Trevose, PA  (Profitable.com)  No matter which team scores the Super Bowl trophy, T-shirt printers will be big winners, printing tens of thousands of logoed shirts overnight for devoted football fans to snap up Monday morning.

The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) said hundreds of promotional products companies will work into the wee hours Sunday into Monday to get Super Bowl items to sports fans waiting for commemorative T-shirts, jackets and other logoed items.

“The ad specialty industry works overtime whenever there’s a big national event to make sure everyone who wants a  special keepsake gets one,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president and chief executive officer of ASI, the largest member organization representing the $18.5 billion promotional products industry. “ASI research shows logoed T-shirts generate huge sales among Super Bowl fans and that companies continue to order them all year long to give away to promote their brands or thank their clients.”

Jay Meyer, president of ASI member Blue Dolphin Screen Print & Embroidery of New Hampshire, heads one of hundreds of companies working tons of OT this weekend to keep sports fans happy.

If the New England Patriots win in the big game against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, Blue Dolphin expects to print at least 25,000 shirts overnight in the initial order.

“The big sports stores start showing up around 3 a.m. because they want to have the apparel ready in the morning when they open,” said Meyer. “If it’s really doing well, they’ll reorder, probably another 5,000. Last week after the AFC championship, we printed 7,000 shirts.”

Over 40 employees will work on the initial order, starting by the game’s third quarter. Printing starts as soon as the game finishes. And even if the hometown team fails to take home the title, Meyer said Blue Dolphin still expects to print at least 9,000 Giants shirts.

About ASI

The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) is the largest media, marketing and education organization serving the promotional products industry, with a network of over 27,000 distributors and suppliers throughout North America.

Nearly 6,500 Convenient Locations Nationwide Ready to Assist Taxpayers

For Quality, Accurate Tax Return Service, an Exceptional Client Experience and to Feel Tax Refund Joy, ‘Jackson Hewitt’s How You Do It!(SM)’

Parsippany, NJ  (Profitable.com)  Jackson Hewitt Tax Service®, the nation’s largest privately held tax preparation firm, heralds the start of the 2012 tax season today by opening the doors to thousands of neighborhood office and Walmart kiosk locations throughout the country. With approximately 75 percent of taxpayers eligible to receive a refund, and with an average refund of roughly $3,000, tax time is an event many clients look forward to. With Jackson Hewitt’s recently launched new ad campaign celebrating tax refund joy, the tax pros at Jackson Hewitt look forward to delivering the best possible outcome and the feeling of tax refund joy to clients nationwide. Jackson Hewitt’s tax pros invite clients to start the tax filing process early by stopping by their neighborhood Jackson Hewitt office or Walmart kiosk for a free tax refund estimate.

“We are more excited than ever to welcome clients to Jackson Hewitt as we kick-off the 2012 tax season,” said Philip H. Sanford, president and chief executive officer of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. “Our nationwide system of nearly 6,500 locations, including 2,800 Walmart locations, opened its doors today and looks forward to helping clients achieve the best possible tax return outcome, while providing an exceptional client experience. Our tax pros are committed to providing quality, accurate tax preparation service that meets the needs and exceeds the expectations of our valued clients.”

Expanded Walmart Presence
Tax time at Walmart also officially kicked off today as Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® celebrated the tax season Grand Opening of its 2,800 kiosks conveniently located in Walmart U.S. stores nationwide. If Walmart customers and associates are looking for convenience, ease and value when it comes to having their 2011 tax return accurately prepared, then ‘Jackson Hewitt’s How You Do It!(SM).’ Jackson Hewitt’s tax pros invite Walmart customers and associates to stop by the Jackson Hewitt kiosk for a free tax refund estimate. Your Jackson Hewitt tax pro can also provide you with information about the various products and services available this year, including a new free federal Form 1040EZ* offer available at Jackson Hewitt’s Walmart kiosk locations for qualifying taxpayers.

W-2 Download Service Helps Taxpayers File Early
To assist taxpayers with getting a quick start on their 2011 tax return, Jackson Hewitt offers free W-2 download service. This valuable service not only allows taxpayers to obtain their W-2 information rapidly, but also to start and potentially file their tax return prior to receiving their W-2 via U.S. mail. Free W-2 download service is available to all clients whose employers make W-2′s available online. To learn if your employer’s W-2′s are available online, visit your conveniently located neighborhood Jackson Hewitt office or the Jackson Hewitt kiosk located in 2,800 Walmart U.S. stores nationwide.

New Free Jackson Hewitt Mobile App Launched
Jackson Hewitt has launched a new, feature rich mobile app, which is free for both iPhone and Android smartphones, and available for downloading at both the Apple App Store and the Android Marketplace. The Jackson Hewitt Mobile App puts a range of valuable tax-related information in the palm of your hand by making it easy for you to estimate your refund, locate a Jackson Hewitt office or Walmart location in your neighborhood, schedule an appointment, access special discounts and offers, track the status of your tax return 24/7 and easily find information on Jackson Hewitt’s array of tax-related products and services.

Digital Dance-Off Facebook Game and Sweepstakes**
To continue the momentum of the new ‘Jackson Hewitt’s How You Do It!(SM)’ campaign, today Jackson Hewitt launches the Digital Dance-Off game and sweepstakes. Hosted on the Jackson Hewitt Facebook page, the game encourages players to use their computer keyboard to match the dance moves of their animated digital dancer to the rhythm of the music. Players can customize their avatar by uploading photos, publish their participation to their Facebook Newsfeed, and see how their dance moves perform against their Facebook friends and Facebook players as a whole. Instant winners of the Digital Dance-Off will be randomly selected to receive Walmart gift cards ranging in value from $10 to $1,000, and players can enter to win the $5,000 Walmart gift card grand prize at the conclusion of the promotion on February 27, 2012.

*The free federal Form 1040EZ offer, available at Jackson Hewitt’s Walmart kiosk locations nationwide, includes up to two W-2′s and is generally used by single or married taxpayers who claim no dependents and who do not itemize deductions. Additional fees apply for state, local and more complex federal tax returns, financial products and other services.

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends February 27, 2012. To enter and for Official Rules, visit www.facebook.com/jacksonhewitt

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Based in Parsippany, NJ, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. is an industry-leading provider of full service individual federal and state income tax preparation, with nearly 6,500 franchised and company-owned locations throughout the United States, including 2,800 located in Walmart stores nationwide. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® also offers an online tax preparation product at www.jacksonhewittonline.com. For more information, or to locate the Jackson Hewitt® office nearest to you, visit www.jacksonhewitt.com or call 1-800-234-1040. Jackson Hewitt can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

White Plains, NY  (Profitable.com)  Co-located with the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show® (IHMRS), the sold-out exhibit hall of more than 200 carefully edited interior product manufacturers presented the latest in furniture, lighting, wall coverings, fabric, seating, accessories, artwork, carpet and flooring, materials, bath and spa. In addition, BDNY featured seminars, special exhibits by Stacy Garcia, bluarch and Krause + Sawyer, and a sold-out Kickoff Party at Yotel New York.

“If you look around this venue, it’s a limited space. This gives BDNY the opportunity to show only the best in class,” said Mitch Parker, partner from the purchasing firm, Parker Company. “It’s not a mass market of products, so I don’t have to spend two or three days wandering a show floor to find what I need. It’s compact, but with enough opportunity to see everything.”

“This show is more design oriented than other hospitality trade shows, with exhibitors bringing only their best products,” said Adam Kubryk, director of sales & marketing for furnishing supplier Global Allies. “It’s a higher caliber vendor, and therefore a happier attendee because they’re seeing new and exciting things here.”

“This show has a very discerning audience,” said Stacy Garcia, CEO & Founder of Stacy Garcia, Inc. “We’re talking about a group of people who are educated, who know what it means to have a design aesthetic, who know what good design is, where the influences come from, and who have art history and architecture as their backgrounds. These are the movers and shakers of the industry.”

Among the highlights of BDNY was the Trend Walk, a series of design installations curated by Garcia, an internationally renowned designer and forecaster. Located in the connecting corridor between BDNY and IHMRS, the Trend Walk featured four of eight design trends that Garcia predicts will permeate hospitality in the future, interpreted by leading design firms Dovetail Design, A/I Design Lab, and J/Brice Design International.

“Year two proved to be even bigger and better than our 2010 debut, which put BDNY on everyone’s 2011 calendar,” said Michael Schneider, publisher of hospitality brands for ST Media Group. “Growth in both exhibitors and attendees – coupled with engaging seminars, exciting events and unique displays such as the Trend Walk – made this show the hospitality design event of the year.”

BDNY is a joint venture between the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association and ST Media Group, and is managed by GLM.

The 3rd annual BDNY will run Sunday, November 11, and Monday, November 12, 2012, in Javits Center North Hall. The 97th annual IHMRS will run Saturday, November 10, through Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at the Javits Center. Following a full day of conference and networking activities on Saturday, November 10, the IHMRS will feature three full days of exhibits from Sunday, November 11, through Tuesday, November 13. Collectively, BDNY and IHMRS present some 700 hospitality industry suppliers and attract 25,000 trade attendees.

For BDNY exhibitor information, contact Publisher Michael Schneider, at 513-263-9379 or michael.schneider(at)stmediagroup(dot)com; or GLM Sales Manager Alex Cabat, at 914-421-3372 or alex(at)boutiquedesignnewyork(dot)com. Additional information is available online at BDNY.com.

Fort Lauderdale, FL  (Profitable.com)  The leading bad credit offer resource online, ReallyBadCreditOffers.com has announced an update to the recommended bad credit car loans being offered. The site offers people with low credit scores alternative financing and credit resources make borrowing faster and easier for people turned away from traditional banks.

Online car title loans allow a consumer with bad credit to get a loan quickly without all of the credit and background checking that is normal for a traditional loan because the consumer is putting up their vehicle as collateral for the loan. Consumers simply visit the website, fill out the hassle free application form and they get an approval notification within just a few minutes.
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“Helping people get the loan they need to buy a car is a great feeling. We get to be a part of helping good people get back on their feet. A car is an essential for many to get to work, and rebuild after hardship,” said Ariel Pryor, loan expert, adding, “People that are hard to finance tend to give up, unaware of the resources and help that is available to them.”

The site connects borrowers with lenders willing to extend credit despite the higher risk typically associated with the bad credit industry. Car loans are possible despite a bad history, in many cases, because of the equity of the vehicle being used as security.

The site provides financial advice in addition to the offer comparisons, topics covering leasing a car for people with bad credit, how banks look at credit scores, and action guides to improve credit for the do it yourself crowd preferring not to get help from recommended credit repair companies.

“Regardless of how bad your credit scores are, people should know they have options,” said Pryor. The site recommends debt consolidation loans to reduce bill payments and has helped thousands get money fast in emergency loans.

About ReallyBadCreditOffers.com

Providing consumers with the best bad credit information, the sites review team works to provide people the second chance help they need to rebuild after facing money problems. Information is provided to make personal finance fast and easy again.

Contact

Ariel Pryor, Financial Expert
http://www.reallybadcreditoffers.com
(520) 344-2001

Angel Fire, NM  (Profitable.com)  WorldSharp Technologies, Inc. today announced the availability of the 2011 version of the WorldSharp 1099 Preparation System. It is shipping with the new form changes and the IRS electronic reporting and correction specifications for 2011. Forms and corrections for past years all the way back to 1995 may also be processed. The system now has even easier importing capabilities. When ordered, the software can be downloaded or shipped on CD. Items can be entered using two different modes of data entry or the data can be imported from files of other computer applications or spreadsheets. The WorldSharp customer support staff is available to help customers import their data and electronically file their returns. WorldSharp also provides the optional service to print, mail and e-file for their customers.

Printing can be on pre-printed forms or blank paper. The system can print the form with the data and e-file, so there is no need to purchase forms. The system prints and electronically reports 1098, 1098-C, 1098-E, 1098-T, 1099-A, 1099-B, 1099-C, 1099-CAP, 1099-DIV, 1099-G, 1099-H, 1099-INT, 1099-LTC, 1099-MISC, 1099-OID, 1099-PATR, 1099-R, 1099-S, 1099-SA, 3921, 3922, 5498, 5498-ESA, 5498-SA, W-2G and optionally 1042-S forms.

Bobby Anderson, president of WorldSharp Technologies said that in the past, the system has been primarily used by banks and financial institutions, which is WorldSharp’s main marketing focus. However, in order to make the quality software package available to small businesses and companies in other industries, WorldSharp lowered the price from $500 to $89.95. A 2-license version is $159.95 and a 10-license version is $249.95. Many vendors charge extra for electronic reporting. So, WorldSharp decided to provide its Premium Package which includes all of the forms (except 1042-S) and electronic reporting without additional charges. A system which includes 1042-S support is available for $189.95.

Unlike other systems, the WorldSharp 1099 Preparation System allows users to process any kind of 1099 form and has no restrictions on the number of forms processed or the number of companies processed.

For additional information about the 2011 version of the WorldSharp 1099 Preparation System, contact customer support at (575)445-2504 or visit http://www.WorldSharp1099Software.com. Inquires may also be addressed to info@worldsharp.com.

WorldSharp Technologies, Inc. is located in Angel Fire, New Mexico and has provided quality financial software packages primarily to banks and financial institutions since 1978. For additional information about WorldSharp visit http://www.WorldSharp.com.

