#Retail Store Design Services Provider

[visionboardstudio01]

[bunsbunss]

EON (LOT DOWNLOD)

EON is a high-end fashion boutique renowned for its luxurious collection of designer brands such as Sentate, Serenity, and Gorilla. In addition to offering exclusive clothing and accessories, EON provides personalized styling services, allowing clients to custom order tailored gowns and outfits not available in-store.

Gallery ID: Bunssimss

Retail

Located in Newcrest | 30 x 20

8am-6pm

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[beautifullache]

🦄The Sims 4🦄

🎆PATREON ONLY🎆

Steve Madden

PTO 10 days off

Steve Madden is about fashion-forward product and great people. We are proud of our talented, diverse workforce. Our employees are energized, intelligent and passionate about our business and committed to providing excellent customer service.

Cashier

Sales Associate

Stock Associate

Shoe Stylist

Sales Supervisor

Key Holder/Sales Lead Fashion Show Mall

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Ed Hardy

PTO 10 days off

A product and master of the true, traditional craft of ink, Don Ed Hardy, "The God Father of Modern Tattoos," is an American born, internationally recognized artist. A brilliant creative who developed the potential of tattooing as a legitimate, expressive art form and is primarily responsible for its global growth over the past fifty years. His unique aesthetic and innovative techniques are still being utilized by tattoo artists today.

A product and master of the true, traditional craft of ink, Don Ed Hardy, "The God Father of Modern Tattoos," is an American born, internationally recognized artist. A brilliant creative who developed the potential of tattooing as a legitimate, expressive art form and is primarily responsible for its global growth over the past fifty years. His unique aesthetic and innovative techniques are still being utilized by tattoo artists today.

Cashier

Stock Associate

Sales Associate

Key Holder

Store Assistant Manager

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Chanel

CHANEL is a private company and a world leader in creating, developing, manufacturing and distributing luxury products.

Founded by Gabrielle Chanel at the beginning of the last century, CHANEL offers a broad range of high-end creations, including Ready-to-Wear, Leather Goods, Fashion Accessories, Eyewear, Fragrances, Makeup, Skincare, Jewelry and Watches.

CHANEL is also renowned for its Haute Couture collections, presented twice yearly in Paris, and for having acquired a large number of specialized suppliers, collectively known as the Métiers d’Art.

CHANEL is dedicated to ultimate luxury and to the highest level of craftsmanship. It is a brand whose core values remain historically grounded on exceptional creation. As such, CHANEL promotes culture, art, creativity and “savoir-faire” throughout the world, and invests significantly in people, R&D and innovation.

At the end of 2019, CHANEL employed more than 28,000 people across the world.

Fragrance and Beauty Advisor

Fashion Advisor

Boutique Operations Specialist

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Christian Dior

The Christian Dior group was formed through successive alliances among companies that, from generation to generation, have successfully combined traditions of excellence and creative passion with a cosmopolitan flair and a spirit of conquest. Together, these companies now make up a powerful, international Group, sharing their expertise with its newer brands and continuing to cultivate the art of growing well while transcending time, without losing their soul or their image of distinction.

Trainee

Sales Associate

Beauty Advisor

Show National Artist

Beauty Stylist

Boutique Manager

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Giorgio Armani

Join us in our mission to passionately convey Giorgio Armani’s unique vision of timeless and natural elegance, where fashion and design provoke a confident state of being for all people by fostering beauty in the world.The Armani Group is one of the leading fashion and luxury goods groups in the world today. Our company designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products including apparel,accessories, eyewear, watches, jewelry, home interiors, fragrances, cosmetics, chocolates, hotels and restaurants under a range of brand names: Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and Armani Exchange.

Client Advisor

Stock Associate

Sales Supervisor

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L'Oreal Luxe

L’Oréal Luxe opens a unique world of beauty. Its international brands incarnate all the facets of elegance and refinement in three major specializations: skin care, make-up and perfume. L’Oréal Luxe products are available at department stores, cosmetics stores, travel retail, but also own-brand boutiques and dedicated e-commerce websites.

Freelancer

Freelance Fragrance

Freelance Makeup Artist

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[meyousing]

𝕮𝖍𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑𝖔, 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕯𝖊𝖈𝖊𝖕𝖙𝖔𝖗

𝖘𝖞𝖓𝖔𝖕𝖘𝖎𝖘: you had been by yourself for most of your life. the idea of meeting a stranger who could change that for you only seemed like something that would happen in a romantic film, not in real life. you were pleasantly surprised at how real this could very well be.

𝖓𝖔𝖙𝖊𝖘: chrollo x reader, yandere, implied kidnapping, brief nsfw, mentions of violence. all of this is below the cut.

You had become accustomed to living alone, having grown up under the care (or rather lack thereof) of your grandmother. Life with her was typical, albeit bland, since she hadn’t provided much more for you aside from the bare necessities; any type of relationship nonexistent. You moved out as soon as you turned 18, wanting to experience what else life could offer you outside of a place where every day began to feel the same, and ultimately blur together. Years had passed since then, you were able to find a job that was stable (keyword stable, not so enjoyable, due to it being a dreaded retail job), but you had not bothered to meet any new friends outside of casual coworkers, nor had you ventured into the dating world just yet, as you had grown used to disappointment with the boys you had met in your teens. Perhaps it was from your grandmother’s indirect neglect in your developmental years that made the idea of seeking out new relationships of any kind seem of no use to you. However, shifts at your usually drab retail job now felt worth attending, you suddenly looked forward to helping other people with their woes at your customer service desk. Something you regularly hated; now a joy, all because of someone in your life who had given you a new outlook. 

Your usual workday consisted of getting to work at 7:30am following a brief routine, packing away your personal belongings in your designated locker, and walking out to tend to the front desk of your supercentre. The place was a bit dead right now, New Years having just passed; the store now entering its “ghost months” since there was no urgent holiday coming up for everyone to buy items in bulk for. Contrary to the popular belief that these ghost months would be a relaxing time for you since the store was simply less busy, that was not true. If you had received a cent for the amount of customers who would come in and try to refund holiday decor that they pretended they hadn’t used (meanwhile you understood they were just being cheap, but couldn’t exactly say that to them) and was defective (how would they know this if they claimed not to have used it?), you could probably retire early. There was one day in particular where the amount of customers coming in to angrily try and refund a Christmas tree or New Years airhorns was absurd; your patience waning as your shift progressed. You began to expect that every customer walking over to you was about to tell you the same tale, to unload the same item onto your desk. It wasn’t until a few hours before the end of your shift that the masses began to die down and you finally felt like you could breathe again; that perhaps the last disgruntled man who exited the premises with tinsel banners falling out of his arms was actually the last of them. You had taken a moment to compose yourself and looked down to your phone, idly swiping up and down to see if you’d gotten any notifications in that time, hoping something would show up to distract the growing rage in your mind; when the sound of a customer clearing their throat brought you out of your phone-induced stupor. 

You hadn’t known that your first interaction with this customer would not be your last.

