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The Surface 2 (which features extra processing power, better battery life and a sharper display) is available for pre-order on the John Lewis website now. It will become available on 22 October.
If you're feeling a case of déjà vu, John Lewis offered the same life-extending deal when the Surface RT launched one year ago.
Focusing on tech deals paid off for the retailer in the company's full-year 2012 earnings report, which saw its Electricals and Home Technology (EHT) division grow sales 28.9% year-on-year.
Our blips are guaranteed to take less than two years to read, so click here for more.
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One of Japan's largest tech companies just launched its own cloud storage service — its main appeal is not its free 10GB storage but its unlimited transfer service
Some of the world's biggest cloud computing firms want to make millions of servers last longer — doing so will save them billions of dollars every year


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Blame it on the boom of the double-cleanse or the effects of the economy, but beauty enthusiasts woke up to the sad news this morning that popular brand Clarisonic will be shutting down as of September 30.
As announced on Instagram with additional details on its site, the brand shared that “after more than a decade of game-changing innovation and industry-leading technology, the Clarisonic brand will be shutting down…this difficult decision was made so that L’Oréal can focus its attention on its other core business offerings.”
As part of the announcement on social media, the brand also posted that they’re promoting a huge half-off sale on its site and at authorized retailers in the process.
“To our entire Clarisonic community, it has been our absolute pleasure to serve you all these years. Please take advantage of our last chance, 50% off EVERYTHING sale on Clarisonic.com and at our authorized retailers (@Amazon, @Sephora and @ultabeauty)while supplies last, and see the link in our bio for a list of FAQs regarding our closure. Thank you for being a part of the Clarisonic family.”
More info on the closure, as well as warranty and auto-refill information, can be found here.
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Mardy Townsend explains why we can’t wait any longer to pass the GIPSA rule that would level the playing field for small-scale farmers in an industry where corporate concentration runs rampant. “The meatpacking industry, giant poultry companies, and largest food processors have forced more than 1 million American farmers and ranchers out of business since 1980.” She points out that, influenced by the biggest players in the livestock industry, the House of Representatives is trying to stop the passage of this legislation by blocking GIPSA’s funding.
The New York Times Food & Drink Issue is out! Check it out for articles on the next food trend (eating algae?), the mystery of why your toaster is so bad, taste-testing the best worst beers, and Michael Pollan’s musings on whether or not consumers can really impact factory farming, unsustainable agriculture and animal cruelty.
From Colorado’s Channel 9 News, an article about crops going bad because immigrants, legal and illegal, aren’t showing up to work for fear of being arrested. Farmers are calling on Washington to get these workers back on the land, arguing that their absence may mean higher food prices or food scarcity in the nation’s grocery stores.
One Colorado farmer hired out-of-work Americans on his farm, rather than rely on the migrant labor he traditionally has used to make his farm run smoothly. It was not a successful experiment. “Americans, he says, proved to be less reliable and less willing to perform the hard work necessary to run his corn and onion farm than foreign workers.”
Check out the designs submitted to Threadless Tees’ anti-GMO t-shirt contest.
Speaking of GMOs, Food and Water Watch recently released a report filled with GMO info for the wary consumer. The report reviews the history of GMO regulations, explains the impact of GMOs on consumers, farmers, and the world market, emphasizes the importance of GE labeling and debunks the myth that Monsanto’s GE soybeans are helping us move towards a more robust food system.
Finally, Anna Lappé continues her exposé of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, delving deeper into who they really represent.


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The funding will help Ola to continue its focus on India and build both its supply of vehicles and drivers as well as strategic technology to help it win against Uber.
Chinese internet conglomerate Tencent’s investment in Ola is part of an ongoing round of financing since November in which it has managed to mop up $800 million till now.
Sachin Bansal, co-founder of Flipkart, will be the founding president and chairman of the lobby group and is likely to appoint a former IAS officer as CEO.
In August, Ola roped in Harish Abhichandani as CFO. Abhichandani was earlier the CFO of Flipkart's logistics unit Ekart.
Incentives for drivers emerged as a major draw in the last few years, helping Ola and Uber shore up supply in quick time
Taizo Son, the chief executive of Japanese startup studio Mistletoe, will back an idea from its very beginning if he is convinced it can be a game-changer.
The new Ola app will focus on bookings being completed within one to two touches, internally dubbed as Ola Instant, which will be more intuitive based on past user behaviour
Bhavish Aggarwal graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology with a degree in computer science. Today, he’s battling Uber, one of the world’s best-funded startups.
Rajeev Misra was emphatic that SoftBank will continue to bet on hungry founders, but acknowledged that founders' egos often come in the way.
Ola and Uber are currently losing crores every month as they compete for market share and invest in driver incentives and discounts, making profitability a tough goal.
Indus OS users will have to open their OS’ in-built messaging app and click on Ola among the suggested brand accounts to book a cab for them.
"We are bringing a range of TV channels to Ola Play, including live news channels that are accessible on-the-go," said Ankit Jain, the head of Ola Play.
CBSE has tied up with Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India to come up with entrepreneurial programme for students.
India's largest taxi aggregator Ola has partnered Google to enable commuters to find and book outstation rides across 23 Indian cities on Google Maps app.
Ola has seen a string of exits amid new senior level recruitments in 2017.
The taxi aggregator Uber, which recently completed 500 million trips in India after four years in the country, said it achieved 9.4 million trips a week in July.
SoftBank-backed cab aggregator Ola has closed a Rs 231 crore funding round from New York-based hedge fund Tekne Private Ventures through issue of preference shares.
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Aetrex Worldwide Inc. has formed Aetrex Canada, a new division. The move will enable the Teaneck, N.J.-based company to provide retailers there with better prices and faster delivery.
“We now have a full-time team dedicated to the Canadian market,” CEO Larry Schwartz said in a company statement. “This will provide easier access to all our marketing programs, including our patented iStep technology, which is proven to help drive revenue by increasing footwear and orthotic sales.”
Additionally, through its partnership with UPS’ NRI division, all orders will have free freight and duties, guaranteed through the end of the year.


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Jack Daniel’s lead agency is Arnold Worldwide, Boston. We are thrilled to offer his trading cards and autographed cards to baseball fans, said Leiner. TicketCity said that Wholesale NBA Jerseys the enthusiasm of NHL fans on Nike NFL Jerseys From China social media is easy to see when compared to other professional leagues like the NFL and Major League Baseball. Steiner Sports, which has exclusive alliances with the Yankees and Jeter, will create a memorabilia museum in the lobby of the Circle in the Square Theatre, including seats and dirt from the original Yankee Stadium and plaques and jerseys autographed by the likes of Mariano Rivera, Jeter, Berra and DiMaggio. 2 before the first half’s two-minute warning. He will oversee all Baseball Jerseys U.S. In addition, Lou Kovacs has been NFL Jerseys Nike promoted to president-marketing, North America. 2 on the list of best-selling team merchandise. The custom-designed cleats will be worn during various games during Week 13 of the regular NFL season, beginning with the the Washington Nike NFL Jerseys From China Redskins visiting the Dallas Cowboys on . Both companies are based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Segal joined Lagardère Sports in 2010 as president of Football and became president of Team Sports in 2016. Our research shows that after beer drinkers try Budweiser Black Crown, 84% would purchase it, Nate Scudieri, senior brand manager for Budweiser Black Crown, said in a statement.
DeMelo’s move is a bit of a surprise given that the Sharks signed him to a two-year extension in July, but with Karlsson Cheap Baltimore Ravens Jerseys donning teal, the 25-year-old became expendable and comes home to Ontario. We’ve sprinkled more cameras around the wholesale jerseys theater to have more vantage points to capture that a little bit more. He came on One Bills Live this week to talk about his move, his career, and what he thinks is the most important quality for a reporter covering pro football. He will oversee all U.S. Atlas Foundation dinner in New York on Nov. also features archival footage, some of it previously unseen. In what has been several months of big changes – including Monster Energy taking over for Sprint as title sponsor for the lead Nascar Cup Series and Liberty Media acquiring Formula 1 – sponsors are still spending on motorsports activation but at a slower rate than predicted. Both companies are based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Under Armour said this morning that Patrik Frisk, the company’s president and COO, would become its new CEO, Wholesale NBA Jerseys effective Jan. and international marketing specialty groups for the agency, which include Brand Marketing, Property Consulting, Experiential Activation, Creative, Content, Production and Digital NFL Jerseys Nike Marketing. Michael Ouweleen, evp wholesale jerseys and CMO of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang, will serve as the interim president. When I came into the game of football, everybody said I was raw. and international marketing specialty groups for the agency, which include Brand Marketing, Property Consulting, Experiential Activation, Creative, Content, Production and Digital Marketing. • Christina Miller, president of Turner’s Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang and Turner Classic Movies. • Kellogg’s said its Pop-Tarts brand would appear on Super Bowl broadcasting for Baseball Jerseys the first time with a 30-second spot to air Nike NFL Jerseys From China on Fox during Super Bowl LIV on Feb. According to the Portland, Wholesale Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Ore.-based company, people interested in the position first need to register online. felt good during Monday’s practice but remains considered day-to-day, Brian Hedger of reports. Jim: Hey Terry. The company’s lawsuit claimed that the NFL-Reebok deal was a monopoly that prevented American Needle from selling logo caps and hats. The more we watch film, we all come out here and we’re able to dissect it and when it comes to the field, we’re able to go make those plays. With the London 2012 Games only months away, Budweiser will join all Americans in celebrating the Wholesale NBA Jerseys success of Team USA. Supporting hockey is part of our heritage, and we are thrilled to feature Baseball Jerseys David Pastrňák, one of the league’s brightest young stars, to reinforce our unique connection with the league, Tom Manchester, svp-integrated marketing, Dunkin’ U.S, said via the Canton, MA-based brand At the game, on the way to and from the rink, and for Pasta maybe even in the penalty box, where’s there’s hockey, there’s Dunkin’. Both companies are based in the San Francisco Bay Area. ESPN has been running promos for the NFL Draft, NFL Jerseys Nike which will take place at Radio City Music Hall in New York. 2 before the first half’s two-minute warning.
• Kellogg’s said its Pop-Tarts brand would appear on Super Bowl broadcasting for the first time with a 30-second spot to air on Fox during Super Bowl LIV on Feb. • Kellogg’s said its Pop-Tarts brand would appear on Super Bowl broadcasting for the first time with a 30-second spot to air on Fox during Super Bowl LIV on Feb. and international marketing specialty groups for the agency, which include Brand Marketing, Property Consulting, Experiential Activation, Creative, Content, Production and Digital Marketing.


