Business and Data Science News

Sunday, January 7^th, 2024 – Saturday, January 13^th, 2024

Sunday, January 7^th, 2024

Topics of conversation over the past 24 hours on the various internet chat forums:
- Why is there military involvement at the state legislature?
- Is there a class I can take in junior high on how to invest my money?
- Who is in control of outer space and space exploration?
- Is there a way to copy sewing patterns to make different size shirts?
- Who still sells fabric by the meter or yard or where can I order it from?
- Can I make my own pom-poms? (cheer / dance)
- How do I know how to search for something if I don’t know how to spell what it’s called?
- Why is flash photography sometimes banned?
- Is there a class I can take to learn how to be a waitress?
- Who can become a doctor for people in terms of school age?
- Who can invent their own board games or video games?
- Can someone post pictures of Friday night buffet?
- What is a trade person and how do I become one?
- Can I take the bus to the shopping center?
- Can someone post prices of Sunday buffet?
- Is anyone going to Las Vegas for spring break?
- How do I apply for an internship and do you make money at all from one?
Things people did for leisure and entertainment sometime yesterday afternoon or evening or into this morning between the hours of 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. (time shifted to local time) in order of increasing attendance, popularity, purchase volume, and dollar [currency] value:
- Number 12.
  - Purchase activewear clothing and fitness and exercise-related apparel
    - Top 2 favorite color palettes:
      - White and teal (most popular)
      - Red and orange
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per receipt is: $201.88 U.S. Dollar (USD) retail price
- Number 11.
  - Sign-up and register and make the full payment for one session of singing lessons
    - Each session runs for 6 weeks
    - Lessons are held once weekly and each lesson lasts for 45 minutes
  - Average (ideal) consumer budget per session is: $280.00 USD retail sales price
- Number 10.
  - Purchase indoor running shoes to wear to the gym
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per pair is: $169.81 USD retail price
- Number 9.
  - Purchase scratch-off lottery tickets or snap-open (redeemable at the place of purchase) lottery tickets
    - Average denomination per single play ticket is: $4.00 USD retail luck price
- Number 8.
  - Book and schedule and make the full payment for a shore excursion that relates to an already booked and scheduled cruise vacation
    - Top 4 most popular shore excursions:
      - Retail Markets Bus Tour (Playa del Carmen, Mexico)(most popular)
      - Surf & Sun & Sail & Swim & Snorkel (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
      - Campfire Cookout on the Beach (Maya Riviera, Mexico)
      - Diamond Rings and Pretty Things (Brussels, Belgium)
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per person per excursion is: $4,999.99 USD retail sales price
- Number 7.
  - Make a hotel reservation (accommodations for 1 night) and make the full payment for a Valentine’s Day celebration that will take place sometime in the month of March 2024
    - Top 3 favorite features of the hotel:
      - Friday night availability in terms of occupancy (most important)
      - Restaurant on-site or on the property or there is room service available between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and midnight
      - Heated, indoor swimming pool
    - Average (ideal) consumer budget per 1 night’s stay is: $199.99 USD retail sales price
- Number 6.
  - Sign-up and register and make the full payment and join an amateur hockey team for the 2024 season
    - Average consumer purchase price, not including the cost of equipment is: $1400.00 USD retail sales price
- Number 5.
  - Play Bingo at a Hall or Event Center for a charitable cause
    - Groups of 12 are the most common
      - Average number of cards played per person per (game) play: 5
      - Average total dollar amount played per person: $82.00 USD
      - Average winner’s take: $190.00 USD
      - Probability of a win: 1 in 41,991
- Number 4.
  - Play Chase the Ace at a Bingo Hall or Event Center in support of a non-profit organization
    - Groups of 9 are the most common
    - Average winner’s take: $4,118.00 USD
    - Probability of a win: 1 in 12,361
- Number 3.
  - Prepare and make homemade guacamole
    - As an add-on or topping for these Top 3 favorite dishes:
      - Pizza (most popular)
      - Hot pastry pockets stuffed with cheese and onion
      - Marble rye bread
- Number 2.
  - Prepare homemade cupcakes from scratch
    - Top 3 favorite flavors of batter:
      - Vanilla (most popular)
      - Red Velvet
      - Birthday Cake
    - Top 2 favorite flavors of buttercream frosting:
      - Chocolate Bean Supreme
      - Double Espresso Fudge
- Number 1.
  - Go out for dinner and eat at an all-you-can-eat buffet within the city limits or before the state line
    - Top 4 favorite buffet features as advertised:
      - Prime rib as a prepared menu item (most valued)
      - Kids under 5 (years of age) eat free with a paying adult
      - Omelet station as an evening menu enabled offering
      - Bottomless soft drink, coffee, and tea included in the purchase price
    - Average consumer purchase price not including seating fee or gratuity for groups of less than 12 per party (USD):
      - Adults 18 – 54 years of age ($29.99)
      - Senior Citizens 55+ years of age ($24.99)
      - Young Adults 13 – 17 years of age ($19.99)
      - Kids 10 – 12 years of age ($12.99)
      - Kids 9 years of age and less (Free)
    - Groups of 9 – 12 are the most common
    - Average consumer purchase price per receipt is: $294.80 USD retail sales price
489 day record for the number of people…
- House-hunting and looking at homes and properties while accompanied by a real estate agent, a property developer (show homes), or the owner (for sale by owner)
Record breaking numbers between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (time shifted to local time) for the purchase of:
- Lamps, including desktop, countertop, floor, end-table, ceiling-mounted, and chandelier varieties
  - +12,090% compared to the same 12-hour time period on the same date in the year 2022
  - +1,900% compared to any 12-hour time period on any date in the month of January in the year 2022
  - +465.% compared to any 12-hour time period on any date in any month in the year 2022
  - 4,718 day record for sales
  - Average (ideal) consumer budget per fixture is: $419.91 U.S. Dollars (USD)

