Albany Herald Gift Guide 2

Sunday, December 11, 2011

II II Easy Gift Giving Guide To Make Your Holidays A Breeze

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The Albany Herald

Sunday, December 11, 2011

www.albanyherald.com

Be an Internet Savvy Santa during the Holidays Seven tips to safely shop online this holiday season Buying online? How to find reliable product reviews (ARA) - Black Friday and the ensuing holiday shopping season have become stressful times in every consumer's year. Standing in line for six hours in the freezing cold outside the local big-box store and battling ravenous hordes of deal-seekers is not the ideal. That is why many shoppers have been driven to seek the convenience and lower prices of cyber storefronts. But online shopping comes at a risk, especially for those who don't take simple precautions.

According to Ken Desforges, Excelsior College faculty member and cybersecurity industry advisor, these seven tips can help protect you this holiday shopping season.

1. Put away that debit card, credit is your best bet. Credit cards are safer than debit cards, checks or cash. Under federal law, your liability on unauthorized charges on credit cards is limited to $50.

2. Identify the knock-offs. Before "clicking" on that payment button, determine the seller's physical address and phone number and run a check through the Better Business Bureau. A few extra seconds can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Remember, you are protected by federal consumer laws when you buy American.

3. Consider single-use credit cards. Many credit institutions are adopting a new technology that protects you from additional fraudulent charges by issuing a unique credit card number for each purchase.

4. Secure transactions only, please. The most reputable online sellers utilize state-of-the-art encryption technology such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) or Secure Electronic Transaction (SET). Your browser should provide indication that a site is secure in the form of a padlock icon on your screen. Also, the web address will change from "http" to "https." See the "s" and you'll know you are safe to spend $80 dollars on a new football jersey - that is, until your spouse finds out.

5. Read the fine print: Before purchasing anything, read the seller's privacy policy to determine if your information is disseminated in any way to third parties or used for any specific purpose other than completing the transaction. No privacy policy? Don't buy!

6. Only the facts, ma'am. Some information is pertinent to completing an online transaction, specifically a name and physical address to send the products. Of course, Social Security numbers are not. If someone asks you for one, move along. And, if they begin asking "lifestyle" questions, feel free to answer - if you don't mind being spammed. Those types of questions are a clear indication that a seller is using your information for marketing purposes.

7. Be cautious with electronic signatures. Recent law allows for the verification of online purchases using an "electronic signature," often nothing more than clicking a box agreeing to the privacy policy and purchasing terms. In addition, the same law doesn't require much else from the seller in regards to consumer protection, including privacy with customer data.

(ARA) - More of us than ever before will do at least part of our holiday shopping online this year, foregoing the hassles of in-store purchasing. In fact, in 2010, online shoppers spent more than $1 billion on Cyber Monday (the Monday immediately following Thanksgiving), according to one study.

While the benefits of online shopping are many, it does have its perils too. It can be difficult to determine the quality of what you're buying, and many consumers need to rely on customer reviews for help when evaluating products. But how do you know you can trust the reviews you're reading? The online experts at Yahoo! Shine Get It Guide offer some tips: * Consider the source. Online product reviews can come from many sources, including compensated bloggers, independent bloggers, manufacturers, marketers, consumer advocacy groups and actual customers. Many consumers feel the most valuable, unbiased reviews are the ones generated by those who have actual experience with the product they're reviewing. For example, the Get It Guide relies on reviewers who are everyday people who review products they've actually purchased and used. * Compensation. Has the reviewer been paid for or compensated in some other way for the review? This can be difficult to determine, but knowing the reviewer's motivation and influences can help you better assess the validity of a review.

who received monetary or product compensation, although that's not always the case. Independent sites like the Get It Guide and consumer organization websites are more likely to offer uncompensated reviews. * How did the site select the products being reviewed? Some bloggers will review any product as long as the manufacturer or marketer sends it to them for free. Consumer groups may base their decision of what products to review based on whether or not they've received consumer complaints about those products. Products featured on the Get It Guide are selected based on search ranking, meaning the site shows reviews of products that people are actually looking for, rather than ones a manufacturer has offered for review. * Relevance. Are the reviews about product categories that you care about? For example, during the holiday season, consumers are searching for information on popular categories such as technology, appliances and fragrances (the Get It Guide's first offering was on celebrity fragrances). During summer months, travel items, sportswear and swimming items gain popularity.

