• 70% of Americans shop online.
  
• Men spend more than women: $240 a month vs. $186.
  
• Two out of three shoppers start at aggregator sites, not merchants' sites.

92% of Women Prefer to Purchase from Companies that Support Women

Paralelles Media Group’s 2008 Year of the Woman Survey

In recognition of International Women’s Day, Paralelles Media Group (www.paralelles.com) has released preliminary results from its 2008 Year of the Woman Survey, conducted in January and February 2008. The survey of over 16,000 women in business and business owners finds that an overwhelming 84% expect to grow their businesses in 2008, with 57% planning on hiring additional staff.

“With one in every 11 adult women in the owning her own business, women’s purchasing power – be it for business or personal purposes – is a vital part of the US economy,” says Linda Coughlin, founder of Paralelles Media Group. “Ninety-two percent of our respondents said they would make a purchase from a company that clearly demonstrates they support women in business – this is a powerful voice from a sector responsible for $2 trillion in sales*.”

Paralelles, which operates across a series of vertical markets covering online, radio, print and television accessing a -strong member network, launched in June 2007 as an online retail products and content site focused on the woman in business and owners and her particular expertise. Dedicated to supporting growth of women-owned enterprises, www.paralelles.com takes a unique approach by providing an online platform where individuals and firms can purchase products from women-owned businesses.

In the survey, Paralelles found an even split between women that use networking sites and those ripe to attract online. Key to this finding is that of those women that don?’t currently socialize online, 39% would do so with a group that shares their specific interests.

Additionally, Paralelles found a growing trend amongst women turning to Internet radio, with 33% tuning in on a regular basis. “Paralelles recognizes this interest. We launched our One Big Life radio program which airs every Wednesday at 3:00pm (ET/PT) on Voice American Women. We are also launching a Radio Network of programs hosted by women.”

In a surprise finding, of the 1000 respondents, the majority (77%) do not consider themselves to be sophisticated investors, with 21% deeming their homes and 28% naming life insurance (term and whole life) to be their main investments. “Interestingly,” says Coughlin, “half of those surveyed would take a friend?’s advice when hiring a professional money advisor.”

On the consumer products side, the survey shows that the majority of women plan to spend up to $10,000 this year on fashion and accessories, with more than 50% saying the follow the latest fashions. And marketers take note ?– when it comes to product packaging, women respond best to primary colors and ?– the color of money ?– green!

“What we have created through our key vertical markets here at Paralelles addresses exactly what women are saying they really want. As a business owner myself, I understand these desires and am creating a variety of mediums that will help millions of other women business owners ‘Keep the Cash in the Circle’,” says Coughlin.

Key to Paralelles’ growth is a deal just inked with Lifetime Networks to produce a monthly segment entitled?“Keep the Cash in the Circle”. The new program will be presented by Coughlin beginning in May on The Balancing Act over the Lifetime Network.

Our mission to keep the cash in the circle reflects our business platform that spending just $10.00 a week with a woman in business will result in over one half billion in re-distributed wealth among this largest demographic of purchasers. We encourage and remind when 1 million women spend just $520.00 annually this $500 million will be realized It is a platform that grows exponentially when the dollars increase and the women practicing to “keep the cash in the circle” grow to 2-3 and more million!

In our bi monthly newsletter and across our platform we will profile products and services and business of women to direct you on where you can keep the “Cash in the circle today!

Do you have an Keep the cash in the circle story, we would love to hear from you!

The full article can be viewed online at www.paralelles.com and the full survey is available for purchase. Please contact info@paralelles.com for further details.

*101 Facts on the Status of Working Women” by the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation