| UK: Tesco Named Hitwise Top 10 Online Award Winner
Tesco is one of the big winners of the Hitwise Top 10 Online Performance Awards for 2006. Over the course of 2006, Tesco.com ranked first place for visits among all other UK websites in the Hitwise Shopping and Classifieds - Grocery and Alcohol category, with the Tesco Wine Club coming in at eighth place in the same category.
Tesco Wine Club has been flourishing online, with wine festivals held twice a year. March and April 2007 saw Tesco's Champagne Festival, with prices slashed up to 33% on a range of cases of champagne online. Tesco's variety of wine to buy online includes award winning champagnes as well as wine that caters to special diets - so vegetarian, vegan and organic consumers won't be left out.
The Hitwise UK Online Performance Awards celebrates the most successful UK websites in 50 key selected industries, based on the market share of visits a website has received throughout 2006.
March Summary: Sales Up at Large Chains
Four of the largest retail chains in the United States announced their sales data for the end of March at the weekend. The four are Saks Inc, Neiman Marcus, J.C. Penney and Federated. Saks Inc reported that same-store sales for March increased by 10.1%. A sharp increase was recorded in fine jewelry sales. Since the beginning of the year, the company has recorded an increase of 16% in same-store sales. Owned sales rose by 17.9% to $504.3 million. Neiman Marcus reported a 10.2% increase in same-store sales during March, reaching $414 million. Total revenues increased by 12.7% that month and came to $423 million. Here, too, there was an impressive growth in precious jewelry sales. Direct sales conducted both online and via the print-catalogue rose by 9.9% in March.
Mass killer turned to eBay for ammo clips
The Virginia Tech killer went to eBay to buy ammunition clips for one of the types of guns he used in last week's rampage, a spokesman for the auction Web site confirmed. Using the handle Blazers5505, Cho Seung Hui bought two 10-round magazines for the Walther P22 - one of two handguns used in the worst mass shooting in modern US history, which left 33 dead, including Cho. The clips were bought from an Idaho gun shop. "It's apparent that he purchased the empty magazine clips," said eBay spokesman Hani Durzy Saturday. "They're similar to what could be purchased in any sporting goods store around the country." Cho also sold several books with violent themes, tickets to Virginia Tech football games and a graphics calculator containing several games. The site says Cho had an account since January 2004.
Boutique offers unique vintage treasures
As winter melts away into spring and biting winds give way to warm breezes, most get the urge to follow the weather's lead and make a change in their wardrobe. However, dwindling bank accounts due to nights on the town can pose a major problem.
Downtown vintage depot Agora has all the answers. Harboring refurbished vintage clothes, fabulous jewelry, handmade pampering goodies and custom designed cards, this store has everything you need to tweak your ensembles and attitude in the coming season.
Vintage finds are not always attractive at first, but designers and seamstresses, like those that create the pieces sold at Agora, can take a frumpy dress and make it stylish and fun.
Creator of Pamplemousse Design, a clothing and accessories line carried in Agora, Karen Freed and Agora owner Airee Hong often collaborate to come up with an idea.
Philadelphia Film Festival Shorts
Following are reviews of movies titled M-Z (click for A-L) premiering in the first week of the Philadelphia Film Festival, April 5-11. Up to the day of the show, tickets may be purchased in person at TLA Video locations (11 a.m.-10 p.m.), by phone at 267-765-9700, ext. 701 (10 a.m.-9 p.m.), and online at www.phillyfests.org (up to 24 hours in advance). Same-day tickets are available only at the screening venue. Single ticket prices are $9-$10, $7-$8 for matinees until 4 p.m., and $7 for children 12 and under. Service fees may apply. Denotes a movie recommended by City Paper critics.
Denotes a highly recommended movie. Mojave Phone Booth It's magnetic tape everywhere but not a strand to watch in Mojave Phone Booth, a molar-grinding stab at neo-philosophy from journeyman actor/director John Putch.
A trail through time
THERE is a place on the river where Shakespeare's Globe Theatre looks across to St Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London. Over to your left is Big Ben and the Savoy; downstream is Tower Bridge and glittering Canary Wharf. As big rivers go, the Thames is only a creek, but by most definitions it is the most historically significant stream in the world. Size is not always important. Ancient castles and venerable pubs mark the Thames Path National Trail - nearly 300 kilometres of gentle yet spectacular country where, each year, thousands of people walk or cycle on their annual holidays following the Thames from headwater to saltwater - or at least bits of it. I met one of them in the Trout Inn at Lechlade. It was a hot day but he had run along the path for more than 20 kilometres.
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