Product reviews can be a great way to learn more before you buy, and can help ensure your money is well spent. To learn more and to see product reviews, visit www.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/getitgui de.

* Location. Where the review appears can help you determine if the reviewer was likely compensated. For example, reviews on a company or product website may have been posted by people

Excelsior College's Desforges adds that the best advice anyone can be given is to use their "shopper's intuition." If the merchant's website looks amateurish, is riddled with spelling errors, makes outrageous claims, has a price that seems too good to be true, or the customer service line goes unanswered, then you are probably placing your identity at risk by doing business with them.

Remember, if something seems too good to be true then it probably is.

Nothing is worth the pain, frustration and cost of having your identity stolen - not even that "must have" toy or holiday gift.

Shopping online? 10 tips to avoid ID theft this holiday season (ARA) - The holidays are approaching and it's time to start shopping for those special gifts. Last year, consumers spent a holiday-season record $32.6 billion online, according to comScore.

Unfortunately, with so much personal financial information out there, instances of identity theft are on the rise. According to the Federal Trade Commission, as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

While some victims of identity theft resolve their problems quickly, others spend thousands of dollars and months repairing the damage done to their credit. Some identity theft victims may even lose out on job opportunities or be denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.

"Anyone who shops online is

vulnerable to having their identity compromised," says Jamie Haenggi, chief marketing and customer experience officer at Protection 1, the nation's second-largest security company. The company recently partnered with LifeLock to include identity theft protection in its offerings. "The proper precautions, combined with identity theft protection, are the strongest safeguards to protecting your credit and preventing the financial hardships that can be caused when an identity is stolen."

Haenggi offers the following tips to better protect your identity when shopping online this holiday season: 1. Shop trusted names Stick with sites like Amazon.com, Target.com or other familiar retailers.

Beware of misspellings or domain names using ".net" instead of ".com"

as that is one of the most common ways scammers trick consumers.

2. Look for the lock A secure website starts with "https://" instead of "http://." Secure sites will also have a small lock icon in the lower-right corner of the screen. Never give anyone your credit card through email. PayPal, however, is still a good, safe way to make a payment.

3. Don't share too much No store needs your social security number or your birthday.

In the hands of the wrong person, combined with your credit card number, serious damage can be done.

Always give up the least amount of personal information possible.

4. Check billing statements Check statements for credit and debit cards, and monitor checking accounts regularly. If you see any charges you don't recognize, address the matter immediately. Don't pay credit card bills until you know all your charges are accurate. You have 30 days to notify the bank or card issuer of problems.

After that, you might be liable for the charges.

5. Use stronger passwords With so many online accounts - banking, credit cards, email - it's common practice to recycle simple passwords that can be easily recalled. Use uncrackable passwords, especially when banking and shopping. Your password is weak if: * It uses numbers or letters in the order they appear on the keyboard ("1234" or "qwerty")

* It's the name of your kids, pet, favorite team, or city of birth * It's your birthday, anniversary, date of graduation, or car license plate number * It's "letmein," or, especially, "password."

7. Think mobile The National Retail Federation predicts that 25 percent of adults will do online browsing with their smartphones to find gifts.

Buck this trend and download store-specific apps like those for Amazon.com and make your purchase without going to their website.

8. Stay at home Do all online shopping at home so you know you're using a trusted, secure network.

9. Enroll in an identity theft protection service Having a service provider you trust is important. Advanced technology and helpful customer service are "musts" for identifying and remedying any fraud issues. Protection 1 is now offering identity theft protection in every new HomeCore Solution home security package at www.Protection1.com.

10. Use insurance Just in case you do become the victim of identity theft, having insurance is vital to help recoup any lost money.

Coverage typically costs from $20 to $100 a year as a rider to a basic homeowner's policy or as a standalone purchase.

Follow these simple tips, and you can help to ensure your family and your property - remain safe yearround.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

The Albany Herald

Five handy apps for the festive season www.albanyherald.com

(ARA) - The holiday season is full of festivities from children's plays to office parties to checking off shopping lists. That means many consumers are multitasking. Never fear, there are an array of apps for both the iPad and smartphones to help you accomplish your seasonal tasks on the go.

