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Update, 11.24.15: Grand Fare Market owners Doug Washington and Freya Prowe posted a note on the market’s Facebook page Monday about the closure. It reads: “Grand Fare Market is closed until further notice. We are so grateful to our guests, vendors and employees who made it all possible. Unfortunately, the market’s current incarnation simply required too much cost to keep up basic operations and we couldn’t keep it going. We hope that everyone will accept our most sincere apologies and deepest regrets for the troubles. We hope to re-envision the space and concept in a more workable iteration in the new year. Thank you for all your support! ~Doug Washington & Freya Prowe.”
Original story: Grand Fare Market, which opened less than two months ago on Grand Avenue in Oakland, closed abruptly last week. A sign affixed to the door reads: “Grand Fare will be closed until further notice. Our apologies.” A note was also posted on the food establishment’s website. An employee said she was told Friday not to come into work, but she did not know more.
It appears the reason may be financial difficulties. Owners Doug Washington and Freya Prowe told Eater SF, in a statement released through a publicist, that operation costs had been “simply too much” to keep it going. Washington also told Inside Scoop SF via email that, “There are some parts to Grand Fare that were wildly successful and other parts that were not.” When asked if the food market and restaurant would be re-opening in one form or another, Washington said: “We plan to spend some time figuring that out.”
Grand Fare is known to owe money to at least one supplier. A person with knowledge of the situation who asked to remain anonymous said Petaluma-based Little Organic Farm had six outstanding invoices for Grand Fare, amounting to more than $1,000. “This happens way more often than one would think,” she added.
Grand Fare was certainly an ambitious project requiring, one would have to assume, significant investment. With its beautifully designed food market, and elegant, wine-country-style outdoor eating courtyard, it made an immediate impression when it opened in an increasingly food-focused neighborhood.
The project included an oyster bar, wine shop, the Brother and Sisters florist (run by Prowe), a bakery and rotisserie. Customers could order prepared foods such as salads served in stainless-steel Tiffin boxes and gourmet sandwiches from food stations in the market, then eat them on the patio, which offered heaters and lambskins on individual chairs for chilly nights.
Also outside, a sleek 1946 Spartan Mansion trailer served Linea coffee and Humphry Slocombe ice cream. The produce and prepared foods were touted as being of the highest quality, using organic and locally sourced ingredients. Just last week on Facebook, Grand Fare posted about snagging some organic heritage breed Willie Bird turkeys from Sonoma for its Thanksgiving menu.
Washington, who is co-owner and operator of four restaurants — Town Hall, Salt House and Anchor & Hope in San Francisco, and Irving Street Kitchen in Portland, Oregon — spent a long time developing Grand Fare. The space was a straightforward coffee shop for about two years before it underwent its transformation.
Washington told Nosh last month that he wanted Grand Fare “to go beyond the standard restaurant experience defined by conventional table service.” He said he wanted to create a place for conversation, community and conviviality that takes dining beyond the standard server/customer interaction.
His original idea had been for a smaller-scale project however — comprising just charcuterie, the oyster bar, and a pop-up flower shop run by Prowe.
Washington had not responded to a request for information by press time.
Grand Fare prompted many positive reviews on Yelp, with most visitors singing the praises of the food, the beautiful décor — it was designed by Emeryville-based Fink Architecture — and the friendly staff. As MaiTaiT wrote on Oct. 22: “As far as decor and design goes, I love the look and feel of this place. The outdoor dinning area is gorgeous both day and evening. The staff are wonderful and very accommodating so kudos for the great training because attention to customers will keep people coming in.”
Others complained of high prices, however. On Nov. 3, Christian G. said $19 for a piri piri rotisserie chicken was too much — “I can get an average rotisserie chicken up the street at Safeway for $8,” he wrote.
But even those who found fault expressed the hope that the place could iron out any wrinkles and thrive. “In the end it needs a little time and a little structure and it’ll be a fine edition [sic] to the area. It’s a beautiful space with passionate people and that’s always a great start,” wrote Joco F. on Oct. 23.
At least two other East Bay restaurants have recently closed ostensibly due to financial pressures. Perdition Smokehouse, a barbecue and beer spot on University Avenue in downtown Berkeley shuttered suddenly last month. A source close to the business speculated that the owners were facing facing financial issues. And Build Pizzeria, also in downtown Berkeley, closed earlier this year. David Shapiro confirmed with Berkeleyside last month that he and the restaurant and nightclub’s co-owner Lisa Holt, had been forced to declare bankruptcy.
We will monitor developments at Grand Fare Market and keep readers posted.
Want to keep up-to-date on all the food, drink and restaurant news in the East Bay? Subscribe to NOSH Weekly, the free weekly email packed with delicious news. Simply sign up here.


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Companies are offering interest-free advances to people with poor credit in exchange for detailed personal data. Looking on the client price index, economists saw the quickest acceleration of prices since January 1982. SAN SIMEON, Calif. — California’s famous Hearst Castle will reopen to the public in May after a two-year closure because of the pandemic and severe rainstorm harm that prompted a $13.7 million renovation. The $6 billion, 55-acre project plans to include new towers, roads and bridges and parkland.
A for Arizona, a bunch focused on K-12 coverage reforms to enhance entry to a high-quality education, released a white paper just lately that explores the disparities in training funding throughout Arizona public schools… TikTok Was Designed for WarAs Russia’s invasion of Ukraine performs out online, the platform’s design and algorithm show perfect for the messiness of war—but a nightmare for the truth. How to Move Your Shop or Business OnlineThe pandemic prompted entrepreneurs to move their brick-and-mortars into the digital sphere.
More than four hundred companies have withdrawn, a minimum of temporarily, from Russia since it invaded Ukraine. Some have been there since the fall of communism — symbols of the enduring energy of Western culture and commerce. Policymakers are wrestling with the truth that the pandemic may mark a turning level within the nation’s economic plot. Valeena Campos, her husband, and two children are at present living in her in-laws’ attic as a result of pandemic.
Previous winners embody an AI system for monitoring malaria, a fast bacteria-testing package for consuming water, and a solar chilling transit system. Teams have till February 11 to submit their utility, and semifinalists will Business News be chosen in April 2022. Supply chain challenges have intensified in the course of the pandemic, and retailers and types are seeking methods to prepare for future disruptions.
These embrace supply and demand, the workforce scarcity and financial policies. [newline]According to data from the Special Report on Inflation and Supply Chain Shocks on Small Business by MetLife and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, one in three small business leaders rank inflation as their largest problem. During the pandemic, client interest in sustainable and purpose-led brands elevated.
Russia had been a rare bright spot for Alibaba’s international e-commerce business. The alliance might ease Uber’s driver scarcity and mood high fares while directing more business to cabdrivers, whose livelihoods had been affected by the emergence of car-sharing apps and the pandemic. Your guide to how expertise is transforming our lives and the world.
Supply chain improvement, an increase in the workforce and adjustments to financial insurance policies will assist ease inflation. On March 9, in partnership with the FBI, NSA and USSS, CISA re-released an advisory on Conti ransomware with updated data on indicators of compromise. As of February 28, 2022, CISA and the FBI have seen over 400 Conti ransomware assaults on U.S. and worldwide infrastructures, in which malicious cyber-actors steal recordsdata, encrypt servers and workstations and demand a ransom cost for launch. Our best professional advice on tips on how to develop your small business — from attracting new clients to keeping current clients happy and having the capital to do it. GrowOur finest expert advice on tips on how to grow your business — from attracting new clients to keeping present customers joyful and having the capital to do it. The new stamps, which can join “bodily letters to the digital world,” mirror comparable ones already in use in France and Germany.
It is the important source of data and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. The WIRED conversation illuminates how expertise is changing each side of our lives—from culture to business, science to design. The breakthroughs and improvements that we uncover lead to new methods of thinking, new connections, and new industries. Greater Chicago lost more than 91,000 folks from 2020 to 2021 as the pandemic slowed growth in the nation’s largest cities and intensified population tendencies of migration to the South and West. Uber has been hit by driver shortages and a surge in meals delivery requests through the pandemic. Important breakthroughs integrating blockchain expertise are happening in Tampa Bay.
Sharell Macklin’s finances are in respectable form, but she is ready to take a financial risk to take a position her money and increase savings so she can at some point journey the world. U.S. grocery delivery firm Instacart slashed its valuation by practically 40% to about $24 billion, the corporate said on Thursday, citing latest market turbulence. CEOs, entrepreneurs, doctors, attorneys, educators and not-for-profit leaders are among the many 22 ladies IBJ honored Tuesday morning at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. The Postal Service formally positioned its preliminary $2.ninety eight billion order for 50,000 autos with no less than 10,019 of them being battery-electric vehicles. That represents a doubling of electrical autos from the preliminary plan.
The crisis also fueled the rise of distant work, which led to individuals investing extra of their homes, just as they sought out new ‘workation’ — work-meets-vacation — experiences amid the work-from-anywhere trend. Against that backdrop, home-sharing startup Pacaso, native companies platform Thumbtack and supply disruptor Shipt reaped gross sales and customer acquisition features. Read how the startups built on that momentum through methods designed for consumers’ post-COVID life — which yielded some of their greatest gains thus far — right here. Through its sixth annual Global Problem Solver Challenge, Cisco will be awarding a total of $1 million in grants for businesses that leverage know-how for social impact. The problem requires early-stage, technology-driven solutions and companies that may promote economic improvement and/or profit society. Teams can send in an utility that defines the issue they’re solving, their proposed resolution and its benefits and dangers, together with a 90-second pitch video.