He was just so… normal? It was hard to pinpoint the right word. Right off the bat, he was different from most customers; you had gotten so used to the old, frazzled people demanding to speak to a manager before you could offer them any kind of solution; making your shoulders tense up and stay that way. This man, however, simply asked you for directions to somewhere else in the city. He walked up to your desk seemingly out of nowhere, you looked up at him and noted his appeal instantly; trying to not let that distract you from his question. Longer black hair slightly covered a cloth wrapped around his forehead, a black turtleneck hugging his muscular form covered slightly by a black trench coat. He told you that he had wanted to treat his coworkers to a nice dinner, since they were all staying in your city for some work-related purpose, yet he could not locate the restaurant he intended on taking them to. His charismatic speech made what would have otherwise been a quick, short conversation into something that nearly got you in trouble with your managers for “slacking”; not even realizing you’d spent half an hour chatting away with the man. He had initially leaned into the counter and asked for your opinion on the restaurant, his attentiveness to your thoughts about something as trivial as a local diner’s greasy food making your cheeks heat up (even the tone of voice he had when asking; smooth and kind). From there the conversation continued, until that half hour ended with him sheepishly apologizing to your irritated manager and asking you for your phone number, to keep chatting at a more convenient time. Your hand was a bit shaky while you wrote it down for him on a sticky note, even signing it with your name and adding a cheeky little heart in the corner–his charm seemed to have rubbed off on you, giving you the confidence to add the little detail. His fingers brushed against yours as you handed it to him, exchanging smiles, with his eyes lingering on you for a moment longer, before he exited the premises. 

With that meeting as your first–despite the captivating aura he possessed–he hadn’t even really set a high standard in your head just yet; perhaps due to you always being disappointed by past men who would seem too good to be true, just like this, but then eventually reveal their true intentions, and how they were directed to your body instead of you. Yet this man seemed to check every box; he was not too good to be true. 

 Your first date brought you both to a cafe, and you could recall the weather that day being quite dreary.You’d ordered a chai tea to keep yourself warm, the rain that pattered against the window at the side of your booth being easily tuned out by your heart-to-heart with the man who had introduced himself to you as Chrollo. 

“Did your work dinner go well?” you asked, fingers clasped around your mug as you brought it to your lips. The heat of the tea warmed your insides, giving you that “warm and fuzzy” feeling, though you were certain that the sensation was coming from a different source.

Chrollo smiled at you. “It was… alright. I should have expected nothing more from a diner, I figured that your description of the place as greasy was meant for the restaurant, not the food.” He then made a minorly disgusted expression as he reminisced, making you giggle, which was followed by his own fond chuckle at your reaction. 

“A greasy restaurant? Like what, the workers or something?”

“I guess so… I don’t know. I guess I was just so entranced by you last we spoke that I wasn’t thinking straight” he rubbed his neck bashfully. You couldn’t help but try to hide your face in your hand, cheeks lighting up at his words. 

“There’s no need to be such a sweet talker” you chuckled shyly, not missing how his face softened even further at the sight of you becoming so flustered so easily. Something flashed in his eyes then, something you took as mutual infatuation. His hand reached towards the one you had covering your cheek, bringing it down to the table and holding it there briefly. He slowly raised it to his lips, kissing your knuckles while maintaining eye contact. If his words were enough to have you a ruffled mess, his actions caused that tenfold. You were certain that your entire head was fuming red by now, his actions rendering you speechless. He lowered your hand again, brushing his thumb across your knuckles.

“If you find the truth in my words to be sweet talking, I’m delighted to make you feel that way.”

That date led to many more, and after about a month and a half you two had agreed upon exclusivity; a relationship. At first, you hadn’t expected anything this serious to ever come of your whirlwind romance, especially since your first-ever conversation with him implied to you that he was not from your city, and that he was only visiting for a time. As you got to know him further, he explained to you that while it was difficult for him to let you know exactly what he does for work, he and his employees travelled for it all of the time by his call, and he had decided that after meeting you, this city was where he wanted to stay. You were more than happy to let him reside with you in your apartment, and he accepted your offer with utmost gratitude (he still expresses thanks to you to this day). Knowing that it was convenient for him to continue his life and job as normal, while deciding to be with you, made your heart swell with a sort-of pride, you were absolutely enamoured. Nobody had ever made such a grave decision for you before, and that wasn’t his only one. He was utterly devoted to you, being with Chrollo was like being with a prince you could have only ever imagined being present in a fairytale. It made you feel as though holding off on relationships for most of your life was worth it, that divine timing had given you your person right when it was supposed to happen. 

 There had been one too many dates when he decided to unexpectedly bring you gifts, usually a piece of jewellery that you knew had to be more expensive than what could account for months worth of rent for your apartment. You were still unsure of his exact job by now, but you knew his wage must have been extremely high to be able to afford these things for you. You almost felt guilty for not being able to return the favour with anything of the same calibre, yet he insisted that your love was more than enough–or as he said in particular; more than he deserved. He always pampered you, offering you a massage or running you a bath if you had a particularly rough day at work; though knowing that you’d come home to him and that alluring smile made rougher work days slowly become a thing of the past, your anticipation of seeing your lover again outweighing any anxiety or frustration that your job would try to inflict upon you. He was always attentive to your needs, making food for you that he knew you preferred, and ensuring to correct it (or send it back, depending on the circumstances) if it wasn’t to your liking. He was also attentive to your other needs, giving you whatever you wanted whenever you wanted it, while being respectful of any boundaries you set. He was the closest thing that you could ever compare to perfect. And it was because of his respect for you, that you had never questioned something that has burned itself into your curiosity, you tended to wonder about it all the time; why did he always wear that makeshift bandana around his forehead? you had never seen him without it. Although, plenty of people had one particular fashion staple in most of their outfits, so you’d left your curiosities at that. You couldn’t deny that it looked really good on him anyways.

Your whine was stifled by Chrollo’s lips as he lifted his chest off of yours, resting on his elbows as he pulled his softening cock out of  you. He broke the kiss to sit back fully, you instantly missing the warmth of his body and reaching out for him. He chuckled hoarsely, linking his fingers with yours. 

“I’ll be back in a minute, okay? I’m just going to get a cloth for you.” You nodded when he squeezed your hand tenderly before feeling his weight leave the bed. It was a bit late into the night, late enough for it to be completely black outside; the only visibility coming from the street lights that illuminated a small area of your bedroom, the silhouette of falling snow making you feel serene. You watched through your eyelashes as Chrollo walked to the bathroom, observing how he leisurely turned on the light, wrapped his black bath robe around himself, and grabbed a small wash cloth. Your eyes drifted closed as your body continued to come down from the high you had just felt, listening to Chrollo turn on the tap, feeling relaxed by the sound of running water. Chrollo wet the material with warm water as he had done for you in the past, and you could hear him sauntering back to you after the tap was turned off and the cloth was wrung out, lightly tapping you on the thigh to get your attention. You had subconsciously closed your legs while waiting for him, now parting them slightly and feeling Chrollo’s cum seep out of you, making a lewd chill run across your body at the sensation. He always knew just how to make love to you; leaving you so pleasantly exhausted right after climaxing that you had to fight to stay awake. Chrollo always let you rest, but he insisted on cleaning and caring for you first so you could fall asleep comfortably. Your eyes squinted open as he wiped you off, watching him as he focused on ensuring your comfort. As your once sweaty body began to dry, and the cold weather started to make itself familiar to you again, goosebumps rose all across your body. This went slightly unnoticed by Chrollo when he stood and turned to dispose of the rag. You shivered and reached out to halt him, hand wrapped loosely around his wrist and catching his attention as he looked back to you curiously. 

