Finance

Credit card scams have been part and parcel of the user experience since the first card was ever printed. With that being said, scammers and fraudsters have only gotten better at their jobs over the years. For that reason, Mark Hauser of Hauser Private Equity took it upon himself to share some keen insights about credit card fraud as well as how to overcome the situation when it presents itself.

What Is Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud is an umbrella term that refers to several different forms of illicit and non-consensual credit card use. A fraudster can acquire a lost or stolen card, purchase information off of the Dark Web, or even clone a copy of a credit card through the use of a card skimming machine. Purchases can be made before the victim ever notices that their card has gone missing, thus leading to adverse outcomes for their credit and financial security.

Common Types of Credit Card Fraud

• Lost or Stolen Card
• Cloned Credit or Debit Card
• Purchased Card Information Online
• New Account Registration Fraud

Identifying and Overcoming Credit Card Fraud

Mark Hauser has been working in his position at The Hauser Group since 1995, helping to build the company up throughout the years. Over that time, Hauser has come to understand several ways that individuals can identify and potentially overcome credit card fraud.

Let’s look at a few of Hauser’s best ideas for avoiding becoming a victim of fraud.

• Diverse Password Portfolio – One of the biggest sins of credit card security is the over-reliance on a personal password to maintain our network of accounts. Use a diverse portfolio of passwords that are changed regularly to protect your account.
• Avoid Public WiFi – The internet can be a scary and dangerous place for your credit card, so avoid going online and shopping when utilizing public WiFi. Unsecured wireless networks are a risk to you and your financial future.
• Use Secured Websites – Make it a point to shop on platforms that are secured. You can find out if a platform is secured by looking for a padlock icon to the left of the HTTPS section of the address bar.
• Don’t Save Online Details – Finally, Mark advocates getting into the habit of clearing out your card details when using the internet. A merchant’s platform may offer to remember your account information for your next login. Don’t let it!

If you run into an issue with your card, it is up to you to contact the bank that issued the card. Mark Hauser advocates quick and thorough responses, including the changing of all passwords, pins, and security details. Additionally, cardholders may reach out to the FTC before contacting Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

As businesses grow, so do their financial needs. Keeping track of financial transactions can be overwhelming and time-consuming for companies, especially when dealing with large amounts of data. This is where bookkeeping software comes in handy.

Bookkeeping software helps businesses manage their finances by automating bookkeeping tasks, reducing errors, and increasing efficiency.

UK bookkeeping software is a popular choice for businesses in the UK as it is designed to meet the specific financial reporting requirements of the country. UK bookkeeping software is developed by companies that understand the unique tax laws and accounting standards in the UK, making it the best UK bookkeeping software for businesses in the country.

However, implementing new software can be challenging, and getting staff to use it effectively can be even more difficult.

In this article, we will provide you with some tips on how to train your staff to use UK bookkeeping software effectively.

1. Start with the basics

Before you dive into the complexities of UK bookkeeping software, it is essential to start with the basics. Make sure your staff understands the fundamental principles of bookkeeping, such as debits and credits, balance sheets, and profit and loss statements. This will help them understand how the software works and why it is essential to use it correctly.

2. Provide training and resources

Once your staff has a basic understanding of bookkeeping, it’s time to provide them with training and resources to help them use the software effectively. Look for training courses or online tutorials that are specific to the UK bookkeeping software you have chosen. Provide access to user manuals, FAQ guides, and other resources that can help your staff answer their questions and troubleshoot issues.

3. Use a sandbox environment

A sandbox environment is a test environment that allows users to practice using software without affecting live data. Using a sandbox environment will give your staff the opportunity to explore the UK bookkeeping software without the risk of making costly mistakes. It will also help them become familiar with the software’s functionality and features.

4. Provide ongoing support

Implementing new software can be overwhelming, and your staff may have questions or concerns even after completing training. Provide ongoing support to help them navigate the software and troubleshoot issues. Encourage them to ask questions and seek help when needed.

5. Encourage collaboration

Encourage your staff to collaborate and share their knowledge and experience with each other. This will create a supportive learning environment and help your staff develop new skills and techniques for using the UK bookkeeping software effectively.

6. Set realistic goals

Set realistic goals for your staff to achieve when using the UK bookkeeping software. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, you could set a goal for your staff to reconcile bank statements within a specific timeframe or produce accurate financial reports on a monthly basis.