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Do labels describing a packaged food as “all natural” or “100% natural” really mean anything?
That question has been hotly debated by organic and natural food advocates in recent years, as companies have scrambled to promote their food products in line with customers’ newfound appreciation for all things natural and organic.
One of the biggest brands out there is the Beech-Nut Nutrition Company, which produces lines of both organic baby food and “natural,” Non-GMO Project Verified baby food.
But a new lawsuit against the company from the Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. led Children’s Health Defense (CHD) organization is shedding light on just how pervasive certain chemicals are in our food supply, even so-called “natural” brands.
RFK Jr. Brings Legal Action Against Beech-Nut Baby Food
According to recent comprehensive test results, the Beech-Nut line of baby foods contain residues of synthetic pesticides including glyphosate (a “probable human carcinogen” according to the World Health Organization’s main cancer research body), acetamiprid and captan, a press release from CHD said.
Because of the potential risk involved with developing babies and these chemicals, Kennedy Jr., the chairman and chief legal council for the CHD organization, announced a lawsuit against the company on July 9, calling the company’s use of the word “natural” unlawful.
“The Plaintiff, Children’s Health Defense, brings this unlawful trade practices case on behalf of itself, its members, and the general public, seeking relief including an injunction to stop the deceptive marketing and sale of the Products,” the organization said, adding that the company’s material misrepresentations and omissions violate the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act.
The complaint states that Beech-Nut’s “labeling and marketing of the Products deceives parents who seek to be mindful of what is contained in the baby foods they provide to their infants.”
While the company has secured Non-GMO Project Verification for its products, the CHD believes that the labels are still misrepresentations of the true nature of the product.
Tests on Beech-Nut products including “Just Apples,” “Apples, Cinnamon & Granola,” “Apple & Pumpkin,” and “Just Mango, Apple & Avocado” using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry have revealed the pesticide contamination, the organization said.
“None of the pesticides are “natural” substances. Acetamiprid is a neonicotinoid synthetic insecticide. Captan is a synthetic chloroalkyl thio fungicide. Glyphosate is a synthetic biocide invented by the biotechnology corporation Monsanto,” the release read.
“By failing to state that its Products contain acetamiprid, captan, and/or glyphosate, when those products are represented as “100% natural” and/or containing “just” specific fruits and vegetables, Defendant Beech-Nut has also failed to state a material fact where such failure has a tendency to mislead,” it continued.
You can learn more about RFK Jr.’s organization in the video below:
Independently Owned Organic Baby Food Companies Worth Checking Out
While it can sometimes be difficult to find organic baby food, the number of brands and varieties available has grown immensely in recent years.
But many of the top organic baby food companies (even ones that seem independent like Plum Organics and Happy Family Organics) have been bought out by huge corporations like Campbell’s and Dannon in recent years.
As a general rule, buying from smaller, independent companies is a great way to assure quality.
Below are three (rare) independently owned organic baby food companies worth checking out:
Serenity Kids Baby Food: Created by a couple seeking to produce baby food with less sugar and more healthy fats than traditional baby foods based around fruit, this company creates Paleo friendly baby foods based around organic vegetables and pasture-raised and wild-caught meats and fish, respectively.
Check them out here.
Peter Rabbit Organics Baby Food: Based out of Oregon and relatively new on the scene, Peter Rabbit’s products are made from organic fruits and vegetables as well as oats, chia seeds and other healthy organic ingredients.
Amara Organic Baby Food: Another recent addition to the organic baby food scene, this company specializes in producing minimally processed organic baby foods that aren’t repeatedly cooked or treated with high heat like many other brands, resulting in a more natural texture. You can learn more or check them out here.
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Forty-nine states have announced plans to drop their indoor mask mandates as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations steadily decline across the country. The only holdout remains Hawaii.
So the wife and I just returned home from a trip to the Winn Dixie right at 6:00 AM. The whole store staff was masked. She and I were the only customers out of a dozen wearing masks. Our cashier thanked us for bagging our own groceries in cloth bags and for wearing masks while around her.
The plexiglass shields over the credit card machines and all the way to the registers which are about 6 feet high are still in place. Good on Winn Dixie.


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On Nov. 21, an estimated 39.1 million people braved slippery highways and bumper-to-bumper traffic traveling home for Thanksgiving. And if, like me, you’re one of those unfortunate drivers who survived the busiest travel day of the year, you probably wondered at least several times along the way: Who are all these dingbats stuck in the cash-only tollbooth lanes?
All across the U.S., electronic tollbooths offer drivers myriad benefits in addition to the opportunity to whiz through tolls: discounts, reduced congestion, fuel savings, environmental improvements. There’s FasTrak in California; TxTag in Texas; and in the Northeast, E-Z Pass, an association of 14 states, which saw 2.44 billion transactions from nearly 23 million transponder devices on the road. Despite all the mysterious holdouts, that massive user base–only a percentage of the accounts active in the U.S. and Canada–could attract significant new use cases for this oft-overlooked form of electronic mobile payments, according to E-Z Pass executive director PJ Wilkins.
“It’s a very versatile application,” Wilkins says. “There’s a lot of interest in expanding the market. Customers want it–they’re asking for it everywhere. And we’re also getting feelers from other segments of the economy that want to capitalize on the tremendous amount of transponders out there.”
First, however, many industry insiders want to streamline the fractured systems. Think of the e-tollbooth industry like the smartphone market: Like the operating systems developed by Apple, Google, Microsoft, and RIM, electronic tollbooths too are fragmented–only over a slew of state toll authorities, each using roughly a half-dozen different transponder protocols. That means, an electronic tollbooth in California won’t accept tags from Florida, and vice versa. “What are you going to do? End up with five to six devices on your windshield? That’s not the way to do it,” Wilkins says.
Many toll agencies are working to make the systems interoperable–in fact, they are mandated to do so. A law enacted in July called MAP-21 requires electronic toll systems to be interoperable by 2016. With a unified and nationwide system of vehicle mobile payments–boasting likely tens of millions of customers–e-toll transponders could arguably become as appealing to the market as digital payment solutions from Square or Google or any number of brand-name players. (In other words, imagine the market for developers if it was mandated that all smartphone platforms run iOS or Android.)
No wonder the industry is already attracting attention from other business segments. According to Wilkins, major airports in New York and New Jersey are already using the systems to accept payments for parking–no more waiting in line for that parking attendant. And E-Z Pass has received interest from gated communities, which see the system as a possible security solution, and from trucking companies, which could potentially use E-Z Pass someday to track shipments going to and from ports and warehouses.
Perhaps most promising though? A number of years back, E-Z Pass did a pilot project with McDonald’s, which was interested in seeing if the system could streamline payments at drive-through restaurants. For a brief time, at five or so locations in New York, customers could pay for Big Macs via E-Z Pass, but ultimately, says Wilkins, “McDonald’s decided to go a different route.” The problem was that McDonald’s wanted to settle payments daily, whereas E-Z Pass and other toll authorities typically settle transactions on a weekly basis. “Our whole system wasn’t developed to do fast food,” Wilkins says. “If we’re going to get into that type of market–and I’m not saying we won’t–we’re going to have to get into our back-office processes.”
Still, it’s likely in the future that as the technology evolves, such payment solutions could be accessed at restaurants or utilized for other drive-in or drive-through applications. Some companies are testing tolling applications for iPhone and Android devices, Wilkins says, and even doing pilot projects with several toll authorities, perhaps signaling a time when drivers can pay via smartphone rather than toll transponder. “I think we’re going to have to eventually come to some level of comfort with other payment options,” Wilkins says.
Oh, as to why some customers avoid solutions like E-Z Pass and opt for endless cash-only lanes? “That’s always perplexed us,” says Wilkins, who adds that he’s spent a great deal of time studying this issue. There’s a variety of factors involved: Some customers don’t use toll roads enough to warrant opening an account; a large segment of the population is unbanked and believes solutions like E-Z Pass require a credit card; while others just generally shun the technology because, as Wilkins says, “The Big Brother is watching.”
But for the most part, drivers hate having to stop and pay tolls. Says Wilkins, “They just want to keep rolling.”
[Image: Flickr user VaDOT]


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Now that 2018’s Apple iPhones (excluding the iPhone XR) are out, rumors about 2019’s iPhones will now take pace. One of the first rumors is the talk about the support for 5G connectivity and what might be the costing of the handset. As per a report by DigiTimes, various Android handset makers are aiming to roll out 5G handsets next years and this might affect Apple.
It has been cited that if the iPhone-manufacturer aims to stick with 4G supporting smartphones in 2019, how it will be capable of justifying the rising costs of the device since Android OEMs will be offering the 5G smartphone at lower costs.
Speculations indicate that the 2019 iPhones by Apple will have support for dual-mode 4G/5G and the first 5G iPhone will have a price tag of almost $1,299. In case the company aims to go for a 5G handset in 2019, it might also lower the costs of the present models for those who are not yet ready to shift to 5G.
Speaking of future iPhones, there is no doubt that by launching a notch for the iPhone X, Apple set a new fashion in the worldwide smartphone industry. But it appears like Apple is looking for a way to change this as the latest report by Economic Daily News claims that the Cupertino-located tech behemoth might employ a unique “black coating” for its future iPhones for front camera lenses.
The report mentions an analyst at GF Securities (Chinese investment company), Jeff Pu, who has shared his study note claiming that Largan Precision (camera lens supplier for iPhone) is designing a unique black coating that permits the front camera lens to entirely vanish. According to Pu’s study, this tech can be designed by 2020 and will be used and can be equipped in future iPhones.


