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Actor and director Idris Elba has signed a global multi-book deal with HarperCollins Children's Books (HCCB) for a range of titles, set to launch in... Read more
Scholastic UK has partnered with Black Cultural Archives for a book to celebrate the Windrush generation and the 40th anniversary of the heritage centre and... Read more
Walker Books has acquired a non-fiction title from Rudimental band member Leon “Locksmith” Rolle and author Derek Owusu.
Indie publishing is where all the innovation in the trade takes place, Sam Missingham claimed, as the Inpress Festival of Publishing celebrated the work of small... Read more
Authors have discussed the importance of perspectives on mental health when considering diversity and inclusion, with Rose Cartwright revealing she walked away from a traditional publishing... Read more
London-based production company Second Generation has secured the dramatic rights to Ashley Hickson-Lovence’s debut novel The 392 (OWN IT!).
Multimedia publisher OWN IT! will co-publish a poetry collection edited by Stormzy’s co-author Jude Yawson in conjunction with BBC 1Xtra, as part of a new... Read more
Multimedia publisher OWN IT! has announced a yearly membership subscription via their newly launched website.
OWN IT! will publish former secondary school teacher Ashley Hickson-Lovence’s debut novel after founder and publisher Crystal Mahey-Morgan acquired the rights in a deal negotiated... Read more
OWN IT! has acquired world rights to a book, Soccology, about the psychology behind football, by former professional footballer Kevin George.... Read more


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CPSC Recalls Retail Mobile Power Bars
Popular And Growing Product Category
A popular and growing product category is in the spotlight today, after the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced this week that it is recalling a retail mobile power charger because the item can overheat and pose a fire hazard.
The product in question, which was branded as the Vibe USB Mobile Power Bar, was sold in Five Below stores between January and March of this year and was imported from China by Edison, NJ-based DGL Group Ltd, a company that’s not listed as a supplier or distributor with ASI. The CPSC recalled nearly 100,000 of the items, and said consumers should immediately stop using the power bars, unplug them from electrical outlets, and return them to DGL or Five Below for a refund.
“DGL Group has received six reports of incidents involving melted parts, smoking, leaking batteries and fire resulting in reports of bursting power bars and minor property damage,” the CPSC said in its written statement announcing the recall. “No injuries have been reported.”
Suppliers in the ad specialty market say they’re not necessarily surprised by the mobile power bar recall, stressing that not enough companies – especially in the retail sector – focus on product safety. “There is a tremendous amount of junk in the market due to the consumer’s insatiable appetite for the cheapest product,” Kellie Claudio, vice president of sales for Sweda Company LLC (asi/90305), told Counselor. “It was just a matter of time before there was a recall like this or a supplier having liability issues. Safety is being pushed aside for price.”
Claudio believes it’s imperative for distributors to get educated about the differences in quality of mobile chargers so they can assure clients about the safety of the products. “Get educated on exactly what you’re presenting to clients,” she said. “We guarantee that all of the testing requirements are completed, documentation is handed to our customers, and complete explanation of the important differences between the batteries is explained to our customers.”
Distributors are somewhat split on whether a recall of this magnitude will ultimately impact client buying habits of a product category that’s been growing rapidly over the past year or so – with most believing the items will remain popular. “These chargers have really taken off in our industry,” said Laura Hansen, president of Image Group (asi/230059). “People’s need to stay connected will continue to drive these sales. Distributors just need to use suppliers they trust to ensure the product is of good quality and safe. And, suppliers need to ensure their factories are not cutting any corners in production.”
However, Fred Albrecht, president of Proforma Albrecht & Co. (asi/116308), believes that there could be some impact in the promotional market because of a retail recall like this one. “It can and might scare potential buyers from purchasing similar items,” he said. “Without realizing that it isn’t every power bank that is affected by this recall, a buyer can tend to start to question the validity and safety of similar-looking products.”

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MIAMI — In a moment that brokers across the secondary market spectrum predicted as early as Monday, Super Bowl LIV tickets reached the highest average price in NFL history on Friday morning.
According to fresh TicketIQ data, the total average of all Super Bowl LIV tickets spiked to an average of $10,385 at one point Friday. That represents the costliest peak for any game ticket in NFL history, surpassing the overall per-ticket average achieved for the Super Bowl XLIX matchup between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Super Bowl XLIX saw ticket demand driven by speculators who miscalculated the market, booking an astronomical number of pre-sales that sent prices skyrocketing when demand significantly outstripped supply. Super Bowl LIV, on the other hand, has been driven by strong demand from both the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs fan bases — as well as a more closely regulated secondary market that has carefully released inventory and kept prices high.
“We’ve now passed [the] $10,000 average mark and the ‘get-in’ price [for the cheapest seats] is up 38 percent in the last 24 hours,” said TicketIQ founder Jesse Lawrence. “New all-time high price [and] lots of disappointed fans in Miami who expected prices to drop.”
Another significant driver of demand? The upper bowl “get in” seats — which are typically the easiest to move and most readily available for fans — began drying up in the middle of the week. It caused the cheapest prices to rise, leaving some fans to invest the extra bump in spending and buying some slightly more expensive seats in the lower bowl as well. Essentially, rising “get in” prices have been the tide that has lifted all boats and helped send the average per-ticket prices to levels never seen.
“One plus for fans still looking is that the price difference between lower level and upper level is very slim,” Lawrence said. “The cheapest ticket in lower level is just $300 more than the cheapest upper-level ticket.”
TicketIQ isn’t the only broker seeing high demand in the past 24 hours. TickPick reported that get-in prices jumped 35 percent from Thursday to Friday, as fans who were holding out on falling prices began to see the writing on the wall and made their purchases before the rise continued.
“Inventory has decreased 36 percent since [Thursday], so there is wild fluctuation as fans scramble for last-minute tickets,” said Ben Finfer, a TickPick spokesperson. “Meanwhile, the most expensive available seat, in the ’72 Club is currently listed for $49,000.”
More from Yahoo Sports


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What’s more, this strategic acquisition was completed with Shein purchasing the Missguided brand from Frasers Group for an undisclosed sum, as confirmed by the British retailing group.
Shein’s Response to the Temu Challenge
Shein’s decision to acquire Missguided is a strategic response to the growing threat posed by Temu, an e-commerce platform that has rapidly emulated Shein’s model of delivering affordable goods from Chinese manufacturers to Western consumers.
Furthermore, Temu’s emergence has already impacted Shein’s growth, particularly in the United States, where Temu has managed to match Shein’s scale despite only being in existence for just over a year.
Shein’s Expansion Beyond E-commerce
This partnership could pave the way for Shein to establish a physical retail presence, expanding its footprint beyond the online realm.
Frasers Group’s Strategy Shift
Frasers Group’s decision to sell Missguided to Shein comes just over a year after it acquired the brand out of administration for £20 million, aiming to enhance its offerings for women.
Nevertheless, the company has stated its intention to retain existing staff and explore potential future collaborations with Shein.
Frasers Group’s Stakes in the Fast-Fashion Arena
Frasers Group, founded by billionaire retailer Mike Ashley and known for owning Sports Direct, has been strategically building stakes in online fast-fashion retailers recently, including Asos and Boohoo.
However, independent retail analysts have raised questions about these investments, suggesting that holding a stake in struggling Asos may not be worthwhile unless the company can exert influence to enhance the performance of its premium brands.
The Advantageous Impact on the British Retail Landscape
The acquisition of Missguided by Shein holds several strategic advantages. Firstly, it provides Shein with a strong foothold in the British fashion market, allowing the Chinese-founded company to tap into a well-established customer base and expand its international presence.
Additionally, acquiring Missguided enhances Shein’s brand portfolio, potentially diversifying its product offerings and catering to a broader range of fashion preferences. The synergy between these two fast-fashion giants can also lead to operational efficiencies and cost savings in areas such as supply chain management and marketing.
Moreover, Shein’s investment in Missguided demonstrates its commitment to growth and innovation, as it seeks to stay ahead of competitors like Temu. Overall, this acquisition positions Shein for continued success and competitiveness in the evolving world of fashion retail.
The Potential Disadvantages of This Acquisition
While the acquisition of Missguided by Shein offers several advantages, it also presents potential disadvantages and challenges. One key concern is the risk of brand dilution.
Shein has built a reputation for ultra-affordable fast fashion, whereas Missguided has a distinct brand identity with a different pricing strategy. Merging these two brands may require careful navigation to avoid alienating loyal customers and losing the uniqueness that each brand brings.
Additionally, integrating operations and cultures from different regions and markets can be complex, potentially leading to organisational disruptions and cultural clashes. Furthermore, the undisclosed acquisition cost raises questions about the financial impact on Shein, particularly if the purchase price was substantial.
Therefore, going forward, it will be essential for Shein to execute a seamless integration strategy to ensure that the benefits of this acquisition outweigh the potential drawbacks and to maintain a competitive edge in the highly competitive fashion industry.
Shein’s acquisition of Missguided signifies a bold move in response to the rising competition from Temu, demonstrating the company’s commitment to maintaining its position in the fast-fashion industry.
As Shein continues to expand its reach and explore partnerships, the fashion world watches closely to see how this acquisition will shape the future of both brands and the broader fashion landscape.
Furthermore, the acquisition also highlights the dynamic nature of the fast-fashion sector, with established players like Frasers Group reevaluating their strategies in a rapidly evolving market.


