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The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released today said, the headline inflation rate increased to 27.33% in October 2023, relative to the September 2023 headline inflation rate which was 26.72%.
NBS said, looking at the movement, the October 2023 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 0.61% points when compared to the September 2023 headline inflation rate.
Similarly, the Bureau said, on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 6.24% points higher compared to the rate recorded in October 2022, which was (21.09%).
It said, “the increase in the headline index for October 2023 was attributed to the increase in some items in the basket of goods and services at the divisional level.
“These increases were observed in Food and non-alcoholic Beverages (14.16%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & other Fuel (4.57%), Clothing and footwear (2.09%), Transport (1.78%), Furnishings and household Equipment and maintenance (1.37%), Education (1.08%) and Health (0.82%).
“Others are Miscellaneous Goods & Services (0.45%), Restaurants & Hotels (0.33%), Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco & Kola (0.30%), Recreation & Culture (0.19%) and Communication (0.19%)”, NBS said.
However, it said, on a month-over-month basis, the headline inflation rate in October 2023 stood at 1.73%, which shows that the rate of increase in the average price level was less than that of the preceding month by 0.37% when compared to the rate recorded in September 2023 (2.10%).
It said, the percentage change in the average CPI for the twelve months ending October 2023 over the average of the CPI for the previous corresponding twelve-month period was 23.44%, showing a 5.57% increase compared to 17.86% recorded in October 2022.
Meanwhile, it said, the Food sub-index for October 2023 increased to 31.52% on a year-on-year basis, which was 7.80% points higher compared to the rate recorded in October 2022 (23.72%).
NBS said, the rise in Food inflation on a year-on-year basis was attributed to increases in prices of Bread & cereals, Oil & fat, Potatoes, Yam & other Tubers, Fish, Fruit, Meat, Vegetables and Milk, Cheese, and Eggs.
“However, on a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in October 2023 was 1.91%. This was 0.54% lower compared to the rate recorded in September 2023 (2.45%). The decline in Food inflation was caused by a decrease in the average prices of Fruits, Oil and fat, Coffee, Tea and Cocoa, Bread and Cereals.
“The average annual rate of Food inflation for the twelve months ending October 2023 over the previous twelve-month average was 26.33%, which was a 6.50% points increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in October 2022 (19.83%)”, the Bureau said.
It said, the core inflation, which is All items less volatile farm produces and Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS). As communicated in the previous month, the exclusion of the PMS is due to the deregulation of the commodity by the removal of subsidy. The core inflation rate stood at 22.58% in October 2023 on a year-on-year basis.
“This shows a rise of 5.12% when compared to the 17.46% recorded in October 2022. The highest increases were recorded in prices of Passenger Transport by Road, Medical Services, Passenger Transport by Air, Actual and Imputed Rentals for Housing, Pharmaceutical products etc.
“Conversely, on a month-on-month basis, the Core Inflation rate was 1.39% in October 2023. Which was slowed down by 0.83% compared to 2.22% recorded in September 2023.
“The average twelve-month annual inflation rate was 19.98% for the twelve months ending October 2023; this was 4.60% points higher than the 15.38% recorded in October 2022”, it said.
NBS in the report said, “the Urban consumer’s inflation rate on a year-on-year basis stood at 29.29% for October 2023, this shows a 7.66% point higher compared to the 21.63% recorded in the corresponding month in the year 2022.
“On a month-on-month basis, the Urban inflation rate grew by 1.81% in October 2023, which shows a decrease of 0.43% points compared to 2.24% in September 2023.
“The twelve-month average annual inflation rate ending October 2023 over the previous corresponding twelve-month average, the Urban inflation rate was 24.76%. This was 6.38% points higher compared to the 18.38% reported in October 2022”, it said.
The report said, the Rural consumer’s sub-index in October 2023 was 25.58% on a year-on-year basis; this was 5.01% higher compared to the 20.57% recorded in October 2022.
“On a month-on-month basis, the Rural sub-index in October 2023 was 1.67%, which decreased by 0.29% points compared to September 2023 (1.96%).
“The twelve-month average annual inflation rate ending October 2023 over the previous corresponding twelve-month average, Rural inflation rate was 22.23%. This was 4.85% higher compared to the 17.38% recorded in October 2022”, it said.
According to the Bureau, the analyses of the states show that the all-item index for October 2023, on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi (34.20%), Rivers (31.44%), Lagos (31.23%), while Borno (20.06%), Jigawa (23.52%) and Sokoto (24.47%) recorded the slowest rise in headline inflation.
“On a month-on-month basis, October 2023 recorded the highest increases in Yobe (3.72%), Jigawa (2.85%), Sokoto (2.84%), while Kogi (1.01%), Edo (1.05%) and Kwara (1.18%) recorded the slowest rise on month-on-month inflation”, it said.
NBS said, the state-level analyses of the food index in October 2023, on a year-on-year basis, showed the highest increases in Kogi (41.74%), Kwara (38.48%), and Lagos (37.37%), while Borno (24.41%), Kebbi (24.90%) and Jigawa (25.10%) recorded the slowest rise.
“On a month-on-month basis, however, October 2023 Food inflation was highest in Yobe (5.35%), Sokoto (3.68%), and Jigawa (3.45%), while Edo (0.95%), Katsina (1.03%) and Rivers (1.10%) recorded the slowest rise”, the report said.


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Boots is banning all wet wipes that contain plastic from its stores. They are also calling on other retailers to do the same in a bid to significantly lower the amount of plastic used in the UK, following Aldi making a similar move earlier this year.
More than 11 billion wet wipes are used in the UK every year, with the vast majority of them still containing plastic, according to the Marine Conservation Society. Further research suggests that they are the cause of more than nine in 10 blockages in UK sewers.
Boots is one of the UK's biggest sellers of wet wipes, M.E.N reports, with more than 140 different lines stocked across skincare, baby, tissue and health care categories. The pharmacy chain, which sold more than 800 million wet wipes in the last year, said it would replace plastic-based wipes with plant-based biodegradable alternatives, following a previous move to remove plastics from all of its own-brand wipes.
Steve Ager, chief customer and commercial officer at Boots UK, said: “Our customers are more aware than ever before of their impact on the environment, and they are actively looking to brands and retailers to help them lead more sustainable lives. We removed plastics from our own brand and No7 wet wipe ranges in 2021, and now we are calling on other brands and retailers across the UK to follow suit in eliminating all plastic-based wet wipes.
“We all have a responsibility to protect our planet. By joining forces to inspire more positive action, we can collectively make a big difference.”
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “This is a really encouraging commitment from Boots to prevent the damaging plastics in wet wipes from entering our environment. We have already conducted a call for evidence on wet wipes, including the potential for banning those containing plastic.
"In the meantime, our message is clear. You should bin and not flush wet wipes.”
Marine Conservation Society chief executive Sandy Luk said: “It’s a fantastic step in the right direction for retailers, like Boots, to remove plastic from their own brand wet wipes and ask that all brands they stock do the same. Our volunteers found nearly 6,000 wet wipes during the Great British Beach Clean in September 2021, which is an average of 12 and a half wet wipes for every 100 metres of beach surveyed.
"The fact we’re still finding so many wet wipes on beaches shows that we need to remove plastic from wet wipes and move toward reusable options wherever possible. It’s great that Boots are making commitments to this.”

