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Philip Morris USA’s domestic cigarette shipment volume during the third quarter to the end of September, at 34.1 billion, was 1.2 percent higher than it was during the third quarter of 2012.
Marlboro volume was increased by 1.5 percent to 29.4 billion, while the volume of the company’s other premium brands was down by 7.4 percent to 2.0 billion and its discount brand volume was up by 5.1 percent to 2.7 billion.
In presenting third-quarter and nine-month figures yesterday, Altria said that PM USA’s third-quarter reported domestic cigarettes shipment volume had increased by 1.2 percent primarily due to “one extra shipping day, changes in trade inventories and retail share gains, partially offset by the industry’s rate of decline.”
“After adjusting for calendar differences and changes in trade inventories, PM USA estimates that its third-quarter 2013 domestic cigarettes shipment volume was down approximately 3 percent and that total cigarette category volume declined approximately 3.5 percent in the same period,” Altria said.
PM USA’s domestic-market retail share during the three months to the end of September, at 50.7 percent, was increased by 0.2 of a percentage point on that of the third quarter of 2012.
Marlboro’s market share was unchanged at 43.7 percent, while the share of the company’s other premium brands was down by 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.1 percent, and the share of its discount brands was up by 0.3 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent.
USSTC and PM USA’s combined domestic smokeless products shipment volume during the third quarter, at 212.8 million cans and packs, was up by 9.5 percent on that of the three months to the end of September 2012.
Shipments of Copenhagen and Skoal taken together were up by 10.5 percent to 192.0 million packs and cans, while shipments of other brands were increased by 1.5 percent to 20.8 million packs and cans.
Altria commented that for the third quarter of 2013, USSTC and PM USA’s combined reported domestic smokeless products shipment volume had increased by 9.5 percent primarily due to one extra shipping day and volume growth for Copenhagen and Skoal.
“After adjusting for an extra shipping day, trade inventory changes and other factors, USSTC and PM USA estimate that their combined domestic smokeless products shipment volume grew approximately 4 percent for the third quarter of 2013,” Altria said.
USSTC and PM USA’s retail share of the domestic smokeless products market during the three months to the end of September, at 55.1 percent, was down by 0.3 of a percentage point.
Copenhagen’s share increased by 1.3 percentage points to 29.6 percent, while Skoal’s share fell by 1.2 percentage points to 21.2 percent, and the share of the companies’ other brands fell by 0.4 of a percentage point to 4.3 percent.
Middleton’s cigar shipment volume during the first three months, at 320 million, was increased by 6.0 percent on that of the three months to the end of September 2012, as Black & Mild volume increased by 4.4 percent to 311 million and other-cigar volume rose by more than 100 percent from 4 million to 9 million.
Middleton’s retail share during the third quarter, at 29.7 percent, was down by 1.1 percentage points on that of the three months to the end of September 2012, with Black & Mild’s share down by 1.1 percentage points to 29.5 percent and the share of other brands unchanged at 0.2 percent.
Altria’s 2013 third-quarter reported diluted earnings per share (EPS), at $0.70, were increased by more than 100 percent on those of the third quarter of 2012, while its adjusted diluted EPS, which excludes the impact of special items, increased by 12.1 percent to $0.65.
Altria’s third-quarter net revenues increased by 5 percent to $6.6 billion primarily due to higher net revenues from the smokeable and smokeless products segments, and higher gains on asset sales in the financial services business. Altria’s revenues net of excise taxes increased 6.6 percent to $4.8 billion.
“During both the quarter and the first nine months, our strategies and diverse business model continued to produce strong results,” said Marty Barrington, chairman and CEO of Altria.
“Our businesses are on track against their full-year plans, and Altria remains focused on creating long-term value for shareholders.
“In addition to producing strong results in our core businesses, we’re developing innovative tobacco products for adult tobacco consumers. We’re pleased with Nu Mark’s lead market launch in Indiana of its MarkTen e-vapor products. Further, Nu Mark plans to expand distribution of MarkTen to Arizona in December.”
Category: Breaking News


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February 11, 2016
The names of the shops at Morecambe’s new £17m seafront retail park remain clouded in mystery.
Developers are still tight-lipped on who might move onto the new Bay Shopping Park more than a year after planning permission was given.
Opus North has finished a tendering process and will appoint a building firm to start work on the former Frontierland fairground site shortly.
But a spokesman said while there “has been movement with retailers behind the scenes” he was unable to give any names.
The only confirmed tenants so far are Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre.
The new 60-bedroom hotel and pub-restaurant will replace the Ranch House pub which closed on Sunday.
The spokesman said surveyors had been inside the former Ranch to prepare for its demolition, possibly in May.
He also said the Polo Tower would be demolished once a contractor is appointed.
Last July, Opus North confirmed they had been in talks with B&M Bargains and TK Maxx.
The Yorkshire firm, in partnership with site owners Morrisons, had aimed to start work in autumn 2015.
But in September last year, they said “practical hurdles” had slowed down talks with retailers.
Telecoms giant EE (formerly Orange) were also using the 168ft Polo tube as a mast but the licence was due to expire at the end of January 2016.
Planning permission was granted for the new shopping park, to include shops, restaurants and more than 300 car parking spaces, in November 2014.
Author: The Visitor

domain: news


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A fine of £250,000 has been imposed on Sony for security breaches.
A failure by Sony Computer Entertainment to implement proper data protection measures has resulted in the company receiving a huge fine from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
The incident in question occurred in April 2011, when computer hackers exploited a vulnerability in the technology giant’s infrastructure and gained access to the PlayStation network.
There, they managed to find and leak details including users’ passwords, credit card details, email addresses and birth dates, something that could have left millions of people vulnerable to identity theft.
An investigation was launched by the ICO straight away and it decided this week to impose the maximum available penalty for a private company on Sony for its security breach.
It means the company must pay £250,000 – only two other organisations have ever been fined more and they were both local authorities.
David Smith from the ICO said the situation was one of the most serious it has ever handled and insisted that it need never have happened if Sony had kept its software up to date and handled passwords more securely.
"This is a business that should have known better. It is a company that trades on its technical expertise," he pointed out, adding: "There’s no doubt in my mind that they had access to both the technical knowledge and the resources to keep this information safe."
Sony has completely altered its security systems since then and it denied the security breach was as serious as the ICO claims.
"[The] personal data is unlikely to have been used for fraudulent purposes," it said, adding that there is no evidence to suggest credit card details were accessed and used.
It comes after KPMG’s Data Loss Barometer showed that the number of incidents in which companies have had their important data hacked has rocketed in the past two years as criminals develop more sophisticated techniques.


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In a matter of weeks, COVID-19 achieved what years of lobbying and education had not – convincing organizations of the importance of making sure digital assets – like websites, emails and mobile apps – are easy to use and simple to navigate. With the sudden upswing in digital demand and the almost overnight disappearance of physical interactions – it’s become clear how someone who cannot leave their home is forced to rely on digital channels, and how frustrating it is for them if those digital channels are not optimized for accessibility. This is a regular experience for people living with disabilities and COVID-19 has forced people to have empathy with the need for digital access.
Making online content more accessible means ensuring that all people can read and understand it – taking into account any disabilities they may have or assistive devices they could be used to access it. This includes those with disabilities such as impaired vision, motor difficulties, cognitive impairments or learning disabilities, deafness or impaired hearing. In fact, stats from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 61-million (or 1 in 4) adults in the US have some form of disability.
The pandemic has accelerated the rate of digital transformation and with it, the need for digital accessibility. People with disabilities, who previously may have relied on physical interactions (when shopping, banking etc.), are now also being forced to interact via digital channels instead. It is therefore imperative that organizations consider this segment – they can start by assessing the accessibility level of all their digital content and changing the copy as well as layout/design where necessary. Taking these steps will not only ensure that all digital content can be consumed and understood by all, but that it also complies with accessibility laws.
Some common accessibility standards include ensuring websites and emails are easily navigable on a mobile device or via keyboard only, creating PDF documents that can be read by screen readers and avoiding text with a poor color contrast – which is challenging for people with visual impairments.
Before the pandemic hit, while physical interactions were still acceptable and in-store visits more common, email was already a popular communication channel for many consumers and businesses alike. Now, with the recent, sudden, and unprecedented restrictions of movement imposed by governments across the globe, companies have been forced to adjust their communication or risk losing touch with customers.
It is not surprising that a large number of companies turned to email as the channel of choice to reach out to customers with information about their business continuity plans.
The result was a deluge of emails from brands wanting to make contact with customers and reassure them that new, digital ways of applying, buying and transacting would return things to business as usual. But if customers aren’t able to access those emails in spite of their disabilities, there can be no “business as usual”. Fortunately, a report from Level Access shows that 67% of US-based businesses felt compelled to implement inclusion to be truly inclusive of persons with disabilities. Some 45% meanwhile on implementing a standard, organizational-wide approach to accessibility. They could do far worse than to start with email.
The pandemic has emphasised the undeniable value of these communications, and as is the value of email as a channel for everyone, it makes sense for organizations to put energy into making email accessibility a key focus in their digital accessibility strategy.
Striata provides strategy, software and professional services that enable digital communication across multiple channels and devices. We are experts in message design, generation, security, delivery and storage.
Clients choose our technology and services to encrypt, send and store confidential documents; execute integrated marketing campaigns; and distribute high volume electronic communications.
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We have operations in New York, London, Johannesburg, Hong Kong, Sydney and partners in North and South America, Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific. www.striata.com


