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Motorola usually releases a "Plus" version of its Moto G-series phone, though a Moto G9 Plus was absent from the Moto G9 announcements late last month. If you were hoping for more details on a larger G9 variant, you'll be glad to know that the Orange carrier in Slovakia has prematurely published its G9 Plus product page.
We didn't expect to be talking about four OnePlus smartphones in the frame of a year, but we are approach the point where we'll be seeing the half-step sequel to the OnePlus 8, the OnePlus 8T. We're learning more about that phone today thanks to a late spec report.
The Sony Xperia 5 was announced last September. It was more or less a mini Xperia 1. Right on schedule, we're starting to see leaks about Sony's next small flagship, the Xperia 5 II — and surprise of surprises, it hews pretty closely to this year's Xperia 1 II, just in a smaller package.
Samsung is all set to fully unveil its latest foldable phone at an Unpacked event on September 1, but there's seemingly very little about the device they'll be able to tell us that we don't already know. Images, videos, and specs have all leaked or been shared one way or another, but we now have potentially definitive information from a very reputable source. But we now have definitive confirmation of the price from Samsung itself, at least in the UK.
OnePlus launched one phone per year during its early days, but it has since expanded its portfolio significantly. From a top-tier flagship to truly wireless earbuds, the company seems to be exploring all kinds of markets, and there’s seemingly no stopping it with a smartwatch apparently on its way. With Nord, OnePlus recently delivered its first mid-ranger in years to much fanfare, and it’s reportedly about to step into the budget segment with a phone codenamed Clover.
OnePlus has grown popular by making affordable phones and has more recently started designing accessories, such as its $80 buds. The company is reportedly continuing to work on releasing more than just handsets, as a new listing has appeared referring to a product called the OnePlus Watch.
Singapore's IMDA regulatory body lists a device called the OnePlus Watch on its Telecoms Licensing System, which doesn't reveal much, besides the model number being W301GB. Despite the lack of information, it's likely for the smartwatch to run Google's Wear OS and be powered by Snapdragon's new Wear 4100 SoC. In fact, the new chip and Google's upcoming Wear OS update might have convinced the OnePlus team the platform was mature enough for them to launch a smartwatch.
Google appears to be revising the user interface for its editor in Photos, relying less on iconography and more on text. The work-in-progress was first discovered by software blogger Jane Manchun Wong and may be available in testing to select users.
We basically already know almost everything there is to know about the Galaxy Z Fold2 following two hands-on videos, but now yet another review video popped up on YouTube (picked up by SamMobile), giving us an even more detailed look at Samsung's upcoming foldable.
We didn’t get to see a Pixel 4a XL model this year, but Google did confirm that a tad pricier 5G variant will be out soon. Thanks to all the leaks and rumors, the Pixel 4a 5G is shaping up like the missing elder sibling to the standard 4a with its bigger display and better internals. Some new high-res renders, courtesy of @OnLeaks, now give us a clear look at the Pixel 4a 5G from all angles.


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Sam's Club Now Has Its Very Own Line of Wines
The chain of club wholesale stores (owned by Wal-Mart) will unveil it's very own line of house wines this year. The retailer is probably hoping to enjoy some of the success had by Costco, which has the honor of being the top wine retailer in the country—wine accounts for 20% of the store's sales every year. Sam's Club does sell wine at the moment, but not under it's own brand.
Sam's first wine is an $8 Chardonnay from California's central coast, according to Fortune. Next up will be a Cabarnet from Napa Valley and for those looking for an inexpensive way to be fancy, they'll also be rolling out a prosecco and a champagne.
The wholesaler is currently undergoing a push to upgrade the quality of it's products across the board. For instance, they recently began carrying a gourmet olive oil from Italy under it's house brand, Member's Mark (the equivalent at Costco's Kirkland). Sam's Club used to carry 21 house brands, but hoping to make their merchandise more streamlined, they cut that number down to just one.
This is all part of a push to stock fancier food in their aisles, in order to lure in wealthier customers. Sam's Club CEO called the move a "reset for our business." Right now, there are 650 stores nationwide usually near Wal-Mart stores in lower income areas; the company wants to start opening ten more per year in more "affluent" communities.
"They pay a membership fee so they expect to find unique items," Chandra Holt, vice president of Sam's Club's private brands, told Fortune.
That means they'll be introducing 300 new items to their stores, in addition to the wines, so look out for plenty more exciting new treats to pop at Sam's Club in the very near future.

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Following the theft of credit card and debit card data from as many as 40 million accounts first announced on Dec. 19, in addition to later reports that the stolen data included customer PIN numbers, Targetconfirmed today that "strongly encrypted PIN data was removed."
However, Target added in its statement that customer PIN data remains safe, due to the nature of the encryption. Triple DES encryption is derived from the 64-bit Data Encryption Standard (DES) algorithm, though it uses three 64-bit strings, for a total of 192 bits, to increase data security.
Accessing Target customers' stolen PIN numbers requires decrypting the data using a "key" which Target asserts could not have been hacked because:
Target does not have access to nor does it store the encryption key within our system. The PIN information is encrypted within Target's systems and can only be decrypted when it is received by our external, independent payment processor. What this means is that the "key" necessary to decrypt that data has never existed within Target's system and could not have been taken during this incident.
Target added it is "still in the early stages of this criminal and forensic investigation." A recent press release also noted that Target is working with the Secret Service and U.S. Department of Justice, and will host a follow-up call on Jan. 6 with attorneys general from around the country.
Gartner security analyst Avivah Litan said Friday that the PINs for the affected cards are not safe and people "should change them at this point." Litan said that while she has no information about the encrypted PIN information in Target's case, such data has been decrypted before.
In addition to the encrypted PINs, customer names, credit and debit card numbers, card expiration dates and the embedded code on the magnetic strip on back of the cards were stolen from about 40 million credit and debit cards used at Target stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15.
-- Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
The article Target: Encrypted PIN Data Among Hacked Information originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Tim Brugger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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Rumors mills are busy in producing the news about the upcoming Oppo R7 which is the slimmest handset of the company but some news are seems genuine and authenticated. Recently Oppo confirmed the official release date of Oppo R7. According to the company the smartphone will be released in third week of May and the expected date is 20th May.
Oppo R7 is the successor of previously announced oppo R5 and it is assumed that Oppo R7 is slimmer than Oppo R5 which was the ultra slim smartphone measuring 4.85 mm thin. According to the leaked information the Oppo R7 is featured with 4.7 display, 1080 pixels resolution and protected with fingerprint scanner. Oppo placed 64 bit Octa core mediatek MT 6795 process and 20.7 mp rear camera. The Oppo R7 is powered with 2000 mAH battery.
Oppo R5 was available globally in prices of $499. It is expected that the Oppo R7 might have the same price but it is still a guess only. It is also speculated that Oppo might launch a larger version of the handset with the powerful battery of Oppo R7+ but there is no information available about the plus version of smartphone of Oppo.


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Traffic analysis outfit Webtrends provided a run down on the most talked-about brands during CES 2011 with Samsung, Microsoft, Google, Motorola and Sony occupying the top five places.
Webtrends analysed data from tweets, blog posts, social networks and websites in order to discover the brands that created the most buzz of the show with Korean manufacturer Samsung surprisingly taking the title of most talked about company with 22,422 mentions.
At a show when most of the major manufacturers launched tablet computers, Samsung didn’t feel the need to make much of a song and dance, having already shipped over a million Galaxy Tabs so the firm was content to reveal a Galaxy Tab upgrade to 4G with a specification boost to appear on US network Verizon.
The reason for Samsung’s popularity comes from the wider array of announcements including a coffee-table computer concept as well as a raft of announcements around 3D TV products, cameras, Blu-ray players and more. Across a wide array of product categories, the Korean tech powerhouse had tantalising new product announcements.
Samsung’s display business boss BK Yoon declared the firm’s intention to dominate the new ‘connected TV’ category with with demonstrations of cable channels and TVs being controlled by the Galaxy Tab. Doubtless the showy press conference featuring an array of dancers didn’t hurt the web buzz either.
Microsoft also did well according to Webtrends, with 21,322 mentions. The firm unveiled astonishing sales figures for the Kinect motion sensing technology, talked up Windows Phone 7 and the intention to make Windows 8 available on the ARM architecture also sent tongues wagging.
The online chatter around smartphones at CES saw Android edge out the iPhone with 53 per cent versus 47 per according to Webtrends but that’s still pretty good going for Apple given the firm didn’t even bother to attend. In terms of actual handset models, naturally the iPhone dominated but the most popular non-iPhone handset was the sleek Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc.


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Michael Mahoney, Sitka’s lone EV owner in 2013, charges his Chevy Volt. He’s since been joined by around 39 other owners, according Dave Nicholls with the Sitka Electric Vehicle Owners. (KCAW photo Erik Neumann)
Dave Nicholls, with the Sitka Electric Vehicles Owners, outlines plans for an Open House this 1-3 p.mp Saturday, September 15, at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Owners will answer common questions about EV’s such as range, operating costs, and where to buy one. Test drives will be available.


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Google Pixel 5 spotted on AI Benchmark, confirms Snapdragon 765G and 8GB RAM
A few days ago, Google announced the much-awaited Google Pixel 4a, Pixel 5 and while the Pixel 4a went on for pre-order immediately after the announcement, the company said that the Pixel 5 will hit the market this fall. And the g...
Qualcomm announces Snapdragon 768G processor with improved performance and updateable GPU drivers
Qualcomm today announced the new Snapdragon 768G mobile processor, the successor to the popular mid-range Snapdragon 765G processor. This new Snapdragon 768G offers better performance, updateable GPU drivers, 5th gen AI engine and...
OnePlus Z will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G processor
OnePlus Z, which is essentially a revamped OnePlus X that was launched back in 2015, will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G chipset for its processing work, according to reliable tipster Max J. Rejecting the rumor of a Mediatek...
OPPO gives us an early look of its upcoming Reno 3 Pro 5G smartphone
Oppo is expected to launch two new smartphones, Oppo Reno 3 and Oppo Reno 3 Pro 5G this month. But before the launch, Oppo Vice President and President of Global Marketing Brian Shen just gave us a sneak peek at the upcoming Reno ...


