Since the Copenhagen Conference just before Christmas 2009 the politicians have been very quite about the environment. This may make you think that the issue is also off the retailers agenda and trade is going on as it was before.

This is far from the case. Whilst politicians have decided they have more urgent things to address the retail community is still developing the green cause and there are some interesting initiatives taking place.

What is happening around the world? Lets take a global tour:

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No, this is not a creature from an alien planet, it is a new marketing concept coming out of New Zealand.

It stands for: Out Of Own Back Yard and is a social networking community that is connecting food producers and consumers for trade and ideas sharing.

OOOBY will organise sales at a farmers market where people can barter, sell or exchange local foods. This is a trend I first came across in the UK and one that will continue into the future.

It could have an impact on the traditional marketing system if it continues to grow. Watch how OOOBY develops.

You may think the primary purpose of your phone is to answer phone calls. This is now a minor part of the benefits of owning a phone.

If, like me, you do a lot of travelling to foreign parts, the challenge is often understanding the menu or finding a toilet. Many times I have sat in a restaurant and pointed to a few words on the menu and then hoped I would enjoy the meal that came along. I would have no idea what I had ordered.

Life is getting easier. I can now walk into a restaurant with my mobile phone, hold it above the menu, take a picture and the menu will be translated into the language I have selected.

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How does the consumer get their information on gardening? Historically they would have tuned their “wireless” in as the garden experts told their tales and offered advice on how to get the best out of your garden. Then TV arrived and the programmers discovered a potential new audience and gardening programmes evolved from serious technical programmes to” make overs”. TV stations became a media where the gardener presenters gained celebrity status. Books followed and many of these garden celebrities moved onto be general TV stars.

2010 arrived and the next phase in garden media exposure arrived. Gardeners started to rush to their mobile phones to watch the latest trends in gardening. (more…)