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Apple Keynote: How to follow the launch of the MacBook Pro 2021, the most powerful PC in the world?
Apple is organizing a second keynote this Monday, October 18, 2021 from 7 p.m. At this eagerly awaited conference, the Silicon Valley giant is expected to announce a new generation of MacBook Pro. It could also be that the AirPods 3 will be unveiled in the process. We take stock of the announcements expected during tonight’s presentation.
After the keynote dedicated to the iPhone 13, the iPad mini and the Apple Watch Series 7, Apple is already back in the limelight. The Californian manufacturer is organizing a new conference this Monday, October 18, 2021. The keynote will begin at 7 p.m. Paris time.
True to its habits since the pandemic, the Cupertino giant will be satisfied with a presentation video broadcast online. Shot from Apple Park, Apple’s campus, the footage will be shown on the brand’s website and on YouTube. Apple TV owners will also be able to watch the event on their TV through a dedicated app. We will obviously be there to discover the event with you.
WHEN AND HOW TO FOLLOW THE KEYNOTE APPLE OF OCTOBER 18, 2021?
- When does the Apple keynote take place? : Monday 18 October 2021
- What time will the live start : at 7 p.m. (French time)
- How to follow Apple’s live : here on the site using the YouTube video just above
- How long will the live last : more or less an hour
What to expect from tonight’s keynote?
The Apple conference will mainly be devoted to the new MacBook Pros. This new generation will first stand out thanks to its M1X chip, a new chipset developed by Apple Silicon. With this new range, Apple would also inaugurate a new design that includes a notch on the screen. Among the new features, we would also find the mini-LED ProMotion screen, a 1080p webcam, 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of memory by default.
According to some rumors, Apple will also take advantage of the conference to announce the AirPods 3. The manufacturer has completely revised the design of the AirPods including a shorter rod. This would make the accessory charging case smaller and more discreet.
Appointment is therefore taken at 7:00 p.m. sharp here to follow with us the Apple conference devoted to the new MacBooks. In the meantime, feel free to leave a little comment below to tell us what you expect from this conference.


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SEATTLE — In the latest in a rash of smash-and-grab burglaries across Seattle, a shoe and clothing store was damaged when a van slammed into it early Monday.
“Rush Hour” is located in the heart of the West Seattle Junction on California Avenue Southwest. The store had just opened over the summer and specializes in buying, selling, and trading sneakers, streetwear, and vintage items.
When our news crew arrived, police were still at the scene, a minivan that hit the building was being towed away, and the owners of the store were cleaning up and assessing the damage.
They said they couldn’t yet tell if anything was stolen other than a “Rush Hour” movie VHS videotape.
“I’d hate to say they didn’t take much because they took something. They’re putting a dent in what business needs to be done, what we need to have the shop flowing. Everything is valuable to me in the shop. This is something we built from the ground up,” said Key, who was at the mangled store Monday morning.
And Monday’s smash-and-grab wasn’t the first to happen at the store. It was also intentionally hit by a car on Friday.
“Someone stole a Kia, ran into the shop, typical. It’s been happening a lot lately, unfortunately, happened to our business which we just started a couple of months ago,” said Key.
A video on the store’s Instagram page showed the damage to the building.
After that setback, part of the building was boarded up, but now there’s new damage to repair and the owners are picking up the pieces again.
It is unclear if any arrests were made.
We’re working to get more information about the crime.
©2023 Cox Media Group

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Last updated on June 5th, 2015 at 02:22 pm
The Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA) is advocating for a statewide ban on powdered alcohol, known as “palcohol.” The MRA is working with legislators to prohibit the product that recently received approval from the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco, Tax, & Trade Bureau.
According to the MRA, several states banned the sale of powdered alcohol and others are considering a ban. The MRA believes this is an important public safety issue. Restaurants would have the liability without any of the responsibility protocol if a patron were to bring the product in and mix their own drinks without the knowledge of the restaurant staff.
The MRA has heard from many operators expressing concerns ranging from underage consumption to the ease of consumers of all ages concealing the package when they enter a venue.


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TUCSON, Ariz., June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to shake up the segment, the Honda Accord is upping its game with a redesign for 2013. The steadfast vehicle has to compete with the Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion and Mazda6. To keep up with the stiff competition, Honda will be offering a smaller, lighter Accord than the current version, with updated styling and new features. Consumers will find that the sportier Accord will offer improved handling while maintaining its generous cabin space.
To make room for the incoming 2013 models, Chapman Honda is offering low prices on 2012 Accords. For example, the lease price for the 2012 Honda Accord Sedan LX Automatic starts at $199 per month for 24 months.
"We're confident that drivers will find that the 2013 Accord is a very well-balanced product that is the best overall vehicle in every capacity, whether we're talking about interior packaging, content of the vehicle, or the fuel economy of the vehicle," Neb Yonas, Chapman Honda General Manager, said. "To make space for incoming 2013 vehicles, many 2012 Honda models will be offered at significantly lower price points which translate into major savings for Arizona Honda customers," Yonas added.
The redesigned 2013 Honda Accord will arrive this fall to Chapman, your Tucson Honda dealer.
Honda is upping the standard features list for 2013; niceties will include Bluetooth, SMS audio text functionality, and Pandora radio with iPhone interface all bundled together with a Multi-Information Display (i-MID) system. Keeping in line with Honda's green initiatives, the 2013 Accord comes standard with ECO Assist vehicle efficiency system, which is a super-efficient mode to maximize fuel efficiency.
Honda has already announced that the Accord will offer three different drivetrains. The base four-cylinder will be a new direct-injected, DOHC engine that will deliver 181 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. It will be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A 3.5-liter V6 will be optional, but Honda has only said that it will be more powerful and more efficient than the current engine. In early 2013, a plug-in hybrid variant will be added to the model lineup. It will combine a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 120kW electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries. Honda says it will be capable of traveling up to 10 miles in pure electric mode at speeds up to 62 mph.
As far as safety is concerned, Honda didn't cut any corners. Drivers will be introduced to plenty of safety tech including lane departure and forward collision warning systems, and a LaneWatch blind spot system featuring a passenger side mounted camera for enhanced vision. A backup camera will come standard on every model.
CONTACT: Dana McFall, +1-480-735-0486, [email protected]
SOURCE Chapman Honda


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Advocates of Tron blockchain were pleased to notice that Samsung has added TRX support to its Blockchain Keystore. The news comes ahead of Justin Sun’s participation in the Samsung Developer Conference later this week.
All users of the South Korean multinational conglomerate’s Keystore, a critical part of Samsung’s blockchain initiative, will be able to access TRON dApps and store TRX.
“This is a remarkable milestone for TRON, and I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to work with Samsung. We are totally in line with and will support Samsung’s vision and strategy on blockchain technology exploration,” said Justin Sun, founder of TRON and CEO of BitTorrent.
Samsung has also given DApps developers access to the Blockchain Keystore SDK, allowing them to build applications running on TRON blockchain and provide secure private key authentication.
With TRX being integrated into the Keystore, the crypto enthusiasts believe the move opens the door for similar networks, particularly as Samsung has been active in the space since it first released its blockchain wallet in March 2019.
— TRON Foundation (@Tronfoundation) October 29, 2019
ATFX as One of the Brand Sponsors of Finance Magnates London Summit 2021Go to article >>
Samsung Blockchain Keystore addresses security concerns related to bringing blockchain to mobile platforms. The store allows users to use their mobiles like a cold wallet, storing their private keys in a dedicated zone with the additional protection of its standard security app Knox.
Samsung’s crypto suite also included enabling a wallet app, which allows users of its flagship Galaxy S10 to make cryptocurrencies transactions and easily access DApps on their smartphones.
Samsung’s push into blockchain is expanding even further with some rumors suggest that eventually, Samsung Pay will sync with the Keystore wallet so people can pay for goods and services with cryptocurrencies.
Founded by Chinese entrepreneur Justin Jun, TRON is a blockchain-based protocol dedicated to creating what it calls a “decentralized and free internet.” The TRON network provides mechanisms for allocating the value of user-generated content, with anyone who contributes content being entitled to profits of proportional value.
The company has its own cryptocurrency, dubbed TRX, which had a market cap of $1.4 billion at the time of writing.
Last year, the Tron Foundation said it would be working closely with Baidu, a China-based internet giant, to work on a large cloud service with the final goal of providing better blockchain solutions.