“Cold” you complained with a quiet tone, voice a bit shaky as another chill rattled your body when you spoke. Chrollo grinned sympathetically at you, leaning forward and placing a kiss on your forehead, the warmth of his lips bringing you comfort. “Let me get you something to wear, then we’ll sleep.”

You relented and released his arm with a nod, arms coming over your chest so you could rub your arms and try to heat up, though Chrollo never kept you waiting for long whenever you needed something. He walked away once again and your eyes had fluttered shut from fatigue while you waited, the idea of sleep beginning to seduce you more and more. You noted Chrollo’s return as you felt him guide your arms above your head, helping you into one of his long sleeved tops (you could tell it was his from the lingering scent of his cologne near the neckline as it went over your nose). Then he slid a pair of boyshort panties up your legs, making sure the waistband hung on a comfortable spot along your hips before squeezing them sweetly and joining you on the bed once again. You let your eyes strain open one last time so you could follow his movements and slot yourself against his side, head on his chest and leg hiked over his torso as he laid on his back against the pillows. He lifted a heavy blanket over top of yourselves, arms coming together around your body to hold you even closer.

“We’ll have to get a new heater for you, love. You’re freezing now, and I thought I had warmed you up quite well” he murmured with a soft chuckle as his hand moved to stroke along your thigh, watching the bumps raise as his chilly fingers trailed along your skin. 

“I didn’t even know it was on. Didn’t think it was that bad” you muttered, lips squished against his torso slurring your speech. Chrollo smiled at your response, and one of his hands left you to reach at the night table, your ears perking up to the swish of pages from a book as he brought it to his side. You knew he had planned to read and write for a bit, something you didn’t need to open your eyes to know about since he did it almost every night. 

“I’ll write it down here so we don’t forget.” You then heard scribbles of the small pen that he kept like a bookmark inside of the journal. You intended to at least nod in acknowledgement to what he said, but sleep was starting to welcome you with open arms, and you had trouble resisting. Chrollo could tell that you had fallen asleep by the slowness in your breathing, only bringing a hand up to caress your hair to lull you deeper. 

Typically, your sleep after sex with Chrollo was solid, and you were a considerably heavy sleeper during, though for some reason tonight was different. Perhaps it was due to the cold winter air, but when you awoke, you didn’t feel as cold anymore, your body seemed to have equalized its temperature from the combination of the blanket and Chrollo’s body heat as you slept. Instead, your attention was caught by a sound; a soft buzzing that rang out every other second from somewhere distant in the bedroom. You slowly opened your eyes, and in your fatigue-induced delirium, had not realized that Chrollo was not against you anymore. More specifically; he was no longer in bed, or the room. This alerted you slightly and you looked around, noticing that nothing in the room seemed out of the ordinary aside from his missing presence. That was until you saw his phone resting on top of his book, which had been placed neatly back onto the night stand. The screen was lit up in the darkness, vibrating as if he were getting a call. It was hard to see what was on the screen from your distance, your eyes still a bit foggy, so you began to inch closer to it. Normally, you would never think about invading someone’s privacy like this; especially Chrollo’s, but him not being around confused and concerned you. Not to mention how odd it was for something like this to wake you up, the phone must have been ringing nonstop for minutes for it to have had this much of an impact on your consciousness. 

Hesitantly, you rubbed the remaining sleep away from your eyes before crawling over to Chrollo’s side of the bed, slowly grabbing at his phone just as it stopped vibrating. The trembling completely stopped once the device was in your grasp, making no sense to you, since you hadn’t hit any buttons yet. You blinked a few times, the sudden brightness of the screen in an otherwise pitch black room made your eyes burn for a moment. Once your vision adjusted, you saw the time across the top of Chrollo’s wallpaper (a photo of you from a picnic you’d had weeks prior), it said 3:45–meaning it had been nearly 4 hours since you had fallen asleep. The rest of the phone showed just one, untitled notification that took up the rest of the screen:

Look up.

A chill ran down your spine, the notification filling you with unreasonable dread. Phones usually did not ring at the rate that his was unless it were from a caller instead of a texter, and if this had been a genuine text message; it would have been from a contact, and would not be taking up the entire surface of the phone. This felt fabricated, like it was purposeful and meant to be seen by you specifically. Again, you began to feel a bit unreasonable as you sat there, hunched over with your muscles still, neck craned down to the hand in your lap where the phone screen began to dim from not being touched. How pathetic, feeling so startled, just from an unusual phone notification. In the grand scheme of the situation, this was not as unnerving as being alone right now. After rationalizing the odd appearance of Chrollo’s phone, you instead began thinking about a disappearance that was certainly much more important right now…where was he this late at night?

“You’re usually more compliant than that.”

Chrollo’s voice came out of nowhere and you couldn’t help but jolt in surprise, head turning to the bedroom door which you hadn’t realized was wide open this entire time. Because of the darkness, the entire hallway was merely a shadow; you couldn’t see anything. But you knew that his voice had come from there.

“Chrollo?”

“At least, you tend to comply a lot faster than you did just now. If I hadn’t intervened, would you have looked up at all?”

You knitted your eyebrows in confusion, unable to say anything in response to this. What was he doing? You wanted to ask him exactly that, but his emergence from the darkness caught you off guard. He looked… different.

Despite only being illuminated on one side by the street light outside that shone dimly into your bedroom, you saw that his usually shaggy hair was slicked back and off of his forehead, and he wore an outfit you had never seen before. Shirtless, but his fair skin was somewhat covered by a grand coat that lined his neck with fur and ran down to his ankles. He had pants on that could have matched the dark colour of his coat, but you couldn’t see the tone that well in the shade of the room. Though, what was most notable of this sudden appearance change, was the lack of cloth around his head. 

You suddenly felt much more awake, eyes shooting up to his forehead and spotting a tattoo that resembled a type-of cross in the centre of it. Your distance from him in the dimness made it hard to fully see in detail, but something about what you could see made you think that this tattoo was heavily symbolic for him. Why else would he have hid it from the public for so long, even hiding it from you this far into your relationship? Your relationship with Chrollo was most stably built upon respect, yet you were unable to stop yourself from immediately asking him exactly what you had been thinking, tone coming out a lot sharper than you had intended:

“Why would you hide that from me for so long?” You had instantly regretted it. He had not reacted right away, nor did he say anything for a moment. Assuming this was because of your suddenness–asking something that truthfully was not your place to ask, especially in that tone–you took your bottom lip between your teeth and gnawed on it nervously; not wanting to say anything else just yet so as to not worsen what damage you’d already inflicted. You hadn’t used a tone like that with him thus far, feeling a little bit guilty despite how obviously it was accidental. But then to your confusion, Chrollo chuckled, beginning a stride into the room, towards you. 

“I had to wait until the time was right. You know, a lot of planning had to be done the moment that I picked you. I knew I made the right decision on our first outing together. Everything just had to be done slowly, on the right schedule, but now that most of it has been finalized, I feel that we’re ready.”

