National Inventors Hall of Fame Announces 2020 Inductees at CES

Honorees’ Contributions to Society Are Centerpiece of May Event

LAS VEGAS

—

Jan. 7, 2020

— Twenty-two innovation pioneers were announced today as the National Inventors Hall of Fame

(NIHF) 2020 class of Inductees on stage at CES

These innovators, whose landmark inventions range from the hard hat to the sports bra, will be celebrated as the newest class of Inductees during the NIHF Induction Ceremony. In partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), NIHF will honor these Inductees in Washington, D.C. on May 6-7 at one of the innovation industry’s most highly anticipated events — “The Greatest Celebration of American Innovation

.”

“My passion for science and creating led me to a career in engineering,” said 2020 Inductee Raffaello D’Andrea, a pioneer of mobile robotic material handling for order fulfillment, professor at ETH Zurich and founder of Verity. “It’s an honor to be recognized alongside Mick Mountz and Pete Wurman for our accomplishments at Kiva Systems.”

THE CLASS OF 2020

• R. Rox Anderson: Laser Dermatology

Anderson has improved lives across the world with his invention of laser dermatology treatments and procedures that are now commonly used to remove birthmarks, scars and other skin lesions.

• Sylvia Blankenship and Edward Sisler (Posthumous): 1-MCP for Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Freshness

Blankenship and Sisler invented 1-MCP, a compound that has become essential in preventing food waste, and increasing accessibility to fresh fruits, vegetables and cut flowers.

• Dana Bookbinder, Ming-Jun Li and Pushkar Tandon: Bend-Insensitive Optical Fiber

Bookbinder, Li and Tandon invented the bend-insensitive ClearCurve

optical fiber. Because it can bend without significant signal loss, ClearCurve optical fiber has reached locations previously inaccessible to optical fiber and advanced data transmission across an array of industries.

• Lisa Lindahl, Hinda Miller and Polly Smith: Sports Bra

Lindahl, Miller and Smith invented the sports bra, a revolutionary garment that has enabled women’s participation in athletic activities and advanced women’s health and well-being.

• James McEwen: Automatic Surgical Tourniquet

McEwen invented the first microprocessor-controlled automatic surgical tourniquet system, and his innovations ensure safer outcomes in nearly 20,000 surgeries across the world each day.

• Mick Mountz, Peter Wurman and Raffaello D’Andrea: Mobile Robotic Material Handling for Order Fulfillment

Mountz, Wurman and D’Andrea invented the Kiva system, a revolutionary warehouse order fulfillment system that uses mobile robots and control software to bring inventory shelves to workers, dramatically improving all aspects of fulfillment operations.

• Margaret Wu: Synthetic Lubricants

Wu advanced the field of synthetic lubricants, and she has revolutionized the way both automotive and industrial lubricants are designed and synthesized.

• James Abercrombie and Harry Cameron: Blowout Preventer (BOP); (Posthumous)

Abercrombie and Cameron invented the world’s first reliable blowout preventer (BOP) to successfully contain catastrophic blowouts from oil and natural gas wells. This mechanism allowed operators to close wells, control pressure during drilling operations, protect the environment and save lives.

• Stewart Adams and John Nicholson: Ibuprofen (Posthumous)

Adams and Nicholson co-developed ibuprofen, which is used worldwide to safely and effectively treat pain, fever and inflammation related to conditions from headaches to arthritis.

• Evelyn Berezin: Computer Systems for Business Use (Posthumous)

An expert in logic design and data transmission, Berezin invented a computer reservations system for airlines and founded a company that developed the first computerized standalone word processor for business use.

• Edward W. Bullard: Hard Hat (Posthumous)

Bullard invented the hard hat, the first commercially available industrial head protection device. Originally designed for miners, hard hats are now used by millions of people in an array of industries.

•

Floyd Smith: Modern Parachute (Posthumous)

Smith invented the modern parachute. A trapeze artist turned aviator, Smith’s invention led to the creation of the parachute industry and provided safe landings across the world, saving countless lives.

