NRF: Shoppers will use Web for one in four holiday gifts

OCTOBER 30, 2006 - Washington -- If jewelers need yet another reason to ramp up their Web sites for the holidays, they just got it.

A new consumer survey conducted for the National Retail Federation (NRF) by BIGresearch shows that shoppers plan to use the Internet to either browse or make purchases for an average of 28.9 percent of their holiday shopping, or for more than one in four gift purchases."While many shoppers plan to purchase holiday gifts online this year, others are using the Internet to look for gift ideas, research products and compare prices before heading to the store," Scott Silverman, executive director of Shop.org, the online retail division of NRF, said in a press release issued Monday. "Retailers' ongoing efforts to make their stores and Web sites work hand-in-hand will create more sales and happier customers.re

"The sheer number of those planning to make at least one purchase online has increased from 36 percent three years ago to 47.1 percent this year. In addition, many will also use the Internet to browse before heading to stores to buy. According to the survey, a whopping 88.7 percent of consumers regularly or occasionally examine products on the Internet before buying in a store.When it comes to merchandise research, electronics are the most popular searches, with 39.3 percent of those surveyed indicating that they have browsed for electronics online before buying in a store within the last 90 days.

Other merchandise that shoppers have recently studied online before buying in a store includes apparel (20 percent), appliances (19.6 percent) and home improvement items (18 percent). Consumers also said they have researched medicines, vitamins and supplements (16.2 percent), and shoes (16.1 percent) online before purchasing in a store."Companies view the Internet as a marketing opportunity, not only a sales channel," said Phil Rist, vice president of strategy at BIGresearch.

"Retailers see their Web sites as the first connection they make with many consumers and will be sprucing up their sites to give holiday shoppers ideas and information on popular gifts."The survey found that shoppers use a variety of Web sites to research and compare products. The top Web site used for this purpose is Google.com, chosen by 23.6 percent of those surveyed, followed by Yahoo.com, selected by 7.2 percent, Amazon.com, chosen by 5.5 percent, and eBay, selected by 3.7 percent.The NRF 2006 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to the winter holidays, polled 7,623 consumers and was conducted for NRF by BIGresearch from Oct. 4-11.

What shape and how big of a diamond do the celebrity buy there loved once.

We start with one of our famous celebrity, please when reading this and you know of any other celebrity info please add.

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have secretly married, The National Enquirer can exclusively reveal.Wearing white, the pregnant Alias star sealed her union with Ben on a sandy beach on the Turks and Caicos island yesterday evening.With the sun setting, her costar Victor Garber watched as Jen, 33, and Ben, 32, embraced and kissed.And The National Enquirer was there to witness the romantic moment.

The couple flew to the paradise hideaway yesterday morning, accompanied by Victor, who plays Jen's CIA agent father in the hit TV show.It is understood the couple are leaving the luxury resort Parrot Cay, where they spent their first night as a married couple, later today or tomorrow.The newlyweds are believed to be heading for Jen's family home in Charleston, West Virginia, to celebrate their nuptials with family and friends over the July 4 weekend.In April, The National Enquirer exclusively revealed that the couple got engaged after learning they were expecting a baby in November.Ben proposed by giving Jen a $500,000, 4.5-carat cushion-cut diamond.

The National Enquirer also reported that Jen at first could not wear the ring from top jeweler Harry Winston because it was too large and had to be re-sized.

Shape Cushions Carat 4.5

Kate Moss engagement ring rumors?

Kate Moss has fuelled rumors after she was seen looking at engagement ringswith lover Pete Doherty.
The supermodel and the former drug addict were browsing over sparkling bands during a romantic trip to Florence at the weekend.

One onlooker said: "They both looked like a pair of loved-up teenagers but they were taking the matter of rings very seriously. There is no guarantee it's an engagement ringbut it seems significant to them."
Kate, 32, made her best efforts to hide the sparkler when she arrived in Heathrow airport yesterday (22.10.06), by covering it up with her sleeve.
Meanwhile, Pete's uncle Phil Michels has claimed the 32-year-old catwalk queen is pregnant with his nephew's baby.

He told Britain's Sunday Mirror newspaper: "I have spoken to Pete twice about the baby and he has confirmed that Kate is pregnant. They are both delighted and Pete sounded really excited. Pete told me they want a baby to cement their marriage."
Meanwhile Kate has reportedly given Pete a list of six rules which he must obey or she will call off their alleged wedding.

The 32-year-old supermodel is calling the rules 'Kate's Commandments' and insists the junkie rocker must stop taking drugs, end contact with his 'loser' friends and call her at least thee times a day.
Pete, 27, must also stop flirting with his groupies if he wants to make Kate his bride, start eating properly and spend two hours every day writing poetry and music.
A source said: "Pete is prone to going AWOL. Kate has warned Pete that if he doesn't comply, their relationship is off."

Kate and Pete are apparently planning to marry in Ibiza on her 33rd birthday in January next year.
She agreed to marry the rocker after he checked into The Priory rehab centre to battle his addictions to crack cocaine and heroin.
Since leaving rehab Pete has managed to stay clean.

Top 4 Mistakes Men Make When Buying Engagement Rings

You have found the woman of your dreams, but can you find the ring of her dreams? Read these common mistakes to make sure you are on the right track.

1)Not knowing her style. An engagement ring is not just a prop to use while on bended knee -- it is a treasure that she will wear forever! Quietly talk to her friends, or better yet, study her other jewelry. If she only wears silver earrings, chances are she won't want a yellow gold ring.

2)Not knowing her ring size. This one doesn't require psychic abilities or even outright questioning. Just sneak one of her rings and bring it to your jeweler. If you don't think you can get away with it, try it on your own finger and mark where it lands. Just make sure you are using one that goes on her ring finger, and not, say, her middle toe.

3)Going it alone. You have probably at least heard of the 4 C's of diamond buying -- Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat -- but did you know that there are hundreds of ways to combine these elements into the perfect diamond for your taste and budget? www.diamondsonfifth.comcan show you how to get the best "fire," or how to fit that Big Rock into your price range.

4)Scrimping on quality. Not only will your future bride wear her engagement ring her whole life, she will pass it on as an heirloom. Invest in her pride, and your shared joy. "Two months income is the usual advice," That rough guideline should get you a ring that will engage the eye, and then the soul. Forever." .

www.diamondsonfifth.com

Shoppers to spend more this holiday season

OCTOBER 17, 2006 - Washington, D.C. -- The average consumer plans to spend $791.10 this holiday season, up from $738.11 last year, according to a new study from the National Retail Federation.

The 2006 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by Big Research, also finds consumers will take advantage of holiday sales and discounts, spending an additional $99.22 on themselves.Almost half of the consumers surveyed (48.4 percent) say they plan on shopping at specialty stores for holiday gifts, and 70.3 percent say they will buy gifts from discount stores.Of those surveyed, 47.1 percent say they will shop online for holiday gifts, and 61.6 percent will go to department stores.

Department stores may see the greatest traffic from young adults, with 79.1 percent of 18 to 24 year olds surveyed planning to shop at department stores for holiday merchandise. The average holiday gift budget will divide as follows: $451.34 on family, $85.60 on friends, $22.40 on co-workers and $44.52 on others, including clergy, teachers and babysitters.

www.diamondsonfifth.com
www.qualitygiftsplus.com