8 Popular Online Shopping Websites

Online shopping has become a way of life for many consumers. With the convenience and ease of shopping from home, more people are turning to the internet to find their favorite products and brands. Whether you are looking for fashion, electronics, or home goods, there are plenty of great online stores that offer everything customers need. Here is a look at eight of the best online shopping sites. 

8 Top Online Shopping Sites

1. Amazon 

When it comes to finding great deals on just about anything you can imagine, Amazon is usually the top online store option. With millions of products available and free shipping options on orders over $35, Amazon is an easy choice for shoppers who want convenience and value for their money. You can also find exclusive deals like Prime Day which offers discounts on select items throughout the year for customers. 

2. Walmart 

Walmart is another popular option when it comes to online shopping since they offer an extensive selection of items at competitive prices. The Walmart website includes sections dedicated to groceries, electronics, home furniture and appliances as well as toys and games among other things. Plus they have free shipping on orders over $50 so you don’t have to worry about spending too much when ordering from them. 

3. eBay 

Everyone knows that the famous publicly traded company eBay has been an established presence in the world of online shopping for decades now and it continues to be a great option for shoppers who are looking for new or used items at discounted prices. You can find all kinds of unique products here including vintage clothing, rare collectibles and even hard-to-find car parts – all without leaving your house! Plus with eBay Deals you can save even more money by taking advantage of daily discounts and promotional offers listed on the website's homepage each day. 

4. Best Buy 

If you are looking specifically for electronics then Best Buy should definitely be at the top your list when it comes to online retailers because they carry all kinds of gadgets like computers or tablets as well as TVs and audio equipment plus so much more! What’s more is that they often feature limited time deals such as buy one get one free promotions or up to 50% off select items which make it even easier (and cheaper!) than ever before to upgrade your tech collection! Best Buy has been on a slow decline for the last decade or two, but it is still a powerful presence that should not be underestimated.

5. Wayfair 

Wayfair carries a wide selection furniture pieces ranging from couches and chairs to beds and dressers making them an ideal destination if you are planning a home makeover or just need something new every once in awhile! They also offer free shipping on most orders over $49 so there won’t be any surprises when it comes time pay up – plus with their low price guarantee policy you know that what you see listed here will always be what ends up being delivered right into your living room! 

6. Sephora 

Beauty enthusiasts should check out Sephora if they want access some high-end cosmetics without having leave their homes thanks this retailer's impressive collection makeup palettes, lipsticks, perfumes, skincare tools, and other premium products. All these goodies come with complimentary samples too so feel free try before committing purchase anything too expensive first hand. 

7. Hudson's Bay 

Hudson's Bay might not solely sell clothes but its expansive inventory accessory pieces like purses, shoes, jewelry, scarves, hats, etc makes them still worth considering if they are searching for the perfect outfit Their clearance section also offers huge savings across men’s women’s children’s apparel lines which means could end up scoring something designer quality really cheap price 

8. Home Depot 

Home Depot isn't only place where shop around house projects but certainly one biggest names hardware supplies industry From power tools, paint, supplies, garden, accessories, plumbing, fixtures, electrical components, etc. This store has literally everything need complete any project imaginable. And delivery fees waived certain order minimums making whole experience even better deal! 

Customer Shopping Conclusion 

There are countless online shopping websites and apps for consumers to use, but they are not all created equal. Stick with this list of top online shopping site options to maximize your shopper experience as a choosey consumer.

7 Business Considerations For Sourcing Software Solutions

Business and logistics is more complex than ever before with disrupted supply chains and fluctuating prices. Managing more volatile sourcing requires a high level of accuracy and foresight. Errors in tracking, calculating, forecasting, and recording sourcing can cause serious problems ranging from; shrinkage, procurement of unnecessary goods, inadequate stock, to delays in delivery of orders which of course can disappoint consumers. Mistakes like that often happen when you're still managing your sourcing manually. You need accuracy and speed for your business sourcing, and you need it now. What is the right solution for your company?

Sourcing Software Strategy

Sourcing software is designed to help companies of all kinds, both small and large, to automate sourcing and improve their business efficiency. With this automated solution, various human errors can be reduced and even eliminated. If you are one of the many business owners looking for an automated sourcing solution, then this is the article for you. 

The following are the 7 top factors to consider when you are choosing sourcing software solutions for your business. 

1. Your Business Needs 

Before deciding to buy sourcing software you need to understand your needs first. Find out what challenges you face in managing to source and what solutions you expect. 

Ask yourself the following questions; do I want to be able to monitor the delivery status of goods to other locations? Do I just need to know the sourcing level only? Other relevant questions should be asked as well when deciding on your business solutions decision.

You need to explain your requirements in detail to the vendor, so you can get a fixed price quickly. If you don't know the answer to all of these questions, you probably shouldn't commit to a SaaS (software-as-a-service) purchase yet.

2. Price Comparison

The price of the software will depend on how many and how complex your company needs are. We recommend that you first do some research on the prices of sourcing software on the market so that you can decide whether the price offered by the vendor is decent enough or too expensive. 

Before deciding to buy software, you also need to make sure that your business finances are stable enough for the plan. Check your budget and ask yourself if this a good time to invest in new business technology. 

Fortunately, with the advent of cloud-based solutions, sourcing software prices are now much more affordable. This is the most appropriate option for lean startup companies, SMEs, or companies with a tight budget. 

3. Customization 

If you have very complex needs, then you will need a lot of customization in your sourcing software programs. Ask the vendor if their software can meet your specific needs and how much customization can be made to the program. If you currently have a sourcing system and you want to add a new system that offers different features, then make sure that the new system can be easily combined with the existing system. 

4. Ease Of Implementation 

This is a factor that most business owners overlook. In fact, this point is what determines how effective the role of sourcing software is in your business. If your staff takes hours just to learn the ins and outs of the software, then you should choose another software that is easier to implement. 