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In the wake of the Liyusan Sondra viral video, a significant online scandal has erupted, igniting heated debates and raising important concerns regarding online privacy and security. Liyusan Sondra, a well-known social media personality with a strong presence on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, has garnered a massive following by sharing captivating and entertaining content. However, the recent leak of the “Liyusan Sondra Video Viral” has heightened awareness around the potential risks of oversharing personal information. This article delves into the implications of content leakage, the need for parental monitoring, the impact on mental well-being, and the importance of safeguarding personal information in the ever-expanding digital landscape. Through this discussion, we aim to shed light on the complexities surrounding online privacy and encourage safer online practices. Visit Xulynuocvci.com.vn for more insights on this topic.
|1. Content leakage can lead to online controversies and scandals.
|2. Oversharing personal information can have negative consequences.
|3. Parental monitoring is essential to protect children on social media.
|4. Privacy infringement poses a significant risk in the digital age.
|5. Education and awareness are crucial in dealing with online challenges.
|6. Liyusan Sondra’s response to the leaked video remains unknown.
|7. Safeguarding personal information is of utmost importance.
|8. The leaked video of Liyusan Sondra has a captivating narrative.
|9. The Reddit community plays a crucial role in investigating the video.
I. The Viral Video of Liyusan Sondra
The viral video of Liyusan Sondra has become the talk of the internet, causing a stir and generating massive interest among online users. With its captivating visuals and mysterious narrative, the video has captured the attention of viewers, making it a media phenomenon.
The video, which surfaced on various social media platforms, has sparked discussions and debates, with people eagerly trying to uncover the meaning behind the intriguing content. Viewers are captivated by the artistic elements and the enigmatic storyline, leading to extensive discussions and interpretations across online forums and communities.
II. The Importance of Online Privacy and Security
Online privacy and security are fundamental aspects of our digital lives, especially in an era where we share, access, and consume vast amounts of information online. The leaked video of Liyusan Sondra serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks and consequences individuals face when their personal content is compromised. It highlights the urgent need for individuals to prioritize and take proactive measures to safeguard their online privacy.
- Privacy Protection: Ensuring online privacy involves being cautious about the information we share, the platforms we use, and the security settings we implement. It is essential to be aware of the potential repercussions that may arise from disclosing sensitive personal data. By understanding the importance of maintaining privacy, we can minimize the exposure of our personal information to unauthorized individuals.
- Data Encryption: To further enhance online security, individuals should consider utilizing encryption methods to protect their data. Encryption involves encoding information in a way that makes it unreadable to unauthorized entities. By employing encryption tools and techniques, individuals can prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
- Two-Factor Authentication: Implementing two-factor authentication provides an additional layer of security by requiring users to provide two pieces of evidence before accessing an online account. This can include a password along with a unique verification code sent to a registered device. By utilizing this security measure, individuals can reduce the risk of unauthorized access to their accounts.
- Regular Security Updates: It is crucial to keep software, applications, and devices up to date with the latest security patches and updates. Developers frequently release updates that address known vulnerabilities and improve the overall security of their products. By staying proactive and regularly updating devices and software, individuals can mitigate the risk of falling victim to security breaches.
- Online Awareness and Education: One of the most effective ways to ensure online privacy and security is through awareness and education. By staying informed about the latest threats, common scams, and best practices for online safety, individuals can make informed decisions and protect themselves from potential risks.
- Privacy Settings and Permissions: Reviewing and adjusting privacy settings on social media platforms and other online services is crucial. It is essential to understand the information that is made public, who can access it, and the extent of information that is shared with third-party apps or services. By taking control of privacy settings, individuals can dictate the level of exposure and maintain a higher degree of privacy.
Ultimately, prioritizing online privacy and security is crucial in today’s interconnected world. By implementing measures to protect personal information, staying informed about potential risks, and adhering to best practices, individuals can navigate the digital landscape with confidence and minimize the likelihood of encountering privacy breaches or security threats.
III. The Impact of the Leaked Video and the Need for Education
The Consequences of Content Leakage
The release of Liyusan Sondra’s video without her consent has had a profound impact on both her personal and professional life. The leaked video has not only generated online controversies but also subjected Liyusan Sondra to intense scrutiny and criticism. It highlights the importance of safeguarding personal information in an increasingly digital world. This incident serves as a reminder that content leakage can have serious consequences, potentially impacting one’s reputation, mental well-being, and overall privacy. The exposure of intimate moments or private conversations can cause significant distress for individuals targeted by such leaks.
The Role Education Plays in Online Safety
In order to combat content leakage and protect oneself from potential harm, education is key. Both children and adults need to be informed about the risks associated with oversharing personal information on social media platforms. By teaching individuals how to manage their online presence responsibly, they can learn how to protect their privacy effectively. Basic internet safety practices should be part of educational curricula worldwide, ensuring that individuals are aware of potential dangers and equipped with strategies to mitigate them.
The controversial viral video of Liyusan Sondra has highlighted the critical importance of online privacy and security in today’s digital landscape. The leaking of personal content not only triggers online scandals and controversy but also poses serious risks to individuals’ mental well-being. It is essential for social media users to recognize the consequences of oversharing personal information and take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves.
Parental monitoring plays a vital role in protecting children from potential harm on social media. Privacy infringement is a prevalent issue, emphasizing the need for education and awareness to address online challenges effectively. Although Liyusan Sondra has not publicly commented on the leaked video, it serves as a reminder that everyone should be cautious and vigilant in protecting their personal information. The video’s intriguing narrative has captivated viewers, inciting in-depth investigation and discussion within the Reddit community. By understanding and actively addressing these issues, individuals can navigate the digital world more confidently.
The information provided in this article has been synthesized from multiple sources, including Wikipedia.org and various newspapers. While we have made efforts to verify the accuracy of the information, we cannot guarantee that every detail is 100% accurate and verified. As a result, we recommend using caution when citing this article or using it as a reference for your research or reports.


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ROANOKE, Va. – Monday is the first day of the 2023 tax filing season and experts say that filing early is more important than ever.
That’s because of several changes the IRS has made for 2022 tax returns including lowering tax credits, meaning some people will be getting less money back in their tax returns this year.
For example, the Child Tax Credit went from $3,600 to pre-pandemic levels at $2,000.
Tammy Trenta, the founder and CEO of Family Financial, LLC, said one of the biggest mistakes she sees her clients make is excluding major changes in their tax returns, like buying or selling a house.
“If you think about any meaningful things that occurred, any sales that you made during the year, that will definitely impact your taxes. You want to make sure you’ve provided all that information,” said Trenta.
Trenta said there are also new tax credits people may be eligible for in the Secure Act 2.0 like home renovations and student loan payments.


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Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or 2011 adidas adizero f50 Soccer Boots
adidas is celebrating FC Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi’s third consecutive FIFA Ballon d’Or / World Player of the year award with the release of a special edition pair of the adizero f50 miCoach soccer boots.
The gold and white boots feature an Argentine flag on their heel area, the years of Messi’s FIFA Ballon d’Or awards (2009, 2010, 2011) and Messi’s recently launched logo on their outside adidas stripes, and the text “FIFA BALLON D’OR PLAYER OF THE YEAR” below their instep adidas stripes.
The adidas adizero f50 has been Messi’s boot of choice since their launch in September 2011. He is expected to debut the new boots during FC Barcelona’s Spanish La Liga meeting with Real Betis on Sunday, January 15th, 2011.
Check out our Football Boots section for more on the latest soccer footwear.


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GE has launched a new project called the EV Solar Carport, which will use solar power and smart grid technology to fully charge electric vehicles (EVs) via six Level 2 GE EV charging stations and to power the overhead lighting in the parking lot.
Inovateus Solar LLC will install the project, which will be located in Plainville, Conn. The carport incorporates GE's infrastructure technology, utilizing GE EverGold safety switches and GE combiner boxes, along with the GE EV charging stations. The carport connects to the grid, where it deposits extra energy and withdraws that energy when needed.
‘GE is working with a number of utilities and municipalities in the U.S. and abroad to address this issue of creating a widely distributed network of electric-vehicle charging stations,’ says Luis Ramirez, CEO of GE Energy Industrial Solutions. “The presence of ubiquitous, Level 2 charging will make consumers far less worried about their car running out of power.”


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Kicking off the list is the Prairie-based startup that, in 2019, landed the largest VC financing in history for any Prairie-based ICT company. Vendasta offers a white-label platform for companies that provide digital solutions to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
With an employee base of almost 300 people, we’re stretching the term ‘startup’ for Vendasta, but given how significant of a role it plays in shaping the Saskatoon startup ecosystem, it’s important to have it on the list.
The Canadian startup world will be watching Vendasta closely over 2020 as this anchor tech company looks to put its new $40 million investment to work by building out the Vendasta platform and marketplace solutions and aiming to double its staff in Saskatoon.
Coming out of the Techstars Energy Accelerator towards the end of 2018, Interface Fluidics was able to land a $6 million Series A round in 2019. This Calgary based company is capitalizing on the push from the oil and gas ecosystem to find ways to improve efficiency while improving its impact on the surrounding environment. Interface Fluidics does this by leveraging technology from the biomedical industry and adapting it to the oil and gas sector.
The startup calls its nanotechnology platform a disruptive technology that helps operators increase oil recovery while reducing environmental impact. Its oil testing technology allows operators to analyze a variety of downhole chemicals, which helps to evaluate the viability of increasing oil recovery. With its recently acquired investment and the ongoing market demand, anticipate seeing large growth from Interface Fluidics in 2020 as it works to expand its capacity and delivery of services.
Taiv, a Conexus Venture Capital Fund portfolio company and one of the earliest stage companies on this list, launched a B2B software/hardware solution in 2019, which quickly picked up customers across the Prairie provinces. Through its platform, businesses within the service industry can automatically replace live TV commercials with in-house content to improve their atmosphere and promote their products.
Taiv’s founding team recently relocated to San Francisco to attend a prominent accelerator in the Valley, while the company continues to try and keep up with significant inbound orders, primarily from bars, restaurants, and car dealerships across North America. Being new to the market, and seeing the initial interest from the service industry for this technology, it’s expected we’ll hear and see a lot more of Taiv as it works to grow as a company.
In 2019, Plankk launched a new direct to consumer subscription service where fans can take fitness lessons from their favourite Instagram stars. This new app was launched after years of creating white-labelled fitness applications for the health and wellness spokesmodels that made Instagram famous. As more fitness trainers look to capitalize on their significant social media following, we can expect a big year in 2020 as Plankk creates interactive, digitally delivered classes.
The second company in the Conexus Venture Capital Fund portfolio on this list, SalonScale raised $1 million in 2019 to seed its smart technology-powered app helping salon owners and stylists. One of Saskatchewan’s fastest-growing startups led by an exceptional founder, Alicia Soulier, SalonScale provides a digital solution to track the cost of free pouring hair colour to hair salons.
Since financing, SalonScale has continued to grow its customer base around the world as it improves the financial well-being of hair salons. With wasted hair colouring products being one of the biggest costs among hair salons and challenges for hair salon owners and their stylists to account for, there is a significant greenspace opportunity for SalonScale to provide stability to a once volatile marketplace.
ZayZoon has taken a novel approach to financial wellness by focusing on working with corporate partners to help their employees manage cash flows. In 2019, ZayZoon raised $15 million to fuel its mission to improve employee health through the use of responsible financial products.
Initially, its product had been focused around providing a real-time salary for individuals based on the amount of time they had worked with their employer. While its current product of payroll advances, without the predatory costs that come with payday loans, fills a need in the marketplace, I’m excited to track ZayZoon’s progress over 2020 to harness its investment capital in exploring new ways to improve financial well-being through the guidance of the employer’s voice.
Launched in 2019 by Dan Belostotsky (OTTO Capital, Panache Ventures), HonestDoor is one of the newest entrants to helping create more transparency within the home buying process. As the first tech company in Canada to release real estate sold prices with machine learning,
HonestDoor is quickly picking up traction across the Prairies, having grown from Edmonton at the time of launch, to Calgary and Winnipeg. HonestDoor offers a free platform for homebuyers and sellers to see what the property is worth (the HonestDoor price) along with the underlying data points to back it up. A repeat founder taking on a massive industry generally points to a startup we should all be watching closely in 2020.
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Andgo’s Smart Absence Management system has created immense value for each of our clients through the automation of complex scheduling workflows. At Andgo, we understand no two organizations are the same. With this in mind, we have designed our system to accommodate the unique requirements and use cases of your organization.


