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LAS VEGAS -- We are all now indisputably part of a connected world. Everything we desire — from entertainment to news to instant social interaction — is literally right at our fingertips. This pervasive connectivity is thanks in large part to the rise of mobile ubiquity. A mobile phone is not just a third screen; it is akin to a third hand, indispensably and obsessively attached to our bodies. A July 2016 dscout study showed that the average person touches his or her mobile phone over 2,600 times per day (inclusive of each type, swipe, tap or click).
Depending on the specific demographic and region, people are spending crazy amounts of time across screens looking down versus up — almost half of their time in some countries in Asia. In reality, this screen obsession is really a connection obsession: at all costs, people want to be in the know. This all-consuming desire to be “always on” powers not just what people do, but also how and what they buy.
Those of us in marketing circles are also keenly aware that, beyond people, connectivity now extends to “things.” Devices and appliances from auto to home and more are connecting at a rapid pace. The Internet of Things extends beyond connected home and car — to the sensors and cloud computing that will eventually allow for everything, everywhere to be connected, smart and efficient. Nowhere will this be more evident than here at CES in Las Vegas this week. The IOT and the connectivity it allows will be the backdrop to much of what we see.
With the proliferation of device interconnectivity, we start to see how device interaction will begin to intermediate human interaction. Soon it will be the norm for the alarm clock to wake you up at 6 a.m. and signal the coffee maker to start the coffee. When the coffee runs low, the coffee machine will signal the home assistant to order more, which will be delivered by another machine, perhaps a drone. Every interaction in this process will happen automatically — without a human clicking, calling or tapping on any device. We’re not there yet, but we will be.
The more connected devices are able to service people’s needs, the less “people steps” will be taken, which is particularly interesting for marketers who have grown accustomed to assessing the steps to purchase and how to affect change along the way. We know that the purchase funnel has been obliterated and replaced by the consumer journey. But our new connectivity demands analysis of questions we’ve never had to ask before: “What/who is a consumer? How human does a consumer have to be? Will Amazon’s Alexa become more human as she is fed and learns from human interaction every day?” While AI is still in the early stages and can’t yet fully divine intent, technological advances and machine learning that are evolving daily will lead to blurrier lines between human and device. Amazon’s Echo is already being tapped to help investigate a homicide in Arkansas. Because the Echo allegedly “heard” conversations that preceded the homicide, it has been seized as evidence. In the not-too-distant future, Alexa could be on the witness stand answering questions from prosecuting attorneys.
To be sure, devices are already listening to us, and that listening provides us with vast amounts of data on human conversations, interests and preferences. Data from the Echo and devices like it will be able to tell us about what movies people want to see, music they want to hear and products they want to buy.
So if listening is the new key to data gathering, what do we as marketers take away from that? The core lesson, as we consider connectivity and the rise of AI, is that we must learn to become much better listeners ourselves. We have spent years focused on clicks, views and viewability. While this data clearly remains relevant today, when consumers use only their voice, marketers must know how to listen. Consumers’ questions, preferences and ultimately purchases executed via the AI devices of today, such as the Amazon Echo or Google Home, provide a wealth of information to inform marketing decision making. As voice technology grows, so will the ability for brands to learn even more from what AI devices can tell us as they listen and interact with people. Mining that data (which is assuredly no small task and one we must undertake) will help guide marketers to consumer understanding on a new and different level.
As human interaction throughout the consumer journey begins to fade over time, we must start listening now and learning about the new journey taken — a journey that starts not with a click of the mouse, but with “OK Google.”


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While 2016 still has a few months left to run, it has been a great year thus far for the FTSE 100. The index has risen by 13% since the start of the year despite an uncertain outlook caused in part by Brexit. Looking ahead, these two companies could prove to be among the top performers in the index in 2017.
Although the Whitbread(LSE: WTB) share price has fallen by 14% in 2016, the owner of Costa and Premier Inn could deliver significant capital gains next year. In terms of its hotel chain, Whitbread is still focused on the budget segment. If UK economic growth slows and businesses and individuals begin to trade down to cheaper options, Whitbread's Premier Inn chain could see a boost in demand.
Similarly, Costa has a bright future too since coffee has become a consumer staple rather than a discretionary item. This means that even if unemployment rises and economic growth flatlines, its profitability should still be high.
Whitbread is forecast to increase its earnings by 7% in the next financial year. While this is only in line with the growth forecasts for the wider index, in the long run Whitbread's international expansion could deliver significantly higher rates of growth. When coupled with its high degree of customer loyalty and sound financial standing, this means that it could be a top performer in 2017 and beyond.
Certainly, rising wage costs could prove to be a problem for Whitbread. However, this is an industry-wide issue and it may find that much of the increase can be passed on to customers in the form of higher prices.
Also offering excellent total return potential in 2017 is Coca-Cola HBC (LSE: CCH). Its rapid rate of earnings growth is expected to continue beyond 2016, with its bottom line forecast to rise by 15% this year and by a further 13% next year.
At a time when the wider economic growth rate in the UK and Europe could come under pressure, relatively resilient growth from Coca-Cola HBC could prove popular with many investors. As such, its price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratio of 1.6 could rise significantly and allow its share price to do likewise.
It also offers sound income prospects. Although it now yields just 2% following the 26% rise in its share price in 2016, Coca-Cola HBC pays out just 46% of its profit as a dividend. For a company with relatively stable earnings and which operates in a mature industry, this is a low payout ratio. As such, there's scope for dividends to increase significantly, starting with 2017 when they're forecast to rise by 11.4%.
With UK interest rates being just 0.25% and having the potential to move lower, Coca-Cola HBC's dividend growth potential could positively catalyse its share price. Alongside its appealing valuation and high growth prospects, this makes it an excellent buy for 2017 and beyond.
But is this stock an even better buy?
Despite this, there's another stock that could be an even better buy. In fact it's been named as A Top Growth Share From The Motley Fool.
The company in question could make a real impact on your bottom line in 2016 and beyond. And in time, it could help you retire early, pay off your mortgage, or simply enjoy a more abundant lifestyle.
Click here to find out all about it - doing so is completely free and comes without any obligation.
Peter Stephens owns shares of Whitbread. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

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Booksy has announced renowned international hairstylist, influencer and educator Philip Wolff as a brand ambassador.
"We are delighted to have Philip Wolff join the Booksy team and help share our mission to the professional beauty community. His skills as a hair artist, educator and businessperson are exceptional, and I know our community will benefit significantly with him on board! His ability to connect with people around the world through social media and through education will help propel our growth in the years to come," says Dee Hadley, head of marketing, Booksy. "With the help of Philip, Booksy plans to take education to the next level!"
Wolff has more than 25 years of industry experience. He has a serious passion for cutting hair and helping other hair artists develop, design and define their own unique style.
To commemorate his partnership with Booksy, Wolff will make his brand ambassador debut at the Premiere Orlando Beauty Show, June 4-6, 2022. He will be featured on the mainstage with industry veteran, Alfredo Lewis, and showcase his unique cutting style while educating the crowd about Booksy.


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2019 Renault Duster facelift teased ahead of debut
Renault India has teased the upcoming facelift for the Renault Duster SUV on its website and social platforms. This comes as a build-up to the launch of the revised Duster, sometime later this month.
The teaser reveals quite a bit about the Duster's frontal styling changes. There's a new grille, with the chrome studs mimicking other Renault cars, a reworked headlamp cluster, and a new, more bulging bonnet (for better crash protection). There's also a new shade of blue seen on the car in the pictures.
Other changes, as seen on earlier spy images, are new roof rails and alloy wheels. The front and rear bumpers, too, seem to have been reworked to be safer and a new headlamp cluster with LED elements is also visible.
The Duster's interiors are expected to see some reworking as well. There could be new materials and trim, changes in the infotainment system, instrument cluster and a longer feature list. There will be better safety equipment too, like airbags, seatbet remainders and speed warnings.
Renault has announced that it will move way from diesels once the BSVI norms become applicable in India. We expect the facelifted Duster to follow the trend set by the Triber and come with a petrol motor only. In this case, expect a BSVI compliant version of the 1.5-litre petrol making 106PS and 142Nm. A 5-speed manual and CVT is available with this motor.
This is the second facelift for the Duster, and while the SUV has been around for quite some time now, this change could reignite interest in this car again, even as Renault readies a viable replacement in the next few years. Expect a five to eight per cent increase in prices.
Starts Rs 8.49 Lakhs
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Brand new debate: Dropbox unveiled its new major revamp in a decade
The graphic design community –always eager to debate on anything new- has a new hot potato to argue. Silicon Valley’s low profile brand, Dropbox got it’s first major redesign in a decade and the white-and-blue aesthetic is obviously a thing of the past. Dropbox’s colorful new look includes a flatter box and a very millennial “squashed-up typeface” by the name Sharp Grotesk. According to the company “this new color combinations help it stand out more among the crowd, and aims to give a nod...
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AutoGuide News Blog
The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
There’s cloudy news on the horizon if you’re thinking about buying a new car.
Since its founding in 1936, Consumer Reports has become the go-to source for shoppers. From new refrigerators to bottles of wine, Blue-ray players to homeowner’s insurance, if it’s on the market it’s likely the non-profit organization has scientifically tested it. Of course the consumer watchdog is probably most famous for its vehicle reliability ratings.
Bottom 10 Vehicles with the Largest Declines Dependability
Quality is an ever-moving target; it’s something automakers have to constantly monitor. And like the Mongol hordes conquering vast swaths of Asia in the 13th century, problems can easily overwhelm an unsuspecting company’s defenses. Like arrows toppling a mighty war elephant, just a few small issues can devastate even the most reliable vehicle on the road. To keep these nomadic defects at bay, engineers and product planners must remain vigilant.
Along with Consumer Reports, J.D. Power is one of the major firms that tracks automotive quality. Its annual Vehicle Dependability Study is highly anticipated by OEMs and media alike. Think of it as a report card for automakers.
For nearly a quarter-century the study has kept a careful eye on quality by tracking problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). It measures things that have gone wrong with 3-year-old cars and trucks as reported by their original owners.
Like America’s Most Wanted, J.D. power has just released a list of 10 vehicles that have suffered the largest declines in quality. These vehicles have had the greatest year-over-year increase in PP100. Some of the cars and trucks on the list may really surprise you.
10. Toyota Avalon
Sometimes it’s pretty difficult to determine what makes a vehicle reliable. But one sound way is to look back and see how much the average repair cost was for a vehicle over three to five years, and seeing which ones suffered the least breakdowns.
Data was studied using 100,000 auto warranty policies linked to family cars by Direct Buy Warranty in order to determine this top 10 list of most reliable family cars, listed in no particular order. It’s worth noting that not a single American vehicle made it onto the list.
The first on the list is the Toyota Avalon, the Japanese automaker’s flagship sedan in the United States. According to the data, the Avalon was one of the cheapest vehicles to maintain over the past five years with typical Toyota dependability and safety ratings. Larger than the Camry, the Avalon is a perfect fit for those looking for size and dependability.
And we know, technically Lexus is Toyota, but owners of Lexus vehicles topped the rankings with 86 problems per 100 vehicles. Toyota as a brand in comparison reported 104 problems per 100 vehicles and was tied in third place with American automaker, Cadillac. Porsche was second place right behind Lexus, while Scion, Mercedes-Benz and Lincoln followed Toyota.
It’s also worth mentioning that the industry-wide rate of problems fell 13-percent from the previous year to 132 problems per 100 vehicles, the lowest since J. D. Power and Associates began the study back in 1990.
The study measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by owners of three year old vehicles, with overall dependability determined by the level of problems per 100 vehicles – the lower the score, the higher its dependability.