His words confused you entirely. He had unloaded too much information at once, your brain completely frazzled by his words.

“What are you talking about?”

Chrollo’s lips pursed then broke into a grin, you hadn’t noticed how quickly he managed to walk over and stand directly in front of you until he was right there, his legs pressing against the edge of the bed as his hands raised to rest in his pockets. You backed off slightly, deciding to keep some distance between you both until the situation started to make more sense. From his new look, to the unusual tone in his words and manner of speech, you felt less comfortable being so close to him. Something was not right with him, you couldn’t tell how serious he was being right now. Was he in the mood for some late night prank?

“My naive little (y/n). You’re just…so perfect for me.” He tilted his head slightly, watching your defensive form with endearment in his eyes. Your knees have been brought to your chest, a hand holding onto one while the other holds you up and off of the pillows. 

“You’ll be coming with me from now on, it’s time to leave this place.” He said this with finality, and his voice made it so that; had he said something less irrational, you almost wouldn’t have questioned it, but when his words registered in your brain you had to. 

“What? Chrollo, if you want to move we can talk about it. Maybe at a different time, like over dinner or something…not in the middle of the night.” Okay, so if this wasn’t some sort of prank and instead just his proposition to move out with you…why did he decide to do this right now? why could he not have waited until the morning to ask you this…you were tired! Yet Chrollo’s expression unnerved you as he smiled in a way that would have usually made you blush, had the circumstances been different.

“You really are adorable. Come here.”

He kneeled onto the bed, sitting on the side opposite of you while extending his hand. You still felt uneasy about this, the vagueness of what he was telling you left you with more questions than any kind of answers. For the sake of getting to the bottom of what he was doing, what was going on, you took your time as you scooted closer to him, placing your hand flat on top of his palm. He then placed his other hand on top of yours, effectively trapping it between both of his. His grip wasn’t painful or anything, but you knew that it would take some effort to get out of it without him just letting you go. You usually would never consider taking your hands away from him, yet you felt the need to be guarded right now.

“Have we ever talked about the Phantom Troupe?”

He looked right into your eyes as he waited for your answer. You shook your head no, and were not looking forward to wherever this conversation was going. You knew of the phantom troupe and what they do; what they’ve done. What’s with bringing this up out of nowhere? You two never talked about such obscure topics, he knew how you felt about injustices. Bringing up a group that embodies the word was something you hadn’t expected him to do.

“A pity. But I suppose it’s never too late.”

His grip tightened on your hand then. The squeeze was so hard, it now ensured that your hand was stuck where it was; you were connected to him until he allowed you to be let go.

“Chrollo, my hand–” you whimpered.

“You’ve always been alone. You’re an outcast, just like the rest of us.”

Ouch. Naturally with being in a relationship, you’d spoken to him about many personal woes, especially your lack of a real family, your lack of genuine, close friends. You always told him how much joy it brought you to finally be able to go on outings with someone who meant the world to you, and you to them–that someone being Chrollo. Your throat started to swell and your eyes watered. An outcast? He had never spoken to you this way before, insecurity plagued you.

“Why…would you say that to me?”

“Because it’s what makes you so perfect. It was fate that brought us together, (y/n). Now that we’re established, it’s time you hear the truth and continue your life the way it was meant to be lived.” His hand on top of yours rubbed along the side of your wrist soothingly.

“It doesn’t have to be an official inauguration, but I’d like for you to join me and the rest of the spiders.”

He barely gave you any time to fathom the weight of that sentence before he continued.

“I truly do love you, (y/n). I wouldn’t have stayed in one place for such a long time if not for you. It posed a bit of a risk at points, trying to operate in such a small town for longer than the duration of our initial mission. But this era has reached its end, it’s time to go home.”

He stopped talking then, allowing silence to fall, to let his words linger for a bit. Your eyes slowly panned down and away from him as you stared off blankly, yet your mind raced at a mile a minute. Your boyfriend…your angelic, loving and devoted boyfriend, was a member of the phantom troupe. By that same logic, he was a criminal, with a Class-A bounty on his head. And now, he wanted you to come with him as he continued his rampage in other places of the world. Your heart thrummed rapidly, ears ringing and chest beginning to heave laboured breaths as the reality of this situation truly dawned on you. Chrollo, who you had been vulnerable with, showed tender parts of your heart and body, was a lie. He was not who he claimed to be, yet you had been so utterly fooled. Naive, like he said you were. 

You were certain that he could feel your hand beginning to clam up, and you started to drag it out of his grasp. As expected, his grip had not let up just yet, your effort futile. You imagined that maybe if you expressed your want to be let go, he would. Forcing yourself to meet his eyes, you hated how different they looked. Eyes that were usually tender and loving, or so you thought–maybe they never truly were tender or loving–now looked much darker. Narrowed, sharp and focused right on you. He still seemed so definitive in his words, in his decision to “bring you home,” wherever that may be. 

“I…” you started, your throat dry and making the syllable sound more like a crack in your voice. You swallowed hard then cleared your throat, not wanting to have to repeat yourself once you had said what you planned to say, since you were beginning to feel ill. You hadn’t noticed that your eyes had shut immediately after catching sight of his stare, in a subconscious way to cower away from the intensity of it. You forced yourself to be brave and stare back right back at him once again, though anyone else with eyes could tell your bravery was a front. 

“I…will not be going with you. That lifestyle is not for m–”

“Of course you would think that you have a choice” he cut you off and chortled, despite his tone being humourless, almost disappointed. You didn’t like the sound of it. “It was cute of you to think so. You don’t need to partake in the lifestyle, but you’ll be at my side no matter where we spiders go.” 

Your eyebrows furrowed, and panic began to seep in. You really did not want any part of this anymore, and you started pulling away from his hold even harder now. The finality of his words made you anxious, your once watery eyes now fully shedding tears. You thrashed back and dug your feet into the mattress, exerting as much strength as possible into getting away from him. If you blinked you would have missed it; Chrollo smirking from the corner of where your eyes were focused on your interlocked hands, before he slightly loosened his grip. With the amount of power being put into your squirming, it caused you to fly against the pillows and land on your back away from him, skull having been inches away from hitting the headboard. He was on top of you in an instant, and you immediately recoiled and tried to wiggle away from him, but he had managed to pin down your limbs. 

“Chrollo, please don’t make me go with you, I’m happy here! I’ll keep your secret, if you just leave me behind, I promise–” He leaned closer to you as you became hysterical, the unexpected proximity making you panic as you hiccuped, trying so desperately to wriggle out from under him and just run. “I’m used to being alone like you said, you can leave me here, I won’t hold it against you!” you sobbed.

“Don’t cry, my love.” He brought up his hand to thumb at the tears dripping down your cheek, and you despised how quickly the feeling of his palm against your face managed to calm your hysterics down–as if none of this had actually happened–that the man caressing your face was indeed the same Chrollo you knew and fell in love with. But his appearance alone helped you to know better; that tattoo now becoming his most prominent feature as he stared down at you. Your body stilled for the most part, aside from the rise and fall of your chest in quick succession, as well as your quiet cries.

“I’m begging you…” you whispered, sniffling and taking a deep breath to try and regulate it. The look on Chrollo’s face could almost be described as sympathetic, eyebrows meeting sadly as his hand pressed further into your cheek. But you were starting to know better. 

