Shopping in a mad world

from w
This isn't Geelong but it could be any kind of city in the Christmas or post Christmas shopping season. Crazy world we live in. All for an X-box. I dislike going into town this time of the year because of all the trashy items for sale that have nothing to do with the 'real meaning' of Christmas, which is actually about humility, poverty, and the birth of a special child. Expensive presents are really to do with sale pitches and the economy, not about spirituality and kindness.

An American woman who pepper-sprayed other shoppers during US holiday sales so she could get an Xbox video game console at a deep discount has turned herself in.

The woman surrendered at a police station following the incident late on Thursday (local time), which left at least 10 people injured on the biggest shopping day of the year in the US.

Her name has not been released but she has been described as being in her 30s.

"The investigation is still ongoing," said Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Bruce Borihahn, adding that the woman's name and eventual charges filed against her would be made public at a later time.

"We have several victims and witnesses that need to be interviewed to determine what appropriate actions need to be taken."

In Thursday's incident at a Walmart store in the Porter Ranch neighbourhood, the woman - trying to take advantage of low "doorbuster" prices on the Xbox console - turned a can of mace on other shoppers as the store opened late at night.

The woman was able to purchase the Xbox and leave the store before police arrived.
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from the Geelong Advertiser:
Aussies set to spend $25bn on Christmas
27 November 2011 By Lema Samandar

RETAILERS are more optimistic about sales in the lead-up to Christmas this year amid predictions of another interest rate drop. Australian National Retailers Association CEO Margy Osmond said that over the next four weeks, Australians are set to spend nearly $25 billion. That's more $1000 a day for each person and a four per cent rise in spending from last year.

"The difference between this Christmas and last Christmas is that we've had a decrease in interest rates," Ms Osmond told reporters in Sydney on Sunday. "Last christmas the RBA put rates up just before Christmas and it killed it stone dead. This year I think people are feeling a little more comfortable. There's not any doubt that another interest rate cut will be right up the top of the Santa list of just about every retailer in the country." Ms Osmond said consumers would be looking for "experiences" among their gifts. "People are going to be buying lots of vouchers this year," she said. "It could be anything from a hot air balloon ride to a massage."

According to forecasts, this Christmas will also bring good news for department stores.

A survey by the retailers association found that about 35 per cent of Australians expect to shop in-store at a discount department store, while almost a third indicated they will shop at traditional department stores. About 13 per cent of people will choose to shop online, up 1 per cent from last year.