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(FOX 9) - A true sign of spring in the city, the first farmers market in Minneapolis opens Saturday to kick off the 2022 season.
The Farmers Market Annex opens April 23 with the other 18 farmers markets and mini-markets following over the next several weeks. A full 2022 farmers markets schedule can be viewed HERE.
When the Midtown Farmers Market opens for the season, it returns in its original location at 2225 East Lake Street. The market was the first in the state to allow shoppers to buy food with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and its return is important to the community, according to an announcement.
Applicable at each market, the Market Bucks incentive matches up to $10 worth of coupons per day to customers who use SNAP benefits to buy eligible food at participating farmers markets.
Participating markets are noted in the farmers markets map and downloadable list on the City website.
Farmers market customers in Minneapolis spent more than $182,000 in SNAP and Market Bucks last year using regular and pandemic SNAP dollars.


text: Toyota will commence production of the Prius in Thailand, marking the first mass production of the hybrid outside of Japan. Toyota currently produces the Prius at its main plant in central Japan and will start producing the Prius at an existing plant in Thailand in late November. The rise of the yen against the dollar has promted Japanese manufacturers to consider shifting production elsewhere. The Thai plant is located about 110 kilometres southeast of Bangkok and has a capacity to produce 200,000 units a year. Toyota will make an unspecified number of Prius cars at the Thai plant to satisfy local Thai demand.


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The Verizon 2016 Data Breach Investigations Report details findings pulled from a sampling of more than 100,000 incidents and 2,260 data breaches. The 85-page report is certainly worth a read for anyone interested in information security. For those in a hurry, here are a few of the key points I saw:
In light of the increased pressure created by Chinese espionage indictments and other high visibility breaches, enterprises might be tempted to invest in so-called cutting edge technologies. When news stories put a spotlight on cybersecurity, technology companies jump at the opportunity to tout their latest and greatest cure-all solutions. Anti-malware, AV, IPS don’t have magical abilities to stop every attack or plug every vulnerable gap.
Since the 2014 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report was released last week, you’ve likely been flooded with stats and findings from the report. The report does contain a vast array of fascinating data for even the most casual in the cyber security field – from pondering the renaissance of RAM scraping during the ‘year of the retailer breach’ to debating the ebb and flow of trends in criminal motivation such as financial gain and ideology. However, the most significant development I observed in this year’s report was a change in the report itself.
The Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report 2013 clearly demonstrated that small and midsize businesses are as susceptible to advanced threats as large enterprises. The report indicated that SMBs are targets of espionage and financial fraud. Small businesses are often times the creators and innovators of valuable intellectual property (IP) and its incredibly important that SMBs be extremely concerned about protecting their business from espionage, advanced threats and cyber attacks. The impact of a data breach on SMBs can be downright devastiving.
According the recently released annual Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), 8 percent of breaches are discovered by the victim organization. Shouldn’t this stat be incredibly higher? As soon as a breach occurs, shouldn’t an organization be right on top of it? As ComptuerWeekly.com’s UK Bureau Chief Ron Condon writes in a recent article, “[This latest statistic is] an indicator of missed opportunities to more promptly and thoroughly analyze log data to identify malicious activity on their networks.”
We have talked a lot about the need for unified situational awareness lately, but did you ever stop to think about the implications of why you may need this level of security or who and what may be at risk?


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Consider us excited.
Many of us were bummed when Xioami’s Mi Mix Fold was only going to be a China-only device. But leaker @stufflistings, also known as Mukul Sharma, said there’s a possibility that foldable smartphone could make their way to international markets for everyone to enjoy.
Sharma claimed to have found a model number that is associated with the device on the Indian IMEI database. While is not solid evidence that the device is launching outside China, it is possible that a global release is being planned considering the number of users who are interested in getting it.
Priced around $1,540 (5,656 AED), the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold is noticeably cheaper than its competitors – the Galaxy Fold from Samsung and the Mate X from Huawei. The display of the Mi Mix Fold folds inward, and when opened reveals a stunning 8-inch 2K display. Along with that, there’s also a 108-megapixel sensor with ‘liquid lens’ technology plus a custom-made ISP that offers high-quality images.
We may have to wait and see until Xiaomi officially announces the Mi Mix Fold for global release – until then, we’re left wishing and hoping that we can get our hands on it soon.


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With the BlackBerry Q10 release date quickly approaching, there has been a lot of debate surrounding the pricing of the first QWERTY BlackBerry 10 device. As we know from previous confirmation, carriers in Canada have set the pricing at $199 with a three-year contract but their US counterparts are looking to price the device higher.
According to Bloomberg and confirmed by BlackBerry, US carriers will sell the BlackBerry Q10 at the suggested price of $249 with the usual two-year contract. When the BlackBerry Z10 was released we saw initial pricing start at $199 and then it went down from there and no doubt we'll see the same happen here but does the initial pricing factor into your buying decision? Makes you wonder.


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195,000 sq ft of lettings during June and July
29 Aug 2008
Derwent London has secured further lettings at Qube, its new office and retail development at 90 Whitfield Street, London W1, to Geronimo Communications, part of the Tribal Group plc and Space NK Ltd, and has pre-let 15,900 sq ft of office space at Gordon House, Francis Street, London, SW1 to The Benefit Express Ltd.
Tribal, a leading provider of consultancy services to the public sector, has taken 12,150 sq ft, on the third floor of the building. The tenant has taken the space on a 10 year lease at a rent of £58.00 per sq ft, equating to £705,000 per annum, rising to a minimum of £60.00 per sq ft on first review. The tenant has an option to break at year five and has been granted a six month rent free period.
In addition, Space NK, a leading contemporary beauty product store, has taken 1,270 sq ft in a ground floor retail unit fronting Tottenham Court Road. The tenant has taken a new 10 year lease at a base rent of £50,000 per annum plus an additional turnover rent with a personal option to break at year five.
With lettings also secured to advertising company, Aegis Media, and sushi restaurant chain, itsu, earlier in the year, approximately a third of Qube is now let. In the latest of a series of pre-lets for the Company, The Benefit Express, an HR solutions firm, has taken 15,900 sq ft of office accommodation at Gordon House, SW1, part of the 127,300 sq ft multi-let Greencoat and Gordon House office complex. The space comprises the fully refurbished third and fourth floors and the newly constructed fifth floor penthouse suite. The lease is for a 10 year term, at a rent of £860,000 per annum, with a tenant’s option to break at year five and a 14 month rent free period.
John Burns, Chief Executive of Derwent London, comments: "It is encouraging that we have been able to secure these lettings in difficult market conditions. We are pleased to have achieved another pre-let, following the substantial pre-let of over half of our Angel scheme last month. These transactions endorse Derwent London's ability to continue to attract occupiers and bring value to its portfolio through successfully applying its unique design-led strategy and mid-market positioning.“
Derwent London was advised by Jones Lang LaSalle, Edward Charles on Qube offices, by CBRE and CWM on Qube retail and by King Sturge and Pilcher Hershman on Gordon House.


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Federated Farmers receives threat to contaminate dairy infant formula product:
Federated Farmers has confirmed it has received a threat to sabotage New Zealand infant formula with the pesticide 1080.
The anonymous letter was received at Federated Farmers Wellington offices in late November. It was addressed to the Chief Executive Graham Smith.
The letter was accompanied by an enclosed plastic bag containing a powder.
Federated Farmers gave the letter and bag to the Police. . .
Fonterra Acknowledges Threat Investigation:
Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited acknowledges the announcement by the New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Government about an investigation into a criminal threat relating to the Government’s use of Sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) poison as pest control to protect the country’s native flora and fauna.
The Government said today that there was no health risk to consumers. It has assessed the likelihood of the threat being carried out as ‘extremely low’. For further information please go to: http://www.foodprotection.govt.nz
Fonterra Chief Executive Theo Spierings said the criminal threat targeted New Zealand and the entire dairy industry. . .
Westland says its products are safe:
Westland Milk Products, New Zealand’s second biggest dairy cooperative, says there is no evidence that the safety of its products has been compromised by a threat to contaminate infant and other dairy formula with sodium monoflouroacetate (1080).
CEO Rod Quin says, “We are very confident that our products are secure while within our manufacturing and distribution systems,” he says. . .
Synlait Milk confident in its food safety systems:
Synlait Milk is confident that its food safety systems and security standards protect the integrity of its products.
They have been specifically designed to protect against threats such as that announced today by the New Zealand Police and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said Managing Director Dr. John Penno.
“Food safety and product quality is our highest priority. Our standards and systems reflect this,” said Dr. Penno. . .
NZ infant formula among safest in world:
Mothers in New Zealand and around the world can be assured that infant formula sourced in New Zealand is among the safest available anywhere, says the Infant Nutrition Council.
Chief Executive Jan Carey deplored the anonymous threats made to Fonterra and Federated Farmers.
She says infant formula manufacturers and exporters in New Zealand have full confidence in the safety of their products and in the security of their manufacturing processes.
“These products made in New Zealand are safe and always have been safe.
“We are absolutely confident about the safety of infant formula manufacturing in New Zealand and the products sold in supermarkets. . .
Nominations Open for Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards 2015:
Nominations are now open for this annual event that champions the country’s top performing sheep farmers, breeders, and industry innovators.
The fourth Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards will take place in Invercargill on Wednesday 1 July 2015.
“It’s fitting that the New Zealand sheep industry recognises and rewards its top performers, and in doing so profiles the significant contribution it makes to the New Zealand economy,” says Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) chief executive, Dr Scott Champion.
“Productivity levels have improved dramatically over the past 20. Lambing percentages are 20 per cent higher than they were in 1995, and lamb carcase weights are up 28 per cent. . .
Future of Farming – NZ Landcare Trust:
Former Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment and current Chair of WWF-NZ Dr Morgan Williams was the guest speaker at a recent Community Catchment Management Workshop organised by NZ Landcare Trust in Murchison. The programme also included presentations from community farming representatives, who highlighted the benefits and successes of community involvement within projects in this region.
Dr Williams began by voicing his support for the work rural communities are doing in sustainable catchment management projects, before outlining his perspectives on broader global and national issues shaping agriculture. . .
Career Changes Clean-up in Auckland/Hauraki Dairy Awards:
The three major winners in the 2015 Auckland/Hauraki Dairy Industry Awards had all switched careers to dairy farming in recent years.
The 2015 Auckland/Hauraki Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year, Evan and Jan Billington had been in the New Zealand Police and teaching until seven years ago, while the region’s Farm Manager of the Year, James Foote, had been a professional rugby player, and the 2015 Auckland/Hauraki Dairy Trainee of the Year, Royce King, was a plumber and gas fitter. . .
All-Rounder Wins Waikato Dairy Awards Title:
The 2015 Waikato Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Aaron Price, has it all – he’s a young, fit, professional, married man with a plan. He’s also persistent and great to have in the community.
Mr Price, aged 29 years, took out the major title at last night’s 2015 Waikato Dairy Industry Awards, with his win netting him $22,000 in prizes.
The other big winners at the region’s awards dinner held at the Claudelands Events Centre were Paul and Kate Manion, the 2015 Waikato Farm Managers of the Year, and Brett Steeghs, the Waikato Dairy Trainee of the Year. . .
Housing cows not the only way to increase production – Wayne McNee:
The recent visit by Professor Aalt Dijkhuizen, the president of Topsector Agri and Food in the Netherlands, raised some interested points about how New Zealand dairy farmers can learn from their Dutch counterparts.
But there was a flaw in his argument – profitability and efficiency did not seem to feature highly.
The two go hand in hand here. Profit is the ultimate goal for New Zealand dairy farmers, regardless of the system or technology utilised.
The best way to make a profit is by breeding animals that will efficiently, and repeatedly, convert feed into quality, high-value milk. . .
Fledgling agri-food course whetting student appetites:
A new multi-disciplinary degree course taking food production beyond the farm gate and onto the world stage is experiencing 150 per cent growth in new enrolment numbers in only the second year it has been offered at Lincoln University.
Developed to meet the needs of an industry decrying a lack of graduates prepared for careers in the agri-food supply chain the Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing degree (B.AFM) has gone from 20 students in 2014 to 50 students this year.
It is one of the success stories at Lincoln University’s Te Waihora campus which has seen good growth in new student enrolments in 2015, both for New Zealand and international students. . .
Moving stock? Think about your Theileria risks:
Industry body DairyNZ is warning farmers to assess the risks to their herds from the tick-borne disease Theileria if they are moving stock this autumn and winter.
DairyNZ veterinarian and technical policy advisor, Nita Harding, says stock out at grazing such as heifers that will be coming onto the farm could pose a risk, or be at risk of Theileria, depending on the situation on farm.
Nita says farmers can help the industry and veterinarians manage and prevent the spread of the disease if they are moving cattle between Theileria zones this season. . .
Giesen stamps mark in China:
Giesen Wines is earning a growing following in China, where it has been exporting for the past five years.
Its wines recently won acclaim at China’s largest and most prestigious wine competition, CWSA (China Wines & Spirits Awards), which brings together winemakers from all over the world to compete in a blind tasting. Giesen’s haul included a trophy, two double golds, five golds, and it was named the CWSA Marlborough Winery of the Year.
General manager Kyle Skene said Giesen’s total wine portfolio is exported to China, including Giesen Estate, The Brothers (Reserve) and Single Vineyard series. Its wines are sold across 12 Chinese cities and seven provinces. . . .