“I know that you’ve been alone for your entire life.” He began to speak, his hand slowly sliding down from your cheek and closer to your neck. The change in placement made you whimper; this being an action he’d done to you in the past that you had learned to associate with pleasure, but now filled you with dread.

Before you could say anything else, not even a second had passed, and suddenly there was a horrible sensation in your throat, like you had been punched. You groaned, and it should have been audible, yet you couldn’t make a sound–your vocal chords had somehow been struck. Your eyes widened in fear and confusion as you tried to make a noise, anything at all, only to remain silent. What just happened?

Your pain made it so that you had barely noticed how Chrollo’s hand seemed to have moved positions within that time–not quite in the same spot as it was before–it was a bit lower on your neck now and closer to your collarbones. His fingers wrapped against the side of your neck, his thumb rubbing along your throat. He wore a much too prideful smile, and it was in that moment that you realized what kind of power Chrollo had secretly been capable of; what he had over you. No matter what you wanted, if it was different from what he desired, there would be nothing you could do. 

He leaned even closer to you, hand starting to squeeze around your throat painfully as your eyes screwed shut. He dug his thumb hard into the side of your trachea, forcing your eyes wide open as pain cramped under the pressure of his hand. Your vision began to strain, periphery darkening. His nose brushed against yours as he murmured his next words, which you almost missed as reality began to black out around you. 

“I promise, you’ll never be alone again.”

© meyousing 2022. do not share/export my work on to any other platforms. do not translate my work. 

[mightyflamethrower]

California has become a test case of the suicide of the West. Never before has such a state, so rich in natural resources and endowed with such a bountiful human inheritance, self-destructed so rapidly.

How and why did California so utterly consume its unmatched natural and ancestral inheritance and end up as a warning to Western civilization of what might be in store for anyone who followed its nihilism?

The symptoms of the state’s suicide are indisputable.

Governor Gavin Newsom enjoyed a recent $98 billion budget surplus—gifted from multibillion-dollar federal COVID-19 subsidies, the highest income and gas taxes in the nation, and among the country’s steepest sales and property taxes.

Yet in a year, he turned it into a growing $45 billion budget deficit.

At a time of an over-regulated, overtaxed, and sputtering economy, Newsom spent lavishly on new entitlements, illegal immigrants, and untried and inefficient green projects.

Newsom was endowed with two of the wettest years in recent California history. Yet he and radical environmentalists squandered the water bounty—as snowmelts and runoff long designated for agricultural irrigation were drained from aqueducts and reservoirs to flow out to sea.

Newsom transferred millions of dollars designated by a voter referendum to build dams and aqueducts for water storage and instead blew up four historic dams on the Klamath River. For decades, these now-destroyed scenic lakes provided clean, green hydroelectric power, irrigation storage, flood control, and recreation.

California hosts one-third of the nation’s welfare recipients. Over a fifth of the population lives below the property line. Nearly half the nation’s homeless sleep on the streets of its major cities.

The state’s downtowns are dirty, dangerous, and increasingly abandoned by businesses—most recently Google—that cannot rely on a defunded and shackled police.

Newsom’s California has spent billions on homeless relief and subsidizing millions of new illegal migrant arrivals across the state’s porous southern border.

The result was predictably even more homeless and more illegal immigrants, all front-loaded onto the state’s already overtaxed and broken healthcare, housing, and welfare entitlements.

Newsome raised the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $22 an hour. The result was wage inflation rippling out to all service areas, unaffordable food for the poor, and massive shut-downs and bankruptcies of fast food outlets.

Twenty-seven percent of Californians were born outside of the United States. It is a minority-majority state. Yet California has long dropped unifying civic education, while the bankrupt state funds exploratory commissions to consider divisive racial reparations.

California’s universities are hotbeds of ethnic, religious, and racial chauvinism and infighting. State officials, however, did little as its campuses were plagued for months by rampant and violent anti-Semitism.

Almost nightly, the nation watches mass smash-and-grab attacks on California retail stores. Carjackers and thieves own the night. They are rarely caught, even more rarely arrested—and almost never convicted.

Currently, Newsom is fighting in the courts to stop the people’s constitutional right to place on the ballot initiatives to restore penalties for violent crime and theft.

Gas prices are the highest in the continental United States, given green mandate formulas and the nation’s highest, and still raising, gasoline taxes—and are scheduled to go well over $6 a gallon.

Yet its ossified roads and highways are among the nation’s most dangerous, as vast sums of transportation funding were siphoned off to the multibillion-dollar high-speed rail boondoggle.

The state imports almost all the costly vitals of modern life, mostly because it prohibits using California’s own vast petroleum, natural gas, timber, and mineral resources.

As California implodes, its embarrassed government turns to the irrelevant, if not ludicrous.

It now outlaws natural gas stoves in new homes. It is adding new income-based surcharges for those who dutifully pay their power bills—to help subsidize the 2.5 million Californians who simply default on their energy bill with impunity.

What happened to the once-beautiful California paradise?

Millions of productive but frustrated, overtaxed, and underserved middle-class residents have fled to low-crime, low-tax, and well-served red states in disgust

In turn, millions of illegal migrants have swarmed the state, given its sanctuary-city policies, refusal to enforce the law, and generous entitlements.

Meanwhile, a tiny coastal elite, empowered by $9 trillion in Silicon Valley market capitalization, fiddled while their state burned.

California became a medieval society of plutocratic barons, subsidized peasants, and a shrinking and fleeing middle class. It is now home to a few rich estates, subsidized apartments, and unaffordable middle-class houses.

California suffers from poorly ranked public schools—but brags about its prestigious private academies. Its highways are lethal—but it hosts the most private jets in the nation.

The fantasies of a protected enclave of Gavin Newsom, Nancy Pelosi, and the masters of the Silicon Valley universe have become the abject nightmares of everyone else.

In sum, a privileged Bay Area elite inherited a California paradise and turned it into purgatory.

[slayingfiction]

Traditional Publishing

In the evolving landscape of publishing, traditional publishing has held a significant place, fostering literary culture for centuries. However, with the rise of digital media and self-publishing platforms, authors and readers are often caught in a debate over the relevance and benefits of traditional publishing methods. Let’s explore traditional publishing and its place in the literary world. 

Pros of Traditional Publishing

Professional Editing and Design: One of the most significant advantages of traditional publishing is the professional support, including editing, proofreading, cover design, and formatting, ensuring that the final product is of high quality. These services are crucial for authors who may not have the skills or resources to polish their work to a professional standard.

Marketing and Distribution: Traditional publishers have established networks and resources for marketing and distributing books. They can place books in prominent storefronts, organize book tours, and secure media coverage, which can be challenging for self-published authors to achieve on their own.

Credibility and Prestige: Being published by a recognized publishing house adds a layer of credibility to an author’s work. It can enhance an author’s reputation, as traditional publishers are selective and publish only those manuscripts they believe will succeed in the competitive market. This may be beneficial to those looking to get into literary writing, and the recognition that comes with associated awards.

Advance Payments: Traditional publishers sometimes offer advances to authors, especially to provide financial support during the writing process for future books. This upfront payment can be crucial for authors who need to dedicate significant time to their writing, which can be very necessary since many writer’s don’t make a full-time income from their writing. 