WorldSharp Technologies, Inc. provides Banking and Financial Software, primary products Stockholder Accounting and 1099 Preparation. For further information, pleast contact us at (575)445-2504.

Compare Local Cable TV Providers with New Search Website BundleMyBills.com

Austin, TX  (Profitable.com)  Home service comparison site BundleMyBills.com is improving the way online shoppers find local cable TV providers and services. Utilizing Saveology.com’s advanced proprietary technology, BundleMyBills.com is now providing users with tools that enable them to search by state, city or their own address to find and compare cable TV providers across the country.

The user-friendly search tools serve two important, simultaneous purposes says BundleMyBills.com Operations Manager Ace Elliott. “Users not only get the most up-to-date information about which cable TV providers are operating in a specific service area, they also get side-by-side comparisons which makes it much easier to weigh all the available options.”

By targeting a certain area online shoppers can rule out cable TV providers that aren’t offering services in their neighborhood and focus just on those that do. This eliminates the need to seek out service area information for each cable TV provider. “It’s not always easy to figure out where a cable TV provider operates using their own websites,” adds Elliott. “After you provide your address some providers immediately start trying to make the sale and they certainly aren’t going to tell you about competitive offers from other local cable TV providers.”

In addition to search and comparison tools, BundleMyBills.com also provides users with a guide that gives users tips on how to find the best cable TV providers and prices regardless of where they live. The site also provides information on fiber optic and satellite TV services.

To search for cable TV deals in your area or to find out more about specific cable TV providers like Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications, please visit: BundleMyBills.com

About BundleMyBills.com

BundleMyBills.com offers customers the latest tools in the home service comparison shopping. Powered by Saveology’s proprietary technology, BundleMyBills.com gives consumers the ability to do a side-by-side comparison of plans and prices from the top providers within their local area. The company has brought together leading national and local providers so consumers can accurately weigh all of their options before signing up for a service. As an authorized retailer of DISH Network, Time Warner Cable, Comcast, AT&T, Cox Communications, Verizon, ADT, Protect America and more BundleMyBills.com is able to offer online shoppers the very best deals on the market.

Port Washington, NY  (Profitable.com)  According to beauty market research conducted by The NPD Group, Inc., a leading market research company, during the first 10 months of 2011, (January to October), total prestige makeup dollar sales in U.S. department stores were $2.8 million, an increase of eight percent in dollars, compared to the same time last year. Units grew five percent with almost 117 million units sold. October was the tenth month of dollar growth and the ninth month of unit growth for the year.

In the first 10 months of the year, all prestige makeup segments saw dollar growth: Total Nail, up 59%; Total Eye and All Other Color, each up 10%; Total Sets, up 9%; Total Lip, up 8%; and Total Face, up 7%.

The big winners in the Face segment were concealer and foundation, while Eyes showed dramatic increases in the eye shadow, eye brow, and mascara categories. In Lip, it was lip color that stole the dollars away from lip gloss and liner (each declining -1% in sales). Lip color outperformed the category’s dollar performance of 8 percent, with an increase of 12 percent. The Nail segment was a winner all around, showing 50+ dollar increases for both nail enamel and top/base coats.

In addition, eye shadow palette sales came on strong, with the trend of dramatic eyes this season. In the first 10 months, eye shadow consisting of five or more palettes grew triple digits in dollar sales, compared to the same time last year. Quad palettes grew double-digits.

“In makeup, while neutral tones and face products led in the past, across countries we see strong gains in color categories of lip and nail color and a new focus on eye shadow and eye definition with growth in eye pencil and brow products,” said Karen Grant, vice president and senior global industry analyst, The NPD Group, Inc. “In makeup, the joy of color is seen with more than half of the top 25 new products (and 7 of the top 10) being from an eye or lip category.”

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group is the leading provider of reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,800 manufacturers, retailers, and service companies rely on NPD to help them drive critical business decisions at the global, national, and local market levels. NPD helps our clients to identify new business opportunities and guide product development, marketing, sales, merchandising, and other functions. Information is available for the following industry sectors: automotive, beauty, commercial technology, consumer technology, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, foodservice, home, office supplies, software, sports, toys, and wireless. For more information, contact us, visit http://www.npd.com/, or follow us Twitter at https://twitter.com/npdgroup.

Cyber Monday Deals at Amazon, Toys'R'Us, Lowe's and More

Black Friday has come and gone, but that does not mean that it is the end of the holiday shopping season. Cyber Monday kicks off yet another great week of holiday sales, and there are plenty to choose from. Cyber Monday offers shoppers a completely different approach to holiday shopping. With Cyber Monday there is less holiday shopping madness, and more savings. Shoppers will not have to wait in lines, fight traffic or look for a place to park. They can expect to find the best deals from the comfort of their bed, or the convenience of their work computers as long as the boss is not looking. Here is a small sampling of what shoppers can expect to find.

Amazon kicks off Cyber Monday Deals Week

Online giant Amazon has pulled out all of the stops for Cyber Monday by starting things a little early. The deals began on Sunday and they will continue all through the week. Shoppers will find huge discounts on items across all categories. There is bound to be something for everyone.

• Shoppers will enjoy 50% of select Hasbro games.
• The popular video game system, the Xbox 360 can be bought for $100.00 off. It includes two best selling games, a controller and a 250GB hard drive.
• Shoppers can get that perfect gift for dad, and enjoy $25 off $100 or more on Dewalt tools.
• Save $150.00 on a Mercer Cutlery 6 Piece knife set for just $99.95.
• Keep warm and save up to 60% on all sweaters and fleece for the entire family.

Toys’R’Us offers us to 70% off with Super Cyber Savings

Toy giant Toys’R’Us is offering some deep discounts to cyber shoppers as well. There will be no fighting over the hottest toys this holiday season when shoppers don’t even have to leave their homes to get them. These deals are only good while supplies last.

• Shoppers will save up to 30% on select holiday toy bundles. Bundles range from play toys for boys and girls, to educational toys that will stimulate young minds.
• Get a free $69.00 game when you purchase a Nintendo 3DS Holiday Bundle with Super Mario Land.
• Outdoor play toys are up to 30% cheaper on Cyber Monday. Savings on hundreds of toys that are for outdoor play.
• Save up to 40% on all Nerf Blasters. There are enough savings to start a small scale war in this department.
• Shoppers will save big on video games with discounts like free games and buy one get one free deals that will satisfy any gamer.

Walmart adding new items daily through Friday

Walmart is starting Cyber Monday off with a bang, and continuing the savings all the way until Friday.   Many items can be shipped for free to your local store. You will still have to pick them up, but you will not have to fight the long lines to get them. The discounts are store wide.

• Shoppers can put an Xbox 360 with a Kinect motion sensor, two games, a controller and 3 months of Xbox live for just $319.00.
• Save $10.00 on the FujiFilm FinePix AX330 14MP digital camera bundle.
• Step into a new HDTV with the Samsung 32” LCD 720P HDTV that has a price tag of $278.00
• The Fisher-Price Power Wheels Hot Wheels Jeep can be purchased for just $99.00.

Target offering online doorbusters

Retail store Target is also giving shoppers what they want with their huge Cyber Monday sale. Shoppers can save on household goods, toys, and more.

• The popular Pillow Pets toys are buy one get one free. One Pillow Pet is just not enough. Kids always want more.
• The Oster Stainless Steel 22 Qt Roaster is $30.00 cheaper with a price tag of only $29.99.
• The Xbox 360 video game system with 2 top selling games is just $299.00.
• The Keurig Special Edition Home Brewing System comes with a $30 gift card. No Christmas morning would be complete without a nice cup of specialty coffee.
• The Polaroid 300 Instant Camera has $20.00 slashed from its price tag.

Lowe’s has 200+ Cyber Monday Values to help improve your home

The savings can be found everywhere. Home Improvement Retail store, Lowe’s is offering 200 plus values, but shoppers had better hurry because these sales are while supplies last.

• Dewalt 18-Volt NiCd Drill is only $99.00. It has been reduced from $189.00.
• Stay warm with a Garden Treasures 35” Black Steel wood burning firepit for only $39.00.
• Huge savings on kitchen appliances. Shoppers can save up to $1200.00 on select Kitchen Suites.
• Save $100.00 on the Frigidaire 12.9 Cu Ft chest freezer.

Kohl’s Cyber Saving Days offers over 200 specials

Kohl’s is having a huge two day sale that has deep discounts on over 200 items. The sale starts on Sunday so rabid shoppers can get a head start. It ends on Cyber Monday.

• Shoppers can take an additional 20% off everything by using the special promo code CYBER20.
• Free standard shipping with no minimum purchases required.
• Croft & Barrow fleece pants are only $9.99. They have been marked down from $26.00.
• Shoppers can save up to 50 – 60% on all fine jewelry.
• Selected Outerwear is on sale for up to 40-50% off.

Kmart deals come with free shipping  on qualifying orders

Kmart is offering sales in just about every department on Cyber Monday. Their sale only lasts for 24 hours, but lucky shoppers can grab the great discounts and put them on layaway if they choose.

• Shoppers can save up to $100.00 on select electronics. The exact prices are not shown until a shopper reaches checkout.
• Select Sing-A-Ma-Jigs are on sale for $6.99. They are regularly $12.75.
• Shoppers can save $43.50 on the Sweet Pea Pocket Mod Euro-Style Electric Scooter.
• Men’s and Women’s Pacific Mountain Bikes are on sale for only $69.99.
• Women will love the $20.00 savings on the Glo Women’s Tribeca Wedge Buckle Boot.

Sears offers “Top 100 Hottest Deals”

Sears joins in the savings by offering hundreds of online sales on Cyber Monday. With 100 of the hottest deals, free shipping, and extra savings, shoppers have nothing to lose with the Sear’s Cyber Monday sale.

• Buy the GE X500 Power Pro Series Digital Camera and get the GE C1233 10.1 MP Camera for free.
• Shoppers can step up to HD and save $600.00 with the WD-73640 73 Inch 3D 1080P TV.
• The Xbox 360 video game console is just $199.00. It comes with a controller, built in wi-fi and 4 GB of storage.
• Save over $900.00 on the 24.7 Cu Ft French-Door Botton Freezer by Kenmore. Regularly $1959.99, on Cyber Monday it is only $999.99.

With all of these great deals for Cyber Monday, there really is no sense for shoppers to leave the house. Most of the sales include free shipping, or free shipping to a local store where shoppers can then pick up their orders and smile at the savings. These sales are limited and some may already be sold-out. If shoppers want to get the best deals, then they had better hurry, because these deals are going quick.

Amazon.com has opened its Cyber Monday Deals Store, and will be adding new deals on the season’s most popular products all week long at www.amazon.com/cybermonday. Along with the new $79 Kindle, $99 Kindle Touch, $149 Kindle Touch 3G and $199 Kindle Fire, customers will find hundreds of great deals with free shipping on millions of eligible items.

Cyber Monday was Amazon’s peak day last year, with more than 13.7 million items ordered worldwide –a record-breaking 158 items per second.

“Our customers love Cyber Monday – it was our peak day last year. Great deals don’t end on Black Friday,” said Sally Fouts, Amazon.com. “Amazon customers have made the Kindle Fire one of their favorite holiday deals already this season. At just $199, Kindle Fire is already the best-selling item across all of Amazon.”

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the deals that will be available at various times starting at midnight on Sunday, Nov. 27 through the end of the week in the Cyber Monday Deals Store:

• Sony Cybershot DSC-HX5V 10.2 MP Digital Camera: $199 (save $150)
• Pentax K-5 Digital SLR (Body Only): $999 (save $200)
• Microsoft Xbox 360 250GB Holiday Bundle (includes Fable III and Halo Reach): $199 (save $100)
• Nokia N8 (Unlocked): $299.99 (save $249)
• Monster Diddybeats Headphones: $59.99 (save $89)
• Save 50% off select Hasbro games
• Save up to 50% off select VTech electronic toys
• $25 off purchase of $100 or more on DEWALT tools
• Save more than 40% off select TechnoMarine watches
• Freshwater Cultured Pearl Button Stud Earrings, Set of 3: $16.99 (save $63)
• Save 25% off orders of $75 or more on select brands in Shoes & Accessories
• Save up to 60% off sweaters and fleece for Women, Men, Kids and Baby
• Bodum Bistro Electric Handheld Immersion Stick Blender (Orange): $49.99 (save $50)
• Mercer Cutlery Genesis 6-Piece Knife Set: $99.95 (save $150)
• Panasonic Linear Vortex Shaving System: $78.99 (save $171)
• Bissell PowerEdge Hard Floor Vacuum: $29.99 (save $20)
• Popular album titles including “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson, “Metals” by Feist and “Bon Iver” by Bon Iver (MP3 Downloads): $4.99 each
• Twilight” series DVDs: $6.99 each

Mobile Shopping

Shoppers who want to ensure they’re getting competitive prices when they’re shopping in physical retail stores should use the Price Check by Amazon App for iPhone and Android. Price Check users can easily scan a barcode, snap a picture, or say or type a product name to see Customer Reviews and prices from Amazon.com and its other online merchants. Customers can then make purchases using 1-Click ordering and with delivery directly to their doorstep.

The savings listed above are based upon list price.

