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What hospitality, travel editors predict for 2021
Julie Rey-Gore, content director of Questex Hospitality + Travel—parent company of Hotel Management Magazine—is joined by the group's editors, who have been following their markets to bring readers the latest news and developments across the travel and hospitality industry throughout 2020.
Lean in to hear their predictions and expectations for 2021 as well as their top stories from 2020.
Original Article Source Credits: Hotel Management , https://www.hotelmanagement.net/
Article Written By: Julie Rey-Gore
Original Article Posted on:
Link to Original Article: https://www.hotelmanagement.net/operate/best-hospitality-travel-2020-expectations-for-2021


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BRAZIL: Organisations step up fake sporting goods fight
A number of organisations have stepped up the fight against fake sporting goods in the run-up to this year’s football World Cup in Brazil.
Groups including the Brazilian government, the EU, the World Customs Organization (WCO), the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry and FIFA held discussions in São Paulo last week in a multi-country event on the issue.
The seminar involved members of customs organisations from seven Latin American countries, including Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Paraguay and Panama, under the auspices of the WCO.
In 2012, Brazilian customs set up a risk management centre, CERAD, to play a co-ordinating role in Brazil.
During the seminar, the latest tactics used by counterfeiters to avoid detection were discussed and illustrated.
“We want to give a strong signal to counterfeiters that these major sporting events are not an open-air market for fakes,” the organisers said.
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Telecom Lead America: Motorola Mobility, RIM and Huawei supported the development and launch of NII’s next generation solutions in Mexico.
The new PTT service is powered by the QChat platform supplied by chip major Qualcomm.
NII Holdings’ operating subsidiary Nextel Mexico has launched its network in Mexico. The new network offers an array of wireless products and services, including a differentiated Push-to-Talk (PTT) service and high-speed data capabilities, incorporated into Android-based smartphones.
“We are excited about the launch of our next generation network in Mexico and providing our customers with innovative and differentiated solutions, including our high performance Push-to-Talk and broadband data services,” said Greg Santoro, NII’s executive vice president and chief marketing and strategy officer.
The new PTT services are integrated with the mobile broadband data services available on the network and deliver an instant PTT experience.
In this first phase of the deployment, the next generation offerings will be available in 34 cities in the country, including Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla and Cancun. A second phase expansion expected to cover all of the main cities in Mexico is scheduled to launch in 2013.
“The launch of our next generation network along with the new high performance PTT experience in Mexico is both an exciting and highly anticipated milestone for our employees and our customers,” said Peter Foyo, president of Nextel Mexico.
The addition of the new PTT service, combined with the capabilities of the next generation network, positions Nextel Mexico to offer customers several value-added features.


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Crawley Borough Council’s energy switching scheme, in partnership with iChoosr is back, just in time for winter!
With recent energy company price hikes hitting households in the pocket, a growing number of Crawley residents have found a way to keep energy costs down and take the worry out of keeping warm.
The council’s collective energy switching scheme is not only an easy way to switch supplier, removing the need to compare tariffs, but because of the sheer number of potential switchers, energy companies offer tariffs that cannot be found on the ’high street’ to win a large number of new customers.
Just register online or by phone before the next auction on the 10 October and you will receive your no obligation offer soon after.
Cabinet member for Environmental Services and Sustainability, Councillor Geraint Thomas said: Winter is fast approaching and because of this are bills can become more expensive! I’d wholeheartedly encourage everyone to sign up and see if they can beat the winter bills.”
Click here to register online or call the council on 01293 438000 before the 10 October to receive your no obligation offer.
For more information visit www.www.crawley.gov.uk/energyswitching
Please pop back to the Homepage to read more great stories by CHT…


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In the early hours of today, Nvidia announced to Computex its Nvidia A100 PCIe liquid cooledwhich, as its name suggests, is a water-cooled Nvidia A100 in PCI-Express format.
Thanks to this, not only temperatures are 28% lowerbut compared to the reference, passive, air-cooled design through the racks themselves, it helps to reduce the energy used by up to 30% maintaining the same performance, to which is added that take up 66% less space. This means that for every air-cooled Nvidia A100 GPU, two water-cooled GPUs could fit in the same space, making it much more optimal.