Editorial Support: You will work directly with experienced editors and receive feedback and guidance to improve the quality of your manuscript and make it more enticing to prospective readers.

Long-term Relationships: Traditional publishing can foster long-term relationships between authors and their publishers, leading to future book deals and collaborative opportunities. Publishing Houses also have established connections with stores, libraries, academic institutions, and more. These relationships are beneficial to the writer, no matter their genre of writing.

Rights Management: Publishers manage subsidiary rights, such as translations, film adaptations, and audio books, potentially opening additional revenue streams.

Focus on Writing: With the publisher handling many aspects of the publication process, authors can focus more on writing and less on the business side of publishing.

Cons of Traditional Publishing

Long Publication Process: The traditional publishing route can be lengthy. From submission to publication, the process can take anywhere from a year to several years, depending on various factors like the publisher’s schedule and market trends.

Loss of Creative Control: Authors may have to concede some creative control when working with a traditional publisher. Publishers can request changes in content, title, and even narrative style to fit market expectations or the publisher’s brand.

Tough Entry: Getting a contract with a traditional publisher is notoriously difficult. The process often requires finding an agent first, and then one must endure the rigorous selection process of publishers, which can be disheartening and discouraging.

Lower Royalties: Traditional publishing pays royalties, but these are typically lower than what one might earn through self-publishing. After the publisher, distributors, and retailers take their shares, authors might find their earnings to be low. Royalties are often made semi-annually or quarterly, leading to slower financial returns for the author.

Limited Marketing Support: Not all traditionally published books receive significant marketing support, especially from smaller or mid-sized publishers, leaving some authors to handle much of the promotion themselves.

Loss of Rights: Authors often have to sign over significant rights to their work, including international, audio, and film rights, limiting their control over these aspects.

Initial Gatekeeping: Authors must often secure a literary agent to approach traditional publishers, adding another layer of gatekeeping and potential delay.

Limited Print Runs: Publishers may limit the print run of a book, which can affect its availability and reach if initial sales are not strong.

Focus on Proven Authors: Publishers may prioritize established authors or celebrities, making it harder for new or lesser-known writers to get attention and resources.

Conclusion

Traditional publishing has its set of challenges and benefits. It offers a level of prestige, professional support, and market access that can be hard to achieve through self-publishing. However, it also involves a more considerable investment of time, a potential compromise on creative control, and can be challenging to break into.

Ultimately, the choice between traditional publishing and other forms of publishing such as self-publishing should be based on an author’s individual goals, resources, and priorities. Each path offers different opportunities and challenges, and what works best will depend on the specific needs and expectations of the author.

Check out Slaying Fiction for more content!

Happy Writing

[phinilez]

ArtbyHannah Framed Wall Art

Wall art refers to any type of decorative artwork that is hung on a wall, such as paintings, posters, prints, photographs, tapestries, and sculptures. It is typically used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room or space and can range in style from traditional to contemporary.

Wall art can be made from a variety of materials, including canvas, paper, metal, wood, and glass, and can be created using various techniques, such as painting, drawing, printing, and photography. Some wall art may also be three-dimensional, such as sculptures or installations.

Wall art can be used to express personal style, showcase artwork or photographs, or to create a focal point in a room. It can also be used to complement or contrast with other elements in a space, such as furniture, flooring, and lighting. Wall art can be purchased from art galleries, home decor stores, or online retailers, and can range in price from affordable to expensive depending on the materials, size, and quality of the artwork

[phinilez] is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

[gonzalez756]

Starting an e-commerce business can be an exciting venture with immense potential. However, with the opportunities come challenges and uncertainties. Before diving into the world of online retail, it’s crucial to plan carefully and set a solid foundation. Here are some essential tips to consider before launching your e-commerce business:

1. Conduct Market Research

Understanding the market is fundamental to any successful business. Start by identifying your target audience and analyzing competitors. Research trends, customer preferences, and potential gaps in the market. Tools like Google Trends, social media analytics, and industry reports can provide valuable insights. This research will help you tailor your products or services to meet market demands and differentiate yourself from competitors.

2. Define Your Business Model

E-commerce offers various business models, such as B2C (Business to Consumer), B2B (Business to Business), C2C (Consumer to Consumer), and subscription-based models. Determine which model aligns with your goals and resources. Each model has its own set of challenges and requirements, so choose one that best fits your product or service and target market.

3. Create a Solid Business Plan

A comprehensive business plan serves as a roadmap for your e-commerce venture. Outline your business goals, strategies, target audience, marketing plan, financial projections, and operational plan. This document will not only guide your efforts but also help secure funding if needed. A clear plan can keep you focused and organized as you navigate the complexities of launching and running an e-commerce business.

4. Choose the Right E-Commerce Platform

Selecting the right e-commerce platform is crucial for the success of your online store. Popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce each offer unique features and capabilities. Consider factors such as ease of use, scalability, customization options, payment gateways, and integration with other tools. The platform should align with your business needs and provide a user-friendly experience for both you and your customers.

5. Develop a User-Friendly Website

Your website is the face of your e-commerce business. Ensure it’s designed to be user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for mobile devices. A clean, intuitive layout with easy navigation will enhance the shopping experience and reduce cart abandonment rates. Focus on high-quality images, detailed product descriptions, and a seamless checkout process. Additionally, implement search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to improve your site’s visibility in search engines.

6. Implement Secure Payment Processing

Security is a top priority in e-commerce. Customers need to trust that their payment information is safe. Choose a reputable payment gateway and ensure your website uses SSL certificates to encrypt data. Additionally, offer multiple payment options, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and other payment methods that are popular with your target audience.

7. Plan Your Logistics and Supply Chain

Efficient logistics and supply chain management are vital for e-commerce success. Develop a strategy for inventory management, warehousing, and shipping. Decide whether you’ll handle fulfillment in-house or partner with third-party logistics providers. Consider shipping options, delivery times, and costs. A smooth and reliable fulfillment process can significantly impact customer satisfaction and repeat business.

8. Craft a Marketing Strategy

Effective marketing is essential to drive traffic and sales to your e-commerce store. Develop a multi-channel marketing strategy that includes social media, email marketing, content marketing, and paid advertising. Create engaging content, run promotions, and leverage social media platforms to build brand awareness and attract customers. Monitor and analyze the performance of your marketing efforts to refine your strategies over time.

9. Focus on Customer Service

Exceptional customer service can set your e-commerce business apart from competitors. Provide multiple channels for customer support, such as live chat, email, and phone. Ensure timely responses to inquiries and resolve issues promptly. Building strong customer relationships and encouraging feedback can enhance customer loyalty and drive positive reviews.

10. Monitor and Adapt

The e-commerce landscape is constantly evolving. Regularly review your business performance, track key metrics, and gather customer feedback. Stay informed about industry trends and technological advancements. Be prepared to adapt your strategies and operations based on insights and changes in the market.

[dua1999]

Start a Business in Dubai with Low Investment

Dubai has emerged as a global business hub, providing immense opportunities for entrepreneurs with various budgets. With the right approach and strategy, it's possible to establish a successful business in Dubai with low investment. Here’s a quick guide on how to get started and make the most of Dubai’s business-friendly environment.