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DKT and Allseas Tie Up and Secure New Business
UK – INDIA - DKT Allseas Shipping has been appointed as the UK liner agent and representative for the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). Taking over the agency with effect from November 1, DKT Allseas Shipping will be based in Tilbury, Essex. DKT, otherwise known as the De Keyser Thornton Group, was founded in Antwerp in 1853, and has many years of experience in ship agency and freight forwarding activities and earlier this month seemingly tied up in the UK with the Nottingham based Allseas Group, with Allseas Global Logistics Managing Director Darren Wright also heading up the new company.
The new agency agreement is based on a longstanding relationship, DKT having been SCI's agent in Belgium since 2008. The UK venture will add an in-depth knowledge of the UK market to the services it currently offers. SCI, India's largest shipping company, operates two services a week into the UK, both calling at the Port of Felixstowe in a vessel-sharing agreement. Last year, SCI's services carried a total of 41,000 TEU in imports and exports into and out of the UK, and 25,000 TEU into and out of Antwerp. Philip Van Tilburg, CEO of DKT, commented:
"We hope that this collaboration opens the door for other ship agency opportunities in the near future."


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Audi’s electric car has now become a daily companion for drivers around the world.
The Audi brand is on a roll with electric vehicles.
Audi recently unveiled its new E-tron, a small crossover that is equipped with an electric motor that produces electricity.
The E-Tron, however, has not been available in the United States.
It was first introduced in China, where Audi’s luxury brand is headquartered, in 2015.
Audi has sold over 20 million E-ts.
The new Audi electric car is the brand’s first new vehicle since the introduction of the electric sedan in 2012.
The company is making another big splash in electric vehicles with the introduction last month of the i3, a compact SUV with an all-electric engine.
The i3’s main selling point is its ability to travel a distance of up to 140 miles on a single charge.
The car, which is equipped not with a battery, but with a hydrogen fuel cell, has a range of about 300 miles.
Audi is also selling its new electric SUV, the e-trio, a large SUV that will hit the market later this year.
The e-taquo, which has a starting price of $69,000, is powered by an electric engine that produces less than 1 kilowatt-hour of energy.
The new e-cars are also part of Audi’s strategy to create an all electric future for its products.
In October, Audi unveiled the E-mobiles, which will be sold at $50,000.
Audi is planning to sell more e-mobilos and plug-in hybrids later this decade, according to the company’s blog.
The company is also developing an electric version of its new Audi A4 sedan, which it is planning for a 2020 launch.
The brand’s foray into electric vehicles has not always been easy.
It has been difficult to convince customers to purchase a battery-powered electric car over the past few years.
For example, Tesla Motors, maker of the Model S electric sedan, has been criticized for not selling enough electric vehicles in the U.S. Audi, which competes with Tesla, is trying to solve this problem by offering its cars with battery systems.
The system is similar to Tesla’s Powerwall system, which requires charging of a lithium-ion battery pack at home and in the car.
The Audi electric cars have been a hit with consumers, and Audi has been able to capture a large share of the market for the systems.
The electric car industry is undergoing a renaissance.
Audi and others are now competing against other automakers such as Tesla and Toyota.
The electric car market is expected to reach $1 trillion in 2020, according a recent report by the McKinsey Global Institute.
Audis success with the new Audi E-taquerias was a big step forward.
In November, Audi said it had sold 100,000 of the cars in China.
Audi expects to sell 2 million of the vehicles in China this year, according the company.
The brand has also launched its own e-car, the i-TRAX, which sells for about $40,000 in the country.


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Two reports on the 2018 iPads came out this week, with one saying that Apple will intensify its price strategy next year, and the other report focusing more on features.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is working on a new 10.5 iPad Pro that will get some iPhone X features like facial recognition and slimmer bezels, but no AMOLED display for this iPad yet, at least according to Bloomberg's sources.
The new 10.5 iPad Pro 2 is believed to include a TrueDepth Camera with Face ID support, which then means that the home button with the fingerprint reader could disappear, with the benefit of making more room for the display on the same frame size, much like Microsoft accomplished with the Surface Pro once.
A new Apple pencil and further developed apps with new pen features is also believed to be in development for the new iPad Pro series. And it's also believed that the new iPad Pro's from 2018 of will be launched with the new 7nm A11X chipset.
Apple is estimated to sell 43.8 million iPads by the end of 2017, partially thanks to the new low entry price of $329 for the iPad 9.7 this year. The new iPad Pro will probably not be launched before next summer though.
– Tom Bowen


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On the last day of Parler, the vibe was electric.
It was the weekend after supporters of President Donald Trump had stormed the Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the certification of the election. With just more than a 24-hour warning, the “free speech social network” and aspiring Twitter alternative was being cut off by its cloud-hosting provider, Amazon Web Services. There were all-caps claims that “antifa” was actively taking over New York City, dressed in riot gear. There was rampant speculation about whether Trump had invoked the Insurrection Act, for reasons unclear. There was discussion of how Parler’s removal from the internet might be an event proving the validity of the QAnon conspiracy theory, the beginning of a mythical “10 days of darkness,” to precede the violent denouement of a global satanic plot. The company’s CEO, John Matze, posted frenzied promises: “I believe Amazon, Google, Apple worked together to try and ensure they don’t have any competition. They will NOT win!” he wrote. “We are the world’s last hope for free speech and free information.”
Then, at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 10, the site went down. After the riot, tech giants were pushed to act, and act they did—representing the broadest admission yet, from the industry itself, that online platforms are culpable for the offline violence they tacitly cultivate. First, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Trump would be locked out of his account “indefinitely,” then Twitter permanently banned him. Images and videos shared from the riot were removed from Facebook, and more than 70,000 QAnon accounts disappeared from Twitter. Amazon’s move to cut off Parler was part of this wave, and it was nearly unprecedented—the last major Amazon Web Services deplatforming was of WikiLeaks in 2010.


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RDO Equipment snags Sakai dealer award
The North Dakota-based, family-run business operates 76 dealerships in 10 states. It represents Sakai in Central Texas, Arizona and Southern California.
“We are pleased to be the Sakai dealer of the year and appreciate the recognition," ” RDO Vice President Daryl Shelton said. "Sakai complements our overall product offering and has been a contributor to our rental growth and market strategy. Sakai makes reliable products that are well-received by our customers who purchase and/or rent for their fleets.”
The award was based on metrics that include both volume and total sales.
Sakai also recognized four top regional dealers in the Northeast, West, Midwest and Southeast.
Denver Weinstiger, vice president of Sakai sales and product support, said, its dealers are the ones who deserve all the credit.
“Sakai has had an outstanding year thanks to the hard work and personal commitment of our dealers,” he said. “We strongly commend Daryl Shelton and his team in Texas, and Dennis Howard and his team in the Southwest for their efforts in promoting Sakai for RDO.”