“This is the first liquid-cooled GPU to be introduced in our lab, and it’s very exciting for us as our customers are hungry for sustainable ways to harness AI,” says Zac Smith.
Data center operators aim to eliminate cooling systems that evaporate millions of gallons of water per year to cool the air inside data centers. Liquid cooling promises systems that recycle small amounts of fluids in closed systems focused on key hotspots.
“We will turn a waste into an asset,” he said.
In fact, we plan to update the A100 PCIe with a version next year that uses the H100 graphics chip based on the Nvidia Hopper architecture. We plan to support liquid cooling on our high performance data center GPUs and Nvidia HGX platforms in the near future.
For rapid adoption, today’s liquid-cooled GPUs deliver the same performance with less power. In the future, we hope that these cards will offer the possibility of obtaining more performance for the same power, which users say they want.
“Measuring consumption alone is irrelevant, the feedback you get from the impact of carbon emissions is where we need to go,” Smith says.


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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU) said its adjusted operating profit rose 17% in the third quarter, to 1.76 billion euros, on improved profitability in its critical North America region and gains in Europe and Latin America.
FCA's third-quarter revenue fell 2% from a year ago, to 26.4 billion euros. Both profit and revenue were roughly in line with the average estimates from Wall Street analysts polled by Thomson Reuters.
FCA's third quarter: The raw numbers
All financial figures are in euros. As of October 24, 1 euro = about $1.18.
|Metric||Q3 2017||Change vs. Q3 2016|
|Vehicles shipped||1.12 million||(1%)|
|Adjusted earnings before interest and tax (adjusted EBIT)||1.76 billion||17%|
|Adjusted EBIT margin||6.7%||+110 basis points|
|Net profit||910 million||50%|
|Adjusted earnings per share||0.592||25%|
|Metric||As of September 30, 2017||As of June 30, 2017|
|Debt||18.64 billion||19.14 billion|
|Available liquidity||19.55 billion||19.95 billion|
|Net industrial debt||4.405 billion||4.226 billion|
How FCA's business units fared
FCA has operations around the world, but North America (FCA's "NAFTA" region) drives the lion's share of its profits. While FCA's sales and shipments in North America both fell in the third quarter from the third quarter of 2016, its profitability improved: FCA's EBIT margin in North America was 8% in the third quarter, up from 7.6% a year ago, on lower fleet sales and good results for its Ram pickup trucks and new Alfa Romeo models. The region's revenue fell 4%, but its adjusted EBIT rose slightly from a year ago, to 1.3 billion euros.
That's an important improvement. FCA has sought to close the profitability gap between it and its old Detroit rivals in North America. It's getting closer: FCA's third-quarter margin was close to the 8.3% margin that rival General Motors (GM 1.56%) posted in North America in the third quarter. (Ford Motor Company (F 2.27%) will report its third-quarter results on October 26.)
In Europe, FCA's adjusted EBIT of 127 million euros was a 22% improvement over its year-ago result. Adjusted-EBIT margin of 2.6%, while still low, was up from 2.1% in the third quarter of 2016. Commercial-fleet sales were down, but good results for the all-new Jeep Compass and Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUVs helped.
FCA's Latin America unit earned 59 million euros on an adjusted-EBIT basis, an improvement over a 16-million-euro loss a year ago. Shipments rose 26%, and revenue climbed 42% to 2.1 billion euros. The story here is simple: Major economies in the region are improving.
FCA's Asia Pacific and China unit earned 109 million euros in adjusted EBIT, up from 21 million euros a year ago. Shipments rose 8% to about 66,000, but revenue fell 9% to 782 million euros on unfavorable exchange-rate effects. Higher production of Jeeps and Alfa Romeos in China helped; lower imports of Jeeps to China offset the gain to some extent.
FCA's Maserati luxury brand reports its results separately, on a global basis. Maserati's adjusted EBIT rose 10% to 113 million euros, on a 2% gain in worldwide shipments. A favorable change in "mix" (more Levante SUVs, fewer sedans) helped boost the brand's adjusted-EBIT margin by 2 percentage points to 13.8%.
