Online Retail 1 High Street Retail 0
It is getting very clear now that since the downturn last year the recession has dug up some unwanted statistics concerning identity theft ; it has soured since the last count over 14 months ago, to heights of a 36% rise compared to 2008. – The increase is due to the evolving digital revolution that has hit the High Street into touch regarding to deals and offers that will change the way people shop for a generation. The statistic estimates 4.3 Million people have suffered this crime through the hands of criminal gang cartels because of the downturn, as many individuals are nave to internet protocols and criminal systems in gaining access to bank details via the ISP Internet Server Provider. Online deals serve as a ‘honey-trap’ to the victims who then divulge their credit card information without checking the internet’s site security. This is a simple pad-lock logo that is visible next to the page link, if the logo isn’t present do not enter. This is common sense to many of us but too many people who’ve just received Broadband access have been seduced in this scheme, giving the online retailer a bad press, regardless of the reputation the online retailer holds.
I thankfully was one of the young guns who saw the problematic oddities that swamped my mailbox about five years ago that came from false Amazon accounts, Amazon being one of the most successful online trading machines around. Fraudsters had collectively tried to gain access to trading contacts and also posed as Amazon wanting to offer me incredible deals. This wasn’t about Amazon, but also Barclays, and Lloyds TSB. The mass mail-outs from criminal gangs had effectively opened up a huge amount of ID thefts for years to come and now in 2009, the criminals have started to unravel their master-plan. – If, you go back to the theft of TK Max credit cards only two years ago, you will realize how lucrative your identity is. Half a million account details have been stolen on that raid alone. – Other account thefts have come from the HO Home Office around the same time in 2007 whereby mass numbers of accounts have been collected from lost drives belonging to the HO, that include your home address, incomes and also how you paid your parking fine, including account numbers and date of birth.
The main problem is that not everyone clears their cache on a daily basis, so when you online shop the card details is available for an internet hijacker to quickly swipe your account details via a MT Wifi transmitter; within 200 yards from your front door. The cartels are then able to copy your details back to a huge database; that will then activate a de-tracer software package that will hide any online account hijacking. – the sad thing is that it is impossible for the Police investigation units to actually trace any wrong doing, but what is imperative is having a third ‘Firewall’ to help stop the hijackings to take place, remarkably, only 12% of internet users have activated security software. – The same people who haven’t got the security software view their online credit report every week without fail which in itself can be hacked into with you knowledge. The biggest blunders seem to be the numbers of individuals who do not shred financial details which inevitable comes from High Street Banks and retailers, who systematically send out details ‘no holds barred’ straight via the migrant postman. An incredible 64% of the UK public bin financial documentation without shredding – All of which helps fraudsters gaining your details on every turn.
Online trading has significantly increased recently hence why many identity thefts have been reported. That infamous report by our media claiming the UK is being battered by a ‘perfect financial storm’; that was caused by the banking sector across the Westernized world has made it a wonderful picnic epicenter for criminal cartels to reel in their financial victims. The cunningness of the financial fraudsters must of thought their ship had came in, with the banks being the big whale the little fish have had no choice but to steer off course to try other means of prosperity, that often lands them in the hands of pirates. – The wonders of a ‘free market’ thanks to de-regulation, no-ones accountable. If, you have the clout to fight, the big fat lawyers will gobble you up instead, making the capitalistic state we all embroider non workable, it’s far from a fair judicial system that the UK boast to be.
Who or what is able to save the High Street retailer? – Major British establishments have been forced to tighten their belts due to the deep recession that has gripped there sales figures since the mid 2007 season, when the dizzy days of high credit ruled their sales figures. Whereby High Street retailers slung cards at anyone without care, if you had the right coloured Slazenger hoody and sounded like Katherine Tate you’re in; and they weren’t ‘bovvered’. – Big CEO of Marks and Spencer’s Mr. Stuart Rose protected his private sector and stated last week that it has been a really tough time at M&S, with yet more cuts to come across the board. It is about time the decision makers at Whitehall also smelt the coffee and made cuts internally.
His comments backed up a declining market trend in retail sales compared to online sales. It was reported that the retail sector profit margins are falling prior to last year’s dismal figures. – Proving it neon impossible for the High Street to compete via price on purchases sold compared to the online market. The added bonuses and schemes such as the many cash-back incentives makes online shopping an absolute must while the credit crunch continues it’s weather pattern depression; even with all the risks involved with getting that decent priced offer, it maybe worth the gamble, and many people are taking that risk. – Retailers worries will continue into the Christmas season as jobs will inevitable be at risk if the trend doesn’t pick-up into January 2010.
Noticeably, the biggest market revenue advertiser since the dawning of the internet search engine facility now is ‘Google’, which has taken over the advertiser revenue from ITV, for the first time ever this year (2009). – Money sure does talk when it comes to traffic and sales volume, Google’s ‘AdSense’ program gives great incentives generally for online retailers, as their affiliate program is another reason to pay big money for advertising campaigns, the stream of cash due to volume of traffic makes great sense for any business during a down-turn period, of economical growth. – Another big success has been the emergence of huge comparison sites, with their catchy brand names and easy to use navigation is no doubt an addition into the Oxford English dictionary before too long. – Everyone has the itch; they’re talking about it even without consciously talking about the site. “Are you confused.com?” –
For people who know my write-ups well, you will already know of the 2005 James Dyson quote I’ve added on previous encounters; stating that the UK is a retail park, ready for any offshore buyers. This has been so true as far. In the capital this last six months there has been a frenzy of foreign bargain hunters looking for deals to sell in Europe due to the weak pound. – The type of sale retailers can’t rely on long term; but alas due to the poor financial sector the retailers are looking to these means of selling products off their shelves. When it comes to the bulk of the Christmas sales this year, the High Street will see the true cost of the recession.
Weighing up the matters with online shopping and the ‘touchy feely’ shopping bonanza that most people do love to do, especially women who are accustomed to making it an art-form that leaves me completely in the dark when it comes to; ‘What women want and look for?’ – I don’t believe the UK shopper is ever going to turn completely off to the High Street wonders and experience that certainly is addictive, hence, why so many individuals have had to go to re-hab to deal with their shopaholic problem. On a TV program called ‘Spend like a Shopaholic’, it is noticeable that a lot of homosexual men appear on the show and seem hell-bent on covering up their inward social problem by over-shopping – Shopping does appear cross gendered in certain social groups’.
Overall, the UK has spent less and saved more, most recently. However, with rising unemployment and consumers continue to face big concerns with fuel bills and other rising amenity costs, major obstacles are in-place in gaining credit. The position hasn’t changed for a huge majority of the UK public. Job securities are paramount, new ways of quick earnings are being sought after that has been apparent in fraud, and with the interest rates at the lowest for many years it is only the rich foreigners who can fill their boots. The crazy 2.5% VAT decrease from Westminster has not been filtered through in my opinion to the consumer. It was a cheap trick that bore no fruit across the retailers to consumers; it is back to 17.5% in January 2010; so watch for the retail price hike as many failing retailers will take advantage.
However, in this climate the internet shopping HTML>’body’ looks more appealing as I want more from my shopping experience, more than what the High Street can provide for my fix, and that is greater incentives, bigger offers and if you’ve got your wits about you, a safer way of shopping.
Thank you for reading this write-up