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Alibaba Cloud has trumpeted a series of collaborations with popular networks and organizations in recent times, however with its latest collaboration with Avalanche, it has finally stepped into the crypto-space to further accelerate the tech giant’s support for Web3.
More Access To Cutting Edge Tech
On Friday, Avalanche announced the onboarding of Alibaba Cloud onto their public blockchain in order to support validators and provide state-of-the-art infrastructure.
As per the official announcement, the new partnership will enable users to launch validator nodes through the service, access computing, storage, and distribution resources through Alibaba Cloud’s suite of products.
APAC’s largest cloud service provider, Alibaba Cloud, has expanded support for #Avalanche!
This integration enables developers to easily launch their own validator nodes, with access to @alibaba_cloud’s plug-and-play infrastructure and suite of products.https://t.co/MlXTOYuJgG
— Avalanche 🔺 (@avalancheavax) December 2, 2022
To further bolster the avalanche ecosystem, new participants who are willing to launch new Avalanche validators would easily be able to do with Alibaba’s plug-and-play infrastructure as a service (IaaS).
According to Avalanche, application developers can also add additional cloud infrastructure to support their app in times of peak demand to keep pace with user activity.
Read More: Avalanche Hottest In Crypto Community: Price Recovery Soon?
In order to celebrate the new integration, Alibaba Cloud will also be offering credits to developers of the Avalanche network towards any of their services.
Alibaba Following Google?
Google Cloud has been on a rampage for the past few months, where it had partnered with almost all leading blockchain platforms in the crypto space. Be it Ethereum, Solana, Hedera, Google Cloud has been at the forefront of providing cloud infrastructures to crypto companies.
Read More: Google Launches Node-hosting Service with Support for Ethereum
With the new partnership with Avalanche, Alibaba has signaled a major crypto push in the industry.
According to Gartner, Alibaba Cloud, which was launched in 2009 and serves as the digital technology and intellectual backbone of Alibaba Group, is the largest infrastructure as a service (IaaS) provider in Asia Pacific.
Customers from all over the world can take use of its extensive portfolio of cloud computing services, which includes elastic computing, database and storage services, network virtualization, large-scale computing, security, management, and application services.


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Corporate3rd March 2024CASE Expands Presence in JaipurRecently, CASE Construction Equipment inaugurated a new dealership in Jaipur, in partnership with RDR Techsol.
Corporate22nd February 2024CASE India extends its presence in Rajasthan with new dealership in JaipurCASE Construction Equipment, a brand of CNH, has extended its presence in Rajasthan by appointing a new dealer partner, RDR Techsol in Jaipur.
Corporate7th February 2024Shalabh Chaturvedi wins the prestigious Business World 40 under 40 awardShalabh Chaturvedi, the Managing Director of CASE Construction Equipment for SAARC and India, has been celebrated with the prestigious 40 Under 40 Award, a testament to his remarkable leadership and contributions to the automotive sector.
Corporate21st December 2023CASE Construction to spearhead new Centre of Excellence at IIT IndoreCASE Construction Equipment, has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology – Indore (IIT Indore) to set up a CASE Centre of Excellence at the campus.
Events18th December 2023Satendra Tiwari shines as Best Plant HeadMr Satendra Tiwari, head of manufacturing – CASE Construction Equipment, Pithampur India was awarded the prestigious Yellow dot award under Best Plant Head category.
Events13th December 2023CASE Construction Equipment Excels at CII EXCON 2023CASE Construction Equipment took center stage at the 12th edition of the International Equipment and Construction Technology Trade Fair, CII EXCON 2023, showcasing its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, safety, and meeting customer needs.