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Industry welcomes NSW Government EV policy
The Electric Vehicle Council of Australia has welcomed the NSW Government’s package of reforms to boost the adoption of electric vehicles in Australia. Behyad Jafari, Chief Executive of the Electric Vehicle Council, said the consultative, balanced and long-sighted package will ensure NSW cleans its streets of exhaust and noise, lowers health costs, reduces carbon emissions and breaks its dependence on foreign oil. Jafari added that it would also ensure tax revenue flows fairly from road users as the transition unfolds.
“Jurisdictions around the world that have taken this path have seen billions in investment flow toward them. NSW residents will now see more places to charge their cars and innovative EV-oriented businesses flourish. Vitally, they will see the world’s leading manufacturers offering their most affordable EV models to the state. Currently there is a strong incentive to reserve these less expensive models for overseas markets. That changes with this announcement. NSW residents with tight budgets will finally be able to escape the weekly punishment of the petrol pump,” said Jafari.
AGL Interim Managing Director and CEO Graeme Hunt also welcomed the initiatives announced by the NSW Government, which will help encourage more NSW road users to make the switch to electric cars. Hunt stated that facilitating the rollout of electric vehicles, and investing in the infrastructure needed to support their use, is an important step in electric vehicles becoming a bigger part of Australian life.
“Electric vehicles will play an important role in achieving the energy transition, providing new job opportunities and helping meet the NSW Government’s target of net zero emissions by 2050. As Australia’s largest energy retailer and generator, we will play an important role in powering the vehicles of the future, contributing towards the decarbonisation of Australia’s transport sector,” said Hunt.
Hunt added that the uptake and integration of electric vehicles in the Australian market will be influenced by initiatives that facilitate consumer access and developing technical insights to inform regulatory design.
“We want to see Australians driving their way to a more sustainable future, and any government support helps our ambition to create a better, cleaner tomorrow for us all,” said Hunt.
All Australian councils have been encouraged to participate in the 2022 Local Government Skills...
Aussie Broadband has announced a 10-year swap deal with VicTrack that will deliver access to...
The Australian Government has reappointed Andrew Stevens as the Data Standards Chair, to...


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Companies in Thailand, one of the largest Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economies, hope to expand both within ASEAN markets and across the world – and could turn to the active financial markets of Hong Kong to raise funds.
Hong Kong businesses are known for their flexibility and adaptability. A family-owned factory, now in its second generation, has faced constant challenges since the current owner took over the operation, so it took the decision to actively diversify.
Technology investors usually expect rapid returns on their assets, but the life sciences, especially medicine, have notoriously long development times. Returns can take decades to eventuate and ventures often turn out to be unviable.
Mainland China, the second-largest economy in the world, continues to draw strong market interest, especially in relation to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, companies are accelerating campaigns to upgrade brands, transform e-commerce systems and develop new production and supply chains to ensure they remain viable as long-term businesses.
In order to accelerate the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) to create an intelligent manufacturing industry, Hong Kong-based innovation and technology company Nexsen sees Industry 4.0 as an opportunity to actively expand into offshore markets.
Among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, Malaysia is Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner. Malaysia's latest five-year development plan specifies that the country will actively develop its digital economy and attract technology-related investment.
As fintech transforms traditional banking, with all financial institutions becoming fintechs and the metaverse becoming a venue for a parallel banking system, the industry’s talent transformation will need to go beyond swapping pinstripe suits for denim.
Zeek is not your conventional logistics company – forgoing warehouses and vehicles, the Hong Kong start-up provides on-demand delivery services reaching recipients in as little as half an hour, thanks to a massive team of 15,000 couriers recruited through a smart application.
“East meets West” is a term firmly wedded to Hong Kong, in the same way as “Silicon Valley” is linked to San Francisco. But just as the technology business in San Francisco is about much more than physical chips, to view Hong Kong as primarily a link between Mainland China and Europe and North America misses the big picture.


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Nov 16, 2016 11:51 AM EST
‘Fallout 4’ Mods on PS4 Release Date, News & Details: Creation Kit Updated For Better PS4 Experience
After Bethesda pulled all stops to convince Sony to allow "Fallout 4" Mods on the platform, fans are hyped and can't wait to try the next modding experience. In their quest to make the feature as enjoyable as possible, the Creation Kit, said to be used in creating mods has just been updated.
According to EXPRESS UK, Bethesda has just finished and already launched the latest update on the creation kit for "Fallout 4" mods. Modders can now visit Bethesda.net launcher to update the list and include their best creations to this date.
Meanwhile, Bethesda also noted that, the PS4 mods are all in the form of plugins and archives will not be allowed in the feature. Wrapping up the final piece of the "Fallout 4" mods came in the form of the latest "Fallout 4" update 1.8. Unfortunately, this update is only available to PC users. The PS4 version as well as Xbox One "Fallout 4" update 1.8 is currently in certification, which may take a while to proceed.
According to MobiPicker, fans who can't wait to try the "Fallout 4" mods should also take note of the latest update 1.8 that has the following patch notes. Issues on the sound effects stopping after refreshing a certain area has been fixed.
The occasional crash when exiting to the Main Menu or when trying to start the game has also been resolved. As for the "Fallout 4" mods that the update 1.8 fixed; it include fixing the rare crash encountered when a mod experiences an unexpected data structure. Another "Fallout 4" mod that has been fixed by update 1.8 is the inability of the mods to display image during a fast scroll.
For now, stay tuned for the upcoming "Fallout 4" mods update on the console system and read more news and update here on the University Herald.
See Now: Facebook will use AI to detect users with suicidal thoughts and prevent suicide© 2017 University Herald, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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XPO Logistics Inc.—the company formed by entrepreneur Bradley S. Jacobs to establish a multi-billion dollar footprint in the truck brokerage, expedited transport, and freight forwarding industries—has acquired Kelron Logistics, a Canada-based broker, for $8 million in cash.
Last year Jacobs invested $150 million in cash in a non-asset-based expedited transportation company called Express-1 Expedited Solutions Inc., renamed the company, and installed himself as CEO. He aims to construct a $5 billion-a-year to $6 billion-a-year company mostly by unifying a deeply fragmented truck brokerage segment through a combination of acquisitions and organic expansion that XPO calls "cold starts."
Mississauga, Ontario-based Kelron marks XPO's second acquisition; the first was Continental Freight Services Inc., a South Carolina-based broker that XPO bought in May for an undisclosed sum. Kelron generates 80 percent of its business within the United States or in the U.S.-Canada trans-border trade. As of June 30, Kelron had reported $100 million in annual revenue.
XPO has also recently added brokerage locations in Chicago; Jacksonville, Fla.; Morris County, N.J.; and Montgomery, Ala., bringing the number of new brokerage locations to seven. It had planned to add five "cold starts" to its broker network by the end of 2012. It has also added a location in Birmingham, Ala., for its expedited business and another in Los Angeles to support its freight forwarding network.
Jacobs has set a goal for XPO to hit about $500 million in annual revenue in 2012, more than double its 2011 revenue totals. The revenue brought in by the Kelron acquisition puts XPO at about $320 million through early August, according to estimates from John G. Larkin, the lead transport analyst at investment firm Stifel, Nicolaus & Co.
In a research note published Tuesday, Larkin said XPO would more than likely hit the $500 million mark by closing on five to seven deals with companies each generating between $25 million and $35 million in gross revenue.
On Monday, XPO reported second quarter revenue of $54.5 million, a 23.7-percent increase from the same period in 2011. The company posted a $5.2 million net loss for the quarter, compared with a net income of $914,000 for the same period in 2011. Analysts expect the company to post net losses into 2013 as it incurs significant costs while building its business and turning around Kelron, which has struggled for profitability in recent quarters.
In a statement announcing the second-quarter results, Jacobs said XPO "is either on track or ahead of schedule" with the core components of its business plan. Jacobs noted that the company doubled its brokerage revenue from year-ago levels and that its freight forwarding unit, Concert Group Logistics, reported its first year-over-year revenue increase in five quarters.
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The US may be headed for a recession this year, but it’s hard to tell based on the economy’s strong performance at the end of 2022. Gross domestic product is likely to grow at a faster-than-normal pace for the second quarter in a row.
Here’s what to watch for in Thursday morning’s fourth-quarter GDP release.
Second half recovery
The US is likely to grow at an annual rate of 2.8% in the period covering October to December, according to the Wall Street DJIA,
analyst. GDP is kind of the official scorecard for the economy.
GDP also increased at a rate of 3.2% in the third quarter, recovering from two consecutive declines in the first half of the year.
Users continue to do so
Americans are spending a lot of money through the end of 2022 — enough to keep the economy going. Household spending typically generates about 70% of US economic activity.
Consumer purchases of goods and services such as new cars or vacation trips are likely to increase about 2.5% after adjusting for inflation, economists estimate. That’s slightly above the pre-pandemic average.
However, economists do not expect a repeat in early 2023. They predict spending will slow to less than 1% in the first quarter, which runs from January to March.
Interest rate hikes orchestrated by the Federal Reserve to lower high inflation have made big-ticket items more expensive and curbed consumer appetite. High inflation also acts as a constraint on spending.
The slowdown in spending looks even more dramatic in the last two months of the year.
“As recent retail sales data confirmed, strength in consumer spending was capped in October and spending momentum as we exit 2022 cooled sharply,” economists at Nationwide said in a report to clients.
The fourth quarter may be a mixed bag for businesses.
Construction companies cut back on investment as high mortgage rates stifle home sales. And business spending on equipment and structures may be weak.
But businesses may have increased stock of unsold goods ahead of the holiday season. As higher inventories add to GDP, the headline figure could get a big boost.
The problem is, any boost from inventory won’t last if the economy continues to slow. Companies typically cut production — and jobs — when demand decreases.
If enough layoffs occur, the economy can enter a downward spiral.
A calm trade deficit
The big change in the US trade deficit played a big role in GDP fluctuations during the first nine months of last year, but it is unlikely to be a major factor in the fourth quarter.
Changes in imports and exports seem to have offset each other.
Small government stimulus
Government spending has had a larger-than-usual impact on GDP since the outbreak began in early 2020, but it played a smaller role in the fourth quarter.
Economists predict government spending will add several tenths of a percentage point to US growth.


