Smartphones are on the rise.

By Kellie J. Lala

I have been pondering a smartphone purchase.  I know eventually that we will all have these amazing creatures.  Actually, according to an Online Media Daily article from 2/28/11, smartphone shipments exceeded that of computers for the 1^st time in 2010 and their revenues for mobile data service grew 23% to $55 billion (yes that is with a B).

My wise former boss (may you RIP, Eliot) said that someday, land lines will be a thing of the past and everyone will use cellular devices to communicate.  He was right...again!  Laptops are also really taking a hit when you hear companies like GE and Mercedes-Benz are giving their employees iPads instead of laptops or netbooks. 

It is hard to hop on the electronic merry go round because the horses are changing almost on a daily basis.  What’s next?  What are you looking to purchase this year?

Happy shopping! 

Fastest Growing Restaurant Brands

By Kellie Lala

We all eat.  We all like variety and choices.  According to the March 14, 2011 Nation’s Restaurant News article, 500 of the country’s largest chains had sales increases in 2010.  I think that this reflects upon the improvements in our economy and the willingness of people to spend more of their disposable dollars on eating out.  The report says that fast casual and limited-service sandwich chains are the fastest growing.  The top of that list is Five Guys Burgers and Fries (I have never heard of them-have you?) at a whopping 38% in 2010.  Other big winners with increased 2010 sales include Jimmy John’s at 22% and Chipotle Mexican Grill  at 21%.  Other chains rounding out the top 10 include:  BJ’s Restaurants, Yard House, Cheddar’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Firehouse Subs, Noodles and Co. and Panda Express.  We will be able to try the Noodles and Co. in the Corridor soon as they will be opening a new restaurant on the Coralville Strip in the next few months. The world’s two big chains, Subway and McDonald’s also showed healthy sales growth in 2010 (both big radio users I might add).  If this is any indication of our economy’s recovery, it is great news!  Even as the Government runs out of money--consumers still are spending theirs!  Bon appetite!