Epicurious: Free A staple of the holidays is food - and lots of it. Whether cooking up a feast for a dozen or assigned to bring a side to the family event, the Epicurious app has you covered. The app offers more than 30,000 recipes from publications like Bon Appetit and well-known chefs and cookbooks. Browsing is simple with specific categories - from party snacks to decadent desserts and users can search by not only typing in keywords, but also using icons such as what's in season and what holidays are approaching. The app automatically updates so you can be sure to snag the latest recipes and features a handy shopping list you can save for when you hit the supermarket. A newer feature lets amateur chefs share favorite dishes with friends via Facebook, Twitter and email. And when it comes to actually putting together your culinary masterpiece, Epicurious helps there too offering cooking-friendly views that make it easy to follow a recipe step-by-step. For $1.99, you can also save favorite recipes and sync your Favorites list in the app with your online Recipe Box at Epicurious.com. A great feature for if you create a hit that the clan wants again next year.

Amazon Price Check: Free In the store holiday shopping and think you just might find a better deal on online? Amazon Price Check helps you make sure.

Use Price Check to scan a barcode, snap a picture, or type or say an item name to check prices on Amazon.com products and buy them directly from the app. You also can add items to your Amazon Wishlist and share via Twitter, Facebook, text message and email link.

Camera +: 99 cents What's the holidays without pictures to capture the memories? On sale for a limited time for less than a buck, Camera + lets you enhance your smartphone photos by zooming in (up to 6x)

Great Giving Simplified (NAPSI)—To make your holiday gift giving easier, consider these tips and tricks from Amy Judt of TheGift.com: • Think outside the box. In addition to the usual stores, try an antique dealer, sewing shop or gardening supply center.

• Food for thought: Some hostess presents give twice. You can get baked goods and other items that raise money for charitable organizations. You get to present something that’s useful for the recipient and supports a cause that may be dear to his or her heart.

and out, cropping, editing, adding color filters and more. You can set exposure separately from focus for more control over your shots and use a flashlight to brighten up your photos - perfect for outdoor holiday snow scenes. It also comes with a stabilizer to steady your camera for sharper pictures and a built-in grid so you can line up your shots and avoid angled photos. Other features include borders, sharing via Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr and cool effects from professional photographer, Lisa Bettany, ranging from "Grunge" for that urban city feel to shimmer effects with "HDR" that are just right for shots by the tree.

Orbitz Hotels App for iPad: Free Whether booking travel for the holidays or to escape afterwards, the Orbitz Hotels App for iPad makes it easy to book on the go. The app not only lets travelers book hotels at any of the global destinations available on Orbitz, it also allows consumers to find hotels nearby using the iPad's GPS capabilities - particularly convenient for same-day bookings.

Consumers can also search by city, address, zip code or landmark and filter and sort hotels by price, star rating, review score, distance and even neighborhood. The neighborhood feature is a handy tool if you want to book near relatives over the holidays but are unfamiliar with their area or if you want to be close to the slopes but avoid the high cost of staying right at the resort. Users also can compare hotels and prices on an interactive map while tiles alongside the map provide summarized hotel information that expands to show photographs, guest reviews, special offers, amenities and detailed hotel/room descriptions. And, if your holiday shopping has you on an extra tight budget, the app lets you toggle from a map view of hotels to an innovative matrix view to easily compare many hotel options (and prices) at once.

Calculate Discount and Sales Tax: Free Stores are littered with so many discounts over the holidays it can be confusing to figure out what they all mean for your bottom line. Enter the Calculate Discount and Sales Tax App, a handy way to quickly know how much 25 percent off actually equals in a shopping trip and tally how much you're spending. It also can calculate sales taxes for a specified area - a bonus for those out-of-town shopping trips.

You pick the place, We’ll bring the food.

• Gift givers who really mean business can also look into the Business Gift options at 1800baskets.com. The Premier Chocolate Treasures Gift Trunk, for instance, is filled with a variety of Godiva, Ghirardelli and Lindt chocolate specialties—and when you order eight or more, you not only get a lower price on each, you’ll save on shipping, too. They’re handy for friends and colleagues.

• Learn more. You can find many great gift ideas online at www.thegift.com.

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Drive Thru 229-889-1166

Albany Mall 229-883-5685

Online Ordering: www.chick-fil-a.com/albanysquare

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The Albany Herald

Inspired Gifts That Give Back www.albanyherald.com

Sunday, December 11, 2011

(NAPS)—Composing a holiday checklist can be easier with a little inspiration. Fortunately, a new collection of gifts and cards does more than offer some inspired gift choices. It can inspire real change around the world.

