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More and more marketers are falling for Artificial Intelligence (AI). To the point that, according to a recent survey conducted by Forrester Consulting before summer, about half of the 433 decision-makers involved in Europe and in the United States have forecast relevant investments in it within next year.
The main reason is that AI offers the opportunity to thoroughly target and segment customers. Such trend has been confirmed by the research entitled “Dream vs. Reality: The State of Consumer-First and Omnichannel Marketing” carried out by Econsultancy and MediaMath involving 400 professionals in the field. The study has revealed that 80% of the interviewees already use or intend to use AI for such purposes and that only 20% don’t want to have anything to do with it.
Furthermore, the research conducted by Winterberry Group and Data & Marketing Association involving 450 marketers in North America, revealed that 62% of the interviewees consider targeting a priority while handling advertising campaigns. This is due to marketing new trend: 57% of the field experts consider customer’s experience, deemed to be a crucial area for all organization by 95% of the market, not as an optional but as one of the most important business targets (Why Marketers Use AI For Audience Targeting).
Considering vendors and advertisers’ enthusiasm for audience segmentation, the biggest players have therefore geared up accordingly. For instance Nielsen has invested millions of dollars in the development of an AI based platform to automate the creation of customized segments of audience for marketing professionals.
However, targeting and segmenting functions are not the only reasons which are driving investments towards AI: creativity, adv campaign planning, costs optimization and offers customization are additional advantages which have pushed 40% of the interviewees involved in the MediaMath survey to go for the new technology.
And such trend has also affected mobile marketing. Mobile marketers, indeed, have been increasing their budgets devoted to this sector. A report issued by YouAppi in partnership with Dimensional Research, after having interviewed 425 global digital vendors, pointed out that, this year, 49% of interviewees intend to invest in machine learning and 36% in Artificial Intelligence (AI & machine learning top list of new technology investments for mobile marketers).
Considering that AI is here to stay and to further evolve, investments are bound to increase in the next few years. We can actually give it for granted.
How important do you consider targeting and customers segmentation? Are you planning to invest in AI? Tweet @agostinellialdo.
To find out more about the digital world, you may read my latest book entitled: “People Are Media”
If you liked this post, you may also read “The Blockchain is renewing retailing. Here are some examples”


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The worst fears of the business owners and the tens of thousands of people they employed in cafes and the pubs and restaurants and retailers were realised as the shutters came down 10 days ago.
The Government’s new plan for an income-support or subsidy scheme is designed to help many more employers from shedding many more thousands of jobs in the coming weeks. The next few days will show whether the wave of job losses has been stemmed.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe estimated the cost of the latest measures, including its centrepiece, an income-support scheme that will extend for 12 weeks, at €3.7bn.
The price tag was much more than the proposal trade unions had submitted to officials last week but the Government’’s scheme appears to have learned from a major misstep mad by Boris Johnson’s government last Friday when it unveiled an income-support scheme with little consideration taken for the UK’s self-employed.
Mr Donohoe said the Irish scheme was as a temporary income subsidy under which the Government has pledged to cover 70% of take home pay for workers at risk of losing their jobs.
The purpose of the scheme is to encourage employers to keep staff on the payroll as their revenues have collapsed.
The most vulnerable firms, including food, hospitality, retail and tourism, were the first in the frontline as shops have been forced to shut but the collapse in demand has already spread across the economy.
The package was broadly welcomed by employer and trade union groups, who had done much last week to shape the scheme in submissions they made to officials.
Ibec said the supports were “crucial and important” to keep companies going and “protecting the income of individuals”.
Patricia King, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said the plan will help the economy to build again when the crisis ends.
Tom McDonnell, co-director at the think tank, Nevin Economic Research Institute, or Neri, which helped write the proposals for trade unions submitted officials, said that the income-support plan was “the right thing to do”.
There will, however, be major issues as the scheme is probed in the coming days. Brian Keegan, director of public affairs at Chartered Accountants Ireland, said the Government did not want to make the same mistake as the British government.
“The situation for employees is welcome. The situation for self-employed is less so and will come clearer in the next few days. The UK did not look after the self-employed is their proposals,” Mr Keegan said.
And Neil McDonnell, head of business group Isme, said small firms required ultra-low or even negative interest rates loans to survive the crisis.

domain: news


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A new feature might be rolling out on Twitter soon. This news was heralded by the Chief twit himself, Elon Musk.
Via a tweet, Elon Musk promised to add a feature that would enable Twitter users to add long-form notes to their tweets, "ending the absurdity of notepad screenshots," he wrote.
Musk also promised various features to roll out, including; longer videos, an improved search function, and an $8 payment to get the verified Twitter badge; the last update has raised dust among some of Twitter's celebrities.
There has been a fair amount of drama about it. But I am concerned with how Twitter's new updates will affect businesses and their advertising efforts. So far, reactions have been mixed.
Some users have been excited about Musk taking the helm at Twitter. His updates may allow more self-expression and newer ways for users to engage their communities.
If the long-notes feature and longer videos are coming to Twitter, I think it is time for brands to return to the drawing book and plan out new ways to take advantage of these features.
And maybe, add $8 to the recurring expenditure.
We will keep looking out and sharing updates on features that could help your business grow more visible. Stay tuned.


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Shire to Break Up Business Into Two Companies
Shire announced that it is splitting into two separate internal business units, Rare Disease Division and Neuroscience Division. At this time they will operate as separate business units, but the company will evaluate in the future on whether they will be listed as separate companies.
Shire announced in August 2017 that it was conducting a strategic review of its neuroscience business. The results were that the Board decided the neuroscience business needed more attention and investment separate from its rare disease areas. The company indicates it believes that by separating the two areas, it will allow both divisions to maximize “mid- to long-term product sales, cash generation, and innovation.”
A secondary review will be announced in the second half of this year. Part of that review will include the pros and cons of an independent listing for the two divisions.
“Shire has undergone a significant transformation over the last five years creating two market-leading businesses with distinct profiles and future needs,” Flemming Ornskov, the company’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Simultaneously, Shire has established a strong track record of growth and execution. Our new Rare Disease and Neuroscience Divisions will be well positioned for growth, profitability, innovation, and serving the needs of patients.”
This also followed a downgrading of the company’s revenue target. It had projected it would hit $20 billion by 2020, but has now revised that to $17 to $18 billion by 2020. The original goal had been announced when Shire acquired Baxalta two years ago.
Ornskov indicated that although company revenue had tripled to $15 billion in five years, the $20 billion target was optimistic, and the industry analyst consensus was around $17 billion. “There’s been a change in the rate that genericisation takes place across the industry (and) we’re facing some additional competition (in) hematology,” Ornskov said, reported Reuters.
Analysts with HSBC had made the downgrade suggestion in November after Roche released positive clinical data for its Hemlibra, for hemophilia, which would be a strong competitor to several of Shire’s products. In addition, in June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a generic version of Shire’s Lialda for ulcerative colitis.
Ornskov, however, said those issues had to be balanced with the company’s growth in immunology. “The prospects for Shire mid-to-long term have not changed,” he said in a statement.
The split into two divisions would have one focused on treating diseases like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while the other will focus on complex biologics for rare diseases.
Shire’s neuroscience franchise has been dependent on Adderall, for ADHD. But that area’s growth has been overshadowed by its rare diseases franchise. Last year, the company brought in about $11 billion in revenue, with less than a quarter of it coming from the neurosciences. The new neuroscience division will build on its Adderall, and newer products like Intuniv, Vyvanse and Mydayis. Mydayis recently launched in the U.S. for ADHD in patients 13 years and older.
The company also says it has a promising late-stage pipeline that currently has 15 programs in Phase III trials.


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Las Vegas Market Reaches 96 Percent Occupancy on Home Furnishings Floors
Posted on January 16, 2014 by
LAS VEGAS-International Market Centers has announced the highest-ever occupancy in its furniture and mattress space leading up to the Winter Las Vegas Market, fueled by a growing demand among its existing base of tenants looking to expand their footprint along with new suppliers joining Las Vegas Market's growing roster of exhibitors.
The 2014 Winter Las Vegas Market will run from Sunday, Jan. 26-Thursday, Jan. 30, marking the first market with the new Sunday opening day.
Recently Las Vegas Market achieved 96.4 percent occupancy on the 21 floors that carry furniture and mattress lines-the highest occupancy levels for permanent floors since the opening of Building C in 2008. Moreover, the upcoming Winter Market features a sold-out floor of temporary exhibits on B2.
"All indicators point to the Winter 2014 Las Vegas Market being one of our strongest markets over the last decade. The momentum we have in terms of both exhibitor and buyer growth is remarkable and has fueled an occupancy of over 96 percent across our furniture and mattress floors, which adds up to almost two million square feet of showrooms and new products," said Craig Staack, vice president of home furnishings leasing for International Market Centers.


