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In a legal settlement described as the first of its kind in the nation, Amazon agreed to disclose the number of new COVID-19 cases in its fulfillment and distribution network in California to workers and local health authorities.
The agreement resolves an investigation by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and promises to end some of the secrecy surrounding the number of COVID cases at specific Amazon locations in California.
Bonta’s office said Amazon “failed to adequately notify warehouse workers and local health agencies of COVID-19 case numbers, often leaving them in the dark and unable to effectively track the spread of the virus.”
A lack of data about cases in specific locations has forced some workers to resort to tracking cases on their own.
But Amazon, which denied wrongdoing as part of the settlement agreement, downplayed the significance of the change. Amazon says it already notifies employees who’ve been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, in addition to alerting local health authorities to new cases.
The settlement, filed with the state Superior Court in Sacramento County, requires court approval. There’s no indication that Amazon will voluntarily adopt the new practices nationally.
An Amazon spokesperson said the settlement with the attorney general simply resolves a technicality related to the structure of bulk notifications about new COVID cases under California law.
“We’re glad to have this resolved and to see that the AG found no substantive issues with the safety measures in our buildings. We’ve worked hard from the beginning of the pandemic to keep our employees safe and deliver for our customers—incurring more than $15 billion in costs to date—and we’ll keep doing that in months and years ahead,” said Barbara M. Agrait, a senior public relations manager for Amazon Operations, in an emailed statement.
Under the settlement, Amazon agreed to go further, notifying employees and subcontractors about the number of new COVID-19 cases in their locations within 24 hours, and notifying local health authorities within 48 hours.
In addition, the agreement calls for Amazon to pay $500,000 to help enforce California’s consumer protection laws.
The settlement will cause Amazon to “end harmful labor practices that concealed COVID-19 case numbers from workers and to provide key information on workplace protections,” Bonta’s office said, calling it consistent with California’s “right-to-know” law, A.B. 685, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes.


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Before you rush out to your nearest department store to get mom that fancy espresso machine she’s been eyeing, do a little research. Your pocketbook will thank you.
The price of a Mother’s Day gift can vary as much as 71 percent depending on where it’s bought, according to a study by Costa Rica’s Economy Ministry (MEIC). Inspectors from MEIC’s Consumer Protection Office visited 192 businesses in the provinces of Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago and San José from July 28 to 31 and compiled prices of various gift options, including clothes, shoes, jewellery, home appliances, electronic devices and others.
Among items surveyed, MEIC inspectors evaluated prices of 204 models of nine appliances. In some cases the price of identical items — same product, same brand — varied hugely from store to store. For example, the price of a Proctor Silex coffeemaker ranged from ₡20.900 to ₡32.900 ($38.70 to $61) — a 71 percent difference.
Inspectors also compared similar products but different brands and found that price differences were even bigger. For example, inspectors surveyed the price of flat irons and found prices ranging from ₡4.624 ($9) for a Sankey model to ₡51.103 ($95) for a Remington — a 1,005 percent difference.
Economy Vice Minister Geannina Dinarte Romero said the study’s findings confirm the importance for consumers to visit various businesses and compare prices and deals, especially around holidays like Mother’s Day.
“Differences are so huge that we call on consumers to really take them into consideration in order to make an informed purchase decision,” she said.
MEIC’s study also included an analysis of information displayed at stores and deals advertised in print media. Inspectors looked at the accuracy and clarity of information on price tags and on store signs or banners, including before- and after-discount prices, warranty conditions, special offer restrictions and the exchange rate in prices displayed in dollars.
The results showed that 81 percent of businesses (156 of those surveyed) complied with Costa Rican laws regarding truth in advertising, an improvement over the previous year when a similar study found 72 percent compliance.
A total of 25 businesses were asked to immediately correct detected errors, while 11 of them were given a written warning that grants them 10 days to comply with the law. Stores that fail to comply can be slapped with monetary fines ranging from ₡2.5 million to ₡10.2 million ($4,680 to $18,773).
MEIC conducts price comparisons prior to holidays that boost sales, such as Christmas, Father’s Day and Mother’s Day. The full report can be downloaded (Spanish only) on the ministry’s website.

domain: news


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First Batch of Xbox Design Lab Controllers Currently Shipping to Fans
Back at E3 2016 Microsoft unveiled the new Xbox One controller alongside the ability for fans to create their very own in the Xbox Design Lab. Each controller is hand made to the order, and there are eight million variations available.
The first batch of controllers have shipped, and delivery is expected in 14 business days. Currently the Design Lab function is only available in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, but Microsoft is looking to expand in 2017.
The Design Lab is still open for those who want to create their own controller, including an engraving of up to 16 characters, starting at $79.99.


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Apple has sued Samsung for allegedly copying the iPad, iPod and iPhone with its Galaxy Tab and Galaxy handsets.
As Research In Motion launched its PlayBook on Thursday evening, Cisco Systems was already accepting orders for its Cius enterprise tablet and shipping it to some customers.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission may regulate cellular signal boosters, which are designed to solve voice and data coverage gaps by picking up signals from carrier base stations and amplifying them in homes or vehicles.
Tablets are the culmination of what Steve Jobs wanted to create at Apple from the beginning, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak said Monday.
The state of New York will investigate AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA for anti-competitive effects.
Twitter Co-Founder Biz Stone thinks his company eventually will have to deal with China despite disagreements over censorship, but it has no plans to do so immediately.
AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA was driven in large part by the quest for radio spectrum, a commodity that rarely crosses the minds of mobile consumers but plays a big role in carriers' decision-making.
AT&T says its planned acquisition of T-Mobile USA will advance U.S. leadership in mobile data and improve consumers' wireless experience.
LTE, or long-term evolution service, is poised to be the new world standard for mobile data. Here are five things that set it apart from its predecessors.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an amendment to its annual government funding bill that would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from using any funds to implement the Net neutrality rules it approved last year.
Wi-Fi looks set to play a growing role in mobile networks even as LTE and other new cellular technologies with higher capacity are deployed.
Eastman Kodak's patent claim against Apple and Research In Motion concerning camera-phone image previews is invalid, according to an initial determination by a U.S. International Trade Commission administrative law judge.
Google co-founder Larry Page will take over as Google CEO in April from Eric Schmidt, who will remain with the company as executive chairman.
Microsoft is asking the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to deny Apple a trademark on the name "App Store."
If Verizon Wireless introduces its own version of the Apple iPhone on Tuesday, it could look to AT&T's experience as the iPhone's service provider for clues on what it should and shouldn't do.


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|Bid||56.81 x 0|
|Ask||57.08 x 0|
|Day's Range||56.39 - 57.37|
|52 Week Range||25.70 - 62.65|
|Beta (3Y Monthly)||0.80|
|PE Ratio (TTM)||45.75|
|Earnings Date||Aug 8, 2019|
|Forward Dividend & Yield||0.71 (1.18%)|
|1y Target Est||39.48|
By IPO Edge Contributor SmallCapTrader Natura Cosméticos S.A. is emerging as a global cosmetics powerhouse from Brazil to China and is acquiring Avon Products Inc.’s non-U.S. business for $2 billion to cement its global reach The deal will allow Avon investors to trade their ownership in a fading business for a big stake in […]
Brazilian cosmetics firm Natura expects to boost revenue by investing in brand and digital capabilities after sealing a deal to merge with Avon Products and control 76% of the new company, executives said on Thursday. "As it comes to digital transformation, our approach is similar to the one Avon has been following, and we also share the same optimism about the brand," Natura Chief Executive João Paulo Ferreira, said in a call with analysts. Chairman Roberto Marques said it will be necessary to spend around $125 million over the next 36 months to capture cost savings of $150 million to $250 million per year, mainly in Brazil and the rest of Latin America.
Controlling shareholders of Natura, which bought the Body Shop retail chain in 2017, will form a new publicly traded holding company that will offer 0.3 share for every share of London-based Avon, according to a statement. Holders of preferred Avon shares will get $530 million in cash assuming the deal closes in early 2020. Natura shareholders will own about 76% of the merged company, with Avon’s shareholders owning the remainder once the deal is closed.
Brazil's Natura SA said on Wednesday it had reached an agreement to buy rival Avon Products Inc via a share swap, creating the world's fourth-largest beauty company with a redoubled focus on direct sales. Under the terms of the deal, Natura will hold 76% of the combined business with over $10 billion in annual revenue, according to a statement from the Brazilian cosmetics firm. After Natura pushed into high-end retail shops with the acquisitions of Aesop in 2013 and The Body Shop in 2017, the takeover of its biggest rival in direct sales is a renewed bet on the company's core business of door-to-door distribution.
SÃO PAULO and LONDON, May 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Natura &Co (NATU3.SA) announces that it is acquiring Avon Products, Inc. (AVP) in an all-share transaction, creating the fourth-largest pure-play beauty group in the world and a major force for good in the industry. The group will hold leading positions in relationship selling through Avon´s and Natura's over 6.3 million Consultants and Representatives, a global footprint through 3,200 stores, as well as an expanded digital presence across all companies. Avon and Natura were both founded by mission-driven individuals, reaching customers through a force of independent, primarily female micro-entrepreneurs, who act as brand ambassadors and beauty advisors.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The Brazilian cosmetics maker Natura announced Wednesday that it is buying Avon Products in an all-stock deal that it valued at $3.7 billion, in move that would create the world's fourth-largest group of beauty products.
Brazil's Natura SA said on Wednesday it has reached an agreement to buy U.S. rival Avon Products Inc in an all-stock deal, creating the world's fourth-largest cosmetics company. Under the terms of the ...
U.S. stocks finish lower Wednesday as lingering trade woes overshadow the release of the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting that was largely interpreted as accommodative.
Avon Products Inc. confirmed that it's in "advanced discussions" with Brazilian beauty company Natura Cosmeticos S.A. about Avon's acquisition in an all-stock transaction. "There can be no assurance any transaction will result from these discussions," the statement said. The Wall Street Journal reported on the talks, writing that the boards of both companies have approved the deal. Avon stock soared more than 15% in Wednesday premarket trading on the report. Shares of the beauty company have jumped more than 110% for the year to date, closing Tuesday at $3.20. The S&P 500 index has gained 14.3% for 2019 so far.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Brazil’s Natura Cosmetica and Avon could announce a deal as soon as Wednesday. Avon stock has soared more than 9% on the news.
An index of Latin American currencies rose on Wednesday against the dollar ahead of the release of U.S. Federal Reserve minutes, while a regional equities benchmark was on course for a third straight day ...
Avon Products Inc. (NYSE: AVP ) confirmed Wednesday that it's in advanced talks with Natura Cosmeticos SA about being sold to the Brazilian company in an all-stock transaction. There is no guarantee a ...
Our chart of the day, from Chris Ciovacco, founder and chief executive officer of Ciovacco Capital Management, cites a rare technical moves that points to two more years of gains for the S&P 500.
LONDON , May 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE:AVP) ("the Company"), a globally recognised leader in direct selling of beauty products, today confirmed the Company is in advanced ...
Brazilian makeup brand Natura Cosmeticos SA said on Wednesday it is in advanced talks to acquire U.S. group Avon Products Inc via a share swap. In a statement, Natura said the two parties are negotiating ...
Brazilian makeup brand Natura Cosmeticos SA agreed to buy Avon Products Inc, according to two media reports early on Wednesday. Natura will buy Avon in an all-stock deal that values the U.S. group at more than $2 billion, the Financial Times reported https://on.ft.com/2HMtdu2, citing people familiar with the matter. Reuters reported last week that Natura was close to completing the deal to buy Avon.


