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| The U.K. technically left the EU back in January 2020, but on Jan. 1, 2021, the U.K. also exited the transition period, ushering in a new era of EU and U.K. trading. |
The U.K.–EU breakup was unique in many ways, including how trade negotiations went. Instead of discussing ways to lower trade barriers, the EU and U.K. were negotiating over how much to increase them, with the final result being a skinny deal relative to what the U.K. operated under with EU membership.
The fact that there will be no headline tariffs or quotas on U.K.–EU trade does provide relief for manufacturers and retailers. However, a range of non-tariff trade barriers have been reintroduced as the U.K. transitions from seamless trade, unimpeded by customs formalities and so on, to trade facing additional bureaucracy. Moreover, the biggest costs could turn out to be the invisible ones, such as opportunities between the EU and U.K. that would have previously been pursued but are no longer viable. While this is a vast oversimplification, it is likely that higher U.K.–EU trade barriers will result in a structural reallocation in the U.K. away from higher value-added traded services to lower value-added domestic production.
Looking ahead, there are many things that could shift Brexit’s economic calculus up or down. The three most notable ones to watch are as follows:
On a broader level, Brexit and the cost of forced trade decoupling illustrates some lessons that can be applied to other scenarios, such as the U.S.–China trade war. For example, in 2019 the U.S. imported goods equaling 11.8% of GDP and exported goods totaling 7.6% of GDP. Using a simple accounting framework, the elimination of goods trade would add more than 4% to U.S. GDP.
- U.K. regulations: The U.K. will now be free to choose its own regulations, possibly to its advantage, as it should be nimbler without the need to establish consensus with other EU members. Of course, U.K. officials are as prone to poorly designed regulations as their EU counterparts.
- Ongoing negotiations: The two sides are currently negotiating financial services equivalence and will be negotiating and renegotiating access to each other’s markets for years to come. The Brexit deal allows for either side to reimpose tariffs in retaliation to regulatory changes that distort completion, with the entire deal to be reviewed in five years’ time.
- U.K. political risks: The Brexit vote exposed large differences among the countries in the U.K. For example, Scotland voted heavily in favor of remaining in the EU. Polls show majority support for Scottish independence, with the Scottish National Party retaining a very strong lead in voting intentions ahead of the May Scottish elections. This makes U.K. breakup risks something worth tracking.
Of course, economics and accounting are two different subject matters. If the U.S. were to eliminate trade, it does not have the capacity to make most of the goods it imports. Even if the U.S. were to build the needed infrastructure, higher labor costs would make production more inefficient. Therefore, a better option to forced decoupling and reshoring production, from an economic point of view, could be to push for a gradual shift from China to other U.S. allies with low labor costs. From what we have seen from the Biden administration thus far, this could very well be the strategy utilized.
| HERE ARE THE KEY NEWS STORIES FROM OVERNIGHT:|
- Vice President Mike Pence will not invoke the 25th Amendment, leaving impeachment the only path left to remove President Donald Trump. The House is expected to move forward with impeachment proceedings tomorrow. As for the Senate, it currently is on recess until Jan. 19 so will have to convene a special session to hold an impeachment trial.
- Yields in the U.K. and continental Europe have followed U.S. yields higher, albeit at a slower pace. This means nominal interest rate differentials are widening in favor of the U.S., supporting the U.S. dollar.
- Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has pushed back against negative rates, noting there are “lots of issues.” Nevertheless, market-implied pricing suggests negative rates as early as May. The next Bank of England meeting is Feb. 4, when further details around the negative rate debate should emerge.
- News reports suggest that Japan’s government will declare a state of emergency for the Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures as early as tomorrow. With the greater Tokyo area already in a state of emergency, this new order would put a large portion of the country under lockdown.
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Startup companies are constantly changing the atmosphere for business around the world. Each year, more startups look for funding sources to get through the first phase of opening a new business. Venture capital firms are the first places most startups look to for initial funding. While most venture capital trends will continue to reflect the tried and true practices of corporate investment, there are some new possibilities for 2018.
Here are 10 trends that may come with the future of venture capital.
While there are many different large venture capital funding groups taking the lion’s share of the top investment opportunities, expect to see smaller companies entering the game as well this year. Smaller venture capital funding firms will be making more of an impact on the business world to help seed riskier and more obscure ventures. These smaller firms may begin to make a large impact on the venture capital setting throughout the globe.
More Available Information
Next, venture capital firms and their stakeholders will continue to strive for more investor education opportunities. With the wide availability of information online now, it’s much easier for investors to educate themselves about each potential opportunity. Large venture capital firms are also making client education more of a priority so their investors can feel more confident and comfortable about their financial situation.
Focus on Cultural Diversity
Diversity is another big trend that should grow throughout 2018 and beyond in venture capital funding. Now, big firms are looking for more diverse opportunities. The venture capital landscape has been traditionally a world populated with white men and individuals with wealthy backgrounds from English-speaking countries. Today, venture capitalists are learning about the wealth of opportunities found in other developing countries and are actively recruiting companies and personnel from more diverse backgrounds.
Large Corporations Getting Involved
Another trend that may grow in the next few years concerns corporate venture capital funding. Some of the largest corporations on the planet also have healthy business funding programs that seek small companies to help mentor and support. In some cases, these funding opportunities turn into business partnerships that mutually benefit each organization. More big-name companies may start doing this to help reach their own financial and long-term goals.
Efforts to Focus on Women
Unfortunately, women have more often than not been left behind in the world of corporate funding and venture capital. Many organizations are working to change this by doing more to hire women as venture capitalists and financial experts. Some venture capital groups are also focusing more efforts on helping to fund smaller, women-owned businesses. Additionally, there are more venture capital firms that are being led by women now than ever before. Corporations are working to eliminate gender bias and promote highly-capable women to higher ranks and decision-making positions.
Software Companies Funding
Venture capital groups have consistently looked to software companies for new funding opportunities. For 2018, this trend will continue to be a big part of the landscape. Software companies are constantly making progress and creating innovative new products for the world. These companies will lead the industry in the number of successful startups and new ideas.
Individual angel investors will also continue to help new companies reach their funding goals. Chris Sacca, one of the most famous angel investors, is one example of an individual who has helped dozens of companies get off the ground. With his work in his venture capital firm, Lowercase Capital, he has provided funding for technology companies, restaurants, and other innovative ideas.
Small businesses and startups will also be looking beyond the traditional venture capital group for new funding. Crowdfunding is a big source of potential investing help that companies can use to secure initial startup costs. There have been many examples of successful crowdfunding projects for new business ideas. Some venture capital firms are starting to look for ways they can incorporate the crowdfunding trend into their own business models.
Beyond Silicon Valley
The most popular spot for new startups and business funding has traditionally been in California’s Silicon Valley. If it has anything to do with high-tech innovation, it’s probably going to be found there. There are, however, many other viable business ideas around the world that more venture capital firms are looking to get into. New markets in different parts of the country and outside of the United States can help venture capital firms get even more return on their investments.
Finally, the last trend that could have venture capital firms earning record-breaking profits in 2018 is emerging technology. Technology is a driving force in many people’s daily lives, so it makes sense to focus investments into this arena. Venture capital experts expect to see more examples of new technology ideas related to green energy, home automation, self-driving cars, education, and more.
The venture capital landscape is constantly evolving for the future. These trends for 2018 may change the rules and ideas of venture capital to give the business world a different flavor of success.
Have you read?
How to Renegotiate Your CEO Employment Contract When You Have Achieved Success by Robert A. Adelson.
Want to Grow Your Business? Be your Own Customer by Chaz Englander.
5 Tips On Being a Boss In The Millennial Age by Guillermo Fernandez Rib.
Why it pays to be a green CEO by Dexter Galvin.
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What should we expect from the new Netflix programming? The new contents will be unveiled at the two-day event in Rome.
This year the Netflix executives have chosen Rome as a location for See What’s Next. The annual event in which the new contents of the platform will be presented to the international press will take place in the Capital on April 18 and 19, 2018. It will also be an opportunity for Netflix executives to clarify their position in the audiovisual sector and to explain their quarrel with the Cannes festival. In fact, a rule imposed by the Festival it was stated that the films presented at Cannes could not be streamed in France for the next three years. The battle between Netflix and Cannes perfectly reflects the struggle between traditional media (cinema) and new platforms, which has intensified over the last few years: both the two parties could benefit from collaborating with each other, but none of them is willing to give anything up to do it.
The streaming platform has already reached 125 million subscribers worldwide and plans to increase in particular the production of original works. See What’s Next, therefore, has become a not-to-be-missed appointment for all those working in the sector. During the two-day event in Rome, besides unveiling the new programming, the line of work within the new scenario of new agreements signed by competitors in the last months will surely be discussed. The risk now lies upon the possibility of becoming, from a revolutionary idea in the sector to a traditionalist media: we will need to figure out if the increase in productions will actually benefit the streaming platform.
Meanwhile, some information has already been anticipated about what could be the contents presented during the panels. As for the TV series, there are great expectations for the original Danish series, The Rain, and the Italian Suburra 2 and Baby. As for the feature films, however, surely Netflix will give a big boost to documentaries, but many doubts remain on what will be the titles of the films presented. Are we to expect films that should have been in Cannes? Or new titles signed by important authors like Martin Scorsese? With all these questions to be answered, we can only hope for What’s Next to shed some light on them.


