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ST. LOUIS NEWS TODAY - Sunday, December 18, 2005
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Online Holiday Shopping Grows 33 Percent Year
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), December 18, 2005 - Nielsen//NetRatings has announced that its Holiday eShopping Index saw a 33 percent year-over-year increase in the total number of online shopping trips during the week ending December 4th.
The Nielsen//NetRatings Holiday eShopping Index is comprised of over 100 representative online retailers across ten categories, and acts as a barometer to gauge the level of activity at online shopping destinations during the holiday season. Last year at this time, the Holiday eShopping Index showed shoppers visiting retail sites 348.3 million times during the week; this year, the number of shopping sessions grew to 462.5 million.
"Online shopping has increased over last year because both new and experienced Internet buyers are not only researching products and comparing prices online before making a purchase, but they are also finding good holiday discounts online," said Heather Dougherty, senior retail analyst, Nielsen//NetRatings.
The year-over-year fastest growing category was Books/Music/Video, which increased in shopping visits by a remarkable 238 percent compared with Week 6 of the 2004 holiday season. Apparel ranked No. 2 in year-over-year growth with an increase of 38 percent, while Toys/Video Games, Retail and Consumer Electronics rounded out the top five year-over-year fastest growing categories, each with 28 percent growth.
"Retail sites across all product categories have experienced growth over last year and traffic continues to escalate as the holidays get closer," said Dougherty. "The significant increase in visits to the Books/Music/Video category is being driven by the vast selection of titles released during the holidays," she continued.
During the first six weeks of the 2005 holiday season, the Holiday eShopping Index rose 39 percent. Toys/Video Games was the fastest growing online retail category, increasing in shopping trips an impressive 149 percent over the week ending October 30th. The Flowers and Gifts category also enjoyed significant growth in shopping sessions since the holiday season's onset, climbing 117 percent over Week 1. Consumer electronics, jewelry and shopping comparison/portals rounded out the top five fastest growing online retail categories, increasing by 90 percent, 81 percent and 64 percent, respectively.
Zero-percent Financing Deals Can Carry Hefty Interest Rates Warned Missouri Attorney General Nixon
JEFFERSON CITY, (SLFP.com), December 18, 2005 - During the holiday season, many retailers will use a variety of offers to try to boost sales. Zero-percent financing is one such offer where consumers should look closely at the advantages and disadvantages, Attorney General Jay Nixon has advised. Such offers require no payment from consumers for several months or even one or two years after the purchase, but charge high interest rates on any unpaid balance after the grace period.
In an announcement, Nixon said, "These offers are particularly popular in selling big-ticket items such as electronics and appliances. If you pay the entire amount within the specified period, it can be a great deal."
"The problem arises if you pay nothing or only a little during the allotted time," Nixon said. "If that happens, then you'll likely be charged an interest rate as high as 25 or 30 percent. You could end up paying much more for the item than you every thought you would."
Nixon said there are a number of steps consumers can take this holiday season to avoid putting themselves in a financial hole of zero-percent financing deals:
- If you decide to sign on to such a deal, know when you are obligated to pay off the balance before higher rates kick in.
- Confirm what the interest rate will be if you fail to pay off the balance in the allotted time.
- Find out what kind of late fees the company charges.
- If you don't think you will be able to pay off the balance before the higher rates begin, consider other financing options that may charge interest sooner, but at a lower interest rate,
- Consider delaying the purchase of items not necessary until you have saved enough money to cover all or a significant part of the purchase price.
Missouri Botanical Garden to Renovate Ridgeway Center
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), December 18, 2005 - Visitors will be admitted free to the Missouri Botanical Garden from Jan. 3 through Jan. 27, 2006 while enhancements are made to the Ridgway Center main entrance building. Renovations at the Garden will cause some temporary rerouting during this time.
The Ridgway Center will be closed to visitors on weekdays only from Tuesday, Jan. 3 though Friday, Jan. 27 for renovation. Admission will be free to all visitors during this time period.
The Garden grounds and conservatories will remain open. When the Ridgway Center is closed, visitors must enter and exit the Garden through the Emerson Conservation Center, located immediately to the west of the Ridgway Center. Free parking is available in the Garden's main lot in front of the building. A Visitor Services attendant will be on duty in the lobby of the Emerson Conservation Center to give directions and answer questions.
Sassafras, the Garden's café on the second floor of the Ridgway Center, will also close Jan. 3 to 27 for mechanical work. On weekends during this time, guests may purchase take-away food and beverages from a cart outside the café.
The Garden Gate Shop will be closed for renovation Jan. 1 through 27. The shop will reopen to the public on Jan. 28.
The Little Shop Around the Corner, the Garden's upscale resale shop, will be closed for sales in January but will accept donations at its delivery door, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Little Shop is located at 4474 Castleman, two blocks west of the Garden.
Narrated tram tours are not offered at the Garden during the winter months but will resume in March. Tower Grove House, Garden founder Henry Shaw's Victorian home, is closed in January and February.
From Tuesday, Jan. 10 to Thursday, Jan. 12, a glass sculpture by artist Dale Chihuly will be hung from the barrel vault ceiling inside the Ridgway Center entrance as a preview to the "Glass in the Garden" exhibition, to open Apr. 30. During these three days, curious visitors will be allowed to enter the Ridgway Center from the south end only (at Spoehrer Plaza) to watch the installation in progress. The main stairs to the lower level will be closed, however.
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