for lips, eyes and nails and is driven by a unique range of shades, from aubergine tones through to pewters and inky petrols.

A beauty bag must-have comes in the form of a lacquered lip gloss in deepest Chilli Red, delivering the wettest look lip coverage. Another must-have of the collection is the eye duo palette that holds an intensely pigmented wet to dry formula in pairings of inky tones. Carbon mascara comes in raven black creating the ultimate lengthened look complementing perfectly the smokey, sultry look.

“Although Heavy Duty embodies a toughness and strength never before seen in Topshop Make Up, the playfulness of hand drawn scribbles and craft materials still embodies the creative essence that is synonymous with the brand.” Sarah Thorne, Topshop Senior Creative Designer

The collection encompasses two key trends, ‘All Laquered Up’ and ‘The Ultimate Smokey’ that draw on the key trends for autumn/winter and have been created into video podcasts to help customers create this season’s favorite looks using core pieces from the collection:

All Laquered Up – podcast 1, sees make up artist Hannah Murrey create a look that is feminine but with attitude using key collection pieces, Eyeshadow Duo Greyscale’ and Lips in ‘Beguilded’.

Whilst Podcast 2 – The Ultimate Smokey’ creates an experimental look focusing on stained lips, cascading shadows and opulent blacks creating a look that is feminine but with attitude.

Both podcasts are availiable to watch on www.youtube.com/topshoppodcasts

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Reebok Easytones Have The X Factor

Tomorrow night’s X Factor will be the starting point for the re-launch of the Reebok ReeTone Campaign. The main focus is the best selling Reebok EasyTone trainer that claimed to stimulate muscle activity, leading to improvements in muscle density and overall general fitness.

The Summer Reebok EasyTone campaign was supported by ex-glamour model and body-icon Kelly Brook. The ex-glamour model appeared on billboards and posters worldwide wearing nothing but the Reebok trainers. This generated a large amount of publicity for the brand and many retailers saw sales sky rocket. However, interest is set to heighten even further with the launch of the new TV advertising campaign. The advert, which will air during tomorrow night’s X Factor show, features Kelly Brook completing household chores in skimpy outfits and a pair of Reebok EasyTone trainers.

Reebok are spending thousands of pounds in the second round of advertising, in an attempt to generate even more interest in the fitness footwear range. In order to concrete the publicity, Reebok have also enlisted the help of several male celebrities such as F1 driver Lewis Hamilton and Footballer Thierry Henry. These endorsements are targeted at getting males, who are interested in health and fitness, to start considering the toning shoes as part of their exercise wardrobe.

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Debenhams Reveals New Fashion Language Excludes Some Shoppers

Debenhams has issued a new dictionary to help shoppers understand the latest clothing terms.

The high street store has taken the unusual step because no one understands the plethora of new descriptions and phrases emerging from the fashion industry.

While newly made up words such as shacket and treggings are instantly understood by clothing industry insiders, they’re leaving the public baffled, says the store.

Debenhams spokeswoman Lizzie Singleton said: “It’s now easier to understand Sanskrit than some of the words commonly used by commentators within the fashion industry to describe garments.

The dictionary will translate fashion phrases such as:
Shacket (Shirt/Jacket) Jacket of shirt like appearance.
Tregging (Trouser/Legging) Leggings of trouser like appearance.
Jeggings (Jean/Leggings) Leggings with jean like qualities.
Coatigan (Coat /Cardigan) Cardigan with a coat appearance.
Cardigown (Cardigan/Dressing Gown) Cardigan, usually long and belted like a cardigan.

Lizzie Singleton continued: “We believe that these words are only properly understood by approximately five per cent of the population – yet they are commonly used throughout the fashion industry.

“It’s virtually a secret language, designed solely for fashion experts and people who spend every day reading fashion magazines.”

“We’ve decided to produce the dictionary so that every shopper – both fashion expert and non expert alike – can shop easily and clearly in all of our stores. However, we are also urging the fashion industry to use existing English words to describe their garments rather than made up amalgamations.”

Marie Clair, spokesperson for Plain English Campaign said: “Anything that helps to make sense of fashion is a good thing. Just like the Debenhams’ buying guides, the dictionary aims to give shoppers clear and concise information and could be a contender for one of our plain English awards in December.”