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Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has won against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) in the latest round of patent wars. This time the win came in Japan, where a court ruled that Samsung had infringed upon patents for the bounce-back feature, which Apple uses in the display of its documents and emails on iOS devices.
Details On Apple’s Latest Win
This decision is just an interim one, which means it may be a temporary win for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), reports The Wall Street Journal’s Daisuke Wakabayashi. We should find out more information on the court’s ruling later today. The case is still continuing so that the court can determine just how much money Samsung should pay to Apple for infringing on its patent.
At this year's annual Robin Hood conference, which was held virtually, the founder of the world's largest hedge fund, Ray Dalio, talked about asset bubbles and how investors could detect as well as deal with bubbles in the marketplace. Q1 2021 hedge fund letters, conferences and more Dalio believes that by studying past market cycles Read More
Today’s ruling specifically is about the way the icons and other features on a display appear to bounce whenever the device’s user scrolls to the bottom of the document in the device. This particular feature isn’t found on the newest models of Samsung devices. Instead, Samsung devices show a blue line at the bottom of documents.
Earlier this year, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) lost a claim for the same feature in the U.S., although it won the claim in a South Korean court last year. Older Samsung devices which have the similar feature were allowed to remain on sale in the U.S. There’s a chance that these same devices may be banned in Japan however, depending on the court’s final decision about compensation and whether there should be a ban on these devices.
Other Patent Battles Between Apple And Samsung
Last year, a court in Japan made the opposite decision, ruling in favor of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) for a different patent. That one involved the synching of videos and music on various devices using servers. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) of course appealed that verdict, and the wars just keep going on. So far the patent wars between the two tech giants have spanned 10 or more countries and have gone on for at least two years.
This week Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was also slapped with another patent suit, this time for a call-forwarding feature. That suit didn’t come from Samsung, however. It was filed by Bluebonnet Telecommunications.


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At last year’s SEMA show, Chevrolet showed off a concept car with an electric powerplant: a 1962 C-10 pickup truck build powered by an electric Connect & Cruise concept crate propulsion package. A year ago, it was a vision of the future. This year, we’re living it.
For SEMA 360, Chevy debuted its 1977 K5 Blazer converted to all-electric propulsion. According to GM, “The K5 Blazer-E is a functional proof of concept of the upcoming Electric Connect and Cruise package Chevrolet Performance plans to sell in the second half of 2021.”
So, a very cool build comes with an even bigger message – the eConnect and Cruise is the real deal, and pretty soon, it’ll be available for purchase. Chevrolet is using the SEMA 360 platform to actively survey visitors on potential projects for the electric crate engine.
“As GM introduces a new fleet of electric vehicles, it creates an exciting opportunity to bring EV technology to the aftermarket,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance and Motorsports. “Our vision is to offer a comprehensive line of Connect and Cruise systems from Chevrolet Performance – delivering a solution for every customer ranging from LSX V-8s to eCrate conversions.”
General Motors GMC Hummer EV Supertruck debuted two weeks ago to a buzz of excitement, along with the promise of more electric trucks in the future, and while Chevy’s ’77 Blazer is a throwback (and a eyebrow tilted nod to the new Bronco, a “your move good sir”), it demonstrates that the technology powering it can update the most retro vision.
The eCrate first drove the eCOPO in 2018, prior to showing up in the E-10. These concepts helped Chevy refine and define what an electric crate motor could do.
The K5 Blazer-E build is mostly stock Blazer, and the few new parts needed for the eCrate are factory components from the Chevrolet Bolt EV, according to Chevy. After puling out the original three-speed automatic V-8, the team dropped in a Bolt EV with a Chevy Performance automatic four speed.
A 400-volt Bolt EV battery pack powers the engine from the cargo area, providing 60 kilowatt-hours of usable energy. A electric power steering kit, electric pump providing vacuum to the stock brake system, and an electronic controller to drive inputs to the vintage Blazer gauges – such as displaying the battery’s state of charge on the original fuel gauge were all aftermarket components.
So if it can power a big Blazer, the Electric Connect and Cruise has nearly unlimited potential as is, and will (in theory) be available in the second half of 2021. The current configuration in the K5 Blazer delivers 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, and Chevrolet Performance is also looking at how to develop higher performance potential with the eCrate packages. The team will be working to integrate GM’s modular Ultium battery system technologies, meaning more horsepower, more torque and more MORE.
“Minutes after Chevrolet showed the E-10 concept, customers started calling to ask how soon they could build their EV project,” said Russ O’Blenes, Chevrolet director of engineering, Performance and Racing. “The K5 Blazer-E demonstrates what is possible for customers who want to convert their vintage truck to a daily driver with the instant torque and unique driving experience of an EV. For customers who want more extreme performance, the modular eCrate system will have virtually limitless applications.”
The 60-kWh Electric Connect and Cruise package will include:
– 60-kWh battery pack
– 200-horsepower electric motor
– DC-to-AC power inverter to drive the electric motor
– DC-to-DC power converter to power low-voltage systems
– Wiring harnesses, controllers and water pumps for battery heating and cooling
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The Fairphone 2 is an interesting concept, and its promotional video might have you believe that the company just wants to jump in and compete with Project Ara before Google gets to even introduce its modular phone. But while the Fairphone 2 is definitely modular in its own right (although not quite the same way Project Ara is), the phone represents a push across the board to rethink how smartphones are made—from mining to reusability…
There’s basically four main tentpoles to the Fairphone 2 story: Mining, design, manufacturing, and life cycle. The company intends to use materials from responsibly-sourced, local economies, wants to focus on longevity and repairability — hence the modularity — of the phone, wants to make sure that the phone’s hardware comes from manufacturing facilities where workers are treated fairly, and hopes to bring new ways to reuse and safely recycle the device.
While all of this is well and good, it’s worth remembering that the Fairphone is still, well, a phone. The device has a 5-inch HD display with Gorilla Glass, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 2 GB of RAM, a 2420 mAh battery, an 8-megapixel rear camera, 32 GB of internal storage, and dual-SIM support. The phone of course has all of the typical connectivity interfaces like 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi, 4g LTE radios, and Bluetooth 4.0. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop.
Looking at the roadmap of the phone, it looks like Fairphone is preparing to release the source code to developers. And they’re now taking sign-ups if you want to be one of the first to own the device. The company says that the retail price is going to be €525, including VAT, or just around $600. Pre-orders are expected to begin this summer on a “first-come, first-served basis,” and delivery of the first handsets will begin in the fall.
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Coakley Joins AudioSource as Executive VP
Audio manufacturer AudioSource announced Monday that Tim Coakley, until recently vice president of vendor management and marketing at Ingram Micro CE, has joined the company as executive vice president. Coakley will report to CEO Tom O'Mara.
Coakley starts at AudioSource Monday.
“We are so happy to have an executive with Tim’s experience and knowledge to join the leadership team at AudioSource” O’Mara said in a statement.
“AudioSource is uniquely positioned to continue be an industry leader with best in class sound products and solutions. Tim has incredible knowledge of the CE industry, its products and understands the importance of providing solutions to satisfy our customer’s needs. With Tim’s guidance and expertise AudioSource will be further enabled to continue to bring those solutions to market."
" I am so impressed with every aspect of the company- the people, the products, the engineering capabilities," Coakley said as part of the announcement.
"AudioSource has planned some very compelling products for launch in the back half of 2014 and I am excited to be part of that. The CE business is strong, vibrant and ever changing. It feels great to be part of an organization that understands that and has incredible vision under Tom O’Mara’s leadership.”


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Anti-virus firm AVG who recently swallowed up large VPN provider HideMyAss are getting in on the fast-moving VPN router market with the release of an IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign aimed at bringing their very own VPN router to market.
VPN routers have been around for a while and are currently standard routers that have been flashed with software capable of adding in VPN functions. In the past 12 months there has been a number of security products that aim to provide VPN and Tor connectivity in a small and portable box, essentially purpose made VPN routers.
AVG Chime in the changes
The new device named Chime aims to offer VPN connectivity and Tor access in the home. Unlike other devices on the market or those in production like the recently funded InvizBox Go the Chime aims to incorporate safe browsing via VPN or Tor and a unique anti-virus system from AVG built into the device.
Chime sounds somewhat similar to other devices in the pipeline and while it claims to have certain extra features it also lacks features that others are offering. One of the selling points is the mesh type Wi-Fi that the device aims to offer which will allow connectivity through more than one box to boost the Wi-Fi signal around your home. If you have a rather large property that usually has a weak signal in distant corners the Chime is set to alleviate those issues.
Surprisingly AVG has gone the crowd funding route that is usually taken by start-up companies and smaller outfits, however, they claim it isn’t for the funding (even though they’re asking for a whopping US$650,000) but instead to ensure they receive ideas and direction from those that are interested in the product. I’m not entirely convinced on that score as most of the features are laid out in the listing and I can’t see them making huge changes based on feedback from those that pledge.
Whatever the reason for the crowd funding route as the time of writing US$37,470 has been raised towards the over half a million dollar target and with 22 days remaining it could be an extremely close finish line.
Slightly more expensive than other devices
Chime comes in slightly pricier than other devices such as the InvizBox Go, Keezel and new Anonabox offerings which are all set to be released early in 2016. Chime is priced at US$125 without VAT which is likely to be more around the US$150.00 mark for EU customers with shipping on top. The price is discounted for the Indiegogo campaign and when released will retail at US$200 plus shipping and VAT if you live in the EU.
As with all recently released VPN router devices, speed will be the important factor and with little mention of the hardware inside apart from a “powerful dual core CPU” and no mention of expected speeds then one of the most critical features of the product will be left to be seen.
Chime from AVG appears to be targeting the home Wi-Fi market but with plenty of competition set to be released in advance of Chime with the added ability to be slightly more portable one has to question if they’re turning up a little late for the party. I’m sure a huge name like AVG has the ability to publicise the product which might be the only saving grace when the crowdfunding end date rolls around.


