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On Oct 25, The General Office of the State Council issued a notice on the arrangement of some holidays in 2024, including eight days off for the Spring Festival, but not for the New Year’s Eve. The arrangement has sparked heated debate online.
What’s the background of Lunar New Year’s Eve?
Lunar New Year’s Eve, also known as Chinese New Year’s Eve or Chuxi (除夕), is a significant cultural and traditional holiday in China. It falls on the evening before the Lunar New Year, which marks the beginning of the Chinese lunar calendar. This holiday is celebrated with various customs and rituals, such as family reunions, the sharing of a special New Year’s Eve meal, the giving of red envelopes (hongbao), and the lighting of fireworks and firecrackers.
These traditions symbolize the importance of family, prosperity, and warding off evil spirits to ensure a fortunate year ahead. Lunar New Year’s Eve is a time when people gather with their families and loved ones, making it one of the most important and cherished holidays in Chinese culture.
What the public’s reaction to this decision
The decision to drop Lunar New Year’s Eve as a public holiday in China is likely to have triggered a wide range of reactions and concerns among the public:
Outcry and Disappointment: Many Chinese citizens, especially those who value the cultural and family significance of Lunar New Year’s Eve, may express disappointment and sadness at the decision. The holiday is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and holds immense emotional importance for families.
Cultural Preservation: Advocates for cultural preservation may express concerns about the erosion of traditional Chinese customs and practices. Lunar New Year’s Eve is seen as a vital part of the country’s cultural heritage, and any changes to its status as a public holiday may be viewed as a threat to these traditions.
Impact on Family Reunions: Lunar New Year’s Eve is a time when families come together to celebrate and strengthen their bonds. The decision to drop it as a public holiday may lead to logistical challenges for those who need to travel long distances to be with their families.
Economic Considerations: While some people may understand the economic and labor-related reasons behind the decision, they may still express concern about the impact on their ability to celebrate the holiday with their families.
Social Media Trends: Social media platforms and online forums are likely to be filled with discussions, debates, and expressions of discontent about the decision. Hashtags and trends related to Lunar New Year’s Eve may gain prominence as people voice their opinions.
Protests and Demonstrations: There may be organized protests or demonstrations against the decision, particularly in regions where the holiday holds special cultural significance.
Calls for Reversal: Some individuals and organizations may call for a reconsideration or reversal of the decision, either through online petitions, open letters, or direct engagement with government authorities.
International Perception: The decision may also draw attention internationally, with some expressing concerns about China’s commitment to preserving cultural traditions and its impact on international perceptions of the country.
The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, holds immense cultural significance in Chinese society. It is arguably the most important traditional festival in China and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and reverence. The cultural significance of the Lunar New Year extends beyond its calendar date and embodies a rich tapestry of traditions, customs, and values that have been passed down through generations.
Historical and cultural importance of Lunar New Year
The history of the Lunar New Year dates back thousands of years, with its origins intertwined with both agricultural and mythological aspects of Chinese culture. Historically, the festival marked the end of the winter season and the beginning of spring, emphasizing the renewal of life and the hope for a prosperous year ahead. Its roots are deeply embedded in agrarian traditions, with rituals and celebrations designed to invoke the favor of deities for a bountiful harvest.
Culturally, the Lunar New Year serves as a symbol of continuity, family, and cultural heritage. It’s a time when family members from different regions come together for reunions, reinforcing the bonds of kinship. The festival encapsulates traditional values like filial piety, respect for one’s ancestors, and the passing down of cultural knowledge through generations.
The role of Lunar New Year’s Eve in Chinese traditions
Lunar New Year’s Eve, known as Chuxi (除夕), plays a pivotal role in Chinese traditions. It marks the culmination of weeks of preparations and celebrations. On this evening, families gather for a grand reunion dinner, often considered the most important meal of the year. The dinner symbolizes unity and the sharing of blessings. Special dishes are prepared, with each having its own symbolic meaning, such as longevity or prosperity.
Fireworks and firecrackers are set off to ward off evil spirits, and red decorations abound, as the color red is believed to bring good luck and drive away bad fortune. People stay up late into the night, participating in various customs and rituals. In northern China, making dumplings is a common tradition, while in southern China, there is a focus on making and enjoying sticky rice cakes.
In addition to these traditions, the giving and receiving of red envelopes (hongbao) filled with money is a cherished custom. Elders give red envelopes to the younger generation, symbolizing blessings, good fortune, and the transfer of wealth and wisdom to the next generation.
Implications for cultural heritage
The removal of Lunar New Year’s Eve as a public holiday carries significant implications for cultural heritage. The festival has served as a guardian of Chinese culture, preserving and passing on traditions, values, and customs from one generation to the next. By removing it as a public holiday, there’s a risk of diluting the cultural significance and eroding the practices associated with the festival.
Efforts to maintain and celebrate cultural heritage may be challenged, as the holiday’s special status as a time for family, tradition, and cultural expressions could be diminished. The decision raises concerns about the preservation of these cultural treasures in the face of modernization and changing social dynamics. It is not only a loss of a public holiday but also a potential erosion of the deep-rooted cultural traditions that have held families and communities together for centuries.
Lunar New Year, with its historical and cultural importance, plays a vital role in preserving Chinese traditions, values, and cultural heritage. The removal of Lunar New Year’s Eve as a public holiday raises concerns about the potential impact on these cultural treasures, the strength of family bonds, and the continuity of time-honored customs in an evolving society.
Political and Social Implications
The decision to drop Lunar New Year’s Eve as a public holiday in China carries significant political and social implications. While it may seem like a straightforward policy change, it can be seen as reflecting broader political trends and has the potential to impact various aspects of Chinese society.
Discussion of how this decision reflects broader political trends
Government Priorities: This decision may reflect the Chinese government’s priorities and policy directions. It suggests that economic considerations, labor productivity, and other policy objectives may take precedence over cultural and traditional values.
Centralization of Power: China has seen a centralization of power in recent years, and this decision could be seen as an example of the government’s increasing control over various aspects of society, including holidays and cultural practices.
Social implications on Chinese society
Erosion of Tradition: The removal of Lunar New Year’s Eve as a public holiday may contribute to the erosion of traditional values and customs. It might lead to a decline in the practice of rituals, family gatherings, and cultural expressions associated with the holiday.
Impact on Family Reunions: The decision could have a profound impact on family dynamics. Lunar New Year’s Eve has traditionally been a time for families to come together, and the change may disrupt these reunions and weaken family bonds.
Cultural Identity: There is a concern that the decision might weaken the sense of cultural identity among the Chinese population. The festival has been a symbol of Chinese culture, and its alteration may raise questions about the preservation of cultural heritage.
Potential Dissatisfaction: The public reaction to the decision reflects a level of dissatisfaction among some segments of the Chinese population. This dissatisfaction can manifest as public protests, social media discussions, and concerns about government policies.
Generational Divide: The decision may accentuate a generational divide. While older generations may lament the change as a departure from cultural traditions, younger generations might have a different perspective, with some valuing the extra workday or different forms of celebration.
Impact of the new change of Chinese new year holiday on business
The removal of Lunar New Year’s Eve as a public holiday carries significant economic consequences. Traditionally, this holiday is a peak period for consumer spending. People purchase gifts, clothing, and food items for family gatherings, contributing to a boost in retail sales. The hospitality and tourism industries also benefit from the influx of travelers during this period. With the change in the holiday status, retail businesses may experience a dip in sales, which could impact their profitability. Similarly, hotels and restaurants may see a decline in bookings and reservations.
The supply chain may face disruptions as well, with many businesses in the manufacturing sector affected due to factory closures, labor shortages, and production disruptions during the holiday season. Companies that rely on Chinese suppliers may experience delays, potentially leading to product shortages or increased costs. In a globalized economy, these economic consequences can have ripple effects beyond China, affecting international businesses that rely on Chinese suppliers and consumers.
Labor and Workforce Implications:
The change in the holiday status also has significant implications for the labor force. Labor costs and employment practices may need to be adjusted. In China, the holiday season typically comes with additional payments, bonuses, or benefits for employees. The removal of Lunar New Year’s Eve as a public holiday may necessitate revisions to labor contracts and agreements, potentially affecting the terms and conditions of employment.
For businesses, this might lead to an adjustment in budgeting and financial planning to account for these changes. Moreover, there is a potential impact on employee morale, as the holiday is not only a time for family reunions but also a moment for cultural celebration and reflection. Employees who cherish these traditions may feel disheartened, which could affect overall job satisfaction and productivity.
Corporate and Social Responsibility:
Many businesses operating in China consider it a part of their corporate and social responsibility to engage in Lunar New Year celebrations. They often organize cultural events, festivities, and charity initiatives during the holiday season to demonstrate their commitment to the local community. With the change in the holiday landscape, businesses may need to adapt their corporate responsibility strategies.
This could involve finding alternative ways to support cultural traditions, invest in community initiatives, or demonstrate a continued commitment to the well-being of their employees during the holiday period. Fostering a sense of cultural responsibility becomes essential to maintain a positive corporate image and brand reputation, especially in the eyes of Chinese consumers who value businesses that uphold cultural traditions and values.
Stock Market and Investment:
The change in the Lunar New Year holiday’s status can have a significant impact on the stock market and investment sentiment. Companies with substantial operations in China may experience fluctuations in their valuations. This can affect investor sentiment, leading to changes in stock prices and market indices.
Foreign investors who have invested in Chinese companies or industries directly affected by the policy change may reassess the risk associated with their investments. The policy change may also influence investment decisions and strategies, which can have broader consequences for capital flows, economic growth, and global financial markets. Businesses and investors will closely monitor how this change affects the investment climate and market dynamics.
Supply Chain Adaptations:
Businesses with supply chain dependencies in China may need to make significant adaptations to mitigate potential disruptions. The Lunar New Year holiday has traditionally resulted in factory closures and labor shortages. As a result, companies may need to stockpile inventory to ensure a steady supply of goods during this period. Diversifying suppliers and establishing contingency plans become crucial strategies to prevent supply chain interruptions.
Adjusting production schedules and orders to account for potential delays may also be necessary. These adaptations can increase operational costs and may require strategic planning to ensure business continuity, particularly for companies heavily reliant on Chinese suppliers.
Government and Regulatory Responses:
The government’s response to the change in the Lunar New Year holiday’s status can significantly impact how businesses adapt. Depending on the government’s approach, there may be new incentives or regulatory changes introduced to counteract potential economic challenges. The government may consider policy adjustments to stimulate consumer spending during the holiday season, such as tax incentives, subsidies, or promotional campaigns. Additionally, regulators may work with businesses to ensure that labor practices and employment contracts align with the new holiday landscape. The government’s response will play a crucial role in shaping how businesses navigate the changing holiday environment and regulatory landscape.
Foreign companies with operations or investments in China may experience varying impacts based on the industries they operate in and the extent to which they rely on Lunar New Year for their business activities. Industries directly affected by the policy change may need to revise their strategies and financial projections. Foreign investors, especially those invested in Chinese businesses, may reassess the risk associated with their investments. The implications can range from potential changes in investment strategies to reconsideration of the attractiveness of China as an investment destination. Foreign businesses and investors are likely to engage in a rigorous risk assessment to understand how the change impacts their interests.
Response from Multinational Corporations:
Multinational corporations operating in China are likely to adjust their business strategies in response to the change in the Lunar New Year holiday. This adjustment may include adapting marketing campaigns, promotional activities, and employee benefits to align with the evolving holiday landscape. Maintaining a harmonious relationship with both employees and the local community becomes vital. These companies often emphasize their commitment to local culture and traditions as part of their corporate identity, and how they handle this change will influence their image among Chinese consumers and the global audience.
Business Adaptations and Advocacy:
Individual businesses, particularly those heavily impacted by the change, may take various steps to adapt to the new holiday landscape. These adaptations could include adjusting operating hours, marketing strategies, and employee benefits. They might also engage in advocacy efforts to influence government decisions or seek compromises that accommodate their operational needs.
This advocacy can manifest in open letters to government authorities, participation in industry associations, and discussions with policymakers. Some businesses may work to preserve the cultural significance of the holiday through targeted initiatives, such as supporting community events or cultural preservation projects. These adaptations and advocacy efforts are strategies to navigate the evolving holiday landscape and protect their business interests.
Responses from Business Community
The response from the business community to the policy change regarding the Chinese New Year holiday is likely to be multifaceted and characterized by a range of strategic, operational, and advocacy measures. Businesses and industry associations are expected to work collectively to address the challenges posed by the alteration of the holiday landscape.
Actions taken by businesses to adapt to the new holiday landscape
1. Adaptation and Innovation: Businesses, particularly those with a significant stake in the Chinese New Year holiday season, may undergo a process of adaptation and innovation. They may explore new ways to celebrate and capitalize on the holiday spirit, even without the public holiday status. For instance, retailers could devise marketing campaigns that focus on pre-holiday shopping promotions or extend the celebration period. Restaurants and hotels may offer thematic dining experiences and staycation packages to keep customers engaged.
2. Workforce and Labor Adjustments: Companies will likely make necessary adjustments to labor practices to align with the change. This could involve reevaluating compensation and benefits packages to accommodate employees who work during the holiday season. Employers may also consider flexible scheduling arrangements and remote work options to balance business continuity with employee well-being.
3. Promotion of Cultural Awareness: In response to the cultural and social implications of the change, some businesses may proactively promote cultural awareness and preservation. They may engage in educational initiatives or community events that emphasize the cultural significance of the holiday. These efforts can serve as a demonstration of corporate social responsibility and a commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage.
4. Industry Association Initiatives: Industry associations are likely to play a pivotal role in coordinating responses to the policy change. They may organize conferences, seminars, and working groups to provide guidance and share best practices among member businesses. These associations can also serve as a unified voice when advocating for the preservation of cultural traditions and the economic interests of their industries.
Advocacy efforts and negotiations with the Chinese government
Businesses and industry associations may engage in advocacy and negotiation efforts with the Chinese government to express their concerns and influence the policy landscape regarding the Chinese New Year holiday.
1. Open Letters and Joint Statements: Companies and industry associations may issue open letters and joint statements to express their concerns regarding the policy change. These documents often outline the economic, cultural, and societal reasons for preserving the holiday’s status and can be powerful tools for raising awareness and generating public support.
2. Collaborative Negotiations: Businesses may engage in negotiations with government authorities to seek potential compromises or policy revisions. These negotiations could involve discussions about alternative measures to address the government’s economic and labor concerns while preserving the cultural significance of the holiday. Such negotiations may also include a focus on financial incentives or tax benefits to offset potential economic losses.
3. Public Advocacy Campaigns: Companies and industry associations might launch public advocacy campaigns to raise awareness and garner support for the preservation of Lunar New Year traditions. These campaigns could involve social media movements, petitions, and community engagement to demonstrate the significance of the holiday for Chinese society and the global community.
4. Data-Driven Advocacy: To support their arguments, businesses may employ data-driven advocacy, providing evidence of the economic and cultural importance of the Chinese New Year holiday. These data-driven reports and studies can help substantiate their claims and influence government decision-makers.
Contact NNroad about your business project in China
When reaching out to NNroad for your business project in China, it’s essential to approach the process with clarity, professionalism, and a well-defined strategy. NNroad is a global service provider specializing in HR, payroll, and employment solutions, making them a valuable resource for businesses seeking to establish a presence in China.