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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Capt. Shaheen Khalid Butt hoped that Letters of Credit (LCs) for imports will be opened soon, which will help facilitate the solar energy sector in the country. “The clean energy is absolutely vital not just for the environment but because it’s cost effective for the consumers. In this context, I talked to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, and they expressed the hope that the government would soon be able to open LCs for imports as soon as economy’s stabilization is ensured,” said the Senator Capt. Shaheen Khalid Butt while talking to journalists at a launch ceremony of 3-Phase Hybrid 30KW solar power equipment by Goodwe, solar inverter manufacturing company, on Solar Power Day at a local hotel on Wednesday. The solar inverter company also signed MoUs for 400MW power products with three different investment companies for import of solar energy goods.
The solar energy sector has been under a lot of stress after LCs were stopped with effect from July 2022, which not just hampered promotion of solar energy sector but also created a backlog of warranty claims.
Senator Capt. Shaheen Khalid Butt said that solar power was a very clean and efficient energy source, which must be tapped to optimum level to protect the environment. “Pakistan has suffered a great deal in the form of devastating floods due to global carbon emissions despite contributing very little towards greenhouse gases,” he said, adding that the West especially the European countries must compensate for the loss incurred by Pakistan due to global warming. “The recent $10 billion to $11 billion pledges by the world community for rehabilitation of flood victims were nothing compared to the colossal loss of life and property suffered by the Pakistanis,” he added.
He said the Pakistan government must help and facilitate the renewable energy sector, which is the answer to Pakistan’s energy woes in the future. “Everyone, including the country and the people, will benefit from solar energy,” he said, therefore the government must patronize renewable energy sector as US government also helped manufacturers, policymakers and the consumers. “The consumers can also sell out surplus energy in excess to their own usage through net-metering,” he said and proposed that the government should launch one-window operation to facilitate the manufacturers and the public in installation of solar energy products.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Goodwe country manager Syed Salman Mohiuddin said that LCs closure had caused significant damage to the solar energy sector, while the widening gap between supply and demand had also raised prices of products up to three times in the consumer market to the detriment of public.
He said that Pakistan’s oil bill has gone up to 65 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “If the Pakistan government supports the solar energy sector for 4 to 5 years, it can reduce Pakistan’s forex oil bill substantially,” he added.
Ahmad Rafay Asad, Head of Operations and Technical Services, Goodwe, said that the company had launched a new energy storage product – ET 30KW – and a single-Phase high ampere – G2 – product, which are efficient, environment-friendly, digitally controlled easy-to-use and cost-effective products.


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Offering breadth of range is crucial, writes Mark Bentley of Molson Coors
DESPITE the challenges that the Scottish hospitality sector has faced over the last couple of years, we have continued to see clear trends develop within the lager category, including a continued consumer shift towards premiumisation and world lagers gaining further traction.
With the crucial summer months ahead, it’s important that venues strike the right balance with their lager offering to make sure that they’ve got something for everyone on tap, to help them capitalise on the boost in sales that the longer nights bring.
The trendy world lager
The trend towards premiumisation in the lager category shows no sign of stopping, with consumers increasingly looking to expand their horizons beyond some of the more traditional beer options on the market – especially premium world lager.
We have seen this demand first hand with Madrí Excepcional, a crisp, clean and refreshing lager that captures “El alma de Madrid” or “The Soul of Madrid”.
Madri Excepcional has taken the on-trade by storm since it launched – breaking into the top ten best-selling draught world lagers in terms of value and currently has the third-highest rate of sale per outlet in the category.
With the world lager category growing by 17.6% in value over the past year in Scotland it’s clear that outlets should make sure they are offering a world lager on draught to cater for this demand.
Premiumisation gets a huge amount of airtime and it’s easy to see why: it’s exciting, it’s aspirational and it ultimately offers operators the opportunity to put more money in the till. But the everyday familiar favourites remain critically important.
Make sure that you are offering real breadth of range rather than depth – by this, we mean ensuring that there’s genuine choice for drinkers rather than variations on a theme.
Despite growth over the past few years in world lagers, they only make up 22% of value share of the category in Scotland compared to core lager, which remains the key pillar with over 61% value share – to put that into perspective, six in ten draught pints of lager poured in Scotland are core lager.
With core lager still dominating the category in terms of both value and volume, it is important that outlets have brands like Carling – currently the fifth largest draught lager in Scotland and number one lager brand in GB – as key fixtures on their bar. It’s perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness make it a staple choice that can be enjoyed across a host of different occasions.
The undervalued category
So, if your first draught tap is core standard lager and your second is an adventurous world lager what would the third be?
Operating in the middle ground between world lagers and core standard lager, but still playing to the premiumisation trend, premium 4% holds a huge amount of opportunity.
“It has half the listings of core standard lager, but is currently performing much better, with 4.7% value growth – and is worth over £35 million to venues across the country.
Operators should add a premium 4% lager to their draught offering to capitalise on this great opportunity to drive sales over summer and beyond.
Coors offers a refreshing, crisp, easy-drinking option that is perfect for social occasions – which is why it has enjoyed 8.4% growth over the past 12 weeks and remains Scotland’s number one premium 4% brand.
With Coors representing over £14 million of value in the sub-category, almost double that of its nearest competitor – it’s the ideal third addition to the top three taps on any bar.
Adding a premium 4% to your line-up will be key to getting the balance of your lager offering just right and the latest data shows that venues are starting to take notice of this growth potential with a 31% increase in distribution over the past 12 weeks alone.
While it is easy to get distracted by the exciting new flavours and innovations in the market, it’s key not to overlook the importance of the familiar favourites across core standard and premium 4% lager – which is where the opportunity lies. These remain the go-to choices for so many drinkers on a wide variety of different occasions and should be at the heart of any bar.
• Mark Bentley, is on-trade category controller at Molson Coors.


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A post in the Wall Street Journal last week reported pre-pandemic levels of consumer confidence and for good reason(s), “as more people received vaccinations, stimulus payments reached households and businesses more fully reopened.” Employment, stimulus, an opening economy, vaccinations – all very compelling and obvious drivers to an overall feel of things, as well as the continued disucssion of inflation and how this will shape policy choices in the mid to long-term.
The University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers shows a consistent trend (with the next update in two weeks):
The survey adds the following commentary on inflation the finds support for either direction with:
Each side in the current policy debate finds support in the consumer data. The recovery is far from complete as less than half of the fall in consumer sentiment has so far been recovered, and the current and prospective stimulus and infrastructure spending has the potential to spark a renewed inflationary psychology, although that will not occur immediately…
Inflationary psychology preceded actual inflation by about two years in the last bout in the 1970s. The key balance is not to underestimate the ultimate impact of those policies on jobs and inflation, and not to overestimate the ability of policies to bring any excesses to a painless soft-landing.
Similarly, in the May 1 Berkshire annual meeting Buffett noted on the one hand the last 20 plus years, “was not a highly inflationary period as a whole,” but what they are seeing is:
…very substantial inflation. It’s very interesting. We’re raising prices. People are raising prices to us, and it’s being accepted. Take home building. We’ve got nine home builders in addition to our manufactured housing operation, which is the largest in the country. So we really do a lot of housing. The costs are just up, up, up. Steel costs, just every day they’re they’re going up. And there hasn’t yet been because the wage stuff follows. The UAW writes a three-year contract, we got a three-year contract, but if you’re buying steel at General motors or someplace, you’re paying more every day. So it’s an economy really, it’s red hot. And we weren’t expecting it.
When asked in the Q & A his thoughts on the worry of “more inflation or that we will have a pretty dramatic fiscal monetary collision,” Buffett diplomatically answered, “we don’t know.”


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RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond's Black Restaurant Experience is connecting people with delicious food all while supporting local businesses and the community.
"We want to see the small businesses last for hundreds of years," Shemicia Bowen, one of the organizers of the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, said.
Restaurants across the country are still rebounding financially from the ongoing pandemic.
"In many cases, restaurants and food truck operators have operated in months since 2020," Bowen said.
Bowen said the event is helping small establishments keep their lights on and pay their employees.
Over the six-year history, she said participating establishments have generated over $3 million and counting during the week-long event.
.@CandaceBurnsTV is at #SouthernKitchenRVA where the @rbrexperience is underway! Hear from organizer @likethefruit about why this week is so important to #RVADine. pic.twitter.com/KTrVgZQA73— WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) March 9, 2022
"When you're trying something new, you are literally impacting the 10 to 12 people that work here," Bowen said.
Community organizations outside the restaurant industry are also benefiting from the event.
"Over the past six years, we have selected a nonprofit every year and that nonprofit becomes the beneficiary of all these cool experiences that we've done. The past three years, we've selected the League of Greater Richmond, young professionals. We've been able to award them $5,000. Every year," Bowen said.
Business is also picking up at Brewer's Cafe in South Richmond. Owner Ajay Brewer has participated in the Black Restaurant Experience every year since it first began.
"This gives me a lot of pride to be able to put our culture on Front Street and invited people into how we do things a little bit," Brewer said.
He and his wife Joy have been preparing for the influx of new customers for months.
"Since January 1, we've been putting fliers together and working on our marketing strategy and promoting other restaurants, encouraging people to participate," Brewer said.
Wow! Shane is super excited for the @rbrexperience! She tells @CandaceBurnsTV all about it. #RVADine #RVA pic.twitter.com/Kui5VjP3Gd— WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) March 9, 2022
Brewer said the extra work is worth the benefits.
"Financially, this kicks off the year. It's huge. It's probably a 50% to 100% increase," Brewer said.
They are also excited to expand their customer base.
"It's an opportunity for new eyes to be on me to impress them, to show them what we got, to get lifelong customers," Brewer said.
Organizers say connecting foodies with local establishments to promote economic diversity is what the Black Restaurant Experience is all about.
"We need the community to understand that they're eating their way back to success and eating their way to prosperity," Bowen said.