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NEW YORK — Middle market private equity firm Centre Partners has re-acquired Captain D’s Seafood, a Nashville, Tenn.-based operator of more than 500 seafood-focused quick-service restaurants, from Sentinel Capital Partners. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Centre Partners previously owned Captain D’s between 2013 and 2017.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with Phil Greifeld (chief executive officer of Captain D’s) and this experienced executive team once again,” said Bruce Pollack, managing partner of Centre Partners. “With its differentiated menu of craveable seafood, Captain D's provides a unique value proposition to its customers. We look forward to supporting Phil and the team as they seek to significantly expand the business.”
Mr. Greifield added, “We are proud to welcome Centre Partners back to the company and continue our growth story with their support. Their deep understanding of our business makes them an ideal partner for our next phase of growth. We continue to improve the customer experience with new menu offerings; streamlined digital, drive-thru and delivery options; and an expanding geographic footprint. We are excited to build upon these initiatives with Centre Partners.”Founded in 1986, Centre Partners has more than $2.5 billion of equity capital invested in more than 80 transactions. The company’s current investments include Sabrosura Foods, a provider of branded and private label Hispanic foods, and Golding Farms Foods, a maker of private label, branded and co-packed sauces and condiments. Past investments include Bellisio Foods, Bumble Bee Foods and The Johnny Rockets Group.


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FremantleMedia Kids and Family Entertainment has secured a new deal with DJ Murphy to develop a monthly magazine based on its popular property Strange Hill High.
Hitting shelves this summer, the 40 page magazine will feature cartoons, pranks, character diaries, quizzes, posters, fact files, embarrassing tales and creative activities.
The magazine – also available to read in digital form via an app – will launch with a bumper issue for the school holidays.
Pindy O’Brien, VP brand licensing and retail UK FremantleMedia Kids and Family Entertainment, said: “We are very excited about the new magazine which will be a great brand extension to the show.
“DJ Murphy is the perfect partner to translate Strange Hill High’s distinctive look and laugh out loud storylines in to a must have publication.”


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By Richard Menta 10/21/08
Apple sold more iPhones and iPods this quarter than any prior non-holiday quarter. Apple sold 6.9 million iPhones for the September quarter, meaning the company officially surpassed the total 10 million iPhone goal they projected for the end of 2008.
Last quarter Apple moved 10,011,000 iPods, down from 10,644,000 the quarter before. This quarter 11 million iPods were sold.
The upcoming holiday quarter is the one that will tell the most in these uncertain economic times. Last year Apple sold 22,121,000 iPods during the Christamas period. Apple is targeting revenue for the next quarter conservatively, between $9 and $10 Billion.
The Archos 5 series Internet Media Tablet is available on Amazon
Other MP3 stories:
Ticketmaster Monopoly Must End


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- Trends & Ideas
- Internet Marketing 101
Reports: Social, catalogs influential during 2012 holidays
Over the 2012 holidays a couple of interesting data points were found by researchers: first, that social media use decreased but that traditional ad form catalogs helped push more sales.
According to new data out from LifeStreet Media, Facebook app usage was up overall for the Christmas holiday thanks in part to new devices. However, usage on Christmas day plummeted while on New Year's Day skyrocketed.
Some of the most popular Facebook apps were - and remain - social media apps. But what is interesting is that core social consumers are doing more through their favorite socnets but those users aren't necessarily bringing more people into the social space. The research shows that Facebook's uniques dropped over the 2012 holidays, but those who remained 'online' did more through the social network.
Meanwhile, don't count out catalogs. According to new data out from Baynote and the etailing group, catalogs are still influencing purchases - in some cases more than social media outlets. Over the 2012 holiday season, the report notes catalogs influenced double the shoppers that Pinterest and Twitter did - and that is for both online and in-store shoppers. Other interesting findings include:
• Paper catalogs influenced 81.9% more in-store purchases, 42.9% more online purchases than Facebook
• Paper catalogs were more likely to influence Gen-X and Baby Boomers, Social Media was most likely to influence Gen-Y and Millennials
• 40% of tablet owners browsed the mobile web for gift ideas, 28.4% of smartphone owners did so
• 23% of shoppers used retailer apps to complete a purchase
"While it is important to embrace new forms of marketing, successful organizations recognize that all direct to consumer efforts are part of an omni-channel strategy to reach different consumer segments," said Dan Darnell, Vice President of Marketing, Baynote. "Younger consumers may be more influenced by social and online purchases while older consumers will continue to use paper catalogs and buy in-store. As the lines between these start to blur, making sure that all forms of marketing reinforce each other is key to creating a seamless experience across touch points."
Perhaps of most importance, the study shows that digital efforts were key in influencing purchases across the board, especially reviews. Researchers found that online reviews influenced about one quarter (24.1%) of in-store purchases and 32.9% of online purchases.
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Kim Kardashian prompted talk among her fans that she was hiding something as she stepped out almost incognito in Paris. The reality TV star hid her trademark long locks under an oversized thick woollen beanie, causing celebrity watchers to speculate that she had returned to being blond.
A few wisps of very fair hair were seen poking out of her hat, in spite of Kim's efforts to conceal her tresses.
The lovebirds looked their usual stylish selves as they coordinated in black outfits. Kim, 34, flaunted her petite figure in tight leather trousers and a black top, keeping warm with a furry stole.
Her rapper husband, who has mingled with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld during Fashion Week, also added a layer to his dark ensemble with a fur-collared bomber jacket.
Kim announced that she had touched down in the French capital – a favourite destination for her and Kanye – on Thursday morning. The model shared a photo of the iconic Eiffel Tower on Instagram, captioning it: "And so it begins....Paris Fashion Week."
Kim Kardashian announced to her fans on Instagram that she had touched down in the City of Light
The couple will most likely be making an appearance at the Balmain show later on in the day, as they are good friends with the brand's creative director Olivier Rousteing.
Kim and Kanye were also crowned as the newest faces of Balmain's SS/15 menswear collection last December, and announced their collaboration with an edgy photoshoot campaign.
It wouldn't come as a surprise if Kim has indeed gone blond, and is planning to unveil her new hairstyle on the front row at the fashion show.
Her change in hair colour would come as a welcome surprise to Kanye, who has previously admitted that he prefers his wife with caramel or golden honey locks.
Kim's decision would also follow in the footsteps of her younger sister Khloé Kardashian, who revealed that she was "in love" with her new blond hair. The 30-year-old ditched her usual brunette locks in favour of a golden blond hue, and shared a snap of her new 'do on Instagram.


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Here’s what the front of new Corby Post Office will look like when it opens in a budget food shop.
The town is currently thought to be the largest in the UK without a main post office. The last Post Office closed down in January when the Co-op shuts its doors.
It was originally intended to open a new branch in a unit in New Post Office Square.
But last month Post Office bosses unveiled a plan to team up with Heron Foods in Corporation Street to open a new branch inside the store.
Now plans have been submitted to Corby Council for the new signage.
Today (September 9) is the last chance for people to take part in a six-week consultation into the new location of the Post Office.
Opening hours would be from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
Sarah Cottrell, Regional Network Manager said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Corby. We hope this current proposal to re-open Corby Post Office at an existing store will be successful and that services can be quickly restored.
“The Post Office is now inviting customers and interested parties to give their comments on the move in a six-week public consultation. During the public consultation, Post Office Ltd welcomes feedback on any issues customers would like considered before a final decision is taken on this proposal.”
Consultation submissions can be made via email to email@example.com, via the Customer Helpline on 03457 22 33 44 or Textphone 03457 22 33 55.


