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By Amar Patnaik & Sarthak Das
It is no secret that the pandemic has hit the sectors that were reeling the most. A prime example is the automobile sector, which was experiencing a slowdown well before the virus hit Indian shores. The industry had been battling against a host of issues—declining consumer demand, difficulty in transitioning into BS-VI technology, extinguishing inventories of left-over BS-IV vehicles, and credit crunch in the NBFC sector. Post-lockdown, it will have to deal with a completely new environment, right from manufacturing capabilities and inventory management to emergency response mechanisms. Could the electric vehicle (EV) segment become a permanent and significant part of this new order?
Today, studies from research universities claim that by 2050, every second car produced globally would be electrically powered. While marketing lessons teach us the importance of consumer acceptance for the successful adoption of any concept, research by Deloitte Global Automotive says that over 50% of the consumers are still unclear about the safety of the battery and the availability of adequate charging stations. Surprisingly, more than two-thirds of the consumers surveyed mentioned that their biggest fear is sharing the highway with heavy
commercial vehicles driving in autonomous mode. But, what has been seen is that despite high resistance to the introduction of CNG vehicles during the mid-1990s, consumers accepted the technology widely, so much so that a few big brands now have their factory-produced MUVs and SUVs retrofitted with CNG-run engines.
The EV industry in India managed to post a decent 20% increase in sales in FY20 compared to FY19. Out of the 156,000 units that the industry sold in FY20, the bulk came from the electric two-wheelers segment. The industry believes that going forward, the fastest growth would come from the e-rickshaws and e-autos segment. The fact that the president of the US was ferried to the Taj Mahal by e-vehicles has not gone unnoticed by industry players!
However, the uptake of this segment has not been as rapid as expected, despite a slew of measures and incentives provided by the government. From a tax point of view, the GST council reduced the rates from 12% to 5% for vehicles, and from 18% to 5% for vehicle chargers. The Delhi 2019 e-Vehicle Policy aims at introducing more than 35,000 e-vehicles, and adding capacity of 250 charging and battery-swapping stations. It envisions the adoption of EVs such that they constitute at least 25% of all new vehicle registrations by 2024. The National Electric Mobility Mission plan 2020 (NEMP) is also aligned similarly. The Kerala government has brought in a major policy shift, instructing all its departments to purchase only e-vehicles from the next financial year.
Schemes like FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) have certainly incentivised local manufacturing and the growth of domestic technology. Looking at how other countries are keen to take their manufacturing out of China and are looking for alternative destinations, it is paramount that India steps up to offer them an attractive ecosystem in this sector in the post-Covid world. As global supply chains have been disrupted due to the crisis, the requirements of lithium-ion cells will be addressed by the upcoming 40 GWH of installed Li-ion capacity plants in India, which itself is a great opportunity.
Possibilities for growth in demand
Going forward, there are a lot of growth drivers for this industry in the new normal.
Firstly, its commercial advantages should lead to a surge in the usage of e-rickshaws and e-carts in short distance logistics, and last-mile connectivity in the e-commerce segment. Second, surveys find that younger consumers, particularly females, more willing to invest in EVs than older generation. As India is overwhelmingly young, this presents a bright future for EV manufacturers.
Given that personal mobility is going to pick up again post-Covid, there should be a further policy push (beyond what has already been announced in successive budgets) for a visible shift towards increased EV adoption, particularly since consumers are seeing the benefits of a cleaner environment. Banks should devise innovative credit schemes (now that repo rate is low) to push for such a shift. Simultaneously, the government should focus on augmenting the charging infrastructure and have in place a scrappage policy that drives new-vehicle sale. In the longer term, the existing brands will need to go for more indigenisation to make the vehicles more affordable and maintenance easier, with quick availability of parts (no dependence on import). This would ensure better services to customers; this, as of now, is a pain point. Besides, wireless and on-the-go charging are the new technologies coming up that might boost sales.
EVs are the only way to decarbonise the transport sector and achieve India’s ambitious target of complete green mobility by 2030.


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Binance is one of the most prominent companies in the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain. This firm is expanding its presence at an accelerated pace and in a recent turn of events, the company has acquired Trust Wallet, an Ethereum dApp browser and wallet solution.
Another Step Forward for Binance
For cryptocurrency and blockchain companies, expansion is a normal order of business. Binance is certainly taking this concept to a whole new level, although the company is doing so through various methods. After making its way into Malta and Uganda, the company is now effectively targeting a new ecosystem to make a big impact upon.
By officially acquiring Trust Wallet, the company further strengthens its position within the cryptocurrency industry. Trust Wallet is designed for Ethereum users looking for a wallet and dApp browsing solution. The application is available on both Android, iOS and supports all ERC token standards, including ERC223 and ERC721.
More on the Case
It is the first time Binance has officially acquired another company. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao has made it clear that his firm is looking for ways to further expand its position in the cryptocurrency and blockchain world. Buying up different companies is one way of achieving that goal, and Trust Wallet is a good place to start in this regard.
It appears that this acquisition will not affect the functionality of Trust Wallet in any significant manner. Users will still receive the same functionality that they have grown accustomed to using. Because of Binance’s capital injection, Trust Wallet will see an increase in the number of developers adding new features to the platform. Other blockchains will also be supported in the future, including Bitcoin, NEO, and EOS.
Rather than creating new projects and companies, Binance seeks to invest in firms which offer a lot of value already to the cryptocurrency and blockchain community. That is a positive sign and it also highlights the potential of Trust Wallet among Ethereum users.
None of the information on this website is investment or financial advice and does not necessarily reflect the views of CryptoMode or the author. CryptoMode is not responsible for any financial losses sustained by acting on information provided on this website by its authors or clients. Always conduct your research before making financial commitments, especially with third-party reviews, presales, and other opportunities.

domain: news


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An action figure of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has been banned from sale on copyright grounds.
M.I.C Gadget's 7-inch 'Poking Inventor Action Figure', which was priced at $70 (Â£43), came with a range of accessories, including a replica of the Facebook logo.
However, a Beijing legal firm representing Facebook has sent a cease and desist order to the company. An extract from the letter read: "Without the authorisation of Mr Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook, you have manufactured and sold on your website the Mark Zuckerberg action figures to customers globally, which has used Mr Mark Zuckerberg's portraiture for commercial purpose and infringed his legitimate right.
"In addition, Facebook's trademark 'F' has also been used on these action figures, which has also infringed Facebook's trademark right."
M.I.C Gadget released a statement on its website to apologise. It also confirmed that the figurine was no longer in production and that all marketing of the product had ceased.
It was recently reported that Zuckerberg feared for his safety after he was pursued by a stalker both online and offline.


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Remember MeeGo? It was all set to be Nokia
's next major smartphone push, and it was in the N9, but it was short-lived due to Windows Phone swooping in, stealing all of the glory, and effectively dashing MeeGo's hope of a real future. After all -- Nokia doesn't have the time, interest or resources to focus on two platforms. It's Windows Phone or nothing at this point, but what about those loyal N9 owners, and moreover, those who genuinely like what MeeGo
has to offer? Well, there's hope, and hope goes by "Jolla" in this particular case.
The Finnish smartphone "product company" is setting out to pick up where Nokia left off and continue the work on MeeGo. The Jolla team is actually comprised of members from the past MeeGo team, working with "some of the best minds working on MeeGo in the communities." Reportedly, the company will be designing, developing and even selling MeeGo phones. That's no small feat; even giants like HTC
are having a tough time keeping profits up under the strain from Apple
. Jolla also hopes to push out a new MeeGo
in due time.
It'll be a challenge, that's for sure, but it's good to see the MeeGo torch being carried on in some small way. Shame WebOS doesn't have a similar torchbearer.


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What The Hell Happened To Beme? Casey Neistat's Social Network Finally Hits Android
Last summer, the popular vlogger, producer and director launched Beme for iOS, and now it's finally available for Android too. This latest update brings Beme out of "beta" and into its first proper release, and is supposed to be a much slicker, more minimalist offering.
検索 Ana Gracia


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Braxton Brewing Co. and Dewey's Pizza Announce New Partnership
1 month ago - By Brewbound
Braxton Brewing Co., a local brewery with national recognition, is proud to partner with Dewey's Pizza to bring the 24-year pizza veteran to its Covington, KY taproom and neighboring restaurant location in early 2023.
Read more ...
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Eastern Standard Is Returning; Will Open at the Fenway Center Development
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Nokia’s phone business saw a 30 percent drop in sales, to $2.67 billion from $3.83 billion a year ago, during its fiscal first quarter — the last full quarter before Microsoft’s deal to acquire the business closed last Friday.
Its operating losses widened to $451.87 million, up from $166.33 million a year ago, the company reported today.
Nokia attributed the losses mainly to decreased basic mobile phone sales and, to a lesser extent, lower smartphone sales.
“On both a year-on-year and sequential basis, our Mobile Phones net sales were affected by competitive industry dynamics, including intense smartphone competition at increasingly lower price points and intense competition at the low end of our product portfolio,” Nokia said in its earnings release.
Nokia also noted that the agreed transaction price of EUR 5.44 billion — $7.5 billion — for Microsoft to acquire Nokia’s Devices & Services business was increased by EUR 170 million — $235.6 million — due to adjustments made for estimated net working capital and cash earnings. That brings the cost of the acquisition up to $7.8 billion.
Excluding its phone operations, Nokia saw sales of $3.7 billion, a 15 percent decline from a year ago. Still, the results beat forecasts, and the company returned $3.1 billion to shareholders, according to Reuters.
Nokia also appointed Rajeev Suri, head of its networks division, as its new CEO and president, effective May 1.
Nokia shares were up 4 percent, trading at $7.33 this morning.