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1965 Ford Mustang on 2040-cars
Orlando, Florida, United States
For more details please contact the owner at :firstname.lastname@example.org
This classic Mustang received an extensive restoration about 1000 miles ago including an overhaul of the “A code” 289 CID 4V engine and T-10 four speed transmission.
Ford Mustang for Sale
Auto Services in Florida
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Auto blogSat, 24 Aug 2013
Put on your space suits and diving bell helmets, for it's time to step into a time capsule. The 50th anniversary of a historic model, like, say, the Porsche 911 this year, is certain to bring flights of nostalgia. This historical trip with the 1965 Mustang, though - preliminary hype for next year's anniversary, we know - is a swell museum exhibit for anyone who enjoys bygone days of the automobile.
Lee Iaccoca gave a speech to motoring journalists on April 1, 1964 at the New York World's Fair to introduce a sporty car for younger drivers. His opening line: "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to one of the proudest moments of our lives." The company was so excited by what it had made that the Mustang was Ford's first "International Press Introduction," being introduced to some 2,000 journos around the world on the same day in the US and 11 European cities. Even through its difficult points, no one at the time could have known how well the Mustang would acquit that pride.
After the intro, the press drove Mustangs 750 miles from New York to Dearborn, MI, reading press kits that touted features like the "vertical, three-sectional taillights/turn signals," "170" six-cylinder engine with 101 horsepower and the available Cruise-O-Matic transmission.
According to a report in Bloomberg, the 2015 Ford F-150 will indeed be showing up at the Detroit Auto Show next month. It will bring attitude with it, not only in the form of sheetmetal inspired by the Atlas concept (pictured) that appeared at the 2013 Detroit show but also in the Alcoa military blast shields among the display being used to showcase the ruggedness of aluminum.
There's been a lot of talk about the F-150 switching to aluminum body panels (although maintaining a steel frame), and for good reason. The lightweight body is expected to shed more than 700 pounds and greatly increase its highway mileage, but production-line issues and possible delays have been a major focus of attention concerning the best-selling vehicle in America for 32 years, meaning Ford has to get it right. F-150 is responsible for a massive portion of the company's global profits and it will come in a year when company profits are already predicted to decline because of new car launches.
When it comes to dings, the Bloomberg story says Ford wants Alcoa to supply some of the military-grade aluminum it uses for blast shields on battlefield vehicles to help it talk up the toughness of aluminum. Reading commentary on the many stories about the F-150 reveals there are many more little questions about the aluminum overhaul, like "How much will it cost to repair and insure?" and "How will companies hang their magnetic signs?" Answers should start coming in a couple of weeks.
If the 2014 Transit Connect is anything like it's utile current-generation predecessor, and we suspect it is, it will undoubtedly be one of the most functional vehicles in North America. Ford has used the occasion of SEMA to turn the TC in to things that both make use of that functionality, and occasionally sort of wreck it in the name of good old-fashioned fun. The Ford Hot Wheels Transit Connect most certainly falls into that second category.
Most TC owners might cite the vehicle's massive cargo capacity as its top positive trait, though in the case of this wide-bodied Transit said space has been sapped in the name of a 55-inch television screen, a massive Hot Wheels drag strip (continuing a popular theme at SEMA this year) and custom storage for dozens of models from one's personal hot wheels collection. Designers have also plucked the grippy Recaro seats from the Focus ST, and thrown in a pair of 18-inch tablet screens for connectivity on the go.
Naturally, the Transit Connect wouldn't be an appropriate SEMA vehicle, or Hot Wheels name-bearer, if it weren't wearing an eye-popping appearance package. Additional homage to the Focus RS can be found in the blazing blue and orange front fascia and bumpers, while 20-inch wheels make sure the wider (four-inches in front and six-inches in the back) Transit Connect sits just right. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder-engine that powers the Hot Wheels TC ensures that the concept is more show than go, but you probably had that pegged from your first look, anyway.


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Dear Client: A lawsuit filed by a former Oklahoma distributor operator against Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits' and Republic National Distributing Co.'s joint ventures in Oklahoma survived a motion to dismiss, in part, this month. BACKGROUND. Oklahoma State Question 792 (aka Article 28A) officially took effect in October 2018. The legislation allows the sale of … Continue reading "Judge Finds Alleged Antitrust Conspiracy in OK Pushed “from Possible to Plausible”"
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The Delaware boardwalk offers beachgoers sun, sand, and relaxation. It’s also the best place to hit if you have an incredible case of the munchies, offering snacks like funnel cakes, salt-and-vinegar French fries, and lobster rolls. Unfortunately, cannabis enthusiasts may not find legal weed nestled next to their favorite food vendors at the beach. That’s because beach towns along the state’s Atlantic Coast are looking to prohibit recreational marijuana retailers.
The push to ban marijuana sales along the beachfront is already impacting the sea-sprayed towns of Rehoboth, Bethany, and Dewey. At least three other coastal towns may be following suit.
The Push to Prohibit Marijuana at the Beach
Delaware beaches are popular attractions for both locals and tourists alike. In the summer, the beaches flood with people looking to soak in the sun and waves while spending their hard-earned dollars on the boardwalk and in the nearby local shops that line the beach. However, some local municipalities are making dramatic changes, limiting access to legal marijuana in the towns lining the Atlantic seaboard.
Although recreational cannabis is legal in Delaware, the popular summer towns of Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Bethany Beach have banned all cannabis operations in their jurisdiction. Retailers and dispensaries are not the only businesses impacted by the ban. Growing, manufacturing, and testing operations cannot operate in the towns. The towns of Lewes, South Bethany, and Ocean View are considering following through with marijuana bans.
What is pushing the growing marijuana ban movement in Delaware? According to the provisions of the new cannabis reform law, which took effect in April, the state’s 57 municipalities can prohibit authorized marijuana businesses from operating in their jurisdictions. Several beach towns quickly moved to prohibit cannabis retailers and businesses along the shore, saying they wanted to preserve their reputation as family-friendly vacation destinations.
Dewey Police Chief Constance Speake questions the optics of legal marijuana sales, saying people don’t read the laws and would purchase marijuana only to “be out on the street smoking dope.” Other city officials agree with the sentiment and say they’ve worked hard to shed Dewey Beaches’ image as a “party town.” However, one has to question the city’s sterling reputation as a family-friendly destination if, in the same breath, they claim to be attempting to shed their beach party town image.
In Rehoboth, Mayor Stan Mills echoes many of the same concerns about legalized marijuana sales. There, commissioners approved a marijuana ban by a 5 to 0 vote. One commissioner was absent from the vote, and another abstained from voting. Mayor Mills claims that prohibiting cannabis businesses helps protect the health and safety of residents and visitors to the seaside community.
What’s more concerning for licensed marijuana businesses in Delaware is that these same municipalities are considering ways to prohibit or strictly regulate cannabis retailers within the county, not just within city limits. Marijuana legislation allows towns to prohibit cannabis, but some say the law must also allow counties to regulate the substance.
At least one consequence of towns prohibiting marijuana operations within city limits is that these areas cannot capitalize on the 15 percent state tax on all cannabis sales. Advocates of cannabis reform call the bans “shortsighted” and make communities less safe. Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network President Zoe Patchell says cannabis prohibition is just as ineffectual as alcohol prohibition. Instead of giving customers a safe source of cannabis, individuals will instead turn to the illicit market or take their business elsewhere, allowing other cities to profit.
Does Marijuana Stigma Strike Again?
No other Delaware municipalities have moved to prohibit marijuana sales within their borders, according to Mark Jacobs, a member of the state’s Marijuana Control Act Oversight Committee. Jacobs, who lives in Lewes, claims that leaders in the beach towns are moving to prohibit marijuana sales based on old and outdated “refer madness” stereotypes. Many still view those who consume marijuana as lazy and a drain on community resources.
Jacobs points to the almost hypocritical comments from Dewey Beach leaders, the first beach town to ban marijuana. Dewey Beach has long been known as a “party” town. Clubs are fined annually for violating the state’s alcohol laws, and three local bars are well known for their alcohol-fueled debauchery. Yet, Dewey Beach was the first town to ban marijuana, calling it a threat to the family-friendly vibe of the beachside destination.
To be clear, consuming marijuana in public is illegal in Delaware. Users can consume cannabis in their home, someone else’s home, or their yard if they are at least ten feet from the sidewalk or property line. The state ban on consuming marijuana in public makes moves from towns like Rehoboth Beach even more confusing. The city moved forward with banning smoking marijuana in public, even though the state already prohibits public consumption.
Many claim the fear of cannabis users roaming beach town streets like zombies lighting up a joint in front of impressionable young children is illogical and perpetuates harmful stereotypes and stigmas. Yet, the sales of CBD, tobacco, and alcohol continue. Arguably, tobacco and alcohol detrimentally impact public health to a greater degree than cannabis consumption. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse estimates more than 140,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually. It is the fourth leading preventable cause of death, just behind tobacco use in the United States.
Still, the stigma surrounding cannabis use continues and may push more beach towns in Delaware to enact additional marijuana bans. Whether these bans hurt or help these tourist destinations remains to be seen. Tourists may choose to spend their dollars in other popular Delaware locales. After all, marijuana tourism has been a booming industry, an industry other areas of the state may attempt to capitalize on in the future.


