Homes are being de-cluttered, neighbors are visiting with neighbors again and bargain-seekers are flushed with delight over their garage sale treasures.
Neighborhood garage sales have been bringing crowds out in droves during the month of May and will continue during the warm months of summer and fall. Individual garage sales are also common.
Don Brightman, of Riverwoods Drive in Rockford, held his garage sale for three full days last week. The first day was the busiest and the last day the most quiet, he said.
With a garage and driveway full of antiques and collectibles, he said it was hard to predict what people would buy.
"The things I thought would sell didn't and the things I didn't think much about sold right away," Brightman said.
He sold many tools and pieces of antique china, even an old slide projector. But he was surprised his antique wicker planters were overlooked.
"With technology changing the way it does, I never expected that slide projector to sell," he said. "But someone who collects them for display came right up and bought it."
Rockford resident Vicki Howe shopped the Riverwoods development sale on the last day just as things were getting packed up for Goodwill.
"Would you take a dollar for this?" she politely asked a homeowner.
It was a deal that pleased both the buyer and seller. Often the last day of sales are the most ideal for bartering and dickering on price.
The Evergreen Meadows subdivision also ran a three-day garage sale last week for all who wished to participate. There, homeowner Chandra Stevens was pleased to be clearing items out of her house for spring cleaning.
"I have lots of Tupperware I am getting rid of," said Stevens, who used to sell Tupperware and host Tupperware parties. "I've also sold lots of toys, boys clothes and household items. It's great to see it go."
Sandy Brugel, who was shopping at Stevens' sale, said she has had a successful spring season so far with her garage sale finds.
"I found an air purifier, old flannel sheets to cut up into rags for my husband's spray-painting business and a baby cradle for my doll collection," Brugel said.
She added her husband was able to find a few pairs of shoes in his size and since he only wears them once or twice before throwing them away, it is best to find them used.
Neighbors agree garage sales are good for connecting with people in their neighborhood. Friends, old and new, can meet up with one another after the long winter divide, strike up conversations and catch up on life. Garage sales also are a way to meet new people.
Not only do they build camaraderie, clean out old treasures and put extra cash in homeowners' pockets, but they presumably promote security.
Neighborhood watch associations throughout the country advocate getting to know ones neighbors as an important piece of the puzzle in building safer communities. This concept is not specific to the U.S. but appears to be universal.
According to a Canadian neighborhood watch program called Eyewatch, "Neighbors look out for each other, especially if they know each other. Active participation of neighborhood residents is a crucial element in community safety."
The Canadian group also suggests other ideas for getting to know ones neighbors and building safer developments by throwing block parties and having annual perennial flower exchanges.
2011年5月18日星期三
2011年3月27日星期日
Rural market is more sensitive to brands
My predecessor MB Shin has been a great leader and has created incredible benchmarks for us in LG India. I look forward to adding to that legacy and taking the company to newer heights. I will work on enhancing our position as the premium brand in the market. Hence, we will focus on investing in R&D to create products with smart technology and stylish design. We will also be investing Rs 800 crores this year to ramp up our manufacturing.
The mobile business has been a weak point for LG Electronics both globally and in India. What will be your strategy to strengthen the mobile vertical? Currently what is the contribution of India's mobile business to the overall global mobile segment at LG Corp? Is their any renewed target for India keeping in mind the 3G services?
We have launched products like Optimus 2 X 3D phone in the Consumer Electronics Show and Mobile World Congress. The response has been very good till now. Our focus is now going to be smart phones. In India we are planning to launch six smart phone brands on Optimus platform in 2011. Also we are planning to set up a new production line for the product next year at our greenfield facility in Pune. Already we have 12 models of 3G in our present line up and will be launching 16 more 3G models this year.
Do you see the entry-level barrier coming down in the smart phone categories?
Our Optimus One is a perfect example for the same — Android 2.2 at Rs 12,000 is the perfect choice for smart phone users. Optimus One is one of the best selling model for LG in both global and India markets.
India, as your first managing director KR Kim says, India is not one country but it is like 29 countries in one.