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Heywood reckons the challenge for service
providers this year will be to converge services and develop ones that offer a hassle-free experience
that people expect
2012 was the year in which the tablet market really took hold – consumers are much savvier about the benefits of these devices and expect to be able to sync them with their mobiles, online and increasingly with their TVs.
Mobile tariffs are playing an important role in bringing this multi-platform experience to life and people increasingly expect unlimited tariffs that help them to get the most out of the amazing handsets available today.
Competition in this area is certainly hotting up, with online services like Virgin TV Anywhere, Zeebox and LoveFilm Instant, but there’s still a way to go. The 2013 challenge for service providers will be converging sometimes complicated, disparate services and developing solutions that offer the cohesive, hassle-free experience people are looking for.


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MILLBURY, Mass. – AllCare Medical Supply in Millbury helps parents get access to baby formula.
They assist roughly 2,000 families a month through programs like MassHealth. But it’s a lot harder right now, because a nationwide shortage has cut their stock to almost nothing.
“Usually we can get a backup formula from another manufacturer,” said AllCare’s President and CEO Bill Fredericks. “But, those manufacturers, they dried up pretty quickly too.”
A small wooden pallet in the store’s basement with a few boxes of formula was the supply they had on hand on Monday.
Fredericks says it’s been like this for months. He said many of his clients are low-income families or are struggling financially and when the formula does start to return, he’s not even sure his store will get any.
“These formulas are going to end up going to the box stores for retail purchase,” Fredericks said. “I just think it’s grossly unfair that people of low or moderate income who can’t afford to buy this and have approval from MassHealth will not be able to get it.”
The National Women, Infants and Children Association says while production has ramped up, the product has yet to return to shelves.
Last month, manufacturer Abbott said they were working with the FDA to restart operations at their Michigan facility, and prioritizing formulas at their other locations across the country.
They say in a statement: “We are dedicated to doing everything possible to ensure parents and caregivers have what they need to feed their babies. And we’re always focused on what we can do to continue to serve our customers. “
“I’m a father too,” Fredericks said. “I can’t imagine being the parent of a child who has a diagnosis that requires them to get a specialty formula that can’t get it. You know, for years and years and years we were able to take care of them, and now we can’t. We just can’t purchase it. It’s not available to us. “
Fredericks says what little stock of formula he has right now is barely going to last him the rest of the week. Once that’s gone, he said, it’s uncertain how long before he can actually restock once again.


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This is the last year for the current federal farm bill and a new one is in the works on Capitol Hill.
However, Alabama peanut producers are expressing strong disappointment in the bill for specialty crops that was recently adopted by a House sub-committee.
Peanut Farmer Sara Douglas sells produce grown on her farm in Kinsey.
She and her family farm veggies like okra and squash, but also row crops cotton, peanuts and corn.
Randy Griggs with the AL Peanut Producers Association said, “Expenses are high diesel in tractor cost; it’s $100 dollars just to fill up one time.”
It’s those high prices that have our congressmen in Washington trying to change the 2007 farm bill from the existing in place since 2002.
Griggs said, “What we've got to do is put money in our farmers pockets.”
Two ways to directly help farmers is raising the safety net or loan rate for producers. Or, changing the program to force marketplace to pay more for peanuts, which is being met with opposition from candy makers.
Griggs said, “It's a long process; even the Senate is looking for existing extension because one bad year is better than five bad ones.”
South Alabama producers see $150 million dollars directly from the sale of peanuts, not counting Georgia and Florida.
Therefore, the financial impact in the Wiregrass is phenomenal.
Griggs added, “When farmers have a slow year, farmers cut back on clothes, shopping and doctor visits.”
Douglas said, “I'd like to see our expenses come down and our income come up because our product is worth it.”
More money in the pocket for farmers could be possible through a revised bill for 2007.
At this time, neither the House nor the Senate has voted on the 2007 farm bill.
After both sides approve a new bill, it will go to the president's desk for his signature.
Griggs says he doesn't expect the Senate to schedule action on the bill until sometime this fall.


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Unverified photo may show pre-production iPad 3 Retina DisplayAn unverified photo from a Korean Apple forum claims to detail the rumored iPad 3's display, and reveals a subtle change from the iPad 2 that could suggest a higher resolution panel is being sourced for the upcoming tablet.
An image published to a Korean forum (via MacRumors) on Friday claims to be a photo of the much rumored iPad 3's high-resolution display, showing a component that has three ribbon cable connectors instead of the two found on current iterations of the device.
Little to no information accompanied the photo, however it is believed that the image is a comparison shot of a current iPad 2 panel sitting above an alleged iPad 3 display. Clearly illustrated are the three ribbon cables attached to the new component in a totally new configuration.
While the iPad 2's cables are known to be for power and data transfer, the extra cable in the photo is thought to provide for the bandwidth necessary to power a display capable of Retina display-like resolutions.
Recent reports have suggested that Apple will be using an IGZO panel capable of a 330 dots-per-inch resolution, and are in line with a The Wall Street Journal claim that Apple had invested a substantial amount of capital in Sharp's LCD manufacturing facilities.
Apple is rumored to be releasing the new tablet sometime in early 2012 and may include a next-generation A6 processor along with the suggested Retina Display.
On Topic: iPad
- Apple posts "the story behind the Song" featuring old and new music recording technology
- ShopKeep offering merchants free Apple Pay-compatible hardware in bid to compete with Square
- Apple debuts cellular LTE-equipped iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 in China
- Gazelle's $20 cash bonus on working iPad trade-ins expires tonight
- Leading Android fansite recommends Apple Inc iPad Air 2 as best tablet in holiday gift guide


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Warmer than denim, but softer than a true navy blue: this year’s color selection by Behr Paint is a mid-tone blue called Blueprint S470-5.
The brand describes this shade as “an honest, approachable color that conjures up the blueprints builders rely on to bring architectural designs to life.”
“Blueprint creates a space where you can build your own reimagined life—where awareness of what we want to build for ourselves can transform into action,” Behr shared in a statement.
Erika Woelfel, Behr’s vice president of color and creative services, compared the “instant classic” color to the way creators make new beginnings.
“Much like the sketches builders rely on to bring an architectural design to life, Blueprint S470-5 lays a foundation for consumers to make their unique vision a reality,” Woelfel said in a statement.
In addition to revealing Blueprint for 2019, Behr Paint has also unveiled four complementary color palettes that incorporate moody blues.
Color Binge offers a monochromatic range of blues and grays; Soft Focus delivers lighter pastel blues along with peach and lilac; Inspired Curation focuses on rich jewel tones; and Down to Earth goes way warmer with earth tones.
Together, these palettes show how complementary colors can be used as wall colors, ceilings, trims, and accents. And of course, they’re all anchored by the surprisingly versatile shade Blueprint.
The brand recommends this color for use in bedrooms, living areas, kitchens, bathrooms, and even outdoors or as a great paint for accent furniture.
If you’re not totally shocked that 2019’s Behr color is blue, that may be because the brand chose a similar, lighter blue-green shade called In the Moment in 2018. Blueprint isn’t a radically different departure, which is actually amazing as the years blend into one another.
“In 2018, society was focused on mindful living,” Woelfel said. This year’s shade is all about “matching the spirit of reimagination in our homes and everything that’s happening in the world.”
“We know that people aren’t re-painting every room of their home each year,” Woelfel added, “so we again chose a Color of the Year that will be on trend for years to come.”
Stay tuned for more coverage from House Tipster Industry as all of the top paint and trendsetting design brands reveal their exciting color selections for 2019.


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Why mobile gaming is about to get even bigger
Smartphone and tablet gaming is expected to account for half of the money generated by the world's video games industry by 2020.
Friday 19 January 2018 09:25, UK
Though the opponents might change, the story of the video game industry has been largely defined by the battle for supremacy between the latest consoles.
In the 1990s it was all about Sonic v Mario. Today, the Xbox One X brands itself as "the world's most powerful" console, while Sony promises "incredibly immersive gaming worlds" through Playstation VR.
But over the past few years, mobile gaming has entered the fray. It currently accounts for about 40% of the £800m video game market and by 2020 it's expected to surpass the halfway mark.
Rovio, the Finnish company behind Angry Birds, reached 3.7 billion downloads across all its games last year, while Pokemon Go, Niantic's popular augmented reality game, hit 65 million monthly users.
And 2017 also saw games being the most downloaded type of app in both Google Play and Apple's App Store.
But smartphones have been around for a while, so why the recent boom? Industry watchers say it's down to a number of different factors.
"The Asian market is having a big effect on the West," says Craig Chapple, senior editor of Pocket Gamer. "A lot of the trends you see there in terms of game design and monetisation have started spilling over here because they've had the free-to-play model for a lot longer than we have.
"The first device they go to for games is mobile, whereas in the West it's traditionally been console and PC."
In fact, the world's largest game company is Chinese. Among other things, Tencent specialises in mobile games and its revenues are double that of Sony's.
Its most popular game, the multiplayer fantasy mobile title Honor of Kings, has 200 million players in China alone.
The company bought another Finnish mobile games maker, Supercell, in 2016, which itself owns a 62% stake in British-based Space Ape games.
The London company is one of the UK's leading mobile game developers.
"When I first got into the industry in 2010, mobile gaming basically didn't exist in a meaningful sense," says Space Ape co-founder Simon Hade.
"The hardware was really restrictive so it was hard to make an engaging experience. The approach to development and players' expectations have really changed."
The rise of mobile is also changing the profile of your average gamer. What was once the territory of die-hard fans is becoming a place for casual enthusiasts thanks to the pick-up-and-play nature of the technology.
"We all spend a lot of time out and about and more often than not we want the experience of playing games when we aren't at home," says Lisa Capaleto, a designer at Space Ape.
"A lot of people don't have the time required to play a console or a PC game. They don't want to dedicate so much time to it. So we need to cater to people that want a short session.
"We need to think about people that or on the tube, or on the bus, or even in the toilet. They just want a two-minute session for a little kick, which changes how we design games."
Celebrities are also cashing in on the market, with the likes of Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears and even Gordon Ramsay all having their own smartphone games.
Meanwhile, the competitive gaming scene is also welcoming the rise of mobile-only tournaments.
So it could be the future of the games industry lies not in our living rooms, but in our pockets.


