There’s many a times, where others have not shared the same vision as me, or understand my goals – instead of getting frustrated… I now tend to just focus. Alone.
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Month: November 2018
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10yrs since Woolworths…
It’s been 10 years since Woolworths left the High Street.
It was a bit of an institution. But the time had come to close it’s doors based on poor sales and customers, just not buying anymore. There were a couple of reasons – mainly, their music and DVD part of the business which was so profitable wasn’t doing so good – because habits had changed, with on-line music available.
The whole business couldn’t have been held on just it’s famous pic’n’mix.
They had a lot of stores up and down the country.
What happened then, Bal?
Well – a new ‘shopping model’ appeared. Pound World/Land/Everything.
The stores that sold everything for a pound was a simple and effective model. Very successful – and they bought many of the stores where Woolworths used to be, and set up shop.
But even today – they’re not doing so well. In July, PoundWorld announced they’ll close 150 stores of it’s total 335 stores with administrators looking for a buyer. Poundland isn’t performing too well either.
The High Street is changing. Shopping habits are changing. We’re shopping more and more online. But moreso, via our mobile devices.
As per a previous blog post – we’re in that phase of ‘Bricks and Clicks’ – where retailers need to have a strong on-line presence aswell as maintaining their high street presence, because we’re going through that ‘transition phase’.
In the future – we’ll have less physical stores for us to visit. They’ll be more ‘experience outlets’. Where we can go, and experience whatever it is we want to buy. Then have the ability to order on-line and for it to be delivered at home.
In addition – smaller outlets, for those essentials on the way home from work. Using technology to make it a quick and easy experience – similar to the Amazon physical store.
And as today is ‘Cyber Monday’ – how long that term will last, i’m not sure – because alot of the sales on Friday were on-line… means we’ll be more ‘cyber shoppers’ than before.
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Bal’s Friday Thought…
How times have you been told you can’t?
I was always told it. Even now… on occasions, but don’t listen to them.
(More importantly… I had to have the Rock feature on my Friday Thought…)
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Black Friday Deals… This Friday!
So… most of us (in Europe) will have got used to ‘Black Friday’ sales. It’s the Day after Thanksgiving and… it’s when everyone (nearly everyone), goes out shopping.
Now… the ‘Black Friday’ Sales have spread to across the world.
And here in Europe… we have them too.
In fact… they started earlier… Amazon and many other retailers started sharing some great offers earlier in the week…
For example, Curry’s had this fantastic offer on earlier in the week…
Now… like or loath them – the sales, do offer some great value.
Whilst we have some high-street retailers offering discounted products… you’re best bet to find a bargain would most probably be on-line.
Amazon (and there’s others) start to prepare and entice folks in…
Now, there’s some guidelines I’d suggest you follow…
1. Do your Research! – Is it a good product? Have you read the reviews? Don’t just buy it because it looks good and it’s reduced in price (even if it’s got 70% off!). Look around the internet, read what people are saying about it – and if it’s worth purchasing.
2. Sign Up! – That’s right… sign up to newsletters and emails from your favourite retailers. That way, you’ll receive notifications before others of deals and offers that are available.
3. Don’t Worry! – missed out on an item? Didn’t get what you wanted? Don’t worry… we’ve got Boxing Day sales coming up… then you’ll have New Year Sales… and if you’ve followed Points 1 and 2 above, I’m sure you’ll find your item at a good price at some point in the year.
Well, I hope you have a great time shopping…!
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Ella, Ella, eh… eh….eh…
A few years ago, I was on the phone to a friend, who is running a startup.
We were talking about various things, and he asked me how the weather is. I said, the weather looks ok – but I’m not sure because I haven’t been outside.
Then I suggested, wouldn’t it be a good idea to have an app that didn’t just tell you the weather but also suggested what to wear!
Anyhow… we didn’t do anything. Like most of the idea’s we discussed that day, we just parked it.
Fast forward a year or two later. And there I am, on the trusted laptop… and look what pops up!
That’s right- someone, somewhere (else in the world) had the same idea… but only went and developed it!
Brella – your personal weather app!
It not only tells you the weather – but tells you what to wear! One less thing I have to do!!
Yes Matt! – put your jeans and t-shirt on… the weather is good!!
Now for me – in London – it’d be, Bal… take an umbrella!
The point of this is, not app – though that it is a great idea, and I’m glad someone did develop it – but the whole point about, if you have an idea… DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
Yes, I did use Caps Lock. Yes, I am shouting at you. Yes, I am making a point.
We all have ideas. But doing something about them – that’s what seperates the successful ones from the not so successful ones.
Now – whilst I’m a little upset I didn’t develop it… I’m ok with it.
Why Bal? – you could’ve made millions.
Not always about the money. But yes, I could’ve made a ‘few bob’, however, I’m already working on plenty of other ideas, have items in pilot stages and supporting other startups and companies.
Whilst having an idea – and working on it – stick to it. Don’t start a million and one things… and not finish anything off. Working on a handful – and finish them!