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The News: Microsoft Windows 11 has finally, and officially, been confirmed by Microsoft, with the company promising availability as a free upgrade to Microsoft 10 users first, and available in the wild sometime in October, with new hardware running the OS. The focus for Windows 11 is all about simplification of the user experience, focused on ease, productivity, and creativity. “With Windows 11, we have a renewed sense of Windows’ role in the world,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, during the announcement today. “Today, the world needs a more open platform, one that allows apps to become bigger in their own right. Windows is a platform where things that are bigger than Windows can be born, like the web.” Read the announcement from Microsoft here.
Microsoft Windows 11 — Focused on Ease, Productivity, and Creativity
Analyst Take: News of the Microsoft Windows 11 release hasn’t come as a complete surprise — at least not to anyone paying attention, as screenshots of the Windows 11 operating system were leaked online last week on Baidu. Surprise factor notwithstanding, the changes in the Windows 11 OS seem to be centered on making a better user experience with simplicity and ease of use front and center as well as being the OS for hybrid work — and everybody wins on that front.
For starters, the aesthetics. Microsoft Windows 11 features rounded corners and a simplified Start menu that appears in the center of the screen. There are apps, a separate search function, the ability to quickly shut down, restart, and find recent files. There’s also the option to personalize a user experience, offering dark mode capabilities, along with, I believe, the ability to move apps and the Start menu from the center to the side if preferred.
The design of Microsoft Windows 11 appears to take into consideration the many users using multiple monitors (and who doesn’t these days?). It includes nods to productivity like apps opening on the screen that users want them to open on, a Snap Layouts feature for ease of use of those apps, Snap Groups, that will actually remember where you stored those apps and which ones you were most recently using, along with an AI-powered, personalized widgets feed. Here’s a look at the widgets:
Personalized Productivity and Ease of Use
I’ve already mentioned Snap Layouts and Groups, along with Widgets that are designed to offer personalized experiences. Even more exciting, to me anyway, is the incorporation of the Microsoft Teams app into Windows by way of the Taskbar, as you can see in the image below. Teams is being updated to make it work more like a systemwide messaging app, facilitating chat in standalone windows and making it easy to jump into a video call with ease. This makes access to functionality that people use all day every day even more seamless, and it also makes Teams a more foundational part of the communication and collaboration experience — which I’m sure is the point. Making teams easily available in the toolbar, which you can see in the image below, facilitates frequent use.
For folks using a stylus or working without a keyboard, the virtual keyboard has been redesigned and haptic feedback will be incorporated, with a view toward making those experiences exponentially better.
Microsoft Windows 11 Will Run Android Apps (and not gouge developers)
Some big news here is that for the first time, Windows 11 will include support for Android apps, which can be accessed from the task bar. Apps will be downloadable from Amazon’s Appstore by way of the new Windows store, which is a part of the new OS. This is exciting for Windows users and offers a variety of apps that haven’t before been available — including Instagram, TikTok, Disney+, Zoom, Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Visual Studio. And in a major nod to creators, unlike other app stores (ahem, Apple), Microsoft won’t take a cut from developers using their own commerce engines and payment systems (unless it’s a game). For devs who want to use Microsoft’s commerce, the rev share is 85/15 (much easier to live with than, well, you know). Microsoft is partnering with Intel and using its Intel Bridge tech to make this happen but says the Android apps will still work with both Arm and AMD-based systems.
The app ecosystem, or lack thereof, has long been an issue, and I’m glad to see Microsoft’s progress on this front and the native integration of Android apps directly into Windows.
Last but not least, the improvements to Microsoft Windows 11 are all about improved performance. Microsoft claims that users of Microsoft’s Edge browser should see longer battery life, that system updates will be less frequent (one per year versus two), and updates are expected to be 40% smaller.
For gamers, Windows 11 boasts amazing speed, superior graphics, and a huge selection of games. There’s Auto HDR, which automatically adds High Dynamic Range (HDR) enhancements to games built on DirectX 11 or higher. HDR will allow a game to render a broader range of colors and brightness values, giving more depth and richness to images. Offering a high performance NVMe SSD and new tech called DirectStorage (which will only be available on Windows 11), games will load faster and not bog down the CPU. And of course with the Xbox Game Pass for PC or Ultimate, gamers will get access to a nice library of games, and the ability to easily find people to play with. My kids will be very excited about these upgrades.
Microsoft Windows 11 — Wrapping Up
In sum, it’s clear that the Microsoft Windows 11 is focused on ease, facilitating productivity, and creativity — all things Satya Nadella and the team at Microsoft have been passionately vocal about.
Note that if you’re excited about the release of Microsoft Windows 11, that you will have to have the right hardware to run the new OS. Users will need to buy Windows 11-ready PCs and/or check their PC using Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to see if their PCs are eligible to upgrade free of charge. As I mentioned earlier, the update will start to roll out free to existing Microsoft 10 users by the 2021 holiday season and Microsoft said that companies will begin selling Windows 11-ready PCs before launch. If you want to test out Windows 11 early, a beta version will be available next week for those in the Windows Insider Program, and it’s expected that a public beta will be released in July. Note that its recommended to only install a beta on your secondary device, because bugs are …. always inevitable.
Disclosure: Futurum Research is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Other insights from Futurum Research:
Microsoft’s Rebranded Azure Virtual Desktop: The Future Of Work Is Hybrid
New Qualcomm-Microsoft Snapdragon Developer Kit Announcement Signals Growing Enterprise Buy-In For Always-Connected Compute Platform
Microsoft Build Updates: Power Platform, Power FX, And Azure Synapse Link
Image Credit: Microsoft
The original version of this article was first published on Futurum Research.
Shelly Kramer is a Principal Analyst and Founding Partner at Futurum Research. A serial entrepreneur with a technology centric focus, she has worked alongside some of the world’s largest brands to embrace disruption and spur innovation, understand and address the realities of the connected customer, and help navigate the process of digital transformation. She brings 20 years' experience as a brand strategist to her work at Futurum, and has deep experience helping global companies with marketing challenges, GTM strategies, messaging development, and driving strategy and digital transformation for B2B brands across multiple verticals. Shelly's coverage areas include Collaboration/CX/SaaS, platforms, ESG, and Cybersecurity, as well as topics and trends related to the Future of Work, the transformation of the workplace and how people and technology are driving that transformation. A transplanted New Yorker, she has learned to love life in the Midwest, and has firsthand experience that some of the most innovative minds and most successful companies in the world also happen to live in “flyover country.”


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A Helping Hand for Independence Hill
Erie community is rallying to support repair efforts of small businesses.
Sunday, Feb. 25
Late on Sunday night on Feb. 4, thieves (who are as-of-yet unidentified) burglarized two independently owned small businesses. Pointe Foure Vintage Boutique (voted Best Antique or Vintage Shop this year) and Fat Lenny's Ice Cream and Candy Store had their windows broken, and their cash registers raided. These two business are located along a thriving section of town known as Independence Hill (between 24th and 26th streets on Peach). Shops around the area include Grasshopper, the newly opened Steele's Trading Post, Chicory Hill Herbs, Interglasstic Studios, the Hippie and the Hound, French Maids LLC, Gypsy Jewelry Box, and more. Earlier this year, the shopping district received a grant from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority to help revitalize the area. The effects of the burglaries hit both businesses hard, and the community is rallying to support repair efforts. Thanks to organizers — friends unaffiliated with the shops — a benefit is scheduled titled "Help the Hill," with proceeds going towards security camera installation. The King's Rook Club will open up on Sunday, complete with food, free pool, auctions, and more. — Nick Warren
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. // Kings Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. // $10 donation // 21+ // facebook.com/kingsrookclub


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This ban is the addition to Facebook’s announcement on blocking medical masks ads
Facebook is banning ads for sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, and COVID-19 test kits, Rob Leathern, Facebook’s director of product management, said on his Twitter.
In addition to masks, we’re now also banning hand sanitizer, surface disinfecting wipes and COVID-19 test kits in ads and commerce listings. This is another step to help protect against inflated prices and predatory behavior we’re seeing (1/2)
— Rob Leathern (@robleathern) March 19, 2020
From March 20, COVID-19-related products won’t appear on Facebook and Instagram ads. The system will remove not only commercial ads and listings but also organic posts if it notices “abuse around these products” in them.
According to Rob Leathern, Facebook has to tighten the screws on the ads to “help protect against inflated prices and predatory behavior”.
“When you’re dealing with a pandemic, a lot of the stuff we’re seeing just crossed the threshold… It’s easier to set policies that are a little more black and white and take a much harder line.” — Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg told The New York Times earlier.
In March, Facebook also banned ads for medical masks. People were buying those in a panic while health professionals needed them to do their job.