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Thrifty Britons opt for cheap fizz as experts say prosecco's just as good as champers: Sales of sparkling wine and Italian bubbly soar as champagne figures dip
- Sales of supermarket Italian fizz have increased by more than 90 per cent
- Own-brand prosecco is now nearly twice as popular as champagne
Sales of prosecco have increased by more than 90 per cent, making it nearly twice as popular as champagne.
Experts say wine-lovers are more aware now than at any other time about what they are buying when it comes to bubbly,
The Italian fizz market has almost doubled in the past year; while sales of champagne are falling flat, taking a nosedive of 16 per cent over the same period.
Sales of Italian fizz have increased by more than 90 per cent making it nearly twice as popular as champagne
However branded and retailer-exclusive champagnes fared better, being up 4 per cent making the champagne market worth £280million.
Market research also revealed that the worldwide revenue of own-label Italian sparkling wine grew from £50.2million to £95.4million from January 2013 to January 2014.
Prosecco's performance is also outshining cava - the UK cava market is currently worth £169million, down from £175million from last year.
Best supermarket prosecco
The International Wine and Spirit Competition announced the Northern Hemisphere results on Monday at the start of the London Wine Fair and the highest achievers for own-label prosecco were the following retailers:
- Italy Silver Tesco Stores Plc - Tesco Finest Bisol Prosecco 75Cl £8.99
- Italy Silver Waitrose Limited - Italia Collezione Prosecco Brut NV Italy 75cl £7.99
- Italy Bronze Aldi Stores Ltd - Valdobbiadene Prosecco Spumante DOCG £7.49
The research comes from Nielson, a key authority in market
research for all grocery.
The data is taken on take-home sales only and it is based on all products sold and scanned through the tills in UK supermarkets.
Canti Prosecco Brut, £6, and Freixenet Cordon Negro Cava, £7.99, are two of Bring A Bottle's top sellers
Rosie Davenport, Editor of Off Licence News magazine who published the Nielson research, said:
'What we are seeing is that the very cheap own label champagne is definitely being eroded by prosecco.
'Italian fizz has become a more sophisticated option and moved away from the very sweet styles into an everyday drink that's fashionable; but also a fun and sociable option that you can open and enjoy with friends at any time - and certainly isn't only reserved for special occasions.
'Consumers are finding it more accessible and are preferring the style, however they are still buying into the more established champagne brands.
'This has hit some of the cheaper champagnes, though there are signs that the more well-known names are holding their own, and, if anything, the prosecco effect has helped by opening up the world of sparkling wines and champagnes to a new set of consumers.
'Italian fizz has moved into an everyday drink that's fashionable but also a fun and sociable option'
The figures show the total Italian sparkling sector is worth £229.3 million.
A spokesperson for supermarket wine, beers and spirits price comparison site, bringabottle.co.uk, said:
'As far as the quality goes it definitely has been improving for the past five or so years, and the sales reflect that.
'Some of the top sparkling recommendations from the wine experts over the Christmas period (traditionally the best selling time) were for prosecco rather than champagne.
'In the battle for the sparkling wines (champagne, prosecco, cava and the New World) prosecco is the closest to champagne; cava being slightly less sweet and having more bubbles.
'Consumers are more aware than at any other time that 'champagne' is just another term for sparkling wine (albeit produced in the champagne region) and that the prices do not necessarily reflect the quality of the product.
'The champagne houses and supermarkets are reacting to the rise in prosecco sales and some of the biggest champagne brands prices were reduced by slightly more than 50 per cent over the Christmas period in order to make champagne more appealing to consumers who would otherwise be buying prosecco and other sparkling wines.'
Prosecco v champagne: What's the difference?
• The taste profile of prosecco is slightly different to champagne. There are many styles available, however typically prosecco is sweeter and lighter, which has helped its broader appeal.
• The production methods in champagne and prosecco are different as is the aging process and the length of time it has been matured, which effects the taste.
By Rosie Davenport, Editor of Off Licence News magazine
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Small business advice amid COVID-19 pandemic, courtesy of USC Marshall
With many businesses now closed to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, their owners are wondering what resources are available to help them survive. USC Marshall experts are offering assistance.
The COVID-19 pandemic has already had a seismic effect on the economy, shuttering many businesses and bringing others to the brink of closure.
The USC Marshall School of Business faculty are hoping their expertise can help small businesses and companies in Los Angeles navigate the crisis. Starting Saturday, the school will launch a series of free webinars focused on helping small businesses and companies in the L.A. area and Southern California region.
“This is our academic version of people sewing surgical masks at home or delivering groceries to older people who can’t go out,” said Tom Chang, associate professor of finance and business economics at USC Marshall. “The senior faculty and interim Dean Gareth James got together and we wondered what we could do. We thought maybe we could use our expertise in business and economics, operations research, or other areas of expertise to help.”
This is our academic version of people sewing surgical masks at home.
The first webinar is focused on explaining the resources available for small businesses amid COVID-19. (Register now for this free webinar.)
Chang and other faculty aim to provide insights into the crisis that will help executives and entrepreneurs understand the political and economic nuances of the situation. The webinars may also give current and future executives and business owners new ideas for helping them withstand the economic fallout.
USC experts realize a need for their business acumen
Tereza Alexandre, the USC Marshall assistant dean for research initiatives, is working with Chang to oversee the webinars, which are open to the public.
Chang said he knows businesses are in dire need of information to make difficult decisions amid the crisis. He and two other USC Marshall professors, Dawn Porter and Sampath Rajagopalan, participated last Wednesday in a Zoom panel organized by Benjamin Wells, a current Executive MBA student at USC Marshall who is also a writer and producer for the Walt Disney Co.
The live Q&A drew more than 120 participants, including alumni, executives and rising executives enrolled in the USC Marshall Executive Master’s in Business Administration program. Anxiety was high.
The participants asked about governments’ responses to the pandemic and how local stay-at-home measures might impact their businesses domestically and supply chains abroad.
“Many businesses desperately want to know how long they can expect the stay-at-home measures to last, as well as whether or not their businesses qualify for any of the $2 trillion stimulus signed by President Donald Trump last week,” Alexandre said.
Now more than ever, small business need guidance, resources
Unable to operate on slim margins, many businesses affected by the economic fallout have laid off workers or furloughed them, hoping they would be permitted to reopen sooner rather than later. Others have shuttered.
Chang said he worries especially for small businesses that don’t have the ability to weather the storm. In particular, “I’m worried about small businesses that rely on now-canceled seasonal events, like the Coachella Music Festival, to make it into the black for the year,” he said.
The federal stimulus package is complex, Alexandre said, and it is clear businesses will need assistance understanding whether they qualify and how they can apply. USC Marshall professors, through the webinars, want to help business leaders determine their eligibility.
“We have a list of several resources to help small businesses,” Alexandre said. “The federal Small Business Administration is launching a series of new initiatives this week. We are on top of that, as well.”
By sharing financial and economic expertise, Chang said he hopes the USC Marshall experts can help small businesses like local restaurants survive.
Future webinars will explain the federal stimulus benefits for workers and small businesses. Others will explain current issues such as the economic tradeoffs that elected officials have had to weigh before enacting social distancing measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.
More stories about: Business Strategy, COVID-19, COVID-19 Heroes