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Yoshiharu Hoshino describes his experience taking over the reins of his century-old family business in 1991 as a “hard landing.”
The fourth-generation hotelier and chief executive officer of Hoshino Resorts Inc., one of Japan’s largest and most well-known operators of luxury hotels and ryokan (traditional inns), inherited his family-run hot spring inn in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, as the nation was reeling from a tectonic economic shift triggered by the collapse of the bubble economy.
“During my father’s time, workers were easy to hire, it was a matter of offering a decent salary,” Hoshino said during a recent interview with The Japan Times.
“But when I took over, the situation had changed drastically — people weren’t interested in working at ryokan and resorts,” he said. “Guests would arrive, but we weren’t able to find people to clean the rooms.”
Hoshino’s struggle in hiring and retaining staff during the recession forced him to focus his efforts on enhancing loyalty and led to the development of a management method centered on multitasking and employee autonomy.
Coupled with his knack for infusing a unique blend of Japanese aesthetics and contemporary design into his projects, the formula proved a success. Today, Hoshino’s company operates 35 resorts across Japan and two more overseas, run by over 2,000 employees. One of his hotels appeared in the news last week when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe invited Ivanka Trump, the daughter of U.S. President Donald Trump, to dinner at Hoshinoya Tokyo, a luxury contemporary ryokan in the Otemachi financial district.
Now Hoshino is taking his own style of hospitality to the next level with a new chain of urban hotels amid an unprecedented tourism boom.
Last month Hoshino Resorts announced the launch of the company’s fourth brand, OMO, and said two new hotels under the brand will be opening next spring in Hokkaido and Tokyo, with more to come.
To date, Hoshino Resorts has operated high-end hotels and ryokan in rural, scenic locations under its flagship Hoshinoya brand, the hot-spring-focused Kai brand, and the western resort-type Risonare brand.
Unlike its existing brands, OMO will primarily operate in cities, targeting travelers looking for budget hotels. Hoshino said the idea for OMO emerged back in 2005 while he was redeveloping a ryokan at a hot-spring resort.
“We encountered a situation where ryokan were losing customers despite a growing inflow of tourists in the area,” he said.
“What was happening was that tourists were using nearby business hotels instead of staying in ryokan,” he said. “We couldn’t afford to neglect that trend.”
According to the Japan Tourism Agency, around 60 percent of hotel guests last year — both Japanese and foreign — stayed in business or budget hotels. That figure is expected to increase as the number of tourists grows. Japan saw 24 million visitors last year, and the government wants that to hit 40 million by 2020, when Tokyo will host the Olympic Games.
For its first OMO project, Hoshino Resorts has been refurbishing the Asahikawa Grand Hotel in Hokkaido that was acquired last year by its publicly traded real estate investment trust, Hoshino Resorts REIT Inc.
As with any Hoshino Resort endeavor, the local staff took the initiative, setting up a committee to review the inn’s operations and coming up with a new raison d’etre. Hoshino said rather than competing with local venues for entertainment, the new hotel plans to provide the best of both worlds by actively introducing guests to eateries, bars and other attractions in the area while providing quality in-house services.
The Asahikawa Grand has since been renamed OMO7, with the number reflecting the grade of the accommodation based on a 10-point scale. Another hotel called OMO5 will open around the same time next spring near Otsuka Station in Tokyo, while another is planned near Shin-Imamiya Station in downtown Osaka.
“Eventually I would like to see an OMO hotel in every city in Japan featured in travel guides,” Hoshino said.
Over the years, Hoshino Resorts has gained wide recognition as an expert resort operator, thanks in part to its innovative organizational and human resources structure.
The company is known for its multitasking employees, who rotate shifts to handle all four operational duties: reception desk, kitchen, restaurant service and housekeeping. Employees are also tasked with creating new services unique to the facility and its locale. Customer satisfaction surveys are carefully analyzed to develop proposals to improve service. Hoshino Resorts says the approach helps keep employees in tune with customers’ needs while enriching job satisfaction and enhancing motivation.
The company also emphasizes maintaining a flat organizational structure, with managerial positions limited to heads of resorts and so-called unit directors in charge of groups responsible for overseeing various service areas. When a managerial post opens, employees can nominate themselves for the position and are selected based on their presentations at groupwide conferences.
Its distinct approach is evident in employee email addresses. Unlike typical corporate email addresses that follow the first name, last name format, staff at Hoshino Resorts are encouraged to incorporate a favorite word or phrase that characterize themselves.
While Hoshino is known for his progressive management style, he comes from a family steeped in tradition.
The 57-year-old recalls growing up in a house adjacent to his family’s hot spring inn in Karuizawa, a scenic mountain resort around 70 minutes from Tokyo by bullet train. As a child, he would bathe in the onsen (hot spring) and was keenly aware that someday he would be responsible for running the ryokan, which first opened its doors in 1914. His grandparents, he said, frequently introduced the young Hoshino to others as yondaime, or the fourth-generation heir to the business.
After graduating from Keio University in Tokyo, Hoshino flew to the United States to study at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. He liked reading works by leadership expert Ken Blanchard, whom he credits for inspiring Hoshino Resorts’ flat management structure.
Following numerous quarrels with his father over how to run the ryokan, Hoshino officially took over the inn when he was 31. His first task was restructuring its operation and improving creditworthiness. He renamed the company Hoshino Resorts Inc. in 1995 to make it sound more attractive to job seekers.
“For the first 10 years I stayed in Karuizawa and focused on recruiting and rebuilding our business,” he said.
His turning point came in 2001, when he agreed to revive a struggling members-only resort in Yamanashi Prefecture designed by Italian architect Mario Bellini.
Hoshino Resorts began by transforming the venue — which it later renamed Risonare Yatsugatake — from an adult-centered resort to one open to families. It lined the main street running through it with restaurants, cafes and craft shops. It also introduced locally made wine — Yamanashi and neighboring Nagano are major regions for wine production — and marketed itself as Japan’s first “wine resort.” The project was a hit, and the resort returned to the black in a few years.
Similar success stories followed in Fukushima Prefecture in 2003 and Hokkaido 2004. And in 2005, Hoshino Resorts redeveloped Hoshino’s family inn and opened Hoshinoya Karuizawa, the first of its flagship Hoshinoya luxury ryokan.
Hoshino’s track record for rejuvenating resorts drew the attention of Goldman Sachs in 2005, which asked the company to handle its ryokan investments in Japan. That freed up Hoshino Resorts to focus solely on running resorts and spawned the idea for Kai, a series of boutique hot spring inns united under a single brand.
Since then, Hoshino Resorts has expanded rapidly.
It now operates six Hoshinoya high-end resorts, including in Kyoto and Okinawa. Kai meanwhile has grown to 14 locations in Japan. Hoshino eventually wants to see the brand grow to around 30. There are also three Risonare hotels and several other inns that don’t belong to any of the three main brands.
Looking ahead, Hoshino wants to introduce the rest of the world to his take on Japanese hospitality.
The company operates two hotels outside Japan, one in Tahiti and the other, Hoshinoya Bali, on the Indonesian resort island.
While acknowledging that operating overseas could be costly and require different know-how, Hoshino emphasized the need to establish footholds for global expansion.
“We will never be able to go out if we don’t get moving now,” he said.
One country he would like to leave a mark on is the U.S.
“It has a giant market and many understand Japanese culture. I hope we can establish an operational base in America one day,” he said.
This section runs exclusive stories on top business leaders and executives interviewed by The Japan Times.
The evolution of a century-old business
1914: Hot spring ryokan opens in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture.
1991: Yoshiharu Hoshino takes over the inn from his father.
1995: Hoshino renames the company Hoshino Resorts Inc.
2001: Hoshino Resorts begins turnaround of struggling hotel in Yamanashi Prefecture.
2005: Hoshino Resorts rebuilds family inn and opens the modern Hoshinoya Karuizawa.
2013: Hoshino Resorts REIT Inc. goes public on Tokyo Stock Exchange.
2016: Hoshinoya Tokyo opens in Tokyo’s Otemachi district.
2017: Hoshino Resorts launches OMO chain of budget hotels.
Since taking over his family’s century-old ryokan (traditional inn) in 1991, Yoshiharu Hoshino has succeeded in transforming the business into one of Japan’s largest operators of luxury resorts. The Japan Times asked Hoshino about what he does in his free time, how he manages his health and his thoughts on succession.
What are your hobbies?
Skiing. I aim to ski 60 days a year. Last year it was 62 days. During summer I may fly to New Zealand for the slopes. I go ahead and book 60 days in my calendar in advance, and work on the remaining days.
I also read a lot of business books. It’s business or skiing. When there’s a new theory or when an academic I follow — like Ken Blanchard or Michael Porter — releases a new book, I try to take a look.
Do you follow any health regimen?
I only eat one meal a day. Only dinner. I’m the fourth-generation heir to my family business, and none of my predecessors lived to the age of 80. They all died of the same cause: heart attacks caused by hardening of the arteries. They all experienced a rise in cholesterol levels after turning 40. I am no exception. The first and second generations couldn’t quite grasp what caused the problem, but it became clearer during my father’s time. He lived until 79.
Health checks I took after turning 40 indicated higher cholesterol levels, so I began skipping breakfast to lower my calorie intake. That caused a temporary fall in cholesterol levels, but it soon began to climb again, so I began eating late lunches so that I eat less for dinner. Eventually my lunch and dinner blended into a single meal.
Do you have any thoughts on succession?
It does cross my mind. I have a 16-year-old boy who’s going through a rather rebellious period. Like it or not, I think he will have to be involved in the business in some form. The scale of the business, however, has expanded significantly since I took over from my father. That means our human resources are very important, and we need to build a system where our business and culture can be passed on whether someone from the family takes over or not.
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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (CBS.MW) -- Shares of Applied Materials jumped to an 11-month high late Tuesday after the chip equipment maker reported second-quarter sales, orders and earnings that were better than Wall Street expected.
Orders grew to $1.69 billion from $1.12 billion during the previous quarter, which is growth of 51 percent -- much higher than targeted growth of 10 percent to 15 percent.
After the announcement, Applied shares briefly passed $28 but eventually settled back to $27.98, an increase of 5 percent, on very heavy volume on Island ECN. Shares
Last month, Applied's stock hit a 10-month high of $27.76, but it subsequently fell to $22 early in May. Recent optimism in the chip sector about an ongoing recovery has inspired investors to make a run at $28. Applied hasn't traded above $30 since October 2000.
"Clearly, the first phase of recovery is under way with a number of semiconductor manufacturers announcing they were raising capital expenditure plans for this year," said CEO Jim Morgan during a conference call.
However, he added that the overall end demand for electronics remains mixed, but that demand has picked up for products powered by advanced chip designs, like digital cameras, DVDs, wireless handhelds and LCDs.
He said the first phase of a recovery consists of heavy consumer buying of these advanced-technology products, especially by mainstream consumers. A second phase, he said, consists of increased spending by corporations and other slow-to-develop markets.
CFO Joe Bronson said the environment for Applied's products is better due to an improving global economy and subsequent increase in consumer confidence, chipmakers are now making capacity purchases for leading-edge technology equipment, and China is becoming a "major buyer" of capital equipment for the first time.
The second quarter
The world's largest chip equipment maker posted net income of $52 million, or 3 cents a share, on revenue of $1.16 billion for the quarter ended in April.
During the same quarter last year, net income was $318 million, or 19 cents a share, on revenue of $2.14 billion. During the previous quarter, which ended in January, net loss was $45 million, or 3 cents a share, on revenue of $1 billion.
Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial/First Call expected earnings of 2 cents a share on revenue of $1.041 billion, on average. Also, several analysts boosted their sequential order growth target to more than 15 percent just in the past week.
Since there is a lag between when an order is placed and when it is actually recognized as revenue, industry watchers consider an order a more timely indicator of current business conditions.
In mid-February, Applied said it expected order growth of 10 to 15 percent, which would have placed orders between $1.23 billion and $1.288 billion.
Forty percent of the new orders came from Taiwan, where the largest semiconductor foundries are based. Orders within North America comprised 18 percent of the book and Korea accounted for 13 percent of the period's orders. Applied's book-to-bill ratio, a measure of the value of orders vs. shipments, was 1.5-to-1.
Further, Applied's order backlog grew to $3.11 billion from $2.68 billion at the end of the first quarter.
Gross margin grew to 40 percent from 38.5 percent sequentially. During the same quarter last year, margin was 46 percent.
Costs of sales increased 12 percent to $693.7 million from $615 million during the previous quarter. In contrast, sales increased 15 percent sequentially. Operating expenses fell to $423.3 million vs $480 million during the previous quarter.
Applied said its revenue and orders will again grow sequentially, as well as gross margins.
Revenue is expected to increase to $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion, along with an unspecified increase in gross margins and earnings.
Analysts had expected earnings of 4 cents a share on revenue of $1.18 billion.
Orders are targeted to grow 10 percent to 15 percent, which would put them between $1.86 billion and $1.94 billion.
Expenses will increase as Applied reinstates variable compensation programs and profit sharing.
The chip industry is currently undergoing three major technology shifts, all of which require new equipment. This new equipment makes better conducting chips through the use of copper instead of aluminum; it makes more chips per wafer by using 300 mm wafers vs 200 mm or 100 mm wafers; and it shrinks chip geometries to 0.15 micron and below. Taken together, the improvements make faster chips cheaper.
"We are seeing accelerated investments by integrated device manufacturers as well as foundries," said David Wang, executive vice president. "Our business is being driven by continued aggressive ramps of advanced technologies as they increase capacity on these technology lines."
Applied also boosted some key industry forecasts for all of 2002. Overall capital expenditures by chipmakers are now expected at $30.6 billion, a decline of 20 percent, but better than a previously projected decline of 25 percent. Further, spending on wafer equipment is expected to fall 15 percent this year compared with a previously targeted decline of 20 percent.