India is a vast country and it is fascinating to see its vast geography and how the dialects of people change after every 100 kilometres. I will be travelling across the country to understand the culture and meet our trade partners. It is critical to understand consumers. I will be meeting trade partners and consumers to understand the environment and strategise for the company accordingly.
In 2010, LGEIL conducted research of the rural and urban markets, based on which it was supposed to come out with a new doctrine… Can you share key findings?
Rural market is more sensitive to brands. It looks for reliability more than urban market and for this, they are ready to pay more. We have a rural insight team in place to understand the needs and demands of the rural customers. It has completed its first round of survey and preparing for the second round. These findings will certainly help us in customising the product according to the requirements of the rural customers. We would then narrow down to one or two critical features on the basis of the survey findings, which will go into our products and marketed with the right communication.
Which are the new product categories LG in getting into this year?
India is a key market for LG and we are certainly looking forward for the best of flagship products across categories. We started the year with more than 51new models of air conditioners in January. Now, we will focus on our home entertainment segment and new products under home appliances as well. Our lineup for flat panel display, in terms of technology, looks promising this year. Globally, we have started launching the new 3D models and the response is overwhelming enough for us to replicate in India. We will focus on smart TV and 3D TV this year. For LG, 2011 is all about smart products including smart TV.
In your previous role, you were responsible for the company's growing revenues and building LG Business Solutions Company as a leading supplier. to businesses. Do we see you repeating the same in India?
We have been successful in consumer business and the enterprise segment is also promising. We have an entire range of computing products, security surveillance equipments, projectors, digital signage solutions and other appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, air purifiers and air conditioners customised for small and medium businesses.
You are in close competition with Samsung and in certain segments, they are ahead of you as in LCD and they also intend to beat LG in other segments such as washing machine, air-conditioners and refrigerators. How do you see the competition and what will be your strategy?
LG is already the market leader in various categories and the sale of premium products is growing much faster than that of entry-level products. We are targeting 100 per cent growth in our flat panel display business over this year.
With a growing economy and increase in disposable incomes, we are optimistic that there will be huge demand for smart appliances as consumers are looking for products enhancing their lifestyle.
The mobile business has been a weak point for LG Electronics both globally and in India. What will be your strategy to strengthen the mobile vertical? Currently what is the contribution of India's mobile business to the overall global mobile segment at LG Corp? Is their any renewed target for India keeping in mind the 3G services?
We have launched products like Optimus 2 X 3D phone in the Consumer Electronics Show and Mobile World Congress. The response has been very good till now. Our focus is now going to be smart phones. In India we are planning to launch six smart phone brands on Optimus platform in 2011. Also we are planning to set up a new production line for the product next year at our greenfield facility in Pune. Already we have 12 models of 3G in our present line up and will be launching 16 more 3G models this year.
Do you see the entry-level barrier coming down in the smart phone categories?
Our Optimus One is a perfect example for the same — Android 2.2 at Rs 12,000 is the perfect choice for smart phone users. Optimus One is one of the best selling model for LG in both global and India markets.
India, as your first managing director KR Kim says, India is not one country but it is like 29 countries in one.
India is a vast country and it is fascinating to see its vast geography and how the dialects of people change after every 100 kilometres. I will be travelling across the country to understand the culture and meet our trade partners. It is critical to understand consumers. I will be meeting trade partners and consumers to understand the environment and strategise for the company accordingly.
In 2010, LGEIL conducted research of the rural and urban markets, based on which it was supposed to come out with a new doctrine… Can you share key findings?
Rural market is more sensitive to brands. It looks for reliability more than urban market and for this, they are ready to pay more. We have a rural insight team in place to understand the needs and demands of the rural customers. It has completed its first round of survey and preparing for the second round. These findings will certainly help us in customising the product according to the requirements of the rural customers. We would then narrow down to one or two critical features on the basis of the survey findings, which will go into our products and marketed with the right communication.
Which are the new product categories LG in getting into this year?
India is a key market for LG and we are certainly looking forward for the best of flagship products across categories. We started the year with more than 51new models of air conditioners in January. Now, we will focus on our home entertainment segment and new products under home appliances as well. Our lineup for flat panel display, in terms of technology, looks promising this year. Globally, we have started launching the new 3D models and the response is overwhelming enough for us to replicate in India. We will focus on smart TV and 3D TV this year. For LG, 2011 is all about smart products including smart TV.