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David Cadden, a professor in the Entrepreneurship and Strategy Department in the School of Business at Quinnipiac University, is available to comment on Amazon agreeing to collect sales tax in Connecticut, starting this November.
“Given the budget crises faced by more and more states and the fact that both houses of Congress pushed laws (Marketplace Fairness Act in the Senate, the Marketplace Equity Act in the House) that enable the taxation of online sales; it isn’t surprising that this occurred,” Cadden said. “In some cases, Amazon has stopped elements on its website that would trigger the need to collect sales tax. Elsewhere it has tough laws, but with other states – such as Connecticut – it has reached accommodations. Malloy fought for a state law requiring Amazon to pay taxes which Amazon strongly fought. The fact that the two parties have reconciled – in some way – is fascinating. Objectively, the state benefits from additional tax revenue, provides help to local retailers and it appears that it will provide additional employment in the state. At first look, it seems to be a ‘win-win’ for all, but the devil is always in the details. The nature of an Amazon facility that will be coming to Connecticut has not been covered in any details I’ve seen and the exact tax benefits to the state are unclear.”
To speak to Cadden, please John Morgan at 203-206-4449 (cell) or 203-582-5359 (office).


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Carole Ferry edited by Solène Delinger 5:29 pm, September 19, 2021
The month of December 2021 is already shaping up to be particularly stressful for parents.
Because all the toys on their children's Santa Claus list may not be available in stores.
Lack of raw material, closed factories, increase in the price of transport ... Carole Ferry, journalist in the economy of Europe 1, explains the reasons for this risk of shortage.
Summer is barely coming to an end but all eyes are already on Christmas.
A shortage of toys could indeed affect the sector for multiple reasons, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
Carole Ferry, journalist for the economy of Europe 1, explains to us why stockouts are looming this year at Santa Claus.
Shortage of containers and closure of Asian ports
This is when the orders should arrive in the warehouses to be distributed on time to the stores. But logistics have a huge grain of sand this year. Chinese factories were unable to produce as much as expected. Added to this is the shortage of containers and also the closure of Asian ports. As a result, the large toy store chains fear they will not be ready for catalog release in mid-October. "We are told that everything cannot be delivered or that everything cannot be delivered immediately", explains Philippe Gueydon, president of King Jouet, at the microphone of Carole Ferry. "We are told about a delay of fifteen days, a month or even two months. We will be delivered partially or in any case not on the deadlines which had been initially agreed".
No brand is completely spared
This mainly concerns products that come from Asia, potentially good news for our French manufacturers.
Except that today, almost no brand is completely spared.
According to the president of the French Toy Association, Alain Ingberg, they certainly have fewer problems, but problems nonetheless.
"A toy that has no electronics doesn't need China. As soon as you have a microchip or a motor, or things are imported, that's a problem," he explains to Carole Ferry for Europe 1. These supply difficulties therefore affect almost everyone and which should necessarily have repercussions on prices.Keywords:


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Feedonomics simplifies and improves the data feed process for higher visibility and increased accuracy.
Online PR News – 03-April-2015 – Woodland Hills, CA – Feedonomics (www.feedonomics.com) has announced the launch of its online shopping feed platform that simplifies the process of updating Comparative Shopping Engines (CSEs). The new platform was designed to eliminate the challenges and limitations that traditional feed platforms present while improving data accuracy.
Comparison shopping plays a crucial role in ecommerce, and more than half of all online buying decisions are influenced by data found on Comparison Shopping Engines (CSEs). There are dozens of CSEs, which represent some of the biggest names in online shopping, such as Amazon, Google Shopping, eBay and Shopify. Listing on these sites can greatly increase an online retailer’s visibility and credibility, with a direct impact on sales and conversions. By the same token, even seemingly minor inaccuracies can put a serious dent in a retailer’s bottom line. Feedonomics simplifies the entire process of creating, updating and maintaining this data to ensure consistency and accuracy across dozens of sites.
“Product data is incredibly dynamic,” explains Feedonomics CEO Shawn Lipman. “Prices rise and fall, products are added and removed, and inventory is constantly changing. We know first-hand how challenging it can be to keep everything up-to-date, and none of the existing solutions offered the level of flexibility and precision we needed.”
The company’s firsthand experience in managing shopping feeds is evidenced by key features such as flexible rule setting, consistency through automation, unlimited uploads, and a wealth of invaluable analytics data. Lipman notes. “We started as a team of SEM Analysts who spent years managing feeds for clients, so we are all too familiar with the day to day challenges. We built Feedonomics to make our lives easier, but soon realized that our solution would benefit anyone tasked with managing shopping feeds.”
Feedonomics allows users to export data to multiple shopping engines seamlessly and effortlessly. Once products are mapped to Google’s category taxonomy, the platform automatically translates the mapping to other engines, eliminating the need for manual mapping. Price, product and inventory changes can easily be updated as often as necessary, ensuring product data is consistent and accurate wherever feeds are carried. Bulk changes are simplified, making updating even thousands of products fast and easy. In-depth analytics provide users with insight into performance data down to individual SKUs for comprehensive information from multiple engines in one place.
For more information about Feedonomics and how it can redefine the way companies select, feed and update Comparison Shopping Engines, visit www.feedonomics.com.
Feedonomics is designed to simplify and streamline the online shopping feed management process. Based in Woodland Hills, California, Feedonomics is designed by SEM analysts for SEM analysts, with one central mission: shopping feeds made simple.


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Brand inspires consumers to get active
A few months after Chivita Active launched its new C’mon Get Active campaign to position the brand as an enabler for a healthy active life, the campaign is already inspiring a new social movement for consumers. They are voting for active health by integrating Chivita Active into their daily routine. It is part of their…
‘Why mainstream papers, others must be ahead of social media’
As the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) continues to demonstrate its commitment to the enhancement of the communication and media structures, processes and environments, the focus of its 5th annual conference on ‘Media Narratives: Hate Speech, Fake News and Political Stability....
Deputy Governor of Lagos lauds Peak on pre-school programme
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, has commended Peak 456 growing up milk and the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) for their continuing efforts in promoting healthy eating and active life style habits in children and communities across the country.
How shapeshifting helps businesses, agencies adapt to modern trends
Adapt or Die, that is the single most important rule in business. Regardless of the industry, businesses must evolve to remain relevant. This is even more important in the new media industry where technology is ever evolving. The way content is being consumed now is not how it was consumed a few months or a year ago.
‘Experiential marketing is biggest tool to engage people for value’
The industry started very small some years back. Advertising and other segments of integrated marketing communication (IMC) have always led the pack until about a decade ago when experiential took the centre-stage.
Peter Okoye’s brand ambassadorial role renewed
Following a successful three-year partnership with award-winning Nigerian celebrity, the premium milk brand, Olympic, has renewed its contract with Peter Okoye as its brand ambassador. The announcement was made at the official contract signing ceremony held at PZ’s head office in Ilupeju, Lagos.
LSETF, soft drink company sign MoU to empower 1000 women
Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd and its bottling partner, Nigeria Bottling Company recently signed a partnership agreement to empower 1,000 women in the state. Anchored on Coca-Cola’s 5by20 Programme, the selected women will receive training in financial literacy ...
Arbico Parrot seeks growth of campus journalism
An online campus newspaper, Arbico Parrot of Adeyemi College of Education, is determined to change the face of online campus journalism through up-to-date and sizzling stories. In an exclusive chat with The Guardian, the publisher, Daraloye Emmanuel...
Search for 2018 Indomie heroes ends
With over 400 spectacular stories received across the country, the search for heroic children in the Indomie Independence Day Award (IIDA) has ended. The IIDA event is an annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity organised by Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles..
Brand Communicator to host women at conference, awards
Brand Communicator has concluded plans to host the second edition of Women in Marketing and Communications Conference/Awards (WIMCA) at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on August 31, 2018.
SPAR to reward Nigerians at 30th anniversary
SPAR hypermarket store is celebrating its 3oth anniversary in Nigeria with a “Scratch and Get Free Gifts” promo for her Nigerian shoppers. The promo, which is open for the month of August, will shower shoppers with a new car and over 750 gifts items.
Maison Fahrenheit appoints McErnest 360 as publicist
McErnest 360, a communications firm, has been appointed to manage the media relations for the Nigerian arms of luxury boutique hotel Maison Fahrenheit. Located in the heart of Victoria Island, Lagos, Maison Fahrenheit offers an encounter like no other. Fahrenheit has created a new paradigm in the Boutique Hotel experience that speaks to a sophisticated…


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Photo and video editing has now been made easier, thanks to filters and apps alike. Now Vimeo is going the distance, by adding a "Hollywood-style effect" by adding some updates to its Enhancer toolbox. They added 500 "high quality, stylistic visual effects" for users to play around with.
The filters are called "Looks" and they complement Enhancer's audio editing features that were introduced last year. Vimeo stated in a press release that the "Looks" are "powered by Vivoom, the visual enhancing platform built on the same cutting-edge technology that has been used by top TV and film production studios for the past 16 years."
Here's what using Enhancer's real-time Looks preview looks like:
Instagram for video? It does look a tad bit like that. And looking at this, we're thinking it's only a matter of time before Instagram offers up some video too.
As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on some of the great tech we’ve seen in 2015. There have been some new developments and mind-blowing reveals. I’ve picked out a few things that I saw this year, and will definitely keep an eye on next year. Here’s my look at some exciting tech to watch out for in 2016: Read more


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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market here has run into some glitches with the rollout of its new "Friends" loyalty-card program, according to reports.
"What we found is that some cards, the mag stripes just aren't standing up," a company spokesman was quoted as telling the Orange County Register this week.
The Friends card allows shoppers to earn one point for every dollar they spend, and then earn a $1 cash reward when they reach 100 points. Customers can also earn targeted bonus points based on purchase history.
According to the report, some shoppers were issued a "bad batch" of loyalty cards and were having difficulty redeeming their rewards when they swiped their cards at the checkout. Replacement cards were being issued at the stores.