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Discover more from The CQ
The CQ: Oddity's Debut and Rise of “Science-washing”
The Forerunner Team's Must-Reads of the Week
The CQ is Forerunner’s weekly newsletter rounding up the most pressing consumer news and analysis, plus some bonus musing from our investment team. Subscribe now to get the latest edition in your inbox every Saturday.
By Forerunner, @ForerunnerVC
What We’re Talking About on Slack:
Many in the business and finance worlds are just learning about Oddity, a lesser-known name that’s seen a highly impressive Wall Street debut with shares jumping 40% and a market capitalization of about $2.8 billion. The company behind the Il Makiage and Spoiled Child brands uses data and AI to develop cosmetics and make recommendations and has shown remarkable growth and profits, helping drive investor interest. The company says it plans to roll out additional brands using its technology in the future. This debut may signal the revival of the IPO market, which has been trudging through an 18-month slow period. “In the past several weeks, the major barriers to a resurgence in initial public offerings have lifted. U.S. stocks are climbing toward new 52-week highs, volatility is down, inflation has eased and, perhaps most important, investors are making speculative bets again.”
The New York Times covers the uptick in “science-washing” and “scienceploitation,” new terms coined for capturing the wave of trendy and inflated science-related claims of wellness products that have slim clinical backing. Buzzwords like “hormone balancing,” “gut health,” “skin detoxing” have surrounded the marketing of health products from sodas to serums and supplements for years — and the increased saturation of these claims is leaving consumers overwhelmed and confused by the options. “Buyers are prioritizing scientific evidence, said an analyst and head of beauty at WSGN, a trend forecasting company. But they can’t always separate fact from fiction: A 2021 study suggested that people who trust science were more likely to share false claims that contained scientific references than claims that didn’t.”
Hollywood strike leaves influencers sidelined and confused. Even though they’re not in the actors’ union, many creators are passing on deals to promote films or TV shows, because they don’t want to be barred from the guild or face online backlash. This comes after the SAG-AFTRA, as the union is known, issued rules stating that any influencer engaging in promotion for one of the Hollywood studios the actors are striking against will be ineligible for membership. How this is playing out: influencers are now walking back on deals and having to post apology videos for promoting certain shows, and in turn, videos about which deals creators rejected in solidarity are racking up praise on TikTok.
Gen Z is rejecting everything they’ve been taught about tipping. It could be the start of a big shift. It’s well-known that the automatic prompt to tip 18%, 20% or 22%+ at check-out feels awkward and all too prevalent, but Gen Z could finally shift the tipping expectations across a variety of use cases. According to a new survey, only 35% of those under 26 say they always tip at a sit-down restaurant, compared to 83% of boomers who do. Same goes for hairstylists: 24% of Gen Z’ers tip for a haircut, while 40% of millennials and 67% of Gen X’ers do. Most young people have less extra cash than those who are older, still 40% of all people think businesses should be increasing employee wages instead of having customers make up for the lack with tips.
The highest number of prime-working age Americans since 2002 are now in the workforce. These adults between 25 and 54 years old who are working or looking for work should help offset the exodus of retiring boomers. “That growth is taking a little heat out of the job market and could help the Federal Reserve’s efforts to tamp down inflation by keeping wage growth in check.” Women participating in the labor force is up to record 77.8% in June and men at 83.5%, the highest since 2002. One economist speculates that more women could further raise the employment rate if employers adopt or the government requires additional policies for childcare, which is subsidized in other industrialized countries.
More good news: Americans are feeling pretty good about the economy. The consumer confidence index jumped to 117 in July, up from 110.1 in June, which is the highest in two years. All age groups are feeling the boost as well as those earning incomes less than $50,000 and making more than $100,000. "Expectations for the next six months improved materially, reflecting greater confidence about future business conditions and job availability. This likely reveals consumers' belief that labor market conditions will remain favorable."
Digital ads are accounting for less and less of media firms’ revenue, putting an increased spotlight on live events. No one likes opening an article and finding it riddled with placed ads and pop-ups, and it turns out these tactics aren’t even performing like they used to. “Media executives say sales of ad sponsorships tied to live events is outperforming the rest of the ad business, in part due to pent-up demand from the 2020-21 period when most live events were shelved because of the pandemic.”
Celeb-backed brands are moving into malls. They’ve taken over 300,000 square feet of retail space in the past decade, with 76% of those companies choosing shopping malls, where they seem to be having notable success over other retail property types, including street retail, hospitality and transit. Related: even though there has been a slowdown in brick-and-mortar retail sales, some smaller brands are still opening stores. “Online shopping can change at any moment with iOS updates or changes at Facebook. At least with stores, there’s a proven strategy that hasn’t really changed for years.”
Last year, Americans’ 401(k)s took a hit: The average retirement account balance dropped by 20% from 2021. Boomers have had the chance to save the most with the highest average balance at $232,710 (the median is $70,620). One upside is that the number of people contributing to their retirement accounts is the highest in 22 years.
Bloomberg details how the U.S. travel industry has an inclusivity problem. “Fewer than 2% of executives in hospitality are Black while C-suite personnel at North American tourism boards remain 80% White.” As the only Black entrepreneur appointed to the US Department of Commerce’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, Stephanie Jones is trying to further increase representation amongst decision-makers in the travel industry and change how travel experiences can cater to more diverse groups, from locations to programs and marketing.
Marketing Brew interviews Birdies’ president and co-founder, Marisa Sharkey, on the brand’s first sports sponsorship with Angel City Football Club, one of the newest National Women’s Soccer League expansion teams.
Work at Portfolio Company:
Head of Data and Insights | Fora: Fora is reimagining the travel advisor industry by empowering entrepreneurs to transform a passion for travel into income, and building a travel agency that is modern, inclusive and tech-enabled. This role will outline, build, and deliver a data governance and permissioning plan and partner with the CEO scalably deliver monthly insights to preferred supplier partners.
Risk & Strategy Operation Lead | Faire: Faire is an online wholesale marketplace built on the belief that the future is local — independent retailers around the globe are doing more revenue than Walmart and Amazon combined. This role will facilitate critical initiatives across Risk functions, including Verifications, Underwriting, Fraud and Recovery, to drive strategic, analytical, and operational projects with the goal of protecting our community of brands and retailers.
VP of Finance | Glossier: Glossier is a people-first beauty company on a mission to give everyone a voice through beauty through physical, digital, and offline experiences inspired by its community. This role will lead financial planning and analysis, corporate finance, and serve as a business and thought partner to functional leaders across the organization.
There are ~545 other openings on our jobs site. Check ‘em out.