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Economy gains £40,000 boost from Sunderland City Gift Card scheme
The pioneering Sunderland City Gift Card is proving a huge success – giving the local economy a £40,000 boost within weeks of it launching.
The card scheme, the result of a partnership between Sunderland BID and Sunderland City Council, saw more than 100 businesses sign up to accept it initially, a number which continues to grow.
It’s aimed at supporting local business while allowing recipients to redeem the cards at a wide range of venues, from retail and hotel stays to meals out, entertainment and hair and beauty treatments. The gift cards are valid for 12 months and can help sustain the local economy while also being a handy Christmas gift.
So far, 1700 cards have already been sold, to a mix of individuals and companies which are choosing to use them to reward staff and customers.
Sharon Appleby, Head of Business Operations at Sunderland BID, said the response had been overwhelming – from both companies and the public.
“We’ve been thrilled not only by the number of businesses which have signed up to accept the card but also by the variety,” she said.
“That means that the recipient will have a huge choice of places to spend it. We have everyone from high street retailers to Sunderland’s unique independents on board as well as everyone from restaurants to hotels, so there really is something for everyone.”
Sharon also thanked companies in the city which have chosen to buy the cards as a reward for staff.
“We are constantly promoting the shop local message and this is something that people have taken to heart,” said Sharon.
“And the gift card is really easy to do just that.”
The cards can be accepted anywhere that takes Mastercard and can be purchased for amounts between £5 and £500 online at www.sunderlandgiftcard.com and then selecting Sunderland.
Any business wanting to sign up should contact [email protected]
The Sunderland Gift Card is part of the Reopening High Streets Safely project, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.


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User @Starlight_1995 posted a video last month, writing in the clip: “I got a small kiwi refresher from Starbucks with no ice and got another cup of ice on the side.”
In the clip, someone opens the cup of ice and then starts to pour the drink into the ice cup.
Once the ice cup is filled up with the drink, someone in the clip holds up the original drink cup, which appears to have a lot of the drink left.
Then, @Starlight_1995 writes: “Buy one drink and get 2 free with no additional charge.”
Since it was posted on TikTok last month, the video has been viewed more than 599,900 times, with more than 30,800 likes.
Commenters on the video had mixed reactions to @Starlight_1995’s trick, with many people saying they had already heard of the hack.
“I love when tiktok rediscovers that ice takes up space in cups,” one person wrote.
Someone else said: “I thought we moved on from this already.”
“It’s called volume,” another person commented.
Some commenters, who claimed to be Starbucks employees, were not impressed by the hack.
“Then y’all wonder why we run out of product.”
“It’s not gonna taste the exact same bc we have to eye ball [sic] how much lemonade and juice to put in,” one person wrote. “That’s bc we put it in a shaker that already tells us how much, & getting it with no ice can kinda mess up how we measure the ingredients. So it’ll be a little different each time. But u do u boo [sic].”
Meanwhile, other commenters – including other Starbucks baristas – said they support the hack.
“You guys sound silly,” one person wrote. “This is a valid way to save money. The company can afford it, relax.”


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Merkel: we should prevent EU-US conflict from becoming trade war
German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned US President Donald Trump against unleashing an all-out trade war after he threatened to impose steep tariffs on cars from the European Union.
In a speech to the Bundestag federal parliament, Merkel said both sides were effectively locked in a "trade conflict" since Trump's decision to slap punitive tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
"It is worthwhile to prevent this conflict from becoming a real war," Merkel said, adding however that this "would require both sides" to take steps.
Taking aim at Trump over his complaint that the EU, and in particular economic powerhouse Germany, is running a massive trade surplus against the US, Merkel said that his calculation is skewed as it is based only on goods, not services.
"If you include services like the digital services, then you have a completely different trade balance sheet, with the US showing a surplus against the EU," AFP cited her as saying.
"It is almost old-fashioned to only calculate goods and not include services," the chancellor said.


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With the launch of futuristic Google Glass sweeping the nation, 2013 is the year of technological ingenuity. Watches have jumped face first on the high-tech bandwagon; what once was a simple timepiece now evolves into a wearable computer. The launch of Pebble, which has internet connected apps, epitomises a new generation of watches, and the technology rumoured for iWatch has sent the world into a frenzy.
So when we were told Hoptroff’s No.10 has started ticking, a watch that uses the same technology as cruise missiles to ensure precision, we realised this watch is in a league of its own.
London’s luxury watch designer and manufacturer Hoptroff wanted to spread the word that a new breed of watches had been born – or rather, had started ticking. But maybe the world wasn’t ready to believe this watch has an accuracy of one and a half seconds per 1000 years? Armed with an image of the watch’s components, and a less than engineering-level understanding of what a microwave resonator status reader meant, we were let loose. We never expected to receive the sheer amount of interest that followed…
The coverage went nuclear. US publications, such as Global Post, covered the story and news channels from as far away as Thailand wrote and tweeted about this remarkable device. #Hoptroff quickly became a tending topic of Twitter. Tony Smith from The Register summed up the innovation and technology that the No.10 has when he asked, ‘Could this be the chronometrist’s ultimate timepiece, the peak of horological haute couture?’
BBC Click were also blown away with the No.10. Armed with cameras and questions, they personally visited Richard Hoproff, the mastermind behind this watch, at his quirky London offices above the Clink Prison. Look out for the upcoming footage of the No.10 and its inventor on BBC News and iPlayer!
Two weeks on from when we first introduced the story to the press we still have plenty of daily requests from journalists who want to cover the story. The success of coverage we achieved just goes to show that, when you have a passion for something (and a PHD in Physics), you can grab the word’s attention with your creation.


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The athletic apparel retailer also boosts site visits by 50% using customer analytics platform AgilOne.
Shape Security constantly rewrites an e-commerce site’s code to make it harder for criminals to cash in.
After criminals steal payment card data and other personal information from consumers, those hackers still need to use those stolen credentials to commit online fraud. A relatively new company called Shape Security aims to erect a digital blockade between those criminals and e-commerce operators.
Hackers who steal such information in massive bunches typically sell that data to other criminals who then use automated “bots” or malicious software in a sort of digital frontal assault to try to log into e-commerce, financial and other sites. The idea is that because so many consumers use weak passwords, or fail to change passwords after cyber attacks, or employ the same passwords and logins for multiple sites, eventually the criminals will succeed, enabling them to make fraudulent purchases or assume control of consumers’ web accounts. Those criminals can employ publicly readable code that governs a site’s user interface to make their way past retailers’ security measures—for instance, such a tactic as a retailer blocking IP addresses that are suspicious.
Shape Security, a startup that made its debut in January, attempts to counter that with a technique it calls “real-time polymorphism.” Simply put, the vendor’s technology enables an e-commerce operator to allow its site to constantly rewrite the underlying code behind the user interface—for instance, the code that governs a site’s login form that greets consumers—which would then hamper the ability of a criminal to get past the login step on a site. “The resulting code breaks malware, bots, or other attacks programmed to submit that form, ” the vendor says, adding that the technology still enables the site to appear as intended to consumers.
Shape Security sells it technology on a subscription basis. The company is targeting larger e-retailers, including one that signed an annual “seven-figure deal,” a Shape Security spokesman says. The hope is that the technology proves appealing to high-profile retailers, sparking interest and sales among other merchants, including smaller ones. The company, though, declines to provide information about its clients or give metrics that further show how well its technology works.
The technology joins a growing list of tactics designed to make online payments secure. They include the use of swiped fingerprints for mobile commerce and the use of tokens, which is encrypted code that represents a consumer’s credit card account number rather than using the actual number. Such a process can help defeat hackers because stealing the scrambled data of the token would not allow them to commit fraud.


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Meet The Real John Lewis, The Man Who Stars In The Brand’s Christmas Campaign On Twitter
#NotARetailStore! A US lecturer named John Lewis famed for being mistaken and becomes the star of the brand’s Christmas celebration this year.
Every year, John Lewis receives a big amount of tweets from people who think that they’re contacting the department store and last year he received 50,000 tweets. Lewis’ responses got the #NotARetailStore hashtag makes him a real fun person.
Collaborated with The Romans, Twitter UK is celebrating his story in a holiday campaign named after his signature hashtag. The spot is filmed at his own home in Blacksburg, Virginia, and shows him doing what he does this time of year – dealing with the tweets mentioning John Lewis the company.
It pays homage to the tradition of the John Lewis Christmas ad, with references to previous years’ holiday campaigns including last years’ Buster the boxer. The spot says tagline as, Join the conversation.
John Lewis commented,
I think it’s hilarious that people mistake me for the UK store and I do my best to direct them to the right place. I see a massive spike in tweets at this time of year and I always watch the John Lewis ad, especially as it becomes a huge part of my Twitter conversation. I find it absolutely fascinating that Twitter UK has chosen me to star in their Christmas film. Hopefully, people will be kind about my acting skills; I am no Elton John but, who knows, maybe I’ll get tweets about my own film this year.
Founder and Creative Director of The Romans, Joe Mackay-Sinclair said,
The perennial story of @JohnLewis patiently replying to tweets is one that has delighted the UK for years and truly captures the spirit of Christmas. We’re very pleased to have been able to finally let John be the star of his own campaign.
John Lewis the retailer was quick to reply, not long after the spot aired,
— Twitter UK (@TwitterUK) November 19, 2018
Any publisher who says they have never been mistaken the company’s account in Twitter? This is an incredible way of marketing and offers us a chance to witness the brand’s strong sense of humor!