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The Rise of the EV – And the Company That Will Fuel It
A few days ago, Nissan announced a drastic increase in electric vehicle (EV) production and sales.
The company aims to sell 1 million battery-powered vehicles annually through the financial year ending March 2023.
That’s pretty ambitious when you consider that annual EV sales passed 1 million units total, worldwide, for the first time ever just last year.
But Nissan is betting big-time on growth — especially in China — and its product.
Indeed, EV sales in China rose 50% in 2017, despite a move by the Chinese government to slash subsidies by 40%. Meanwhile, Nissan’s Leaf is the world’s most popular EV, selling some 73,000 units. And the company intends to roll out eight new electric vehicles in the next five years.
“We see the tipping point in the next decade, when EVs become cost competitive to conventional vehicles,” said Philippe Klein, Nissan’s chief planning officer.
Nissan projects that 40% of its sales in China, Europe, and Japan, and 30% of its U.S. sales, will be battery-powered vehicles by March 2023.
Obviously, Nissan isn’t the only company looking to expand its footprint in the EV market, but it’s certainly been the most aggressive.
And for good reason.
Electric vehicles are the future. Period.
On average, an EV now has the equivalent emissions of a gas car that gets 80 miles to the gallon. (And no, there’s no gas-powered car on the market that does that.) As a result, running an EV is typically 2.3x cheaper than operating a traditional gas vehicle.
It’s an absurd disparity. Especially since in some parts of the U.S., the equivalent MPGs of EVs is as high as 109.
The key here lies in the technological advancements that have made batteries cheaper and more efficient.
For instance, the cost of a lithium-ion battery has fallen by roughly two-thirds in the past decade. And in that same time, the high-end range of an EV has tripled from 100 miles per charge to 300.
Remember, those were always the two big impediments to purchasing an EV. For a long time, they were far more expensive than gas-powered cars, and restricted by tight range limits. But today, EVs are cheaper (especially when you add in the fuel savings) and far more capable.
That’s why analysts now expect EVs to make up more than a third of the auto market by the end of the next decade. And even that’s probably understating it.
At least, Nissan thinks so. And it's probably right.
Electric vehicles have gained far more traction than anyone anticipated, and growth will continue to accelerate more quickly than anyone thought, as well.
Why am I bringing this all up now?
Because our in-house resource expert, and editor of Junior Mining Monthly, Gerardo Del Real, has found an amazing investment opportunity that’s set to benefit from this unstoppable trend.
Gerardo knows the key to any industry is resources. (Remember, $80, $90, and $120 oil?)
And he’s found the one company that’s perfectly positioned to supply the electric battery boom.
Lithium... Cobalt... Graphite… It produces all of these.
It’s such a big deal that two ex-Tesla executives are opening up a brand-new “gigafactory” right on its doorstep.
So in light of this trend, I fully encourage you to check out Gerardo’s latest report. He’s got all the details, and is expecting massive gains. (He’s figuring 836%).
Jason Simpkins is Assistant Managing Editor of the Outsider Club and Investment Director of The Wealth Warrior, a financial advisory focused on security companies and defense contractors. For more on Jason, check out his editor's page.
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John Thompson: Chairman and CEO, Symantec
In Silicon Valley, he's known for his good taste and love of expensive cars, fine wines and designer suits. So what was Symantec Chairman and CEO John Thompson doing at a dude ranch in September? Driving cattle, of course.
"I do appreciate the finer things," the 54-year-old Thompson says. "But I'm really just a country kid. I love art and big cities, but if I had to choose between staring at a painting inside a museum and feeling the wind and the air outdoors, I would definitely choose the latter."
Those who know him well say the late-summer dude ranch excursion isn't out of character for Thompson. But Seagate CEO Steve Luczo adds: "I'll bet he had creases in his jeans."
He describes Thompson, who sits on Seagate's board, as "a well-dressed country boy" who is as comfortable with himself in a formal business setting as he is on a duck-hunting trip. Luczo also appreciates Thompson's honesty and clarity in board meetings. "He's not afraid to get in my face and tell me what he thinks," Luczo says.
Thompson isn't abrasive, though. Dick Clarke, former cyber-security adviser to President Bush, says he can be disarmingly frank and very hard-charging while appearing to be giving the soft sell. "He can be very determined and convincing in making a point without making you feel like you've been hit between the eyes with a bullet," Clarke says.
The one characteristic that defines Thompson's leadership abilities, however, is his ability to maintain a broad perspective, associates say. "As a person and as a business leader, John Thompson is dynamic, trustworthy and truly understands the big picture, while at the same time he has the uncanny ability to focus on the moment," says John Chambers, president and CEO of competitor Cisco Systems.
Clarke, who worked with Thompson on President Bush's National Infrastructure Advisory Council, says Thompson brought a holistic view of IT security to the Council table that no other IT CEO could bring. "The IT industry is so stovepiped: Everybody focuses on their own niche," Clarke says. "But John has a good understanding of how it all relates."
There is no doubt Thompson has a grasp of the big picture. His success in transforming Symantec, Cupertino, Calif., from an antivirus-software company into an end-to-end provider of IT security is proof enough.
Since taking the reins of Symantec in April 1999, Thompson steered the company from a consumer software provider with $632 million in revenue to an enterprise security products vendor with fiscal 2003 revenue of $1.4 billion, all during a time when most IT companies were shrinking. In its quarter ended July 4, Symantec earned $68 million on revenue of $391 million, up from $56.5 million on sales of $316 million last year.
"I have watched John transform the company from a hodgepodge of disparate product lines into a very pure, clean and focused security business," says George Reyes, CFO of Google and a Symantec board member.
After applying his holistic approach to Symantec's product offerings, Thompson embarked on changing the way security technology is marketed and deployed. He integrated Symantec's security offerings more tightly and filled in gaps. In just the past two months, the company announced three acquisitions to help it deliver a more integrated platform. Thompson also beefed up training for partners to deliver integrated solutions.
"It's a wonderful model for ensuring that more small businesses and midsize companies are able to take advantage of sophisticated security in a time when the skills necessary to do that are in very short supply," Thompson says.
Some partners say Thompson's holistic view of security is just what customers need. "From a vision standpoint, John is redefining the company from a security software vendor to a full life-cycle security partner for enterprises," says John Freres, president of Meridian IT Solutions, Schaumburg, Ill. "He's spot on with what the security market needs right now."
With a constant flow of new competitors entering the security market,including Microsoft and Cisco Systems,Symantec's future success is hardly etched in stone.
"Having Microsoft enter your market is always a cause for concern, but it will not eliminate Symantec's opportunity," says Roger MacNamee, managing director of venture capital firms Integral Capital Partners and Silver Lake Partners. "It may change it, but when the dust settles, Symantec will have a place."


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Not 100% relevant to PC gaming, but 1) D&D’s rules have been enormously influential on computer RPGs 2) whatever the new edition ends up doing will almost certainly filter down to a PC game or six at some point 3) your mum.
Wizards of the Coast are taking another pass at Dungeons & Dragons, after the recent fourth edition rules proved more than a little divisive. Divisive = MASSIVE RAGEFEST, of course. On top of that, WOTC reckon vidjagames are taking an increasingly deadly bite out of their side. So, they want to get D&D back on track – and they’re actively looking for the community’s input to do so. Is that you? Ooh, probably.
Read the rest of this entry »


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Speaking somewhat cryptically at D9, Nokia’s CEO Stephen Elop responded to a question about tablets thusly:
I’m not going to announce a tablet here today. But as a high level point, there’s a connected digital experience will increasingly define what consumers are looking for. It’s important for us to play across that space. We have to address that whole space.
What do you guys think? If Nokia weren’t getting into the tablet game, Elop would have said “right now we’re focused on the mobile sector” or “we’re waiting to see how the market evolves.” This is as good as confirmation — by internet rumor-mongering standards, at least.


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First of Many Tech Days Planned for 2011
Nashua, NH, June 1, 2011: Paperless Parts, specializing in 3D Printers and Scanners, is pleased to announce the first tech day of the summer will take place at their facility on Wednesday June 15th from 1:00pm – 7:00pm. Experts will be on hand to explain the process behind rapid prototyping and what it takes to get a project under way. Using specific software techniques to utilize 3D scanners and full color 3D Printers in order to get prototypes completed fast.
Tech day will include representatives from Paperless Parts, SpaceClaim, and Z-Corporation. Live demonstrations of 3D printing, 3D scanning and an interactive look at SpaceClaim software will be offered for free. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own stl or vmrl files for 3D printing as well as an object to scan live. Free food and prizes will be available for those who attend.
“Tech day is a great chance to converse and share ideas with our customers and friends” said James Jacobs, President of Paperless Parts. “Offering this sort of hands on opportunity gives people the ability to get involved in the 3D printing and 3D Scanning process and to see new benefits and applications of rapid prototyping.”
Paperless Parts is New England’s only authorized commercial Z-Corp reseller. A New England Z Corp reseller since 2001, Paperless Parts has printers and scanners installed at a variety of aerospace, consumer product, footwear and other manufacturers throughout the region.
Date: Wednesday June15th
Time: 1:00 – 7:00pm
Location: 165 Ledge Street, Nashua, NH
RSVP: Email Contact
About Paperless Parts
Paperless Parts helps leverage 3D CAD data across the product development process. 3D CAD data is unambiguous and communicates not only dimensional requirements but also design intent. The unique tools and prototype services offered are selected to maximize the impact on the design process. They help design products faster, at a lesser cost with higher quality.