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Putting fashion first, right here in Seattle
How locals are piecing together businesses to take them to the next level.
www.martakappl.comHouse of Fashion
seattleldi.blogspot.comMasha Osoianu Design
www.lizzieparkerstore.comLisa Vian Hunter
vianhunter.comThe Bellevue Collection
To find the designersSee the list online at www.seattletimes.com/pacificnw
INSIDE A DRAB downtown Bellevue conference room on a rainy day in late June, bridal designer Olga Szwed enters — a glamorous swish of silk, beading and feathers.
Five Seattle fashion insiders seated around a conference table stop chatting, put down their smartphones and turn to what's being put in front of them: hefty gowns dripping with crystals, one ivory, another black ... and a stunning pale-pink strapless creation with a wide skirt of feathers and a dramatically asymmetrical hemline.
As someone attaches a microphone to her suit jacket, Szwed listens closely to tips on how to handle the camera recording her. She looks nervous, but manages a smile before launching into what could be the most important 10 minutes of her career.
She begins with her upbringing in Belarus, then quickly moves on to talk about her inspirations, her Bellevue bridal shop and, of course, about the garments, including her own pink-feathered wedding dress.
The panelists fire off questions:
Where are the materials from?
What are her challenges as a designer?
As Szwed speaks, the judges paw through the rack holding her gowns, examining them closely. A pair of tiny formal black shorts and a sheer black top are passed around.
And just like that, her 10 minutes are up. Szwed and her gowns are swished out, and it's time for the next contestant. In all, 16 independent designers will show their stuff this day; the judges will choose eight of them to advance to a final competition during two big fashion events at The Bellevue Collection in the fall.
Each of the chosen will have just weeks to create a "look" in six to eight new designs, one of which will appear during the annual Fashion's Night Out Sept. 6 in Bellevue. But the real prize is exposure — the chance to be in the spotlight presenting their new creations at Fashion Week's runway show Sept. 26 alongside Lisa Vian Hunter and Lizzie Parker, two local designers who recently appeared on the NBC-TV reality show "Fashion Star." The winner will take home $5,000, and their designs will be displayed throughout Bellevue Square for a month.
Soon, the verdicts are in. Szwed and her gowns will be going on to the big show. So will Masha Osoianu with the unique handmade knitting and crocheting techniques she applies to tops and dresses, and Banchong Douangphrachanh, with slim-cut menswear in shades of black, charcoal and Husky purple. Carole McClellan, who got her start in the 1970s designing for the Seattle band Heart, will put on her A game with designs featuring leather and fur.
They and the other four selected are already known around the local fashion scene. Their clothes are in boutiques, some even have their lines in other boutiques across North America. But a competition like this is the chance they've been waiting for — a wide audience of everyone from customers to major retail outlets.
These are the connections that mean business. And for independent designers struggling to make it around here, it's a tough business indeed.
WHILE JOKES about the Northwest's style-senseless, fleece-forward ways abound, the fashion-design industry here is actually huge. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Seattle has the fourth-highest concentration of fashion designers in the country, behind New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The reason has much to do with heavy hitters like Nordstrom, Eddie Bauer, REI and Tommy Bahama. All have in-house design teams creating their international lines right here in the region. Thirty years ago, there were even more, including sportswear brands like Generra and Brittania.
Camila Sigelmann, a professor of apparel and fashion design at Seattle Central Community College, says that within three months of graduation the bulk of her students are picked up by the big-name companies, as well as sportswear maker Outdoor Research and successful independent designer Prairie Underground.
With a hiring rate of 75 percent in slow economic times such as these, she says it's crucial to know what these companies want — "someone who can hit the floor running, someone who understands this is a bottom-line business."
But with so many designers wanting work here, the corporate world hasn't proved the right fit for everybody. Some designers take off on their own, setting up boutiques, selling to other shops and stores, even making names for themselves on "Fashion Star" and "Project Runway." Still others are being hand-picked to present their lines in fashion shows everywhere from Phoenix to Paris.
Those, however, are the lucky few. Most face the regular grind of creating designs and perfecting their skills, then pounding the pavement, begging for attention from the buyers and boutiques who will pick up their work. Lacking the financial resources and global reach of the corporate design shops, they also struggle to find the materials, manufacturing capability and distribution systems they need to get a line of clothing into the market.
Lizzie Parker — whose signature style is drapey knits, jackets and tops over leggings, and dresses paired with tights and bootees — says Seattle has people who can sew, but that isn't enough. When you're trying to ship thousands of garments, "there is no infrastructure here."
So Parker's Lizzie Parker Blue Label line is being mass-produced in Los Angeles for almost 100 Nordstrom Rack stores.
Sigelmann at Seattle Central says that back when she worked at Generra, the company would manufacture in China, Israel or India. But because of the cost, manufacturing overseas is almost impossible for someone wanting to keep production fairly small.
Banchong, who often goes just by her first name, says she's found many manufacturing options in Seattle for people making sportswear, cottons and more simply constructed garments. But for designers like her, whose focus is on high-end materials and tailored clothing for men, the options are few.
It took one manufacturer two months to fill her order for 50 pairs of pants. Even then, the buttonholes weren't done because the factory lacked the equipment. She had to finish them by hand.
A Seattle native and University of Washington graduate, Banchong says she's not giving up on Seattle, but "right now I'm all about finding what can be done (elsewhere) in the U.S."
People want quality, she explains. "I'm in a city where people care about what they eat, they're using Flex cars . . . They're asking where the fabric is from, where my yarn is made."
That's why Davora Lindner and Camilla Eckersley are designing hip, sexy hoodies, dresses and jackets out of organic cottons and hemp, and having them made within miles of their office in the South Park neighborhood. Lindner, whose company, Prairie Underground, ships to 300 boutiques across the U.S. and Canada, says that when they started they pushed on manufacturers who had essentially begun closing up shop.
All that has changed.
"Our manufacturers now expect a certain level of business from us," she says. Yes, she admits, making tailored, "constructed" garments might be tougher. But their casual wear, things made to be machine-washed, can be done here at shops like Professional Sewing, LLC, in West Seattle.
Friends Kristine Carlton and Jenny Mae Miller say local designers can find what they want here if they look hard enough.
Graduates of Seattle Central's fashion program, they opened Atelier Verdigris in the SoDo neighborhood in 2009 — offering everything from design to patternmaking inside their 1,400-square-foot workshop.
Designers "don't want to go to the factory, they want to sit at the art board, they want to dream up the designs," Miller explains. "We do the dirty work."
Carlton says it's possible for a designer to have anywhere from a few hundred to more than 2,000 pieces made in Seattle.
"We want to support our local economy," she says. "We want to be part of a manufacturing renaissance in Seattle."
A 2010 STUDY sponsored by Washington State University and others suggests that local fashion designers need support services. Owning equipment, sharing retail space and working together would reduce costs: Seattle is ripe for a fashion incubator, the study said.
Fashion incubators are becoming standard across the globe. Arguably the oldest and best-regarded incubator, in Toronto, has churned out designers for 25 years. There, the incubator has financial support from city government, the fashion industry and private corporations. Designers are mentored by everyone from fashion journalists to marketing experts, lawyers and talent scouts.
In Manhattan, an incubator survives with support from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
And fashion incubators in Chicago and San Francisco are not only sponsored by Macy's but have their designers inside the stores.
Seattle designers have no such support. One small incubator is up and running, another is struggling to get off the ground.
Steven Paul Matsumoto, a former Marine who's also a fashion aficionado, has spent two years knocking on doors at city hall, Nordstrom and several fashion schools in search of collaborators. But his concept for a Seattle fashion incubator is still without building, mentors, funding or a full-time group of designers.
Marta Kappl, a designer who maintains a store in St. Helena, Calif., is further along. She moved north last year to establish an incubator in downtown Seattle. Kappl has anywhere from four to five designers participating, each paying a monthly fee for access to advice, a seamstress and a place to work and sell their fashions.
Inside the storefront at House of Fashion, steps from the Pike Place Market, customers can watch designers at work and buy their pieces for prices ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
Since December, designer Erin Hilleary has been paying Kappl for a place to make and sell her hand-painted silk scarves while mining Kappl for advice.
Kappl, who won't say how much she charges designers, will say that what she offers isn't for everyone. Designers most successful in an incubator already know how to sew and design, and have some common sense when it comes to business, Kappl says.
"To come through here you are not going to be the next Versace, Michael Kors or Armani," she adds. "You have to work hard."
Hilleary, a yoga instructor who has a degree from The Evergreen State College in health and human development, didn't want to go back to school and rack up even more student-loan debt to learn how to design.
"I'm a totally self-taught artist," she says. "Marta saw this skill that I have and all of the different ways I could offer it. In school we learn this prescribed thing for everyone, and it's expensive."
Hilleary's brightly colored scarves, some as large as shawls, are mostly inspired by mythology and symbolism from ancient India and Eastern Europe.
"The more I learn from Marta the more I will be doing what I want to do," she says.
That's why Andy Pinedo showed up at Kappl's studio one day this summer. The 21-year-old had heard about House of Fashion, so he and his mother drove from their home in Yakima to get some advice about whether school or an incubator would be the next best step. Pinedo, who dreams of working in haute couture some day, says Kappl was amazed he was self-taught, but told him to keep studying and take some business classes.
That helped a lot, he says. Now he's applying to Central Washington University.
IN THE RUNUP to their presentations for the first big night next week, the eight contestants will gather twice more with their mentor/judges.
Runway music and lighting, models' hair and makeup and, of course, their designs are all part of the discussions.
Banchong is looking for as much feedback as possible, believing it will help her make her line "more sellable."
"You don't really learn about talking to buyers, it's a different mentality," she says matter-of-factly.
Szwed says the $5,000 prize would be great, but she's "more excited about showing my work to my community because I live on the Eastside."
For Osoianu, the money would help her tremendously. Spending her days in search of a part-time job to keep afloat, she works in solitude through the night inside her tiny Belltown apartment. It takes her upward of 12 hours to make a single sweater of a shimmery viscose that her mother — a well-known designer in Eastern Europe — ships to her.
"My style is elegant. It's not loud, but sexy and comfortable." For the competition, Osoianu is creating 12 new looks out of viscose and silk — leggings, dresses and tops in grays, ivories and other neutral tones.
With the prize money, she says, "I could look up one or two people on Craigslist and hire them." Everything is online now, she adds, so you have to have a strong presence there. Her dresses and tops are now sold through her online shop and at a downtown boutique.
Cynarah Ellawala, a Seattle fashion marketing consultant who's been helping plan the independent designers competition, says the show "is going to set a new standard for how designers get things done."
Sarah Butler says the Bellevue developer, Kemper Freeman, financed the show as a way of "curating something uniquely Northwest" — a platform for local work "that is different from L.A. or New York."
In Szwed's dreams, the events will lead to her signature wedding gowns being picked up by local bridal boutiques.
Leather and fur designer Carole McClellan has her hopes pinned on finding the right department store or luxury retailer to buy her garments. Now she has a space in downtown Seattle near Pioneer Square. Beyond that, she hopes to build a strong online business.
Maintaining a successful independent label in Seattle for almost 40 years has been tough, McClellan admits. She's seen the highs — selling to Neiman Marcus and Butch Blum, touring with Heart — and the lows, "dreaming of someday having a fax machine." But she's still here.
"If you know how to work the system," she says, "you can totally stay in Seattle."
Jennifer Sullivan is a Seattle Times reporter. Bettina Hansen is a Times staff photographer.