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9,300 Volkswagen Workers Sign Up For Early Retirement
The automaker looks to cut costs ahead of its upcoming Transform 2025+ initiative.
In cost saving efforts, Volkswagen AG has extended an offer to employees to sign a contract for early retirement. According to Automotive News, nearly 9.300 workers have agreed to the contract, as released in a statement by VW Human Resources board member Karlheiz Blessing. The announcement revealed that the offer is mainly focused on workers born between 1955 and 1960, and they have until July 31 to respond to the proposal.
Volkswagen claims that this move was made in order to cut expenses prior to its Transform 2025+ initiative. This plan is to improve the manufacturer's efficiency by 25 percent in the next eight years, allowing them to expand their development of electric vehicles and improved connectivity. The company is currently working on contributing to building an electric car infrastructure in the United States dubbed Electrify America.
The automaker says that there are no forced layoffs planned as part of this initiative, and it is promoting the early retirement plan as a benefit for both parties.


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By Douglas Moyer, CPP, PhD, contributing writer
FSMA’s new intentional adulteration rule — food defense vs. food fraud
In late 2013, the FDA published its proposed rules to prevent the intentional adulteration of food(1).The announcement of Section 106 was widely covered in trade journals, and to a lesser extent, in the general media due to its focus on food defense and terrorism. Although protecting the public's health from terrorists is of concern, food fraud is another type of intentional adulteration deserving attention.
The Department of Homeland Security was created shortly after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. One of its first priorities was to assess and mitigate terrorism risks including vulnerabilities in the U.S. food supply. This marked the beginning of food defense as a distinctive discipline separate from other traditional disciplines such as food safety and food quality. While food safety scientists were concerned with preventing the finite list of known "bad bugs" (e.g. E. coli, salmonella),food defense experts began brainstorming attack scenarios, assessing and prioritizing threat vulnerabilities, and mitigating public health risks from terrorists using food.
Almost coincidentally, American consumers were being barraged by a series of food safety incidents (e.g. unintentionally contaminated spinach). The deaths and illnesses associated with these highly publicized events demonstrated the public's health was at risk. Public outcry openly questioned the government's ability to protect consumers from food safety incidences. For example, the lack of supply chain transparency inhibited quarantine efforts. Other issues, such as limits to the FDA's authority (e.g. issue recalls), were counterintuitive to alarmed consumers. This led to legislation culminating in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2011. The legislation specifically aims to create transparency throughout entire food supply chains. The legislation also gives the FDA more authority than it has ever had. Included in the FDA’s new power is the oversight of imported food and food ingredients. All of the FSMA provisions are meant to better protect public health from intentional and unintentional food threats.
While full implementation of the FSMA holds promise, preventing intentional adulteration is a significant challenge. Intentional adulteration is just one aspect of an emerging and multi-faceted discipline, food fraud, which the FSMA has yet to approach.
What Is Food Fraud?
Food fraud is a collective term used to describe a variety of deliberate and intentional food-related acts including: adulteration, tampering, overrun, theft, diversion, simulation, and counterfeiting(2). Paths of food fraud include food, food ingredients, and food packaging. Also included in food fraud are false or misleading statements made about a product for economic gain. Economically motivated adulteration (EMA) is a commonly used term that is actually a subset of food fraud because adulteration is only one type of fraud(3).
Food fraud and food defense countermeasures are similar in that both seek to prevent intentional food-related acts. They diverge in that food defense primarily concentrates on terrorists who directly threaten public health through food. Whereas food fraud concentrates on perpetrators who are exclusively motivated by their own economic gain. Food fraudsters intend to increase margin and not cause harm. Unfortunately food fraudsters have the unique capability to harm the public due to their schemes and singular focus on economic gain. For example, consider the addition of melamine to protein-based foods.
In 2008, melamine-adulterated infant formula sickened and killed thousands of Chinese victims(4). The scheme of using melamine to artificially increase protein test results was certainly profitable for the perpetrators. Although the scheme fulfilled the fraudsters' primary goal of increasing margin, the killing and sickening of children was not their objective. Unlike terrorists, food fraudsters do not seek notoriety and instead prefer to remain undetected in order to perpetuate their profitable fraud. The unique public health threat of food fraud originates with fraudsters who are not motivated by conscience, regulations, or good manufacturing practices.
Melamine as a food adulterant also demonstrates another unique public health threat of food fraud: unconventional adulterants. While food scientists and the industry have the luxury of combatting known "bad bugs," food fraud experts are challenged by unknown and novel food adulterants. For example, prior to root cause analysis of the initial melamine poisonings, protein-based foods were not routinely tested for this particular adulterant. In hindsight, melamine testing is a common practice. The threat of unconventional adulterants creates the significant challenge of identifying the "next melamine." Identifying an unconventional adulterant is arguably more challenging than preventing an anticipated adulterant.
Who Are Food Fraudsters?
The diversity of potential food fraudsters complicates the prevention of intentional adulteration. Food defense actually has an advantage compared to food fraud with respect to prevention. Authorities such as the FBI and DHS are familiar with terrorist threat scenarios, even if they never come to fruition. Risk assessment tools such as CARVER + Shock have been adapted to assess risks of attacks on or using food(5). This is consistent with the section 106 focus on ”high consequence” events.
Comparatively, food fraudsters are lesser understood by food scientists and authorities(6). The social sciences that study human behavior, including crime science, are understandably alien to the food industry. The lack of familiarity with perpetrators directly relates to the various types of food fraudsters, including: recreational, occasional, occupational, professional, and ideological(7),(8). For example, it should not be assumed that food safety or food defense experts have an innate awareness or understanding of occupational food fraudsters (i.e. organized crime). Beyond the lack of familiarity with potential fraudsters, preventing intentional adulteration is further complicated by other situations.
Megatrends such as globalization, urbanization, and population growth have all contributed to longer and more redundant food supply chains. Given that the lack of supply chain transparency was one of the issues that necessitated the FSMA, evolved global supply chains will all require expanded oversight to prevent food fraud. This is evident by both government and industry organizations that have already recognized food fraud as a public health threat.
The European Parliament drafted food fraud legislation in the aftermath of the 2013 European horse meat scandal(9). The British government has contracted for a report on recommendations regarding how they should address food fraud. Industry associations are also working toward the prevention of food fraud. For example, the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has a food fraud think tank. This diverse group composed of food industry representatives and academia, works to bring food fraud prevention in line with existing preventative control systems such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).
2 Spink, J. and Moyer, D. C. (2011), Defining the Public Health Threat of Food Fraud. Journal of Food Science, 76: R157–R163. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2011.02417.x
3 Note: Neither food fraud or EMA has been fully defined or adopted by the FDA although the FDA has a workgroup on EMA that covers all FDA-regulated products including food
4 Note: This notorious food fraud incident was preceded by the 2007 melamine adulteration of pet food that sickened and killed an indeterminate number of domestic pets.
7 John Spink, Douglas C Moyer, Hyeonho Park and Justin A Heinonen (2013), Defining the types of counterfeiters, counterfeiting, and offender organizations. Crime Science 2013, 2:8 doi:10.1186/2193-7680-2-8
8 Note: Threats from ideological perpetrators (i.e. terrorists) are the domain of the DHS, but their fund-raising schemes can include food fraud.


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TRADE POLICY WITHOUT FOLLOW-UPS
PRIVATE SECTOR IS GOSSIPING ABOUT "HOW-WILL-THINGS-GO?"
TARIQ AHMED SAEEDI (firstname.lastname@example.org)
Aug 10 - 16, 2009
With the very deliberation ministry of commerce has announced score of measures to spur external trade of Pakistan in a recently unveiled trade policy 2009-12, it needs to focus on strengthen domestic trade foundation on which the success and failure of exports and imports depends. The industrial leaders are wary of giving positive remarks about trade policy even if they find ones there because of delays in subsequent actions. They are confused about "how-will-things-go?"
Mian Zahid Husain, Chairman KATI sees misdirection in trade policy, saying while trade policy is for foreign trade, it needs to have clear-cut plan to stimulate external trade. "I did not find any clear direction in the trade policy," he says. It seems that government did not put horse before the cart, sarcastically remarks Majyd Aziz, former president KCCI while referring to the trade policy. It is an irony that government has come up with trade policy without spadework, he said and adding otherwise, we would have heard of SROs after over one week. "We are unaware, for instance, of what would be the modus operandi to apply for grants and subsidies government announced for different sectors." Chairman KATI said although there were some good steps, exports target would be missed again for this fiscal year.
The government though has not set over ambitious targets of exports for the next three years yet it requires the undeterred backing of domestic sector to make the dreams come true. If private sector continues to bear high cost of doing business on account of high electricity and gas tariffs, unnecessary cost of security, and exorbitant cost of funding, then it would be unable to maintain productivity in the vertical and horizontal supply chains of industries. Government has realized the supply constrains faced by the small and large-scale industries in the country and therefore announced certain measures that it is perhaps complacent to work as redeemers. But, would they really be so? Time will tell.
In this trade policy, hedge fund is created to shield running finance debtors against fluctuation in interest rates. TDAP would supervise the fund, according to the policy. "Unclear is the detail however," said bemused Zahid. Government has to develop enabling environment for trade and industry across the board instead of, he terms, beating around the bush by announcing hedge fund and export investment support fund. What government could do directly, he argued, was by reducing mark-up rate and other bloated costs of doing business.
Cost of financing has become a longstanding issue for private sector, bringing down industrial productivity. The business community has been berating the monetary policy of the government for last over one year. High interest rates have adversely affected the textile sector, resulting in largest amount of bed debts in the sector. High cost of borrowing is compelling many industries to keep production scale low as this has reflected in the downturn in industrial production, down by 7.7 percent in last fiscal year. Investment (private) was also declined to 19.7% of GDP as against 22 percent in FY08.
Undoubtedly, vibrant private sector is vital to increase export sector's competitiveness and product sophistication. The government aims to achieve dual aims by providing support funds to various exporting industries. Mian Zahid Husain said export investment support fund and hedge fund were insufficient. He is suspicious about transparency in disbursal of the funds, saying corruption might ensue. He feared handpicked approach and political cronyism in place during the disbursement of funds. 'The announcement of funds is a good step, but government should ensure foolproof transparency.'
Apparently, export support investment fund of Rs40 billion is substantial. However, its allocation to several sectors would not serve properly to single sector. Government has announced measures in the trade policy to boost up private sector as it claims to have realised importance of private sector in driving economic growth. The thrust of the policy is to prop exporting industries directly or indirectly. Directly, it earmarked subsidies for leather sector out of EISF. The plan to subsidize insurance premium of foreigners would also slice it. The concession on inland fright service charges would be allocated out of the fund. Using the fund, government plans to subsidize 25 percent cost of setting up design centres and labs in tanneries and provide grant for effluent treatment plants in tanneries. The allocation to other sectors will be clear once the Statutory Regulatory Orders start to cut across preliminary order.
Small and medium sector is the backbone of Pakistan's industrial sector. Cluster development is oft-repeated mantra, but nothing has been done to bring small manufacturers on a specially established industrial zone. It was echoed in last trade policy 2008. However, except few examples of auto cluster in Lahore, materialization is absent across the country rather the plan had gone amuck. Majyz Aziz says it is not a new idea and pervious government envisaged development of clusters. What is wrong then? "Relevant incentives and supportive policies on which the plan progresses were conspicuous in absence," answered Majyd.