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Kanye West joins forces with Balenciaga for his latest Yeezy Gap Collection. The billionaire rapper said that the said collaboration is a vision come true and he planned everything with the people from Balenciaga. The collection will boast incredible products which will be available to everyone at all times. West has announced on Friday that he has found an innovative way to offer affordable luxury to everyone, with this team up with his all time favorite high fashion brand Balenciaga on a soon to be released collection for the Gap.
Two years ago, the rapper has signed a ten year deal with the retailer Gap in 2020. The deal states that Gap is to launch his apparel designs, wherein his $200 Round Jacket got sold out instantly upon its debut. The new endeavor that the companies will partake is officially titled as Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga which is set to be released in June of this year. The collection will have a second wave with a second collection which will be released in the latter part of the year.
RELATED: Kanye West Buys Home Across The Street From Kim Kardashian To Be Closer To Kids
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On West’s interview with Vogue, he reiterated that the project is a vision come true for him to work with retailer Gap and the creative director of Balenciaga, Demna. The Balenciaga creative director, Demna Gvasalia, added that the project is a next level challenge for them as he has always loved the accessibility and utilitarianism of the brand Gap. Demna believes that he shares the same sensibilities in his own creative language which would make this project a fun experience for him. The director also said that he has shared the same stylish sensibilities with the Grammy winner.
Demna Gvasalia’s envisions that this project would entail a certain urban minimalism and poetry in terms of aesthetics. He adds that they also desire to push the boundaries of fashion. Demna believes in Kanye West’s ability and he thinks there are only few people that has West’s caliber who understands his work so well when it comes to fashion. He also loves working with the rapper as he makes him out of his comfort zone which makes him a better designer. There is no ego involve when they work together, just a drive they both want to evolve and create something that is innovative.
A post shared by Wilkinleaks (@wilkinleaks3.0)
The rapper has always appreciated the artistic vision of Demna and the forthcoming collaboration is the main factor why all of a sudden, the musician and his new girlfriend Julia Fox as well as his estranged wife Kim Kardashian have been wearing the fashion brand Balenciaga exclusively. Demna has also directed the sets for the rapper’s livestreamed Donda listening events both in Chicago and Atlanta. He also designed the merch for these events.
READ NEXT: Kanye Enjoys His Donda Doves Homecoming Team Matchup With Ticket Resales Ranging From $25 To $500
Sources: Forbes, Vanity Fair, People
Source: Read Full Article


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Tesla on Friday reported production and delivery of electric vehicles in the fourth quarter of last year, both of which hit a record high and met its full-year delivery target of 360,000 to 400,000 vehicles, according tomedia reports. The record production and delivery of electric vehicles and the completion of full-year delivery targets have also boosted Tesla’s share price and its market value. At the close of trading in U.S. stocks on Monday, Tesla’s shares were trading at $451.54, up $8.53, or 1.93 percent, from $443.01 at the close of the previous session.
Monday’s close of $451.54 was the first time Tesla shares had closed above $450, and it closed again at a new high.
Monday’s rally continued, meaning Tesla’s closing price rose in all three trading days after 2020. Tesla shares closed at $430.26 on January 2, up $11.93 from the previous session, and rose to $443.01 on January 3, up $12.75 from the January 2 close. Add in Monday’s $8.53, and Tesla shares have risen $33.21 in three trading days.
Tesla also hit a new high after closing at a record high, at Monday’s close of $81.388 billion, up $1.538 billion from Friday’s close of $79.85 billion.
Although Tesla shares closed at a new high on Monday, they closed at $451.54, still $2.46 below Friday’s intraday high of $454.


text: fraud Former postal worker accused of mail theft takes plea deal By Associated Press • Feb 2, 2018 LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a former Lincoln postal worker caught with stolen mail has pleaded guilty. Nebraska Officials Warning of Unlicensed Payday Lender By Associated Press • Dec 6, 2017 LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance is warning residents against doing business with a payday lender that is not licensed to do business in the state. Neb. AG Bruning, others offer tips to avoid fraud By Associated Press • Mar 3, 2014 LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning and others are warning about fraud and financial scams that can be heartbreaking for victims.


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During the company’s first ever press conference, Pebble announced it will ship the Pebble smartwatch on January 23.
The Pebble smartwatch is currently in mass production, and the company expects to ship the first units to Kickstarter backers in a few weeks. The company announced that its manufacturing partners are currently producing 15,000 watches every week.
Backers will receive an email one week before their watch ships out. The watches will ship out to backers in the order in which they backed the Kickstarted campaign.
After every person who backed the Pebble smartwatch on Kickstarter receives their watch the watch will ship to those who pre-ordered the Pebble after the campaign. The company didn’t give any time frame for when those users can expect their smartwatch.
During production the Pebble team was able to keep the promises it made during the Kickstarter, including water resistance up to 5 atmospheres. To keep the water resistance, Pebble uses a magnetic charger that connects to a PC or Mac via USB. The charger makes it easy to charge the phone without a dock.
The company also included an ambient light sensor and magnetometer for a compass apps in the Pebble.
The Pebble watch will support Bluetooth 4.0 so it can last a long time on a single charge, though it also has Bluetooth 2.3 for devices that don’t yet support the latest technology. The watch can connect to any device running Android 2.3.3 or above and any iOS device running iOS 5 or above. That includes the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 and recent iPod touches.
Because the Pebble uses e-paper and not E-Ink the display can update quickly without a full refresh like the Amazon Kindle. The e-paper display is more akin to LCD displays which refresh quickly.
When the Pebble ships it will work with a few apps and can display notifications from the companion Android app and Notification Center alerts in iOS 6. That includes information like SMS messages and emails. The watch will also vibrate when the user receives a call, which they can answer or ignore from the watch itself.
The Pebble smartwatch is currently available for pre-order for $150 in a variety of colors.
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The New Jersey cannabis black market and legacy operators are thriving while red tape and towns oppose them.
Despite fears and attempts to rein them in, the New Jersey cannabis legacy operators underground black market of small businesspeople, many of them minorities and/or women, are thriving.
Legacy Operators Flourishing
The State can’t actually stop the entire cannabis legacy black market. It’s too big and too lucrative. There certainly have been crackdowns on legacy operators throughout New Jersey. But sometimes, that’s the price of doing business.
“We’re faster than you. We’re smarter than you and we’re more creative than you,” one North Jersey legacy operator said. “Get the fuck out of the way.”
In South Jersey, the New Jersey cannabis legacy market is at home in a country setting, while in North Jersey, it’s often in an urban setting with more Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. Many women participate in both types.
“The industry is here. It’s not like it’s not here. We’ve always been here. It’s been here my entire life,” a North Jersey legacy operator said. “You’re attacking a market that already exists. Why are you in the way? I’m right under your nose doing it.”
“Everybody’s that in the illegal market wants to pay their taxes more than the person that just has a regular job or business. They want to come out of the dark. But they’re terrified,” another North Jersey legacy operator added.
Quality Established Market
With their tranquil atmosphere and music, some legacy markets have the air of a bake sale. At a legacy market in Central Jersey, an enterprising salesman offered $100 for an ounce. That would be about a quarter of the current price for legal weed New Jersey .
“The farmers have the most pride. There’s no trying to give you mildew. There’s nobody trying to give you bad weed,” a North Jersey legacy operator said. “Some people might be like, “that’s some low-end man”
“People in the illegal market will tell you that’s some low-end weed. Hey, that’s some shit that came off the low end. And this is my mids (middle quality). And these are my high ends. Most people did that. And the people go yes or no.”
Range of Products on the Black Market
They continue to sell a range of products. That includes a variety of stronger products like concentrates and nano-infused thc concoctions, along a never-ending portfolio of different cannabis strains, one better than the next. There are also many edibles, including baked goods and infused honeys, often sold by the people who made it themselves. Here, you can actually, see, touch, smell and get honest feedback on the products before buying. There is so much to choose from. No one is butt hurt if you don’t buy from them.
The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) has promised there will eventually be edibles. But they have not even given a possible date when they will open. Concentrates are $95 a gram for live resin. For comparison, live resin on the black/gray market is under $30, or less if you buy several grams.
One recent New Jersey cannabis black market even featured the potent Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), which is great for patients.
Many products are sourced out from California and come with warning labels and note the strength of their products. Some prominent items like Punch Bars come in a great variety of chocolates like Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt, cherry chocolate, orange chocolate and then there are dozens of other brands as well. They are available at a range of weed market pop-ups.
“They respect their art so much. I’ve been selling their shit for almost 15 years,” the North Jersey legacy operator said of Punch Bars. He noted people have developed brand loyalty to Punch Bars. (Heady NJ is not advocating for these products specifically).
Many legacy pharmacists also try to recommend strains to treat different issues. The GMO strain was recommended for inflammation, for example.
Storefronts Sell Weed
In addition to pop-up black markets for cannabis, a wide range of smoke shops, glass shops, and exotic snacks shops along with other types of retail shops are also selling weed, some more blatantly than others. Some smoke shops sell weed in towns that won’t allow legal dispensaries. Yet the townships, and local police let these shops thrive. This is truly a strange time.
Most of the towns where New Jersey cannabis markets are held do not bust them. Sometimes the penalties after getting busted are not as harsh as you would imagine depending on the town. Last year, weed arrests in New Jersey were down significantly.
In the movie Pineapple Express, you have the lovable cannabis dealer Saul Silver versus the violent Ted Jones, who corrupts the police and kills a man. Many in New Jersey want Sauls to get licenses and open. Unfortunately, many think the Sauls are Ted or Scarface.
A North Jersey legacy operator said many in cannabis aren’t like Scarface. He explained the heroin and cocaine industries are much more lucrative than cannabis. Therefore, organized crime rarely gets involved in cannabis.
In New York City, the high number of legacy operators has led to a crackdown.
Legacy to Legal Problems
Some legacy operators in the New Jersey cannabis black market going legit are succeeding. But they are few and far between.
“It’s really hard, realistically and practically, for these legacy operators to make a clean break. It’s very hard to walk through legacy land, and ya know, open,” attorney Duncan Delano said.
He has many legacy operators in the black market as clients.
“It’s probably an unrealistic expectation. How do they fund their regulated operation and start-up without continuing to make ends meet in the legacy market?” Duncan asked rhetorically.
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) has been promoting a “legacy to legal path” with various degrees of success. They have given out hundreds of conditional licenses. But a small amount has applied for the conversion necessary to open so far. A lot of New Jersey conditional license winners need help.
Cannabis Homegrow and the Industry
A North Jersey legacy operator was very critical of the lack of cannabis homegrow in New Jersey.
He said it should be comparable to growing tomatoes. But no one ever had a good Saturday night due to tomatoes.
“Nobody’s going to kill the weed industry. If you were really part of the weed game, you would let people grow. Do you know why? They would know how hard it is. And they would RUN to the dispensary and pay whatever for it,” he said. “Let everybody grow.”
A North Jersey legacy operator said a noted legacy operator gave out 1,000 baby cannabis plants or clones to people, and about 900 probably died.
“Fifty of them are probably struggling. Maybe 2 get weed out of it,” he figured.