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Liquidation sales are under way at all 13 Century 21 stores after the company announced Thursday it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The impetus was a non-payment of approximately $175 million declined by the company's insurance provider as a direct result of losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said in a press release.
The off-price retail store in business for more than 60 years was left with "no viable alternative" to closing," the company's co-CEO Raymond Gindi said.
"While retailers across the board have suffered greatly due to COVID-19, and Century 21 is no exception," he said, "we are confident that had we received any meaningful portion of the insurance proceeds, we would have been able to save thousands of jobs and weather the storm, in hopes of another incredible recovery."
Century 21 will be removing a lawsuit pending in New York against a handful of insurance providers who apparently failed to compensate for its losses.
Click here to sign up for Daily Voice's free daily emails and news alerts.


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Nvidia is cooking up something big for this year's Game Developers Conference.
The company has sent out invitations for an event on March 3, the second day of GDC. The invites are from Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang, and they read:
I would like to invite you to attend a very special event on March 3rd.
More than 5 years in the making, what I want to share with you will redefine the future of gaming.
I look forward to seeing you there.
The event will unfold at the Nob Hill Masonic Center in San Francisco, a few blocks away from the Moscone Center where GDC is taking place.
Five years sounds like the length of a design cycle for a new GPU. Coincidentally, we've seen unofficial reports about the company's "big Maxwell" chip, the GM200, which has been spotted on a video card with 12GB of RAM. Hmm. I'm not sure a new high-end GPU would qualify as future-redefining, but it'd be nice to see nonetheless.
The event could also be about a Shield Tablet refresh. There have been whispers about a new version of the device powered by Nvidia's Tegra X1 chip, which was announced last month at CES. The new silicon would offer more horsepower for Android games, and users would presumably still be able to stream games from desktop PCs.
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What’s Bond without his gadgets? The most recent iteration of the franchise has Daniel Craig’s rough-and-tumble version of the super-spy getting along just fine with hunting knives and homemade explosive light bulbs — of course, it helps that he’s strong, fast and incredibly suave. But he’s not entirely lacking in classic James Bond gadgets. Let’s take a look at 007 that could make the leap from the silver screen to everyday life.
In Casino Royale, Bond is implanted with a microchip that tracks both his location and vital signs — helpful when he gets a near-fatal dose of poison from a doctored drink, letting M16 staff guide Bond to his car and find the portable poison kit and defibrillator. While implanted microchips are still undergoing trials, wearable devices such as smartwatches and even rings can already provide this information, if you’re willing to risk a bit of third-party data sharing now and then.
In Spectre, resident gadget guru Q injects Bond with so-called “smart blood,” as noted by GeekWire, that’s a collection of nanoparticles designed to do much the same thing as the microchip but at an even smaller, non-removable level. Sounds like complete sci-fi, right? Not entirely. According to CNN, researchers are already working on nanoparticles which can track — and potentially eliminate — cancer and Ebola cells in the body.
First appearing in Quantum of Solace, the multitouch table lets M16 agents and spymaster M manipulate documents and images on a touch-screen table. They can be spun around, slid across and expanded with the touch of a finger, and scanning paper files is easy — just lay them on the table’s surface. We’re not quite seeing them widely in the mainstream yet, but major tech manufacturers like Samsung are developing touch-screen tables that replicate at least some of these functions.
Bond loves his watches. While the brand has changed over the years, he’s rarely caught without a stylish timepiece. In the Daniel Craig era, all wrist candy has been provided by Omega. In Spectre, he uses the Seamaster Limited Edition, which is a real-life gadget that resists magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss and lets wearers dive deep without any worry about watch failure, Omega explained.
He’s more of a hands-on guy, but Bond is also a crack shot with his pistol. In Casino Royale, filmmakers went back to the classic Walther PPK, but gave it an upgrade: A biometric palm-sensor that ensures the weapon will only shoot when Bond’s hand is on the grip, Digital Trends noted. Gun safety is important even in the world of cloak-and-dagger spy games, and among James Bond gadgets this one’s hardly far-fetched. Already, smartphones unlock at the press of a thumbprint, while facial and iris scanners are on the authentication horizon.
Side-Profile Identification Phone
In Quantum of Solace, Bond uses a modified Sony Ericsson C902 Cyber-Shot to snap side-profile pictures of potential bad guys, which are then spun into straight-on shots and extrapolated to give clear images and provide quick IDs using M16 databanks. While augmented reality tech hasn’t quite reached this level, big players like Facebook are designing development platforms to overlay digital information on real-world features, add virtual objects to images and enhance real objects, Tech Crunch reported.
Bond’s watch got a mention earlier on, but it gets a second slot because of its utility in Spectre. When given the timepiece by Q, Bond asks if it has any special gadgets. The quartermaster says that it’s just for telling time — but warns his colleague that the alarm is “a little loud, if you know what I mean.” Since Omega watches don’t come with alarms, Bond correctly deduces its real function: creating a huge explosion, which saves his life later in the movie. Sure, this isn’t something you need every day, and small devices that currently possess explosive potential — like e-cigarettes — aren’t designed with this purpose in mind, but it’s not beyond imagining. The downside? That’s an expensive ticker to toss.
Some James Bond gadgets are ridiculous. Some are simply impractical. But most walk the thin line between “cool” and “ridiculous” and aren’t beyond the realm of possibility or even practical application. Northrop Grumman is working to bring similar technologies that were once thought to be only in the movies to real life situations. The Bond world may not be so far-fetched, after all.


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Is it possible to use advanced additive manufacturing to finish the construction of the Sagrada Família? Could you build a house on the moon with 3D printers? Could you wear your own designs made from this type of technology? And what about cars or aircraft? Could it help in treating children’s cancers? Top professionals from these sectors will be showing us how it’s done at the first edition of In(3D)ustry From Needs to Solutions, which takes place on 21-23 June at the Italian Pavilion of Fira de Barcelona’s Montjuïc Exhibition Centre, bringing together the main additive manufacturing companies and their industry users.
The event, which combines presentations and a trade show area, is structured around the experiences of four major sectors that use this type of technology in their manufacturing processes (Health, Automotive and Aeronautics, Consumer and Retail, and Architecture and Habitat), featuring renowned professional speakers.
Speakers include New Zealander Mark Burry, who is using 3D designs for work to complete the Sagrada Família in Barcelona; Belgian architect Xavier de Kestelier, a partner in Norman Foster’s practice and responsible for the project to build houses on the moon with 3D printers; and designers such as Israeli Danit Peleg and New Yorker Francis Bitonti, amongst others, who will explain how the use of this new manufacturing option has greatly advanced the way they work. The inaugural address of the event will be given by US scientist Vinton Cerf, widely regarded as one of the ‘fathers of the internet’, who will open the conference sessions.
Other speakers on the subject of Architecture, along with Burry and de Kestelier, include German architect Patrik Schumacher, a partner of the late Iranian architect Zaha Hadid who is perpetuating her projects; and Greek architect Areti Markopoulou, the academic director of the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia. Two Spanish architects who work with the MIT’s Media Lab, Jorge Duro and Laia Mogas, will explain how these new materials can be used in the construction industry.
In the Health section, notable speakers include neurosurgeon Bartolomé Oliver, who uses 3D prosthetics in his facial reconstruction procedures, and Dr Lucas Kruel from the Hospital of Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona, a pioneer in the use of 3D printing in paediatric oncology.
The Israeli fashion designer Danit Peleg, an expert in the design of clothes using domestic 3D printers, and New York architect Francis Bitonti, who created a 3D printed dress for diva Dita Von Teese, will be the stars of the fashion segment. The automotive and aeronautical sector will feature José Manuel Martín Vázquez, an engineer and expert in the manufacture of metal parts for Airbus Defence and Space, and representatives of leading companies such as SEAT and Aciturri Aeronáutica.
The event will be rounded off by the Maker Pro space coordinated by Venezuelan urban planner Tomás Díez, the co-founder of Fab Lab Barcelona, which will show how individual users, known as makers, are the key elements in developing advanced additive manufacturing. This area will be equipped with fully operational 3D printers as well as hosting workshops and conferences and providing a hub for business meetings.
Promoting advanced additive manufacturing
This first edition of the show, which enjoys the collaboration of Barcelona City Council through its Barcelona Activa department, the Catalan Government, through the Secretariat for the Governance of Information and Communication Technologies, the General Directorate for Industry and ACCIÓ, and the Zona Franca Consortium, has aroused the interest of many of the leading manufacturers of these kinds of printers.
In(3D)ustry From Needs to Solutions will be attended by companies such as HP, Hofmann, Renishaw, Arburg and Nexeo Solutions, who will take advantage of a fresh new format in the event’s Arena section to reveal their latest new products and industrial solutions available to end users. In this respect, HP will be presenting the European launch of its new Jet Fusion 3D printer featuring 3D colour printing technology. Other companies such as Asidek CT Solutions, Axis Prototypes, Biotech Dental, Ineo Prototipos, Mastertec, Olivetti, Pantur, Poly-Shape, Repro 3D and Ultimaker are also taking part in the event.
In(3D)ustry From Needs to Solutions will offer the chance to discover the huge array of possibilities offered by this type of technology along with current and future trends thanks to open code software with the participation of Simone Cicero from OS Vehicle, who will explain how electric cars can be built using 3D printers, and Donald K. Carter, director of the Remaking Cities Institute at the Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh in the USA, who will talk about how this kind of technology can transform cities, amongst other speakers.
There will also be presentations of projects featuring this technology created by entrepreneurs, SMEs and technology centres from all over the world in the spheres of new forms, new materials and digital processes in the Innovation Marketplace. Meanwhile, the In(3D)ustry Awards will recognise the four best solutions presented for each of the core industries and one overall award in an initiative coordinated by the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP).
In(3D)ustry From Needs to Solutions will also host the final sessions of a workshop entitled IMPRIMIDA where artists and designers bring to life their creations by 3D printing. This initiative kicked off at the Fab Lab in Barcelona and will continue at Sonar+D, Barcelona’s advanced music festival, which takes place a few days before Fira de Barcelona’s show.