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Howard County's Economic Development Authority on Thursday unveiled its newest workspace, a prototyping lab devoted to 3D printing and rapid technology.
The Innovation + Prototyping Lab, located at the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship's Columbia headquarters on Bendix Road, is an 1800-square-foot space stocked with four 3D printers, computers offering software tutorials and shelves of printed parts.
3D Maryland, the HCEDA initiative that is coordinating 3D printing projects in the county, plans to use the new space to offer workshops, seminars, classes and personalized training for businesses and individuals interested in learning more.
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman said the lab put Howard County "on the leading edge of what many are caling the next industrial revolution.
"3D Maryland, and this new facility, allow us to take another leap forward to drive innovation, enhance manufacturing, and keep and add jobs right here by using these cutting-edge technologies," he said.
Jan Baum, the executive director of 3D Maryland, said the lab's goal was to get more entrepreneurs versed in the possibilities of 3D printing, and to facilitate interaction between businesses who are already using the technology and those that are interested in getting started.
"We really want to be able to showcase and make available the tools and how Maryland companies are using them," she said.
The lab's opening showcased displays from some of the companies and organizations already involved in 3D Maryland's professional user group, including Northrup Grumman, Black + Decker and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab.
Erik Guzman, the lab and program manager for 3D Maryland, said the possibilities of 3D printing ran the gamut from tchotchkes to life-saving devices, such as customized parts to fit into a patient's body.
He hoped the lab would see a wide variety of visitors, from local businesses to teachers.
"We really want to try to get as many different types of people in here as possible," he said.
3D printing, he said, is "already on its way.
"If you're looking at your feet while it's happening, you're going to raise your eyes and see you're really missing out," he said.


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SEARCHED FOR:PAOS INDUSTRIES LTD Q2 RESULTS
Eveready Inds shares zoom over 9% on strong Sept quarter earnings
Eveready Industries India Ltd on Friday reported over three-fold jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 57.22 crore for the second quarter ended September, helped by improved gross margin and lower cost of operations.
RIL Q2 results preview: Here's what to expect
Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries may report a drop in its performance from a year a...
Reliance Industries slips over 7% post Q2 results
Revenue from the petrochemicals segment declined 23 per cent to Rs 29,665 crore and pre-tax...
Reliance Industries climbs 1% ahead of Q2 results
Motilal Oswal expects RIL to post a decline of 34.4 per cent in the September quarter net profit, while net sales may drop 23.8 per cent from a year ago.
SpiceJet Q2 Results: Loss narrows to Rs 113 crore
The company said its Ebitda profit stood at Rs 475 crore.
Jindal Stainless (Hisar) Q2 Results: PAT increases 35% YoY at Rs 111 crore
JSHL’s sales volumes grew by 9% to 155,470 tonnes in Q2 of FY21 against 143,139 tonnes in the same period last year.
JK Tyre & Industries Q2 results: Consolidated net profit drops 35% to Rs 110 crore
Total income during the quarter under review rose 5.8 per cent to Rs 2286.49 crore. Total expenses last quarter were up 2.4 per cent to Rs 2139.80 crore.
Demand uptick props up JSW Q2 results
The capacity utilisation at 86%, in line with Q2FY20, says Seshagiri Rao. Joint Managing Director & Group CFO, JSW Steel.Demand uptick props...
Britannia Industries drops 5% after Q2 results
The FMCG firm reported a 23 per cent rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 495.20 crore for the September quarter compared with a profit of Rs 405.37 crore in the same quarter a year ago.
Siemens Q2 results: Net profit down 5% at Rs 333 cr
During the quarter, new orders from continuing operations grew 8.7 per cent at Rs 3,220 crore as compared to the year-ago period, it added.
Hindalco Q2 results: Net profit down 60% as Lewisport asset sale results in a loss
Hindalco’s consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) registered a healthy growth of around 30% at Rs 5,171 crore as against Rs 3,918 crore during the same period last year, on account of favourable macros and lower input costs.
Eveready Industries Q2 results: Net profit jumps 3-fold to Rs 57 cr
Its revenue from operations was up 6.95 per cent to Rs 372.62 crore during the quarter under review as against Rs 348.40 crore in the year-ago period
Hindalco Q2 takeaways: Profit falls on one-time loss; expansion plans on track
The Rs 387 crore profit for the second quarter was a turnaround over the June quarter's Rs 572 crore loss.
Dollar Industries' Q2 results: Net profit up at Rs 22.36 cr
The Kolkata based innerwear maker has presence in all states across India as well as across countries like Nepal, Middle East and the Gulf.
Bajaj Auto Q2 profit drops 19% YoY to Rs 1,138 cr, misses Street estimates
Bajaj Auto on Thursday posted an 18.84 per cent year-on-year (YoY) drop in net profit at Rs 1,138.20 crore for the quarter ended September 3...


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Dow Today – Business Highlights: Fed minutes, electric trucks
Fed officials see earlier rate hikes as US hiring recovers
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve policymakers at a meeting last month said the U.S. job market was nearly at levels healthy enough that the central bank’s low-interest rate policies were no longer needed. That’s according to minutes of the meeting released Wednesday. The minutes also said that Fed officials expressed concerns that surging inflation was spreading into more areas of the economy and would last longer than they previously expected. For both those reasons, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said after the Dec. 14-15 meeting that the central bank was accelerating the reduction of its ultra-low interest rate policies.
New GM electric truck faces competition and skeptical buyers
PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Even though the consumer appetite for electric pickup trucks is a bit murky, the competition for buyers just got a whole lot tougher. General Motors officially unveiled the Chevrolet Silverado EV Wednesday with a virtual press conference at the CES gadget show. Work truck versions go on sale in the spring of next year, and by then they’ll face competition from Ford’s electric F-150, startup Rivian’s R1T, and possibly Tesla’s Cybertruck. Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, has promised an all-electric Ram pickup. Industry analysts say the intense competition in the electric pickup market means that battery-powered vehicles are moving into the mainstream after years of confinement to luxury or smaller vehicles.
German watchdog puts Google under closer antitrust scrutiny
LONDON (AP) — Germany’s antitrust watchdog has paved the way for extra scrutiny of Google by designating it a company of “paramount significance.” It’s the first such decision since regulators got more power to curb abusive practices by big digital companies. The regulator’s decision Wednesday comes after rules were introduced last year that allow it “to intervene earlier and more effectively” to prohibit companies from using anti-competitive practices. It’s the latest example of how tech companies are facing more pressure over concerns their dominance stifles competition and hurts consumers. Google isn’t appealing the decision and says it’s confident it complies with the rules.
Unionized Starbucks workers walk out, citing health concerns
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Employees of a Starbucks store in upstate New York who voted to unionize last month have walked off the job. The employees in Buffalo say they don’t have the staff or resources to work safely amid surging COVID-19 cases. Six employees formed a picket line Wednesday outside the store and led Starbucks to close it for the day. The employees say they are being pressured to work despite health concerns. Starbucks says all of the Buffalo-area stores have been operating as “grab-and-go” locations since Monday. Starbucks spokesperson Reggie Borges says the company has met and exceeded CDC guidelines.
Anticipation that Fed will raise rates sends stocks lower
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks closed lower on Wall Street Wednesday after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last meeting raised expectations that the central bank will move faster to raise interest rates to fight inflation. The S&P 500 fell 1.9%. Drops in major technology stocks were the biggest weight on the market. The tech-heavy Nasdaq pulled 3.3%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average of 30 blue-chip companies slipped 1.1%, easing back from the record high it set a day earlier. Small-company stocks also posted sizable losses. Bond yields rose after the Fed minutes came out. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 1.70%.
Chinese developer asking bondholders to postpone repayment
BEIJING (AP) — A troubled Chinese real estate developer with $310 billion of debt is asking investors in one of its bonds to postpone when they will be repaid. Evergrande Group says it will conduct a three-day online vote starting Friday for holders of the 4.5 billion yuan ($700 million) bond. Evergrande is the global real estate industry’s most indebted company. It said the bond is due to mature in January 2023 but gave no indication how long investors would be asked to postpone repayment. Evergrande’s struggle to avoid defaults while it tries to comply with tighter official limits on borrowing by China’s real estate industry has prompted fears of a financial crisis.
Chrysler aims to be all electric by 2028
LONDON (AP) — Chrysler says it plans for its vehicle lineup to go all electric by 2028. It’s the latest brand to announce a major shift away from gas-powered cars amid pressure to act on climate change. The American automaker also said Wednesday that it will launch its first battery-electric vehicle by 2025. Chrysler announced its electric plans along with a new AI-enabled vehicle system powered by an electric battery it says can travel 350 to 400 miles per charge. It’s part of a broad transformation in the auto industry, as companies race toward more fully electric and hybrid propulsion systems, more autonomous driving features and increased connectivity in cars.
Boeing lands airplane order from US budget carrier Allegiant
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Allegiant Air is ordering new planes from Boeing. It’s a win for Boeing because Allegiant’s current fleet consists entirely of jets from European rival Airbus. Allegiant said Wednesday that it will buy 50 Boeing 737 Max jets and take options for 50 more. The terms of the deal weren’t released. The planes list for between $99 million and $122 million apiece, but airlines routinely receive deep discounts. Allegiant says it will take delivery of the planes from 2023 through 2025.
The S&P 500 dropped 92.96 points, or 1.9%, to 4,700.58. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 392.54 points, or 1.1%, to 36,407.11. The Nasdaq tumbled 522.54 points, or 3.3%, to 15,100.17. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies shed 74.87 points, or 3.3%, to 2,194.