If you’re looking for inspiration, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF offers new holiday card and gift collections, Inspired Gifts, and products benefiting UNICEF offered by top brands. All money raised through the organization’s Gifts That Give Back program will help UNICEF reduce the number of daily, preventable deaths of children under 5.

Continuing a 60-year tradition, UNICEF’s holiday cards and gifts collection includes an array of gift ideas for men, women and children of all ages. From puzzles to home décor and scarves, a portion of sales from each item will support programs that save, protect and improve the lives of millions of children in more than 150 countries worldwide. To shop online or for more information, visit www. shopcardsandgifts.unicefusa.org.

UNICEF holiday greeting cards may also be purchased by calling (800) 553-1200, and at Pier 1 Imports, IKEA, select Hallmark Gold Crown stores and Barnes & Noble stores. Pier 1 Imports and IKEA will donate 100 percent of the purchase price of each holiday card pack, and IKEA will also donate an additional $1 per pack sold.

The Pier 1 card collection will feature the winning design from this year’s Annual Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest.

Inspired Gifts—such as Therapeutic Spread, Measles Vaccines, mosquito nets and more—can make an immediate and dramatic difference in the lives of children in need and may be purchased online at www.inspiredgifts.org.

Partner companies conducting activities supporting UNICEF this holiday season include: IKEA, Gucci, Disney by FEED Projects, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Through December 24, with every purchase of IKEA’s “Soft Toys for Education” collection, including stuffed animals, finger puppets and an accompanying book, the IKEA Foundation will donate one euro (approximately $1.35) to support UNICEF and Save the Children education programs.

Since its inception in 2003, IKEA’s “Soft Toys for Education” has raised $47.5 million in support of education programs, including UNICEF’s “Schools for Africa” initiative, helping UNICEF provide 5.5 million children in 11 of Africa’s poorest countries with access to a quality education.

In celebration of Gucci’s seven-year partnership with UNICEF, which has raised over $10 million dollars, Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini has designed an updated version of the best-selling “Gucci for UNICEF” Sukey bag. Twenty-five percent of the retail price for each bag sold in Gucci stores and online through February 28 will benefit UNICEF’s “Schools for Africa” initiative. Gucci also announced a $250,000 donation in honor of its partnership with UNICEF and the release of the luxury edition tribute book Gucci: The Making Of... The latest FEED initiative benefiting UNICEF celebrates Disney’s beloved attraction through the “Disney It’s A Small World” collection, inspired by the original artwork of Mary Blair.

Items from the collection include a tote, bib, infant bodysuit and pants set, and a tee for girls and boys, available at Nordstrom stores in the U.S. and online. For each “FEED Our Small World” product purchased, FEED will make a donation to help UNICEF provide children with an entire year’s worth of vitamin A supplements.

Other supporters are helping this holiday season as well. Through January 15, 2012, for every $1 donated to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF at www.unicefusa.org/aa, American Airlines® AAdvantage® program members will earn two AAdvantage miles in return (minimum donation of $10 and maximum award of 2,000 miles per AAdvantage member). Delta Air Lines SkyMiles® members can also put their unused frequent flier miles to good use by donating them to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF at www.delta.com/skywish.

Looking for another way to give back?

To aid children in famine and drought-affected areas of the Horn of Africa, Threadless and BBH New York • have partnered with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to release a line of T-shirts entitled “Good Shirts.” Visit www.threadless.com/UNICEF. • MSNBC’s “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” has partnered with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in KIND—Kids in Need of Desks—to provide tens of thousands of desks to hundreds of schools in Malawi. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org/kind.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

The Albany Herald

Ten holiday tips on gifting, entertaining and celebrating without the stress

(ARA) - The holidays are about seasonal traditions and making merry with family and friends, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to have so many events to attend and to-do lists to complete. In fact, more than 80 percent of Americans find the holiday season to be "somewhat" or "very" stressful, according to an About.com poll. As you plan celebrations and gift giving, forget the stress and consider these 10 tips to keep you organized, spirited, and best of all, relaxed and ready to enjoy the season.

1. Start the day with a smile - The holidays are a season of giving and sharing. Treat your coworker to a cup of coffee or holiday treat, or simply wish a stranger a happy holiday season. An unexpected surprise for a friend will make her day and also keep your spirits high.