Yonkers, NY  (Profitable.com)  Next to the Saturday before Christmas, Black Friday ranks as the seminal shopping day of the season. Yet a recent analysis by Consumer Reports’ and Decide.com, a website that tracks electronics products and pricing, reveals that the day after Thanksgiving isn’t necessarily the optimal time to get the best deals on many products.

A recent analysis of prices from the mid-November to mid-December period in 2010, conducted with  Decide.com, showed that in a significant proportion of cases, the lowest prices of the season on the included items were not on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, the day following the Thanksgiving weekend. For example, more than a quarter of the recommended TVs and cameras were at least 5 per cent cheaper between Cyber Monday and December 13 than they were earlier, including during the Black Friday weekend. With laptops, the resulting data indicated that consumers would have been at least as likely as with TVs and cameras to save on recommended models by waiting.

“There’s no doubt you can score some incredible bargains by getting up extra early or staying up past your bedtime to take in the midnight madness sales,” says Consumer Reports’ senior editor and shopping expert Tod Marks. “But retailing trends suggest that the opportunity to score a great deal won’t end this weekend. So there’s no need to panic.”

But if you plan to shop at a store or from the comfort of home, here are five Black Friday tips that can help save your money and sanity.  The full list can be found at www.ConsumerReports.org.

1. It’s not always worth breaking down the ‘door.’ There is no doubt that manufacturers offer some deep discounts on Black Friday. Generally, the very best “doorbuster” deals are only available in limited quantities, and perhaps only for a short duration. Since early October, there has been a flurry of doorbuster promotions promising items such as a $200laptop or TV. Black Friday earned its reputation as a bargain-hunter’s paradise because retailers feature a few of these high-profile items as loss leaders, which are sold at- or below-cost to draw shoppers in. But consumers shouldn’t bother to show up unless they are willing to wait on line, sometimes for hours before the store opens, and should be prepared for possible disappointment. There are no guarantees, and usually no rain checks.
2. Sniff out the most appealing specials in advance. Numerous websites, such as FatWallet, Gottadeal, and TheBlackFriday.com obtain and publish Black Friday deals, often weeks before they’re officially released. You can also find out which products come with rebates and which merchants offer free shipping. “Like” your favorite retailers on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for advance notice of special sales. You can also follow @DealCyberMonday on Twitter.
3. Try to get it for less online. If a circular features an eye-popping deal, consumers should visit a price-comparison Web site to see if another reliable seller is offering it cheaper. Some sources worth checking: Bizrate, Nextag and Pricegrabber. Shoppers might want to try Amazon, too, as Consumer Reports’ reader surveys have cited Amazon as a good merchant for appliances, electronics, and books. And don’t shop without first checking for coupons at sites such as Coupons.com and RetailMeNot.com.
4. Request a price guarantee. Ask if the retailer has a low-price guarantee – which entitles shoppers to a refund of the difference between the new price and the original price paid if the item goes on sale or if it’s offered cheaper elsewhere. Walmart recently announced that it’s beefing up its price-matching policy for the holidays. Note that most price-matching policies apply to the price charged by a “local” competitor, not websites like Amazon.com or even warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s.
5. Eye return policies carefully. The blanket policy for most products at big-box stores is 90 days, but may be shorter for electronics.  Some merchants extend the return period for holiday purchases, but they reserve the right to refuse to take back anything without an original or gift receipt, especially if the item was bought with cash. Even if a store agrees to take an item back without a receipt, they may only issue you a gift card or store credit slip in exchange. And shoppers will get back the value of the lowest price the item actually sold for, not necessarily the value of the price paid for it. Receipts are needed to take advantage of warranty services. Make sure there are no restocking fees for returned goods

To help shoppers make the best purchasing choices this holiday season, check out www.ConsumerReports.org/holiday.  The site will be updated frequently throughout this Hanukah and Christmas holiday season with new postings to ensure that people are prepared for the holidays with the latest information.

NOVEMBER 2011

The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves.  We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports®,ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent commercial use of its materials, its name, or the name of Consumer Reports®.

Shop Macy's at Midnight on Black Friday Plus Get Unbelievable Cyber Monday Savings a Day Early!

New York, NY  (Profitable.com)  In addition to its midnight opening and great deals for Black Friday, Macy’s (NYSE:M) today announced special Cyber Monday online offers on hundreds of items for macys.com customers, all available at the touch of your fingertips. For the first time this season, the retailer will lower its free shipping threshold on all online purchases made on Cyber Monday to $75 ($75 minimum order – promo code CYBER; excludes furniture, mattresses and rugs) beginning Sunday, Nov. 27 through Monday, Nov. 28.

“This Cyber Monday, we want to extend the convenience of shopping from home by providing additional savings a day early with offers starting on Sunday,” said Peter Sachse, chairman and chief executive officer of macys.com. “The ability to shop earlier for even more incredible deals is another way Macy’s provides its customers with ways to save time and money during the busiest shopping season of the year.”

Whether shopping from a computer or venturing into your local Macy’s store this holiday season, customers can take advantage of hot deals no matter where and when.

On Cyber Monday, customers shopping on macys.com can search for online holiday specials, including:

• BUY ONE GET ONE FREE ON SELECT WOMEN’S SWEATERS
• $69.99 CLUB ROOM CASHMERE V-NECK SWEATERS
• $199 ½ CT DIAMOND STUD EARRINGS IN 14K WHITE GOLD
• $199 1-1/3 CT AQUAMARINE RING IN 14K WHITE GOLD WITH DIAMOND ACCENTS
• $99.99 SELECT 24-PIECE ROOM-IN-A-BAG SETS
• $349.99 DYSON DC-17 TOTAL CLEAN VACUUM
• $69.99 KENNETH COLE REACTION WOOL CAR COAT
• SAVE 50 PERCENT ON SELECT WOMEN’S COATS
• 50 PERCENT OFF CHARTER CLUB LEATHER GLOVES AND CASHMERE SCARVES
• 25-40 PERCENT OFF DESIGNER AND TREND HANDBAGS
• $59.99 SELECT MEN’S BOOTS
• $50 OFF HOLIDAY DRESSES
• $79.99 BILL BLASS PREMIER 4-PIECE LUGGAGE SET
• $29.99 TDK PERFORMANCE HEADPHONES, EB-900 IN-EAR HEADPHONES

For the first time, Macy’s customers will rush to find Black Friday specials even earlier this year beginning at midnight at stores across the country (12 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25; the midnight of Thanksgiving night). Save time and take a sneak peek at some of the items that Macy’s will offer to kick-off the holiday gift giving season:

• 50 PERCENT OFF SHARPER IMAGE IPHONE/IPOD DOCKING STATIONS
• $19.99 RAMPAGE BOOTS
• $99.99 KENNETH COLE NY & NAUTICA OVERCOATS
• WITH ANY $65 FRAGRANCE PURCHASE, RECEIVE A DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA FREE (ONE PER CUSTOMER, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)
• BUY ONE AMERICAN RAG SWEATER ($34-$49), GET ONE PAIR OF AMERICAN RAG JEANS FREE
• EXTRA 20 PERCENT OFF DRESSES
• $199 ½ CT DIAMOND STUDS IN 14K WHITE GOLD
• $79.99 DESIGNER DOWN COAT FROM DKNY, LAUNDRY, CALVIN KLEIN AND MORE
• $99.99 YOUNG CONTEMPORARY WOOL COAT FROM ESPRIT, STEVE MADDEN AND MORE
• $16.99 PUFFER JACKET (BOYS 2-20, GIRLS 2-16, INFANTS)
• 40 PERCENT OFF SELECT REGULAR PRICE COFFEE MAKERS, TEA KETTLES AND ESPRESSO MAKERS
• $68.99 CUISINART 7-CUP FOOD PROCESSOR
• $179.99 KITCHENAID CLASSIC STAND MIXER (AFTER $20 MAIL-IN-REBATE)
• $49.99 TAG FAIRFIELD 5-PIECE LUGGAGE SET
• $65 JUSTIN BIEBER LIMITED-EDITION HOLIDAY FRAGRANCE GIFT SET (INCLUDES 3.4 OZ. EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY AND JUSTIN BIEBER’S NEW HOLIDAY CD WITH AN EXCLUSIVE DOWNLOADABLE BONUS TRACK. ALSO, RECEIVE A FREE SCENTED POSTER, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.) PLUS, MACY’S WILL DONATE $2 FROM EVERY PURCHASE TO THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION, UP TO $100,000.

Macys.com Cyber Monday deals will be available online starting Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. Visit www.macys.com for more information on special store hours, in-store deals and online sales to find the best value and savings this holiday season.

For Macy’s Black Friday media materials, including hi-res images, please visit: http://www.magicbulletmedia.com/MNR/MacysHolidayGifts2011/BlackFriday/.

About Macy’s

Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Macy’s, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy’s stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy’s is known for such epic events as Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks^® and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade^®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy’s helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of our customers.

For Macy’s media materials, images and contacts, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom.

Contacts

Macy’s, Inc.
Holly Thomas, 646-429-5250
holly.thomas@macys.com
or
Julie Strider, 646-429-5213
julie.strider@macys.com

SamsClub.com Reveals Incredible Savings for Cyber Week Shopping Event

Bentonville, AR  (Profitable.com)  Sam’s Club, the nation’s eighth largest retailer, today revealed its incredible deals for the annual Cyber Week shopping event. Sam’s Club members can stay home and “cybernate” while shopping from the comfort of their home at SamsClub.com — and via the Sam’s Club iPad® app and mobile app — for exclusive savings on top holiday gifts ranging from big screen HDTVs and electronics to stunning diamond jewelry and toys for kids. The shopping event begins at 10:00 p.m. CST on Sunday, Nov. 27 and runs through Friday, Dec. 2.

SamsClub.com will also offer free shipping on select items* during the week-long holiday savings event. Members can shop for those must-have items on their gift lists like the Vizio 37″ 1080p LED HDTV for an impressive value at $498, including free shipping.** Other select free-shipping items** include the Highlander Deluxe Cedar Play Set with Slide and Swings for $899.00, the Kobe Beef of Texas 14oz Strip Steaks 6-pack for $132.46 and the 10-Kt. Gold-Filled Cross Classic Century Pen Set for $79.68.

“With the holiday season upon us, Sam’s Club is proud to offer our members online-exclusive values for all their entertaining, gift-giving and decorating needs,” said Fred Quandt, vice president of eCommerce at Sam’s Club. “And just in time for Cyber Week deals, we’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new iPad^® app that will revolutionize the Sam’s Club shopping experience with features like one-tap checkout, interactive recipe finder and customizable shopping lists.”

Holiday Savings Made Simple with Cyber Week Shopping Event:

Sam’s Club members can take advantage of numerous holiday savings from the comfort of their home with online-exclusive deals* starting Sunday night. Top items will include:

• Vizio 37″ LED 1080p HDTV – $498, including free shipping**
• Serta Mattress Set (King or Queen) & Cuisinart K-Cup Brewing System
• Diamond Heart Pendant with 1/2 Carat Diamond – $299
• Asus i5 Notebook – $479, including free shipping**
• Kobe Beef of Texas 14oz Strip Steaks (6-pack) – $132.46
• Skylanders with Exclusive Drill Sergeant Character Pack
• Dell Berry 4GB/640GB with AMD Processor and 15.6″ screen in choice of Pink, Red, Blue or Black – $429, including free shipping**
• eZip TrailZ Electric Bike
• 14′ Round Trampoline
• Magnavox 32″ LCD 720p HDTV – $248.88, including free shipping**
• Canon T2i Digital SLR Bundle – $849, including free shipping**

Simplifying the Season with New Sam’s Club iPad® App:

Just in time for the busiest shopping season of the year, Sam’s Club announced the launch of its brand new mobile app exclusively designed for the iPad®. For the first time, members will be able to shop Cyber Week deals from their iPad® tablet. The browse-friendly application will allow members to engage in a unique and interactive shopping experience and explore new areas of the club. Top features include:

• Create customized shopping lists that automatically sync with the Sam’s Club app on any iPhone®, Android or Blackberry and SamsClub.com
• Shop products available both in-Club and online
• Join, upgrade and renew memberships
• View personalized eValues for Plus Members
• Explore new recipes using Sam’s Club food brands and other gourmet offerings

As the only warehouse club that offers an iPad® app for both online and in-club items, Sam’s Club makes it even easier to shop for those last-minute holiday purchases. Additionally, members can sign up for the Sam’s Club daily “Holiday Value of the Day” — now through Dec. 24, 2011 — to receive online exclusives, gifts with free shipping and instant savings. Visit SamsClub.com/holiday or download the Sam’s Club mobile application to your iPad®, iPhone®, Android or BlackBerry.

* While supplies last

** Free shipping available while supplies last for select items purchased from 10:00 p.m. CST , Sunday, Nov. 27 through Friday, Dec. 2 

About Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is the nation’s eighth largest retailer and a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products and services to more than 47 million Members in clubs across the U.S., as well as in Brazil, China and Mexico. Members save an average of 30 percent over traditional retailers. To learn more about Savings Made Simple®, visit SamsClub.com and look for Sam’s Club on Twitter, Facebook and our mobile app.

