ETD: 951 Last word on American Express;The History of
Valentine's Day; Valentine's Day Trivia
E-Tailer's Digest
etd_post at gapent.com
Mon Jan 30 18:53:25 GMT 2006
E-Tailer's Digest --- Everything for the Retailer
Issue #0951 January 31, 2006
George Matyjewicz, Moderator mailto:georgem at gapent.com
Published by: GAP Enterprises, Ltd. http://www.etailersdigest.com
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CONTENTS
[1] Greetings
[2] Last word on American Express
[3] The History of Valentine's Day
[4] Valentine's Day Trivia
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[1] Greetings.
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Hi All:
Today we have the last word on the American Express debate, from
Janet Attard, who also has some other tips on credit cards.
Valentine's Day is the next big holiday, where 192 million
Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day
the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. (This total
excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.). We have
some information on the origin of Valentine's Day and some
Valentine's Day trivia. It is a great gift-giving holiday - are you ready?
I can never figure our why retailer's don't take advantage of every
holiday. Home Depot: "Build your Valentine a romantic swing for
your back yard"; Electric supply: "Give your Valentine a towel warmer
to keep her warm when she gets out of the new Jacuzzi"; Computer
store: "Give your sweetheart a place to store all those romantic photos"
Now, let's get to everything for the retailer.
Sincerely
George Matyjewicz, PhD
Chief Global Strategist, GAP Enterprises, LLC
mailto:georgem at gapent.com
http://www.etailersdigest.com
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[2] Last word on American Express
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Just to chime in on the American Express issue, most months about
1/3rd of our credit card sales are to people using American Express.
I can't imagine not accepting it!.
A tip for anyone who's credit card sales are increasing (particularly
if you have a somewhat new merchant account): Check with the merchant
account provider to find out if you have a limit on the amount on the
total amount of MasterCard and Visa (combined) charges you can
process in a month.
If you have a limit and hit that limit (without contacting the credit
card ahead of time), you might not be able to process any more
charges for the month.
I have a blog entry on the subject. If any reader is interested, go here
http://www.blog.businessknowhow.com/2005/11/check_your_merc.htm
--Janet Attard
Small Business / Home Business Resources http://www.businessknowhow.com
http://www.franchisetrade.com
Blog: http://www.blog.businessknowhow.com
Free newsletter: http://www.businessknowhow.com/newsletter/subscribe.htm
+++ [Moderator's Comments] +++
Thanks Janet. Very useful information.
With American Express, some people say yes and others say
no. Personally, I believe you are making a big mistake by not taking
American Express. Give your customers every opportunity possible to
buy from you. It's hard enough to do business. Why let something as
simple as a payment option get in the way?
George
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[3] The History of Valentine's Day
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Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are
exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But
who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday?
The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded
in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of
romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges
of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint
Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?
Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints
named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the
third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single
men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he
outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers.
Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and
continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When
Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for
attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they
were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first
'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that
Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his
jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before
his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed
'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today.
Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories
certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most
importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle
Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine/?page=history
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[4] Valentine's Day Trivia
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Did you know...
- 192 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making
Valentine's Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving
occasion. (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom
exchanges.) (Source: Hallmark research)
- Nearly 60 percent of all Valentine's Day cards are purchased in the
six days prior to the observance, making Valentine's Day a
procrastinator's delight. (Source: Hallmark research)
- There are 120 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced)
who are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages.
Corresponding numbers for the following race and ethnic groups are:
Hispanics: 153 men per 100 women
Asians (single race): 132 men per 100 women (This ratio is not
significantly different from that for Hispanics or non-Hispanic whites.)
Non-Hispanic whites (single race): 120 men per 100 women
Blacks (single race): 92 men per 100 women (The numbers of black men
and women in this age group are not significantly different from one another.)
- There are 33 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced)
age 65 or older for every 100 single women of the same ages.
Corresponding numbers for the following race and ethnic groups are:
Hispanics: 38 men per 100 women
Non-Hispanic whites (single race): 33 men per 100 women
Blacks (single race): 33 men per 100 women
Asians (single race): 28 men per 100 women
(Note: None of the ratios for the individual groups differ
significantly from one another nor from the ratio for all people age
65 or older.)
- 2.2 million marriages take place in the United States annually.
That breaks down to more than 6,000 a day.
- 145,800 marriages are performed in Nevada during 2004. So many
couples "tie the knot" in the Silver State that it ranked fourth
nationally in marriages, even though its total population that year
among states was 35th.
- The estimated U.S. median ages at first marriage for women and men
are 25.8 and 27.4 respectively, in 2004. The age for women rose 4.7
years in the last three decades. The age for men at first marriage is
up 4.3 years.
- Men and women in northeastern states generally have a higher median
age at first marriage than the national average. In Massachusetts,
for example, women were a median of 27.4 years old and men 29.1 years
of age at first marriage. States where people typically marry young
include Utah, where women were a median of 21.9 years and men, 23.9 years.
- 54% and 57% of American women and men, respectively, are 15 or
older and currently married (includes those who are separated).
- 4.7 million opposite-sex cohabitating couples maintained households
in 2004. These couples comprised 4.2 percent of all households.
- 1,271 locations produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2003.
These establishments employed 43,379 people. California led the
nation in the number of such establishments (with 146) followed by
Pennsylvania (with 120).
- 519 locations produced non-chocolate confectionery products in
2003. These establishments employed 23,343 people.
- The total value of shipments in 2003 for firms producing chocolate
and cocoa products was $13.5 billion. Non-chocolate confectionery
product manufacturing, meanwhile, was a $5.5 billion industry.
- 3,523 Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States
in 2003. Often referred to as candy stores, they are among the best
sources of sweets for Valentine's Day.
- The per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2004 was 4.7
pounds. Candy consumption has actually declined over the last few
years; in 1997, each American gobbled or savored more than 27 pounds
of candy a year.
- The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut flowers
in 2004 for all flower-producing businesses in 36 states with
$100,000 or more in sales was $422 million was. Among states,
California was the leading producer, alone accounting for nearly
three-quarters of this amount ($304 million).
- The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in
2004 for all businesses in 36 states with $100,000 or more in sales
was $43 million. Among all types of cut flowers, roses were second in
receipts to lilies ($78 million).
- There were 22,022 florists nationwide in 2003. These businesses
employed 113,270 people.
- There were 28,527 jewelry stores in the United States in 2003.
Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to lovers of
all ages. In February 2005, these stores sold $2.4 billion worth of
merchandise. (This figure has not been adjusted for seasonal
variation, holiday or trading day differences or price changes.) .The
merchandise at these locations could well have been produced at one
of the nation's 1,892 jewelry manufacturing establishments. The
manufacture of jewelry was an $8.6 billion industry in 2003.
Data courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/006116.html
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