•

Frank Zybach: Center-Pivot Irrigation (Posthumous)

Zybach invented the center-pivot irrigation technology that has revolutionized agricultural production not only in America’s heartland but throughout the world.

For full biographies of each Inductee, visit

https://www.invent.org/inductees/new-inductees

THE CELEBRATION

The class of 2020 will be honored at “The Greatest Celebration of American Innovation,” a two-day event held in our nation\’s capital. Danica McKellar — star of the TV show “The Wonder Years,” Hallmark Channel regular, and author of New York Times bestselling McKellar Math books — will serve as master of ceremonies.

• May 6 – Illumination Ceremony at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum

at the USPTO Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, where new Inductees will place their names on illuminated hexagonsin the museum’s Gallery of Icons

™

• May 7 – The 48

Annual National Inventors Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

will be held at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., where the new Inductee class will be honored for its contributions to society during an evening event including a black-tie dinner, ceremony and after party. To learn more about the event, visit

https://www.invent.org/induction

“Innovation is the foundation for everything we do at the National Inventors Hall of Fame,” said NIHF CEO Michael Oister. “Our class of 2020 — and their world-changing inventions as diverse as ibuprofen, optical fiber, the word processor and the parachute — will be incorporated into our Innovation Ecosystem and our leading children’s STEM programs such as Camp Invention.”

The 2020 National Inventors Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is sponsored by the USPTO, Qualcomm, AgroFresh, Corning, North Carolina State University and Red Point Digital.

About the National Inventors Hall of Fame

The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) is the premier nonprofit organization in America dedicated to recognizing inventors and invention, promoting creativity, and advancing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Founded in 1973 in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, NIHF is committed to not only honoring the individuals whose inventions have made the world a better place, but to ensuring American ingenuity continues to thrive in the hands of coming generations through its national, hands-on educational programming and collegiate competitions focused on the exploration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Explore the NIHF Museum

digitally

in Google Arts & Culture’s “Once Upon a Try” project

For more information, visit

invent.org

To nominate an inventor for Induction, visit

invent.org/nominate

New Jersey and Pennsylvania continue to dominate the sports betting market

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 9, 2020)–A year and a half ago, the US Senate decided to legalize online sports betting at a national level. It was a decision that shook the global betting industry – the world\’s largest market had just opened the floodgates… or so it seemed.

What followed has been a protracted, confusing state-by-state process that has left all of US\’ states at different stages of the legalization process. The federal setup in the US has led to a patchwork effect across the country with each state deciding on whether or not to allow sports betting as well as setting their unique restrictions, fees and tax rates.

At the time of writing, there are two frontrunners in this current situation; New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It was the former that set the standards early on by creating an attractive environment for sportsbooks and customers alike. Low tax rates and an easy licensing setup which involved partnering with existing casinos meant that sportsbooks flooded into the Garden state. The most crucial decision may have been to allow full and unrestricted access online. This decision stood in stark contrast to Nevada, which requires an in-person sign-up deposit and withdrawal. Many expect the Garden State to overtake Nevada in gambling revenue soon. You can now enjoy the largest selection of

sportsbooks in New Jersey

Pennsylvania took a little longer to get off the ground. The 36% tax rate, and license fee of $10 million, proved an initial stumbling block for sportsbooks. However, the lure of 13 million potential customers soon attracted the likes of Sugarhouse and eventually Fanduel, DraftKings and other followed suit. It expected that the number of

PA sportsbooks in 2020

would grow to compete with NJ.

Both states boast a vast number of sports teams which will have attracted sportsbooks. PA alone is home to the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburg Pirates in the MLB; the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Steelers in the NFL; the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburg Penguins as well as the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. NJ is home to the New York Jets and New York Giants in the NFL and the New Jersey Devils in the NHL.

The only state that could compete with both NJ and PA online in 2020 will be Indiana. There are currently only three IN sports books; FanDuel, DraftKings and BetRivers. It is expected that 2020 will be the year that Hoosier State begins to compete with NJ and PA.

NJ is expected to retain the crown for best state for sports betting in 2020. The gaming commission is considering to legalize esports, which could lead to even more growth. Currently, 80% of sports bets in NJ are placed via mobile betting, a trend that is set to continue as sports books continue to pump investment into their apps. New Jersians also love their basketball – in the first year, there were $200,000,000 more wagers placed on basketball than the second most popular – football.