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A two-judge panel ruled that an arrest warrant issued against Lee by a local court in Ghaziabad, near New Delhi, would not be executed for six weeks, according to an order posted on the court’s website.
Lee will have to appear before the local court and can seek bail and an exemption from further hearings, the Supreme Court judges ruled.
Lee, 72, is South Korea’s richest man with a net worth of $11.2 billion, according to Forbes.
In a statement, Samsung said Lee had no connection with the case, which it said was related to a “multi-million dollar fraud scheme” perpetrated against a subsidiary in Dubai. Samsung declined to comment on whether Lee would appear in court.
“There are no grounds, let alone evidence, to support the accusation against Chairman Lee,” the company said. “We are confident that the Indian courts will recognise the innocence of Chairman Lee and deliver justice.”
The Supreme Court’s verdict came after an appeal by Lee, who local media said had sought to have the criminal proceedings against him dropped. The Supreme Court dismissed his petition.
“We make it clear that we have not expressed any opinion in regard to the merit of the case,” the panel of judges said in its order for Lee to appear.
The dispute dates back to 2001-2002 when an Indian company, JCE Consultancy, signed a pact to supply products to Sky Impex Ltd, which was to transfer the products to Samsung Gulf Electronics, Dubai, court documents showed.
JCE Consultancy filed a criminal complaint in 2005, saying it had not received payment, and named the Samsung unit and Lee among the accused.
Samsung’s full statement
With respect to the March 31, 2014 Order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, we would clarify as follows.
This case is related to a multi-million dollar fraud scheme perpetrated against a Samsung subsidiary in Dubai, Samsung Gulf Electronics. The perpetrators of the fraud were convicted years ago in Dubai to 2 years in prison, but having illegally fled justice, are now wanted by the Government of the UAE. Samsung Gulf Electronics is a victim of this fraud scheme.
Despite this, a private criminal complaint was filed by a party in India claiming to have received a bill-of-exchange used in this fraud. Chairman Lee has no relation to this case whatsoever. There are no grounds, let alone evidence, to support the accusation against Chairman Lee. Chairman Lee is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the many overseas subsidiaries of Samsung.
We are confident that the Indian Courts will recognize the innocence of Chairman Lee and deliver justice.


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Telecom majors expand further in India
Telecom companies are flocking to India to expand their existing operations or opening up new offices around India.
Nokia Announces another R&D Facility in Bangalore,India
Nokia, the world leader in mobile communications today announced that it has expanded its Research and Development (R&D) facility in Bangalore with the inauguration of a 210,000 square foot development centre at the Prestige Tech Park in the IT corridor. The Bangalore R&D centre, the largest Nokia site of its type in India, focuses on development work for software platforms, chipsets and high-end Nokia mobile devices.
While Nokia says the new center will be developing software platforms and high-end Nokia mobile devices, I believe, the new center will be exclusively used to develop and support Bharti(Airtel), which gave a $400 Million contract to Nokia to manage and expand its network.
Bharti Airtel today announced the signing of a $400-million contract with Nokia for managing and expanding its cellular networks in eight telecom circles.
Nokia will also deploy a pan-India (Wireless Application Protocol) solution across Bharti's networks. The Nokia win comes two months after Bharti awarded a $1-billion contract to Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson to expand networks in the other 15 circles where Airtel operates.
As per the three-year contract, Nokia will provide managed services and expand Airtel networks to cover all towns and cities in the eight telecom circles of Mumbai, Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat, Bihar (including Jharkhand), Orissa, Kolkata, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh (including Chhattisgarh).
Source: Money Control
In other words, Nokia is building its own offshore services center in India to serve the local clients.
Motorola builds new $15 million R&D unit in Hyderabad. Going by the same principle and beliefs of Ed Zander, Motorola wants to design its mobile phones right from fashion houses. Not from technically profound Engineering centers. Remember Ed Zander's first move to bring back Motorola was to move its design centers to Chicago design studios. Given the context, if Hyderabad center works on the design of phones, it would be a big big surprise to every one.
Motorola is investing $15 million in a new telecom software development center in Hyderabad in south India as of part of its efforts to expand operations and counter the dominance of its rival Nokia in the country.
The US telecom giant currently has six R&D centers in India.
Motorolaâ€™s chairman and CEO Ed Zander, during his first visit to Hyderabad, said, â€œSome of the products that you will buy later will be designed in Hyderabad.â€
The R&D centre in Hyderabadâ€™s Hi-Tech City area will house the Motorola software group and will employ more than 1,000 engineers.
â€œSoftware is a major driver of technology and our Hyderabad facilityâ€™s focus on software engineering addresses a key aspect of our global operations. We want to cultivate, retain and grow top talent in the world. We like what we see here,â€Zander said, at the launch of the facility.
The announcement came nearly four months after Motorola decided to invest $100 million to build a handset and telecom equipment plant near another southern Indian city, Chennai.