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Michael Jackson is the richest deceased musician, but also richer than most every musician alive
Michael Jackson has been dead for more than 28 months, but thanks to the ugly ongoing trial of Dr. Conrad Murray and the steady stream of tributes in MJ’s memory, his passing still feels quite fresh. Time certainly hasn’t slowed the stream of posthumous income for Jackson, who according to Forbes is the most successful dead celebrity and is the number two money-maker among all musicians.
Between October 2010 and October 2011, Jackson pulled in $170 million thanks to music sales and licensing. That’s down from the $275 million he made the previous year, but his album sales remain pretty steady, and the income from the just-launched Cirque Du Soleil production Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour could keep him at the top of the list for a while.
It’s not surprising that Jackson earns so much more than other dead celebrities, but it’s a little shocking that he takes in more than almost any other living musician. Over the past year, only U2 made more money than Jackson, and they had to go on a lengthy, health-threatening tour that ended up being the most lucrative of all time.
Obviously, a lot of these Jackson-centric projects and renewed record sales would not be what they are had he not passed away, but even still, these are singularly impressive numbers. When you consider the richest musicians, almost all of their income is derived from touring, which is why there’s always so much turnover from year to year (if Bruce Springsteen doesn’t tour, he makes significantly less based on back catalog sales and licensing alone).
Though Lady Gaga sold a million copies of Born This Way in a week, the money she cleared on that album is chicken feed compared to the dump trucks full of cash her Monster Ball tour brought in.
Legacy acts can rely on album sales up to a point (especially if they are like AC/DC and don’t ever release a greatest-hits album), but the road still represents the big bucks. When Jackson’s posthumous income flirts with a quarter of a billion dollars next year, he’ll have touring (or “touring,” as a hologram) to thank as well.
Read more on EW.com:


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From the Series
Committed to developing his design skills and knowledge, Sharp-Lee Mthimkulu’s creative work is something to keep an eye on.
Mthimkulu is driven by a passion for design, a love for illustration, a crush on typography, and a thirst for creativity. Designing and creating a vast array of posters, stickers and sketches, the graphic designer aims to promote and highlight the culturally rich diversity in South Africa.
Having studied a Bachelor of Technology in graphic design at the University of Johannesburg earlier this year, Mthimkulu has teamed up with fellow designer students Kennedy Nickson, Sage Rose and Dominic Evans to create FutureLess. The unique collection of graphic work is inspired by life’s weird and unusual ways. The designers' individual backgrounds represent the future of design in South Africa as well as the diversity present in the country today. Earlier this year, FutureLess held their first exhibition in Johannesburg.
Mthimkulu was part of the Emerging Creatives programme at the Design Indaba Expo 2012, where his work was featured on Cape Town 2014 World Design Capital's video. The graphic designer believes that Design Indaba taught him to apply himself in a wholehearted manner to achieve a desired outcome. Mthimkulu therefore decided to enter a few competitions and was a finalist in the Indiafrica 2012 Poster Design Contest where he won $1000.
Design Indaba really opened my eyes to the possibilities that are available through design and creativity.
Since the Expo, Mthimkulu was offered to be part of the SABS Design Institute, but opted to study further through a bursary at Global Mouse, a design agency based in Johannesburg.


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SAN DIEGO -- ASIC pioneer American Microsystems Inc. on Tuesday (Jan. 2) announced it has changed its name to AMI Semiconductor after two U.S. investment firms purchased 80% ownership in the company from Japan Energy Corp.'s GA-Tek subsidiary.
Francisco Partners and Citicorp Venture Capital (CVC) said they completed previously announced acquisitions of majority interest in AMI, leaving GA-Tek with a 20% stake in the 34-year-old chip maker.
Japan Energy acquired AMI from Gould Inc. in 1988--the same year that the ASIC supplier moved its headquarters from Santa Clara, Calif., to Pocatello, Idaho. In 2000, AMI transferred its headquarters to San Diego, but it continues to operate two chip fabs in Idaho (one processing 8-inch wafers and the other running 5-inch diameter substrates).
The GA-Tek subsidiary has a warrant to purchase an additional 10% stake in AMI Semiconductor. Terms of the transaction were not released.
AMI Semiconductor (AMIS ) said it will continue to develop and market ASIC products for a broad range of system applications. The company also said it will aggressive introduce new wireless communication products during 2001.
In a 12-month period, ending on Nov. 30, AMI Semiconductor had net sales of more than $370 million, according to information posted on the company's Web site (www.amis.com). During 1999, AMI had revenues of $279 million, with about 30% of the sales coming from gate array products, 26% from mixed-signal ICs, and 25% from silicon foundry services.
A year ago, AMI announced plans to sell stock in an initial public offering after hiring H. Gene Patterson as president and CEO. Patterson was previously the president of Symbios Logic Inc. in Colorado. AMI had planned the IPO for 2000, but the initial offering was delayed.
The name change is partly aimed at sharpening AMI's corporate identity as the company continues plans for an IPO, said Harold Blomquist, senior vice president of worldwide sales and corp orate marketing. "AMIS is our domain name, and we have registered it as our stock symbol in preparation for our IPO," Blomquist said.
AMI has begun preliminary negotiations to acquire a wafer fab owned by Zilog Inc., which is attempting to refocus itself. In late December, Zilog announced it would cut 7% of its workforce, and consider selling one of its fabs in Nampa, Idaho (see Dec. 22 story).


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Nestlé's CTO shares examples of how science and technology could contribute to solving global nutrition, health, and sustainability challenges.
Six exciting new pet care businesses from across Europe & North Africa will partner with Purina to support the development of innovative new products & services.
Access to affordable nutrition is a global challenge affecting many people around the world, especially in emerging countries.
Nespresso, the pioneer and reference-point of high-quality portioned coffee, has today announced its global certification as a B Corp.
Nestlé has been working with the local cocoa farming communities to make cocoa farming more sustainable and cocoa-growing communities more resilient.
Organic growth reached 7.6%, with real internal growth (RIG) of 2.4% and pricing of 5.2%.
Nestlé S.A. shareholders approved all of the Board of Directors' proposals at the 155th Annual General Meeting (AGM) that took place in Vevey today.
Nestlé’s global efforts to reduce a business footprint and grow a positive impact.
Today, Nestlé USA announced a USD 675 million investment to build a new beverage facility in Glendale, Arizona. Read more.
The report highlights how consumer-centric, fast-paced innovation, digitalization and a focus on sustainability contribute to long-term value creation.


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Sweden has supposedly reached a deal with Ghana to import afro hair to satisfy the sudden high demand in the Scandinavian country as Swedish women become increasingly obsessed with Lupita’s hair.
Lupita Nyong’o has understandably captured the world’s attention with her talent and her signature short-cropped hair following her astounding performance in the hit movie, ’12 Years A Slave’. With her varying natural hair styles, the 30 year old Kenyan actress has redefined the standard of beauty and now, blue eyed Scandinavian women are reportedly shaving off their blond hair and donning teeny weeny afro wigs.
This new phenomenon dubbed ‘Lupitamania’ has reportedly gripped most of the Scandinavian region but it is yet to find its way to Ghana and the rest of Africa.
Most Ghanaian women prefer wearing long flowing silky human hair imported from Brazil, Peru and India. The Swedish government is therefore keen to take in the afro hair most Ghanaian women would rather cover up with Brazilian hair or Indian hair collected from shrines where they have been offered as sacrifice.
Speaking at a press conference to announce this agreement, a Ghanaian government spokesman reiterated the sentiments of most Ghanaian men that, “for all the millions of dollars Ghanaian woman have forked out on Brazilian, Peruvian and Indian hair, it is time for them to help recoup that money back into the country.”
Government has consequently put in place structures to ensure the effective collection and exportation of the Ghanaian hair. Under the new regulations, any Ghanaian female wishing to buy Brazilian, Peruvian or Indian hair will have to give up a kilogram of their natural hair to obtain a coupon. This coupon can then be used to purchase the imported human hair from accredited hair retailers.
Over reliance on imports is a particularly knotty problem facing the Ghanaian economy and government hopes this hair deal will help uncurl the situation.
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Indian four wheel super hero Maruti Suzuki India has done a fantastic job in few days. Its a matter of months when Maruti Alto 800 was officially launched. The market is on fire all the time for the small car segment in India. Every auto major does not step into this segment too. If we see about the other small cars figures they have fade competition in front of Indian darling Maruti, despite of this fact that other cars comprising more features than Maruti Alto 800 MSI has cracked the sales figure of one lakh in just 144 days.
Alto 800 after its launch from October, 2012 is rocking the boat well for Indian consumers and company too. The let’s go car in India has really done a comeback after the uplifted version, where auto journalist compared Alto 800 with Hyundai Eon and said that Eon wins the race in overall competition, but then proving the statements wrong Alto became a star car now.
It is an incredible success for the company, as we can say that Alto also joined the celebration camp like Swift. Recently Swift also crossed 3 million figures and now Alto is following the path. We see that being compact and fuel efficient the car has climbed up the ladder easily. The sales figure is very positive outcome for the Maruti Team and as per the spy news predictably there is an atmosphere of joy and feast in the company.
Maruti Alto 800 Video Review
Big aired news about the hot seller is that after becoming the love of India now company is going to present the car in Nepal in 2013. Maruti will be dealing with CG Automobiles and the consumers are waiting across the border for the unveiling of the car. The consumers are also excited for an about to launch of the car. The car will come with 796 cc 3 cylinder petrol engines. It can produce 48 Ps of maximum power, mating with a five gear box which makes the car much fuel efficient too. The car will also get some cosmetic changes in terms of roomy cabin and larger leg and head room approximately of 15mm larger than what we get in India. The Nepal production version of the car is also going to be 15% more fuel efficient than the Indian version. Auto world and consumers from Nepal are sincerely waiting for the launch but then nothing has been fixed by the company yet in terms of launch date and pricing of the car.