5. Integration 

You may not have thought about integrating your sourcing software with other software, but you may need one as your business grows. Moreover, sourcing is closely linked to other areas of every business. Currently, many startups are using up to four applications to simplify their business processes. 

Therefore, you need to ensure that the software you choose supports integration with other software. Sourcing software is often integrated with warehouse management, accounting, eCommerce, and purchasing software. 

6. Flexibility 

Another important factor to consider when choosing sourcing software is its flexibility. Find out if the software you are considering is compatible with mobile devices, whether it can be used by multiple users, whether it is the web -based or using an email server, and so on. Flexibility is especially important if you have multiple stores or warehouses spread across multiple locations. 

7. Software Support Provided 

Once you've purchased sourcing software, you don't want to be left alone and figure out for yourself how to use it. When you are confused about finding purchase data from suppliers or when your staff doesn't know how to manage notifications about low stock levels, you definitely expect someone to provide a solution as soon as possible. Therefore, make sure that your vendor offers complete support consisting of training, warranty, and mentoring. 

What Makes Sourcing Software Important? 

The first and foremost benefit of sourcing software for retail businesses is that it helps reduce costs and optimize inventory. This helps to better control the business thereby improving the overall business flow in a company. A large amount of data is required for the successful running of a business both the location of the inventory and the number of incoming orders. All this cannot be done without sourcing software. 

If the company doesn't have sourcing software, the company usually tends to take longer to generate leads so the company takes longer to close transactions. Delays like this can lead to losses in any business. 

Benefits Of Sourcing Software For Retail Business

Sourcing Software for retail businesses benefits everyone from business owners, sales managers, to sales teams. You can reduce breakdown or cancellation costs, get notified about inventory data, and do multiple jobs simultaneously with the help of sourcing software. 

There are several standards, professional and enterprise-level features, and functionality that is generally included in quality retail business inventory software. Some of them are: 

• Pre-built reporting  

• Barcode integration 

• Permissions 

• Number of calculations and number of cycles  

• Notifications and notifications 

• Vendor Management 

• Mobility 

Make sure these features are included in your chosen SaaS solution.

Why Is Sourcing Software So Useful For The Retail Industry? 

Amazon, Etsy, Ebay, and many other similar e-commerce services are capable of generating huge amounts of revenue. The secret behind the success of these companies is the use of sourcing software SaaS solutions. Proper sourcing can help increase the level of your business and increase your online transactions. 

1. Implementation of sourcing software for retail businesses can save the company significant work time. This will allow companies to focus more on more important tasks and the hassle of manually managing inventory. 

2. Overstocking can be prevented with efficient sourcing software. Every business can cater to their customers' needs on-demand and keeping new stock levels is no longer a problem. 

3. Customer service will be improved using the right sourcing software. This allows the business to never lose sales due to operational errors. Sourcing is made much easier with sourcing software programs. 

Start Sourcing Smart

As you now understand, sourcing software programs can be quite advantageous to your business bottom line. Start your SaaS sourcing solution today!

7 Ways To Choose The Right Online Shopping Site

When it comes to web stores in the 21st century, we find ourselves faced with plenty of choices. Dozens of questions flow from here. Many people are willing to know how to choose the best online stores? Which online store is the cheapest, most reliable, and which online stores are the best in terms of reviews? 

Today, the best online stores get great attention. They significantly save our time, effort and money. In addition, in these stores, you can buy almost anything. You can make the purchase anytime using various profitable cashback cards. There are several great online shopping sites out there, and you must try Winc online for your online shopping. 

Signs Of Good Online Shopping Sites

Now many people make a purchase from online stores because it is a fast and convenient way. Often, prices are often lower at online stores than in local retail and some rare products are not so easy to find in the market but easily available in online stores. Buying in an online store is often scary. Is there any guarantee that you get the same product you ordered? Will they send that product? Choosing the best online shopping site is the only key to get something that you order. 

The following are 7 amazing ways to choose the right online shopping site: 

1. Responsiveness 

A good sign of a good online shopping site is the responsiveness of the manager. The phone number for communication must be written in a large and visible place. There are groups on social networks where you can find profiles of managers and contact them. 

It is good if there is an online consultant on the site. A small window where you can chat with a store employee without leaving the site. 

The speed of response to email also indicates the interest of managers in working with you. If the company is serious, they give answers to your queries soon. If you do not receive a response to the letter within a week and the products you ordered are sent to you, they’re not serious with their costumer’s satisfaction. 

2. A Decent Site Without Any Serious Error 

The site should be beautiful, stable and understandable because you do not buy food in doubtful shops in slum areas. It is also usually worth considering if the entire site consists of one single page, which persistently encourages you to buy right now, without thinking about anything else. Often there is a timer with a countdown and promises of 50% discounts only in the next three hours, and this attracts you more 

3. Check How Speedy They Complete The Order

Now is the time to check how store managers will talk to you. Call on the website and ask some simple questions. Ask how quickly they will ship the order, how much the delivery or something else will cost. It doesn’t matter that this information is already on the site. You need to hear how they will answer you. 

Answers should be simple, clear, and they should answer you politely. If the manager gets confused, speaks incomprehensibly and tries to end the conversation quickly, this is a minus point and speaks of the quality of the service. 

4. Reviews 

It is worth looking for reviews about the online store. You can see the reviews on the site or in groups on social networks. Keep in mind that usually unsatisfied customers leave reviews. If everything is fine, then the person is too lazy to leave a review. 

Good reviews show the seriousness of the management and bad reviews can tell about the carelessness of the store. Sometimes explicitly fake reviews are published on sites. They are very easy to distinguish from real ones, think about whether you would leave such a review yourself. If not, most likely, the review is fake. 

5. Secure Payment Methods

An online store will only be considered good if it has pages on which they put payment methods and delivery terms. In professional online stores, payment is made on the site itself or the site of the payment aggregator. Aggregators are the sites that take over the transfer of money to the seller with proper verification. 