Pennsylvania is still set to reach its full potential. There have been murmurs of a reduced tax on sports books setting up shop in the Keystone state. This would increase the state\’s competitiveness, especially concerning newcomers like Indiana and West Virginia.

images courtesy of unsplash.com

TIPS AND SNIPPETS: Thief Strikes Local Car Dealerships; LGBTQ Curriculum Arrives at 12 Schools

UPDATED:

Lt. Steve Burkhardt, spokesman for the Gloucester City Police Department, said \”Both cases are still under investigation and no charges have been signed at this time.\”

by CNBNewsnet

TRUCK THIEF BUSY IN GLOUCESTER CITY

—A brazen pickup truck thief that struck two different car dealerships in Gloucester City was the focus of a recent

Fox29 report.

One of the thefts occurred January 2, 2020 after 7PM at CW Clarke\’s Auto, located on US Route 130 south near the Gloucester City/Brooklawn border and the other was a week or so before at Gormley\’s Auto, US Route 130 and Klemm Avenue, also in Gloucester City.

There was a Haddon Township gas station robbed at Route 130 and Nicholson Road shortly after the truck was stolen from Clarke\’s. Police have not confirmed a connection between the theft and robbery according to

Fox29.

CW Clarke owner Jeff Mauro told FOX 29, \”You hear about people taking cars when the business is closed at night or in front of someone\’s house but never when you\’re actually open for business.\” He says someone drove off with a new car as the shop owners were right across the street.

Bob Nage,

of Gormley\’s said the guy who stole the truck from his lot \”actually came in under the guise of buying it. He wanted to look at it and wanted the keys. \”The suspect got in the 2016 black Ram truck and drove straight off the lot,\” Nage said.

(READ MORE)

CNBNews contacted the police for an update on the incidents. As of this posting we have not received a response.

*********

THE LGBTQ CURRICULUM IS HERE

—Twelve schools in New Jersey will begin teaching the state\’s mandated LGBTQ inclusive curriculum this month according to nj1015.com

Gov. Phil Murphy

signed into law nearly a year ago

a measure that requires school districts to include instruction and materials that \”accurately portray political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.\”

The law went into effect immediately but will apply to the 2020-2021 school year for the curriculum of middle and high schools.

The schools teaching the pilot program through June of this year include:

Asbury Park:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

Hackensack:

Bergen Arts and Science Charter Middle School

Haddon Heights:

Haddon Heights Junior-Senior High School

Highland Park:

Highland Park School

Millburn:

Millburn Middle School

Morristown:

Unity Charter School

Newark:

Newark Arts High School

Rumson:

Forrestdale School

Somers Point

: Chartertech High School for the Performing Arts

Tuckerton:

Pinelands Regional Junior High School

Several schools not in the pilot program will still have access to the lesson plans but will not have a curriculum coach or professional development training. Those schools were not named.

These 12 schools will be first in NJ to teach LGBTQ curriculum

How to Get a Car Loan When You Have Bad Credit Score

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 8, 2020)–The

credit scorecard

plays an important role in getting a loan for the car. Unfortunately, bad credit score makes the process difficult for the borrower in terms of getting a favorable loan amount, monthly payments, and average interest rates. If you have got your heart set on

purchasing the dream car, then you probably need to contact a reliable lender for receiving

auto loans

. Your lender will guarantee the best auto financing deal regardless of your credit history. Read this article for more

information on getting a car loan with bad credit portfolio.

Work On Your Existing Scorecard

It is recommended to work on your existing credit score before you decide to buy a car on a loan. Check-in advance if your credit report will allow you to get a car loan or not. The bad credit portfolio surely decreases your chances of availing loans on favorable terms and conditions. By improving the score of your credit, you can shop around to choose the lending institution that fits best with your desires. It also increases your chances of getting car loans at the lowest possible rates. You can start by evaluating all the probable items that are responsible for your bad credit profile. Clean all the liabilities by paying off your unpaid accounts, reducing the number of total debts, highlighting the positive information on your scorecard, and resolving credit report errors. The continuous improvement in your scorecard leaves a good impression on the car dealers.