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Do you want a Kindle but are feeling a little pinched right now? Thinking you'd better save the cost of the e-reader in case you need that $139 to buy a tank of gas? Amazon may help to ease your pain...as long as you don't mind watching commercials.
Amazon.com Inc. has announced that it will be dropping the price on its WiFi-only Kindle e-reader, but the change comes with a trade-off: on-screen ads, reports the Associated Press.
The new “Kindle with Special Offers” (they're always “special,” aren't they?) will retail for $114 — $25 less than the $139 WiFi-only model. It will include advertisements on the bottom of the device's home page and on its screen savers. Seattle-based Amazon will start shipping the newest Kindle on May 3, and it will also be sold in Target and Best Buy stores on that date.
It's not the first time Amazon has slashed prices on its Kindle e-reader. When the device was first introduced in 2007, it sold for $399. This will, however, be the first time the company is cutting prices while including ads on the device. Amazon consistently remains mum about the number of Kindles it has sold.
Kindle director Jay Marine said in an interview Tuesday that the release of a cheaper, ad-studded Kindle is Amazon's way of getting the device into the hands of more people. But it also shows Amazon is getting more aggressive in its efforts to lure consumers tempted by competing e-readers and bombarded by ads for Apple Inc.'s latest iPad and a growing number of competing tablet computers.
Some potential buyers may be turned off by the idea of having ads on an e-reader, but Marine thinks that serving up a number of money-saving offers will be appealing.
“We think customers are going to love it,” he said.
The advertisers sponsoring screen savers at launch will be General Motors Co.'s Buick car brand, Procter & Gamble Co.'s Olay cosmetics brand and payments processor Visa Inc. JPMorgan Chase & Co. will advertise the Amazon.com Reward Visa Card.
And other than the addition of ads, the latest Kindle is identical to the current one that uses Wi-Fi to wirelessly download books (a more expensive model uses 3G for wireless content delivery). It has a grayscale “electronic ink” screen that measures 6 inches at the diagonal, a battery that lasts for three weeks with Wi-Fi on, and enough space to store 3,500 books.
In a demo of the device, a screen saver showed a deal where customers would pay $10 for a $20 gift card to Amazon. If a user is interested in that deal, they can click to have details of the offer emailed to them. A much smaller ad shown across the bottom of the Kindle's home screen — the screen that shows you the content stored on the e-reader — was less obtrusive, but still clearly an advertisement. The ads will change frequently, Marine said, and there will not be any ads in Kindle books.
“It was very important that we didn't interfere with the reading experience,” he said.
Users will be able to log on to their Kindle account on Amazon.com and adjust preferences about the types of screen savers they'd like to see.
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City round-up: Yourgene; Byotrol; boohoo; Unilever
Manchester-based medical research group, Yourgene Health, said its 2023 revenues are above market expectations, in a trading update for the year ended March 31, 2023, today.
It expects to report revenues of £19m, above market expectations and at the mid-point of the guidance range stated in the interim results released on December 21, 2022. The adjusted EBITDA loss for 2023 is also expected to be in line with market expectations.
International revenues are up 70% year-on-year with strong performance in the Americas and Asia Pacific (APAC). This is driven by increased take up of the group’s Ranger Technology as an enabler for third party NIPT (non-invasive pre-natal testing) workflows as well as in proprietary Yourgene workflows in the Americas and the establishment of new NIPT laboratory customers in the region, and steady growth from Yourgene’s reproductive health and DPYD chemotoxicity tests.
Strong growth was also seen in the APAC region, driven by sales of products and NIPT services. European sales remain suppressed due to the loss of a single NIPT account in FY22. However, new NIPT wins in Europe commencing in late FY23, reversed this trend and revenue is expected to show ongoing signs of recovery in FY24. UK revenues for core products and services is up 20% year-on-year.
In January this year the company completed a capital raising generating net proceeds of approximately £6.8m. As well as delivering near-term working capital and funding for Yourgene’s regulatory approval and product enhancement programmes, these funds have been used to cover the one-off costs of further restructuring of the group’s cost base. Since the fundraise the company has already delivered the first phase of its reshaping plans delivering an annualised 10% operating cost reduction. A further annualised 15% saving has been identified for the planned second phase.
As at March 31, 2023, the company had cash of £2.8m. As announced on March 17, 2023, Peter Charles was appointed as interim chief financial officer. He is focused on enhancing the financial systems, planning and analysis within the business until a successor chief financial officer is found.
Negotiations relating to the potential divestment of the Taiwanese laboratory are progressing as expected. Following the equity fundraise, the board’s immediate focus has been on the internal reshaping of Yourgene’s business. While the relationship with the potential strategic partner at the time of the fundraising remains strong, the board said it is mindful of pursuing any further dilutive initiatives and it is therefore unlikely that such an investment will take place in the near term.
Chief executive, Lyn Rees, said: “It was difficult to reset the business plan earlier this year, but the team and the company have worked really hard to right size the opportunity, to focus the company and restructure the organisation in order to build a sustainable and long term business.
“We are pleased with the more robust performance from our core business which has delivered strong year-on-year growth. This performance, alongside our fundraising and actions to realign our cost base, places us in a stronger position to drive growth from our core offerings of NIPT, Ranger Technology and PCR testing.”
Daresbury-based hygiene group, Byotrol, said results for the year ended March 31, 2023, should be in line with market expectations, in a trading update today.
It said key highlights are: Sales of £4.6m, comprising £4.3m from product sales and £0.3m from IP sales and royalties; significant improvement in gross margin on product sales – 41% compared with 37% (FY22), reflecting sku rationalisation and multiple improvements in operating processes; adjusted EBITDA of -£0.8m; and cash at year end of £0.7m with a key debtor paid just after year end, taking underlying cash to more than £0.8m
The IP side of Byotrol continues to progress encouragingly, particularly in the US. The business is hopeful of formal approval this summer from the EPA for Byotrol24 with enhanced long-lasting efficacy claims against viruses, and the company is then expecting its previously-announced sub-licensee to commence a market launch in the US under its own branding shortly afterwards. All other IP initiatives including participation in Solvay’s Actizone, remain on plan.
Byotrol said it remains confident in delivering significant growth in the current financial year and returning to profitability.
To reflect the increasing importance of product sales to the company’s results, the board structure of Byotrol is evolving further.
Dr Trevor Francis will with immediate effect become non-executive chairman of Byotrol. Dr Francis was CTO of Byotrol (2014 – 2021), following which he moved to non-executive director. Prior to Byotrol, Dr Francis was at Unilever for 29 years, including five years as Global VP R&D Homecare. He is also a non-executive director of Velcro Companies, the privately-owned, global fasteners business.
David Traynor, executive chairman of Byotrol since November 2022 and prior to that CEO for nine years, remains on the board full-time as an executive director. In his new role he will focus on solidifying, commercialising and developing the company’s IP portfolio, and will seek to build commercial alliances across the company’s business activities.
All other board positions remain the same. A search is under way to add an additional independent non-executive director to the board.
Dr Trevor Francis said: “I am looking forward to overseeing the continued development of Byotrol and supporting the executive team of Vivan Pinto, CEO, Chris Sedwell, CFO, and David Traynor, ED.
“Since the acquisition of Medimark Scientific, a lot of good progress has been made within the company, especially in operating processes and I am convinced we now have the right structure and team to drive the business forward and create value for all stakeholders.”
Manchester online fashion retailer, boohoo, has appointed John Goold to the board as an independent non-executive director with effect from today (April 27). John will become chairman of the audit committee and he will also be a member of the nomination, remuneration and risk committees.
John began his career by qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1996 with Touche Ross (which became Deloitte) in London. He has advised public companies for more than 25 years, with significant experience across corporate finance and corporate broking having co-founded Arden Partners, before joining Zeus Capital as chief executive. John is currently CEO of Kelso Group Holdings and non-executive director of Oncimmune Holdings.
Mahmud Kamani, boohoo group executive chairman, said: “John has deep operational and advisory experience at board level gained over an extensive career that has seen him found, run and support businesses across a variety of sectors.
“He is held in very high regard throughout the public markets and we look forward to benefitting from his insight and rigour both as a non-executive director and as chairman of the audit committee. John will strengthen the board and be a great asset.
“With a well balanced and high quality set of executive and non-executive directors we are in a strong position as we set about achieving our ambition to be the global fashion leader.”
Consumer goods and foods group, Unilever, issued a first quarter trading update today, showing that underlying sales growth (USG) accelerated to 10.5%, producing turniver of €14.8bn. driven by progress against strategic priorities.
Price growth remained elevated at 10.7%, with an improved quarter-on-quarter volume performance at (0.2)%.
The group’s third €750m share buyback tranche, announced in March, will complete in July 2023.
The quarterly interim dividend for Q1 2023 is maintained at €0.4268
Chief Executive, Alan Jope, said: “Unilever has had a good start to the year, delivering another quarter of strong topline growth. Underlying sales growth accelerated to 10.5%, driven by price growth in response to continued high input cost inflation and an improved volume performance.
“We are continuing to execute well on our strategic priorities. Growth was broad-based across the five business groups, underpinned by strong performances from our billion+ Euro brands.
“We have stepped up both the effectiveness of our innovation and the investment behind our brands. We continue to shift our portfolio into higher growth spaces, with the delivery of another quarter of double digit sales growth in Prestige Beauty and Health & Wellbeing, and the announced sale of Suave in North America.
“Our new operating model is driving focused resource allocation, and is unlocking a culture of bolder, faster decision-making and disciplined execution.”
He added: “We remain focused on navigating through continued macroeconomic uncertainty and are confident in our ability to deliver another year of strong growth, which remains our first priority.”
The group operates a key home and personal care manufacturing site and research and development facility at Port Sunlight, Wirral.
Roberto Rivero, market analyst at finance firm Admirals, said: “Given the high levels of inflation around the world, it is unsurprising to see Q1 turnover increase. Remember, inflation doesn’t just affect consumers, it also raises input costs for businesses such as Unilever, who need to pass these costs onto consumers if profit margins are to be kept intact.
“Consequently, higher prices tend to result in higher turnover, unless they become high enough to deter consumers.
“However, fortunately for Unilever, its stable of globally respected brands and consumer staples grant it a high level of pricing power, as evidenced by its sales volume, which remained fairly flat overall despite rising prices.”


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(NBC NEWS) — Johnson and Johnson will discontinue talc-based baby powder in the US and Canada.
The company said Tuesday that demand for the product has declined in large part due to “Changes in consumer habits” and “Misinformation around the safety of the product and a constant barrage of litigation advertising.”
Johnson and Johnson says it remains “Steadfastly confident” in the safety of the product which makes up 0.5-percent of it’s total US sales in its consumer unit.
The company will wind down it’s commercialization of talc-based baby powder in the coming months.
Any existing inventory will continue to be sold through retailers until it runs out.
Numerous lawsuits have alleged that the product causes cancer which Johnson and Johnson continues to deny.
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Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, left, speaks next to Christian Smalls, founder of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), during an ALU gathering in the borough of Staten Island in New York, USA on Sunday, April 24, 2022.
Victor J Blue | Bloomberg | Getty Images
After years of waning influence, unions are having a resurgence. Employees at companies across the country are increasingly organizing themselves as a means of demanding greater benefits, pay and safety from their employers.
Between October 2021 and March of this year, trade union representation petitions filed with the NLRB increased 57% from the same period a year ago, according to recent data by the National Labor Relations Board of the United States. Over the same period, allegations of unfair labor practices increased by 14%.
More than 250 Starbucks offices have submitted petitions, and after getting a first win at the end of last year, 54 Starbucks company-owned stores formally organized. Workers at a Amazon warehouse in New York City recently voted form the first union at the second largest private employer in the United States and join the Amazon Labor Union. Google Fiber contractors in Kansas City with success voted unionized their small office in March becoming the first workers with bargaining rights under the one-year Alphabet Workers Union.
These efforts are resonating with the general public. A Gallup poll conducted last September showed that 68 percent of Americans approve of unions, the highest rate since 71 percent in 1965.
So why are unions becoming popular again?
Experts say the most important factor was the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic was the wake-up call or the catalyst that sparked two perspectives: ‘is there another way to work and live?’ and the relationship between employers and workers, ”said former NLRB president and current Georgetown law professor Mark Pearce. “Vulnerable workers – not only were they scared, they were pissed.”
“Covid was everything,” agreed Jason Greer, a labor consultant and former field examining agent for the NLRB. “A lot of people said ‘I’m watching my family and friends die and suddenly we faced our own mortality, but many organizations still expected you to work as hard or harder.’”
As governments and employers have imposed new restrictions to slow the spread of the pandemic and the demand for services that allow people to do more from home, such as e-commerce and grocery delivery, has increased, the employees faced new challenges. Retail workers had to enforce the use of masks and check vaccination status. Delivery and warehouse employees were concerned that they were not properly equipped with the right safety devices.
“We saw a wave of activism during the first months of the pandemic,” said Jess Kutch, co-founder and co-executive director of Coworker.org, which assists workers in organizing the efforts. The group saw more use of their website over a three-month period than in all previous years combined. “This was a clear indication that many more people wanted to speak out than before.”
Many of these workers have communicated their struggles through digital channels, which have become the natural disposition for all communication during the Covid lockdown. “When you follow the push from Apple, the push from Google, I think a lot of that has to do with the adoption of digital channels like Slack,” said Greer. “It was this perfect storm of people having more access to each other with tools in such an environment.”
At the same time, huge disruptions in buying patterns brought record profits to companies like Amazon and Google, which were equipped to meet the needs of a company suddenly forced to stay at home. As a result, experts said, the gap between leadership and rank has widened, adding that in many cases executive salaries have risen while employee salaries have remained the same.
In one example of a callous executive who went viral, Better.com CEO Vishal Garg fired 900 employees, or roughly 9% of the company’s staff, during a cheeky Zoom video conversation in early December.
The organizers are also taking advantage of the favorable political environment they have seen in recent decades.
President Joe Biden voted to be the “most union-friendly president ever” and was very vocal about his support for the PRO Act, which aims to make the unionization process easier and less bureaucratic.
Earlier in his term, Biden renewed the National Labor Relations Board, firing Peter Robb, former President Donald Trump’s NLRB general counsel, shortly after taking office. Biden then installed the new general councilor Jennifer Abruzzo, a former union attorney, who used his executive powers extensively.
“It is significant that Biden’s first action was to do this because he was sending a message to work that the NLRB, even with its weaknesses, shouldn’t be dismantled from within,” Pearce said.
Biden has targeted captive audience gatherings, a common practice used by companies to reject union efforts. The NLRB settlement with Amazon in December sent a message to other companies and union organizers alike that the NLRB will be aggressive in enforcing violations.
On Thursday, the president met with 39 national union leaders, including Christian Smalls, head of the Amazon Labor Union, and Laura Garza, union leader at Starbucks’ New York City Roastery.
The media focus on employee organization, whether successful or not, also fuels a domino effect, experts said. They don’t even need to be successful, Kutch said.
For example, employees of an Apple store in Georgia he told CNBC last month they were inspired in part by Amazon employees trying to unionize a warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama. Derrick Bowles, who sits on the Apple Retail Union organizing committee, said he has a “huge amount of respect” for what the Bessemer employees did, even if that union drive has not yet been successful
In Seattle, Sarah Pappin, 31, a Starbucks organizer, said she had been in contact with Verizon’s union retail workers.
“We all move between the same bad retail jobs,” Pappin said. “This is where we all realized that it actually sucks everywhere, so let’s take a stand in one spot and prove it.”
In early May, Starbucks said it would raise wages for permanent workers, dual training for new employees and adding a tipping function to credit and debit card transactions. However, he said it won’t offer the greatest benefits to workers at the more than 50 company-owned cafes they voted to unionize.
“We are seeing social justice combined with worker justice and not only is it catching fire, but it is getting results,” Pearce said.
Richard Bensinger, a Starbucks Workers United union organizer and former organizing director of the AFL-CIO you think most pro-union workers are in their early 20s, leading them to join a “Gen U” for unions. According to Gallup data from 2021, young adults ages 18 to 34 approve unions at a rate of 77 percent.
These younger workers see each other’s victories as inspiring their own, experts said.
Kutch and Pearce gave the example of the Google Walkout, which in her opinion “was an important moment not only for the technology sector but for the history of the labor movement”.
In November 2018, thousands of Google Employees in more than 20 offices around the world come out on stage to protest an explosive report from the New York Times which details how Google has protected executives accused of sexual misconduct, either by keeping them personal or by allowing them to walk away amicably. Organizers described it as “a workplace culture that doesn’t work for everyone” and listed several requests. Some of them ended up becoming Californian lawwhile others have been incorporated into a settlement with the shareholders who had the accident management company to the south.
It showed employees at a large company could get organized via internal chats, spreadsheets and emails – within a matter of days, Kutch said, adding that many people viewed the images through social media.
“Shouting in the park for injustice or holding up a banner in front of a facility has a lot more effect when it’s on the Internet,” Pearce said.
CNBC’s Annie Palmer also contributed to this report.