If the payment method is inconvenient, you should not take a risk on such sites. It means there is no guarantee of refunding the money in case of the wrong delivery. Such a payment is not secure. 

In good online stores, it is usually possible to pay with VISA and MasterCard or plastic cards. This is the most secure and convenient way for a buyer to pay. If the online store turns out to be bad, you can easily call the bank and request a transaction cancellation, which will make the bank understand the situation. 

6. Terms Of Delivery Of Goods 

Find out the terms of delivery of the product. First, it is worth knowing which transport the company using for the order for delivery. Secondly, where will the package sent from, your country or from abroad? 

Often online stores sell goods that they do not have in their hands. They have a partnership in different areas. In such stores you buy goods, and then the partner of the store send you product from abroad. This is called drop shipping. This is convenient because of a very large selection of products and fairly low prices. On the other hand, the goods are sent from stores but reach within 2- 3 months to you, and you see the products are defective. In the end, the store does not bear any responsibility. You may be refunded, but who will pay for the time you have wasted in waiting? 

It is better if the online store belongs to your country. Usually, this means within a week or two, it will be in your hand. 

7. Warranty And Offer Agreement 

In good online stores, you can often find information on product warranty. This is not necessary in all cases, but it is good if the online store indicates this. 

You can also look for an offer agreement, under which you buy goods in an online store and an agreement on the processing of personal data. It is unlikely that you will find something interesting there. They are usually typical, but it’s good if the online store puts them out. 

It is difficult to say something about stores that are implemented as groups on social networks like Facebook, Instagram, and others. Such a group may turn out to be a completely reliable online store and implemented within a social network.  Particular attention should be paid to the availability of a published offer contract. It is the offer agreement that will be valid if you order something there. If it is not there, then you simply transfer the money or pay cash on delivery. 

Shop Safe And Shop Smart 

The first thing to look on the website is the contact details. Phone number, e-mail, the name of the legal entity, and its other details. To have full confidence that the online store is good, you will have to try ordering something from there. These seven ways will help you to understand how worthy an online store will be to you before ordering. Shop safely, shop smart, and save money shopping online!

Reasons To Invest In $TJX Stock For T.J. Maxx Dividends

Full Interview On Retail Stocks With Dividend And ETF Investor Mike Schiemer 

Although I have been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 20 years, I have been investing in stocks for only 5 years. When I was younger I was a big saver that kept most of my money in a low interest paying bank savings account and checking accounts. About ten years ago I worked for one of the world's largest financial services companies and I learned more about the power of dividends, compound, interest, stock splits, diversified funds, foreign stocks, and tech growth stocks. 

When bank savings accounts started transitioning to almost non-existent interest rates, even on CDs, it made a lot more sense to invest in stocks and different funds. I accelerated my investing in 2020 when I saw there were many excellent stock bargains and becoming a retail investor was becoming easier as well. 

Start Your Own Online Retail Business Here Cheaply

I have owned $TJX for the most part of the last 4 years, sometimes in both of my portfolios (personal and IRA retirement). I have the additional benefit of living in Massachusetts where its headquarters is, and I have often lived within 30 minutes of their HQ building. It is a large diversified company that offers affordable products, has an ecommerce presence, and is recession-resistant unlike some higher price point or luxury retailers. 

Enjoy Healthy Retail Products At Wholesale Prices

There are many aspects of #TJX that make it an appealing holding for me. I have years of experience in retail marketing and ecommerce sales, so I understand how profitable these businesses can be when done correctly, even in the modern economy. You often hear that retail is dead, but the best retailers still survive and thrive. TJX is a large cap stock with excellent long term growth and a steady dividend, all things I look for in my holdings. They are constantly posting positive earnings per share and positive cash flow each quarter while other retailers have struggled mightily. 

As I mentioned they have very affordable product lines that appeal to most shoppers, making it a smart pick in an economic recession or bear market. They have a strong ecommerce business that is continuing to grow and stay competitive. It is an international company as well with a variety of store brands such as Marshalls, HomeGoods, T.J. Maxx, and HomeSense. Their versatility is crucial in a rapidly changing market with new customer trends because they can easily shift their focus to a more profitable brand, ecommerce vs brick and mortar emphasis, or popular product SKUs if needed. 

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Like any stock, if this T.J. Maxx company's net profits began to shrink then I would have to reevaluate its future in my portfolios. If $TJX canceled their dividend completely I would also be likely to sell the stock in favor of other options. I greatly appreciate passive income at least quarterly, even if the dividends or distributions are modest like TJX's. And if retail continues to struggle much worse in the face of ecommerce years from now, then I may trim my retailer holdings that don't keep up with their ecommerce channels in 2025. 

I have many retail stocks holdings aside from TJX including Wal-Mart, Target, Dollar General, CVS, Walgreens, Nordstrom (may be going private very soon), Macy's, Kohls, Home Depot, Lowe's, 711, and Arko. I am probably leaving some out as well, and I also own many retail-related stocks such as retail products, supermarkets, and retail property REITs. I may add Costco to that mix in the near future, which is another huge low-cost dividend paying retailer, but you can purchase a plethora of excellent retail stocks for less than the price of just 1 share of COST right now in 2025. 

I have bought and sold stocks through multiple platforms over the years including Robinhood, Computershare, Fidelity, Merrill Lynch, and even WeBull briefly. I would say Fidelity and Merrill Lynch are the best that I have dealt with, with Fidelity winning out overall in my humble opinion for 2025. 

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POS Technology Maintenance Guide For System Protection

Nothing will drop your business like malfunctioning Point Of Sale (POS) technology.

Just ask Starbucks. Several years ago they suffered an outage, rendering their POS technology useless for a short period of time. This outage forced baristas to hand out thousands of free drinks to satisfy irritated customers. 

Regular maintenance on your POS will keep it running longer and smoother.