In your previous role, you were responsible for the company's growing revenues and building LG Business Solutions Company as a leading supplier. to businesses. Do we see you repeating the same in India?
We have been successful in consumer business and the enterprise segment is also promising. We have an entire range of computing products, security surveillance equipments, projectors, digital signage solutions and other appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, air purifiers and air conditioners customised for small and medium businesses.
You are in close competition with Samsung and in certain segments, they are ahead of you as in LCD and they also intend to beat LG in other segments such as washing machine, air-conditioners and refrigerators. How do you see the competition and what will be your strategy?
LG is already the market leader in various categories and the sale of premium products is growing much faster than that of entry-level products. We are targeting 100 per cent growth in our flat panel display business over this year.
With a growing economy and increase in disposable incomes, we are optimistic that there will be huge demand for smart appliances as consumers are looking for products enhancing their lifestyle.
2011年3月3日星期四
Childproof knife block and other award-winning home safety designs on display in Chicago
The student design competition is sponsored by the International Housewares
Association (IHA) and has a different theme each year. This year students were tasked
with designing products that help children and disabled people live healthier and
safer lives. In 2011 the competition attracted 165 entries from 23 design schools
across North America and Europe. the winning designs were chosen by a jury of industry
professionals and retailers.
The winning entry, announced in February, was the Illumine - The Pathway to Safety
which was designed by Welsey York at the University of Southern Illinois. The Illumine
is an emergency lighting system which illuminates the floor and guides those inside to
safety via a series of LEDs.
Second prize was jointly awarded to Chet Larrow from the University of Cincinnati for
the Barnacle Air Purifier and Katyln Ross from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and
Design for her first aid system Quick Fix.
With the aid of a battery-powered motor the Barnacle Air Purifier extracts dirty air,
removes pollutants and re-circulates clean air into the home, while the Quick Fix
First Aid System organizes the contents of a first aid kit into smaller sections
complete with simple instructions - the designer claims this allows first aid
decisions to be made faster and the correct supplies easier to access.
Third place was awarded to three candidates, Brendan Joyce from Purdue University,
Kevin Wu from the University of Illinois and Yu Zou from Arizona State University.
Joyce designed the Safe Guardian, a rubbish disposal unit that automatically shuts
down when metallic objects are dropped in it, Wu designed the Eiffel, a single-serve
coffee brewer that rests over a cup and Zou designed The Block a knife block with a
safety lock which prevents children removing knives.
The latest home accessories and housewares will also be on display later in the year
at the Hong Kong Houseware Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center from
April 20-23.
Association (IHA) and has a different theme each year. This year students were tasked
with designing products that help children and disabled people live healthier and
safer lives. In 2011 the competition attracted 165 entries from 23 design schools
across North America and Europe. the winning designs were chosen by a jury of industry
professionals and retailers.
The winning entry, announced in February, was the Illumine - The Pathway to Safety
which was designed by Welsey York at the University of Southern Illinois. The Illumine
is an emergency lighting system which illuminates the floor and guides those inside to
safety via a series of LEDs.
Second prize was jointly awarded to Chet Larrow from the University of Cincinnati for
the Barnacle Air Purifier and Katyln Ross from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and
Design for her first aid system Quick Fix.
With the aid of a battery-powered motor the Barnacle Air Purifier extracts dirty air,
removes pollutants and re-circulates clean air into the home, while the Quick Fix
First Aid System organizes the contents of a first aid kit into smaller sections
complete with simple instructions - the designer claims this allows first aid
decisions to be made faster and the correct supplies easier to access.
Third place was awarded to three candidates, Brendan Joyce from Purdue University,
Kevin Wu from the University of Illinois and Yu Zou from Arizona State University.
Joyce designed the Safe Guardian, a rubbish disposal unit that automatically shuts
down when metallic objects are dropped in it, Wu designed the Eiffel, a single-serve
coffee brewer that rests over a cup and Zou designed The Block a knife block with a
safety lock which prevents children removing knives.
The latest home accessories and housewares will also be on display later in the year
at the Hong Kong Houseware Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center from
April 20-23.
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