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Research commissioned by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s UK Global Screen Fund, managed by the BFI on behalf of the UK government, has shown that UK film and TV play a vital role in influencing positive international opinion of the country, attracting global viewers to visit our world-famous locations and landmarks and demonstrating the sector’s soft power.
Nearly three quarters (70%) of global audiences recognise ‘Britishness’ as a mark of high-quality, with UK storylines, acting and production values given as the main reason for quality. Over two thirds (67%) of respondents cited UK talent as one of our key strengths, with 69% enjoying our distinct sense of humour and 73% citing intelligence as a key quality.
The research from the BFI’s Research and Statistics Unit across 15 international territories also showed the positive impact of producing films and TV series in the UK. Two thirds (66%) of people who have previously visited the country said that seeing British locations and landmarks in film or TV influenced their decision, showing the huge indirect impact of the UK screen sectors on other parts of our economy, including tourism and hospitality.
“The UK independent production industry is world-leading,” says Julia Lopez, Minister for the Creative Industries, “consistently serving up innovative, creative and inspirational content for big and small screens that wow audiences across the globe. Thanks to our brilliant UK Global Screen Fund, we are creating skilled jobs and boosting the UK’s international influence, which has a positive knock-on impact on tourism and the wider economy.”
To further boost the international impact of UK film, television and video games, the UK Global Screen Fund has also supported the development of a new brand ScreenUK to promote screen content around the world.
ScreenUK is an eye-catching and distinctive new brand to showcase and celebrate UK screen talent which will launch as a digital campaign, rolling out internationally over the coming months. Aiming to highlight current high quality UK film, television and video games under a single brand banner, it will help distinguish and promote British content to international audiences.
“This extensive global research shaped how the new brand ScreenUK was developed,” says Neil Peplow, the BFI’s Director of International, “giving us valuable insights into how people around the world see us. When it comes to creativity and storytelling, the UK consistently produces outstanding talent and content and this report underlines how influential the UK film, TV and games sectors are on the global stage. We now have a huge opportunity to build on this reputation and show the full breadth, diversity and innovation we can offer to audiences, and support our screen businesses to succeed internationally.”
ScreenUK was at the BIFAs (British Independent Film Awards) last Sunday talking to some of the UK’s most exciting talent.
Adeel Akhtar, star of Ali and Ava, Killing Eve and Enola Holmes, said: “British independent film, unlike any other independent film from around the world (…) feels like it does act as a window into reality. Whether you’re watching a Ken Loach film, or a Mike Leigh film, a Clio Barnard film, it’s almost like you can open up a window in those places, actually open a window, and experience what it’s like to be living in those areas in those parts of Britain.”
Gugu Mbatha-Raw, star of Belle, A Wrinkle in Time and Misbehaviour said: “There’s so much heart and authenticity in British films because they’re often passion projects, they’re labours of love. There’s such a rich culture here, and such a deep culture of storytelling.”


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Tech titan Apple has just unveiled its latest device, the iPhone 11. The latest iPhone will feature the fastest ever smartphone chip, enhanced battery life, and a dual camera system. Another feature that was just unveiled in a commercial is the ability for users to take a "slofie," or a slow-motion selfie. This feature is showcased in a new advertisement that features EDM wunderkind Madeon's latest single, "Dream Dream Dream."
Apple is well known for selecting catchy and memorable music to be used in their advertising, and this Madeon track is among many other songs from artists like U2 and Daft Punk that have been used in an effective manner, and will have viewers Shazaming upon seeing the ad.
"Dream Dream Dream" is the second single from his forthcoming album Good Faith, It followed "All My Friends," which was released earlier this year. The album's release date hasn't been revealed yet, but fans have taken to Reddit and other online forums to make predictions. Buzz about Madeon's first album in four years is certainly palpable, and fans are itching for more information about the release.
Relive Global Dance Festival's Magical Denver Return [Recap + Photo Gallery]
Global Dance delivered a massively successful festival with Kaskade, Excision, and many more.
This TOKiMONSTA and Channel Tres Collab Is The Weekend Bop of Your Dreams
"Naked" gets the party started with twangy chords, subtle disco synths and a groovy bassline.
Watch FISHER Teach an Aerobics Class in His Underwear in "Just Feels Tight" Music Video
Get hooked on the heady house of FISHER's first 2021 release.


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Al Gore buys 59K shares of AAPL stock valued at over $29.6MIt was revealed in an U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Thursday that Apple board member Al Gore purchased 59,000 shares of AAPL stock worth over $29.6 million based on the stock's closing price today.
The SEC filing notes that Gore exercised the director stock option on Tuesday to acquire 59,000 shares at a price of $7.475 per share, meaning the purchase cost him roughly $441,000, reports The Next Web.
With AAPL closing Thursday $502.68 per share, Gore's 59,000 shares are currently worth some $29,658,120. According to the filing, Gore still has 61,574 non-derivative shares left after the transaction.
Gore was appointed to Apple's board in 2003.
On Topic: General
- Apple's angled camera concept could enable virtual keyboard docks
- Microsoft exec jabs at Apple, tweets drawing of 'converged' toaster and refrigerator
- Apple buys machine learning firm Perceptio, suggests development of imaging AI
- Week in review video: Remembering Steve Jobs, build cost of iPhone 6s, 'iRing' & more
- Four years after the death of Steve Jobs, Michael Fassbender talks about portraying an icon


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E-cigarettes have become a popular alternative to traditional cigarettes. They are battery operated and satisfy the physical cravings associated with a smoking addiction, but are marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.
Unfortunately, many e-cig users have experienced unexpected injuries while using this technology. Users report a variety of experiences with e-cigarettes, including severe burns, blindness, dental damage, and scars when their devices exploded.
Problems with e-cigarettes or “vaping” were severe enough that in 2016, the FDA issued new regulatory oversight. Selling e-cigarettes to anyone under 18 became illegal and manufacturers were required to register with the FDA. The agency now has the authority to approve all previously non-regulated products that went on sale after February 15, 2007.
In response, many e-cig companies filed lawsuits against the FDA claiming the agency’s actions were unconstitutional.
E-Cigarettes Explode While in Use, Causing Burns and Other Injuries
E-cigarette manufacturers claim their product helps smokers kick their habit.
Prior to 2016, the sale of e-cigarettes was mostly unregulated by the government, leaving consumers at the mercy of the quickly growing market. After several reports of problems, the FDA stepped in and began overseeing the production, marketing, and sale of these devices.
The most recent research shows e-cigs are likely not as safe as originally believed. According to researchers, vaping expose people to harmful chemicals, some of which are known to cause lung diseases and cancer – not unlike traditional cigarettes.
There are also reports of the e-cigarette devices overheating and exploding – something that is not a concern with traditional cigarettes – and causing serious and sometimes permanent injuries to vaper’s mouths, faces, and hands.
As problems mount, more and more e-cig users are filing lawsuits against the manufacturers of these devices.
Plaintiffs claim they were injured when their devices exploded while in use. Injuries were serious, and sometimes permanent, and included severe burns, blindness, and physical and emotional scarring.
Others allege they should have been warned of the dangerous chemicals and potential long-term health risks they were being exposed to in e-cig products, such as the liquid solution added to the devices.
Those who have filed lawsuits claim they should have been warned by e-cigarette manufacturers about the potential risks associated with their products.
There are also questions about the marketing of e-cigs, which can be used with flavored e-liquid – something that is appealing to a younger audience. There are also claims e-cig companies are falsely advertising the benefits of their products.
In September 2014, the e-cigarette manufacturer Fumizer LLC was sued for falsely claiming its vaping product could be used as a cessation tool. The following April, a class action lawsuit was filed against Lorillard Tobacco Co. alleging the company was falsely advertising a specific e-cigarette brand as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.
Are You Eligible to File a Lawsuit against an E-Cigarette Manufacturer?
E-cigarettes users who were hurt while using their devices could be eligible to take legal action against the manufacturers. Were you burned, scarred, poisoned, or otherwise injured while using an e-cig? You might be eligible for compensation.
Furthermore, investigations are underway to determine whether or not e-cigarette companies illegally marketed their products. Compensation could be available for users of vaping devices and accessories. Some have already received compensation for their injuries.
Every case is different. If you’d like to know if you’re eligible to take legal action, contact an experienced attorney.