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Sears reports $2.4 billion Q4 loss
Sears Holdings Corp. has reported a loss of $2.4 billion in the fourth quarter, compared with a profit of $374 million in the year-ago period. And in a move long anticipated by some analysts, the chain also announced plans to tap into its massive real estate holdings to help make up for its faltering retail performance.
Revenue slipped 4% to $12.5 billion from $13 billion. Same-store sales fell 4.1% during the quarter at Sears and 2.7% at Kmart.
The parent to Sears and Kmart disclosed that it plans to separate its smaller Hometown and Outlet stores as well as some hardware stores to raise $400 million to $500 million, and will sell 11 stores to mall owner General Growth Properties to raise $270 million. That deal, which includes stores that are currently located on GGP properties, is expected to close in April. The stores will continue to operate as Sears locations into 2013 with final closing dates to be determined and announced later this year, according to Sears Holdings.
"We’re executing actions to unlock the value of our portfolio and assets," said Sears CEO Lou D’Ambrosio in a call with analysts.
The plans, which follow news in December that the company would close at least 100 stores to raise cash, are part of the retailer’s aggressive turnaround strategy, which has also included job cuts.
Sears said its quarterly performance was hurt by high costs for cotton and fuel, too-high inventory, and unseasonable weather that led to lower sales of winter gear. The company also cited low consumer demand for two of its biggest categories, appliances and consumer electronics.
For the year, net loss totaled $3.1 billion, compared with net income of $133 million.
Revenue fell 3% to $41.57 billion from $42.66 billion a year ago.
Toro Co. has a record first quarter
The Toro Co. reported gains in sales and net earnings for its fiscal first quarter ended Feb. 3.
Looking specifically at the Bloomington, Minn.-based company’s residential segment reveals the same upward trend. Residential segment net sales for the fiscal 2012 first quarter totaled $137.6 million, up 11.6% from the same period last year. The company said consumers’ continued acceptance of the residential zero-turn riding product and retailers’ desire to take walk power mower products earlier generated strong shipments of spring goods.
Residential segment earnings for the fiscal 2012 first quarter totaled $12.6 million, up 10.9% from $11.4 million in the same period last year.
Across the total company, which includes a professional segment where golf and landscape contractor equipment showed strength, Toro reported record sales of $423.8 million, up 10.6%. Net earnings were $19.9 million, up 15.3%.
“Looking beyond our existing business, our most recently announced acquisition of the Astec underground products presents substantial opportunities in adjacent markets. As always, now begins the challenge of successfully integrating the acquisition into the company’s operations," said Michael Hoffman, Toro’s chairman and CEO.
Home Depot points to Q4 winners
The Home Depot this week announced fourth-quarter sales of $16 billion, a 5.9% increase over the same quarter last year. What happened? From Craig Menear’s perspective, the answer involves execution, warm weather and strength in maintenance and repair categories.
"Warmer-than-expected weather encouraged customers to tackle exterior projects," said Menear, Home Depot’s executive VP merchandising. A "nimble response," he said, led to double-digit comps in gutters, roofing, vinyl siding, patio furniture, fencing, exterior paint, pressure washers, exterior lighting and concrete.
The company said the growth was widespread — all 40 top markets saw positive comps.
Menear cited the departments that outperformed the company’s average comp: tools, electrical, building materials, paint, lumber, lighting, outdoor garden and flooring.
Other categories were merely described as "positive comps" — hardware, bath, kitchen, indoor garden and plumbing. And on the negative side of the ledger was millwork, where negative comps were probably caused by an anniversary against the expiration of an energy-efficient tax credit.
"In addition to strength in seasonal products, exterior projects and interior projects, the maintenance and repair categories that make up the core of our store continued to execute well in the fourth quarter," Menear said. Light bulbs, cleaning, pipes and fittings, and caulk performed well.
On the product side, Home Depot has high expectations for a variety of products. First, an improved version of its Behr Premium Plus Ultra Interior Paint & Primer in One. (Menear said the new version will have better stain-blocking capabilities and improved adhesion.) Also, new Maytag ranges equipped with Aqualift cleaning technology, are coming into stores. So are washer and dryer laundry pairs from GE and LG. And a new line of power trimmers from Ryobi will be offered. The latter was described as combining "gas like" performance with a quick-charge platform.
And another good sign for home spending: Transactions for tickets more than $900 were up 3.0% in the fourth quarter, he said.


