A report appearing in a section of the press said women in Serai Naurang area of Lakki Marwat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will have to be accompanied by a male relative.
Iftikhar Hussain, provincial minister for information and culture, told the News International daily that "some elements were trying to tarnish the image of the provincial government".
He said Deputy Superintendent of Police Sanaullah Khan, who had chaired a meeting regarding the issue, has also denied having banned women from going out shopping alone.
"It was not a decision but just an idea to control the rush in the market if women were asked to reduce their visits to the market," the minister said.
Umar Riaz, a senior police officer in Lakki Marwat district, said explanation has been sought in this regard from Sanaullah Khan, and if found to be true he may be suspended.
Mr Riaz told Geo News that a meeting on law and order was attended by tribal elders of the area and traders. The elders had demanded the ban, but police refused to accede.
Following the meeting, some participants allegedly spread the rumour about the ban, he said.
Shopping for goods online - Times of Malta
Going shopping and looking around for the best deals is time-consuming and tiring. The summer heat and lack of parking are not encouraging either.
On the other hand, online shopping may be done from the comfort of our home, any time during the day or night, and offers a vast selection of products or services to choose from at competitive prices.
Its main drawbacks are that we cannot physically feel or touch the products we are interested in buying, and that the seller may be operating from overseas. We may also be worried that our legal rights may be different to when we are not buying online. In actual fact, our rights are stronger when shopping online.
Since, with online shopping, our choice mainly depends on the information given to us by the seller, the Distance Selling Regulations require that any description or information about goods/services should be accurate, not misleading.
These regulations also specify the kind of information consumers should be given when buying through a distant means of communication.
This information should include: the name and address of the trader; a description of the main characteristics of the goods/services offered for sale; the price, including taxes and delivery costs, and how payment is to be made; the cost of communication between parties if this is above a basic rate; how the goods/ service are to be delivered or performed; the time for which the offer/ price remains valid; and information on our right to cancel the sale.
Additionally, the regulations also stipulate that the web trader must provide: details on how the contract may be cancelled; conditions for terminating the contract if it is of unlimited duration or for longer than one year; situations when the right of cancellation is not available; and information on after-sale services and commercial guarantees.
The right to cancel (cooling-off period)
When we purchase goods/services online, our most important additional right is to cancel any purchases made within 15 days. We do not need to give any reason and we should not incur any penalties. We may, however, have to pay for the cost of returning the goods to the supplier.
The 15-day cooling-off period applies to both goods and services. In case of goods, this period begins from delivery date; in the case of services, it kicks off from the date of conclusion of the contract.
It must, however, be noted that the European Directive 97/7/EC on distance selling stipulates a minimum cancellation period of seven days. So if the contract is made with a trader outside Malta, but within the EU, the cooling-off period could be less than 15 days.
If the trader fails to provide us with the necessary information prior to the conclusion of the contract, or the information does not meet the requirements requested in the regulations, in such cases the cancellation period is extended to three months.
Should we decide to avail ourselves of the right of cancellation, the trader must return the payment as soon as possible, within a maximum period of 30 days from the date of cancellation.
The right to cancel may be exercised on almost all types of goods.
There are, however, some exceptions which include the following: goods made to our specifications or clearly personalised or which, by reason of their nature, cannot be returned or are liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly, such as freshly cut flowers or fresh food; audio or video recordings or computer software that were unsealed by us; newspapers, periodicals, magazines; gaming and lottery service; services that began, with our consent, before the end of the cooling-off period; goods or services whose price is dependent on fluctuation and therefore cannot be controlled by the supplier.
The cooling-off period also does not cover the purchase of plane, train, concert tickets or hotel bookings; in other words, contracts for the provision of transport, accommodation, catering or leisure services which are to be supplied by a specific time or date.
Internet auctions and goods bought from private individuals are also excluded from the Distance Selling Regulations, and hence from the cooling-off period.
The reason for this is that consumer legislation specifically covers purchases that involve private individuals buying goods or services from a seller acting in the course of his business, trade or profession.
Ms Vella is senior information officer, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.
Shopping with friends, 2012-style - Jamaica Observer
Stilettos in gold and purple, trendy summer dresses, designer sunglasses, make-up and handbags flood the timelines of Facebook. The social media site, commonly used to connect with friends and family, has transformed itself into a virtual marketplace.
"I love these shoes. Do you have them in blue and size 8?" ask potential customers in the comment boxes.
Retailers and designers have taken to Facebook, Pinterest, Foursquare and Twitter in droves over the past year, creating a whole new industry - social commerce.
Constant updates of items in stock and sales are made, prompting users to visit real-world stores or make purchases online. Messaging systems that used to report on what people had for breakfast are now carrying enquiries and purchase orders.
And it's not just the giants. Small businesses are also taking to social commerce to promote and sell their goods.