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A renowned British motor racing venture, identified as McLAREN Racing recently announced its primary partnership with OKX. Accordingly, the partnership will run for years. As reported, it ensued to make OKX emerge as a major collaborator of the MCLaren formulas 1 team. The partnership also make the brand a primary partner of the MCLaren Shadow exports team starting from 2022. Recall that OKX remains one of the leading crypto exchanges in the world by its market trading volume.
Accordingly, the announced partnership with OKX tends to aid the experience of the team’s global fans. Also, it remains geared towards availing fans with sensational privileges and innovative products to get them closer to the action. In addition, the collaboration possesses the potential to unify the two renowned brands that give utmost priority to accessibility and innovation. This, however, becomes feasible through varieties of McLaren’s fan engagement activities. Accordingly, such tends to move them very close to the team.
In view of this development, the branding of the OKX begins to manifest on the McLaren MCL36 F1 cars from the 2022 Miami Grand Prix. More so, such will also become obtainable on the helmets of McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. As reported, the McLaren F1 kit and McLaren shadow team kit tend to have such new branding too.
McLaren Racing CEO & OKX Chief Marketing Officer react to the partnership deal
The Chief Executive Officer of McLaren racing, Zak Brown expressed the delight of the venture to partner with OKX ahead of the Miami GP. According to him, the OKX brand remains a crypto exchange, possessing a solid and long-established foundation. He believes the crypto project posseses the capacity to instill innovations, analytics, and accuracy toward attaining great feats.
Brown, however, further that the Miami Grand Prix which remains the first of its kind ensued to provide an enabling platform for them to initiate the huge partnership. He believes such partnership with OKX posseses the tendency to enhance the experience of their fans.
Also, the Chief Marketing Officer of OKX, Haider Rafique averred that the McLaren brand grossly illustrates all the greatness enveloped in F1. According to him, the venture depicts speed, reliability, and performance which undoubtedly remains significant for any major crypto platform. Rafique boasted that OKX usually enhances the innovations on its platform every day. This, according to him aids the biggest execution of trade and its acceleration to their users. However, the Chief Marketing officer revealed that achieving such requires “pit-like” teamwork and creativity.


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Netflix has started rolling out its game streaming beta in the US to a “limited” number of users, according to an October 16 blog update.
The beta was previously only available in the UK and Canada.
The streaming giant announced it was extending its play-test audiences to the US – the world’s biggest gaming market – with a one-line update to an August 15 post from its VP of Games Mike Verdu.
“We are now beginning to roll this limited beta test to the US,” the update read.
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No other information about the US beta was shared, but in the UK and Canada, testers were given access to two games directly on their TVs, or computers via the cloud.
The two games were Oxenfree from Netflix’s Night School Studio and Molehew’s Mining Adventure.
To access the beta, players had to download Netflix’s dedicated controller app on their iOS or Android phones.
For web-based gaming, testers can use a mouse and keyboard.
The streamed games are compatible with specific devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Roku devices, and TVs, among others.


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It’s been over a year and a half since Apple TV+ launched, and at long last, Apple is going to start asking people to pay for its service. When Apple TV+ in 2019, Apple gave everyone who bought a new iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac a one-year free trial to the streaming service. Those trials have been extended twice since and many subscribers still haven’t paid a cent to watch any of Apple’s original content over the last 20 months. That free ride is finally coming to an end next month, as the original trials will expire and the one-year free trial will be reduced to three months.
Back in January, Apple extended the free period until July 2021 for anyone with a trial that was set to expire by June. We are now halfway through June, and it is becoming increasingly clear that Apple is not going to extend these trials again, which means thousands of Apple TV+ users will have to start paying to use the service for the first time since launch this summer.
Additionally, 9to5Mac notes that the terms of the free trial on Apple’s website have been altered:
Eligible devices activated July 1, 2021 or later will qualify for offers of 3 months free Apple TV+. Eligible devices activated on June 30, 2021 or earlier will qualify for offers of 12 months free Apple TV+. $4.99/month after free trial. One offer per Family Sharing group. Offer good for 3 months after eligible device activation. Plan automatically renews until cancelled. Restrictions and other terms apply.
If you recently bought an eligible Apple device or plan to this month and have yet to activate your free trial, you should definitely do so before July 1st if you want to take advantage of the free year of Apple TV+. Otherwise, your free trial will be limited to three months.
The size of the Apple TV+ library will never compete with the likes of Netflix or Hulu, but plenty of the original series and movies on the service have made a splash. Ted Lasso was among the most pleasant surprises of 2020, and season 2 premieres on July 23rd. Other notable originals that have launched on the service include The Morning Show, The Mosquito Coast, For All Mankind, Mythic Quest, and Defending Jacob, while upcoming series Foundation and WeCrashed are getting plenty of early buzz.
It will be interesting to see how many people stick around once they start being charged for Apple TV+ in the coming weeks. Many Apple device owners have now undoubtedly forgotten that they were ever going to have to pay for the service, and if you do not have any interest in spending $5 a month when your subscription automatically renews in July, you can cancel your trial by going to Settings, tapping on your name at the top of the app, and then tapping on Subscriptions, where all of your active and expired subscriptions live. Tap on Apple TV+ to edit that subscription.