Monday, January 8^th, 2024

Topics of conversation over the past 24 hours on the various internet chat forums:
- What chores are considered housework and which chores are manual labor?
- What time do most babysitters get off work?
- Is there a way to change the font size to less than 8?
- Is a smoking jacket considered semi-formal dress or casual dress?
- How do I do up and tie a smoking jacket?
- What is a wrist corsage?
- What is a boutonniere?
- How do I find wordings for a debate argument?
- Is there a template I can use for an invoice and receipt book?
- What is Rangoon?
- Where do I buy the right serger for home ec class?
- How do I make a torte and what does the dish look like?
Things people did for leisure and entertainment sometime yesterday afternoon or evening or into this morning between the hours of 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. (time shifted to local time) in order of increasing attendance, popularity, purchase volume, and dollar [currency] value:
- Number 5.
  - Book and schedule and make the full payment for an itinerary excursion that relates to an already booked and scheduled spring break vacation on land
    - Top 4 most popular itinerary excursions:
      - Tea and Crumpets on the British Isles (most popular)
      - Waiting for the Dough (New York City, New York)
      - Holding out for Dough (Atlanta, Georgia)
      - Prison Break (San Francisco, California)
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per excursion is: $109.99 USD retail sales price
- Number 4.
  - Purchase a mattress new in the wrap
    - Queen size mattresses are the necessary favorite
    - Average (ideal) consumer budget is: $209.99 USD retail price
- Number 3.
  - Purchase tickets and then see a movie at the movie theater
    - Preferred runtime for these showings is: 61 minutes
    - Average ticket purchase price (USD):
      - Children 5 – 12 years of age ($5.99)
      - Youth 13 – 17 years of age ($9.99)
      - Adults 18 – 64 years of age ($12.99)
      - Adults 64 years of age and older ($10.99)
- Number 2.
  - Arrange for childcare or hire a nanny or register a child for preschool or daycare at a facility or in an environment where enrichment education is offered as a part of the core learning plan, and this is for the upcoming summer months
    - Average consumer budget per hour of care (where offered as) is: $42.00 USD retail sales price
    - Average consumer budget per care day (where offered as) is: $321.00 USD retail sales price
- Number 1.
  - Schedule professional housecleaning or maid services as part of a new once weekly routine
    - Average consumer purchase price per week for a 2 bedroom and 2 full bath home is: $400.00 USD retail sales price
- 9,892 day sales record for the purchase of:
  - Water purifiers with an activated charcoal filter and a 12 cup capacity
    - These are called point-of-care units
    - The filters need to be changed and replaced every 2-4 weeks depending on the quality of the tap water and how often the purifier is used
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per unit, including 4 disposable filters is: $199.99 USD retail price
- Record breaking numbers between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (time shifted to local time) for the purchase of:
  - Fuel, 87 octane-rated gasoline
    - Average cost per liter (where sold as) is: $1.00 USD retail cost price
    - Average cost per imperial gallon (where sold as) is: $3.97 USD retail cost price
    - Average cost per U.S. gallon (where sold as) is: $4.01 USD retail cost price