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MySpace isn't all about age restrictions to keep teens safe from sexual assaults. It turns out drug dealers love MySpace too! Michael Wayne Pilkerton, 20, of Suffolk was charged after police used an informant to...
A week of Windows devices, OnePlus pre-orders and Xbox changes
Editorial: With Gadgets long dead, give us pinned Live Tiles in Windows 10
Nokia Lumia is no more. Long live Microsoft Lumia! (It's official now.)
Surface set to be Microsoft's next billion-dollar business
Windows 10 logo


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Just a month after filing for bankruptcy, Eastman Kodak Company is dumping some of its digital assets off on personal photo-publishing company Shutterfly in the hopes of becoming a more tightly focused company.
“This sale is consistent with our objective of focusing Kodak on a core set of businesses in which we can most profitably leverage our technology and brand strengths,” Kodak CMO Pradeep Jotwani said in a statement.
Kodak Gallery is an online destination where customers in the U.S. and Canada can upload, share, and print their “Kodak moments” as keepsakes. Through the deal, the product’s more than 75 million users and their images will be transferred over to Shutterfly, though customers can choose to opt-out of the transfer and download images instead.
The Shutterfly deal is expected to close in the spring, but will first need to secure the approbation of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Other potential buyers can still submit bids for Kodak Gallery in the interim.
Earlier this month, Kodak announced that it would stop selling cameras.


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Super Bowl shakeup: Apple Music replaces Pepsi as halftime sponsor, beer advertising exclusivity ends
NFL followers and Super Bowl viewers are more likely to subscribe to Apple Music, according to Interpret data.
T-Mobile adds United to its growing list of airline partners to offer free in-flight Wi-Fi
According to Interpret data, United trails other airlines among the T-Mobile subscriber base.
Anime is growing in popularity, but is it ‘mainstream’ yet?
Interpret’s Animeasure data compares anime audience share and year-over-year growth to other genres to quantify an answer to the increasingly asked question: has anime gone mainstream?
Disney looks to conquer trading card games with Lorcana
Interpret data shows fans of animation play, spend more on games and collectibles
Will the Netflix binge model go the way of the dodo?
Interpret data finds that 16% of consumers will subscribe to watch a series and then cancel when done viewing.


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Grand opening celebration on January 11, the first 100 customers get a free Taco Bell cup
BASEHOR, Kan., Jan. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Diversified Restaurant Group, one of the largest Taco Bell franchisees, is set to unveil its newest location at 15498 State Ave in Basehor, Kansas, marking a significant expansion in the heart of the state. The grand opening, slated for Thursday, January 11, from 9 am to 11 am, will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the KC Chamber of Commerce.
The ceremonial festivities kick off at 9 am, followed by a spread of Taco Bell favorites. Additionally, the first 100 customers who make a purchase will receive an exclusive Taco Bell branded cup and a free taco coupon. Guests can also take advantage of a limited time offer of spend $20 or more on Uber Eats or DoorDash and get $5 to celebrate the opening.
“Our local leadership and team are excited to bring Taco Bell to the residents of Basehor. We appreciate Mayor Drennon, council members, and school personnel who have all taken time to welcome us to the community,” said Christie Glaeser, Director of Operations for DRG South Kansas and Missouri. “We look forward to serving guests with quality food, sincere hospitality, and a clean environment on their visits.”
To streamline your Taco Bell experience at the new Basehor location, download the Taco Bell app from the App Store or Google Play at https://www.tacobell.com/mobile, or guests can use their favorite third party delivery service provider including DoorDash, Grub Hub, Uber Eats or Postmates. For more insights into Diversified Restaurant Group, visit www.drgfood.com.
About Diversified Restaurant Group
Diversified Restaurant Group is a restaurant business comprised of owners and operators working to innovate and grow with quick service and fast casual brands across the country. What started as a limited partnership in a 30-unit Taco Bell franchise in 2012, has since grown into a 350+ unit, multi-brand QSR operation with restaurants in Nevada, California, Kansas, Missouri and Alaska.
SOURCE Diversified Restaurant Group
Originally published at https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/taco-bell-expands-in-kansas-with-new-location-in-basehor-302030847.html
Images courtesy of https://pixabay.com


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The COVID-19 pandemic has forced restaurants to pull down their shutters temporarily. But while we’re all missing that dining out experience, it is heartening to know that some of our favourite restaurants are doing everything they can to help out in this crisis.
For restaurant group Lite Bite Foods—which owns brands like Tres, Punjab Grill, Zambar and Shizusan—in New Delhi, the hustle doesn’t stop even in a pandemic. The collective has had its kitchens open to cook and provide meals for those most vulnerable in this lockdown since 29 March. A limited core team has been working in the kitchen to provide meals to shelter homes and essential service workers in Delhi. Menus are designed to provide a balanced and nutritious meal consisting of a standard 600 calories. Common items include black chana curry, soya wadi curry, vegetable khichdi, white mutter curry, steamed rice and chapatis.
With the help of delivery services like Swiggy and NGOs like Mobius Foundation, the team has distributed more than 1 lakh meals so far. Along with prepared meals, they have also supplied ration kits to almost 4,000 families in Delhi. A single ration kit is equipped to last a family of four for one week.
Throughout the process, LBF has taken all measures necessary to ensure the safety of their team. Arrangements were made for a few team members to stay within their office premises, while also ensuring social distancing. All relief efforts are coordinated and executed by a small core team consisting of seven people. Caps, gloves, masks and hand sanitisation are mandatory for all team members, with food handlers required to sanitise their hands every hour. The kitchen is cleaned twice a day and staff temperatures are checked and recorded regularly. To be extra careful, staff meal menus are even planned and designed to include immunity-boosting foods.
“Social responsibility and working towards the betterment of our people is at the heart of Lite Bite Foods philosophy.”, a spokesperson from LBF told Conde Nast Traveller. “This is an extremely difficult time for the entire industry and we hope our humble contribution to the society at large is beneficial. Let’s do our bit and help the industry and the country to sail through this difficult time.”


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The revamped website features a streamlined design and improved functionality. Enriched content areas help both current and prospective clients better understand the challenges of today’s marketing landscape and how PACIFIC helps to overcome them.
“We’re excited to showcase how our company has grown and evolved its services,” said Norman Brauns, founder and CEO of PACIFIC. “The new website better illustrates our brand story and reinforces our position as a leading global agency.”
Website visitors will instantly notice changes to the layout, design, and navigation, plus enhanced services such as agency and consultancy services, resources with insights into industry trends, and new proprietary tools like PACIFIC DXP. Client feedback was used in designing the site.
“We are thrilled to debut our company’s new website to our clients, partners, media, and to visitors who want to learn about PACIFIC and the value we provide,” said Allison Alachniewicz, director of marketing. “This website is a testament to our work, and we look forward to sharing our elevated capabilities with the world.”
PACIFIC’s new website will be continuously updated with news of product launches, business activity, company milestones, events, and press releases.


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In an effort to reduce the alarming rate of plastic waste, industry body Water UK has initiated a long-term project to place free water refill points in major UK cities by 2021. These refill points should be in public areas, but the company who owns Costa Coffee and Premier Inn has already expressed interest in setting up fountains in its branches starting this spring. Other major restaurants, retailers and cafes are expected to follow their example in what could be one of the largest waste prevention initiatives in recent years.
According to the first estimates, this project would reduce the use of plastic bottles by tens of millions annually, which would make a significant contribution to the environment. At present, the British use almost 40 million plastic bottles every day, but in spite of awareness campaigns and the existence of plastic recycling bins, only half of them get recycled. We buy a whopping 1 million bottles every minute and only 7% of them are turned into new bottles. As for the rest, they end up in the public landfill at best; at worst, they are disposed of incorrectly, burnt, or they find their way into the oceans, damaging the ecosystem. And that is not the only problem. Large scale production of water bottles puts a strain on the economy because they’re some of the most expensive disposable objects to manufacture and distribute. Put simply, plastic waste is one of the lowkey factors behind climate change.
People have become used to spending their change on buying an ice-cold water bottle to stay hydrated on a hot summer day, but this is only because they don’t have other options. This would change, says Michael Roberts, CEO of Water UK, if people had free stations around the city to refill their water bottles. The water quality in the UK is one of the best in Europe, so people would have no reason to be worried about their health.
This is not the first refill project to take place in the UK. The Refill campaign introduced more than 1,500 free water refill stations across the United Kingdom, especially in Norwich, Durham, Cornwall and Bristol.
Whitbread, the owner of Costa Coffee and Premier Inn, said they were excited to include their 3000 locations in the scheme starting March and expects enthusiasm from the public as well. These refill stations would be advertised by special shop window signs or the Brits can opt to install an app on their phones telling them where the nearest refill station is. Of course, in order for this scheme to reach its full potential and truly make a difference, several efforts need to be made. On the one hand, awareness campaigns need to continue. People should know that choosing to purchase a £1 water bottle instead of refilling could indirectly harm the environment and the ocean ecosystem. However, taking into account the success of the previous Refill campaign, this should not be a major problem. Commercial involvement is not a concern either, as major retailers and hospitality businesses are some of the first to join environmental schemes. They were some of the first to include selective recycling bins, Miltek waste compactors and waste tracking tools on premises and hospitality establishments are already legally obliged to offer free water on request. On the other hand, the Government needs to work together with retailers to set up refill stations in as many public areas as possible.
In light of recent policies, cutting back on plastic waste by 2021 doesn’t seem like a far-fetched goal, because the UK is already making progress to this end: plastic microbeads in cosmetic product were banned last year, manufacturers are trying to replace plastic cotton buds and straws with biodegradable alternatives, DEFRA is considering the implementation of a deposit return scheme for people who buy plastic bottles.
Greenpeace has praised the initiative of Water UK, stating that this one of those initiatives that could mobilise the entire population and trigger a change in mentality. Over the course of the following years, all 15 water companies in the UK are expected to be involved in this scheme and mayor Sadiq Khan has already expressed plans to inaugurate 20 new water fountains in London.


