Haven’t we always dreamt of a shopping portal that gives us products, best brands (at lowest prices of course), a comparison feature, a forum to exchange our views on, ideate, know more about other shopping spaces, participate in business enhancement, generate our own pool of thoughts, build business networks, connect with our buddies – everything in just ONE WINDOW? Well, we finally have a portal bringing us all this and more – for the FIRST time in the history of the web! Here we go!

Digital Natives (People) + Internet Economics (Process) + Technology (Read/Write Web) = WEB 2.0

It doesn’t get simpler than this. Retails Direct, a new seedling in the Online Retail circuit, is all set to integrate, for the first time in the history of web, a rich pulpit featuring some dynamic Web 2.0 essentials in its shopping portal. The platform will be called CAFÉ RETAIL. Retails Direct has already earned its name as a ‘A Lower Price Store’, by providing best product deals in its combo offers, apart from peerless pre and post-purchase services.

Let’s have a look at its new Web 2.0 scroll; it has for us in the offing:

 Cafe Bargains:

This feature brings to us two avenues to buy collaboratively and earn discounts on those purchases. They are:

Group Bargains: As the name suggests, Cafe Retail will set a target of a particular number of people required to form a group to share the discount set for that product deal. For example, if the target is to form a group of 10 shoppers, which if formed will get a discount of say 20% on a product, chosen for this deal. The slabs for discounts will vary according to the change in number of people in that particular group.

Demand Your Bargain: This amazing feature puts the strings in the hands of the shoppers themselves, i.e. cafe Retail will let people sharing similar product interests form a group and give them the advantage of choosing their own discount slab for it. For example, If shoppers want to create a group of 8 people with the discount demanded at the rate of 15%, the deal can be fixed if all conditions find acceptance.

 Free Your Mind

‘Free Your Mind’ will be a bustling platform which will showcase product ratings, reviews and blogs, marked and written by shoppers themselves.

 Chit Chat

This specialized attribute will give the shoppers a leverage to connect with their buddies and build business networks as well, simply from their desks. So what’s new? We can do this through text, voice as well as video chat. Whoa!! Shopping was never so much fun earlier! Well, there’s still more!

 Cult

This unique facet of Cafe Retail will include features facilitating members of the community to form groups based on their shared interests.

 Café Gallery
Café Gallery will help people to build their own inventory of videos and pictures, which they can also share with their friends and fellow members.

 Dual Reward Point System

Retails Direct will be pioneering the system of providing two reward point tools to its shoppers through RD Coins and iMint. This makes Retails Direct the first portal in the history of web to employ a multiple reward point system under one roof.

 Talks

‘Talks’ will include a forum to help people divulge and exchange their thoughts, ideas and opinions. A pulpit designed to help them connect better, express better!

 Polls
 Contests
 Intelligent profiling to fulfill the member’s products, demands and needs

The list goes on and on….

With such integrations, this junction certainly seems to be all set to brim with brighter opportunities to help shopping geeks not only shop smart but also indulge in creating their own personal spaces. Your ideas will be for the world to read, comment and share too.

Retails Direct will stand as a pioneer in bringing forth this new stream of interactivity integrated in a shopping portal. In an industry beset with changes that take place every second and competitors being just a click away, we finally have players that think innovation, talk innovation! For foundations like this, the size of the weapon certainly doesn’t matter, only the fury of the attack does.

After days long work we all want to relax and pay homage to your tensions. At least this is what I do when I go back home after my monotonous work. For me relaxing in the comfort of my home is something I would love to do even during weekdays. Last Sunday some of my friends turned up and we planned to move to a near by national park. Things were all set and done.

It was Saturday night and I was coming along with one of my friend on his new bike. We were in a group of four, two on each bike. The endless road and soft breeze blowing boosted our imaginative fantasy. Though little sceptical yet determined to race, we gave full throttle sitting on our respective bikes. Both of us were racing against winds, when suddenly a small puppy came in front of one of the bike. We were in a fix whether to save ourselves or to save the puppy. Before we could decide anything, I found myself lying on the floor. My hands and legs got scratched. By god’s grace none of my friends got hurt badly. We all had minor injuries and the puppy was also safe and sound. Somehow, we managed to come back. Before our family could see us in that condition we managed to escape from their eyes. Next day we all met but this time it was at one of my friend’s place. He had recently bought a new home theatre system. And trust me guys its awesome. That was our first meeting after two months with all our friends, a short reunion you may say. As a true Indian we all sat together to watch the latest Bollywood movie that has hit the town. To my delight it was “Joddha Akbar” staring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. What’s more, we switched on his new home theatre and started watching the movie only to find that the DVD was pirated.

