Stores Encourage Shopping in a Bad Economy

 

By: Margo Hutchinson and Alex Keller

 

 

            For Retailers, this is the most important time of the year.  Stores are organized and cleaned.  Gift boxes are placed in the counters with care in hopes that shoppers will soon be there!  It is that time of year!  The time of joy and stress inducing holiday shopping!  But with the latest talks of a shaky economy, will shoppers be knocking off some items or even a few people from their shopping list?

             “I think the media builds up the issue with our economy too much, I haven’t seen a slow down at all this season” Store Manager of Kay Jewelers Mary Dillan explains.  The National Retail Federation also believes that this holiday season is not feeling the economic pinch, at least so far.  In a survey done after what many retailers like to call ‘Black Friday’ it seems that even more people are out and spending more. “More than 172 million shoppers visited stores and websites over Black Friday weekend, up from 147 million shoppers last year.” The NRF 2008 survey discovered.  But not only does it appear that more people are out shopping during this time, but the stores are offering deals worth getting out of bed at 3 a.m.  and facing the parking lots that have become a battleground.

            Stores like J.C. Penny, are taking note of the frail economy.  “They are being more aggressive this year with sales, coupons, door-busters, and more marketing.” Says Sales manager Andrew Glatfelter.  “The majority is just sales, ad campaigns, and driving the prices down more.” Glatfelter continued.  Many stores such as J.C. Pennys are lowering their prices to get customers to continue their holiday spending.  And many retailers are remaining positive that sales will increase when it draws closer to Christmas time.  Some shoppers such as Elizabeth Dalton seem to not let the economic downfall give her a ‘Blue Christmas’.  “I wouldn’t say anything has changed this season for us.” Stated Dalton about her family shopping; “I walked to my car just a minute ago to drop off five bags.”  

            Executive Vice President of BIGresearch Phil Rist tells the NRF that retailers should not hold their breath.  "Though retailers should be encouraged by strong traffic and sales over the weekend, consumers are still being cautious.” And Kentucky Retail Federation’s Jan Gould said in a press release that more shoppers are getting gifts that are more ‘permanent’ such as jewelry and electronics such as iPods and videos games. 

             It seems that many others are not really lacking in the flow of customers even the locally owned stores.  For Snap boutique in Hyde Park, when asked by a customer if they have been extremely slow this season, the employee said that they have been quite busy.   Another boutique in Hyde Park called Fetish was having a sale of 30%- 50% off of merchandise.  And locals are even out supporting these local retailers and getting their word across to the other Cincinnati residents.   For those who desire the best deals and like to shop at the local retailers BuyCincy.com is allowing Cincinnati locals to post blogs on their sites to inform other Cincinnatians about great local stores to find unique gifts.  One blog entry talks about the unique stores that are in the Hyde Park community and another entry on the local shopping for those who live within or new the city of Cincinnati.   But to shop at some of these store will must be willing to spend a little over $100. 

            But it seems that no matter the financial situations, the consumers are still willing to face the busy shopping malls and embrace the winter cold to make sure that there are gifts under their tree for their friends and family!

Margo Hutchinson

News writing & Reporting

Gail Towns

Nov. 21, 2008

 

 

Cincinnati Gays Speak Out about Prop 8

By: Margo Hutchinson

 

            On Nov. 4 the state of California repealed the law that allowed same-sex couples to marry.  

            Ellen Degeneres expressed on her talk show that although she was happy about the election of Barack Obama, but when informed that morning about the passing of Proposition 8 she said, “I was saddened beyond belief." 

            Not only has the ban of same-sex marriage upset may gays and lesbians in the state of California, it has also hit cities such as Cincinnati. “Its a stab at so much we had accomplished.” Cincinnati born Amanda who moved to California in hopes to marry her girlfriend and have a family. “Its almost like women’s rights to vote. What if they had taken it away from them as soon as they gave them the right”, Amanda continues. 