2. Be ready for anything - Alleviate last-minute stress by having goodies on hand should a visitor stop by unexpectedly. You don't have to go out of your way. Stock up on simple, easyaccess essentials like your favorite holiday snack mix and Starbucks(R) Christmas Blend. Impress guests by brewing one cup at a time, especially for them, with a Starbucks Pour-Over Kit. 3. Personalize it - Make every gift stand out with personalized wrapping paper. Jenn Sbranti, editor-in-chief and founder of Hostess with the Mostess recommends using creative rubber stamps or stencils with festive-colored inks and paints to decorate white or

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kraft paper with your favorite holiday images. Take it up a notch with a giftwrap-making party complete with festive music and your favorite holiday snacks and drinks.

4. Give gifts that everyone will love Know someone who can't go a day without their favorite coffee or espresso beverage? Look no further than the coffee shop around the corner or for a gift that everyone loves, like a new coffee mug, travel tumbler or a gift card. Quick and easy, these gifts are nobrainers and sure to please.

5. Treat yourself Remember to do something nice for yourself too.

Whether it's indulging in quiet time with a new book by the fire or an afternoon treat, relax and enjoy. Grab a Starbucks Chocolate Creme Whoopie Pie for a perfectly sized treat less than 200 calories. Pair it with a Skinny Peppermint Mocha for an afternoon break.

6. Give back - Make a donation, big or small, to your favorite charity. Whether it's giving to a local animal shelter or contributing to the neighborhood food bank, every bit helps and there's nothing better than giving back during the holiday season.

7. Start fun, new traditions - Instead of the same old holiday cookies, create a major "wow" factor with holiday cake pops. Gather family and friends to bake and decorate with the new

Starbucks Cake Pop Kit. For a festive presentation, display the finished cake pops in pretty boxes lined with gift wrap covered Styrofoam. Your creations will look like they came from a seasoned pastry chef and stand out among all the traditional cookie baskets.

8. Old holiday movie night with the kids - Introduce your kids to the classics. From "Miracle on 34th Street" to "It's a Wonderful Life," these movies are sure to bring back fond memories for you and create a memorable impression on your kids.

9. Plan ahead for travel - Airport delays and long flights can take their toll. Keep your energy level up and

frustrations down, even in the most trying circumstances. Bring along your favorite pair of cozy socks, invest in noise-cancelling headphones, a good book, and a stash of Starbucks VIA Christmas Blend for a perfect cup of seasonal coffee on the go.

10. Recharge with a non-holiday day - You'll enjoy the hustle and bustle of the busy season more with a break.

Refresh with a non-holiday day of activities. Hit the salon, check out that exhibit you've been eying at the museum, or take a leisurely stroll. A day away to recharge is the best cure for seasonal stress and frustration.

Celebrate festive gatherings and joyous occasions this season stress-free and make the season merry and memorable with friends and family.

Savvy Shopping (NAPS)—For the holidays and any gift-giving occasion, an increasing number of Americans are discovering some smart ways to save. Here are two tips on how to get the most out of your gift card purchases: • Savings are in the cards. When you get gift cards for friends and family, there can be value in it for you too with various rewards programs offered by grocery stores. Budgetconscious shoppers can find savings that range from dollars off your next

Great gifts for teens for around $20

(ARA) - Teens are always dreaming big around the holidays, and see this time of year as the perfect opportunity to put big-ticket electronics or sought-after concert tickets on their wish lists. So, for many parents, holiday shopping for their teens can seem a bit daunting.

How can you give your teens gifts they really want without breaking the bank? Here are a few fun gift or stocking stuffer ideas that are sure to please your teen and your wallet alike.

as picking up the phone. Add a little extra money for popcorn and a soda to make their night complete.

Movie passes and concession stand gift cards can be purchased at most theaters nationwide. Calculate a budget for movie passes and snacks, or purchase a $20 gift card and let your teen decide how to spend their movie money. Visit your local movie theater box office for more information.

For the techy For the "bottomless pit" Between school, homework, sports, part-time jobs and friends, teens are always on the go. A busy schedule often leaves little time for regular, balanced meals, and has hungry teens filling up on snacks throughout their day. Instead of chips, candies and cookies, give your teen a high-protein snack that can keep up with their crazy schedules. This year, slide a great-tasting, protein-rich snack, like Matador Beef Jerky, in their stocking. Available in a variety of flavors, these tender snacks require no refrigeration, making them a convenient grab-n-go snack for teens on the move. Here is the 411 on some of this year's trendiest, teen-centric flavors: The "I Want More": Matador Teriyaki Beef Jerky The "Flamin'": Matador Flamin' Hot Beef Stick The "Bold": Matador Peppered Beef Jerky You can find Matador snacks in your local grocery store, mass retailer, convenience or drug store, nationwide.