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If you thought Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin Gold, and Bitcoin Diamond were excessive, we’ve got a surprise for you: Bitcoin has 6 forks lined up going into the new year.
That’s right–six shiny new mints bearing Bitcoin’s name. Super Bitcoin, Lightning Bitcoin, Bitcoin God (no joke) Bitcoin Uranium, Bitcoin Cash Plus, and Bitcoin Silver are slated to launch throughout the Christmas and New Year holidays. This will double the number of forked currencies within the month, leaving the market with 8 total Bitcoin derivatives to choose from.
For those that don’t know, a hard fork is a method for developers to update and alter Bitcoin’s software. Once Bitcoin reaches a certain block height, miners switch from Bitcoin’s core software to the fork’s version. After this split, miners begin mining the new currency’s blocks, creating a new chain entirely and a currency to go with it.
Bitcoin Cash was the first hard fork to occur on Bitcoin’s blockchain, followed by Bitcoin Gold and Bitcoin Diamond. As you can probably imagine, hard forks have become a hot topic within the crypto community. Many believe that they are necessary for improving the network and solving Bitcoin’s scalability issue, as with Bitcoin Cash. Others have criticized them as money making schemes, as anyone holding Bitcoin at the time of a fork receives an equal share of the new currency.
Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, it’s important to understand what each fork is and what it wants to accomplish, and given the number coming up, there’s a lot of information to digest.
That’s why we compiled info on each fork into these manageable chunks, to make that research a bit easier to swallow. Time to dig in.
Super Bitcoin (SBTC)SBTC
The first of our new forks, Super Bitcoin, is estimated for December 12th at block 498888 with a circulating supply of 21,210,000 SBTC. Of this supply, 210,000 will be pre-mined.
As its name suggests, Super Bitcoin is like Bitcoin on steroids. Its team picked through what they like best about the current Bitcoin protocol and introduced some added features that they believe will buff-up the network. Like Bitcoin Cash, it will increase block sizes from 1MB to 8MB to improve scalability. It will run Bitcoin’s lightning network, and it plans to support anonymous payments with a zero-knowledge proof by May of next year.
Funnily enough, Super Bitcoin’s distinguishing feature isn’t even Bitcoin-related–it comes from Ethereum. The team wants to implement Ethereum-inspired smart contracts into Super Bitcoin’s program, which will allow third parties to build decentralized apps on the new protocol.
This is all the information as presented on Super Bitcoin’s website. There’s no white paper, but there is a developer’s reference “to provide technical details and API information to help you start to build Bitcoin-based applications.”
The team includes INBlockchain Inc. founder Li Xiao Lai, Link Capital founder JaiPeng Lin, and Ranger Shi. With their software upgrades, they hope to “revitalize [bitcoin’s] dominance,” which they believe has “lost a tremendous share of the cryptocurrency market.” Oh yeah, and they want to “Make Bitcoin Great Again.”
Bitcoin Platinum (BTP)BTP
We included Bitcoin Platinum and its “specifications” in an earlier draft of this article, but since then, it’s been exposed as a scam.
Read more: CoinCentral


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The Marshall Plan. NATO. David Hasselhoff. Collaboration between Germany and the United States is not new. But rarely has it spilled over into the world of beer—the glue that, almost as much as the Bundesrat, holds Germany together. After all, what could German brewers possibly have to learn from their German brethren?
Over the summer, Atlantic beer writer Clay Risen taunted Berlin’s beer-drinking public—basically everybody—in his critique in der Tagesspiegel of German beer culture. (Disclosure: Risen’s a friend and trusted drinking pal of ours.) He argued that American beers are every bit as good…and, ahem, more innovative… than their German counterparts. This is not to say that they’re better; just different. Benign stuff, right? A simple acknowledgment of what’s been happening with American beer for several decades. Well, the Germans didn’t see it that way, and the article caused quite a fuss.
We’re happy to hear, then, that Weihenstephan, among the most storied of German breweries, has announced that it will brew a beer in collaboration with Samuel Adams. Talk about culture clash. Wiehenstephan markets itself as “the world’s oldest brewery” and is deeply committed to the German Rheinheitsgebot, which assures purity, but tends to limit experimentation. Samuel Adams, on the other hand, is a creature of the New World of beer that emphasizes innovation. Together, they plan to release a new brew in Spring 2010 that will, says the press release, shatter “preconceived notions of what can be done following the Rheinheitsgebot Law.” Expect something dry and crisp, like Champagne, that will clock in at 10 percent alcohol, but will be well within the bounds of German law… and therefore could expose many Germans to the possibilities of American craft beer.


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The new world of social distancing and quarantining led to record-high Sunday broadband traffic on Easter, based on per-user consumption levels, according to OpenVault.
The firm said that on the holiday – which was April 12 — downstream consumption hit 16.3 GB per subscriber. This was an increase of 15.8% over Sunday, April 5, when each consumer used 14.1 GB of data. It further outstripped traffic on March 1 – immediately before social distancing requirements hit – when 11.8 GB of data was used in the downstream. That amount was 37.9% less than the amount on Easter.
Record-High Sunday Broadband Traffic
Upstream consumption on the holiday was 0.97 GB, a 18.6% increase over the previous upstream high of 0.81 GB on April 5 and 51.7% over the 0.64% logged on March 1. Overall, Easter consumption was 17.3 GB per subscriber, which beat the previous Sunday per subscriber high for total consumption (15.97 GB) and downstream consumption (15.17 GB) that were set on March 22.
“While we don’t track specific types of activity, I can tell you that videoconferencing absolutely contributed to data usage in the Trudeau household,” OpenVault CEO and founder Mark Trudeau said in a press release about the Sunday broadband traffic record. “Given the day and the profile of the usage, it’s safe to assume that much of the spike OpenVault saw was due to individuals and families conducting virtual Easter Sunday visits to friends and relatives.”
Obviously, the pandemic is having massive impact on the total amount and profile of broadband usage. Plume told Telecompetitor last week that the number of households active online during the work-day increased from 22.6 million to 46.2 million between January and early April. The company tracks active online households in 14 key metros. The firm did say that traffic appeared to have plateaued.
OpenVault echoed Plume’s view that traffic may have plateaued in early April. The firm found that traffic during the March 30 to April 3 week declined in quarantined areas by 5.80% compared to the March 23 to March 27 week.
Image courtesy of flickr user Sean MacEntee.


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As direct-to-consumer startups feel greater pressure to rely less on digital channels like Facebook and Google they’re considering investing more in traditional media advertising. That includes out of home advertising (OOH), like billboards, digital bus stops and painted murals.
DTC brands are well known for flooding the New York City subway cars with ads, a practice that was pioneered by startups such as Thinx and Casper. But, as startups struggle to acquire the flow of new customers they once did through Facebook and Instagram, they are starting to invest in more than just subway ads.
“Brands are investing in out of home I think much earlier on today than they maybe they did a year, year and a half ago,” said Brian Rappaport, CEO of Quan Media Group, an OOH agency serving DTC brands that launched publicly earlier this month. Quan’s clients include Roman, Daily Harvest and Away.
“Out of home still has a sexiness to it,” said Chris Toy, CEO of freelance marketer platform MarketerHire. He believes customers are growing increasingly skeptical of products that are only advertised on Facebook or other digital platforms, given how easy and cheap it is to run those types of ads. “If you have an out of home ad, generally customers think ‘how could this company be fake?'” he added.
OOH is becoming increasingly popular among brands to promote a big new product launch. Or, when brands want to increase their awareness outside of New York City, and are doing OOH “takeovers” in select markets.
Ad position: web_incontent_pos1
Dagne Dover, also a client of Quan Media Group, is one such brand. Co-founder Deepa Gandhi said that Dagne Dover first started launched an OOH campaign in 2018 when it ran ads on the New York City subway system. Over the course of that campaign, the traffic to Dagne Dover’s website was growing twice as fast compared to other markets, so that prompted the handbag company to launch other OOH campaigns.
In 2019, Dagne Dover ran two OOH campaigns in Chicago and Boston. In Chicago, Dagne Dover ran ads on billboards, bus shelters, as well as in the train system. In Boston, the company ran ads just in the train system.
“In every city there is a format that works well, and we take it case by case,” Gandhi said.
Ad position: web_incontent_pos2
Toy said one of the biggest drawbacks of OOH for startups is that, unlike with digital advertising, it takes longer for brands to get feedback on what type of creative works, and to quickly make changes based on that feedback. It may sometimes be cheaper on a CPM basis for a brand to run an ad on a bus stop for four weeks, than if that company ran Facebook ads during the same period of time. But, they typically won’t get as much much data that they can use to improve future advertising efforts.
So, for brands that want to test out OOH advertising shortly after launch, they are still sticking to some of the cheapest OOH advertising methods. Hilary McCain, founder of CBD beverage brand Sweet Reason said that after the brand launched in New York in January 2019, the company put up posters in Williamsburg, near stores that were carrying Sweet Reason.
“It’s difficult to measure the success of OOH — ideally you would test unaided brand recognition with consumers before and after an OOH campaign but to do that properly is prohibitively expensive for a startup,” McCain said in an email. Currently, McCain said Sweet Reason isn’t doing any paid advertising, “but we would definitely explore it again if we were entering a new market or wanted to really focus on a neighborhood.”
“It’s very early on,” Toy said. But, he added, “In the next six to 18 months, we are probably going to see a tremendous amount of change [in OOH].”