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Lower footfall sees profits drop at Starbucks
21/04/2017 - 12:54
Gross profit at Starbucks UK fell to £80,909,786 in the 53 week period ended October 2nd 2016 from £107,192,144 in the 2015 financial year.
Written by Andrew McClean
Like for like sales were up 1%, but profit before tax fell from £34,216,739 in 2015 to £13,382,364 in 2016. Starbucks’ operating margin fell from 6.9% to 1.7%.
Martin Brok, president, Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said: "Whilst there are undoubted challenges presented by a more cautious consumer environment, lower high street footfall, and adverse currency impacts, we are investing significantly to drive innovation in our food and coffee offering, and are greatly encouraged by our customers’ response.
“We also continue to focus on strategically remodelling our store portfolio to reflect changing customer demands. The UK remains one of the most important EMEA markets for us and we will continue to grow where our customers want to find us.”
During the year, Starbucks has invested in lighter food options, including seasonal fresh fruit pots, salads and wraps. The company also raised all employee wages, regardless of age, to National Living Wage.


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Blog: Premier sanguine about UK retailers' own-label push
Dean Best | 23 September 2011
Premier Foods, the UK's largest food manufacturer and owner of brands from Mr Kipling cakes to Saxo stuffing, yesterday (22 September) set out its plans for the Christmas trading period.
Before we tucked into a festive lunch, Premier outlined its position in the UK's ambient sector, in which, it said, a number of categories "over-trade" in the run-up to Christmas. For instance, thirty-two per cent of all gravy sales are made in the fourth quarter of the year and Premier pointed to its "leading share" in the sector (Bisto accounts for 75% of sales, it says).
Ambient is the most shopped category in the UK over Christmas. Premier's festive activity includes the addition of new SKUs to certain ranges, notably to its Mr Kipling and Cadbury cakes portfolios.
"Ambient showed great growth in 2010 and there is no reason for that not be the case in 2011. It offers value for the money and the opportunity to spread the cost of Christmas," Bea Avery, head of category strategy at Premier, said.
Premier's brand portfolio should leave it well placed to benefit from added interest in ambient categories at Christmas but, this year, the company, alongside other UK suppliers, is facing retail customers putting more emphasis on their own 'brands'.
As we've reported, Sainsbury's is relaunching its core By Sainsbury's private-label range, while next month, Morrisons plans to announce an overhaul of its own-label portfolio.
Industry watchers have warned that the moves could hit UK suppliers.
MF Global analyst Andy Smith said last week that the moves indicated there is "no let-up in pressure on mid-cap players" like Premier. He said: "Own-label is an increasing area of focus for UK supermarkets. Last year, Asda re-launched its core own-brand range and Morrisons will extend its own-brand range in October. We see this increased focus as negative for mid-cap branded food players such as Premier Foods."
At Premier's HQ yesterday, however, Avery was sanguine about the investment retailers were putting behind own label. "Consumers want to buy brands they trust. That's where brands provide a really safe choice," she told just-food.
The briefing was held just hours before Tesco announced an overhaul of its promotional strategy. The UK's largest retailer plans to cut GBP500m from the price of thousands of items in revamp of its promotional strategy.
On the face of it, such a major initiative could have an impact on suppliers' margins. Looking at the detail of Tesco's plans, it also indicated that "most of the investment" would be on cutting prices of its own-label lines, another sign of the renewed emphasis UK retailers are putting on private label.
The news would have been read at Premier's HQ in St Albans with interest.
A year after union officials alleged Fyffes abused workers on plantations in Central America - and called on the produce giant to be kicked out of the Ethical Trading Initiative forum - the company is...
Much of the chatter about where 3G Capital could look next has centred on packaged food - but might the private-equity fund be about to extend its foodservice empire?...
Headlines that Mead Johnson's board has backed Reckitt Benckiser's takeover bid will no doubt overshadow the other news on the group this week – that it is facing a US lawsuit from a “whistle blower” ...
Kantar Worldpanel issued its monthly supermarket share data in the UK this morning - and the numbers showed a change in the identity of the country's top five food retailers....
- Does Kraft Heinz want to swallow Unilever whole?
- Focus: Nestle CEO plan to balance sales, earnings
- US food next wave on display at Winter Fancy Food
- Comment: Meal kits in US - don't believe the hype
- Why Reckitt Benckiser moved for Mead Johnson
- Kraft Heinz pursuing Unilever in takeover move
- Kraft Heinz pulls Unilever bid
- General Mills issues profit warning
- Kerry operating earnings strengthen on slow sales
- Kerry Group staff in Ireland suspend strike action


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City will see major changes begin
Lincoln has plenty going for it and is poised to benefit from a pick-up in the economy as 2014 gets underway.
After another challenging year, long-standing independent and national retailers are looking forward to welcoming more shoppers, keen to see the return of the city’s first-time festive visitors and determined to encourage people to spend more time shopping and exploring Lincoln’s tourist attractions.
Lincoln Business Improvement Group (Lincoln BIG) has devised a busy calendar bursting with events and it is looking to build on a range of initiatives aimed at supporting traders, driving up footfall and, in turn, business fortunes.
Lincoln BIG chief executive, Matt Corrigan said: “Lincoln prides itself on its ability to offer shoppers a fantastic mix of national and niche shopping, whether people find themselves in the lower, central or upper High Street, the Cornhill, Sincil Street, The Strait, Steep Hill or Bailgate areas.
“The city continues to have the power to attract more well-known retailers and is also a magnet for niche ventures. Budding entrepreneurs are encouraged and given a warm welcome.
“But Lincoln is on the brink of major physical changes, thanks to heavy investment on the infrastructure and transportation fronts and these will create further opportunities which need to be grasped,” said Mr Corrigan.
“In Brayford Wharf East, work has already started on the first of two new pedestrian footbridges which will span the railway – the second will be built in the High Street itself.
“Work is also due to begin on the long-awaited East-West Link Road in September, which could lead to the prospect of pedestrianising the stretch of the High Street between the railway and St Mark’s area.
“These, together with a longer-term plan to combine the railway station with the bus station to create a new transport interchange, are all designed to help the city to work more cohesively and be more attractive and welcoming to visitors.”
Businesses are also looking forward to a start being made on the city’s Eastern Bypass in the autumn. It is expected to take two years to complete.
Returning to the High Street, today’s shopper will notice that further progress has been made on the £9 million transformation of the Waterside Shopping Centre, paving the way for new arrival H&M later this year and a city centre branch of Next.
High Street fashion house River Island is due to launch its new outlet in mid-February, following the construction of the outlet on the site of two old units (just doors away from its current High Street home).
Shoppers who have not visited the city’s upper High Street for some time will find long-standing favourites such as Ruddocks – established for more than 100 years – continuing to trade alongside more recent arrivals, such as Carluccio’s.
This section of the High Street offers everything from a real mix of retailers to themed bars – but its enhancement by way of investments is not all down to the city’s newer arrivals. Ruddocks recently expanded with the launch of a traditional tearoom, Henry’s.
The quirky Strait continues to buzz with long-established businesses such as Goodies Sweet Shop, which has been joined by enterprises such as The Cheese Society Shop – following an expansion move by Kate O’Meara, who also owns The Cheese Society Café in St Martin’s Lane.
Visitors and shoppers willing to tackle the challenge of a climb up Lincoln’s award-winning 2,000-year-old Steep Hill will be rewarded with the chance to discover more niche shops, eateries and galleries, as well as Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle. And more retail therapy is waiting in the popular Bailgate area.
The city’s Lindongate project remains high on Lincoln’s development wish-list. Lindongate would see the transformation of part of Lincoln city centre. It includes plans for a major amount of high quality retail space, improved pedestrian access, a new footbridge, city centre parking spaces, riverside restaurants and a public transport interchange.
Led by Lincolnshire Co-operative and commercial agent Banks Long & Co the development was granted outline planning permission by the City of Lincoln Council in October 2012.
Lincolnshire Co-operative spokeswoman, Emma Snedden said: “Work is continuing to bring the Lindongate scheme forward. We were pleased to accomplish one of the first small steps in 2013, which was the demolition of the old Grand Hotel and the creation of a new temporary shoppers’ car park, which is being run by the City of Lincoln Council.
“As this is such a major development, there is a huge amount of work that needs to be done behind the scenes, involving a lot of parties, before each element of the scheme can progress. Those efforts are ongoing. We believe we’ll have further news to share later in 2014.”
Tourism – which currently attracts 3.4 million visitors a year to Lincoln – contributes £140m annually to the local area and this is expected to grow over the coming months.
Visit Lincoln Partnership manager, Emma Tatlow said: “A vibrant and growing visitor economy has a positive impact on a place. It leads to increased investment, higher footfall and, therefore, more people spending money locally.”
Tourism also supports new and exciting cultural activities and events. Lincolnshire Chamber said that, while businesses had continued to cope with tough challenges during 2013, 2014 had been greeted with greater optimism as signs of renewed economic confidence returned to the county’s economy.
That had been recognised after the Quarterly Economic Business Survey – which gives a snapshot of the health of Lincolnshire’s economy – recorded three consecutive quarters of growth in 2013.
Chamber chief executive, Simon Beardsley said: “Lincoln is a vibrant city, with a great mix of activities, and the Lincolnshire Chamber supports the visitor economy through the Visit Lincoln project, which promotes the city as a great place to work, visit, live and study.
“This has provided opportunities to work with Lincolnshire’s tourism businesses and provide them with the tools they need to flourish and make Lincoln an attractive destination for investment.”
Mr Beardsley added: “The Chamber has seen a rise in its membership and I’m looking forward to refreshing its support packages for businesses working in all sectors.”
The continued success of Lincoln’s businesses means that it is vital they have access to the skilled workers they need to meet a rise in demand for their products and services. This is an area where the city’s higher education establishments are already working hard to stay ahead of the game.
The University of Lincoln, Bishop Grosseteste University and Lincoln College are liaising closely with businesses to produce people who are equipped to hit the ground running when they leave the classroom.
They are also encouraging and supporting new entrepreneurs who, in turn, will hopefully go on to create more local jobs.
THE TOURISM EFFECT
When it comes to driving Lincoln’s prosperity, the city’s multi-million-pound tourism industry certainly has the power to boost its fortunes.
Visit Lincoln Partnership manager, Emma Tatlow said: “Lincoln faces perhaps its most exciting opportunity yet.
“We’ve seen the city grow and change considerably over the past decades. The University of Lincoln, as well as considerable public and private sector investment over the past few years, have driven that change.
“In 2015 Lincoln will be thrust into the international spotlight as the Lincoln Castle Revealed project will be complete in time to open on the 800th Anniversary of the 1215 Magna Carta.
“Development work at the Waterside Shopping Centre will also be finished and the Bomber Command Memorial at Canwick is also due to be delivered in 2015.
“This investment is predicted to significantly increase the number of visitors coming to Lincoln.They will be spending more time and money in the city and this uplift will have an impact on businesses across the city and beyond.”
Shops, pubs and restaurants are expected to benefit, as well as hotels and tourist attractions.
“It is important that this growth is sustainable, that our heritage assets are preserved and that the quality of life for residents is bettered,” said Emma.
“We want to ensure that visitors arriving at the city’s railway station are warmly welcomed and that they can easily get to where they want to be. The welcome at their accommodation needs to be right and the provision of information, signage and the quality on offer are also important.
“A positive experience is likely to lead to that visitor recommending Lincoln to up to eight of their friends and family members, which is an effective way of marketing!”
UNIVERSITY CAMPUS EFFECT
Developments on and around the University of Lincoln’s Brayford campus will continue apace in 2014.
The University is investing in the creation of new research and teaching facilities for the Schools of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Pharmacy.
The new Science and Innovation Park – being created in partnership with Lincolnshire Co-operative – will provide over 6,000 square metres of new teaching, learning and research space. It will also bring together previously separate groups of researchers and enable a whole new generation of scientists to join the University’s research community.
The migration of furniture, equipment and staff is expected to take place in July and August 2014, ahead of the full building operation from September 2014.
The University of Lincoln is also poised to provide more research and development opportunities by creating its new Schools of Mathematics and Chemistry.
The fact that a £6.8 million investment came from the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) is a sign of the confidence funders have in the University of Lincoln and its capability to respond directly to the needs of local, regional and national employers.
The last twelve months has seen an unprecedented level of construction and refurbishment activity across the Brayford Pool campus. Virtually every building on campus has been improved.
The Art, Architecture & Design building was completed in August 2013. Students and staff in Conservation and Restoration, Creative Advertising, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, and Interactive Design are now based in the extension, bringing these subject areas into the heart of the Brayford campus.
Improvements to Library Square are also finished, with new trees, outdoor seating, and an elevated stage for outdoor performances. A new boulevard runs from Library Square through to the Science Centre.
In July 2013, the University was successful in its bid, along with the Lincolnshire Echo and Lincolnshire Co-operative, for £1 million of funding from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
Targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), based and operating within LN1 to LN6 postcodes, the fund is expected to support around twenty businesses – through grants of between £20,000 and £100,000 – leading to the creation of sustainable new jobs.
University of Lincoln vice chancellor, Professor Mary Stuart said: “Securing this funding is evidence of our desire to see the city prosper and maximise job growth potential. This investment will be of direct benefit to many local businesses and the wider impact will be seen across Lincoln, offering numerous employment opportunities.”
WATERSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE LATEST
Lincoln’s Waterside Shopping Centre started 2014 with a brand new look, as the first phase of its £9 million redevelopment finished and work on Phase Two of its transformation got underway.
Capital & Regional, the specialist retail property company which owns the centre, received planning permission for the multi-million- pound project in early 2013, and appointed Simons Group to oversee the renovation.
Since the project started in July 2013, the shopping centre has seen huge changes. Not only did New Look unveil a grand makeover and extension late in 2013, but the food court was relocated to the centre’s ground level, allowing Burger King to open for longer.
Last month, an iconic image of Lincoln Cathedral was removed from the upper mall, revealing new escalators and making shops Superdrug and Internacionale easier to get to from the High Street, while also creating a more open atmosphere within the centre.
During 2014, shoppers will continue to see dramatic transformations at the Waterside, as attention turns to the rear of the centre, where the open area on the ground and upper levels will be replaced by a pair of two-storey retail units, which are due to house fashion giants H&M and Next.
Waterside Shopping Centre general manager, Roy Greening said: “The completion of Phase One is a significant milestone in the Waterside’s transformation.
“We’re halfway through the redevelopment and about to start work on the most exciting part of the plan, completely transforming the arena area of the centre – removing the old escalators and completely reconfiguring the rear of the centre to make space for our new additions, H&M and Next.
“Our vision is steadily becoming a reality, and with so much change still to come throughout 2014, the people of Lincoln can look forward to an even more fantastic shopping experience at the Waterside this year.”