For the movie buff This year, take the guesswork out of which DVD or Blu-ray movie your film lover wants by thinking outside of the DVD box. A Friday night at the local movie theater is often a favorite pastime for teens. Help them celebrate the cinema by stuffing their stocking with a movie gift card. Theaters have made purchasing advanced tickets as easy

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With a nod to the celebrated and remembered "Einstein of our time," Steve Jobs, make sure the tech-savvy teen on your gift list is well equipped with the latest mobile apps for their smartphone.

Smartphone apps make great holiday gifts and cater to an unlimited number of interests and hobbies.

For sports fans, choose an app that gives reminders and results for every major sport.

Select apps that showcase chemistry tutorials or an astronomy sky map for your science-minded teen. You can gift your favorite apps through any smartphone carrier via a gift card or online vouchers, and your loved one is sure to be entertained all year long.

Apps come at a variety of price points; visit your smartphone's app store online for more information.

For the music-loving fitness junky Pair your teen's enjoyment for exercise and music with a gift that keeps on giving - lightweight headphones. Studies have shown that listening to music during exercise can act as a motivator and as a distraction, ultimately improving workout results.

Whether your teen is a fitness warrior or a casual exerciser, adding headphones to their music-driven workout routine will keep them feeling pumpedup and energized. Available in a variety of colorful styles from earbud or clip-on, to wireless and over-the-ear varieties, the smiles and excitement that come with this gift will be sure to last all year long.

Headphones come in a variety of designs and price points from $10 and up; check with your local or online retail store.

purchase at the grocery store to discounts on gas.

• Stock up. When you know you have a big purchase coming, you can buy gift cards—for yourself or others—in advance and get the rewards. Gift cards are available for a broad range of popular retail stores, restaurants and sports and entertainment outlets.

• Learn more about savvy gift card shopping and share your tips at www.facebook.com/GiftCardsRock.

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The Albany Herald

Sunday, December 11, 2011

www.albanyherald.com

Lunch Made Simple Corporate Events, School Lunches, Fundraisers

Includes: Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, Chips, Cole Slaw or Carrot Raisin Salad and Brownie

Drive Thru Albany Mall 229-889-1166 229-883-5685 Online Ordering: www.chick-fil-a.com/albanysquare

Seasonal Cheer For Consumers (NAPS)—What’s bad news for the economy could be good news for holiday shoppers— more last- minute shopping deals, easier access to credit and improved service.

According to its third annual Retail Finance Outlook study conducted by CIT, retail executives are pessimistic about the pace of the U.S. economic recovery but remain optimistic about their own outlook for the coming year.

The make-or-break periods for retailers are the major shopping days between Thanksgiving weekend and New Year’s Day. Nearly threequarters see holiday sales improving slightly or staying about the same as last year.

That’s good news for consumers in several ways:

sources of sales are taking a backseat.

Fully 58 percent of executives report that their companies are shifting marketing dollars away from established sources and toward new ones, including social media campaigns. As part of that shift, 68 percent of respondents report increases in marketing and deals through providers including Facebook, Twitter and others.

Look for the shift to new media to continue. Some 58 percent of executives believe they need to improve their new-media marketing strategies, while a further 7 percent of retail respondents characterize their companies as “late starters” in the newmedia game.

M ore L a st - M in u te D ea l s If you are looking for deals, consider waiting till the last minute to do your shopping. Sensing that cost-conscious consumers will be looking for bargains, 37 percent of retailers predict that lastminute shopping will increase.

Similarly, 38 percent of retailers expect post-Christmas shopping days to be stronger.

E xcep tiona l Cu st omer S ervice A commanding majority (86 percent) of retailers believe good old-fashioned customer service will be the key method of ensuring customer loyalty.

Loyalty, in turn, is seen as a primary factor in boosting profitability in the coming year.

When executives were asked how they could improve profits in the next 12 months, the most-cited factor was their customer loyalty program, selected by 47 percent of respondents.

De als Are A v ai la b le Th rou gh New Media Whether you plan on paying in cash or with credit, it might be a good time to embrace social media. The roles of social media, mobile applications and the expanding Internet mean traditional

Free Repo rt To download a free copy of the report, visit www.cit.com/retailout look2011.