Well, if you think that was the end of it you are wrong. We watched that four hour long pirated DVD movie without even a single break. Guess such is the craze of Bollywood movies in

India!

It’s been ages now that I am not following televisions, magazines and even radio for that matter. To the world it may sound as if I was busy with my work or am preoccupied with something. But the truth that only I know is I am becoming lazy, lethargic and an obnoxious piece of matter. Well, all this was true until recently while surfing the Internet I came across this amazing piece of news. It says that consumer electronics through retail outlets are foraying into the market with a bang.

I could see it myself, when a retail shopping store opened up in our locality. They are mushrooming like anything I tell you!! For rest of the people that might be no news at all but for me it was a big thing. And why not, after all my family is into retailing business. People living in urban sections, particularly the metros could see some consumer electronic super stores near by. The day is not far when my Granny, living in

Far East could be seen shopping in a retail store. These retail shopping stores are expanding in a bigger way and can soon engulf our lives.I fail to understand what attract most of us to all these retails shops? Is it the wide possibility of choosing your favourite goods or is it the prices they manage to give because of their gargantuan scale. I guess it’s a bit of all these.Retail formats are targeting consumer electronics because of their huge popularity among the buyers. All big brands from Wal-Mart, Office depot, to that of Staples have already branded themselves in the consumer’s mind. They are now trying to expand even to distant places. Adding another feather in the crown is that Alghanim Electronics, the largest consumer electronics retailer in Kuwait and the

Middle East has started booking properties for a major launch. Same way Jumbo Electronics, the UAE based CE retail giant is also planning to expand further.The real challenge goes to all those conventional stores who have to eek in wide variety and leverage the potential buyers. The major part depends on the kind of relationship they have shared all these years. Also, it would take sometime for the retails to go in deeper roots so the convectional ones can relax for the time being.But from the consumers’ point of view, buying from the retail outlets is like buying products at discounted rates. For them it’s always a win case!!

People all over the world are head over heels in love with the Apple iPod. Well, I truly wonder why? Until recently when my brother gifted me with the Apple Ipod touch. Initially I was a little sceptical regarding this whole new touch screen idea. I might have grown naive enough to ponder myself into this new gadget I guess.

But then this was the only thing I had in my hand last valentine that saved me from getting swayed in the thoughts of my ruthless lover. As per the saying “Once bitten twice shy”, I wasn’t initially getting into a relationship but his charm and polite nature swept me off my feet. I once again let my heart swing on the tunes of romantic songs. Things were moving and I was happy and content with my small and cosy life. It was my birthday and I was eagerly waiting for him to turn up only to find that he went back to

USA without informing me. Days passed by and I kept waiting for him. Cursing and pitying myself for letting him go. I must say that my family always stood by my side. They tried hard not to let me get too involved in my remorse.January passed by and February came. The day, marked as the lover’s day i.e 14th Feb., which is celebrated all over the world came as a heart sulking day for me. I kept lying in my bed for long, didn’t remember when my brother came in and kept that sweet little teddy along with the Apple iPod touch beneath my bed. I was hoping against the hope not to open my eyes, but I had to for my family and for my life. I thought of giving a new start to my life right from that day itself. Keeping all my traumas locked deep inside my heart I opened my gift. And the first song that I played in my iPod was by Celine Dion “And that’s the way it is…”. I now store my favourite songs and latest movies in my 8 GB iPod. Thanks to this, I once again came to terms with my life. It’s rightly said “Somethings are better started AFRESH”.

A much awaited online shopping dream finally coming true! Yeah, you read it right. The dream of redeeming those valuable Sodexho Gifts Vouchers is finally a reality. With Retails Direct, you can redeem your Sodexho gifts vouchers and Sodexho gift passes for any product of your choice, just the way I did it.

I recently purchased the sleek and smart Philips SA1355, a portable digital audio player, from Retails Direct after redeeming my hard-earned Sodexho gift passes and didn’t pay any other payment. This is absolutely fantastic; I never ever thought that my Sodexho gifts vouchers could bring me closer to the stunning music player of my choice in exchange for my Sodexho vouchers.