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A bevy of Google Suite products are experiencing significant disruption, including Gmail, Drive, Docs, Meet, Groups, Chat, Keep, and Voice.
The products, which are used by more a billion people, did not experience a full outage.
Update: Google Cloud Platform is also struggling, including App Engine, Cloud Storage, Cloud Logging, BigQuery, and Google Kubernetes Engine.
Oops, something went wrong
Google first said it was investigating issues with Gmail at 6:29am BST (1:29pm EST) that stopped many users from writing emails or uploading documents.
"Our team is continuing to investigate this issue," Google said on its status page.
The disruption quickly became the second most popular trending story on Twitter, as thousands took to social media to complain about the problem. Outside of G Suite, numerous users are also experiencing problems when trying to upload videos to YouTube.
The ongoing issue comes just a day after Spotify saw an hour-long global outage, possibly because it forgot to update its TLS certificates.
Also this week, Equinix's LD8 data center was hit by a major outage, causing disruptions across the UK.


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The South Korean executive has officially refuted numerous reports on the chance of a cryptocurrency buying and selling ban inside the country.
On Wednesday, December 13th, the South Korean executive, vital financial institution, and fiscal authorities had held an emergency assembly to discuss the legality of cryptocurrencies and the current state of the bitcoin and cryptocurrency trade markets.
The meeting was held after South Korean best minister Lee Nak-Yeon publicly expressed his considerations over the swift boom of the local cryptocurrency market and the involvement of more youthful investors. He mentioned that students have all started to trade cryptocurrency full time and the doorway of unaccredited traders into the market has turn into an argument for the government.
On December 14th, the South Korean executive released four leading guidelines and regulatory frameworks it intends to introduce via the conclusion of this year. the new rules intention to disallow underaged traders and foreigners from investing in cryptocurrencies, temporarily droop institutional buyers from investing in cryptocurrencies, guaranteeing that buying and selling systems conform with (KYC) and Anti-funds Laundering (AML) rules, and limiting one cryptocurrency alternate account per particular person.
The South Korean local cryptocurrency market’s three main exchanges Bithumb, Korbit, and Coinone, which can be all backed by multi-billion dollar conglomerates and funding establishments in the nation, stated that they welcome strict laws from the South Korean executive since it would further validate and legitimize the native market.
Bithumb, the nation’s biggest cryptocurrency trade which has an everyday trading extent higher than that of South Korea’s leading inventory change KOSDAQ, stated that the rules of the cryptocurrency sector will boost the market.
”A correct set of regulations will fairly nurture the (virtual foreign money) market, and we would welcome that,” Bithumb informed Reuters.
within the short-term, the South Korean executive is planning to enforce strict regulations to ensure that the market conforms with existing regulatory frameworks. Over time, the South Korean government intends to observe the regulatory roadmap of alternative leading bitcoin markets akin to Japan.
within the coming months, a cryptocurrency-related assignment drive shaped by way of the South Korean Ministry of approach and Finance, financial capabilities fee, Ministry of Justice, reasonable alternate commission, and financial Supervisory fee will continue to draft new laws to offer protection to buyers and better facilitate the increase of the native cryptocurrency business.
As a spokesperson for the task drive instructed Chosun, the nation’s main finance-concentrated mainstream media outlet:
“The South Korean govt has no other choice but to follow the regulatory frameworks and trends dependent by different main governments. whereas there actually exists a poor popularity attached to the cryptocurrencies, the executive’s stance is to allow what must be allowed, for the benefit of the South Korean market.


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The AMCA breach hammers home the need for supply chain security. Here’s how to vet your vendors so you can keep from becoming the next Quest or LabCorp.
UL 2900-2-1 calls for the secure design and security testing of medical devices. What does the FDA’s adoption of the standard mean for your development team?
FDA cybersecurity guidance is informed by a long list of standards and recommendations. How can manufacturers translate these documents into practices?
Posted in Healthcare Security & Privacy | Comments Off on Complex but helpful: Negotiating FDA guidance to build a cybersecurity program
The Anthem data breach in 2014–2015 was the largest healthcare data breach ever. But healthcare cyber security has improved since then.
The Internet of Things is now inside us. But network-connected medical devices are troubling, considering the history of medical device vulnerabilities.
Will the cyber security of medical devices improve with the FDA’s adoption of UL 2900-2-1? Most devices weren’t designed to be connected to the internet.
It’s never good news to find out that both your personal and clinical information could be compromised by the software platform your healthcare provider is using.
What makes medical devices hackable? The same thing that makes websites hackable: software vulnerabilities. But the consequences are far worse than stolen data.
The FDA’s adoption of UL 2900-2-1 as a consensus standard for premarket certification of medical devices means the world is about to change—for the better.
The FDA now recognizes UL 2900-2-1 and UL 2900-1, the first guidance that sets specific criteria for cyber security testing of connected medical devices.


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Gap Gets `Back to Blue' as Denim Boosts Profit 25%
Aug. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Bloomberg's Alix Steel reports that Gap Inc. saw denim and athletic products bost second-quarter profit by 25 percent at both the Gap and Old Navy chains. Joseph Weisenthal, Deputy Editor at Business Insider, examines the company's turnaround to profitability. They speak on Bloomberg Television's "Bloomberg Surveillance."
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Deep Dive Into the Weaker-Than-Forecast GDP Numbers
24:35 - The U.S. economy expanded less than forecast in the second quarter after a weaker start to the year than previously estimated as companies slimmed down inventories and remained wary of investing amid shaky global demand. Bloomberg's Michael McKee reports on "Bloomberg ‹GO›." (Source: Bloomberg)


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Birmingham Jewellery Quarter staple Charles Green & Son has received complaints over plans for its premises to be redeveloped into a block of flats.
The jewellery firm intends to demolish its current factory and replace it with a four-storey block of flats that will also house a new shop space for the business.
The factory was built in the 1970s and has become unfit for purpose and expensive to maintain. As such, the company has taken the decision to relocate to a new, state-of-the-art factory to facilitate future business growth.
Tom Green, chairman at Charles Green & Son, told the Express & Star: “The redevelopment of our current premises allows us to remain in the Jewellery Quarter. Without it, we would be forced to look for suitable space elsewhere in Birmingham or perhaps even outside the city.
“We’ve worked closely with the city council, our neighbours and other stakeholders to design a scheme which works for everyone.”
However, concerns have been raised over the height, size and effect on nearby historic builds, according to the newspaper.
It reported that the Victorian Society, Historic England and even the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust are among those to have raised objections about the build and its proximity to five listed buildings.
A report compiling the views of local residents and businesses mentioned the “detrimental impact” the project would have on the local area, and also labelled the proposed flats as “unacceptably small”, arguing that quality of life for residents would be poor.