"You can use the tool to engage customers," said Javette Nixon, a social-media marketing consultant. "For example, they can view products, which will prompt them to go into the store, if there is one."
Jaye-Ann O'Connor is one of those who does not have a physical shop. A diagnostic radiographer, she also designs, makes, and sells handbags and clothes, and uses social media to sell them.
"I cut costs by not paying anyone to market them," O'Connor said.
The process starts with O'Connor taking photos of the products and uploading them, typically several times a day, to Facebook and Twitter, where she has 500 followers.
Those followers not only buy her goods, they recommend them to others, by sharing photos, and spreading the news of sales.
Her clients use O'Connor's Facebook page and twitter feed not only to view her products, but to request fittings or delivery.
"I focus on getting products out without thinking of rent and paying workers," she said.
Social commerce is defined as user-generated advertising on e-commerce sites that enable shoppers to get advice from trusted individuals, find goods and services, and then purchase them.
But some companies may have a different focus. Some are looking for brand recognition, a way to provide customer service or a feedback mechanism to gauge customer feelings.
Pinterest lets people organise and share items on the web by pinning them in categories, they way you would post something to a corkboard in the real world.
Bookophilia, a bookshop in Kingston, 'pins' titles on Pinterest, indicating which categories it offers. Customers can "view what the store sells and preview books without coming into the store", said Sasha Solomon, its acting manager.
The site contributes to the visibility of the store, and hence its sales, Solomon said.
But immediate profit isn't everything, said Nixon. Social media can also be used to improve products through customer feedback, he said. The Returns come later.
Business whose customers have problems or are making pointed comments should address them right away, he said. Those that don't will find their customers will react by switching.
Some companies go on Facebook to make money, but instead of improving products by communicating, they turn customers off, Nixon said
"If you are going to be online, capitalise on all the social-media tools. Don't go into it half-heartedly," he said.
Many companies use social media but don't get a return on it because they don't engage the customers, he said. "It's a balancing act," said Nixon. "Don't push making money without communicating with customers."
Facebook has applications such as ShopTab, which allows business owners to sell products by creating a shopping tab on their fan pages. It works with most e-commerce platforms.
A shop owner can export products from an e-commerce tool and upload them to Facebook.
"For us, it is to increase the bottom line; our sales are driven by Facebook; so we are consistent with updates on Facebook and responses to customers," said Castelle Barnes, marketing director of Club Intuition, a membership boutique in St Andrew.
The store has been open for three months and its customers can shop from Facebook. It has over 9, 000 likes on the site. Barnes said the store's customers see the products that boutique offers and make a budget from home.
Customers can buy on Facebook after viewing items for sale and make bank deposits as well as payments though Western Union, Barnes said.
Content is king in social media, so use videos and photos, said Nixon.
Corrie on Liz! Back to her best after two years of hell - Liz Dawn enjoys day out shopping - Daily Mirror
SHE was forced to quit Coronation Street when an incurable lung disease left her unable to carry on playing battleaxe Vera Duckworth.
But as our pictures reveal, Liz Dawn is bearing up well as she enjoys her new life away from the Cobbles.
The screen legend grinned broadly and shared a joke with passers-by during a day out shopping with husband Don.
Friends say Liz, 72, is happier than ever with her new lifestyle since quitting Corrie.
A pal said: “Despite the problems with her health, Liz is happier than she has been for a long time. She and Don still get along like a house on fire after 52 years of marriage.”
Liz made her last appearance in Corrie two years ago as a ghost when her on-screen husband Jack Duckworth died in his armchair.
Fans of the ITV1 soap will be delighted to see Liz looking so well days after she spoke movingly about her battle with ill health.
She said: “My breathing was so bad I thought I was dying. I’d smoked for many years and I’d always had a bit of a cough and a splutter but I was getting worse and worse and struggling to breathe.”
Liz, who starred in Corrie for 34 years, was pictured shopping in York last week.
An onlooker said: “It was great to see her laughing and smiling and looking so well. She stopped to sign autographs and have her picture taken with people. She was in really good spirits.
“Her husband was doting on her and looking after her. They had a cuppa together and just enjoyed watching the world go by.”
Liz has emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Her lungs are down to a third of their capacity and she has to use a wheelchair because she can’t walk far.
A Shopping Guide on How to Design a French Country Kitchen is Introduced by HomeThangs.com – Home Improvement Super Store - YAHOO!
French Country style is based on natural elements, and it is delightfully warm-toned and cozy. Interior designers at HomeThangs highlighted the key elements of the style to help consumers pick the right products to balance the French Country kitchen design equilibrium.