FCA's Components unit, which includes its Magneti Marelli, Comau, and Teksid parts subsidiaries, generated 127 million euros in adjusted EBIT, up 13% from a year ago, on a 1% increase in revenue (to 2.4 billion euros) and an increase in EBIT-adjusted margin to 5.3% from 4.7% in the third quarter of last year. FCA credited the profitability gain to improvements in manufacturing efficiency at Magneti Marelli.
Looking ahead: FCA confirmed its prior full-year guidance
As it did in the second quarter, FCA once again confirmed its prior guidance for the full year. It still expects:
- Net revenue of between 115 billion and 120 billion euros.
- Adjusted EBIT of more than 7 billion euros.
- Adjusted net profit of more than 3 billion euros.
- Net industrial debt below 2.5 billion euros as of year-end.


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Facebook Mobile Measurement Partner AppsFlyer announced the closing of a $7.1 million financing round from Pitango Venture Capital and current investor Magma Venture Partners.
In the wake of Facebook’s dismissal of attribution analytics provider HasOffers and mobile analytics provider Kontagent from its mobile measurement partner program, the social network is sending emails to HasOffers users, recommending Ad-X and AppsFlyer as potential replacements.
How serious is Facebook about privacy? Attribution analytics provider HasOffers and mobile analytics provider Kontagent found out the hard way, as AdExchanger reported that the two companies were booted out of the social network’s mobile measurement partner program for violating its policies.
Mobile application tracking and analytics platform AppsFlyer, a Facebook Mobile Measurement Partner, announced full support for the new calls to action Facebook introduced earlier this week for its mobile app install ads.
Facebook Preferred Marketing Developer Adotomi announced Tuesday that it has launched a program that tracks actions within mobile applications that originated from Facebook ads. The Adotomi Universal Mobile App Tracking Platform allows advertisers to see how effective their Facebook ads are through the lens of their mobile apps.
Facebook introduced mobile app install ads in October, and they have performed well on the social network, but one of the issues raised most often is the lack of data beyond click-through rates. Facebook Preferred Marketing Developer Bidalgo teamed up with AppsFlyer, a Facebook mobile measurement partner, to take aim at providing marketers with data on post-install actions.


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Pinterest rival Fancy, which thinks it has figured out social commerce (or at least, before Pinterest did), is announcing today that it has reached 1 million users as well as an average of $50,000 worth of commerce through its service each week. To help further grow its shopping platform, which initially debuted in February of this year, the company has also updated its iOS application. The app doesn’t just support browsing and liking images (you “fancy” things, actually) as before, but adds the ability to purchase items directly from the app itself.
The Fancy, (or just “Fancy,” as it’s sometimes called), at first glance, seems to be just another Pinterest-like image-sharing site. But there are several key differences between the two social services. For starters, while Pinterest skews heavily female, Fancy reports a more even split – at the beginning of the year, around 60% of its users were male, in fact. Today, it’s about 55% male to 45% female.
The company has also been more focused on commerce from the get-go, instead of trying to figure it out after the fact. On Fancy, participating merchants (there are now 2,000, up from 400 in February) can claim a post as the only one who can sell against it on a first-come, first-serve basis, following light vetting. That means they could sell their own product, if that’s the image which happens to be trending, or they can use the popular image to promote a related product or offering. (e.g. Beautiful hotel shot? Book a trip; Awesome concept watch? This is similar, buy it now). Plans for a more Google-like bidding system is in the works.
The company has several impressive backers, including top VCs Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, Allen & Co., General Catalyst, Esther Dyson, Celtics owner Jim Pallotta, MTV creator Bob Pittman, former eBay COO Maynard Webb, Eric Eisner, Jeff Samberg, and Ashton Kutcher. Another big investor is PPR, the $25 billion French firm run by Francois Henri-Pinault which owns some of the biggest fashion brands in the world, including Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga. Through that relationship, high fashion sites now have social commerce integrations courtesy of Fancy, including Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and others.
More recently, the company partnered with Oscar de la Renta, which debuted a t-shirt from its spring collection on the site, and sold over $10,000 worth in the first week. That’s only five t-shirts ($2,499 ea.) but still, the movement managed to surprise Oscar de la Renta chief exec Alex Bolen. Now, says Fancy CEO Joe Einhorn, the company is poised to announce partnerships between some of the biggest names in fashion for an event around the upcoming fashion week.