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Pro-Build agrees to purchase HD Supply unit
Pro-Build Holdings, the industry’s largest pro dealer, has signed a letter of intent to purchase the LBM division of HD Supply. Although the Denver-based company confirmed the agreement, a spokeswoman declined to discuss the deal.
“We’ll have more comments as we get further along in the process,” said Carolyn Atkinson, director of marketing and communications for Pro-Build, which is owned by Fidelity Capital.
The acquisition will bring Pro-Build two premium lumberyard chains, Williams Bros. in Atlanta and Cox Lumber in Florida, as well as Forest Products Supply, a St. Petersburg, Fla., dealer.
The deal may be the first time a pro dealer has changed hands between major players in the private equity world. HD Supply is currently owned by Bain Capital; Carlyle Group; and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, who joined together to buy the business from Home Depot for $8.5 million on Aug. 23.
Lauren Falcone, a spokeswoman for HD Supply, said the sale includes “substantially all of the assets” of the company’s lumber and building materials business, which operates 19 lumberyards in the Atlanta area and 20 in Florida. In addition, HD Supply’s holdings include 32 truss plants, 10 engineered lumber production facilities and a construction services division, according to its Web page.
It is not certain that all of these locations are still open, as HD Supply has been consolidating its locations in the Southeast. Pro-Build’s plans for the HD Supply assets are also unclear. Through the acquisition of Hope Lumber in 2006, Pro-Build already operates lumberyards in Florida and Georgia, some of them close to HD Supply locations. Earlier this year, the $5.9 billion dealer purchased two truss plants in Florida and Dunn Lumber, a seven-unit pro dealer headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla.
But Pro-Build may not be looking for a perfect geographical fit.
“It’s going to take some supply out of the market and get Pro-Build further into this geography, which is the point of that transaction,” said Keith Hughes, an analyst who covers building materials for SunTrust Robinson Humphrey.
The deal also signals that Pro-Build’s owners are in the LBM distribution business for the long haul. Looking past the current downturn, HD Supply may help Pro-Build develop some of its value-added services, particularly in the area of installation. According to its Web site, HD Supply installs framing, siding, windows and doors, decks, housewrap, roofing, interior trim and locksets. The company also has a separate division that deals with sales to multi-family builders.
While the purchase price may never be known, it’s likely that the three businesses sold for substantially less than Home Depot paid for them during its HD Supply buying spree. “The cash generated by these businesses is severely depressed given what’s going on in the market right now,” said Hughes. “I think [the price] was probably pretty close to book value.”
Laticrete expands Texas facility
Laticrete, a manufacturer of systems for the installation of ceramic tile and stone, recently marked the completion of an $8 million, 50,000-square-foot expansion to its Grand Prairie, Texas, manufacturing and warehousing facility.
The expansion — which more than doubled the size of the operation to 90,000 square feet — was done to meet increased demand for Laticrete system materials in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 28 was attended by Laticrete co-owner and senior vp Henry B. Rothberg and other officials from the company’s headquarters in Bethany, Conn.
Canarm names new president
James A. Cooper has been named president of Canarm, according to an announcement from the home goods maker.
Cooper has more than 25 years experience at Canarm, a Canada-based global manufacturer of lighting, ventilation and related products for residential, commercial and agricultural markets.
Most recently, Cooper served as vp-sales and marketing, helping Canarm’s customers build their market share.
Canarm is headquartered in Brockville, Ontario, and has five satellite manufacturing plants in Ontario and one in Illinois, as well as a distribution center in Montreal. The company is privately owned and operated and has more than 300 full-time employees.


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The money would be used to expand into more cities, and hire more employees.
It might also want the money to fend off an acquisition from Yahoo, Google, or Amazon. Alternately, it might want the money to raise the price of an acquisition.
In April, Groupon raised $135 million from DST at a $1 billion valuation.
Get the latest Google stock price here.


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Following their major US launch with Ulta Beauty in 2020, Dr.PAWPAW has partnered with Save the Children to bring a new product to the U.S. market.
Dr.PAWPAW is introducing Dr.PAWPAW Shimmer Balm (25ml) $8.00, and $0.50 from each sale will be donated to Save the Children to support the organization's efforts to ensure children in the U.S. have a healthy start to life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.
Dr.PAWPAW Shimmer Balm is enriched with the award-winning Dr.PAWPAW Original Balm formula with the addition of iridescent pearls to create a pearlescent shimmer to add an instant glow to lips and skin.
Dr.PAWPAW will work closely on this collaboration with Ulta Beauty, a long-standing partner with Save the Children. Ulta Beauty and will be listing the new product from April, across their stores and online.
Dr.PAWPAW Co-Founders Johnny & Pauline Paterson commented on the collaboration, "We are delighted to be working with Save the Children on this new product. We have been wanting to work with them for a while and saw this as a great opportunity to reach a lot of people and raise a lot of money to support their work. We will be working closely with Ulta Beauty who are in full support of the collaboration as this partnership adds to our global emphasis on giving back, a big and important part of the Dr.PAWPAW business.”
“We are very grateful to Dr.PAWPAW for selecting Save the Children as its charitable partner – this support will help us continue to serve kids across rural America,” said Betsy Zorio, Save the Children’s Vice President of U.S. Programs & Advocacy. “Now, more than ever, America’s children need us, and we are so proud to work with Dr. PAWPAW and Ulta Beauty to ensure kids have the futures they deserve.”
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of more than 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.


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December was a busy month in Tampa Bay real estate as the number of single-family home sales jumped more than 25 percent in Hillsborough and Pasco counties compared with the same month in 2018.
A spike in the number of cash sales also suggests investors were more active in the housing market than they had been for much of 2019, according to Florida Realtors. Meanwhile, the inventory of houses actively listed for sale dropped throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties.
December ended with one of the biggest sales of the year when a couple who are both retired Las Vegas pharmacists paid $4.7 million for a five-bedroom, four-bath home on Redington Beach. As a measure of how much prices have risen, that sale would have been the third most expensive sale in the region in 2015. Last year, it was the 20th.
In Hillsborough County, the number of single-family home sales rose 26 percent year over year, while rising prices drove the total amount paid up nearly 33 percent to $582 million for the month. The median price — the midpoint in the range and an indicator that’s less likely to be skewed by a small number of very big sales — rose 4 percent to $259,990. The median time to sale was unchanged at 77 days, while the inventory of homes listed for sale dropped 14.5 percent.
While the number of cash sales — a sign of how much investors are buying — had trended lower for much of 2019, it rose more than 32 percent in December, when buyers paid cash for nearly one in five homes sold in Hillsborough.
Hillsborough’s total sales of townhouses and condos rose about 5 percent, with a median price of $178,390, an increase of nearly 8 percent compared with December 2018. Active listings were down nearly 18 percent year over year.
In Pinellas, the number of houses sold rose 19 percent, while the total dollar volume of sales rose 30 percent to $442 million. The median sales price was $271,000, up more than 8 percent, and the median time to sale was 66 days, three days more than same month the year before. Active listings were 23 percent lower than during the previous December.
Cash sales rose 26 percent and accounted for about three out of 10 sales that closed. The number of cash sales for condos and townhomes actually dropped along with overall number of sales closed. The median condominium and townhome price was $188,500, an increase of just less than 2 percent. Active listings for condos dropped 19 percent.
In Pasco, the number of sales of single-family homes rose 27 percent year over year, with a total of $251 million changing hands, an increase of nearly 38 percent. The median sales price was $240,000, up 9 percent from December 2018, and the median time to sale was 70 days, four days fewer than the same month in 2018. Cash sales accounted for more than a quarter of all closed sales, an increase of 35 percent.
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Active listings in Pasco dropped 14 percent for single-family homes and 18 percent for condominiums and townhomes. The total number of Pasco condo sales was down slightly, but the median price of $162,000 was an increase of nearly 14 percent from 12 months before.
Hernando County saw a 2 percent increase in the number of houses sold and 4 percent increases in both the total dollar volume of sales ($69 million) and the median sales price ($182,000). Median time to sale was 76 days, more than a week longer than in December 2018. Cash sales rose 20 percent and accounted for more than a quarter of houses sold. The inventory of single-family homes shrunk by less than 1 percent.
Hernando’s median condo sales price was $139,900, up nearly 12 percent. While the number of sales dropped compared to the year before, the number of transactions in both years was 20 or fewer. The same goes for active listings, which were down but can be counted in the dozens.


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L3Harris (LHX) was created at the end of 2019’s second quarter through the merger of Harris Co...
Top Picks 2020: Qorvo (QRVO)
01/22/2020 5:00 am EST
Chip stocks have been a bit bifurcated as a group, with some names that began showing strength in the summer waffling, while others that emerged in October-November (many that are tied to the 5G smartphone boom) are looking peppy, observes Mike Cintolo, editor of Cabot Top Ten Trader.
In our mind, Qorvo (QRVO) is one of the leaders of that 5G trend, with radio frequency products and solutions for a variety of applications (defense, Internet of Things, satellites, etc.), but the big draw is the aforementioned smartphone trend.
There is competition from Broadcom (AVGO), Skyworks (SKYW) and others, but the complexity of 5G smartphones has (at least at this point) phone makers sticking with high-quality suppliers with integrated (not one-off) systems, which plays into Qorvo’s hands.
The big idea here is the size of the opportunity — most analysts expect 200 to 250 million 5G smartphones to ship in 2020, but Qorvo actually sees 300 million as the target, with a much larger opportunity in 2021 and 2022.
The company earnings have flattened out in recent quarters, but the stock is strong because the Q3 report crushed estimates and management’s meaningful hike in estimates has big investors thinking the boom has begun.
The Q4 revenue forecast was boosted to $850 million (up from $760 million estimated beforehand), and while the consensus is for $6.57 per share next fiscal year (up 16%), many are thinking $7.00 to $7.50 is more likely. Chip stocks are always tricky investments, but Qorvo looks near the start of a big growth wave.
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Logistics Property Company, LLC (“LPC”), a modern logistics real estate developer, investor, and manager based in Chicago, IL, has leased 140,000 square feet of warehouse space at LPC’s LogiPark 57-80 development in Country Club Hills, IL, to Chicagoland Quad Cities Express, Inc., a local warehousing and trucking company.
LogiPark 57-80, comprised of 1.2 million square feet across three buildings, is now fully leased. Other tenants include a household cleaning supply manufacturer, a global leader in storage and information management services, and a Fortune 100 e-commerce retailer.
Aaron Martell, Executive Vice President of LPC’s Central Region and Ben Fish, Vice President of the Midwest Region were supported by Transwestern’s Irv Gilner in leasing the space.
“We’re pleased to announce that our LogiPark 57-80 development is fully leased,” said Fish. “With the success of this and other developments in the market, we continue to look to strategically expand our footprint in the Chicago area.”
Chicagoland Quad Cities Express will consolidate two of their locations into the new space, which offers immediate access to I-57 and I-80 and sits just 5 miles from Canadian National’s (CN) Chicago Intermodal Terminal, and 25 miles from downtown Chicago.
“We’re very happy for the opportunity to work on this project with LPC from land acquisition to fully leased,” said Gilner. “We really appreciate having a client like LPC with the vision and resources to bring this development to fruition and bring great businesses to Country Club Hills.”
George Cibula and Luke Ferzacca with DarwinPW Realty | CORFAC International represented the tenant.
About Logistics Property Co.
Logistics Property Company, LLC (LPC) is an industrial real estate company focused on the acquisition, development, and management of modern logistics properties. The group is led by a diverse management team that averages more than 25 years of experience and has developed more than 56.7 million square feet of logistics buildings since 1995. LPC is headquartered in Chicago with more than 75 employees strategically located across eight offices. Its portfolio currently comprises 55 buildings across 23.9 million square feet in key logistics markets across North America with an estimated end value of more than $4.3 billion. For further information, please visit logisticspropco.com and follow @logisticspropco.