Other new words commonly used by the fashion industry include:
Skorts (skirt/short) shorts with the look of a skirt i.e. culottes.
Mandles (man – sandals) sandals for men.
Mackets (mac/jacket) a cross between a mac and a jacket.
Shoots (Shoe/Boots) not quite a shoe nor a boot but something in between.
Meggings (male leggings) very tight jersey trousers for men.
Mace (male lace)
Mankinis (male/bikini) skimpy swimwear for men championed by Borat.
Jombats (jegging/combats) tight combats of jegging quality.
Tankini (tank/bikini) cross between a bikini and a tank top for a more modest swim option.
Skousers (skirt/trousers) trousers with an attached skirt.
Blurt (blouse/skirt) all in one blouse and skirt combo.
Jardigan (jacket/cardigan) a thick jacket like cardigan that requires no coat on top.
Whorts (winter shorts) thick, often wool based shorts, normally worn with tights in winter.
Mubes (maxi tube dress)
Watch let (watch/bracelet) a bracelet which includes a time telling decorative element.

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All Halfords Bikes Have 10% Off With DiscountVouchers.co.uk

All bikes at Halfords now come with a 10% discount using the new offer from the money saving website DiscountVouchers.co.uk.

The deal is only available through DiscountVouchers.co.uk and covers all bikes such as hybrid bikes, children’s bikes, mountain bikes and road bikes – with brands such as Apollo, Carerra, Boardman, Voodoo and GT.

“With our Olympic cycling team doing so well and the many ride to work schemes at the moment as well as people realising the benefits of cycling, climbing on a bike has never been so popular”, said Simon Terry, a spokesperson from DiscountVouchers.co.uk. He also added, “While bikes can cost a lot of money, this new discount with Halfords makes it easier and more affordable for people to get on a new bike”.

Those who visit the money saving website have the chance to get their hands on a new Boardman Performance Hybrid bike which is worth £700, supplied by Halfords – check outwww.discountvouchers.co.uk for more details of the competition.

With more than 100 years of experience with cycling, Halfords makes sure every bike fits the customer’s needs as well as offering great advice on cycling and bicycle maintenance.

Visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk to get hold of the exclusive deal or to enter the competition. The website features even more money saving discounts from specialist retailers and high street brands such as Boden, Lastminute.com, First Choice, Travelodge, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Marks & Spencer.

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Celerant Technology Receives Perfect Score for Retail/POS Software Review

Celerant Technology, a leader in the retail software industry, was included in the CPA Advisor’s 2010 Retail/POS Review for the second year in a row. This year the CPA Advisor focused on specific features and functionality that are important for maintaining a successful retail business. Celerant Command Retail received top scores in all areas.

“It is an honor to again be included in the CPA Advisor POS Review and to have received such outstanding scores for Command Retail,” stated Ian Goldman, Celerant President and CEO. “In this increasingly competitive market, we strive to stay ahead of new technology trends to make improvements and additions to our software that enhance usability and productivity. Most recently, advancements were made to our software to enhance the built-in accounting interface, including an internal General Ledger, allowing our clients to perform sophisticated functions directly within the Command Retail system.”

The CPA Advisor’s 2010 Retail/POS Review provides an in depth overview of point of sale software companies and products. Celerant Command Retail received a score of 5 out of 5 for every category including Basic System Functions, Specialized Features/Services, Tracking/Reporting, Integration/Import/Export, and Help/Support. The review goes on to say, “Celerant Command Retail from Celerant Technology is a fully integrated retail management system. Designed for small to mid-size retailers with multiple locations, this system offers a series of integrated modules designed to help retail stores run more efficiently.”

Celerant Command Retail was said to be “a top-notch POS product that is ideal for small to mid-size retail businesses with multiple locations. Designed to fit the needs of the most demanding customers, this full-featured product truly does have everything.”

Celerant Command Retail provides retailers with a complete software solution that fully integrates the point of sale with back office functionality, inventory control, accounting, warehouse, distribution, allocation, advanced reporting and E-Commerce. Command goes beyond these functions by integrating with professional third-party accounting software, and also features an internal general ledger that has been made available in the most recent version of Command. For more information, go to http://www.celerant.com/financial_applications.cfm.

