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Saudi Arabia has spent nearly US$8 billion (R$38.5 billion) on acquisitions and increased stakes in gaming companies around the world over the last 18 months, as part of a turbocharged investment spree aimed at becoming a dominant force in the booming entertainment industry.
Saudi Arabia-backed Savvy Games Group led deals, including a significant stake in China’s VSPO, Sweden’s Embracer Group and the US acquisition of Scopely, as Riyadh uses its petrodollar wealth to carve out space in a wide range of sectors.
Launched in January 2022, Savvy is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s $650 billion Public Investment Fund (FIP) and chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who said that his goal is to transform the kingdom into the “ultimate global hub of the gaming and esports industry” in just seven years.
To support its characteristically ambitious plans, Savvy has received a $38 billion (R$183.2 billion) fund.
“It’s a bulldozer approach,” said Piers Harding-Rolls, a games analyst at research firm Ampere Analysis. “The industry in Saudi Arabia is nascent: they literally have to build it from scratch.”
The kingdom aims to become home to 250 companies and game studios and create 39,000 jobs, with the industry contributing 1% of the gross domestic product by 2030. Plans include a foray into esports through the partnership with VSPO.
Officials familiar with the kingdom’s plans say more deals are in the pipeline. According to them, the focus on games is part of an overhaul of the country’s economy to diversify beyond oil, prompting Saudi Arabia to invest in a diverse range of growing industries, such as electric vehicles.
The effort fits in with attempts to acquire global soft power, with the kingdom spending heavily on sports such as soccer and golf, which critics say is an attempt to distract attention from the country’s human rights record.
The gaming strategy has sparked a stir in the industry as Riyadh competes with giants such as Tencent, Microsoft and Sony for top talent and intellectual property.
“Saudi Arabia is making its mark on the gaming industry and the growth of the global gaming industry as a whole,” said Vincent Wang, Global General Manager Publishing and Esports at Tencent Games.
Gaming is popular in Saudi Arabia, where 70% of its population of 36 million are under 35. A similar percentage of its citizens identify as gamers, according to Saudi industry officials. Prince Mohammed is an avowed “gamer”.
“It’s an extremely exciting market and partner for us,” said Danny Tang, VSPO’s CFO and Head of Global Strategy. “Saudi Arabia is a very young country with a highly engaged gaming community.”
In addition to the Savvy deal, FIP bought an 8% stake in Nintendo, making it the Japanese company’s largest outside investor, as well as stakes in Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft.
Officials say the kingdom wants to leverage its financial clout to build a sizable stake in the gaming sector, which NewZoo says is worth $200 billion. A PwC report last year predicted that global video game revenue could exceed $300 billion and represent more than 10% of total entertainment and media spending by 2026.
A generational shift in consumer habits leads some analysts to predict that games will overtake traditional television and become the biggest source of entertainment revenue in the coming years.
“The region has favorable demographics,” said Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy. “When you include the national strategy […] and the desire to diversify the economy away from oil and gas, it is a natural assumption to make investments in games in Saudi Arabia.”
Regional and national governments around the world have long used tax breaks, start-up funding and other incentives to attract talent to the sector, which presents policymakers with an attractive combination of technical innovation and creativity.
However, industry executives say that cash alone may not be enough to win over any developer Savvy is targeting.
For some, the transaction of US$ 5 billion (R$ 24.1 billion) from Scopely only indicated that Savvy would have to pay more to close deals. “Nobody could believe the price they got,” said one industry veteran, adding that Scopely had been “for some time” looking for an outright acquisition or initial public offering.
“They are quite explicit about this: there is a premium for everything associated with them,” this source said, adding that the Saudis were willing to pay above market price. “Nobody is going to move to Riyadh or Jeddah to enjoy the nightlife.”
Saudi Arabia has failed to shake its reputation for human rights abuses, despite Prince Mohammed’s social reforms.
Even after he made changes, such as allowing women to drive cars and attend co-ed concerts, the 2018 murder of Saudi commentator Jamal Khashoggi by state agents prompted many companies to refuse to do business in Riyadh. The US Central Intelligence Agency said Prince Mohammed had ordered the “capture or kill” operation. He denied responsibility.
Businesses have since returned to Riyadh, drawn by the tens of billions of dollars the FIP is spending at home and abroad.
But the government remains under attack from human rights groups for cracking down on critics even as it tries to acquire entertainment assets. The FIP has invested in sports in particular, such as spending £305m (R$1.8bn) to buy Premier League football team Newcastle United, and last week committing around US$3bn (R$14bn) 4 billion) to seal a merger between Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf and US-based PGA Tour.
“I don’t think they are an ideal buyer for most game studios,” said one investor. “I’m not sure how much creative environment they’re going to create for the companies that buy.”
The kingdom’s billions may have come to the games at a crucial time. The industry’s growth is slowing to single digits as it can no longer piggyback on the popularity of people playing games on smartphones, which now account for half of the industry’s revenues, and marketing costs have soared.
Private game studios may prefer to sell to Savvy rather than take a complicated path to an IPO, even as reservations about doing business with the Saudi regime on ethical grounds persist.
“Public markets are closed and investors are getting tired,” said one investor. “I’m sure there will be other Scopelys.”
Translated by Luiz Roberto M. Gonçalves


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Looks like Apple is still actively working on bringing Apple Watch's Digital Crown to iPhone and iPad devices. Here are the details.
Apple has been granted a new patent titled Augmented Reality Maps, which details an immersive navigation feature powered by augmented reality.
Apple has been awarded $119.6 million from Samsung after the company won its appeal in slide-to-unlock patent infringement case against Samsung.
Apple has been awarded a patent on fingerprint technology that could potentially make it into iPhone 8 attempting to do away with a dedicated Home / Touch ID button.
A recent patent filing published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) shows a Samsung filing for 'exchangeable strap mechanisms', with the drawing illustrations and design uploads quite clearly showing the Apple Watch without actually providing any reference to the fact that the visuals were created by Apple, or that they actually show a product manufactured by someone other than the South Korean company.
The Apple Watch Digital Crown has been heralded as such a success that it seems, as evidenced by a newly published patent, that Apple is considering implementing a similar hardware crown on future iPhone and iPad models.
It looks as though Apple has hit another setback as part of its plans to try and dominate the Chinese market with its various iPhone models. A set of intellectual property regulators in Beijing have ruled that the company's 2014-released iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models have a striking similarity to an unknown smartphone produced by a Chinese manufacturer locally.
Samsung has applied for a patent that would see its smartwatches project an interface onto the wearer's hand or nearby objects, allowing input or manipulation of the watch without actually touching it.
Apple has today been granted a new patent for an Apple Smart Cover, and although such a thing does already exist, this one certainly features one or two things that you won't find in any current product. The patent, which we covered back in 2012 when Apple originally filed for it, goes on to explain that the Smart Cover in question would feature not just an additional touchscreen, but also WACOM-like stylus-drawing capabilities, among other things.
The United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) has once again published details of a patent application that provides us with an insight into a potential Apple product. The patent filing - titled "Audio class-compliant charging accessories for wireless headphones and headsets" - outlines an intelligent hybrid headphone system that knows whether to switch to a wired or wireless connection based on the type of audio data it receives from a connected device. This transition between states would be automated, instant, and handled without fuss by the device's built-in "control circuitry".

domain: news


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America's lodging landscape has undergone a revolution. Big chains are diversifying with different brands or concepts to capture a wider demographic, and with this, amenities like foodservice have garnered more of the spotlight in today's hotels.
If there were such a thing as a "C-store Foodservice Endangered Species" list, you might see the roller dog and the slushie right up there at the top. It wasn't so long ago that those two items pretty much defined the state of foodservice in convenience stores. But recently, there has been a radical shift. Many c-stores now provide more than just a gasoline fill-up; they've now become a destination for fresh, creative food and drink.
Brian Bambauer, marketing specialist for Hobart, points to two trends to watch in the baked goods category in 2018. One is the continuing popularity of artisan breads, which are now found everywhere from fine dining establishments all the way down to the neighborhood sandwich shop. The other trend he sees on the horizon is Neapolitan pizzas. “The Neapolitan pizza craze is hitting home in a whole lot of places, with little pizza shops and breweries popping up,” he says.
As Assistant Professor in the School of Culinary Arts at Chicago’s Kendall College, Chef Wook Kang is in a unique position. As a chef of 16 years, he has extensive experience with equipment. But as an instructor, he gets to see how tomorrow’s chefs interact with equipment.
No matter what the latest food trend may be, there’s always going to be a market for traditional, delicious comfort food and the Tom + Chee chain has capitalized on that. With almost 30 locations in 14 states, the chain serves up a selection of grilled cheese and other types of sandwiches, soups (including tomato, of course) and for something sweet, grilled cheese donuts.


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Reliance Industries (RIL), helmed by Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, is in a hurry to wipe the $21 billion net debt in its books.
The oil-to-telecom conglomerate, which hopes to become a zero-debt company by March 2021, is now confident of meeting the target by the end of this calendar year. While analysts Quartz spoke to cite challenges to the plan, the company is pushing ahead in earnest.
Yesterday (May 17), RIL said American investment firm General Atlantic will buy a 1.34 % stake in its digital and internet business, Jio Platforms, for Rs6,600 crore ($992 million). “This investment values Jio Platforms at an equity value of Rs4.91 lakh crore and an enterprise value of Rs5.16 lakh crore,” said Jio Platforms.