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The argument that the Centre has put forth to the currently beleagured industry is that if it hikes the levy price to mills, it would also have to hike the PDS issue price of sugar for consumers in a high food inflation year, something it wants to avoid. Irony is, what is sauce for the goose is certainly not sauce for the gander where the Centre s rationale on PDS consumer price is concerned.
Foodgrains are, to boot, consumed extensively on a daily basis compared to sugar, 60% of which is consumed by the industry even by the government s own reckoning.
Since October last year, the Centre hiked the quota of sugar that each mill has to devote to levy from its total output to 20% from an earlier 10% after sugar prices skyrocketed and the Centre decided to insulate needy consumers from the upspiral. In years of output shortage such , this would translate to a good chunk of losses on production costs to mills. 2009-10 is the first year when production is markedly short but sugar prices are rock bottom, both locally and globally, and losses are being felt the sharpest by the industry.
Significantly, though, the refusal of the Centre to boost levy sugar price to mills may be the reason why your open market sugar has been priced higher than it should be during the peak price period between August 2009 and February 2010 and even currently, when sugar prices have plunged. Unable to make up losses by ensuring that the Centre pays fair levy price this is the only industry which directly bears the burden for the Centre s welfare programmes the industry may infact have shifted some of that burden on off-PDS consumers in the open market over the years.
Curiously, the Centre didn t bat an eyelid in September last when it almost pushed through a proposal not only to hike the levy sugar price to mills but also increase the issue price for sugar to PDS consumers. The proposal decision to revise the price for the 2008-09 year was jettisioned summarily later as politically untimely. But it had come up in response to a 2008 Supreme Court order which directed the government to revise prices and announce a different price for mills that pay a state advised price (SAP) to buy sugarcane from farmers.
Levy sugar sold at a discounted price of Rs13.50 a kg, would have gone up to Rs 15/kg if the food ministry had come through with its proposal. The levy price to mills from the government has been frozen around Rs 1300 per quintal since the last seven years despite a SC order asking the government to amend the situation.
The industry had recently urged the food ministry to increase prices, in the aftermath of global and local sugar prices crashing by over Rs 1000/qtl in the last few weeks and inflicted big losses on mills. Levy price ranges between Rs 1,275 to Rs 1,383 a quintal (100 kg) in UP, the country s second-largest producer.
In Maharashtra, the largest producing state, the price ranges from Rs 1,318 to Rs 1,344/qtl. In Uttar Pradesh (UP) for the new sugar season starting next month. The two states account for 55 per cent of India s sugar output and in September 2009, the government considered a 50% hike in the levy prices to mills.
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The United Nations has established a supply chain task force to coordinate and scale up the procurement and distribution of medical equipment to countries that need it most to combat the novel coronavirus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Program (WFP) are leading the massive initiative to ship lifesaving medical supplies to about 100 countries, building on existing collaboration with public and private sector partners, such as the International Chamber of Commerce.
“The emergency supply chain is designed to cover more than 30% of the world’s needs in the acute phase of the pandemic,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press briefing on Thursday.
The system will consist of air hubs in Belgium, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malaysia, Panama, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
The WHO is working with the private sector to increase production, address cross-border trade problems and ensure equitable distribution.
“Every month we will need to ship at least 100 million medical masks and gloves, up to 25 million N-95 respirators, gowns and face shields, up to 2.5 million diagnostic tests, and large quantities of oxygen concentrators and other equipment for clinical care,” Ghebreyesus said last week.
The WFP will deploy eight Boeing 747 freighters, eight medium-size cargo aircraft and several smaller passenger planes to move humanitarian workers, technical staff, trainers and other personnel, he said.
“We have produced a global catalog for that equipment and are endeavoring to work with our partner agencies and donors to do bulk purchasing of that material in order to distribute that in a more equitable way around the world, but that doesn’t fix the market problem,” said Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Program. “That could allow us to ensure that all countries get a minimum supply of essential goods or essential supplies, but it in no way can fix what is a global failure in markets.”
The WHO’s Belgium hub will be at Liege Airport in an unoccupied warehouse that is due to open in June, according to the airport authority. Worldwide Flight Services said it was able to open a new cargo station for handling emergency cargo within 72 hours of the airport’s request by transferring personnel from its operation in Brussels. Equipment such as fork lifts and slave pallets was borrowed from facilities in Belgium and the Netherlands.
AirBridgeCargo, the scheduled airline subsidiary of Moscow-based Volga Dnepr Group that operates 18 Boeing 747s, allowed their new facility, which was scheduled to open in a few weeks, to be temporarily used for the operation. The airport built the larger warehouse to allow ABC to expand operations at Liege from eight flights per week to 30 per week to meet growing cargo demand.
WFS, which will operate the facility for ABC, said it expects to handle up to 14 freighters per week for the WHO through the end of May.
The WFP estimates it will need $280 million simply to cover the costs of storing and moving supplies, not including procurement. Ghebreyesus urged donors to support the logistics system.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his administration would halt funding to the WHO while it investigates the group’s alleged mismanagement of the coronavirus response. In fiscal year 2019, the U.S. provided the group $453 million.
In January, the WHO and World Economic Forum formed the Pandemic Supply Chain Network to develop a logistics market that can procure, allocate and distribute personal protective equipment, laboratory testing and diagnostic supplies, oxygen, ventilators, and related resources.
The WHO, with the help of the Clinton Health Access Initiative and UNICEF, has developed a forecasting tool to help governments, humanitarian organizations and private partners estimate requirements for essential supplies needed to address COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the WHO’s operations and logistics arm has organized shipments of critical supplies from Dubai to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for onward distribution to 34 African countries.The WHO says it has developed a plan to distribute 340 million surgical masks to 120 countries, and discussions are underway with WFP to prepare the distribution strategy.


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As of 2015, it is no longer really controversial to name data and its successful use as one of the key arrows in any retailer’s quiver. Retailers are almost always on the hunt for new and better ways to capture and leverage the data – in the backend, on the saleS floor, as part of customer acquisition and customer retention – because the digitally reinvented conventional wisdom is that the more the retailer knows, the better they can build.
What a merchant is “building better” depends on what their specific focus is at the time — merchandising, logistics, conversions, transaction security, driving repeat visits, etc. — but whatever it is and whatever channel it’s happening in, data is certainly set to make it better.
With such a heightened focus on dialing into the data on the part of merchants, not to mention the near explosion in startups that exist purely to facilitate greater facility with said retail analytics, it seems hard to imagine a serious complaint that retailers are under-utilizing data. Sure, occasionally misusing their data is always an option, as there are many stories of retailers leveraging their data into personalization that was way, way too personal for anyone involved. But not paying enough attention to their data or failing at interest in capitalizing it — that accusation is harder to imagine.
And yet, that is exactly what Dr. Alexandra Samuel is arguing is a fundamental problem in her latest piece for The Wall Street Journal. Retailers have lots of data, and with the coming advent of the Internet of Things, they will soon be sucking ever more amounts of data. And while the Harvard Business Review contributor and corporate media coach thinks that great news, it is also building into a rather large and underdeveloped opportunity to put that data to useful work.
Well in essence, merchants don’t want to play nice like they learned to in kindergarten — and they certainly don’t want to share all that data they’ve work so hard to gather. Instead, Samuels notes, they’re hoarding it in an attempt to protect it from the prying eyes of competitors — and as an unintended consequence protecting themselves from its benefit.
“That’s understandable,” Samuel notes. “A combination of competitive anxiety and security concerns means that businesses are loath to release their wealth of data. But those fears mean they are missing the much larger opportunity that data offers.”
Letting consumers have insight into their own data — and the aggregated data of others — brands Samuel argues, can influence their behavior, and if done right, guide some of that spend.
The Power Of Peer Pressure
Take for example, she notes, a media streaming company trying to grab up one of the more streaming enthusiastic demographics out there: parents of young children. She notes that a parent that can gain insight into something they might otherwise think to keep track of, say how many hours their children spend watching explosion-heavy cartoons. It might move a parent to cut back on screen time.
This effect is especially powerful, Samuel notes, when consumers are exposed to data aggregated from other similar consumers. The aforementioned parent might not be natively bothered by the knowledge their children are spending two hours per day watching cartoon characters explode things until they find out that other children their age are watching less than half that amount. Such information could trigger parents to cut back screen time.
“Or maybe I’ll sign up for that educational content the company has been promoting,” Samuel notes, “since I see that other children divide their time between watching cartoons and science shows much more than my son does.”
In a slightly different variation on the competitive parent and the edge provided by giving better data out, she notes booksellers have an incentive to offer data on book sales that are not just correlated to what titles sell the most — but also what books are bought by parents who buy more books than anyone else, the logic being parents who are often buying books presumably have children who are heavy readers.
“I can get a list of children’s bestsellers anywhere, but as a parent, I want to buy the books that will actually foster my child’s lifelong passion for reading,” Samuel mused. “That not only helps me be a more frequent customer today (by helping me choose what to buy) but also wins my long-run loyalty to a brand that shares my values.”
The Emerging Trend
Increases in openness in data sharing, particularly when it comes to retail information, may be slow in developing. There might be benefits to be gained, but taking one’s data, particularly the aggregated consumer information, to generate “blog posts and infographics, reports and press releases,” as Samuel suggests, but such sharing might rightly feel risky to a retailer.
She may be right that “any of [it] would be far more interesting, relevant and shareable than the typical content churned out by marketing teams,” but it would also provide a window into information that provides a competitive advantage merely because it is hard to come by.
Still, sharing has its fans, and some of them are pretty high profile.
Last week the notoriously-secretive-about-its-search-data Google announced its new Shopping Insights tool, which allows retailers to see what products are being searched for in 16,000 U.S. cities and towns. This early version scales across 5,000 products currently on sale through the Shopping ad service that month. The long-term plan includes a more extensive product list and updates that occur more often than monthly.
Google said the new tool is one of many tools designed to provide its merchant partners “with deeper insights about users’ intent and context.”
Now Google is at base a data analytics firm, so showing off its tools’ capabilities to merchants via a slight peek behind the search curtain makes sense — and will likely add to the approximately $2 billion in revenue Google Shopping currently captures.
Purer retail players (Amazon and Apple spring to mind) are less enthusiastic about sharing their data. The ecosystem can speculate — and in the case of Apple, PYMNTS does a better than good job of developing an estimate for Apple Pay’s use numbers — but the hard numbers, direct from the horse’s mouth, will remain a secret until the horse says otherwise.
Which seems, for now anyway, the likely future fate of retail data, particularly the really juicy stuff that might shock and amaze. Retailers may be able to cash in on sharing, but when they can convert more sales by holding, they probably will.