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The Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem is about to get smarter. Leading technology vendors have recently announced new products and integrations intended to push greater intelligence to the edge, derive deeper insights through analytics, and heighten security. Utilities should take note.
Qualcomm Offering a New Chip-Based Platform
Qualcomm's new Vision Intelligence Platform is part of this trend. The Qualcomm platform features the chipmaker's first family of system-on-chips (SoCs) built specifically for the IoT using an advanced 10 nm FinFET (Fin Field Effect Transistor) process that produces substantially faster performance and efficiencies than previous chips. The platform's chip models, QCS605 and QCS603, are designed to provide greater computing power for on-device cameras and machine learning. The company envisions these chips being used for a variety of applications, including robots, the smart home, and smart cameras. For utilities, these could become valuable in cameras mounted amid critical infrastructure such as substations, or in drones that monitor the grid.
Microsoft Promoting Its Own System
Similarly, Microsoft has introduced Azure Sphere, a new custom SoC operating system for the IoT. Azure Sphere has its own flavor of a Linux kernel, and includes a new security subsystem called Pluton. The idea is to provide greater IoT device security starting from the microcontroller level and moving up from there to the cloud. For example, Pluton is designed to prevent malicious code from tampering with firmware on a device, which could be quite useful for a utility or energy provider that oversees over-the-air upgradeable smart meters or sensors connected to the grid. The first certified hardware based on Azure Sphere is expected to be available later in 2018.
Other Offerings in This Market
SoftBank Group's Arm semiconductor subsidiary announced enhanced capabilities for its Mbed IoT platform during Hannover Messe, one of the world's largest industrial technology events, held annually in Germany. The Mbed platform, designed to help companies connect, secure, manage, and provision IoT devices, will now integrate Mbed's Cloud solution with IBM's Watson IoT and artificial intelligence platform. Arm also announced a collaboration with Cybertrust and GlobalSign in a bid to give industrial customers the flexibility to use their own security certificates in IoT deployments, something utilities are likely to appreciate given their penchant for managing and controlling their devices and systems in their own way.
Just a Glimpse of Market Momentum
None of these vendor moves will happen overnight, of course. They are cutting edge and will take months or even years to gain widespread adoption; some might even fizzle or fail. Nonetheless, they indicate vendors' strong emphasis on the IoT, whether the focus is at the edge, in the cloud, or on security (for a deeper look at IoT security, see Navigant Research's Managing IoT Cybersecurity Threats in the Energy Cloud Ecosystem). Momentum is building, and utilities need to stay apprised of how advances in IoT technologies could enhance their grid operations.


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China saw a decline in oceangoing cruise tourism last year, with 13 domestic ports welcoming fewer cruise ships and visits than in the previous year.
The 13 ports saw 969 cruises and 4.9 million visits, falling 17.95 percent and 0.98 percent, respectively, from 2017, according to research by the China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association and the China Ports Organization.
It is the first slump since cruise tourism emerged in China in 2006, the research showed.
Major ports in Shanghai and Tianjin were hit by significant downturns.
Last year, ports in Shanghai, including Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal and Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, saw 403 vessels dock, a drop of 21.3 percent, and visits fell by 7.5 percent year-on-year.
The drop was steeper at the cruise port in Tianjin, with oceangoing cruises declining 33.7 percent and visits dropping by 27.4 percent compared with 2017, the research said.
Qi Xin, president of Wuhan Chunqiu International Travel Service, based in Hubei province, said their numbers for cruises and travelers declined sharply in 2018.
Qi said that his company sends travelers to four main ports: Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao in Shandong province and Xiamen in Fujian province.
"The slowdown first appeared in June," he said. "The slump can be, I think, mostly attributed to low levels of spending by Chinese travelers, especially seniors who look for cheaper tickets but are unwilling to spend money on the vessel.
"No more than 5 percent of travelers, as far as I know, spend money for onboard entertainment."
Qi said cruise companies typically attract travelers with low-priced tickets, and then try to balance costs by encouraging travelers to enjoy entertainment events on the cruise. For example, the cost of a five-day cruise to Japan dropped to 1,500 yuan ($222) last year from 4,000 yuan.
"The cruise owners have reduced trips to China since both ticket and onboard consumption failed to subsidize their costs," Qi said. "We are in a dilemma because foreign-run cruises are retreating from China due to meager profits" while China does not yet have large numbers of oceangoing cruise ships.
Lvmama, an online travel service provider, said that while its cruise reservations increased last year, growth did slow compared with 2017.
"Cruise tourism is still in its infancy in China, so the related travel offerings are rather lower in price. Besides, cruises departing from China usually head to neighboring countries like Japan, where the ports are not that suitable for cruises to dock because of inadequate facilities," said Zhang Gaowei, Lvmama's director of cruise tourism.
A 31-year-old traveler surnamed Wang from Shanghai said that he won't take a cruise unless he goes with his senior family members.
"I took a cruise to Japan with my mother in August 2016, spending about 3,000 yuan for each ticket," he said. "Cruises, from my perspective, suit senior visitors who can rest for the whole journey. But to us in the younger generations, a cruise is not the first choice."
Cruise tourism developed rapidly in the decade after it appeared in China in 2006, with annual average growth reaching 40 to 50 percent. In 2017, the industry grew at a slower pace for the first time, according to the China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association.


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| A recent partnership between South Dakota beef producers and the New York Beef Industry Council (NYBIC) increased the understanding of beef and the beef industry among New York state consumers. The South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) helped sponsor three farm tours in New York state, giving influencers, such as dietitians, chef instructors and food service and retail managers a face-to-face look at modern beef production. NYBIC Executive Director Carol Gillis believes the tours helped build relationships with the people who can influence public opinions about beef. Gillis said, "We realize there's a lot of misinformation out there, and we wanted these influencers to learn about science-based information regarding the beef industry." |
On farms in three different regions of New York, participants were given an up-close look at how beef producers steward their animals and their land. Beef producers discussed and answered questions regarding feeding, animal care, food safety, and antibiotics with tour attendees. Gillis believes the influencers came to understand the best management practices that make beef production sustainable.
Gillis related comments from one chef instructor on the tour, as he realized that many people talking about beef have no connection to the farm or beef industry. The chef told Gillis he will be more inclined to believe facts put out by the beef industry before listening to rhetoric from activist groups.
New York is a beef deficit state with far more consumers than cattle. In fact, more than 19 million consumers live in the urban state. Gillis said the tours emphasized the networks that bring beef to a New York dinner table. "We stressed how important it is and how fortunate we are to have areas like South Dakota where they can produce beef very efficiently and how that makes it possible for all New York consumers to enjoy safe, wholesome beef," explained Gillis.
The SDBIC partnered with its New York counterpart to fund the tours during May "Beef Month." SDBIC President Merrill Karlen of Oacoma believes the New York partnership fits the mission of the South Dakota Beef Checkoff. "We've funded numerous Checkoff projects outside of South Dakota where the bulk of our consumers live. We have the cattle here and the coasts have the consumers. We get a lot bigger bang for our buck when we invest the Checkoff in the highly populated areas," explained Karlen.
The success of the New York farm tour project will become evident down the road, believes Gillis, as influencers spread their positive perceptions and first-hand knowledge of beef production to consumers across New York.


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Kylie Jenner just added false eyelashes to her sailor-themed summer makeup collection, and now, she's giving fans a glimpse of how they look in real life. On Saturday, August 29, the Kylie Cosmetics founder posted a video to her Instagram Stories in which she demonstrates how her lashes look naturally without anything on — and then with the falsies on top. We're suckers for a side-by-side comparison that shows how a product works, so we really appreciated Jenner doing this.
While the before-and-after isn't overly dramatic, there's no denying that her lashes do look visibly thicker and fluffier with the false lashes on (that is the effect they're supposed to have, after all). In a previous Instagram Story in which she first debuted the "Shady" lashes, Jenner spoke about how she was inspired to create falsies when she removed her eyelash extensions shortly after the pandemic hit and getting them touched up was no longer an option.
"I've been experimenting a lot with strips again and individuals, and these are everything," she said.
From what we can tell in Jenner's Story, the sailor-themed lashes are full and fluffy, yet still natural-looking enough if you prefer a lighter look. Additionally, they're longer and fan out at the outer corners, which gives the eyes a gorgeous cat-eye effect without any winged liner needed. (That being said, she is wearing liner in the photo and it adds some extra oomph.)
Of course, we love to see the makeup mogul showcasing how her products actually work, as it gives customers an idea of what kind of results they should expect. After getting a glimpse of these lashes on Jenner, we're definitely going to have to pick up a pair when they launch on August 31.
More on Kylie Jenner:
- Kylie Jenner's Leopard French Manicure Is the Perfect Nail Art
- Kylie Jenner Already Switched From Blonde to Pastel Pink Hair
- Kylie Jenner and Khloé Kardashian Just Wore Identical Hairstyles for a Night Out
Done reading? Check out 100 years of hair color:


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Whether you love or hate them, first-person shooters are more popular than ever, thanks to franchises like Call of Duty, Halo, and Battlefield. But… for the next 6 days (and a number of hours), the focus is on creating brand new shooters, instead of celebrating established genre entries; about letting your creative juices flow in first person, as it were. Groovy.
It isn’t the first time the 7DFPS organizers have done this either, as a similar game jam took place in both 2013 and 2012 before it. As such, a lot of games have come to be during this particular week over the last couple of years, and some even received so much post-jam work that its creator saw it fit to sell the beefed-up version on various digital stores (like, say, Wolfire’s Receiver).
In 2012 and 2013 7DFPS saw hundreds of participants, tens of thousands of players and an infinite amount of new ideas: games exploring realistic gun handling mechanics, seven dimensional shooters, an fps with time running backwards, and even a couple of games without shooting !
But will 2014’s outing be successful too? Well, that remains to be seen. But since it’s already begun, here’s a quick rundown of the ‘what’s what’: you have until November 15 to create a brand new first-person shooter – no theme, no rules. Doesn’t get much simpler than that.
Note: submissions go to itch.io this year, which – in case you’re not familiar – is a great place for all things indie games. So be sure to check that out, along with the 7DFPS website of course; both now and in a week, when entries have all been submitted for playing.
Official keynote to be added once released.