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The 10,000 extra university places announced by Lord Mandelson last week will provide some relief to the strain felt by universities, but the restriction of additional students to Stem subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) ignores the coterminous nature of arts and science in the employment market.
While these extra places may lead to more graduates with science and technology backgrounds, it will not produce the creative practitioners to realise the demand for creative content driven by the digital economy. Instead, we should focus on sectors that are well placed to exploit the growth in demand for university places.
Now is the time to invest in subjects that can support economic growth. The Digital Britain report demonstrates that the creative industries sector is in a good position to lead Britain out of recession.
Nesta, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, predicts that between 2009 and 2013 the sector will grow by an average of 4%, more than double the rest of the economy. The creative industries currently account for 6.4% of the UK economy and it is expected that the volume of digital content will increase between 10 and 100 times over the next three to five years.
In the emerging creative industries, Britain has an enviable role as a leader in the global economy. In the gaming industry alone, which has now outgrown the film industry, 40% of all the leading titles are created in the UK.
Since the advent of the global financial crises and challenges facing financial institutions, the creative industries are the UK's only world-leading sector.
The UK has the largest creative sector in the EU and, relative to GDP, probably the largest in the world. Indeed, this growth is not just domestic: world exports of visual arts more than doubling from $10.3bn (£6.3bn) in 1996 to $22.1bn in 2005. Exports of audiovisuals tripled over the same period.
Britain's creative practitioners, supported by an excellent education system, have never been in such high demand globally. Jonathan Ive, senior vice-president of industrial design at Apple, has led the turnaround of the company's fortunes as the designer of the iMac, iPod and iPhone. The Aardman animation studios, based in Bristol, dominate their field. Animation graduates from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) recently helped to complete the new Fantastic Mr Fox film. Despite starring the voices of Hollywood, it was made almost entirely by British hands in London.
Some have predicted that the creative industries – film, music, fashion and video games – will grow despite the recession. However, this should not give rise to complacency. These predictions are dependent on maintaining support for the industry and creative arts higher education.
Should we hesitate, there is a long list of other nations envious of our success. Where is our appetite to forge ahead in the one area where we are truly at the leading edge of our subjects? We should be looking to cement our role as the world's leading creative provider.
With London 2012 fast approaching, when the spotlight of the world will shine on Britain, now is the time to be showcasing and exploring collaboration between arts, culture and industry.
In its Creative Britain and Digital Britain reports, the government's own argument for the creative industries is well made. By including an allocation for creative subjects within these 10,000 additional places, Lord Mandelson would send out a very positive message.
• Professor Elaine Thomas is vice-chancellor of the University for the Creative Arts


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Add about 10% to cost of pop: Cook County OKs soda tax
The Cook County Board of Commissioners on Thursday narrowly passed a 1-cent-per-ounce tax on sweetened beverages, but only after Board President Toni Preckwinkle came in at the last minute to cast a tiebreaking vote, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Preckwinkle said the new tax is necessary to help avoid devastating layoffs and close a $174.3 million budget shortfall for next year.
The tax -- which the beverage industry strongly opposes -- will go into effect on July 1, 2017. It means the cost of a 99-cent can of soda would increase to $1.11; a 20-ounce bottle, from $2.19 to $2.39.
That tax covers carbonated soft drinks -- whether sweetened with sugar or a substitute such as aspartame -- sports drinks and energy drinks. Fruit drinks also will be taxed, but drinks with 100 percent fruit juice are exempt.
• This report was produced in partnership with the Chicago Sun-Times. For more, check chicago.suntimes.com.


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The Amazon rainforest has lost over 750,000 square kilometers of land since 1978, due to deforestation. For the larger part of history, subsistence farmers who clear cut chunks of land to grow crops for locals and their families, have been the leading cause of deforestation in the Amazon. As time went on, it was no longer subsistence farmers who were primarily responsible, instead it was industrial activities and large-scale agriculture. Eventually cattle-ranching, was responsible for more than three-quarters of forest clearing in the Amazon by the 2000s. As a result of deforestation, land in the Amazon was cleared faster than ever before from the late 1970s up until the mid 2000s.
Currently in the Amazon rain forest, the leading cause of deforestation is cattle-ranching. According to government figures this has been the case since at least the 1970s in Brazil. From 1966-1975 around 38 percent of deforestation in Brazil, was due to large-scale cattle-ranching. This still holds true today, only now it is closer to 70 percent of the deforestation being attributed to cattle ranching. There are people making money from the cattle, and then there are also people that make money from selling the converted land. Forest land itself has little value, but once it is cleared and turned into pastureland, it can then be sold to be used for cattle or for large-scale farming.
The current situation is possibly starting to change, at least in Brazil. Since 2009, after being pushed by environmental campaigners, the Brazilian government along with major cattle buyers, have begun to crack down on the amount of deforestation that is due to cattle production. There have been pledges made by some major slaughterhouses, to enforce stricter controls on their cattle sourcing in order to make sure they are not a driving force in the deforestation.
Another major factor towards deforestation is commercial agriculture. From the 1990s until the mid 2000s the production of soy was a huge contributor to deforestation. The production of the soybean really increased after a new variety of soybean was made by Brazilian scientists which was able flourish in the climate of a rain forest. While there was deforestation due to the actual forest that was converted into soy fields, the crop had more of an impact than just that. It drove up land prices, which caused farmers to move deeper into the rain forest, and also brought new motivation to produce more highways. A high-profile campaign that was run by Greenpeace started to turn things around when they stepped in back in 2006. They made one of Brazil’s largest soy producers commit to avoid clearing land for new production. Soy is not the only form of commercial agriculture that contributes to deforestation, and others include corn, sugar cane, and rice.
Due to all of the efforts made since the mid 2000s, Brazil which contains nearly two-thirds of the Amazon rainforest, has seen the annual forest loss decline almost 80 percent.
A few of the efforts include satellite monitoring, heavy pressure from environmentalists, increased law enforcement, new protected areas, as well as many others. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for all Amazon counties, some of which have been actually experiencing a rise in deforestation since 2000.


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Key industrialisation element of Faraday Challenge to develop UK’s EV supply chain New facility will allow suppliers to undertake scale-up of new battery technology for production Marking a major step forward in ensuring the UK has capability to become a global leader in the development and production of electric vehicles The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) […]
News and Events
Find the latest news from the Advanced Propulsion Centre here. Browse the updates, see the events we’re involved with, register to participate and sign up to receive news direct to your inbox.
To contact the APC to find out more about news and events, please email firstname.lastname@example.org.
The University of Bath, the Advanced Propulsion Centre’s Spoke for Internal Combustion Engine System Efficiency, has received significant government investment to develop the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS). IAAPS will be a £60 million global centre of excellence, delivering transformational research and innovation into advanced propulsion systems. Located at the Bristol and Bath […]
The Advanced Propulsion Centre is continuing to drive low-carbon propulsion innovation through its latest funding competition, APC 8: Anchoring low-carbon technology in the UK – Accelerating sustainable change. Today, 10th July 2017, marks the opening of APC 8: Anchoring low-carbon technology in the UK – Accelerating sustainable change competition. The APC in association with Innovate […]
APC 8 Launch Event
10/07/2017 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Advanced Propulsion Centre
The Advanced Propulsion Centre is holding a launch event on July 10th, 2017 for its latest grant funded core competition APC8 – Anchoring low carbon technology in the UK – accelerating sustainable change.
This event will take place in the National Propulsion Showcase at the APC Hub and always proves an extremely popular and beneficial event.
We appreciate you need to get the best out of the event, so we have broken down the day to allow you to come to as many as sessions as you like:
8.30 – 12.30 will consist of APC update, guest speakers from existing APC projects and information and advice on APC8 scope and application.
12.30 – 13.30 will be followed by a networking lunch.
13.30 – 15.30 provides an opportunity for 1:1 with the APC Business Development team and / or Funding Design Workshop to hear your valuable opinions.
The APC will also be issuing dates in the next few days for regional activities to support this launch and further workshops and clinics to aid consortia build their bids.
To register for the event, click here.Add to your calendar Add to your google calendar
FISITA PLUS: Exploring the future of mobility engineering
13/07/2017 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
A one-day conference for mobility technologists and professionals
In 2017 FISITA will open its doors to a new audience with the launch of ‘FISITA PLUS’, created to support this engineering generation’s development of safe, sustainable and affordable mobility. Registration for this exclusive event is now open.
The conference will be split into three sections and speakers will present under three headings: The Mobility Future; Artificial Intelligence and Mobility Technology and Propulsion of the Future.
The event hosts a variety of key figure speakers in the automotive industry, spanning from vehicle manufacturers, supply chain and government.
Electrical Vehicle Supply Chain Programme
31/05/2017 9:30 am - 2:00 pm
The UK is targeting that every new car manufactured will be zero emissions from 2040. In order to support the significant scale up required in Hybrid, Plug in Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicle manufacturing, the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) is working with industry and government to support the development of the Electric Vehicle Supply Chain.
The Electrification Supply Chain (ESC) programme aims to engage supply partners at all levels of the Supply Chain and to deliver toolkits which will act as a ‘one stop shop’, connecting everyone from Vehicle Manufacturers to materials producers in the UK. The toolkit will also identify research projects which are underway or have been completed in this area so that companies looking to develop EV capabilities can access and leverage what has already been done to identify and build future collaborations.
In addition to supporting commercial entities to develop their business today, the ESC programme will help inform the UK Government where the most significant opportunities to develop the supply chain line and what tools we may need to do this.
Is your organisation interested or already involved in the EV supply chain? If so, the APC would like to involve you in this initiative.
The first three events in this series have ‘sold out’ and we have had huge interest from the industry as well as academics.
Please to join us on Wednesday 31st May from 9:30am to 2:00pm at the North East Automotive Alliance c/o RTC North Ltd, Loftus House, Colima Avenue, Sunderland Enterprise Park, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR5 3XB.
During this event, you will hear the Automotive Council view on the future EV supply chain requirements, capabilities and the EV strategy for the UK. You will also have the opportunity to help shape the toolkits we use to build an end to end supply chain capable of delivering the maximum UK content in the powertrains of the future. Finally, networking opportunities will allow time to meet potential commercial partners and the APC in person.
To view the presentations from this event, click here.Add to your calendar Add to your google calendar