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Concord Multiplex Nets Crowd Award / Some store owners irked at parking jam
Published 4:00 am, Tuesday, May 12, 1998
1998-05-12 04:00:00 PDT CONCORD -- As Brenden Theatres owner John Brenden prepares to accept an award for drawing a million new customers to merchants around his Concord cinema complex, small store owners complain moviegoers are hurting them by hogging all the parking.
Although restaurants near the 14-screen Brenden Theatres are enjoying booming business, some decades-old establishments are being left behind in the drive to transform the downtown area into a humming entertainment center.
That vision of a revitalized downtown won an Award of Merit for the Brenden project from the California Association for Local Economic Development, based on projections that the 3,500-seat complex will funnel $1.7 million in extra purchases to merchants nearby.
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"Not my business," said Tai Nguyen, who has operated a watch and antique clock store with her husband for 20 years at a site across the street from Brenden Theatres.
Nguyen said she has lost as much as 30 percent of her business since the cinema opened in November, even though her longtime customers try to remain loyal.
"They say they want to come to my store, but they can't find the parking," she said.
Even a change in the parking zones on that block last fall imposing a one-hour limit has not helped, according to Nguyen and her neighbors, Judeth Perl and her husband, Joe. Perl said patrons of her appliance repair shop can't haul their microwaves in from cars parked several blocks away.
Joan Donohoe, owner of Giuseppe's Espresso Cafe, said her experience is the opposite. Movie buffs are flowing in both before and after the film for coffee and pastries.
"The foot traffic is just incredible compared to what it used to be," Donohoe said.
The cafe owner said she is not concerned about increased competition when the 200-seat Max's Cinema Cafe opens right inside the Brenden Theatres June 12.
"There's lots of different restaurants, and people tend to try every one," she said. 'It's just one more choice for people."
But Nguyen and Perl said the new Max's outlet will just make things worse for them. They said police don't enforce the one-hour zones on Saturdays, when film buffs are interfering with what used to be their busiest days.
John Templeton, Concord's interim transportation chief, said his department plans to update its parking survey this summer to address problems that have cropped up in the first year of the theater's operations. He said he hadn't heard recently from Nguyen, Perl or other small business owners who reported parking troubles last year.
Brenden is slated to receive a plaque from the statewide business development association at the City Council meeting tonight honoring the complex's contribution to the downtown economy.


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Nickelodeon finds entertainment and merchandising success with cast of quirky characters
NEW YORK - Nickelodeon has won the hearts of children with cartoons like "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Rugrats," and "Dora the Explorer." The cable TV network has also won the wallets of parents, turning out a series of toys and other products linked to its shows.
Now, Nickelodeon is hoping for another big merchandising hit with "The Fairly OddParents," which made its TV debut in 2001 and follows the adventures of a 10-year-old boy and his wacky fairy godparents. The company has signed deals with manufacturers to create about 100 products, from toys to clothing, that are tied to the program.
But Nickelodeon says merchandising, while very lucrative for the company, is secondary to programming.
"We've become this really large successful business by doing the exact opposite of what most people in the business do. We don't make shows to sell toys," said Jeffrey Dunn, president of Nickelodeon Enterprises, whose parent is media conglomerate Viacom Inc., owner of MTV Networks and Paramount Pictures.
Last year, Nickelodeon had 41 of the top 50 TV programs, on both network and cable, aimed at children ages 2 to 11, according to Nielsen Media Research. "SpongeBob SquarePants," about a sponge who lives at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, was the No. 1 show with that age group, Nielsen said.
"The Fairly OddParents" was the No. 2 rated show with kids 2 to 11, according to the research company.
"There is this wholesome edginess to their characters," said Randall Stone, partner at Lippincott Mercer, a brand consulting company.
Fourteen-year-old Pete Wild, of Winchester, Mass., said he and his friends like "SpongeBob" because "it is really funny."
"He goes on these stupid adventures, and it is kind of a break from thinking," he said, reporting that he has a SpongeBob pillowcase.
Adam Lippman, 31, of Stamford, Conn., is also a fan, as is his 3-year old daughter Colette, who also regularly watches "Dora the Explorer." Lippman said he's bought "Dora the Explorer" backpacks and coloring books as well as SpongeBob plush toys for Colette.
"Adults can really appreciate 'SpongeBob,"' Lippman said, revealing that he can imitate most of the characters.
That kind of appeal helped Nickelodeon record $2.5 billion in retail merchandise sales last year, a big 19 percent jump from the year-ago period. According to License magazine, a trade publication, Disney generated $13 billion in retail sales of licensed goods last year, while Warner Bros. had $6 billion, both unchanged from the previous year.
Nickelodeon made its first big splash in consumer products with "Rugrats," whose merchandising sales peaked at more than $1 billion in 1999. The show, which began airing 12 years ago, is now considered one of the company's classics.
Merchandise tied to "Blue's Clues" followed a year later, also generating more than $1 billion. Last year, "Dora The Explorer," which follows the adventures of a 7-year-old Hispanic girl, had $350 million in sales, surpassing the company's goal of $250 million, according to Leigh Anne Brodsky, senior vice president of consumer products for Nickelodeon.
But "SpongeBob SquarePants," which began airing in 1999, has been the company's biggest surprise, generating revenues of $750 million last year and exceeding expectations of $500 million. The show has attracted a wide audience, although the property had a cool reception at first among merchants, who underestimated consumers' emotional connection with a sponge.
Now, there are about 100 companies that supply products under license for "SpongeBob," ranging from Bounty paper towels from Procter & Gamble to sporting goods accessories from Sport Fun. Parents can buy SpongeBob skateboards (there are eight different models featured on www.nick.com), chairs, sheets, watches and more.
The marketing of SpongeBob reflects a merchandising strategy different from the one followed by many other entertainment companies.
Nickelodeon waits at least a year or two before releasing merchandise, carefully monitoring whether the property has the emotional impact to produce a merchandising hit. "Dora the Explorer" merchandise was not released until the holiday 2001 period, about a year after the show began.
With "SpongeBob SquarePants," Nickelodeon realized there was a cult-like teen following, and teamed with teen retailer Hot Topic Inc., which released products in 2001, two years after the show made its debut.
"It is our No. 1 licensed property ever," said Cindy Levitt, vice president and general merchandise manager at Hot Topic. She noted that teens could relate to the character, who works at a fast food joint called the Krusty Krab.
Company officials are hoping for a repeat with "The Fairly OddParents." Merchandise from the show will be in stores this fall.
"We think this could be the next SpongeBob," said Jennifer Richmond, vice president of licensing for toy company Jakks-Pacific Inc.
Still, some retailers are taking a wait-and see stance. Hot Topic is carefully assessing customer response, and plans to do some testing.
"It is an unknown," said Levitt, noting that the success will ultimately depend on the consumer.
Said Sally Mueller, director of marketing planning for Target stores: "The show is very clever," but she added, "We're still in the exploratory stage."


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Analysts at Deutsche Bank issued a positive note on Sainbury’s today ahead of its full-year results next week, arguing that the supermarket group could be a relative winner in the sector compared to its rivals but warning that it will have to join them in slashing prices to stay ahead of the game.
The bank expects Sainsbury’s to have fared well over Easter compared with the other big three and for sales to have bounced back in April after its late timing, with market share data from Kantar Worldpanel due out the same day as their results on 7 May.
However with the UK grocery market experiencing the slowest growth in nine years, Deutsche Bank sales at Sainsbury’s will inevitably slow. The retailer last month revealed a decline in fourth quarter sales, ending a nine-year run of quarterly sales growth.
“We think Sainsbury’s can be a relative winner but sales growth will still slow, making it more difficult to offset cost inflation. Furthermore, Sainsbury’s may need to invest in price to maintain its relative outperformance,” Deutsche Bank analyst Niamh McSherry said.
“We expect Sainsbury’s to respond to price competition, which we believe has the potential to become very real,” she added.
The UK’s big four supermarkets are facing unprecedented pressure from discounters grabbing sales at the value end and grocers such as Waitrose at the top. Tesco, Asda and Morrisons have all pledged hundreds of millions of pounds of investment in price cuts, with Sainsbury’s the only one so far standing its ground.
Sainsbury’s outgoing chief executive Justin King last month dismissed the recent price actions of competitors as little more than “the normal cut and thrust of this market”.
Deutsche Bank also suggests Sainsbury’s could cut its capital expenditure guidance for the new financial year from the £1.1bn (excluding its banking operations) for the past year to help ease pressure on profitability and cash flow from slower sales growth.
It maintained its “hold” recommendation and forecasts Sainsbury’s to report underlying pre-tax profits of £750m, down from £756m the previous year.
Several other analysts have also recently commented on the stock ahead of the results, with Jefferies last week also keeping its “hold stance” and similarly predicting the group to scale back its capital expenditure and store openings as well as matching its rivals’ price cuts.
Sainsbury's shares edged up 0.85 per cent today to 333.3p.