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Comment - Fraudsters Impersonating Tesco in New Phone Scam
March 2021 by Nikolay Gaubitch, Director of Research EMEA at Pindrop
It has come to light that Police in Wales have issued a warning to residents about a new phone scam, in which fraudsters are impersonating supermarket giant Tesco. Victims have reported receiving an automated call telling them that an order with Tesco has been placed and that £350 will be debited from their account. The automated message goes on to say “if this is not the right amount, please press 1 to go through to our fraud team.”
The commentary from Nikolay Gaubitch, Director of Research EMEA at Pindrop.
“The type of scam we’ve seen this week with Tesco is not a new one, nor is it uncommon, but as consumers are spending more time on the phone their safeguards have been lowered and they’re likely to be more susceptible to such a trick. Our own research has shown that the pandemic has caused an overwhelming increase in calls going to the call centre, and not only are consumers being put off by being on hold but so are the fraudsters. In 2019 we saw that 1 in 770 calls to the call centre were fraudulent, while in 2020 that number decreased to 1 in 1074 calls.
Whilst the number of fraud attempts appears to have decreased, it’s actually more a case of the fraudsters adapting their strategies, with the increased use of automated services, (IVR) and through direct contact with the consumer, and this Tesco scam could definitely be an example of that.
What’s interesting in this type of phone scam, its aim is not to trick the consumer into handing over money immediately, rather it’s a technique to gather personal information, which can then be used for carrying out financial fraud through your bank for example. Previously we’ve seen fraudsters carry out similar attacks where the fraudster is on the phone with a customer and their bank simultaneously to ensure they’re getting all of the information they need in real-time.
While contact centres should ensure they have fraud protection in place, it’s even more important for consumers to be alert. Two pieces of advice: 1) always verify who you are speaking to, especially if they call you, and 2) if still in doubt, don’t give away any personal information or payment details and instead, hang up, and call the company’s customer services team on their official contact number"


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CPT policy chief Alison Edwards stated: “Allowing the mentor travel sector to collapse would be a dereliction of obligation from the Govt. The sector is essential to ongoing expansion of Uk tourism by making sure that millions of people today can take a look at attractions across the Uk each individual yr.
“Without help for mentor travel we are risking not just the future of the sector but positions across the tourism sector as people today wrestle to travel to days out.”
Kurt Janson, a director of the Tourism Alliance extra: “Coach operators are a substantial and essential part of the UK’s world-course tourism sector.
“Whether it be taking overseas site visitors on tour, learners on educational excursions, transferring conference delegates, bringing sports activities lovers to video games or supplying working day excursions for people today to take a look at attractions or see a West Stop display, they bring income and positions to each and every vacation spot they take a look at.”


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March 18, 2020
As the coronavirus fuels a rise in online sales, Amazon plans to hire 100,000 more workers and raise pay for all employees in the U.S. and Canada by $2 an hour. The company’s starting wage is currently $15 per hour in its U.S. fulfillment centers. In the U.K., wages will rise £2 ($2.45) per hour and approximately €2 ($2.24) an hour in many European Union countries. At end of 2019, Amazon employed almost 800,000 full-time and part-time workers. Other companies are also seeing increased online sales as a result of COVID-19.
The Wall Street Journal reports that, “the 100,000 new Amazon jobs, in locations across the U.S., will come at a time when broader retail is contracting and retailers rethink operating physical stores during a pandemic.” According to eMarketer, Amazon “accounts for 39 percent of all online orders in the U.S.”
“We are seeing a significant increase in demand, which means our labor needs are unprecedented for this time of year,” said Amazon senior vice president of operations Dave Clark. Columbia University business school director of retail studies Mark Cohen noted, however, that, “Amazon is big enough and powerful enough and decisive enough to take up a significant amount of the slack being caused by all of the shutdowns.”
“This is an enormous engine of distribution that has been growing for many years and investing ahead of its own needs,” he added.
Other “large, well-capitalized companies … are moving to meet an extraordinary uptick in orders,” says WSJ, which mentions Slack Technologies and Microsoft, which both “are seeing interest in their collaborative-work platforms.” In the entertainment industry, Comcast’s Universal Pictures said it will make “certain movies that are still in theaters available to watch at home starting Friday.” Grubhub and Postmates, among other food-delivery companies, “have seen robust orders even as the potential for widespread restaurant closures could slow activity.”
Meanwhile, other stores, such as Apple, Nike and Lululemon Athletica, are temporarily closing, and “employees in the hospitality, entertainment and restaurant industries are also facing a crunch with cities such as New York and Washington, D.C. imposing restrictions on gathering in public places.” With buying shifting to online, stores are struggling to keep up with demand, some of them forced “to cancel portions of online orders or delay their shipping dates of items such as hand soap until late April.”
Supply-chain issues are preventing some retailers from restocking, with Amazon reporting that, “it was out of stock on some popular items, especially household staples, and some deliveries would take longer than usual.” That includes Amazon’s Whole Foods, which, in some markets, couldn’t fulfill same-day orders.
To protect its employees, “Amazon expanded its sick-leave policy to include part-time warehouse workers and set up a relief fund, with an initial $25 million for delivery partners such as drivers and others affected by the outbreak.” It earlier allowed workers to “take unlimited unpaid time off through the end of March without penalties.”
To Focus on Necessities, Amazon Stops Accepting Some Items in Warehouses, The New York Times, 3/17/20


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Ford has secured a fresh supply of microchips for its F-series production line, expected to bring the automaker’s 2021 sales trajectory back on course, reports suggest.
The US-based automaker was forced to halt production of its F-series line in early 2021. The company also has a stockpile of incomplete pickups, awaiting electronic components delayed by the ongoing shortage. This stockpile will be the first beneficiaries of the fresh supply of microchips.
The company’s volumes have plunged in the first half of 2021 as it failed to ship enough pickups and SUVs to meet demand. The sale of the F-series declined by 1.5pc to 362,032 units in Jan-June from the prior-year period. Monthly sales in June, however, were down by 30pc amid an increased gap between demand and available inventory.


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South Australian packaging company Detpak has been honoured with the prestigious APPMA Packaging Design Innovation Award for their groundbreaking Kerbside Recyclable Paper Bag for Fresh Potatoes.
“This recognition at the APPMA Awards of Excellence 2024 in Melbourne underscores our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability within the packaging industry,” the company says in a news release.
Detpak’s journey toward this groundbreaking packaging solution was marked by collaboration with Mitolo Family Farms and Coles, two industry giants equally committed to environmental stewardship. Together, they set out to transform the landscape of fresh produce packaging, aiming to reduce plastic usage and minimize environmental impact.
After three years of rigorous research and development, Detpak successfully launched Australia’s first kerbside recyclable paper bag for fresh potatoes. This innovative solution slashes plastic usage by an impressive 64%, equating to 8.2 tonnes less plastic each year, and maintains product quality, extends shelf life, and offers kerbside recyclability, perfectly aligning with Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation guidelines.
“This achievement resonates far beyond mere recognition; it signifies a shift toward sustainability within the grocery sector, fuelled by consumer demand for sustainable packaging,” the company says. “Detpak takes immense pride in leading this change, pioneering solutions that meet and surpass industry standards.”
Romano Bolzon, Detpak, Group General Manager of Sales, emphasised Detpak’s ongoing commitment to driving sustainable change across the packaging industry, and our dedication to evolving packaging solutions for the environment.
“This award stands as a testament to the dedication and hard work of every member of the Detpak team, as well as our invaluable collaboration with Mitolo Family Farms and Coles. Together, we have proven that sustainable innovation is achievable and essential in shaping a brighter, greener future for generations to come.”
Image: Credit Detpak


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Egypt is set to establish the first factory in the country for producing multiple unit trains, which use electric traction and diesel, for its railways and a monorail in East Port Said, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development announced.
The announcement came during a meeting held on Wednesday and attended by Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Said, Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir and the head of the Suez Canal Economic Zone Authority Yahia Zaki.
The meeting discussed the schedule of the project’s implementation, its economic studies, and the expected production volume.
The factory is expected to be managed by the Egyptian Railways Services and Maintainance Company (ERMAS) in partnership with the private sector, the Suez Canal Economic Zone, Egypt’s Sovereign Fund and a number of international companies.
Minister El-Wazir said that Egypt has an ambitious plan to establish a local multiple unit train industry, which is part of a wider project to localise the railway industry and serve the domestic and African markets in light of growing demand in locally and domestically.
El-Wazir added that establishing factories that produce multiple unit trainswill benefit Egypt’s national economy, provide hard currency and job opportunities, in addition to fulfilling the needs of the railway and metro sectors.
He also said that the industry is expected to export its products to Arab and African countries and paves the way for founding other complementary industries.
For her part, Minister El-Said said that investing in the transport sector, under Egypt’s strategic vision 2030, has contributed to improving Egypt’s ranking in the international competitiveness index on road quality and infrastructure from 118th place in 2014 to 28th in 2019.