            Cincinnati local John Ritter finds that it is ridiculous that the state made illegal a law that was just passed.  “There is no reason that gays should not be allowed to get married. What happened to separation of church and state?” Ritter questions and believes that church and state should be seen as separate. This ban of same sex marriage had many gays feel as if they are no longer equal

            On Nov. 15 Cincinnati went to City Hall where they held a worldwide protest against the passing of Prop. 8.  The local protest was organized by Impact Cincinnati member Cameron Tolle who told the website gaycincinnati.com, “Last week, voters in California, Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas allowed hate to infiltrate into our political system and classified the LGBTQ community as second-class citizens.”

            The gay and lesbian community still has hope that once Obama is sworn into office that things will change for the better.  John Ritter remains confident by saying, “You know what, in my lifetime things will change!  Obama said so!  It is the same thing that happened in the 60s or so blacks and whites were not allowed to marry people need to get with the times be more open minded.”

           

 

 

Margo Hutchinson

Advance Writing and Reporting

Gail Towns

Nov. 4, 2008

YOUTH

 

America’s Young Voters

By. Margo Hutchinson

 

Many have said that this 2008 election is the most important election in our history.  As for young voters, it’s a chance to improve their future. 

            College student Steve Goldfuss feels that this election is important to 21-year-olds such as him and younger voters.  “After four years, I will be in my mid-twenties and I want to vote for someone who I think is fit to secure the future.”  But are the young voters truly more involved in this election than the previous election? An article by Susan Mulligan on Boston.com expresses that this election has the youth more involved than previous campaigns.  Younger voters are even willing to get involved with the campaign if asked.  More reasons that have younger voters involved in this election are the due to technology such as the Internet.  The candidates use sites such as Facebook and Myspace to interact with the students and get them more interested in voting.  Throughout the Election Day, students donated their Facebook statuses to support the candidate of their choice. 

            Though in the past elections, younger voters were usually ‘missing in action’.  When the 26^th Amendment was passed in 1972, it allowed Americans 18 years of age and older to vote in the elections.  The American University in Washington D.C. stated that 55% of possible voters between the age of 18-29 voted and it’s the highest the percentage of young voters has ever been.  Young voters are seen as being apathetic towards the campaign and who is running, but many believe that this election will change that perception. 

            The younger voters are interested even more due to the shape the economy is in and want to know which candidate has the best plan to help get America out of these bad times.   Also what the next president will do about the war in Iraq, which is one of the top concerns of young Americans.  It seems that the younger voters are more interested with this election because it concerns their future.  And during the primaries the amount of young voters in that showed up increased.  And many voters, young and old, have faith that the young voter turnout will go down in history along with this election. 

            But this election has the older voters excited for the increase in young voters.  A political science professor Dr. Michel Kinney told The Daily Decatur that he noticed that a large amount of his students were registered to vote.   He decided to take a poll in his class to see how this election affected his students.  He told The Daily Decatur that “They're interested in the opportunities in education”. "They're also interested in taxes, believe it or not, and who's going to be paying for programs." 

            And the teen organization known as ‘Rock The Vote’ has 2.3 million voters registered for this years election which beats out the over 1million from 2004.  Basically, to be honest, the young generation was left with a mess and they want to make sure the find the right person to help clean it up not only for this generation, but to have hope for the next. 

           

 

Margo Hutchinson

Adv. Newswriting & Reporting

Gail Towns

10-31-08

FIVE

 

 

Issue 5 in the hands of voters November 4

By: Margo Hutchinson

 

            Election day is only a few days away and soon voters will decide on who they want in office and what issues get the ‘yes’ and ‘no’.  When it comes to the issues on the Ohio ballot, it seems like Issue 5 is one of the most prominent issues in this election.

            The House bill 545 passed a law in the summer detemining how money lending companies place interest and lend to customers.  Due to a referendum the law is placed on the 2008 voting ballot to be voted on by Ohioans. To many this bill is more of an issue and if passed it could cost around 6,000 jobs.