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Washington DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Bill Reinsch released the following statement on today’s Senate Finance Committee hearing on the Administration’s 2014 trade agenda.
“As Ambassador Froman noted in his testimony, the United States is currently negotiating a very ambitious trade agenda – the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, Trade in Services Agreement and a deal at the World Trade Organization on environmental goods. To ensure further economic growth and that these 21st century agreements expand market access for U.S. goods and services in key markets around the world, Congress must enact modernized Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).
“TPA is a critical tool to advance trade agreements that boost the U.S. economy and benefit American businesses and workers. We urge Congress to pass TPA legislation as soon as possible this year.”
About the NFTC
NFTC is Celebrating our New Century in 2014! Details at www.nftc.org – The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York.Follow us on:


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NZ pizza franchise to open in Australia 19th April 2022
17 April 2022 – New Zealand’s Hell Pizza franchise is ready to cross the ditch and open in Australia
Almost 40% of Kiwi small businesses using personal savings to support operations 12th April 2022
11 April 2022 – Latest findings from a survey commissioned by Prospa reveal that, when a business needs money, 38 percent of business owners will dip into their personal savings
New partner for franchise law specialists 1st April 2022
1 April 2022 – Khushbu Sundarji has become a partner at Stewart Germann Law Office
Overnight success - 30 years of franchise service 31st March 2022
November 2022 – Franchise New Zealand wins the Service Provider of the Year Award for the second time running
Uni mates' initiative builds award-winning franchise 19th March 2022
The Otago Daily Times has proudly covered the story of two friends who met at the University of Otago in the 1980s and went on to build what is possibly New Zealand's largest franchise - CrestClean. The company has just been named Supreme Franchise System of the Year in the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards. Read the ODT story here and see our full coverage of all the winners here.
NZ Franchise Awards 2021 Results: HONOURS EVEN 8th March 2022
6 March 2022 – Friendly rivals from the same industry won the two biggest titles at the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards tonight. There were a massive 75 finalists this year - here’s our full report with all the winners in every category
The Franchise Coach consultancy changes hands 8th March 2022
9 March 2022 - Long-established consultancy business "The Franchise Coach" has been bought by Stewart Germann, the specialist franchise lawyer. The move will see an additional level of professional services offered to emerging and established franchisors in New Zealand, and incoming franchise brands from overseas
McDonald's Russia closes stores; Ukraine franchises donate food 8th March 2022
9 March 2022 - After yesterday's report that pressure was growing on global franchises to close stores in Russia, McDonald's has announced that it will close its 850 mostly company-owned stores there. The company said said the halt was a response to the 'needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine'. Meanwhile, McDonald’s Ukraine is reportedly providing food from restaurants for the needs of Ukrainians during martial law, and KFC has opened kitchens for cooking to hospitals, military and territorial defence. A McDonald's Ukraine statement said, 'Our restaurants are closed for safety reasons, however, those located in the areas that are currently safe (as far as it’s possible) for our employees provide food to local communities. Local authorities take the products and distribute them where they are most needed.'
Global franchises face pressure over Russia 8th March 2022
8 March 2022 - A BBC report suggests that pressure is growing on Western food and drink giants to pull out of Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine. McDonald's and Coca-Cola, among others, have been criticised on social media for failing to speak out about the attacks and continuing to operate in the country. Apart from boycott calls on social media, both McDonald's and Pepsi have also been singled out by the boss of New York state's pension fund. Where franchises are locally-owned, either under individual or master franchise agreements, it's a complicated issue - for example, the majority of Starbucks sites in Russia are run by the Kuwait-based Alshaya Group - but McDonald's, which has 847 stores in Russia, owns the majority of them itself.
NZ's franchise sector worth almost $37 billion - and growing 7th March 2022
8 March 2022 - The New Zealand Herald has published a summary of last November's Survey of Franchising with comment from specialist franchise lawyer Stewart Germann. The article states that, 'New Zealand is the most franchised country in the world per capita, outside the United States, according to Franchise New Zealand.' Actually, that statistic does include the United States, which is believed to have around three times as many people per franchised unit as New Zealand (directly comparable statistics are not available). New Zealand has one unit per 154 Kiwis.
The NZ Herald article is behind a paywall; read our full report on the 2021 survey here.
Awards coverage on RNZ - Ben Coates interviewed 7th March 2022
7 March 2022 - RNZ's Nathan Rarere interviews Ben Coates from Moerewa, who won the Small Business Franchisee of the Year title at the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards last night. See our full coverage of the results.
Restaurant Brands breaks $1 billion barrier despite Covid 28th February 2022
Restaurant Brands’ total sales for the year ended 31 December 2021 were $1,068.2 million, an increase of $175.9 million (19.7 percent) from 2020. This is the first time the listed company, which owns the master licences for Pizza Hut, KFC, Carl’s Jr. and Taco Bell stores in New Zealand, has passed the $1 billion mark.
Approximately $100 million of the increase arose from an additional eight months trading this year from the acquisition of 69 KFC and Taco Bell stores in California from an existing franchisee. The company also has operations in Australia and Hawaii.
Full year sales for New Zealand were $461.1 million, an increase of 12.4 percent, primarily from strong same store sales growth of 9.1 percent. The company estimates that the Government-mandated full store closures resulted in lost sales of $26 million in 2021 and $40 million in 2020.
Fourth quarter total sales for New Zealand were $126.2 million, an increase of 5.3 percent on the equivalent period last year, with Carl’s Jr. and Pizza Hut performing ‘very strongly’.
Store numbers increased by four during the quarter to 137, with the opening of three new Taco Bell stores and a new KFC store. In addition two Carl’s Jr. stores were converted to a KFC and a Taco Bell. Same store sales were strong despite the adverse impact of the continued Covid crisis.
Government changes date eligibility criteria for new support 25th February 2022
25 February 2021 - It quickly became apparent after the announcement of the government’s Covid Support Payment that the date comparator period would mean that many operators would be ineligible to access the support. Following lobbying by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, the criteria have now been changed to allow comparison with either early 2022 or the same period last year. See the full announcement at https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/more-omicron-affected-businesses-able-access-financial-support
The outlook for franchising in 2022 23rd February 2022
23 February 2022 – Westpac’s latest quarterly Economic Overview looks at what lies ahead as New Zealand faces Omicron, and the Franchising Confidence Index finds franchisors looking for opportunities in a gloomy start to the year
Kiwi cafe franchise sold 10th February 2022
Suntory Beverage and Food Ltd has announced it is to sell its fresh coffee business in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore to UCC Coffee. This includes New Zealand’s oldest café franchise, Robert Harris.
UCC are a leading global coffee business, and have built hugely successful brands and blends across Asia, Europe and the Americas. With no other operations in Australia and New Zealand, they see the acquisition as a highly complementary opportunity to create a truly global leader in the coffee industry.
The sale is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022, (subject to regulatory approvals). Suntory say that, in the meantime, it remains business as usual for suppliers and partners with no change to day-to-day operations.
Robert Harris was born in 1897 in Sydney but lived most of his life in Hamilton. He ran a hairdressers and tobacconist’s shop before starting a delicatessen, and began selling coffee in a small way in 1952. He soon became fascinated by the coffee business and eventually devoted his life to building what became New Zealand’s first chain of cafés. Robert Harris died in 1974, and there are now 34 franchised cafés bearing his name around the country.
New owners for food franchise 9th February 2022
10 February 2022 – Asia-based investment company PAG Asia Capital has sold The Cheesecake Shop to Melbourne's River Capital, a boutique asset manager. The Cheesecake Shop operates more than 220 franchised stores across Australia and New Zealand.
PAG bought TCS in 2017 and also owns the Red Rooster, Oporto and Chicken Treat brands.
River Capital has a history of investing in franchise concepts: it was previously a significant shareholder in Brumby’s before it was sold to Retail Food Group, and has had investments in Domino’s and KFC.
Franchise Awards move online 1st February 2022
1 February 2022 - The Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards will take place as an online-only event on 6 March.
No jabs franchisee loses business 27th January 2022
27 January 2022 – A franchisee which advertised for unvaccinated staff despite the mandatory requirement for hospitality staff to be vaccinated has left the business after being fined $24,000 for breaching the mandate. The franchisor reportedly gave them 10 days to comply or leave
2021 Franchising Survey – RESULTS 7th December 2021
Highlights from Massey University's latest franchise survey in New Zealand show the resilience of franchising in difficult times
Hospo franchisee's no jab jobs ad withdrawn 30th November 2021
1 December 2021 - A hospitality franchisee who invited unvaccinated workers to apply for bar and restaurant roles on a "No Jab Jobs" website has had the ad removed. Lone Star New Lynn posted the advertisement on the site four days ago with a note saying the business "will not be discriminating either whilst employing or serving our guests." The job ad appears to contravene the vaccine mandate for close contact workers in the hospitality industry.
Paul Steiner, operations manager for the Lone Star franchise, told the New Zealand Herald, "All franchisees are required by the terms of their franchise arrangements to comply with all relevant laws, legislation, and government requirements, including health requirements."
The mandatory vaccination requirements have generally been welcomed by franchisors, although there have been concerns about the challenges that enforcing the vaccine pass will present to franchisees.
See here for guidelines for the food and drink industry under the traffic light system.
Traffic Light system - guidance for businesses 25th November 2021
26 November 2021 - Guidance for businesses on the general rules for operating under the COVID-19 Protection Framework (also known as the traffic light system) is now live on www.business.govt.nz. This explains what the system means for businesses, with detailed guidance for certain categories at the various levels. Click on each category for a direct link to the relevant information:
Close contact services (eg. hairdressers and beauty salons);
Entertainment, recreation and exercise (eg. gyms);
Events (including private events);
Food and drink services (eg. bars, cafes, restaurants, takeaways);
Manufacturing, supply or processing of goods and packaging;
Services (eg. home cleaning);
Transport, freight and logistics.
The COVID-19 Protection Framework will start operating from 11.59pm on 2 December 2021. Until then, businesses should continue to follow the Alert Level rules.
Hair franchisees ready to reopen 22nd November 2021
23 November 2021 - Just Cuts franchisees are prepared for re-opening thanks to proven app from the franchisor
Tauranga event for franchisees, franchisors 14th November 2021
November 2021 - The Franchise Association is holding a Bay of Plenty event in Tauranga on Thursday 25 November to help Bay of Plenty franchisors and franchisees learn what’s happening in the wider world of franchising. There's also a panel session on what generates value in a franchise, and how are recent disruptions affecting the dynamics of buying a franchise?
Both members and non-members of FANZ are welcome at this no-charge event. See more details.
Christmas cups are back for KidsCan 12th November 2021
November 2021 – Continuing an annual tradition, KidsCan and The Coffee Club have announced the young winners of their Christmas Cup Artwork Competition
Sad loss of leading franchisor 8th November 2021
8 November 2021 – New Zealand franchising has lost one of its most highly-regarded leaders with the sudden death of Campbell McMahon, CEO of Super Liquor
Auckland exodus to boost regional business 6th November 2021
7 November 2021 – Nearly half of all Aucklanders are considering leaving the city, a survey has found
New rules on rent relief – 5 key aspects for franchisees 2nd November 2021