Fancy is also growing quite a bit, up from 250,000 registered users fancying 1 million+ products per week in February to 1 million users fancying items 3 million times per week today.
The new iOS apps (iPhone and iPad) are out now. In addition to the social commerce features, they also offer a redesigned user interface and even a new icon. You can grab the apps from here in iTunes.


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Search many information about the bombings in the Boston Marathon Monday, the utilized scammers (fraudsters on the internet) to steal data.
According to the company’s anti-virus research the origin of Rome, Bitdefender, malware tragedy into a campaign.
Jakarta – Plastic may be a major culprit in the garbage problem in some countries. However, Japan had already found a solution for reducing plastic waste. A Non-Government Organization (NGO) from Japan named Ecoparty come to Indonesia to introduce [...]
Researchers from IBM managed to break the record by making the world’s smallest movie.
The film uses atoms as an actor in a movie called “A Boy And His Atomic” lasted 1 minute 35 seconds.
The film is made using stop-motion technique, [...]
With a target to save Mars Curiosity Rover mission taken over by a herd of pigs naughty.
Any word that is fun for the fans of the game Angry Birds Space on iOS and Android platforms.
While waiting for the presence of Angry Birds Star Wars game that is [...]
Easy to find because it is positioned right next to the “Like”
Facebook are testing the “Reply” button at the comments posted on the Timeline each user, say a Facebook spokesperson told Mashable last weekend.
Besides Z10, BlackBerry also launched Q10 series is still equipped with its flagship QWERTY physical keyboard. What is interesting about the BlackBerry Q10?
BlackBerry Q10, The design is quite pleasing to the eye with four curved corners are not rigid. [...]
A Russian astronaut managed to record a new record as the oldest still active astronauts ‘walks’ in outer space.
Quoted by FoxNews, Monday (22/4), Pavel Vinogradov is recorded as the oldest astronaut at the age of 59 years.
Pavel has been [...]
The advantages of this TV compared to other brands is Samsung’s Smart Interaction technology.
Television technology is now more intelligent. Predicate “smart” are not just limited to smartphones but also for TV. Market demand for Smart [...]
Although there are many audio applications and media that can be used to play music on your Mac, iTunes is still the most popular choice in the management of musical content.
iTunes offers the ease of controlling the sequence of music, create playlists, [...]
LG Optimus Vu also comes with a rubberdium pen.
LG Mobile Indonesia launched a smartphone LG Optimus Vu. Measuring at 5-inch screen, smartphone based on Android Ice Cream Sandwich is a sleek and stylish look.
“LG Optimus Vu, directed to the user [...]
Human skull intentionally shaped like alien heads were found in a 1000 year-old tomb in Mexico, according to the researchers reported as quoted by LiveScience.
Practice changing the shape of the skull has become common practice in Central America. But [...]


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Pundi X launches first retail point of sale solution for cryptocurrency in Indonesia
JAKARTA, Indonesia, Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pundi X, a blockchain startup that aims to make cryptocurrencies an enabler of ubiquitous cashless payment environments across South East Asia, has unveiled the Pundi X POS (Point of Sale) smart device to enable shops, cafes and convenience stores to sell cryptocurrency to a broad cross section of general consumers who would otherwise have little or no access to cryptocurrency.
Pundi X POS device installed in retail outlets will enable consumers to quickly and easily buy or sell cryptocurrency using fiat money (Dollars, Rupiah, Baht etc.), bank card, mobile wallet or Pundi X Pass. The purchased cryptocurrency can be stored in a digital wallet or used to make cashless payments to top up phones, pay utility bills or buy goods. When making cashless payments using cryptocurrency, the cryptocurrency is exchanged back to fiat money in real time before buying goods, making the conversion process seamless for the user.
Pundi X builds on the existing Pundi-Pundi business model of cashless payment systems launched early 2017, which uses smart phones to scan QR codes and make instant payments in retail and restaurant outlets, and which has already signed up more than 100,000 registered users and over 500 merchant partners in Jakarta.
