Business

Enhancing the Online Shopping Experience with Shopping Roulette

Published

3 years ago

December 3, 2021

Online shopping is nothing new. Billions of people shop online for what they need throughout the year, catching great deals on different items without ever leaving their homes. While it’s not a new concept, a relatively new site is available that enhances the online shopping experience. Shopping Roulette, created by three European School of Economics graduates, provides a way for shoppers to have a game-like experience while getting what they need. The shoppers can browse through roughly 500,000 different products.

While the site is up and running, it took time, effort, and collaboration to transform it into what it has become. Siblings Elia and Joseph D’Anna have always loved new technologies and wanted to develop something innovative and exciting for consumers that would leave a lasting impression on them. However, it wasn’t until they met Emilie Edberg at an event she was in charge of that their vision turned into something that would eventually provide consumers with a new way to shop.

“When I met Elia and Joseph, we discussed a lot of their tech ideas. The one that I liked the most was Shopping Roulette. As a fashion entrepreneur, it stood out to me as something I knew I’d personally enjoy, so I knew that other consumers would love it as much as I do,” said Edberg. “While it may sound like a simple concept, the three of us have put so much effort into creating a platform that benefits shoppers. While bringing gamification into the e-commerce space is a new concept, we didn’t want to alienate the average shopper by focusing solely on gaming. Because we didn’t want to push too hard on the gaming side, we needed to figure out the perfect balance to make our site more appealing to the consumers.”

Through brainstorming efforts and a lot of trial and effort, the trio eventually found that perfect balance. They decided to move forward with developing a revolutionary website that is the first of its kind. “We’re offering a new way of selling to the consumers. They can visit our site and sort through the thousands of products based on what they’re looking for, want, and need. Once they put in their order, they get added to a roulette wheel consisting of a handful of other shoppers. The wheel chooses one random shopper to get their purchase refunded,” said Edberg. “As a result, the customer gets a refund and still gets their order shipped out to them. Who wouldn’t want to take a chance of getting something they were already planning to buy for free? No other site offers this option for the shoppers like we do.”

Shopping Roulette’s concept has quickly become a favorable option for millions of shoppers looking to buy items for themselves and others. Customers can find what they need, from sneakers to handbags, belts, shaping underwear, and assorted accessories, while potentially getting the items for free. Check out the site at ShoppingRoulette.com to see how it’s operating and how much money shoppers have saved since its inception.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

2 weeks ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.