Increase the Amount of Down Payment

When you get to increase the amount of down payment, it means you have automatically improved your chances to receive a car loan even with bad credit history. Higher the down payment results in lesser the number of monthly payments, shorten the terms of your loan and lower the borrowing cost. The down payment is considered as money-in-hand which can impact the decisions of car loan lenders. The auto loans lender will support you in getting a car of your dreams even with a low credit score. It tends to reduce the risks associated with the default of the debtor.

Buy a Car That You Can Afford

Have you ever heard a common saying, “the less is more?” Well, that is also true when you make your decision to apply for a loan to buy a new car. If you desire to get an expensive car, then you probably realize that you would also have to take a considerable amount of loans. Similarly, when you have a limited amount saved up as down payment, then you will again have to cover the rest of the amount by getting a loan from financial lenders. Make sure you choose a car based on your estimated budget so you can afford monthly loan payments. Also, this will allow you to negotiate the average rate of interest against an approved amount of car loan.

Put Up Collateral Option

You can benefit from the collateral option if you are in trouble because of a bad credit scorecard. The collateral option allows the financial lenders to trust you because you have the intention to pledge something of great value like your house or expensive jewelry. This technique ensures the monthly payments and the residual amount of loan in the event of default or

bankruptcy

. Be careful when pledging your valuables as collateral, because your lender will sell them in case you are not able to pay. Consider all the significant risks to avoid worse case scenarios.

Consider the Help of a Co-Signer

If you have no credit history or if you are someone with a bad credit score, then don’t you worry! You can ask your parents, friends, siblings, or even your employer to co-sign the car loan. When you are financially stable and have a definite source of income, then your people will have no problem supporting you. Similarly, lenders will be happy to close a deal with you if you are in a position to mitigate the potential risks. Be absolutely sure you can make payments on time. Otherwise, your co-signer will become responsible for your debts.

image courtesy of Pinterest

NJBIA Promotes 3 Employees to Leadership Roles

NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka announced that

Michael Wallace

is the new senior vice president of Government Affairs — one of three key NJBIA staff promotions made on Tuesday.

Wallace, who joined NJBIA in 2015, handles all of NJBIA\’s advocacy efforts related to labor,

workforce development, manufacturing, and federal affairs. In his new role as senior VP, he will work closely with Chief Government Affairs Officer Chrissy Buteas on developing the legislative strategy for successfully implementing NJBIA\’s mission of creating a more competitive business environment in New Jersey so that member companies can grow and sustain their businesses.

A graduate of the University of Delaware, Wallace previously worked as a legislative aide to state Senator Fred Madden (D-4), former Camden Mayor Dana Redd and former Gov. Jon Corzine. Wallace is a resident of Sewell, Gloucester County.

Siekerka also announced two additional staff promotions:

Kate Conroy

has been promoted to vice president of Strategic Partnerships for NJBIA, and

Lisa Criscuolo

has been promoted to associate publisher of

New Jersey Business

magazine, NJBIA\’s award-winning monthly publication that reaches more than 107,000 business executives in the state.

As VP of Strategic Partnerships, Conroy is responsible for the overall management of NJBIA\’s sponsorship program, including cultivating new partners whose funding helps to support first-rate NJBIA programming and events. Additionally, she co-hosts NJBIA\’s entertaining podcast,

Other People\’s Business

, which spotlights NJBIA members and their businesses. Prior to joining NJBIA in 2015, Conroy was vice president of the Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce, the largest business organization in the northern New Jersey-New York metropolitan region. Conroy resides in Edison in Middlesex County.

Criscuolo joined

New Jersey Business

magazine in 2003 as an account executive before being named advertising manager and then advertising director. In her new role as associate publisher of New Jersey\’s largest long-standing business publication, Criscuolo assumes additional strategic and administrative responsibilities, while continuing her managerial and sales efforts. Criscuolo resides in Roseland, Essex County.