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CarMax earnings (NYSE:KMX) surged more than 20% compared to the year-ago quarter, sending KMX stock up close to 5% on Friday.
Here are eight things you should know about CarMax earnings for the company’s third quarter of its fiscal 2018:
- The Richmond, Va.-based company’s net income increased 27.9% compared to the year-ago quarter, reaching $190.3 million. Its net earnings per diluted share gained 34.6% year-over-year to $1.09.
- The used-car retailer added that its net sales and operating revenues popped 4.6% to $4.3 billion.
- CarMax also said that its used unit sales in comparable stores took a hit of 1.2% year-over-year.
- Plus, the company’s total used unit sales gained 2.3% compared to the year-ago quarter.
- It was a bright spot for the company’s total wholesale unit sales as this figure was 10% higher compared to the year-ago quarter.
- Plus, CarMax Auto Finance (CAF) income surged 6.7% to $109.7 million.
- Used-vehicle sales saw a year-over-year growth of 3.6%, reaching $3.55 billion, which was below the Wall Street consensus estimate of $3.6 billion, according to data compiled by FactSet.
- CarMax added that its total gross profit for the period was 5.6% higher than it was during its third quarter of fiscal 2017, reaching $569.2 million this time around.
“We are pleased to report solid growth in both pretax earnings and earnings per share, despite having soft comparable store used unit sales this quarter,” said Bill Nash, president and CEO.
KMX stock is gaining about 4.4% on Friday following the company’s quarterly earnings results.


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By: Rob Roe, Managing Director of Jones Lang LaSalle, Great Lakes Region
Retail businesses are rapidly evolving to remain relevant and competitive in a fast-changing field. According to JLL research, “…digital technology has reshaped—and will continue to reshape—the retail landscape.”
It’s critical that owners, tenants and investors of retail commercial real estate stay up-to-date on emerging trends, and subsequently adapt their space to meet the needs of today’s savvy consumers.
Think you can skip the whole online thing in favor of your physical storefront? In JLL’s white paper Digital Metamorphosis , researchers found that 65% of U.S. shoppers research products and services online before making an in-store purchase. E-commerce has transformed the face of the retail industry, and will continue to do so in the coming years.
4 Key Trends Driving Change in Retail Commercial Real Estate
Below are four leading trends driving change in the commercial real estate retail industry—also featured in JLL’s Digital Metamorphosis. We invite you to visit the white paper for a full listing.
1. E-commerce Pushes Stores to Rethink Space Logistics
According to JLL:
“The influx of e-commerce has completely altered the state of retail.”
To align processes with the popularity of online and mobile shopping, some retailers are shrinking their space to expand “the back room”—to ensure that items are always in stock. A recent article from National Real Estate Investor also emphasized the impact that e-commerce is having on space requirements. The article reported that retailers “… are altering the traditional stores to pull double duty as online fulfillment centers.”
To succeed in today’s fast-paced digital environment, retailers must have a comprehensive, dynamic commercial real estate strategy in place.
2. Shoppers Demand ‘Experiential Retail’
Consumers can enjoy the convenience of online shopping from their homes. Those who shop in-store seek a unique experience that makes it worth the trip. This trend is changing the way retailers determine their office amenities and organize their office layout.
In JLL’s white paper, researchers point to The Apple Store’s Genius Bar as an example that “offers hands-on troubleshooting where customers can interact with friendly, Apple- trained technical experts at a uniquely designed space in the store.”
3. Extinct Categories Leave Vacant Space
Some products can be easily replaced using new technologies; these retailers are slowly dwindling in number. For example, office supply retailers are struggling to remain relevant in a paperless world. Consumers continue to debate whether bookstores will continue to perform in the coming years.
Because some retailers may become extinct, there is an opportunity to fill these vacant spaces. Health retailers and fitness centers are expected to grow and possibly begin to fill these vacancies.
4. Sales Tax May Extend to Online Retailers
Sales tax can only be collected from retailers who have an in-state location, under the current law. But, changes may be coming. In fact, if approved, the Marketplace Fairness Act “would allow states and the District of Columbia to collect sales tax from retailers regardless of if they have a physical presence, such as stores or distribution centers, or not, in an online customer’s state,” according to JLL .
Eventually, sales tax may extend to include online retailers nationally. Experts don’t expect this change to make a significant impact on e-commerce sales; however, it may drive some customers away.
The retail industry is in the midst of a metamorphosis—the impact of which is being felt across the commercial real estate landscape.
Retailers are rethinking their in-store strategies and shifting more focus on large distribution centers to accommodate for online sales. JLL researchers conducted a survey in 2012, which found “companies with growing space needs in their distribution centers outnumbers those with shrinking needs by a factor of about three.”
JLL’s newly released Warehouse Demand Study also reported that the retail industry emerged as the leading source of industrial requirements (139) nationally during the summer of 2013. Following Q3, JLL ranked e-commerce among the top three industries seeking space in the Northeast and Midwest markets. It’s clear that e-commerce is driving strong growth in the industrial sector. Beyond a new emphasis on distribution, retailers must also tailor in-store design and layout to appease the experiential shopper.
How has your retail space evolved to accommodate for the growth in e-commerce? Please feel free to share in the comments below.
Are you a retail property owner, investor or tenant? Please contact us at email@example.com for more information.
Download the full white paper—Digital Metamorphosis: 10 Trends That Are Transforming the Retail Landscape.
About the Author
As managing director, Rob’s responsibilities include real estate transaction representation and consulting services for Jones Lang LaSalle. View Rob’s full bio to read up on his experience and recent transactions, or connect with him on LinkedIn.


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Apple's tablet lineup has expanded from six configurations to more than 50 in four years. Has the product lineup become too complex?
Brain training app Lumosity says it can help beef up brain power.
The new data hub is meant to collect all the information gathered by wearables in one place.
The International Space Station will receive some unchic sandals to gauge the force on astronauts' bodies during exercise.
NASA is hosting a Google+ Hangout where astronauts Mike Hopkins and Rick Mastracchio will share workout tips from aboard the International Space Station.
Formerly GymPact, this smartphone app encourages you to put your money where your pie hole is.
Sitting at a desk all day, day after day, is not good for your well-being. FitBolt reminds you to stretch and exercise throughout the workday, helping you to improve your health.
The company's IPO hit a record $25 billion after it initially touched $21.8 billion. The jump was due to underwriters exercising an option to sell another 48 million shares.
Commentary: Can't decide between the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus? Before you go extra-big, make sure to consider all the ramifications.
A French man is jailed after letting his forlorn feelings overwhelm his intelligence.


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Last week, the US government took extreme unprecedented action against Huawei and blocked it from all US partners who had a long – term risk of rivalry between the United States and China. However, the effect of the order is clear, but the reason is not clear yet.
According to the first enforcement order, there is an official explanation that Huawei hardware charges the United States on espionage charges. "Foreigners are increasingly creating and attacking the vulnerabilities of information and communication technologies and services, and the" unrestricted acquisition or use "of hardware created by foreign enemies exacerbates such vulnerabilities.
Restricting Huawei's role in network infrastructures is a convincing example: many bureaucrats are made in such a situation, but they do not understand the exported hardware. Corning Glass or Micron Flash Memory Why is not Huawei selling in the European market because Huawei does not sell phones in the US So the issue of infrastructure security is of little significance and the problem is that China is in fact intellectual property infringement and trade secrets If you have a history of confidentiality, Leno The same logic can be applied to Chinese companies such as vo and dronemaker DJI, and it can have catastrophic consequences for those companies and the industry as a whole.
It all comes down to the growing trade war that takes place in an increasingly diplomatic course Trump has stepped up import tariffs on China to pressure Chinese leaders to pressure the negotiating table for more than a year, as China has retaliated by its tariffs and tensions have increased over several summits. It is easy to see the measures on Huawei.It has pressured the Chinese economy to extract concessions under the road.But if it is true, justifying national security will be dishonest and diplomatically counterproductive, and if a real security threat occurs, Permanently trusting
Thursday afternoon, media after the incident with the agricultural group When his reporter asked Trump about the move to Huawei, his answer became a problem (video footage is here, It takes about 41 minutes if you want to see.)
TRUMP: Huawei is very dangerous. When you look at it from a military point of view, you saw that they did it from a security perspective. It is very dangerous. Therefore, there is a possibility that Huawei will be included in some kinds of trade negotiations. If we have a deal, we can imagine that Huawei is likely to be part of a trade deal.
How does it look?
TRUMP: It would be very good for us.
REPORTER: But how do you design Huawei parts?
Oh. We are very concerned about Huawei in terms of security.
Trump makes two claims. First, there were restrictions on Huawei because the company was a security threat. Second, restrictions on Huawei could potentially be lifted as part of the trade negotiations.
These two claims are incompatible. In other words, it only makes sense if the security threat is a bluff. Security threats can not be negotiated as part of trade negotiations. Because of the simple reason that China can not promise to stop spying. Regardless of Trump's signature, the spying agencies in China will continue to find valuable information in the United States. If Huawei is a threat ahead of the negotiations, then there will be a lot of threats.
Of course Huawei is not really a security threat, and Trump has used it as an excuse to expand the trade war. It will get worse. The national security world is based on confidential information and often has to perform life and death for reasons that can not be publicly disclosed. In that case, the President and other government leaders can speak only part of the story, and others need public confidence that there is a concern about national security to hide the rest. In the last few years, there has been a good reason for such trust, but functional information services are important. Repeating enormous regulations through trade negotiations will be fatal to its credibility, and trust in the agency is a major reason for Huawei to think that it is a threat first.
Administrative orders were enacted. It is truly plausible that the threat described in this order actually occurred. Trump briefly says that the company may not participate in a wider range of transactions. But whatever the truth is, it is the president's duty to justify his actions to the people and to present such measures to Huawei as part of a broader plan for the benefit of the state. Trump's enforcement orders were not confined to Huawei, but were causing tremendous confusion and concern for US and global users. He has to explain honestly why he did this. So far they have not got anything.