Understanding the POS management system installed in your store helps you know how to maintain it properly. Maintain your POS technology with these simple steps. Keep reading to learn more about Point Of Sale tech for your business!


Know Your POS Technology

Understand how your POS technology works. Read the manual from cover to cover to familiarize yourself with it. 

Then conduct an inspection regularly. Keep an eye out for dirt or dust buildup that could cause problems to your Point Of Sale system. 

Your eyes are your first line of defense for problems. Regularly inspecting the POS will help you see a problem before you have one. 


Keep It Clean

POS management systems are particularly susceptible to the filth that will compromise their effectiveness. Grease, grime, and dust clog pores.

If you run a restaurant, your POS will shut down more quickly than other businesses. You must keep it clean.

Start with the manual. Read it. Do not do anything to your POS that would void its warranty.

So even if you read that you should use vinegar on your POS, see what your manual says first. 

Next, turn off the components. You want nothing on while you clean the POS. This means you should clean the POS either before you open for the day or after the last customer has left.

Then, start dry. Begin with a dry cloth to dust the POS. Use small tools to scrape out any crevices where grease and gunk have gathered.

Try to find a microfiber cloth. These have special fibers that basically suck up dust. They attract the dirt you're trying to remove.

Once you've thoroughly dusted your machine, break out the distilled water. Use only distilled water if you use any to clean the POS. 

Then dry your POS system thoroughly. 

Remember to clean the inside of your computer. Dust can accumulate and then cause your point-of-sale system to overheat.

Remove the buildup from finger sensors with a piece of tape and wipe your POS technology inside and out. 


Keep It Cool

Overheating will cause your POS technology to shut down. Sometimes overheating will cause damage beyond repair.

For these reasons, you need to keep your POS well ventilated.

Keep your POS in a cool area. Do not place it against a wall or anywhere that would block the flow of air through the unit. 

Most units already have some sort of cooling fan. Unfortunately, most need more than the fan they come with. So keep them in a place with cool air movement. 


Keep It Consistent

Use the POS consistently. This means you need to train staff on how to use the system, but do not let everyone use it.

Make sure you train them thoroughly in the proper protocol. Make sure they know how to use your system.

Have a staff in-service or meeting to train new staff on how to properly run the POS technology. 

Create a manual of protocol or cheat sheets near the system. This way your staff can see how to run the machine.

Use the basic methods of teaching to teach your staff how to use the system:

1. Show them how to use it.
2. Have them practice using it with you watching.
3. Have them use it alone.

Encourage them to not just mash buttons when they get confused. Instead, they need to ask questions. 

If a staff member breaks your POS technology, you will lose business. Take time to train them well. 

In that training, make sure they use their fingers and not a pen.  Teach your staff to not just touch the screen with a pen.

Engineers designed touch screens with pressure sensitivity. They respond best to fingers until someone uses a different tool. Use your fingers.  


Keep It Up to Date

Begin with reliable POS software. You will spend a big chunk of change on this software. You want something you can trust.

Then, as you maintain it, consult experts. Use a point-of-sale system repair service should your POS system go down. The software engineers and technicians know best how to keep your POS running and keep you in business. 

You can troubleshoot some on your own as well. Begin by rebooting your system regularly. Try to do this daily when your business is not open. 

Make the reboot a regular part of the closing checklist for your employees. Put it somewhere between "clean the bathroom" and "shut off the lights." 

In addition to rebooting, you should back your system up regularly. If you are not already using a back up for your data, use one.

You can use an external hard drive or an off-site data storage company. This way if something happens to your business, your data will still be safe. 

To back up your system regularly, you need to purge data as well. Get rid of what you do not need. If you do not know if you'll need the data, send it to that off-site database. 

Check your system regularly for updates. Then download those as soon as possible. Updates keep your POS technology running bug-free. 

An old system will not run efficiently. So when you purge data, back up the system, and update the system, you will have smoother running POS technology. 


Keep Your POS Technology Running

Successful businesses thrive on the details. POS technology maintenance qualifies as some of those details. Payment is always a top priority for businesses to survive and thrive.

Dusting, cleaning, updating, purging, and backing up your POS technology will keep it up and running. And you can rest easy knowing you will not lose a sale with your properly function Point Of Sale system.

How Millennials Influence Business Priorities

Millennials, also known as ‘Generation Y,’ have been the subject of heated debates for many years now. These people, born between 1980 and 1998, are a diverse and idealistic generation, unmatched by their predecessors and successors (even Gen Z so far). There are generalizations and criticisms of Millennial men and women with various perspectives, but they can't be ignored by businesses. Their impact is unparalleled in the modern economy and markets.

Many axioms are attached to millennials - from their tolerance level, political beliefs to their sense of entitlement and disconnection from the world. But one substantial thing which does not receive much appreciation is their power to influence the world. With the growth of generation Y and its inclusion in the workforce, numerous industries and sectors have been greatly affected. As millennials stand for a sustainable world and promote eco-friendly products, given their mindset, businesses are now reprioritizing their goals. They are constantly embracing change and innovating their products and services on the behest of this young generation of safeguarding the ecology of this world. 

These groups of young people are usually recognized by their objective of enjoying the best of their lives. They indeed keep on trying a lot of new and exciting things in the pursuit of happiness and fun. Whether they invest in big tattoos, spend their time on making their online dating profiles, or posting their every on Instagram, this generation has a taste for things they follow and enjoy. Nevertheless, today, we will shed some light on how millennials are contributing directly as well as indirectly for the betterment of the world. They are influencing major businesses to review their priorities. How are they actually doing it? Keep reading to know how Millennials are influencing businesses around the world. 

Vape Instead Of Cigarettes 

Most adults are accustomed to cigarette smoking since their adolescent years. Millennials have been a part of this group of chain smokers, but they rather prefer ecofriendly products, like vape pens and e-cigarettes. They come with a range of flavors and vapors laced with nicotine. If you have not tried this as of yet, then you might want to see for yourself. 