New Year\’s Eve Ideas for Fun, Food, and Decorations

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 7, 2020)– is nearer than ever and marks the end of a beautiful decade. The new year is not just the start of another year, but the start of a new decade as well, where most of us will be going through life-changing events, getting married, completing degrees, having kids, while some of us may still stick to playing slot games in online

casinos and their sister sites

all day.

Celebrating this special new year\’s eve in the best way possible is essential as you\’ll be starting your new year and a new decade with nothing but high hopes and happiness. This is why today we\’ll be discussing the best New Year\’s Eve ideas for fun, food and decorations and more!

Bring Your Own Food Party

Bring Your Food is a great concept and can come in handy if you\’re hosting a New Year\’s Eve party with a moderate amount of guests. Contact the people that you\’re willing to invite to your party and ask them to bring some appetizers with them, which they can cook themselves or get from the market. Anything is appreciated, and it doesn\’t have to be something marvelous or Unique – If it\’s difficult for them to cook something, you can just ask them to get a can or two of beans or nuts!

Setting up a Champagne Bar

Probably the most essential thing when it comes to celebrating new years\’ eve is a Champagne Bar. Using pretty Glassware, tables, Bowls and jars and fill some of them with pomegranate seeds tacky citrus herbs and let your guests do their thing. Everyone loves a Champagne bar, so why not make your New Year\’s Eve party even more fun with one?

Midnight Supper

After your guests are done with the Champagne bar (If you set up any), close it and invite everyone for a midnight supper to start the year off for good. A

baked potato bar, Roasted Sweet Potato, Pear & Pomegranate Spinach Salad

Baked Mac and Cheese

are some of the best and inexpensive midnight

supper ideas which you can carry out for your New Year\’s Eve Party!

Hiring a photographer

If you\’re in it for making memories, hiring a photographer makes it nice and easy for you to get those before and after pics for your new year\’s eve, and a lot of organized and candid pictures for you to look back and see in a couple of years. If hiring a good photographer isn\’t what you want, you can ask a guest or a friend to do all the pictures, or if no one is willing to do it, you can do the photography job yourself.

Game Idea – Writing Resolutions

What\’s more fun than

playing games with your guests on a New Year\’s Eve

, and while there are plenty of game ideas out there, like board games and more, the best one that comes to the mind is asking your guests to write their new year\’s resolutions. It\’s also a fun and interactive way to make conversations with your guests and provokes an interactive session between people as well!

UCR Metrics for the City of Camden Released

(Camden City , NJ) – The Camden County Police Department finished 2019 with reductions in part one categories of violent crime. This amounts to an aggregate 3 percent drop over 2019 for violent crime accounting for 1,161 incidents. In addition, this represents a 42 percent decrease compared to 2012 UCR numbers for violent crime.

The numbers also represent a historic drop in total UCR crime – both violent and nonviolent – going back to the late 1960s. Last year, the city logged 3,305 total crimes compared to 10,724, during the first year we have on record for UCR data, 1974, representing a 69 percent reduction.

Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. talked about the improvements to the quality of life in the city and the commitment to community policing that has spearheaded much of the changes.

“This was another year of tangible progress by the men and women in the Camden County Police Department. It’s because of them that we have seen the transformation throughout the city and it’s been their commitment and dedication to the community that has bridged the divide that existed with residents,” Cappelli said. “When we started this endeavor, Camden had significant challenges. Now, we have decreased murders to a level that has not been seen since the mid-80s and reduced total crime to levels we haven’t seen since the 1960s.”

Throughout last year, several changes took place in the department from the promotion of a new chief to the adoption of a new use of force guideline that was nationally recognized. In addition, the department installed a new virtual training mechanism for de-escalation and continued a strategy grounded in the tenets of community policing, mutual respect and the preservation of life.

Mayor Frank Moran talked about the overall improvements to the city that the department has made for children and families.

“Public safety remains a priority here in Camden,” Moran said. “As elected officials, we have an obligation to make sure our community is safe. Through collaboration and thanks to the dedicated effort of the Camden County Police Department, Camden is safer than it has been in decades. As Mayor and a lifelong resident, there is a noticeable change as the quality of life has continued to improve citywide. Whether it’s reductions in crime, increased economic growth or improved educational outcomes, Camden is realizing sustained progress.”