Dodgeville, WI  (Profitable.com)  Calling all Cyber Shoppers!  Back by popular demand are Lands’ End’s St. Nick’s Picks beginning on Black Friday, Nov. 25, and 12 Hours of Twitter on Cyber Monday, Nov. 28.  Holiday shoppers can get great deals of up to 50 percent off on an expanded selection of daily St. Nick’s Picks through Tuesday, Dec. 20.  To get into the holiday spirit, on Cyber Monday, Nov. 28, Lands’ End is also hosting the 12 Hours of Twitter event from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. EST and a Facebook sweeps.

St. Nick’s Picks . . . Even Better!

On Black Friday Lands’ End will kick off its annual St. Nick’s Picks program, offering exceptional values on Lands’ End favorites for a limited time.  Holiday gift gatherers can visit Landsend.com to purchase St. Nick’s Picks, consisting of everything from outerwear and boots to cashmere, flannel and fleece, as well as items for the home and favorite pets.  Each day, new St. Nick’s Picks will be unveiled – so shoppers should check back daily.

“Our St. Nick’s Picks are our gift to customers.  We love giving as much as our customers.  St. Nick’s Picks makes it easy to give high-quality gifts at an incredible value,” said Michele Casper, Lands’ End spokesperson.  ”The daily picks add a rewarding element of surprise to shopping for gifts – or even for customers shopping for themselves.”  According to the National Retail Federation’s 2011 Holiday Survey, nearly six in 10 holiday shoppers (59.9%) say they plan to take advantage of retailers’ sales and discounts to make additional non-gift purchases for themselves and their families during the holiday season.

12 Hours of Twitter and Facebook Contest

Get ready for a social Santa!  Join the fun at #landsend and follow @LandsEndPR for 12 Hours of Twitter on Cyber Monday, featuring giveaways, offers and advice.  HGTV’s “Secrets From a Stylist” host, Emily Henderson, will be on hand from 5-6 p.m. EST to share her sage advice for holiday decorating.  Look for new topics, clever trivia and gift ideas to get every social Santa in the holiday spirit.

“From sidewalks and storefronts to Twitter and Facebook, the holiday spirit is everywhere,” Casper said.  ”We invite all those shopping on Cyber Monday to join the excitement and be ‘in the know’ by meeting up with us on Twitter.  It’ll be a fabulous time with great deals and giveaways – and certainly the place to jump-start holiday shopping for the entire family.”

Lands’ End will also host the Facebook Shop Wish List Sweeps on Cyber Monday.  Facebook fans will be encouraged to fill out the sweeps entry form on the Lands’ End Facebook page and create a Wish List featuring their favorite items from the Lands’ End Facebook Shop.  Fans who share their Wish List with their friends and family by posting it on their Facebook wall will have a chance to win their Wish List items – up to a value of $1,000.

Digital Initiatives:  Social Shopping

This holiday season Lands’ End is making shopping convenient and social with a variety of digital  solutions through its Facebook and Mobile Shops.  The Lands’ End Facebook Shop offers a great selection of hand-picked gift items while the Mobile Shops are perfect for those on the go.  Mobile shoppers can stay in the know with text alerts from the Lands’ End mobile club.  To join the club, simply text LANDSEND to 41963.

Digital editions of Lands’ End catalogs will be available for the iPad® from the iTunes® App Store and via the Google Catalogs app.  The digital edition will contain exclusive content, including festive, heart-warming stories penned by Lands’ End employees.

About Lands’ End

Lands’ End® is a classic American lifestyle brand with a passion for quality, legendary service, real value and a simple two-word promise to stand behind everything it sells: Guaranteed. Period.®  Lands’ End delivers timeless style for Men, Women, Kids and the Home at landsend.com, 1-800-800-5800, the Lands’ End Shops at Sears and around the world.  Lands’ End is a proud member of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD).

Aliso Viejo, CA  (Profitable.com)  Just in time for the holidays, Buy.com®, the Internet Superstore introduces an all new Holiday Superstore, featuring “The Gift Finder,” an online holiday shopping guide to help customers find hot deals on more than 11 million products. The top 5 Holiday Gift Picks for 2011 on Buy.com’s Holiday Superstore include Let’s Rock Elmo, Blackberry Playbook Tablet, Samsung 55″ LED HDTV, Xbox Kinect Holiday Bundles and Leapfrog Leapad Explorer Tablet for Kids.

Finding the perfect gift has never been easier or more affordable in Buy.com’s Holiday Superstore. The store is a one-stop online destination offering buying guides and top picks including:

• Cameras – featuring a variety of models from point-and-click cameras to HD video to entry-level SLRs
• TV’s – offering 3D, LED and LCD models in every price range
• Computers – from laptops to desktops to tablets for everyone in the household
• Toys – a greatly expanded selection for 2011, featuring toy selections for all ages
• Gadgets – every imaginable gadget to satisfy the techiest person on the holiday gift list

Additionally, the Holiday Superstore features a never ending supply of gift ideas in “The Gift Finder” section searchable by type:

• For Her – find jewelry, handbags and beauty sure to make her happy this holiday
• For Him – clothing, electronics and watches
• For Kids – the latest toys, dolls and video games for every age
• For Everyone – stocking stuffers, gift cards and everything for decorating the house
• Budget Gifts – in every price range from under $25 to under $500
• Trendsetters – the latest looks in scarfs, sunglasses and boots
• Sports-Seekers – golf clubs, skateboards and basketballs for the sports enthusiast
• Gadget Geeks – tablets, smartphones and home theatre equipment for all the techies
• Foodies – wine, cheeses and chocolates to satisfy any craving
• Children at Heart – games, DVD’s and books for endless hours of playing
• Executives – gift sets, pens and cigars for the busiest person on the holiday list

“Buy.com is a top destination for holiday shopping, and this year’s Holiday Superstore is even more robust with new offerings such as “The Gift Finder,’” said Neel Grover, CEO and president of Buy.com. “We are continuing to provide our customers with a unique shopping experience and the best selection of products at the most competitive prices.”

Buy.com’s extensive product list spans more than 22 product categories, including games, apparel and shoes, books, bags and luggage, fragrance, home and outdoor, software, sporting goods, jewelry and watches, toys and baby goods, and more. Buy.com will offer holiday promotions throughout the remainder of 2011 on virtually every product, plus a minimum of one percent cash back through the Super Points program on every order. Consumers also can access thousands of up-to-the-minute product reviews and other entertainment offerings exclusively on the BuyTV channel.

In addition to delivering one of the widest selections of products on the web, Buy.com is a leader in customer service, featuring free shipping on millions of products and an A+ rating for customer service from the Better Business Bureau. Buy.com makes shopping easier and more rewarding with new easy-to-use mobile apps and site, which are debuting before the Thanksgiving holiday, making millions of products accessible by fingertips – anywhere, anytime.

To start shopping unbeatable deals, visit: http://www.buy.com/loc/holiday-superstore/16125.html.

About Buy.com

With more than 18 million customers, Buy.com is a leading retail marketplace, focused on providing its customers with a great shopping experience and a broad selection of retail goods at everyday low prices.  Buy.com offers millions of products in a range of categories, including consumer electronics, computer hardware and software, cell phones, books, music, DVDs, games, toys, bags, fragrance, home and outdoor, baby, jewelry, shoes, apparel and sporting goods. Founded in June 1997, Buy.com is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif., and owned by Rakuten, Japan’s leading Internet Company. Together, Rakuten and Buy.com represent one of the world’s largest online retail marketplaces, offering consumers more than 70 million products from nearly 37,000 merchants around the globe.

Buy.com® and The Internet Superstore™ are trademarks of Buy.com Inc.

A Power Drill Makes a Great Deal for the Holidays

(Profitable.com)  Holiday shopping is not just about finding the best deals for children. Adults appreciate gifts too. Grown men are kids at heart, and dads and husbands all over the world deserve some more power this holiday season. A dad or a husband can never have enough tools, and power drills are just right for the guy that already has a garage full of tools.

Cordless power drills make an excellent gift for the man in your life, and finding that perfect one can be a challenge if you do not know where to look. Smart shoppers will avoid all of the long lines that are inevitable during the holiday shopping season, and shop online. This can save time and money for even the busiest shopper.

BestPowerDrill.net is ready to help holiday shoppers by highlighting the most popular power drills on the market today. Shoppers will be able to choose from Litium-Ion cordless ½ inch hammer drills, or a smaller Black & Decker 7.2 volt cordless drill with keyless chuck. There is something for every budget no matter how big or small, and the shopping can be done without ever leaving the house.

Kids can get involved with the entire shopping process. Children love to help pick out presents for daddy, and BestPowerDill.net makes shopping for power drills as easy as child’s play. While dad is busy watching the game, the rest of the family can be quietly shopping for that perfect power drill. Guys love any excuse to break out the tools, and having a power drill just gives them one more reason.

Shoppers won’t have to pick through all of the power drills that might be a good choice, because only the best power drills are highlighted on the website. Get the facts up front without having to read through a bunch of sales hype with BestPowerDrill.net.

Camp Hill, PA  (Profitable.com)  Rite Aid shoppers won’t have to give up a good night’s sleep to get the best deals this holiday season. Holiday savings at Rite Aid begin on Thanksgiving Day.

Additionally, the 44 million members of Rite Aid’s free wellness+ loyalty program will have Three Days to Save (Nov. 24-26) on great gifts and just about everything they need to get ready for the holidays. Select deals during the event include boxed holiday gift cards, wrapping paper, Christmas lights, small appliances, digital cameras, iTower speakers that dock with an iPhone or iPod and more. For sale details, see the special Nov. 24 advertising circular in newspapers nationwide or online at www.riteaid.com/savenow/. On Thanksgiving Day, nearly all of Rite Aid’s stores will be open. On Black Friday, stores open at 7 a.m. Store hours are at www.riteaid.com/stores.

“With 4,700 convenient locations and regular Thanksgiving hours, Rite Aid wants to help customers get a great start on their holiday shopping,” said John Learish, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Rite Aid. “Our shoppers will also find great deals on some hot holiday gifts, including some fun finds they may not have expected to see at the neighborhood drugstore.”

Hot holiday items this year include tried-and-true toy favorites – such as Pillow Pets in new licensed characters – and new toys including Lalaloopsy dolls and Wuggles, the pets that kids bring to life with stuffing. Electronics include wireless netbooks and e-tablets from Craig Electronics, plus a throw-back Atari game system featuring 60 classic games including Asteroids and Missile Command. Returning Rite Aid favorites include the Record-A-Story books, which allow long-distance relatives to send a personalized reading of a favorite story, practical hostess gifts such as Hershey’s Pot of Gold boxed chocolates, and fragrance gift sets including Heidi Klum’s new “Shine” fragrance in a three-piece set.

Rite Aid is also issuing Black Friday Survival Guides this week via e-mail to wellness+ members and to Rite Aid’s more than 200,000 Facebook fans. Guides offer fun holiday shopping “survival tips” and special prices on products to help deal-seekers stay energized, focused and ready for some serious shopping. Guides contain deals for both the big day itself – water, snacks, gel shoe inserts and energy drinks – and after – headache relief products and neck pillows.

Rite Aid has long held hours on Thanksgiving Day, when customers frequently travel and may need to fill unplanned prescriptions or require temporary supplies of medications that were left at home. In the past several years, Rite Aid has also seen growing demand for its expanded selection of grocery staple foods, which include last-minute holiday meal items such as green beans, stove-top stuffing and baking supplies.

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with approximately 4,700 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2011 annual revenues of $25.2 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at www.riteaid.com.

Santa Clara, CA  (Profitable.com)  2011 has been a challenging year for the TV industry. Sluggish consumer demand in developed regions, like North America, Japan and Western Europe, has led to poor profitability on the part of TV set makers and panel makers. With supply chain inventory problems persisting well into mid-year, many TV brands cut back on their shipment plans for 2011 and reduced panel orders in Q3, which resulted in larger price declines for those core panels. The upside for consumers is more attractive retail set prices during the upcoming holiday season, particularly during Black Friday in the U.S.

“End-market demand has been weak in North America during most of 2011, with unit shipments falling around 4% Y/Y through the first three quarters of the year,” noted Paul Gagnon, Director of North America TV Research, DisplaySearch. “However, consumers, still quite sensitive to pricing, may be delaying purchases until the holidays when they expect to see the best deals. Consumers have learned this practice from observing previous holiday selling periods.”

According to the latest figures published in the DisplaySearch Advanced Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, total TV market shipments were up 3.7% Y/Y in Q3’11 to 62M units, a 12% increase from Q2’11. This marks a healthy rebound from the 1% Y/Y shipment decline in Q2’11 and weak 1% Y/Y gain in Q1. However, orders for LCD and plasma panels used in the production of TV sets were both down in Q3’11, resulting in a somewhat lean inventory situation towards the end of the quarter. Many suppliers have taken a conservative approach to inventory for the holidays. Therefore, if demand is better than expected, there may not be much slack in the supply chain to fulfill restocking orders. This could potentially lead to some product shortages.

LCD TV shipments worldwide were about 1% better than forecasted, rising 12.9% Y/Y to 51.5M units compared to single-digit annual growth during Q1 and Q2’11. This is a good indication of improving demand in end markets. Retail prices for some LCD sizes are falling below key price levels, like $300 for 32” and $500 for 40-42”. The transition to LED backlights continues, but the rate of adoption has been slower than expected. LED-backlit models have not been able to pass the 50% level, accounting for 48% of total LCD TV shipments, with the vast majority of those being edge-lit models. Similarly, higher frame-rate models (120Hz or higher) have been mostly unchanged through 2011, representing about 22% of LCD shipments in the quarter. 3D grew to about 11% of LCD TVs, up from 9% in Q2. The slower growth of these two advanced features is indicative of a continuation of conservative consumer spending and reluctance to pay significant premiums.