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Celerant Technology Included on Inc. 5000 List for the Third Year in a Row

Inc. recently announced that Celerant Technology Corporation (www.celerant.com) has once again achieved placement on the Inc. 5000. This is the third year that Celerant Technology has been featured on the list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the country.

“The leaders of the companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have figured out how to grow their businesses during the longest recession since the Great Depression,” said Inc. president Bob LaPointe. “The 2010 Inc. 5000 showcases a particularly hardy group of entrepreneurs.”

Celerant Technology provides multi channel retail software to a growing number of vertical markets in the retail industry and has continued to grow in size and revenue. Celerant Command Retail continues to receive recognition as being a solution for retailers looking to manage the many aspects of their businesses in one complete system.

“The announcement of the Inc. 5000 has again ranked Celerant as one of the top companies in the nation and we are honored to be included for a third year in a row,” said Ian Goldman, President and CEO of Celerant Technology. “We feel it is very important to provide an advanced retail software product and services that fulfill our clients’ day to day business needs, allowing them to run their operations more smoothly. It is this commitment to our clients that fuels our growth as a company, enabling us to further our success in the retail software industry.”

The 2010 Inc. 500|5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2006 to 2009. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by June 30, 2006. Additionally, they had to be based in the United States, privately held, for profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2009. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2006 is $80,000; the minimum for 2009 is $2 million.

Celerant Technology’s ranking on the Inc. 5000 demonstrates the financial strength of the company and recognizes Celerant’s growth as a leader in the retail software industry. For more information, visit http://www.celerant.com.

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Dave the Funky Shoulder Monkey Set to Be This Year’s Top Toy at Christmas

The Talkative toy featured on the BBC’s Something for the Weekend’s gadget reviews section is now being sold at Men’s Gifts and men’s accessories retailer Menkind and is bound to be a big hit with children and adults alike this Christmas.

Dave the Funky Shoulder Monkey has been hotly tipped to be a great source of entertainment this Christmas as the product is due for release in October during the build up to December. Toy companies such as Hamleys and Wow! Stuff have both ordered plenty in and placed it within their Top 10 toys for Christmas presents in 2010 and even though one retailer has ordered a huge stock of 450,000 they still don’t think they’ll meet the massive consumer demand for Dave, this year’s most popular monkey.

The toy is touted as an interactive ventriloquist dummy although you can operate it completely hands-free via the remote control which could easily be hidden behind your back or pocket. Dave attaches to your shoulder via a strap that secures Dave on to your shoulder and can interact with you and other people around with a repertoire of over 30 moves and actions. With actions such as laughing, crying, giving high fives and even blowing a
raspberry it is just like having an actual cheeky monkey on your shoulder with the advantage of not having to clean up after him!

Harbir Padda of Menkind had the following to say about the addition of Dave to the company’s Christmas line-up, “Dave The Funky Shoulder Monkey is sure to be a big hit this Christmas with similar ‘virtual pet’ gifts being huge last year, although none have been quite as fun and entertaining as Dave!”

Menkind Stores and it’s online store at Menkind.co.uk are already taking orders for Dave as well as many other popular men’s Christmas gifts such as the Magic Wand Remote Control also featured on TV in the popular Dragon’s Den show where notorious dragon Duncan Bannatyne beat other Dragons to the punch by placing the winning bid for a stake in the Kymera Magic Wand Remote.

For many men’s gifts including remote controlled cars, big boy’s toys and attractive men’s watches visit Menkind.co.uk.

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House of Fraser Launches Bespoke Men’s Shirt Service Online

House of Fraser, premium department store, has introduced its first bespoke men’s shirt service in association with Bivolino. Customers can shop online and buy tailor-made shirts from Bivolino, a brand renowned for its cut shirts made from the fine materials.

Bivolino worked closely with William Morris wallpaper designs, famous for their innovations in printing and weaving technology, to create fine fabric contrasts for collar and cuffs, exclusively for House of Fraser customers. A patented biometric sizing technology, Linosoft, calculates a customer’s height, weight and collar size and allows them to create the perfect bespoke shirt. Bivolino shirts are delivered within 3 weeks.