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The first rumored specs list of upcoming Nikon D6 flagship full frame DSLR camera now already available online. You can see the details below, Nikon D6 is rumored to be announced in late 2019 to early 2020.
The Nikon Z6 will be start shipping in late this week in US, you can get yours at B&H Photo/Adorama/Amazon. dpreview has posted their 4K video sample of Nikon Z6, and said that “Nikon Z6’s 4K video footage outshines Z7‘s, is similar to Sony a7 III‘s”. You can watch the Nikon Z6 4K video footage below:
According to latest rumors on NR, the recently announced Nikon D850 DSLR camera will be displayed at PhotoPlus Expo between October 26 to 28, 2017 in New York City. Nikon D850 will shoot 4K UHD Video in FX format with no crop, and touchscreen. You can take a look at full detail specs below: (Some are no yet confirmed)


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Affluent and younger shoppers are most eco-focused says ESW
It may not come as a surprise, but research seems to have confirmed that the highest value e-shoppers are the most sustainability-conscious in a world of consumers who are generally prioritising eco-awareness more often.
That’s what data from global DTC e-commerce specialist ESW reveals. It said the highest-spending shopper cohorts, as well as younger groups like Millennials and Gen Z, are most influenced by sustainability credentials when buying online.
Products with a strong eco edge have long been seen as more expensive than ‘regular’ items, which is perhaps why the luxury of being able to be more sustainable might be more pronounced among more affluent shoppers.
ESW spoke to more than 16,000 shoppers from 16 countries and found 83% of them consider sustainability when making a purchase, increasing to more than nine out of ten (91%) cross-border e-shoppers – whose average annual online spend is 4% more than domestic shoppers across all product categories.
That 4% may not be a huge figure but it’s still an important difference.
“Today’s most coveted high-frequency, high-spending customers prioritise sustainability when buying online and are actively modifying their behaviour according to their desire to consume and buy in a more eco-conscious manner,” said ESW Europe and UK CEO Martim Avillez Oliveira. “To reach these shoppers brands must prioritise sustainability, transparency and positive environmental practices from day one.”
The survey also showed 39% of Gen Z shoppers and 34% of Millennial respondents shopping cross-border 12 or more times annually, with 73% of Millennial shoppers planning to spend the same or more online in 2023 — making this cohort the leader in global e-commerce spending this year.
And their attitudes to sustainability? Well, 94% of Gen Z and 93% of Millennial respondents reported considering it when making an online purchasing decision in comparison to 88% of Gen X shoppers and 77% of Baby Boomers.
Clearly, all age groups are eco-focused, but those younger groups are almost universally influenced by sustainability features and that matters, not just today, but for the future as those shoppers grow richer.
ESW added that for brands and retailers looking to sell cross-border, markets with more young shoppers report prioritising sustainability criteria during their purchasing consideration phase – led by India (98%), China (94%), UAE (94%) and Mexico (93%).
Across product categories, 93% of specific luxury shoppers consider sustainability when purchasing, ahead of beauty shoppers (87%), consumer electronics (87%) and apparel (84%).
And the things they want to see are environmentally-friendly packaging options (46%), sustainable shipping (43%), less packaging overall (42%) and green delivery options (35%).
What it all means is that “retailers can be sure customers will do more than virtue signal when it comes to sustainability with shoppers acting on their concerns for the environment,” Avillez Oliveira added.
Copyright © 2023 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.


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Jaguar Facing A Lot Of Ifs
With more than 30 years of advertising under my belt, I’m no stranger to spin. Once in a while, I’m impressed by the gumption of some spinmeisters. This is one of those times.
So I read at Reuters that Jaguar is “ready to leap back to pre-crisis sales.” Reuters quotes Jaguar Land Rover’s head David Smith, who said: “In the past, Jaguar built more than 100,000 vehicles per year. We can return to such levels once the crisis is over.” Reuters says Smith gave those optimistic remarks to Germany’s Wirtschaftswoche.
So over to Wirtschaftswoche I go. At first, I think I found the wrong article.
“Jaguar Land Rover Sales Sink 30 Percent” says the headline in the Wirtschaftswoche. “In 2009, we sold 260,000 units, 65,000 of those Jaguars,” Smith is quoted as saying. Down 30 percent for the year. Well, the new XJ should make up for that, there are “already 3000 pre-orders.”
“We are faced with big challenges in the cost department,” says Smith. “Challenges” are manager-speak for problems. “We want to reduce the two factories in the Midlands to one,” he says. Uh-oh, he’s thinking about moving production to low-cost countries. Not to India, as many suspect, but maybe to China. “Without any redundancies” in the U.K., of course.
Then, the operative sentence: “If we make the right investments at the right times, and if we maximize our strengths, then we should be able to realize strong growth.”
That’s a lot of ifs.
So EXTREMELY high demand in China for an OVERTAXED product has nothing to do with wanting to make some cars in China... Sure JLR need to reduced costs but by as much as other car makers in Europe who made significantly higher losses during the recession? I think not....
"...and if we maximize our strengths, then we should be able to realize strong growth.” And what exactly are those "strengths"? Twotone
Ready to leap, yes. Able, no.
relying on the crisis to end is a poor business plan. they need to be able to survive DURING a crisis, only then will they be strong during periods of prosperity as well.


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The Palaszczuk Government has introduced legislation to ban single-use plastic items in Queensland, starting with straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates.
Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said the government was committed to reducing the destructive impact of plastic waste on our waterways, marine life and environment.
“First our government banned single-use plastic bags, then we introduced the highly successful Containers for Change program, and now we have taken the next step in our war on plastic waste by introducing this Bill,” Ms Enoch said.
“In March this year, we asked Queenslanders to decide the future of single-use plastic items and we received a resounding response that was very clear.
“Almost 20,000 responses were received, with 94 per cent of submissions in favour of a ban.
“That’s an overwhelming statement from communities wanting to find a positive solution to reducing plastic waste and protecting our environment,” she said.
As well as banning the supply and sale of single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates, the Bill will also provide a means for more single-use plastic like coffee cups, polystyrene cups, take-away food containers and heavy weight plastic bags to be banned in the future, following public consultation.
“We know Queensland businesses, just like other businesses around the world are being impacted by the global coronavirus pandemic,” the Minister said.
“Because we’ve had a strong health response, we’ve already started delivering Queensland’s plan for economic recovery.
“A big part of that is supporting Queensland businesses because that means supporting Queensland jobs.
“That’s why the Bill allows for flexibility, with the start date for the ban to be no earlier than 1 July 2021, allowing businesses and the hospitality industry adequate time to source new products.
“90 per cent of submissions supported a proposed start date of 1 July 2021,” Ms Enoch said.
Items such as single-use plastic straws that are part of juice box packaging will not be part of the ban at this time, enabling the government to work with packaging and product manufacturers to develop more sustainable options.
Toby Hutcheon, Queensland Manager, Boomerang Alliance said they welcome the ban, which is the next step in reducing plastic litter.
“These items are amongst the most littered items in Queensland. According to Clean Up Australia 36 per cent of all litter in Queensland is plastic packaging,” Mr Hutcheon said.
Minister Enoch said that we recognise our most vulnerable community members and this Bill considers the needs of the disability, aged care and health communities by providing an exemption for these sectors.
Queensland Disability Advisory Council Chair Sharon Boyce said that overall the sector is supportive of the proposed ban since exemptions are provided for people with disability who rely on single-use plastics as part of their daily life routines.
“Discussions with the disability sector regarding implementation of the ban will continue so we can find the best solution,” Ms Boyce said.
The Palaszczuk Government is committed to reducing plastic pollution. A ban on single-use plastics is part of Queensland’s positive approach to the war on waste, as outlined in the Tackling Plastic Waste: Queensland’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan.


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Published on April 12th, 2016 | by Subhash Nair0
Perodua Begins Export of Myvi and Alza to Brunei
In an effort to further improve its export portfolio, Perodua is exporting a total of 310 units of its Myvi 1.5SE and Alza 1.5SE models to Brunei this year.
The Perodua Myvi and Alza were launched by Brunei Minister of Communications, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh, Datuk (Dr) Aminar and Mr Kurinami Takamasa, Perodua Executive Director.
Brunei has a population of 417,784 according to the World Bank and a total industry volume of 14,243 vehicles for 2015. Perodua began exporting to Brunei in 1996 with the Perodua Kancil and have exported a total of 2,300 vehicles to the Kingdom as of end 2015.
Perodua exports to 5 countries, Singapore, Mauritius, Brunei, Sri Lanka and Fiji. The compact carmaker also exports the Myvi to Indonesia as the Daihatsu Sirion (under the Daihatsu badge).


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The battle for cloud dominance is making the Cold War look like child's play. Amazon Web Services has wasted no time in responding to Google's price cuts, opting to slash the base price of its infrastructure and compute services by 51 per cent.
Amazon, the market leader for hosted infrastructure, has already engaged in a tit-for-tat price battle with Microsoft and its Azure service.
The result has been a progressive lowering of the bar for basic cloud services, including those supporting third-party cloud application services.
The Amazon volley back at Google halves base cloud prices, and will reduce other services by 28 to 61 per cent. Google cut prices by a third for its infrastructure and cloud storage services.
Microsoft, which rebranded its cloud service as Microsoft Azure (from Windows Azure), cut prices similarly earlier this year. There's a high likelihood Microsoft will follow Amazon and Google to remain competitive.
The pricing wars among the top contending cloud providers is pushing prices progressively lower. Overall, cloud service fees have been dropping six to eight per cent annually, and the base price for cloud storage has plummeted do less than three US cents a gigabyte per month.
At this rate, cloud services will be free. Or, in a topsy-turvy world, companies like Google and Amazon will pay customers to use their cloud services.
According to the research by the 2112 Group, eight per cent of solution providers are already selling cloud services at a loss, and most are earning less than five per cent margins on cloud products.
Amazon, Google and Microsoft are locked in this cloud pricing war just as other major players are ramping up their efforts to enter the market.
IBM is investing $1.2bn on expanding its cloud services infrastructure capacity. Cisco Systems this week announced a $1bn investment to develop a global cloud services network. Scores of other companies from AT&T and Comcast to CenturyLink are pushing out new cloud services and capabilities.
The pricing war and the speed of competitive responses to fee cuts are sending the wrong message to the market. They tell customers that cloud providers and their go-to-market partners know the prices and margins are too high and have plenty of room to negotiate.
If a customer is buying cloud services over the counter, the price will remain whatever is listed on the menu. But if the customer is buying enough services and has negotiating power, the price war is ammunition that enables it to push back and demand even deeper concessions.
Cloud providers are telegraphing their next value-proposition, and it has nothing to do with the bare-metal servers in the cloud. Along with the price cuts, Amazon released Amazon WorkSpaces, a new service that gives users a "desktop-like" experience for accessing applications from any machine.
IBM and Verizon are pushing similar concepts in certifying applications for their cloud services.
At its partner conference earlier this year, IBM announced that more than 40 of its applications had been certified for use on its SoftLayer cloud service. Verizon is certifying third-party application for optimise use on its Terremark cloud.
And AT&T has an entire development division to build application programming interfaces to ease the use of third-party apps on its cloud network.
Through these price wars, cloud providers are telling the market that hosting and infrastructure services, much like the hardware they're built on, have no intrinsic value.
The true value will come from the applications and workloads place on those virtual resources. Unfortunately, constant price cuts will condition the market to think that even these value-add assets should come at a lower price.
The net result: an expediting of cloud commoditisation.
For more US-focused channel news, see www.channelnomics.com
Automation firms UiPath and Automation Anywhere close out their funding rounds with $265m and $300m respectively
View photos of last night's awards ceremony in London
View photos of all the winners from the 2018 Channel Awards
After a glittering awards evening in Battersea celebrating 25 years of the Awards, we are pleased to share the list of winners and judges' commended winners