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Native foods study
14 December 2005
Reporter: Fiona Parker
Imagine if quandongs, wattle seeds,
mountain pepper, the bush tomato, and native citrus fruits such as desert
limes all had pride of place in the fresh food part of our supermarkets.
They soon will, if a group of researchers from the CSIRO have their way.
They've been working with a small group of people from across southern
Australia, exploring the development of native food plants in order to
make them into a viable industry. The project covers a wide area,
including a trial of wattle seeds at Stawell.
Dr Marten Ryder, who is leading the
project, says people don't appreciate the food native to this country.
I think most people just don't
realise how good they are. And to some extent people might have thought of
native foods as just simply survival food that's totally unappetising. But
that's not the case. Aboriginal people certainly did quite well on them
for many tens of thousands of years, so I think it's about time we really
did embrace what is growing here."
For example, Dr Ryder says native
citrus fruits would go well over a fish.
We can just substitute some of
these native foods for other ingredients that you might normally use.
Also, [you can use] mountain pepper instead of pepper. It's just a bit
spicier. You can use lemon myrtle instead of lemongrass or lemons."
And what about wattle seeds?
You can't eat the seed of some
species, but many species of wattle have edible seeds, especially after
roasting and grinding. They go very well in a range of foods. In fact, if
you give someone some roasted ground wattle seeds just to smell the aroma,
it reminds them of coffee, and you can use it as a coffee
"Yes. With no caffeine. And you
can also put it into desserts and pastas and breads. It's quite
Dr Ryder says the CSIRO are using a
series of trials to evaluate how well certain species grow in certain
"We're trying to grow a number
of different native food species in different places - basically the same
set of plant species - and compare how they perform. So we're trying to
help people identify for their region which native foods they might be
able to grow successfully."
At the moment, the research team is
starting to collect information on yields.
"We planted a whole set of
plants in 2001 and it's 2005 now so we're really starting to come into
measuring yields of, for example, wattle, and it's pretty important to be
able to measure these yields because that's where the economics of the
whole thing turns. You need to be able to produce a decent yield and also
to be able to harvest it at a reasonable cost to be competitive."
You also have to be able to market
it, which means changing people's perception of what these foods are, what
they can be used for, and how they can taste.
Education and marketing need
to go together with these foods," says Dr Ryder, who's starting with,
Our kitchen has changed in the
last few years. It's got a whole lot of native food ingredients in it
these days. For example, I made a banana cake with wattle seed in it the
other day which seemed to go down quite well with the family! Everyone
who's working on this project with us ends up putting native food
ingredients into their kitchens."
And hopefully many more people will
in the future.


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Mobile Mentor partners with Telesign to boost mobile security offerings
FYI, this story is more than a year old
Mobile Mentor has brought on Telesign as a partner, adding applications such as mobile enabled two factor authentication (2FA) services to its portfolio for ANZ businesses.
Under the agreement Mobile Mentor, the enterprise mobility specialist, will add Telesign’s Mobile Identity products and services to its enterprise mobility solution set across the New Zealand market.
With the Mobile Identity products Mobile Mentor can provide its large enterprise and government customers with a high level of security with two-factor authentication for mobile devices, the company says.
Mobile Mentor says enterprises are adopting new ways of working and face increased pressure to provide a layered security model for the mobile workforce.
Enterprises are looking to invest in the appropriate security technologies, commit to the process of constantly adapting to industry changes and provide their users with guidance and best practices, especially in environments with BYO and wearable device deployments, the mobility specialist says.
Denis O’Shea, Mobile Mentor CEO, says, “Security continues to be a major consideration for the enterprise as organisations fully embrace mobility.”
“Our strategy in meeting the demand for secure mobility is to partner with leading global vendors such as TeleSign to leverage game changing technologies and apply industry best practices,” he says.
“We are very excited to be working with TeleSign in providing users with a mobile centric authentication service,” says O’Shea.
TeleSign products are used for applications such as two factor authentication, completing a password reset on social media, and conducting secure online banking transactions.
Mobile Mentor says TeleSign products are used regularly to prevent large-scale malicious account creation, fraud and account takeover.
Mike Yell, TeleSign head of APAC, says, “Mobile Mentor’s market focus and reputation for mobile innovation will provide us with the opportunity to grow our business significantly in Australia and New Zealand.”
“We look forward to working together to enhance our offerings and provide customers with leading-edge technologies that will ensure the security of their business,” he says.


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For the next several weeks, John Legend’s favorite snack is likely to be a bag of Lay’s Potato Chips.
Viewers of NBC’s “The Voice” will see the famous musician in an assortment of videos telling them about a range of new flavors for the snack that range from cheddar jalapeno, sea salt and vinegar Poppable and “flamin’ hot” Kettle Cooked to the return of varieties such as fried green tomato for a limited run. “Some people think of me as serious all the time,” says Legend, in a brief interview, but they will see a different side of him in the videos. “A lot of our fans are young, and I think this will be fun and exciting to them.”
In a different era, a big brand like Lay’s might spray commercials all over TV to get the word out about a bevy of new tastes. In 2020, however, it will put the bulk of its spending for the effort into just three different places. Armed with data showing younger consumers find Lay’s to be one of their favorite snacks, Lay’s is working to create experiences around activities proven to attract the demographic known a “Generation Z” – people born between 1995 and 2015 who pay more attention to content that supports their entertainment, rather than interrupting it.
“Finding the right way to add to their experiences is really critical to us as a brand,” says Sadira Furlow, vice president of marketing of potato chip and value brands at PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America, in an interview. Younger consumers “don’t want us to just tell them stuff, but show them how we are helping them to have more experiences in life.”
So rather than create a single ad and hope viewers will embrace it, Lay’s is working to meet younger customers in places they are known to frequent – and then, hopefully, bolster the interactions they have there. The plan spotlights the fact that even some of Madison Avenue’s biggest brands are placing new emphasis on crafting bespoke promotions tailored to individual programs, rather than devising monolithic ad campaigns that rely on a single commercial, creative conceit or slogan placed across dozens of media outlets. This campaign is “a bit more targeted and experiential, versus past efforts,” says Furlow.
Since viewers of “The Voice” are often discovering new talent, Lay’s hopes they will be interested in learning about new chip flavors. Legend, one of the show’s coaches, will be featured in various bespoke promotional vignettes that accompany the program. Fans can also visit www.LaysAndTheVoice.com through April 17 to answer weekly trivia during “The Voice” or enter an on-pack code from participating bags of Lay’s for a chance to win prizes, including a trip to see a live taping of “The Voice” in Los Angeles.
Other parts of the campaign take Lay’s to emerging frontiers. Lay’s will be woven into “Endless Summer,” the Snapchat original docu-series that focuses on young people living around Laguna Beach, California. “Things you might pick up at a convenience store for different occasions are woven into the narrative of the story in a more organic way,” says Furlow.
And Lay’s will be featured at the long-running Coachella festival in a unique way. – in a first for any snack product at the event. “It’s a place we have never been,”
Lay’s will operate an on-site “dispensary,” says Furlow, where visitors will get access to a variety of limited-edition flavors – some of which aren’t normally available in the United States. Attendees will answer questions about their interest in spicy foods or their interest in cheese flavors, she says, and, based on their answers, get to try different chips. Frito-Lay will likely “pull up several trucks and open the doors,” she says, in order to keep the attraction stocked throughout the event.
The marketing efforts follow a large change-up in Lay’s packaging unveiled in September. The redesign, the brand’s first since 2007, features pictures of the product shot from a “top-down” angle that emulates what a view might look like on Instagram.
Expect more from the snack, which generates “multi-billions” in sales each year, according to the executive. “We’ve got more to come.”