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A solid investment portfolio has a diverse mix of leading companies, some of which offer stability, while others present greater opportunities for growth. Costco is a rock, a strong candidate for continued market gains, while Beyond Meat is a new and exciting growth prospect. But there's more to both of these stories. Let's take a look and see which one is the better buy.
How do the numbers compare?
There's no question that both companies are dominant players in their respective industries and have lots of growth ahead. Recent numbers tell one part of this story.
Sales Growth: Quarter Ended Spring 2020
Sales Growth: Quarter Ended Winter 2020
Sales Growth: Quarter Ended Fall 2019
Sales Growth: Quarter Ended Summer 2019
Clearly, Beyond Meat is winning in this chart. Keep in mind, though, that Costco's pulling in that kind of growth with $149 billion in annual sales last year, versus Beyond Meat's $298 million.
Costco has done well during the pandemic despite several of its ancillary business segments being closed, such as optical and travel. This has continued into June, with an 11.5% comp sales increase, including 86% digital growth.
Beyond Meat reported a sequential slowdown in growth in its most recent earnings release, which included the beginning of the lockdown -- but that's relative, since sales growth was still in the triple digits.
What kind of growth is ahead?
Believe it or not, Costco still has ample room for expansion. As of May 10, there were 55.8 million household members and 101.8 million cardholders globally, both up from the previous quarter. And even if that sounds like a high level of saturation, members have been upgrading to executive memberships at an impressive rate.
Plus, Costco is still opening stores in the U.S., where it currently has 548 warehouses. Meanwhile, the international market is wide open, as Costco currently has just 240 stores outside of the U.S. Costco is also seeing high digital growth, with comparable e-commerce sales up 65% in its recent third fiscal quarter.
Beyond Meat, on the other hand, continues to see extraordinary growth both in terms of sales and partnerships to increase sales. The company has established strong relationships with Walmart, Target, Starbucks, and many other retailers (incidentally including Costco) and restaurants to market its products.
The plant-based foods market as a whole is expanding rapidly, with 11.4% growth last year, versus 2.2% growth in the U.S. general food market. That made it a $5 billion industry in 2019, according to the Plant Based Food Association. Plant-based meat sales increased 18.4% versus traditional meat's 2.7% growth. However, Beyond Meat is not necessarily getting all of those sales, as it faces many competitors, such as Impossible Foods.
Which one will earn you more money?
This is where it gets trickier. As great a company as Beyond Meat is, with high sales growth and strong long-term earnings potential, shares are already highly valued. The stock ran up to $235 in 2019, retreated to just above $75 by the end of the year, and has rallied 70% year to date. While Beyond Meat stock sits well below its all-time high, it's priced so high that it may take several years for earnings to catch up, which means investors aren't getting a great value at this price.
Investors who have high risk tolerance still might want to buy shares of Beyond Meat. It's an excellent growth prospect, but there's uncertainty built in with respect to its business model -- which is susceptible to competition -- and its valuation. I would wait until the price comes down a bit more or the company has proven that it can continue to grow earnings.
Costco's share price, on the other hand, has risen 11% year to date and increased 114% over the past three years. It's still able to generate high sales growth and has a leading edge over competitors with its membership program, loyalty, opportunity for store growth, and high sales. That makes Costco, in my opinion, the better buy today.
10 stocks we like better than Costco Wholesale
When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*
David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Costco Wholesale wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.
*Stock Advisor returns as of June 2, 2020
Jennifer Saibil has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Beyond Meat, Inc. and Starbucks. The Motley Fool recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.


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Q-Lab, the worldwide leader in accelerated weathering test equipment and outdoor exposure test services, is pleased to announce the launch of a new Portuguese language website at www.q-lab.com/pt-br/.
Portuguese-speaking customers can now visit and learn about weathering, research test equipment and exposure services, or search relevant industry standards in Q-Lab’s extensive database. The website is also available in Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish and Turkish. More languages will be coming soon.
Website visitors can find out about Q-Lab’s upcoming seminars or browse hundreds of handy technical bulletins, articles, and operating manuals. The applications section highlights weathering concerns and solutions for a dozen different industries.
Everything you need to know about weathering is now available in Portuguese.
Discover more information about Q-Lab’s accelerated weathering testers or outdoor exposure services by contacting email@example.com, and visit Q-Lab’s website www.q-lab.com.
Will your product last outdoors? Don’t guess when you can test.


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© Reuters. Signage is seen outside of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 30, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
By Pete Schroeder
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. commodities regulator announced on Thursday it had filed civil charges against a South African man and his company for operating a fradulent commodity pool worth over $1.7 billion in bitcoin.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said the fraud scheme, which saw the firm solicit bitcoin online from thousands of people to purportedly operate a commodity pool, was the largest it had ever pursued involving the cryptocurrency. The CFTC filed charges against Mirror Trading International Proprietary Limited and its CEO, Cornelius Johannes Steynberg.
Steynberg had been a fugitive from South African law enforcement but was recently detained in Brazil on an INTERPOL arrest warrant, the CFTC said. He could not be immediately reached for comment.
The CFTC said in its complaint that the company claimed to have proprietary software that would realize significant trading gains for investors who pooled their bitcoin with it, but in reality no such “bot” existed.
In reality, only a small portion of the pooled bitcoin was ever invested, at a loss, and the rest was “misappropriated,” according to the CFTC. The company ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 2021, shortly after which South African authorities launched a fraud investigation.
The CFTC said approximately 23,000 Americans invested in the pool.


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Announced during Bethesda’s E3 2017 conference, The Evil Within is getting a sequel. Bethesda has confirmed rumours that it is making a follow-up title to their 2014 survival horror game.
The Evil Within 2 will be released on the scariest day of the year, known for horror – Friday, 13th October 2017 and will be coming to PS4, Xbox One and PC. The second game will be developed by Tango Gameworks who are a Bethesda owned studio that developed the first game and is run by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami.
The trailer shows that you need to save your daughter Lily but apart from some short scenes of in-game characters and some contemporary cinematic shots, not much was revealed from the trailer.
Seen as the sequel has been rumoured for some time, it is no big surprise to fans, even Pete Hines said that The Evil Within did well enough to warrant a second game and now we have it.


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Country music artist teams up with Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council for a fresh sound to the iconic “That’s What I Like About Texas” jingle to be released June 13, 2022.
One of the most recognizable jingles in Texas will debut with a fresh new sound June 13, 2022 with a surprise country artist on vocals. The iconic jingle for DQ restaurants in Texas, “That’s What I like about Texas,” brings two icons together for the launch of this unique interpretation. The catchy jingle has captured the hearts of Texans in the Lone Star State for 20 years.
So, who is this Texas country artist? Who is bold enough to take on this memorable tune? Mark your calendars for the big reveal at 9 a.m. CST on June 13th at dqtexas.com. The announcement also will be made at 11 a.m. on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Celebrating 75 years of serving Texans, DQ restaurants in Texas have been friendly, gathering spots where fans enjoy delicious treats and eats and create fond memories.
There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas. The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes more than 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas.


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Legendary Italian design house Zagato celebrates its centenary in 2019, and to celebrate, it will renew its longstanding partnership with Aston Martin to create the ultimate two-car garage dubbed as the DBZ Centenary Collection.
Some 58 years after the brands first teamed up, they’re set to bookend that shared partnership by producing a novel old-and-new duo that will only be available as a pairing. Buyers will get a ‘Continuation’ version of the DB4 GT Zagato – based on one of the greatest and most valuable Aston Martin race cars – and the latest Zagato version of the recently launched DBS Superleggera. The aluminium-bodied DB4 GT Zagato will be built at the Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell – the original home of the DB4 – while the new DBS GT Zagato will be produced at Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters.
Just 19 DB4 GT Zagatos were produced in period, and that’s exactly how many pairs of the DBZ Centenary Collection will be made. The continuation will be hand-built using original techniques, and deliveries will began before the end of 2019. Like all continuations of its ilk though, it won’t be road legal. Owners will be able to drive the modern half of their dynamic duo on the public road, but they’ll have to wait until the end of 2020 to do so, as deliveries won’t start until then. Currently, the styling has only been hinted at with a rough drawing of the front end.
Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, said: “Zagato’s centenary demanded something extra special, and the Zagato Collection is just that: One car that pays tribute to a timeless icon; another that writes a fearless new chapter for future generations to admire.” If you want to get your hands on one of these pairings, it won’t come cheap. They will be priced at £6million plus local taxes, which works out as a cool £7.2million for UK buyers.