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A little ahead of schedule, Google has dropped the source code for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) into the public Android Open Source Project repository. Now that the code has been opened up, developers and OEMs alike are free to take the code and modify it as they see fit. This move comes ahead of the release of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the first device that will ship with ICS.
This is perhaps biggest for Android modders and fans of custom ROMs. Now that the code is free, we expect popular devices to be running stock Android 4.0 in a matter of days. An official update for the Nexus S is expected in a few weeks, and the Galaxy Nexus is launching in Europe in just a few days. The US release date for the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon is unknown.
In the coming hours, there will surely be some goodies found in the Android source code, so keep an eye out. Will you be flashing to ICS as soon as possible?


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Over the last decade, Google has extended its reach from desktop computers to smartphones and tablets. Yet despite years of trying with complex products like Google TV, it has not been able to breach the citadel of television.
Google Tries to Channel TV Again with Chromecast
So on Wednesday, Google introduced Chromecast, a product looking at the problem another way. The relatively low-tech, $35 device is an internet-connected thumb drive that plugs into a high-definition TV to stream from the cloud and control it with a smartphone, tablet or computer.
Chromecast is basically Google's version of the current Apple TV and hinges on appropriating the latter device's beloved feature, Airplay, that lets someone beam what they're viewing on their iPhone, iPad or computer to their TV. Google has iterated on Apple's feature by opening it up beyond devices operating on Apple software to include those running Android, Windows and Google's browser-based Chrome OS.
That means someone can pull up a video from YouTube or Netflix (the only video services initially enabled) on an iPad or an Android phone and toss it to the TV for everyone in the room to watch. It's a relatively minor improvement, but combined with Chromecast's relatively inexpensive price point -- $35 compared to Apple TV's $99 -- the device could hold big implications for the rise of online video and its merger with TV. If it's easier to watch online video on people's preferred screen, they'll do it more.
Chromecast has no content advantages over any other set top on the market. Netflix is Google's key content partner for roll-out, though it's easy to imagine so-called "TV Everywhere" services like HBO Go to follow suit. To sweeten the deal, Google is offering three months of Netflix service free -- even to existing subscribers -- with each Chromecast. That would mean a Chromecast would cost a Netflix subscriber $11.
During an announcement event on Wednesday morning in San Francisco that was streamed online, Google senior VP and head of Chrome and Android Sundar Pichai cited a comScore stat that found each month people around the world watch more than 200 billion online videos. He also pointed to video analytics firm Ooyala's measurement that the last year has seen a 270% increase in the number of online videos watched on a tablet or smartphone.
While video is likely the primary content Google had in mind when developing Chromecast, it's not the only one that can be streamed. As with YouTube and Netflix, people who have downloaded Pandora's mobile app to their Android or iOS device will be able to listen to music through Chromecast. And Google is rolling out tools for developers to add similar capabilities to their apps.


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The federal government has spent $20 million to date to help consumers defray the retail cost of in-home devices that convert over-the-air digital TV signals to the decades-old analog format, a Department of Commerce official said last Monday.
“The program is on track and we are thrilled,” Meredith Attwell Baker, acting assistant commerce secretary for communications and information, said at a press conference at last week’s National Association of Broadcasters convention.
The goal, Baker added, was to make the program “as easy as possible for the consumers.”
In 2006, Congress created a $1.5 billion program allowing each household to apply for one or two $40 government coupons. After receiving their credit card-like coupons in the mail, consumers may use them at participating retail outlets like Best Buy and Wal-Mart Stores to buy converter boxes, which sell for about $50 to $60 each.
The program has funding for about 33.5 million coupons, after allowing for administrative expenses. The U.S. has an estimated 11 million to 19 million homes that rely exclusively on free, over-the-air broadcasting.
Baker discussed the program at the last NAB show before all full-power TV stations need to turn off their analog signals on Feb. 17, 2009. A successful converter-box program would keep millions of analog TV sets running and prevent their owners from immediately buying digital TV sets or obtaining pay TV subscriptions.
Old analog TV sets that rely on an antenna to receive programming won’t work without a converter box. Cable and satellite TV connections are options that would also prolong the useful life of analog TV sets.
Baker, who also heads the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said the program has received 5.6 million applications for 10.6 million coupons. The program kicked off on Jan. 1, and NTIA’s contractor began mailing coupons Feb. 17. Coupons expire 90 days from their mailing date.
“I think we’ve mailed out about 6 million coupons now,” Baker said. “We’ve had a half-million redeemed.”
More than 1,100 retail outlets are stocking converters and accepting coupons. There are also eight online vendors in addition to four firms taking orders over the phone, Baker said.
“Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack and Wal-Mart have been great leaders of this transition,” Baker said.
She also saluted NAB president David Rehr and the effort TV stations have put into a wide-ranging public education campaign with an estimated cost of $1 billion, up from $697 million since last October.
“David Rehr and the broadcast-industry leaders have just been wonderful work with and we applaud and appreciate their help in his program,” Baker said.
Some cable operators and local TV-station groups have begun working jointly on public-service announcements designed to educate the public on necessary preparations for the analog cutoff. Comcast and Raycom Media announced one such venture here last Monday.
Last September, National Cable & Telecommunications Association members pledged to contribute $200 million toward DTV consumer education, including TV ads in
English and Spanish and various Web site material.
'NONE LEFT BEHIND’
The NAB estimates that pay TV and broadcast-only homes combined have nearly 70 million analog TV sets that are broadcast-only, which could swamp NTIA’s funding for 33.5 million coupons and defeat the goal of ensuring that “no TV set is left behind,” as Rehr put it in his convention keynote speech last Monday.
NTIA rules allows any household to apply for coupons until the first $890 million is exhausted; only broadcast-only homes may apply for coupons covered by the remaining $450 million. NTIA has allocated $160 million for administrative expenses.
Actual coupon demand might not use up all the funds because millions of consumers might sign up for cable or satellite TV or replace their analog sets with new digital units that must include over-the-air digital tuners.


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What Consumers REALLY Think of Your Digital Advertising
You have your opinions, but what does the audience of Web consumers really think of your advertising methods?
ChoiceStream released results of its 2013 Survey of Consumer Opinions on Audience Targeting and Online Advertising which took a deep look at the "how and why" of consumer behavior when it comes to digital advertising and purchasing.
Perhaps the most interesting finding from the report is that of those who reported responding to online ads, 56 percent did not click, but instead searched or browsed to respond. And what's more, 22 percent of the "non-click" responders searched or browsed within one hour of seeing the ad. Based on that data alone, there's a significant need for new metrics to measure the effectiveness of online ads.
The ChoiceStream survey also revealed some other interesting findings, including:
- 87 percent or respondents prefer to shop on their computer as compare to 8 percent on their smartphone (among all shoppers however, 56 percent had made a purchase on their smartphone at least once).
- 66 percent of consumers research online before ever setting foot in a store.
- 86 percent of feel that native ads (paid content designed to look like editorial content) "are trying to trick me and I don't appreciate it."


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BACK TO ITS ROOTS: Struggling BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. plans to return its focus to its corporate customers.
THE PROBLEMS: RIM has had limited success trying to enter consumer markets. It has faced heavy competition from flashier, consumer-oriented phones such as Apple's iPhone and models that run Google's Android software.
CONSUMER FUTURE: RIM will focus its consumer efforts on targeted offerings that tap its strengths. That includes devices that employees will want to buy on their own and bring to the corporate environment. The company was exploring partnerships and other opportunities for consumer products that aren't deemed central.


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AKRON, Ohio -- Coming Attractions Bridal and Formal, the Akron bridal store which closed for 21 days after Ebola patient Amber Joy Vinson's October visit, is going out of business.
The store reopened in a highly publicized ceremony in November, attended by news media and Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic. Gowns went on sale, at 60 percent off, but it was not enough to save the 30-year-old store.
Store co-owner Anna Younker said that before Vinson's visit, the store was thriving and had expanded in September to offer men's tuxedos for the first time. But the revelation that Vinson had shopped at the store just days before being diagnosed forced a 21-day closure during the most critical time in Younker's yearly business cycle, the fall months when brides select dresses for spring and summer weddings.
Ebola was never discovered in the store, and no Ohioans were ever diagnosed with the disease. But in a business that banks on reputation and prestige, the mere association with the Ebola virus proved fatal.
"We had a big opening and we had hoped that the publicity may even have been a good thing," Younker said. "But now we are the Ebola shop. Customers are tired of hearing 'oh, you bought it at the Ebola shop.'"
The store will continue accepting orders through Jan. 31, and then plans to phase down store hours and ultimately liquidate all assets and the building on East Tallmadge Avenue. Dresses will be sold at 50- to 80-percent discounts. Long bridal dresses at $35, short ones at $25, prom dresses at $99.
Younker thinks that the store will likely continue to fill orders as far as May, but she plans to work from home and meet customers to deliver their dresses. All dresses will be delivered.
"We just want to go out gracefully. Our customers have been great. We tried to call everyone who had an order with us before we closed. They weren't surprised, but sad for us, they understood."
Younker said her and her husband considered reinvesting to renovate the interior, and possibly change the store's name and location. The insurance company refused to accept any loss claims, though, and banks wary of Coming Attractions' image problem have repeatedly turned the couple down for loans.
Younker said she hasn't heard anything from Vinson's attorney, who demanded a refund in November. "In order to minimize additional public scrutiny, Amber has decided that it would be best if she used another bridal shop for her bridesmaids' dresses, and kept it strictly confidential," he wrote.
The store refused the refund, and after the story spread across the Internet, Younker hasn't heard anything from Vinson or her attorney.
For now, Younker plans to stay out of the bridal business.
"The name and reputation we had was really valuable," Younker said. "We have been here for 30 years, and people trusted us. To start at a different location would be starting from scratch. I don't know if I'm ready for that."