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Shoppers headed to area stores and malls for a more subdued Black Friday in Charlotte, as longer promotions, earlier Thanksgiving openings and the growth of online shopping continued to dilute the traditional kickoff of the holiday shopping season.
Full sales numbers won’t be available until later this weekend, but national retailers said they were optimistic after seeing early results from their Thanksgiving and Friday morning openings. Still, some shoppers said crowds seemed light in comparison with years past, and analysts cautioned that it’s harder than ever to judge the shopping season by Black Friday.
SouthPark mall, the region’s largest shopping center, opened at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving, two hours earlier than last year. Traffic was light, mall officials said.
“It was a little soft at first, but it definitely picked up by 8 or 9 o’clock,” said Nicole Kennon, the mall’s director of marketing and business development. She said the mall’s traffic was light again Friday morning, when the mall reopened at 6 a.m.
“I think what’s happened is there’s a bit of a shift,” Kennon said. “Those folks who used to come out Black Friday morning now come out Thanksgiving. ...We weren’t as busy this morning, but it’s picked up.”
By midday Friday, SouthPark was crowded, with drivers circling to look for parking spaces and diners perched along the walls in the crowded food court. Many shoppers were hauling bags of clothes from Nordstrom, Macy’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, and other retailers – a shift from the Thanksgiving shoppers, most of whom were after deeply discounted electronics.
“I got some jeans, a couple of shirts,” said Bryan Arvelo, 16, sitting in SouthPark with bags from Hollister and Express. “I found some stuff 40, 50 percent off.”
Instead of a single wave of consumers crashing into stores early Friday, the Black Friday shopping rush has evolved into more of a steady, rising tide, spread out for weeks before and after Thanksgiving.
Wal-Mart stretched its Black Friday promotion to five days, Amazon and Best Buy started deals last week, Target started free online shipping and had specials available online all day Thursday, even before its stores opened at 6 p.m.
National retailers said they were encouraged by the results so far – but those results themselves showed how much Black Friday has shifted away from being a single, in-store blowout shopping day. Target said its online sales were up 40 percent on Thanksgiving, setting a new single-day record for the retailer online. Wal-Mart said the day was its second-busiest online day ever, after last year’s Cyber Monday, and said 22 million shoppers visited its stores throughout the day.
The earlier opening times have continued to draw criticism from activists who say companies shouldn’t make workers stand behind cash registers and stock shelves on Thanksgiving. A union-backed group called OUR Walmart staged protests at stores in a half-dozen states, calling for higher wages and better working conditions.
Retailers have some reason to be optimistic: The National Retail Federation is forecasting that retail sales this holiday season will rise 4.1 percent from a year ago, to $617 billion.
But last year, sales on Black Friday fell 13 percent, to $9.7 billion, according to retail data firm ShopperTrak. Many of the same forces were in play: earlier opening times, strained incomes and a shift to online shopping.
“What’s Black Friday?” Marshal Cohen, retail analyst for the NPD Group, asked with a chuckle. “We used to have this tradition that we literally are watching transform in front of our eyes.”
Cohen said the earlier Black Friday discounts and deals simply shift spending between dates, rather than increase the amount spent overall. “You don’t have more relatives just because the stores opened up on Thanksgiving. You don’t have more money in your pocket just because there are longer hours,” he said.
Cohen said the deep discounts from apparel retailers, many of whom were offering discounts of 50 percent or more, are a consequence of a slow third quarter that left them with inventory to unload and sales to make up. But he said retailers have to walk a fine line between discounts to lure shoppers in now and blunting demand early.
“The more they spend upfront in the front-loaded holiday, the less they’ll spend in the next two weeks,” Cohen said. “More hours doesn’t mean more business.”
Britt Beemer, CEO of consumer analysis firm America’s Research Group, said retailers might have pushed up against the limit of how early they can open this year.
“You’re not just going to see everybody give up their Thanksgiving dinner,” Beemer said. But he said the day will likely remain an important way to generate excitement for years to come. It’s the only shopping holiday that features limited quantities of goods that people will actually wait in line for hours or days buy.
“That whole strategy is what makes it work,” Cohen said. “That tradition will never go away.”
For the die-hards, there’s no substitute for a shopping spree. Friends Missy Russell and Darlene Hathcock, both 53, said they’ve been shopping together on Black Friday for almost three decades.
Russell said this year’s Black Friday crowds seemed to be thinner than usual, and she said it had not been too difficult to find parking spaces at stores. But she said she still found bargains.
“The deals are really good this year, I think,” Russell said, shopping at Northlake Mall. She said one of the best deals she saw was at Sam’s Club in Kannapolis, which was selling $100 in iTunes cards for $80. Hathcock, of Locust, said the best bargain she found was at Kohl’s in Kannapolis, where she bought a coat that was regularly $130 for $29.
Hathcock said she was worn out but satisfied after shopping for nearly 24 hours.
“It was all worth it, and I would do it again to get the bargains that we got.”
Observer staff writer Deon Roberts contributed


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This summer, the Norwegian giant Tomra was exposed to all businesses’ nightmares. It would cost them NOK 200 million to clean up.
I think the summer of 2023 will really go down in the history books for Tomra. That’s what Eva Sagemo, finance director at the Norwegian pawn and sorting company says. With its 82,000 pawn machines globally, Tomra is one of the companies from Norway with the largest footprint in the world. Sunday 16 July is a day Sagemo will never forget.
Read the whole story on nrk.no


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New figures show that the US economy grew in the third quarter of this year for the first time in a year as consumer spending and investment in new home-building rebounded. The figures unofficially ended the worst US recession in 70 years.
The Commerce Department, in its first estimate, said the economy grew at a 3.5% annual rate, the fastest pace since the third quarter of 2007, after contracting 0.7% in the April-June period.
The growth pace was above market expectations for a 3.3% rate. The economy last grew in the second quarter of 2008.
Recessions in the US are dated by the National Bureau of Economic Research and the private-sector group often takes months to make determinations. The economy slipped into recession at the end of 2007 and has been in the worst downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
US President Barack Obama said the figures showing a return to growth meant the recession was abating, but he warned that a long road to full economic recovery lay ahead. US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner also said the recesssion remained 'alive and acute' for people out of work and small businesses facing a credit crunch.
Spending and home-building boost economy
A breakdown of the growth figures showed that the Q3 recovery was generally broad-based, with solid gains in consumer spending, exports and investment in home-building.
Consumer spending, which accounts for over two-thirds of US economic activity, surged at a 3.4% rate in the third quarter, the fastest pace since the first quarter of 2007. Residential investment, which was the main force behind the downturn, jumped at a 23.4% annual rate in the third quarter, contributing to GDP for the first time since 2005, after declining 23.3% in the April-June period.
The surge in consumer spending and residential investment was likely to have been driven by government stimulus programmes.
The economic recovery in the third quarter was also supported by a sharp moderation n the pace of inventory liquidation by business. Business inventories fell $130.8 billion, slowing from a record $160.2 billion plunge in the second quarter.
Analysts are hoping that the slowdown in the inventory decline by businesses will continue to support the economy in the fourth quarter.
The weak dollar boosted exports, but a rise in imports subtracted from real GDP during the quarter. Federal government spending contributed to growth, but both state and local governments were a drag. Business investment fell at a 2.5% pace, with investment in non-residential building dropping 9%, a reflection of ongoing problems in the commercial property market.


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The actress, 33, thanked her husband Mark Wright, also 33, for helping her achieve her sculpted abs.
Taking to Instagram, Michelle shared the sultry snap with her 4.6 million Instagram followers.
“I’ve been doing Train Wright”
Sharing to her stories, she thanked Mark and his team at his new fitness platform, #TrainWright.
She wrote: “I’ve been doing Train Wright workouts for weeks now.
“Thanks for keeping me motivated during this time. Now for the 30 day plan…”
Wearing a black sports bra and sports leggings, her sculpted abs and arms are firmly on display.
Mark has been helping inspire thousands of Brits during lockdown thanks to his free workouts on Instagram.
“Now for the 30 day plan…”
Celebrities have even got involved – including his pal James Argent and the likes of Keith Lemon, Amanda Holden and Tyson Fury.
He’s also broadcast several of his tough home workout routines on BBC Sport.
And it is all apparently part of their new business ventures.
The pair have set up two new fitness companies over the last few months.
One, opened in both of their names, is called Mysa Active.
And the other, opened by Mark, is called Train Wright.
“Being healthy and fit now should be a priority”
The latter is now up and running and appears to be a subscription based app.
The app offers full workouts, diet plans and recipe videos.
Currently a ‘4-week fat burn’ programme, it is available for £29.99.
Mark told The Sun that he was inspired to get into the best shape of his life during lockdown.
He told the paper: “Staying healthy and fit mentally and physically throughout life is so important.
“During these confusing and worrying times, being healthy and fit now should be a priority.”
“Don’t overly push yourself”
He added that his home workouts are accessible to anyone, and don’t require hours working out a day.
The former TOWIE star continued: “I’m not someone who ever spent hours in the gym every day, even though that’s what people think.”
Michelle also told Hello! magazine last year that she also prefers to work out in moderation.
She advised: “Don’t overly push yourself. I only set myself a target to spend 45 minutes in the gym and then, I’m done. I think it is important to do everything in moderation.”
What do you think of Michelle’s rocking abs? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.