So, if you’d like to read more about the Brella app – have a read of this.. it’s by the developer. Great read… hope it inspires you….
https://medium.com/@mattbarker016/designing-brella-my-first-ios-app-852a53e04788
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Bal’s Friday Thought…
I remember when I used to get stressed over the smallest things… but I learnt.
It wasn’t so much about not getting stressed – but being able to handle the stress…
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Fold your phone away…
I used to have the Nokia mobile phones. Never ventured with other brands. But admittely I did like the Motorola Flip – a friend of mine used to have it, and I used to love, ‘flipping’ it close – when i’d finished a call.
What a classic. Available in different colours too…..
How times have changes. Let’s be honest. It’s all got a bit boring…
Don’t get me wrong… I love my Apple iPhone. It’s lovely. But however, that novelty factor that we used to have of sliding, folding, etc… had all gone.
Sliding Bal? – you used to have a phone like that?
Yes – the banana phone, as it was known.
Anyway…. those times might be coming back… Samsung, leading the way.
They’ve designed and bought to life a foldable screen!
What Bal?! A screen that folds?!!!
Yes! Samsung have designed new screen materials, including a flexible OLED layer and backplane, that are then layered beneath an ultra thin polarizer, a new shock-absorbent film, and a more durable (and flexible) polymer cover window on top. And to hold everything together. Clever huh?
What does all this mean? – well…
It’s a phone that you can fold!! – How awesome is that?! I’d buy it just for the novelty factor.
Now… couple of things here, 1) Samsung are doing some great research and bringing to life some fantastic products… 2) We may get some exciting phones again… and 3) What does it mean for Apple?
Samsung haven’t revealed much else – in terms of pricing and availability.
What we do know it’ll be available somewhere in mid-2019. And it’ll be the most expensive phone available.
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Bal’s Friday Thought…
Just start… so much time is spent talking… discussing… and in organisations, getting through red tape.
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Jackie, how do you like to shop?
Another week, and another High Street name closing stores.
This week, we have New Look. In a radical revamp – upto 100 stores will close.
Why? Like I’ve mentioned before…. our shopping habits are changing. There’s so many uncertainties. Brexit. Etc….
So what next, Bal?
Great question! – I see the whole High Street changing. There’ll be more closures and more well known names disappearing from the High Street.
When it comes to clothes – we’ve traditionally gone out to shop. Because we need to touch, feel and try.
Comparing clothing to electrical – online sales are not has great. But that’ll fast change. How?…. let’s just look to Amazon and what they’re doing.
Yep, they’re offering a ‘try before you buy’ service.
Select a number of clothes…. sizes, colours, etc… have them sent to your home. Try them… see how they feel – like them? Keep them (and obviously pay) don’t like them? – return them free of charge.
Simple? Off course! That’s what makes it so easy.
Jackie, a mum of 3 boys – who’s always running around and very busy, doesn’t have time to go into shops, try various clothes…. instead, would rather be able to try the clothes on – when she wants and where she wants (on the basis she knows where the kids are – on which some occasions is a challenge on its own).
Amazon started selling clothes 10 years ago and is only recently pushing more into this space. Without doing much, they have a 4.6% market share. Just behind M&S online clothing.
Next is in the lead, with 12.5% of market share. You also then have John Lewis, ASOS and eBay.
So can Amazon gain more market share?
I think Yes. They’ve got the power and the ability to make it a success. We’re ordering more and more varieties from Amazon, from baked beans (yes, you can buy them) to garden furniture. Why not throw a cardigan in the basket as well.
Reminds me of the time I went to Tesco to buy some milk and bought a TV. I did that in a physical store about 6 years ago. Looks like now is the time I would buy some socks with my books from Amazon.
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Hi Sir, sorry i’m late… Sir?…Sir?….
I went to Coventry University. It was a lovely place…. we had the Planet, Mr.G’s and several other night life amenities. Oh, the actual university was good also!
Times are changing. Where we had actual lectures and real lecturers and professors- that’ll soon change.
How Bal? – you’ll still need people to teach.
Indeed you will. However, do they need to be real?
Imperial College, London – are introducing ‘hologram’ lecturers.
That is correct. Lecturers teaching, whom aren’t really there!
Using the latest technology – they’ll be able to have them presented in such a way, that it looks like a real person.
Yes – you could use a webex/telepresence – but that’s just on a flat screen.
This way – it’s more interactive. It’s more real. It’s more engaging.
So the lecturer will be in New York – but teaching a class in London – with a high definition monitor in front of them so they can see the class and make eye to eye contact.
Holograms have been used before – for elections – remember when the French presidential candidate did it? – he appeared in several cities, at the same time, addressing thousands of people in the crowd… at the same time… in real time!
This new technology is slightly cheaper – easier to move around and can be set up easier than those used a few years ago.
Only a matter of time when… when we’ll see more and more holograms… than real people. Thinking about it, with some of the ‘real people’ I have to deal with recently… it might not be that bad of an idea!