Plasma TV shipments had shown increasing softness in recent quarters, declining 6% Y/Y in Q2’11 and falling 14% Y/Y in Q3’11 to 4.1M units. The decline in plasma TV shipments is the result of closer price competition with LCD models, leading to a transfer of market share at key sizes like 42” and 50”. In addition, poor profitability at plasma TV heavyweight Panasonic has led to a shift in focus to larger models and more richly-featured sets with less emphasis on price competition. Within plasma, 720p models account for about two thirds of unit shipments, but DisplaySearch forecasts a bigger shift to 1080p in the near future. Finally, 3D rose to about 27% of plasma TV shipments in Q3.

By region, China increased to more than 21% of all global TV shipments to become the clear leader in global TV demand. Shipments to China seasonally increase during Q3, ahead of October Golden Week promotions, but the level of share gain was substantial compared to previous years. The softness in consumer demand seen for developed regions led to much weaker growth than for emerging regions, with total unit shipments rising 12% Y/Y in emerging regions and falling 8% Y/Y in developed regions, and China is a major driver of the stronger growth in emerging regions. In addition, adoption of advanced features, like 3D, has performed better in China than any other region. In fact, China was the leading region for LED LCD TV shipments as well as for 3D LCD TVs.

3D Accounts for 11% of Total TV Units and 27% of Revenues
3D continued to see solid gains in shipment and revenue penetration worldwide, but the focus of those gains is somewhat surprising. Through the first three quarters of 2011, Western Europe and China were the leading adopters of 3D at 13% and 11% of total TV unit shipments, respectively. North America was initially forecast to be the leading market for 3D TV, but 3D accounted for only about 8.5% of total unit shipments. An unwillingness to pay much of a premium for 3D, and lower availability of low-cost 3D sets, compared to regions like China, have impacted uptake of 3D. During the upcoming holiday selling season in the U.S., 3D is not expected to be highly promoted. Instead, retailers will focus on large sizes with strong value pricing, but with lighter feature content.

Samsung Remains the #1 Global TV Brand, Leading in LCD and Plasma TV
Samsung’s global flat panel TV revenue share was up slightly in Q3’11 to 22.8%, a substantial lead over the #2 brand LGE. Samsung was the #1 brand on a revenue basis in every region, with the exception of Japan, where it does not sell TVs, and led LGE (a strong emerging market brand) in Asia Pacific and Latin America. Samsung was #1 in LCD and plasma TV revenues, #2 in CRT TV revenues, and was the only top 5 brand to post Y/Y growth in revenues.

LGE was the #2 brand worldwide at 13.1% with small Q/Q and Y/Y revenue declines. LGE was #2 in LCD TV and #3 in plasma TV, but continued to lead in CRT TV with more than double the revenue share of any other brand. Sony remained the #3 brand in global flat panel TV revenues during Q3’11, but saw a significant decrease in market share and posted a 13% Y/Y decline in total revenues. Panasonic and Sharp rounded out the top 5 with Sharp gaining revenue share on increased shipments of large sizes like 60”.

Samsung was the #1 global brand of 3D TV overall, accounting for all technologies, with 31% of revenues. Within the 3D LCD TV category, Samsung was #1 while Panasonic claimed the top 3D plasma TV revenue share.

DisplaySearch TV market intelligence, including panel and TV shipments, TV shipments by region, brand, size, resolution, frame rate and backlight type for nearly 60 brands, rolling 16-quarter forecasts, TV cost/price forecasts and design wins can be found in its Advanced Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report.
For more information on this report, please contact Charles Camaroto at 1.888.436.7673 or 1.516.625.2452, or contact(at)displaysearch(dot)com or contact your regional DisplaySearch office in China, Japan, Korea or Taiwan.

About DisplaySearch

Since 1996, DisplaySearch has been recognized as a leading global market research and consulting firm specializing in the display supply chain, as well as the emerging photovoltaic/solar cell industries. DisplaySearch provides trend information, forecasts and analyses developed by a global team of experienced analysts with extensive industry knowledge. In collaboration with The NPD Group, its parent company, DisplaySearch uniquely offers a true end-to-end view of the display supply chain from materials and components to shipments of electronic devices with displays to sales of major consumer and commercial channels. For more information on DisplaySearch analysts, reports and industry events, visit us at http://www.displaysearch.com. Read our blog at http://www.displaysearchblog.com and follow us on Twitter at @DisplaySearch.

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group is the leading provider of reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,800 manufacturers, retailers, and service companies rely on NPD to help them drive critical business decisions at the global, national, and local market levels. NPD helps our clients to identify new business opportunities and guide product development, marketing, sales, merchandising, and other functions. Information is available for the following industry sectors: automotive, beauty, commercial technology, consumer technology, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, foodservice, home, office supplies, software, sports, toys, and wireless. For more information, contact us or visit http://www.npd.com and http://www.npdgroupblog.com. Follow us on Twitter at @npdtech and @npdgroup.

Media Contact

Stacey Voorhees-Harmon
SAVVY Public Relations
Phone: 925-336-9592
E-mail: media(at)displaysearch(dot)com

Minneapolis, MN  (Profitable.com)  This holiday season, shoppers can give a gift that could be forgotten, or they can give a gift that is personalized and will be remembered every night of the year.

Just in time for the holiday season, Sleep Number is taking personalization to an entirely new level with the launch of its exclusive, new Sleep Number^® AirFit™ Adjustable Pillow. The AirFit Adjustable Pillow combines the support and comfort of air with the innovation of adjustability to provide the most personalized pillow and sleep experience possible.

“We believe everyone is unique and, therefore, everyone deserves a bed and bedding that offer individualized comfort,” said Annie Bloomquist, chief product management and merchandise officer at Sleep Number. “After 25 years of offering personal comfort and adjustability in beds, we’re excited to offer our customers a pillow that is distinctively Sleep Number. It’s a personalized, innovative gift that provides real benefits each and every night.”

Great sleep starts with a pillow that fits, and customers can discover better sleep with the AirFit Adjustable Pillow because the pillow will adjust based on their individual sleeping position, size and shape. Sleepers just turn the dial and relax in their favorite sleeping position while the revolutionary pillow adjusts to their individual size and shape to give them better support, alignment and a perfect fit. The AirFit Adjustable Pillow is available in three options for additional personalization based on sleep preference.

• CoolFit™ Foam: Gel technology works within memory foam to create a cooler, more comfortable sleeping experience. The conforming comfort of memory foam is improved by gel, which adds a layer of support that distributes weight more evenly to ease pressure points.
• Memory Fiber: Memory Fiber provides improved air circulation to help prevent heat buildup. Memory Fiber continually adjusts to head and neck movement to offer constant support.
• European White Goose Down: Resilient down clusters offer exceptionally high loft and improved support for maximum comfort. Hypoallergenic down is free of dust and allergy-causing impurities.

For gift givers who have loved ones on their list who fold, flip or stack ill-fitting pillows, the perfect gift can be found at a SLEEP NUMBER^® store or sleepnumber.com. In addition to the AirFit Adjustable Pillow, shoppers can explore Sleep Number’s full range of pillows via the exclusive PillowFit™ process. All Sleep Number pillows come in gift packaging.

“A proper fitting pillow, like the personalized pillows found at a Sleep Number store, can make a difference in your sleep quality,” said Pete Bils, vice president of sleep innovation and clinical research at Sleep Number. “And sleeping better enhances all aspects of health from mood, to cognitive function, to disease and illness resistance. That’s a gift everyone wants to give and receive.”

The AirFit Adjustable Pillow is available only from Sleep Number with a retail price starting at $189.99. Gift givers also can find the AirFit Adjustable Pillow online by visiting sleepnumber.com or via telephone at (800) Sleep Number or (800) 753-3768. Each AirFit Adjustable Pillow comes with a five-year limited warranty.

About Select Comfort Corporation

Select Comfort Corporation is leading the industry in setting a new standard in sleep by offering consumers high-quality, innovative and individualized sleep solutions, which includes a complete line of SLEEP NUMBER^® beds and bedding. The company is the exclusive manufacturer, seller and servicer of the revolutionary Sleep Number bed, which allows individuals to adjust the firmness and support of each side at the touch of a button. The company offers further personalization through its solutions-focused line of Sleep Number pillows, sheets and other bedding products. And as the country’s only national specialty mattress retailer, consumers can take advantage of an enhanced mattress-buying experience at one of the approximately 375 Sleep Number stores across the country as well as online at sleepnumber.com or via phone at (800) Sleep Number or (800) 753-3768.

Keep Kids Active This Holiday Season with Something Different for Christmas

Here come the holidays, and shoppers are getting restless. As Black Friday approaches, the best deals are right around the corner. Holiday shoppers are busy buying up presents for the holiday season, and children are on the top of every shopper’s list. Parents and grand parents are busy buying up all of the toys that they can find. Shoppers are always looking for the best deals on the latest electronic gadgets, and toys that keep children entertained for hours on end, but there may be a better choice for parents this holiday season.

More and more toys are engaging young minds, but a lot of the toys are also keeping children glued to the couch. Movies, TVS, and video games are some of the best selling toys during the holiday season, but these toys do nothing for a child’s need to get up and move around. Mark Smith, Founder of Punchingbagsforkids.org has a great solution to this growing problem.

“An inflatable punching bag makes an excellent gift, and it will get a kid up and off the couch.” Mark goes on to say this. “Children are naturally drawn to punching bags, and they are a great way for kids to burn off some of the pent up energy that they all have. There is no need to buy batteries, or any other accessories that are always needed for electronic toys. The only thing that is needed is air.”

Parents will find a huge selection of popular punching bags available at Punchingbagsforkids.org. They can read comprehensive product descriptions that highlight all of the good points of every punching bag, as well as any problems that people might have had with the product. In depth customer reviews tell the real story for each product that is showcased. Kids punching bags are an affordable choice for parents this holiday season.

For more information, please visit Punchingbagsforkids.org

Wayne, NJ  (Profitable.com)  Toys”R”Us® today announced that to celebrate the kickoff to the holiday shopping season, Toysrus.com will offer exceptional deals and savings throughout the weekend beginning at 7am on Thanksgiving Day. The company also announced customers can get a “click start” on Cyber Monday starting at 6pm on Sunday, November 27 on Toysrus.com, with new deals being added all week long for the site’s biggest Cyber Week sale ever. In addition to incredible savings, Toysrus.com will have free shipping offers site-wide throughout the holiday weekend and Cyber Week.

Gift-givers looking to start their holiday shopping early can visit Toysrus.com beginning at 7am on Thanksgiving Day to find exclusive online-only deals on thousands of items, including some of the hottest toys of the season. Then at 9pm, the extraordinary values that will be found in Toys”R”Us stores nationwide when they open on Thanksgiving night^* will also be made available online at Toysrus.com.^** The site will also unveil more than 100 online-only deals for Friday, November 25, and Saturday, November 26. In addition, new and current Rewards”R”Us® members can earn 10 percent back on purchases through Saturday, December 24.^***

“This holiday season, we are pulling out all the stops on Toysrus.com by offering extraordinary deals on thousands of items, including the hottest, most in-demand toys,” said Greg Ahearn, Chief Marketing Officer, Toys”R”Us, U.S. “Gift-givers are sure to find savings on the perfect present while shopping our biggest Cyber Week sale ever, and taking advantage of our site-wide free shipping offer.”

Toysrus.com Deals Starting at 7am on Thanksgiving, November 24, while supplies last:

• 40% OFF ALL Halo Action Figures and Vehicles
• 40% OFF ALL Green Lantern Action Figures and Playsets
• 30% OFF ALL Bakugan
• 25% OFF ALL Victorious Dolls
• SAVE UP TO 30% on Select Swing Sets and Accessories
• 25% OFF ALL Hello Kitty® Electronics
• BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF ALL Blu-Ray and DVD Movies
• SAVE UP TO 25% on Select Bikes, Trikes, Wagons and Scooters
• 20% OFF ALL Casio and Yamaha Keyboards
• 20% OFF ALL First Act Musical Instruments
• SAVE UP TO 20% on ALL Step2® Outdoor Toys and Ride-Ons

In addition, starting at 12:01am on Thanksgiving Day, MasterCard® cardholders can take advantage of a special online-only limited time offer on Toysrus.com enabling them to save $25 on toy purchases of $150 or more when ANY MasterCard card is used at checkout.^****

Toysrus.com Kicks Off its Biggest Cyber Week Ever with Super Savings on Thousands of Items Beginning at 6pm on Sunday, November 27 (unless otherwise noted), while supplies last:

• FREE Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure™ with the purchase of Red Nintendo 3DS with Mario Bundle for $199.99***** ($69.99 value. This deal begins at 8am on Monday, November 28. Limit 3000.)
• FREE Game, Controller or Headset (up to $59.99 value) with the purchase of Xbox® 360 4GB with Kinect for $299.99
• BUY ONE GET ONE 60% OFF hundreds of video game titles
• BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF ALL Calico Critters™
• SAVE UP TO 40% on ALL NERF Blasters and Sports
• 30% OFF ALL KRE-O TRANSFORMERS
• SAVE UP TO 30% on ALL Little Tikes® Bouncers and Ride-Ons
• SAVE UP TO 30% on ALL Razor® Scooters
• 25% OFF ALL Chicco® Toys
• 25% OFF ALL Transformers Action Figures and Role Play
• 25% OFF ALL Star Wars Action Figures and Role Play
• 20% OFF ALL Lamaze® Infant Toys
• 20% OFF ALL Victorious Toys and Electronics
• SAVE UP TO 20% on ALL Power Wheels® Ride-Ons
• 20% OFF All Easy-Bake Ovens and Refills
• 20% OFF ALL Power Rangers Action Figures
• 20% OFF ALL THUNDERCATS Action Figures
• 20% OFF ALL Justin Bieber Dolls and Room Décor
• Save $15 on any Barbie® Dolls or Playsets purchase totaling $100 or more
• Save $10 on any Lalaloopsy™ Dolls or Playsets purchase totaling $60 or more
• Save $10 on any Hot Wheels® Vehicles or Playsets purchase totaling $60 or more

Savvy shoppers can check back each day on Toysrus.com for new and exciting deals all week long! Those shopping for babies and toddlers can also take advantage of UP TO 30% OFF thousands of items on Babiesrus.com, including car seats, strollers, furniture and much more, during the site’s biggest Cyber Week ever beginning at 6pm on Sunday, November 27 through Saturday, December 3.