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London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s support for retail workers in the fight against abuse has been applauded by the sector.
The support, outlined in Khan’s manifesto for the 2021 London Mayor election, suggested that retail staff need better protection from abuse, including the reclassification of an assault against a shop worker as an offence.
He said: “The pandemic has horrifically led to a doubling of the rate of incidents of abuse against retail staff, who have done such a fantastic job during the pandemic. That’s why, I back the campaign to introduce legislation which would classify attacking a retail worker as an aggravated assault to help ensure that those convicted face tougher criminal sanctions.”
In Scotland, The Protection of Workers Act, which will give shop workers stronger protection against abuse and assaults was passed by the government and is currently waiting Royal Assent.
The Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) welcomed his support on the issue. NFRN National President Stuart Reddish said: “Independent retailers have been and continue to be at the frontline during this crisis, and have to deal with physical and verbal threats on a near daily basis for simply doing their jobs.
“We welcome Mr Khan’s support and we will continue to lobby the government to tighten the law, so that any form of attack on shop workers is taken more seriously and has more stringent penalties for those who commit such crimes.”
The NFRN added that it has long campaigned for the government to bring in tougher laws to tackle the increase in cases of physical and verbal abuse against retailers and their staff.
Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive James Lowman also welcomed the manifesto announcement on social media.
Pleased that @SadiqKhan London mayoral manifesto recognises the challenges faced by retail staff during the pandemic, and backs @ACS_LocalShops @the_brc and @UsdawUnion call for tougher sentences for those attacking our colleagues— James Lowman (@JMLowman) April 6, 2021
According the ACS Crime Report 2021, 89% of shop workers have experienced some form of abuse, with over 1.2million incidents recorded over the last year.


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May 12—Mazda Toyota Manufacturing has hired more than 1,600 employees and still plans to begin production this year at its Limestone County plant, but the company hasn't released an exact start-up date, a staffing official said.
"Mazda Toyota Manufacturing is hiring to fill about 2,400 positions," said Lyndsay Ferguson, assistant manager-HR staffing and development. "We currently employ more than 1,600 employees and we continue to welcome new employees every week."
Ferguson said the joint venture company is now accepting applications for production team members and production team leaders, skilled maintenance employees and tool and die skilled employees, in addition to supervisor and administration positions. Openings are posted at mazdatoyota.com
For production team member jobs, the starting pay rate is $17, with a top rate of $23 after periodic, regular wage increases plus shift premium available when rotating.
The company's $2.3 billion 3.7-million-square-foot automotive facility in Huntsville-annexed southeast Limestone County is expected to create up to 4,000 jobs and have the capacity to assemble up to 300,000 vehicles a year. Mark Brazeal, vice president of administration for the Mazda Toyota plant, has said there will be staggered, continued hiring up to 2022.
Bethany Shockney, president and CEO of the Limestone County Economic Development Association, is optimistic that Mazda Toyota will be able to find the qualified workforce it needs.
"People are recognizing the high quality of jobs that are available there and other places and we will continue to attract new people into the community," Shockney said. "Additionally, we are continuing to implement programs in the high schools to prepare graduating seniors for these particular jobs."
Ferguson said Mazda Toyota "is on schedule to start production later this year."
Mazda Toyota had announced that production would start in the spring, and Ferguson said the shift in timing from the original schedule was announced in April 2020.
She said the delay was due to construction delays of the paint shop which existed before the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of COVID-19 including travel and business restrictions that affected training, equipment and machinery.
"MTM will start production in phases beginning with our Apollo production line, which will produce the new Toyota SUV product," Ferguson said. "Following that will be our Discovery production line, which will produce the new Mazda SUV product. After a ramp-up period, we will add a second shift for each production line."
— email@example.com or 256-340-2438. Twitter @DD_MAccardi.


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MANHATTAN, NY Leading omni-channel sports licensed retailer LIDS Sports Group will begin the national rollout of a new LIDS store concept at its Times Sq. flagship store. The completely redesigned 1,235 s/f store embodies the new shopping experience and was unveiled on June 8, with additional locations to follow nationwide in 2018.
LIDS’ new design concept appeals to the brand’s core customers that reside at the intersection of fan and fashion. The layout is focused on creating a clear, comprehensive path throughout the store while emphasizing LIDS’ key differentiators, such as the country’s largest headwear offering and product personalization through custom embroidery. Chute Gerdeman is responsible for the design.
“Headwear is the heart of our business and our focus on providing shoppers the largest and most on-trend selection is what sets LIDS stores apart,” said David Baxter, president and CEO of LIDS Sports Group.
“Investing in a store design that represents the next era of LIDS is the next step in our mission to evolve the customer experience and improve our omni-channel presence overall.”
Within the modernized space, pedestal fixtures serve as the initial focal point across the lease line to individually showcase headwear styles that are exclusive to LIDS and represent recently launched products from partners like New Era, ‘47 and Nike. LIDS has made a conscious effort to pull product away from the wall and towards customers to interject a new energy while creating a more engaging shopping experience. New digital messaging towers and screens have also been added throughout the store to better communicate fresh product styles, loyalty program perks and in-store promotions.
While LIDS Sports Group has long offered custom embroidery in the majority of its LIDS locations, the updated store introduces a designated “Custom Zone” that serves as a central destination for shoppers, highlighting the brand’s unique ability to personalize headwear. Now connected to the centralized cash wrap, the “Custom Zone” features touch-screen technology where customers can browse a digital library of customization options.
The embroidery machine itself is highly visible for customers to watch the process unfold as the in-store specialist creates a shopper’s custom design digitally and deploys the embroidery machine to do the rest. The EmbroidiGraph option is exclusive to LIDSand allows stores to embroider autographs of current professional athletes on headwear. Shoppers can also request the embroidery of names, numbers, quotes, phrases, images and more to truly make the headwear their own. In support of its omni-channel business, LIDS has also included a feature wall within the cash wrap to display online orders that have been pulled, making it seamless for customers to pick up and check out.