Tuesday, January 9^th, 2024

Topics of conversation over the past 24 hours on the various internet chat forums:
- How do I self-clean the oven on my own?
- How far is it to the beach from my hotel?
- Can I walk to the beach from the resort?
- Does anyone sell jelly sandals like flip-flops in the wintertime?
- Who still lets you swim with the dolphins like before?
- What do you need for a business to become a maid in other people’s homes?
- Is there a website that’s best for entertaining for couples and cooking for 2 or more?
- Who can I ask to come with me to buy a Valentine’s Day present for my girlfriend?
- What does a fishtail for hair look like?
Things people did for leisure and entertainment sometime yesterday afternoon or evening or into this morning between the hours of 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. (time shifted to local time) in order of increasing attendance, popularity, purchase volume, and dollar [currency] value:
- Number 3.
  - Make road-trip travel plans
    - For return (there and back) travel between the dates of February 19^th – March 4^th, 2024 inclusive
    - Top 9 Road-Trip Travel Destinations:
      - Cabo, Mexico (most popular)
      - Monterey, California
      - Seattle, Washington
      - Lexington, United Kingdom
      - Glasgow, Scotland
      - Stockholm, Sweden
      - Toronto, Ontario
      - Tijuana, Mexico
      - New York City, New York
    - Average number of miles (kilometers) per return trip is: 483 miles (772.8 kilometers)
- Number 2.
  - Make arrangements or reservations for hotel / resort accommodations, air or ground travel, and equipment rental, and make a payment of at least 75% of the full purchase price, for an all-inclusive ski vacation package
    - For travel between the dates of January 19^th – April 1^st, 2024 inclusive
      - Groups of 7 – 24 are the most common
      - Average (ideal) consumer budget per person, excluding lift ticket is: $4085.81 USD retail sales price
      - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price for a 1-day lift ticket is: $81.00 USD retail cost price
      - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price for a 2-day lift ticket is: $150.00 USD retail cost price
      - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price for a 3-day weekend pass lift ticket is: $225.00 USD retail cost price
- Number 1.
  - Go out for dinner and eat at an all-you-can-eat buffet within the city limits or before the state line
3,775 day sales record for the purchase of:
- Record players that play vinyl records, including 45’s
  - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per record player is: $391.89 USD retail price
Record breaking numbers between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (time shifted to local time) for the purchase of:
- Postage stamps
  - +9,811% compared to the same 12-hour time period on the same date in the year 2022
  - +812.% compared to any 12-hour time period on any date in the month of January in the year 2022
  - +14.% compared to any 12-hour time period on any date in any month in the year 2022
  - 218 day record for sales
  - Average denomination per postage stamp is: $1.43 dollars all currency

Wednesday, January 10^th, 2024

Topics of conversation over the past 24 hours on the various internet chat forums:
- How do I make bundt cake and are there different size pans I can buy?
- Is there bronzer that stays on in the sun?
- What does it mean to have an acquired taste for something?
- Can you make licorice at home like red or black or green shoelaces?
- What is the proper book report format?
- Can anyone get a library card for free and where?
- How much does it cost for new home windows all around?
Things people did for leisure and entertainment sometime yesterday afternoon or evening or into this morning between the hours of 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. (time shifted to local time) in order of increasing attendance, popularity, purchase volume, and dollar [currency] value:
- Number 9.
  - Go out for dinner and eat at an all-you-can-eat buffet within the city limits or before the state line
- Number 8.
  - Order take-out food from a local restaurant using a mobile device and a web-enabled application and have it delivered by a third-party food delivery service
    - Top 5 favorite types or kinds or styles of cuisine:
      - American (most popular)
      - Chinese food
      - Italian
      - Sudanese cuisine
      - Greek
    - Home delivery for Groups of 9 are the most common
    - Average consumer purchase price per receipt is: $181.86 USD
- Number 7.
  - Sign-up and register and make the full payment and join a men’s league amateur ice hockey team for the 2024 season
- Number 6.
  - Purchase a smartphone complete with a 1-year activation plan
    - Average (ideal) consumer budget per smartphone is: $199.00 USD retail sales price
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per month based on a fixed 1-year contract is: $89.00 USD retail cost price
- Number 5.
  - Purchase a membership and make the first and last months monthly payment for a gun club that has a certified firing range, and this is in context of a legally acquired and possessed firearm
- Number 4.
  - Purchase a wedding band made of 14 karat white, yellow, or rose gold that is fitted to size
    - Average (ideal) consumer budget is: $901.00 USD retail price
- Number 3.
  - Play Bingo at a Hall or Event Center for a charitable cause
- Number 2.
  - Play Chase the Ace at a Bingo Hall or Event Center in support of a non-profit organization
- Number 1.
  - Purchase tickets and then see a movie at the movie theater