A vape will stimulate the idea of smoking with lesser risk to your body, lungs, and the environment, of course. Millennials should have no trouble using a vape pen to see if they can replace it with their daily cigarette as it comes with a reduced cost and less significant damage to their health. 

Trend Of Reuseable Straws 

Reusable straws are another eco-friendly alternative that millennials are passionate about. Not only are they a great way to reduce plastic waste and its accumulation, but there are thriving markets that are using this idea to come up with innovative products. 

Millennials enjoy plastic straws because of the ease of the stainless steel and the safety that comes with it. Besides this, glass straws are another popular choice that millennials are replacing with plastic ones because they are easy to clean, and they also give a unique look to your cutlery. 

Recycled Clothing Items 

Millennials avoid purchasing clothes from brands that produce a lot of waste and damage the environment. Recycled clothing is a business venture that this generation has invested in and worn for themselves. Not only do these materials prove to be sustainable in the manufacturing process, but with the limited use of chemicals and water, they are a booming industry for young millennial shoppers and their changing lifestyles. 

Electric Cars 

While there is a constant mockery surrounding the financial instability of this generation, they are prone to giving their attention to good causes. With the advent of electric cars that ensure that energy and water are conserved in the manufacturing process, millennials are going out of their way to purchase their own vehicles. These cars have recyclable fabric for their seats, reinforced plastics for the body of the automobile, and produce close to zero emissions while driving. 

Millennials also fancy these cars because they can be recycled later on once their time of use is over. Thus, adding to the efficient management of sustainability. 

Biodegradable Waste Bags 

If you are someone who has a lot of pets at home, you probably go through a lot of polythene garbage bags. These waste bags and their constant use is harmful because of their non-biodegradable nature. Millennials are fond of both pets and sustainability; therefore, they are investing in biodegradable garbage bags. While their animals create waste, they simply clean it up and cause no damage to their surroundings. 

It is also a matter of pride that the activism of these millennials pushed many governments around the world to ban the use of plastic shopping bags. The old manufactures of polythene bags are mostly revamping their firms now to produce biodegradable bags for a sustainable future. 

Buying Ethically Sourced Coffee 

It is no secret that millennials drink a lot of coffee. The same can be said for baby boomers and Generation Z. But millennials like to follow a new path in this aspect as well. They are trying out something new, instead of heading off to local Starbucks for a store-bought cup, they are seeking out cold brews and ethically sourced coffee beans. Not only do they taste better than pre-packaged coffee options, but they are sustainable and gourmet products that add to the fun of the beloved beverage. 

Bottles And Cups For Multipurpose Use

As mentioned before, millennials enjoy their token beverages. But with this luxury, comes the fear of leaving excessive plastic waste behind. This is why bottles and cups are being made for multiple uses for these young individuals. These new stylish cups and containers match the aesthetic and look of your favorite Starbucks cup but will be prepared from a safe material, like silicone. Besides this, plastic bottles are being replaced with stainless steel alternatives, for long-lasting use and for the protection of environmental resources. 

The Bottom Line On Millennials & Businesses

While the millennial generation is considered to be entitled and superficial, there is a common misunderstanding surrounding their lifestyles. As more and more young people engage with social and environmental issues, millennials will soon be at the forefront of new business growth and opportunities. With their interests and preferences reaching new markets, it can be seen why sustainable products and their use in daily life have been given such limelight to prosper and thrive. Only time will tell how Generation Z compares as they start impacting business even more.

Why Internet of Things Tech Could Save Retail

Retail as an entire industry has been getting decimated for the last decade now with stores and customer shopping behavior shifting online. Top retailers that were around for a century have gone bankrupt and each more more big box stores are closing their doors. Malls and "Mom & Pop Shops" are a distant memory for most shoppers as Amazon and other e-commerce giants have risen from their ashes. 

The recent global events have only amplified and accelerated this trend for most retailers and ecommerce platforms. The only few bright spots in the regular retail industry include Wal-Mart, convenience stores, dollar stores, and some niche shops. But overall things are looking rough for retail and businesses are really hurting. 

Retailers are reeling and on the ropes. But there is still hope with top new retail technology like IoT smart tech.

IoT (internet of things) involves the use of hardware, software, systems integration, and data services for businesses or consumers. Virtually any device with an internet connection can be transformed into an IoT device. So essentially just Wi-Fi, ethernet, or a cellular / satellite signal is required for the software and/or hardware. A smart device means it is enabled to share and monitor real-time data on cloud-based systems with computers and smartphones. 

Today IoT is being used in all types of business niches and industries thanks to its wide range of big benefits and positive impacts, especially within the retail industry. The use of IoT can help you overcome the most common challenges of your retail business and help it grow. Brick and mortar stores and retail shops can get smart like the countless e-commerce businesses that have been replacing them, and they must to survive. And if retailers don't get smart, they don't stay in business long.

Improve Inventory And Supply Chain Management 

Inventory and supply chain management is one of the most time-consuming tasks of having a retail business. IoT for retailers can help you take those processes to a whole new level. IoT on supply chains and inventory management can collect a massive amount of data in real-time, analyze it, or track it. Inventory control no longer will require human resources, now your employees can focus on more valuable tasks. 

Two of the biggest IoT inventory control technologies include smart shelves and RFD scanners. 

Smart shelves use RFID technology to track inventory in retail stores, they can use RFID tags, scanners, and weight sensors to check inventory levels and send an alert when a product is out of stock or when the theft of goods occurs. 

You will receive low stock alerts that will help minimize the out-of-stock situations and avoid losing sales opportunities. 

The RFID tags also allow your customers and employees to have quick access to the product information, your customers can download an app and interact with the smart shelves, and while they are walking through the store they can get personalized offers and recommendations based on previous purchases. 

If your retail store contains freezers and store cases then you can also take advantage of temperature sensors to make sure they are at the right temperature and guarantees the right lifespan of products like meat. The best part is that you can monitor the data remotely. 