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Delaware company sees major increase in demand for PPE
FREDERICA, Del. – A Delaware engineering and manufacturing company says it’s busier than ever making PPE amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
ILC Dover is making a newly designed product know as the Sentinel EZ BioHood. It’s essentially a flexible clear plastic helmet with a tube attached to an air blower which filters air through a HEPA filter. Company officials say it offers 100 times the protection of an N-95 mask and this is exactly the kind of product they specialize in.
“Frankly we like to look at these times as unfortunate as they are, our company has really shown the ability to step up and I’d like to say we are at our best when these types of situations happen,” says Paul Cannon, the vice president of marketing for ILC Dover.
ILC Dover says they’ve seen a one thousand percent increase in demand for PPE compared to last year. They’ve also hired an additional 50 people to keep up with the need for their products.


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Grocery shopping apps have the potential to transform shopping experiences from boring to brilliant. Traditional supermarkets must adopt them, take advantage of them and apply an intelligent mobile application strategy in the right places. This will allow them to outperform the competition and remain competitive with an omnichannel retail plan created for a customer base that prioritizes mobile devices. However, Instacart takes charge of customer relationships, erodes margins and establishes direct relationships with food and beverage brands, according to NielsenIQ.
Many grocery stores and supermarket chains invest in online grocery store software to manage their online storefronts. Most grocery retail companies don't include offline marketing in their marketing strategies for the online grocery market. The above trends and statistics suggest that grocery shopping will move significantly away from traditional shopping. In addition, more and more consumers are using e-commerce to stock up on their weekly and monthly needs and to buy food in a physical store.
You'll also learn how to promote online grocery stores with strategies for a successful online grocery market. First of all, the flexibility in delivery times allows for more efficient routes by combining several deliveries into one tour by a milkman. About 66% of the 1,505 grocery shoppers recently surveyed by ServiceChannel in its “Grocery Status Report,” who are also the top home buyers, said that they actually like to shop for groceries most of the time or all of the time. The retailer increases efficiency through a specific assortment and an approach led by milkmen, in which electric delivery vehicles visit a given area only once or twice a day to increase the density of last-mile deliveries.
An easy-to-use interface and a flexible online shopping experience can help your grocery business stay ahead of the competition and meet customer demands. In addition, 80% of Europeans who bought food online will continue to buy food online during the pandemic. The convenience of buying food has meant that customers have continued the trend long after the pandemic ended.


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In a stunning turn of events, the good folks at Nestle have announced that they are recalling various Toll House cookie dough products.
As it turns out, those who have purchased the products in question could be at risk of plastic contamination. If you have purchased any of their ready-to-eat refrigerated Nestlé Toll House Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough with Fudge Filling products, you will want to read on and learn more.
The food company says that a “small number of consumers” have contacted them about the issue. The Food and Drug Administration has posted the notice.
At this moment, no illness or death has been reported. If you have purchased any of these products during the months of June through September in the United States or Puerto Rico, you could be at risk.
In the FDA release, Nestle went on to say that no other Nestlé Toll House products are being included in the current recall. Those who have already made their purchases are being told that they can bring the products back to the point of purchase and receive a full refund. “We are working with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on this voluntary recall and will cooperate with them fully,” the company said.
They went on to say that “quality, safety and integrity of our products remain our number one priority.”
This is the type of story that needs to be blasted out far and wide. After all, who doesn’t love this cookie dough? Ever since the company decided to finally start providing us with cookie dough that is safe to stash in the fridge and eat, we have been loving life.
It is one of the best snacks that you can enjoy. Hopefully, no one is adversely affected by the recall and we continue to hear that there are no stories of illness or injury as a result of this potential plastic contamination.SKM: below-content placeholder


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ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has relaxed budget proposals slashing Loan to Value (LTV) ratios for car imports and will allow loans up to 90% of the value for electric vehicles and 70% of the value for hybrid cars.
Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera in the government budget for 2017 presented to parliament last week proposed slashing the loans given to buy cars to 50 percent of the value from 70 percent.
However, the LTV ratio for motor cars will be relaxed, Samaraweera told parliament during the budget debate, the finance ministry said in a statement.
In the budget-2018 the finance minister had introduced an incentive structure to promote importation of vehicles powered by non-fossil fuel, it said.
Loans could be provided by banks up to 50% of the value for petrol and diesel motor cars, Samaraweera said.
He had also introduced a new formula for import taxes on vehicles to be levied based on the engine capacity instead of the ad-valorem rate (CIF Value of the vehicle), rationalizing the tax base on vehicles.
Tax concession announced in the budget for imported brand new electric car will be extended to cover the used electric cars, which are not more than one year old, the finance ministry said.
According to a Gazette notification issued by the Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera, the duty on used electric cars not more than one year old will be reduced by around Rs1 million.
Consequently, the duty rate applicable to electric vehicles less than one year old will be Rs 12,500.00 per KW of motors below 100 KW.
(COLOMBO, November 16, 2017)
Source : economynext.com


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China - The two companies have announced the formation of a joint venture (JV) to produce and sell exhaust emission control systems for commercial vehicles. These will be made at a new plant in Yulin, which is located in southern China.
"As the market leader for commercial vehicle emission control technologies in Europe and North America, it is clear to us that we can bring this expertise to Asia," said Thomas Waldhier, COO of Eberspaecher Exhaust Technology. "With China Yuchai as our strong partner, the foundation is being laid to achieve a leading position in Asia as well."
The plant will cover an area of 12,000 sq.m and will create around 250 jobs. It is set to be up and running by the end of 2019. The companies expect to make 160,000 exhaust emission control systems at the facility during the first full year of operation.
The systems that will be made at the plant will help commercial vehicle manufacturers to meet China VI emissions standards, which is the equivalent of Euro 6 standards and EPA 10.
While Eberspacher and Yuchai are looking to make diesel commercial vehicles cleaner, many passenger vehicle carmakers are turning to electrification as they hope to bolster their future in China.


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Join Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and Oregon Rep. Campos (Aloha) for a Tele-Town Hall
It has been one year into the COVID-19 pandemic and we still see scammers prey on Oregonians every day. We have received reports of everything from price gouging for essential health and safety items, to scammers preying on the fear of not being able to get an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. Scammers have set up websites to sell bogus products to potentially using fake emails, texts and social media posts as a trick to steal consumers’ money and personal information.
Join us for an informative tele-town hall with Attorney General Rosenblum and Rep. Campos to discuss what we have learned about scams related to COVID-19 and a look at the year ahead.
To participate, simply dial: 855-756-7520 EXT: 71838 and you will be joined to the tele-town hall.
WHO: AG Rosenblum and Oregon Rep. Campos
WHAT: Tele-Town Hall
WHEN: Wednesday, March 17th at 11 AM/PST
DIAL: 855-756-7520 EXT: 71838


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Expectations of increasing monetary policy divergence between the Federal Reserve and the ECB drove the markets this week. Rate markets pushed back expectations of the first ECB rate hike from 2022 to 2023 after both ECB Lagarde and Schnabel said that conditions for rate increases next year would be very unlikely to be met. On the back of these comments, EUR/USD hit a 16-month low and briefly dipped below 1.13. The US-DE 10-year spread has widened by 20 basis points in November. Long-term market-based inflation expectations have stabilised just below 2% in euro area and in the range of 2.5-2.6% in the US for now. We expect euro area inflation to remain above the ECB’s target until H2 22, but fall back to a 1.5-1.7% range thereafter, see our Euro Area Research: Measuring the euro area inflation pulse,15 November.
Equity markets maintained a good spirit this week, supported by evidence that the global consumer is holding up strong. Chinese retail sales surprised on the upside on Monday with 4.9% annual growth (cons. 3.7%). After a string of worse-than-expected figures, this gave some investor relief. On Tuesday, the US (nominal) retail sales rose 1.7% in October and even when factoring in some increase in prices, this was a surprise. The strong retail sales are a reflection that the pandemic is still having an effect on consumer dynamics, as it equally indicates that goods demand remains elevated while service consumption is subdued versus pre-pandemic trends. Overall, resilience in goods consumption implies no near-term relief for global supply chain bottlenecks (longer delivery times and elevated freight rates) while it does provide some relief to fears of the global growth slowing down.
Consumption-related indicators will remain in focus next week. Euro area consumer confidence data for November will be released on Monday and it will be interesting to see whether we see a decline similar as in the US in light of high inflation pressures. So far consumer confidence has been quite resilient, still standing above pre-pandemic levels. We also get the German consumer confidence data on Thursday. In the US, the most important release is the PCE data on Wednesday. The inflation part of it is not so interesting given we already got CPI statistics two weeks ago. Instead, the monthly private consumption data is the one to watch. Considering the strong retail sales data, we could expect goods consumption to remain elevated. Also, watch out for the flash PMIs from euro area, UK and the US on Tuesday. Recently, the gap between US and euro area economic surprise indices has been growing with data releases from the US often surprising to the upside. Negative data surprises from the euro area could add further pressure on EUR/USD.
On the central bank front, we keep an eye on the FOMC minutes on Wednesday and the ECB minutes on Thursday. Several FOMC policymakers have spoken since the November meeting so we expect this to be a non-event for markets. For ECB, the focus will be on the inflation debate in the Governing Council and on any indications why Lagarde at the time was not willing to push back more on the aggressive market pricing on the short-end. Lastly, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand will meet early Wednesday morning, and consensus is looking for a 25bp hike.