7. Monitor progress

Monitoring your staff’s progress is essential to ensure that they are using the UK bookkeeping software effectively. Use software tools to track usage and identify areas where additional training may be required. Review reports and financial statements regularly to ensure that they are accurate and reflect the business’s financial position.

In conclusion, UK bookkeeping software is an excellent tool for businesses in the UK to manage their finances efficiently. However, implementing new software can be challenging, and training staff to use it effectively is essential for success. By starting with the basics, providing training and resources, using a sandbox environment, providing ongoing support, encouraging collaboration, setting realistic goals, and monitoring progress, you can train your staff to use UK bookkeeping software effectively and improve your business’s financial performance. Remember, the best UK bookkeeping software is only as good as the staff using it, so invest in their training and development.

Tax is an unavoidable yet essential part of life, and it certainly pays to have a comprehensive plan in place for taxes. Investing in 80C tax-saving investments can be an ideal way for responsible taxpayers to save on taxes while ensuring their financial future is secure. While all tax saving investments under 80C can be beneficial, ELSS mutual funds are one efficient way to both save on taxes and invest for long-term growth.

Learn more about ELSS mutual funds and what additional benefits they have to offer over other 80C tax-saving options.

What is an ELSS mutual fund?

An ELSS mutual fund is an equity-based fund that invests mainly in stocks and shares of listed companies. Since they come with a tax benefit, ELSS funds are also known as tax saving mutual funds. In India, investments up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs (under section 80C) can be claimed as deductions from taxable income each year. This deduction helps ELSS investors reduce their tax liabilities significantly and make more money available for other investments or savings.

Furthermore, the ability to invest in ELSS online through a lump sum or a systematic investment plan (SIP) allows you to choose exactly how and when you want to invest, giving you more control over your finances.

Advantages of investing in ELSS mutual funds over other tax-saving options

• Flexibility and maximum liquidity

The lock-in period for ELSS investments is three years, which is much lower than the five or ten-year lock-in periods for other tax-saving instruments like public provident fund (PPF) (15 years), tax-saving bank FD (5 years) or the national savings system (5 years). This means that you have a shorter time frame to plan your investments and accrue returns while still being able to enjoy the same tax benefits.

Note that redeeming ELSS funds after three years is not mandatory, you can continue to stay invested.

• Diversification and portfolio diversification

Another advantage of investing in ELSS mutual funds is portfolio diversification. Since these schemes invest primarily in equities with a mix of large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks, they provide exposure to multiple sectors, which helps reduce market risks and volatility compared to investing in individual stocks directly. This means that if some stocks start performing poorly in your portfolio, others may pick up and help you maintain your overall performance level.

• Long-term capital appreciation through equities

Since ELSS funds invest predominantly in equity instruments, they are market linked and thus offer higher returns than other 80C investments. Note that, unlike PPF, you don’t get fixed returns with ELSS funds. The returns depend on how well the underlying stocks perform in the market. But if you can stomach the volatility and invest for a longer time frame, the returns can be significantly higher than the fixed-income products.

Conclusion

There are other 80C tax-saving options available, but ELSS funds offer all the advantages of mutual fund investment, including the potential for greater returns and increased diversification, plus an added bonus of getting your investment back in as early as three years. Knowing that you have this flexibility emphasises why many investors prefer to invest in ELSS funds over other 80C tax-saving options. For additional security, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a financial advisor who can help make decisions based on your financial capacity, risk appetite, and expectations from the scheme.

Like any app, Using a trading app for investment has its pros and cons. Here in this article, we are going to discuss the up and downs things of the application which we will be discussing here in the article.

Pros:

Convenience: Trading apps allow investors to access real-time market data, place trades, and manage their portfolios from their smartphones or tablets, which makes it easy to stay on top of market movements and make quick decisions when necessary. This means that investors can make trades at any time and from anywhere, making it easy to react to market changes or news.

Accessibility: Trading apps can provide access to new investors or those who may not have the time or resources to invest in traditional ways using the Best Stocks App.

Real-time market data: Many trading apps provide real-time stock quotes, charts, and other market data, which can be used to make informed investment decisions. This can be particularly useful for day traders or other investors who rely on real-time market data to make trades.

Portfolio management: Trading apps make it easy to manage your portfolio, many apps allow users to view their portfolio in real-time, as well as track their performance over time. This can be useful for investors who are looking to monitor their investments and make adjustments when necessary.