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Veritonic, the world's first audio effectiveness platform, today announced that it has raised $3.5 million in seed capital to build on its success in bringing an evidence-based approach to audio marketing. The round was led by Newark Venture Partners with participation from Imagination Capital, Kiwi Venture Partners, MDC Ventures, and SWaN & Legend Venture Partners.
Veritonic is the first analytics platform built specifically to quantify the value of sound, making it easy for audio platforms, brands and others to always leverage the most impactful audio and cultivate deeper relationships with customers.
Founded by CEO Scott Simonelli, COO Andrew Eisner and CTO Kevin Marshall, pioneers in online testing and optimization, Veritonic was created to fill a critical gap in media and technology: the ability for marketers and others to make the same kind of data-driven decisions about audio creative -- particularly pre-market -- as they do about other kinds of creative, where/when to advertise, targeting and more. The need is particularly glaring now as audio continues to explode, driven by everything from voice-technology innovation, to podcasting, to the fact that modern consumers -- perpetually distracted and on-the-go -- are more exposed to audio's influence than ever before.
"With consumers increasingly making voice-powered smart speakers, streaming music and podcasts part of their daily routines, there has never been a more critical time for brands to have an audio marketing strategy – and the data to back it up," said Jessica Peltz-Zatulove, Partner at MDC Ventures. "Similar to what we've seen in digital and video, Veritonic promises to transform audio into performance content by creating an exciting new dimension of creative measurement."
Veritonic is already working with the world's leading audio platforms, including Pandora, Westwood One, Audible and National Public Media; brands like Bose, Subway and E*TRADE; and sonic branding agencies such as iV Audio Branding and AudioUX. These businesses are leveraging the Veritonic platform in many ways, including:
- Pre-market creative testing: testing audio creative (voices, music, audio logos and more) before launching them -- for their ability to drive a range of emotional responses, purchase intent and brand recall -- maximizes consumer exposure to the most effective creative and advertiser ROI.
- Benchmarking/Normative analysis: the ability to compare large volumes of audio assets easily -- against competitors, industry norms and more -- empowers businesses to make more informed, strategic decisions faster.
- Thought leadership: the ability to generate new, critical research on how consumers respond to audio creative -- from ads to voice commands on smart speaker platforms to audiobook narration -- Veritonic enables clients to help lead the industry forward and grow their businesses.
"50% of internet searches will be voice-driven by 2020. Understanding how those voices affect decision making and emotional responses is a dream come true for marketers," said Dan Borok, Managing Partner at Newark Venture Partners. "Veritonic is not only providing marketers with the ability to measure what their customers think of them, but they are making it possible pre-market, outlining a clear pathway to success."
Veritonic is at the cutting edge of audio and data, not only for what it measures, like the right audio to drive voice commerce on smart speakers, but how it measures it. The platform uses a combination of what the company has dubbed "Machine Listening and Learning" (M-LAL) and custom panel data to provide the most accurate, comprehensive analysis of how audio moves people.
M-LAL analyzes over three years-worth of audio data to make instant predictions on how creative will perform. Then, the company's patent-pending survey technology, which captures the real-time emotional response of any custom audience a client wishes to query, feeds new data back to M-LAL to help it continually learn.
"Innovation around audio is moving a mile a minute--new forms of content, more outlets to consume and experience audio, new applications utilizing audio to enhance functionality; this innovation is powering an industry shift that will increase demand for audio, and more importantly, the right audio for each target audience," stated Rachel Lam, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Imagination Capital. "Veritonic, for its ability to not only determine the most impactful audio across every channel, but to do it quickly and at scale, is poised to become one of the most fundamental companies in expediting this market shift."
"We're thrilled that so many forward-thinking businesses and investors are clearly seeing how critical it is that the true value of audio be determined--objectively--before any decisions are made about it," said Simonelli. "We live in world driven by data, and rightly so--it means smarter, more cost-effective, more successful business strategies. Kudos to these leaders for understanding that the same kind of intelligence needs to come to audio now."
Veritonic is the audio effectiveness company--the first analytics platform built specifically to quantify the value of sound. With an easy way to understand which audio is most impactful and leverage it consistently--in everything from ads to sonic logos, podcasts to smart speaker applications--the world's leading audio platforms, brands and others cultivate deeper relationships with customers, and save time and money in the process. Veritonic is headquartered in New York with offices in Newark, Londonand Denver.
About Newark Venture Partners
Newark Venture Partners helps innovative entrepreneurs build distinctive technology companies while catalyzing development in the technology ecosystem in Newark, NJ. Newark Venture Partners is a $45M fund, funded by top corporate investors based in the Newark area, such as Audible (an Amazon Company), Prudential Financial, Dun & Bradstreet, Panasonic, TDBank, RWJBarnabas Health and others, who are committed to supporting the portfolio's growth. In addition to our direct investment arm, NVP Labs is a bridge-to-seed program that provides participating companies with a minimum of $100k in funding, a co-working space, specialized mentorship and strategic growth opportunities. NVP Labs invests in up to 10 companies twice a year. Please visit www.NewarkVenturePartners.com for additional information or to submit an application to be considered for NVP Labs.
About MDC Ventures
MDC Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of MDC Partners, investing in seed stage, B2B marketing technology companies transforming the global advertising landscape. Since 2011, our Ventures group has been partnering with the innovators, entrepreneurs and startups addressing the needs of the Modern CMO. For more information, please visit us at mdcventures.vc
About Imagination Capital
Imagination Capital is an early stage investor backing companies that are poised to capture an industry shift. Targeting initial investments of $250-500k in big data/machine learning, esports and digital media companies, we partner with exceptional entrepreneurs to convert imagination into innovation. For more information about us, please visit www.imaginationvc.com.


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Elon Musk sells Tesla shares again for $1 billion
Steph Deschamps / December 29, 2021
Elon Musk has once again sold a portion of his shares in the electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla.
The multi-billionaire boss of the carmaker sold 934,000 shares for a total of $1.02 billion, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Wednesday.
On November 6, the entrepreneur had posted a poll on Twitter to determine whether he should divest 10% of his stake in Tesla, of which he is the largest individual shareholder. Since then, he has sold 15.6 million shares for a total of $16.4 billion. To reach the 10%, Elon Musk needs to sell about 17 million shares.
A portion of the proceeds will go directly to taxes.
According to calculations by the Bloomberg news agency, Elon Musk's net assets total $278.9 billion.


text: Entertainment Landmark Theatres expanding to West Side in 2017 By Ivan Pereira email@example.com July 11, 2016 7:06 PM Print Share fbShare Tweet Email Heading to the movies will soon be less of a trek for West Side residents. The Landmark Theatres chain announced Monday that it will open a second New York City location at West 57th Street between 11th and 12th avenues in Spring 2017. In addition to the eight movie screens, the theater’s entrance will feature an “active video wall” and an artistic light fixture that will display “an inviting array of colors.” Photo Credit: Rendering by Landmark Theatres The theater will also have leather electric recliner seats and a variety of food choices at the concession stand. Photo Credit: Rendering by Landmark Theatres The location is built into the Via West 57 development. Landmark also operates the Sunshine Cinema on Houston Street. By Ivan Pereira firstname.lastname@example.org Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comments We're revamping our Comments section. Learn more and share your input.


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Sony, Nintendo: Attacks Didn’t Expose Customers
Sony Corp. (6758), already targeted by hacker intrusions that exposed more than 100 million customer accounts, said a new breach in Europe didn’t compromise user data, while rival Nintendo Co. said a server was attacked.
No protected data was accessed during the attack on Sony’s European website that was discovered yesterday, said Atsuo Omagari, a company spokesman. Nintendo, the world’s largest maker of handheld video-game players, said the server attacked May 16 didn’t contain consumer information.
Shares of Sony fell, extending declines this year amid breaches that the Tokyo-based company has estimated may cost about 14 billion yen ($173 million). The widening of attacks to include Nintendo shows large companies doing business internationally are especially at risk, said Yusuke Tsunoda, an analyst at Tokai Tokyo Securities Co. in Tokyo
“Nintendo and Sony are big, global names,” Tsunoda, who rates Nintendo’s shares “neutral,” said in a phone interview today. “Companies with international ambitions need to be aware of these risks. This applies not just to game makers.”
A group called LulzSec posted data on the Internet that it said was a “server configuration file,” or data for programming purposes, from a Nintendo server, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. The group previously said it broke into a Sony website and downloaded information from 1 million customer accounts.
‘Server Configuration Issue’
“This particular situation was a server configuration issue that we investigated and resolved a few weeks ago,” the U.S. unit of Kyoto, Japan-based Nintendo said in a statement e- mailed to Bloomberg News yesterday. “The server contained no consumer information.”
Ken Toyoda, a spokesman for Nintendo in Kyoto, declined to comment today on the source of the attack or to elaborate on any measures the company is taking in response.
“There has been no significant damage to Nintendo or to our customers,” Toyoda said in a phone interview.
Sony said the latest intrusion only accessed information that was available publicly.
Sony fell 3.2 percent to 2,062 yen at the 3 p.m. close of trading in Tokyo, extending its share-price decline this year to 30 percent. Nintendo dropped 1.6 percent to 17,910 yen in Osaka, while Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 1.2 percent.
Nintendo plans to introduce an online shopping service this week for game titles for its 3DS handheld player, it said June 2. The company probably won’t lose business as a result of the attack on its server, said Tomoaki Kawasaki, an analyst at Cosmo Securities Co. in Tokyo.
“Game makers will have to focus more on strengthening protection of their client information,” Kawasaki, who has a “neutral” rating on Nintendo’s shares, said in a phone interview today.
LulzSec posted statements online earlier this month saying it broke into the website of Sony’s film unit and downloaded personal information including passwords, e-mail addresses and dates of birth from user accounts. Sony is investigating whether customer information was compromised during that intrusion, Mami Imada, a Tokyo-based spokeswoman, said by phone today.
Sony resumed full operation last week of the PlayStation Network in the U.S. and Europe after suspending it for six weeks because of hacker attacks.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Young-Sam Cho at email@example.com