As soon as I placed the order with my Sodexho gifts voucher, I was given an order reference number and the next day, I received a call from one friendly customer care executive confirming my order. My ordered Philips SA1355 was sent to me within 4 days of my order and the package containing the audio player was quite safe and secure and not only this, the purchase came with a original guarantee from the manufacturer. Add to this, the price I paid in the form of Sodexho gift passes was far below the market price of the product and far less than what is being offered on the other online shopping portals.

This is great news for all Sodexho gift passes holders like me, who were earlier left with no other option than to distribute these gift passes among friends for free or even for a financial consideration. I really wished that there was something I could do to save these coupons and fortunately my dream has come true. Nevertheless, I am satisfied with what I got and I hope many others like me can take a step forward like me to bring the culture of online shopping right here in India. Do some magic with your fingers and experience the ultimate pleasure of being a successful online shopper like me. It’s easy.

My daily cooking is as easy as 1-2-3.I just love to cook; perhaps it’s my permanent passion. I learn something new everyday. I love to tantalise my taste buds with a range of goodies, for that, I need a huge range of appliances that can simplify my daily cooking needs.Home and Kitchen Appliances are a blessing indeed. I can chop, slice and even mash and that too with the power of my mighty finger. My fingertips rule the kitchen, I simply order and they work. How can I forget the mighty microwave, I am glad that I replaced my old oven with the hi-tech miracle. Even a housewife like me should evolve with time. After all, the entire kitchen is my territory and nobody can dare to enter it without my command. But purchasing the best Home and Kitchen Appliances is very difficult. Come on I don’t have the time to struggle through the manual stores for buying appliances.

I simply act smart and enjoy the Online Trend of Kitchen Appliances. Why buy the other way when I can experience the power of web. All I do is browse, focus and finally click; guess what? Within a day the product is at my doorstep. Believe me, everyone should enjoy this Online Trend of Kitchen Appliances. Whether it’s Sony, Samsung, Philips or even LG, my mighty mouse browses through the product catalogue and I carefully narrow down on a product. I even compare the gadgets online after all it’s my money and in return I need the best product.

I still remember the food processor that I ordered through a reliable portal. The branded machine had a range of gadgets, so all I did is changed the attachments and simplified the way I used to prepare salads. My cook shop is empty without the Home and Kitchen Appliances and I always depend on the Internet to buy the best .

With the advent of technology, the mobile industry is also going from strength to strength. The section that will benefit most out of this ongoing revolution is the consumers. Today, even the mid-range mobiles are also coming up with power-packed technologies. The manufacturers are trying to incorporate more and more features in these handsets, from Nokia to Motorola everyone in this race.The mobile companies are adding more and more features in their handsets, as the normal features don’t interest the audience any longer. To keep them interested and glued to their respective handsets, the manufacturers are providing more interactive features. “Convergence” has become a new mantra. Though I myself use a mobile phone that doesn’t have a camera nor does it have an FM in it, but I like peeping into my friend’s handset who has this typical habit of changing his set after every quarter.

Today, online mobile stores have given us numerous reasons to feel happy. You can choose from the wide variety just by sitting at the comfort of your home. What’s more? It not only gives you your favourite handsets but you can also get them at discounted rates.

A study says that

India’s youth market for mobile phones has been growing at 300 per cent in the recent years. Catering to these needs and requirements, all the websites have now started to offer mobile phones at much cheaper rate. I have even heard that there are websites that claim to sell mobile phones at much cheaper rates than their original price. Well, how far this holds true can only be judged by the buyers but I myself know one such website that can offer you mobile phones at cheaper rates. When the other day I told my brother about this new Sony ericsson M600i that is being offered at discounted rate in Retailsdirect, he couldn’t wait a moment and bought me this new sleek and stylish phone. Now, even I know what to gift my beloved this Valentine’s Day. Do you?