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Strict security should be practiced when using smart phones, laptops, iPads . . .
Christopher Chaney, of Jacksonville Florida, has been accused of targeting the entertainment industry, by hacking into the personal e-mail accounts of celebrities. He was arrested after being charged with a range of cyber-related crimes. Investigators believe that Chaney used publicly available sources to mine for data about his victims, all of whom are associated with the entertainment industry.
Once Chaney gained access and control of an e-mail account, he would obtain private information, such as e-mails and file attachments, according to the indictment. In addition, investigators believe that Chaney was led to new victims by accessing the address books of victims whose computers he already controlled. “It’s important to remember that, although these victims appear to have been targeted based on their celebrity, similar methods may be used to illegally access any one of our computers,” said Steven Martinez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Strict computer security should be practiced when using smart phones, laptops, desktops, iPads, or any other device that provides Internet access.”


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There will be much weeping and gnashing of teeth among the TV snob fraternity. No matter how pretty the new HDTVs are, there is nothing quite like plasma but it looks like it's coming to the end of an era for the tech as Samsung has just announced it will stop producing plasma displays.
Not too long ago Panasonic also gave up on plasma and soon the only ones available will be the ones still lying around in warehouses or stores.
Too costly to make
While there is still demand for plasma, the cost to make them when compared to cheaper OLED panels means the latter will always deliver more profit. It doesn't help that plasma models usually cost a bomb while OLED TVs have a more diverse price range.
Samsung will only end production on November 30 this year so expect lots of specials as manufacturers clear old plasma stock. Analysts are saying that the demand for plasma is falling with Reuters saying that Samsung will dismantle production lines, keeping what can be reusable for its battery business while firesale-ing the rest.
A future where only LCD and OLED panels exist may make TV purists cry and LG is currently the last holdout in the plasma arena.
So if a plasma display has been on your wishlist for a long time, then don't be waiting too long.


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TIFFIN, OH — Gordmans, an apparel and home décor retailer and a part of Stage Stores’ community of stores, will be hosting its grand opening in Tiffin on Thursday, June 27, 2019.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 9 AM, according to the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Services.
Gordmans is preparing to hire employees for its 25 new Ohio locations to open in June.
Stage Stores launched Gordmans as an off-price retailer in 2017 and has been converting some of its department stores, including Goody’s and Peebles, to Gordmans. In the past year, Stage Stores opened 48 Gordmans stores.
In June, Stage Stores is to open 36 more Gordmans stores, including the 25 Ohio locations. By the end of 2019, there is to be more than 140 Gordmans stores across the country.
Gordmans is hiring for a variety of positions. Interested candidates are invited to first apply online at www.gordmans.com/careers and then visit a job fair from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 8 at 680 W. Market St. Walk-ins are welcome.
Full-time Gordmans associates are offered benefits, including health insurance (medical, prescription drug, dental and vision); a 401(k) savings plan; paid vacation and holidays; and a 20-percent associate discount on merchandise. Gordmans offers flexible full-time and part-time schedules.


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The Daily, the iPad exclusive daily online magazine from News Corporation that launched with the help of Apple, will shut down its operations on December 15th, though the brand itself will continue.
Windows 10: Three years, one billion devices - how is Microsoft doing so far?
Windows 10 Insider Preview build 14379 out now for PC and Mobile
Huawei's MateBook goes toe-to-toe with Surface
Microsoft: Windows 10 Anniversary Update available on Aug. 2 - here's what's new
99% of Windows 10 Mobile devices are Lumias (and other Windows phone insights)
Ransomware: what it is, and what you can do about it
Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. is reportedly considering shutting down The Daily, its iPad & iPhone-only news magazine, because of disappointing subscription rates and massive losses.
News Corporation head Rupert Murdoch has been using his Twitter page this weekend to blast Google, calling the company a "piracy leader" while also indirectly announcing his support of SOPA.
MySpace, the once mighty social networking web site that is now a shadow of its former self, has been officially sold off by its former owner News Corporation to the advertising company Specific Media. AllThingsDigital...
As we reported earlier today, the once massive social networking web site MySpace is rumored to be conducting mass layoffs ahead of a possible sale. Now the AlllThingsDigital web site is reporting that MySpace's current...
The long and somewhat sad downward spiral that is the MySpace social networking web site continues, at least according to the latest Internet reports. TechCrunch reports via unnamed sources that MySpace is expected to lay...
Confirming plans that were first leaked last Sunday, the game oriented media company IGN Entertainment has now officially announced it has acquired UGO Entertainment, which also adds the popular gaming web site 1Up.com to IGN's...
Times just aren't getting any better for MySpace, with the company yesterday announcing it would lay off 500 workers. Rumors of impending job cuts had been circulating for some time and intensified in November last year...