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From the Wires
U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for December 11
By: PR Newswire
Dec. 11, 2012 12:01 AM
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Profile America — Tuesday, December 11th. All across the country, the winter darkness is ablaze with colorful lights — from small towns to big cities, along streets and in storefronts, as well as private homes. Some neighborhoods have such massive annual displays they draw people from miles away. While the exact time and place of the first outdoor holiday lights is not known, one of the first occurred in Denver in 1914 when an electrician named David Sturgeon dipped light bulbs in colored paint to light a tree outside his desperately ill grandson's window. Written up in the local newspaper, the idea soon caught on around the country. Christmas lights are part of the $2.2 billion of electric light bulbs and parts made and sold each year in the U.S. Profile America is in its 16th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.
Sources: 2007 Economic Census, NAICS 335110
Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotions of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov
SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau
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Third in the trifecta of local establishments from the clever crew behind Alibi Room and Brassneck Brewery, The Magnet is celebrating their third anniversary today (April 28th), and we wanted to give them a big ol’ pat on the back in honour of the occasion.
The Magnet opened its doors to much anticipation from beer- and food-lovers alike, at the end of April 2019. We immediately, and unsurprisingly, took a fancy to the new concept – not only for their beer list, good food, and friendly staff, but also for their creativity and sense of humour.
Case in point: the colourful and unusual art on the walls, including a triangle-themed mural that is a tongue-in-cheek reference to The Magnet’s location (a less-trafficked block of Gastown just around the corner from Victory square) that owner Nigel Springthorpe sometimes calls “The Bermuda Triangle”. This theme also factored into the naming of the restaurant.
“I guess I always knew the location would be a little off the beaten path, and the name [The Magnet] to me speaks of attraction and repulsion…like-minded folks being drawn toward something by an invisible force, perpetual motion, etc.”
What nobody (including Springthorpe) could have predicted was the overwhelmingly oppositional force of the 2020 pandemic (basically Kryptonite for fledgling and well-established restaurants alike, and arguably especially detrimental to Downtown Vancouver…add to that The Magnet’s already elusive situation) which hit right when the restaurant should have been getting its legs. What ensued was a complete remodelling – both of the business scheme, into a solely take-out and off-sales joint with a new packaged house brand (Fridge Magnet) of “perfect lil’ pies”, condiments, ice cream sandwiches; and of the interior, into a more intimate and less communal arrangement. Plus, an extended closure and, finally, a “Re-Re-Re-Re-Opening”.
Something else that likely couldn’t have been foreseen was the portentous and renewed significance of The Magnet’s cheeky lil’ motto: “Let’s stick together.” Here’s hoping that the restaurant’s magnetism is recharged and pulling crowds through its doors for many years to come.


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In 2017, we set a bold goal for the industry, and the world, to launch 20 new all-electric vehicles globally by 2023. We’re underway to create a world of #ZeroEmissions – and we’re not slowing down. https://t.co/ig4I1WVNuq
“Creating a world of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion won’t happen overnight, of course, but our journey to this future is underway. We have an unwavering commitment to invest in the technology to drive our all-electric future. And we have the right team, technology, partners and manufacturing scale to make it happen,” said Barra.
In her post, Barra cited three specific milestones that GM has recently achieved. First off, the company has increased its production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV. The goal is to expand resources to meet growing customer demands for EVs on an international level. To this end, GM recently opened a new LG Electronics facility in Hazel Park, Michigan, which will enhance battery production as the company churns out more Chevy Bolt models.
Secondly, GM has expanded its battery lab. Though the company’s lab was already one of the largest ones around the globe, GM expanded it to its current dimension of over 100,000 square feet. The renovated area also incorporates two new zones for performing heavy and mild battery abuse tests. Per Barra, the updates will continue this fall as GM adds more testing chambers and advanced equipment.
Thirdly, GM released two EV models in China this year: the Buick Velite 6 EV and the Baojun E200. A wise marketing move, considering that China currently has the largest EV market in the world.


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McLaren Automotive has released a second design sketch of its forthcoming ‘Hyper-GT’, codenamed the McLaren BP23 and a successor to the iconic McLaren F1.
Kia unveiled two new additions to its hybrid family at the Geneva motor show; both the Niro and Optima Sportswagon will be available as plug-in hybrids.
The new version of the Suzuki Swift takes the model a significant step forward – Suzuki’s confidence in increasing sales should not be misplaced.
The Renault ZOE is the latest version of the electric supermini with a new battery extending its range into practical territory.
One problem car buyers often get caught out by with regard to their car finance is negative equity, and it can get them into financial trouble. But why?
Lotus has done what many would have thought impossible, and reduced the weight of its already tiny Elise sports car to create the Lotus Elise Sprint.
The all-new Audi RS 5 Coupe made its debut at the Geneva motor show last week, representing the apex of the new A5 range that has rolled out over the last six months.
The British Touring Car Championship will feature a capacity 32-car grid for the second successive year.
An upgraded Toyota Yaris range is now sale in the UK, including a new 1.5-litre petrol engine and improved safety features as standard equipment.
Nissan has added a new limited-production LEAF Black Edition to its electric vehicle range, available from now until August.
Aston Martin has launched a performance sub-brand called AMR, which will offer higher-performance versions of its core models.
The Geneva motor show is generally regarded as the best motor show in the world, and this year's event certainly lived up to the reputation.
The third generation of the Honda Jazz supermini bids to add style to the space and practicality that already attracts its core audience.
The Car Design Awards 2016 held in Geneva named the Renault Trezor Concept Car Design of the Year and the Lexus LC Production Car Design of the Year.
Famous for modifying Porsche 911s, RUF has designed and built its first-ever car from scratch. And the new RUF CTR Yellowbird looks exactly like an old 911.
The new Nissan Qashqai has been unveiled in Geneva, and will bring semi-autonomous driving to the mass market when it goes on sale in summer 2017.
The name is the big news surrounding the £2m Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, which is making its debut at the Geneva show.
The Citroën C-Aircross Concept debuts in Geneva as ‘a new vision’ of the brand’s future SUV line, and the likely replacement for the C3 Picasso.
The latest version of the Subaru XV crossover makes its global debut at Geneva ahead of going on sale in early 2018.
New versions of the Honda Civic Type R seem to come around quickly these days and summer 2017 will see the fifth generation of the model on sale.
The Bentley EXP12 Speed 6e and Jaguar I-Pace are both concepts but demonstrate how all aspects of the auto industry are looking to an electric future.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross debuts at the Geneva Motor Show as the Japanese brand makes a determined effort to crack the mid-sized SUV market.
The Kia Picanto debuting at the Geneva show is the third-generation version of the city car with the major attraction being increased interior space.
Unveiling the DS 7 Crossback SUV at the Geneva show is a significant moment for PSA Group’s spun-off ‘avant garde’ brand.
The new Volvo XC60, unveiled in Geneva, is the second generation of the brand’s mid-sized SUV and a vital part of the Swedish brand’s mushrooming fortunes.


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V>ENGAGE, an OOH specialist agency announces SENIOR recruitments
V>ENGAGE, a Gurgaon based media communication agency today announced the appointment Raju Markandeya as their Chief Executive Officer. In his new role, Raju will focus on driving growth and expanding the business for the brand.
Raju joins V>ENGANE from Kinetic Advertising and comes with over two decades of experience in advertising and media industry across Finance, Commercial, Trading, Operations and Business strategy functions. He has also worked in Grey Worldwide for 16 years and his last stint was with Kinetic Advertising-WPP Group for 8 years, one of India’s leading OOH specialist agency.
Along with Raju, the specialist agency has also invested in some of the senior talent with a collective group experience of over 100 years and managed both global and national brands such as Lufthansa, Google, Amex, Ford, HSBC, VW Group, Castrol, SAMSUNG, Reliance AMC, Abbott, Facebook, etc. in their respective earlier assignments. The agency is in hiring spree and expected to recruit additional talent in the next couple of months.
Currently the group operates with over 150 employees who service across 70 clients and are looking into investing in OOH space by recruiting talent from the industry. OOH is gaining huge momentum and Raju’s focus is to capitalise on the Group’s existing client base with the help of innovative technology backed solutions.
The media communication agency is operating for last six years in events, experiential marketing and digital advertising have recently diversified into Outdoor advertising by launching V>ENGAGE, an OOH specialist agency.


text: Microsoft has denied allegations made by US regulators that it broke its promise by cutting jobs following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claims that Microsoft’s job cuts contradict its previous statements. However, Microsoft argues that the idea of job cuts did not originate from the takeover and that Activision was already planning on eliminating jobs. The controversial $69 billion deal gives Microsoft control of popular games such as Call of Duty and Candy Crush. The FTC is seeking an injunction to halt the deal in order to consider anti-trust implications. If successful, the regulator could approve the merger but may also decide to split Activision Blizzard into separate entities or block it entirely. Microsoft has stated that it stands behind its previous statements and is planning a business update event to discuss the future of Xbox.