Tools and resources: Many trading apps offer a variety of tools and resources that can help investors make informed decisions, such as educational resources, research tools, and financial calculators or the Best Stocks Apps.

Cons:

Limited research capabilities: Some trading apps may not have the same level of research capabilities compared to web-based platforms, which can make it harder for investors to make informed decisions. This can limit the investor’s ability to make informed trades, especially for those who are new to the market.

Risk of addiction: Trading apps can be addictive, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly checking stock prices, which can lead to impulsive decision-making. This can lead to investors making decisions based on emotions rather than logic, which can lead to poor investment decisions and losses. You can avoid the same using the Best Stocks App.

Limited customization: Some trading apps may not have the same level of customization options compared to web-based platforms, which can make it harder for investors to tailor the app to their specific needs. This can limit the investor’s ability to make trades based on their personal preferences using these trading apps.

Security concerns: Some trading apps may not have the same level of security compared to web-based platforms, which can make it easier for hackers to steal personal information. This can compromise the investor’s account and result in significant financial losses.

In conclusion, trading apps can be a convenient and easy way to invest on the go, but it’s important to consider the pros and cons before using one. It’s important to do proper research, and make sure that the app has the necessary features and resources that meet the investors’ specific needs. Additionally, investors should also be aware of the potential security risks and take the necessary precautions to protect their personal information and investments using Market Trading App.

Forex trading is a speculative form of investment that involves buying and selling currencies to profit from market fluctuations. As one of the largest financial markets in the world, forex trading offers traders access to a potentially lucrative investment opportunity.

However, it is essential to recognise that there are many risks associated with this investment, so it is crucial for anyone considering getting involved in forex trading do their homework and learn about all aspects of this complex market before diving in headfirst.

High volatility

The first thing to understand about forex trading is that it can be highly volatile, which means prices can change rapidly during any given day or even within seconds. Managing your risk carefully and using stop orders to prevent significant losses is essential.

Trading platforms

Another critical consideration when trading forex is the trading platform that you use. There are many different types of software available, so it is essential to find one that suits your preferences and offers all the features you need. It would help if you also researched user reviews and ratings to ensure that other traders have had positive experiences with any platform you are considering.

Market fundamentals

In addition to understanding the basics of forex trading, it is also essential to learn about some key market drivers that can affect prices in this market. Market fundamentals such as interest rates, inflation rates, trade balances, employment levels, and central bank policies can significantly impact exchange rates, so staying up-to-date on news and events that may affect trading is essential.

Forex terms and definitions

Anyone involved in forex trading should familiarise themselves with the many essential terms and definitions used in this market. The most common include currency pairs, pips, spreads, leverage, margin, and pipettes. Learning about these and other concepts before investing in forex can improve your skills and limit your risk.

What role does technical and fundamental analysis play in forex trading?

Technical analysis is an essential tool for traders in the forex market, as it provides information about price trends and patterns that can help you predict future movements. This analysis relies on historical price movements, trading volume, and other market indicators to determine how prices may move in the future.

While technical analysis alone cannot guarantee success in the forex market, it can be a valuable resource for traders who want to minimise risk and increase their chances of generating profits. Whether you are new to forex trading or an experienced investor, understanding the basics of technical analysis can help you make more informed decisions about your investments.

Fundamental analysis is another important consideration when trading forex. This analysis relies on economic indicators such as interest rates, inflation levels, employment data, and other factors to determine the future price movements of currencies.

Why do UK traders use a forex broker?

It is essential to understand the crucial role of brokers in forex trading. Forex brokers are essentially the middlemen between traders and the market, and they can provide valuable support and guidance when embarking on a forex trading journey. Look for a broker that provides comprehensive educational resources and advanced tools to help you succeed in this competitive market.

What are the benefits of using a forex trading platform?

There are many benefits to using a forex trading platform, including access to advanced trading tools and research resources, competitive pricing, and the ability to leverage your funds for more significant investments.

Additionally, most platforms offer 24/7 customer support, so you can get help whenever needed. Ultimately, choosing a reputable forex trading platform is essential for anyone looking to start investing in the forex market.

The final word

With these fundamentals in mind, if you are considering getting involved in forex trading, starting with a solid understanding of the market and all its risks before diving in is essential. By researching and using a reliable trading platform, you can take advantage of the many opportunities in this exciting and lucrative market.

You might not feel like you have a firm grasp on your finances because you might be employing a budgeting strategy that doesn’t work. While not everyone requires a precise, balanced budget, having a budgeting approach or template is crucial if you want to understand where your money goes each month. There are many different budgeting frameworks, including the 70-20-10 budget.