Since the county police department was stood up more than six years ago, the city has experienced unprecedented private and public investment, more than $2.5 billion, from new corporate campuses, academic buildings and park construction. Furthermore, according to the U.S. Census Bureau the poverty rate has decreased by 14 percent since 2013, the job rate growth led the nation in 2017 and the high school dropout rate has been cut in half since 2013. Furthermore, Rutgers-Camden has ushered in its largest student body ever, unemployment is at a 30-year low and more than $53 million is being invested into the city’s infrastructure this fiscal year.

After 50 years of disinvestment and disenfranchisement, starting in 1967 with the closing of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden has been incrementally moving forward and becoming a beacon of hope and change for the region.

“This agency continues to provide the guardianship our community needs to feel safe when they go to the park or the corner store. This organization’s foundation is centered on engagement and dialogue with residents and we will be continuing that work in 2020,” Chief Joseph Wysocki said. “I want to thank our partners in the community, from the school district to civic leaders, who are working with us to make Camden a safer place. I also want to thank the officers working the beat who are the backbone of this agency.”

Cappelli also talked about the importance of partnerships with other law enforcement agencies in reducing crime in Camden.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Sheriff’s Department, New Jersey State Police and all of our federal law enforcement partners for the roles they played last year,” Cappelli continued. “We are looking forward to building on 2019 and working with them to maintain and continue the progress into the new year.”

source Camden County

New Audit: Problems with Pennsylvania Voter System

HARRISBURG, PA–An audit of the state’s voter registration system uncovered “potentially bad data and sloppy record-keeping,” but stopped short of saying the results revealed any inappropriate voting.

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale’s examination of the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors (SURE) found what he said were more than 50,000 cases with potentially inaccurate voter records. While he called the estimate conservative, the review “did not validate the thousands of cases/situations identified.”

DePasquale, who is running for Congress, noted a lack of cooperation by PennDOT and four county election offices in compiling his audit. He also said the Department of State denied his office access to potentially relevant documents.

“It is past time to improve this system,” DePasquale said.

“Some county election officials are busy replacing voting equipment ahead of next year’s presidential election,” DePasquale said. “But keeping voter registration records up-to-date is an equally important task. And as we all know, the next year’s presidential election may be one of the most historic elections and one of the most closely watched elections in not only Pennsylvania but in U.S. history. The closeness of Pennsylvania in 2016 means that every single record is important.”

The state created SURE more than 15 years ago, and the system holds the records of more than 8.5 million registered voters. The audit covered Jan. 1, 2016, through April 16 of this year.

DePasquale’s office handed down 50 recommendations he says will strengthen the Department of State’s policies and management controls. The auditor wants the Department of State to work with counties to resolve records management issues, including duplicate voter records.

Of the 50,000 cases with potentially inaccurate voter records, in 24,408 cases, the same driver’s license number was listed in more than one voter record, while 13,913 were potential duplicate cases. Furthermore, 6,876 had a possible date of birth (DOB) inaccuracy, while 2,230 had potential DOB or registration date inaccuracies and 2,991 were records of potentially deceased voters.

As part of the audit, DePasquale selected 196 voters from the more than 8.5 million registered and requested source documents to verify the accuracy of data within SURE. The team was able to test 58 records and confirmed those were accurate.

However, the team was “unable to form any conclusions as to the accuracy of the entire population of voter records maintained in SURE since we could not test 138 or 70 percent of the records we sampled due to source documentation not being made available,” they said in the audit.

DePasquale said his audit did not suggest inaccuracies in votes cast during the 2016 presidential election or that deceased voters or people living illegally in the country had voted. The Department of State did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment, but

told WESA

the findings were “flawed and misleading.”

published here with permission of The Center Square

How to Design Your Shop to Boost Sales

(Gloucestercitynews.net((January 6, 2020)–Enticing customers into your shop is a vital part of becoming a successful business. After all, you need people to buy your products for you to continue trading. Your customers can also be your biggest cheerleaders because, depending on their experience with your brand, they may well recommend you to other people they know. This, of course, means more sales for you.