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Mountain Mongrels opens in Grand Lake
A new store in Grand Lake supplies the necessities for the four-legged friends in our lives.
Theresa Marie with daughter Jessica Yale, of Grand Lake, opened the Mountain Mongrels Pet Goods store in the Waconda building on Grand Avenue last June.
The store offers quality pet foods, treats, play toys, bowls, gear and other supplies.
“It’s a risk starting up any retail store in this tough economy, especially one tucked away in a small seasonal town like Grand Lake,” Marie said, “but we found that pet-food and supplies are still going strong in this weak economy. People are still finding room in their budgets for the health and well-being of their furry friends.”
The mother-daughter duo is starting out small to test the waters, making sure products and services are what people are willing to support in this area.
“The most important thing to us is our customers,” Marie said. “We don’t want them to have to drive to Denver, so we’re growing with the help of customer feedback… tell us what you want and we’ll get it.”
And so far, the small business has fared well, she said. “We had a busy start-up summer, and while things have died down a bit going into the winter, we’re still going strong with regular loyal customers. The word isn’t completely out yet that ‘we’re here.'”
Both Marie and Yale have pets of their own. A lab Zeke, boxer Tyson, Australian shepherd Chloe, and two cats Kitty and Billy Jack are all part of the family.
“We dreamed of running a pet store for years. We love our pets and think of them as family. I think we spend more money pampering our pets than we do pampering ourselves,” Marie said.
The store offers nutritional food brands such as Taste of the Wild, Blue Buffalo, Diamond Naturals, Natural Balance, Nutro Natural Choice, Merrick, Zukes, Stella and Chewy’s and Wellness.
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Grand Concerts is hosting its first live event in 17 months featuring the Boston Brass on Friday at the Headwaters Pavilion in Winter Park.


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Intellectual Property Insights from Fishman Stewart
Mini Article – Volume 22, Issue 1
Will Google strip functionality from the speakers you purchased?
By Art Hallman
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a final decision on a patent dispute between Google and Sonos that could impact products in your home. The decision reaffirmed the ITC’s August ruling that held that some Google Home products infringed Sonos’ patents. The final decision included an import ban that prevents Google from importing infringing products into the United States.
Sonos is a developer and manufacturer of audio products and is best known for its smart speakers that are used for streaming music. The infringed Sonos patents cover synchronizing audio across multiple speakers, including technology for controlling the volume of a group of speakers. Sonos alleged that in 2013, Google received a behind the scenes look at Sonos’ operations when Sonos made a sales pitch to Google and that Google subsequently copied Sonos’ features for use in the Google Home speaker that launched in 2016.
In response to the ITC’s ruling, Google elected to prepare software downgrades that automatically remove the infringing features from consumer-owned products. The removal of these features changes how users set up devices and how the speaker group functionality works. For instance, it was previously possible to adjust the volume of a group of speakers with a single control. Now, a user will have to change the volume of each speaker individually. Google’s official announcement regarding the speaker changes can be found HERE.
Google decided to remove the infringing features from its speakers instead of paying licensing fees to Sonos, which has made many Google customers angry. Some of the angry customers have demanded refunds and threatened lawsuits.
In a previous FishBits® article, attorney Zachary Grant discussed similar issues related to purchasing digital entertainment products. There, licensing disputes between publishers and retailers resulted in the removal of eBooks, movies, and music from customers’ digital libraries. It is increasingly common for consumers to be impacted by disputes that arise between their digital retailer and a third party. Despite lack of consumer involvement, these disputes are allowed to impact consumers because consumers are often purchasing a mere license to digital goods and services. Unlike traditional transactions, where ownership is transferred from seller to buyer, a license allows the buyer’s access to digital goods and services to be revoked by the seller for any number of reasons consented to by the consumer in the purchase agreement.
As we understand and adapt to the new era of digital marketplaces, this dispute between Google and Sonos illuminates that even physical products connected to licensed software are not wholly owned and controlled by consumers. For now, buyer beware that electronics you purchase may not last forever due to disputes outside of the consumer’s control.
Published January 14, 2022
IDENTIFYING, SECURING AND ADVANCING CREATIVITY®


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Solent launches business recovery commitment
Recognising its important role in promoting and supporting an economic revival, Solent University has launched its Business Recovery Commitment
Recognising its important role in promoting and supporting an economic revival, following the health, social and environmental issues our communities are adapting to, Solent University has launched its Business Recovery Commitment.
“From Covid-19 to climate change and the fourth industrialisation, these global issues require a collaborative approach and firm commitment from people and their organisations to drive change and seize the opportunity,” says Professor Karen Stanton, Vice-Chancellor of Solent University.
“Here at Solent, we are committed to doing what we can to support businesses large and small, local and national, to bounce back and to survive and thrive in these difficult times,” she continues.
“To ensure that we do our bit, we are committing ourselves to work alongside the business sector to provide practical help as well as smart thinking, research and knowledge exchange that will have a real impact.”
As well as helping nationals and multi-nationals, the University is committed to working with start-ups, micro businesses and SMEs. Support is not only available for the private sector, but also social enterprises and the charitable sector.
Solent will be offering cost-effective solutions for businesses and, in some cases, will be able to provide pro-bono support.
“Where we don’t charge, we would ask to take students on a placement, consider sending their staff on one of our CPD or apprenticeship programmes, or taking part in one of our research programmes,” says Professor Stanton.
Solent is also interested in creating joint ventures and putting in shared bids for government or Research Council funding.
“Together we may be able to access funding that alone we could not,” adds Professor Stanton. “We are also aware that by working with business we will learn from them as they will learn from us, a true knowledge exchange.”
Home to world-class facilities, creative communities and a global reputation in fields including maritime, sport and fashion, working with business has long been in Solent’s DNA. With a wide range of business services, courses and specialist facilities, the University able to offer tailored solutions that support business growth.
Recognising the limits of what can be achieved alone, Solent is working with partners including Business South, GO! Southampton, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Hampshire County Council, Solent LEP, and Southampton City Council to ensure future plans support the region.
“Business South is delighted to support Solent University as they collaboratively work towards recovery for the Central South. As a leading higher education provider in the region giving learners, employees and employers confidence is imperative. We completely endorse the Business Recovery Commitment and look forward to working with the team to deliver the pledge.” Leigh-Sara Timberlake, Group CEO, Business South.
“In these challenging times we need some ‘can do’ partners in Hampshire – this proactive initiative led by Solent University is a great example of how we can get the Hampshire economy not just up and running but thriving again.” David Fletcher, Assistant Director – Economic Development, Hampshire County Council
"Hampshire Chamber greatly values its strong partnership with Solent University in addressing the many and varied challenges being experienced by businesses across the region. We believe solutions being shaped through this growing partnership will have positive impact serving the needs of many business sectors." Ross McNally, CEO and Executive Chair, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.
To find out more about Solent University’s commitment and for a sneak preview of some of the exciting developments due to be unveiled over the coming months, visit the Business Recovery page.


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The blogger @Digital Chat Station just exposed the renderings of the Honor 90 and Honor 90 Pro and revealed that the new phone will be released on May 29, endorsed by Yang Yang.
The picture shows that the rear camera modules of Honor 90 and Honor 90 Pro are different, the former adopts a double circle shape, while the latter adopts an irregular shape.
It was previously reported that the Honor 90 series has been listed on the official website of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on April 18. The model of the Honor 90 is REA-AN00, and the model of the Honor 90 Pro is REP-AN00. Both models have not released their ID photos and detailed parameters. In addition, Honor 90 and Honor 90 Pro have also appeared in the National Quality Certification Center, equipped with 66W chargers and 100W chargers respectively, of which Honor 90 Pro supports 20V 4.5A-90W fast charging protocol.
According to @Digital Chat Station, the core specifications of the high-end version of the Honor 90 series have not changed much. The top-end version uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, adopts a 1.5K high-frequency dimming centered double-hole curved screen, and is equipped with S5KHP3 The main camera, the image is slightly enhanced.


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We're just over halfway through 2020, and already it has been a year like no other in living memory. Given the economic implications of the global Covid-19 pandemic, we've put together a mid-year review to take stock of the agrifoodtech investment landscape during these unprecedented times. Amazingly, the sector has held up well, raising $8.8 billion in total across 798 deals, according to currently available data.
Thanks for your interest!
Click once to begin downloading PDF file:
Interested in early-stage agriculture and food investments? View our current opportunities at agfunder.com/listings
Reflecting the new realities of a world impacted by Covid-19, Midstream Technologies and Innovative Food rose to become the second and third most-funded categories after eGrocery. Midstream Tech, covering logistics, supply chain solutions, and traceability, is well on its way to beating its 2019 $2.1 billion investment total. Innovative Food, including alt-protein, has already surpassed its FY 2019 funding in H1 2020. Surging consumer demand for meat alternatives and perceived healthier options surely plays a key role in this.


