Full Body Scanners Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Full Body Scanners - Article Example airport security policies. In response, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) installed the full body scanners, called mainly as â€Å"naked body scanners†, in the main airports of the country. These scanners can de roughly divided into two types: â€Å"millimeter wave† machines, which are based on electromagnetic field use and are considered safe for all people, pregnant women in particular. Another type is a â€Å"backscatter† machine, based on low ionizing radiation emission. It is stated that X-rays of such scanners do not penetrate a body but â€Å"jump back† to a screen and form a body 3-D image. The TSA Administrator John Pistole and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano stated that the new methods of checking are essential in view of the fact that traditional metal detectors and non-intrusive inspections are clearly ineffective and inadequate in the circumstances concerned. The use of new technologies and new procedures is to ensu re our safety, as the terrorists still continue to plan, Pistole stated. Napolitano has made it clear that her agency will not stop at what has been accomplished and will spread the new checking system to railway and subway stations in the future. By the end of 2010 there were over 100 full body scanners in 32 airports. Right now their number grew up to over 450 units and no end in sight. The authorities plan to set about a thousand of these devices, which will cost approximately $ 300 million (Holbrook, 11). Such measures stirred up a fierce discussion. Some Americans refer to the Fourth Amendment, stating that their privacy is violated. Some opposed the new security measures due to their natural modesty and ethic issues. Some do not accept everything that was done by the present-day administration. The others worry about ionizing radiation emitted by the new scanners, although the experts say that in a flying airliner any passenger gets much more roentgens than from body scanning. Finally, all the fears and suspicions against the scanners and alternative airport screening processes made human rights activists and libertarians take up arms against such novelties. One of the latter, Texas Republican Congressman Ron Paul, even introduced a law in draft to the House of Representatives - Air Traveler Dignity Act that protects Americans against full body scanners. Paul pretends to summarize all the negative opinions of passengers and pilots and his own as well, calling TSA and its methods the â€Å"Soviet-style nonsense.† Paul Sr., a gynecologist by profession, also expresses deep concerns about a radiation emitted by the new scanners. He was echoed by the U.S. Representative for Tennessee John Duncan, who plainly told in the Congress that a â€Å"nationwide revolt† against airport body scanning machines spreads all over the country and that’s good! And it’s not about ethics or risk for cancer even. Duncan pointedly noted in his speech that the former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff now â€Å"represents Rapiscan, which sells these scanners to his former agency.† On the other hand, most Democrats support the new order. Most of their fellow citizens are also ready to put up with the new naked body scanners. As the recent poll of the Washington Post-ABC News shows, only 32% of respondents are determined against the scanners. But abusive and invasive searches in airports have split the public opinion in America in half: 50% of respondents were against them. Especially revealing, in this concern, was the

Retail Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Retail Marketing - Essay Example Today Waitrose is considered to be the sixth largest supermarket in the UK. It has a total of 241 branches, 18,000 stock lines and its grocery market share in the UK is estimated to be 4.3%. The retail business has fresh, quality, and safe products, quality customer service, and proper home delivery services. Through this, the grocery is known for its good reputation and image. The grocery has new and loyal customers (John Lewis Partnership, 2010). Waitrose is known to be a luxurious supermarket because of its provision of high quality goods and excellent services to the customers. The grocery’s employees have remained loyal hence, low turnover of staff. They are committed to meeting the various needs of customers. Through all this, the company has continued to thrive. The major competitors of Waitrose include, Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, and Morrison’s. The pricing of goods in Waitrose supermarket is higher compared to that of its competitors. International retail ing International retailing involves expansion of retail operations; concepts, management expertise, technology, and buying function beyond the domestic market. Retailers are faced with several operational challenges as they seek to expand their business beyond their borders. These challenges are; demand for products that are new and trendy, diversity and brands, retailers have to ensure their products remain exclusive. There is also increased competition, rapid globalization, E-commerce and complexity in terms of technology. The impact of these challenges increases as the rate of change accelerates and global markets become more volatile and turbulent. For survival in international markets, retail enterprises will have to embrace the new realities. Simpson and Thorpe’s PLIN Model is appropriate in the assessment of Waitrose international viability. In this model four main factors helps to differentiate Waitrose domestic market. These factors provide the basis to consider int ernational expansion as a possible growth strategy. They include product, lifestyle, image and niche, which are reflected in the various strategies adopted by Waitrose. Waitrose has segmented its products. In terms of lifestyle, Waitrose is considered a luxurious company dealing with quality and safe products. The image of the Waitrose is reflected in high price perception of the company, specialty in fresh and quality food products. Niche on the other hand is reflected through Waitrose specialization on fresh food products that are of high quality. Strategies of Waitrose Waitrose supermarket has specific strategies in place which help to attract more customers, expand its market share and increase its profits. These strategies are useful in the assessment of Waitrose international viability. They include; online shopping, home delivery service, specializing in products of wide range, maintaining the freshness and the quality of products, setting aside vital products that are low pr iced, better customer service and market segmentation. Waitrose has also introduced meaningful ideas which help in cost control and reduction. Its image and reputation has also been boosted by the grocery participation in corporate social responsibility (John Lewis partnership annual report, 2010). The value chain of Waitrose is important, Michael (1985) and Johnson et al (2005) highlights the basic activities of value chain. It includes the following; the first is inbound logistics. Leckford