A new 3D ‘shirt designer’ on the House Of Fraser website enables customers to order a custom made-to-measure men’s shirt in four easy steps, choosing the fabric, design, monogram and size.

There is an extensive range of high quality fabrics to suit every taste and any requirement. Customers can choose from more than 100 fabric options including non-iron materials, luxury Egyptian cotton, exclusive linens, liberty flowers and many more. The shirts can be customised and customers can choose from a variety of unique cuffs and collar types, different pocket sizes and more. Customers can choose embroidery detailing and decide where they would like it positioned.

By simply entering a few details about height and weight, Bivolino’s patented biometric sizing technology ensures that the customer receives the best fit possible for their bespoke, made-to-measure shirt.

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Debenhams Reveal Men’s Age Of Invisibility Increased By At Least A Decade

Debenhams has revealed that the age at which men become ‘invisible’ to women has advanced by at least a decade, according to new research* carried out by the retailer. Men can now win a woman’s attention based on looks alone up until they are 55 years old.

Just 30 years ago, few women would have found any man over 45 years old worth a second glance, rendering them effectively invisible at any gathering.

Ruth Attridge, Debenhams’ spokeswoman said: “Older men are now remaining more attractive to women for longer than ever before.

“They are increasingly seen as eligible, prospective partners rather than old bores with little energy left to catch the female eye.

“It’s great news for George Clooney and Brad Pitt, but might not make that much difference to Bruce Forsyth.”

A much greater emphasis on dressing well and keeping fit has dramatically improved the impression an older man can create across a crowded room, Debenhams’ research shows.

Many men now spend a lot of time, either alone, with a partner or with a professional personal shopper, selecting styles which suit their figure, as well as paying attention to colour co-ordination to complement their complexion, hair and eye colour.

Baldness is no longer seen as a stigma, and even a slight paunch isn’t enough to prevent him from gaining female attention.

The trend towards women marrying and having children in their late 30s and early 40s has also decreased the age difference which would once have made older men ineligible.

They often find the increased financial status of older men reassuring because it can represent increased security for their children.

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House of Fraser Unveils Daisy Lowe As The Face Of Biba

House of Fraser has revealed that the new Biba collection with be available both in stores and online, with Daisy Lowe being the face of the brand.

The British model is famed for gracing the catwalks of Vivienne Westwood and PPQ, and also featured in campaigns for Marc by Marc Jacobs, DKNY and Louis Vuitton. September 2010 sees the much-anticipated re-launch of the globally iconic Biba clothing brand. The collection of women’s apparel, accessories and jewellery takes inspiration from the original Biba themes of 1930’s Hollywood glamour, synonymous with signature prints, maxi dresses and mannish tailoring.

Executive Brand Director for House of Fraser, Matt Chambers said: “We chose Daisy Lowe as the face of the Biba campaigns for PR and Advertising because she is effortlessly stylish, unique and eclectic, but most importantly British. She also helps to make this iconic fashion label, with great heritage, relevant to our younger customers.”

Executive Director of Womenswear & Accessories for House of Fraser, Stephanie Chen said: “Daisy Lowe embodies new Biba – she is confident, fashionable and glamorous with a very distinctive look that we feel perfectly complements new Biba. She is also very passionate about the brand having her own archive pieces in her wardrobe and genuinely loves the new collection which was really important to us.”

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Debenhams Breaks New Ground With National Disabled Model Campaign

Debenhams has become the first retailer on the British high street to launch a national window campaign featuring a disabled model in all of its 160 stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The ground breaking imagery features disabled model Shannon Murray, along with additional photography, mannequins and products in a display to launch the Debenhams autumn winter womenswear.

The innovative display follows an approach by Nikki Fox and Natasha Wood, both disability campaigners and presenters of the hit TV show, How to Look Good Naked, which lead to a trial using Shannon in three stores earlier this year. The pilot resulted in the some of the most responsive and positive feedback the retailer has ever received prompting Debenhams to take new shots and roll out across all its stores.

The move comes as a natural next step for Debenhams following campaigns featuring plus size and petite models, un-airbrushed swim models and size 16 mannequins – all since the start of 2010.

Debenhams hopes the latest move will encourage other retailers to follow suit and be more versatile.