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UNDP Report: China's Spectacular but Incomplete Rise
UNDP by Victoria Cole, July 27, 2015 Adjust font size:
The United Nations Development Programme, in partnership with the CCIEE and the SIIS, published a report entitled, "Rebalancing Global Economic Governance – Opportunities for China and the G20 beyond 2015." The report highlights the importance of global governance and sustainable development to "add value to ongoing debates and inform the work of policy makers and practitioners in China as well as around the world."
What is China's Role in Global Development as a Developing Power that is Global in Nature? (Chapter 3)
3.1.1 An Outstanding Development Experience
During the three decades after China's reform and opening up policies were applied, China's economy grew at an average rate of 9.8% per year, 6.8% higher than the world average, and its global GDP share increased from 1.7% in 1978 to 12% in 2013. China is now the second largest economy in the world after the U.S.
Trade has long been a powerful engine for China's economic growth. China has recorded a significant rise in its foreign trade since the early 1980s, its share of global exports increased from 0.79% in 1982 to 10.4% in 2013, while its share of imports grew from 0.61% to 9.7% over the same period. With a total import and export value totaling over US$4 trillion in 2013, China surpassed the U.S. to become the world's largest trader. Thanks the tremendous growth in its net exports, China's foreign exchange reserves now equals around one third of the world total.
In addition to trade, investment has also been an important engine for growth in China. The average growth rate of FDI inflows to China was as high as 36% between 1980 and 2013. In recent years, the growth in FDI inflows has slowed, but the share of China's global FDI outflows saw a sharp increase from 0.07% in 2000 to 7.16% in 2013. In 2014, China finally became a net FDI exporter.
China is often used as an example by other countries at similar stages of development, however many question the extent to which China's development experience is replicable. Other indicators that exemplify China's rise are not always considered positive, like being the largest global energy consumer and the largest greenhouse emitter.
Framing China's results within the MDG agenda though, it is undeniable that China has made substantial progress in realizing several crucial goals. Between 1990 and 2005, over 470 million people in China were lifted out of extreme poverty and given access to clean drinking water, and gender disparity in primary and secondary education was largely eliminated.
Indeed, some of China's achievements have exceeded expectations. In terms of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, the proportion of rural Chinese population living under US$1.25 per day was reduced from 46% in 1990 to 10.4% by 2005 – over a decade ahead of schedule. This made China the first developing country to achieve the MDG poverty reduction target.


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Television viewing in China is going south in favor of consumers watching videos on other devices.
New research from software pay-TV company Irdeto shows that only 15% of Chinese respondents predominantly watch television content on a traditional TV, with a combined majority of 85% choosing computers, smartphones and tablets as their preferred screens.
Released this week at broadcasting and technology fair CCBN 2014, the Irdeto survey was conducted among 1,000 nationally representative Chinese adults aged 18 and above in early March.
The survey found laptop and desktop computers to be the top screen of choice when it came to viewing video content (42%), and smartphone devices to be the second most preferred screen for viewing video content (29%).
Also, 60% of respondents said they watch videos on-the-go while commuting, or outside of work, school, or home.
This underlines a significant behavioral shift whereby viewers are now typically choosing non-traditional platforms over traditional television.
Other key findings:
- Chinese consumers are still likely to pirate video content. More than 60% of respondents said that they were ‘extremely likely’ (21%) or ‘likely’ (41%) to pirate video content.
- High pricing (28%) and refusal to wait for official release of video (30%) were named as the top two compelling reasons for watching pirated videos.
- When asked what would prevent them from viewing pirated content, most consumers cited issues surrounding security risks such as viruses and spam (32%), followed by poor video quality (25%).
The full survey results can be found here.


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Warning bells for a Calgary-based company, as there are reports of suspected contamination of Listeria in its pre-cooked Asian foods. In consequent to the report, Ginger Beef Corp came into swift action and closed its plants while all products spread in five provinces were called back.
Good News USA
- Vodafone NZ’s new ‘Red Home’ packages will offer UFB and 150 TV channels
- Vodafone NZ’s full-year profit plunged by more than two-thirds to $56 million
- Vodafone adding 34 European countries to ‘AU$5 per day’ international roaming option
- Telstra launches its new ‘Every Day Connect Data Share Packages’
- Voyager signs “multimillion-dollar deal” with submarine cable group Hawaiki


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No industry can thrive without a strong support base of responsive, quality suppliers. We sought to celebrate suppliers to the ceramic and related industries with our 2017 Ceramic Industry Supplier of the Year Award, and we were thrilled to receive many enthusiastic nominations.
A new line of kiln furniture suited to the production of catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters was introduced at Ceramics Expo 2017.
May 1, 2017
Ceramics Expo 2017 was chosen for the launch of a new range of kiln furniture from Morgan Advanced Materials. Suited to the production of catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters (DPFs), Halsic-N is a nitride-bonded silicon carbide with a microstructure that offers increased mechanical strength and greater durability than the typical materials used for firing honeycomb structures.


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GM announces colossal recall of nearly 500k Chevy Cruze sedans
General Motors Co. has just announced the massive recall of nearly 500,000 of its compact Chevrolet Cruze sedans due to under-engine shield concerns. Chevy reports that affected vehicles require under-engine shield modification so that flammable liquids do not get trapped in the engine compartment. Potentially, trapped engine fluid could result in a fire. Specifically, the recall states that 475,418 model-year 2011-2012 vehicles are affected. The majority of the sedans, 413,418 were sold in the US, while 61,299 were sold in Canada and 701 in Israel. There have been no crashes or injuries reported thus far in association with the recall.
Although no injuries have been reported, GM states that is has received 30 reports of engine fires relating to the Cruze. The recall occurs in the aftermath of a federal investigation that opened in April involving 2011 Cruze models. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation was later expanded to also include 2012 models.


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Betabeat just received a note from the personal finance startup formerly known as BankSimple. The first signup was in February 2010, the company says, and it’s first come, first serve. That means people who signed up recently will have to wait until summer to get their invites. “We have begun sending out invites, currently a few dozen at a time, and then we will escalate from there,” Simple says. “If that seems a bit slow, it is deliberate. To get ready for a wider release, we are beginning with the core features of spending and depositing, and looking to our first customers for feedback before releasing the full product.”
Simple started up in New York but recently moved to Portland. The company’s prelaunch troubles remind us of what held up Jack Dorsey’s Square, the mobile payments processing dongle, production of which was delayed due to concerns about security. After the product was release, Square faced accusations over the security of its system from competitor VeriFone, which said the device could easily be used to steal credit card information.
Simple has decided it’s better to keep customers waiting and err on the side of caution rather than rush the product out the door–even though the wait time is now approaching two years.
“You’ve been on the list a long time, and we’re thankful that you have stuck with us,” Simple says. “Those of you who signed up most recently can expect to receive your invite by summer. Those of you who signed up earlier will receive their invite sooner. We’ve been using the full product internally for a few months, but Simple presents key departures from how banking typically works and we want to make sure that you all love it as much as we do.”
The company is careful not to apologize, merely thanking users for their support.


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- What is the impact of geopolitical tensions on safety at sea?
- Which geographical areas are of key concern?
- What is being done to reduce the risk of piracy in hotspot areas?
- Has the coronavirus pandemic had an impact on security threats at sea?
- Mitigation strategies and capacity building
News2 February 2023
Maritime Anti-Piracy Bill passed by Indian Parliament
Press Release10 March 2022
Supply chain issues will be compounded by lack of Ukrainian and Russian seafarers, says global body representing international shipping
Press Release21 October 2020
ICS & OCIMF Launch New Emergency Guide for Masters
Article24 April 2024


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One thing unique about the Philippines is how the Christmas season begins even way before December. Come September, holiday decorations are put up and carols are played on the radio. While some begin slowly ticking items off their gift lists by then, most people begin their Christmas shopping around November.
This year, there was a perfectly good reason (or excuse?) to go shopping early, as Zee Lifestyle presented the biggest shopping event of the season. The South on Sale, in partnership with Globe Platinum and BPI, was a weekend-long shopping event on November 14-16 at the Ayala Center Cebu. It gave shoppers a chance to enjoy special deals and discounts at selected Ayala stores.
The South on Sale featured three lounges all over the Ayala Center Cebu’s new expansion wing. Designed by celebrated furniture designer Vito Selma, the lounges each had special offers that an exclusive list of shoppers was able to enjoy during the launch on November 14. The Zee Lifestyle booth at The Gallery featured the La Mer champagne bar, which allowed people to sip on bubbly while checking out the luxury skincare brand’s products. The Globe Platinum booth on the second floor offered visitors a delectable chocolate buffet as they checked out the newest promos and gadget offerings. Meanwhile, the BPI lounge hosted an exclusive preview of the new Rustan’s Department Store. The pop-up store feature products from brands such as Fendi, Longchamp, Natori, Stella McCartney, Christian Louboutin, Loewe, Sergio Rossi, Hackett, Façonnable and Thomas Pink—all of which were available for that weekend only.
The highlight of the South on Sale was the passport shopping experience. People who received a passport were asked to get stamps from stores like Aeropostale, F&F, Superdry, Loalde and Marks & Spencer, among others. Those who were able to complete all stamps got exciting prizes from Zee Lifestyle.
Photos courtesy of John Ong and Paolo Anciano