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Google has announced that it is rolling out its Google Wallet payment system to include credit and debit cards from Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
To get the best deal on your borrowing, and find the best credit card deals, you can compare credit cards with Propertywide.
The wireless payment service from the technology giant was first launched last year, but was largely restricted to prepaid or Citibank-issued credit cards.
The new cloud service will now mean that a Google Wallet-enabled phone can make wireless payments, with the balance being deducted from a wide range of debit and credit cards, using Near Field Communication (NFC).
Users will simply need to wave their phone over a NFC-compatible till to enact a payment. The updated service also includes enhanced security features, allowing users to disable a stolen or lost device remotely via any web browser.
Google had initially planned to work with individual banks, before realising that this would be a lengthy process.
“This was an approach that from a negotiation and integration standpoint could take several months to a year,” said Robin Dua, head of product management for the service.
“Given how many banks there are in the US, this approach could literally take a lifetime to work through.”
Google’s move comes as payment networks such as Visa and MasterCard, are set to introduce systems with the aim of turning consumers’ smartphones into virtual credit cards.
A number of wireless carriers and other payment firms, such as PayPal, are also to introduce contactless payment systems in the near future.
Figures released earlier this year showed that there were around 23 million contactless credit and debit cards in use in the UK, which can be used at thousands of outlets around the country.
More than 50 national retailers use the contactless payment system in-store, including Greggs, Boots and McDonald’s.
You can compare credit cards with Propertywide.


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The last preview event of the summer will focus on new looks at previously announced games, rather than brand new reveals.
There might not have been any E3 this year but this summer still played out in a similar manner to before the pandemic, with a number of publisher-specific showcases, where the Xbox one proved very successful and the PlayStation one not so much.
Traditionally, the end of the summer preview season is Gamescom in August, but it’s always been hard to know in advance what to expect from Germany’s answer to E3 and Geoff Keighley, organiser of the pre-show ONL (Opening Night Live) event, has already tried to temper expectations.
‘This year’s ONL is less about announcing brand new projects, and more about giving fans updates on some of the biggest games due out over the next year,’ he told VGC.
The only games he mentioned by name are Alan Wake 2 and Black Myth: Wukong, but his comments will immediately have fans imagining everything from GTA 6 to Kingdom Hearts 4 – but it’s probably more sensible to think smaller scale than that.
There had been some rumours that Nintendo might even use Gamescom as a venue to announce the Switch 2 but that now seems even less likely.
Keighley mentions tying in the announcements to companies that are actually at the Gamescom event, which includes Nintendo and Microsoft but not Sony.
Last year’s show ran for just over two hours and featured more than 35 games. The biggest reveal was the first look at gameplay for Death Stranding.
Hideo Kojima and Keighley are friends, so there’s a reasonable chance Gamescom 2023 could be used to debut gameplay for either Death Stranding 2 or Overdose – although the latter hasn’t officially been announced yet.
After Gamescom there’s no reason there couldn’t be another new preview event from one of the major publishers. In fact, you’d assume Sony will definitely have one if they’ve got the Project Q and PS5 Slim to launch this year.
Beyond that though the only multi-publisher event left for 2023 is The Game Awards in December, also organised by Keighley.
Rather than anything in the summer, that has now become the number one reveal event of the year, even if there’s certain publishers, such as Rockstar Games, that are unlikely to use it.
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After EA Sports and FIFA terminated the agreement, it is eagerly awaited to whom the naming rights will go after FIFA 22.
EA Sports stated that it has terminated its agreement with FIFA in a statement made recently and that the game will be called EA Sports FC in the new period. It is already a matter of curiosity who will make an agreement with the organization after FIFA 22.
No claimants yet for post FIFA 22 naming rights
After FIFA International Soccer, which was released in 1993, the series, which was released under the name FIFA every new year, came to an end for a period of about 30 years. With the statement made by EA Sports in the past days, it was announced that the FIFA name rights will not be renewed and will continue with the name EA Sports FC.
Cam Weber, senior manager of EA Sports, announced that the series now needs serious innovation and that not renewing the naming rights will not affect licensed football players and teams. The latest news shows that EA Sports has a financial justification for this decision. Accordingly, FIFA requested a full $1 billion agreement from EA Sports for the registration of naming rights in the new period. Moreover, he wanted this agreement to be valid for 4 years.
Avoiding paying a full $4 billion bill, EA Sports has definitively left its FIFA name rights in the new period. In this case, a strong brand like FIFA is wasted and it is expected that there will be many suitors. The first name that comes to mind is KONAMI. However, the company’s recent move to eFootball 2022 and its transition to a free-to-play model shows that this possibility is slim.
Sony, which has not been in this sector in recent years, is another candidate. Sony, which developed games such as Virtua Striker, This is Football and Red Card Soccer years ago, has the financial strength to aspire to the naming rights. Another company that comes to mind is Microsoft, which has entered a great console war with Sony in the new era. Although they do not have a history in developing football games, it may be possible for them to make such an attempt as an investment in the future.
Finally, there are two other important companies that come to mind: 2K Games and Sports Interactive… Sports Interactive, which is the first company that comes to mind in management games with its 2K and Football Manager series, which has dominated the sector in basketball games for years, may also want to incorporate the FIFA brand by entering this financial burden.
So what do you guys think about this issue? Do not forget to share your views with us in the comments section.


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Global airfreight traffic rose 3.5 percent in 2018, weighed down by an unusually weak December in which volumes fell 0.5 percent from the year-earlier period, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA) data released today.
Volumes for the year fell significantly from the 9.7 percent year-over-year gain reported in 2017, a period of synchronized global recovery and significant inventory restocking unlikely to be repeated. Volumes in 2018 started strong but weakened toward the end of the year as global economies slowed, concerns escalated over Britain’s departure from the European Union, the U.S. government experienced a partial slowdown and trade tensions flared between the U.S. and China.
The December data was the worst monthly performance since March 2016, according to IATA.Carriers serving the Asia-Pacific market, the world’s largest in terms of market share, reported a 4.5 percent decline in December, which is typically a strong month for Asian air exports. The weak December results – which were actually tame compared to figures from other sources – lend empirical credence to anecdotes of an uneventful holiday period for air cargo activity. In prior years, companies like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) would book hundreds of charter flights out of Asia, pressuring capacity and leading to rate spikes. That was not the case this past December, which was a turbulent month across the world, especially in financial markets. U.S. stock prices, for example, had their worst December performance since the Great Depression.
Lower consumer sentiment, especially among Americans, didn’t help matters; consumer expectations in the U.S. came in surprisingly weak, with many consumers surveyed expecting a recession in 2019.
Europe and North America fared better in December. North America, posting a 2.9 percent year-over-year gain, had the best results of the six regions surveyed. Of the regions, only North America and Europe posted year-on-year gains of more than 0.1 percent. Three markets – Asia, Africa and Latin America – posted declines.
Freight capacity, measured in available freight ton kilometers, rose by 5.4 percent in 2018, significantly exceeding demand. Capacity outstripped demand for the last 10 months of 2018, according to IATA data. However, yields, measured by revenue per-pound, proved resiliently firm, IATA said.
IATA forecast that 2019 demand will grow by about 3.7 percent. However, the airline trade group said the risks to its projection skew significantly to the downside due to continued geo-political tensions and the general trend towards protectionist policies. “Keeping borders open to people and to trade is critical,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director-general and CEO.
Except for the U.S., all major exporting nations reported shrinking order books during the second half of the year. New export orders from U.S. firms grew in January, but the rate of growth contracted for the first time in nearly three years, according to data from the Institute for Supply Management, which tracks monthly U.S. supply and purchasing activity.
Jesse Cohen, FreightWaves’ air cargo market expert, said a resolution of the U.S.-China trade dispute, among other tensions, is critical for air freight growth to hit IATA’s 2019 targets, especially given the downward trend in the pace of export activity.


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AmBank Reduces Base Rate and Base Lending Rate
While Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision to reduce the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) was certainly unexpected, Dato’ Sulaiman Mohd Tahir, Group CEO of AMMB Holdings Berhad and CEO of AmBank (M) Berhad believes that the move comes at the right time and will have positive ramifications for consumers as well as the Malaysian economy.
Dato’ Sulaiman said, “As a result of this, AmBank is pleased to announce that we will reduce our base rate (BR) and base lending rate (BLR) by 20 basis points effective 19 July 2016, to 3.80% and 6.65% respectively. This will not impact AmBank’s performance.”
“This is a prudent, pre-emptive and proactive measure to boost Malaysia’s economic growth. Given global uncertainties, a monetary stimulus of this nature is timely.”
With Malaysia’s GDP for the first quarter of 2016 slowing down on a year-on-year basis, it is evident that headwinds continue to pose a challenge to the market. In addition, the outcome of the recent EU referendum is expected to have an impact on global economies in the months ahead. A reduction in interest rates will help to offset these instabilities by encouraging consumption and investments.
“While deposits will be less attractive moving forward, consumers can explore other investment opportunities such as unit trusts and other wealth management products which can potentially yield higher earnings.”
“Granted, soft consumer sentiment and low investor confidence is likely to continue affecting domestic growth. However, the lower BR/BLR will benefit borrowers. On the whole, I am confident that this is a definitive step in the right direction and will play a part in supporting our economic growth in the coming months,” he concluded.