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Inflation stalled in September, according to the most recent consumer price index (CPI) data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
After edging up slightly in each of the prior three months, the overall CPI was flat last month compared to September 2014, as declines in gasoline prices offset increases in food, shelter, medical care and other goods and services.
The core inflation rate, which excludes food and energy, rose by 1.9%, due primarily to increases in housing and medical service costs. The combined apparel and footwear price index fell by 1.4%, its eleventh straight month of decline.
The index for clothing, also in its eleventh straight month down, dropped by 1.6%. Footwear prices edged down by 0.5% in the month, the first decline since June 2014.
A 2.4% drop in prices of women’s apparel, the largest segment in the market, was largely responsible for price erosion in the category. Traditional apparel retailers continue to feel the pressure and share gains by fast fashion brands like H&M and Forever 21, and of off-price formats like TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack, Saks off Fifth and others. This past month, Irish cheap and chic retailer Primark opened its first U.S. store, in Boston’s Downtown Crossing area.
Men’s apparel prices remained all but flat, edging down 0.2% in the month.
While boys’ apparel prices declined by just 1.3%, prices of girlswear plunged by 4.6%. Infants’ and toddlers’ prices rose the most of any category, by 5.9% in the month.
This week the apparel industry dabbled in new fashion technologies, discussed venture capital trends and debated about the survival of America’s department stores.Read more
Invista’s Apparel and Advanced Textiles business is at a crossroads.Read more
U.S. longshoremen are calling out bi-state entities and state port authorities for neglecting shipping labor issues.Read more
Retailers push forward with existing strategies to streamline and reduce promotions, as they focus on ways to capitalize on their online sales successes.Read more
Céline tapped Berluti executive Séverine Merle as its new CEO, meanwhile Puma named Bob Philion as its new Puma North America president.Read more
JC Penney is trimming down to focus on creating physical stores that can compete in a digital world.Read more
Depending on which country you ask, Donald Trump’s moves on trade could either be a huge boon to business or quite the opposite.Read more


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Toys R Us Closing 6 Stores in Michigan
After filing for bankruptcy back in September, Toys R Us announced that they will be closing 182 stores around the U.S.
Six of those stores are right here in Michigan, including two in West Michigan. They include:
- Grand Rapids (28th St.)
- Muskegon (Harvey St.)
- Traverse City
- 2 locations in Ann Arbor
USA Today says that stores are expected to start closing in February. It's unknown when the West Michigan locations will begin their going-out-of-business sales but all 182 stores on the list will be closed by April.
At some locations around the country, the toy giant will combine Toys R Us and Babies R Us into one.
When announcing that they were $5 billion in debt, Toys R Us acknowledged that part of the reinvention process will include strengthening their online presence since that's where most of the competition is.


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Nathan Ingraham, reporting from the WSJD Live event:
It’s only been a week since Apple Pay made its debut, but
apparently the launch has been successful thus far. Speaking at
the WSJD Live event, hosted by The Wall Street Journal, Cook said
that Apple is already the leader in “contactless” payments, “more
than the total of all the other guys.” Within 72 hours, Apple
apparently activated one million cards, and we presume it’s only
gone up significantly since then.
One week, and Apple is already the market leader — using the same systems that Google Wallet and whatever else is out there have been using for years. And in retail locations (as opposed to within apps) it only works with one-month-old iPhone 6 devices.
I’ve seen people arguing that Apple hasn’t really brought much to the table here, that Apple Pay is nearly the same as Google Wallet except for Touch ID. I think it’s nonsense to dismiss the importance of Touch ID (and the secure element that goes along with it) to the success of Apple Pay. But even if we concede for the sake of argument that there’s nothing technologically novel involved with Apple Pay, the company still deserves enormous credit for making a breakthrough.
It’s just marketing, and Apple’s ability to let their users know about new features like Apple Pay, and their ability to partner with a bunch of nationwide chains right off the bat. There’s no “just” about any of that. Getting users to know about new features is not easy. Getting partners on board is not easy. Selling tens of millions of brand-new phones in the first month is not easy.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. These NFC terminals have been in stores for years, and never became popular. Then Apple Pay went live one week ago, and the iPhone is already the market leader.
★ Tuesday, 28 October 2014


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Apple Inc. is looking to India to help boost production outside China, people involved in these discussions told the Wall Street Journal this week, citing strict Covid-19 norms in China that are affecting the company's ability to meet demand for its products. By some estimates Chinese manufacturers account for over 90 per cent of iPhones, iPads and MacBook Air laptops, reports Hindustan Times.
Analysts also told WSJ Apple looking to reduce dependence on China is an expression of the risks it faces given Beijing's 'authoritarian Communist government' and its clashes with the United States.
Apple has declined to comment so far, WSJ said. In April, though, CEO Tim Cook said: "Our supply chain is truly global… products are made everywhere. We continue to look at optimising."
India is seen as a real possibility because of a large workforce and low production costs.
Apple last month predicted bigger supply problems amid Covid-19 lock-downs in China. It said spiking Covid levels (and restrictions) could affect sales by a massive US$ 8 billion in the first quarter alone.
Multiple lock-downs in Shanghai and other major cities - includingZhengzhou in east-central China, home to Foxconn, which operates a large iPhone factory - underlined the need to do so. China's restrictions have also meant Apple is unable to personally monitor production sites and levels
India is already home to a handful of firms contracted to manufacture Apple's products, including Foxconn Technology Group and Wistron Corp., both of which are Taiwan-based companies.
A Foxconn facility near Chennai is already producing the iPhone 13 and Apple is now speaking to existing suppliers about expanding in India, including producing for export, those involved in the talks told the Wall Street Journal.
Wistron has a plant in Karnataka but that has been shut since December 2020 after a protest by contract workers over non-payment of wages, unexplained salary cuts and long work hours among other reasons, took a violent turn.
The Foxconn plant too ran into trouble after horrific living conditions and unsanitary food landed nearly 160 factory workers in hospital and led to more violent clashes.
One possible obstacle to all this will be frosty political relations between India and China, particularly after the conflict and hostile stand-off in Ladakh in 2020, as well as the construction of a second bridge over the Pangong Lake.
The Enforcement Directorate's action against Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi hasn't helped matters either.
India made 3.1 per cent of the world’s iPhones last year, according to WSJ, and the proportion is forecast to increase up to 7 per cent this year. China accounts for almost all of the rest.


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The Klamath Alerts Coronavirus page has updated links to local Klamath County and national tracking information sources. You can find the page located in Resources at the top navigation of our website.
Some New Developments:
- Oregon has announced the first presumed case in Washington County this evening. The case is considered “Community Spread” meaning the infected person did not travel to known high risk locations and was not in contact with high risk persons.
- A confirmed case was reported February 20th in the Eureka, CA area. The case is in Humboldt County.
- Oregon Freeze Dry, the makers of Mountain House freeze dried food have reported delayed shipments and the inability to take phone calls due to high demand.
- A large emergency food supplier “My Patriot Supply” has announced shipping backlogs of freeze dried food. They report demand at 100x normal and up to 8 weeks shipping delays.
- Price gouging is occurring on Amazon for particulate respirator masks and other emergency supplies
Click any image in the gallery for a larger view


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There's nothing worse than falling for someone only to discover they're a secret snorer.
While snuggling up at night might be nice, as soon as they fall asleep your life transforms into a living nightmare.
If this sounds all too familiar, then you're going to be happy about Aldi's latest special buy.
The bargain supermarket now have an anti-snore pillow, and it only costs £4.99.
Aldi said of the bedding: "This Slumberdown Anti Snore Pillow is the ideal way to ensure everyone in your home finally gets a peaceful sleep.
"Whether it's you or another family member, this specially designed pillow raises the head during sleep to keep the airways open, ensuring the night can go by without too much noise."
And naturally, people are going wild for the buy on Twitter.
One person joked: "An anti snore pillow from @AldiUK is being released? Everyone in the car we’re going to Aldi."
A second commented they "work a treat" a third summed up: "We ALL know somebody who urgently needs this pillow from Aldi."
Better still, coming in under a fiver, it's a whopping £25 cheaper than the Silent Night version.
Anti snore pillows all generally work with the same concept — the realign your head and neck to help you clear your airways , as that’s exactly why snoring occurs.
While they will probably only work on those who have a mild snore, they're certainly worth trying before going to more extreme lengths to reign in snoring.
And this isn't the only homeware item to hit supermarkets recently in the hope of putting a stop to snoring.
Asda recently brought into stores a plant that not only promises to look great in any bedroom, but also ease up your airways.
Pineapple plants are the miracle workers in question, and they're only £12.
According to new research from NASA, the fruity plants produce a large amount of oxygen, which can help to improve air quality overnight.
In turn, this can ease up problems with nasal passageways and soothe snoring.
With an estimated 25 per cent of the population being habitual snorers, we're sure many people would be keen to give it a try.