             12 News interviewed Bridgette Roman, Ohioans For Financial Freedom:  who told the news station "Frankly, the business model cannot work, and how do we know that? Because 150 pay day lenders have already turned in their licenses. Just last week, I talked to a woman from Stuebenville who operated five stores. She has closed her stores, turned in her license and terminated all of her employees. The business model just can't work at that kind of limit.”

            If the law is voted “no” payday lenders are able to resume to they way they do buissiness.  If voted ‘yes’ on payday lenders must abide to the law that the government had put into action.  If voted ‘yes’  lenders maximum amount to lend to client is $500  and the borrower has 30 day to repay the lender with an interest rate of 28%.   Before the  Issue 5, lenders could lend clients a maxiumum of $800 with no particular amount of day to repay the lender and a interest rate of  391% interest rate. 

            But it seems that this issue confuses more voters than anything.  Many say yes because it saves jobs and that it keeps the government out of the buissiness, but other see that payday loans cause more borrower to pay more money in the end.  To repeal a law or to keep it will be determined on election day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B28wkI0UE1c <>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azPp-CC76kw < Vote Yes video

Margo Hutchinson

JOUR 216 Adv. News writing & Reporting

Oct. 2008

LAYAWAY

 

 

A Layaway Christmas!

By: Margo Hutchinson

 

            The credit crunch putting a little damper on your Christmas shopping?

            With Macys stores throughout the sates putting up there Christmas trees in the chill fall of October, it reminds the American people that there is only 61 days left to do your Christmas shopping.  But with the economy in such a poor state, how will parents fulfill the Christmas wish list of their children? Consider the Layaway!

            Layaway, popular during the Great Depression in the 1920s, is being resurrected to help the Christmas shoppers in 2008.  A Layaways is when a customer wants a particular item but is unable to pay for it in full at the time so they have the store hold it for them until they are finished paying for the item. 

            To put a gift in layaway you must pay a five-dollar fee upfront and to cancel the layaway will cost from 10 to 15 dollars. The payment plans allows customers to pay every two weeks, and once the item is fully paid off the customer is allowed to take the purchase home.  

            Stores such as TJ Maxx and Burlington offer the option of layaway and Kmart has offered this option to their customer for years and with the economy on the rocks, Kmart is now advertising it their plan more this year.  You also have the option to layaway item online.  Kmart’s website tells you step by step on how to put something on hold.  Kmart’s layaway payment is over an 8 week period and if you miss a payment for 7 days, you item will be put back on the sales floor for another customer to buy and you are refunded you money minus the activation fee. 

            Though it seems that only a few stores are offering the Layaway option, retail expert Neil Stern told Dorothy Tucker of the CBS2Chicago news that, “given this season we may see more and more retailers, big and small, pick it up."  So it seems like if you chose to shop the layaway way Christmas shopping starts now!

           

 

 

 

Ohio Votes Early

Margo Hutchinson

JOUR421

Gail Towns

VOTE

 

College Students Chance to Vote Early

By: Margo Hutchinson

1-1-1

Two vans sit outside the University of Cincinnati Recreation Center to take college students to the Board of Educations to register and to vote in the 2008 presidential campaign.

Since the Sept. 30, Ohio residents are allowed to go vote and though their has been speculation that this early voting will benefit the Democratic party the most, Vote Today Ohio just wants everyone, no matter if they favor the Republican party or Democratic party candidate, to make sure that they have a part in the decision of America’s next leader from now till November 4.  Vote Today Ohio is a non-profit organization that was started a couple of weeks ago to make sure that every citizen has transportation to be involved in the election and encourage all to fill out a ballot. 