"We've demonstrated the demand for cashless transactions with our Pundi-Pundi QR app which is now established as one of the biggest in Indonesia, following the Alipay model," said Zac Cheah, CEO of Pundi X. "Now we are well placed to build on our extensive user base and relationships with leading partners to take cashless transactions to the next level by bringing cryptocurrencies to the average consumer."
"Less than 1% of the global population owns cryptocurrency despite its tremendous potential because the purchasing process is far too convoluted for the man or woman in the street," added Cheah. "Now the mission for Pundi X is to make buying cryptocurrency as easy as buying a bottle of water - by providing universal access, anytime, anywhere."
Unlike markets such as China where Alipay and WeChat Pay set the standard, cashless payments in Indonesia have been slow to take off - in part, because of a low level of just 23% bank account ownership and limited mobile digital payment penetration in a market where consumer purchases are still largely cash-based and offline.
Pundi X will fuel its growth with money raised through the issuance of native blockchain tokens in an ICO (Initial Coin Offering) that stands out from other candidates in a crowded marketplace because it already has a track record of successfully building the Pundi-Pundi cashless mobile payment business in just twelve months in a previously under-serviced high volume, mass market sector.
The success of the company's business is based on partnerships with leading retailers and restaurant chains including NU Cash, the fintech payment app belonging to one of the world's largest religious organizations with a membership of 100 million, and Bulog Pay, a cooperative with 25,000 local convenience stores across Indonesia.
Pundi X plans to launch services with both NU Cash and Bulog Pay in Q1 2018 that will enable Pundi X to connect with this extensive community.
Project implementation will be handled through a partnership with E2Pay, a fintech services provider with close to 20 years' experience in payments processing, that provides access to payment gateway technology, as well as to financial institutions and large communities of potential new users.
Pundi X has reached an agreement with E2Pay (PT E2Pay Global Utama) earlier this week to integrate Pundi X Tokens (PXS) into traditional financial institutions and to make it available to the mass population of Indonesia. PXS is the 'gas' that will fuel the upcoming ICO and enable participating shops, cafes and convenience stores to sell cash-free both cryptocurrency and goods.
Pundi X is aiming to be present in 100,000 stores in cities across Indonesia, the rest of South East Asia and around the world, giving over 100 million users access to buy cryptocurrency at their nearest shops, cafes, or convenience stores.
About Pundi X
Pundi X is a blockchain startup that aims to make cryptocurrency an enabler of ubiquitous cashless payment environments across South East Asia and beyond. Pundi X POS (Point of Sale) enables shops, cafes and convenience stores to sell cryptocurrency to a broad cross section of general consumers and builds on the success of Pundi-Pundi which is one of Indonesia's most popular QR code cashless payment apps. The launch of Pundi X POS is a stepping stone towards an ICO in late 2017 that will provide funding for as many as 100,000 Pundi X POS devices to be installed over the next three years across all target markets.
For a detailed understanding of the platform and who we are, check out our website https://pundix.com
You can also find us on the following social media channels:
Kakaotalk (KR): https://open.kakao.com/o/gpDVIUA
Telegram (ENG): https://t.me/pundix
Telegram (INA): https://t.me/pundix_id
Telegram (CHN): https://t.me/pundix_zh
Telegram (FR): https://t.me/pundix_fr
For media enquiries, please send an email to: firstname.lastname@example.org
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SOURCE Pundi X


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It’s no secret that Larry Ellison is in his business for the money. Therefore, his reason for laying low in the on-demand software industry — he says software-as-a service (SaaS) isn’t profitable enough — should come as no surprise.
It may also be easy to question Ellison’s reasoning given the way it’s been embraced by so many in the IT business, including Oracle rival SAP.
SAP, which had a change of heart about SaaS last year (CEO Henning Kagermann called it “game changing” and “the better model”), hopes to have 1,000 subscribers to Business ByDesign, its SaaS-based ERP suite for SMBs by the end of 2008.
Ellison, on the other hand, seems to have dismissed SaaS, at least for the time being. In this recent Information Age article, he points to the low profits of on-demand CRM provider Salesforce.com.
“The entire on-demand industry has to get better at making money in selling on-demand software,” he says.
