Not Enough Closet Space for your Designer Purses?

For most of my life, I've been utilitarian about my purses and shoes. I made sure to have a stylish handbag for evenings but admittedly, they're severely limited in number.

However, Bag Borrow or Steal has brought to women another option: rent-a-bag. It appears as though it works much like NetFlix allowing you to chose from 3 different rental categories: Trendsetter for $20/mo, Princess for $50/mo, and Diva for $100/mo.

So, if you're among the people who want instant access to uber-premium goods, additional niches are becoming available that will help maintain your sense of entitlement.

SpotScout - Soon Coming to Your City

How many times have you driven into a new city and circled a city block several times never to find that ellusive parking space?

SpotScout claims to be the world’s first mobile exchange marketplace for parking spots, connecting parking spaces with drivers that are desperately seeking them.

Begun in the UK, SpotScout is due to launch in NYC and Boston and soon in other metro areas. However, you can add more cash in your pocket by registering your own private spot at your home on SpotScout. You and other 'SpotCasters' set the asking price and time they wish to make their space available. Instantly placed, the info on SpotScout's network is available for others. Set in real-time, both reservations and payment take place online or via web-enabled mobile phones.

London Cabbies by Women for Women

UK's first women-only private car hire franchise has been created by Pink Ladies who spotted a business opportunity. The demand for this service is due to the rise in attacks (~10 each month) on women after getting into an unlicensed mini-cab.

The Pink Ladies drive Renault Kangoos that are pink inside and out, making them highly visible. Passengers sign up as members, and fares are either pre-paid, paid by credit card or with a 'pink account', which is both convenient for members and safe for drivers.

Booking is done over the phone, and a text message is sent to the customer to let her know the vehicle is approaching, which means she doesn't have to wait outside. Drivers are trained in self-defense and will wait outside a customer's home after a drop-off to ensure she gets in safely. Promoting safety and reducing risk for women – the Pink Ladies concept should work well anywhere!

No wonder that many women feel safer taking a taxi driven by a woman.

Euro Women Shift in Media Consumption

In the last year, TV consumption among European women increased 12 percent, while magazine readership fell 4.5 percent. The shift in media consumption makes the Internet Europe's fastest-growing medium.

Meanwhile, women spent around 9 hours a week online are catching up to men who spent an average of 11 hours a week online. Moreover, in 3 years the hours spent online by female internet users has grown by 63% and for men it has grown 54%.

The increase in Internet usage among women comes mainly from 16 to 24 year-olds. That segment includes young professionals and women with children. The use of the Internet among young professional women increased 116 percent, more than double its growth in 2003. Women with children use the Internet 14 percent more than women outside of this group in Europe.

-European Interactive Advertising Association (EIAA)

Gaming is for Grown-Ups

Adult gamers favor games on PCs rather than consoles and spend more time playing each week than do teenage gamers.

Compared to just 11 percent of teens, roughly one-third of adult gamers spend 10 hours or more per week playing console or PC games. The surprising results are part of CEA's 2006 Gaming Technology Study, which surveyed adults via online survey and teens (ages 12-17) via telephone interview.

-Consumer Electronic Association (CEA)