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Xilinx Inc., a maker of programmable chips used in mobile-phone base stations, rose as much as 8.5 percent in late trading Wednesday after new products helped generate more sales and profit than analysts had estimated.
Excluding some items, fiscal third-quarter profit was 41 cents a share, the San Jose, California-based company said Wednesday in a statement. Sales were $511.1 million in the period, which ended Dec. 31. Analysts had projected earnings of 37 cents a share and revenue of $496.5 million on average, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
While third-quarter sales were hurt by weaker demand from makers of communications equipment, the company is getting strong growth from its newer products, Chief Executive Officer Moshe Gavrielov said in the statement. Xilinx and rival Altera Corp. dominate the market for chips that can be reprogrammed after they’ve been installed in electronic devices.
The stock rose as high as $38.30 in late trading following the announcement. The shares, up 11 percent in the past year, had gained 5.9 percent to $35.30 at the close in New York.
Xilinx predicted that sales will rise 2 percent to 6 percent in the current period from the preceding three months. That indicates revenue of as much as $541.8 million, compared with an average analyst estimate of $505.7 million. Gross margin, or the percentage of sales remaining after deducting the cost of production, will be 64 percent to 65 percent. Analysts had projected a margin of about 64 percent.
© Copyright 2014 Bloomberg News. All rights reserved.


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August is National Pet Immunization month and while we’re all familiar with the standard vaccines, according to a recent article in The New York Times, pet medications may be entering a brave new world. Traditionally pet vaccines and medications have been developed by big pharmaceutical companies who first focus on developing products for livestock and then rework them for dogs and cats (or as the article refers to them, “edible animals as opposed to petable ones”). Secondarily big pharma repositions human drugs for use in the pet arena. According to the Times, new biotech companies are developing new biotech drugs for pets rather than reworking drugs developed for livestock or people.
Frankly, so far so good. But hold on to your leashes, one of the investors in these new companies is quoted as saying, “We’ve been drugging ourselves for a long time and more recently we’ve been drugging our kids. Why shouldn’t our pets have access to medicine?” But is there a difference between the idea of providing access to medicine and the idea of “drugging our kids” (as many of us think of 4-legged friends)?
Some of the companies referenced, like Nexvet from Australia claim to be focusing on “therapeutic proteins” 100% customized to dogs and cats – which for those of us who don’t speak biotech translates to pain medicines – others are looking into cures for cancer and arthritis. Some of the companies have been successful in raising funds, but others have faced some difficulties when confronted by venture capitalists who don’t understand the human-pet bond.
But all of this begs the question – will pet parents spend the money on these new biotech drugs? Almost every day at San Francisco’s Pet Camp we are confronted by a pet parent complaining about the cost of veterinary care. Not a lot of pet parents have purchased pet insurance and there is not an Affordable Care Act for Pets (you wonder if the Republicans would try to block that too?) If pet parents won’t spend the money will there be sufficient market demand to fund the research & development necessary to bring these new drugs to market? If the market is there will big-pharma expand from edibles to petables?
What do you think? Is your pet on a new drugs from the world of biotech? If so were the medications expensive and were they worth it?
Thanks for reading!


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Home Tags Lawsuits
The creator of ‘Pokémon Go’ is suing an ‘association of hackers’ that it says helps players cheat at its games
Niantic says that the Global++ hacking association has already cracked the forthcoming "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite," and it won't stand for it.
The two toy companies have been locked in legal battles for years, making the proposal seem like a jab at Mattel's recent challenges.
LaCroix slammed with new lawsuit alleging execs sparred over whether to falsely claim its cans were free of toxic chemicals
The suit alleges that the president of LaCroix parent company National Beverage Corp. planned to falsely claim its sparkling water cans were BPA-free.
A former Goldman Sachs VP is suing with claims of discrimination and retaliation, saying he was asked ‘do you act this way because you’re ...
A former Goldman Sachs vice president sued the company Wednesday, alleging he was discriminated against because he is gay and fired for complaining.
Here are all the investigations and lawsuits that Boeing and the FAA are facing after the 737 Max crashes killed almost 350 people
The Department of Justice, Department of Transportation, and the SEC are reportedly looking at Boeing and the FAA, as families and shareholders sue.
New lawsuit against Tesla alleges that a Model X pinned a pregnant woman against a wall, breaking her bones and sending her into premature labor
Mallory Harcourt is suing Tesla after she alleges her car performed an unintended acceleration and crushed her against a wall.
Kim Kardashian revealed in a lawsuit that she demands up to half a million dollars for a single Instagram post and other details about how much she ch...
Kim Kardashian West revealed in a lawsuit just how much she demands to be paid for sponsored Instagram posts and endorsement deals.
Pam-maker Conagra Brands faces 6 lawsuits claiming exploding cans of cooking spray caused massive fireballs and horrific burn injuries
Conagra Brands is facing six lawsuits, with plaintiffs linking exploding cans of Pam and other cooking sprays to fireballs and severe injuries.
Over 100 Riot Games employees walked out protesting the company’s policy on forced arbitration after a scathing news report and a lawsuit
This follows months of turmoil at the video game studio over allegations of sexism and misconduct.
A movie producer is suing aesthetics doctor Georgia Lee over a S$2 million investment in her skincare brand
Ms Anita Hatta claims she had been misled into investing $2 million in Dr Georgia Lee's brand of skincare products in return for a 5% stake


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Bernhard Kohl has announced plans to open the largest bike shop in Vienna in the coming year. The former professional rider retired from the sport in May following his two-year suspension for doping during the Tour de France 2008.
Kohl, 27, plans to open the Fitstore 24 - Bikepalast Kohl in Vienna in February. The store will cover 1100 square metres and be next door to a Harley Davidson store.
He plans to work in the store himself. “I will be in the store 12 hours a day,” he told the Österreich newspaper. “We will offer a unique atmosphere, which has never before been seen in Austria.”
Kohl's former manager Stefan Matschiner recently auctioned off an autographed mountains classification jersey from the 2008 Tour de France. He received only 71 euro for the jersey and a feed bag.
Kohl finished third in the Tour and won the mountains classification, but lost both after testing positive during the race for the EPO derivative CERA. Matschiner is said to have provided Kohl with doping assistance over the years.
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Smaller declines in personal computer sales around the globe are a welcomed change. Worldwide PC shipments totaled 80.8 million units in the fourth quarter of 2014 (4Q14), that's a year-on-year decline of 2.4 percent, according to the latest market study by International Data Corporation (IDC).
Total shipments were slightly above expectations of -4.8 percent growth, but the market still contracted both year on year and in comparison to the third quarter.
IDC reports that although the holiday quarter saw shipment volume inch above 80 million for the first time in 2014, the final quarter nonetheless marked the end of yet another difficult year -- it was the third consecutive year with overall volumes declining.
On an annual basis, 2014 shipments totaled 308.6 million units, that's down by -2.1 percent from the prior year. Besides, the forward-looking trend doesn't indicate any meaningful improvements.
Although the U.S. and Europe remained stronger than other markets, growth in these mature regions slowed from earlier in the year. Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) continued to strengthen, seeing only a very slight increase in volume.
Similarly, commercial demand, which boosted growth earlier in the year, has slowed while consumer demand is gradually returning. That said, the overall market has been fueled by low-priced systems, including growth of Google Chromebooks and new promotions of Microsoft Windows 8 systems.
"The strength from market leaders, as well as improvement in Asia-Pacific and the consumer market more generally, are positive signs for the PC market," said Loren Loverde, vice president at IDC.
Regional Highlights from the Market Study
United States -- the U.S. PC market concentration has increased to 83 percent of shipments coming from the top 5 vendors. Portable PC growth remains strong with double-digit growth from a year ago, while desktop shipments declined by more than -10 percent.
Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) -- PC shipments in EMEA posted a slight increase in the fourth quarter, fueled mainly by strong consumer demand during the holiday season. Political and economic factors, especially unfavourable exchange rates, also negatively impacted numerous countries across the region.
Japan -- The market continued to slump following a surge of XP replacements a year ago. Vendors took the time to clear excess inventory in the channel, leading to a lean quarter. Volume fell below 3 million units in the quarter, a drop of -35 percent year on year and its lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2006.
Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) -- APeJ continued to stabilize with growth rising to positive territory following several years of significant declines. Slowing growth in tablets and smartphones as well as promotions of lower-priced Windows 8 + Bing systems helped relieve some pressure on the PC market.
Photo Credit: PC Sales/shutterstock