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Sweet Potato Convention to generate $1.6M in the Port City
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The 56th National Sweet Potato Convention kicked off in the Port City Sunday. It is the first big event at the Wilmington Convention Center since a hotel opened next door.
“It’s a great location as far as walking to restaurants and different attractions,” attended convention, Bethany Barnes said.
It is the first time Wilmington has hosted the National Sweet Potato Convention.
“North Carolina is the largest state producer of sweet potatoes, so it’s very important for North Carolina’s economy and the growers here as well,” Barnes said.
The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority President Kim Hufham said the event is bringing in an estimated $1.6 million to the area.
With more than 600 people attending the event, it is the largest Sweet Potato Convention to date.
“Well number one it tells you what a great destination we are, and that’s something that we’ve seen a pattern for,” Hufham said. “A lot of conventions that when they have them here for the first time that their numbers are larger than they’ve had in the past. So we’re very proud of that.”
The convention is the first event to use the new hotel, Embassy Suites.
“Well it’s a great kickoff because as you said Embassy Suites opened just a few weeks ago and it’s our newest meeting hotel so we’re really proud of it,” Hufham said. “And also the product that it brings to our downtown convention district. Of course people are staying there, they’re staying at the Hilton and they’re also not only utilizing the convention center which is great they’re also using the meeting space in both of the hotels as well.”
It is an addition organizers were surprised and happy about.
“It helped because having the hotel right here connected to the convention center and the Hilton, and you have so many other great hotels in town as well,” NC Sweet Potato Commission Director, Kelly Mciver said. “But it’s something that eliminates a lot of stress in trying to move people back and forth, so it’s just been, it’s just been great.”
As for the money the convention generates, it will be spread across the area.
“You know, of course a portion of it would be the room occupancy tax it helps fund tourism, it helps fund beach renourishment, it helps fund the convention center. But also you’re looking at the money going into our restaurants, into our hotels, into shopping, into our gas stations, and all the other many areas that when a tourist or a convention attendee is in town that they use here locally,” Hufham said.
The National Sweet Potato Convention ends Tuesday.
Mciver said with all the positive reviews they have received so far, they plan to put Wilmington on the list of places to host the convention in the future.
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For the seventh-straight year, Ducati has set another yearly sales record. Ducati delivered 55,451 motorcycles to customers worldwide in 2016, which was the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer’s 90th anniversary. Sales were up 1.2% over the previous record set in 2015.The USA was Ducati’s largest market, Americans buying 8,787 motorcycles. Ducati didn’t release exact numbers, but said the European markets also showed positive growth: Italy (+20%), Spain (+38%), and Germany (+8%). The 2016 Ducati sales were also positive in other markets: China doubled it’s year-on-year sales (+120%); Brazil was up 36%, and Argentina 219%.
“Ending the year of our 90th anniversary with yet another record is a source of immense pride and satisfaction,” says Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding. “2016 was the seventh consecutive growth year for Ducati, clearly confirming the soundness of the Bologna-based group’s strategy and skills.”The Ducati Multistrada family grew in 2016 with the addition of the MST Enduro, and Multistrada sales were up 16% over 2015. Ducati says, the new Hypermotard 939 lineup was up 15%, and the new XDiavel sold well; sales topped 5,200 for Ducati’s cruiser.The Ducati Scrambler—a brand within itself—sold extremely well worldwide with 15,500 bikes delivered. The lineup extended in 2016, featuring the all-new entry-level Scrambler Sixty2.“In addition to a new sales record, 2016 saw consolidation of the considerable increase in volumes achieved in 2015, thanks also to the introduction of the Scrambler brand. This growth demonstrates the strength of both range and brand and, above all, the solid performance of the global sales network,” says Andrea Buzzoni, Global Sales and Marketing Director of Ducati Motor Holding.Ducati says it’s looking to the future “with even greater confidence and optimism” due to releasing seven new models for 2017: the revised Monster 1200, Monster 797, Multistrada 950, SuperSport, 1299 Superleggera, Cafe Racer and Desert Sled.Ducati says it currently has 1,594 employees, a network of 783 sales and assistance centers and is present in 90 countries.
Zero Electric ADV Bike + Al and Bridget from Throw Your Leg Over
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello everyone and welcome to Motos and Friends, a weekly Podcast brought to you by the editorial team at Ultimate Motorcycling. My name is Arthur Coldwells.
Electric mobility is everywhere nowadays. Whether it’s a car, a truck, an assisted bicycle, a scooter, or any number of new innovations, the electric revolution is certainly here. In this week’s first segment, Nic de Sena took a ride on Zero’s recently announced new Adventure bike—the Zero DSR-X. There’s been a lot of hype about this new arrival on the ADV scene, and of course the questions are many. Nic talks to me about whether Zero actually have a credible, alternative energy ADV bike—or if the machine is just simply an empty promise.
In our second segment, I chat with Al and Bridget from ‘Throw Your Leg Over’. They took time out to record this episode from somewhere in the middle of Romania, of all places.
These interesting Aussies have traveled—and painstakingly documented—the thousands of miles they’ve covered riding the best roads and sights through Australia, Tasmania, Europe, eastern Europe, and Scandinavia, among other places.


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MAIT, the apex body representing India's IT hardware, training and R&D services sectors, today announced the findings of its Industry Performance Review for fiscal 2008-09.
The total PC sales between April 2008 and March 2009, with desktop computers, notebooks and netbooks taken together, were 6.79 million (67.9 lakh) units, registering a decline of seven per cent over the previous year. IT consumption in 2008-09 was severely impacted, especially in the second-half of the fiscal year, by the slowdown in the Indian economy.
Impact on consumption of notebooks was most pronounced as growth plummeted to a negative seventeen percent compared to a high of one-hundred-and-fourteen percent in the previous year. Sales of desktops declined four percent.
The October-November-December quarter was the most adversely impacted, subsequent to which growth in PC consumption started to show signs of revival. With business sentiment gradually gaining momentum, PC consumption in fiscal 2009-10 is expected to cross 7.3 million units, registering a seventeen percent growth.
Commenting on the findings of the study, MAIT Executive Director, Vinnie Mehta said: "Consumer sentiment was subdued due to uncertainty in the economy in 2008-09 which impacted the consumption of IT in the country.
A silver lining in the second-half of 2008-09 was the emergence of a new product category, the net book that took the fancy of the consumers. This new form-factor appeared to be better insulated from the prevailing market sentiments."
Although the sales growth in both the enterprises and the households headed southwards, the overall consumption in the PC market was led by telecom, banking and financial service sectors, education and the e-governance initiatives of the Union and the state governments.
Verticals such as BPO/IT-enabled services, manufacturing, retail and households, which traditionally account for significant proportion of the IT market, were very conservative in their IT spends in 2008-09. Sales of desktop clocked 5.27 million (52.7 lakh units) declining 4 percent, and that of Notebooks, with netbooks taken together, another 1.51 million (15.1 lakh) units with a degrowth of 7 percent. Consumption of netbooks exceeded 70 thousand units in fiscal 2008-09.
Western India followed by the South, led PC consumption accounting for thirty-seven per cent and twenty-three per cent of the market respectively. Sales in the West grew by twelve per cent over 2007-08, while in South it declined twenty-two percent.
PC consumption in the East increased by eighteen per cent accounting for twenty-two per cent of the market, a reflection of IT activities gaining ground in the region. The Northern states witnessed a decline of thirty-four per cent in PC sales, they accounted for eighteen per cent of the market.
Unlike the trends in the previous years, where sales in the second half of the year have been significantly higher than those in the first-half, 2008-09 witnessed a rather subdued second-half as delineated below.
Some of the salient findings of the MAIT Industry Performance Review 2008-09:
The Desktops Market:
Organised vs. unorganised segments: Multinational brands accounted for fifty-one per cent of the total desktop market in 2008-09, registering a growth of eight per cent over the forty-five per cent share last year. The proportion of Indian brands fell from twenty-two percent to eighteen percent, registering a decline of twenty two per cent. Assembled desktops and unbranded systems witnessed a de-growth of ten per cent in absolute units accounting for thirty-one per cent, down from thirty-three, of total desktop sales in 2008-09.
- The establishments segment accounted for sixty per cent of the desktop sales, registering a growth of five per cent on a year-on-year basis. Owing to conservative attitude, establishments do not seem to have shifted preference in favour of notebooks. The consumption in small, medium and large enterprises grew by three per cent, seventeen percent and two per cent respectively.
- Household consumption of desktops fell by eighteen per cent, accounting for forty per cent of the total desktop market, with sales crossing 1.78 million (17.8 lakh) units. Within the Households segment, SEC A and SEC B each accounted for thirty-nine percent of the market although consumption in each declined by twenty-six percent and nineteen percent respectively. Sales to SEC C at twenty-two percent market share remained flat.
- Market segmentation by processor sales: Desktop consumption in 2008-09 was dominated by P4 based units, which accounted for fifty-nine per cent of total sales, however, the market was quick to adopt other next generation processors such as Core-duo, Core2duo and Core2quad accounting for two per cent, twenty-two per cent and two per cent of the market respectively. Other processors like the AMD, Cyrix etc. accounted for ten per cent of the market.
- Market segmentation by town-class: Consumption of desktops in towns and cities outside the top four metros has been progressively increasing over the years. In 2008-09, these accounted for more than three-fourth of the total desktops purchased. The top four metros accounted for twenty-five per cent of the total desktop market with a sales growth of five percent.
The Notebooks Market:
- Notebook sales recorded a degrowth of seventeen percent due to decline in consumption in both the establishment and the households with sales declining twenty-seven percent in the establishments and another three percent in the households. The decline in consumption in the second-half of 2008-09 was more pronounced as sales of notebooks fell thirty-five percent compared to the same period last year. Towns and cities outside the top four metros contributed to nearly eighty percent of the notebook sales.
- The establishment segment accounted for forty-nine percent of the notebook consumption, the small and large establishments recorded decline of forty-seven and fifty-three percent respectively in 2008-09 while consumption in medium enterprises grew twenty-seven percent. The SMEs accounted for sixty-eight per cent of the total notebooks consumption in the country.
- The household segment, accounting for fifty-one per cent of the overall notebook sales in the country, registered a decline of three percent in the last fiscal. The SEC A and SEC B households, together, contributed to over ninety per cent of the notebook sales in the household segment. Notebooks have also started to make rapid inroads into the SEC C as well.
The Internet entities:
- The number of active Internet entities increased to 8.6 million (86 lakh) subscriptions by March 2009, while the figure was 7.2 million (72 lakh) units in March 2008. With this, the number of internet users exceeds sixty million. Internet penetration by entities in the top twenty-two cities was forty-seven per cent among businesses and twenty-seven per cent among households. The businesses segment now accounts for twenty-eight per cent of the total active Internet entities and households account for the remaining seventy-two per cent.