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YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki used an onstage interview at the Vidcon content creators event in the US last week to unveil a new partnership with Daydream to make it easier for content creators to develop virtual reality videos and new adaptive functionality for the YouTube mobile app.
Wojcicki said that YouTube and Daydream had worked on creating a new VR format, VR180, and new cameras, to make VR content creation easier.
The VR180 format delivers 3D video while capturing 180° of coverage around the person filming. Creators can record what’s in front of them while creating a 180° VR experience.
She said that YouTube was also collaborating with camera manufacturers including LG, Yi and Lenovo to build VR180 cameras that could cost as little as US$200.
Google recently highlighted that three quarters of 360° video users only looked at the video in front of them, meaning most did not take full advantage of 360° video coverage. The VR180 format will be viewable on the PlayStation VR YouTube app and the format will support live streaming.
In her Vidcon interview, Wojciki also said that in the coming weeks the YouTube mobile app would dynamically adapt to whichever size of video the user was viewing, including vertical, square or horizontal formats.
She said that the new sharing feature that YouTube unveiled last year would be available in Latin America initially in a couple of weeks, with the US to follow soon after.
Wojcicki also said that YouTube TV, which enables users to stream shows and sports events from broadcast and cable networks in the US, would be launched in 10 new markets across the US.
Wojcicki said that YouTube recently cross the threshold of 1.5 billion logged in viewers a month. She said that viewers on average spent over an hour a day watching YouTube on mobile devices alone.
ICYMI: LaLiga rejects regulator’s call to abandon five-year rights tender digitaltveurope.com/2021/10/22/lal… https://t.co/gJyARcLAXy
22 October 2021 @ 20:30:00 UTC
DTVE: the week in view – The future of American SVOD lies outside of the US digitaltveurope.com/comment/the-fu… https://t.co/EgZ9fLqRLK
22 October 2021 @ 18:36:14 UTC


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SoftBank Group Chief Son Richest Japanese: Forbes List
New York, April 6 (Jiji Press)--Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of technology investment firm SoftBank Group Corp. <9984>, was the richest Japanese on U.S. magazine Forbes' 2021 list of billionaires released Tuesday.
Son ranked 29th among the richest people in the world, with a net worth of 45.4 billion dollars.
Tadashi Yanai, chairman, president and CEO of Fast Retailing Co. <9983>, the operator of Uniqlo casual clothing stores, came second among Japanese and ranked 31st overall, with 44.1 billion dollars.
Jeff Bezos, the founder of U.S. online retail giant Amazon.com Inc. ranked top overall for the fourth consecutive year, with 177 billion dollars, up 64 billion dollars from the previous year.
He was followed by Elon Musk, CEO of U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc., with 151 billion dollars. He was ranked 31st in the previous year's list.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]


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Continue to trade
FBN Ireland proposals include the introduction of an adaptability grant for small businesses that continue to trade by adapting their business model for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
It proposes a grant of up to €10,000 to help cafes and restaurants move to an online delivery service.
Ireland’s leading representative body for family-owned businesses also called on Government to commit to unlimited liquidity assistance to small companies that are in need.
FBN has called for the underwriting of interest-free loans from the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SCBI) and the pillar banks.
Other measures required include:
- Implementing a scheme akin to the UK’s where the Government will pay 80% of the salary for staff who are kept on by their employer,
- Waiving local authority rates for three months,
- Deferring water charges for the foreseeable future,
- Temporarily reducing the lower rate of employer PRSI,
- Reduce the VAT rate for the hospitality and tourism sector.
John McGrane, executive director of FBN Ireland, said:
“With every hour comes the news of another family business closing its door and laying off valued employees.
“As the backbone of the local community providing 780,000 jobs, the closure of family businesses will have a devastating impact on the rural economy in particular.
“A bold response from the state is now needed. It is now critical that government use its COVID-19 economic package to keep remaining family firms open for business – many of whom provide a link to the most vulnerable in our society.
“That can be achieved by providing unlimited liquidity for those businesses in need and giving a helping hand to businesses who are changing their business model to meet the challenges posed by public health guidelines.
“A €10,000 adaptability grant would go some way in helping businesses to do so.
“We must do all we can to maintain the link between family businesses and their employees.
"That’s why we are calling for the Government to follow the lead of the UK and Denmark in introducing a scheme that protects the pay of workers who are at risk of unemployment.
"In doing so, we must not discourage those seeking to play their part in the national response by taking up temporary employment in the healthcare or those taking up a job offer in other sectors that are in need protection, including Ireland’s retail sector.
“As we come together to tackle the health and economic emergency, every effort must be made to keep family businesses alive. They have a valuable role to play both in protecting the food supply chains we need now more than ever and in fostering recovery in every corner of Ireland.
“FBN Ireland stands ready to work with Government and others to develop a national plan for recovery and to keep our family businesses afloat over the coming weeks and months.”
FBN Ireland is the Irish Chapter of the International Family Business Network. It was founded in 2013 by leading Irish business families and operates as an all-island organisation.
It is estimated that approximately 75% of Irish-owned firms are family businesses and that these businesses contribute over 50% of Ireland’s GDP and employ around half of the workforce.
FBN Ireland promotes the success and sustainability of family businesses in the Irish economy. It is a not for profit and non-solicitation organisation that provides a confidential forum for families to discuss and address challenges specific to family businesses.
The organization also provides advice on corporate governance and business structures along with assistance on succession planning.


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By Colin Crummy A consumer campaign by the Jersey Evening Post has
sparked supermarket and petrol station price wars on the island.
Fair Play two-page spread every Saturday, relaunched last month,
champions consumer rights, with weekly price comparisons on everything
from a pint of beer to flights from the island.
The paper has
enlisted the help of the Women’s Institute, whose members go undercover
to compile a shopping basket from different outlets, which they then
deliver anonymously to the title.
Carl Walker, creator and editor of the pages, said the watchdog had provoked a response from traders and consumers.
the three weeks since we relaunched, the price of petrol has fallen by
4p and queues of up to 20 cars at a time have started to form outside
the cheapest petrol stations – something not seen in Jersey before.”
He added that sales of the Saturday edition had increased since the revamp.


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During Term 4 Year 7/8 students learnt about Financial Literacy as part of their Social Studies programme. As part of the programme the students learnt about profit, expenses and costs and then researched, created and marketed their own products for sale.
The programme ended in a Christmas Market on Tuesday this week where all students had a chance to sell their wares. From scrunchies to cupcakes, lip balm to Christmas decorations plus market food there was something for everyone. The largest profit was made by Year 8 students Savannah Blewden, Honor Braid and Abbie Bult. They sold their scrunchies, keep cups and stickers for a profit of $153.90. All profits are going towards buying new recycling bins for the school. At the time of publishing, the money is still being counted up.


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NEW DELHI|MUMBAI: Fundraising in the electronic field has actually clocked the fastest rebound given that the Covid-19 dilemma reached organizations worldwide, depending on to Gaurav Deepak, CEO of homemade monetary companies strong Avendus Capital.
Besides modern technology, meals as well as pharma have actually gone back firmly while IT companies remains to continue to be sturdy, he mentioned.
The Mumbai-headquartered Avendus remains to go to the cutting edge of modern technology dealmaking in India, recommending a number of the nation’s best start-ups in elevating financing each time when electronic organizations are actually viewing better enthusiasm coming from capitalists matched up to various other markets.
Over the training course of this year, Avendus assisted close over 30 handles all over markets, consisting of fundraising for some India’s best customer net majors like Dream11, Unacademy, Onsitego, Eruditus, Nykaa, as well as PolicyBazaar, depending on to information discussed due to the company along with ET. “The significant will certainly grow, as our company are actually oversubscribed in our unicorn bargains,” Deepak mentioned.
He mentioned the Indian authorities’s changed FDI plan on Chinese financing will certainly not affect start-ups substantially.
The enormous fundraising through Reliance Jio Platforms will certainly boost the India technician account, Deepak mentioned, incorporating that capitalists are actually certainly not discouraged coming from banking on business taking on Reliance.
” The Reliance Jio Platforms bring up will certainly aid the environment broaden hugely,” he mentioned. “Our team always keep referring to market reveal as well as certainly not regarding market measurements whatsoever. The amount of fostering, the amount of improvement of behavior, will the bodily business endure? The worth production will certainly take place out there measurements as well as price of consumer achievement. Market reveal improvement of 5% to 10% everywhere will certainly certainly not matter. Every business will definitely find yourself along with two-four gamers.”.
Reliance Jio Platforms just recently increased around $15 billion coming from myriad collection of capitalists.
Backed through bulge-bracket PE company KKR as well as mid-market fund Gaja Capital, Avendus just recently carried out an organisational improvement amongst its own 3 owners. Ranu Vohra turned over the CEO part to Deepak. Vohra is actually currently corporate vice-chairman. Kaushal Aggarwal will certainly remain on as ceo of Avendus Finance to steer its own credit score remedies service, which has actually been actually pinpointed as the brand-new significant development region for the company.
” The credit score component is actually profoundly indispensable to our service, as well as are going to really sustain a considerable amount of development for our added items to all our franchise business customers, whether in riches as well as assets financial,” Deepak said to ET.
On the inquiry of achievable accomplishments for its own resource monitoring service, Vohra mentioned the scaleup will definitely be actually by means of expansions of its own present finest doing Absolute Return Fund (ARF) in its own brand-new profile monitoring companies (PMS) style led through Andrew Holland as well as Vaibhav Sanghavi, as well as Avendus Olivo PMS led through Tridib Pathak.
” This is actually likewise a year when a number of our items will certainly bring up international financing,” Vohra mentioned. “Avendus presently takes care of an excessive of $1 billion as well as desires take it to $3 billion through 2025.”.
Avendus will definitely likewise reactivate its own finance service after the fiasco of IL&FS as well as DHFL in 2013. “September is actually heading to be actually the initial month where our company are actually heading to begin giving once more to our customers,” Deepak mentioned. “Our manual measurements will certainly find yourself where it was actually in the past, however our company will certainly be actually giving to our business person customers as well as to our riches customers.”.