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The World Youth Student and Educational Travel Confederation is pleased to announce that Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, will attend this year’s conference in Barcelona, 20-23 September.
The Secretary-General will open the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC). Now in its 20th year, the conference constantly adapts to understand and explore the ever-changing characteristics, motivations and needs of young travellers and the industry that supports them.
“Mr. Rifai’s attendance at our conference is extremely welcome and re-affirms the importance of our cooperation and belief that the youth travel industry plays an increasingly vital role in the development of global tourism.” said Robin Wicks, Director-General of WYSE Travel Confederation.
It is the shared intention of UNWTO and WYSE Travel Confederation to spotlight the significant social and economic value of the youth travel sector to governments, official tourism organisations and destinations worldwide.
We believe there is potential for governments and tourism organisations to increase their engagement with this valuable market segment to significant mutual benefit and we will launch our initiative at WYSTC 2011.
The youth and student travel market accounted for twenty percent of international arrivals in 2010, generating receipts of 165 billion USD. Much of this money remains with locally owned businesses and communities contributing to poverty alleviation and sustainable economic development.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a United Nations specialized agency, is the leading international organization with the decisive and central role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how. Its membership includes 154 countries, 7 territories, 2 permanent observers and over 400 Affiliate Members.
The Organization encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, with a view to ensuring that member countries, tourist destinations and businesses maximize the positive economic, social and cultural effects of tourism and fully reap its benefits, while minimizing its negative social and environmental impacts.
More information regarding Taleb Rifai: http://www2.unwto.org/en/about/management/taleb-rifai
The World Youth and Student Travel Conference brings together over 800 delegates specialising in creating exceptional experiences for young people. From cultural exchange to volunteering and language learning, these organisations unite around the knowledge that today’s young travellers are tomorrow’s global citizens and high-yield tourists.
If you would like to register or would like more information, please visit www.wystc.org.
About WYSE Travel Confederation
WYSE Travel Confederation (www.wysetc.org) is a nonprofit membership association that supports the global youth, student and educational travel industry. It is endorsed by the UNWTO. Its annual event, the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC), takes place this year 20-23 September in Barcelona.


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[KEENE, NH - February 17, 2021]
Frisky Cow Gelato (FCG), a Keene-based specialty food producer, has expanded its operation to a new 1,500 square foot production/retail facility located at Union Place (80 Krif Rd) in Keene. The company, which produces a premium small-batch gelato made from local ingredients, is currently outfitting the new space to continue production there beginning in March 2021. The business, which makes homemade gelato for wholesale distribution in NH, VT, and MA, saw its food sales increase by 65% since the pandemic struck, highlighting the rising consumer demand for local food.
“We are so excited to be able to continue on this journey of producing a premium artisan gelato made with farm-fresh local milk, cream, and other local ingredients,” says owner, Linda Rubin.
In addition to about 1,100 square feet of production space, the unit has about 400 square feet of retail space. The new space will allow for increased wholesale production and designated space for retail sales. “I never envisioned FCG having a retail gelateria—but since the pandemic, I’ve learned to “never say never,” says Rubin. The retail space will be open for limited hours for customers to stop by and pick up both specialty and signature FCG flavors. Look for hours on the FCG website soon.
FCG is committed to collaborating with local producers to ensure the highest quality products and to support other local producers. Last year, FCG partnered with Terra Nova Coffee owner, Jeff Murphy, to create a homemade coffee syrup using their organic coffee and espresso varieties. FCG’s Coffeehouse Chip flavor now carries the Terra Nova logo on all of its pint labels. “To build our local economy and our local food system, we need to continue to support each other’s businesses,” says Rubin. “In 2021, we are working with our new neighbor, The Bread Shed, to create a cookie dough gelato using their homemade dough.”
“Linda and I have been working together on this new flavor since the summer,” says Brittany Migneault, owner of the Bread Shed. “Customers love our soft-baked homemade cookies, and I’m excited to be working with FCG to expand our products to be part of a really great local gelato.”
The continued growth of FCG helps the struggling New England dairy industry while also contributing to the growth of NH’s local food system and economy. “Growing our local food system has been a driver for me for more than 25 years living and working in NH”, says Rubin. FCG plans to source pasteurized milk and cream from NH farms, including Contoocook Creamery at Bohannon Farm in Contoocook, NH.
According to the Roberston family, owners of Contoocook Creamery at Bohannon Farm, selling value-added products to partners like FCG helps to sustain their 5th generation family farm in NH. The Farm currently sells milk, cheese, beef, and eggs—both wholesale and retail—to more than 100 food businesses. “We’re looking forward to working with Frisky Cow. Their gelato is excellent, and we’re proud to be a part of its growth as a NH-based business,” says Robertson family spokesperson, Jaime Roberston.
Food Connects, an entrepreneurial non-profit located in Brattleboro, VT, delivers FCG and food from more than 90 local farms and food producers to over 135 wholesale customers in parts of NH, VT, and MA. In the past year, they have helped FCG to get on the shelves of at least 10 new area retailers. The organization makes it easier for food businesses to buy wholesale from small local food producers and farms. “Food Connects’ is proud to be able to increase the capacity of FCG and so many other small producers, to grow their businesses by supporting them to reach new markets,” says Executive Director and Food Connects Founder, Richard Berkfield. Building shorter, more community-based supply chains that are less reliant on national or global networks and food suppliers ensures the local food system continues to grow, according to Berkfield.
FCG saw its sales increase by 65% since the pandemic hit, and keeping up with higher demand for their local gelato required a larger and more improved infrastructure. “I realize we are very privileged to have the problems of rapid growth while so many businesses are struggling or closing,” says Rubin. “The future may still be uncertain, but we believe that everything “local” will continue to grow in importance in NH and beyond”.
Frisky Cow Gelato is a small batch, premium, artisan gelato made with local ingredients and lots of love in Keene, New Hampshire. It is available for special events (weddings, parties, etc) and for wholesale for restaurants, grocers, coops and farm stores. It is also sold at it’s new retail shop at Union PLae (80 Krif Rd) in Keene.
Frisky Cow Gelato is a NH Benefit Corporation and donates $.15 from the sale of every pint to local organizations that are working to build the local food system, fight food insecurity and address environmental issues.
For more information, visit www.friskycowgelato.org, email at firstname.lastname@example.org or call 603-757-2522.


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ATLANTA (AP) — The pharmacy that distributed a steroid linked to an outbreak of fungal meningitis has issued a voluntary recall of all of its products.
The New England Compounding Center announced the recall on Saturday. The company said in a news release that the move was taken out of an abundance of caution because of the risk of contamination. It says there is no indication that any other products have been contaminated.READ MORE: 1 Dead, 4 Injured In Andover Crash
The Food and Drug Administration had previously told health professionals not to use any products distributed by the center.
WCCO’s Dave Lee Interviews Dr. Michael Osterholm
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there are now more than 90 confirmed cases of the rare form of fungal meningitis.
The outbreak spans nine states and has killed at least seven people.MORE NEWS: 39-Year-Old Man Dies In Central Minnesota Rollover Crash
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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Microsoft is readying its next generation of console, called the Xbox Scarlett. We know the console will arrive in 2020 but details remain few. However, this week Microsoft's gaming chief has been discussing Scarlett and providing more information about the console. Phil Spencer says the device will not be available in a cloud gaming version.
Project Scarlett has been known about for around a year before Microsoft officially announced the console at E3 2019. Rumors were conflicting on the availability of the device. Many predicted Microsoft would launch two Xbox Scarlett variants.
The first would be a traditional console with disc drive and the second would be a disc-less version solely designed for cloud gaming. It's worth noting this would be different to the Xbox One S All-Digital. That new console only allows users to download digital game. A cloud Scarlett would have allowed game streaming such as from Microsoft's Project xCloud.
We reported back in June how Spencer hinted there would be no streaming version of Xbox Scarlett. This week, the head of Microsoft's gaming operations confirmed there will only be one Scarlett variant:
“We are not working on a streaming-only console right now,” says Spencer, in an interview with Gamespot. “We are looking at the phone in your pocket as the destination for you to stream, and the console that we have allows you to play the games locally.”
As we touched on earlier this week, Spencer used the same interview to say Microsoft's focus for Scarlett is on high FPS and performance efficiency.
“I think the area that we really want to focus on next generation is frame rate and playability of the games. Ensuring that the games load incredibly fast, ensuring that the game is running at the highest frame rate possible.
“The thing that's interesting is, this generation, we've really focused on 4K visuals and how we bring both movies through 4K Blu-ray and video streaming, and with Xbox One X allowing games to run at 4K visuals will make really strong visual enhancements next generation. But playability is probably the bigger focus for us this generation. How fast do [games] load? Do I feel like I can get into the game as fast as possible and while it's playing? How does it feel? Does this game both look and feel like no other game that I've seen? That's our target.”