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Sony BMG Music Entertainment and market leader radio network Austereo have joined forces in a new Internet TV initiative.
Crank TV will go live in February at www.cranktv.com.au with a one-hour looped program featuring video clips of Sony BMG’s domestic acts.
Sony BMG Australasia chairman/CEO Denis Handlin tells Billboard.biz some footage will be exclusive to Crank TV “to provide the wow factor. Some time ago we decided Sony BMG was going to be the digital market leader and we’ve gone all out to do that.”
The site will also offer ringtones, downloads, podcasts, exclusive performances and interactive competitions. The Sony BMG/Austereo deal is exclusive and runs for six months.
As Australia’s first music-based Internet Protocol Television channel, the Australasian Performing Right Assn.’s CEO Brett Cottle confirms to Billboard.biz that it is in discussion with Austereo over performing and reproduction licenses.
“We have a number of existing license schemes in place for Webcasting and video on-demand applications,” Cottle says. “We do not expect any difficulty in putting licenses in place but we do have to firstly ensure that we have a full understanding of exactly what the service entails.”
The service will be free of charge to users. Sony BMG and Austereo will tap new sponsors and advertisers who are trying to reach Crank TV’s core 18-22 demographic.
Handlin declined to comment on sales targets for Crank TV and the income split between the two companies.
Through 2005, Sony BMG Australasia has actively sought new revenue streams from the digital realm. In the wake of its digital conference in November, Handlin plans to announce the involvement of major digital players in tour sponsorship, artist development and campaigns for its artists.
Sony BMG, however, is the only major record label in Australia not to sell music through Apple’s iTunes Music Store.
Austereo is planning to launch other online channels to reach older listeners. “We have six million listeners a week, and where they go to get their music, we have to be there,” says CEO Michael Anderson.
Austereo today (Dec. 21) said it would include music samples and artist interviews with its 30-minute podcasts. Acts from Universal Music Australia’s domestic and international catalog will feature in the first batch of music-related podcasts.
The Austereo group of radio stations include the Triple M and Today Networks.


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When Applebee's International was occupied with expanding its empire during the 1990s, the casual dining chain adhered to the “location, location, location” mantra, focusing on site selection and deepening its reach throughout the U.S. Now that the company has a solid foothold in 48 states, the new guiding philosophy is “execution, execution, execution.” “Once we were known as a powerhouse developer. Now we're balanced between development and solid execution,” says David Goebel, executive vice president and COO of the Overland Park, KS-based company, which surpassed the 1,500-unit mark last year and continues to take on an additional 100 sites a year. “We put a lot of attention on great execution.”
Execution, in fact, is a good explanation for how Applebee's has managed to pull so far out in front of the casual dining packñand maintained that position. Sharp execution has helped Applebee's evolve into the largest and fastestgrowing chain in the casual dining segment.
Morgan Keegan's Robert Derrington, who recently upgraded Applebee's stock to “ outperform,” observes that the chain “enjoys broad menu appeal, attractive unit economics and a pool of talented franchise operators. That combination has fueled six to seven percent annual unit growth and has lifted the chain to its dominant industry position.” The company's market share is double its nearest competitor's.
Goebel says the strong showing by Applebee's is the fruition of a number of strategic moves by management several years ago.
A big difference involves people. In the last few years Applebee's has strengthened its top management team with new operations, financial, marketing and, most significantly, human resources muscle. In 2001 Louis Kaucic joined the senior team as chief people officer (he is now also executive vice president); shortly after, the company rolled out programs designed to retain the best performers and gradually chip away at turnover.
“We made a conscious decision to invest in our people,” Goebel says. New associates undergo a more rigorous selection process, management training emphasizes the importance of retaining better-performing hourly associates and manager bonuses reflect their ability to hold on to those valued employees.
“Our focus on retaining the top 80 percent of associates and managers has led to some very impressive retention,” Goebel observes. In three years, turnover among hourly employees was slashed from 146 percent to 92 percent.
Menus, Service in Tune with the Times
The beefed-up senior management team at Applebee's also spent time fine-tuning the menu to keep it fresh; in fact, more than 75 percent of the items on the current menu have been improved or replaced since 2001. The takeout side of the business has taken off with Applebee's Carside To-Go program. The most recent innovation was the addition of a cobranded Weight Watchers section that simplifies the hassle of eating out for that group of 13 million dieters.
When a handful of casual dining competitors got aggressive about takeout, rather than rush headlong into this high-growth area, Applebee's decided to fine tune its offering. The packaging was examined from a practical and aesthetic standpoint. As a result, Carside entrees arrive not in standard Styrofoam clamshells but instead in tightly closed boxes with clear lids that help avoid accidents and ensure customers are getting exactly what they ordered.
Carside To-Go, in place at about 1,000 units and on track to be in place systemwide by early 2005, has been a hit, and not at the expense of dining room sales. About 80 percent of the orders are thought to be incremental business for the stores.
While it's too early to say what impact the Weight Watchers appetizers, entrees and desserts will have on business, this program appeals to restaurant patrons who say they want to eat healthier. It also simplifies the dining-out experience for Weight Watchers members, who tally points of everything they consume and often shun restaurants because they can't determine the points associated with restaurant choices. Points for each Weight Watchers item appear on the menu.
Applebee's chose to partner with the giant dieting organization on the premise that Weight Watchers, with 13 million members, is in it for the long haul. But what about all those Atkins devotees? “We believe that for years now, low-carb dieters have figured out how to use restaurants and our menu,” Goebel says. So they order the top sirloin and ask the server to substitute double vegetables for the potatoes.
Another new addition to the menu, Applebee's first attempt at popular baby back ribs, is likely to boost the system's $10-$10.50 check average.
Still a Neighborhood Joint
Despite Applebee's lumbering size, expect the tweaking of the menu and policies to continue. “Although we're the biggest, we realize we must demonstrate some nimbleness and aggressiveness toward new programs,” Goebel says.
One practice that has long been integral to the Applebee's strategy, the idea of creating a local hangout atmosphere, remains. The “neighborhood” in Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar is a shrewd ploy that has gone a long way toward making the brand seem less of a commodity than its competition. The original blueprint for the chain called for making it a place guests could call their ownñthe antichain chain, so to speak. Each location achieves that in a number of ways, including:
- Dècor honoring local “heroes”ñlocal celebrities, sports teams and other memorabilia designed to foster a warm, homey feeling.
- Recruiting employees from the local area, so customers are more likely to see a familiar face or two.
- Giving franchisees some latitude in the menu makeup: About 60 percent of the core optional menu is dictated by corporate, while the remaining 40 percent can be geared to regional tastes.
That atmosphere taps into several consumer trends, including the maturing of the baby boomer generation, growth in household income and increasingly hectic lifestyles. All these factors contribute to a new role for the full service restaurant as a place not only for the occasional treat but as a provider of everyday meals. With a check average of $10-$10.50, Applebee's is especially well-positioned to capture those daily guests.
Can Applebee's stay on top of a highly competitive field? Management is always peeking over their shoulder and thinking about ways to sustain the momentum. “We have conversations every day about how we must ward off any temptation to become complacent,” Goebbel says. “In any industry or sport, number one or two are more hungry and aggressive.”
Observers like to speculate about Applebee's plans to branch out into a new concept, but Goebbel insists now is not the time. “We always have an open eye to the marketplace and new trends, but it's not a focal point right now,” he says. Meanwhile, that well-oiled development machine is on track to reach 2,300 units within a few years.
How Applebee's Stacks up
...in the overall casual dining scene
Top Seven Brands (2002 U.S. Sales in billions):
Red Lobster 2.3
Outback Steakhouse 2.3
Chili's Grill & Bar 2.2
T.G.I. Friday's 2.1
The Olive Garden 1.9
Ruby Tuesday 1.2
....against direct competitors in the varied menu category (Unit counts as of 12/03)
Source: Technomic Information Services and Morgan Keegan Research
|By recruiting and rewarding top performers, Applebee's has slashed employee turnover to levels unheard in the restaurant business.|
|Employee Category|| || |
|Hourly|| || |
|GMs|| || |
|All Salaried Managers|| || |


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The Inventor of the Networked Charging Station
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., (November 5, 2019) – Volta, the industry leader in innovative electric vehicle charging networks, today announced its new Chief Technology Officer, Praveen Mandal, a seasoned industry veteran and entrepreneur within the electric vehicle space. A MIT Connection Science Fellow with an accomplished resume, Mandal brings a successful track record of impactful ideas for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and a fresh take on AI expertise to Volta and the industry.
“I’m honored to join Volta, a company that has always stood out to me as a pioneer of the most innovative business model in the electric vehicle charging infrastructure market,” said Praveen Mandal, Volta’s new chief technology officer (CTO). “I share Volta’s passion for creating a fundamental shift in mobility, and I look forward to helping this fast-growing team advance the electric vehicle revolution.”
Mandal is a former engineer turned serial entrepreneur who jump started the electric vehicle charging industry through the co-founding of Chargepoint in 2007; where he also served as its President. Furthermore, he is the recognized inventor of the “networked charging stations” concept; a pioneering idea that helped drive the adoption of charging stations by all industry stakeholders. He is also the CEO and Co-Founder of 2predict, a team of data scientists providing advanced machine learning solutions for innovative companies.
With a passion for electrification of transportation, Mandal owned his first electric vehicle in 2008 by taking a Toyota Prius and doing an aftermarket conversion from Pat’s Garage in San Francisco.
Mandal joins Volta at a time where they just launched their free DC fast charging service and is bringing machine learning know-how to Volta’s sponsors. He currently resides in San Francisco.
Founded in 2010 out of a passion for advancing electric transportation, Volta has mastered the art and science of developing cutting-edge electric vehicle charging networks. Volta is accelerating the electric vehicle movement by providing seamless, simple and free charging experiences. Thoughtfully located along the paths of daily life, Volta chargers are the most heavily used in the industry. With the support of forward-thinking brand partners, Volta delivers free charging solutions to real estate owners, power to the electric vehicle community and impactful brand stories to everyone.