Benefits of Starting a Business in Dubai

Dubai offers numerous advantages for new businesses:

Strategic Location: Dubai connects Europe, Asia, and Africa, making it a perfect base for international trade.

Free Zones: Dubai’s free zones allow full foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and streamlined processes.

Low Taxation: With no personal or corporate tax for most types of businesses, Dubai is financially favorable.

Steps to Start a Business in Dubai with Low Investment

Choose the Right Business Setup in Dubai To maximize investment, consider starting your business in one of Dubai's free zones. They offer affordable packages tailored for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Popular free zones like DMCC, IFZA, and Meydan Free Zone provide cost-effective licensing options.

Select a Business Activity Start with a service-based business, which requires minimal capital. Freelance services, consultancy, digital marketing, and online trading are popular low-cost options. These require lower initial investment compared to retail or manufacturing.

Leverage Virtual Office Options Dubai’s free zones offer flexible office solutions, including virtual offices, which allow businesses to maintain a presence in Dubai without incurring high rental costs.

Obtain the Necessary Licenses Every business setup in Dubai requires a license, depending on the activity and location. Free zone authorities offer various affordable licensing packages, including freelancer licenses for individual entrepreneurs.

Market Smartly and Efficiently Use digital marketing to reach customers on a budget. Social media, SEO, and email marketing can help you attract customers without high advertising costs.

Best Low-Investment Business Ideas in Dubai

Consultancy Services: If you have expertise in a field like finance, legal, or management, starting a consultancy can be highly profitable.

E-commerce: Launch an online store and leverage Dubai’s growing digital market.

Digital Marketing Agency: With minimal equipment and a small team, you can help local businesses grow their online presence.

Freelancing: From content creation to graphic design, freelancing offers flexibility and requires a minimal investment.

Conclusion

Starting a business setup in Dubai with low investment is entirely feasible, given the city’s supportive infrastructure and numerous free zones. With the right planning, selecting cost-effective options, and focusing on low-cost business ideas, you can launch a successful venture in Dubai without breaking the bank. Dubai’s dynamic market, combined with low taxation and robust growth prospects, makes it a prime choice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

know more

[timesofinnovation]

In the realm of digital transformation, Unily is stepping up with its latest offering, the Insight Center, a platform meticulously designed to facilitate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within large enterprises. This innovative solution is a game-changer, providing businesses with a streamlined approach to managing digital assistants and language models, enhancing operational efficiency across various functions, including HR and customer service. The Insight Center stands out by consolidating multiple AI tools into a single access point. Businesses often struggle with the deployment of different AI solutions, which can lead to inefficiencies and miscommunication. With the Insight Center, organizations can centralize their AI strategy, ensuring consistent governance and user management. This makes it easier for teams to harness the power of AI, ultimately fostering better collaboration and improved service delivery. For instance, in many organizations, the HR department utilizes chatbots for recruitment processes, while customer service teams may employ different AI models to handle inquiries. Without an integrated system, these tools can operate in silos, leading to fragmented responses and a lack of cohesive strategy. The Insight Center mitigates these issues by ensuring all AI applications are managed under one roof, significantly enhancing the user experience. Moreover, the platform emphasizes simplicity in design, making it accessible for users at all levels of technical expertise. Intuitive interfaces are vital as they facilitate quicker adoption among employees who might be hesitant to engage with complex technologies. Enhanced user experience can directly correlate with increased productivity, as employees spend less time navigating complicated systems and more time focusing on their core tasks. At its annual Unite 24 event, Unily unveiled another exciting initiative titled ‘Unily Go,’ a mobile app specifically created to bolster communication for frontline workers. These employees, often without access to desktop setups, require mobile solutions to stay connected and informed. Unily Go incorporates AI-driven features, providing secure messaging capabilities that ensure teams remain engaged, regardless of their physical location. This focus on frontline workers is particularly significant in industries like retail and manufacturing, where effective communication directly impacts operational efficiency. For example, a retail store manager can utilize Unily Go to quickly disseminate information about inventory updates or seasonal promotions to staff in real-time, ensuring everyone is aligned and informed without delay. Unily's strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Microsoft and Workgrid enhance the reliability and scope of their offerings. By integrating with established technologies, Unily can provide organizations with a secure and comprehensive method of utilizing digital assistants tailored to their needs. This combination of innovative solutions and deep industry collaboration positions Unily as a frontrunner in the competitive landscape of enterprise software. Looking ahead, both the Insight Center and Unily Go are set to be integrated into the broader Unily employee experience platform by 2025. This move reflects Unily's commitment to evolving its offerings to meet the changing demands of the workforce. With customizable white-label options, companies will have the ability to align these tools with their corporate branding, ensuring a consistent look and feel across their digital resources. The increasing reliance on AI in the workplace drives the necessity for such robust platforms. As organizations prioritize digital transformation, tools like the Insight Center will not only streamline AI integration but also support strategic decision-making by providing insights derived from AI analytics. These actionable data points can help executives identify trends, oversee performance, and refine their operational strategies accordingly.

In conclusion, Unily’s Insight Center and Unily Go represent pivotal advancements in the integration of AI within enterprise environments. By addressing the critical needs of businesses—such as streamlined processes, enhanced communication, and user-friendly interfaces—Unily is paving the way for organizations to thrive in an increasingly digital world. The promise of a more connected, efficient, and user-centric workplace is on the horizon, and with the right tools in hand, companies can better navigate the complexities of modern business.

[thedashshop]

Why Supporting Local Businesses Matters More Than Ever

In today’s fast-paced, digitally-driven world, supporting local businesses has never been more crucial. As large corporations and e-commerce giants continue to dominate the market, the survival and prosperity of small, local businesses are at risk. However, the significance of these local enterprises extends far beyond their products and services—they are the lifeblood of our communities. DASH Shop recognizes this and is dedicated to fostering economic sustainability through its innovative platform, designed to uplift and empower local businesses.

Economic Benefits: The Ripple Effect of Supporting Local

Supporting local businesses has a profound economic impact that resonates throughout the community. When you shop locally, a larger portion of your money stays within the community, creating a multiplier effect. Local businesses tend to source their supplies locally, use local services, and reinvest their profits within the community. This not only boosts the local economy but also creates job opportunities, contributing to a lower unemployment rate.

Small businesses are also more likely to offer unique and diverse products, enhancing consumer choice and fostering innovation. By supporting these businesses, we encourage entrepreneurship and the development of new ideas, which can lead to broader economic growth and resilience.

Strengthening Community Ties

Local businesses are integral to the social fabric of our communities. They are not just places to buy goods and services; they are gathering spots where people connect, share stories, and build relationships. These interactions foster a sense of belonging and community spirit that is often missing in large, impersonal retail chains.

Local business owners are typically more engaged in their communities, participating in local events, supporting local causes, and contributing to community development. Their involvement helps to create a more vibrant, cohesive community where people feel more connected and invested in their surroundings.

How DASH Shop Facilitates Local Support

DASH Shop is committed to making it easier for consumers to support local businesses while enjoying the convenience of modern technology. Here’s how DASH Shop facilitates this support:

1. Connecting Customers with Local Retailers

DASH Shop’s platform connects consumers with a wide range of local retailers, allowing them to shop from the comfort of their homes while still supporting their community. The platform

features an extensive selection of products from local stores, ensuring that customers have access to unique and high-quality items that they might not find elsewhere.