(PRWEB) July 22, 2012
HomeThangs.com – the Home Improvement Super Store has made their goal to deliver the right product to the consumer, with that in mind, shopping and home design tips, as well as special product selections are being introduced.French Country design is the best of Old World elegance without too much "frou frou". The style is based on natural elements, and it is delightfully warm-toned and cozy. Interior designers at HomeThangs highlighted the key elements of the style to help consumers pick the right products to balance the French Country kitchen design equilibrium.
1. Natural Building Materials
French Country design starts with the woods - wood and wooden cabinets, exposed beams, barn wood in the ceilings and furniture trump up the rustic side of the look. Some freestanding pieces, such as the Hardware Resources ISL05-AWH Kitchen Island By Lyn Design will be a good fit.
The most striking feature of French Country kitchens is the kitchen cabinets, which are either very dark or very light wood. Nearly transparent varnishes applied to light wood so the grain shows through will add to the style. It’s also common in French Country kitchen design to paint the wood white, off-white, eggshell, taupe, beige, or a series of other names for neutral, such as the A La Carte K540-C Kitchen Island by Kaco, In A Lightly Distressed Cream Sherwin Williams Finish. At the other end of the spectrum, some cabinets have dark varnish or black paint, such as the Hardware Resources ISL05-DBK - Kitchen Island By Lyn Design in distressed black. French Country design also allows putting dark and light cabinets together.
2. Natural Accents
Wood isn’t the only natural building material essential for a French Country style of kitchen design. Kitchens just aren’t user friendly without countertops and backsplashes, which makes lots of space for natural stone, decorative tile, and even brick. Copper tile accents, such as the Soci Rooster Copper Tile, surrounded with a few distinct varieties of stone tile, such as the Soci SSH-215 Onyx Mosaic Tile will make a perfect backsplash in a French Country Kitchen.
3. Country Color Palette
With the cabinets in traditional neutral tones, accents are where French Country kitchens pop. The color palette spans the range of any earthy tones, which one can usually find by the earthy names. Sunshine yellow, terra cotta, rust, brick, and grass green. Red tones are especially popular, to make the room feeling warm and cozy.
4. Decor Touches
Terra cotta, pottery, copper and wrought iron decor all make wonderful design accents, such as the Sterling Le Jardin Bowl, 93-0724 or Terracotta Dish 125-007. They are elegant and understated. Old World inspired cloth (on the curtains and chair covers) is another soft accent: French fabric stripes, paisley, plaid, country prints, tapestry, and toile in neutral tones. Useful antiques like clocks are another great touch.
5. Hardware and Fixtures
Another place traditional elegance comes into French Country style is with kitchen fixtures and cabinet hardware. The wood may be pretty smooth-lined and simple, and the deep sinks, too, but the faucets and handles are usually stately works of art, such as the Rohl A1458xws-2 Lead Free 3-Leg Double-Handle Bridge Kitchen Faucet with Side Spray from the Country Kitchen Collection. A simple, white, luxuriously large and deep kitchen sink like the Rc3018 30" Handcrafted, Single-Basin, Fireclay, Apron-Front Farmhouse Kitchen Sink From The Shaws Original Series by Rohl feels perfectly European.
Classic looking appliances in a simple traditional style with light colors would be the best fit for a French Country Kitchen. HomeThangs offers Heartland Appliance, - a whole range of vintage kitchen appliances designed to do exactly that: to take one back to home cooked meals and Sunday dinner with the family. Heartland’s kitchen ranges are at the heart of their collection of vintage kitchen appliances, and the basis for their vintage kitchen aesthetic.
Another brand offered by HomeThangs, which makes classic style appliances, is AGA. AGA’s kitchen ranges have a somewhat vintage flair to them, with tons of small doors and drawers and brightly colored enamel finishes, arranging several different, specialized ovens around a central heat source. Outwardly, their ranges more strongly resemble vintage ovens than shiny modern appliances, which would look very authentic in a French Country Kitchen, but even the most wood stove-styled of their ovens is made with sophisticated heating technology.
7. Lighting
Lighting fixtures that have the artistry of Old Europe and the earth tones of nature would be a good match. Rustic finishes, tiny crystal details, cream or white shades, golden tones are something to look for when choosing lighting for a French Country Kitchen. The French country style of decorating is a very eclectic mix of warm color and natural metals. HomeThangs offers a variety of French country style lighting to help complete the look. For example: Crystorama lighting offers a lot of lighting fixtures to match the French Country Style, such as Abbie Collection Hand Cut Crystal Mini Lantern, Ornate Detailed Pendant Accented With Rich Honey Glass, or Majestic Wood Polished Crystal Chandelier in textured Venetian Bronze finish to remind of a Paris flea market.
HomeThangs.com is not only a home improvement superstore, it also provides expert design tips and a comprehensive shopping guide, taking the ideas from professional interior designers, and offering tips to the consumers on how to pick the products to best suit their needs.
Tanya Tymoshuk
HomeThangs
215-579-1655
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