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20 May 2014
Business leaders and entrepreneurs in Nottingham are invited to a free event designed to offer top-class advice about pursuing trade opportunities in Germany.
The event, organised by the Invest in Nottingham Club, will take place on Tuesday, June 10 at the Adams Restaurant at New College Nottingham, in the Lace Market.
The Invest in Nottingham Club has been working with the University of Nottingham, UK Trade and Investment, Nottingham City Council and the DNCC to build and strengthen relationships with Germany.
Chief Executive of the Invest in Nottingham Club Simon Gray said the event, held from 5pm to 7pm, will be a perfect way to learn more about entering the German market.
“This event is aimed at anyone who is keen to pursue trade opportunities in Germany, as we are inviting companies who are already experienced in the German market place”.
“Figures show that Germany is the UK’s number one export market in Europe and number two worldwide, accumulating annual sales of more than €2 trillion in goods and services.”
“We are extremely keen to hear from and meet local companies who are interested in looking at Germany as an export opportunity. We are equally keen to speak to companies who are already trading in Germany or are German companies based in Nottingham.”
Simon Gray speaks at a recent Invest in Nottingham Club event.
The event will begin with a drinks reception at 5pm followed by talks on the pursuit of German trade opportunities.
Speakers at the event will include Jens Mullak, Chairman of the Germany Interest Group for Invest in Nottingham Club and Managing Director of INIT Innovations in Transportation Ltd, as well as John Bailey, Managing Director of Fenrix Limited, which he created in 2009 to help CEOs and leadership teams drive growth for their organisations. John and his team have led over 20 strategy assignments for large multinationals across Europe and Asia.
Jens Mullak added:
“There are lots of opportunities for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire businesses in Germany. We are looking at practical ways for businesses to get more involved.”
Places are limited so people are encouraged to book early by emailing:
firstname.lastname@example.org to avoid disappointment by Friday, May 30.


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ORLANDO – Cookouts on the grill with sizzling burgers, steaks and hot dogs, outdoor events featuring plenty of beef products …. Sigh.
What’s a veggie lover to do?
One possibility is to set aside Saturday, Oct. 25, make a trip to Orlando Festival Park, and revel in the largest vegetarian festival in the South – a virtual who’s who of plant-based goodies.
The Central Florida Veg Fest will be celebrating its ninth year on Oct. 25, when it gets held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the park at 2911 E. Robinson St. in downtown Orlando. It’s partly a celebration of vegetarian cooking and meals, partly a fund-raiser to further the cause of a vegetarian lifestyle, and partly educational. Anyone who desires to learn more about the benefits of vegetarian eating, this is the event for you.
“The event,” the organizers note, “provides a diverse cross-section of products and services from over 150 vendors and 100 contributors. All money raised from the event will be used for local veg-related education.”
This festival was founded by Vegetarians of Central Florida, which has 2,000 members and works to encourage and support vegetarians and vegans who call this region home.
“It also invites people who still eat animal products to explore Central Florida’s plentiful vegetarian options,” the group notes. “The goals of Veg Fest are to support all vegetarians and people who are on the road to becoming vegetarians, regardless of their motivation; proactively promote vegetarianism in a non-judgmental way; and help empower people to make positive changes in the way they eat and live.”
What they sponsor, the group insists, is a vegan paradise.
The theme of Veg Fest 2014 is “Planting the Seeds of Health, Sustainability, and Compassion,” and the festival will include speakers who will talk about the vegetarian lifestyle, eco-friendly exhibitors, and food preparation demonstrations.
There will also be games for kids, the opportunity to adopt dogs and cats, and live entertainment. There will be booths offering meals from area restaurants, and community garden tours.
Heather Henson’s IBEX Puppetry, the entertainment company that promotes the art of puppetry in different mediums, will be on hand for different activities and performances.
Children and dogs are welcome at this event, which the organizers say will be smoke-free as well.
Admission is free, and on-site parking is available for $5. A free bike valet will be available next to the community garden.
Contact Freeline Media at email@example.com..


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Northzone, a 20 year veteran of the European VC industry, has closed its 8th fund, capped at €300 million, which it will deploy to “early-stage” startups in the region. Specifically, these will be A, B and C rounds, and although investments will span the whole of Europe, there will be particular focus on key tech hubs, including the Nordics, London, and Berlin.
The VC also says that, despite turbulent times, the fund was oversubscribed and that LPs consist of existing investors in previous funds it manages, as well as new “top tier institutional” investors (e.g. pension funds and large family offices) who wanted in on the Northzone action.
The VC — which currently has around €1 billion under management, making it one of the largest in Europe — says it’s been an impressive year for Northzone with exits including the IPO of Tobii, and the sale of Avito in what it claims was one of the largest venture-backed tech M&A deals in Europe.
Northzone also continues to be pretty active of late. Recent investments include game-based learning app Kahoot, on-demand sales workforce platform Universal Avenue, and auction site Catawiki.
The VC has already made two investments from “Northzone VIII”: Zervant, the Finnish e-invoicing company, and CornerJob, the Barcelona-based mobile-app for blue collar jobs.
Regards the type of sectors Northzone’s new fund is targeting, a spokesperson for the VC told me it is seeing lots of interesting developments in fintech, e-commerce, media and B2B SaaS, and that Northzone is keen on companies that take a mobile-first approach.


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Google, in partnership with Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has launched the ‘Get Dubai Businesses Online’ project today – a programme dedicated to enhancing the online presence of local businesses.
The project, which has been in pilot phase during the last few months – and succeeded expectations by gaining 2,226 businesses verification status on Google – is now live, and plans to drive digital transformation among companies across the emirate.
Speaking at the launch event at Dubai Chamber HQ today, CEO and president of DCCI Hamad Buamim reflected on the changes the city has seen over the past 20 years in the online space.
“Almost 20 years ago, when the idea of an e-government was just beginning in 1999, the level of Internet penetration was below 5 percent worldwide. Here in this region, it was just 1 percent,” he said. “Since then, many things have changed in the Middle East, and we now see a huge level of Internet penetration at the hands of consumers and businesses.”
Google and Dubai Chamber first set up their partnership back in April last year during the 11th World Retail Congress, and have since been working together hosting workshops and discussions around how best to go about enhancing the online presence of local businesses.
“We did a Google search when we first began these discussions, and out of the 200,000 Dubai Chamber members, only 10-15 percent showed as having an online presence,” added Buamim. “I was very shocked by these statistics, and it made me realise that while consumers had developed in this space, businesses had not. And while our aspirations for this project are way beyond where we stand today, I believe the need to ride this e-commerce wave is so important if we are to meet the long-term visions of this country’s leadership.”
Lino Cattaruzzi, managing director for MENA, Google discussed how despite only being in Dubai for just over a year, the passion and talent he has seen in the region makes him believe that Dubai is the perfect platform to grow these businesses.
“Ninety percent of purchases now start online, and having an online presence is now increasingly becoming a core part of a company’s identity – it’s no longer an option,” he said.
Google executives present at the event also demonstrated features of ‘Google My Business’ – a free tool that allows business owners to publish their business listings on Google Search and Maps, while receiving customer insights and having the opportunity to create free and instant mobile-friendly websites.


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What: 2018 Hobby Solutions Amazing Action Figures: Star Wars Series 1
Arrives: Feb. 16
Box basics: One AFA graded Star Wars figure per box
Order: Click here
What’s buzz-worthy: Repacks aren’t just for cards as this release takes one of the most-iconic toy lines and offers collectors a shot at graded figures from the past.
Keep reading for more.
Simplicity, portability, affordability and the chase.
This collector found himself in the toy aisle of a chain store this week and noticed something relatively new that hadn’t caught my attention before. At a glance I was interested and instantly found myself scouring the pegs for something that ended up not being there.
It was a section of Jada Toys‘ new Nano Metalfigs that are available for a few different realms — DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Disney/Pixar, Street Fighter, Harry Potter — and they’re tiny metal sculptures that come in packages just like the big kids’ toys but they don’t come with a big price.
They’ve probably been around for some collectible genres I don’t watch all that closely, but the first wave of the new WWE figures caught my eye simply because they were so small … and so cheap.
The Bombshells are coming to a toy aisle near you.
Funko is readying a series of eight World War II pinup-style takes on iconic DC Comics characters that we have seen elsewhere but now they will be found as Pop! toys.
Collectively, they’re known as the the DC Bombshells.
The memorable characters from Street Fighter II are greeting another cult icon of the 1980s, M.U.S.C.L.E. toys.
The first wave includes four three-packs of figures with Ryu, M. Bison, Vega, Ken, Dhalsim, Balrog, Blanka, Guile, Sagat, Chun-Li, Zangief and E. Honda.
These toys, which are available from Super7, aren’t the lone new M.U.S.C.L.E. creations available, either.
New information has come to light, man.
Fans of The Big Lebowski and other Hollywood creations from the big and small screens may have an extra reason to visit the toy aisle or thanks to GreenLight Collectibles and its Hollywood line that has been bringing vehicles from the reel world to us all.
Ok … these specialty toys aren’t exactly new — they’ve been going since roughly 2011 — but there have been as many as 15 series so far and Walter Sobchak’s van was among them and that’s enough that Buzz needed to take a look.
And we’ve found plenty more cool stuff.
A pair of pop culture classics are getting the Funko Pop! treatment.
A total of 15 figures for cartoon icons from Scooby-Doo and video game legends of Street Fighter are on the way soon from the Lynnwood, Wash.-based company.
Quentin Tarantino‘s latest film, The Hateful Eight, may rank near the bottom of the legendary director’s box-office totals, but the cast of eight memorable characters in the violent and frigid Western film just might be heating things up soon.
Where? In the collectibles realm.
A few famous faces from television and movies are getting the Funko Pop! treatment and are on their way to stores next month.
Characters from Friends, The Hateful Eight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and a new dose of Star Wars toys are all on their way from the Everett, Wash.-based company.
Fans of Funko Pop! figures may not see a change in their seemingly always-arriving collectibles, but there was a change in ownership for the Everett, Wash.-based company that makes them earlier this month.
Funko, which was founded in 1998, was acquired by ACON Investments for an undisclosed sum. Its CEO, Brian Mariotti, and management team will continue to lead operations.
“We are excited to be partnering with Brian and the entire Funko team,” said Ken Brotman, Founding Partner of ACON, in a prepared statement. “Funko has established itself as a fore-runner in the pop culture space and we look forward to building value in a business that is very well positioned for continued growth.”