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Ian King (Bloomberg) -- Advanced Micro Devices Inc. gave a lackluster forecast for the current period, disappointing some investors who had projected the chipmaker would benefit more from a surge in spending on computers to support working from home.
Second-quarter revenue will be about $1.85 billion, Santa Clara, California-based AMD said Tuesday in a statement. That compares with the average analyst estimate of $1.88 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The company said it expects annual sales growth of about 25%. The lowest end of the forecast would be 10 percentage points lower than the top end of its previous guidance from January.
“While demand indicators across commercial, education and data center infrastructure markets are strong, we expect some softness in consumer demand in the second half of the year depending on how overall macro-economic conditions evolve,” Chief Executive Officer Lisa Su said on a conference call. Su said AMD is gaining market share against larger rival Intel Corp.
AMD’s stock fell about 4% in extended trading. The shares, which traded at $2.87 at the end of 2015, closed at $55.51 Tuesday in New York. AMD was the best performer on the S&P 500 Index in 2019.
AMD entered 2020 offering new products that it says outperform those from Intel, whose processors have dominated computing over the last decade. The chipmaker’s task of clawing back market share has been complicated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which shut down much of the personal computer supply chain and is still confining consumers around the globe to their homes.
Intel last week reported a strong first quarter, boosted by sales of laptop and server chips. Companies have purchased notebooks to help their employees work at home and providers of computing over the internet have ordered chips to boost the output from data centers to help meet the new demand. The world’s largest chipmaker nevertheless withdrew its annual revenue prediction, creating concern that a weakening economy will reduce computer sales.
Investors are trying to determine AMD’s progress in making gains against Intel, a company whose server chip division gets more revenue in a quarter than the total the smaller company racks up in a year. AMD has said it’s targeting double-digit market share in servers by the middle of this year after dropping to less than 1% before introducing new products in 2017. Server computers are the backbone of corporate networks and the giant data centers that run the internet.
First-quarter server chip unit shipments tripled from a year ago, AMD said. But revenue for the division that produces them fell 21%, hurt by declining demand for custom chips used in game consoles from Microsoft Corp. and Sony Corp. New versions of the Xbox and PlayStation coming in the second half of the year will help that recover, Su said.
She cautioned analysts that the company was still in the early stages of re-entering the server market with new products and that AMD’s progress will likely be slow and steady.
The company’s computing and graphics unit reported a sales increase of 73% from a year earlier in the first quarter. New notebook and graphics processing chips helped and AMD said it picked up more orders from makers of corporate machines.
In the period ended March 28, AMD reported net income of $162 million, or 14 cents a share, compared with $16 million, or 1 cent, in the same period a year earlier. Revenue rose 40% to $1.79 billion. Profit, excluding certain items, was 18 cents. Analysts estimated profit of 18 cents on sales of $1.78 billion.


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December 15th, 2021, Changsha – Industrial laser powder bed fusion machine manufacturer Farsoon Technologies, is proud to share that it has achieved over USD 15-million in sales order in the month of November 2021, the financial results including over 40 machines; as well as material, service and application contracts.
Figure 1: An array of 18+ Farsoon’s FS421M metal systems are installed at Falcontech Super AM Factory. Image courtesy: Falcontech
“The significant amount has set a new record for our monthly sales order; Despite the challenging pandemic situation, Farsoon was able to deliver strong performance supporting the recovering global industrial demands, thanks to the hard work of the global Farsoon team. With continuous technology innovation and increasing market share, Farsoon has proved itself a strong and stable additive manufacturing partner that customers can trust.” Says Don Xu, Director of Farsoon’s Global Business Group.
“The 15-million+ monthly sales order reflects the increased growth across our whole product portfolio, with a significant contribution from the metal related contracts of over 60% — thanks to several major projects in aerospace, transportation, medical, molds & tooling and service bureau sectors, involving multiple machine purchases, “ Don added, “ We are also excited to see the growth in metal machines in Europe and North America market besides our established plastic system installation base. With a strong machine order backlog, we are confident of our positive outlook for 2022.”
In addition, Farsoon for the first time publicly is announcing plans for the expansion of its production capacity. “We are also glad to share that, we are well on the way to completing our new manufacturing facility expansion, with a new dedicated site for increased polymer powder material production; in order to offer high quality machine and material solutions to our global customer.” Says Hope Hou, General Manager of Farsoon, “In the year of 2021, Farsoon has been rapidly growing our team from 300 to 450 additive experts globally with increasing investment in technology & development.”
With many global tradeshows and economy operations returned to normal we are eager to support our customers and partners to grow their additive manufacturing business towards high productivity and best cost-performance. Inquiries are welcome to contact us: email@example.com for more details.
OPEN FOR INDUSTRY – Farsoon is a global manufacturer and supplier of industrial level polymer and metal laser sintering systems. Farsoon is the leading supplier of industrial AM technology in China with increasing growth in the international market. In 2017 Farsoon released the first of a new line of machines under the revolutionary Continuous Additive Manufacturing Solution (CAMS) Concept, and established Farsoon Technologies-Americas in Austin, Texas, USA. In 2018, Farsoon Europe GmbH was established in Stuttgart, Germany to expand direct operations to Europe. Farsoon is committed to developing AM towards its true manufacturing potential and providing customers with best-in-class systems, materials, software, applications and services. With our motto “Open for Industry” Farsoon is focused on technology innovation geared towards truly open and industrial-oriented additive manufacturing platform which offer users a higher degree of control of specific applications and manufacturing capabilities.


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guided third- and fourth-quarter earnings below Wall Street's consensus, saying analysts' have overestimated the positive impact of its current restructuring plan.
The Philadelphia-based auto parts and service company said it expects a profit of 23 cents to 25 cents a share in the third quarter, excluding a gain of 2 cents a share from store closures. Analysts, however, are calling for 29 cents a share. Pep Boys earned 28 cents a share in the year-ago period.
In the fourth quarter, the company sees earnings of 2 cents to 4 cents a share, compared with analysts' consensus of 12 cents a share. Pep Boys earned 3 cents a share in last year's quarter.
The company said it believes analysts' have underestimated the investment needed to make its restructuring plan successful. But Pep Boys said it is "encouraged" by an improvement in sales and expects third-quarter same-store sales to increase 2% to 3% over the prior year. For the fourth quarter, the company forecast same-store sales up 4% to 6% over last year.
The company also said its financial performance should keep improving through 2004.
Shares of Pep Boys were falling 45 cents, or 2.6%, to $16.60 in Tuesday premarket trading.


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THE UK Noise Association announces the first endorsement scheme for quiet household appliances. The first products to be awarded the UKNA ssSH mark of approval are dishwashers, washing machines and cooker hoods manufactured by AEGElectrolux.
The new endorsement scheme will enable consumers to identify products that emit less noise than the average sound level for a particular appliance. The scheme is now open for other manufacturers to apply for the mark.
Val Weedon, National Coordinator for the UK Noise Association commented: “We hope the new endorsement scheme will help drive up standards and reduce noise levels for home appliances. People just need to look out for the ssSH label. We are now looking to apply this scheme to other types of products and services.”


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Basildon, UK, January 31 2016 – Atnahs Pharma US Limited (“Atnahs”) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Naproxen Suspension from Pediapharm Inc. in a total transaction of US$4.25 million.
The product is currently awaiting Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) Supplement Approval regarding the manufacturing site transfer.
Atnahs Press Contact
Dr Amit Patel
Phone: +44 1268 943 700


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This latest teaser follows the release of a speed-blurred image last week, tied to the promise of the "fastest, most responsive and agile" Range Rover ever.
"The all-new Range Rover Sport takes the model to another level. It is Land Rover's most dynamic vehicle yet and showcases the best of British design, engineering and technological innovation," Land Rover's global brand director John Edwards said.
Although the new Sport will headline the Range Rover stand in New York, the world will get its first look at the new model as it drives through Manhattan on March 26, three days before the big event.
Spy photos obtained by TMR in recent months reveal that, like the new 'Rangey', the upcoming Sport will adopt styling elements that debuted with the Evoque.
Along with the new headlights, the next Sport will feature a rising belt-line and a tapered roof. Slim new tail-lights will likely also feature.
The new Sport will also have more in common with the flagship Range Rover, which shares its drivelines and separate frame underpinnings with the lesser Land Rover Discovery wagon.
This means a version of the Range Rover’s aluminium monocoque construction for the Sport - destined to bring significant weight savings over the current model which currently tips the scales at 2489kg in its lightest Australian spec.
Revised versions of the current 3.0 litre V6 turbodiesel, and 5.0 litre petrol V8 engines are also expected, but the likely universal adoption of the eight speed ZF transmission already available internationally would bring significant efficiency and emissions gains.
Watch for more details to be revealed in the coming weeks.
- Related News & Reviews at TMR ▼
- Range Rover Sport | Range Rover | 4WDs | SUVs
- Spy Photos | Enthusiast
- Interested in buying LAND ROVER ? Visit our LAND ROVER showroom for more information.