Thursday, January 11^th, 2024

Topics of conversation over the past 24 hours on the various internet chat forums:
- Does anyone still have candy on sale left over from the holidays?
- Where can I buy a crock cooking pot that can cook raw food?
- Is it hard to learn how to tap dance as an adult?
- Where can I buy a leotard and shoes for dance class?
- Who still gives acting lessons?
- Is it too late to sign up for the basketball team at school?
Things people did for leisure and entertainment sometime yesterday afternoon or evening or into this morning between the hours of 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. (time shifted to local time) in order of increasing attendance, popularity, purchase volume, and dollar [currency] value:
- Number 9.
  - Sign-up and register and make the complete payment for snowmobiling lessons
    - Lessons are held daily over the course of 3 days and each lesson is 4 hours in length with one 15-minute hot-chocolate warm-up break included each day
    - Average consumer purchase price per person, including snowmobile and helmet rental is: $1,600.00 USD retail sales price
- Number 8.
  - Order take-out food from a local restaurant using a mobile device and a web-enabled application and have it delivered by a third-party food delivery service
    - Top 5 favorite types or kinds or styles of cuisine:
      - Mexican food (most popular)
      - Chinese food
      - American
      - Greek
      - Sudanese cuisine
    - Home delivery for Groups of 5 are the most common
    - Average consumer purchase price per receipt is: $105.83 USD
- Number 7.
  - Sign-up and register and make the full payment and join an amateur league American / Canadian football team for the Spring and Summer 2024 season
- Number 6.
  - Go shopping at a shopping mall and, generally speaking, browse the merchandise and service provision
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per all subtotal receipts per person is: $14.91 USD retail price
- Number 5.
  - Go out and eat dinner at an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant within the city limits or before the state line
- Number 4.
  - Purchase tickets and then see a movie at the movie theater
- Number 3.
  - Go shopping at a shopping mall and, generally speaking, browse the merchandise and service provision
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per all subtotal receipts per person is: $18.02 USD retail price
- Number 2.
  - Purchase a junior prom, prom, or grad dress, including 4 dress fittings and any necessary alterations
    - Average (ideal) consumer gift price is: $1019.20 USD retail sales price
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price is: $905.81 USD retail sales price
- Number 1.
  - Purchase a men’s 4-piece dress suit for junior prom, prom, or grad, including 2 fittings and tailoring to fit
    - Average (ideal) consumer gift price is: $1219.11 USD retail sales price
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price is: $812.91 USD retail sales price
477 day sales record for the purchase of a gasoline-fueled car in the style of a 4-door Sedan
- Average (ideal) consumer purchase price (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) per Sedan is: $19,051 USD
- Compilation of financing data:
  - Down payment (% of final purchase price)
    - 1.0% (most common) > 5.0% > 8.0% > 10.0%
  - Term length
    - 9-year (most popular) > 12-year > 5-year > 1-year
  - Interest Rate
    - 4.95% (most common) > 3.91% > 4.01% > 8.00%