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Due to the woeful lack of corporate training available at most companies, the majority of employees seeking professional advancement are taking matters into their own hands by networking, taking classes, and doing research on their own.
But companies are quickly waking up to the fact that today’s workers don’t want to stay stagnant in their jobs, and according to a report from learning startup Degreed earlier this year, 61% of employees would happily spend multiple hours a week on professional training if they got some kind of credit from their employer.
It’s with this double-sided interest in mind that online education company Coursera is today launching Coursera for Business: a platform that companies can formally purchase for their employees to use and learn with.
Coursera for Business will look fairly similar to the normal Coursera site, and users can take classes and earn credentials (paid for by their employers) from more than a hundred universities, including name brands like Yale, Stanford, and Princeton, on topics ranging from chemistry to fashion merchandising.
Four companies—BNY Mellon, Boston Consulting Group, Axis Bank, and L’Oréal—are already signed up to offer the program to their employees. BNY is asking certain employees to go through Coursera classes (on data science, for example) as part of their on-boarding. And importantly, companies will be able to track employees’ progress.
“Corporate learning tends to be fragmented and the curriculums are inconsistent,” Coursera CEO Rick Levin tells Quartz. Referring to the more than 20 million users the platform has attracted in its four years of existence, he adds, “Where we have an extraordinary opportunity is to bring high-quality, rigorous content into the workplace.”
Yet Coursera is hardly the first education company to dig into the space. The corporate-learning market is burgeoning, and online corporate learning alone is expected to grow more than 10% a year, reaching close to $31 billion in 2020.
Professional services company LinkedIn bought education venture Lynda last year, and now that LinkedIn been acquired by Microsoft, there just might be a massive training-related product coming out of the software company soon—maybe even integrated into Microsoft’s other professional products, like the Office suite, themselves.
The pivoting of Coursera’s original mission toward corporate training is not likely to be missed by its peers in the MOOC (massive open online courses) industry, either. That means that in the near future, workers will finally have a lot more ways than one to build up their professional toolkit.


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HOUSTON — Transportation services company SMG Industries has bought and merged with Barnhart Transportation, a Pennsylvania-based logistics services firm.
The total acquisition consists of Barnhart Transportation LLC, Barnhart Fleet Maintenance, LLC, Lake Shore Logistics, LLC, Lake Shore Global Solutions, LLC, Legend Equipment Leasing, LLC and Route 20 Tank Wash, LLC, which specializes in a wide range of transportation services, including full truck load, dry bulk, liquids, intermodal, LTL, heavy haul, drayage, transload and an “asset lite” brokerage business, according to a news release.
The acquisition cost amounts to $53.25 million, with $26 million paid in cash at closing, the news release noted. As part of the transaction, the principal owners of Barnhart received $19.25 million of the purchase price in the form of SMGI common stock, received $5 million of SMGI preferred stock and received a $3 million promissory note from SMGI.
Matt Flemming, chairman of SMGI, expressed enthusiasm about the deal, stating, “The acquisition of Barnhart by SMGI creates an attractive and diversified platform. We anticipate that the combined entity will establish itself as a larger, scalable, and more diversified transportation business, emerging as a regional leader in Texas, the Southwest and the Eastern Seaboard.”
Flemming further stated that combination of the two companies “will enhance customer relationships, reduce cyclicality and decrease customer concentration. With more than 500 non-overlapping customers, the cross-selling opportunities from a broader range of assets, capabilities, and services offers exciting opportunities for the growth of the combined company. We are thrilled to welcome Barnhart’s talented employees to the SMGI team and believe this transaction positions us well to deliver enhanced growth and significant value creation for employees, customers and shareholders.”
Tim and Bryan Barnhart, the leaders behind Barnhart Transportation, “bring a wealth of experience, expertise and leadership to SMGI,” the news release noted. “Over the past two decades, they have successfully diversified the company’s footprint to meet evolving customer needs. Their commitment to operational excellence and financial prudence has established a foundation of fiscal responsibility and sustainability.”
Tim Barnhart, the company’s new chief financial officer and board member, said that anticipating market trends and making strategic investments have been key to staying ahead in the dynamic global logistics market.
“Within the combined entity, we see tremendous opportunities for growth and success,” he said.
Bryan Barnhart, the newly appointed CEO and board member said of the deal: “The acquisition of Barnhart Transportation by SMG Industries is a significant milestone for both companies. “Together, management will leverage the transformative partnership to create a larger, more diversified transportation business, solidifying its position as a global leader. The merger unlocks attractive growth opportunities, strengthens customer relationships, and increases market capitalization. Combining its collective vision and strategic approach, the companies are poised to propel the company to new heights and set new benchmarks within the industry.”
Steven Madden, SMGI’s chief transition officer and board member, said he’s looking forward to the future with the combined companies.
“We are excited to join forces with Barnhart Transportation,” he said. “We believe this merger creates value of 1+1=3 immediately. We have worked hard since those difficult Covid days to transform SMGI along with the help of Jimmy Frye (president of 5J Trucking and board member) into a healthier, more profitable, turn-key, customer-focused, diversified, domestic infrastructure transportation company force. This acquisition and merger is just the beginning, and the Barnhart’s are a perfect fit culturally, operationally and financially. It provides the necessary platform to springboard us organically and inorganically giving us more capacity for expansion while gaining experienced, proven industry leaders and managers. This merger will also provide additional strategic business units for both geographic regions. Most importantly, this acquisition helps our customers, employees and increases value to our shareholders.”
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.


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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is coming to PS 5 and Xbox Series X/S with a free makeover and all the trimmings.
CD Projekt announced that an updated version of the award-winning game (over 800 awards if we’re keeping count) will be rereleased for the ninth console generation. This revamp of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete edition “will feature a range of visual and technical improvements — including ray tracing and faster loading times — across the base game, both expansions, and all extra content” according to a news release from the developer.
The expansions mentioned in the news release, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, were also critically acclaimed in their own right. The rest of the extra content mentioned are miscellaneous additions such as updated fight animations, new quests and alternate costumes, all of which were released for free in previous editions.
Players who already own copies of The Witcher 3 will receive all these updates for free on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The Witcher games are based off the eponymous novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, who has been notoriously salty about selling the rights to CD Projekt for a lump sum because he had no idea that this silly thing called video games would become a monstrous $120 billion industry. CD Projekt’s games greatly outpaced Sapowski’s original stories in fame, and today, The Witcher is considered one of the most prestigious franchises in gaming.
It’s also helped the Polish developer accrue a great deal of good will. CD Projekt has released tons of DLC content for their titles that most other developers would charge for. GOG.com, the company’s distribution platform, has positioned itself as a pro-consumer brand for selling games without digital rights management or DRM.
CD Projekt is held in such high regard that in 2011, then Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk presented President Barack Obama with a copy of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings as an official diplomatic gift.
There is no release date yet for The Witcher 3: Complete Edition for PC, PS5 and Xbox SX.
If you enjoyed this story, check out In The Know’s article on Mizkif claiming he can’t get a house loan because of his $10,000 Warcraft armor.
More from In The Know


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Study Claims Voice-to-Text is Just as Dangerous as Manual Texting While Driving
April 23, 2013 9:12 AM
comment(s) - last by
Study findings show voice to text is no safer
A new study conducted at Texas A&M University by the Texas Transportation Institute comparing voice-to-text and traditional texting using a smartphone in an actual driving environment. The people behind the study report that the findings show using voice-to-text services are no safer than texting manually while driving.
"In each case, drivers took about twice as long to react as they did when they weren't texting," Christine Yager, who headed the study, told Reuters. "Eye contact to the roadway also decreased, no matter which texting method was used."
The researchers involved in the study used 43 different drivers and had them drive along a test track repeatedly while performing various tasks. The participants drove along the track, with no electronic devices in the car to distract them during one session. The participants then drove along the same test track while using voice to text applications on a smartphone, and another time the drivers drove along the same track on texting manually. Participants used both the iPhone and Android devices during the test.
Interestingly, the study found that using speech to text actually took longer for drivers than traditional texting because the need to go back and correct the often garbled texts composed using voice services.
The study highlights a significant safety concern in that while it found drivers were no safer using voice-to-text services as opposed to manually texting, drivers reported feeling safer when using the former.
Several states and individual cities around the country currently have laws on the books banning texting while driving without using a hands-free device. California is one such state where it is illegal to manually text while driving, but it is
legal to send text messages
using voice-controlled devices. Many automotive manufacturers are also integrating technology into their vehicles supporting hands-free services for phone calls and texting. One of the most popular is
, which is available on nearly every Ford vehicle.
This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
Dr of crap
Dr of crap
4/23/2013 12:38:31 PM
Common sense for ALL !!
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Pixie is the latest hero to be announced for Marvel Super War. While she arrives on March 5, there’s still no word on a U.S. or Europe release date.
At this point, I’m starting to think Marvel Super War will never launch in the United States. The Marvel-themed MOBA from developer NetEase launched in select SEA regions back in December of last year. Since then, those of us in the U.S. and Europe have waited patiently for it to arrive in the west. Two months later, NetEase still hasn’t given us a date — or even a timeframe.
As frustration mounts over the unanswered question, NetEase continues to pump out new heroes for the game. The latest to be announced is Pixie.
Admittedly, I’m not too familiar with this Marvel character who first appeared in New X-Men: Academy X #5 in November 2004. As her nickname suggests, Pixie is a hybrid mutant and fairy with the ability to fly and produce hallucinogenic dust from her wings. These cause powerful visual and auditory hallucinations when inhaled or through skin-contact.
NetEase hasn’t revealed Pixie’s abilities, but it will be interesting to see if they coincide with her powers. As a Support class, I could see her hallucinations disrupting enemy abilities. It sounds like she’ll have at least one ability giving her some sort of scape mechanic, as suggested by her “agility.”
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NetEase had been releasing new heroes for Marvel Super War at a pretty fast pace following its launch. However, it has been nearly a month since Vision was added. Pixie will be the sixth new hero added since launch, following Namor, Ghost, Doctor Strange, Ancient One and the aforementioned Vision.
All of these new heroes and constant updates are nice but it does little to appease those of us still waiting for the game. While there is a workaround to get Marvel Super War playable in the United States, not everyone wants to go through the hassle of all of those steps (it’s really not that many, but still). As always, we’ll be sure to let you know when Pixie goes live and if NetEase ever announces a release date.