Enhance Retail Customer Experience 

You can use IoT to improve customer engagement in your brick and mortar shops. One of the most promising technology is facial recognition systems that will recognize you once you enter the store and give you personalized promotions and product groupings. 

They analyze your customer behavior and shopping habits to provide content that will improve customer value and help you market your store the right way and perform strategies that will enhance customer engagement and provide a tailored customer experience (CX) for each client. 

Another example of how IoT improves retail customer experiences includes a smart fitting room. They have a large mirror with a touch screen, the device can send you recommendations on clothes and accessories, allow you to call for a store assistant, adjust the lighting, and create a profile where your fitting history will be stored and you can send the information to your mobile phone. 

Each item will be equipped with an RFID tag and once it is in the fitting room the device will identify it. 

And then there is the whole huge topic of AR and VR in retail to help increase sales and improve CX, which another entire article could be written on.

Track Your Retail Assets 

Shopping baskets and carts are a valuable asset for your retail store and tracking them can take a lot of time, not to mention that if you lose one it can be expensive to replace it. 

The installation of tracking devices on shopping carts and baskets to know where they are at an exact moment. It lets you know if they are being used, and the system can also alert you when there is any damage to one of them. 

You can use the information from the data to make sure your customers always have shopping carts or baskets available to them. 

IoT Helps Your Retail Stores Save Money 

IoT is an investment that is absolutely worthwhile and can help you economize in your retail store business innovation. For example, smart bulbs and temperature sensors in freezers and fridges can minimize the waste of energy and the use of smart cameras and sensors can help you prepare better for those high-traffic moments in your store. That can improve the flow and efficiency of your retail store. 

Retailer Rescue

Using IoT can become a crucial part of your retail store, help you save money, enhance the customer experience, improve the efficiency of your business and help it grow. This growing new smart tech truly is the life vest that retailers need to survive and thrive in a strained evolving economy. So if you are a retailer that is taking the situation really seriously, you should be investing in Internet of Things tech right now for your retail stores!

Stock Packaging vs Custom Packaging Differences

Stock packaging and custom boxes are two of the options available, especially if you are running an eCommerce store. However, some may be confused about the differences between the two and which ones are ideal for their business. 

A stock package is basically a ready-made box where you just have to affix your company name or sticker label. This is mass-produced, inexpensive, and is available in large quantities. The downside is that stock packages have a limited flexibility style, and they come with a standardized side. 

Some companies may exclusively use the stock packages to translate more into savings. Overall, this makes better financial sense than choosing the custom and tailored packaging. You will see various examples of these on beverages, vitamin jars, sauce bottles, canned foods, and protein powders. The labels may be custom printed, but they are made up of stock wrappings. 

About The Custom Packaging 

Other businesses may want to go the extra mile and go with the custom-made packaging with their parcels. If you are interested in making your product stand, you might want to visit customboxworks.com for more information about these boxes and see how you can get started with them. These are all the wraps that are tailored to your customers’ needs, and they come with bells and whistles. 

The unique sizes are made explicitly so the products would perfectly fit. For this to work, you need a structural engineer and an expert that will create the “DNA” or the blueprint of the packaging according to your brand and company needs. They use various printing plates and cutting dies as tools to ensure a more professional finish. 

Overall, the process of getting tailored boxes will be costly, and they need a significant amount of designing and planning. Prototypes are usually required, and they are tested before mass production begins. They are approved by the owners, and the tools get started to work. The customer service and communication level involved in the process is higher than buying stock boxes. 

Some of these companies will require a minimum to start the project. Costs and fees are used for machinery, and there is a minimum volume required before you can work with them. The whole process involved several parties, especially if this is the first time that you are trying this. Units of packaging may require a minimum of 100, so it is going to be worth it for everyone involved. 

Various types are available for business owners, like poly bags, stand-up pouches, rigid boxes, and folding cartons. Aside from containers, bottles, tins, and jars, all the boxes are excellent for retail stores, and they are generally used as an alternative to packaging to get the job done. 

Why Do Other Entrepreneurs Use Stock Boxes? 

There are many of reasons why entrepreneurs or small businesses opt to use stock boxes including:

• Many of the start-ups don’t have the budget to fund this venture yet 

• Some are testing the current situation in the market and see if this is going to be worth it 

• Shortage in production, primarily if the manufacturer caters to others 

• May require trade show samples before they order 

• Subscription boxes are often the trend, and they don’t require many details 

When buying only a small quantity, know that the stock packages will be better and more cost-effective than their other counterparts. You can also acquire them faster whenever you run out and want to place an order. This is going to be a more viable packaging strategy if you are just starting your customers’ reactions to your products. 

On the other hand, the custom-made packaging is eye-catching, and this is important if you want to get an edge over your competitors. They will give your customers the right message and communicate to them that they are special. This may mean an increase in sales and revenue, and you will also have a better fit for your products. 

Most of the excel material will involve the packaging itself. You can compensate for this with the help of colored paper that’s cut into pieces resembling a nest to have a more presentable product. The better fit will keep your product safe, and they are also going to mean that you’ll have to pay lower costs for shipping. 

Usually, the custom packaging is not for people who have light wallets for shipments or are faint of heart. The entire process requires a lot of resources, focus, and planning. This is a project that business owners need to get involved in every step of the way, and a more significant commitment is needed to be successful. 

After all the hard work and resources, the custom boxes will give your brand a more professional appearance during merchandising,  shipment, and unboxing. This will make a difference in store shelves, and they will actually look more appealing. When you have made a massive return on investment, this is something that you should consider purchasing in high volumes. It communicates to others that you care about the details in your business and take pride in your products.

How To Shop For Golf Equipment On A Budget

Golf equipment can rapidly add up and make it an expensive hobby. While many professional players will get a professional fitting done, finding the right clubs at a discount is the best option for the beginner golfer. In time, you will know exactly what equipment you need. But, while you are still new to the game, you will need to try out different clubs to determine what suits you. 