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Comviva highlights data platform
VALUE ADDED SERVICES| July 7, 2011, 7:57 a.m.
Mobile solutions firm Comviva has highlighted the advantages of its mobile data platform at the VAS Africa conference in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Mayank Sharma, Vice President, Africa Region, Comviva said, “ Africa has witnessed the highest growth in mobile broadband globally and operators in the region need solutions that can complement their infrastructure with this growth.”
He said: “ Comviva’ s comprehensive approach to mobile data management enables efficient and effective handling of the various types of data traffic. Comviva’ s mobile data solutions enable all mobile users to exploit the true power of the Internet by addressing all profiles of traffic found on the internet, such as WSP, http, progressive http, RTSP and P2P and other data services such as VoIP and VPN. Our solution helps enhance mobile internet experience by improving data download speeds.”
The company said its mobile data solutions could help operators in Africa increase data volume by 41% and increase ARPU (Average Revenue per User) by 20%. It added that its mobile data platform deploys advanced optimisation, data management and monetisation techniques to enhance the user experience and stimulate revenue growth, while generating up to 45% savings on bandwidth and up to 50% on infrastructure investment.
MORE VALUE ADDED SERVICES NEWS
MTN Swaziland offers mobile financial services with EricssonMTN has deployed Ericsson Converged Wallet to provide a premium mobile money experience for more than 275,000 mobile wallet users and 3,000 agents in Swaziland. Read More
Airtel, Kenya Red Cross launch public emergency information serviceBharti Airtel has teamed up with Kenya Red Cross Society to launch the first of its kind public emergency information service in Kenya. Read More
EcoCash gets SA approvalEcoCash and its South African partners have secured approval from the South Africa Reserve Bank to start a cross border remittance service from South Africa. Read More
KTDA, Safaricom partner on cashless paymentLeading tea management agency, Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), has partnered with Safaricom to roll out a cashless payment solution at all its 66 factories across the country. Read More
Airtel launches first mobile tap and pay system in GhanaAirtel Ghana has added another first to its credits as it has rolled out an innovative service through their Airtel Money that allows a tap and pay, contactless payment based on the Near Field Communications (NFC) technology. Read More
Vodafone gives hope to Ghanaian Farmers with Vodafone Farmers ClubGhanaian farmers can now receive relevant crop and location specific information in their own language through a bespoke SIM card. Read More
Standard Bank introduces a first in SA: smart watch bankingStandard Bank today announced plans to embrace wearable technology, with the forthcoming release of its Apple Watch banking app in SA. Read More
Prepay Nation, Airtel Kenya to offer international mobile top-upPrepay Nation, a leading provider of cross-border prepaid mobile airtime transfers, has announced its partnership in Kenya with Bharti Airtel. Read More
SimbaPay launches international access to M-Pesa PayBillSimbaPay has launched the first product to allow Kenyans living abroad to make M-Pesa PayBill payments. Read More
FEATURED STORYIHS plans to inject fresh $500m to grow capacity
Mohammed Darwish, managing director of IHS Towers, says the firm will soon inject another $500million into the business after raising some $2.5billion to finance expansion drives. Darwish spoke with biztecafrica.com in Lagos.
BEST READ NEWS
IN DEPTHAs curtain falls on MDGs, what next?
Dr. Bjorn Lomborg, president of the Copenhagen Consensus Centre, speaks to Biztechafrica about setting smart targets.


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Amazon barely missed on its revenue estimate and generated near-record-setting profit during Q2, yet the stock is still taking a beating in early morning trading largely due to Amazon’s third quarter guidance. But that could all change should the pandemic ramp back up as some believe could happen.
Amazon has released its first quarterly earnings report with newly minted CEO Andy Jassy at the helm, who took over for founder Jeff Bezos earlier this month.
In the three-month period ending June 30 (which included Prime Day this year), Amazon generated $113.1 billion in total net sales, representing a 27 percent increase quarter over quarter. That’s a tad shy of Refinitiv analysts’ average estimate of $115 billion, but profit checked in at a very healthy $7.8 billion – Amazon second largest quarterly profit ever. In the year-ago quarter, Amazon generated just $5.2 billion in net income.
Looking ahead, Amazon expects net sales to check in between $106 billion and $112 billion.
Share value in Amazon is down more than seven percent in AM trading, with a single share currently going for $3,599.92.
Edward Jones analyst Brian Yarbrough told Reuters that it was not feasible for Amazon to maintain its rapid growth. “Obviously the pandemic helped them, but they’re not going to be able to grow that rapidly on top of those numbers.”
“It’s still phenomenal growth when you think of the sheer size of the business,” Yarbrough added.
Slowing growth isn’t the only issue Amazon has to contend with. An ongoing labor shortage has prompted the ecommerce giant to go on a hiring spree, offering an average of $17 per hour plus signing bonuses to attract workers. Heading into the holiday season, Amazon’s labor needs are only going to increase.


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Apple has hired a former Spotify executive to head up its Apple Music label relations team, according to Business Insider.
An Apple spokesperson confirmed that former Spotify VP of content Steve Savoca has been recruited to oversee the music streaming service's global label relations, which work out of New York.
Savoca is tasked with building relationships with smaller, independent labels, with a focus on the international scene, according to the report.
Savoca is said to have haven been one of Spotify's first U.S. employees and worked for the Swedish streaming company for five years. Prior to that, he held senior digital and marketing roles roles at Domino Records, Zomba Label Group, and London-Sire.
Savoca is a musician himself, and played drums with a band called the Werefrogs during the 1990s, according to Billboard. He serves on the board of directors of the Music Business Association (formerly NARM) and previously sat on the board at Merlin.
In December 2016, Apple's Eddy Cue revealed that Apple Music has over 20 million paid subscribers. In October, Spotify said it had 40 million subscribers. Apple Music executive Jimmy Iovine recently spoke of the company's desire to make Apple Music more than just a music streaming service, with "an entire pop cultural experience" planned that takes in original content including TV and audio.


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Yes, another big UK retailer, Republic, bit the dust today. It’s been an incredibly tough few years for the High Street, with retailers having to negotiate through the challenges of out-of-town retail parks, online competition and the deepest recession in our lifetimes. And it’s unlikely to end any time soon as consumer spending bumps along the bottom for a while to come.
Yet despite all appearances, we don’t expect the High Street to suffer a lingering death. In fact, we expect to see something of a renaissance, although it may take some time as the recession plays itself out and the industry adjusts to the new reality of retailing (read about it in our “Tomorrow’s Retail” report).
In essence, for customers, the business of shopping won’t change. A combination of price, convenience, urgency and emotion will determine where a shopper chooses to spend on any given occasion. What will change is the level of information available to the consumer to make these choices. We’ve moved from ‘traditional’ to ‘multi-channel’ to, now, ‘hyper-channel’ – with customers using an almost endless permutation of routes to discover, research, buy and report on their purchases.
Just how fast the retail landscape is changing is illustrated in this great interview with eBay CEO John Donahoe, who felt it necessary to shock staff by telling them the business was “on a turnaround” and making radical changes to the business model of a so recently innovative company.
The distinction between offline and online sales is already blurring, and will become even more intertwined as the customer uses the physical shop as a ‘showcase’ and can choose whether to make the purchase there and then or later, online or off, to take home then or be delivered later. Price visibility will become critical as it becomes easier for customers to compare prices and more of them have the technology to do so. Mobile payment will explode, making cash and cards virtually redundant within only a few years.
The expected impact upon the High Street will be that large retailers reduce the number and size of stores as both coverage and in-store stock become less important.
The less expected outcome, as pointed out by Richard Cuthbertson of the Oxford Institute of Retail Management at Saïd Business School, is that “…price transparency could encourage people back to the High Street because they know they don’t have to be sat in front of their laptop to get the best price”. Customers will have a new confidence to make informed choices that aren’t always price driven, or will just stop making the assumption that prices are always cheaper online. Online shopping is convenient, yes, but there’s nothing like coming home with an armful of bags and boxes if you know you aren’t paying over the odds for the thrill. And we know price isn’t everything – businesses such as John Lewis and Amazon aren’t the cheapest 100% of the time, but customers return because these retailers have built a relationship with their customers where the convenience and service outweigh any minor price differential.
So, we will see a new mix in the High Street. Yes, the next few years will see the large retailers reduce, withdraw or just stop trading. But Manufacturers will increase their bricks-and-mortar presence as ‘direct touch’ becomes obligatory. Apple is manufacturer, retailer and service provider to its customers, who don’t distinguish or care which bit they’re dealing with.
Rents will fall, which will encourage the remaining big players to return, albeit to smaller premises. And the new High Street will even offer an opportunity for smaller and local businesses to move back in and reach their niche markets more sustainably. The consumer once again gets a varied, active and busy High Street.
Now, doesn’t that sound great?


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Government mulls to kick-start a similar system to strictly monitor treatment of industrial waste - both effluents and emissions by next year.
The second-biggest car maker in India is facing intense competition from players like Honda, Ford and Maruti Suzuki and has decided to go aggressive on new products, while entering unrepresented segments.
Congress on Thursday said it was against allowing women to work in factories at night because of security concerns.
Rifle Factory, Ishapore, one of the oldest ordnance factories in the country, has successfully designed an assault rifle on the lines of the AK-47.
The flash HSBC/Markit manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) likely straddled the boom-bust line of 50 in September.
German carmaker Volkswagen AG plans to build a factory worth $140 million in Cikarang in 2015.
Deere & Co, world's largest maker of farm equipment, said it would indefinitely lay off 600 employees at four agricultural equipment factories.
Tesla Motors' plan for a $5 billion factory to make batteries for a new generation of electric cars; on a hunt for choosing sites for plant.


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KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 30): The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) has fined LPI Capital Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary Lonpac Insurance Bhd RM5.91 million for alleged infringement of the country's Competition Act 2010.
In a Bursa Malaysia filing today, LPI said MyCC has alleged that Lonpac together with 21 other members of Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia (PIAM) have infringed the Competition Act 2010 "by participating in an agreement which has, as its object, the prevention, restriction or distortion in relation to the market of motor spare parts trade and labour charges for PIAM Approved Repairers Scheme".
PIAM is also known as the General Insurance Association of Malaysia.
LPI said Lonpac had on Friday (Sept 25) received the MyCC infringement finding notice.
Today, LPI said Lonpac believes that it has always conducted its business in full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations and will consult its lawyers on its next course of action.
LPI has related its announcement today to the company's Bursa filing dated Feb 23, 2017.
In the Feb 23, 2017 announcement, LPI said Lonpac had a day earlier received the MyCC proposed decision notice, through which the regulator informed Lonpac of preliminary findings which alleged that "Lonpac together with the other 21 members of PIAM have infringed the prohibition under Section 4(2)(a) of the Competition Act for fixing parts trade discounts and labour rates for repair workshops and are therefore liable for an infringement under Section 4(3) of the Act".
LPI said the regulator had also proposed to impose a financial penalty of RM8.3 million on Lonpac for the alleged infringement.
At Bursa's 12:30pm break today, LPI's share price settled unchanged at RM13, which values the company at RM5.19 billion. The stock saw 6,900 shares traded.