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South Florida Business Journal: Apartments near Miami International Airport sell for $13M
Brian BandellJul 20, 2020, 6:20am EDT A pair of apartment buildings just east of Miami International Airport sold for $13.19 million. MIA Airport Villas, managed by Jesper Arnoldsson, and G3 Investment Trust, headed by Stephen Gans, sold the 90 apartments at 4325 and 4335 N.W. South Tamiami Canal Drive. The buyer was Biscayne Plaza II […]
THE REAL DEAL: Javier Cervera buys apartment complex near Miami International Airport
The owner of Cervera Real Estate Ventures acquired two apartment buildings near Miami International Airport for $13.2 million, with plans to redevelop the site for a future development project. Javier Cervera Jr. purchased the two-building, 90-unit complex known as Airport Villas at 4325 to 4335 Northwest South Tamiami Canal Drive for $147,000 per unit, according to a […]
We are sad to announce the passing of Javier Cervera Sr.
We are sad to announce the passing of Javier Cervera Sr. “The love, support and encouragement my father always gave me provided me with the confidence in life to believe in myself and thus start Cervera RE Ventures and make it the successful enterprise it is today. Thanks Dad, I’ll always know your watching over […]
Cervera RE Ventures donates a thousand mask to healthcare workers
Cervera RE Ventures donates a thousand mask to healthcare workers on the frontlines of the Covid 19 emergency. Giving back to our community in times of need. We greatly appreciate the efforts made by those putting themselves at risk to care for us.
South Florida’s largest retail sales deals in June
By Keith Larsen | Research by Laura Hanrahan July 24, 2018 12:30PM With experts predicting a “retail apocalypse”, South Florida has remained a lone exception. In June, the top retail deals included three traditional shopping centers, a building in South Beach, and the sale of the Metro Mall building in downtown Miami’s jewelry […]
Cervera Real Estate Ventures buys Hialeah shopping center
Cervera Real Estate Ventures buys Hialeah shopping center, plans renovations Seller originally planned to convert property into a medical center By Amanda Rabines | July 10, 2018 10:30AM Cervera R.E. Ventures is entering Hialeah’s hot commercial market. The company just paid $11.3 million for a shopping center at 3800 West 12th Avenue, with plans to reposition and renovate […]
Cervera Real Estate Ventures Acquires New Shopping Center in Booming Broward
Cervera Real Estate Ventures acquires new shopping center and Burger King out-parcel for $4 million on West Commerical Blvd. in Broward with big plans to buy more property and drive market value in the area. FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (PRWEB) APRIL 20, 2017 Javier Cervera, owner of Cervera Real Estate Ventures (Cervera REV) and a […]


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Exxon Mobil Reaps Record Profits
DEBBIE ELLIOTT, host:
In a week when the Congress was debating raising the minimum wage by a couple of bucks to $7.25 an hour, it may have been hard to wrap your brain around this figure, $4.5 million an hour. That's how much Exxon Mobil made last year when it topped its own record for the biggest annual profit for a U.S. company. NPR's Scott Horsely often soars into the financial stratosphere for his reporting. So we've invited him in to talk about Exxon and other corporate developments over the past weeks. Scott, hello.
SCOTT HORSLEY: Great to be with you, Debbie.
ELLIOTT: So Exxon wasn't only the oil company to rake in big profits in this year of record-high oil prices, but $4.5 million an hour? How do you make that kind of money?
HORSLEY: Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? You're right. Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Royal Dutch Shell, they all earned record profits in 2006. But Exxon's the biggest of the oil majors and it had the biggest profits of all, $39.5 billion for the year. Exxon was really clicking on all cylinders in 2006 and the fuel driving their engine was crude oil. You'll remember that last summer, crude oil hit $77 a barrel and Exxon has a lot of barrels of oil to sell. Since last summer, by the way, crude oil prices have fallen back a bit into the high 50s. They briefly dipped below $50 a barrel last month. And if you look closely at the profits of Exxon and the other majors, they were down a bit. Don't cry for Exxon, though. A down quarter for them meant they only earned $10.25 billion.
ELLIOTT: So there's likely to be some political fallout from these figures.
HORSLEY: Oh, you bet. Just as sure as a cold snap dries up the price of heating oil, when you see big profits like this in the headlines, you know lawmakers in Washington are gonna raised the temperature. This past week we heard Massachusetts Congressman Ed Markey calling the profits outlandish. House lawmakers voted in January to raise taxes on oil companies. One thing you are not hearing lawmakers talk about is a tax on gasoline, even though, most economist say, that would help curb our appetite for gas, and that appetite is ultimately what's driving these big profits.
I think you will see Exxon lobbying against greenhouse gases before you'll see lawmakers in Washington pass a tax on gasoline. But in the meantime, consumers could do effectively the same thing by simply driving less or, when it comes time to buying your next car, think about getting a car with better gas mileage.
ELLIOTT: You know, car buyers have been showing more interest in fuel efficiency and even alternative cars. Is this the reason that there was more bad news this past week for Ford?
HORSLEY: Well, yeah, Ford and other automakers came out with their sales figures on Thursday. And Ford sales were down in January 19 percent. That dropped the company into fourth place, trailing not only GM, but also Toyota and Daimler-Chrysler. Light truck sales, which include SUVs, were down by about 10 percent at Ford. And sales of the company's S-series pickups were down by 15 percent. That's partly because those big trucks don't get great gas mileage. Ford also blames a slowdown in new home construction, a reminder that some of the folks who buy pickup trucks actually use them for, you know, picking up things like plywood and sheet rock and construction materials.
ELLIOTT: NPR's Scott Horsley, thanks for updating us on this week's business news.
HORSLEY: Debbie, one other story that's - I'd like to mention, since this is Super Bowl Sunday. For the first time in nearly a century, California has opened its market to avocados from Mexico. We grow a lot of avocados here in Southern California and the local growers fought hard back in the 1990s to keep competing Mexican fruit out of the U.S. guacamole bowl. But over the last decade, the Mexican fruit made inroads in the U.S. market, and last Thursday it was allowed for the first time here in California. And this comes at a good time for consumers because a chunk of our California crop was wiped out last month by that freeze. At the same time, though, the consumers who were hoping for much cheaper avocados are bound to be disappointed. Mexican growers have been careful not to flood the market. So the dip this weekend at the Super Bowl party did not come with a dip in prices.
ELLIOTT: Making it easy for you there, Scott. Thanks so much. Enjoy the game.
HORSLEY: Thank you. Good to be with you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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Following trade negotiations between Ghana and Mexico to begin in tomatoes and tequila, GIHOC Ghana Limited has also joined the bandwagon.
The trade negotiations, which is being facilitated by Ghana International Trade and Finance conference (GITFIC) would empower GIHOC to export their products to Mexico and also import some goods and raw materials for their products from Mexico.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday, Mr Selasi Koffi Ackom, Chief Executive Officer of GITFIC said a delegation from his outfit and the Mexican Mission in Ghana met the entire Management of GIHOC, where they had a factory tour after a fruitful discussion.
He said as part of their arrangements, GIHOC, which is and the oldest and largest Alcoholic Beverage in West Africa would be exporting to the Mexican Market and also be buying from the Mexican Market to Ghana.
He said GIHOC, the new owner and operator of the Aboso Glass Factory Industrialization would also begin the production next year.
Mr Ackom said beginning the glass factory would mean that they would no more import glass products for their bottling and packaging.
He gave the assurance that the National Investment Bank and the Bank of Africa had given their commitment to Trade-Finance the venture.
Mr Ackom said the visit and negotiations that were led by his outfit with the Mexican Ambassador to Ghana and his Deputy Head of Mission was to leverage on trade relations between the two countries.
He said though there had been trade relations between them in the past, current negotiations could catapult them to higher levels in succeeding years.