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Hello Metal Gladiators,
We are thrilled to announce that Heavy Metal Machines will be coming to consoles on February 23rd, 2021! 🤩🎮
The game will be available to play on PS4 and Xbox One, and compatible with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Players will be able to team up with friends on any platform through cross-platform multiplayer and battle each other in post-apocalyptic Arenas controlling a growing selection of vehicles and weapons.
Heavy Metal Machines will continue to be Free-to-Play on consoles. Players from PlayStation® won’t need a PS+ subscription to play the game, while on Xbox, a Gold subscription is required (but it will change soon!). Gamers from the two platforms may get a free Battle Pass Pack DLC until March 8th – this pack includes the latest Metal Pass Premium season, Machines, and other items.
On the same day we’ll be releasing some major gameplay updates on the game, besides the new season of the Metal Pass. And also, to celebrate the launch, on Feb/23, we will have a special live stream at our Youtube and Twitch, with a lot of gameplay, new videos, giveaways and special guests! We’ll be waiting for you!!
Follow us on social media to keep up with the latest news!
See you in the Arenas! 🤘


text: NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Chain-store sales for the week ended Aug. 20 rose 3% from the year-earlier period, the smallest gain since June 25, according to a survey released Tuesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs. On a week-over-week basis, sales fell 1%, their fourth straight weekly drop. "Sales were mixed nationwide for the week with discounter business weaker overall which in turn dragged down the weekly industry performance," said Michael Niemira, ICSC's chief economist. "However, back-to-school sales got a lift in the Midwest through the East, in particular, from favorable cooler temperatures. As worry about the economy lingered, energy prices continued to recede and helped to lift consumers' purchasing power potential." He forecast August sales to rise between 4% and 5% and between 3% and 4% excluding the impact of fuel sales.


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Indochino is on an aggressive push offline. The menswear retailer plans to open 17 stores by the end of the year. That’s in addition to the 18 showrooms it opened last year and the three it opened earlier this year in Brooklyn, New York; Portland, Oregon; and Boston. If the retailer’s plans come to fruition, Indochino will have 58 stores by Jan. 1, 2020, a 190% increase from the 20 it operated exactly two years earlier.
The reason is simple: Showrooms are increasingly crucial to Indochino’s bottom line. The stores account for roughly 70% of the retailer’s revenue, says Peter Housley, Indochino’s chief revenue officer. That’s a dramatic shift from four years ago, when ecommerce accounted for 75% of the brand’s sales.
Beyond driving direct sales, physical stores also produce a multiplier effect; once Indochino moves into a market, its overall sales in the area…
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As the day — April 15 — draws closer, accountants know they’re coming up on a date that doesn’t rank high on people’s most-looked-forward-to days of the year.
Still, the filing deadline for state and federal income tax returns is something the accounting profession is adept at making people more comfortable about. That’s why they hate to have to approach it bearing more bad news.
However taxing it might be on him, Bob Gilbert is one of the many accountants bursting bubbles about a commonly held hope this year: Soon-to-be tax filers may have spent the past year buying up the latest work-from-home gadgets and signing up for faster internet to make remote work-life more manageable — and may also assume there could be a tax break in their future for it.
Some answers are good news
Bob Gilbert, as the one watching the money, is a key ingredient for the restaurant and hospital businesses he mainly represents at Citrin Cooperman.
Take it from him: 2020 wasn’t a recipe for success for the financial picture of these companies.
“These were the most affected industries, outside of maybe cruise lines,” he said. “They required a lot of adjustment.”
As much as has been made of how certain businesses were able to pivot and, by so doing, stave off the worst impact of the pandemic’s slowdown, Gilbert said it’s important to remember that options available to one business might not have been the same for another.
“When it comes to restaurants, for example, some had a great summer with outdoor dining,” he said. “But, for a lot of New York City restaurants, you don’t have a parking lot to put tents up and do that. So, they were hit terribly, and couldn’t do what others were to pay the bills.”
For those businesses, Gilbert said, their saving grace was the Paycheck Protection Program, which was first introduced in the March federal COVID-19 relief package.
Speaking of deductions — Gilbert said Congress recently made expenses paid with PPP money deductible. Since these loans were forgivable, it was thought that no deductions would be possible for a loan not intended to be paid back.
“There have been some questions about the (tax treatment of) PPP that were stressful to some of our clients,” he said. “Thankfully, those issues are starting to be addressed.”
“The simple answer is, ‘No, you can’t get any deductions from working from home as an employee,’” he said.
Gilbert, a tax expert at accounting firm Citrin Cooperman, said the confusion might stem from the fact that, before the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act went into effect, remote employees were able to write off work-related expenses when it came time to file taxes.
After the tax overhaul eliminated those deductions in favor of a higher standard deduction, now, only a select group can take advantage of deducting out-of-pocket remote work expenditures such as webcams, computers, and internet and phone bills.
“Only those who are self-employed or independent contractors are able to take those home office deductions,” he said. “For a W-2 employee, those deductions went away.”
Gig workers, which have become more commonplace in today’s economy, can be the beneficiaries of them, too. Uber drivers, Instacart shoppers and other on-demand work setups are typically given an independent contractor tax treatment.
Some states extend those tax benefits to those directly employed by a company, too — but New Jersey isn’t one of them.
Outside of that, New Jersey workers have to hope the business they’re working for sees their own tax justifications for reimbursing remote work expenses.
“It’s a question we’re getting a lot (from individual tax filers),” Gilbert said. “Most won’t get an answer that will be beneficial to them.”


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Singapore is hoping to get the Midas' touch in its ambitions to be a regional precious metals trading hub.
It is launching the world's first exchange-traded wholesale 25 kilobar gold contract.
Announcing the move on Wednesday, Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang said: "With our close proximity to both demand and supply in Asia, I believe that Singapore is well-placed to support the bullion industry, with substantive mutual benefits," Mr Lim said at the London Bullion Market Association market forum.
"Our vision is that Asia can be a driving force to continue the growth of the bullion industry, and be a global leader in areas fundamental to the demand and trade in this region."
The system, which is expected to go 'live' in September, will introduce centralised trading and clearing of a physically-delivered gold contract in Singapore.
The contract comprises a series of six daily contracts, enabling physical users access to competitively-priced kilobars.
But retail investors hoping to get a piece of the action would be disappointed - the contract is targeted at wholesalers for now.
At a hefty minimum size of 25 kilogrammes per lot, it would also not be easy for any retail investor to consider buying into the market as each lot comes at a price tag of US$1 million (S$1.25 million).
The price is not fixed and would be determined by the demand and supply on the exchange, though the minimum price fluctuation per lot is US$125.
The contract is the result of a successful collaboration between International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, Singapore Bullion Market Association (SBMA), Singapore Exchange (SGX) and the World Gold Council.
Representing the SBMA in the collaboration are four bullion banks, namely: JP Morgan, Standard Chartered, Standard Merchant and the Bank of Nova Scotia.


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With Buffalo’s New Era Cap Co. being financially harmed by a flood of counterfeit baseball caps made in other countries, Sen. Charles Schumer said he will be asking a trio of federal agencies to aid in the flow of the fake merchandise that’s being sold in the U.S. market.
Schumer said he will arrange for New Era officials to meet with top-level executive of the U.S. Trade Representative while asking the Department of Homeland Security to be more aggressive in tracing the sources of the bogus baseball caps. Schumer is also asking the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center to also aid the shutting down of the foreign “knock-off” manufacturers.
New Era estimates it loses approximately $300 million in annual sales to foreign firms that make bogus copies of its baseball caps. Last year alone, the company, using its own private investigation resources was able to seize an estimated 850,000 “fake” baseball caps in 298 factories in such places as China, Vietnam and Brazil.
Yet, by its own admission, the company is only finding 30 percent to 40 percent of the counterfeit market.
“Our government isn’t doing enough,” Schumer said. “We have to do a lot more.”
Schumer, last year, was able to tap into the same three agencies to help a Long Island guitar string manufacturer make a major dent in counterfeit operations.
“This operations destroy our brand,” said Lorrie Turner, New Era general counsel. “It is really painful to see. We know no brand is completely immune from counterfeiting.”
Schumer, who last year urged federal officials to crack down on fake IDs - being made by Chinese firms - that were being sold to college students, accused the Chinese government of being lax when it comes to these issues.
“China is waging economic war on U.S. companies,” Schumer said. “The Chinese government, at best, tends to look the other way.”
New Era Cap, which is headquartered on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, has 1,700 workers worldwide including 700 in the Buffalo area.


