jili super ace app download apk
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Honey, they shrunk the catalogs. While retailers hope to go big this holiday season, customers may notice that the printed gift guides arriving in their mailboxes are smaller. Many of the millions of catalogs getting sent to U.S. homes were indeed scaled down to save on postage and paper, resulting in pint-sized editions. Lands’ End, Duluth Trading Company and Hammacher Schlemmer are among gift purveyors using smaller editions. Some retailers are saving even more money with postcards. Lisa Ayoob, a tech-savvy, online shopper in Portland, Maine, was surprised by the size of a recent catalog she received from outdoor apparel company Carbon2Cobalt. “It almost felt like it was a pamphlet compared to a catalog,” she said. Catalogs have undergone a steady recalibration over the years in response to technological changes and consumer behavior. The thick, heavy Sears and J.C. Penney catalogs that brought store displays to American living rooms slimmed down and gave way to targeted mailings once websites could do the same thing. Recent postal rate increases accelerated the latest shift to compact formats. The number of catalogs mailed each year dropped about 40 percent between 2006 to 2018, when an estimated 11.5 billion were mailed to homes, according to the trade group formerly known as the American Catalog Mailers Association. In a sign of the times, the group based in Washington rebranded itself in May as the American Commerce Marketing Association, reflecting a broadened focus. But don’t expect catalogs to go the way of dinosaurs yet. Defying predictions of doom, they have managed to remain relevant in the e-commerce era. Retail companies found that they could treat catalogs with fewer pages as a marketing tool and include QR and promo codes to entice customers to browse online and complete a purchase. Despite no longer carrying an extended inventory of goods, catalogs are costly to produce and ship. But they hold their own in value because of growing digital advertising costs, helping retailers cut through the noise for consumers barraged by multi-format advertisements, industry officials say. In an unlikely twist, notable e-commerce companies like Amazon and home goods supplier Wayfair started distributing catalogs in recent years. Amazon began mailing a toy catalog in 2018. That was the same year Sears, which produced an annual Christmas Wish Book Wish starting in 1933, filed for bankruptcy. Fans of printed information may rejoice to hear that apparel retailer J.Crew relaunched its glossy catalog this year. Research shows that the hands-on experience of thumbing through a catalog leaves a greater impression on consumers, said Jonathan Zhang, a professor of marketing at Colorado State University. “The reason why these paper formats are so effective is that our human brains haven’t evolved as fast as technology and computers over the past 10 to 20 years. We retain more information when we read something on paper. That’s why paper books remain relevant,” Zhang said. “The psychology shows that three-dimensional, tactile experiences are more memorable.” Pint-sized presentations still can work, though, because the purpose of catalogs these days is simply to get customers’ attention, Zhang said. Conserving paper also works better with younger consumers who are worried about the holiday shopping season’s impact on the planet, he said. Postal increases are hastening changes. The latest round of postage hikes in July included the category with the 8.5-by-11-inch size that used to be ubiquitous for the catalog industry. Many retailers responded by reducing the size of catalogs, putting them in a lower-cost letter category, said Paul Miller, executive vice president and managing director of the American Commerce Marketing Association. One size, called a “slim jim,” measures 10.5 by 5.5 inches. But there are other sizes. Some retailers have further reduced costs by mailing large postcards to consumers. Lands’ End, for one, is testing new compact formats to supplement its traditional catalogs. This year, that included folded glossy brochures and postcards, along with other formats, Chief Transformation Officer Angie Rieger said. Maine resident Ayoob said she understands why retailers still use catalogs even though she no longer is a fan of the format. These days, she prefers to browse for products on the internet, not by flipping through paper pages. “Everybody wants eyeballs. There’s so much out there — so many websites, so many brands,” said Ayoob, who spent 35 years working in department stores and in the wholesale industry. Targeting customers at home is not a new concept. L.L. Bean was a pioneer of the mail-order catalog after its founder promoted his famous “Maine Hunting Shoe” to hunting license holders from out-of-state in 1912. The outdoor clothing and equipment company based in Freeport, Maine, is sticking to mailing out regular-sized catalogs for now. “By showcasing our icons, the catalog became an icon itself,” L.L. Bean spokesperson Amanda Hannah said. “Even as we invest more in our digital and brand marketing channels, the catalog retains a strong association with our brand, and is therefore an important part of our omni-channel strategy, especially for our loyal customers.” Story by David Sharp, Associated Press More articles from the BDNThe government has confirmed its plan for breaking up the national institute of technology and re-establishing independent polytechnics. Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds said following consultation the government had decided to make polytechnics autonomous. She said the government would next year decide which polytechnics could be independent from the start of 2026, and which would be part of a federation. "Decisions on which polytechnics will be established, and in which form, will be taken in the first half of next year. These decisions will consider the needs of local communities, learners and industry," Simmonds said. "Although there may be some changes to how ITPs are organised, and to how and where programmes are delivered, learners can continue to have confidence in their courses and qualifications." Simmonds said the future of work-based training was still to be decided. The government would consult on two possible options for that sector next year, she said. "The standard setting functions currently delivered by Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) will be taken over by Industry Skills Boards, but further input is sought from industry on how work-based learning should be structured. WDCs will continue to operate in the interim," Simmonds said. "When I consulted on options for work-based learning earlier in 2024, the feedback I received led to a new option being developed. As it is essential that the design meets the needs of industry, I intend to hold a targeted consultation on two work-based learning options very early in 2025."
Karnataka Lokayukta conducted a surprise inspection at KC General Hospital in Bengaluru's Malleswaram area on Friday, following multiple complaints about corruption and mismanagement. According to The New Indian Express report , the inspection revealed several alarming issues plaguing one of Bengaluru’s key government hospitals, raising serious concerns about patient care and hospital operations. (Also Read: Karnataka Congress expels party leader over sexual harassment case ) Bribes, staff Shortages, and hygiene issues exposed The investigation, initiated after public complaints, found that hospital staff had allegedly been soliciting bribes for patient admission. In one instance, a pregnant woman was reportedly denied immediate admission late at night and was asked for a bribe, TNIE report added. Doctors’ attendance was another major concern. By 10am, only one of the five scheduled doctors had arrived for duty, despite the shift starting at 9am. Patients also complained that doctors regularly prescribed medicines to be purchased from external pharmacies, even though the hospital had these medicines in stock. The inspection also revealed severe staff shortages, with only three patients admitted to the hospital’s 10 special rooms. The pharmacy was operating irregularly, with medicines listed as unavailable found in stock and expired medications left undisposed of. Hygiene and infrastrucure were found to be in a deplorable condition. The paediatric intensive care unit had only one functioning ventilator, while critical equipment like the ECG machine in the maternity ward and Doppler devices were non-operational. The hospital also struggled with basic amenities, with just one toilet available for up to 1,750 patients and inadequate drinking water facilities. Additionally, the Lokayukta noticed that the hospital did not display the mandatory nameplate for the Lokayukta helpline, a requirement for government offices. In light of these findings, Justice Patil has ordered a detailed investigation by a team of judicial and police officials, who will prepare a comprehensive report. Justice Patil assured the public that all complaints would be thoroughly examined and appropriate steps would be taken to address the hospital’s shortcomings and hold those responsible accountable, the report further added. (Also Read: Cyclone Fengal: Bengaluru braces for rain, cool temperatures; orange alert issued )Clay's 15 help Morehead State take down Alice Lloyd 94-63
Bill offering wildfire survivors relief from taxes and fees passes Congress
Why Jeff Probst Thinks ‘Gender’ Alliances Have a 'Tougher' Time on ‘Survivor’