Free Shipping Offers on Toysrus.com Beginning Thanksgiving Day

From Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Week, Toysrus.com will offer free shipping on purchases of $49 or more site-wide. Also, during Cyber Week customers can take advantage of “Buy Online, Pick Up In Store,” a service that offers customers the ability to shop the fantastic deals online, while giving them the flexibility to pick up their purchases conveniently at the Guest Services desk at a nearby “R”Us^® store. Appealing to customers who want to avoid shipping costs, “Buy Online, Pick Up In Store” is a complimentary service and guarantees in-store access within two hours of ordering.

Items eligible for “Buy Online, Pick Up In Store” are indicated as such on their product pages on Toysrus.com. Customers can enter their zip code to find the nearest stores with inventory to determine where the item is available for pick up. Orders must be picked up within five days, and only the purchaser or a person they have designated during the checkout process may pick up the order. A driver’s license or government-issued ID is required to pick up an online order in-store.

Toysrus.com Offers Cyber Shoppers Flexible Payment Options

Toysrus.com continues to offer the most convenient and efficient ways for customers to shop and pay for their purchases. To find the perfect gifts for little ones this Christmas, shoppers can browse customer reviews and product videos, as well as use the online Gift Finder to find the right present to fit every budget. In addition, customers have the option of paying with a variety of secure options, including PayPal™, Bill Me Later®, credit cards, Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us® gift cards, as well as eGift cards.

Online deal-seekers shopping during Cyber Week can take advantage of a limited-time Bill Me Later offer to make flexible payments over time as an alternative to the company’s in-store layaway program. Through Saturday, December 31, eligible customers can enjoy no payments plus no interest if paid in full in six months for purchases over $100 or no payments plus no interest if paid in full in 12 months for purchases over $500.^*****

^*Toys”R”Us stores nationwide will open at 9pm on Thursday, November 24, except for stores in Paramus, NJ, which will open on Friday, November 25 at 7am, and select stores in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island  and Puerto Rico, which will have varying store open times. In general, these hours do not apply to Toys”R”Us Express or Outlet locations, which will follow the hours of their respective shopping centers. All store hours can be found online at www.Toysrus.com/BlackFridayStoreHours.

^**Gift Card with purchase offers will be available in-store only.

^***Excludes purchases of gift cards, shipping and handling charges, and reward eligible greeting cards, formula, diapers and LeapFrog products. See a store employee or Toysrus.com/Rewards for maximum rewards and complete details. Customers who spend $500 or more will earn the maximum reward of $50 in “R”Us Dollars.

^****For a limited time, receive $25 off your toy purchase of $150 or more (excluding tax, shipping and Buyer Protection Plan) when you use any MasterCard Card at checkout. $150 or more must be spent on a MasterCard Card in order to receive the discount. Neither purchase of a gift card nor purchase made using a gift card applies toward the $150. Offer applies to online transactions at Toysrus.com only.  Discount will be applied automatically during checkout when a MasterCard card is used as method of payment.  Offer not applicable to canceled orders due to out-of-stock merchandise. Discount not applicable with returned merchandise; total discount will be deducted from the value of any returned item to which the discount applied. This promotional offer may be modified or terminated at any time without notice.  We reserve the right to cancel any order due to unauthorized, altered, or ineligible use of a discount.  MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated.

^*****Bill Me Later is subject to credit approval as determined by the lender, WebBank, Salt Lake City, Utah and is available to US customers who are of legal age in their state of residence. You must pay with Bill Me Later® to get the offer. Click here to view important disclosures about payment amounts and terms. Offer expires at 11:59PM EST on December 31, 2011.

About Toys”R”Us, Inc.

Toys”R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 873 Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and in more than 600 international stores and over 140 licensed stores in 35 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com and FAO.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys”R”Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 associates annually worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Additional information about Toys”R”Us, Inc. can be found on Toysrusinc.com. Follow Toys”R”Us, Babies”R”Us and FAO Schwarz on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus, Facebook.com/Babiesrus and Facebook.com/FAO and on Twitter at Twitter.com/Toysrus and Twitter.com/Babiesrus.

Westborough, MA  (Profitable.com)  The holiday season is here and children and parents alike will cheer for the great selection of most wished-for and exclusive toys at BJ’s Wholesale Club.  While children dream of receiving great gifts, parents are watching their wallets and looking to purchase quality items that both entertain and engage.  BJ’s is helping make holiday wishes come true by bringing Members great values on this season’s must-have toys including Fisher-Price® Sesame Street® Let’s Rock Elmo, I Am T-Pain Auto Tune Mic, LEGO® Alien Conquest and Ninjago, and Fijit Friends™ – all listed on CNBC’s Hot Holiday Toys List for 2011.

“From toddler toys, to cuddly creatures to gotta-have games, the buyers at BJ’s Wholesale Club worked their holiday magic to bring our Members the best toys the season has to offer while keeping parents’ budgets top of mind,” said Chris Neppl, executive vice president of merchandising at BJ’s Wholesale Club.

BJ’s Exclusive Toys In addition to this year’s must have toys, BJ’s buyers worked to bring members the following popular toys which include exclusive extras – all at a great price. These items are only found at BJ’s and are sure to please everyone on your holiday gift list from toddler to tween:

• Disney Princess® or Disney® Pixar® Cars 2 Bowling Set ($16.99) –
  Exclusive to BJ’s – larger pin sized version of the toy. The so-soft balls are safe for indoor or outdoor play.
  Also available at BJs.com. Age 2 and up.

• Little Tikes® Big Adventures™ Construction Park Rail ‘n Road Set ($46.99) –
  Exclusive to BJ’s – an extra construction vehicle and toy boulders. This easy-grip set also comes with a three piece train, working crane and loader.
  Also available at BJs.com. Ages 3 and up.

• Fisher-Price® Imaginext® Dinosaurs Gift Set ($59.99) –
  Exclusive to BJ’s – all three dinosaurs, a Mega T-Rex, Apatosaurus, and Raptor, in one value priced gift set, extra gear and accessories and a DVD.
  Also available at BJs.com. Ages 3 and up.

• Chuggington™ Die-Cast Wilson carry Case Gift Set ($22.99) –
  Exclusive to BJ’s – includes three die-cast trains – Wilson, Koko and Brewster. This die-cast carry case holds up to 17 engines.
  Also available at BJs.com. Ages 3 and up.

• HexBug® Nano Special Edition Set ($29.99) –
  Exclusive to BJ’s – special edition set includes five micro robots that act like real bugs — two nanos, two rare mutations and one glow-in-the-dark – plus it comes with 10 easy connect pieces.
  Also available at BJs.com.  Ages 3 and up.

• Teacup Piggies™ or Doggies with Bonus Accessories ($14.99 each) –
  Exclusive to BJ’s – extra fashion accessories. These sweet collectible pets make the cutest sounds and come with an adoption certificate and teacup.
  Also available at BJs.com. Ages 3 and up.

• Lalaloopsy™ and Mini Lalaloopsy™ Gift Set ($24.99 each) –
  Exclusive to BJ’s – includes a Mini Lalaloopsy and pet.
  Also available at BJs.com. Ages 4 and up.

• Meon™ Glow Wire Picture Maker Super 6-Pack Set ($19.99) –
  Exclusive to BJ’s – includes more templates (a total of 6) and extra long 11′ Meon wire (7′ is standard). Choose from Star Wars®, Disney Princess®, Disney Fairies® Tinker Bell® or Disney® Pixar® Cars 2.
  Also available at BJs.com. Ages 5 and up.

• Creepy Crawlers® Bug Maker and Bug Grinder Deluxe Value Pack ($29.99)  –
  Exclusive to BJ’s – bonus bug grinder. The set also includes a bug maker, molds, goo and 30 bug eggs.
  Also available at BJs.com. Ages 8 and up.

The entire BJ’s Holiday Toy Book 2011 is available online on Bjs.com

About BJ’s Wholesale Club

BJ’s is dedicated to providing members with high-quality, brand-name food and merchandise at prices that are significantly lower than supermarkets, supercenters, department stores, drug stores and specialty retail stores.  BJ’s carries the most product variety of any wholesale club with more than 7,000 items, including supermarket-sized staples, USDA Choice meats, all-natural and organic products and stock-up items. BJ’s is the only wholesale club to accept all manufacturers’ coupons and for greater convenience, offers the most payment options including EBT.

Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. is a leading operator of warehouse clubs in the eastern United States.  The Company currently operates 192 clubs and 107 gas stations in 15 eastern states.  Learn more and shop online at BJs.com or for exclusive content visit Facebook.com/bjswholesaleclub and Twitter.com/bjswholesale.

San Francisco, CA  (Profitable.com)  Although a few select shoppers may already have their holiday purchases out of the way, the biggest shopping season of the year is set to begin next week. Black Friday typically marks the shotgun start of holiday gift hunting, but retailers have already begun sharing deals and discounts, and many brick-and-mortar shops plan to open at midnight or in the wee hours to allow shoppers a head start. According to the recent National Retail Federation’s 2011 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, consumers are planning to spend $704.18 on holiday gifts and seasonal items this year, a bit down from last year but still significant spending. Overall, the survey projects holiday sales will go up 2.8 percent from last year, coming in at $465.6 billion for the months of November and December combined.

Knowing the tremendous expense of holiday shopping, CouponSnapshot.com is working hard to secure and share as many online coupon codes and discounts as possible for popular online shops.  The site is committed to helping shoppers save money on just about any kind of online purchase, including dollars-off, percent-off, and even free shipping. CouponSnapshot recently released a series of themed deals and coupon codes featuring Thanksgiving deals, Black Friday blowouts, and Cyber Monday sales. Bargain hunters need only visit the money-saving website to take advantage of these great offers that are available to the public completely free of charge.

“This time of year gives us extra motivation to find the best money-saving deals,” says CouponSnapshot’s Marketing Director. “For many people, holiday shopping causes a dent in the wallet that can be felt well into the New Year. We have made it our goal to help our members and site visitors save money on just about any purchase they make for the holidays, whether it’s their holiday photo cards, gifts for their children, or free shipping on that item that’s impossible to find in local stores.”

Through its recent survey, the National Retail Federation also predicts that average consumers are also looking to score deals on some non-gift items for themselves and close family members. The anticipated spend per consumer is roughly $130.43 during the holiday season, with a focus on sale and discounted apparel, electronics, and home goods, to name a few. Personal spending can also benefit from money-saving online deals, especially when looking for the coupon codes becomes a habit before every purchase.

Online shoppers should check out CouponSnapshot’s website for the latest deals and special offers to kick off the holiday season. A team of dedicated deal hunters works around the clock to find more exciting and exclusive deals, with new offers popping up on the site daily.

For quick and easy access to the best holiday shopping deals, shoppers can visit CouponSnapshot any time of day or night. Current holiday promotions include:

• Thanksgiving deals – http://www.couponsnapshot.com/thanksgiving-2011-coupons.html
• Black Friday deals – http://www.couponsnapshot.com/black-friday-2011-coupons.html
• Cyber Monday deals – http://www.couponsnapshot.com/cyber-monday-2011-coupons.html

“We enjoy helping our visitors and their families save money year-round,” says CouponSnapshot’s CEO. “The holiday season is even more special, and we are glad to do our part in helping consumers get the best deals quickly and easily. Shopping for the holidays can be stressful, and we like to take some of the worry out of it whenever possible.”

About CouponSnapshot

CouponSnapshot is a website devoted to helping shoppers save time and money by using online coupon codes and discounts. The site compiles online coupons, deals, and special offers from thousands of merchants, giving shoppers the opportunity to save money on just about anything they’re planning to buy. CouponSnapshot is free to use and new discounts are becoming available every day. For more information on CouponSnapshot and to view thousands of online coupon codes and discounts, please see: www.couponsnapshot.com.