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A Lowe’s in Abilene is attracting attention for one of its employees. She’s not a normal employee; in fact, she has four legs and doesn’t speak.
Charlotte is a 10-year-old golden retriever and started her work at the Lowe’s a few months ago. Her owner, Clay Luthy, got hired at the home improvement store after he realized Lowe’s welcomes service dogs, according to the Abilene Reporter-News.
Luthy, an Air Force veteran originally from California, can’t bend his left knee. Charlotte is trained to help Luthy back up should he ever fall. But Charlotte proved adept at something else: she entertains customers while wearing a dog-fitted Lowe’s “vest” when Luthy is on the job.
“Everybody loves Charlotte. This definitely was not part of the job description,” Luthy told the Reporter-News.
Luthy, who has a wife and three kids, was a C-130 loadmaster, and told the Reporter-News he feels right at home at his job.
“I can do pretty much everything. We grew up with nothing, so we fixed things and did it ourselves.”
Since news of Luthy’s hiring, photos of Charlotte and him have earned them quite a following. Lowe’s spokeswoman Karen Cobb told the San Antonio Express-News the store was “flooded” with calls and customers after a Facebook photo of the two was posted.
See photos of Charlotte and Luthy here.


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The digital transformation that was already taking place around the world, but which dramatically accelerated during the pandemic, will be further deepened in 2023. Different changes will impact the way products and services are marketed with the objective of providing disruptive experiences.
By 2023, the focus will be on providing new customer experiences, data security and the implementation of new technologies based on artificial intelligence. In addition, retailers will need to develop a robust strategy that will enable them to grow revenue with new operating models that emphasize sustainability.
Over the next few years, many people are expected to continue shopping from the comfort of their homes. However, in a changing and constantly evolving sector, it is key to keep up to date with the latest trends in order to strengthen your business.
If you have a store, in this article we will have an in-depth look at 8 eCommerce trends to boost your sales in 2023.
1- More than a passing fad but affected by inflation and the war
The adoption of eCommerce as a common shopping method has experienced continuous growth as a result of the pandemic. Many businesses had to be digitized to respond to limited access to physical stores and the urgent need of people to provide themselves with goods.
With the return to normality, the fear that online sales would stagnate or decline was a latent threat among merchants. Fortunately, none of this happened and eCommerce ended up being consolidated in the economy and in society.
Specialists expect the industry to remain relevant throughout 2023, even though it will be a year in which the economy may be affected by the economic crisis and geopolitical conflicts. Therefore, investment will be maintained in different areas with the aim of shoring up the industry.
The crisis that is being experienced around the world will also affect prices, which will make consumers willing to spend, albeit in a more modest and cautious way. For merchants, this presents a double challenge.
On the one hand, they should pay more attention to prices and provide all the information necessary for the consumer to make the purchase. On the other hand, it will be key that they provide a simple and transparent return process to promote trust and security in customers.
2- Experience is King
The eCommerce trends for 2023 indicate that offering a personalized experience is no longer an option. This year, personalization is expected to play a much more important role, given that consumers are more demanding and demand a shopping experience that is as personalized as possible.
As more and more businesses decide to have an online presence, providing a personalized experience is the best way to stand out in a sea of competitors. As a retailer, the ideal is to anticipate and meet customer expectations.
In this sense, customer information collected through AI can help you adapt your business's eCommerce experience to each individual customer. This data can become a real gold mine if used wisely.
The data arises from the past behavior of users within the site, these can be different actions that range from searches, purchase history or personal information, among others. With this information, merchants will be able to display content, product recommendations and offers based on customer needs.
It is expected that over the next few years, many businesses will take advantage of this data to see where and how they can improve their customer experience.
3- Welcome to the era of Omnichannel
By 2023, more and more users will want to interact with brands through different channels to obtain their products. Omnichannel is the ability of businesses to offer an integrated and consistent customer experience across different channels.
Nowadays it is not enough to cover a single channel to communicate with a customer. During the purchase process, users use different channels and devices, and sometimes simultaneously.
A user can establish a first contact from an advertisement on social networks, followed by a second point of contact through a Whatsapp message to finish with the purchase on the website or in the physical store. Omnichannel enables businesses to connect physical and digital stores, making it possible for the online channel to serve as a nexus for sales in the offline channel.
To promote omnichannel, it is essential to offer an integrated and consistent customer experience through the different channels to interact with the company. Only when all channels and touchpoints are managed in an integrated way can it be said that it is an omnichannel strategy.
Although outlining an omnichannel strategy is not easy, it is expected that more and more online stores will turn to this model to benefit from the following advantages:
- Increase in sales.
- Increase in loyalty.
- Increased customer lifecycle value.
- Increased profitability.
- Reduction of costs.
To be able to carry out an omnichannel strategy, it is important that your business has a presence on different channels and that you offer the possibility of buying through various online and physical points of sale.
4- Sustainability: a Challenge for Brands
Another major challenge for merchants in 2023 will be the use of technology with a vision of sustainability, care for the environment and an efficient use of resources. In this scenario, the adoption of social responsibility will be essential to adapt our product to the new needs of the market.
More and more people are concerned and aware of caring for the environment, so they expect companies to adopt more sustainable practices. As merchants, it will be key to align the values of our business with those of consumers.
The transition of your company to a greener model will help you to have a loyal customer base ready to support the positive business values of your brand
Today more than ever, there is a desire among consumers to support those companies that are capable of adopting sustainable practices. In fact, sustainable companies are getting a higher economic return compared to their competition.
5- Reinforce Security and Work on Customer Trust
The eCommerce trends for 2023 indicate that cybersecurity will be another major challenge for merchants. Therefore, ensuring the confidentiality and protection of customer data will be an urgent task if you have an online store.
One of the main barriers to online shopping is consumers' fear that the payment process will be secure. Cyber attacks have doubled since the pandemic, so it will be crucial that we have a secure store in 2023.
At this point, it will be key for merchants to integrate a reliable and secure payment gateway, and that complexity is invisible to the customer, offering them a fast and simple payment method. On the other hand, 46% of shoppers are more willing to buy from a store that offers their favorite payment method, so offering different payment methods is a determining factor when closing sales.
If you want to know more about this topic, we have written an article on the importance of security in eCommerce.
6- Buy Now Pay Later: A New Payment Method is Emerging
By 2023, it is expected that stores will continue to offer different payment methods for customers to make their purchases. While there are the more traditional payment methods such as transfers, digital wallets, debit and credit cards, a new system called Buy Now Pay Later is on the rise.
Buy Now Pay Later is one of the most flexible and comfortable alternatives to offer customers. This mode consists of receiving the product and making the payment on a monthly basis, without the need for credit cards.
7- Incursion into AI
In the quest to continue offering an attractive and personalized shopping experience, many businesses will invest in AI applications to implement in their stores such as intelligent chatbots, search engines, voice shopping or immersive shopping experiences.
More and more people are doing their searches by voice and this number is expected to increase. Voice Shopping is a tool that allows store users to make their purchases through voice search.
Users want to get in their search results what best suits their interests. By implementing an intelligent search engine, we will be demonstrating to customers not only that we can meet their needs but that we can also complement them with other products.
If you have a store running on Adobe Commerce, we wrote an article about Live Search that might interest you.
By 2023, retailers are expected to be able to offer more attractive shopping experiences, allowing customers to interact with a large number of products and services in an immersive way.
The weakness of online businesses so far has always been the limitation of customers' ability to interact with products before purchasing them. While at one time they sought to solve this through the representation of images and videos, they could never replace the physical interaction with many products.
Thanks to technological advances, merchants will be able to provide their customers with a level of commitment that until now has been unthinkable. Augmented reality and virtual reality is a technology that allows users to test the product or have a more detailed and real view.
The multitude of applications for AR and VR in the world of eCommerce open a window for businesses to use this technology and take the shopping experience to the next level. According to research by Statista, this market is estimated to grow above 250 billion US dollars by 2028.
The metaverse will be another technology in which merchants will begin to invest in their quest to create value propositions aimed at boosting the physical world with the virtual one.
Although many of these platforms are still under development, it is expected that over the next few years each business will be able to create their own metaverse, a virtual environment in which users can interact and buy their favorite products.
Thanks to this technology, merchants will be able to create innovative and immersive experiences.
8- Incorporate Social Media Shopping
Images and detailed product descriptions aren't enough to seduce shoppers. By 2023, moving images and a greater development of Social Media Shopping are expected to become more relevant.
In this scenario, social networks should no longer be thought of only as part of the marketing strategy, but also as tools to sell their products. According to eMarketer, global social commerce sales are expected to exceed one trillion dollars in 2023 and 2 trillion by 2025.
Networks such as Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram or Tik Tok, incorporate a technology that allows users to buy directly through them without having to leave the application. Thanks to this feature, the networks are positioned as a very attractive sales channel.
It is estimated that a large part of the world's population frequently uses social networks to search for and buy products. So, if you have a store, you should seriously consider incorporating Social Commerce as a strategy.
According to various studies, 78% of consumers who have a good experience with a brand on social networks are more willing to buy. Also, 77% said they are more likely to choose that brand over a competitor's brand and 72% will spend more.
The eCommerce trends for 2023 predict a much greater transformation in the rest of the decade than in what it has undergone in recent years. The implementation of new technology, the concern for safety, the demands of the user and the care of the environment will mark the new trends that are already coming.
It's time to start getting ready for 2023. If you are starting an online business or migrating platforms, it is important that you choose the eCommerce platform that suits your needs as this will ensure the success of your business.
A full evaluation of the software will help you decide based on pricing, ease of use, features and functionality, and more.
If you need a hand, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts are always ready to help you.