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Wake Up Now Scam : Why it's Going Under
The Current situation for The Wake Up Now Scam
Almost a Year ago, I released an article detailing the Wake Up Now Scam and why it wasn't a good investment for someone to get involved in. Today, with many Hiccups in the company ranging from reps not being paid, to the CEO leaving, the signs of Wake Up Now being on its way out are clear.
If you Haven't read my previous article on Wake Up Now, click the link below.
- Wake Up Now scam : Beware the obvious trap
An actual in-depth look at the Wake Up Now system that isn't designed to trick you into buying into the company.
Wake Up Now CEO has left after years of the company losing millions a year.
While a CEO leaving a company doesn't always indicate that a company is going under, Mr. Kochran's ( the previous Wake Up Now CEO) Track history with Companies is sketchy at best. His last company, Castle Arch Real estate, Filed for Bankruptcy with over $40 million dollars in debt. this was also following a $15 million dollar lawsuit against the company for racketeering and breach of contract and other charges.
With Wake Up Now's Deficit reaching nearly $15 million, it would seem Mr. Cochran knew when to pull out.
Wake up now Hasn't been paying Reps for months.
For what can be called a financial mishap, The company hasn't been paying it's reps for months due to "scammers" in the system.
"We're still recovering from damage done by gamers and scammers. Prepaid cards and chargebacks (along with the need to support international growth) led us to international merchant processing which = higher fees, delayed processing, and a multi-million dollar rolling reserve (i.e., OUR money we can't touch). " - Wake Up Now Corporate statement.
Many top reps have since then left wake up now and forfeited payment owed due to a drop in their volumes and from not being paid commissions that they are owed. As of the writing of this article, Wake Up Now has not released any official statement on when or if they plan on paying the back commission owed for reps still involved with the company.
errors that contribute to reps leaving also include system errors that have been going on for over a year and merchant problems for at least 7 months. While Wake Up Now has stated that they have taken actions to correct these issues ( paying outside companies to redesign the website, obtaining more warehouses to increase shipping speed) they still have not solved the problems of paying reps what they are owed.
Some believe this is a tact to get reps to leave to help the deficit Wake Up Now has, since the highest cost of their company was the commissions they had to pay out. This would mean Wake Up Now would no longer have to pay them after they left, which would decrease money owed. Wake Up Now has not released a statement addressing this either.
A top leader explains why she left Wake Up Now and what has been going on in the company.
The stock has been dead in the water for several months.
As of today, The Wake Up Now stock has been around a steady $1.02 , more than ten times less than when it was at $10.70 less than a year ago. Investors Clearly don't have faith in the company when it's Value falls more than 1000% in less than a year. This shows signs of a pump and dump scheme, especially since Wake Up Now is a penny stock company.
They also have a 96% chance of Bankruptcy according to macroaxis.com which states the following :
"Based on latest financial disclosure Wake Up Now Inc has Probability Of Bankruptcy of 96%. This is much higher than that of the sector, and significantly higher than that of Probability Of Bankruptcy industry, The Probability Of Bankruptcy for all stocks is over 1000% lower than the firm."
Trending reports show interest is falling
Both Goggle trends and mlmrankings.com show that searches regarding Wake Up Now are falling to the lowest points they have been in months, which indicates that interest in the company is dwindling.
They still have that Deficit
with the high deficit still in effect, it is unlikely Wake Up Now will be able to pay off it's debts and will most likely have to declare bankruptcy.
Wake up now is a sinking ship, With so many hits to it's bow it's going to be nearly impossible for them to come back afloat, if you haven't already, I would still avoid this scheme at all costs and would ask anyone still involved if it's really worth putting your time and effort into a company that isn't even paying you.


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The last few years have not been easy in terms of farm income. On several occasions our financial stability has been shaken by various events, especially the COVID-19 crisis, the instability of the price of milk due to falling world prices, the latest trade agreements made by the Government of Canada, and an extraordinary increase in on-farm feed costs.
Incomes below cost increases create frustration and uncertainty for farmers. It’s understandable! And even though this isn’t the first time we’ve experienced financial hardship and instability, it’s still hard to take.
What we are experiencing now is a combination of several factors, including a dramatic increase in on-farm feed costs. Since the end of 2020, only for animal feed, the increase is estimated at over 25%, or more than $4.50/hl. This is huge! Apart from these additional costs, there are fuel, fertilizer and other expenses. The price adjustment that was applied as of February 1, 2021 does not reflect the cost increases of the last few months. The indexation is based on the 2019 cost of production survey indexed to August 2020.
In addition to the effects of rising costs, there are other variables that influence income, such as world prices and the sales structure. While world prices have recovered in recent months, the sale structure has hurt our income more. In fact, the special classes, which are directly influenced by strong demand from the secondary food processing sector, have seen their sales rise in recent months. The increase has been a meteoric 27% in the last year! While less beneficial to our income, the special classes are also part of the effects of trade agreements and commitments made to support supply management. This doesn’t mean it isn’t necessary to review the administration of these classes, and that’s why a working group on the subject has been set up. Another well-known factor influencing our income downward is the strong demand for butterfat in general, which increases the surplus of solids non-fat (SNF) in our market. Since the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) came into effect, the surplus issue is compounded by the cap on exports which limits possible outlets for these SNF. Therefore, despite the February 1, 2020 and 2021 price increases, the one-year change was only $0.72/hl, or 1%.
Also, the COVID-19 crisis has had and will continue to have financial impacts on different sectors, including our industry. As for the consequences of the trade agreements, the compensation announced for the first two agreements in fall 2020 was a way to mitigate the effects, even if we would have preferred to produce the 8.4% of the Canadian market that was conceded. This good news isn’t enough, because no announcement has been made yet for CUSMA. We still expect the Government to promptly honour its commitment to provide full and fair compensation for the impacts of CUSMA including lost markets, additional costs arising from the elimination of the ingredients class and the export cap.
What we are experiencing now is a combination of several factors, including a dramatic increase in
on-farm feed costs. Since the end of 2020, for animal feed alone, the increase is estimated at over 25%, or more than $4.50/hl. This is huge!
Our buyers also face challenges. The negotiations and leeway they have with retailers are increasingly difficult and tight. At least the recent announcement of an eventual code of conduct is a step in the right direction to making the food supply chain more efficient by improving transparency, fairness and predictability in relations between suppliers and retailers. We should mention that consumers will benefit the most from a healthier agri-food business climate.
But one question remains: what options do we have to improve farm income? In the short term, even if grain prices are down slightly, we’re a long way from covering the cost of production. That’s why we promptly reported the difficult context to Dairy Farmers of Canada, so that requests will be prepared for the next price indexation by the Canadian Dairy Commission. We want the decision to reflect the cost of production increase for the next milk price adjustment in February 2022. Furthermore, last July, the CDC recognized the negative impacts of changes in the sales structure on our farm businesses, by adjusting the parameters for triggering the exceptional circumstances mechanism. This decision will provide a tool to correct the gaps between income and the cost of production on a permanent, rather than a temporary basis.
In the medium and long term, as producers, we must continue our efforts to improve our production costs. As a marketing board, we will continue to work with our industry partners to develop markets that offer a better return, including fluid milk, cheese and yogurt, as well as finding all possible outlets to add value to surplus SNF on the Canadian market. To achieve this, we must always keep in mind the needs and expectations of our consumers for a sustainable and nutritious product. Our industry’s response to consumer expectations is a key element in maintaining and developing our most profitable markets.
The dairy industry contributes to the vitality and economic health of our regions. Milk producers must also benefit from this prosperity. Rest assured that your elected officials and your organization are making every effort to achieve this goal. Our priority remains the same: to obtain the best marketing conditions for our milk, so as to ensure the durability, profitability and sustainable development of our dairy farms.


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Start-up firm Cooligy yesterday announced a new processor-cooling technology, developed in cooperation with Apple, Intel, AMD and DARPA. The technology – Cooligy's Active Micro-Channel Cooling – was developed at Stanford University's mechanical engineering department. It's...
First Look: This is Tronsmart's $150 Ara X5 Windows 10 Mini PC
The Ashley Madison hack: a confusing battle between good and evil
...of Lumia flagships, Windows milestones, and Samsung's reminder to RTFM
One month on, what do you think of Windows 10 so far?
Samsung confirms devices it plans to upgrade to Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Known issues with Windows 10 Insider build 10532
Purdue University researchers have made a discovery that may lead to the development of an innovative liquid-cooling system for future computer chips, which are expected to generate four times more heat than today's chips. ...


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Has the Wayfair decision left you scratching your head? You’re not alone. Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark South Dakota vs. Wayfair decision reversed the dated “physical presence” rule. States are now allowed to require online sellers to collect and remit sales tax. However, it’s now more than a month later, and, for the most part, neither states nor retailers have a clear path forward.
Who is Impacted?
While this decision was considered by some to be a victory for brick-and-mortar retailers as much as states, others argue the reality that more and more retailers are multi-channel merchants who also sell online. Matthew Schaefer, a representative of Wayfair and the other companies involved in this lawsuit, stated in a recent MCM CommerceChat that the number of small businesses online is expected to be around 90% by the end of the year.
According to eMarketer, U.S. retail eCommerce sales will represent 10% of total retail sales this year, reaching an estimated $525.69 billion. As Justice Anthony Kennedy states within the ruling, “The internet’s prevalence and power have changed the dynamics of the national economy.” Whether you’re an online-only retailer or a brick-and-mortar seller, the growing eCommerce industry will likely require you to confront this new requirement at some point.
A Compliance Nightmare
The Wayfair decision was expected to provide long awaited clarity around the future of state sales tax for an ever-growing eCommerce market. Instead, the ruling has resulted in a whole new set of questions. Sellers will be required to navigate a complex set of requirements that will vary between the 45 states collecting sales tax. Things like thresholds (for example, a $100k threshold in South Dakota vs. $500K in Massachusetts), measurement periods (are businesses supposed to base thresholds on the current year’s revenues or prior years?), and effective dates (which states are effective July 1? October 1? Another yet-to-be-determined date?) will be set on a state-by-state basis. These variations have left online retailers wondering how they will navigate thousands of jurisdictions with potentially as many rules to comply with.
What to do Right Now
Though most states are still in the process of finalizing their thresholds and other guidelines, there are a number of things you can be doing in the meantime to ensure you’re prepared to collect when the time comes. In a past webinar, Vertex Inc.’s Chief Tax Officer, Michael Bernard, offered some key areas to focus on internally right now:
- Figure out what your gross revenues are in the places you sell to remotely and keep a close eye on the economic thresholds those states enforce.
- In addition to tracking revenue, track the number of transactions you perform in these states as thresholds will include a minimum number of transactions. South Dakota’s threshold is 200 transactions.
- Put together a plan for how you’re going to comply with these thresholds that includes a hosted or cloud solution, if you don’t already have one in place.
- Focus on states where you’ll have the highest liability and monitor their progress.
- Ensure timely reporting practices are in place to avoid having to book a reserve on your financial statements.
Still confused? Don’t let compliance concerns hold your business back online. Send us a note to get in contact with a PFS tax expert and understand how our Payment Processing solution can help your business navigate the complex ruling.