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Idukki: Known as mini Kashmir for its cold and congenial climate, the Kanthalloor and Maryoor regions of Idukki are in an attempt to place themselves on the saffron cultivation map. The open cultivation of saffron, the pricey herb that is used in food, textile and cosmetics sectors, is mainly found in Iran, Iraq and Kashmir in India. The pilot project to replicate the same in Idukki, initiated by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Santhanpara which functions under the Council for Agriculture Research Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ICAR-ATARI), has yielded good results.
The harvesting of saffron, which originates as the stigma of an attractive violate flower with a yellow anther, has begun in two farms at Perumala in Kanthaloor and Vandanmedu near Kumily. Scientists at KVK who had been experimenting with Saffron cultivation for the past two years by planting 300 kg of croms (seeds) of saffron which they brought from Srinagar said that unlike in the previous year when heavy rains damaged the crop, this year, all the plants that sprouted have flowered. The harvesting began on Tuesday, they added.
Last year, trials were conducted in Perumala, Vandanmedu, Senapathy, Nachivayal, Pazhathoottam, Santhanpara, Nachivayal, Vagamon and Udumbanchola in the district. According to scientists of KVK, they got the best results from Perumala and Vandanmedu farms. Their next focus would be to go for another round of planting in 15 to 20 places in the Kanthanloor region.
Saffron grown in poly houses and indoors is common elsewhere, however, Kanthalloor has turned out to be a chosen location for open farming. The winter season November-December would be the ideal time of the year for the violate saffron flowers to bloom. “I took a fancy for planting the saffron corms in my 25-cent yard and became a part of the trial. Each corm was planted on the soil beds at a distance of half a foot and beds were set at a distance of one-and-a-half feet. The labour charges were met by me,” said farmer Ramamoorthy B of Perumala.
He has been doing strawberry, blackberry, and vegetable farming on his own and leased land in Kanthaloor for several years now. “The saffron plant takes 20 to 50 days to bloom and we planted it in Kanthallor by the end of September. The most suitable climatic condition for saffron is 20 to 25 degrees Celsius during the day and 5 at night. Other than the climate, if there is a commercial-scale production during the winter season, the saffron farms in Kanthaloor are going to draw a huge number of tourists,” Dr Sudhakar Soundarajan, KVK scientist who specialises in plant protection, told Onmanorama.
After trials in 15-20 farms in the region, the goal is to produce saffron in commercial quantities. According to him, an acre of saffron is expected to give 1.5-2 kg of the produce, and with Rs 300 to Rs 420 for a gram of saffron, in the three-month saffron season, a farmer is expected to get more than Rs 6 lakh from an acre. Out of this, 60 per cent will be profit, he said. The farmers can directly sell the produce or can sell it digitally by entering into a deal with the KVK which would give technical support to them for the online sales, he added.
Scientists at KVK said that from one corm of saffron there will be five separate plants would sprout and the three stigmas found in a single flower are the actual produce. The anther and the petal are also used as products with medicinal value. They said the medicinal value of saffron makes it the most sought-after produce and speaking to the farmers in Srinagar they have learnt that people use it in water, coffee, and milk for stomach ailments and for improving complexion.
“At present, the project is a direct association of KVK with the farmers. However, in the future assistance of Kerala Agricultural University and the civic bodies will be sought for doing saffron farming on a large scale,” a scientist added.


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25 June 1999
Trade Deficit Disaster For National
On the eve of the APEC Trade Ministers' Conference New Zealand's trading situation has spun out of control.
Statistics New Zealand announced today the trade deficit for the year to May was $1.516 billion, the worst in New
Zealand's history, eclipsing all previous deficits.
The May deficit caps off a dramatic five year decline in New Zealand's overseas merchandise trade situation which has
seen five consecutive deficits follow three good surpluses.
"The trade situation is clearly out of control," said Green Party MP Rod Donald. It's time for the Government to take
decisive action instead of sitting on its hands. We need to reduce our dependence on imports because [International
Trade Minister] Lockwood Smith's so-called export-led recovery is a myth.
"The widening gap between imports and exports has been caused by the Government's free trade policies.
"According to Statistics NZ the leading contributors to the growth in imports are cars and household consumption goods.
These trends follow the Government axing tariffs on car imports and slashing tariffs on clothing and footwear.
"Not only has the Government's free trade policies put tens of thousands of New Zealanders out of work, it has made our
economy extremely vulnerable.
"What will it take for the Government to face up to this situation? Hopefully these trade figures will cause visiting
trade ministers to examine more closely the hype coming from the National Government about its economic management.
"Clearly the appalling reality of our trade situation makes a lie of the Government's free trade ideology," Rod Donald


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Oct. 31, 2018News
CCS acquires 100% of the shares of Effilux SAS (Effilux, France) as a wholly owned subsidiary as of October 22, 2018. Headquartered in France, Effilux and its sales subsidiary in Germany, specialize in developing, manufacturing ...
Dec. 09, 2013News
Effilux has opened a new sales office in Cologne to be closer to the German market. As a speaker of the company states, the specialist for induatrial lights can now support even better the customers in Germany.
The latest information directly via newsletter.


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Tired of your same old yacht charter holidays? Well, maybe it’s time you try out something different. The Greeks have thought about promoting the rich archeological heritage in the Aegean that’s been left by the ancient civilizations in a way that’s never been done before.
Yacht Charter in Greece
While trying to improve Greece’s touristic image abroad, more and more locals, especially younger ones, are taking active measures to show foreign visitors that their country has a lot to offer and that the recent image of an economically instable land full of turmoil is largely untrue.
Despite signs of a decreasing numbers of tourists and looming dangers of economic difficulties, Greece is still managing to prove to one and all that it hasn’t lost its appeal. It would seem that this year a virtual surge of celebrities have chosen to spend their summer time off in the country of the gods.
For quite some time now, we’ve been hearing news about how bad the crisis has hit Greece and especially the tourism sector which used to represent an important part of the income the locals and the government made. Official figures have been released to show exactly how bad the yacht charter Greece industry has been hit.
Among all of the European countries, Greece seems to have been hit the worst in its tourism industry as a side effect of the economic crisis that’s been taking its toll on economies throughout the world.


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The how, where, and who of software development are changing quickly, as converging trends are allowing nonspecialists to design and create applications without expert aid. Increasingly popular technologies are empowering businesses to develop their own apps—and that means more speed and agility.
remember how it was years ago: Anytime your team needed a custom software application that couldn’t be picked up at the local office-supply store, it meant commissioning work from programmers in the IT department. Things have changed—now nearly anyone can develop software.
Indeed, software development, once the realm of highly specialized professionals, is within reach of nearly every department in your company. Thanks to a host of accelerating technology trends—including cloud computing, open-source software, the API economy, and the emergence of low-code platforms—software applications can be developed at lower cost, in a shorter amount of time and by less skilled people. As a result, development is spreading from IT to the business, from developers to “nontraditional developers,” and from big companies to start-ups that can now punch above their weight. Software development is becoming pervasive.
Enterprises are taking advantage of these new possibilities and enabling business-line staff to take application development into their own hands to develop the apps they need themselves. For companies that embrace this new paradigm and manage the entailing risks intelligently, the opportunities to act faster and with more agility are significant. Meanwhile, vendors of monolithic enterprise software face a daunting challenge: What’s the role of one-size-fits-all applications in a world where customers can tailor-make their own apps?
For Full Story, Please click here.


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The big feud over High Definition DVD formats has been smoldering right along since the opposing camps started rolling out their hardware at midyear and not surprisingly has resulted in desultory sales while consumers sat on the sidelines trying to figure out which horse to bet on. Now some industry players have tried to make the feud irrelevant by coming up with ways to support both formats:
Richard Siklos reports at the NY Times that New Disc May Sway DVD Wars:
Consumers wary of buying new high-definition DVD players because of a technology war reminiscent of the days of Betamax versus VHS will soon have a new kind of DVD that might make the decision less daunting.
Warner Brothers, which helped popularize the DVD more than a decade ago, plans to announce next week a single videodisc that can play films and television programs in both Blu-ray and HD-DVD, the rival DVD technologies.
Warner Brothers, a division of Time Warner, plans to formally announce the new disc, which it is calling a Total HD disc, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Because of manufacturing complexities, the Total HD disc will not contain a standard format version (i.e. regular DVD – ed.), said Kevin Tsujihara, the president of Warner Brothers Home Entertainment Group. However, several months ago the company filed patents for a new disc incorporating all three formats, which it could produce in the future.
Mr. Tsujihara described the new disc as an elegant way for studios to make their content available more widely “in a way that is not conceding defeat” for the format they have been backing.
In the short term, Total HD would actually add to the number of formats retailers will have to stock, raising it from three to four.
Hit the link for more, but so far there is no groundswell of support by the studios in the opposing camps to adopt this compromise and their participation in creating dual format disks is required for this solution to work. I rate the idea “A” for effort, but there seems to be a better choice for consumers – LG Makes World’s First Blu-ray/HD DVD Dual-Format Player:
LG Electronics (LG), a leader in consumer electronics and mobile communications, announced that it will launch the world’s first dual-format high-definition disc player, capable of playing both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD content. The unit will be released in the United States in early 2007. Details will be provided at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held January 8-11 in Las Vegas.
As long as it’s not too pricey, a dual format hardware solution like this is the only hope consumers have of insulating themselves from the studios’ little games. Moreover, if the dual format players start moving off the shelves, I expect the other hardware manufacturers would pile on no matter which camp they are nominally in.