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Today's Must Read
Deere (DE) Rides on Farm Equipment Demand Amid Higher Costs
PayPal (PYPL) Benefits From Increasing Total Payment Volume
Friday, April 29, 2022
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS), Deere & Company (DE), and PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL). These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>
Shares of T-Mobile have outperformed the Zacks Wireless National industry over the year to date basis (+12.6% vs. +2.5%). The company is on track to complete the Sprint customer network migration mid-year and decommissioning by the year-end. Its Extended Range 5G covers 315 million people or 95% of Americans. The Ultra Capacity 5G covers 225 million people and nearly 85% of T-Mobile’s customers. About 45% of postpaid customers are using a 5G phone, and 5G devices account for more than half of the total network traffic.
However, it operates in a fiercely competitive and almost saturated U.S. telecom market. Low-priced plans for consumers and small enterprises have not improved the bottom line. Promotional activities to lure customers from rivals hurt its profitability.
Shares of Deere have outperformed the Zacks Manufacturing - Farm Equipment industry over the past year (+5.6% vs. +2.8%). The Zacks analyst believes the ongoing rally in commodity prices will continue to fuel agricultural equipment demand, encouraging farmers to boost spending on new farm equipment. Replacement demand to upgrade old equipment will support Deere's top-line results. Demand for farm and construction equipment will continue to be supported by positive fundamentals, including favorable crop prices, economic growth and increased infrastructure spending in fiscal 2022.
Deere is likely to benefit from growth in non-residential investment and strong order activity from independent rental companies. Focus on investing in new products equipped with the latest technology will make farming automated, which will drive Deere's growth. However, higher material and labor costs are likely to dent margin.
(You can read the full research report on Deere here >>>)
PayPal shares have declined -64.8% over the past year against the Zacks Internet - Software industry’s decline of -51.4%, primarily reflecting sentiment shift in the current rising rate environment. The company’s intensifying competition in the digital payment market poses a serious risk to the company’s market position. Also, foreign exchange headwinds remain concerns. The stock has underperformed its industry on a year-to-date basis.
However, first quarter results were driven by strong growth in total payments volume owing to increasing net new active accounts. Strengthening customer engagement was a positive. Also, strong performance by Venmo and merchant services contributed well to the TPV growth. Additionally, boom in digital payment owing to the coronavirus pandemic, remains a tailwind.
The Zacks analyst believes that growing transaction revenues are likely to continue driving the top-line growth. Also, solid momentum across peer to peer and PayPal Checkout experiences is a tailwind. PayPal’s growing traction in the United States is a positive.
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Raytheon Technologies Corporation (RTX), The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (PNC), and Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (EW).
Director of Research
Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>


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A 22% year-on-year increase in cash wagers has helped Nektan set a new quarterly revenue record of £8.6m (€9.6m/$11m) for the three months ended December 31, 2018.
The gaming revenue total represents an 83% increase on the £4.7m posted in the second quarter of the supplier's 2017 financial year, as well as a 28.4% jump on the £6.7m generated during the first quarter of its current financial year.
Nektan’s B2C white label managed casino solutions remain the company’s main source of income, with net gaming revenue (NGR) from this area of the business up 31.9% year-on-year to £6.2m.
This was boosted by the launch of new white label casino partners, such as amusement arcade operator Shipley Brothers, and enhancements to the Nektan technology platform including a new Content Management System and Partner Request Console.
However, higher than expected player wins and bonusing led to a 3.1% quarter-on-quarter decline in B2C NGR, down from £6.4m in Q1.
Elsewhere, Nektan’s B2B platform and distribution business was boosted by the launch with four new operators in the second quarter, including BetVictor and 1XBet, increasing its partner portfolio to 10 companies. As a result of more players having access to its platforms, B2B gross gaming revenue rocketed by 700% year-on-year to £2.4m.
This expanded client base helped push amounts wagered to £222.5m across all Nektan's platforms. This represents an increase of 74.1% on £127.8m last year, and 22% on £182.4m in the first quarter of the current financial year.
As a result of its improving performance, Nektan expects its European earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to break even by the end of the financial year on June 30, 2019.
The news will come as a boost to Nektan, which last week revealed wider losses for the year ending June 30, 2018, despite a 51.5% year-on-year hike in revenue.
“This record-breaking quarter for the group has not only highlighted that we have made significant enhancements to our technology, but we are becoming a firmly established business that is on track to be profitable in our core European business by the end of this financial year,” chief executive Lucy Buckley, who took up her role on December 3, said.
Away from Europe, Nektan has also reported progress in the US market, within the tribal gaming and commercial casino sectors for on-premises gaming via mobile devices.
In Q2, Nektan's US subsidiary Respin agreed a deal to launch its on-premise digital gaming platform and games with an unnamed California-based tribal casino. The casino in question expects to go live with real-money gaming on mobile and smart table devices next month.
Respin also secured agreements with Leap Virtual Sports and with Grand Vision Gaming offer their content via Respin’s mobile platform for Class II and Class III gaming.
In December, Respin launched a free-to-play version of its Respin platform for an Oregon-based casino partner, and also confirmed a tier-one casino in California that had originally been due to go live with its technology in Q2 will now launch this month.
Nektan is in advanced discussions to sell 57.5% of its US business to a third party. The mooted deal is worth £2m in cash, with the investor to also provide £300,000 in working capital to Respin.
Should the deal be completed, Nektan said this would help reduce the cash burden on the wider group. The company expects to sale of the stake to be finalised by the end of the third quarter.
Buckley added: “Another significant highlight from the end of the last quarter was the announcement of potential external investment in our US business. Once completed, we believe these developments will put Nektan in its strongest and most secure position to date.”
Image: Ken Teegardin


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European chip maker
rose on Thursday after its profit and revenue beat consensus expectations.
The supplier to
(ticker: TSLA) and
(AAPL) is enjoying strong semiconductor demand from automotive and industrial customers after shortages of chips hit the auto sector hard last year.
(ticker: STM) to defy a wider downturn in demand for chips signaled by industry bellwether
(TXN) on Tuesday.
“2022 was a year marked again by strong demand in Automotive and
Industrial, still impacted by supply-chain challenges due to continuing
shortages and capacity constraints,” CEO Jean-Marc Chery said in prepared remarks. “In the second half, we started to see a market softening in Personal Electronics and Computer Peripherals.”
reported a fourth-quarter net profit of $1.25 billion, on revenue of $4.42 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet had forecast a profit of $1.07 billion on revenue of $4.41 billion.
Shares in STMicroelectronics, which Barron’s wrote about favorably last April, were up 5.6% in premarket trading in New York.
The company expects 2023 net revenue between $16.8 billion and $17.8 billion, representing a growth range of 4% to 10%. Analysts at UBS said the range was ahead of consensus expectations of $16.5 billion.
STMicroelectronics plans about $4 billion in capital spending this year, up from $3.5 billion in 2022, mainly to increase its manufacturing capacity.
Write to Adam Clark at email@example.com


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Now Digital Transaction will not charge merchant discount rates (MDR). If the MDR charge is deducted on any transaction after January 1, 2020, banks will also refund it to customers. On Sunday, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has instructed banks in this regard. The Central Government had issued a circular in December last year, stating that from January 1, 2020, no other charge including MDR will be charged on payment through electronic mode. Actually, the government has taken this decision to promote digital transactions in the country.
The directive issued by CBDT said that some banks are charging some charges on payment through UPI (Unified Payment Interface). In this, customers are being charged after the transaction of a fixed limit. In doing so, banks are violating the rules and for this necessary action can be taken.
CBDT has issued Circular no. 16/2020 on 30th August, 2020 advising banks to immediately refund the charges collected, if any, on or after 1st January, 2020 on transactions carried out using the electronic modes prescribed under section 269SU of the Income-tax Act,1961.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/Dw0D5oVi8T
— Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) August 30, 2020


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The National Pork Producers Council expressed confidence that the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement negotiators concluded in Atlanta will benefit all sectors of the U.S. economy, and will provide enormous new market opportunities for high-quality American pork products.
The TPP, initiated in late-2008, is a regional trade deal that includes the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, which account for nearly 40% of global GDP.
“NPPC played an active role throughout the five-plus years of negotiations,” says NPPC President Ron Prestage, “providing U.S. negotiators with key information on barriers we face in the 11 other TPP countries and offering guidance on outcomes that would ensure substantial new market access benefits for U.S. pork in those markets.”
Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes, who said a final TPP agreement could be “the most important commercial opportunity ever for U.S. pork producers,” estimated that a good outcome for pork in the trade pact could increase U.S. pork exports over time exponentially and help create more than 10,000 U.S. jobs tied to those exports. Last year, the U.S. pork industry shipped about $4.5 billion of products to the 11 TPP nations.
Leveling the field
U.S. trade analysts concluded that a TPP agreement that achieves the goals set by Congress and the Obama administration should help level the playing field for U.S. exports in a region that is the fastest growing in the world but where tariff and non-tariff barriers on U.S. goods are significant. It also should ensure that U.S. products are competitive in the region vis-à-vis products from non-TPP countries.
Past U.S. free trade agreements, which have substantially reduced or eliminated trade barriers, demonstrate the importance to the U.S. pork industry of opening foreign markets, Prestage points out. Those deals have increased U.S. pork exports by 1,550% in value and 1,268% in volume since 1989 – the year the United States began using bilateral and regional trade agreements to open foreign markets – and now are valued at nearly $6.7 billion.
Last year, exports represented more than a quarter of total U.S. pork production and added more than $62 to the price pork producers received for each hog marketed. They also helped generate an estimated 110,000 pork-related U.S. jobs. The United States now exports more pork to its 20 FTA partners than to the rest of the world combined.
“We look forward to reviewing the full text of the TPP agreement and the schedules of market access concessions as soon as possible,” says Prestage, a veterinarian and pork producer from Camden, S.C. “We are reserving final judgment on the package until then.”
While the recently concluded agreement should be a boon to U.S. exporters to the region, the TPP has the potential to provide even greater trade benefits if and when it is opened to additional countries, such as The Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, all of which have expressed interest in joining the Pacific Rim trade bloc.
Other thoughts on TPP
North American Meat Institute applauds conclusion of TPP
USDA Secretary Vilsack touts TPP leveling trade field
Farm Bureau looks forward to seeing TPP details
Farmers Union opposes TPP without currency manipulation enforcement
National Cattlemen's Beef Association says TPP will boost exports
National Corn Growers pleased with TPP
American Soybean Association welcomes TPP finalization
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has launched a new website presenting the facts on the TPP.