“I feel empowered when I go vote”, stated Cathie Glover who is apart of the Vote Today Ohio organization, and she wants others to feel that same empowerment in the voting booth.  Cathie Glover and others are on campus to make sure that college students are able to have the opportunity to make it to the polls early the prevent from standing in line on election day whether it be in between classes or on their way back to their dorms.  Two vans wait outside near the Engineering Building and the Recreation Center the transport students to register and vote for the candidate that they feel is fit to run the country.  “Students tend to be apathetic,” says Cathie Glover when it comes to students

Voting on Election Day.  With the country in a facing hardships economically and politically, it seems that this election, compared to previous elections, is crucial for the well being of America and it’s Citizens.  Cathie feels as if the political system has the same people over and over again in congress and has hope that college students and others who do not have the opportunity to vote will make it to the ballots.  Not only are

College students given the chance to take one of the two vans to the Board of Education, but people who reside in homeless shelters and residents who live in low-income neighborhoods.  Cathie explains that in order to vote, you must have the address of where you live to write down on the registration, which made it difficult for the homeless to vote, but now they can use the address of the homeless shelter to register.  

 

Vote Today Ohio is on University of Cincinnati’s campus until Monday October 6, the deadline for voting registration

###

Lisa Ling gives UC Students a World View

By: Margo Hutchinson

 

            On Tuesday May 27^th at 7 p.m., the seats slowly fill in the Great Hall of Tangeman University enter with adults of various ages, as jazz music plays from the speakers.  The audience awaits the arrival of the speaker who has quite the story to tell.

            Lisa Ling has been in the world of journalism since she was 16-years-old starting on Scratch, a well-known show in California for teens.  Soon Lisa Ling would become a correspondent for the middle and high school news show Channel One, which would lead her to the type of journalism work she does today.  She is introduced into the room by a University of Cincinnati student who read a quote from the book Lisa Ling co-wrote called, Mother, Sister, Bride: Rituals of Womanhood.  Ling is welcomed in to the auditorium with applause.  Ling’s appearance dispels ones typical idea of a journalist who reports from the most dangerous places around the world.   Dressed like she just walked off a photo shoot for the clothing store Anthropologie, wearing a mini beige dress with open toed heels and a brown cropped sweater, she opens her hour and a half long lecture answering the questions that she is asked very often from fans.  “ Yes I did like Rosie, I didn’t read Barbra’s book, and not I was not in any of the Charlie’s Angels movies.”

            Lisa Ling has gone to the most dangerous and poor places on earth to inform the American people about what is not typically reported on news stations.  Lisa Ling talks signifigant moments in her life.  One moment she tells the audience was about when she visited Afghanistan in 1994.  At the age of 21, she arrived to Jalalabad, Afghanistan to cover the Civil War for Channel 1 News.  When she got off the plane in Jalalabad, little boys who held extremely large weapons greeted Ling.  When she asked how old these children were carrying the large weapons, one man with her responded, “They don’t know, but if you ask them how to use a bazooka, they know.”  This experience was so shocking to Lisa Ling, that when she came back to America with this story to tell, she was even more shocked to realize that her co-workers were so unaware of what was happening over seas.  “If these stories so shocked me, what about the Americans who are unaware?” she said to the audience.  This was the turning point in her life that inspired her to inform people of these events that go uncovered by news stations. 

            She talked to the audience in the Great Hall about her work and how Americans should have access to the world that lies outside American borders.  She talks about how too often, many Americans and people from other countries grow up to believe that their way of life is the right way of life and in her specials that feature on the National Geographic Channel, she travels to places of danger and strict rule, to show the viewers that there are more layers to a situation.  She showed the audience some clips from her National Geographic show to give the audience a better idea of things like the one child policy in China and what life is like in a prison that keeps the most dangerous criminals

            Lisa Ling expresses how hopeful she is about the young generation, and disagrees with people who say that the next generation has not interest in the current events and the vast state of the world.  She ends her lecture with questions from the audience, which has to be cut short due to the time.  When she was finished she was given a standing ovation from the audience who would leave Great Hall of Tangeman with a different world perspective.