What is the 70-20-10 budget?

The 70-20-10 budget gives a loose budgeting approach that streamlines what may be a challenging procedure, similar to other budgeting principles such as the 50-30-20 rule. Your post-tax income is into three categories by the 70-20-10 budgeting rule: monthly expenses, savings, debt repayment, and charitable contributions.

Make 70:20:10 your rule

The simplicity of the 70:20:10 rule is one of its significant features. Distribute your funds among them. It’s done. However, the amount of money it may earn you is enormous. As you pay off your debts and get your bills under control, you acquire a better understanding of your finances and can start building a healthy savings account & investment options.

Spending accounts for 70% of income

You would first need to be able to survive on 70% of your income. 70 percent of your take-home earnings, or net income after taxes, to be precise. Therefore, you must include all of your needs in this area and any expensive extras.

Once you know your weekly or monthly take-home pay, you may use basic algebra to determine what 70% of that amount would be. You must keep all of your living expenditures under that amount.

Set aside 20% for investments and savings

According to the 70-20-10 budget, you should save or invest 20% of your income. If you don’t already have one, you can contribute some of your income to an emergency fund or use a high-yield checking account to benefit from compound interest or power of compounding. This not only ensures that you will have money when you need it, but it also increases your overall income.

Use the remaining 10% for charitable contributions or debt reduction

The remaining ten percent of your budget is allocated to charitable giving or debt repayment. This debt category applies to obligations that aren’t immediately due, such as making further student loans or medical debt payments. On the other hand, minimum fees, such as those for credit card debt or auto loans, typically fit within your monthly expenses.

How do you ‘bucket’ your money?

The 70:20:10 guideline and bucketing your money are complementary budgeting strategies that require dividing your funds among certain uses. Using your bank accounts for bucketing might be beneficial because most today offer simple internet access to monitor your balance and transaction history.

It’s time to fill your buckets once you’ve decided on a bank and have everything set up. The simplest method to put the concept into practise is to set up recurring transfers from the account into which your money is paid to top up each of your distinct buckets. If you set this up with online banking, you could be less likely to manually forget to transfer the funds each pay period. Doing this can ensure that the money is saved in your buckets before you need it.

Conclusion

By dividing your money into these predetermined categories, you may better manage your daily expenditures, stay on top of your debt, and have the ability to accumulate savings. The 70:20:10 guideline can be complemented by the budgeting strategy known as bucketing, which divides your money into many accounts, each with a specific function, to help you keep track of where you might be overpaying.

UPI or Unified Payment Interface has revolutionised banking transactions. Payments through mobile phones have become very easy thanks to the UPI payment apps. You can pay someone just by scanning a quick response, i.e., a QR code. UPI apps differ from the initial version of net-banking facilities.

Both banks and non-banking institutions work in collaboration to manage UPI apps and payments. Whether you are an iOS or Android user, you can download and use the UPI payment app.

What is UPI payment and how to do it?

UPI payments are alternatives to online fund transfers such as IMPS, NEFT, RTGS etc. These are fast, secure, and reliable and, you can transfer funds up to 2 lakhs per day within seconds.

After opening a bank account online, you can easily pay people. UPI banking apps have eviscerated the need to carry cash nowadays. Payment with UPI apps involves the following simple steps:

• Log into the account and click on the option that allows you to carry out payments
• Either select a beneficiary from the contact or type the mobile number of the beneficiary
• Type the amount you want to pay and then validate the transaction by entering the OTP sent to you through SMS.

Now that you know what UPI bank apps are, let’s look at the benefits of these apps:

• Payments can be completed within a minute:

In the past, if you wanted to deposit a high-value sum into another account, you needed to visit the bank in person. Conversely, with UPI apps, you don’t need to adjust your schedule anymore. With a few simple clicks, payment can be completed within a minute. Moreover, you can carry out the payment at whatever time. Be it in the middle of the day or even the midnight, UPI apps don’t have any time restrictions.

• These apps have simplified payments:

Before UPI apps, to transfer money to another bank account, you needed to enter the bank account number and the bank branch IFSC code. But with these apps, all you need to do is either scan the QR code or enter the mobile number or UPI ID of the one you are sending money.