Celebrity stylist, presenter of ‘How to Look Good Naked’ and inclusivity campaigner, Gok Wan, commented: “After months and months of hard work, this is some of the best imagery I have seen on the British high street…ever.

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Escapade Unveil Hundreds Of New Costumes In Time For Halloween

Escapade fancy dress will be unveiling hundreds of new and unique costumes on the Escapade.co.uk site. The huge increase in stock is just in time for Halloween and will see Escapade reveal their widest ever selection of Halloween costumes in their 28 year history.

Amongst the great selection of new Halloween costumes are some exciting “Ani-Motion” masks from California costumes, which allow the wearer to bring their Halloween costume to life with a user controlled moving face mask. The new range also includes brand new takes on seasonal favourites such as Michael Myers and Donnie Darko costumes.

The new range of very exciting costumes being introduced to Escapade include exclusive creations from world renown illustrator Brom, who is notorious for creating a plethora of horror characters in films such as Sleepy Hollow and Van Helsing as well as games such as Doom 2 and World of Warcraft and a series of dark comics. The Escapade collection of Brom fancy dress are amongst the most horrific and sublime customers will find come Halloween.

Escapade Director Bhupendra Maisuria said: “We are very excited about the new range of Halloween fancy dress that will be on offer for 2010. With our ever expanding collection we hope to be able to provide our customers with the best selection in the UK, which will allow them to find their perfect outfit. So, whether they are going to Bestival, hosting their own Halloween costume party or would simply like to create their own unforgettable escapade, we can provide a costume for every occasion.”

In addition to the new costumes being sold online at Escapade.co.uk, there will still be all the existing fancy dress costume favourites including Batman, Captain America and Stormtroopers available this Halloween.

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The Most Romantic, Crazy and Funny Engagement Story Contest: Win $1000!

Nothing can be more exciting and romantic than narrating your engagement story in your friend circle over and over again. But now Best for Bride gives you an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share your engagement story with the entire world. Yes, retelling one of the most thrilling experiences of your life can win you $1000 Gift Certificate for your Bridal Dresses and Bridesmaid Dresses. All you have to do is send us your story, briefly recounting your nervous & exciting times when your Prince Charming went down on his knees and popped the question with a ring.

wedding dressesAll the stories received will be published on website and visitors will vote for their favorite engagement/proposal story. No points for guessing that the one getting maximum votes will walk away with the prize money of $1000.

“Marriages are made in heaven but celebrated on Earth.”

True to its every alphabet, this popular adage very much summarizes the meaning of marriage as the union of two different souls for remaining life. But in most cases, this union is preceded by string of interesting incidents. Engagement or getting proposed by your soul mate is one such incident. Why interesting? Because it is not every day that you find yourself getting proposed for marriage by someone whom you love from the core of your heart.

Interestingly, clichéd it may sound but the fact remains the same – every young girl dreams of a fairytale romance. They go weak on their knees when it comes to their Prince Charming. And The Most Romantic, Crazy and Funny Engagement Story Contest is the perfect chance for such girls to share the most private, nervous and probably, the most interesting moments which later became a memorable chapter of their lives.

wedding invitationsSponsored by Best for Bride, the one-stop bridal store, the contest is a conscious attempt to let couples share their memorable moments with the world and inspire other people on how they can propose the one whom they love.

Best for Bride assists you in planning your day in best possible way. From the engagement day to your honeymoon, we help you plan every occasion in a best possible way so that you can cherish those lovely memories for lifetime. At Best for Bride, we ensure to transform your dream into reality. So, rest assured, whether you are planning to take your wedding vows in an open garden or in a spacious hall room, it will be an event to remember.

Best of Bride takes care of everything including; wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, mother of the bride dresses,wedding flowers, wedding décor and much more! As far as wearing wedding dress is concerned, for most of the brides it is a one time affair. So, renting it out would be a fairly good idea. Not to mention, Best for Bride offers renting wedding dress option too.

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New National Survey Shows £1000+ is Spent on Sending Each Child Back to School

A new national survey has been conducted throughout the UK highlighting an increase in pressure for parents to buy named brands for children, with many spending up to £1000 on each child. Items contributing to these spiralling costs include school trips, clothing and accessories.

