Archive - Feb 2010
February 23rd
A fair art deal
The ArtTree is an online art and photography store that specialises in affordable pieces. Artwork comes from a mixture of upcoming talent and more established artists, and prices are capped at a maximum of €750. In addition to sourcing affordable art for consumers, the ArtTree also provides a marketplace for artists to sell their work at a fair price.
Why it matters
This online environment is a friendly space for producers and consumers, where both parties can feel secure in their transactions. Is this the beginning of "fair-trade" style business models appearing in more business sectors?
February 22nd
The instant recipe finder
This iPhone app from Albert Heijn, the biggest supermarket in the Netherlands, combines your shopping list with their enormous database of recipes. While browsing on the recipe finder, you can immediately put all the ingredients on your shopping list.
Why it matters
As consumers operate in an increasingly sophisticated digital environment, retailers need to innovate quickly to meet demand. By putting recipe ingredients straight into online shopping baskets, it makes the transition from researching to purchasing seamless. Will we see more examples of retailers pre-empting shoppers needs (like Tesco, where your favourites from your weekly shop are saved online) to improve the likelihood of consumers spending more?
Save the planet (virtually)
To draw attention to the need for protected green spaces in the Netherlands, non-profit organisation Natuurmonumenten (NM) has set up a website where supporters can claim their own square metre of an online virtual nature reserve. As more people participate, the virtual reserve grows in size, with the aim of becoming the biggest website in the world!
Why it matters
In the fast-moving digital age, people who support charities and good causes online have become increasingly used to seeing immediate results from their interactions. Will the charity sector be able to keep up with developing technology to ensure they maintain enough suitable donation channels?
