This year’s ‘Black Friday’ sales statistics have showed a 7% increase compared to last year, with the average American spending on average $398.62 this year, as opposed to $365.34 in 2010. The increase in spending is definitely correlated with a larger number of shoppers, 14 millions more to be exact. 226 million took part in shopping activities over the weekend as opposed to 212 million last year.

Online shopping also showed a significant increase in sales as more retailers have turned their more of their attention to this increasingly popular shopping method. Retailers like Macy’s, Target, Best Buy extended their traditional shopping season start on Thanksgiving evening while stores like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and J.C. Penney focused on their online exposure more this year.

Nighttime seemed to be the preferred shopping time with 24% of the shoppers being in stores at midnight. With the encouraging Black Friday sales statistics, retailers are expecting an increase, albeit more modest for the rest of the holiday season. A 2.8 percent to about $466 billion, according to the NRF is deemed to be an accurate expectation.

Changing old light-bulbs is indeed boring and annoying. As the latest news reveal, Samsung unveils lightbulbs which last for 36 years. This company succeeded in strengthening its reputation as an influential power in modern technology. This time they came up with this brand new range of LED lightbulbs which last for no less than 40,000 hours. This number is in fact 40 times the lifespan of a normal bulb. Specialists decided to launch this revolutionary product which should last for 36 years. According to the spokesperson of the company, “Samsung is now using it’s expertise in digital electronics to revolutionize the lighting industry.” (Dailymail.co.uk)

These popular LED lights conquered costumers who long for brand new technological inventions. This company is responsible for the promotion of LED chips and LCD panels. The latest reports also reveal the opinion of Samsung’s senior VP of home appliances, Kevin Dexter who states that, “A light bulb is no longer just a light bulb. It’s a digital technology made up of LED chips, drivers and electronics – familiar turf for Samsung.”

Gone are the days of struggling with incandescent bulbs which last only about 1,000 hours. The new LED lamps “turn on instantly, are virtually UV and infrared free and produce an extremely uniform and crisp light making you and your home look better while saving you money and helping the environment.” One of the huge drawbacks of this new product is its price. The prices range from $19-$70 depending on the size and capacity of these bulbs.

For the first time in history, China surpassed U.S in terms of sale volumes for smartphones, now becoming the largest market in the world for this segment. Strategy Analytics disclosed the fact that Chinese both a staggering  24 million smartphones in the third quarter of the year, surpassing Americans by 23 million smartphones for the same period.

“China is now at the forefront of the worldwide mobile- computing boom. China has become a large and growing smartphone market that no hardware vendor, component maker or content developer can afford to ignore,” concludes Neil Mawston an analyst within the firm.

Given the fact that sales have had a 58% growth for the period studied while American market saw a 7% decrease, it is easy to understand the surprising results. Although Nokia has lost market share in the United States, it has the biggest market share in China where it holds 28% from total shares. With 10% less,  at 18%   Samsung Electronics comes second.

The term ‘diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ probably came after these huge ‘rocks’ that can mesmerize from first glimpse, and at an astonishing 110.3 carats, this rare yellow diamond which is going to be held up for an auction in Geneva will surely conquer the love of any woman. Called the “Sun Drop Diamond” this huge pear shaped diamond is expected to raise somewhere around 10 and 15 million dollars, so this shiny vivid yellow diamond (the highest color grading) will definitely find its way into a millionaire’s vault.

Not only this, the diamond will also be named after the buyer’s choice, so the auction held November 15th, in Geneva’s Beau-Rivage hotel, will surely attract plenty of potential buyers.
The gorgeous diamond was discovered in South Africa just last year and according to David Bennett, the head of Sotheby’s jewelery division, the diamond “looks the weight”. Mr. Bennett also states that:

“At the same time it’s a very bright stone. Some people find it very attractive to own a stone that’s been lying untouched in the earth for millions of years”.

A photographed has already been offered to the public to attract potential buyers and the beauty of the gem will surely attract a financially powerful crowd. This is the largest diamond of it’s kind so far, and its 110.3 carats will surely enchant the heart of any woman who will be fortunate to wear it!

Photo courtesy of DailyMail

Perfect skin, aging gracefully, maintaining skin elasticity and many other similar claims make the skin care industry one of the most influential ones in today’s market. And, while sales might be going strong, the amount of products actually used is a whole different story, according to a study conducted by Vaseline.

A new type of material could change products as we now know them. Apparently, scientists have developed a type of plastic that could repair itself when broken without the need of using glue. Called supramolecular polymer, the new type of plastic is being developed by the chemical company AkzoNobel in collaboration with Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands.

According to Telegraph.co.uk Graham Armstrong, corporate director of research, development and innovation at AkzoNobel explained the principle as follows: “We are working on polymers that are able to heal themselves. They use supramolecular chemistry, which exploits some of the lessons we have learned from the way proteins bind together in biology. It means we can have solids that genuinely can heal.”

The new type of plastic, called Supra B that uses hydrogen bonding could have a multitude of applications, especially in the area of products which have elasticity as a characteristic. Despite its amazing ability to repair itself, the new material doesn’t lose any of the abilities of regular plastic as its creators state it has the strength of current plastic materials.

A new product has been created to help caffeine lovers enjoy their favorite beverage in a new, interesting way: with the help of an inhaler.