This isn’t the first time Ellison’s rejected the idea of SaaS, a model that requires less licensing and consulting fees than traditional software. In September, Ellison compared Oracle’s SaaS strategy (focusing on adding value to the large companies it already serves) with SAP’s (going after smaller companies with new products like Business ByDesign).
“Here’s Ellison’s strategy: Let SAP figure SaaS out and crow if the rival fails. If SAP is successful–it probably will be over time–Ellison buys NetSuite [the SaaS ERP provider that Ellison owns a majority stake in] from himself.”
But does Ellison have the right idea?
Some people seem to think so. In his recent blog post, “Does Larry Ellison have the best SaaS strategy?”, Dingan credits Ellison for taking a step back in such a difficult, slow-growing market.
Others, however, have higher hopes for SaaS. Blogger Phil Wainewright has criticized what he calls “Oracle’s misconceived SaaS strategy,” and at the start of this year, Wainewright gave his “Eight reasons SaaS will surge in 2008.” Among these include a wider move to Internet-based services, the emergence of virtualization technology and a slowing economy that will make lower-cost options more appealing for customers.
So, maybe signs are pointing to this being a big year for SaaS. But if it is, how soon will Ellison pounce? Do you think it would be worth it for Ellison to take his customers–rather than his profits–into consideration sooner rather than later? And what does it all mean for NetSuite and Oracle’s existing SaaS-based application Oracle CRM OnDemand, a vestige of Siebel’s foray into the business? Could you benefit from a wider Oracle SaaS offering, or is Ellison right in his strategy?


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- Leaked renders have revealed the design of the Apple Watch Pro ahead of its September 7 launch.
- The smartwatch could be the biggest ever in the Apple family and could have a new programmable button.
The Apple event is now just a day away, and a leak has put out the alleged design of the so-called Apple Watch Pro.
Rumors about Apple’s first Pro smartwatch have been swirling for some time. It is expected to be a sturdy smartwatch, and leaked CAD renders shared 91mobiles A really heavy wearable look.
Publication confirms previous report of bloomberg Mark Gurman said the Apple Watch Pro will have the largest display ever on any Apple smartwatch. Reportedly, it can measure 49mm, which makes it much larger than the range-topping 45mm Apple Watch Series 7.
Interestingly, the renders show an additional button on the left side of the frame (pictured above). Gurman, Joe Confirmed accuracy of renders, It shows That this new button can be programmable to do whatever users want, such as launching specific apps, workouts, or other functions.
Elsewhere, the Apple Watch Pro makes another noticeable design change. The Digital Crown now sits on a chunky protrusion on the right side, which gives the smartwatch a more rugged look.


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In recent years, Walmart has made a significant change to its operations by discontinuing the practice of providing free shopping bags to its customers. This decision has sparked a lot of debate and discussion among shoppers and environmentalists alike. While some may see it as an inconvenience, there are valid reasons behind this move.
One of the primary reasons for Walmart’s decision to stop providing bags is the company’s commitment to sustainability and reducing its environmental footprint. Plastic bags have long been a major contributor to pollution and waste, and by discontinuing their use, Walmart hopes to encourage customers to embrace more eco-friendly alternatives.
Moreover, eliminating the provision of free bags has also allowed Walmart to cut costs and improve profitability. By no longer providing bags, the company can save on expenses associated with purchasing, stocking, and disposing of millions of bags each year. This cost-saving measure not only positively impacts the company’s bottom line but also allows them to invest in other sustainable initiatives.
While Walmart no longer provides free shopping bags, the company does offer reusable bags for purchase at an affordable price. These bags are durable, easy to clean, and can be reused countless times, making them a more sustainable choice for customers. By encouraging the use of these reusable bags, Walmart aims to educate and empower its customers to make greener choices and reduce their own environmental impact.
In conclusion, Walmart’s decision to stop providing free bags is a strategic move aimed at promoting sustainability, reducing costs, and encouraging customers to adopt more eco-friendly practices. By embracing reusable bags and minimizing the use of single-use plastic, Walmart is not only setting an example for other retailers but also playing a part in creating a greener future for generations to come.
- Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- The Benefits of Reusable Bags
- Customer Education and Behavior Change
- Cost Saving Measures
- Reduced Packaging Expenses
- Encouraging Sustainable Practices
- Promoting Reusable Bags
- 1. In-store signage
- 2. Offering reusable bags for sale
- 3. Educating customers
- Reducing Plastic Waste
- Benefits of reducing plastic waste
- Walmart’s initiatives to reduce plastic waste
- Meeting Customer Preferences
- Encouraging Responsible Consumer Behavior
- Education and Awareness
- Collaboration with Customers
- Why doesn’t Walmart provide bags?
- What are the reasons behind Walmart’s decision to not give bags?
- Does Walmart charge for bags?
- How does Walmart’s decision to not provide bags affect customers?
- What are some alternatives to plastic bags that Walmart offers?
- Why doesn’t Walmart provide bags?
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
One of the main reasons why Walmart does not provide bags is due to the environmental impact of single-use plastic bags. These bags are a major source of pollution and contribute to the overall plastic waste problem that is affecting our planet. By not providing bags, Walmart aims to reduce the consumption of these single-use items and encourage customers to adopt more sustainable practices.
The production of plastic bags requires large amounts of fossil fuels, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Additionally, plastic bags are not easily biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to break down, if at all. This means that they continue to pollute our environment and harm wildlife for an extended period of time.
The Benefits of Reusable Bags
By not providing bags, Walmart is promoting the use of reusable bags as an alternative option. Reusable bags are typically made from more durable materials, such as canvas or recycled materials, which can be used multiple times before needing to be replaced.
Using reusable bags helps to reduce the amount of waste generated and decreases the demand for single-use plastic bags. This, in turn, reduces the use of fossil fuels and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their production and transportation.
Customer Education and Behavior Change
Not providing bags also serves as an opportunity for Walmart to educate its customers about the environmental impact of single-use plastic bags and promote sustainable behavior. By encouraging customers to bring their own bags or purchase reusable bags, Walmart can help raise awareness about the importance of reducing plastic waste and adopting more sustainable practices.
Furthermore, by not providing bags for free, Walmart is incentivizing customers to make more conscious choices about their consumption habits and encourages them to think about the environmental consequences of their actions.
In conclusion, Walmart’s decision not to provide bags is driven by its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of plastic bags and promoting sustainability. This approach encourages customers to opt for reusable bags, reduces waste generation, and fosters a shift towards more sustainable consumer behavior.
Cost Saving Measures
One of the main reasons why Walmart doesn’t provide bags is to save costs. By not having to purchase and provide bags to customers, Walmart can significantly reduce their expenses and ultimately improve their profit margins.
When Walmart implemented this change, they estimated that it would save them millions of dollars each year. Considering the massive scale of Walmart’s operations, small cost-saving measures can have a huge impact on their overall financial performance.
Reduced Packaging Expenses
In addition to saving costs on bags, Walmart’s decision also helps them to reduce packaging expenses. When customers bring their own bags or use reusable bags, it minimizes the need for excessive packaging materials for their products. This not only saves Walmart money but also contributes to their sustainability efforts by reducing waste.
Encouraging Sustainable Practices
By not providing bags, Walmart is also able to encourage customers to adopt sustainable practices. The inconvenience of carrying their own bags or purchasing reusable bags can lead to a change in behavior, prompting customers to become more conscious of their environmental impact. This aligns with Walmart’s commitment to sustainability and can help them to build a positive brand image.
Promoting Reusable Bags
Walmart is committed to promoting sustainable practices, and one way it does this is by encouraging customers to use reusable bags instead of disposable ones. By using reusable bags, customers can help reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by shopping trips.
1. In-store signage
Walmart prominently displays signs throughout its stores reminding customers about the benefits of using reusable bags. These signs highlight the positive impact that reusable bags can have on the environment, such as reducing plastic pollution and conserving resources.
2. Offering reusable bags for sale
Walmart sells a variety of reusable bags at affordable prices, making it easy for customers to make the switch. By offering reusable bags for sale, Walmart ensures that customers have access to an environmentally-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags.
3. Educating customers
Walmart also invests in educating customers about the advantages of using reusable bags. This includes providing information about the environmental impact of plastic bags and the benefits of reusable options. By raising awareness, Walmart aims to empower customers to make more sustainable choices.