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Cheered by festive sales, fashion retailers start calling suppliers
A spurts in sales September onwards has energised fashion retailers and an expectation of a near- full recovery of their business to pre-pandemic levels by March-April is driving them now to rush their orders for the spring-summer collections.
Online theatre, UV rays to wash vessels: High-end clubs get social but keep distancing rules
Lifestyle clubs turn to innovative ways of keeping members connected, even as they reopen with fresh protocols in place
CCI to donate Rs 51 lakh for fight against COVID-19
CCI President Premal Udani told PTI that an additional Rs 50 lakh will be raised with donations from its members.
A stitch in time: Policy flip-flops have seen India lose in garments exports but, it might not be too late
Countries like Bangladesh & Vietnam are growing rapidly as garment manufacturing is moving here from China.
Asia's mini Chinas struggle to capitalize on Trump-Xi trade war
No one nation is able to reproduce the kind of success China enjoyed in transforming its economy.
India's apparel exports set to cross $17b in FY15Despite a strong rupee and slower growth in Western markets, India's apparel exports are set to cross $ 17 billion in FY'15 from $ 15 billion in FY'14.
Garment exports ride on rupee skidFor every Re 1 decline against the dollar, sales realizations would increase by about 1.5%-1.75% for garment makers.
Europe recovery signs cheer apparel exportersAn indication by European Union buyers to place orders for apparels has come as a respite to exporters who have been hit hard by a recession in the region.
European financial woes likely to cut apparel exports by 15%Orders from Italy and Spain have almost become nil and could reduce India's total apparel exports by 15%.
Apparel exporters fail to gain from falling rupee on poor demandIndian exporters are unable to gain because western buyers are buying less. Since October, sourcing is down 15%.
DGCIS says apparel exports rose 30% in H1, exporters differDespite the impending fears of another global recession, apparel exports from India in the April-September 2011 period have grown by 30% to $6.7 billion.
US Congress asked to renew trade preferences for India, othersThe US administration has urged the Congress for early renewal of a GSP mechanism under which imports allowed a preferential access.
Organic garments make it to fashion showAn Ahmedabad-based company is planning to organise a fashion show of organic garments in association with Apperal Export Promotion Council and central ministry of environment and forest.
Apparel exports grow about 13% in AprilThe exports stood at USD 972 million in April last year, according to the data provided by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC).
India to submit case today on child labour charges by US, brands may stop sourcing if apparel industry fails reviewApparel exporters risk losing clients like GAP, Reebok and Nike if India fails to convince the US on Friday that its industry does not employ children.
Rising cotton prices hit apparel exports hardSoaring cotton prices are affecting apparel exports as there has been a drop in export orders from the US and Europe by at least 20% for the Fall season.
Union Budget 2011: Branded garments, textiles to cost upto 15% more on excise dutyHowever, the new provision does not include small-scale industries and garments from tailor shops. The exports will also be excluded from the proposed provision.
Apparel exports up over 1 per cent in OctoberMaintaining a positive trend, India's apparel exports registered a modest year-on-year growth of 1.5 per cent to USD 728 million in October, 2010.
Garments industry strike todayOne of India's leading export baskets, the garment industry, is going on a nation-wide strike on Friday.
Asian currency tensions simmer as dollar sinksIt's boom time in Asia, only Premal Udani, who runs an Indian apparel exporting company, says he has little to show for it.
India may miss $12 bn exports target this yearApparel exporters are apprehensive about achieving the target of USD 12 billion for 2010-11, as overseas shipments declined for three months in a row
Apparel exports drop for third month in a rowIndia's apparel exports declined for the third successive month in July, showing a 22.5 per cent annual drop in contrast to recovery in the country's overall exports which went up by 13.2 per cent in the same month.
Indian textile cos fail to get US clean chit over labour abuseIndian apparel exporting industry has not been able to convince big brother US about its seriousness in eliminating labour abuse from the sector.
Indian textile industry may again figure on US blacklistThe $10-billion Indian textile industry that directly employs 6 million workforce to make apparel for the world’s best brands is feared to find mention in the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorisation Act (TVPRA List) which will be prepared by the US in Sept 2010.
Trade pact can generate 2.5 million jobs in India: IndustryIndia will be able to bag extra orders worth $3billion for garment exports from the European Union, if the country enters into a free trade agreement with the EU, apparel exports body said today.
Apparel export dips over 6 per cent in MayAfter a positive trend in April India's apparel export, impacted by events in Europe, dropped by an annual 6.8 per cent to USD 820 million in May.
India seeks to clear child labour charges in textile sectorHaunted by charges of use of child labour in the textile sector, India is pulling up its socks ahead of a review by the United States of America scheduled later this year.Load More
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NOTE: Square Enix have confirmed to PlayStation Universe that Gilbert Gottfried is voicing Iago for Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMIX.
Gilbert Gottfried, the voice actor behind Iago from Disney’s Aladdin, has tweeted an image of his work “for the upcoming Kingdom Hearts video game.” Gottfried has also teased that he is voicing the comedic bird in this title.
Iago the Parrot squawks again for the upcoming Kingdom Hearts video game. pic.twitter.com/mjo69aHEln
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) May 23, 2014
While some may say this could be some voice work for the Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix, it should be noted that Tetsuya Nomura (the director of the series) told Famitsu (via KHInsider) that the recording for the collection was finished. Whether or not, he strictly meant the Japanese voices and not the West, is yet to be known. We will be reaching out to Square Enix for more clarification on this comment.
However, if Gilbert Gottfried is voicing Iago for Kingdom Hearts 3, it is highly likely we will see this game much sooner than we thought. Back in January, the voice of Sora (Haley Joel Osment), spoke to entertainment website, Zap2it, and stated that “the recording of the dialogue is one of the last parts of the [development] process.” Another factor to consider is that the Osaka studio, who are currently developing the third entry, released Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance in 2012 and since the DS release, 358/2 Days, we have seen a Kingdom Hearts release every 1-2 years. Maybe we’ll see Kingdom Hearts III early on in 2015. Stay tuned as we near E3.


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Chefs and cooks are invited to display the best of their culinary skills as part of the Coventry and Warwick-shire Food and Drink Awards.
The event, now in its fourth year, is organised by a group of food, tourism and business experts in the area.
Its aim is to seek out the best local food and drink served up by pubs, cafes and restaurants in the area.
Food is judged by a panel which acts as a group of mystery shop-pers.
Prizes range from trophies to commemorative plaques and certificates.
They will be awarded at a prestigious celebration dinner later in the year.
Robin Underhay, of Coventry Business Link, who is chair of the awards' steering group, said: "We believe there is a wealth of exciting food being served across the Coventry and Warwick-shire region which should be recognised and celebrated.
"These new categories will particularly encourage more ethnic entrants and young chef participation."
Anyone who would like to enter the awards can obtain an application form from Roger Dick on 01926 412709.


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Russia Considering VAT Reductions And Incentives For The Domestic Tourism Industry
The Russian Ministry of Finance is looking into proposals from President Vladimir Putin to reduce the amount of VAT payable on tourism related services in order to give the industry a much-needed boost. VAT in Russia currently stands at 20%.
Russian tourism industry leaders have shown that the current VAT rate in the sector is 2-3 times higher than in Southeast Asia.
Additional measures have also been requested affecting Russia’s national ‘tourism cashback’ programme, a travel subsidy stimulus in the country. Under this programme, Russian tourists can pay for their travel expenses with a Mir Bank card and receive compensation of 20% of the tour cost. All regions of the country took part in the programme, which finished last month. Since the beginning of the year, more than 1.6 million Russians used the facility, purchasing tours and accommodation in hotels with cashback in 2021 for more than 34 billion rubles, while in the form of cashback, tourists received about 6.7 billion rubles in cashbacks. The money is returned to the cardholders once their trip has finished.
The most popular tours in the Russian domestic industry are trips to Crimea, Krasnodar in the Far East (skiing) and Stavropol. Health and spa vacations to the Tyumen and Altai regions are also popular.
There are issues to be resolved, included the definition of which businesses should be included in VAT reductions or exemptions. Will it affect only the hotels, tourist companies selling tickets, or include catering services, transport companies, SMEs involved in the production and sale of souvenirs and so on. Proposals have also been made to extend the facilities to the overseas tourism sector. A decision on the VAT issue and an extention of the cashback scheme is expected next month.
Russia Briefing is written by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm has 28 offices throughout Eurasia, including China, Russia, India, and the ASEAN nations, assisting foreign investors into the Eurasian region. Please contact Maria Kotova at email@example.com for Russian investment advisory or assistance with market intelligence, legal, tax and compliance issues throughout Asia.


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The incumbent PTI government’s efforts to promote tourism are gradually bearing fruit as more and more foreign tourists are visiting Pakistan. In addition, domestic tourism is also on the rise in the country.
According to the latest edition of the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum, Pakistan has improved from 124th in 2017 to 121st in 2019. Although the ranking hasn’t improved drastically, the data shows a positive trend. Pakistan ended up one spot below Bangladesh in the list.
Spain topped the list of 140 countries with an impressive score of 5.4. France, Germany, and Japan also scored 5.4 as the global average stood at 3.8..
Here are the key indicators for Pakistan:
International tourist arrivals – 965,500
International tourism inbound receipts – US $351.6 million
Average receipts per arrival – US $364.2
Travel and tourism industry GDP – US $8,000.2 million
Travel and tourism industry share of GDP – 2.8% of total
Travel and tourism industry employment – 1,484,200 jobs
Share of employment – 2.4% of the total
Pakistan came 37th in terms of the price competitiveness and scored 4.2 on business environment, 4.5 on health and hygiene, and 3.7 on safety and security