The survey was conducted for DiscountVouchers.co.uk, a money saving website. The survey was completed by over 600 parents from the UK and involved questions surrounding their outgoings running up to the beginning of the new school year.

Nearly half of those that completed the national survey for parents admitted that they were under pressure to purchase items that were of a popular brand name such as accessories and shoes. 1 in 10 of those who responded shared that they did have concerns about bullying if their child did not have items that were branded. 1 in 4 shared they had bought branded items so their child was not the same as others.

The survey revealed some facts such as women were twice as likely as men to by items that were of a brand name for their child as they had concerns relating to teasing if they didn’t. 10% of those who responded revealed their school would not allow children to have branded items.

Mr. Terry is a representative at DiscountVouchers.co.uk, and stated, “The money spent by parents mounts up at an alarming rate, which is frightening during this time when money is tight for them. The high importance of having branded items is a continuing concern. More worrying is the concern that children will be teased if they do not have the correct brands.”

The survey found 95% of parents had spent up to £500 on new school clothing and extras such as equipment, with 81% saying up to £500 was spent on extra activities such as music lessons and extra school trips. 1 in 10 of those who completed the national survey said these extras cost them up to £1000, with 3% stating they had spent over £1000.

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New Dingoo Portable Going Head to Head For Handheld Sales this Holiday Season

The Dingoo is on track, sounds like some Australian outback creature forgotten, however it’s far from that. According to new DMCA rulings “jailbreaking” of your portable media devices is now legal. But what happens when a device is so “open-source” friendly that it has the potential to take a sales bite out of big portable gaming manufacturers’ products like Nintendo & Sony.

Das Cheap! of Walnut, CA.- CEO David Scarpitta says: ” The Dingoo does what you want it to do! Just like earlier technologies including the VCR, your PC and of course now some of your Smart Phones. I think we are in an age now that companies that don’t look beyond the big picture are hurting themselves by trying to control devices that they sell their users. Ultimately people will find a way around it and if they are worried about profits then they should rethink their strategy about being more transparent. “

The Dingoo happens to be one of the latest “portable pocket multimedia players” that can do just about anything except cook you breakfast in the morning. The Dingoo ( Pronounced Ding ~ Goo ) has the power of a Nintendo DS© but with the ability to do so much more. The product mainly found in China & Japan has been officially made available by Das Cheap for sale here in the North America and reports that it’s a hit amongst the classic gaming and tech junkie crowd.

” We were at first worried about the reaction of the unit, but it’s been a great little product thus far. It has a fast growing strong community behind it that is making magic happen, that I don’t see going anywhere. ” – David Scarpitta

Given the immense interest and usability in the unit, it seems that Sony & Nintendo might be losing a bit of the pie based on the price point that the unit MSRP’s is currently at of $119.99. The unit is currently unavailable at retail and is available in both black and white and comes with an official warranty from Das Cheap.

For more information on The Dingoo A320 Portable Gaming Unit Please Visit:
http://www.dascheap.com/dingoo-a320-portable-emulator-game-system-black-dingoo-multimedia-handheld-system.html
And respective white color at;
http://www.dascheap.com/dingoo-portable-emulator-white-dingoo-a320-digital-multimedia-player.html

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Tesco Launches First Ever Shopping App For iPhone

Tesco has announced that it is launching its first ever shopping app for iPhone. The Tesco grocery app joins the family of hugely successful Tesco apps, including Clubcard and the Winefinder, which together have now reached over one million downloads.

tescoapp.jpg (139×267)

The announcement represents a landmark moment for the supermarket, as this is the first time that Tesco has created a shopping portal that is
specifically optimised for the iPhone.

Laura Wade-Gery, CEO for tesco.com comments: “We’re always looking for ways to make life easier for customers. The iPhone app creates a fantastic new way to shop with tesco.com whenever you want, whether you’re adding last minute essentials or starting a new order.”

The app means that customers can ‘shop on the go’ for groceries via their iPhones. Once downloaded, those customers who have registered with tesco.com groceries will be able to access their home store’s product range and their ‘Favourites’ (items purchased online or from a Tesco store using a Clubcard. They can log into their grocery account and add forgotten items to their basket, or start a new order from scratch, checking out securely on the phone or later online. The updated order synchronises seamlessly from phone to computer and vice versa, perfect for adding last minute essentials.