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The network went down yesterday lunchtime, leaving thousands of O2's 23 million customers struggling to make calls and send text messages.
According to an O2 spokesman, its 2G voice and data service has now been restored, while its 3G network will return gradually today.
O2 added that customers should turn their phones off and on again as the service returns.
Customers of GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile, which uses O2's infrastructure, are also understood to be suffering disruption.
The company has issued an apology on its site, claiming the service disruption is due to a system failure. It is directing customers to its "status reporter" tool, which allows users to check for disruption in their local area and responding to all customers on Twitter and Facebook.
O2 said in a statement: "We are sorry again for the inconvenience this has caused and can provide reassurance that we continue to deploy all possible resources and will do so until full service is restored."
In June O2’s network suffered a failure, with customers unable to send texts of a whole day. It comes ahead of the London 2012 Olympics, which is expected to put pressure on networks with the extra demand.
O2 is working towards becoming a "more conversational" brand and is overhauling its customer service.
It recently appointed Tribal DDB to rebuild its customer website, having admitted it was "confusing and frustrating".
Follow Sarah Shearman on Twitter @Shearmans


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Members set to share £3million Dividend
Over 220,000 members of the East of England Co-op can look forward to a share of a £3million dividend payment this year.
The dividend was approved at our Annual Members' Meeting, held at Wherstead Park on Saturday 7 May, following a recommendation from our Board of Directors.
Sally Chicken, Society President, chaired the meeting and reported on our performance during 2015/16. Members heard how despite a fall in overall sales and trading profits, the East of England Co-op delivered a healthy trading performance in challenging conditions.
Minnie Moll, Joint Chief Executive of the East of England Co-op said: "We're incredibly pleased to be able to share such a good dividend with our members once again this year. This is the 7th year that we've been able to pay a dividend of 2p for every £1 spent in our stores. For our regular shoppers, this will be a welcome and substantial dividend."
2015 saw the East of England Co-op invest more than £15m to improve and enhance the overall shopping experience for our members and customers, which included the refurbishment of over 40 existing stores and the opening of four new ones. Revitalised stores are seeing increased sales and margin uplifts.
At the new format Annual Members’ Meeting this year, members were invited to take part in four interactive workshops, each providing an insight into different areas of the member owned business. The workshops provided the opportunity to meet some of the producers behind our award winning Sourced Locally initiative, become a Dementia Friend, find out about how their local co-op is performing and learn ways to support their local community. Members also enjoyed a free Sourced Locally lunch.
The meeting also included a members’ vote for the election of Board Directors. This year saw 31 candidates standing for 5 available places on the board. Two new directors were appointed: Chris Matthews and Maria Veronese. Existing Co-op Directors Nicola Fox, Steve Shaw and John Hawkins won re-election to the board.


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Designers are dishing up the details.
Among the trends emerging from New York and Milan fashion weeks are highly-embellished looks with intricate beadwork and dazzling embroidery.
The style dominated the fall 2011 shows of some established American and European brands including Carolina Herrera, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Emilio Pucci and Oscar de la Renta as well as rising stars like Jason Wu and Joseph Altuzarra.
"We were going through a time of minimalism for quite a few seasons and it was time for an optimistic feeling, something more decadent," said Mr. Wu, who used more embroidery in his fall collection than ever before.
The looks ranged from shimmery velvet-beaded dresses at Ralph Lauren to an embroidered sleeveless dress worn with silver-glitter goat-fur pumps at Joseph Altuzarra to a wool flannel anorak embroidered with Swarovski crystals at Jason Wu.
The emphasis on lavish ornamentation could be good news for retailers. The clothes may excite consumers who toned down their looks during the recession, when more ostentatious fashions were deemed less appropriate.
After stocking up on classic staples for fall 2010 and spring 2011, "Women are not wanting those basic items, they want special items to add to their wardrobe," said Colleen Sherin, senior fashion director at Saks Fifth Avenue. "We're excited to see anything that makes a piece look special or one of a kind. [Decoration] is something that gets noticed and adds an element of value to the piece."
For consumers, the additional labor required to create these garments could mean higher price tags, said Catherine Moellering, executive vice president of trend-forecasting firm Tobe. "Designers have to make a garment feel more expensive and embellishment is one thing that registers as luxury," she said. "It's definitely a way to make a product seem richer. It helps justify the expense."
Designer Carmen Marc Valvo said prices for cocktail dresses in his fall 2011 collection will cost a little more than $2,000 due to the embroidery and beading he used, compared with between $1,600 and $1,800 for dresses without those details. His show featured more embroidery and beading than usual, he said, to convey a "more opulent look for fall," so prices will be as much as 25% higher on average than is typical. He added that he has gotten a favorable response from retailers. "Nobody has really balked at price," he said.
Aware of the high cost of hand embroidery, Mr. Wu said he made less expensive versions of some runway looks, including a $1,500 embroidered day dress that was inspired by a beaded gown in his show, which could retail for $13,000. "Obviously we'll sell much more of [that] version than the gown version."
Mr. Wu said the embroidery in his collection required many more hours of work. "If it took three days to make a dress, it was three days plus generally 600 to 800 hours on the embroidery for every item," he said. Some of the work was done in Paris, but to keep expenses down, some was done in India, where labor and production costs are significantly lower.
Mr. de la Renta said costs were a factor in the embroidery methods used for his fall 2011 collection. "Some of the embroideries look unbelievable, and in fact some of them are machine made," he said. "Many times, it was a combination of machine and hand."
The designer said prices for his fall collection would be more expensive than usual if all the embellishment was done by hand. "You have to face the reality that if [the embroidery is] totally, completely handmade, you are not going to find a consumer for it," said Mr. de la Renta. "It doesn't mean that my clothes are inexpensive. But most of our clothes are made in America. When you are competing with clothes made in China, you have to offer something more than what can be made at that price."
To make decorations look fresh, designers sometimes used embroidery in different, more subtle ways than they had in the past. Messrs. de la Renta and Lauren each gave their embroidered looks an exotic, Far East twist. For the theme for Mr. de la Renta's fall collection, he envisioned "going back in time and the thought of Silk Road."
In other cases, designers such as Messrs. Altuzarra and Wu went beyond merely decorating evening dresses to adorn daytime and more casual pieces of clothing, suggesting a broader effort to keep the embellishment tasteful rather than veering off into Vegas show-girl territory. Mr. Wu showed a silk tee with leaf-patterned lace embroidery, for example. Though the luxury market is rebounding, it may still be too soon to go back to styles that are too showy or look-at-me.
The emphasis on details is also an effort by designers to demonstrate craftsmanship, to distinguish themselves from their competition and to thwart fast-fashion purveyors.
To be sure, some consumers who don't know the intricacies of clothing construction might not even care if the embroidery and beadwork are handcrafted or not, as long as it looks special.
In fact, a consumer would need a magnifying glass to tell the difference between embellishment that is hand done or done by machine, said Ann Frank, an assistant professor who teaches fashion history at Parsons The New School for Design in New York. "Just look at the stitches: There will be irregularities if it's hand embroidery. It might look a little bumpier. No two stitches would look the same," she said. "Anything machine made will look uniform or flatter to the touch."
She added that advances in technology by embroidery companies such as Bischoff Textil AG of Switzerland have led to some machines that can turn out high-quality stitching that rivals stitching done by hand. Désirée Koslin, an adjunct assistant professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, said another way one can tell if the ornamentation was done entirely by machine, is by looking at the back of the garment. If the bottom thread is thin and has no color, then chances are it was done by machine.
Write to Ray A. Smith at firstname.lastname@example.org


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Developers of iPad applications race to meet April 3 debut
Monday, March 29, 2010
Last week was an intense one for some of the Washington area software developers who make and sell software for Apple's App Store.
After all, Apple's latest and much-hyped product -- the slate-shaped iPad -- is almost here, and many are hoping that the device's release April 3 will bring a fresh wave of customers and purchases. To help encourage those download dollars, many have been working overtime to create and polish new versions of their wares.
"I feel like I'm back in college, preparing for a big test and working around the clock," said Todd Moore, a Sterling-based programmer who was nearing the end of a Red Bull- and soda-fueled work crunch as he designed a new version of his popular sleep aid application, White Noise.
Same for Keith Shepherd, of the D.C.-based game company Imangi Studios, who was finishing up a new iPad release of his firm's popular game Harbor Master. Shepherd submitted the new version to Apple on Friday, just beating the tech company's Saturday deadline for apps that will be available for sale when the device launches. "It's been a really busy week for us," he said.
Many such developers consider a prompt appearance in the new iPad section of Apple's online store to be crucial for building loyalty and name recognition.
"You've got to be there in front of the early users," said Chris Sloop, chief technology officer of Germantown-based Weatherbug, which makes weather forecasting software and has submitted an iPad version of its product to Apple for approval. "If you get your app out a few months later, there's not going to be as much buzz."
There has long been a "gold rush" mentality in the app market, said Rana Sobhany, a marketing analyst and the author of a coming book about selling products on the App Store. But most products don't end up being terribly lucrative for their creators, she said. About 75 percent of downloads from the App Store's library of 150,000 items are for free content.
"It's not realistic to think every app is going to sell," she said. If you're an independent developer without a marketing budget, "there's a 99 percent chance you're not going to sell that many copies."
Certainly, not everyone making the plunge into this new market is seeing a return on their investment. Inspired by App Store success stories, Charlottesville resident Nate Macpherson assembled a team of programmers and artists to build a game, released in November, called Shot Bar. His total investment: $30,000. Total return, to date: "Under a thousand dollars." Macpherson has no plans for a revamped iPad version of the title.
Apple has said that all of the software applications available for the iPhone and iPod Touch will also work on the iPad, which costs from $499 to $829, not including a wireless access fee for an optional connection, available on some models, to AT&T's network.
But the new device's larger screen size will give developers a fresh set of options for what their products can do. Weatherbug's iPad app, for example, will feature more icons on the screen for users who want a deeper look at upcoming forecasts. Moore's new software, called White Noise Pro, will give users new ways to mix the program's collection of soothing sound effects.
Some products still just make more sense on a pocket-size smartphone, however, and so not every App Store entrepreneur is rushing to get a new version of his software onto the iPad.
"I am sort of taking a wait-and-see approach," said John Bednarz, the programmer behind an application called Find a Metro DC that is designed to help local mass-transit users. RideCharge, the Alexandria-based creator of an online taxi-hailing app for the iPhone, also said that it hadn't settled on how it would take advantage of the iPad's larger screen in future versions of its software.
For a device that nobody owns yet, the iPad has been the source of an unusual amount of speculation, even for an Apple product. While some analysts have derided the thing as little more than a super-sized iPhone, elsewhere it's hailed as a savior of the publishing industry.
However the iPad's fortunes play out, the iPhone and iPod Touch will still have the numbers advantage for some time to come, observed Barg Upender, founder of the Washington-based app firm Mobomo. According to Apple, there are almost 80 million of those devices in use.
Relatively speaking, in other words, even if Mobomo's new iPad version of its puzzle game HexOut is a hit, he said, "at the end of the day, revenue-wise, it's going to be a little blip."