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Despite uncertainty in two key categories -- automotive and direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medication -- and new worries over a shift of the "milk mustache" budget to TV, the industry is holding its own. Ad pages in the first five months rose 3% compared to the same period last year, to 95,217, according to Publishers Information Bureau. Full-year '97 pages rose 5.1% to a record 236,840.7.
The gains are coming mostly in such categories as direct response, food and apparel. Direct response pages were up 9.5% to 11,024.67. Prepared foods were up were 39.2% to 717.85; dairy, produce meat and bakery goods, up 20.5% to 1,334.33 ad pages. Apparel accessories were up 39.7% to 629.79; and footwear up 15.4% to 1,444.9.
In addition to the auto and drug categories, ads for cosmetics and beauty products are soft.
"The beauty category is troubled by fewer new-product launches this season, but I believe that is going to change going into the fall. That's a business that is very dependent on the promotional calendar . . . on new-product launches," said Magazine Publishers of America VP-Marketing Christine Miller.
A GOOD SIGN
She said the gains in direct response are a good sign because "it is an indication of how effectively magazines work. They don't use us if it doesn't get them business."
Ms. Miller said although DTC drug ad pages are down through May, she said the category was up in that month, which she optimistically interpreted as a sign the funds shifted from magazines to TV could be coming back.
"The losses are occurring more in general interest and entertainment publications, where advertisers are shifting to TV to get eyeballs," she said. "Many other drugs being advertised are seeking specific audiences" through niche magazines.
Prescription medications dropped 19.4% to 2,043.36 pages.
Conde Nast Publications turned in a healthy first-half performance, with pages up 16% counting its new cross-title supplement Currency and 13% without it. Exec VP Catherine Viscardi Johnston anticipates the second half will be up 4% to 5% for the company, leaving full-year page counts up about 10%.
"I think second half will be tough," she said. "There's been a lot of turmoil in core industries for us, like automotive for Chrysler and General Motors having pulled back. But Ford is moving ahead dynamically for us. Our core beauty accounts are planning some big launches in the fall but no big increases.
"But being up anyway in rough market is good, and if we end this year up 9% or 10%, I'll be ecstatic."
Michael Clinton, Hearst Magazines exec VP-corporate marketing, said the auto, fashion and drug categories all remained strong in the first half for Hearst's titles.
"Beauty was soft, but that was really the only soft category and it's due to retail being soft, fewer launches and some consolidation in the field," he said. His outlook for the second half: "cautiously optimistic."
Hachette Filipacchi Magazines Exec VP John Fennell said ad pages there were flat for the first half at 9,557. He attributed that to sluggish spending by GM and Chrysler, as well as the Asian economic crisis. But he is optimistic about the second half.
Time Inc.'s Dave Long, president-media sales and marketing, said that company had "a really robust first half considering auto accounts are down from a year ago. But they have really returned to historical spending levels," he said.
That echoed a note sounded by several publishers, who said the category's unusually strong 1997 performance was something of an aberration.
The DTC category, he said, "has not been the disaster everyone predicted. The category as a whole is down slightly, but the DTC business plays into magazines' hands so beautifully to what we do well, which is deliver large amounts of information."


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Crash Force Early Access Trailer
Crash into hectic online multiplayer action!
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LSEV was exhibited at the China 3D Printing Cultural Museum in Shanghai by the Chinese company Polymaker and by the Italian electric carmaker XEV.
LSEV is the name of the first mass-produced 3D-printed electric car. It is a result of the partnership between Polymaker, a 3D printing material Chinese company, and XEV, an Italian electric carmaker. LSEV shall start being produced in the second quarter 2019 and was recently shown off at the 3D Printing Cultural Museum in Shanghai, China. Unlike a regular printer, the 3D printer is an equipment capable of printing parts with volume – hence three-dimensional – using plastic filaments.
XEV is not the first carmaker to use 3D printing to make a vehicle, other makers, however, such as Local Motors, only make a small number of cars using this technology. Now, along with Polymaker, the Italy-based carmaker will be able to make the LSEV in large scales.
Thanks to 3D printing, the development time of a car has been shortened compared to the three to five years it takes a vehicle to be produced using the traditional method. Companies project that the development of a new 3D-printed electric car will take only 3 to 12 months, at least three times faster than the traditional way.
In addition, all visible parts of the car are made with the technology, except the chassis, seats and glass. Out of curiosity: there are only 57 distinct parts in the LSEV as compared to more than 2 thousand parts in a traditional car. Such reduction, according to a statement from Polymaker, decreased 70% in costs.
That is, the car is ready three times faster and costs 70% less than traditional vehicles. With only 450 kg, the LSEV already has 7 thousand units ordered, 5 thousand for Poste Italianne, the Italian postal service provider, and the other 2 thousand for a vehicle leasing company called ARVAL. The LSEV costs about US$ 10 thousand, approximately R$ 35 thousand.
What about you, would you like to have one?
Content published in March 28, 2018
What Braskem is doing about it?
Braskem develops research and partnerships for the development of plastic resins for 3D printing. One of the projects is the partnership with Made In Space, a leading US company in the development of 3D printers for operation in zero gravity and a supplier to NASA. In this initiative, called Printing the Future, Braskem helped the man take another important step in bringing the 3D printing and the Green Plastic, made of sugar cane, to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2016.
In addition: the second step of Printing the Future will be held this year when a plastic recycler will be sent to our International Space Station (ISS) and will transform every plastic waste of the station into a filament to be used in the 3D printer. Therefore, Braskem and Made In Space will promote the first commercial plastic recycling operation in the history of space missions.
After the arrival in space of I’m greenTM plastic for the 3D printing of tools, astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) now may start using, by 2018, a recycler of plastic objects and packaging that would improve the autonomy and sustainability of future missions beyond our planet.


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Brexit blamed for Toblerone’s weight loss in UK
British consumers of Toblerone are blaming Brexit for an 11.7 per cent reduction in the weight of their chocolate of choice and are outraged that they have received no reduction in price.
The weight reduction by 20g to 150g was achieved by widening the spaces between the triangles.
One consumer complained that the bar’s characteristic “peaks and valleys” which used to look like the Swiss Alps now look more like Holland.
This follows two cases in the same month where British prices were raised to offset higher costs for the product in the wake of the Brexit vote.
Mondelez International, the maker of the treat which first appeared in 1908, says that Brexit is not to blame. They say that ingredient prices are higher globally.
Poundland, the UK discounter which sells goods for One pound, had resisted the market price increase.
It is unclear if the new Toblerone bar will be sold in Australia where the bar has previously attracted criticism for not conforming to the label-designated serving size.
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LEADING US food and beverage industry news site, FOODDIVE has announced its Company of the Year.


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Back in February, Switzerland exported gold to mainland China for the first time since September. Shipments also flowed into India and Thailand, which hit multi-year highs. This resurgence in demand seems to suggest that Asian gold demand is on the rise. Perhaps these markets are on the mend from the COVID-19 economic shock. Last year, Chinese, Indian, and Thai demand halted as the pandemic spread. The demand for gold actually struggled to recover the most in China but seems to be rising once again.
Gold Demand in Asia
Back in August, the gold price set a new record for its all-time high price. However, there has been a subsequent decline in the gold price ever since. Most of the gold demand in Asia is for jewelry, and buyers were disillusioned from high prices. Now that the gold price is decreasing, it appears that the retail market for gold is recovering.
Customs data from Switzerland indicate that back in February, India received about 56.6 tonnes of gold, Thailand imported 11.2 tonnes, China accepted 2 tonnes, and Hong Kong received 1 tonne. What is so significant about this is this is the largest order sent to India since April 2019. Additionally, Thailand did not receive this much since August 2018. Hong Kong also has not placed such a massive order since September. What is most important about this is India and China are among the top two gold importers, and Thailand is a regional trade hub.
This indicates that gold demand is returning, lining up with various celebrations that require gold as part of the festivities.
Here is the official data:
SWISS TRADE DATA (KG)
To China To Hong Kong To India To the U.S. To Britain
Feb-21 2,000 1,045 56,472 12,031 77
Jan-21 0 28 38,696 16,666 5,216
Feb-20 2,000 10 9,591 361 9,256
* Source: Swiss customs. Data subject to revision by source.
Gold Price Today
As you can see from the past month, gold demand has had its ups and downs but is mostly on the rise. It peaked at the end of February and fell after upbeat news regarding unemployment, reopening economies, and a stronger US dollar.
However, Peter Schiff and others are sounding the alarm that inflation is on the horizon. In his eyes, the Federal Reserve is in a trap. He said to Kitco that the Treasury can either raise interest rates to bankrupt the Treasury or bankrupt the American people as inflation becomes unsustainable.
“How does [the Fed] fight that inflation without bankrupting the U.S. government? The answer is it can’t. My thinking is, if it can’t fight inflation without bankrupting the U.S. government, it won’t fight the inflation, which means it bankrupts the public because it destroys the value of the dollar.”
This fear around inflation may rally investors to return to alternative investments like gold and cryptocurrency. Although gold demand has not picked up since August, analysts suggest that it is hitting a resistance level at $1,750. Jesse Felder of The Felder Report investment newsletter, states that the price of gold over the last seven months is a healthy correction. He also says the biggest threat to gold markets and gold demand is rising bond yields. Currently, these yields are at their highest level in over a year. So, he suggests investors pay close attention to real yields, including rising inflation. The gold demand, and price, will increase as a direct result of rising inflation.
An additional bullish factor for gold is rising government debt.
“Currently, the CBO estimates that the 2021 deficit will be $2.3 trillion, slightly less than last year’s total. However, this does not include the $1.9 trillion stimulus package recently passed by congress. Nor does it include the possibility of a new $3 trillion infrastructure package which is currently being planned by the administration.”
He finishes by saying that gold’s abilities as an inflation hedge remain untarnished as he rallies in support of gold. Deficits are nowhere near peaking, and the gold market is yet to price in the new spending.
Grab Your Gold from Bullion Exchanges
With the recent fall in the prices of gold and silver, now could be a good time to buy in while precious metals are less expensive. Take a look at some of our new inventory for each metal, and do not forget to check out our Deals page to save even more! No matter where you are in the US, you can take advantage of our online store. We are always happy to provide you with numismatic coins and precious metal bullion in gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and rhodium.