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According to Facebook, the acceleration of White Genocide has arrived! On Tuesday, January 12th, The Blaze ran this headline, “Facebook permanently bans retailer PatrioticMe from advertising pro-America products.”
The company told business owner LeeAnn Miller that her products violate its community standards. Facebook would not say which ones.
LeeAnn Miller would like an explanation from Facebook after the ad account for her business was disabled by the tech giant seemingly for no other reason than being patriotic.
Miller, 50, is a wife, mother, and a business owner. In 2019, when her youngest son, Hollis, started college, she decided that after spending many wonderful years as a stay-at-home mom raising children, she would like to get back to work and help contribute to the financial stability of her family. That year, Miller had an idea. Holding the conviction that there is no better place on Earth than the United States, and desiring to give back to her country, she founded PatrioticMe, an online retailer that sells various clothing items.
Thomas Robb, the National Director of the Knights Party, based in Harrison Arkansas said, “This is a direct attack on White America, it’s culture, it’s history, and it’s proud White citizens. This is what happens in a multicultural country, and why it’s destoyed every country that has tried it. America was founded by, and intended to remain a White, Christian country. We as proud Christian White people are being pushed out of our own country. If we don’t soon say enough, we as Whites will lose our God given land.”


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Bill expected to see a vote later this year
Would boost top tax credit to $12,500, but with some catches
A U.S. Senate bill that would boost the tax credit for electric vehicles to $12,500 has made it out of the senate finance committee. That could be big news for EV buyers, but a new analysis of the bill shows that even if the bill makes it into law, for many EV buyers the credits may be smaller than expected.
Called the Clean Energy for America Act, it covers a wide range of energy issues, but the big news is the EV and PHEV credits that could boost the total amounts to as much as $12,500.
But, as Forbes reports, not every buyer, nor every vehicle, will receive the maximum benefit. Some buyers could end up with no credit at all as the new bill would introduce a price cap for the first time.
The cap, says the report, would cut off any EVs with an MSRP of more than $80,000. That’s Tesla Model S and X, many electric Audis, Jaguars, Porsches, and some GMC Hummer and Ford F-150 Lightning models.
Most EVs, the report said, would qualify only for a base $7,500 credit, the same one offered today. The first increase, an extra $2,500, would apply only to qualified vehicles built in the U.S. The second increase of $2,500 would apply only to those built in the U.S. with union labor.
The former would exclude the Ford Mustang Mach-E from the extra credits, the latter would exclude Nissan, Tesla, and other automakers planning to build EVs in the US including Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz.
Other limits would include a tax credit cap of no more than 30 percent of the total MSRP. The bill would remove the 200,000 total EV sales per automaker cap, which has seen GM and Tesla vehicles lose their credit eligibility.
A vote on the bill isn’t expected until later this year. That means that much could change, and in a tight senate there’s no guarantee of it passing at all.


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STG Aerospace will supply its SafTGlo ColorMatch photoluminescent floorpath marking systems for Singapore Airlines' Scoot low-cost carrier. Under terms of the agreement, STG Aerospace will equip four Boeing 777-200s, with options to fit the product on all future aircraft.
SafTGlo stores and simultaneously emits light, giving highly visible emergency exit guidance for up to 16 hours in darkness. SafTGlo needs virtually no maintenance unlike traditional electrical systems, saving airlines valuable time and money while offering a reliable, essential safety system, according to the company.
“We’re delighted to welcome Scoot as a new customer. Through-life cost-savings with fast payback are vital to low-cost airlines; we believe that Scoot has recognised all the benefits that SafTGlo can offer in both the short and long term,” said Richard Moore, chief executive of STG Aerospace.
Launched in November 2011 and commencing operations in June 2012, the no-frills carrier will offer medium and long haul flights from Singapore Changi Airport.


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Renowned city socialite, tycoon and philanthropist Jack Pemba on Thursday evening (16rh November 2017) handed over Shs 100 million in cash to Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards (ASFAs) organizer Brian Ahumuza as part of his sponsorship package for this year’s edition of the annual awards.
The handover took place at a special media Ciroc Cocktail party held at the Kampala Serena Hotel – Victoria Gallery.
Jack Pemba, the CEO and President of Pemba Sports Africa is the latest to join the list as a premium sponsor.
While speaking at the occasion, Pemba revealed that his partnership with the ASFAs will run for the next five years.
“I have always supported local talent. My company Pemba Sports Africa has supported sports, entertainment, musical awards and several charities. Bu none of my recent ventures is as exciting as partnering with the ASFAs. The awards have continued to put Uganda on the international map, a thing many other sectors have failed. That is why I am excited to announce that I have invested 100 million in the organization of the ASFAs. And that is just to start the relationship. I would also like to take this opportunity to announce that my clothing/fashion line, SKP is what we will be fronting at the forthcoming Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards. Which, in a way is me announcing that I have joined the fashion industry and the ASFAs are my first big platform,” Jack Pemba told the press.
He then handed over the money in cash amidst cheers and numerous camera flashes.
Brian Ahumuza alias Abryanz, then expressed his gratitude towards Pemba Sports Africa.
“First of all we are excited that Pemba is sponsoring the awards. As usual, we strive to be better every year. And if in this strife, someone offers a helping hand, it says a lot about our work. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Jack Pemba for sponsoring the awards. But not only that, to commend him for being the only tycoon that puts his money in the right places. He is always supporting Ugandan talent in all his investments,” relayed Ahumuza.
Pemba Sports Africa’s sponsorship will introduce and front 3 fashion entities at the forth coming Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards; The SKP (Sheba Kasami Pemba) Fashion Line, Saimacuts Saloon and Sumi’s Fashion Botique. The SKP fashion label is owned and run by Jack Pemba’s wife, Sheba Kasami. She has carved herself a reputation among the highbrow families of the country for dressing high profile personalities like Mama mbire, Hon Justine Kasule Lumumba, Mrs Bamwanga (Prime Minister ruhakana Rugunda’s wife) among others.


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Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, has introduced a bill that would require many video games to be packaged with a warning label similar to the government-mandated notices that try to convince smokers to abandon their habits.
Baca's bill, opposed by an industry trade group, would mandate the following message be printed on video game packages: "WARNING: Exposure to violent video games has been linked to aggressive behavior."
"It's time for the government to step up, to make sure parents are given accurate information
Baca specifically mentioned the "Grand Theft Auto" series, in which "children assume the identity of murderers, rapists, car-jackers, drug dealers, and others, as an example of the kind of game parents should be warned about."
Grand Theft Auto, published by Rockstar Games, is among the gaming industry's most popular titles and contains several depictions of graphic violence. The game's fans would say the series is a dark satire of modern society meant for adults - as opposed to being a murder fantasy - but the series has long been one of the most controversial properties in any entertainment medium.
Under the gaming industry's existing rating system, a title like "Grand Theft Auto" would be rated "M for Mature," meaning it is not intended for players under the age of 17. The game's packaging would also alert buyers to its explicit content.
Baca's bill would mandate warning levels for games like those in the "Grand Theft Auto" series as well as titles rated "E for Everyone" or "T for Teen." That would mean titles like EA Games' "Madden NFL" or Nintendo's "Mario Kart" franchise would have warning labels. Respectively, those series depict about as much roughness as a real-life football game or a Looney Tunes cartoon.
The question of whether the government should regulate explicit entertainment, and if it should, to what extent, predates the invention of video games in American society. Games can seem to receive more scrutiny than other media, however, because of the common perception that they are targeted to children even though many Americans who grew up with games during the 1980s and 1990s have continued to play them into adulthood.
Baca indicated that he chose to reintroduce the warning label bill because of society's increased attention to bullying in schools.
"I specifically wanted this new bill to include a
The Entertainment Software Association, a trade group representing the video games industry, said in response to Baca's bill that there is no need for a warning label given the existence of a ratings system for games. Both Baca and the trade group claimed that science is on their side when it comes to the question of whether games influence aggressive behavior.
"Numerous medical experts, Baca research authorities, and courts across the country, including the United States Supreme Court, exhaustively reviewed the research Representative Baca uses to base his bill and found it lacking and unpersuasive," ESA spokesman Dan Hewitt wrote in an email.
"Independent scientific researchers found no causal connection between video games and real life violence," Hewitt continued.
Baca's new bill, H.R. 4204, is not the first time the inland representative has pursued legislation that targets video games. In 2002, Baca introduced a bill that would have created a federal prohibition against the sale of violent video games to minors and has also supported previous attempts to place warning labels on games.
Although Baca's attempt to formally ban sales of violent games to minors did not become federal law, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a similar law in 2005.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the state law in January 2011 on free speech grounds. Baca contends that a warning label avoids the kind of First Amendment issues that can stem from banning a form of entertainment.
"By adding a warning label to the packaging of video games, we aren't preventing the sale of anything," Baca stated. "But it does give us a new way to approach the issue and to find solutions that keep consumers better informed."
Many stores will not sell M-rated games to children unless a parent is present. It's common knowledge among gamers, however, that players under the age of 17 frequently play M-rated games such as the "Call of Duty" franchise. "Call of Duty" games are first-person shooters in which the action is presented from the point of view of a soldier.
The franchise's most popular feature is its multiplayer content, in which players fight in mock battles over Internet connections. In November of last year, "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" set a record for reaching $1 billion in sales in less time than any other entertainment property.
The game reached $1 billion in sales after being on the market for only 16 days, beating ticket sales for James Cameron's film "Avatar" by one day.
In all of 2010, consumers spent more than $25 billion on games and accessories, according to the ESA.
909-386-3872, 909-483-8550, @InlandBizz


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- Google is going after big brand advertisers by offering private exchanges with top tier publications.
- The programmatic model — which has been popular with direct-response advertisers — hasn't caught on with brand advertisers.
- These private exchanges match up big brands — like Cadillac, Burberry, and Disney — with major publishers like The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Time Inc.
What Google has developed with private exchanges could be one solution to the hesitation of many brands to buy programmatically. It offers some of the convenience of programmatic with more control over where and when ad creative will appear.