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Locate ‘big boxes’ where they’ll do most good
October 25, 2005
TO MANAGE GROWTH, a number of communities across the nation have chosen to limit the size of stores they allow within their city limits.
When Windsor against the Wall designed our ordinance — now on the ballot as 2A in Weld County, 2E in Larimer County — we didn’t want to go that far. We felt that primarily the Main Street corridor was in jeopardy from the huge impact of stores larger than 75,000 square feet. Why? Our Main Street corridor is already overburdened with traffic. Try getting in or out of Windsor at 8 a.m and 5 p.m. Adding the 11,000 new car trips per day — Wal-Mart predicted the amount of car trips in its traffic study for its proposed supercenter — would make the traffic many times worse.
Huge increases in traffic are always hazardous. In Windsor, the hazard is made even greater by the proximity of two secondary and one elementary school.
Our two existing grocery stores have led the way in bringing record sales-tax increases to our town’s coffers during the past two years and promise more of the same for 2006. Placing a huge big-box store that sells groceries right next door would jeopardize their continued profits and probably their survival as well as the survival of six to eight mom-and-pop businesses (the number that usually are knocked out by the coming of the supercenter). Those who support big-box stores on Main Street for sales and property tax reasons are mistaken.
Because stores that sell everything traditionally cannibalize so many existing businesses, the tax benefits are often a wash and sometimes overall tax revenues actually go down with the coming of a supercenter. We proposed that almost any of the other 1,400 acres zoned commercial would be better sites than those on Main Street. We suggested that big-boxes be encouraged first to go to Interstate 25 where their profits as well as their benefits to Windsor would be much greater. We are being told that Larimer locations are not ideal because Windsor Re-4 District wouldn’t get property tax dollars from there. It’s been nearly 10 years since Windsor voted in the Highlands Annexation. By so doing, we chose to welcome in Larimer County residents. Some of those residents are students. We need to recognize that Windsor now encompasses two school districts that are worthy of and in need of our support.
Vote “yes’ on 2A/2E. Encourage smart planning for all of our residents as we direct big-box stores to locations that will complement and not cannibalize Windsor as we know it.
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Golfers at the Sudden Valley Golf Course now have the opportunity to surf through a round.
The golf course is trying out two GolfBoards, which looks like a surfboard on four wheels and has a stabilizing bar. A carrier on the front holds your golf clubs, so you only need to stand on the board and maneuver around the course. If it catches on, the golf course will order more, said Brian Kruhlak, director of golf at the Sudden Valley Golf Course.
The GolfBoard does less damage to the course than a traditional golf cart, but the main attraction is that it’s a fun way to get around the course, said Brock Sabo of Sol Boards Inc., a company out of Bend, Ore., that sells the GolfBoard.
The GolfBoard runs on an electric charge; according to the company’s website, it can go more than 18 holes between charges. It also has a four-wheel drive-train to handle different types of terrain, so golfers can track down those really lousy shots.
“It’s really a simple, easy machine to ride,” said Sabo.
The commercial GolfBoards have a low speed of 5 mph and a maximum of 10 mph (the maximum speed for the personal use GolfBoard is a little faster, at 14 mph). While standing on the board, turning is accomplished by shifting your weight like you would on a surfboard.
Golfers need to sign a waiver and get a quick training session the first time before heading out to the course, said Kruhlak. The rental rate for the GolfBoard is $25 for 18 holes, $15 for nine holes.
When Kruhlak first heard about the GolfBoard he didn’t think it would be a fit for Sudden Valley because of the 15th hole, which has a steep slope to go down. He tried out the 15th hole himself on a board and realized that by taking his thumb off the throttle, it came to an immediate stop. If someone loses their balance, they can just step off.
“If I hadn’t allowed him (Brock Sabo) to bring these out here, I wouldn’t have thought it would work,” Kruhlak said.
The GolfBoard is a relatively new product, winning the best new product award at the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show. Sabo said that when they first started showing the product to golf course managers a couple of years ago, it was hard to get people to try it out. Golf is a very traditional sport, he said, so at first courses didn’t want anything to do with it. Once people began to realize it didn’t change the game itself, just how golfers got around, it started catching on.
“Now if you have a bad game of golf, at least you can have fun driving around,” Sabo said.
Sabo said the boards are quite stable and the bar is there to help. Early users of the GolfBoard have been younger, but some older, longtime golfers also are using them, he said. It’s also been popular with women golfers, Kruhlak said.
Details about the GolfBoard can be found at golfboard.com.


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Poczta Polska will receive a capital injection of PLN 190 million by the Ministry of State Assets, headed by Jacek Sasin. The money is to be spent on the purchase of machinery and the construction of new sorting plants to strengthen the state-owned company on the courier services market.
The announcement of Poczta Polska about the departmental plan to recapitalize Poczta Polska shows that almost PLN 200 million, which will go to the state-owned company, will be spent on the implementation of the Logistics Network Architecture project, which is to help in the fight on the courier market.
According to the announcement, the name ASL covers the purchase of machines for three existing sorting plants and the construction of further sorting plants on the land of Poczta Polska in Szczecin, Olsztyn and Białystok, as well as the rental and equipment of parcel sorters in facilities for processing parcels in Warsaw, Łódź and Kraków. and Rzeszów. At the beginning, however, the Post Office wants to buy three parcel sorters for the sorting plants in Wrocław, Lisie Ogon near Bydgoszcz and Lublin. The next step will be to launch a second, modern and fully automated sorting plant in Warsaw.


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Basket and tray losses cost the baking industry hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, but the problem goes much deeper than that.
In fact, the misuse and loss of plastic trays, cartons and shells used by food and beverage companies has become such a big issue that members of the baking, dairy and beverage industries met last week at the Joint Industry Returnable Asset Management Conference (JIRAMC) hosted by Rehrig Pacific Co. in Chicago.
Rehrig Pacific, a Los Angeles-based material handling company, brought the industries together to communicate and identify best practices to deter loss of reusable containers. Across various industries, the cost of the loss of these assets is frequently reflected in the retail price of goods.
The American Bakers Association estimates tray loss costs bakeries $500,000 in the first quarter, according to the ABA’s 2009 Membership Survey. Purchases of trays over the past five years have tripled, said Robb Mackie, ABA’s president and chief executive officer. Much of the loss is attributed to organized crime rings that steal the trays and sell them to recyclers. The survey identified that major metropolitan areas, such as New York City, Chicago and Detroit are experiencing the highest amount of loss.
To combat the losses, a collaborative approach was implemented by a multi-industry task force in the mid-Atlantic region, known as Control of Missing Baskets and Trays (COMBAT). The group includes H&S Bakeries, Bimbo Bakeries, Flowers Foods, Sara Lee as well as Dean Foods, Coca-Cola Enterprises and other industry companies. The companies joined together to work with customers, related industries, local law enforcement and legislators to stop loss – mostly due to theft – of plastic shells, trays, pallets and crates, explained J.R. Paterakis, vice president of marketing and sales for H&S Bakeries, Baltimore.
The task force enlisted the help of a private investigator who found several parties were stealing empty trays waiting retrieval by the companies and selling them to recyclers. COMBAT found that the biggest hurdle to stop theft were individual state laws, which may or may not consider assets stolen property. In the region, it was frequent that the trays would be trucked across state lines, which complicated the jurisdiction of a crime, explained James Rood, private investigator and owner of J.R. Investigative Services.
COMBAT’s efforts and work with industry associations developed a model law for parties to take to local legislators as well as a list of recycler best practices. The ABA is working with Illinois Senator Richard Durbin regarding the addition of the crime of transporting stolen property, including plastic bakery trays and dollies across state lines to the U.S. Senate’s Organized Retail Crime Act. It hopes its efforts will spread to other regions or through industry associations to increase the awareness of the issue.
JIRAMC also featured presentations by dairy and beverage companies. The companies discussed the effectiveness of awareness campaigns, use of GPS technology, tracking through existing direct-store-distribution handheld devices, charging deposits and creating a collaborative retail retrieval system. In addition, The Kennedy Group, Cleveland, discussed options for incorporating RFID tags onto trays. Depending on the location of the RFID sensors, the RFID tags can trace the location of a plastic tray or shell within a company’s system. The Kennedy Group is currently testing applications of RFID tags on trays for a bakery, it said. JIRAMC also featured panel discussions to develop best practices against reusable container loss.


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San Diego wins out over four other top destinations, which are, in order, Las Vegas, San Francisco, the Central Coast and the Grand Canyon, the Auto Club reported. Top destinations were determined through a survey of Auto Club travel agents.
The Auto Club also reported that slightly fewer Southern California residents than in 2012 are taking Memorial Day weekend trips this year, but road traffic will be just as heavy.
About 2.53 million Southern Californians are projected to take holiday trips this weekend, compared to 2.59 million who traveled last year — a 2.1 percent decrease, the Auto Club said in a statement. Of those, 2.17 million are expected to drive to their holiday destinations, about the same as last year.