Friday, January 12^th, 2024

Topics of conversation over the past 24 hours on the various internet chat forums:
- How do I make a resumé that sets me apart from other people?
- Is it too early for Christmas shopping?
- Who celebrates Chinese New Year and when?
- What is the best smelling perfume on the market as of today?
- Who does home cleaning out of their own home like a person or couple?
- What is the going rate for math tutors?
- Do people still do deep-frying at home or no?
- How do I start my own hotdog food cart?
- How do they make money at the Mint and can I watch?
Things people did for leisure and entertainment sometime yesterday afternoon or evening or into this morning between the hours of 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. (time shifted to local time) in order of increasing attendance, popularity, purchase volume, and dollar [currency] value:
- Number 4.
  - Go shopping at a shopping mall and, generally speaking, browse the merchandise and service provision
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per all subtotal receipts per person is: $14.91 USD retail price
- Number 3.
  - Sign-up and register and make payment for a session of cooking classes in the style of Pastry cuisine
    - Top 3 favorite class-prepared pastry delights:
      - Double Chocolate Croissant
      - Butter Tarts with Raisins and Nutmeg Spice
      - Double Butter Tarts and French Onion Soup
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per session, including all ingredients is: $400.00 USD retail cost price
- Number 2.
  - Create a short video of less than 4 minutes in length with the intent of uploading it to a social media site at some time in the near future
- Number 1.
  - Purchase a session package of indoor tanning minutes at an indoor suntanning studio or bar
    - Average number of minutes purchased per person is: 200
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per session package is: $99.00 USD retail sales price
881 day sales record for the purchase of a Set of 4 winter snow tires off the rim
- Type of vehicle for which the purpose was intended, listed in descending order:
  - Truck (most common)
  - Electric car
  - Conversion Van
  - Sport Utility Vehicle
  - Gas powered 4-door car
  - Hybrid car
  - Electric car
- Average (ideal) consumer purchase price is: $1299.99 USD sales price plus levy

Saturday, January 13^th, 2024

Topics of conversation over the past 24 hours on the various internet chat forums:
- What does it mean to make peach cobbler?
- Is there a way to bake cookies in an air fryer?
- Who has ballroom dresses on sale for a decent price?
- Is there a way to know what kind of countertops are in my kitchen?
- Is there a way to have someone deliver a newspaper to my house from somewhere else?
- Who still does taste-sampling at the store?
- What do I wear for ski trip? (the chaperoned trip with school for junior high and high school age students)
Things people did for leisure and entertainment sometime yesterday afternoon or evening or into this morning between the hours of 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. (time shifted to local time) in order of increasing attendance, popularity, purchase volume, and dollar [currency] value:
- Number 4.
  - Order take-out food from a local restaurant using a mobile device and a web-enabled application and have it delivered by a third-party food delivery service
    - Top 9 favorite types or kinds or styles of cuisine:
      - Chinese food (most popular)
      - Mexican food
      - Japanese food
      - American
      - Italian
      - Greek
      - Sudanese cuisine
      - Nigerian cuisine
      - French cuisine
    - Home delivery for Groups of 4 are the most common
    - Average consumer purchase price per receipt is: $81.98 USD
- Number 3.
  - Sign-up and register and make the full installation payment for one session of traditional ballroom dance class lessons
    - Lessons are held once weekly and the session runs for 10 weeks
    - Each class is 45 minutes in length
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per session (not including shoes or costume) is: $199.00 USD retail sales price
- Number 2.
  - Sign-up and register and make the full payment for a session of cooking classes in the style of Italian cuisine
    - Top 3 favorite class-prepared meals:
      - Penne primavera
      - Linguini alfredo
      - Chicken parmesan on a bed of vermicelli noodles
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per session, including all ingredients is: $714.00 USD retail cost price
- Number 1.
  - Go shopping at a shopping mall and, generally speaking, browse the merchandise and service provision
    - Average (ideal) consumer purchase price per all subtotal receipts per person is: $12.19 USD retail price
37 day sales record for the purchase of:
- Air conditioners, residential type, including ground sealed fixtures (the kind that are placed on a poured cement pad or on anchored cement blocks) and blow-through air conditioning units (the kind that are installed in a window or door and that are fixed to the sash)
  - Average number of British Thermal Units (BTU’s) per air conditioner is: 1200
  - Average (ideal) consumer budget per unit, not including the cost of installation is: $1999.00 USD retail price
Worldwide Indices and Metrics
- The worldwide gross domestic product as of 4:00 p.m. central standard time today is: -1219.01