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The pet industry has been growing by leaps and bounds lately. According to a 2021 survey from the American Pet Products Association, 70% of U.S. households — roughly 90.5 million — own a pet, as quoted on Yahoo Finance. About 35% of owners spent more on pet supplies during the pandemic, and 51% are willing to pay more for “ethically sourced” and “eco-friendly” products.
Americans shelled out about $123.6 billion on their pets in 2021, including health foods and luxury items, a 19% jump from $103.6 billion in 2020. Ten years ago, owners spent only $53.3 billion on their pets. It shows that despite the current inflationary environment, spending on pet care hasn’t been squeezed.
According to PetSmart CEO J.K. Symancyk, the industry is seeing some of its strongest growth in years, quoted on Yahoo Finance. The pandemic and the lockdowns also led many households to adopt a pet. Notably, the coronavirus lockdown in 2020 witnessed the percentage of U.S. households with pets increase to an all-time high of 70%.
Additionally, millennials (32%), Gen Xers (24%), and Baby Boomers (27%) are the demographics with the highest percentage of pet ownership. These age groups are in their key earning years and making sufficient money to shell out on their pets.
The global pet care market size was $207.90 billion in 2020. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6%, per Fortune Business Insights. Per ProShares, the industry has grown in America every year since 2001, even during the Great Recession. The latest study reveals that despite high inflation, Americans are still splurging like never before for their pets.
Against this backdrop, below we highlight a few stocks and a pureplay ETF for the winning trend in the pet care industry.
Stocks in Focus
Chewy Inc. operates as an online pet retailer. The Company offers pet products which include dry and wet food, toys, mats, biscuits, vitamins and supplements. The stock has a top VGM score of A.
PetMed Express PETS
PetMed Express, Inc. and subsidiaries is a leading nationwide pet pharmacy. The Company markets prescription and non-prescription pet medications, health products, and supplies for dogs and cats, direct to the consumer. The Company offers consumers an attractive alternative for obtaining pet medications in terms of convenience, price, and speed of delivery.
The company is a leader in the animal health space with a focus on both livestock and companion animals in seven major product categories: vaccines, anti-infectives, parasiticides, dermatology, other pharmaceutical products, medicated feed additives and animal health diagnostics.
IDEXX Laboratories IDXX
The company is a developer, manufacturer and distributer of products and services primarily for the companion animal veterinary, livestock and poultry, water testing and dairy markets.Companion Animal Group (CAG) made up about 89.9% of revenues in 2021, up 21.1% from 2020. This segment provides veterinarians with diagnostic capabilities and information management solutions that enhance the health and well-being of pets.
ETF in Focus
ProShares Pet Care ETF PAWZ
The underlying FactSet Pet Care Index consists of U.S. and International companies that potentially stand to benefit from interest in, and resources spent on, pet ownership. The fund charges 50 bps in fees.
The fund has 71% exposure to the United States, followed by 14.4% in the United Kingdom. Veterinary Pharmaceuticals (29.5%), Veterinary Diagnostics (11.95%), Pet And Pet Supply Stores (11.04%) are some of the segments that get a double-digit weight in the fund.
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PetMed Express, Inc. (PETS) : Free Stock Analysis Report
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (IDXX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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ProShares Pet Care ETF (PAWZ): ETF Research Reports
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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment Research


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29 posts tagged "Hussein Chalayan"
When we set out to tell the story of 2011 by the numbers, one loomed especially large: 661,509, the record-breaking number of visitors who lined up, often for hours at a time, to see the Costume Institute’s Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (left) at the Met.
But it wasn’t just a banner year for the Met and the late, great McQueen; designers and museums forged a strong bond this year, one that looks likely to continue well into the next. Museums across the globe invited designers into their halls and the results have made for some of the best exhibitions in memory.
During Couture week, Hussein Chalayan opened a retrospective at Paris’ Musée des Arts Decoratifs, where next year, Marc Jacobs and his work for Louis Vuitton will take up residence. The City of Light also played host to Ralph Lauren and his collection of automobiles (it also now boasts an enormous new RL store and restaurant, one of the town’s new favorite spots for burgers). And Florence is the new home of the Museo Gucci, opened during Milan’s Spring 2012 week with all due fanfare, and a Blondie performance to boot.
In America, socials flocked to San Francisco for the opening of Balenciaga and Spain (which also traveled to New York) and to Dallas for The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier, which debuted earlier this year at Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts. Just this month, Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte opened RODARTE: Fra Angelico, a show of the dresses their created for their June presentation at Pitti, at L.A.’s LACMA.
Farther afield, Dior went to Russia, where house jewelry designer Camille Micelli sent us this postcard, for Inspiration Dior, attended, naturally, by a lavish party. And the Netherlands continues to be a slightly off-the-radar destination for fashion’s cultural tourists. A retrospective of the work of Azzedine Alaïa is now on view in Gronningen, outside Amsterdam, and the capital’s contemporary-photo museum, FOAM, which hosted the likes of Jefferson Hack for a panel on What’s Next, which followed a retrospective of work by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin—one which eventually became the germ of their new career-spanning anthology, Pretty Much Everything.
Here in New York, the more traditional homes of fashion, like FIT’s Fashion Museum, were busy, too. The museum recently opened the first part of The Great Designers, including Armani, Dior, Givenchy, and McQueen, and plans to open part two in March. Chief curator and museum director Valerie Steele also worked with clotheshorse and collector Daphne Guinness on an exhibition of her own holdings—which, it turns out, Guinness keeps organized via computer database.
Next year, all eyes will be on Miuccia Prada for the next Costume Institute exhibition, Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada on Fashion. But before then, there’s a Louboutin retrospective in London to look forward to, on the heels of the shoemaker’s victory-lap 20th anniversary year. And WWD reports today that several fashion labels are taking a renewed interest in their own histories, too. Balmain is ramping up its archival holdings, and Chloé recently brought on an in-house archivist, in anticipation of a retrospective planned for its 60th anniversary next year.
This month, London’s Central Saint Martins school—one of the globe’s best fashion training grounds—leaves its long-held Charing Cross Road building and moves to a new complex on Kings Cross. Style.com reporter Katharine Zarrella spoke with some of the school’s most distinguished alumni about their memories of the Soho space, running throughout the week. Today, Hussein Chalayan shares his Saint Martins experience.
Hussein Chalayan: BA Fashion, 1993
“My favorite memory is Dave’s Bar, where everyone emotionally and physically were at their most visible. In hindsight, the biggest fun was probably how hard we were all whipped by my artist friend Robert Clark’s wit, who worked behind the bar at Dave’s. He’s still a friend now… But the most important aspect of Saint Martins for me was really about the differences in the variety of the students given a place on the course. The differences in students created a really diverse environment and fellow students’ comments about each other’s work sometimes mattered more than some of the tutors’. The other big point for me was that Saint Martins was really an art school where fashion happened to be a department in it. I had a lot of interaction with people from the fine art and sculpture departments, which really affected my outlook.”
Pictured above:Chalayan as a student at CSM; A look from Chalayan’s Central Saint Martins graduate collection.
Donatella Versace wants to know—along with the rest of the world—will Riccardo Tisci (left) do Dior? She asks the Givenchy designer the burning question in conversation for the new Interview. Alas, Tisci doesn’t give her the scoop, but he does open up about his current music obsession, Nicki Minaj, as well as old favorites like Missy Elliott, Ciara, and Lil’ Kim. [Interview]
Book your reservations now: Luxury giant LVMH is opening its kitchens to the public in October on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have ever wondered how your favorite Dior perfume or Glenmorangie single-malt whiskey is made, now is your chance to take a tour of the European distilleries, vineyards, and couture houses of LVMH. [WWD]
16-year-old Molly Smith is going to have to take a break from playing football and Grand Theft Auto for the time being because she’s the newly announced star of Burberry. The Derbyshire native, who started modeling two years ago after being discovered during a Covent Garden shopping trip, will be appearing in the brand’s upcoming Fall 2011 campaign, shot by Mario Testino. [Vogue U.K.]
There is a new sun rising at Cacharel. Dawei Sun and his Belle Ninon co-designer, Ling Liu, have been tapped as the new artistic directors for the French brand’s women’s, men’s, children’s, and accessories collections. [WWD]
From now on, it’s just Chalayan. In an effort to tighten up his brand identity, designer Hussein Chalayan has shortened his label’s name. His new name might be trimmed down, but he’s expanding, too. He is launching a lower-priced collection of signature pieces, called Grey Label, set to hit stores in September. [Hussein Chalayan]


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Each manufacturer has its own way of capturing the market’s interest. In the case of HP, they chose to tailor their upcoming smartwatch with a fashionable air, made possible by retailer Gilt and designer Michael Bastian, to be at par with those of LG, Samsung, Sony and other competitors.
The said smartwatch, still not named, will feature compatibility with Android and iOS compatibility, making the user able to view emails, text messages, calls and manipulate music playback. It is reported to be enclosed with a 44mm steel case, while the bands will be shown in various styles of black rubber, brown leather, and olive green nylon. Also, a “limited edition” HP Michael Bastian watch is said to be covered with solid black, made to cater those who wants more exclusivity.
The price and battery information is yet to be announced at a later date as the HP smartwatch will be unveiled come fall. Be on the lookout for more updates and information.