The new device is called Aeroshot and it’s essentially a light plastic device that delivers lime-flavored caffeinated puffs. Each inhaler three puffs equal 100 grams of caffeine or about the amount in large cup of coffee.

Caffeine and lime flavor are not the only things you’ll be able to inhale. 100% of recommended daily allowance of B3, B6 and B12 vitamins are only three puffs away, apparently. Sweetened with stevia, a sweetener that has no calories, the new product may become a dieter’s must have.

The creator of this potentially revolutionary product is Harvard bio-medical engineering professor David Edwards, who is experienced in the development of inhalable vaccines and drugs.

The inhaler is subjected to many of the same limitations of the regular coffee and is sold as an energy supplement.

The label warns against using more than 3 Aeroshots a day, states that the product is not recommended for those under the age of 12 or who have caffeine sensitivities, allergic to ragweed, taking medications, who are pregnant or who have a serious medical condition.

As the powdered coffee hits the tongue, the substances are instantly absorbed and the effects manifest faster than with regular coffee intake.

The new product had no problems getting FDA approval, since is just a different expression of a substance that is widely consumed on the market.

In an effort to boost tourism, Japan will offer 10,000 free airfares for tourists next year.

The Japan tourism industry has been hit hard since the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. Many foreign tourists, from China to the United States are staying away, possibly assuming that the nuclear situation makes the country dangerous to visit.

The government has said that it is safe to travel throughout the country, with the only exception being the area surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The state of the global economy is also having an effect on Japan tourism, no doubt not helped by the country’s reputation as an expensive one to visit as a foreigner.

The country hopes that the 10,000 free airfares will be help to boost the flagging tourism industry.

In the popular summer tourist season, tourism was down nearly 40% in the months of June and July. During March, April and May of 2011, tourism fell sharply, more than 50%. In addition, many future trips that were already scheduled were postponed or cancelled altogether, due to radiation and safety fears.

The Japan Tourism Agency will allow potential tourists to apply via an online application for the free flights. Applicants must detail what regions of the country they wish to visit. Applicants may then be asked to create a report about their visit, presumably to post on the Japan Tourism Agency website to help further boost tourism by showing tourists having safe, enjoyable trips in the country.

While the airfare is free, those who qualify for the program will need to arrange and pay for their lodging, food, ground transportation and other expenses.

Currently, many travel agencies are offering discounted rates on Japan trips, including all-inclusive packages with airfare, food, transport, tourist guides and events.

The program announcement is certainly welcomed by the many businesses who rely on tourists for the majority of their income, such as hotels, inns, ryokans, hostels, transportation services and many restaurants.

30-year mortgages have never been less expensive. Today 30-year mortgage rates have fallen below 4%, marking the first time in history rates have fallen so low.

The current 30-year mortgage rates for a fixed rate mortgage loan is now 3.94 percent. The rate is the lowest point reaches since the beginning of mortgage tracking by federal housing loan institution Freddie Mac.

Rates for a 15 year fixed rate home mortgage also fell to a historic low, at 3.26 percent.

The rates follow a steep decline in the 10 year Treasury bond, as worries over the state of the global economy continue.  The rates for the treasury bond are at less than 2%. Treasury bonds have traditionally been an indicator of the mortgage market.

The historically low mortgage rates are a boon for homeowners. Just a few months ago, the rates were over 4 1/2 percent, but at today’s rates homeowners can save about $40 per month for every $100,000. The savings can be nearly $15,000 over the 30 years for each $100K.

However, historically low mortgage rates have yet to spark the home buying market, as consumers are highly cautious of any spending, and especially cautious of any large expenditures, such as a home. More consumers are opting to wait for the economy to get better, and are putting off investing in a new home or considering homes on the low end of the cost scale.

In all, mortgage loan applications have dropped to less than 5% of loan transactions.

Checking account fees are going up as more and more banks are adding or raising fees. Whether you’re using an ATM or worried about overdraft charges, nearly all of the fees associated with your checking account are going up.

Last year, many banks were offering free checking accounts, no interest checking accounts and no fee checking accounts. However, these days there are few banks offering these special deals. Now, new checking accounts are loaded with fees.

According to Bankrate.com, less than half of new account offer free checking options.

About 45% of no interest checking accounts have no fees, down nearly 30% from the previous year.

However, many banks are also offering more options to allow people to avoid many of the typical fees by carrying a certain balance minimum and by using direct deposit of your paychecks or other income payments.

You may not see many signs offering free checking anymore, but savvy consumers can still take advantage of the options that allow you to avoid most fees. In fact, consumers who meet all financial requirements will still be able to take advantage of free checking.

Nearly 1/3 of no interest checking accounts now require a certain balance to maintain your no fee account.

A typical average balance for that purpose is nearly $600. That number is more than doubled from last year. People who don’t keep their minimum balance are subject to higher fees.

Monthly fees are also higher, with an average of nearly $5.00. ATM withdrawal fees are also reaching record highs, with an average of nearly $2.50.

In addition to rising fees, fees may also vary widely depending on what state and city you live in. Research has shown that people in San Diego, Denver, Seattle, Houston and New York paid higher ATM withdrawal fees than people in places like Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Tampa and Cincinatti.

Overdraft fees are also climbing to record highs, up to nearly $31. Overdraft fees were highest for people living in Denver, Houston and Miami.