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The NCOE has released From the Garage to the Boardroom: The Entrepreneurial Roots of America’s Largest Corporations, a new report that found most of America’s big corporations today trace back to one or more entrepreneurial founders. The NCOE’s report shows that entrepreneurship “lies at the very heart” of America’s business structure, and that it is the high-growth start-ups of today — like many of their predecessors a century before — that are most likely to join the ranks of the country’s top 200 companies. From the Garage to the Boardroom contains two parts — it first traces the origins of the 1997 Fortune 200 to determine how recently and in what ways these companies were built by entrepreneurs. Second, the report compares the backgrounds of those entrepreneurs who founded and ran companies that were among the 200 largest firms in 1917 and 1997. The report’s key findings include: 1) The origins of most large companies — 197 of the 1997 Fortune 200 companies — can be traced, directly or indirectly, to one or more entrepreneurial founders. 2) Most successful entrepreneurs in 1917 had both significant experience in the same industry as their start-up, and an important innovation that propelled the growth of their company. 3) And it has become more difficult for an entrepreneur to lead a new company into the Fortune 200.
Source: National Commission on Entrepreneurship (NCOE)
Subjects: Entrepreneurship, History


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WAKEFIELD, Bronx (WABC) -- A man caught on camera throwing a piece of fruit is wanted for attacking a worker at a grocery store in the Bronx.
Police say he punched the 67-year-old victim when the man came out of the store to confront him.
The incident happened around 3 a.m. Monday at the store on White Plains Road in Wakefield.
Police are also looking for the two men who were with the fruit thrower.
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Man seen throwing fruit wanted in attack of Bronx grocery store worker
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Pennsylvania’s online shoppers soon will have to pay sales tax
August 20, 2012 12:00 am
By Deborah M. Todd / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tax-free online purchases will be curtailed in Pennsylvania starting next month, but activists pushing for a federal law say much more needs to be done to address the issue of tax-free Internet shopping, and the millions in sales tax that states are missing out on.
Pennsylvania alone would lose between $254 million and $410 million in uncollected revenues this year without legislative intervention, according to a 2011 study by Carnegie Mellon University professor Robert Strauss.
But starting Sept. 1, online retailers with a physical presence in the state will have to pay at least 6 percent sales tax for items purchased by Pennsylvanians.
And for those shoppers in Allegheny County, the online sales tax would be 7 percent — a 6 percent share going to the state, and an additional 1 percent for Allegheny County. In Philadelphia, they tack on an extra 2 percent, meaning the online sales tax — just like the regular, bricks-and-mortar sales tax — would be 8 percent.
Taxes would apply to all purchases made in the state, delivered to the state or used within the state. Items shipped to and from in-state distribution centers and warehouses, sales and services provided by people from out of state, and advertising relationships where compensation is based on sales and website clicks are also subject to being taxed under the new law.
A spokesman from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue said the state estimates next month’s change will bring in an additional $42.8 million for the 2012-13 fiscal year.
The adjustment will allow the state to collect from major retailers such as Amazon, which has a distribution center outside of Allentown, Pa., and eBay, which has an affiliate business in Wilkes-Barre.
Dan Hayward, Pennsylvania spokesman for the Alliance for Main Street Fairness, called the legislation a “great first step” in closing the loophole, but said legislation pending in various federal government committees could finally solve the problem.


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Low raw mats prices a Q3 drag for Lanxess
Current low prices for butadiene rubber have been singled out as a key reason why sales within Lanxess’ Performance Polymers business declined eight per cent year-on-year to €1.1 billion in the third quarter of 2013 despite a 14 per cent rise in volumes. Lanxess says lower raw material prices, especially butadiene, led to selling prices dropping 19 per cent. Sales were also hampered by negative currency effects. EBITDA pre exceptionals for the Performance Polymers business decreased 45 per cent to €84 million.
Overall, the third quarter presented Lanxess with what it says was “an economic environment marked by continuing uncertainty”. On the back of an 11 per cent overall price decline, group sales fell five per cent year-on-year during the quarter to €2.1 billion despite a nine per cent volume increase. As a result, Lanxess has narrowed its full-year 2013 guidance range and now expects EBITDA pre exceptionals to be between €710 million and €760 million, rather than between €700 million and €800 million as previously stated.
“Some of our customers have started restocking their inventories. This is highlighted by the year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter volume increases,” reported Axel C. Heitmann, chairman of the Lanxess AG Board of Management. “But, in our view, it is still too early to speak of a general recovery of the business.”
Company EBITDA pre exceptionals dropped 26 per cent year-on-year to €187 million, largely due to lower selling prices and inventory reduction. Inventory devaluations also added a further €10 million burden. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals declined to 9.1 per cent from 11.8 per cent in the third quarter and net income fell 88 per cent to €11 million due to higher depreciation and amortisation as well as exceptional charges of roughly €20 million for the company’s ‘Advance’ efficiency programme.
Lanxess expects a continued “modest economic momentum” in the fourth quarter, with emerging economies continuing to provide only limited impetus. Although anticipating an easing of the situation in Europe, the company says it does not yet anticipate lasting stability. Growth in the United States is likely to remain moderate due to the ongoing budget uncertainty.
The German specialty chemicals firm also expects difficulties to remain within the market environment, especially for the automotive and tyre industries. It opines that vehicle production will probably only slightly increase in the remaining months of 2013, driven mainly by demand in the US and China, and it believes the tyre industry is likely to enjoy only a modest recovery.
The aforementioned ‘Advance’ efficiency improvement programme was announced in September and aims to bring about annual savings of around €100 million from 2015 onwards by reducing the company’s global workforce by about 1,000 by the end of 2015 and through portfolio adjustments amongst non-core businesses. This year approximately €80 million in exceptional charges will be booked to cover the programme, and a further €70 million or so in 2014.


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According to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), a recent announcement about a price increase for raw sugar to 4 baht per kilogram has been met with minimal concern from the Thai food and beverage industry.
Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), stated that as of now, there have not been any reports on adverse impacts on the food and beverage industry. Kriengkrai explained that sugar prices are governed by global market forces and that Thailand must also consider the impact of global issues like climate change, which has led some countries to cease agricultural exports. He gave an example of India stopping rice exports, thereby increasing global rice prices. It is a trend that has been beneficial for Thailand’s export figures in the past two months.
Regarding raw sugar, climate change has caused a production drop in various countries, leading to consecutive price increases in the global market. This has had a positive effect on sugar exporters and cane farmers within Thailand.
For consumers, a slight impact might be felt, but it is believed to be minimal as sugar consumption has generally decreased due to growing health awareness. Likewise, the industry may experience some repercussions due to increased costs, but this is considered to be minimal.
The FTI Chairman also noted that current trends show that people, particularly the younger generation, are consuming less sugar. Moreover, sugar is not the only sweetening agent available, so the rise in raw sugar prices is not viewed as a major issue for the food industry. (NNT)


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As fan’s of the game will know, Doomfist has always been a legendary character within the lore of Overwatch. And perhaps due to a recent video released by Old Spice Dude Terry Crews shows him further linking his ties to the character, as when Crews says that he’ll be at the Electronic Gaming Expo, or E3, with a “major surprise.” Just after saying so he laughs and comments “ya’ll know what it is.”
Overwatch’s Game Director Jeff Kaplan also hinted that Crews would be “great for many things” at the BAFTA Awards further feeding the hype of many.
Along with this in a recent Facebook live stream held by Terry Himself you can see him showing off his old-spice custom PC while running overwatch leading to but more evidence that we may soon see Doomfist among the many heroes on offer to play in Blizzards team based shooter “Overwatch”
If the hype is worth believing, all eyes should be towards the blizzard booth at E3 and also keep a watchful eye open for further leaks/information.
A multi-ethnic, racially confused hermaphrodite commonly referred to by his online alias "A Bad Password" - real name Kevin - slightly selfishly and completely uncreatively named the gaming news and related content website ABadPassword.com after himself.


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A COMPUTER parts factory costing €6.63 million will be set up in eastern Slovakia by the Australian company Legend Australasia, the news wire TASR wrote.
Representatives of the company and Slovakia's Economy Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding on the investment in Bratislava on August 23.
The company, which produces computer components for HP, Fuji, and Xerox, wants to start building its plant in eastern Slovakia in the third quarter of 2005 and create about 200 new jobs in 2006, company president Bradley R Dowe told the media.
He added that the plant should produce around 12,000 computer components per day and its planned annual turnover should be between €25 and €50 million, soon becoming a base for the European market.
According to Economy Minister Pavol Rusko, the exact location will be revealed after all legal and administrative actions have been settled.
"As soon as all the issues have been settled and finalised with agreements on future contracts... the process is going all right... but we will release the news only when we have the area plan and the permit to start construction," he added.
According to available information, the investor is still deciding between an industrial park in Pereš and a site being offered by the city of Prešov.