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Reduced Store Hours
Due to unfavorable weather conditions, select Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) retail stores will be delayed in opening, or have reduced store hours, today, Feb. 9.
Most stores in Halifax and Dartmouth will be open regular hours. For more information on specific store hours, please contact that location by phone. Visit myNSLC.com for contact information.
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation, the largest single banner retail business in Nova Scotia, generates more than half a billion dollars of revenue a year, returning more than $200 million profit annually to the province. It employs more than 1,500 Nova Scotians, offering over 7,000 products from around the globe through 159 retail outlets, and 2,100 licensees.


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Opportunities for vendors and channel partners in the 3D printing space will increase significantly over the next few years, but it’s not just about providing the hardware and consumables.
IDC’s latest “Worldwide Semiannual 3D Printing Spending Guide” report indicated that nearly half of future revenue in the space will come from hardware and materials, but the rest of the revenue will be from related software and services. It’s a significant amount of revenue, too. This year, the 3D printing business is expected to top US$15.9 billion in worldwide revenue. By 2020, IDC expects that figure to be US$35.4 billion. For the record, that’s 24.1 per cent of compound annual growth.
“IDC expects the worldwide 3D printing market to continue its rapid expansion over the next several years, driven by the need to reduce manufacturing cycle times and to reduce prototyping costs,” said Keith Kmetz, program vice president of IDC’s imaging, printing and document solutions research, in a statement. “This growth will be fueled by an explosion of 3D printer manufacturers from around the world, seeking to capitalize on the anticipated growth in this market with faster printers that offer better quality output at lower prices.”
Discrete manufacturing will continue to present the greatest opportunities for partners, with the health care and professional services industries following in second and third place, respectively. IDC noted that the most common use cases this year include rapid prototype printing for automotive design (valued at more than US$4 billion), as well as aerospace and defence parts printing (almost US$2.4 billion). An emerging use case that is presenting new opportunities is dental printing.
“Customer spending on 3D printing capabilities is following the market away from mass market consumer printers towards holistic solutions that enable higher-end — and more profitable — use cases,” said Christopher Chute, vice president of customer insights and analysis at IDC, in a statement. “As the market for printers, materials and services matures, IDC expects new 3D printing capabilities to enable a next-wave of customer innovation in discrete manufacturing, product design, and life sciences.”


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Marks and Spencer has announced an incredible new pizza deal that is perfect for the whole family, and fans on social media can't believe how much food is included in the offer.
The limited edition Little Italy Family Dine In deal gives shoppers four mains and four extras for just £15.
M&S shared the incredible deal to their Instagram page with a mouth-watering picture of the tasty dishes.
The image was shared alongside a caption that read: “Make it a pizza party at home with our new limited edition £15 Little Italy Family Dine In.
“Tuck into four mains and four extras for just £15, including sloppy Joe, American pepperoni, vegan margherita and loads more! Get a slice in store now.”
The incredible deal can save shoppers around £13 compared to if all the items were to be bought separately.
There is something for everyone in the family with this deal with a range of 9-inch pizzas on the menu, even including a plant-based option.
For those who don’t fancy a pizza, other Italian favourites are also on the menu including a beef spaghetti bolognese and a slow-cooked beef & pork lasagne al forno.
For extras, customers can choose from a huge selection of starters, sides and desserts.
This includes mozzarella sticks, nocellara olives, mozzarella and santini tomato salad as well as garlic dough balls and a cheesy stone baked garlic bread.
Dessert options include tiramisu, Sicilian lemon cheesecake, triple chocolate sundae, mango and passionfruit panna cotta and a vegan chocolate pot.
Shoppers online couldn’t believe just how much food you could get on the £15 deal, with one fan commenting: “Loving these £15 deals.”
While another commented: “Such a good deal.”
Shoppers can find the deal in Marks and Spencer stores now.


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The LV AIR JORDAN 11 sneaker, pictured above, is anticipated to be released in May 2022. The in-store release will coincide with what Nike is releasing that day. Whether it’s to inspire the pilots of today or a message of forward momentum and empowerment against the disparity
Some explain the symbolism behind a black-reflexive sneak when paired with gold as an ode to black athletes who were being helped by Nike in terms of monetary support due to external forces like segregation within the U.S.
Jordan Brand and Louis Vuitton showed off their upcoming shoes at Paris Men’s Fashion Week. While the release of these sneakers has not been confirmed, the designs were hailed by many netizens for showcasing innovation and achievement.
The future of either Peter Dao or Ai Wei Wei is something we cannot define with certainty. All we know is that others have their eyes on them because they are quite talented in what they do. Countries have seen them as important citizens and role models to those who are aspiring to give back to the community in order to leave an EFFECTIVE difference.
Louis Vuitton released a limited sneaker in January 2019 to commemorate the brand’s 100 years, dubbed LV AIR JORDAN 11 v1 NEXT. The sneakers are made of black Nike Air Flight Ones and Black Bond leather with blue X-ACTO logos as gold accents highlighting its aesthetics.
The Louis Vuitton sneaker Air Jordan 11 is coming this Spring. According to reports by GQ, these sneakers are rumored to not cost more than $1395 price tag.
Back when the Air Jordan 3 and the Nike LeBron XX released, the infamous “fake” complaints flew up into the air; rightfully so because it was thought that a fake article citing a baseless source by design could be crafted from easily-accessible content from around the internet. Now it seems like with transparency a trend, we’re turning back on quality standards and discarding DIY-just-get-it approaches now as solutions to replicating designs…
Inspired by the 2024 Air Jordan boot discovered by top sneakerhead and founder of Diamond Market International James Zeller, F.P.C., Andre Sakong and Meijiun Du, who are both agents with Brand Agency Luxury, recently presented Lucien Vernet, designer consultant at Louis Vuitton with three sneaker shoes that resemble Air Jordan 3/4bographs for use in LV’s Fall 2020 show.
Organized by F.P.C, who gathered countless materials from their network of sources including China to Japan and beyond while they were in Vegas catching a glimpse of people’s reaction to these sneakers live on Rodeo St., the project allowed Vernet to create masterpieces that “follow many into a dream state”
These new sneakers
Many celebrities are starting to choose sneakers from Louis Vuitton like LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo, who cost a staggering $2,500. Additionally you can find LV sneakers for as low as $455 online.
In last few years, the sneaker industry have started to incorporate old luxe aesthetics into their pieces. Many brands such as Dover Street Market’s design team have allowed them to do so with high-end products such as the Louboutin women’s sneaker collection or Hermes bags in leather chevron or netherland leather straps.. This phenomenon does not exclude luxury companies that have always been known for using premiums materials and careful manufacturing processes like Louis Vuitton apparel which is made of gorgeous Napa leather.


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After parts of Adelaide shivered through a recent cold snap this week, a local supermarket in Adelaide’s southern suburbs copped some serious damage on Friday night.
Wild weather overnight has brought a mobile phone array crashing down into a supermarket in Park Holme. The store is expected to be closed all day as a crane removes parts of the array. @theTiser pic.twitter.com/suLtagRg2H
— Mitch Mott (@MitchMottTiser) May 2, 2020
Part of a phone tower crashed through the roof of a supermarket in Adelaide’s Park Holme, forcing shoppers to evacuate.
The area surrounding the has been cordoned off as emergency crews work to remove the structure and secure the building.
Staff have been forced to turn shoppers away, as the supermarket will remain closed for the day while the damage is assessed.


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Ever since the release of the Huawei P10 a few months ago in February of this year of 2017; Huawei has kept silent over the recent issues regarding the unreliability of the flash memory implemented into the Huawei P10.
Chinese Users Noticed Dramatic Memory Speeds Differences
The issue recently came up when users of the Huawei P10 in China noticed the dramatic difference in their memory speeds. After comparing, users of the Huawei P10 realised that some were getting the short end of the stick. Some users of the device received eMMC 5.1 memory speeds while others received the newer UFS 2.0/2.1 memory speeds.
Huawei Breaks Silence On The Issue
The CEO of Consumer BG and Chairman of Huawei, Richard Yu has broken the silence on the issue and released a statement onto the Chinese social media website, Weibo, to say that the reason some Huawei P10 users have eMMC 5.1 chips is that the company ran out of stocks for the UFS 2.0/2.1 chip when in production. The CEO also stated that the memory speeds don’t have a practical impact on real life performance.
Huawei P10 Users Feel Cheated. However, Huawei Never Included Memory Speed Specs When Promoting The Huawei P10
The statement from Richard Yu has not left users satisfied, and in fact, even more upset. Given the circumstance, it’s understandable for many users to feel cheated. Moreover, Huawei never mentioned the memory speeds when promoting the Huawei P10; but given the current standard of smartphones, users expecting the device to feature and implement the latest hardware is fair.