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Cognigix provides custom/bespoke digital learning solutions. It does this by combining learning design, technology, and visual communication. Cognigix has announced that Skilldom, a company with over 15 years of experience in eLearning, has merged with Cognigix’s Custom eLearning Services Vertical.
Both companies are leaders in the digital content and learning transformation industry. Cognigix is integrating these businesses to realize its strategic vision of providing a complete set of innovative learning solutions for its clients. It also plans to expand its reach in international markets. Cognigix will benefit from Skilldom’s unique approach to outcome-driven learning strategies, as well as technological innovation in content.
Cognigix will be able to draw on the industry knowledge of Skilldom, which will allow Cognigix to create significant opportunities and expand its market reach in custom eLearning. Cognigix will expand its innovation efforts in new product development, which Cognigix undertakes as a global solution provider for clients.
Cognigix’s founder and CEO Ajay Kumar said that Skilldom brings enormous strategic value to the company in global outreach and expansion opportunities. We have always been customer- and employee-centric, and we sought ways to align our strategies to serve our clients better. Skilldom has the digital assets, different talent, experience, and skills that Skilldom offers, so we are eager to expand into new markets and provide exceptional learning experiences across all industries.
Skilldom received numerous awards for their learning content services, a testament to their quality work. Skilldom has decades of experience in cross-industry knowledge, learning technologies, and learning content development.
Skilldom’s Co-Founder Ebrahim Mookhtiar said that the custom eLearning business was very successful for more than a decade and a half. Then, we decided to sell it and pursue an off-the-shelf business and product strategy. This is a great development because the vision, strategic direction, and core values of Cognigix align perfectly with Skilldom’s. Cognigix will serve our clients with the same professionalism and passion as before. Cognigix believes this merger will allow it to grow faster and make a real impact on the learning industry.


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Valley Navy man accused of identity theft
A former U.S. Navy man from Lemoore could spend 17 years in prison if he’s found guilty of the charges filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Jarrod M. Langford, 25 of Orlando, Fla. was arrested in Florida on Friday after a federal grand jury in Fresno indicted him of conspiracy to commit credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert said.
Langford was assigned as an aviation electrician’s mate at the U.S. Navy air station in Lemoore from 2011 to 2015. According to court documents, during that time, he worked with others to collect and use credit card account numbers to buy and resell Internet voucher codes that were redeemable for items like wristwatches, jewelry and computer software.
The former navy man used a variety of methods to steal peoples’ information, which included buying the information online.
In 2012, Langford is believed to have had more than 2,500 records of credit card account numbers and the card holders’ personal information — names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. Langford is accused of stealing roughly $340,000 in unauthorized voucher codes from websites such as Groupon, Living Social and KGB.
He was able to go unnoticed by authorities for more than four years because he had installed an app on his computer that established a virtual private network, VPN, officials said.
According to the indictment filed by Talbert, there are five victims that are known to the grand jury.
The case was investigated by the FBI with the help of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Baker.
If convicted, Langford faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy charges, 10 years for fraud and an additional two years for aggravated identity theft and a $250,000 fine.


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Shuttle drivers, F&I managers and maybe even traditional sales associates. These are among the jobs that will radically change — or even disappear — as dealerships adjust to a permanent shift in buyer behaviour in the post-pandemic world, industry experts say.
In their place, customers will be given more self-serve options, and staff will be cross-trained to be all-in-one contact points for car buyers, they say. Dealerships themselves will begin to evolve from being sales and financing centres to places where transactions are completed and to delivery points for cars ordered online, they add.
As revenue from sales declines, dealerships will become “delivery and repair hubs,” said Robert Karwel, senior manager of the Power Information Network at J.D. Power in Toronto.
Retailers will look to parts and service as the majority share of revenue, said Greg Carrasco, vice-president of operations at Oakville Nissan and Oakville Infiniti in Ontario.
“Services will grow. You’ll have to increase your service capacity.”
According to a report by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants (DAC), fixed operations generated 32.1 per cent of dealership gross profits in 2019, while new-vehicle sales generated 40.5 per cent. This despite gross fixed-ops revenue being just 9.2 per cent of total revenue versus 71.1 per cent for new-vehicle sales.
Used-vehicle sales and F&I accounted for the balance. Figures for 2020 have not been finalized, according to Dennis DesRosiers, president of DAC.
“Fixed ops continues to be ... one of the most important profit centres,” the report said.
NEW ROLES FOR WORKERS
As this revenue shift progresses, Carrasco said, every dealership will have to reassess the roles of employees. This is amplified by the contactless practices that came into play with the onset of COVID-19, he said.
“Shuttle drivers? You don’t need them,” Carrasco said. Instead, dealerships will need to have a fleet of self-serve loaner vehicles for customers bringing in their cars for service.
In other cases, concierge services — picking up and delivering serviced cars to a home or workplace — will be expanded to all vehicles, Carrasco said. These services currently are offered primarily by luxury brands.
Because today’s buyers do much of their research online, dealerships will require fewer sales associates waiting for walk-in business, he said. Some dealerships will soon require buyers to make appointments for in-person visits to assure that a staff person is on duty.
Many buyers still want to take a test drive, Carrasco said. However, rather than having customers come to the dealership and head out with a sales associate, the dealership will take the cars to them.
Vehicle owners appear ready to pay a premium for such service enhancements. A September survey of U.S. dealerships by global consultancy McKinsey & Co. found that, as a result of the pandemic, respondents are more interested in contactless services. About half of the respondents said they are willing to pay extra fo it.
The role of F&I managers will also evolve but likely not disappear altogether because it’s important to have an expert who can deal with a buyer’s finances. However, the F&I manager will be cross-trained to have greater product knowledge and handle more of the sales process, Carrasco said.
‘DOWNSIZED’ FOR GOOD
Trevor Boquist, who owns four Ford dealerships in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, said he has reduced the number of F&I managers at each of his dealerships to one from three. His Regina-based company, Driving Change Automotive Group, is moving to a single-pointof-contact model in which one person handles the entire purchasing process — from the point of initial contact (typically online), through negotiating, appraising trade-ins, arranging financing and delivering the car to the buyer’s home.
“Our administration and marketing departments have all been downsized, and I don’t see them resuming” their previous size, Boquist said.
Total employee count at his four dealerships dropped to 315 during the pandemic from a high of 390 said Boquist, who is 2020-21 chairman of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association. He expects that once the industry recovers, the total staff count will settle in at 335 to 340, off 15 per cent from pre-pandemic levels.
Another way to cut fixed costs is to substantially reduce the amount of inventory on hand, said J.D. Power’s Karwel. While dealers still need to keep a small inventory of vehicles to service the occasional walk-in, most buyers are doing research online and are ready to order, and wait for, the vehicle they want.
Customers seem to be content to live with shorter operating hours because the dealerships are providing more pickup and delivery services, Boquist said.
“We’re not going to be providing some services [such as shuttle] in the future, and the customers don’t seem to be missing it,” he said.
“Whenever we’re all vaccinated and return to the new normal, will all of those services be there?”
Boquist expects they will never return.


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DARIEN, Conn. — Since 1978, the Runner’s Roost has provided the Darien running community with expertise in training, racing, and general exercise footwear from its location on Route 1.
The running store has now moved to a new location in the Goodwives Shopping Center, and promises to continue to serve Darien and provide enhanced client interaction.
“For nearly 40 years, the Runner’s Roost has grown with the running community,” said owner Steve Norris, longtime coach of the women’s cross country and track programs at Darien High School. “Now, our business is more local than it used to be. A higher percentage of our customers are from Darien than before.”
The Runner’s Roost’s new location makes the store more convenient for customers. When Runner’s Roost first opened, the standalone storefront on the Post Road was helpful. It became known in Darien immediately and the visibility of the store’s location, plus out-front parking, helped the business grow consistently.
But today, with the rise in Internet sales, Norris, like other small business owners, experiences new challenges.
He said the Runner’s Roost finds it harder and harder to compete against online retailers because major shoe companies are manufacturing their shoes to be sold online rather than sold at local retail stores.
That's where the knowledge and expertise of Runner’s Roost staff comes in as an advantage.
“Larger running retailers try to stock all the shoes, but they don’t have the personnel to sell the shoes like we do,” Norris said.
The new location, therefore, emphasizes Runner’s Roost’s commitment to its customers, with a renovated fitting room, a more functional floor plan, and better storage.
“Our new location is made for retail,” store manager Catherine Solus said. “It’s easier to display our merchandise, and we’ve personalized our shop to make our customers’ experience more enjoyable.”
Runner’s Roost opened in Goodwives on July 5, just in time for Darien’s Sidewalk Sales and Family Fun Days, which took place last week.
Solus said the move was timed so that the Runner’s Roost could continue business-as-usual for customers.
“It was time for the Runner’s Roost to move into a new model to support our customers. We’re up for the challenge,” Solus said.
Runner’s Roost is a specialized running shop in Darien for anyone and everyone interested in running. Since opening in 1978, Runner’s Roost has provided running-related products and advice, fitting expertise, and personalized customer service.
In 2013, Norris was named Darien Sports Person of the Year by the Fairfield County Sports Commission.
For more information about the Runner’s Roost, visit www.runnersroostct.com .
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Depop, which originated in 2011, has built a strong customer base among Gen Z, who tend to value diversity and sustainability. Roughly 90% of users on Depop are younger than 26. This demographic is adopting second-hand fashion faster than any other group.
Etsy will acquire Depop for the purchase price of $1.625 billion, consisting mostly of cash. The deal is expected to close during the third quarter of 2021, though it is subject to “certain adjustments for Depop's working capital, transaction expenses, cash and indebtedness, and certain deferred and unvested equity for Depop management and employees,” according to a press release.
The high-value acquisition reflects the emerging value of Gen Z favored retailers. Companies, brands and services that reflect Gen Z’s desire for sustainability are likely to continue to see growth and rising value.
Among Gen Z consumers, Depop is the 10th most visited shopping site. Depop’s popularity has also helped increase awareness of second-hand and resale clothing, according to Etsy.
A number of other high-profile brands have recently launched resale, or recommerce, programs that allow customers to sell back their gently used items. The items are either resold at a lower price point for other customers, or, in the case of Nike, recycled into other materials. The programs enable brands to meet sustainability goals, but also recapture some of the resale value of their products.
In the U.S., the second-hand market is expected to reach $64 billion by 2024. From 2019 to 2024, the resale market will double the size of the fast fashion industry, Etsy stated.
"We're on an incredible journey building Depop into a place where the next generation comes to explore unique fashion and be part of a community that's changing the way we shop,” Depop CEO Maria Raga said in a statement. “Our community is made up of people who are creating a new fashion system by establishing new trends and making new from old. They come to Depop for the clothes, but stay for the culture.”
Depop, which first began in the U.K., has 30 million registered users across 150 countries. The platform reported 2020 gross merchandise sales (GMS) and revenue of approximately $650 million and $70 million, respectively. GMS and revenue both grew 100% year over year. Once the transaction closes, Etsy will operate three commerce brands: Etsy, Depop and Reverb.