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Many deals will appear online as soon as the clock strikes midnight, while a majority of UK's high street retailers will open at 6am.
The Thanksgiving holiday is normally a time for comfort with the family but Black Friday has quickly become more of a black hole, sucking in everyone's gratitude and spitting out corporate greed. According to Fortune, more $3.45 billion in online transactions were made during last year's Cyber Monday through sales on e-commerce giants like Amazon.
"There is no need to rush away from Thanksgiving dinner to a crowded store or to waste time on (Cyber) Monday, the 27th, shopping online", said Tenpao Lee, interim dean of the College of Business Administration at Niagara University.
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As a reminder, our coverage is here and will remain throughout Black Friday and Cyber Monday, well into Christmas, with constant updates to make sure we're bringing the very best and latest gaming and tech deals.
The Nintendo Switch is going to be one of the hottest gifts this holiday, so if you want to get a great deal it would be wise to check out our guide to the best Nintendo Switch Black Friday deals.
"Argos has more than 800 stores across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, which includes approximately 150 Argos stores within Sainsbury's supermarkets, with 165 planned by Christmas 2017, and around 200 digital collection points in Sainsbury's stores".
In addition to the Deals of the Day, there will be thousands of Lightning Deals for online shoppers who are quick enough to nab them. Signing up for Black Friday shopping alerts will get you the early word on promotions, coupons, and discounts. The company claims that over 60,000 products will be available with significant discounts.
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The jeep is in cherry red colour and instantly grabs the eyeballs. He bought the SRT and had a brief chat with the media.
But not to be outdone, Argos has announced it'll be adding more offers on top of the ones the retailer has already announced.
On Black Friday, same-day Fast Track delivery slots will be offered to customers on a first-come, first-served basis with subsequent days' slots offered once Black Friday's delivery schedules are full.
Beyond the possibility of harm, many stores do not even open until midnight or normal hours Friday. J Sainsbury plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
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Australia has edged closer to legalising same-sex marriage with a diverse group of cross-party senators backing a Liberal senator's bill to change the law.


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Bone Marché marks Lund Food’s foray into the pet-store business. Photo courtesy of Bone Marché
Pet Health and Wellness
Regardless of the economy, pet owners continue to purchase for their pets with a decided focus on health and wellness, he said. They are seeking out premium dog and cat foods, treats, health care products and dietary supplements.
Consumer buying patterns for their pets began to increasingly mimic their patterns for human products about five to seven years ago, Vetere said.
“With the same family member making buying decisions for both human and pet nutrition it is easy to see why such purchases mirror each other,” he said.
Take the food category. Consumers demand human and pet foods that are natural and organic, vitamin-enhanced, age-specific and designed for specific health ailments.
They’ve also increased awareness about natural/organic foods, and will absorb the added cost by making cuts elsewhere in the family budget.
Indeed, demand for specialty pet food makes sense at a time when the American culture is paying more and more attention to healthy living in general, said Maggie Johnson, owner of Sojourner Farms Natural Pet Food Co., Minneapolis, another local company featured in Bone Marché.
“Folks are realizing that once they ‘try’ a natural pet food, they quickly realize how cost effective and pleasingly beneficial it can be; it’s validating,” Johnson said.
Sojourner markets the “Sojos” brand of dog food and treats made from scratch with no fillers, preservatives, colors or flavors. The Sojos original dog food is a blend of ingredients to which dog owners can add their own meat and veggies to create fresh, homemade pet food.
Bone Marché carries the full line of Sojos dog and cat food, as well as treats and catnip.
To educate the public about the brand, Sojos conducts frequent tastings at Bone Marché. A demo representative has a variety of food, treat samples and literature displayed on the tabletop, along with a couple of bowls with the food mixed up. As customers come in, reps explain the Sojos product line and offer samples for free.
“Customers love to see and smell the food mixed up because it helps them see just how healthy and whole the ingredients are,” Johnson said.
Johnson likes being part of Bone Marché because its staff is knowledgeable about its products. Another benefit is that the store is so close to its operations.
“What makes our partnership with Bone Marché so successful is that we happen to be in their backyard, and the Twin Cities happens to be a place where ‘local’ really does matter to most people,” she said.


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2017 Honda CB Shine with BS-IV engine launched in India at Rs 60,467
In accordance to the upcoming BS-IV emission norms, manufacturers are bringing out their compliant models to the showrooms every single day. After the CB Hornet and Unicorn 160, it is now the turn for the CB Shine to go the BS-IV way. Along with the introduction of a BS-IV engine, the CB Shine also receives a few updates.
The new Honda CB Shine is available in three variants - the self-drum-alloy at Rs 60,467, the self-disc-alloy at Rs 62,926 and the self-disc-alloy CBS at Rs 66,015, ex-Mumbai. Compared to the BS-III CB Shine, there is nearly a Rs 500-700 increase in price. There is no change in the power/torque rating of the new CB Shine or even in the claimed fuel efficiency. The other changes include a new chrome muffler, 3D emblem graphics on the tank, updated tail light design and a new chrome carburettor cover.
In the coming days, Honda as well as other manufacturers are expected to roll out their BS-IV models. Nearly all manufacturers have increased prices by Rs 500-1,000. Most of them are also doing away with the headlamp switch, which means once you start the motorcycle/scooter, the headlamp will come on. This is a safety practice followed in others parts of the globe and after certain studies, the Indian government has decided to implement this.
It is still not clear if the CB Shine BS IV comes with AHO. It may be noted that the CB Shine SP, which borrows the engine and chassis from the regular Shine, still has a BS-III motor.
Update: Honda's official communication says that the new CB Shine has AHO
Starts Rs 57,683
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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- A pair of new reports shows strong demand for smartphones and a heated five-way race among mobile phone software shops.
Nielsen's survey of U.S. phone owners, released Tuesday, showed that nearly 30% of wireless customers have purchased smartphones. Thanks to strong sales of Apple's ( AAPL) iPhone and Google ( GOOG) Android phones worldwide, third-quarter smartphone sales rose 9% over second-quarter levels, according to a Morgan Stanley tally also released Tuesday. With Apple and Android on the rise and smartphone leaders Nokia ( NOK) and Research In Motion ( RIMM) fading, Morgan Stanley predicts big changes to the industry market share pie with Microsoft's ( MSFT) Windows Phone 7 entering the arena.
Citing the strong smartphone sales surge, Morgan Stanley increased its 2010 global phone sales growth estimate to 12% from the firm's 9.5% forecast previously. Here are the rankings: In the U.S., Nielsen says third-quarter market share is a three-way race. Apple and RIM's BlackBerries are tied for first with 27% of the market, Android is closing in with 22%. Worldwide, in smartphone market share, Nokia still tops with 32.4%, Apple moved to second with 17.2%, RIM has 14.8%, Samsung has 10.4%, HTC has 8.3% and Motorola ( MOT) came in fifth with 4.6%. --Written by Scott Moritz in New York.>To contact this writer, click here: Scott Moritz, or email: firstname.lastname@example.org.To follow Scott on Twitter, go to http://twitter.com/MoritzDispatch.>To send a tip, email: email@example.com.


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Blizzard Entertainment has announced a remaster for Warcraft III.
The new remaster of the legendary real-time strategy game is titled Warcraft III: Reforged, and it’s launching sometime next year – news confirmed at this year’s BlizzCon. Featured above, you can view the cinematic reveal trailer for the new version of the classic RTS.
The game will feature totally remodeled characters and environments, as well the game’s robust World Editor, which pioneered the MOBA genre with the creation of the original Defense of the Ancients map.
Here’s a gameplay trailer:
Originally released back in 2002, Warcraft III raised the bar for the real-time strategy genre, and is still played to this day. It led to the creation of their wildly popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft.
Here’s a look at the game’s playable demo, which is available to attendees of BlizzCon this year:
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning pre-orders for the game are now live. They include the “Spoils Edition,” which unlocks things from other Blizzard games, like the Meat Wagon mount for World of Warcraft.


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With the start of the new year, we take a look back at the top 25 media personalities who stood out in the Australian media landscape in 2015.
The drivers of the division are the burgeoning digital properties with longtime #1 news site news.com.au at the core. Sheffield added to the digital portfolio this year with the launch of Buro247.com.au and the acquisition of Primped.com.au, a site owned by the Hannan family’s IDM and launched by former beauty editor Zoe Foster Blake. The specialist magazines in the group – from Vogue Australia to Taste.com.au – are weathering the print downturn better than many. Key appointments from Sheffield during 2015 included arrival of Robin Parkes as COO and promotions of Prue Cox to chief commercial officer and Julian Delany to chief digital officer.
Other featured people in the top 25:


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Cadbury chews over deal
TODD Stitzer, chief executive-in-waiting of confectionery giant Cadbury Schweppes, has lost no time in chewing over his first big deal. The British chocolate maker is believed to be the favourite to win the £2.7bn bid battle for Adams, the gum and sweets business put up for sale by US giant Pfizer.
A deal-hungry American lawyer, Stitzer, 50, takes over from boss John Sunderland next year. He is currently chief strategy officer. Cadbury is believed to have increased its offer by £70m late last week, putting it ahead of rivals.
Adams' stable of brands includes Dentyne, Bubbaloo and Halls throat sweets. The sale has attracted interest from a number of players, including Swiss group Nestle and US groups PepsiCo, Colgate-Palmolive and Kraft Foods.
A successful deal would propel Cadbury into joint number one slot with Nestle as the world's biggest confectioner. The company refused to comment. But Sunderland has made no secret of his aim to transform the group into 'a serious global gum business'.
The trends for giving up smoking and for counting calories mean that the market for chewing gum is growing faster than that for chocolate. Manufacturers are now trying to tap further into customers' vanity with a new 'healthy' gum claiming to whiten your teeth.
Cadbury is keen to build its presence in North America. Earlier this year it failed in a joint bid with Nestle for Hershey Foods, the legendary US chocolate maker. Stitzer will also aim to strengthen Cadbury's drinks brands in the US. The group owns a long list, including Dr Pepper and 7Up.
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