'Panic Saturday' to draw 12m shoppers out in search of last-minute Presents

The busiest day in the festive shopping calendar is expected on Saturday as shops kick off their post-Christmas sales a week early. On the final Saturday before Christmas, also known as “Panic Saturday”, experts predict that high streets will be bustling as many retailers slash their prices for last-minute bargain hunters.

Outlets including River Island, H&M, Sports Direct, Argos and Sainsbury are already offering huge seasonal discounts, with many more sales due to be brought forward.

Those who still have Christmas shopping to do will be pleased to know that discounts are expected to average 45%, according to Deloitte. A mild autumn and low Black Friday sales have left businesses desperate to shift a buildup of stock, and around 12.6 million Britons are expected to hit the sales in search of cut-price buys, industry experts said.

Because Christmas Day falls on a Friday this year, “Panic Saturday” is expected to kick off a £6bn, six-day spending spree – 23% more than the same period last year, when Christmas fell on a Thursday.

Jason Gordon, consumer business partner at Deloitte, said: “Compared with 2014, there is already a noticeable increase in both the volume and value of discounts in the runup to Christmas this year. Whilst this is good news for consumers looking to grab a bargain, it is a clear sign that retailers are being faced with what is now an annual uphill battle.”

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Milton Keynes' Midsummer Place oak tree 'drowned', says builder

A protected oak tree in the middle of a multimillion-pound shopping center "drowned" from poor drainage, a builder of the site has claimed.

Midsummer Place in Milton Keynes opened around the great oak in 2000, but the tree soon began shedding its leaves.
Bernard Nichols said a team wrongly dug out drainage pipes when a new section was built, meaning the oak often sat in up to two feet of water when it rained.
Experts are due to assess the tree for signs of life on Monday.
It is one of just two great oaks in the new town of Milton Keynes, which was built in the 1960s and 1970s.
The shopping centre, now owned by Intu, said a report in 2013 showed the tree was in a "mortality spiral" and "unless there is a miracle, it is dead".

 

 

The tree regularly sat in up to two feet of water during rain, Mr Nichols said

"We have to work out what to do because it could become unstable, rot away and be a danger to the public," a spokesman said.
"It will have to be taken away, if that's what the council and specialists say."
Mr Nichols, who helped construct the shopping centre, told BBC Three Counties that when the area around New Look was being developed, a different team to his dug out a pipe that was supposed to help drainage.
"Our people came running in and said 'whatever you're going to do, you'll destroy everything that's in here'," he said.
"'Oh it won't, the water will get away,' they said. But the water never did get away, and we've seen it in about a foot, two foot of water.
"It drowned for definite."
He said a proposed canopy to protect the tree never materialised either, meaning rainwater had nowhere to go.
A public consultation on the redevelopment of the centre, including the area where the tree stands, begins this week.
Source: http://goo.gl/ilymlU

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Mikimoto opens flagship store in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands

Japanese luxury pearl jeweller Mikimoto celebrates its 120th birthday with the opening of a flagship boutique in Singapore at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Mikimoto, the renowned Japanese luxury pearl jeweller, marks its 120th year in the business of pearl cultivation and superior craftsmanship. The brand kicks off its 120th birthday festivities with the grand opening of a flagship boutique in Singapore at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
The 409-square-foot space’s blue-and-white colour palette is inspired by the very core of Mikimoto – the deep blue sea where pearl oysters reside and luminescent pearls are born. This simple yet elegant interior resonates with the classic signature design of Mikimoto creations. After all, the brand is the jewellery creator and designer for the Japanese Royal family.

A World of Creativity

For its 120th anniversary, the jewellery house presents the collection, A World of Creativity. This water-themed collection showcases cascading pearls and diamonds in a series of stylised waterfalls – blending both the beauty of nature and the glamour of pearls.

From left: White Bouquet, Mebius and Tales of Flowers

Three one-of-a-kind Mikimoto pearl creations have also been specially flown into Singapore for this double celebration – the White Bouquet necklace, the Mebius necklace and the Tales of Flowers tiara. The stunning Mebius necklace is a true display of the brand’s craftsmanship. Rows of Ayoka pearls are set in 18k white gold and accented by brilliant diamonds to drape around the neck like an elegant scarf, proving that pearls are truly high fashion accessories.
resource:http://www.herworldplus.com/shopping/updates/mikimoto-opens-flagship-store-singapore-marina-bay-sands

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Tim Ho Wan to open third outlet in Singapore

Michelin-starred dim sum eatery Tim Ho Wan plans to open its third Singapore outlet at Bedok Mall before Christmas this year


Popular Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan from Hong Kong will be opening its third Singapore offshoot at Bedok Mall.
The 2,200 sq ft restaurant is expected to open, along with the rest of the mall, before Christmas this year.
Tim Ho Wan is known for drawing in the crowds, both in Singapore and Hong Kong. Patrons often stand in line for between one and two hours for a taste of its char siew buns and other dimsum.
The Hong Kong restaurant chain opened its first Singapore outlet, an 80-seat restaurant, at Plaza Singapura in April. Its second outlet opened recently in Lorong 6 Toa Payoh.

 

Tim Ho Wan outlet at Plaza Singapura. PHOTO: ST.com

Behind the restaurants here is Hersing Corporation, a brand manager and service provider of global franchise brands including remittance service provider Western Union. The company had previously owned ERA Realty Network which has since been sold to private equity firm Northstar.
Hersing Corporation is collaborating with the dim sum restaurant's chef-owner Mak Kwai Pui, 50, who runs four successful restaurants in Hong Kong, including ones at IFC Mall in Central and Sham Shui Po. The chef's original outlet in Mongkok, which earned its first Michelin star in 2009, has since relocated to a different building in the same area. Chef Mak's outlet in Sham Shui Po is the only other outlet that has a Michelin star. The rest do not.
resource:http://www.herworldplus.com/lifestyle/food/tim-ho-wan-open-third-outlet-singapore

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First Vabene stand-alone boutique now open in Singapore

Vabene, an all-original Italian watch brand, has opened its first official boutique in Singapore’s Mandarin Gallery in the heart of Orchard Road


An all-Italian brand, Vabene is not just about watches. The brand also advocates fun and creativity in life, which is apparent from the vibrant colours and sleek décor of its first official boutique in Mandarin Gallery on Orchard Road in Singapore.


Customers will be wowed the moment they set eyes upon the Vabene boutique in Mandarin Gallery, which aims to mimic a white canvas with brilliant splashes of fun colours. Watches will be displayed in coloured cube-shaped cases, adding another dose of fun to your shopping experience.
A raucous cocktail party was thrown during the official opening of the Vabene boutique by Vabene’s Creative Director Chen Chu Grimoldi. With the apt theme of “loud and bold”, the party witnessed an array of guests and celebrities, including Mediacorp artistes Vivian Lai, Ben Yeo, Cavin Soh and Constance Song.
Vabene reaches out to modern women, with a watch collection for every personality, outfit, or occasion. Trademarks include the Flash timepiece, an innovative design specially illuminated by LED lights, and the Classico Pavè timepiece adorned with a glimmering array of chromatic crystals to complement your glamorous outfit.
resource: http://www.herworldplus.com/shopping/updates/first-vabene-stand-alone-boutique-now-open-singapore

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