Mobile phones have become a part of our everyday lives and more and more people have started enjoying the services and extra freedom provided by these communicating devices. Today in

India every other conventional mobile store is equipped with loads of mobile phones of different brands, shapes and sizes along with the latest multimedia features and technology.
In an online mobile store you can search for the mobiles of your choice depending upon your needs and specifications. In these stores all the users have the liberty to research on their favourite product by browsing through the websites of all the other online retailers who are dealing in these devices. Conventional stores can’t offer you all the brands whereas in an online mobile store you can search for the ultimate mobile phone which is made just for you.These online mobile stores are gaining publicity in

India because they are very convenient and any one who can access the Internet can use the web 24×7. These online mobile stores help the users to find just about anything if you search patiently. One more reason of their growing popularity in

India is that they are considered cheaper than any brick-and-mortar store as the retailers don’t have to bear the overheads of a shop. These stores also help you avail great deals and offers on variety of products coming at discounted prices and unique features. These web based mobile stores also provide some fantastic facilities like free home delivery and money back guarantee which are not provided by the conventional stores. Therefore, online shopping stores are extremely convenient and are preferred than visiting any high street shop.

Valentine’s Day is marked as the day for the “Lovers”. People express their deepest feelings and thoughts to their loved ones. At times it gets difficult for us to express our innermost feelings to the ones we love. Atleast, this is what happened to me when I first thought of expressing my love to my beloved. I still remember the day. Its like no matter how hard I tried to phrase it, the words just couldn’t come out right. I was stuck and didn’t know how to express my love for him.

Well, now that Valentine’s Day is nearing, all you guys must be having sleepless nights, thinking of that one special gift that can express your feelings. You may be a born writer or a poet, that’s perfectly alright, but at “that” special moment the ability to choose the right words, fails and we get trapped in our own world of fantasies .This elusive situation is something, which I am very scared of but not any more. Technology has given us various options where we can have the liberty of expressing our own ideas in our own innovative and special way.

Online shopping stores can help you find some of the most special and innovative Valentine Day gift ideas. Recently, I have been observing that I am in a time crunch due to my hectic work schedules only to find that these online shopping stores have endless number of gift items that can be availed.

Valentine’s Day is not just another day in everyone’s life. It’s an opportunity to strengthen the beautiful bond of love we share with our beloved. Let’s make the most out of this day with the help of online shopping stores. Convey your deepest feelings to your loved ones and let them know how much you care.

To some, Valentine’s Day is just another day, but to others, Valentine’s Day is a special day for this day is marked as the “day for lovers”. They exchange gifts as a token of their love. But buying gift especially for your loved ones is a very difficult task. One has to take care of so many issues. Gifts are the medium of showing your loved ones how much you care and this has to be special, for they speak your heart to your beloved. It’s not the amount of money you spend, but the care shows in the fact that you took the time to shop for that very special gift, which is an expression of your love.  The best way to shop this Valentine is to shop online. This not only gives you the option to choose from variety of ranges but you can even compare the prices of the same product of different brands. It is a convenient way of finding your desired product that to sitting at the comfort of your home. Shopping online has many advantages, especially for the one who is far away. It gives you an option of shipping your products to far off places. This alone makes shopping online worth it. Comparison shopping is also easier online. You just have to search various sites and figure it out the best product at the best prize. So, no more traffic jams, no more listening to Kenny G while waiting endlessly in the queue and above all you save a big amount of money.  

One of the best advantages of doing online shopping is that you can shop 24X7. It hardly matters what time the clock shows. Now that we know that online shopping has this many advantages, but the bigger question is still unanswered. What to gift your valentine this Valentine’s Day?  Well, for those guys who are still wondering and are going through sleepless nights, the solution is jewelery. Although not all women wear all types of jewelry, chances are there that your wife wears jewelry of some type or another. As they say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so gifting a diamond this Valentine in form of a ring, earring or a neck-less is sure to sweep her off her feet. With the help of online shopping you can find all types of jewelry in all price ranges.Another option for is gifting Collectibles. If your wife has a collection of special trinkets, add to her collection this Valentine’s Day by shopping online for new collectible items. The websites offers unique collectible items that come in all price ranges and themes. You can even gift her crystals. There are high quality crystal that are exceptionally beautiful and very easy to care for. You’ll find an array of crystal items online. If not all these, then you are left with the last option; chocolates.

Nothing can beat a treat quite like a chocolate candy, and who wouldn’t love a box of chocolates this Valentine’s Day? Gift your wife an assortment of delectable candies and let her satisfy her chocolate cravings.
Before you buy anywhere, do check the privacy policy and make sure the merchant is using a secure connection for taking your information. You need to be certain that the merchant uses your credit card and personal information appropriately.  With online shopping, things have become pretty easier. Right guys!