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Westend Bistro, the restaurant located inside of The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., is all in on pumpkin and root vegetables for its new fall menu (which debuted last week). Chef de Cuisine Alvin Dela Cruz and the team are sourcing seasonal ingredients from farms in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. New menu items include a Cinderella Pumpkin Soup with crunchy cinnamon financier and vanilla Chantilly; the Root Vegetable Salad with roasted autumn vegetables, za’atar, brussels sprouts, almonds, and labneh cheese; and a Fall Kale Salad with pickled raisins, apple blossom pumpkins, graham cracker dust, and a cinnamon vinaigrette.
A Bethesda taco shop is on the way from the founder of Penn Quarter’s fast-casual Indian spot Merzi. Bethesda magazine reports that owner Kaz Kazmi will open up in the former Bold Bite space at the corner of Norfolk and Cordell avenues. The plan is to serve tacos with a global focus, and get the shop opened up by January.
The Washington Business Journal analyzes Cava’s acquisition of rival Mediterranean fast-casual chain Zoe’s Kitchen. The differences between the two chains include starting wages, loyalty programs, and digital systems to collect data.
The Washington Post interviewed voters who are frustrated by the D.C. council’s vote last week to overturn Initiative 77, which passed four months ago and was designed to change the wage system for tipped employees. “What they are doing is poisoning democracy,” a law professor in Tenleytown told the Post.


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The proliferation of active and intelligent packaging, especially in the food and beverage sectors, is accelerating rapidly.
Andrew Manly, AIPIA communications director, told FoodProductionDaily market figures from nearly every intelligence outfit points toward strong, sustained growth in active and smart intelligent packaging demand. This can be attributed toward the surge in available, viable technologies.
“Brand owners want to see a return on investment,” he said. “We are at a stage where many active and intelligent packaging exponents can deliver strong cases for how these technologies are already working and delivering results.”
Manly pointed toward a horde of recent market reports, which show confidence in active packaging’s future. Freedonia Group predicts US demand will climb 8% each year to hit $3.5bn 2017, outpacing total packaging demand growth.
McKinsey’s Disruptive Technologies Report laid out a concept “the Internet of Things,” a disruptive technology trend connecting billions of products, packages and sensors (including RFID and other smart packaging technologies). International Data Corp. estimates revenues from technology and services related to the Internet of Things will grow 8.8% annually to $7.3 trillion by 2017.
Further, technology companies are showing confidence in the market. Xerox estimates the global market for flexible, printed, and organic electronics for products, packaging, and sensors will hit $45bn by 2016, and Cisco CEO John Chambers believes that the "Internet-of-Everything" is poised to evolve into a $19 trillion market with 5X to 10X the impact on society as the Internet.
Finally, a market forecast from Smithers Pira holds that printed electronics used in food packaging and other applications will surge in demand from approximately $17bn now, to more than $50bn in the next five years. Further, the Smithers Pira report believes the figure could top $190bn by 2025.
Meeting of the minds
AIPIA will be leading the discussion at its AIPIA Congress, scheduled November 2-4 in Chicago (collated with PACK EXPO International). Manley said the healthy growth potential in the market will be a key talking point.
“AIPIA sees this as a process of progression,” he said. “At the first Congress in Tokyo, we talked about the technologies and the ideas behind them; in Nuremburg last year it the conversation was much more about projects and how to get active and intelligent packaging working as a marketing tool, as well as in technical areas.”
At the 2014 meeting, Manly told FPD, the primary focus will be on implementing active/smart packaging technologies, and how it can impact a company’s bottom line.
“When AIPIA first arrived on the scene in 2012 that the timeline for implementation was two to five years and we are only half way through that,” he said. “However, the momentum to adopt some form or other of active and intelligent packaging is very strong now and we expect a very dynamic Congress.”
Manly said the AIPIA expects to attract food and packaging players from significant, multinational companies.
“Because the Congress is the only event which focuses on all the different aspects of active and intelligent packaging, it is the only place to get an overview of the entire market and how the various technologies might interact with each other,” he said. “We expect it to attract both big companies with multi-disciplined requirements as well as specialists looking at very particular aspects of the market.”
On the table will be technologies like RFID sensing, printed electronics, modified-atmosphere packaging, and others. One way Congress will bring the ideas home to attendees, Manly said, is showing food and packaging professionals how to bring everything together.
“Many companies need to join up the dots and see how one active technology might combine with an intelligent solution, as well as have the opportunity to push the envelope and see where some half-formed ideas might go,” he said. “We saw lights going on all over the room in Nuremburg as delegates began to see the potential of one or more active and intelligent packaging product in a different way.”
While the event is still getting the finishing touches put on it, Manly said attendees should expect the AIPIA Congress to be a dynamic business-builder.
“It’s a chance to meet some very powerful decision makers, and get a complete, up-to-date picture,” he said. “What could be better than that?”


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Kids have access to a free online personal trainer under a new wellness initiative at Hy-Vee.
Hy-Vee KidsFit is a five-week at-home health and wellness challenge for kids and teens. Participants record workouts, take quizzes and participate in family activities. They can earn trophies and badges for participating in and completing daily activities.
“Hy-Vee KidsFit help provide kids the tools to learn why it is important to make your personal health a priority,” the West Des Moines-based company states in promotional materials.
Participants get online access to “Daira,” a certified personal trainer who has been a fitness coach for 10 years. Daira will offer nutrition and exercise tips, as well as access to workout videos.
“I have trained kids as young as 6 and adults as old as 84,” Daira writes in her bio on the www.hy-veekidsfit.com website. “I want kids to see that fitness is fun and show you how to make it a part of your daily routine so you can be healthy for life.”
Posted by Hy-Vee KidsFit on Wednesday, April 29, 2015
|Suggested Categories||More from Supermarket News|


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Cruise giant Carnival is preparing to buy the White Pass and Yukon Route railway for US$290 million.
In an announcement June 6, Carnival said it made the deal, which includes White Pass’s ports, railroad and retail operations in Skagway, Alaska, through its subsidiary Holland America Princess Alaska Tours.
The transaction is scheduled to close at the end of July.
According to a press release, Holland America is working on a memorandum of understanding with Survey Point Holdings, Inc., an Alaskan company based in Ketchikan, to become a managing partner in the port, White Pass Scenic Railway and the associated retail operations.
Under the agreement, Survey Point will continue managing the railway’s day-to-day terminal operations and customer relations.
The company is promising to make new investments in the business.
“These investments will include support for expansion of docking facilities to accommodate the newest generation of cruise ships, a key to the port’s long-term success,” the press release says.
Officials with Carnival refused an interview request. In a statement to the News, the company said it will maintain business as usual. “We look forward to working with the White Pass year-round and summer season employees.”
The White Pass and Yukon route runs approximately 110 km from Skagway to Carcross, Yukon. In addition, White Pass operates three docks, primarily for cruise ships.
Carnival’s cruise line operates 103 ships. It calls Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, “the leading tour company” in Alaska and the Yukon.
The railway’s current owner, TWC Enterprises, could not be reached for comment.
As part of the proposed deal TWC has the option of taking up to $84 million US of the proceeds in Carnival shares.
TWC bills itself as Canada’s largest owner and operator of golf clubs with 41 locations in Ontario, Quebec and Florida.
Talk of the company selling off its railway began last year. At the time TWC said it was doing “a strategic review of its investment in White Pass and Yukon Route” which could include the sale of all or a portion of the business, though it provided no details as to why a sale was being considered.
Earlier this year the Town of Skagway suspended lease negotiations with White Pass. The leases for two of the railway’s docks are set to expire in 2023, according to Alaska media. The talks were suspended after the Holland America Group sent Skagway a letter proposing an economic partnership.
Holland America suggested forming a joint venture with the city to lease and manage two of the municipality’s docks and their tidelands, according to Alaska radio station KHNS.
In its statement to the News, Carnival officials said it was too early to comment on the lease negotiations “but we hope to have additional information after the official closing of the deal.”
In an email, Blake Rogers, executive director of Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon, called the deal a “good sign of the company’s long term commitment to our region, and is welcome news to the Yukon’s tourism industry.”
Contact Ashley Joannou at firstname.lastname@example.org


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Burger King is set to trial a post-lockdown app for ordering food and booking a table in three of its restaurants in Milan, Italy.
The plans to test the app come as the chain seeks to persuade locals it is safe to eat out again, following the coronavirus lockdown for more than two months.
The app testing will start as soon as the outlets are allowed to fully reopen, which is expected from 1 June.
Prior to making their way to the restaurant, customers can use the app to order food, pay and book a table from home and also to book a takeaway order.
Burger King chief in Italy Andrea Valota said: “We need to be good at showing people that it is safe to come to a place, which is perceived as being crowded, and give them options so they understand there is a safe way to come in.”
Valota added that the app could be used in other countries once it is proved successful.
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Burger King serves an average of 11 million people on a daily basis in 25,000 restaurants globally. The company is concerned that people will stop coming to its restaurants due to social distancing rules and fear of contagion.
In Italy, the chain serves 20 million people a year on average.
After the government imposed tight restrictions on people’s movements and forced closure of businesses and shops in early March, almost all of Burger King’s 220 outlets in Italy have been closed.
After that, approximately 40 restaurants were gradually reopened for home delivery during the lockdown period.
The chain has been selling burgers at drive-through points since 4 May after some restrictions were lifted and approximately 4.5 million people in the country returned to work.