• Opening an account has become easier:

Before the introduction of net-banking services, even the smallest banking services required you to visit the bank physically. Be it making a payment or track expenditures, offline banking took time. But nowadays, these services can be completed quickly. For example, you are thinking of signing up for a current account. Instead of visiting the bank physically, you can complete the current account opening on the app. All you need to do is fill in the application form and provide official documents that could verify the information provided on the form.

• You could make use of the auto-pay feature:

One of the most salient features of UPI apps is the feature of auto-payments. Through this feature, you need to set up a standing instruction with the bank to automatically deduct a certain sum from your bank account for payment on a set date. For example, With IDFC FIRST Bank’s mobile banking app, you can mandate standing instructions for utility bill payments, mutual fund SIPs, and credit card payments.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) which has launched UPI apps has created a payments platform that’s both hassle-free and cashless. It is very easy to understand and use a UPI app.

Investors look for investment possibilities to get consistent returns, build wealth over the long term, and reduce taxes. Although many investment opportunities result in earnings, they are taxed by Income Tax regulations.

An investor can properly save on income taxes by making investments in well-known tax-saving securities. The Equity Linked Savings Scheme, also known as ELSS funds, is one of the best tax-saving options.

What are ELSS Mutual Funds?

Under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act of 1961, an individual or HUF may deduct up to Rs. 1.5 lacs from their total income by investing in an equity-linked savings scheme (ELSS).

As a result, if an individual invested Rs. 50,000 in an ELSS, her total taxable income would be reduced, lowering her tax liability.

The lock-in period for these programs is three years from the date of unit allocation. The units can be redeemed or swapped after the lock-in period has ended. ELSS provides dividend and growth alternatives. Systematic Investment Plans (SIP) are another avenue for investors, and contributions up to 1.5 lakh made in a fiscal year are eligible for tax exemption.

Features of ELSS Funds

Lowest Lock-in Period: When it comes to tax-saving investments, equity-linked savings schemes have the shortest lock-in Period. After a three-year lock-in period, the assets may be revised. ELSS funds may provide a greater return than public provident funds, traditional tax-saving fixed deposits, national pension plans, and others.

Save Tax: Under section 80C of the Act, investments in ELSS funds offer a tax benefit of up to 1.5 lakh. It enables tax savings and higher earnings. Utilizing tax deductions aids you in planning your taxable income.

Investment method: SIP or lump sum investments are both acceptable for ELSS. Rupee cost averaging is available while investing in SIP mode, saving the hassle of making a single large investment. As a result, investing in the SIP method does not feel expensive.

Management of the invested sum: ELSS are managed by experts familiar with market circumstances and aware of market ups and downs. These fund managers are in charge of overseeing all investments made through ELSS.

Tax Treatment In ELSS Funds

One of the most often used strategies for tax planning is equity-linked savings schemes, or ELSS funds, which are mutual funds that save on taxes. Because the returns are based on stock market performance, these funds may produce higher returns than other tax-saving instruments. The majority of ELSS funds’ corpus is typically invested in equity.

Under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act of 1961, you are eligible for an income deduction for ELSS of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh in a fiscal year. This results in tax savings of Rs. 46,800 if you are in the highest income category.

Reasons to invest in ELSS Funds

Pay less and get more

You can claim a deduction and lower your taxable income by up to Rs. 1,50,000 annually under Section 80C of the IT Act.

Trading without money

ELSS investments have the shortest lock-in period of Section 80C investments, at just three years.

Convert into delivery

If you fall under the highest tax bracket and fully utilise Section 80C provisions, investing in ELSS Mutual Funds will help you save up to Rs. 46,800 annually.

Final Thoughts

Investors must evaluate the long-term profits of various schemes before investing because ELSS investments are for the long term. All ELSS plans devote at least 65% of their funds to equity funds and the remaining portion to debt. A decent strategy for choosing an ELSS scheme is to consider the scheme’s historical performance over a five to ten-year period, the consistency of the fund and company, and how long the fund manager has been managing the fund.

Make sure the scheme’s portfolio includes a variety of large, mid, and small-cap stocks since this will allow it to provide positive returns over different market cycles. Plans that invest in various companies and industries are also better able to endure any cyclical market turbulence. For returns greater than any other tax-saving investment strategy, investors must hold their investments for at least five to seven years.

New exchange trading stages enable executing social events to trade consistently through a web affiliation. The web-based new exchange market is open every day of the week, from basically any region of the planet. This straightforward electronic permission engages clients to follow and stay invigorated on the exchange rates that are consistently advancing. Believe it or not, this unsound market has cash costs fluctuating continually!