There are numerous ways to stretch your golf allocation and find the essential items that cost less cash. This guide provides tips on how to shop for golf equipment on a budget. 

Global Shortages 

Before looking at how to get the cheapest golf equipment, it is worth mentioning that the global shortage on materials has also hit the golf market. Add to this the worldwide supply crisis and you will be prepared for some difficulty and delays in obtaining certain items. A third factor having an impact is that Covid spurred many more people (two million) to play golf, driving up demand for golfing products. Considering these items together means that you must be on your toes to find golf equipment, especially for a bargain price. 

Rental Equipment 

If you are still a novice at golf, take note that there is no shame in renting the golf equipment you need. This is particularly true when it comes to clubs, and you are still finding out which ones are right for you. Some companies allow you to pay a monthly fee to use and return golf clubs as you please. 

Buy Second-Hand Golf Equipment 

Some golf shops will give golfers a discount on new gear when they trade in their old equipment. This is good news for you because it means that used golf equipment is readily available at reasonable prices. You can also get second-hand equipment from online sites such as eBay or Amazon for frugal rates. 

Clearance Sales 

Take advantage of outlet stores having clearance sales. You can pick up some bargains at these places. All this is done online so there is no inconvenience of wading through bins. Plus, these sites usually have well-known brands although the items are earlier models. 

One-Day Deal Sites

Sign up for the mailing lists from certain deal sites so that you are primed when an item that you are looking for becomes available. Otherwise, you must remember to log in daily and could miss out. As the deals are only valid for 24 hours, you need to be ready to purchase when something suitable at a good price is online. 

Quality Online Resources 

Golf carts are subject to hard wear and tear. On the subject of golf cart parts, the item that needs the most frequent replacement is the keys. Golfers lose their golf cart keys so often that it pays to have a spare set on hand. Get the factory-made items rather than cutting a set; this is one thing you do not want to skimp on. 

Erosion of the suspension is common in the coil-over suspension, struts, shocks, and leaf springs. The age of the cart is another reason to be prepared to spend on these parts. You can improve the stability of your cart with a golf cart lift kit to increase the height of your tires beyond that standard nineteen inches. You may also need to keep an eye on your clutch, controller, solenoid, battery cables, and motor. You want to shop for golf cart parts like mufflers, brakes and shocks from an online source that has a wide range of quality parts. 

Conclusion

If you follow these tips, you need not pay an arm and a leg for reasonably priced golf equipment. Golfing should be fun and not a hobby that breaks the bank.

10 Ecommerce Business Ideas For Profit Potential

Are you looking for creative ways to make more money? Look no further than the ecommerce business model. People are shopping online and making purchases from their phones more and more in the modern digital economy. 

BUILD AN ECOMMERCE BUSINESS EASILY HERE

On the most recent Black Friday event, ecommerce sales grew to over $5 billion, and mobile devices made up 65% of all ecommerce sales.

People are more comfortable buying over mobile than in the past, which makes now the best time to start an ecommerce business. The big question is what will you sell in your online store?

Before reaching out to an e-commerce product sourcing agent, you have to decide which trending products to sell.

Read on for ideas and inspiration that you can use to start your ecommerce business and make a killing selling products online. 

10 Ecommerce Business Ideas For Powerful Profits


1. Lifestyle Gear and Apparel

You can create a lifestyle brand and sell clothing and apparel. The trick to make this work is to create a brand that people can relate to.

Without a strong brand, you are just another ecom t-shirt company. One of the ways to create a strong brand is to hop on the back of an existing brand with a strong following.

Niches like Crossfit or birders have very strong, loyal, and active followers. They also spend a lot of money in e-commerce stores. Make sure that your brand speaks directly to your target market, which you can do through humor or inspiration.


2. Fitness Gear

The fitness industry is huge and it is only getting bigger (just like our waistlines). This presents a big opportunity to sell fitness gear as an e-com shop.

This makes perfect sense if you are in the fitness industry. You can use your site to sell fitness gear, leverage your expertise, and make more money.

It is easy to set up a fitness ecommerce business. You will need to find a dropshipper who sells quality fitness gear and do some FBA work.

Fitness is hyper-competitive, and the way you can separate your business from all of the others is to provide excellent customer service.


3. Subscription Box Business

You’ve probably heard of a subscription box business. This is a great ecommerce idea, and about 54% of consumers already get subscription boxes.

What should you sell? You can sell just about anything that you are passionate about. You can curate the best products in your niche and share them with your customers.


4. Affiliate Marketing

What if you want to have an ecommerce business, but you don’t want to deal with vendors or products? There is a business model for that. Affiliate marketing is where you have your own site set up that’s dedicated to a specific niche.

The niche can be photography equipment, running shoes, grilling gear, or anything else that you can imagine.

Your job is to generate traffic to your site. You join affiliate programs to sell other people’s products and link them to those products.

When someone clicks on one of those links and makes a purchase, you get a commission from that purchase.


5. Sell Online Courses

If you have an area of expertise that you want to share with the masses, there is no reason why you can’t create an online course and sell it.

There are a few ways to sell your course. You can sell the course through your site and have it hosted on another platform.

You can also use a site like Udemy, where people sell courses on any topic, such as how to learn a programming language to learning a foreign language.


6. Photography

If you have a knack for art and photography, you can make money by selling your art online. You can build interest and a following on Instagram and direct traffic to your website.

It does take a lot of work to build a following, but with consistency, you can make it happen.


7. Beauty Products

The beauty industry is a popular ecommerce niche. It’s much easier to find the right beauty products online than hitting a retail store.

The ecommerce stores often have lower prices, too.

You’ll find that much of your success will depend on your ability to build a strong brand. A lot of beauty products are so similar that it’s hard to tell the difference.


8. Toys for Kids

Everyone loves a good toy, whether you’re a kid or an adult. Like with almost every other business listed here, you do need to take the time to learn what sells.