The Tesco iPhone app is available for free and users can download it directly from the Apple iTunes Store. Tesco has been working with mobile specialists Ribot, who designed and developed the new app.

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Topshop Announces The Arrival Of New Designers Online

Topshop has welcomed a number of collections and collaborations from new designers to be introduced online and at the company’s flagship Oxford Street store.

While new clothing projects will launch throughout the year, September sees the arrival of new collections from Ashish and Michael Van Der Ham.

Michael Van Der Ham will be creating a range of multi-coloured silk scarves which will feature trompe d’oeil patchwork and fringe detailing. This is the first time Topshop has worked with Michael Van Der Ham, and follows his recent NEWGEN sponsorship win.

Ashish will be offering a range of premium jerseys. The pieces are emblazoned with French phrases using flocking and will be available in both fitted and oversized styles. Ashish’s collections for Topshop are always desirable, with his sporty and fun aesthetic proving very popular with fashion tastemakers.

Rachael Proud, Senior Buyer and Consultant at Topshop commented: “The new collaborations were inspired by our desire to offer something new, exciting and surprising to the customer that was ever-changing instore. We hope that the customer will go into store to buy the perfect gift for a friend, but love the gift so much they have to keep it for themselves.”

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Displaysense Reports Empty Shops Proving An Unlikely Source Of Business

Displaysense, the UKs leading supplier of display products, has recently seen a surge in customers ordering display items with the intention of using them for small, short-term projects within empty high street lots.

The company first noticed the wave of customers using empty sites when large orders of mannequins and vintage busts were ordered for 24 hour exhibitions set up in these vacant, yet premium high street sites.

A rising number of people organising fashion and art exhibitions have been ordering from the UK based display company after securing deals with site owners to stage small events. As long term contracts are still not presenting themselves, the idea of letting the sites out to these small businesses appears to have become more appealing. The blight of ugly, derelict outlets has long been an issue that councils are keen to see the back of. Previous attempts to rekindle the high streets have involved setting up fake shop facades to give the false impression of a healthy economy.

Steve Whittle, marketing director for Displaysense commented: “Often the locations of the empty stores are occupying the most retail friendly sites that are poised to get the most amount of traffic. It’s no wonder that people are leaping at the opportunity to set up short term ventures with no obligation to sign long term contracts. Displaysense has supplied a wide range of products to be used in these projects; from mannequins for fashion shows to collapsible display cabinets for small exhibitions.

“It’s been fairly hectic – these people are looking for a low cost, effective and attractive way of shop fitting that doesn’t require interior designers or any activity that will take too long. We’ve made sure we have high stocks of items that are being used for these short term projects so we can match the client’s deadlines. Time is of the essence with these types of venture so it pays to be prepared and help equip these shops as quickly as possible.”

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Debenhams Breaks Ranks And Launches New Season With Designer Discounts

Department store retailer Debenhams turned the convention of the sale on its head by reducing prices at the start of the Autumn/Winter season, rather than the end of it.

The innovative move sees tens of thousands of new season lines reduced by up to 25 per cent, across new to store stock including womenswear, accessories, menswear, childrenswear, home, cosmetics, lingerie, sports and leisure and gifting.

The move will no doubt be popular with consumers, with many remaining cautious due to the continuing, challenging economic climate following spending cuts and the ‘will we, wont we’ double-dip recession debate.

So extensive are the ‘introductory offers’ that even top designers – Betty Jackson, Julien Macdonald, Jasper Conran, John Rocha, Matthew Williamson and Henry Holland – will see their exclusive to Debenhams, diffusion collection prices fall just before their mainline offerings grace the catwalks at London Fashion Week.

“Retailers discount at a time that suits them to help sell tired end of season stock,” said Michael Sharp, Debenhams deputy chief executive.

“This move turns that idea totally on its head. It offers customers discounts across the store on the very latest products, meaning they can pick up this season’s must-haves at sale prices,” added Michael Sharp.

“I have said it before and I will say it again. We are more determined than ever to deliver designer clothes at prices everyone can afford. Nowhere else on the high street can you see so many fantastic offers all under one roof.”

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