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Navigating the Legislative Labyrinth in the Fight Against Moving Scams
The moving industry, vital to the American economy, has unfortunately become synonymous with a growing menace: moving scams. These moving scams, ranging from deceptive pricing to outright fraud, have not only cost consumers millions but also eroded trust in a vital service sector. However, there’s a silver lining as legislators and regulators step up to this challenge. This blog delves into the recent legislative actions that signify a shift from passive observation to active engagement in combating these scams.
Operation Protect Your Move – A Federal Crusade Against Scams
- Launching the Operation: In response to escalating moving scams, the U.S. Department of Transportation initiated Operation Protect Your Move. This campaign, spurred by extensive investigations and public outcry, marked a significant federal intervention in a domain marred by consumer distress.
- Objectives and Actions: The operation aimed at a nationwide crackdown on unscrupulous moving companies. Despite its ambition, the execution was a three-week enforcement sweep across 16 states, a move that some criticized as inadequate given the scale of the problem.
- Impact and Public Perception: While this operation was a step in the right direction, it raised questions about the depth and effectiveness of such interventions. The campaign’s limited scope highlighted the need for more sustained and comprehensive approaches to tackle the deep-rooted issues in the moving industry.
The Legislative Push for Enhanced Oversight
- Rising to the Challenge: Recognizing the inadequacy of existing measures, legislators and policymakers have proposed new laws and regulations. These initiatives aim to fill the enforcement gaps and offer better consumer protection.
- Proposed Legislation: Discussions are underway for new legislation to empower agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These proposals are designed to bolster the agency’s authority to assess penalties and regulate moving companies more stringently.
- Enhancing Consumer Resources: In addition to enforcement, these legislative efforts also focus on improving resources for consumers. This includes tools like the FMCSA Mover Search, allowing consumers to verify the legitimacy and complaint history of moving companies.
State-Level Initiatives Complementing Federal Efforts
- Independent State Actions: Recognizing the limitations of federal initiatives, states like New York have embarked on their campaigns. These include releasing educational materials and guidelines to help consumers identify and avoid fraudulent moving companies.
- Impact of State-Level Actions: These actions represent an important dimension in the fight against moving scams. They offer localized responses that are often more tailored to the specific challenges and consumer profiles within each state.
- A Collaborative Approach: The combination of federal and state-level initiatives presents a more robust and multi-faceted strategy against moving scams. This collaborative approach is crucial for addressing a problem that varies significantly across different regions.
Towards a More Vigilant and Informed Moving Industry
The journey to eradicate moving scams is fraught with challenges but is essential for safeguarding consumer interests. The legislative responses, both at the federal and state levels, are pivotal in this battle. They not only aim to close the enforcement gaps but also strive to educate and empower consumers. While these efforts mark significant progress, the ultimate success in this fight lies in the collective awareness and action of consumers, industry stakeholders, and government bodies. By staying vigilant and informed, leveraging resources like Agoyu for safer moves, and supporting legislative changes, we can reshape the moving industry into a space of trust and reliability. The future of moving services in America hinges on this collaborative effort towards transparency, fairness, and consumer protection.


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A pair of food industry companies will donate $20,000 in Lowe’s gift cards to Beaches Habitat for Humanity, a Jacksonville, Fla.-area charity that suffered a burglary over the weekend.
Regional retailer Winn-Dixie and food giant Kellogg’s offered the assistance to help the charity replace tools stolen from one of its facilities.
Winn-Dixie, Kellogg’s and Habitat for Humanity first partnered in 2005 on the construction of a duplex home in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. Since then, homes have been completed in Montgomery, Ala.; Columbus, Ga.; Port Charlotte, Fla.; Palm Bay, Fla.; Covington, La.; Hancock County, Miss.; and Miami. Work on a tenth home is scheduled to begin in Jacksonville Beach next month.


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Every week numerous trailers release for upcoming Xbox One games and many represent magnificent experiences. While some are just promotional materials like the Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades Edition trailer, there are a few gems in there. We thought it would be beneficial to do a roundup of the most unique games which got trailers recently.
Agents of Mayhem
We got a new trailer with even more hijinks.
F1 2017 got new gameplay footage.
Hunt: Showdown got a new developer diary.
Life is Strange: Before the Storm
We got new gameplay footage.
Monster Hunter: World
Here’s some female hunter gameplay which looks amazing.
Real Farm Sim
Real Farm Sim is coming to Xbox One soon. Yes, another farming simulator.
Shadow Fight 3
Shadow Fight 3 is coming to consoles later.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
The game is out now on Xbox One and we also got a cinematic trailer.
Slime Rancher got a launch trailer. It’s a free Games with Gold title!
Here’s Sonic Mania’s Comic-Con panel.
Tacoma got a launch trailer.
X-Morph: Defense is coming to Xbox One in August.
All of these games look like enjoyable experiences and you should check them out. Many of these titles are coming out in the next few weeks so you won’t have to wait too long to play them! Out of these games, Agents of Mayhem and X-Morph: Defense stand out the most. Be sure to keep them in your crosshairs down the line.


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In pictures: Stockton Christmas Markets open as families pick up gifts and children enjoy stories with Santa
The Stockton Christmas Markets will be on the town's High Street until Sunday, December 3.
Stockton launched its Christmas Markets and story sessions with Santa this week.
Families wandered around Stockton High Street as the Christmas Markets opened on Thursday, November 30. The markets are open until Sunday, December 3 where there are 23 festive cabins.
Local traders will sell a variety of gifts from handmade candles and fine wine to cheese and artwork and Christmas decorations. There will also be a range of food and drink on offer, including cakes, pastries, pies and more.
- READ MORE: First look at Teesside Park's new Wagamama with outdoor seating and trendy signs
- READ MORE: Sign up to our free newsletter to receive for the latest Stockton news direct to your inbox
At the launch of the Christmas Markets, children were also entertained by stories with Santa. The storytelling sessions will take place in the festive tipi where little ones can enjoy some Christmas classic reads by Santa from Thursday, November 30 to Friday, December 1.
The free sessions are British Sign Language-friendly and there will be an opportunity for children to meet Santa after each performance. Sessions with a British Sign Language interpreter present will be held on Friday, December 1 at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2.20pm and 3.20pm.
Stories with Santa and the Christmas Markets are part of the Stockton Sparkles activities. There will also be a festive mini candle pot workshop in the High Street tipi by artists from New Leaf on Saturday, December 2 at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
The Popular illuminated Lantern Parade returns at 4pm on Sunday, December 3. Santa will lead the parade down Stockton High Street with local schoolchildren and community groups.
Find out more about the Stockton Sparkles events and activities and how to book tickets by clicking here.


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Abu Dhabi Airports, the owner and operator of the emirate’s five airports, and Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, signed an agreement to launch the “Miles on the Go” product at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Etihad Guest members can now instantly earn and spend Etihad Guest Miles when shopping at participating merchants located at Abu Dhabi International Airport. By simply downloading the Etihad Guest app and linking up to five Visa cards to their profiles, members can spend their miles and receive cashback on their cards.
Members can earn 1 Etihad Guest Mile and 1 Etihad Guest Tier Mile for every AED 3 spent at any of the 119 participating outlets including, lounges, luxury retail stores, dining establishments and Duty-Free outlets from over 35 brands.
Francois Bourrienne, Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “Abu Dhabi Airports always strives to strengthen ties with strategic partners to provide a remarkable customer experience at our airports. We are pleased to collaborate with Etihad Guest at their home airport and we are committed to introducing innovative solutions that will enhance the passengers’ journey through Abu Dhabi International Airport”.
Terry Daly, Executive Director Guest Experience, Brand & Marketing, Etihad Airways, said: “We are continuously enhancing our Etihad Guest loyalty programme for our valued members. The ‘Miles on the Go’ product offers our members a rewarding experience with more options to earn and spend miles. We are delighted to welcome Abu Dhabi International Airport to our award-winning mobile app.
“As more passengers pass through Abu Dhabi Airports every day, we look forward to rewarding them as they shop from the wide range of Duty-free outlets or dine at their leisure.”
The successful and first-of-its-kind ‘Miles on the Go’ technology was launched in 2020. It has since won multiple innovation and industry awards. Complementing the existing travel partners, members can automatically earn and spend miles in three Aldar Malls in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, at a suite of entertainment, hospitality, F&B partners and now at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
About Abu Dhabi Airports
Abu Dhabi Airports is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a diverse portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil economy. It was established in March 2006 to spearhead the development of the Emirate’s aviation infrastructure. In September 2006, Abu Dhabi Airports assumed responsibility for the operation and management of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airports. In 2008, Abu Dhabi Airports added Al Bateen Executive Airport (an exclusive business aviation airport), as well as Sir Bani Yas and Delma Island Airports to its portfolio. These airports are geared to serve the various segments of air travellers, the aviation marketplace, and will help contribute to Abu Dhabi’s development as a destination for both business and leisure tourism.
Currently under way is the multi-billion-dollar re-development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport designed to increase the overall capacity of the airport.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the world’s leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. Together with Etihad’s codeshare partners, Etihad’s network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more. Etihad is recognised as one of the world’s leading airlines in response to COVID-19 and was the first airline in the world to fully vaccinate its crew on board.
Etihad sees tackling the climate crisis as the most important issue of our time, and through strategic partnerships with major global aviation brands and OEMs, Etihad is relentless in its pursuit of industry decarbonisation.
Featured image credited to Etihad Guest


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WSJ's D8 Special Tab: Jobs, Zuckerberg, Ballmer, Cameron and More in Their Own Words!
Today, The Wall Street Journal published its special tab, both online and offline, featuring edited transcripts of some of the interviews Walt Mossberg and I did at the eighth D: All Things Digital conference last week.
The excerpts come from interviews we did with Apple (AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft (MSFT) CEO Steve Ballmer, Hollywood megadirector James Cameron, Federal Communications Chairman Julius Genachowski, NPR CEO Vivian Schiller and Ford (F) CEO Alan Mulally.
Also: A look back at quotes from past D conferences, which just makes BoomTown feel old.
Check it all out here.
And you can also see the full video of the interview with Jobs here. All Things Digital will be posting all the videos from D8, with a new one going up each Monday and Thursday.