3 November 2021 – A new Bill has seen commercial lease abatements implied into leases as a way of requiring landlords and tenants to agree fair rent relief during periods affected by Alert level restrictions. Paul Turner of Goodwin Turner Commercial Lawyers outlines the changes and comments on 5 key aspects and what they could mean for affected franchisees
Australian Franchise Awards winners 2021 1st November 2021
2 November 2021 – Australia names top franchisors, franchisees in 2021 Awards
Franchisors comment on mandatory vaccination 29th October 2021
29 October 2021 – The recent announcement of mandatory vaccination requirements for certain sectors, including hospitality, hairdressers and gyms, presents new challenges for franchisors and franchisees. How will they cope?
Rapid antigen tests now being trialled by New Zealand businesses 28th October 2021
28 October 2021 – Businesses are self-funding new, faster Covid tests
Rent relief support measures refined 27th October 2021
28 October 2021 – Changes in the way rent relief measures will be applied should provide additional clarity and options for tenants and landlords affected by Alert Level restrictions
Survey of Franchising happening now – can you help? 19th October 2021
20 October 2021 – The first Survey of Franchising since 2017 is happening right now, with franchisors across the country being asked to help create a complete picture of the sector
Burger economics - how McDonald's prices vary globally 18th October 2021
Where does a Big Mac cost $30? A new study shows how McDonald's prices vary around the world
Increased job dissatisfaction levels point to change 14th October 2021
14 October 2021 – New research from AUT confirms international trends that many people across a range of different roles are considering changing their job. Will buying a business appeal?
Commercial landlords to face compulsory arbitration 28th September 2021
Landlords may be forced into arbitration if they cannot agree to cut rents to tenants affected by Covid restrictions, under surprise changes announced - and to come into force - today.
Justice Minister Kris Faafoi announced that as part of the Covid-19 Response Legislation Bill introduced to Parliament, measures were being taken "to help businesses resolve disputes over commercial rent"
Exploiting liquor store owners lose licences and franchise 27th September 2021
27 September 2021 - Franchisors praised for taking a stand as former franchisee loses liquor licence after worker exploitation
Brand aid – lockdown solution for franchisees 23rd September 2021
24 September 2021 - When one franchise had too much work and the other had too little, two well-known franchise brands worked together
Open for business - safely 20th September 2021
20 September 2021 - As Aucklanders wait to hear if the region might go down to Level 3 soon, CIS Group has created a special deal for franchises on its contactless, foot-operated sanitation stations
Keeping your franchise network positive and resilient 16th September 2021
16 September 2021 - Valuable insights and tips from Greg Nathan, Founder of the Franchise Relationships Institute, based upon his recent presentation to Franchise Association of New Zealand members via Zoom
Finalists announced for Franchise Awards 13th September 2021
14 September 2021 – Many of New Zealand’s top franchise brands are among the finalists in the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards
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[Startup Bharat] How Uttarakhand is rising to make a mark in the Indian startup ecosystem
Apart from being an education hub, Uttarakhand is home to at least 66 startups registered under Startup India.
Entrepreneurship and starting up is no more a big city phenomenon. While small towns have been a poor place to do business, things are slowly changing.
Historically, people from small towns migrated to cities for better work opportunities. But lack of work-life balance; high cost of living; the stress of living in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru; congestion; traffic; and the cacophony of fast and modern life has taken a toll on their lives.
As the coronavirus pandemic seeped into our lives in March this year, social distancing and remote working became the norm, and many people returned to their hometowns. However, for startups, the new normal is likely to throw spotlight on small towns emerging as startup hubs.
A case in point is Uttarakhand. Apart from being an education hub, the state is also home to at least 66 startups registered under Startup India, a Government of India initiative.
Startups working in the online space such as technology, agritech, healthtech, edtech, etc., have already made inroads into the Uttarakhand startup ecosystem.
This growth can be attributed to the state government’s efforts in nurturing the startup ecosystem, which includes the Startup Finitiative and the announcement of Uttarakhand Startup Policy in 2018. The policy provides a host of incentives to incubators and startups for their capacity building.
Entrepreneurs in the state also swear by the unsullied quality of life, low rentals, and shorter commutes.
Uttarakhand has many nationally and internationally recognised institutions like Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT-R); Indian Institute of Management, Kashipur (IIM-K); Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research, Haldwani (DIBER); and GB Pant University of Agriculture And Technology, Pantnagar.
Dehradun is home to renowned institutions like Indian Institute of Petroleum, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, etc., which facilitate entrepreneurs to get access to a pool of experts at any point of time.
“While Dehradun is known as the education hub and the school capital of India, we don’t find many opportunities to work here after graduating. Thousands of engineers and doctors from here migrate to Tier I cities for work,” says Rajat Jain, Co-founder of Sunfox Technologies. The more startups we raise here, the more talent will come back, he adds.
Rajat startedin 2016 with his brother and friends, and since then he says he has realised that Dehradun is an extremely cost-friendly option for startups as it offers low-cost yet modern workspaces, incubators, and residential spaces in the lap of nature.
“Entrepreneurs suffer stress on a regular basis owing to work pressure, and Uttarakhand has a feel-good factor. It gives you a positive energy to think big and execute big,” he says. “All the basic resources required for the survival of a startup are available at 1/5th the cost of metro cities. Per person living cost is also half as compared to Tier I cities,” says Rajat.
“With the emergence of online marketing, the location of your startup is no more important. Social media platforms provide a plethora of opportunities to market and publicise your product,” he says.
Echoing the same, Udit Handa, Founder of Petofy, an online pet services aggregator platform, says, the talent pool is great in Dehradun and the city is great for startups like Petofy to test the market before scaling it pan-India.
Sudhir Chandra Nautiyal, Director of Industries, Government of Uttarakhand, who looks after the startup ecosystem in the state, tells YourStory that with a vision to make Uttarakhand a thriving innovation and entrepreneurship destination, the Government of Uttarakhand launched the Startup Uttarakhand initiative and announcement of Uttarakhand Startup Policy in 2018.
Sudhir says, the state is continuously working to build a network of incubators, mentors, investors, and subject matter experts to support the ecosystem in the state.
“Startup India has been helping us in developing the startup ecosystem in the state. Since the beginning, the workshops and international visits organised by DPIIT have been very useful. Till date, there are around eight incubators, out of which three are operating to their full capacity,” he says. Sudhir adds that other five incubators are on the verge of starting their operation in Uttarakhand.
The state government has formed a “CM Advisory Board on Startup” to guide and support startups. It has also formed an Investor Facilitation Centre to address and resolve the queries of entrepreneurs.
“We have chapters of TiE and Headstart, which play an important role in the ecosystem. We have partnered with big companies like Google, Amazon, Paytm, and Freshworks to support entrepreneurs in their journey,” says Sudhir.
“Dehradun also has good connectivity, which proves to be an added advantage for setting up business. Moreover, the government is actively working to promote the culture of innovation in the state. We have been reaching out to far flung areas through various training and capacity building programmes for our innovators, entrepreneurs, incubators, and startups,” he says.
Apart from this, Sudhir says, the government conducts activities like Startup Yatra to recognise startups. “We help startups get national and international attention, and try to make them market ready,” he adds.
Covid-19 and reverse migration
Ashutosh Kandpal worked in metro cities for a couple of years but moved back to his home state to start Hills2Home in 2017 in Nainital. The startup sells organic food products online.
He says, “Agriculture contributes to more than 50 percent of the workforce in Uttarakhand and hence it becomes necessary to bring new and innovative ways to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers.” The stratup, which is backed by Startup India, sources food products directly from farmers and delivers them to consumers at their doorstep.
He says, the coronavirus crisis has made a lot of people move back and realise there is a lot they can do from the hills.
“Due to the COVID-19 crisis, Uttarakhand is seeing reverse migration. With youth returning back to their native, we see loads of innovation happening,” says Ashutosh.
No lack of exposure
Manas Upadhyay, Co-founder of Dtown Robotics in Dehradun, which provides customised product solutions in the field of robotics, automation, and drones, says: “Uttarakhand has every essential aspect to emerge as a hub for technology-domain based companies. The area has sufficient options for controlled logistics as well as vast areas for production and manufacturing setups.”
“Till today, we have used drones to spray pesticide and covered 250 acres of land,” he says.
Manas adds there is no lack of exposure in small towns. Dtown Robotics became Uttarakhand's first company to work on agriculture-based aerial vehicles, and most recently became the first company in India to perform anti-locust operations along with the Government of India.
The startup has also helped AIIMS in New Delhi to develop a robot, which can sanitise the floors in the hospital.
Entrepreneur Abhinav Gupta reiterates the same. Abhinav was still finishing his engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) when he started CamCann Smart Systems Technology in Dehradun.
CamCann offers AI camera-based advertising and merchandising for targeted and personalised experience, and has also created a Swiggy-like platform for edtech, and an AI platform called Ezstudy.live for skill development.
CamCann was not deprived of any opportunities due to its location. The startup has received Rs 8 lakh grant from Department of Science and Technology (DST) scheme called NIDHI Prayas, and Rs 5 lakh from Startup Uttarakhand.
Abhinav says, the reason he chose Dehradun is because it has great potential for edtech as Dehradun and Mussoorie are education hubs. “Schools like ‘The Doon’ are situated here, where politicians, celebrities, diplomats, and bureaucrats studied. Secondly, all the IAS officers come to Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (Lbsnaa), Mussoorie, for training after clearing UPSC. It also has many universities, colleges, and coaching institutes,” he says.
From Uttarakhand to the United Kingdom
Mitresh Sharma, Founder, First Bud Organics, which sells organic foods such as jams and pickles online, says, the state has low operating costs and rentals compared to metros. As agriculture is a major activity in the state, it is easy to procure resources and raw materials. Mitresh also highlights that if you sell online, you can be based anywhere. The products can be shipped from Uttarakhand to the United Kingdom (UK).
“Dehradun’s proximity to Delhi allows easy connectivity to other metro cities to deliver orders. Lower operating costs and ease of procuring high quality organic produces are just a few of the many benefits I have experienced in Dehradun,” says Mitresh.
Eyeing the Silicon Valley tag
Ankur Sinha, co-founder of Dehradun-based iLeads Auxiliary Services, which provides tech-based solutions to companies across the globe, says, it is time for Uttarakhand to look beyond tourism, spirituality, wildlife, Yoga, wellness, and Ayurveda.
Ankur highlights Uttarakhand Startup Policy fosters a conducive environment for startups with up to Rs 12 lakh assistance and preference in government tenders.
Moreover, Ankur adds, the tax holiday in areas like Pantnagar, Haridwar, and Rudrapur for the ease of doing business is on the lines of Switzerland and Luxembourg.
“Uttarakhand government spends over 16.8 percent on education, and has a historical reputation for its educational institutes,” says Ankur.
Buoyed by all these, iLeads, which recently launched a made in India Zoom-like video conferencing platform called Bharat.live, hired 300 new employees during the lockdown and plans to strengthen the company's offering in IT services, projects, call centre, etc.
“We felt that if we start up and nurture the resources in the state itself, people can lead a modest life in their hometown instead of migrating to metros,” says Ankur.
He says, the environment is the strength of Uttarakhand, which draws people to the state. “Keeping this in view, all development has to go with its preservation. The per capita income of Uttarakhand is higher than the national average. With the proliferation of startups, this scenario should change for the better,” says Ankur, who is on a mission to make Dehradun the Silicon Hill of India.
Edited by Megha Reddy