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Thomas G. Faria Corporation (established in 1956), a world leader in the design and manufacturing of analog and digital engine monitoring instrumentation to a wide range of global markets, announces the acquisition of Beede Instruments.
Beede, established in 1917, is one of the oldest U.S. gauge manufacturers and has built a strong reputation for quality and customer service working with customers like the Ford Motor Company and a broad range of other industrial OEMs.
Faria and Beede are two of the few remaining vertically integrated ISO9001 U.S. manufacturers of NMEA 2000, J1939, and SmartCraft instrumentation operating in the world’s most rugged marine, military, and industrial market segments.
David Hickey, President & CEO of Faria Corporation states, “The combined and complementary strengths of the two organizations strengthen both companies for strategic growth, while continuing to provide the unprecedented service and quality that our customers have come to expect.
"With Beede operations in New Hampshire and Faria in Connecticut, our two companies are conveniently located to share resources; while our combined product offerings and innovative new technologies will provide customers with a complete engine monitoring package, including controls and telematics.”
Walter Pelletier, Chairman & CEO of Beede Instruments, remarks, “Our two companies have grown up together over the last 50 years and as I look forward to retirement, I cannot think of a better future for keeping the Beede legacy alive.”
The two divisions will continue operate under the well-respected Beede and Faria brands and logos.


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By Saana Taussi
’Fast-fashion’ is a form of clothing production which is based on releasing the highest number of clothing collections each year as possible, at the lowest price possible. This business model became popularised since the 1980s and practically all affordable, mass-producing clothing brands, such as H&M, Zara, Primark, Adidas and Shein work with this logic.
The ‘more with less’ premise has naturally resulted in all garment labour being outsourced into countries and areas with lower wages, less legislation to protect workers, and less unions, enforcing human rights violations. An atrocious level of exploitation is enabled within this globalised industry. The Fashion Transparency Index published by Fashion Revolution reveals that although some of the 250 biggest fast fashion companies publish policies about forced labour, child labour and living wage requirements, they have no explanation for how these policies are implemented.
More recently, Adidas workers in El Salvador reported being locked into factories and forced to work up to 25-hour workdays, while forced labour has been found in Tesco clothing production. The exploitation and violation that the industry enforces was most infamously seen in the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse, where 1134 workers died. Workers had warned for days that the building was unsound but the management ordered garment workers to their usual posts inside, threatening their jobs and pay if they refused. . Rescuers dug through the rubble for brand labels to identify which brands were tied to the case, as there was no official information available.
The shaping of the industry in this direction is a result of the nature of capitalism. Capitalism needs infinite growth no matter the price to people and the planet. The requirement for infinite growth is especially irrational when it comes to clothes, as there are only so many clothes one can wear at a given time. A culture of overconsumption has been created to ignore this fact, which is reflected in the fact that we own 60% more clothes than we did 15 years ago, but with half a life span for the clothes.
The international division between the producers and consumers results in a market where us in the ‘west’ over-consume products that are often made in the neo-colonial world. In order to satisfy this lust for profit, capitalism turns to the hyper-exploitation of workers, particularly women workers in the neo-colonial world.
What makes the industry more devious is that fashion brands exploit any positive opposition to sexism, racism and oppression that young people have. For example, in the past years several brands have made clothes featuring feminist and anti-racist slogans. In reality, those clothes are being made mostly by women of colour earning less than a living wage in hazardous conditions, while the brands reap the benefits of virtue-signalling.
Instead of attempting to purchase statement clothing items, we need to challenge the international web of exploitation capitalism enforces. We cannot control what we do not own. So long as the Fashion industry and others like it are controlled by the billionaires they will seek to maximise their profit margins no matter the human or environmental cost. To ever have ‘ethical’ consumption we need to organise to consciously overthrow capitalism and take the fashion industry into public hands. We must remove the profit motive from fashion and plan the production of clothes to meet the needs of the world’s population and planet. Doing so would allow us to build a world where all people have a right to a living-wage and freedom from all exploitation.


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Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia to use local currency in trade
The banks said this move will also support more use of local currencies in the Asian Economic Community enabling more economic integration and will help improve the foreign exchange and money markets in the region, the reports revealed.
Previously, similar agreements were made between Egypt and China, Iran and Russia as well as Turkey and China to improve their bilateral trade and economies.
More free plastics newsPlastic resin (PP, LDPE, LLDPE ,HDPE, PVC, GPS; HIPS, PET, ABS) prices, polymer market trends, and more...
- Freight rates snap rally, Red Sea crisis keeps decreases in check
- Worsening dollar shortage pushes Egypt’s local PP, PE prices to never-before-seen highs
- Stats: US PE exports hit a renewed record in 2023, sales to China boom
- Türkiye’s PP market continues to grapple with tight supply, prices at multi-month highs
- Margin expansion targets push Italy’s PE film markets to multi-month highs
- LDPE prices rise faster than other PP, PE products in India’s bullish market
- Headwinds await China’s PP, PE markets post-holiday period
- Türkiye’s 2023 imports set a new record at 6.3 million tons; PE, PVC and ABS shine out
- Modest supply sends PVC prices to almost 5-month highs in Türkiye
- PP markets in Italy and West Europe edgy as supplies shrink, costs rise


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ESOMAR published the 2021 Global Market Research report. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive reports on the size and characteristics of the insights industry.
Highlighs from the report are:
- With an absolute growth of around 2%, the insights industry proved to be key to navigate the pandemic in 2020. But not all regions managed to show growth.
- The challenges of 2020 pushed insights companies to innovate. This resulted in a global spike of technology-enabled methods.
- The pandemic hit particularly hard the most established market research companies with a growth of -3%, while the technology-enabled ones grew 10%.
- The difficulty to carry out in-depth interviews and other qualitative research led to a global contraction of qualitative research in 2020 in favour of quantitative ones.
- Research projects became increasingly domestic in 2020, with more than $3 billion being spent in local projects.
- The pandemic made it difficult to perform F2F research. Yet not all countries could to move research online.
The report is available from ESOMAR. Library 2021 – ESOMAR, the global insights community
ESOMAR and mTab Partner to Elevate Insight250
The inaugural Insight250 list was revealed last April featuring leaders, innovators, visionaries and pioneers focused on elevating and enhancing market research, consumer intelligence and data-driven marketing. The inaugural winners came from over three dozen countries across academia, enterprises, agencies, charities and associations. To date, the list had over 20 million impressions. To further elevate the exposure and expand the reach of the Insight250, ESOMAR and mTab (market research technology), announce that they intend to make the Insight250 the global standard and ensuring the awards are diverse, representative, robust and transparent. Nominations for the 2022 Insight250 officially open on October 18, 2021 at insight250.com.
ESOMAR will play a major role in the nomination, selection and announcement processes for the Insight250 honor. These processes will include the participation of ESOMAR representatives, including its country representatives from around the world. In addition, both mTab and ESOMAR hope to include winners or honorees from all existing award categories, to ensure a global representation of the community’s ‘glitterati’.


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The Arcade Crew and developer Hibernian Workshop have announced that Dark Devotion will arrive onto PS4, Switch and PC early 2019 and with this news, they've also released a new trailer for the title
Hibernian Workshop and The Arcade Crew released a new story trailer for Dark Devotion that showcases the game's messed up world.
The Arcade Crew, a new publishing division of DotEmu, and Hibernian Workshop have announced a macabre action RPG, Dark Devotion, for PC and consoles.
Hibernian Workshop has taken its mysterious and gloomy temple exploring roguelike RPG Dark Devotion to Kickstarter seeking funds for development.
Today, developer Hibernian Workshop released some new gameplay footage of metroidvania RPG Dark Devotion.
Today, developer Hibernian Workshop released some new gameplay footage of its metroidvania RPG Dark Devotion.
Yesterday, developer Hibernian Workshop announced that its metroidvania, RPG game Dark Devotion launched onto Steam Greenlight alongside the game's debut trailer.


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In what feels like the most obvious business decision of the century, YouTube now offers free TV shows with ads. This is different from the legally-questionable TV show uploads that have occupied YouTube since its inception—YouTube is actually licensing these shows from networks, just as it licenses movies.
Starting today, YouTube offers around 4,000 legally-licensed episodes of TV shows. Some of the more notable shows include Hell’s Kitchen, Andromeda, and Heartland. The company says it will expand its library of free shows throughout the year, though it hasn’t announced future additions to its service.
These shows are totally free—you don’t need a YouTube TV subscription or anything like that. Just open the YouTube app on your streaming stick or smart TV and navigate to the “Movies and Shows” tab. (You can also stream these free shows on the YouTube website or mobile app, though you have to look them up manually.)
Now, YouTube isn’t doing anything unique here. It’s simply joining the free streaming trend that competitors like Crackle, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel already rely upon. Note that Hell’s Kitchen, Andromeda, and Heartland are already available through some of these rival services.
YouTube claims that it will add 100 new free episodes and movies to its library every week. That sounds like a pretty ambitious goal, though I should point out that most syndicated shows have over 100 episodes.


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April 27, 2022 12:42 pm ET
Regarding your editorial “Cut Tariffs to Help Inflation and Ukraine” (April 18): First, President Trump’s tariffs on China were put in place as a result of a rigorous legal process and are designed to counter serious unfair and predatory practices. The U.S. is being threatened in the economic sphere by a dangerous and increasingly aggressive adversary. Rolling back the tariffs would essentially give the adversary a pass to cheat and cost many Americans their jobs. The China challenge is more important to the long-term prosperity and security of our country than the current inflation.
Second, the notion that these tariffs are inflationary, regardless of the economic benefit from challenging Chinese behavior, is questionable at best. The tariffs were in place for two years during the Trump administration and there was no significant inflation. I know that economists have their concocted models but that is the reality.
There are other economists who have studied the tariffs and concluded the opposite of the one cited in the editorial. They have found the tariffs are not a significant cause of this problem. Inflation today is highest in the fuel, food, used-cars and some services sectors. None of these is imported from China.
Inflation is a serious problem, but it wasn’t caused by tariffs and it must be fought in the usual ways—monetary policy, fiscal policy, energy policy, etc. Surrendering to China should not be part of the strategy.
Palm Beach, Fla.
Mr. Lighthizer was U.S. trade representative (2017-21).
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