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A new Sling Air TV promotion is targeted squarely at cord cutters. Starting today, viewers willing to shell out for three months or more of Sling TV service will receive a wireless AirTV Player and adapter for $50. That’s more than 50 percent off the standard MSRP of $129.99, according to a news release.
With AirTV, viewers can access their local television channels and Netflix content via the Sling TV interface, providing an integrated content experience. Among other things, that eliminates the need to work through multiple user interfaces or remote controls.
More substantially, the combination of Sling TV’s Orange OTT video service ($20 per month) and an AirTV bundle is ideal for viewers ready and able to cut the cord on their cable pay-TV services, Sling TV’s Glenn Eisen writes in a company blog post.
Sling Air TV Player Promotion
Sling TV is offering customers three promotional AirTV options:
- Prepay for three months of Sling TV if your base service is $20 or over and get AirTV Player and AirTV Adapter for $50
- Prepay for four months of Sling TV if your monthly payment is between $15-$20 and get AirTV Player and AirTV Adapter for $50
- Prepay for six months of Sling TV if your monthly payment is under $15 and get AirTV Player and AirTV Adapter for $50
Sling TV points out that viewers can access available local channels by connecting their over-the-air (OTA) antenna to their AirTV players via the AirTV Adapter. For those without an OTA antenna, Sling is cutting the price of the RCA antenna it sells 25 percent.


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Startups Start Here campaign by LaunchVic showcases state’s thriving $91B ecosystem
Victoria’s startup agency LaunchVic has kicked off the Startups Start Here campaign to champion the state’s most successful startups and scaleups and encourage more Victorians to commercialise their ideas with the support of the State’s robust ecosystem of investors, accelerators and founder support programs.
The first-of-its-kind Victorian Government advertising campaign – distributed across the State today for 12 weeks – will promote entrepreneurship and celebrate the achievements of the diverse AUD$91 billion startup ecosystem that now employs more than 52,000 Victorians.
Startups Start Here tells the story of some of Victoria’s best startups and how the people and place backed them to be where they are today. Featuring some of the State’s best founders including Zac Leigh of Tixel, Hannon Comazzetto of AirRobe, Ben Pfisterer of Zeller, Dr Ben Hurst of HotDoc, Kim Teo of Mr Yum, Jordy and Julia Kay of Great Wrap and Jeanette Cheah of Hex their stories aim to inspire the next wave of budding entrepreneurs to start their startups here.
Victoria’s forward-thinking and resilient startup ecosystem supports approximately 2,950 scaling and successful businesses, according LaunchVic data (from Dealroom) released as part of a new interactive map showing the location of the state’s startups.
LaunchVic remains the only state government startup agency with a mandate to proactively grow the startup ecosystem since its inception in 2016. Since then, the value of the ecosystem has grown 16 fold to AUD$91B – the same size that Tel Aviv was in 2016 – and has become the home of 19 unicorns (80% reaching that status after 2017).
“The Startups Start Here campaign is about putting the State’s most exciting companies on a pedestal and showing how the people and the place have backed them to be where they are today. Victoria is doing an amazing job producing globally competitive companies, but not enough people know. Startup founders shaping the future of Victoria should be revered – much like our sports stars – so they can inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs from all across our State,” said Dr Kate Cornick, CEO of LaunchVic.
“The startup ecosystem in Victoria is very progressive and in addition to Melbourne being the place Tixel was born, it was a fantastic place for us to find our feet as we scaled. We simply wouldn’t be where we are today without the network of advisors, investors and founders we found in our home city, in addition to the Melbourne music fans who quickly adopted Tixel as the place to buy and sell their tickets. LaunchVic provides the kinds of programs, opportunities and networking that every startup should have access to, and aspiring entrepreneurs should know that from humble beginnings they can create a successful global business like Tixel if they set their mind to it and seek out the right resources,” said Zac Leigh, CEO and co-founder of Tixel.


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iPhone 6s Release May Boost Battery Life
As users argue about thinner phones versus longer battery life a new report outlines a major jump that could deliver better battery life with the iPhone 6s release in late 2015.
The secret to an iPhone 6s release that fixes complaints about iPhone 6 battery life could come from a major Apple rival and a breakthrough in the technology that powers the iPhone.
This is incredibly important because Apple normally keeps the same iPhone design for two years, which rules out any major change to add a huge battery in the iPhone 6s, not that a huge battery would solve all the problems anyway.
The iPhone 6s will use a new type of memory that is significantly more power efficient than that found in the iPhone 6 according to industry insiders who shared the details with the Korea Times.
Even if you don’t care about the iPhone 6s specs or who makes the parts inside the phone, anyone who complains about iPhone battery life will want to know how this could deliver better performance.
Read: How to Get Better iPhone 6 Battery Life
A report from 2014 suggested Apple would add this new LPDDR4 RAM to the iPhone 6 to deliver better performance, with the part coming from Micron. The latest iPhone 6s rumors outline this upgrade, but suggest Samsung will supply the memory. Even though Samsung and Apple are major rivals in the mobile industry, Samsung’s memory division supplies the memory for many smartphones.
This report suggests that in addition to delivering the new technology in the iPhone 6s Samsung will provide the new RAM for the Galaxy S6 and LG G4.
iPhone 6s Battery Life Improvements
How exactly will this Samsung memory deliver better iPhone 6s battery life? When Samsung first announced the RAM the company boasted, “Overall, the new LPDDR4 interface will provide 50 percent higher performance than the fastest LPDDR3 or DDR3 memory. Also, it consumes approximately 40 percent less energy at 1.1 volts.”
Reynette Au, of Micron Technology explains exactly why this new type memory can deliver better battery life. In short, the type of memory can impact active battery life and standby battery life.
“The memory device alone can consume up to 30% of the system power in standby mode. In active mode, memory bandwidth is a significant contributor to thermal power consumption as well, contributing 20−25% of the total power used in a typical smartphone using LPDDR3 when heavily utilized.”
The new memory can also help with issues relating to heat inside the closed smartphone system, Au writes, “The LPDDR4 core and I/O supply voltages are decreased to 1.1V (from 1.2V in LPDDR3) to help reduce power consumption”
This is the second time we’ve heard about iPhone 6s memory upgrades, with a focus on the new LPDDR4 memory. The smallest size that Samsung offers is 2GB, so if this is rumor is correct the iPhone 6s will gain a boost from 1GB of memory that is in the iPhone 6.
Features and upgrades also impact battery life, so even if Apple uses the new type of memory other factors will likely prohibit a 40% boost in battery life.
What About a Thicker iPhone 6s?
Couldn’t Apple solve all the iPhone 6 battery life complaints by just making the iPhone 6s thicker and putting a bigger battery inside it? In The Wall Street Journal Christopher Mims outlines how he thinks Apple could double the iPhone 6 battery life.
“Take the latest iPhone. Let’s do a thought experiment, starting with what has changed between the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 6. In four years, Apple’s engineers made the iPhone 2.4 millimeters (0.094 inches) thinner, or about the thickness of three credit cards. Despite giving it a much larger screen, they also shaved off eight grams, or about the weight of a packet of ketchup.
Given the size of its current battery, a little back-of-the-envelope math reveals it’s more than reasonable that if the iPhone 6 were as thick as the iPhone 4, the iPhone 6 could have double its current battery life.”
There are some problems with this assumption according to iMore’s Rene Ritchie who outlines the drawback to a thicker heavier phone. A thicker iPhone 6s with a bigger battery would make it harder to hold the phone and use it for long periods of time. Batteries also hold in het and impact the connectivity of a phone according to Ritchie who makes the case for a thin phone that users can add bulk to when they need longer battery life.


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Amazon is taking steps to accelerate the development of direct air capture (DAC) technology by purchasing carbon removal credits from 1PointFive and investing in CarbonCapture Inc. This investment aligns with Amazon’s commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 as part of its Climate Pledge. DAC technology involves removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere using various chemical processes. The captured CO2 can then be stored underground or used in other applications.
Amazon is supporting the deployment of DAC technology by committing to purchase 250,000 metric tons of carbon removal from STRATOS, 1PointFive’s first DAC plant. This amount is equivalent to the carbon stored naturally across over 290,000 acres of U.S. forests. The captured carbon will be stored deep underground in saline aquifers. Additionally, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund is investing in CarbonCapture Inc., a company known for its modular DAC systems. These systems can be upgraded with next-generation sorbents to improve their efficiency over time.
To combat climate change and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, it is estimated that around 1 trillion tons of CO2 needs to be removed from the atmosphere by the end of this century. While restoring natural systems can contribute to this effort, technological solutions like DAC are crucial for capturing and removing large volumes of CO2. Amazon’s investments in DAC complement its broader sustainability strategy, which includes nature-based solutions like forest conservation and restoration.
1PointFive is constructing the world’s largest DAC plant in Texas, which is expected to capture up to 500,000 tons of CO2 annually. Amazon’s purchase agreement with 1PointFive is one of the largest ever for a DAC facility. CarbonCapture, another DAC startup, aims to accelerate innovation and scale in the industry. Their modular open system architecture allows for easy upgrades with new sorbents, driving down the cost of DAC over time. Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund is also investing in CarbonCapture and will make carbon removal credits available to businesses within the company and its partners.
These investments demonstrate Amazon’s commitment to DAC as a vital carbon removal solution and its dedication to achieving its sustainability goals. By supporting the growth and deployment of DAC technology, Amazon is taking steps towards decarbonizing its operations.


