Rising cost forces expat families to tighten belt

“The effect of the slow business is telling on my income and I've been making a lot of sacrifices especially on our monthly shopping. The family has to forgo many things like regular shopping for clothes, shoes and other luxuries.

“I used to buy branded dresses and shoes for both my wife and daughter, but all that has changed; we go for less expensive, still quality, wears and exercise some control on the way we spend our little change," he said.
The Arab expatriate, who lives in a three-room apartment with his nurse wife and daughter, said he has been able to cope with the full support of his wife who assists with her monthly income.

“I am desperately looking for a job now before my account goes into red, especially now that we are expecting a new baby, and if things remain as they are, I may consider relocating to my country," he said.

Teen boys charged for shopping centre arson

A 16-year-old boy accused of deliberately lighting a fire which destroyed a major western Sydney shopping complex has been ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment.

The boy is one of two 16-year-old youths who appeared before the Parramatta Children's Court Magistrate Sharon Holdsworth today, both charged with "recklessly destroying by means of fire" the Wentworthville Shopping Centre in Dunmore Street, Wentworthville on Monday July 21.

Police alleged the blaze which erupted at 4.40pm was deliberately lit with cigarette lighters and an accelerant.

More than $1 million in damage was caused to retail outlets and the centre's Bio-lo Discount store by the fire which was battled by more than a dozen NSW Fire Brigade units drawn from Sydney's west.

Magistrate Holdsworth declined to hear a bail application for one of the boys, who was arrested on Thursday at his parents Wentworthville home, until he had undergone psychiatric from Juvenile Justice Health.

Suitors line up for Steve & Barry’s

The chain now has 15 stores in California, with other Bay Area locations in San Francisco, Great Mall of the Bay Area in Milpitas and Eastridge shopping center in San Jose.

Bay Harbour Management is reported to have a plan in which it would keep from 125 to 200 of Steve & Barry’s 276 stores open.

Paige Allen, general manager of NewPark, told the Business Times in an earlier interview she hopes her mall’s store will survive, saying it has been very successful.

The Journal also reported that Steve & Barry’s management is trying to put together an alternative buyout group from a group of bidders who have shown interest in individual properties and store assets. However, that effort has been unsuccessful to date.

Poor economic conditions are taking a heavy toll on the retail industry locally and nationwide.

Try a home-grown shopping holiday

So inured am I to the normality of that reality that I didn't realise how low my expectations of the British shopping experience had sunk.

That hit me in a tiny sports shop in Ivybridge last week. I'd forgotten my trainers and went in anticipating the least - a cheapo stop-gap pair, perhaps. But I was greeted by a chap who would not let me leave until he'd measured my feet, checked my running gait, fitted me, given me advice (and socks) to prevent blisters, and passed on the knowledge that Nike trainers are "plastic rubbish that don't fit" (a suspicion that I've always had, but how nice to have it confirmed by an honest expert).

I know that you can get such attention in some obscure places in London, but I've never found them. Thanks to Mr Ivybridge, I now have the best running shoes I've ever owned.

Amazon Green Product Shopping Guide

Amazon.com has launched Amazon Green, a cross-category program that includes a list of products that customers have selected as the best green products offered by Amazon.com and a place for customers to discover Amazon's entire green product selection.

The Amazon Green product guide includes obvious stuff like Reusable Grocery Totes, energy saving bulbs, and Seventh Generation Bathroom Tissue.

The more interesting green products in the user generated list include the Sunforce 50044 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit, Spinning Composter, and the Delta Fluidics Water Amplifying Adjustable Showerhead.
More details on the Amazon Green Guide.