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Three decades ago Al Ries and Jack Trout warned against the perils of brand extension in Positioning: The Battle For Your Mind. They argued every extension has to alter the core proposition of a brand. As marketers grapple with a slowdown and extensions once again appear more cost effective than launching new brands, the strategist decided to knock on the doors of Al Ries for some answers.
Often brand extensions fail due to a failure of business practices and economic circumstances rather than the failure of a brand. How closely are they linked and can you separate the two?
This, of course, is the critical issue when it comes to line extensions. If a line extension is a failure, everyone says the product or service was “not competitive.” Very, very seldom does any reporter or journalist believe that it was the “perception of the brand” that caused the failure. And not the product itself. Take Kodak, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Headline in a recent issue of The Wall Street Journal: “Kodak teeters on the brink.” Ten years ago, Kodak stock was at $30 a share. Yesterday, it closed at 47 cents. The Wall Street Journal story said: “The company, for instance, invented the digital camera — in 1975 — but never managed to capitalize on the new technology.” That's a typical quote that has been repeated hundreds of times. Kodak tried very hard to market Kodak digital cameras. That’s a classic line extension mistake. Kodak means “film photography,” it doesn’t mean “digital photography.” No wonder Kodak “never managed to capitalise on the new technology.” They gave the new technology a line-extension name.
What are some of the common mistakes marketers make while going about brand extensions?
They don’t take into consideration the fundamental principle of marketing. Unless there is an absence of serious competition, line extensions never work. It’s that simple. Line extension never work… unless there is no serious competition. Where in the world do you see successful line extensions? In India, for example, and in many developing countries. Why is this so? Because in developing countries, there is usually a shortage of capital. As a result, a company that has the resources can often successfully line extend its brand because potential competitors cannot obtain the capital to compete. Tata is a good example. There are no Tatas in America. That would never work in a country that can fund startups to challenge any company that is foolish enough to launch line extensions. Take Apple, the most-valuable company in the world. Nobody says, I bought an Apple. Apple is a company name. The brand names are Macintosh, iPod, iPhone and the iPad.
What kind of brand extensions result in dilution of the mother brand?
Are sub-brands a better way forward than brand extensions?
Sub-brands are a half-way step. Not as bad as line extensions, but not as good as new brand names. A new category demands a new brand name. This is one of the immutable laws of marketing and one of the laws that get violated every day of the week.


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The group, including five 100% foreign-owned companies, two Cuban and one joint enterprise, came together for a press conference to share their experience with those attending Fihav 2015.
Luis Alberto González, President de Richmeat, is a Mexican meat processing company with a 15-year history in Cuba, explained that their factory in Mariel will process 1,000 tons a month and will hire 25-45 Cuban workers. The plant will begin operations with meat imported from Mexico, but the plan is to move toward acquiring it from Cuban ranchers.
The Spanish food processing company Profood, to supply hotels, has a similar plan, according to director Antonio Vicens, who said, “The goal is to reach 60% national raw materials. “
Also participating in the press conference were Devox, a Mexican paint company; and BDC Log, a Belgian entity which will handle logistics within the Zone; and BDC tec with plans to build an assembly plant for temperature sensors and electrical panels, among other products.
The joint Cuba-Brazil enterprise, Brascuba, which has successfully operated in the country for two decades, reported that it will build a cigarette plant in Mariel.
Wendy Miranda, a ZEDM official, added that the U.S. farm equipment company Cleber LLC, has been approved to establish a tractor assembly plant in Mariel.
Saul Berenthal, president of the company based in the state of Alabama, reported that the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is still considering their license, and noted that the blockade continues to limit the ability of U.S. companies to take advantage of opportunities in Cuba.


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Over 50% of (hic!) Total Sales
The U.S. alcoholic beverage industry is so dependent on Americans with drinking problems that if the heaviest drinkers, the top 10 percent in consumption, reduced their intake to average amounts, it would shrink total alcohol sales by 60 percent. This was one finding of a recent analysis of data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Other statistics: the top 10 percent of drinkers slug down an average of 74 drinks per week, thereby accounting for over half our annual national alcohol intake; 30 percent of Americans drink no alcohol at all, while another 30 percent have one drink a week or less; those who take just one glass of wine each evening rank in the top 30 percent for per-capita alcohol intake; those who take two are in the top 20 percent.


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iPhone sales have taken a serious turn for the worse, with shipments of Apple's iconic gadgets plummeting 43.8% in the first quarter, compared with the same period in 2015.
As a result, TrendForce has lowered its iPhone shipment estimate for this year to 213 million units - an almost 10% drop compared with last year.
TrendForce said that the reason iPhone sales have been lacklustre is because the iPhone 6s "lacks exciting new features", and the new "cheap" iPhone SE faces severe price competition from Chinese brands such as Huawei, Lenovo and Xiaomi.
"This year’s iPhone SE shipments are projected to come in below 15 million units and they are unlikely to help turn around the weak annual shipment result for Apple," said TrendForce smartphone analyst Avril Wu.
Apple's chief executive Tim Cook hinted in January that sales of the iPhone - which account for almost two thirds of the company's revenue - would decline in the first quarter of 2016.
However, Apple executives painted the downturn as a momentary hiccup, and insisted that Apple has a large base of customers who can be relied upon to buy new Apple gadgets, mobile apps and services like Apple Music .
The company expects its quarterly revenue to range between $50 billion and $53 billion, indicating a drop in earnings of between $5 billion and $8 billion. Apple raked in $58 billion in revenue during the same period last year.
This would be the first time since 2007, when the first iPhone model was launched, that Apple witnesses a drop in sales.
The company will officially announce its latest quarterly results on Monday, April 25.
Apple is not the only smartphone maker seeing a slowdown in sales. TrendForce claims that worldwide smartphone shipments in the first quarter of 2016 totaled 292 million units, down 1.3% year-on-year.
However, LG, Huawei and Lenovo all posted a slight shipment decline in the first quarter, due to growing competition in the market.


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New Delhi: Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, is eyeing sales growth of 10 per cent in the upcoming festive season even as the industry continues to battle an inventory overhang and sluggish credit flow.
The trigger for a turnaround will likely be the broader optimism after India announced the biggest cuts to date in corporate taxes, enhancing incentives for companies to boost investments locally, dealer partners attending a company conference in Goa told ET.
Pent-up demand should boost volumes, which have otherwise continued to languish for about a year.
“The company will not participate in doling out excessive discounts and freebies. It expects recent government measures to have a positive impact on the market. That, along with the pent-up demand, is expected to push up sales in the remaining part of the festive period,” one of the dealers cited above said.
Hero MotoCorp expects inventory levels to normalise to 30 days after the festive season, said the dealer partner.
Addressing the dealer partners, Hero MotoCorp chairman Pawan Munjal said: “At a time when companies are holding back new product launches and investments, we have gone ahead and launched five new products in the first five months of the financial year – including three new premium motorcycles and two scooters.”
Initial market response to these products - the XPulse twins and the Xtreme 200S motorcycles and the Maestro Edge 125 FI, India’s first scooter with fuel injection technology, and the Pleasure+ 110 scooter – has been “quite encouraging”, Munjal said at the event that had ‘Brave the Wave’ as its theme.
On the company’s state of preparedness for the new emission norms, Munjal said: “We are already gearing up for the phase-wise launch of our BS-VI models soon after the festive season.”
India’s cricket captain Virat Kohli also attended the conference.
“We have also gone ahead and set up a fully dedicated Emerging Mobility Business Unit – EMBU - in order to stay focused on new, alternative and emerging technologies. The primary focus of EMBU is to expedite the development of new mobility solutions,” Munjal added.
Hero MotoCorp in June became the first manufacturer to get the BSVI certification from the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT). The company has already dispatched an initial lot of Splendor i-Smart bikes to some of its dealers.
The automotive sector is one of the largest industries contributing about 7.1% to India’s GDP and generating huge direct and indirect employment. In the Union Budget FY24, the industry has got major boost towards electric vehicle manufacturing, hydrogen fuel adoption and the changing technology mix. However, there were certain misses with regards to the GST reduction.
Satinder Bajwa, senior vice president and Head of Sales and customer care, and Harish Lalchandani, VP, Marketing, Mahindra Automotive, have quit the organisation, three people aware of the matter informed ETAuto on condition of anonymity.