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Pop quiz. How many buildings in town have a series of wine named after them?
I don’t know the answer to that question, but it’s probably a low number (Less than three. Possibly zero). Whatever that number is, it will increase by one today.
That’s when Raimondo Family Winery will debut their new “Inn at Carnall Hall” series of wines during a reception in Fayetteville.
Margie Roelands, Owner and winemaker at Raimondo Winery said that she wanted to create a new label based on an Arkansas historical landmark.
“It seemed fitting to honor this building for its beauty and its significance as Arkansas’ first women’s dormitory in the state,” Roelands said. “I am the first female winemaker in a legacy of family winemaking so I felt a special connection to Inn at Carnall Hall.”
Raimondo Family Winery is located in Mountain Home, Arkansas, and specializes in Italian and Iberian varietals made from California grapes. There are five wines in the “Inn at Carnall Hall” line including a 2010 Chardonnay, a 2010 Viognie, a 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2009 Merlot, and a 2008 Syrah.
The wines will be available for sale at Ella’s Restaurant and Raimondo Winery’s Tasting Room. Roelands hopes that other liquor stores across Arkansas will choose to carry it as well.
The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 30 at Ella’s Restaurant, 465 N. Arkansas Ave., and is open to the public.


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Vodafone customers in the UK will, as of now, be able to make contactless payments in various places across the country, by using their Android smartphones, and with funds from their PayPal account. The two companies announced a partnership this morning which will allow Vodafone Pay users to link it to their PayPal accounts and purchase things in more than 400,000 locations in the country.
Those locations include restaurants, shops, as well as transport – the Transport for London network and the National Rail services are both supported. A maximum of £30 can be spent at a terminal at start. Consumers can spend more, but then they need to provide the PIN number. Besides PayPal, MasterCard and Visa are both supported, as well. What’s also interesting is that your smartphone doesn’t even need to be turned on – you can use it to purchase while it’s off or out of battery, as well.
Vodafone UK’s Head of Consumer Services Kate Wright said: “Our customers told us that being able to use PayPal when making mobile payments was important to them so we’re delighted to now offer this on Vodafone Pay. The service also works with any Visa and MasterCard credit or debit card offering customers greater choice than any other mobile payment service.”
Those without a PayPal account will be able to sign up for one, directly from Vodafone Pay.
Image Credit: Jonathan Oakley / Flickr


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'Street Fighter 5' Latest News & Update: New DLC Contains New Costumes, New Stages!
Some new and amazing news has come out for all the fans and avid gamers of "Street Fighter 5" as new downloadable content has just been available for purchase. Creator of "Street Fighter 5" Capcom has announced this brand new downloadable content through their game blog .
The downloadable content of "Street Fighter 5," which is called Capcom Pro Tour Premier Package, has been a buzzed after its release. If gamers favor the heroes Chun-Li and Cammy, there are new available costumes for the two characters called "Capcom Cup Collection."
According to Capcom's "Street Fighter 5" blog, the two costumes exude elegance. Fans have speculated that it will totally match the atmosphere of the new downloadable content for "Street Fighter 5" game..
Each of the character costume in "Street Fighter 5" game is available for purchase for $5.99. A new costume will also be available for download this year but Capcom has yet to disclose whether it would be for Chun-Li or for Cammy or for another character in "Street Fighter 5" game.
There is also a new stage in the newest "Street Fighter 5" downloadable content called "Ring Of Destiny." According to reports, the downloadable content will cost $9.99.
However, Capcom has made sure that the loyal fans of "Street Fighter 5" will only have the best and so the Capcom Pro Tour Premier Package is being sold in a bundle for only $25. The downloadable content bundle will include not only the new costumes of Chun-Li and Cammy but also an exclusive Capcom Pro Tour-themed color option for all 22 characters in "Street Fighter 5" game.
The bundle also includes two new exclusive titles "Capcom Cup 2016" and "Capcom Pro Tour 2016." However, that is not the rest of it because news have been circulating that a new "Street Fighter 5" downloadable content will again be coming soon and, this time, it will feature nostalgic items from the past "Street Fighter" video games, more specifically the second and third instalments.


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HP's third quarter results are, well, not good. The company is "still in the early stages of a multi-year turnaround," CEO Meg Whitman says.
HP saw revenue declines in four of its six units due to economic "headwinds" and ongoing restructuring efforts, the company said. Oh, and it also reported an $8.9 billion net loss for the third quarter.
In other words, HP is "still in the early stages of a multi-year turnaround," said HP CEO Meg Whitman.
HP's third quarter results came in largely as expected. HP telegraphed that it would take hefty charges related to its enterprise services unit.
Meanwhile, HP cut its fiscal 2012 outlook. The company said its non-GAAP earnings would be $4.05 a share to $4.07 a share. Wall Street was expecting $4.07 a share for the year. HP also sees GAAP losses of $2.23 a share to $2.25 a share for the year.
The stat lines for HP largely show third quarter revenue declines across the board. To wit:
For the third quarter, HP reported a net loss of $8.9 billion, or $4.49 a share, on revenue of $29.7 billion, down 5 percent from a year ago. The loss is attributed to a goodwill charge related to the services unit and restructuring.
Excluding those charges---which totaled $10.8 billion---HP would have earned $1 a share. Those results were in line with the company's preannouncement.
HP reiterated that its plans were to restructure, manage costs closely and deliver on strategic changes all while improving the company's balance sheet.
By the numbers:
This item first appeared on ZDNet's Between the Lines blog under the headline "HP's Q3: Revenue declines plague units; Outlook lowered."


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AFRICANGLOBE -Africa is now the fastest growing continent in the world announced the African Development Bank last week. If There was one sentence that was designed to pop Africa over the global radar, that opening gambit by the AfDB is it.
Africa’s collective gross domestic product (GDP) reached US $953 while the number of middle income countries on the continent rose to 26, out of a total of 54. Africa has grown dramatically since 2000. On current trends, it will achieve a GDP of $2.8 trillion by 2015 – twice the level of 2008.
Consumer spending in Africa grew to nearly $600 billion in 2010, and by 2020, Africa’s market is expected to be worth a trillion dollars. Some 350 million Africans now earn between US$2 and US$20 a day, and the middle class is increasingly becoming an active consumer market says the AfDB. Intra- African trade worth just $108 billion in 2012.
The high level macro data is painting a picture of broader based and deepening growth. I meet a lot of folks who express impatience with the quality of African growth and my point is that in fact it is a recent, last decade phenomenon and its been an accelerating trend within the decade.
Africa is not homogenous in the same way China is. Africa is more of a mosaic and the high versus low differential between the fastest growing and slowest growing will always remain wide. Therefore, the experience of those who find themselves in a sweet spot versus those who might find themselves in a ‘white spot’, entirely different. And melt down risks in ‘white spots’ always exist. The geographical area of melt down risks is shrinking.
For a long period, global investors entered the continent through the South African and Egypt gateways. Challenges in both gateways have been expressed in the currencies with the South African Rand at a four
year lows and the Egypt pound at an all time low. You will note that both South Africa [The All Share is +5.39% in 2013] and Egypt [The EGX30 is -0.91%] have delivered negative returns when returns are booked in the dollar. What is interesting this time is that global Investors have trekked and penetrated deeper into the continent’s hinterland. This trend actually started in Q1 2012.
The Ghana Composite Index is at a Record and +60.10% this year, The Nigeria All Share is +36.74% and the Nairobi All Share +27.9675%. For equity investors, Nirvana is elevated GDP growth because it is a rising
tide and floats most boats. This international investor advance into the African Interior was optimally captured by the Government of Rwanda who sold their Eurobond with perfect timing.
Africa exists in the frontier markets universe and continues to see a net add and I expect this net add bias to remain in play for a number of Years.
For a long time, the more intrepid Investor sought frontier markets exposure for the ‘decoupled’ effect from developed markets meaning that a reduction of QE in the US should have zero correlation with the number of beers that might be drunk in Nairobi. However, during June it certainly did not feel that way.
The Nigeria All Share retreated 11.099% June 11th through June 25th. The Nairobi All Share retreated 10.548% May 22nd through June 27th. Both have rebounded sharply. What is clear is that we imported some QE reduction chatter contagion. African markets ‘recoupled’ with international markets in June but are decoupling again.
By: Aly Khan Satchu


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PSN News Roundup: PSN Being Tested By Select Users/PlayStation Japan Update Users
As PlayStation users and developers around the world become increasingly frustrated with the amount of time it is taking Sony to restore its PSN and Qriocity services, finally some positive news is beginning to emerge regarding the restoration of the service.
Today, PlayStation Japan has updated its customers via its blog, telling eager online gamers that the service is in the verification stages to ensure the new PSN is safe and secure for its users. Furthermore, it has emerged via the PlayStation.nl Twitter account that some users may be testing PSN, in anticipation of the service going back online for the masses. Spotted and translated by GamersMint, the Tweet states that a select group of users are testing the network in all major territories.
The update from PlayStation Japan, in addition to the Tweet are indications that PSN services are due to be resumed within days, hopefully well ahead of the May 31st date that Sony set earlier this week. Here is the update from Sony in full, as translated by Google Translate:
“PlayStation Network” and “Qriocity” and continued failure, I am sorry indeed.
As we told the other day with the latest information in regard to future service restart, will be conducted in stages on a regional basis to ensure the safety of our customers.
We are preparing to be able to resume service as soon as possible in Japan, and is now doing the verification stage for ensuring the safety and security, providing more advanced. Server to complete the relocation of more secure facilities, further strengthening the encryption, firewalls and expansion of new customers with peace of mind again “PlayStation Network” and “Qriocity” to stay in a We support the most. The monitoring and the introduction of warning systems facilitate early detection of cyber attacks, subjected to a system upgrade intended to eliminate vulnerabilities, established a system to ensure information management to protect important personal information of customers We.
For those of you committed to ensuring safety, but would take some time for some time now, humbly thank you for your understanding. For the latest information, this website will guide you at any time.
To everyone of our customers and partners, we deeply apologize for the inconvenience and inconvenience.
So, gamers are still in the dark with regard to a definitive statement from Sony, giving an exact date of when PSN services will be restored, but it would seem we now have some light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel. Here’s hoping PSN is back as soon as possible.