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Forwarder Kuehne + Nagel is receiving new freighter capacity as global demand wanes and rate levels tumble through a non-existent peak season.
News and analysis of air cargo shipping and transportation companies.
News & Analysis
18 Nov 2022
Growing uncertainty over demand levels and falling rates is making longer-term traditional air freight block space agreements unattractive.
11 Nov 2022
Soaring online orders for electronics and mobility devices are flooding the US postal services with undeclared lithium-ion batteries, posing a growing threat to the transport supply chain.
09 Nov 2022
The global air cargo industry is flying into bracing headwinds, but airline CEOs remain largely positive that demand will return early next year.
04 Nov 2022
There is no sign of an air cargo peak season this year and few signals that 2023 will see any improvement as global economic conditions worsen.
19 Oct 2022
The world’s long-haul airlines are celebrating a steady return of passenger traffic, but as planes fill with travelers, weakening freight demand means carriers are struggling to fill the surplus cargo capacity below their feet.
18 Oct 2022
A proposal to significantly reduce annual flights at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is rattling air cargo operators at the airport.
12 Oct 2022
Maersk's new air freight facility in Chicago is building on its fast-growing air cargo offering following the November 2021 acquisition of Senator International and purchase of new freighters for its Maersk Air Cargo division.
07 Oct 2022
Demand for air cargo declined through September, and analysts say there is nothing in their data to indicate a pickup in volume out of Asia through the balance of the year.
30 Sep 2022
Spot rates on some air cargo routes out of Asia have fallen below long-term contract levels, mirroring the development in ocean shipping.
26 Sep 2022
Cementing access to controlled air freight capacity is behind MSC’s move to join peers CMA CGM and Maersk in launching an air cargo division.
26 Aug 2022
Average air cargo rates on east-west trade lanes have declined significantly since April as demand slows in line with the traditional slack summer season.
13 Jul 2022
Peak season has begun for air travel between Europe and North America, but forwarders making use of belly cargo capacity on passenger planes do not expect the below-deck boon to last.
08 Jul 2022
An ongoing shortage of capacity on the main trade lanes out of Asia and growing signs of declining demand are clouding the air cargo outlook for the remainder of the year.
06 Jul 2022
Less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation is more than it used to be, and that’s leading to acquisition and expansion in a US trucking sector that is slowly becoming more international in its focus.
28 Jun 2022
The less-than-truckload industry is positioned to ride through a rocky soft patch in the economy and even a short recession with higher pricing, carrier executives at the SMC3 Connections conference said.
21 Jun 2022
The air freight industry is seeing a welcome increase in the urgently needed long-haul belly cargo capacity available to the market as international travel starts picking up.
16 Jun 2022
CMA CGM Air Cargo will use its parent company’s extensive ocean forwarder network to drive new business as the airline readies for a rapid global expansion under its Air France-KLM partnership.
08 Jun 2022
China’s rolling COVID-19 lockdowns and significant disruption linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have left the global air freight market to face a difficult second half of the year.
02 Jun 2022
Air cargo capacity is flooding back into the trans-Atlantic market via below deck belly space as travel increases and airlines ramp up their summer schedules.
01 Jun 2022
Logistics software provider Freightos is being taken public on the Nasdaq, a move that will be closely scrutinized by the founders and investors of growth-stage technology providers in the logistics industry.
31 May 2022
A drop in air freight volumes on the Hong Kong-Europe trade lane is being caused by a lack of available capacity rather than constraints in demand, something an expanded carrier partnership hopes to address.
27 May 2022
Freightos is targeting the payment space for air forwarders by tying an integrated payment tool between forwarders and cargo airlines to its WebCargo booking and rating software.
27 May 2022
If the offer by MSC and Lufthansa for ITA is successful, it will provide the ocean carrier with access to significant air freight capacity.
18 May 2022
In just 18 months, CMA CGM has gone from providing air cargo as part of its CEVA Logistics suite of services to becoming a major player in the global air freight market.
10 May 2022
Forward Air is acquiring a Seattle-based drayage company as part of its strategy to direct more transloaded international container freight to its expedited LTL network.
09 May 2022
Shippers converting ocean consignments into air freight to avoid port bottlenecks along the US East Coast are filling all available air cargo capacity on the trans-Atlantic trade lane.
05 May 2022
Winding down operations in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine has come with a hefty price tag, but transport providers are mostly playing down the impact.
20 Apr 2022
New research from Freightos finds ocean carriers improved their electronic tools over the past three years and want to move rate and booking activity through their own online channels.
11 Apr 2022
Shippers of time-sensitive goods on the North Europe-North America trade are increasingly being forced into the air as rising congestion on the US East Coast extends vessel delays.
31 Mar 2022
Bonded trucking services in and out of Shanghai’s Pudong have been suspended and most flights have been canceled, bringing operations at China’s busiest cargo airport to a standstill.
21 Mar 2022
Aircon, a technology provider aiming to bring a software-based co-loader approach to the air freight industry, has been backed by early-stage investors to drive planned aggregation of air cargo.
15 Mar 2022
The ever-widening effects of Russia’s war on Ukraine and China’s COVID-19 lockdowns are placing mounting pressure on an already stressed air cargo sector.
23 Feb 2022
Higher rates and accessorial charges helped the largest US less-than-truckload carriers add revenue at an unprecedented pace last year, with the five fastest-growing companies increasing their top line between 30 and 40 percent.
22 Feb 2022
Growing demand for e-commerce is behind forwarder moves to lock in controlled air freight capacity on Asia-US routes, with a particular focus on Vietnam.
17 Feb 2022
Sustained demand on the trans-Pacific and limited capacity is pushing forwarders such as Kuehne + Nagel to lock in long-term air cargo charter commitments.
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Police in New Jersey are looking for a missing man. He's described as a clown wearing yellow overalls, big red shoes, a big smile and a giant red Afro. He also goes by the name of Ronald McDonald.
A life-sized statue of the iconic McDonald's mascot was stolen from a McDonald's where it had sat on a bench for the past 20 years. The restaurant is being renovated and the 250-pound statue was supposed to be moved to a safe location for storage, but before it could be removed, someone apparently swiped it.
The franchise owners say they paid $7000 for the statue in 1993 are offering a $500 reward for its safe return. They say, "Whoever stole Ronald McDonald didn't just steal from us, they stole from thousands of parents who want to share their memories growing up with their kids. They grew up with Ronald McDonald. He's a part of the history and marketing of McDonald's."


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The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is expected to help Vietnam’s GDP and export expand by 1.32 per cent and 4.04 per cent by 2035.
In addition, it is seen as helping increase total job opportunities in Vietnam and cutting down non-tariff barriers to trade and investment in all CPTPP members, which will help ease business costs and risks in Vietnam and increase opportunities for enterprises to expand markets and diversify investment resources. CPTPP members have committed to remove 78 per cent to 95 per cent of import taxes as soon as the agreement takes effect. Many key exports such as agricultural products, seafood, shoes, garment and textiles, wooden products, electronics and rubber would enjoy zero tax immediately or a few years later.
Participating in the CPTPP helps Vietnam multilateralise economic and trade relations, avoiding risks due to dependence on some big markets. CPTPP would create opportunities for enterprises to export timber and wood-based products to boost exports when products such as plywood, picture frames, door frames and especially furniture which are subject to import duties of between six per cent and 9.5 per cent will be freed of these duties. Vietnamese garment and textile products which meet with common technical standards would enjoy a zero tax rate.


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What are the most popular commercial developments in 2016?
With the recent news that BHS is closing its stores across the country, the UK’s high streets face another hurdle in their efforts to attract customers. However, Britain’s entrepreneurial spirit means that new businesses are starting up to replace those that are lost. We take a look at the newest commercial trends which will boost our economy.
Consumers in the UK drink around 70 million cups of coffee every day and by the end of the year, it’s estimated that they will have spent almost £8 billion on flat whites, Americanos, lattes and cappuccinos as well as accompanying cake. It’s no wonder, therefore, that coffee shops are springing up all over the country. We can now get our caffeine fix at more than 20,000 high street coffee shop outlets and whether you prefer your drink from one of the leading chains or an independent outlet, there’s no doubt that café culture is here to stay.
It’s now nine years since the government banned smoking in the workplace and enclosed public spaces. Since that time the number of heart attacks as a result of both smoking and passive smoking has fallen by 40% and 900,000 children have been spared illness. It’s also cut the number of smokers down to around 18% of the adult population. To compensate for the lack of opportunity to smoke, vaping has increased in popularity and this has led to around 8,000 e-cigarette shops opening on our high streets. These independent retailers are making the most of the popularity of vaping to offer a wide range of products designed to satisfy the craving for nicotine.
We’re a nation of animal lovers as demonstrated by the 8.5 million dogs and 7.4 million cats we own. But for those who don’t have the time or space for a pet, a cat café may be the answer. Currently there is a handful in the UK, with cat cafés on the high streets of London, Nottingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Dublin and Manchester, with more in the pipeline too. It’s well-known that cuddling a furry friend reduces blood pressure, relieves stress, increases self-esteem and makes you less lonely. So for those of us whose lifestyles prohibit pet keeping, cat, as well as rabbit and owl cafés may be the answer to our prayers. Expect more of them across the country soon.
If you’re looking to begin a commercial adventure in the world of coffee, e-cigs or cats, we can help you. For advice, information and assistance in sourcing your ideal commercial premises, talk to a member of our team. Our knowledgeable and informed staff can help with a variety of issues, from finding a location to ensuring you have the correct lease.
Written by: Ian Harrington on Wednesday 31/08/2016


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No, that isn’t referencing the success of a Starbucks drive-thru, although, that subject would fit given the context of the headline. What we’re referring to is the financial success of the Starbucks mobile payment program, which makes use of the Starbucks app in relation to purchasing their goods and services.
The mobile payment for coffee program was launched by Starbucks back in January, and since its inception, Starbucks has processed 26 million mobile transactions, making it one of the most popular mobile payment apps on the market. According to the Starbucks press release, not only are their customers open to using mobile devices to consume Starbucks’ goods, but consumers are “reloading” their Starbucks Cards apps after they are exhausted, to the tune of $110.5 million during 2011.
There’s even data for the most popular cities in relation to the Starbucks Card app use, and the findings should come as no surprise, considering the top five cities are New York, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and San Jose.
Let’s see, we have two of the most populated cities in the world, the city where Starbucks was born, and two of the tech industry homebases. Nope. No surprises here. Concerning the success of their mobile payment application, Starbucks is understandably excited:
“2011 was a year of great mobile exploration and expansion for Starbucks and an opportunity to give our customers a new way to connect with Starbucks through a variety of mobile experiences,” said Adam Brotman, svp and gm Starbucks Digital Ventures. “The customer response to our mobile apps has been phenomenal. Not only are they using their phone as a wallet, but as a connection point to Starbucks as they manage their Starbucks Card accounts, send eGifts and get into the holiday spirit with the Starbucks Cup Magic app.”
Due to the success of the mobile app, Starbucks is looking at expanding its area of functionality. In November, the company launched the service in Canada and in January 2012, the application debuts in the United Kingdom.
Are you cutting the cord to your wallet via your mobile device? Does the success of Starbucks’ application cause you to reconsider? Let us know what you think in the comments.