Contact info

pr@couponsnapshot.com ; Twitter: @CouponSnapshot ; facebook.com/couponsnapshot.com

Largo, FL  (Profitable.com)  As consumers start the hunt for great deals and savings on gifts for the holiday season, Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc., a leader in local print and digital coupons, has partnered with Savings.com to offer more than 20,000 online coupons from national brands and retailers on Valpak.com making shopping easier than ever this holiday season and beyond.

In addition to Valpak’s free local online coupons, Savings.com offers now add tens of thousands of promo codes for additional savings on apparel, electronics, travel, home and garden, flowers and gifts, software, health and beauty products, kids and baby, and more. The savings are seamlessly integrated onto the site for a simple and easy consumer experience.

“Valpak has been there to help consumers save money for 43 years and now we’re giving them even more reasons to go to Valpak.com,” said Nancy Cook, vice president of digital business development at Valpak. “The addition of these great offers from Savings.com will allow consumers to have even more ways to save.”

Consumers can find more savings on their favorite brands and stores, including Macy’s, Home Depot, Best Buy, Sephora, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Sears, Gap, Wlliams-Sonoma, A Pea in the Pod and many more.

“Savings.com is proud to partner with Valpak as another leading brand name synonymous with saving money,” said Evan Labb, head of business development at Savings.com. “As we come into the busiest retail season of the year, this partnership will allow even more consumers to save with the 20,000+ deals we have from our brand name partners.”

Last year shoppers saved more than $60 million by using online coupons in just the first part of the year, according to Savings.com. Online searches for coupons were so high that they even dominated major media events such as the Gulf Coast oil spill, the World Cup and the Twilight movies.

National retailers’ offers can be accessed on Valpak.com via the “Coupon Code” tab on the left navigation menu. Offers are then categorized by alphabetized tabs on the top header. A user can also enter a retailer’s name on the upper right hand search bar to search multiple offers.

Consumers can search among several categories of coupon codes on Valpak.com, place their order on a retailer’s site and receive their discount at checkout.

Valpak’s mission is to be where shoppers are anywhere@anytime. As an industry leader for 43 years, Valpak continues to grow and evolve, providing digital and mobile coupons, and free smart phone apps for most mobile platforms, allowing consumers to save in more ways than ever.

About Valpak^®

Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America, is owned and operated by Cox Target Media, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Media Group, Inc. With 170 franchises throughout the United States and Canada, The Blue Envelope^® delivers savings and value to nearly 40 million households each month. Annually, Valpak will distribute some 20 billion offers inserted in more than 500 million envelopes. Valpak also offers digital solutions with www.Valpak.com^®, an online site for local savings, which has nearly 70 million offer views each month, as well as mobile phones, including apps for most smartphones. For more information, please contact 1-800-676-6878.

About Cox Media Group
Cox Media Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises, Inc., is an integrated broadcasting, publishing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of Cox Reps. With $1.8 billion in revenue, the company operations include 15 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 86 radio stations, four metro newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services. Additionally, Cox Media Group owns and operates Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America.  For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at www.coxmediagroup.com.

About Savings.com

Savings.com gives you the best deals on everything you want. Tell us what brands and categories you like to shop, where you live, and Savings.com will deliver the best deals for you handpicked by expert DealPros®. In addition to providing personalized recommendations, Savings.com has one of the most in-depth databases of coupons. Shoppers can access thousands of exclusive offers from the biggest brand names along with 400,000+ deals aggregated from online and national retailers, local businesses and daily deal sites. More than 5 million a month turn to Savings.com as the trusted resource to find the best deals and interact with the site’s popular personal finance blog and vital community of online coupon experts, the DealPros. Just named one of Inc. 500′s fastest growing companies, in 2011 Savings.com also won the top Innovative Publisher of the Year from LinkShare. Traveling overseas? Visit Savings.com sister site in the UK, Savoo.co.uk.

Contact information:
Marsha Strickhouser
727-399-3175
marsha_strickhouser@valpak.com

Meghan Heffernan
949-878-8104
meghan@savings.com

Milwaukee, WI  (Profitable.com)  Retailers are threatening to make Thanksgiving a shopping holiday with earlier start times for their Black Friday sales this year. Shoppers are resisting and more than ever will be going online to do their Black Friday shopping. GottaDeal.com, having covered Black Friday online since 2003, offers tips to their visitors for getting the most deals when shopping online this week.

“More Black Friday deals than ever will be available online this year, even the most popular doorbuster specials,” says Brad Olson, Owner of GottaDeal.com. “We’re telling our visitors that if they don’t want to shop in stores all night long, they can get the exact same deals from the comfort of their home.”

GottaDeal.com acquires leaked copies of Black Friday ads from major retailers such as Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Toys R Us and others. “The extra time allows our visitors to research products, compare prices, and come up with a plan of attack for the big day, whether they are shopping online or in stores,” says Mr. Olson.

The site offers a comprehensive “Online Black Friday Tracker” which provides a schedule of when the online Black Friday sales start for each retailer, as well as a listing of sale items that can be ordered online at any given moment. There are already several Black Friday specials that can be ordered online at the sale price or less.

In addition to this tracker, the site features a dedicated online Black Friday shopping message board where visitors can discuss the sales, ask questions of the experts on the site and post what deals they are finding. “Our message boards will be very busy towards the end of the week. Our members will be helping each other get the best deals possible,” says Mr. Olson.

In addition to using the tools available on the site, GottaDeal.com offers additional tips:

“Prepare your online retailer accounts – This can be done at any time between now and the start of the sale, although it’s better to do it as soon as possible. Go to each web site for stores you plan to shop at this week and make sure your shipping and billing addresses are up to date. Also make sure your credit card information is saved to your account.”

“Adding items to your cart in advance – In many cases, you are able to add Black Friday sale items to your shopping cart (make sure you are logged in so they are tied to your account) and once the sale has started, you can refresh your cart and the sale prices should change. This can be a real time saver when you need to get your order placed before items sell out.”

“Be aware of free shipping offers – One of the best parts of online Black Friday shopping (aside from not having to deal with the chaos in stores) is getting your items shipped for free. Each retailer has a different shipping policy – some, such as Best Buy offer free shipping on absolutely everything. For other stores, there is usually an order total threshold that you must reach to get free shipping. ”

For the complete list of tips, please visit http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/OnlineTips

GottaDeal.com is a year-round online deals site dedicated to saving visitors money in all aspects of their daily lives. It features hundreds of online deals posted each week, an updated listing on online coupons and a large community message board. Every autumn, the site opens their Black Friday web site dedicated to covering Black Friday sales and holiday shopping trends.

For more information, please contact Brad Olson at media @ gottadeal.com or visit http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com

Los Gatos, CA  (Profitable.com)  Mark/Space, Inc., the leading developer of phone and tablet synchronization solutions for PC and Mac, today announced the availability of the new Welcome Home to Android application for customers who are new to the Android platform. Welcome Home is a comprehensive one-time set-up tool, offering customers who are transitioning from a BlackBerry or iPhone, a fast, easy and complete way to set-up a new Android phone with their info and media.

“Switching to a new phone should be painless,” said Brian Scott Toney, Mark/Space Director of Sales and Business Development. “Android has skyrocketed to be the number one OS, so we created a tool that gets customers who are new to Android loaded up in minutes instead of hours. We capture their workout playlist, vacation photos from their old phone, video they shot of their friends, even info and media from their computer.”

The Welcome Home to Android application gathers media and personal information from an old phone and from a PC or Mac computer, then moves it to a new Android phone. It encompasses:

Personal Information
* Contacts
* Calendar
* Tasks
* Notes

Media and More
* Music and iTunes playlists
* Photos and photo albums
* Videos (MP4, MOV, AVI)
* Bookmarks

“Many people considering a switch to Android this holiday are worried about losing data,” said Brian Scott Toney, Mark/Space Director of Sales and Business Development. “Welcome Home includes how-to videos that walk customers through setup to ensure they get all the info they want, whether it’s on their old phone or their computer.”

Mark/Space is offering the Welcome Home application to customers transitioning from a BlackBerry or iPhone. The desktop application runs on Windows PC or Mac computers, and the mobile app works on Android phones running Android OS 2.1 or higher. The Welcome Home app includes English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, and is available now for US$9.95 at http://www.markspace.com/welcome-home.

About Mark/Space Inc.

Founded in 1990, the Los Gatos, California-based company Mark/Space, Inc., http://www.markspace.com, develops and markets award-winning mobile, desktop and cloud-based synchronization software, including Fliq, GoGadget and The Missing Sync family of products that synchronize Windows and Mac computers with mobile devices, smartphones, readers and tablets from Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, HP, HTC, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, RIM, Samsung, Sony, Sony Ericsson and others.

Follow Mark/Space on Twitter (http://twitter.com/syncexperts), and the Mark/Space blog (http://blog.markspace.com).

GoGadget is a trademark of Mark/Space, Inc. Mac and iTunes are trademarks of Apple, Inc. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

San Jose, CA  (Profitable.com)  With more than 250 million Android handsets in use around the world, the platform has established its dominance in the smartphone marketplace. Yet developers of the over 300,000 apps in the Android app market still face significant hurdles trying to make money from their Android creations. To help solve this problem for Android developers, PaymentOne Corporation® (www.paymentone.com), a global leader in mobile payments, today announced the availability of its PayOne Mobile SDK with Android One Click API, the easiest way for developers to monetize premium and freemium Android apps.

“The toughest challenge any developer faces is how to make money from their apps,” said Brad Singer, executive vice president of PaymentOne. “Freemium is a great business model to engage consumers, and we enable developers to remove all friction at the point of purchase while maintaining a highly secure transaction. In a world where every connected device is ‘commerce ready,’ PaymentOne’s SDKs continue to optimize the payment process for the specific device, platform, media and user experience.”

By adding the simple Android One Click API from the PayOne Mobile SDK in their code, Android developers can begin making money from app downloads and in-app purchases made over the PaymentOne network, spanning more than 70 countries and 3.5 billion consumers. PaymentOne pioneered direct carrier billing and no-credit-card-required payments, and has been innovating simple user experiences that deliver secure “fraud-proof” transactions for more than a decade.

PaymentOne has already processed in excess of $5 billion direct to carrier billings with micro transactions typical of in-app purchases. The company, which has received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for its customer support, also features the fastest merchant payout rate in the industry.

Designed for minimal disruption, the PayOne Mobile SDK is the ideal payments platform for mobile applications. The SDK’s Android One Click API enables the easiest possible in-app payment method:

• Consumer clicks a “get more <item>” button which triggers the payment process
• Through the One Click API, the app automatically identifies the mobile phone number
• A text message containing a validation code is then sent to the phone, and the app automatically pulls the code from the message
• The purchase then appears on the customer’s bill

By eliminating the need for users to enter long strings of text to provide their name, number, billing address, credit card information and PIN into the 2-inch screen, PaymentOne keeps the user in the app and eliminates room for error and the frustration of a separate multi-step checkout process.

King of Trivia, an Android game developed by Silmaril.in (www.silmaril.in), leverages the PayOne Mobile SDK to offer mobile payments through PaymentOne to players of its multi-faceted social trivia game.

“We didn’t want King of Trivia players to be hassled with entering their personal credit card information while they are engaged in-game,” said Ashok Varma, Silmaril.in founder and CEO. “The PaymentOne Android payment process is truly a one click experience. Users don’t have to enter their phone number or even a PIN code; the app does it all. Using mobile payments powered by PaymentOne also expands our market globally, and allows our audience of gamers that make in-app purchases to include non-credit card users and those who just aren’t comfortable sharing their private information.”

The PayOne Mobile SDK and Android One Click API are free for developers to use. A transaction fee based on a percentage of each transaction is assessed to merchants. To start using the PayOne Mobile SDK and Android One Click API for your mobile app, contact developer@paymentone.com to set-up your developer account.

About PaymentOne

PaymentOne Corporation is the global leader in mobile payments and carrier billing, making it easy and convenient for consumers to charge digital purchases from any connected device to their mobile, broadband or home phone bills. Digital merchants, publishers and content providers have leveraged PaymentOne’s Carrier Network of 1200 telecom operators in 70 countries – reaching over 3.5 billion consumers – to generate more than $5 billion in new incremental revenue. PaymentOne’s ability to deliver the highest monetization for its merchants and its first rate customer service have earned the company the lowest client churn rate in the business. Profitable and privately held, PaymentOne is based in the Silicon Valley. For more information visit www.PaymentOne.com.

Arlington, VA  (Profitable.com)  One third of consumers plan on starting their holiday shopping during the long weekend after Thanksgiving according to a survey commissioned by the Retail Industry Leaders Association. One out of four intend to get started on Black Friday.

The relatively new shopping phenomenon of “Cyber Monday” has quickly become a lure for holiday bargain hunters as well. Twenty one percent of consumers say they plan on staying home and searching online for shopping deals on the Monday after Thanksgiving.

“The growth of online sales has made Cyber Monday and other online holiday shopping trends equally as important to retailers as Black Friday. Unlike a decade ago, a successful holiday season now means success in the store and online,” said Retail Industry Leaders Association president Sandy Kennedy.

Nearly a fifth of those surveyed—19 percent—said they plan on doing the majority of their holiday shopping online. As this segment of retailing grows, so too does the need for Congress to level the playing field by closing the online sales tax loophole.