You may go into your business with the intention to sell toy cars and realize that you can make more money selling comic books.

You’ll need to develop your ecommerce site and have a way to drive the right kind of traffic to it.


9. Handmade Crafts

People love handmade items with a purpose. You can create your own line of crafts or homemade jewelry that you can sell online.

You can use a store like Etsy and create your own ecommerce store to sell your wares. You want to sell something that you love to create and something that people want to buy.

That requires some research. Take the time to check out Pinterest and Etsy to see what kind of crafts are selling online and for how much.


10. Resell Used Items

People sell or give away millions of items every year. They have garage sales and put things on consignment just to clear out space.

These can be a treasure trove of possibilities for you. You can set up an ecommerce site to resell some of these items or resell them on eBay.

For this to work well, you should have a particular niche – like children’s clothes – and have space in your home for inventory.

You’ll need to research what sells and what doesn’t before you launch your ecommerce business idea. That will help you maximize your time and energy by acquiring and selling items.


Get Started With The Top Ecommerce Business Ideas

There is nothing that is stopping you from starting an ecommerce business. There are plenty of ways to make your business happen. It just takes a bit of time and ingenuity.

It also takes the right idea. These ecommerce business ideas show that you don’t need a huge amount of inventory. You may be able to make a successful online shop happen with a lot of passion and commitment.

Check out this site often for the best tips to help you make more money with e-commerce business ideas and retail marketing. Visit the Business section of our Frugal Finance blog right now to learn more about e-commerce and retail strategies!

How To Start A Subscription Box Business

If you have ever thought of getting a subscription box, now is the time to do it. When you learn or review all that come with starting a subscription box, you may really begin to wonder why you didn't do this before. Subscription boxes offer you the convenience of remote shopping at bargain prices while you get to try on your selections. 

It doesn't matter if you have a subscription box for groceries, perfumes, clothing, home decor, or anything in-between. Almost everyone has a subscription box to something with the earliest subscription box business dated back over fifteen years ago. The business was called the Sampler. 

It was called the Sample because if offered customers a little bit of everything that came from indie craft producers. The most famous subscription box that many people have heard of is called Birchbox. Birchbox began in 2010 and, since then, has done nothing but grow into a multi-million dollar company now in 2023. 

Read on and discover all you want to know about starting a subscription box business and discover all you may gain from a business model that didn't even exist twenty years ago. 

Starting A Subscription Box 

Subscription box business has grown so much in the past decade that McKinsey and Company have broken them down into three subsections for better tracking purposes. The sub sectioning of subscription box businesses occurred because the market has grown more than 100% in five years, and by the end of 2023, it is projected almost to double that number by the end of this year. 

Curation Subscription Box 

The curated subscription box business is businesses that represent around 55% of all subscription box business. These businesses send consumers a collection of new items for them to sample and use. Growing your business may never be more accessible than finding new items you can offer for whatever product you're selling and creating a curated subscription box you can offer potential customers. 

It not only provides customers with an incentive to purchase from you for full-size products, but it also helps build your brand even if they don't purchase anything from you yet. 

Replenishment Subscription Box 

The replenishment subscription box is the box service that sends continual replacements of the same type of products for a customer to try out. These boxes usually represent over 30% of all subscription boxes and are what many customers get hooked on when purchasing a replenishment subscription box service. Replenishment subscription box consumers use this type of service for replacing their razors, beauty supplies, baby necessities, and more. 

Access Subscription Box 

The access subscription box service provides customers or members with special discounts or high-end coupon perks for specific products they are offered. This subscription box service comes in around 13% of all subscription box services, but it's one of the ones that can also generate the most money in a short amount of time. 

All of the above subscription box services do have a higher churn rate than the consumer or customer that goes to the store to purchase an item. The ease of becoming a non-subscriber is part of the subscription box charm and why consumers often come back to get the same subscription box or one similar to it at a later date. 

Subscription Box Pricing And Billing 

Once you start a subscription box service, you already have the heavy lifting of your business plan done and ready to launch with one final financial tweak you want to determine before your official start date. One of the most important financial concerns and deliberations you need to consider is your billing subscription pricing options. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised to find out how much the variables of what you want to offer, it's size, quality, quantity, brand, and more can affect the billing subscription pricing. 

Sometimes it is the pricing in a new subscription box company that can be the most overwhelming consideration you have to make. You know what you need to make for your business to grow and develop. It would be best if you searched for a billing subscription pricing option that offers unlimited products, plans, payment gateways, subscription plans, and many other extras that apply to your business. Once you find that billing subscription pricing company, you want to know what type of pricing options they have that you can do to work for your company. 

Subscription Box Business Plans 

Every subscription box business plan differs from the next one. Because of that, your business plan needs to have a financial or accounting model you can depend on to lead you well. Sometimes it's as easy as picking out the best accounting software system. 

Other times it is selecting a billing subscription pricing option that offers you everything from improving your accounting processes to tracking your growth and development as a business. Subscription box businesses of today have everyone jumping on their lucrative bandwagon from Disney to gourmet meal services. 

Unlimited Products, Samples And Items At Reasonable Prices 

After subscription box services launched a few years ago, retailers quickly realized they could get their latest and greatest products to you, get your opinion or increase their brand awareness and do it at bargain rates that storefronts couldn't give them. That's why trending products started moving from storefronts to your mailbox in what seemed the blink of an eye. 

Marketing outreach is never stronger than when it is being delivered to a potential customer's doorstep, especially if they joined a service to receive that item or product. It is a win-win for the retailer or subscription box business and the consumer. In the year 2023, it is also been a lifesaver from time to time because when consumers couldn't go out to the world, subscription box businesses came to them. 

So if you ever thought about starting a subscription box business, this is your moment and your opportunity. Chances like this in business rarely happen twice in a lifetime, so start the business you have always wanted to but never had the time to make happen. Right now, time and business await your next move, so make it count.