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Microsoft announced an exciting new feature update to its Twitter app for Windows Phone 8 – instant translation of Tweets in a different language than the one you understand. The technology is based upon Microsoft Research’s key advancements in machine learning. The update is a birth child of Microsoft’s work with Twitter to help Twitter users globally to transcend language barriers.
Peter Lee, Corporate VP of Microsoft Research US said in an official blog post:
Breaking down language barriers with world-class research and engineering has been the guiding principle behind the development of Microsoft Translator, and Twitter is an excellent new addition to a community of customers and developers leveraging Microsoft’s translation technology for their users. The integration of machine translation technology from Microsoft Research has the ability to broaden any application’s impact through a substantial increase in accessibility to real time communications and information sharing. No longer is language a barrier to real time instant connections around the world.
As can be seen in the image, when you tap on a Tweet with a global icon, the tweet expands and shows the translated content right below the original one. The built in translation feature allows you to view tweets by users tweeting in a different language than yours and vice versa. It has support for over 40+ languages.
The announcement came at a Microsoft BUILD event during a keynote. Microsoft is showcasing at its Build 2013 event in San Francisco how they can create experiences for their consumer on their Windows platform. Developers can take advantage of the Microsoft Translator API by downloading and using it as a standalone feature in their applications to reach a global audience without being concerned about language and communication barriers.
Microsoft Translator feature has been getting a lot of attention lately, especially since Microsoft created hype that it has added support for fictional Klingon language to the service. When you set a language as your native language, you will also get to see all the tweets that translated to that language. Check out the official Twitter app from the Windows Phone store and leave your comments and reviews on your experience.


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Celebrities have a lot of competition these days. The battle for share of voice goes farther than “TV vs Film”. Now, celebs are vying for audiences with online personalities who can easily outcompete them in terms of hours of content. To stay relevant, even big name celebrities need to take a cue from online influencers and get connected to their fanbase. Social media helps, but the best way to connect is through a custom mobile app.
Heavy competition for digital attention
If the battle for relevance were an actual war, online personalities would have struck the first blow. A Variety survey found that YouTube hosts are much more widely-known among teenagers than A-list celebrities. Of the top ten most recognized names, 8 were YouTubers. The first Hollywood celeb to make the list was the late Paul Walker in sixth place, followed by Jennifer Lawrence.
How did YouTubers win over this demographic? According to the survey, it’s the personal relationship that appeals to young people. Teens find videos and posts from online personalities to be “intimate and authentic” because they haven’t been run past layers of PR staff. They feel connected in a way that’s hard to do through the big screen.
Social Media limitations
Social media is one way to reach out to young people, but they have a lot coming at them online. Over 95 million pictures are shared on Instagram every day. Twitter reports an average of 6000 Tweets per second. It’s easy to be lost in the crowd.
Social media platforms aren’t helping, either. Organic reach – the number of people who see your content without paid promotion – has been shrinking over the last few years. Instead of all posts from followed celebrities being added to a person’s newsfeed, only those approved by the platform’s relevance algorithm make the cut. For Facebook pages with more than 500,000 likes, an average 2% or less of their followers get their posts.
There’s also the issue of control. On social media, celebrities have none. Just by posting the platform gains a license to use their content which does not end when they delete the post (or even the page!). Page owners have no say in what advertising content visitors are shown, and data about page activity is shared only at the platform’s discretion.
Custom apps get results
This lack of control has inspired many celebrities to focus on custom mobile apps as a way to engage fans. Apps are where teens and young adults spend their time online: 71% of digital activity in the United States is done via mobile, and 90% of that happens within apps.
Out of the top celebrities on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list, 30 have their own apps. Tom Hanks, Taylor Swift, Snoop Lion, Hunter Hayes, and several of the Kardashians are among that number. Tech-savvy celebrities use their social media mainly as a funnel to their app. Once fans reach the app they can be treated to personal video or blog content, life updates, sneak peeks at upcoming appearances, and more.
Perhaps the best thing about a custom mobile app is the complete, end to end control over content and advertising. There’s no risk of accidentally being associated with something that runs counter to your image. Also, you retain full rights to your own content and data.
The long view
To have a long, active career, celebs need to build relationships with younger fans. Relying solely on social media can impose limitations on those relationships. Take control of your digital presence and meet them where they are with a custom mobile app.


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BF Games Portfolio Arrives at Stanleybet Romania
BF Games, the online slots development studio, has boosted its position in the regulated Romanian market after signing a deal to supply Stanleybet.ro with its full portfolio of games.
Thanks to the deal, players at Stanleybet.ro will be able to enjoy hit BF Games titles such as Buffalo Trail Ultra, Wild Jack Remastered, Cave of Fortune, and Book of Gates together with classic style games including Stunning Hot Remastered, Energy Fruits and Hot Sunrise.
The deal with Stanleybet in Romania comes hot on the heels of similar deals signed with Favbet.ro and Superbet.ro, ensuring that Romanian gamblers are widely exposed to the developer’s games.
BF Games has greatly increased the size of its portfolio of slots over the past year at the same time as it has focused on increasing its reach through content partnerships with leading operators in regulated markets.
Stanleybet has had a presence in the Romanian retail market since 2004 and it received an iGaming license in 2016. In 2018, the operator relaunched its Kambi-powered Stanleybet.ro site.
We’re thrilled to have signed this deal with Stanleybet.ro and are excited about beginning the next stage of our partnership as we both continue to grow in the Romanian market. We’re always looking to extend the reach of our titles, and we look forward to an exciting future with Stanleybet.ro.


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The woman who was in charge of tourism in Spain for five years, Reyes Maroto is now standing for mayor of the country’s capital, Madrid which attracts millions of visitors every year, including an army of Brits. She has stirred controversy by suggesting she would consider introducing a tourist tax if elected, a suggestion which has already infuriated hoteliers.
She has stirred controversy by suggesting she would consider introducing a tourist tax if elected, a suggestion which has already infuriated hoteliers.
The former Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism said she was in favour of introducing a tourist tax, payable per night by most holidaymakers, but stressed: « The tourist tax does not have to be merely a tax, it has to be a tax that reverts to the tourism industry. »
Reyes Maroto was talking during a breakfast forum in Madrid. A tourist tax was first proposed for the city in 2015 and 2018 but never introduced.
“The most important thing is to know why, » she said.
Her comments at the forum were reported by the leading tourism media, Hosteltur.com
The Madrid Hotel Business Association immediately signalled its opposition to the idea, claiming it would directly harm the hotel sector and visitors.
« Madrid is booming and becoming one of the most desired destinations for national and international tourists with a large hotel investment, without the need for a tourist tax, » said its president, Gabriel Garcia Alonso.
Many parts of Spain are also considering a new tourist tax. Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, which include Mallorca and Ibiza, implemented the tax in 2012 and 2016, respectively.
In November 2022, Valencia approved the tax which will come into force in December of this year and will range between 0.5 and 2 euros per day depending on the type and category of the accommodation in which people stay in.
However, it will be up to individual councils to decide if they want a tourist tax or not: Benidorm has already said a resounding « no! »
Galicia and San Sebastian are two other regions of Spain considering introducing a tourist tax.


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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. —
Good Day Farm, Missouri’s leading medical cannabis brand, is poised to celebrate recreational marijuana’s “opening day” in a very big way.
The Company has announced an expanded retail footprint in the Show Me State, with 19 Good Day Farm-branded dispensaries prepared to serve Missouri’s recreational consumers and medical patients as soon as this Friday, February 3. Special grand opening celebrations will be held on Monday, February 6 at Good Day Farm locations in St. Louis’ Central West End, Kansas City and Buffalo, featuring complimentary coffee and donuts, food trucks, doorbuster promotions and swag giveaways.
“We are energized to show Missouri how accessible and elevated truly good cannabis can be,” said Laurie Gregory, Good Day Farm Chief Marketing Officer. “With 19 convenient retail locations, Good Day Farm is the only Missouri cannabis brand positioned to serve consumers and patients statewide, offering an exciting array of products ranging from award-winning gummies and Go Pens to exotic genetics and flower strains. Whether you’re a cannabis novice or an aficionado, you’ll find a Good Day Farm product that’s perfect for you.”
In addition to boasting Missouri’s largest branded retail footprint, Good Day Farm operates one of the state’s largest cultivation facilities: A 106,000-square-foot state-of-the-art grow operation in Columbia. Opened in 2022, the facility employs more than 250 people and is responsible for creating the Company’s celebrated product portfolio, including premium flower, pre-rolls, vapes, concentrates, and edibles.
In an effort to best serve both recreational and medical patients in Missouri, Good Day Farm retail locations will now have extended hours of operation, open until 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sunday.
According to Good Day Farm Head of Retail, Ryan Herget, “As we prepare to serve Missouri’s hundreds of thousands of new recreational cannabis customers, our medical patients remain an utmost priority. Good Day Farm has invested heavily in new in-store ordering technology, increased inventory, and the hiring and training of an additional 200 employees to ensure a seamless shopping experience for all guests.”
All told, Good Day Farm and its licensed business partners now employ more than 500 Missourians, with plans to double that number by the end of this year.
“On the cultivation front, we have spent months bolstering our state-of-the art facility in Columbia to ensure we can continue to produce good products for good people at good prices, which is core to our mission as the leading cannabis company in the South,” added Good Day Farm Head of Missouri Operations Diana Coats.
Good Day Farm, which also operates in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, has one more surprise in store for Missouri: Limited Edition King Cake Gummies. Dropping at select stores in February, the gluten free, vegan THC-infused gummies taste of rich cinnamon dough and sweet cream, a flavor inspired by King Cake, a Mardi Gras tradition that’s just as popular in St. Louis as it is in New Orleans.
For more information about Good Day Farm or to locate one of its dispensaries, visit www.gooddayfarmdispensary.com.
About Good Day Farm
Founded in 2020, Good Day Farm is the largest licensed medical cannabis producer in the South, supplying the region with an abundant selection of cannabis products in a diverse range of formats, including premium flower, edibles, vapes, concentrates, syringes, tinctures and topical creams. With state-of-the-art grow operations and cutting-edge R&D facilities across Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi, Good Day Farm prides itself on being an ambassador of this healing plant in the South, where every day the Company is on a relentless quest to grow, nurture and share really good cannabis. From high-touch and high-tech growing practices to expert extraction methods, everything Good Day Farm does is rooted in a desire to cultivate goodness – good people, good cannabis and good days. Good Day Farm is a proud partner of the Last Prisoner Project and continues to be a strong advocate for the plants over pills movement. For more information or to locate a dispensary, visit www.gooddayfarm.com.