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[RELATED: Cox Automotive acquires FleetNet America]
"We thrive on delivering a seamless experience 24/7, powered by our more than 1,400 elite technicians ensuring customers' fleets keep moving," says Ted Coltrain, vice president of operations at Cox Automotive Mobility Services. "Our purchase of Corcoran's Mobile Services reinforces our promise to show up as the Trusted Partner for our customers."
CMS has more than 35 years of experience in mobile service and repair.
"We're proud to join Cox Automotive Mobility Fleet Services," says Ron Corcoran, founder of Corcoran's Mobile Services. "Corcoran's Mobile Services has been a staple in the fleet maintenance industry for more than 35 years, and we look forward to continuing to provide maintenance excellence under Cox's leadership."


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Shell has 11,000 employees in India spread across its fuel retail, gas, lubricant and technology businesses, with staff at the IT centre working to develop digital twins of the company's remote assets, and many others engaged in remote asset monitoring.
"In five years, India will be our largest employer," Huibert Vigeveno, director (renewables & downstream), Shell, told ET in an interview.
India will surpass the US, which has the highest number of Shell employees today, as the company's investments in the Indian energy sector grow and opportunities for global collaborations expand.
"In five years, we will have grown a lot in greener electrons and greener molecules," he said. Shell is beginning to make inroads into green energy in India, acquiring renewables business as well as partnering with a variety of customers to help them in their decarbonization efforts. It acquired renewable energy platform Sprng Energy in a $1.55 billion deal last year. It also opened its first EV charging facility last year and aims to set up 10,000 fast charging points by 2030.
"India will have a lot to offer on sourcing of products and services, equipment and other activities, which we will utilise in the country, but also around the world," Vigeveno said.
The sourcing could be spread over the entire energy transition value chain from renewable energy to biofuels and electrolyzers. "India is distinctly emerging as an alternate sourcing destination for critical pieces of equipment," said Nitin Prasad, chairman, Shell Companies, India. "What's also happening in the energy transition is that you are looking at equipment which are much more suited to the Indian ecosystem and environment: more modular design, more oriented toward automation, robotics."
As it enhances its presence in the low-carbon sector, Shell has seen its interest wane in the refinery business. "If you look at 20 years ago, we used to have 55 refineries. If you look at early 2020, we had 16 refineries, and we are concentrating now on five refineries, which I'm transitioning to energy and chemical parks," Vigeveno said.
Shell didn't bid for Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL), a state-run refinery India planned to sell to the private sector. The government cancelled the sale plan last year due to poor investor interest.
Shell doesn't need refineries to support its fuel sales network, Vigeveno said. "You don't really require a refinery to be a very successful mobility provider. What you need is to have very strong logistics. You need terminals, depots, pipelines, trading capabilities," he said.
Shell operates about 350 fuel retail stations in India, a tiny share of the country's 86,000 pumps. "I don't think there is any lack of ambition," said Prasad. "This is not just a simple rebranding exercise. There's a construction cycle. It takes three years to build a station." Shell is expanding its presence to 128 cities and towns from only a handful a few years ago, he added.
Shell is keen on green hydrogen but is waiting for optimal demand to emerge before it can use its global capabilities to invest in this space in India. "We are working with the government to come back and put structures in place that will create the demand use cases, whether it's in mobility or on steel or in ammonia or in other sectors," Prasad said.
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- Q4 Nos Spring a Surprise, Lift FY23 Growth to 7.2%
A stronger-than-expected fourth quarter lifted India’s growth to 7.2% in FY23, exceeding the 7% cited in the second advance estimates released in February, underscoring the country’s economic resilience in the face of multiple challenges.Sebi Proposes Stringent FPI Ownership Disclosure Rules
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has proposed tighter disclosure requirements for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to prevent the misuse of overseas investment routes and curb public shareholding norm violations.Apple’s India Stores Bear Fruit, Post Sales Record
Apple has won a new laurel in India — operating the country’s largest electronics retail store by sales.The iPhone maker’s first two own stores in India have grossed monthly sales of over ₹22-25 crore each, well over two times what could be the highest revenue for an electronics store in the country during non-Diwali period, according to two industry executives aware of the details.
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- Malls start making more room for eateries after post-pandemic boom
- Jana Small Finance Bank raises ₹1,200 crore to refinance holdco debt
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- Consumer goods companies score big green goals
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- Adani terminates pact to buy Macquarie Asia's roads worth ₹3,110 cr
- Indian carriers plan to fly in 115 jets to fill up gap left by Go First
- Passenger vehicle sales rise 13.5% in May, Maruti Suzuki gains market share


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- 2 min read
Quikr acquires Zefo for Rs 200 crore in offline push
The deal comes as the Bengaluru-based company, valued at $1.6 billion, is looking at an aggressive offline expansion with plans to open 200-300 franchisee stores across the country over six-nine months
“In the last 18 months, we have found the right way to grow this category — a mix of pure consumer-to-consumer and where we also sell products which we have a possession of. It is a high-margin space and we have been seeing 100% year-on-year growth,” said Quikr founder and CEO Pranay Chulet.
Zefo had raised a total of about $19 million in venture capital funding from backers like Sequoia Capital India and Helion Venture Partners. Co-founded by Rohit Ramasubramanian, Arjit Gupta, Karan Gupta and Himesh Joshi in 2015, the company is present in Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Hyderabad with over 10,000 unique products.
The development also comes as Quikr has already opened around 25 franchisee stores, looking to provide consumers with a touch and feel of products. The initial focus is on electronics, but it also plans to open large-format stores where it can sell used cars and bikes. “While it is still early days for franchisees, I will not be surprised if one-third of the business in two-three years comes through these offline stores,” said Chulet.
Quikr India has seen operational revenues rise 95% to Rs 173 crore in FY18, compared with Rs 89 crore in the previous year, according to financial documents filed with the Registrar of Companies. Losses came down to Rs 233 crore from Rs 324 crore during the same period. The company has raised over $400 million till now from investors like Tiger Global Management, Kinnevik, Matrix Partners India and Norwest Venture Partners.


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The company just rolled out “Timex Rewound,” a new takeback and resale program.
Patek Philippe Watch Sells for Record-Breaking $31M
Meet the world’s most expensive timepiece sold at auction.
At the Nov. 9 Only Watch auction held at Christie’s Geneva, the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime reference 6300A-010 in stainless steel sold to an undisclosed bidder for 31 million Swiss francs ($31.3 million).
It’s the highest price garnered for any watch at auction, beating out Patek’s Henry Graves Supercomplication, which sold for $24 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2014, and the Rolex Daytona that once belonged to Paul Newman, which sold for $17.8 million at Phillips New York in October 2017.
It also has a reversible case, with one dial in rose gold and the other in black ebony.
Unlike its predecessors, the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime’s record-breaking hammer price benefitted charity.
Only Watch founder Luc Pettavino, previously the organizer of the Monaco Yacht Show, which counts many timepiece brands as sponsors, created the auction in honor of his son, who died from the disease.
Prior to Saturday’s sale, the organization had raised more than 35 million euros ($38.5 million) since its inception in 2005, Pettavino told Monochrome Watches.
Thanks to the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, the most recent Christie’s Geneva auction doubled that number, totaling CHF 38.6 million ($40 million).
In total, 50 one-of-a-kind timepieces were donated and auctioned in the sale, which lasted more than two hours.
Following the Only Watch auction were a number of Christie’s Geneva sales this week, including Magnificent Jewels, which saw a 7.03-carat fancy deep blue diamond garner CHF 11.6 million ($11.7 million) to earn the top lot spot.
Christie’s Rare Watches sale, meanwhile, totaled CHF $12.7 million ($12.8 million), with the Henry Graves Patek Philippe made to his specific recommendations in 1972 selling for CHF 4.6 million ($4.62 million).
The lab confirmed it did not send the message.
The second installment of “To Treasure Now and Forever” is intended to emphasize diamonds’ versatility.
Awareness is essential to proactive protection. Learn how to promote and maintain safety and security awareness in your business.
Economic slowdowns, geopolitical tensions, and the rising popularity of lab-grown diamonds are clouding the outlook for mined diamonds.
Some Indian manufacturers think the potential in this young, evolving market outweighs current price concerns.
Do you always want the right diamonds at the right price in your store? Introducing Dialog, the world’s first diamond subscription service.
The massive space spans 7.1 million square feet with more than 4,000 offices and 131 elevators.
GIA is among the supporters of a new school building for children with special needs.
From holiday spending to inflation’s impact, here’s what analysts are forecasting for the season.
The suspect used bear spray to subdue employees and bystanders then stole $800,000 worth of jewelry.
The jewels, including gold rings and pendants, are said to be from 500 A.D.
Grib is the Belgium-based subsidiary of Russian company JSC AGD Diamonds, which also was sanctioned.
The company anticipates resuming exploration and mining operations and rehiring staff in 2025.
The antique and vintage jewelry and watch selling event is scheduled for Oct. 26-29.
Frank Everett curated “For the Boys: A Jewelry Exhibition,” opening in New York City in September.
De Beers is putting the emphasis on natural diamonds in Q4 and ending Lightbox’s lab-grown diamond engagement ring test run.
The brand-new style can be worn three ways.
The fund provides grants to organizations that better the jewelry industry.
The Chicago retailer will now offer in-store customers instant quotes and coverage.