However, your customers’ experience will also include what your shop is like. You might sell the exact product they’re looking for, but your store may not be a pleasant place for them to be in. That could mean a sale you lose to a competitor. So if you don’t want that to happen to you, then have a think about some of these tips on how you can boost sales by improving your premises.

Think of Your Threshold

Your threshold area

will be the first place your prospective customers go when entering your store: it will be their initial experience of what you have to offer. It’s also at this point that customers will make judgements such as how cheap or expensive your store may be, and how well coordinated items such as your displays, fixtures and colors are. Customers are also more likely to miss products, carts or signs you place here, because they’re in the transition mode from high street to store.

What Path Will They Take?

Of all the consumers in North America, 90% of them will unconsciously turn right when they enter a store. So pay attention to the ‘power wall’ — the first wall they see — as this will give a high-impact first impression of your merchandise.

Then create a clear path for your customers through your store. This is so they get maximum exposure to your products, which can increase the chances of a purchase being made. A well thought-out path can also control the flow of traffic.

Your tills should then be at a natural stopping point that you’ve purposefully designed. So if your customers turn right when they enter, then the front left may be the ideal location. However, this will depend on the size and layout of your store.

Be a Curator

Carefully editing your merchandise

is a way to escape from the number of choices available to your customers. So treating each product you have as an exhibit is a way to make your space feel more like a gallery.

Curated retail means you can have focused shopping and product relevance. Your customers are then also shown the products that are most important to them. Curation puts customers in the center of the retail process, with their preferences highlighted as being important with an uncomplicated, yet compelling shopping experience.

By using

retail design

, you can also make the experience fun. Humans crave entertainment and intrigue, so using items such as touchscreens and other retail technologies can turn your space into a playground, while also providing personalization and competing with online competitors.

People Like Pennsylvania But…..

By Steve Bittenbender |

The Center Square

The number of Americans on the move might have reached a 65-year-low in 2019, but Census Bureau data shows Pennsylvania ranked among the top states for both attracting and losing residents.

A recent report

by STORAGECafé, which bills itself as a storage rental marketplace, reports that Pennsylvania is the 10th most popular destination for people moving from another

state. In 2018, the state attracted 253,000 newcomers.

Pennsylvania attracted more residents from New Jersey than anywhere else. The site reported that 44,000 people crossed the Delaware River to make the Keystone State their new home.

Yet, the report, which uses Census Bureau data, indicates only six states lost more residents. Pennsylvania saw 240,832 move out, with 17,000 moving next door to Ohio.

Part of the reason why so many may be making those moves is due to the fact they’re inexpensive. Moving the possessions from a two-bedroom home in New Jersey to Pennsylvania cost, on average, about $2,400. That was the least expensive interstate move.

Pennsylvanians moving to Ohio paid average moving costs of about $2,500. Nearly 10,000 people moved from Pennsylvania to Delaware, at an average cost of up to $3,700 per move.

STORAGECafé worked with United Van Lines in determining the moving costs and did not factor packing or insurance.

Earlier this year, the Pew Charitable Trusts

released a study

about the migration patterns for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s largest city. The study noted that about 60,000 residents leave the city annually, roughly 10,000 more than it attracts.

Of those who left the region, the main reason for moving elsewhere was because of job opportunities. Pew research indicated that 44 percent moved away for work; the next highest response – moving closer to friends and family – garnered just 11 percent of respondents.

Pew said since it was the first time such a study had been conducted, it was uncertain if these issues are lingering ones within the city.

“What is clear is that there is not one overarching reason for relocating,” the Pew report states. “Most of those who left Philadelphia characterized themselves not as fleeing the city but, rather, as seeking new opportunities elsewhere.”

The Census Bureau reported that 31.4 million Americans moved in 2019. That’s the lowest total since 1954, and the percentage of Americans who moved, just 9.8 was an all-time low since the bureau began tracking residential moves in 1947.

Of those who moved, about 4.6 million moved to a new state.

published here with permission of The Center Square