“Both brick and mortar stores and online retailers will compete for holiday shopping dollars, but the loophole that allows e-tailers to avoid collecting sales tax at the point of purchase means that competition is not on a level playing field,” said Kennedy. “Government special treatment for online-only retailers like Amazon and Overstock means a perceived price advantage of up to ten percent against those retailers that are required to collect sales tax.”

Legislation recently introduced in the United States Senate would allow states to require online sellers like Amazon and Overstock to begin collecting and remitting state sales tax.

“Retailers are hopeful this will be the last holiday season that the heavy hand of government puts Main Street retailers at a disadvantage,” said Kennedy.

Consumers agree.

Sixty one percent of consumers surveyed support Congress passing legislation that would allow states to require online-only retailers to collect state sales tax just like storefronts in the community. Not surprisingly, three quarters of those surveyed had no idea that when a sales tax is not collected at the point of purchase on sites like Amazon.com, its still owed by the consumer.

“Congress can take the burden off consumers and level the playing field for retailers by passing e-fairness legislation this holiday season. In a true free market, regardless of whether a sale happens in a store or online, the state sales tax collected should be the same,” concluded Kennedy.

Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is a trade association of the largest and most successful companies in the retail industry. Its member companies include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales. RILA members operate more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers, have facilities in all 50 states, and provide millions of jobs domestically and worldwide.

Black Friday Deals Starting Early at Amazon

It’s coming.  Black Friday.  The largest shopping day on the planet is right around the corner, and Amazon is kicking the savings off for an entire week starting November 21^st.  Don’t bother with all of the long lines and fights at the local department and electronics store. Stay home and get even better savings with your home computer, smart phone or tablet computer.

Shoppers will still have to be really quick to grab some of the best Black Friday deals on the planet when Amazon starts the holiday shopping season with Black Friday Deals Week. Many traditional brick and mortar stores are only giving holiday shoppers one day of great prices and deals, but Amazon is rewarding its customers with an entire week of insane deals. Now holiday shoppers have Black Monday, Black Tuesday and so on all the way up until Friday. Amazon starts the savings before anyone else.

Black Friday Deals Week starts on Monday November 21^st, and it ends on the big shopping day, Black Friday.  While other shoppers are battling it out in the holiday shopping trenches and fighting over the last items on the shelves, Amazon shoppers will be able to keep their feet warm and shop with a nice cup of coffee on their nightstand.

The deals will happen every few minutes, and they sometimes sell out very quickly. Not only are these sales extremely limited, but they are time sensitive as well. Online shoppers have to be quick to get the best deals.

What can holiday shoppers expect?  They can expect plenty of parking spaces, no long lines, shopping from the comfort of bed and a huge list of savings that rivals most brick and mortar stores.

Wayne, NJ  (Profitable.com)  Toys”R”Us® today announced that it has expanded its mobile offerings for the holiday season, providing an enhanced shopping experience for on-the-go shoppers.  In addition, updates made to the Toys”R”Us shopping experience for iPhone and Android users make it even easier to shop with THE toy authority, and new partnerships with eBay, Google and shopkick help customers locate the product they want, pay for purchases and save money, all from their mobile devices.

“Mobile commerce is our fastest growing channel of consumer engagement, as shoppers increasingly use their smartphones to research gifts, get product reviews, compare prices, check availability of an item at a local store, save money with deals and pay for their purchases,” said Greg Ahearn, Chief Marketing Officer, Toys”R”Us, U.S.  ”As new technologies emerge, we continue to partner with leading providers to enhance our mobile offerings, making it easier than ever for Toys”R”Us customers to navigate our stores and websites to find the must-have gifts for the kids in their lives.”

Finding the RIGHT Gift with Toys”R”Us on iPhone and Android:  In addition to ongoing mobile offerings for iPhone and Android, by the end of this month, Toys”R”Us shoppers will have the ability to look up a little one’s Toys”R”Us Wish List via the Toys”R”Us app on their smartphone.  A version of the Toys”R”Us Gift Finder, currently accessible on Toysrus.com and the company’s iPad app, will also be available for iPhone and Android devices.  The Gift Finder asks gift-givers a series of questions about the child they’re shopping for, and provides gift suggestions based on age and interests. And, when customers search for a product, they will be able to sort the results by relevance, best-selling items, top-rated items or price.

Milo and RedLaser 3.0 for iPhone Allow Easy Access to Product Availability: On-the-go shoppers can also use their smartphones to check the availability of a specific product they’re looking for at a local Toys”R”Us store through the company’s partnership with eBay that makes local inventory searchable on free mobile apps Milo and RedLaser 3.0.  Using the RedLaser 3.0 app for iPhone, customers can pay for the item they’re looking for within the app, and then pick up their item at a nearby store.

Location-Based Programs Foursquare and shopkick Provide Additional Ways to Save: Parents and gift-givers shopping at Toys”R”Us on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 for the official start to the holiday season can check-in at their local store via Foursquare to receive the Geoffrey Holiday Badge, while supplies last. After unlocking the badge, those who check-in can redeem a coupon for 15% off a purchase of $150 or more, valid Sunday, November 27 through Saturday, December 3*.  In addition, Super Swarm deals will be unlocked when 15 people check in at the same Toys”R”Us location within a three-hour timeframe on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25, allowing participants to choose from the following offers: Buy One, Get One 40% off no-contract phone cards, $50 off the Imaginarium® City Central Train Table or 40% off all Incredible Edibles**.  Throughout the remainder of the holiday season, shoppers can unlock the Geoffrey Holiday Badge and additional special savings opportunities when checking in at Toys”R”Us on Foursquare.

In approximately 100 Toys”R”Us stores in the New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles metro areas, customers can receive savings just by walking in the door through a partnership with shopkick. Shopkick rewards shoppers just for visiting thousands of partner retailers nationwide, allowing them to earn “kicks” that can be redeemed for Toys”R”Us gift cards, among other things.  Shopkick users visiting participating Toys”R”Us stores from Thursday, November 24 to Saturday, November 26can earn 500 kicks, and a coupon for $10 off the purchase of $100 or more that can be used the following week.

Google Wallet Available in 200 “R”Us® Stores: Customers in approximately 200 Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores in major metro areas, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago and San Francisco can use their phone to pay for their purchases using Google Wallet.  Google Wallet is a new payment option that uses near-field communication technology to turn a shopper’s cell phone into their wallet, allowing them to pay for purchases, and even redeem coupons, by simply tapping their phone on a special reader installed at the register.  Google Wallet is presently available on Sprint Nexus S 4G phones.

QR Codes Bring the Hottest Toys of the Season to Life

Customers have responded enthusiastically to the dynamic, interactive content provided by quick response, or QR codes, that the company has used to supplement print advertising vehicles, product packaging and in-store signage.

For example, in the approximately two weeks following the launch of The Great Big Toys”R”Us Book, the four product-specific QR codes throughout the catalog for Air Swimmers® eXtreme from Animal Planet™, My Keepon® from Wow! Stuff, Moshi Monsters™ from Spin Master™ and The Trash Pack™ from Moose Toys® and the Fast Lane® JLX Matrix™ from Toys”R”Us, were scanned tens of thousands of times. Each item’s accompanying QR code lets viewers see demonstrations of the product in action, such as My Keepon bopping to a dance beat or the Air Swimmers eXtreme sneaking up on an unsuspecting parent.

QR codes are also available as part of in-store signage and on individual product packaging to showcase product demos or provide additional information on how a particular program works.  For example, packaging for five select items from the True Heroes® L.A.S.E.R. line, the company’s foremost action figure and role play brand that highlights the real heroes of the future, features QR codes that allow customers to access a unique online comic experience for kids where the stories of the characters’ adventures come to life, bringing action figure play into the digital world.

Mobile Messaging, Barcode Scanners and eGift Cards Make It Easy to Save and Pay On-the-Go

Customers can opt-in to the company’s “R” Mobile Messaging program to have the week’s best deals at Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us® sent directly to their mobile phones. SMS messages are sent up to twice per week, and highlight some of the most compelling savings offers currently available.  Customers can text “DEALS4″ to 78697 for Toys”R”Us deals, “DEALS7″ to 72229 for Babies”R”Us offers, and “EEDEALS” to 78697 to receive special notification regarding electronics deals.***

The company supports “R” Mobile Messaging with a comprehensive marketing program, inclusive of placement in print circulars and colorful in-store signage complete with the easy-to-follow “text” instructions on how to become a subscriber described above. In addition, all signage promoting the mobile messaging program in “R”Us stores across the country features the “R” Mobile icon: a backwards “ringing” “R.”

All Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores are also equipped with coupon barcode scanners, which allow store associates to scan customers’ mobile e-mail coupons straight from their mobile devices – no coupon clipping required!

Shoppers can also pay for their purchases using their mobile devices with Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us eGift Cards, which can be sent from a gift-giver to the recipient electronically via e-mail, and the recipient can redeem the gift card in-store via their mobile device. Those who wish to send eGift Cards to loved ones can visit Toysrus.com/GiftCertificates to browse the latest holiday offerings.

About Toys”R”Us, Inc.

Toys”R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 873 Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and in more than 600 international stores and over 140 licensed stores in 35 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com andFAO.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys”R”Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 associates annually worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Additional information about Toys”R”Us, Inc. can be found on Toysrusinc.com. Follow Toys”R”Us, Babies”R”Us and FAO Schwarz on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus, Facebook.com/Babiesrus and Facebook.com/FAO, and on Twitter atTwitter.com/Toysrus and Twitter.com/Babiesrus.

*Valid in-store only. One coupon per guest. Excludes baby food, diapers, formula, wipes, Ameda, Baby Brezza, Baby Jogger, BOB, Britax, Bugaboo, Cybex, ERGObaby, Mamas & Papas, Motherhood Maternity, Nap Nanny, Pediped, Peg Perego, Phil & Teds, Robeez, Tommee Tippee, Under Armour, electronic learning toys, netbooks, tablets, video game hardware, video games, Apple products, FAO products, RobotGalaxy, Buyer Protection Plan, gift cards, photo studios, phone orders, Special Orders, assembly fee, breast-pump rental free, delivery free, and shipping & handling. Not valid with any other “R”Us total transaction offer or on prior purchases. Coupon must be surrendered at time of purchase and value is forfeited if item is returned. Coupon prorated among eligible items purchased. Only original coupons accepted. Void where prohibited. Valid USAonly. Cash value 1/100 of 1 cent.

** To redeem from your phone, display mobile coupon at checkout. In-store purchase only. One coupon per guest. Not valid with any other “R”Us offer for same item or on prior purchases. Coupon must be surrendered at time of purchase and value is forfeited if item is returned. We reserve the right to limit quantities. Void where prohibited. Valid contiguous United States,Alaska and Hawaii. Cash value 1/100 of 1¢.  For phone card offer, discounted item must be of equal or lesser value to the lowest priced item purchased. Creepy Crawlers offer excludes Incredible Edibles Fright Factory. Sale prices valid through 11/25/11. Prices may vary at Toys”R”Us Express and outlet stores. Interim price changes may have occurred. Select items, styles or events may not be available at all locations. We reserve the right to limit quantities.

***Standard text and data rates apply.  Up to two messages per week.  Text STOP to end, HELP for help.

Coffee Lovers Put Single Cup Brewers on Christmas List

(Profitable.com)  Coffee, the world would be a grouchy place without it. For some people, it is the only way that they can face the day. It is an eye opener that gives them a much needed jolt to start the morning, but not everyone wants to brew a whole pot of coffee. Most of the times, an entire pot of coffee is just too much, especially for the single people out there. They have all resorted to standing in line, or using a drive thru window to get their early morning coffee fix. It is time to change that habit with a single cup coffee brewer. These kitchen appliances will make just a single cup of coffee, not an entire pot. For some people this can be an absolute life saver. No more spending a couple of bucks to stand in line and be handed a cup of coffee.

Single Cup Brewers offer up a whole new world to coffee lovers. There are single cup coffee brewers that offer gourmet coffee creation at the touch of a button, and there are single cup coffee makers that can make a good old fashioned black cup of coffee any time of the day. Regardless of price, coffee lovers will be able to easily find a single cup coffee brewer that fits into any budget. Automatic single cups of coffee have never been easier.

Where can coffee lovers find the best selection of single cup brewers? SingleCupBrewers.net is the answer, and they currently offer the following selections:

Black & Decker DCM18 Brew ‘N Go Coffeemaker

Bosch Tassimo Single Serve Coffee Brewers

Breville BKC700XL Gourmet Single-Serve Coffeemaker

Bunn MC MyCafe Single Serve Pod Brewer

CBTL Kaldi S04 Single Cup Brewer

Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer

Keurig K-Cup Home Brewer

Mr. Coffee Single Serve with Keurig Brewing Technology

Senseo 7810 Single-Serve Gourmet Coffee Machine

Toastess TFC-326 Personal-Size 1-Cup Coffeemaker

Coffee lovers will be able to find detailed product descriptions, specifications on each and every single cup coffee brewer. Find out what other coffee lovers are saying by reading in depth customer reviews. Single cup brewers make excellent gifts, and with the holidays getting much closer, now is a good time to start shopping.

SingleCupBrewers.net makes picking out the perfect single cup brewer easy.