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We asked our Foolish writers to pick their favourite ASX stocks to buy in August.
Here is what the team have come up with…
Brendon Lau: Audinate Group Ltd (ASX: AD8)
Audinate shares have been under pressure since the tech company’s earnings update and capital raising last month, but I think it’ll find a floor and start to recover over the next few months. I’ve seen a similar trend for other cap raise candidates where the stock trades comfortably above the offer price following the transaction. Audinate sold new shares at $5.15 to institutions and its SPP is priced at the same level (or a 2% discount to VWAP).
I believe the Audinate share price will stay above the offer price given the positive longer term outlook and adoption rate for its technology.
Motley Fool contributor Brendon Lau owns shares of Audinate Group.
Michael Tonon: Nearmap (ASX: NEA)
Since Nearmap showed its business model was also successful in the huge American market, its share price has experienced some large swings, both up and down. No doubt it is now watched closely by more analysts while its growing market cap pushed it into the ASX200 in 2019.
While COVID-19 would have provided many challenges, I believe some businesses may have turned to Nearmap’s services as site visits became more difficult with restrictions. This leads me to believe that these structural changes may outweigh any of the short term impacts of the pandemic on the stock.
That’s why looking through Nearmap’s share price movements, I believe it to be a fantastic opportunity and eagerly await its FY20 results, due to be released 19 August.
Motley Fool contributor Michael Tonon owns shares of Nearmap.
Lloyd Prout: BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)
The Technology Tigers ETF share price is up 52% over the last year, including distributions. Despite this, I think it makes a great long term option for investors looking for both international and industry-specific diversification.
The ASX has a relatively immature technology sector, with the few well known tech stocks (Eg. the WAAAX stocks) sporting lofty valuations as a result. The Technology Tigers ETF allows you to buy international behemoths, that are continuing to grow rapidly, at relatively lower valuations.
Not only that, China and Asia more broadly is a massive and growing market – especially as the middle class expands.
Motley Fool contributor Lloyd Prout owns shares in BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF and expresses his own opinion.
Tristan Harrison: Pushpay Holdings Ltd (ASX: PPH)
I think Pushpay is one of the most promising ASX shares. It’s an electronic donation business that is focused on facilitating digital giving to large and medium churches.
Its growth has accelerated due to the COVID-19 social distancing measures. Its FY20 was a strong year and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and foreign currency (EBITDAF) is expected to at least double in FY21.
The company is aiming for even higher profit margins in FY21. It wants to achieve US$1 billion of annual revenue from the US church sector over the long-term.
Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison does not own shares of Pushpay.
Chris Chitty: Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)
Coles recently hit a record high as it proves to be an ongoing success story. The company continues to grow its share of the lucrative grocery market. Its record high comes after former parent Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) sold out of the business in April and shows that Coles is more than capable of thriving as an independent company.
With 50 quarters of consecutive sales growth in its supermarket business, Coles is on a winning streak that could last for some time as more consumers continue to shift to the retailer.
Motley Fool contributor Chris Chitty does not own shares in Coles Group.
Matthew Donald: Dicker Data Limited (ASX: DDR)
A big reason for Dicker Data being my top ASX stock pick for August is that I was really impressed with the company’s recent AGM presentation and market update. Dicker Data is a hardware, software, and cloud distributor with over 41 years’ experience.
It reported double-digit percentage increases in revenue from ordinary activities, recurring software revenue, net profit after tax (NPAT), and net profit before tax.
In addition, the company could benefit from the surge in remote work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the surge in demand, Dicker Data’s hardware and software portfolios play an essential role in helping businesses continue to operate.
Motley Fool Contributor Matthew Donald does not own any stocks in Dicker Data Limited.
Sebastian Bowen: VanEck Vectors Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)
My pick for this month is this US-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF). In these uncertain times, I think finding businesses with defensive characteristics is more important than ever. And these are the kinds of businesses that MOAT invests in.
Companies are only selected for MOAT if they show signs of possessing a strong competitive advantage, or ‘moat’. Right now, these include famous names like Charles Schwab, Intel, Amazon.com, Tiffany & Co, Berkshire Hathaway and Bank of America.
For an easy way of investing in top quality US shares, I think this ETF is a great choice for August and beyond
Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns units of VanEck Vectors Wide Moat ETF.
Toby Thomas: Super Retail Group (ASX: SUL)
I’m on a roll after last month picking Kogan.com (ASX: KGN), which improved 13% over July. For August though you can’t go past Super Retail, which owns recreation companies like Supercheap Auto, Rebel Sport and BCF Camping.
The Super Retail share price jumped nearly 10% on Friday after it reported a 27% spike in revenues for June and a better than expected overall performance for FY20.
As people ditch their usual mid-year holiday routine on a beach in Greece and replace it with spending cash on a road-trip, fitness equipment or camping gear, look for Super Retail to outperform in August and over the coming 12 months.
Motley Fool contributor Toby Thomas does not own shares in Super Retail Group.
Ken Hall: A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)
The A2 Milk Company is at the top of my watchlist in August.
I’m quietly bullish on the A2 Milk share price ahead of its August earnings result.
A planned international push into Canada combined with strong demand across Australia and Asia means we could see some strong growth figures.
Despite trading just shy of its all-time high of $20.05, I think A2 Milk shares could surge towards $25 on the back of a strong earnings result.
I like the geographic diversification and historical success of the Kiwi dairy group, as well as potentially robust earnings.
Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall does not own shares in A2 Milk Company Ltd.
James Mickleboro: CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)
With the CSL share price down over 21% from its 52-week high, I think now would be an opportune time to buy this biotherapeutics giant’s shares. This has been caused by concerns about plasma collections because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, I believe any weakness this causes in the CSL Behring business in FY 2021, will be offset by increasing demand for flu vaccines produced by its Seqirus business.
Looking further ahead, I’m confident its portfolio of leading therapies and high level of investment in research and development have positioned CSL to deliver solid earnings growth over the 2020s.
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro does not own shares in CSL Limited.
Glenn Leese: Xero Limited (ASX: XRO)
With the trend of working from home increasing, businesses becoming more digital and the need to allow remote access, Xero is in prime position to thrive.
Being a Software as a Service (SaaS) company, Xero specialises in cloud-based software for businesses. Its products include tax, cashflow, bookkeeping and other tools. Multiple industries are serviced, including retail, technology and healthcare.
Xero shares have grown almost 40% in the last year, including the recent market crash.
Motley Fool Contributor Glenn Leese does not own any shares in Xero Limited.
Phil Harpur: Kogan.com Ltd (ASX: KGN)
Kogan has been one of the star performers on the ASX in recent months. The online retailer’s share price has surged from below $4 in mid-March to now be trading above $16. This strong rally is linked to a series of positive market updates, as online sales have been in strong demand during the coronavirus crisis.
Gross sales climbed by more than 95% during the fourth quarter of 2020. Despite the strong recent share price increase, I believe that there is strong potential for further growth for the Kogan share price in the years to come, as the structural shift towards the online shopping environment continues.
Motley Fool contributor Phil Harpur owns shares of Kogan.com Ltd.
Nikhil Gangaram: Ansell Limited (ASX:ANN)
Ansell is a global leader in manufacturing and distributing health and safety protection solutions, operating in the industrial and healthcare sectors. With infection prevention and control become a more pressing concern in Australia, the company could be one to watch when it reports its full-year earnings.
In its market update in late March, Ansell informed investors that the company had seen very strong demand for its AlpahaTec hand and body protection products, whilst also seeing a surge in demand for single-use and surgical gloves.
Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram does not own shares in Ansell Limited.
These 3 stocks could be the next big movers in 2020
When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for more than eight years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
In this FREE STOCK REPORT, Scott just revealed what he believes are the 3 ASX stocks for the post COVID world that investors should buy right now while they still can. These stocks are trading at dirt-cheap prices and Scott thinks these could really go gangbusters as we move into ‘the new normal’.
*Returns as of 6/8/2020
The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of AUDINATEGL FPO, CSL Ltd., Kogan.com ltd, Nearmap Ltd., PUSHPAY FPO NZX, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF, Dicker Data Limited, and Super Retail Group Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of A2 Milk and COLESGROUP DEF SET. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended AUDINATEGL FPO, Kogan.com ltd, Nearmap Ltd., PUSHPAY FPO NZX, and VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.


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Cryptocurrency Review: EOS, Ripple, Stellar, NEO, VeChain, Bitcoin Cash, Binance, Bitcoin, Ethereum
Cryptocurrency Review: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), EOS, Ripple (XRP), Stellar (XLM), NEO, VeChain (VET), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Binance (BNB)
Bitcoin holds strong.
EOS collusion adds concerns over centralization
Ripple up for Swell convention no big announcement from Stellar yet.
NEO and VeChain are scam coins.
Video on Vechain BYD partnership scam
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) bounced due to Bitmain IPO
Binance is an exciting company to watch


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Butlins is undertaking a review of its brand strategy, which could lead to a new look for the holiday group. The Butlins board is poised to agree a three-year future strategy for the business this week, which has been put together by Butlins’ director of brand and guest experience Fredda Hurwitz.
Design Week heads to Miami to take a look at some of the emerging themes from the annual fair, as well as design highlights from across the city.
With the festive season in full swing, Design Week looks at some of the UK’s flagship store window displays.
The new design work aims to reconnect us with nature at a critical time for biodiversity around the world.
We speak to both mentors and mentees to find out what benefits mentorship programmes offer, and how to get the best out of them.


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Frontier are proud to announce the latest DLC coming to Planet Zoo. Planet Zoo Australia Pack will be available from the 25th of August for £7.99. Below is a trailer:
The DLC will feature five new animals, Koala, Red Kangaroo, Dingo, Cassowary and the Blue-Tongued Lizard. For the builders of Planet Zoo another 250 creative items will be added with an Australian theme to expand on an already huge list that is growing all the time. There will also be a ton of new content for all existing players as part of the latest free content update. This update will include new genetics-driven animal colour variations, the ability to multi-select members of staff for more streamlined management, new foliage and enrichment items, and a range of additional fixes and improvements.
Will you be picking up this DLC?


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Halfords has announced the permanent closure of its store in Bath.
The store on Westgate Buildings will shut its doors on Friday (January 22) and is one of 60 that will be closing across the country.
Halfords announced last July that a number of its stores and garages would shut by April due to a loss of profits.
A spokesman for the company said: “As we announced last July, we were always planning to exit a small percentage of our stores and this includes our Bath store.
"We are working hard to support all of those affected and are hopeful of being able to offer those colleagues one of a wide range of new service-orientated roles at alternative locations.”
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The company has a total of 843 sites, 472 of which are stores while the rest are garages. It employs about 10,000 people.
In a previous statement about store closures, a spokesman for the company said: “Covid has materially changed the retail outlook for the coming months and has overshadowed Brexit as the emerging risk."
Halfords is classed as an essential retailer and has been open throughout the latest lockdown.