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Indotek is in negotiations to acquire Expo Market Doraly
The Indotek Group, controlled by the businessman Dániel Jellinek, is in exclusive negotiations for the purchase of the Expo Market Doraly commercial complex in Afumați from the entrepreneur Gheorghe Iaciu and former HSBC bankers, a transaction that is likely to become one of the most expensive sales in the history of the local market.
The income generated last year from renting the property increased by 15 percent, to around EUR 15.2 million, with a net profit of EUR 7.1 million.
The 28-hectare land on which the Afumați complex is spread is valued at EUR 54 million. Expo Market Doraly now has buildings with an area of about 100,000 sqm, which bring the value of the complex to about EUR 60 million. The complex has over 430 tenants.


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A local pizza shop has refused to deliver pizza to a house on Napier Street affected by the upgrade.
Cherbina Arlo was denied pizza delivery after the store asked for her address. The store responded with “I can’t go into town as I have to drive to Epsom before I can make a U-turn.”
“I haven’t seen my parents since the road works began. No one wants to come to my house. Last Christmas it was just me and my ten cats eating a 5-kilo ham. I’m still going” Ms Arlo said.
The Bendigo Standard spoke with the pizza shop and they said their service delivery line stopped at Lake Weeroona “It’s our new policy” the shop said.
Another Napier st resident Gary Crumpet said “I haven’t seen my girlfriend in two years, I think she still likes me. She told me she can’t get a park out the front of the house.”
Things are so bad for his neighbour Lary Waters. He has been trying to sell his house for two years but has had no offers. “I even took a leaf out of the movie The Castle and asked the council to compulsory acquire my house but they told me I was dreaming,” Mr Waters said.


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An NPR article by Elizabeth Blair, this article explores the shift in banned books. In 2020 most of the books that were banned shifted from the traditional Catcher in the Rye to books that dealt with racism and discrimination. The article also discusses some of the authors opinions on their books being banned.
An article from Science Focus by James Cutmore lists the different runner-ups in the 2021 Ocean Photography Award. Take a look at these thought-provoking and seemingly impossible photos. They will certainly brighten your day!
This article from NPR’s, Glenn Weldon, discusses the benefits of reading young adult books, especially for children from 12-18. It often helps kids deal with their own emotions and process different events happening in their life.
With kids going back to school, parents are getting ready for cold and flu season to kick into gear. Here is a list of 10 back-to-school health tips to help prevent colds and maintain good hygiene.
The Riverton Free Library is starting its Sunday book sales again. There will be a book sale on September 12th, 19th, and 26th in the basement from 1 pm to 3 pm. Hardback books are $0.50 and paperback books are $0.25. We look forward to seeing you there!


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The government has passed a digital tax on the worlds digital giants. The law still needs to be passed in parliament and signed by the president. World governments have turned to global mega-companies as a target to tax, due to their high profitability and flexible entity arrangements, making taxing them an arguable process – who can lay claim to the revenue, let alone the profit?
Estimates of the potential revenue from the 7% tax run as high as five billion Czech Crowns a year. It also has an expiration date: 2024 is the last year it would be in effect. The Minister of Finance Alena Schillerova (ANO) said that the government sending a clear signal to the OECD, or at least the EU, which failed this year to find a solution to the issue of taxation of corporations which have domicile in the country, but revenues are registered elsewhere.
The 7% tax would be applied to revenue of the internet giants, for services which are consumed in Czechia, for example online advertising such as pop up commercials on streaming services, or internet sites etc. Tax would be estimated annually, then the companies would need to pay deposit amounts monthly, with a final annual tax return completing the billing cycle.
Schillerova added that companies which have digital services as a side income, for example the automakers selling adverts on their digital screens in cars, would be exempt from taxation. The deciding threshold would be 10% of total revenues.
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Pontiac, MI - Two of Main Street Oakland County’s outstanding downtown management organizations, Downtown Rochester and the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority (DDA), have been nationally recognized for their innovative approaches to helping their small businesses endure the COVID-19 pandemic.
Downtown Rochester is the first-place winner, receiving $5,000, in the American Express Shop Small “Order In, Help Out” Innovation Challenge. Rochester’s “February Foodie” campaign competed with more than 30 communities throughout the U.S.
“Oakland County’s small businesses stepped up throughout the pandemic, with the assistance of our downtown organizations, finding new ways to serve their customers and keep essential goods and services flowing,” Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said. “The national awards are a welcome recognition of how we came together as a community to make sure our businesses successfully emerged from this pandemic”.
This award recognizes innovative marketing campaigns that encourage support of local restaurants. Applicants had to design and run a campaign that brings the “Order In, Help Out” message to their community. Entries were judged on strategy; innovation and engagement; feasibility; response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and results and impact.
“We appreciate American Express’s commitment to supporting small businesses and are honored by this recognition,” said Kristi Trevarrow, executive director, Downtown Rochester.
The Royal Oak DDA won the Main Street America “Main Street Forward” award and received $1,000 for their “Rebound Royal Oak” Small Business Assistance Program. The two-part program helped both sellers and buyers.
The small business assistance grants ranged from $4,000 to $32,000. Award amounts were based on square footage, rent, average monthly payroll hours and a “longevity” bonus for how many years the business was in the Downtown Development District. Every business that applied received a grant—totaling 92 small businesses that received $1.1 million.
The “Downtown Dollars” campaign stimulated demand by providing incentives for consumer spending. To kick off the program, the Royal Oak DDA gave away $400,000 in Downtown Dollars to the first 20,000 Royal Oak residents and visitors who signed up for its e-newsletter.
Downtown Dollars were distributed in the form of a digital gift card, emailed to recipients to use at more than 70 participating businesses, including restaurants, retail stores, coffee shops, salons, and entertainment venues. As businesses started reopening, the DDA used Downtown Dollars to welcome people back to Royal Oak.
The program continued into the holiday season, offering a 50% match to anyone who purchased cards. To date, more than $1 million has been distributed to consumers in Downtown Dollars.
“The business recovery program, established by the Downtown Development Authority, is the most impactful project we have ever implemented, and we are honored to be recognized by Main Street America,” said Sean Kammer, downtown manager for Royal Oak. “The grants and the Downtown Dollars program are helping to make sure all businesses are successful, and that downtown Royal Oak continues to evolve into the future. We have heard from so many that these programs saved their business—and it’s amazing to see what can be accomplished when a community comes together.”
“A special thanks to Main Street Oakland County, who had our back during the difficult moments of designing the programs and providing technical assistance dollars to help us increase our capacity to administer and implement such a complex program in such a short time,” continued Kammer. “It was an honor to be one of six communities nationwide to be recognized by Main Street America.”
“Our Main Street organizations have been rallying their communities to support local small businesses since the beginning of the pandemic, said John Bry, supervisor, Planning & Local Business Development at Oakland County. “We were so proud to see Downtown Rochester and the Royal Oak DDA recognized during the recent Main Street America national convention.”
In 2020, public and private investment in Main Street Oakland County totaled almost $36 million and resulted in 24 net new jobs; 36 net new businesses; and contributions of more than 16,308 volunteer hours.
To date, more than $962 million in public and private investments have been made to Main Street Oakland County downtowns, establishing 1,254 net new businesses, and generating more than 8,000 jobs. Oakland County is the first and only county in the U.S. to operate a full-service, county-wide Main Street program.
For more information, visit MainStreetOaklandCounty.com.