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American Red Cross First Aid App Is Helpful And Free
11/25/2012 4:34:18 AM
By Karissa Gage
Stay safe this holiday season by downloading the Red Cross First Aid App for iPhone and Android devices. The app is a handy tool that tells you exactly what to do in any kind of situation. Erin Caldwell from the American Red Cross explained the app.
She gave us an example...
The app is free and is available on the iPhone and Android devices.


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SLOVLOG, which took place for the first time in 2007, is not only the oldest, but also the largest congress for logistics and transport markets in Slovakia. The aim of the congress is to inform and inspire logistics professionals and enable them to learn about new trends and best practices in their industries.
This year, 108 AGENCY also became the general partner of the 14th SLOVLOG conference in Slovakia. In 2020 and 2021, Congress was postponed due to the spread of a pandemic and will take place this spring – April 7 and 8, 2022 in DoubleTree by Hilton Bratislava.
The 14th SLOVLOG will include a full-day conference program that will include two specialized afternoon workshops: RETAILOG and DIGILOG, focusing on logistics for the retail sector and FMCG and supporting the digitization of logistics processes. The accompanying program of the congress will be BizLOG, organized speed-dating meetings; SEELOG, visits to leading logistics platforms, where it is possible to see logistics in practice, and Logistics Business Mixer, still a popular informal evening party.
Jakub Velko, Senior Consultant at 108 AGENCY will take part in a panel discussion on the topic: Searching for the New Economic Norm.
We are looking forward to the next successful year of the SLOVLOG congress.
For more information: https://slovlog.sk/en/Back


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Like many of you, we recently returned from Kansas City and the National Community Pharmacists Association’s (NCPA’s) 2022 Annual Convention & Expo, which took place Oct. 1-4 at the Kansas City Convention Center. As always, the show was chock full of ideas, innovation and energy, plus some award-winning pharmacy owners!
RxSafe was one of more than 250 exhibitors, helping support thousands of pharmacists to gather together for education, advocacy and connecting with friends, both old and new. Here are some of the best moments and key learnings from the show.
Memorable Moments from NCPA 2022
Below are some key “lessons learned” from the conference.
- “Business of LTC” remains popular: NCPA reprised its second Business of Long-Term Care (LTC) Workshop, a two-day intensive featuring a variety of topics. Sessions included common LTC terminology and understanding a shifting marketplace, federal and state definitions, and the continuum of care. Also covered: types of LTC patients, key differences between the LTC and community pharmacy settings, workflow models, packaging methodologies, technology, the role of group purchasing organizations and PSAOs, pricing and reimbursement models, and acquiring business.
- Pharmacy team recruitment has changed: Who you hire today looks a lot different from who you hired pre-pandemic, according to pharmacy owner Ashley Moose. Speaking at a session entitled, "7 Foolproof Ideas for Incentivizing and Motivating Your Team," Moose said that the pandemic changed the needs of employers and employees. Employees, she said, want a flexible schedule. But that may not always work for the pharmacy.
- Profit means going beyond filling scripts: Pharmacy insiders and practitioners discussed how independents can leverage Medical at Home and adherence packaging to realize more profit. RxSafe hosted a jam-packed session featuring: Susan Rhodus, SVP for Contracts & Advocacy, GeriMed; Ronna Hauser, SVP for Policy & Pharmacy Affairs, NCPA; Dr. Lisa Faast, DiversifyRx Founder and Pharmacy Owner; Kelby Gorman, Pharmacist & Owner, Moore’s Pharmacy, Sinton, Texas; and Tim Mitchell, Independent Pharmacy Leader & Owner, Mitchell’s Pharmacy, Neosho, MO.
RxSafe Customers are Award-Winning
Several RxSafe customers – your independent pharmacy owner peers – were honored during the convention for their excellence and dedication to patients and the profession.
- Jim Martin, owner of Martin’s Wellness & Compounding Pharmacies, received the National Community Pharmacists Association’s 2022 Calvin J. Anthony Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors a pharmacist who has dedicated their career to the advancement of the pharmacy profession. “Jim has long been devoted to independent community pharmacy and its patients and, given his expertise and range of pharmacies touching on wellness, compounding and specialty, he is frequently sought out as a go-to resource on a variety of pharmacy topics,” said NCPA President Michele Belcher, owner of Grants Pass Pharmacy in Grants Pass, Ore. “Our industry is stronger as a result of Jim’s leadership throughout his career.” Martin’s company includes a group of four independent pharmacies in the Austin, Texas. He served as executive director and CEO of the Texas Pharmacy Association from 2000-2009 and as the CEO of the Texas Pharmacy Foundation from 2003-2009. A former Member of the Georgia General Assembly, Martin has also served as president and chairman of the board of the Georgia Pharmacy Association and president and chairman of the board of NCPA.
- Tim Mitchell, owner of Mitchell’s Drug Stores, was presented with the 2022 NCPA Innovation Center Outstanding Adherence Practitioner Award in recognition of his commitment to improving medication adherence. “Adherence can be highly personal for many patients, but engaging with them and helping them manage their medications is critical,” said NCPA President Belcher. “Working together, Tim and the Mitchell’s Drug Stores staff are proactively putting in place programs that will improve health outcomes. I’m happy to recognize them for revamping their adherence strategies and applaud Tim for his leadership.” Mitchell’s family of drugstores is located in Neosho, Mo. The award is sponsored by RxSafe.
“I’m so happy to once again join the NCPA Innovation Center in sponsoring the Outstanding Adherence Practitioner Award,” said RxSafe Founder and CEO, William Holmes. “Tim Mitchell and his team have implemented a compliance packaging and medication synchronization program at Mitchell’s Drug Stores that serves as a great example of how improving adherence can transform community pharmacy. This type of service offering truly empowers patients to become proactive partners in improving health outcomes.”
- Ken Thai, owner/operator of 986 Degrees Corp., is the winner of the 2022 Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year award, sponsored by Upsher-Smith. The annual award is given to a pharmacist who exhibits exemplary professional leadership, service to community, and commitment to independent pharmacy. The award is named in honor of Willard B Simmons, a former executive secretary of NCPA (then known as the National Association of Retail Druggists) and a longtime trustee of the NCPA Foundation. Thai runs a California-based pharmacy franchise that serves as a platform for pharmacists to become independent pharmacy owners. “Ken is an accomplished leader whose passion for helping patients, sharing knowledge, and engaging in policy dialogue makes him a deserving recipient of this year’s Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year Award,” said B. Douglas Hoey, NCPA CEO, pharmacist, MBA. “We applaud the work Ken has done to advance the future of independent pharmacy.”
- You, our readers! Independent community pharmacists nationwide were collectively named the 2022 awardee of the NCPA Foundation's Sharlea Leatherwood Memorial Trailblazer Award for innovating and implementing outstanding care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Trailblazer Award recognizes those whose pharmacy practice blazes a trail for other independent pharmacy owners and future generations of independent pharmacy owners. The award is in recognition of the late Sharlea Leatherwood, former president of NCPA and the NCPA Foundation. On behalf of RxSafe, thank YOU for being true healthcare heroes.
One Final Note...
RxSafe was pleased to be a major sponsor of NCPA programs this year, as we are every year. We participate in so many tradeshows throughout the year because we are committed to helping independent pharmacies thrive. Together, we strive to discover and leverage new business models by offering transformative solutions that impact three core areas:
- Enhancing patient care with improved adherence, accuracy and speed
- Promoting the profession so pharmacists can operate at the top of their license
- Boosting patient loyalty and patient growth, which leads to better profits
At its core, pharmacy transformation is simply making patients healthier. We do that by creating solutions that improve compliance, reduce errors and enable the appropriate use of vitamins and supplements, made possible by adherence packaging.
If you didn’t already get a chance to speak with us at NCPA, please contact RxSafe’s Business Transformation Department for specific details at 833-791-1772 or visit our pharmacy automation pages to learn more about our process and technology. Or, to see a demo of the RapidPakRx, RapidCardRx, or any of our pharmacy automation products, connect with a pharmacy automation expert today.


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South Korea's corporate watchdog said Monday it has ordered Google Inc., the world's largest Internet search engine, to revise or delete unfair clauses in its advertisement contracts with Web site operators.
The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) recently ordered the American company to change several clauses in its AdSense contract, allowing Google to "one-sidedly cancel advertisement deals," while it is written so that it doesn't guarantee returns to contracted Web site operators.
AdSense is an ad serving program run by Google that Web site owners can enroll in to enable text, image and video advertisements on their sites. Google divides the revenue with the Web site operators, based on either a per-click or per-thousand-impression basis.
The FTC highlighted several clauses in the AdSense contract that violate domestic fair trade laws, one of which one allowing Google to "reserve the right to refuse participation to any...participant at any time in its sole discretion."
It also pointed toward an clause that said "Google makes no guarantee regarding...the amount of any payment to be made."
Concerning revenue division, the FTC noted the disadvantage toward Web site operators, as one clause stipulates that "no other measurements or statistics of any kind shall be accepted by Google," when calculating payments.
The commission also raised jurisdictional concerns of the contract, which states that any dispute arising from the agreement "shall be adjudicated in Santa Clara County, California."
Google, through its South Korean office, has expressed its intent to revise the noted clauses, the FTC said.
The corrective order comes amid the FTC's imminent fair trade investigation of domestic Internet portal operators scheduled to begin next month.
"(We) will also focus on the matter of unfair contracts in the upcoming investigations into domestic Internet portal operators," said Yoon Jung-hye, the director of FTC's Consumer Policy Bureau.
South Korea's online ad market is expanding at a fast rate, with sales forecasted to expand up to 1 trillion won (US$1.06 billion) this year from 849 million won last year, according to recent market reports. Approximately half of all sales stem from advertisements from search engines.
South Korea is one of the most wired countries in the world, with about 33 million Internet users, including more than 12 million with broadband connections, government data showed. The nation has a population of 48.5 million.
Seoul, Feb. 26 (Yonhap News)