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Thank you, Standard & Poor's
Third and most important, the blitheness with which intelligent people say, “Oh, we can always print more money” is horrifying. For one thing, it’s not true. Sure, maybe, once. But if we develop a reputation for paying our debts with a printing press, no one will want to hold our debt and no one will buy it. Ask yourself: If the United States can always cover its debts by just printing money, at no cost, what are we waiting for? Why even bother running up these tiresome debts and paying interest on them? Why shouldn’t Uncle Sam just make his shopping list, print out as much cash as he will need, and head for Costco?
When I last loosed a jeremiad on the danger of inflation, about a year ago, I was roundly upbraided by people who noted that in fact inflation was at record lows and seemed to be staying there. Inflation is still quite low, but in the past year it has increased by about a third, creeping up to 2.7 percent. Somewhat more alarming, the price of gold, which had gone from $280 an ounce to $1,140 an ounce in the decade before I wrote a year ago, has now broken $1,500 an ounce. Gold is a totally nonproductive asset. It just sits there. Its only investment value is as an inflation hedge.Continue Reading
Here’s an easy prediction: Soon, many of the people who have been talking about how the return of high inflation is terribly unlikely will start talking instead about how a bit of inflation is harmless or even healthy for the economy. In fact, a news article in Sunday’s New York Times just asserts this, as if it was too obvious even to require explanation: “… The purchases [of dollars by the Federal Reserve Board] have improved economic conditions, all but erasing fears of deflation, a pattern of falling prices that can delay purchases and stall growth. Inflation, which is beneficial in moderation, has climbed closer to healthy levels since the Fed started buying bonds.”
Why are people talking this way? Here’s the missing explanation: Inflation reduces the value of debt. If poorer people are on balance borrowers and wealthier people are on balance lenders, inflation can help to reduce one of our most serious economic problems, which is growing income and wealth inequality. More important, though, inflation is the only conceivable way we can pay down the national debt to a manageable size or at least slow its growth.


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It was a record setting night at The National Sports Collector’s Convention as bidders both in the Atlantic City, NJ hotel ballroom and online via www.GoldinAuctions.com spent over $3.1 million on 90+ items of sports memorabilia in the Goldin Auctions 2016 Premium Live Auction on August 4. As expected Lot #25 the O-Pee-Chee #18 Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card PSA Graded GEM MT 10 established a new standard for hockey trading cards by selling for $465,000 — more than five times the previous record of $94,000 that the card last sold for. Not to be outdone, Lot #38 Babe Ruth’s 1935 Contract with the Boston Braves sold for a whopping $360,000.
Other prices realized included:
- Lot #20 – Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card SGC 86 NM+ 7.5 ($180,000)
- Lot #48 – Michel Jordan 1998 Chicago Bulls Playoff Jersey ($168,000)
- Lot #12 – T206 Eddie Plank White Border PSA EX 5 ($102,000)
- Lot #22 – 1955 Sandy Koufax #123 Topps Rookie Card SGC MINT 9 ($96,000)
- Lot #42 – 1956 Stan Musial Game Worn Cardinals Jersey ($84,000)
- Lot #21 – 1953 Topps #244 Willie Mays SGC 96 MINT 9 ($74,400)
- Lot #15 – 1933 Goudey Baseball 24-Card Uncut Sheet ($66,000)
- Lot #23 – 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie Card PSA NM-MT ($62,400)
- Lot #81 – 2011 NY Giants Super Bowl XLVI Player (Parker) Ring ($61,200)
- Lot #37 – Babe Ruth’s Final “Farewell Letter” to Yankees owner Dan Topping ($60,000)
- Lot #4 – 1947 Ted Williams Triple Crown Season Game Used Bat ($60,000)
“The National Sports Collector’s Convention is the biggest event in the sports memorabilia industry which makes our annual auction here truly special,” said Ken Goldin, Founder of Goldin Auctions. “With more than 200 people packing the room and hundreds more bidding via phone and online it was an electric atmosphere. We thank all our bidders and consigners for their participation.”
A handful of items that did not sell in the live auction will remain open for bidding along with 1,500+ other lots of memorabilia in the corresponding catalog auction through August 13 online at www.GoldinAuctions.com.
About Goldin Auctions
Sports memorabilia impresario Ken Goldin has sold more than $600 million in memorabilia from many of the biggest names in sports, history and pop culture and was the pioneer of using the medium of television to sell sports memorabilia. Over the past few years, Goldin Auctions sold Babe Ruth’s 1918 contract for a record $1.02 million, a Honus Wagner T206 card for a public sale record $2.1 million and the Mike Piazza Post-9/11 home run jersey for $365,000. Goldin Auctions strives to break new ground and offer collectors the best in collectible treasures up for auction in the marketplace. All game worn or autographed items come with team, player, league or additional LOA from industry leading authenticators; and collectors can bid with confidence that their proxy/ceiling bids remain confidential. For more information, visit www.goldinauctions.com.


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It's a red alert for all of us tomato lovers out there. Tomato prices have tripled in the past month, and that's thanks in part to the recent hurricanes in Florida. See how local restaurants and consumers are dealing with the skyrocketing prices.
If you've dined at Lino's in Rockford lately, you might notice something different about their famous salad. For the past two weeks, it has one less ingredient.
"We've just added more sausage and other ingredients and got rid of the tomato," says owner, Joseph Battista.
Prices on fresh tomatoes jumped nearly 200 percent in October.
Why? Because after the Florida hurricanes and flooding in California, farmers had to replant crops expected be sold in November and December, but it's not just restaurants on red alert, travel to your local grocery store and you'll see it too.
"Before they were 89 cents a pound and now that price has tripled," says Jesusita Legarda, a cashier at the Rockford Fruit and Meat Market.
On the bright side is prices on canned and pureed tomatoes used in sauces haven't been affected. Those products are packaged earlier in the year, so Legarda has seen less of the fresh and more of the canned at her register lately.
"Because they want to save their money, that's why they're buying them," explains Legarda.
Experts expect the shortage to last about a month, ending perhaps just in time to include some red in our Thanksgiving feast. Other area restaurants have also scaled back on tomatoes in salads and on salad bars.
Some good news is Lino's will have tomatoes back in their salads this week thanks to a deal they struck with a local distributor.


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Like it or not, the introduction of the tablet has changed the face of computing forever, and it's importance is only going to grow over time. However, it isn't all about future potential at all. With device shipments already reaching into the hundreds of millions, there's plenty of investors' money already riding on the winners and losers in this space right here and now. And to that end, we recently saw the numbers for market share in the tablet market in the second quarter released. In this video, tech and telecom analyst Andrew Tonner breaks down how the competitive landscape fared last quarter.
- Aug 8, 2013 at 4:52PM
- Technology and Telecom


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Increased royalties from franchisees contributes for Dunkin's revenue growth
Dunkin' Brands Group Inc, the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts (DD) and Baskin-Robbins, has reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue owing to increased royalties from franchisees and higher sales at company-operated restaurants.
According to results reported by the group for the third quarter ended September 26, 2015, net income attributable to the company fell to $46.2 million, or 48 cents per share, in the third quarter ended Sept. 26 from $54.7 million, or 52 cents per share, a year earlier. While, revenue rose 9 percent to $209.8 million, above the average analyst estimate of $204.1 million."Our overall financial performance in the third quarter, including the strong growth in our revenue, operating income and adjusted earnings per share, demonstrates the benefits and resiliency of our asset-light franchise business model, and the solid Dunkin' Donuts U.S. net restaurant growth shows the continued demand for the brand. While we were disappointed with our third quarter Dunkin' Donuts U.S. comparable store sales, we remain on track to deliver our full-year targets, and we are working closely with our franchisees to regain transaction momentum through great products, exceptional guest service, and innovative marketing," says Dunkin' Brands Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Nigel Travis.
"Dunkin' Brands is a business with tremendous long-term growth potential. At our recent investor day, we provided targets for our growth expectations for the next five years which included mid-to-high single digit revenue growth, 10 percent plus adjusted operating income growth and up to 15 percent adjusted earnings per share growth," adds Paul Carbone, Chief Financial Officer, Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.