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Following its postponement back in June, we are delighted that the British Motor Yacht Show 2020 will now take place between 1st – 9th August.
The show has always been strong collaboration between leading UK motor yacht brands Fairline, Princess and Sunseeker – a pre-season boutique event, giving serious yacht buyers the opportunity to view their choice of yacht in a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.
Last year, the show was opened up to a wider range of premium yachting brands, and now features in its line-up, yachts from brands such as Bavaria, Jeanneau, Bayliner, Prestige, Sealine and Azimut, giving visitors a chance to view some of the finest quality brands available.
Our team at Argo Yachting will be featuring two models from Chris-Craft, the Chris-Craft Corsair 34 and the Chris-Craft Launch 25GT representing the Chris-Craft range of beautifully hand-crafted day boats. If you are already a yacht owner, or are considering buying a yacht for the season, our expert team from Argo Yachting will be on hand to provide expert advice and guidance.
Unlike the larger international shows, the British Motor Yacht Show 2020 offers buyers the ‘private time’ and space to talk to technical experts who have a passion for their brands and to learn about all the practical and exciting aspects of owning a luxury motor yacht.
This year, because of the Coronavirus crisis, the show will go forward within Government social distancing guidelines, so it will be by appointment only. The show will be open from 10.00am – 7.00pm across a 9-day period to allow our customers more time to enjoy the show.
The safety and well-being of both visitors and staff will be paramount throughout, so appropriate measures will be in place.


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Company Cars Costing Small Business’s an Arm and a Leg
Published Date: 11th Jun 2015
Over 50% of small businesses spend around £1,600 on each company car, and this is just the cost of maintaining them.
Small businesses in this UK are being hit with high spending of over £1600 to maintain each company car on their books and 20% of company cars cost over £2,000 each year, these figures have been put together by RAC business.
RAC’s survey of 1,000 cars in the 1st quarter of the year found that Scotland suffered the most with a third of them paying between £3000 and £4000 on company car maintenance over the year. The big winners were in the East Midlands with 44% of small businesses paying between £1000 and £1500 a year.
Jenny Powley – Sales director for corporate partnerships at RAC explained: “Keeping a new ompany car fit for purpose does require regular and thorough maintenance – without it, a business is looking at a hefty price tag in terms of unexpected servicing and breakdown costs.
"With the economy still in a fragile state, as business owners know too well, it is vital to keep those unexpected costs to a minimum by looking at different options for your fleet.
“For example, by leasing rather than purchasing vehicles businesses can control costs as servicing and repair can be part of the package. There are other services to support businesses such as breakdown, telematics and accident management that are included in the leasing agreement, depending on the supplier.
“Leasing also gives businesses the opportunity to financially plan ahead in one of their largest areas of spending, which will have a positive impact on the success of that business, potentially cutting out thousands of pounds in unnecessary costs every year.”


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November 28, 2023 : The American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, was briefly evacuated on the busy Black Friday shopping day in response to a bomb threat. The mall, one of the largest in North America, was evacuated just as it was filling up with shoppers, causing widespread disruption and confusion.
According to the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the threat was received shortly after 8:00 a.m. ET. The mall was immediately evacuated, and police and bomb squads were dispatched to the scene. After a thorough search, no explosive devices were found, and the mall was given the all-clear to reopen a short time later.
The incident caused significant disruptions to the mall’s Black Friday sales, typically one of the year’s busiest shopping days. Many shoppers were stranded outside the mall while it was being evacuated, and some stores could not open on time.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our guests,” said a spokesperson for the American Dream mall. “The safety of our guests and employees is our top priority, and we take all threats seriously.”
The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the bomb threat and is asking anyone with information to come forward.
The evacuation of the American Dream mall on Black Friday is a reminder of the challenges that businesses and law enforcement face in ensuring public safety during busy shopping periods. With the increasing prevalence of online shopping, physical stores are fighting to attract customers on Black Friday, which can lead to larger crowds and more potential for security threats.
Businesses need clear and effective emergency plans to deal with threats like bomb scares. These plans should include procedures for evacuating the premises, securing the site, and communicating with law enforcement. Businesses should also train their employees on how to respond to such incidents.
Law enforcement agencies must also be prepared to respond quickly and effectively to threats against large public gatherings. This includes having sufficient resources, such as bomb squads and trained personnel, to conduct thorough searches and investigations.
The evacuation of the American Dream mall highlights the importance of taking a proactive approach to public safety in busy shopping areas. By working together, businesses and law enforcement can help to ensure the safety of shoppers and employees during this critical time of year.


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Digital payment has become the most important factor of every single individual of the country and there are many players out in the market to give the payment solutions. Paytm is one of the most top contenders, and the same has launched a new service called all in one QR code and that integrates commonly used payment methods such as Paytm Wallet, other UPI applications, and even Rupay debit cards.
With the new implementation, users can able to make a payment easily without any issues which means you can able to make a payment by scanning QR code using Paytm to pay and this will deduct your payment from your preferred channel such as Paytm wallet or any other UPI-enable the app like Google Pay, Phonepe, and more or a banking app scanner to pay via the Rupay debit card or credit card.
The new setup will also have no merchant discount rate on the customer or Merchant and this is the government initiative to boost the digital payment solution. Moreover, the company has also launched a Dynamic QR display and this will be shown on a 3.5-inch display at the center of the QR code stand which shows dynamic QR code for single orders. Alongside that, Paytm has also announced Paytm SoundBox which will speak out loud the last transaction, and the same support multiple languages.
So, what are your thoughts about the new setup of Paytm? Do let us know in the comments section below and stay tuned with us for the latest updates from the world of tech at your fingertips.


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Apple Considers Major iTunes Overhaul As Music Downloads Continue To Decline
Billboard reports Apple is considering a dramatic iTunes Store overhaul as music downloads continue to decline despite the release of iTunes Radio.
Last month reports suggested that Apple may be creating an on-demand streaming music service, similar to services such as Spotify, in order to boost sales. The company is also reportedly considering an iTunes app for Android.
“iTunes Radio hasn’t solved the problem of refreshing the iTunes store,” said a senior label executive. “While listeners are clicking the buy buttons, the traffic it is driving is in the low single digits of listeners.”
According to a report released in January, digital music sales fell 5.7 percent in 2013 and only one to two percent of iTunes Radio users will buy a song after hearing it on the company’s streaming service. iTunes still accounts for 40 percent of music sales in the U.S. and iTunes Radio is the third largest streaming service after Pandora and iHeartRadio.
Apple is reportedly discussing options on how to improve iTunes, as they are trying to overcome competition from Android and other music streaming services. iTunes Radio is currently a free ad-supported service, with iTunes Match also available as a paid service.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., Apple is losing its most valuable customers. “Two-thirds of its high-value customers are now in subscription services,” said one source. “That has been an eye-opener for them.”
If Apple were to release an on-demand subscription service they would be satisfying all three music models customers are interested in, including music downloads via iTunes, free music streaming through iTunes Radio, and a premium on-demand music service, which could offer an ad free experience with premium features.
According to a music executive, Apple has dramatic plans ahead for iTunes, which could lead to a “completely different” experience within the next several years.


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New transparency figures from Amazon show that the company has responded to a record number of government data requests in the last six months of 2020.
The new numbers land in the company’s semi-annual transparency report, which was posted on the Amazon website over the weekend.
Amazon said it processed 27,664 government requests for user data in the last six months of 2020, up from 3,222 data requests in the first six months of the year, an increase of nearly 800%. This user data includes shopping searches and data from the Echo, Fire and Ring devices.
The new report presents the data differently than previous transparency information. Amazon is now breaking down the most frequently requesting countries. In the past, the US authorities made up most of the total data requests that Amazon receives. However, this latest report shows that Germany has 42% of all inquiries, followed by Spain with 18% and Italy and the USA with 11% each.
However, the report also eliminates the legal process breakdown and only differentiates between the requirements it receives for user content and non-content. Amazon said it had submitted user content data in 52 cases.
For Amazon Web Services’ cloud business, which is reported separately, Amazon processed 523 data requests, with 75% of all requests coming from US authorities, and Amazon passed user content in 15 cases.
An Amazon spokesperson wouldn’t say what led to a large spike in data requirements. (Amazon rarely comments on its transparency reports.)
Amazon’s transparency report is one of the easiest reads of any tech giants at just three pages, and it explains most of the report how it responds to any legal requirement other than the data itself the last of the big tech giants to publish a transparency report While most tech companies added data like deactivation notifications and account removals to their transparency reports, Amazon bucked the trend by removing data from its reports, despite the company’s growing reach in millions of households.
The Financial Times reported earlier this weekend that Ring, the $ 1 billion video doorbell and home security startup acquired by Amazon, now has 2,000 law enforcement partners in the United States enabling law enforcement agencies to access homeowners’ doorbell camera footage to access.