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An innovative scheme helping budding young entrepreneurs to enter the world of business is coming to Melton.
The Melton Business Improvement District (BID) is giving young traders and performers a chance to showcase their creative products and talents for free at the town’s first Teenage Market.
The Teenage Market is a growing nationwide initiative set up by teenage brothers Joe and Tom Barratt in Stockport as a way to support local young people and transform town centres. The success of the initiative has led retail guru Mary Portas to describe it as being ‘innovative and inspiring’.
It’s hoped the initiative - taking place in Melton’s Market Place on September 19 - will also boost footfall and spending in the town.
The Melton BID has been working on the scheme in partnership with Melton Council.
Co-creator of The Teenage Market Joe Barratt said: “The Teenage Market really is the key to identifying a new generation of market traders by making young people an active part of our town centres.
“We’re delighted that Melton is giving young people a free platform to get their businesses off the ground and showcase their creative talents.
“I’d encourage any creative young person to get involved with The Teenage Market as there are so many positive opportunities that can come out of it.”
Getting involved couldn’t be simpler. Simply create your trader or performer profile on the Teenage Market website and then apply to take part in the Melton Teenage Market on September 19. After you’ve applied to take part, the organisers will be in touch to let you know if you have been allocated a free stall or performance slot.
To apply to be a trader or performer visit www.theteenagemarket.co.uk
For more details visit Melton BID’s website www.meltonbid.co.uk or follow them on Twitter @MeltonBid


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Gamelancer Media Corp, a media and entertainment company that produces short-form video content for brands, has hired former Montreal Canadiens partnership executive Kristopher Mychasiw as head of global partnerships and sales.
Mychasiw has spent almost twenty years in the sponsorship and marketing industries,
and is known as an “industry disruptor,” noted for tapping into emerging markets and developing sponsorship strategies to create new monetization opportunities, the company says.
During his tenure with the Canadiens, Mychasiw worked with multinational brands including CIBC, Crypto.com, Lenovo, Manscaped, and Lowes, among others. Prior to that, Mychasiw worked alongside Canadian sprinting icon Bruny Surin and managed 65 amateur and professional athletes.
Gamelancer Media began in 2019 as Wondr Gaming, acquiring video production company JoyBox Media, then rebranded last April when it acquired full-service media company Gamelancer Inc and has worked with companies such as Samsung, Belkin, RBC, and Celsius.
Gamelancer says that it monetizes across Snapchat Discover channels in partnership with the social media company and currently owns the largest gaming media inventory on TikTok.
Throughout 2022, the company reported a network of over 27 channels across TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram, adding around 1.4 million new followers and subscribers per month, amassing an audience of 37 million across social platforms and 1.8 billion monthly video views.


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OR WAIT null SECS
This week, KV Pharmaceuticals filed a lawsuit against FDA to force the agency to stop compounded versions of their synthetic progesterone drug, Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate), from being produced.
This week, KV Pharmaceuticals filed a lawsuit against FDA to force the agency to stop compounded versions of their synthetic progesterone drug, Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate), from being produced. Makena was granted approval in February 2011 to reduce the risk of premature birth, and was granted seven years of market exclusivity under the Orphan Drug Act. At approval, KV set the price of Makena at $1500 per dose, but before Makena was approved, physicians had been able to prescribe synthetic progesterone prepared by compounding pharmacies at a cost of $10–$20 per dose. The resulting outcry over the huge price tag prompted KV to drop the price to $690 per dose and implement a patient assistance plan, but apparently the company is still encountering difficulty in persuading prescribers and payers that the GMP product is worth the considerable upcharge.
When the price of $1500 per dose was originally set, FDA took the unusual position of declining to specifically enforce Makena’s exclusivity. In a press release issued in March 2011 the agency stated, “In order to support access to this important drug, at this time and under this unique situation, FDA does not intend to take enforcement action against pharmacies that compound hydroxyprogesterone caproate based on a valid prescription for an individually identified patient unless the compounded products are unsafe, of substandard quality, or are not being compounded in accordance with appropriate standards for compounding sterile products.”
KV’s response was to try to convince FDA that compounded versions of the drug presented a safety risk, but without success. FDA acquired 16 samples of hydroxyprogesterone caproate API and 13 compounded versions of hydroxyprogesterone caproate and tested them for purity and potency. Although some deviations from the purity and potency standards specified in the Makena NDA were found, no major safety issues were identified. After the analysis, FDA clarified that it makes its enforcement decisions about compounded products on a case-by-case basis after considering the particular facts at issue, and that compounding of any product, including hydroxyprogesterone caproate should not exceed the scope of traditional pharmacy compounding. In other words, the agency declined to issue a blanket ban on compounding, but also left the door open for enforcement if warranted by safety concerns or if pharmacies were found to be producing drugs in bulk.
Risk-based, limited enforcement makes sense in a resource-constrained environment. Chasing down pharmacies compounding hydroxyprogesterone caproate requires resources that could be better spent investigating more serious safety breaches. This type of reality is not to KV Pharma’s liking, hence the lawsuit. If KV Pharma wins its suit, one company, in essence, would be dictating enforcement priorities for the agency.


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The new Photos of the upcoming Google Pixel 3 XL has been leaked and it clearly shows that it will have a notch. The images were first posted at the XDA forums and then were posted by Android Police. The phone’s external design — notch, chin, stereo speakers, and single rear camera with a new signature G instead of Google the device has a different emblem on the glass back this time. Now this is a prototype and may be the final design could be a few different from its prototype.
The dual front facing cameras inside the phone’s notch enables it to take portrait shot but single camera in the back feels a little weird as it would be better to have a dual camera set up at the back just like other phones these days. The images of Pixel 3 XL also reveal that it has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. What is most exciting about the design of Pixel 3 XL is that it has glossy sides all around it which is different from the earlier Pixel models.
The later images shows that the phone has a USB-C port along with a SIM tray at the bottom, but there is no place for headphone jack to be seen anywhere. I also hope that this phone may support wireless charging .
But these images are just the prototype design so don’t get too excited even the images are legitimate the final design could be altered from the prototype. There is no news that when the phone will debut in the market but we hope that Google will make it available later this year or soon.


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Simultaneously, the company announced that Rick Arras, at the helm of the Company since 2007, has resigned to pursue other interests.
Over the past 30 years, Cardwell has made a lasting impact on growing restaurant businesses by providing leadership and vision. Between 1978 and 1999, Cardwell was instrumental in positioning the restaurant chains and respective brands of Brinker International and S&A Restaurant Corp. in the marketplace. His roles with Brinker International included Chief Administrative Officer and then CEO of Eatzi’s Market and Bakery. His industry background also includes growing restaurant chains organically and through strategic acquisitions. Cardwell has served on corporate boards such as P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Famous Dave’s Of America, Taco Bueno, Fishbowl Marketing, and Order Corner.


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Audi Certified Pre-Owned sales of 3,169 vehicles mark the best August on record and the sixth-consecutive record month. Year to date sales of 25,517, an increase of 36.1% from 2010, put Audi on track to deliver the best CPO year on record.
Audi Certified Pre-Owned sales and news notes
• Best August CPO sales for Audi of all-time, set sixth consecutive monthly record with 3,169 vehicles sold.
• Audi CPO sales up 27.8% versus 2010.
• YTD sales up 36.1% with 25,517 vehicles sold.


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Warning: This GYGO contains discussion of death threats and other gross behaviors from entitled people at all levels of power within the gaming community.
Cyberpunk 2077 Delayed Again
So, Cyberpunk 2077 got delayed again, this time for three weeks, pushing release back from Nov. 19th to Dec. 10th.
We have important news to share with you pic.twitter.com/qZUaD6IwmM
— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) October 27, 2020
This move, while undoubtedly necessary to ensure peak performance across the 1.5 million platforms this game is supposed to be playable on, has had far-reaching ramifications for the game and the community, and dominated the news cycle this week for better or worse. Well, definitely mostly for worse.
Developers CD Projekt Red were already under fire for going back on a previous promise of no crunch, and this most recent delay does not appear to mean employees will be getting a reprieve. In fact, Jason Schreier reported on comments from co-CEO Adam Kicinski that crunch was “not that bad” that he later apologized to employees for:
Here's CD Projekt Red co-CEO Adam Kiciński talking to investors about crunch yesterday (left) and him apologizing to his employees for those comments today in an email obtained by Bloomberg News (right). Quite a turnaround pic.twitter.com/YaYNtPDphY
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) October 29, 2020
This negative press was accompanied by white-hot gamer rage, but these gamers weren’t mad about poor working conditions. Rather, they took to the internet and sent death threats to developers like Andrzej Zawadzki demanding the game be released. Zawadzki posted about it on Twitter, but it’s been linked instead of copied here because, well, death threats.
The delay also has had material repercussions for CDPR, with stock dropping as they get more and more negative press:
— PC Gamer (@pcgamer) October 31, 2020
Finally, this delay officially pushes Cyberpunk out of consideration for any major awards in 2020, since it will be released too late in the year:
Much like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate a few years ago, Cyberpunk 2077 will first be eligible at next year’s Game Awards. https://t.co/1gV1J4sDpV
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) October 27, 2020
It remains to be seen if being considered for 2021 awards a full year after its release will damage the game’s chances at earning coveted GOTYs.
But Enough About Cyberpunk
In other gaming news this week, another delay was announced, this time for the crank-based handheld device the Playdate:
Friends, it's time for a Playdate Update.
SUMMARY: a rough year, a small delay, but lots of good! Orders should now be starting in early 2021, our "season one" of games now has even more games than we planned, and mass production is starting.
— Playdate (@playdate) October 30, 2020
Orders are now scheduled for early next year and they’re promising an exciting game lineup, which is saying something from the people who published Untitled Goose Game and Firewatch.
Also, PlayStation announced the new PS Plus games for November, including a delightful surprise for those few lucky enough to snag a PS5 pre-order:
Starting Tuesday, PS Plus members can download Middle-earth: Shadow of War and Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition for PS4: https://t.co/fYQeDxYslr
Plus, a bonus PS5 game in November… pic.twitter.com/NqsMTi1AIZ
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) October 28, 2020
Dropping what will undoubtedly be GOTY for free is a bold move, but we’ll see how this goes for Sony and Bugsnax.
Emma is a PhD candidate in Rhetoric and Composition who studies how play impacts learning. Her words have also appeared in Critical Distance and Unwinnable. When not writing, she enjoys passing the controller between friends for runs of Silent Hill. She can be found @kostopolus on Twitter.