2. Promoting Instant Delivery

DASH Shop understands that convenience is a significant factor in modern shopping habits. By offering instant delivery services, the platform ensures that customers can enjoy the speed and convenience of online shopping while supporting local businesses. This service is particularly beneficial in today's fast-paced environment, where time is often a scarce resource.

3. Enhancing Visibility for Local Businesses

One of the main challenges for local businesses is visibility. DASH Shop addresses this by providing a robust online presence for local retailers, making it easier for them to reach a broader audience. The platform’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive search features enable consumers to discover new local businesses and products effortlessly.

4. Building a Community-Centric Brand

DASH Shop positions itself as a community-focused brand, dedicated to the economic sustainability of local businesses. By highlighting the stories and products of local retailers, DASH Shop fosters a deeper connection between consumers and businesses. This approach not only boosts sales for local businesses but also strengthens the community as a whole.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Supporting local businesses is more than just a purchase decision; it’s an investment in our communities and our future. By choosing to shop locally, we contribute to the economic vitality, social cohesion, and overall well-being of our communities. DASH Shop is at the forefront of this movement, providing the tools and platform necessary to make supporting local businesses easier and more convenient than ever.

Let’s embrace the opportunity to support our local businesses and, in turn, build stronger, more resilient communities. Together, with DASH Shop, we can make a difference, one purchase at a time.

[visionboardstudio01]

[touti21]

7 Eleven: A Symbol of Convenience Shopping

7 Eleven is one of the most well-known retail chains in the world, perfectly embodying the concept of "convenience shopping." Founded in 1927 in Dallas, Texas, the chain quickly expanded to become a symbol of fast service and accessibility. Today, 7 Eleven is a global brand, with locations in over 17 countries, making it one of the largest retail chains worldwide.

History and Evolution of 7 Eleven

The story began when an employee named Joe C. Thompson transformed his store into one that stayed open late into the night, allowing customers to shop at unconventional hours. The brand evolved to become "7 Eleven" in 1946, reflecting the long hours of operation from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., which were longer than traditional store hours at that time.

Products and Services

7 Eleven offers a wide range of products to meet customer needs. These include:

Beverages: A variety of sodas, juices, coffee, and energy drinks.

Snacks: Sweet treats, chocolates, chips, and other quick snacks.

Ready-to-Eat Meals: Options such as sandwiches, salads, and hot meals, making it an ideal choice for a quick lunch.

Essential Groceries: Basic household items like milk, bread, rice, and more.

Shopping Experience

7 Eleven stores are designed for practicality and ease of access. The stores are relatively small, making it easy for customers to navigate and find what they need quickly. Additionally, many locations operate 24 hours a day, providing great flexibility for shopping at any time.

Innovation and Technology

7 Eleven has embraced various modern technologies to enhance the shopping experience, including:

Mobile App: Allows customers to order products online, use promotional offers, and track points for rewards.

Smart Payment Systems: Offers various payment options, including mobile payments.

Community Impact

7 Eleven is an integral part of many people's lives, catering to their daily needs at their convenience. The stores also contribute to the local economy by providing job opportunities and supporting community initiatives.

Get Your 7 Eleven Gift Card!

Don’t miss out on the chance to get a 7 Eleven gift card! This card gives you the opportunity to enjoy fantastic discounts on a wide range of products. You can easily obtain it by visiting this link. Take advantage of this opportunity and start enjoying a rewarding shopping experience!

Conclusion

7 Eleven exemplifies how to adapt to market changes and meet customer needs. With its ongoing innovation and expansion, 7 Eleven remains one of the most important destinations for convenience shopping worldwide, solidifying its place as a symbol of comfort and ease in everyday life. Get your gift card today and be part of an extraordinary shopping experience!

[talktostopandshop-1]

TalkToStopAndShop – Win $500 – Stop and Shop Survey

In an age where customer feedback shapes the retail landscape, TalkToStopAndShop stands out as a platform empowering shoppers to voice their opinions. This initiative allows customers to share their experiences at Stop & Shop locations, ensuring that their insights contribute to improving services and products.

What is TalkToStopAndShop?

TalkToStopAndShop is an online survey program designed to gather feedback from Stop & Shop customers. After shopping, customers can participate in a brief survey that addresses various aspects of their shopping experience, including product availability, store cleanliness, and staff friendliness.

Why Participate?

Influence Change: Your feedback can lead to tangible changes in the store. Whether it's enhancing product selection or improving customer service, every voice counts.

Incentives: Many surveys offer rewards, such as discounts or sweepstakes entries, making participation not only beneficial for the company but also rewarding for customers.

Community Engagement: By sharing your thoughts, you contribute to a better shopping experience for everyone in your community.

How It Works

Participating in the TalkToStopAndShop survey is straightforward:

Visit the Website: After shopping, go to the TalkToStopAndShop website.

Enter Details: Input the required information, such as the store number and your purchase details.

Complete the Survey: Answer a series of questions regarding your experience.

Submit and Win: After completing the survey, you may be entered into a draw for prizes or receive a discount.

Customer Experience Matters

With the rise of online shopping, traditional grocery retailers like Stop & Shop are keenly aware of the importance of customer satisfaction. Platforms like TalkToStopAndShop provide valuable insights that can help retailers adapt to changing consumer preferences and improve their offerings.

Common Feedback Areas

Product Quality: Shoppers often comment on the freshness of produce and the quality of packaged goods.

Staff Interaction: Friendly and helpful staff can significantly enhance the shopping experience.

Store Layout: Customers appreciate when stores are easy to navigate and well-organized.

Conclusion

TalkToStopAndShop represents a vital connection between customers and retailers. By participating in this survey program, shoppers not only help improve their local Stop & Shop but also enjoy the benefits of sharing their experiences. Whether you're a loyal customer or a first-time visitor, your feedback can make a difference.

[beardedmrbean]

Just months after closing its healthcare centers, primary care centers are returning to Walmart.

CenterWell, the healthcare services business of Humana Inc., will open senior-focused primary care centers at 23 Walmart Supercenter retail stores. The initial openings will take place in Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Texas in spaces formerly occupied by Walmart Health.

In-store centers are expected to open in the first half of 2025.

“CenterWell is committed to providing seniors with high quality health care that is accessible, comprehensive, and most of all, personalized,” said Sanjay Shetty, M.D., president of CenterWell. “These nearly two dozen primary care centers are specifically designed for seniors, and each location’s design, including dedicated entrances and easy parking, offers patients the access that they have come to expect at our clinics across the nation.”

Clinics will be staffed by board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners and medical assistants alongside care coaches, social workers, behavioral health specialists and clinical pharmacists.

In addition to the in-store clinics, CenterWell will open senior-focused primary care centers adjacent to Walmart Supercenters in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Orlando, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth and Kansas City.

In May, Walmart announced it was closing 51 in-store medical centers five years after they first opened. Walmart Health and Walmart Health Virtual Care centers across five states closed, though the chain continued to operate nearly 4,600 pharmacies and 3,000 vision centers.