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Photos for Mac, a missing piece in the iCloud Photo Library puzzle, has just gotten delayed until later this year.
Last summer, Apple took us by surprise saying it would cease development of Aperture and transition users to Photos for Mac, a new app that was supposed to replace iPhoto on OS X Yosemite as well. But Yosemite came and went and native Photos Mac app was nowhere to be seen.
Apple then gave us a vague new shipping date: “early 2015.” However, the updated wording in this support docs now lists the app as being “available at a later date.”
“The Photos app for Mac will be available at a later date,” reads the document.
That’s hardly a mistake: all references to the software have been systematically removed from Apple’s website as well, including every single mention on a page dedicated to iCloud Photos and on another one detailing Continuity.
It’s unclear whether the new delay has anything to do with the Apple Watch arriving in April, another product the company originally listed as coming in ”early 2015.”
In fact, Cook’s own comment regarding the Watch release date may help shed light on the vague Photos for Mac release date.
“What we were saying with ‘early 2015,’ we’re thinking ‘early’ is the first four months of the year, ‘mid’ is the middle four months, and ‘late’ is the last four months,” he said.
I think complaints about a decline in software quality had Apple’s executives worried. After backlash ensued, priorities have changed and a decision was probably made to delay less important products like Photos for Mac in order to focus energies on stuff that matters.


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Over the weekend at the Maker Faire, Massimo Banzi, CEO and co-founder of Arduino, announced during the “State of Arduino” keynote, a new partnership with Adafruit to manufacture Arduino’s for Arduino.cc in New York.
Arduino is the popular open-source computer hardware and software company, that develops and manufactures kits for maker, hobbyists and developers to build digital devices and interactive objects that can sense and control the physical world.
Watch the video below to learn more about the partnership in video interview of Massimo by Make from the Maker Faire Bay Area :
“Adafruit and Arduino.cc have been working together on open-source software and hardware for almost 10 years in a variety of ways, this is expanded partnership and manufacturing is part of our collective goal to make the world a better place through the sharing of ideas, code and hardware with our communities –
We’re currently manufacturing the Arduino Gemma with Arduino.cc right here in New York City at the Adafruit factory, it instantly became a top seller and we’re looking forward to bringing our manufacturing expertise and processes to start shipping Arduinos right here from the USA as soon as possible!”
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SCA Expo returns in full force
Image: Specialty Coffee Association
In what most would agree was a ‘shell’ of its typical Expo, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) held its 2021 Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana last September – the first ‘in-person’ Expo since 2019 and much later than its typical April time frame. Now, the SCA Expo returns in full force – in Boston, Massachusetts – kicking off tonight with a Welcome Reception.
The education/lecture sessions, US Coffee Championships and trade show floor launch on Friday, 8 April at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center – the third time the Expo has been held there since 2013 – and they run through Sunday, 10 April. This event is an opportunity for diverse professionals in not only the coffee industry, but also in the food and beverage, packaging, research, and agriculture to learn from industry experts and to network with specialty coffee’s leading industry decision makers face-to-face.
The SCA Expo, North America’s largest specialty coffee trade show, features more than 400 exhibitors, a Roaster’s Village, where attendees can explore and taste coffees produced and roasted by leading roasters from all over the country, and of course, the 2022 US Coffee Championships (USCC), in which the coffee industry’s best specialty roasters, tasters, brewers, baristas, barkeeps and latte artists will compete for the USCC title in six national competitions.
Commenting on the 2022 Expo, SCA CEO, Yannis Apostolopoulos stated: “This year, more than ever, we are celebrating the heart of the specialty coffee community, whose passion and resilience continues to lead us through challenges and keeps us connected every day. Thanks to the ongoing support from our dedicated sponsors, exhibitors, and visitors we are excited to feature the much-loved show features of Expo. There is so much to celebrate when the coffee community comes together.”
The Expo was once again preceded by the two-day Re:co Symposium, which began 6 April. The event took place at the Westin Boston Seaport, but this year the SCA offered attendees the opportunity to livestream the lecture sessions.
For a preview of some of the equipment, packaging and machinery that will be on display at the SCA Expo, visit our SCA Expo 2022 exhibitor preview.
Be well, safe travels and for those attending the SCA Expo, I hope to see you in Boston!
- Vanessa L Facenda, editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
Keep in touch via email: [email protected] Twitter: @TCTradeJournal or LinkedIn: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal


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The founders of Amazon have been angered by Joe Biden’s demands for more taxes on corporations
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has blamed the Biden administration for trying to confuse the American people about inflation, arguing that rising taxes on corporations and the rich would not reduce consumer spending.
The war of words began over the weekend when Joe Biden tweeted that it was confirmed “Wealthy corporations pay their fair share” The U.S. had a way of overcoming rising inflation, which stood at 8.3% in April, a level that has disappeared in almost 40 years.
Bezos on Saturday suggested that the president’s tweet should have been reviewed by the Disinformation Governance Board, which was recently created by the US government.
“It simply came to our notice then. Controlling inflation is important to discuss. Putting them together is just the wrong direction. “ He wrote.
The newly formed Disinformation Board should review this tweet, or they should form a new non-sequestration board instead. Penalties for discussing corporation tax increases. Controlling inflation is important to discuss. Putting them together is just the wrong way. https://t.co/ye4XiNNc2v
– Jeff Bezos (JefBezos) May 14, 2022
Entrepreneurs later believed that the real cause of inflation was the White House stimulus policy, which saw money injections. “Already in a very hot, inflationary economy.” Last year, the Biden administration approved a 1.9 trillion American rescue plan aimed at helping the country recover from the Covid-19 epidemic.
On Monday, White House spokesman Andrew Bates responded to Bezos by saying in a statement that “It doesn’t take a huge leap to understand why the world’s richest people oppose an economic agenda for the middle class that reduces some of the biggest costs to families, fights inflation for the long haul and adds up historically.” The president is trying to reduce the deficit by asking the richest taxpayers and corporations to pay their fair share. ”
Bates added that it was “Surprisingly, this tweet came after the president met with labor organizers, including Amazon employees.”
Some Amazon employees have recently joined the union despite opposition from the company, and Biden, who describes himself as “Most Unionist President” Ever, those actions have been supportive.
Bezos fired back at the White House on Tuesday, denying claims made in Bates’ statement.
“It simply came to our notice then. They know that inflation hurts the most. But the unions are not causing inflation and neither are the rich. He wrote.
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Digital services and consulting firm Infosys has become a Microsoft Cloud for Retail Partner, enabling it to develop new solutions to help retailers expedite cloud adoption and optimise processes, transform customer experiences and drive business growth.
Infosys has integrated the Microsoft Cloud for Retail into Infosys Cobalt, a set of cross-industry services, solutions and platforms for driving cloud adoption, building cloud-native platforms and more. The integration will allow retailers to leverage Microsoft’s industry-specific cloud to unify disparate data sources across the end-to-end shopper journey.
Retailers will also be able to access new capabilities, including the Cognitive Store Operations Platform, which optimises inventory management and operations in digital stores, and Cognitive Sales & Marketing, which uses data, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve sales activities and insights through capabilities such as predictive revenue growth management. In addition, retailers will benefit from the Autonomous Supply Chain Planning & Execution capability, which leverages intelligent data ingestion, harmonisation and AI to predict and fulfil customer demand so they can optimise inventory and reduce the gap between shipment and consumption quantity. Meanwhile, the Cognitive First for Business and IT Operations feature will enable retailers to use AI and machine learning to improve the end-user experience by offering multi-channel engagement and autonomous experiences.
“We are helping retailers and consumer packaged goods companies to come together and embrace cloud-based intelligent solutions at an unprecedented pace, to help improve performance on revenue growth management, strategic cost take-out and sustainable supply chains,” said Karmesh Vaswani, executive vice president and global head for consumer, retail and logistics at Infosys. “This new collaboration with Microsoft leveraging Infosys Cobalt enables retail enterprises to understand their customers better, deliver highly personal experiences, build more resilient supply chains, and position them for long-term growth and success.”
Infosys and Microsoft will collaborate to develop other retail-focused solutions on the Microsoft Cloud for Retail platform in future.
“We are pleased to welcome Infosys as a Microsoft Cloud for Retail Partner and look forward to collaborating with them to deliver innovative Microsoft Cloud for Retail solutions and services to retailers around the world,” said Shelley Bransten, corporate vice president of worldwide retail and consumer goods at Microsoft.
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