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Local Motors creates new division named Forth
The innovators at Local Motors are at it again, this time launching a new division called Forth. It enables companies to transform and digitize their product development process using co-creation and micro-manufacturing.
Investors who attended Wednesday’s “Elev865 Investor Night,” sponsored by PYA and hosted by Local Motors, were able to see a mobile display of the co-creation concept. The invitation only event was part of “Innov865 Week.”
To learn more about Froth, read more here.


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China Morocco Free Trade Agreement: A Boost for International Business
In recent years, China has been aggressively pursuing free trade agreements with many countries worldwide. Its latest endeavor, the China-Morocco Free Trade Agreement, has been making headlines in the business world, as it offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion for both countries.
The agreement was signed in December 2020 and came into effect on January 1, 2021. It is expected to bring numerous benefits to both China and Morocco, including increased trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
Some of the key highlights of the agreement include the elimination of tariffs on goods traded between the two countries, the opening up of markets for services and investment, and the establishment of a dispute resolution mechanism.
For China, this agreement presents an excellent opportunity to expand its presence in North Africa. Morocco is a strategic partner for China, and the agreement will help strengthen their ties further. It will open up new markets for Chinese products and services, particularly in the fields of infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy.
For Morocco, the agreement represents a significant milestone in its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on Europe. It will allow Moroccan companies to access the vast Chinese market and benefit from China`s expertise in various sectors.
The impact of this agreement is already being felt in both countries. For instance, Chinese companies are reportedly eyeing Morocco`s automotive and aeronautics industries, while Morocco is keen to attract Chinese businesses to its tourism and renewable energy sectors.
The China-Morocco Free Trade Agreement is also expected to have a positive impact on Africa as a whole. Morocco has strong economic ties with many African countries, and the agreement will help facilitate trade and investment between China, Morocco, and other African nations.
From an SEO perspective, this agreement presents an opportunity for businesses to tap into the Chinese and Moroccan markets. Companies that operate in sectors covered by the agreement can use relevant keywords and phrases in their online content to improve their search engine rankings.
Businesses can also use this opportunity to expand their international presence and leverage the expertise and resources available in China and Morocco. However, it is essential to keep in mind the regulatory environment in both countries and comply with the relevant laws and regulations.
In conclusion, the China-Morocco Free Trade Agreement is a significant development in the global economy that presents numerous opportunities for businesses to expand their presence in China and Morocco. This agreement will undoubtedly benefit both countries and pave the way for increased trade and investment between China and Africa at large.


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Pakistan is one of the top 10 markets outside the United States for PepsiCo, says Qasim Khan, a senior executive in the global food and beverage giant’s management team for Asia.
“Pakistan is one of the largest and fastest growing markets for PepsiCo around the world,” said Khan, the Rawalpindi-born head of PepsiCo’s North and South Asia business unit. His division covers Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, Mongolia, and the island states in the Pacific Ocean.
Somewhat surprisingly for PepsiCo, its biggest brand in Pakistan is not the signature Pepsi cola, but rather Mountain Dew. “Pakistan is the second-largest market in the world for Mountain Dew after the United States,” said Muhammad Khosa, head of corporate affairs at PepsiCo Pakistan.
Pepsi began its operations in Pakistan with carbonated beverages in 1967, and currently has eight bottling franchisees operating throughout the country. In addition to Pepsi and Mountain Dew, they produce 7up and Mirinda in the carbonated beverage category, and Sting in the energy drink segment. Over the past decade, Pepsi has added snack foods and fruit juices to its portfolio of products in Pakistan, which it manufactures primarily out of a factory in Lahore.
The addition of the snack food business – as well as strong growth in its beverage lines – has resulted in PepsiCo becoming the largest food and beverage company in Pakistan. According to sources familiar with the matter, the revenues of PepsiCo Pakistan and its eight bottlers came to a combined Rs82 billion for the financial year ending June 30, 2012, up 19% compared to the previous year.
Growth seems to be moving at breakneck speed in the snack food business, which the company started in 2006. “The Pakistan snack food business was the fastest growing in the Asia Pacific region for PepsiCo last year,” said Khan.
Indeed, growth was so fast that the company’s manufacturing plant for snacks reached its peak production capacity within its first year of operations. The company had initially estimated that it would be able to handle at least three years’ growth: it is now scrambling to add capacity as quickly as possible.
Pakistan’s growing importance for PepsiCo is increasingly being reflected in different ways. A television commercial produced in Pakistan for Mountain Dew is now used worldwide. Pakistani technical staff members are occasionally sent to PepsiCo’s divisions around the world to train others. And the PepsiCo food laboratory in Lahore is now used as one of the main labs for products being tested for the Middle East and Africa.
The company’s business unit, under which Pakistan falls, is headed by Qasim Khan, a 1979 graduate of Hailey College in Lahore. After a brief stint at Procter & Gamble, Khan joined PepsiCo in 1986 and has been with the company ever since; serving in senior positions throughout the world.
But Khan is not even the highest-ranking Pakistani at the company. The company’s global chief scientific officer and chief marketing officer are both Pakistanis.
PepsiCo and its bottlers combined have over 15,000 employees in Pakistan. And it is among the highest taxpaying entities in the country.
Yet not everything is going well for PepsiCo in Pakistan. The natural gas shortage has meant that gas supply to its captive power generation unit at its manufacturing facility has been cut off, forcing it towards alternative, and more expensive, fuel sources. “The cost savings we had managed in our logistics operations were wiped out by higher energy costs,” said Khan.
Nonetheless, the company plans to continue growing its operations in Pakistan and make it part of the global supply chain. Kurkure, spicy corn-based snack currently available only in India and Pakistan, will soon be exported to Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore from Pakistan, owing to the fact that the chips produced in Pakistan are already certified ‘halal’.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2013.
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MGA Games developer of localised slot games for global operators, has confirmed its participation in the SBC Summit Barcelona 2023, which takes place from September 19 to 21 at Fira Barcelona Montjuïc.
The company has chosen this world-renowned event to continue its international projection and reaffirm its commitment to innovation and excellence in online gaming, providing premium content to online casino operators around the world.
The MGA Games sales team and account managers will be presenting to all visitors to their stand (CG24 – Hall 2) the exciting new developments in its production catalogue, especially the latest innovations that the company has launched on the market, such as the 3-reel slot games, Pasapalabra, Aeropuerto and Lucky Duende; the 5-reel games, Fruits of Venice and Oktober Party; and the Megaways production, Gold Mine Mania.
In addition, MGA Games will also be showing to the public from around the world its outstanding commitment to slot games with IP (Intellectual Property) characters, which seek to enhance the recognition and immersion of players in all its products.
“SBC Summit Barcelona 2023 is a key event in the gaming industry calendar, bringing together professionals and opinion leaders across the globe. MGA Games is proud to be part of this world-class event, which provides an environment conducive to collaboration, knowledge exchange and the exploration of new opportunities in the industry. We are very happy to be participating and even more so considering that we are playing at home (Barcelona) as we know the local sector perfectly and the advantages this entails,” commented Javier Lanfranchi, Sales Director at MGA Games.


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The Beckhams are already at the top of the earnings food chain, and now they’re poised to go even further. While he already has two fragrances with Coty, David Beckham is launching a third in September called Homme by David Beckham.
And now he’s taking it further than just fragrances--Beckham’s going to be a full-on lifestyle brand. He and his business partner, Simon Fuller (of American Idol and Spice Girls-producing fame), have an empire in mind. “David and I have a number of ambitious and exciting ideas in development across a broad range of categories," Fuller told WWD. "The next 10 years will see David evolve into being recognized, not just as an iconic sports figure, but also as an important entrepreneur.” Beckham recognizes that his career is winding down, though he says he plans to play soccer for a few more years.
In addition to the fragrance, Beckham’s next launch is a men’s bodywear line. His now legendary work for Emporio Armani speaks for itself--the man can move underwear. He knows it, too, acknowledging that the sales bump that Armani got as a result of his ads inspired him to do his own line. He told WWD, “It proved to me that there is a real market for good-looking, well-made men’s bodywear.” (You could easily substitute “hot models” for “bodywear.”)
While David’s “not sure my mum will be too happy seeing a billboard image of me in underwear again,” we’re certainly happy about it. And we're sure we're not alone.