The money trading stage works inside cost explanations that are definitely the subsequent they are shown, yet also (generally) inside the accompanying 10 seconds or less. As money vendors, any little change in esteem advancement can vehemently alter our advantage and disaster potential, so zeroing in on the specific grandstand of cost instabilities persistently is significantly judicious.

The money exchange market interfaces with the use of committed ‘client locks’ on each gotten to and the closed rate which enables the singular executing to get to a comparable rate at a later stage. The trading stage executes the trades that are immediately dealt with. It in like manner enables the client to benefit from cutting-edge exchange rates that are known to alter rapidly over the direction of the day, with the high places and depressed spots from a genuine perspective playing track down the stowaway with you. The stage also shows the most current rates for the client assessments of advantage and hardship potential.

Each Forex trading account is maintained by some item that talks with distant servers by sending in the most recent exchange rates. The exchange rates displayed in the Forex trading stage are really clear and Infosys share price tradable.

While using a serious cash exchange stage, the client can choose to lock and trade at a rate displayed around then. This current ‘freeze rate’ stays genuine however lengthy it is shown and the accompanying rate jumps up inside several minutes.

Each trading record will moreover routinely consolidate extraordinary web accounting programming to engage the client to get to a record clarification whenever the individual being referred to necessities to separate the market situation while making game plans for trade. Exactly when in an open trade position this accounting programming will normally revive the record verbalization considering the fluctuating cash costs.

The trading account works entirely as per the client’s perspective. The record balance calculations are direct and can give the latest expense proclamations at a basic snap of the mouse. Furthermore, this without restoring the page!

The revived data is continually given inside the record status screens. The trading stage made for the cash exchange market enables the speedy ‘Exchange’ demand when a trade is executed. The data relevant to a particular trade is taken care of with a raised level of security and is sent off a portrayed data server which stores the kept data and produces support in an alternate server farm.

This connection is expected to ensure the reliability of the data trustworthiness without actually any opportunity for mixed-up human intervention. The item in this manner guarantees accuracy, things being what they are. While Trading Account App, reliably get together with a good financial establishment or server. This is to ensure that you would have no need to worry about security issues using any and all means.

There is a tendency for headlines to promote the idea that high streets are losing their place within cities and towns as customers begin prioritising online sales over brick and mortar experiences. However, while high street retailers have certainly become familiar with the challenges of changing demand, there is actually a substantial amount of evidence to suggest that brick and mortar retail remains not only popular among younger shoppers but also that it is growing too.

When investigating the retail preferences of Generation Z, over 80% of respondents confirmed they enjoy shopping in brick and mortar stores. Other studies demonstrate a similar fondness for the experience offered by physical stores over the distance of online retailers, and many believe that the value of the high street is now being celebrated as a result of the lockdowns with many customers seeking tangible and social experiences.

The effects of a pandemic on the nation’s high street are still being scrutinised with the transition into a post-pandemic society also bringing about its own changes. However, the idea that personal interaction has grown in popularity is very clear. Customers are returning to the high street to interact with retailers and products, having realised the value of the experience.

Retailers are capitalising on this by further emphasising the experience of retail, offering events alongside their products. These activities have a broad range, with examples like coffee tasting sessions at Nespresso stores to spa experiences at Lush being among the most popular.

In addition to experiential retail, shoppers are showing a greater preference for efficiency of purchase. This means that, when comparing online delivery options, which typically take one or two days, with the same-day pick-up options of click and collect, customers are choosing the more immediate option.

This is leading stores to dedicate retail space and services to click and collect operations, promoting same-day purchases on sign fittings, drawing in customers who would prefer to visit the high street if it means obtaining their chosen product more quickly.

Younger generations are also seeking out spaces that support social media activity, a need which is being met by retailers who are offering backdrops and products that can be photographed and shared online. This social media stylisation of retail stores, with an emblematic preference for brightly lit rooms, neon signs, and statement displays is drawing shoppers in who not only want to browse and purchase products but share the activity online too, drawing from a brand’s interior design to the benefit of their own profile.

Many business owners are also meeting the specific desires of younger generations too, filling window displays with designs that adhere to popular trends, as well as placing an emphasis on ethical purchases, such as carbon-neutral manufacturing and upcycled products. By doing so, retailers are establishing a personal relationship with their customers who are increasingly loyal to brands that they believe suit and support their personal image, both visually and ethically too.