- Reusable bag discounts
- Partnerships with environmental organizations
Walmart occasionally offers discounts or incentives for customers who bring their own reusable bags. These promotions can encourage shoppers to make the switch and reinforce the message of sustainability.
Walmart collaborates with various environmental organizations to promote the use of reusable bags. Through these partnerships, Walmart can leverage the expertise and resources of these organizations to further educate customers about the benefits of reusable bags and the importance of reducing plastic waste.
Reducing Plastic Waste
One of the main reasons why Walmart doesn’t provide bags is to reduce plastic waste. Plastic bags take hundreds of years to decompose, and they contribute significantly to environmental pollution. By discouraging the use of plastic bags, Walmart aims to minimize its impact on the environment and promote sustainability.
Benefits of reducing plastic waste
Reducing plastic waste has several benefits. Firstly, it helps protect wildlife and marine ecosystems. Many animals mistake plastic bags for food and end up ingesting them, which can lead to severe health issues and even death. By decreasing the use of plastic bags, Walmart helps preserve the natural habitat of various species and maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Secondly, reducing plastic waste helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The production of plastic bags requires fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change. By cutting down on the production and disposal of plastic bags, Walmart is able to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to mitigating the effects of global warming.
Moreover, reducing plastic waste promotes a circular economy. Plastic bags are often used only once before being thrown away, ending up in landfills or polluting water bodies. By encouraging customers to bring their own reusable bags or offering alternatives such as paper bags, Walmart promotes the reuse and recycling of materials, creating a more sustainable and efficient economy.
Walmart’s initiatives to reduce plastic waste
- Walmart encourages customers to bring their own reusable bags by offering incentives and discounts.
- The store also provides alternatives to plastic bags, such as paper bags, which are biodegradable and can be recycled.
- In addition, Walmart has partnered with suppliers to reduce the amount of packaging materials used in its products, further decreasing plastic waste.
- The company is actively involved in research and development efforts to find innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.
Through these initiatives, Walmart is dedicated to reducing plastic waste and creating a more eco-friendly shopping experience for its customers.
Meeting Customer Preferences
Walmart’s decision to not provide bags is directly influenced by the preferences of its customers. Over the years, there has been a growing trend among shoppers to prioritize sustainability and reduce waste. Many customers now prefer to bring their own reusable bags when they go shopping, as it aligns with their eco-friendly values.
By not providing bags, Walmart is catering to this changing customer preference and encouraging the use of reusable options. This approach helps reduce the demand for single-use plastic bags, which can have a significant environmental impact.
In addition to sustainability concerns, some customers may also appreciate the cost-saving aspect of not providing bags. Without the expense of providing bags, Walmart can potentially offer lower prices to its customers, making shopping more affordable for everyone.
While Walmart understands that some customers may still need bags or forget to bring their own, they do offer reusable bags for purchase at a minimal cost. This allows customers the option to choose a sustainable bag if they need one, without forcing unnecessary bags onto those who prefer to bring their own.
Overall, Walmart’s decision to not provide bags is a way for the company to respect and meet the changing preferences of its customers. By encouraging the use of reusable bags and reducing waste, Walmart is taking steps towards a more sustainable and environmentally-conscious future.
Encouraging Responsible Consumer Behavior
By not providing bags to customers, Walmart is encouraging responsible consumer behavior and promoting environmental sustainability.
One of the main reasons behind Walmart’s decision is to reduce plastic waste. By not giving out bags, the company is urging shoppers to bring their own reusable bags. This simple change can have a significant impact on the amount of plastic waste generated by Walmart and its customers. It serves as a reminder for shoppers to make conscious choices and consider the environmental consequences of their actions.
Another reason for Walmart’s bag-free policy is to instill a sense of responsibility in consumers. By requiring shoppers to bring their own bags, the company is encouraging individuals to take ownership of their actions and make sustainable choices. This promotes a culture of environmentally conscious behavior, which extends beyond the store and into the everyday lives of customers.
Education and Awareness
Walmart also plays a role in educating consumers about the importance of sustainability. Through signage, announcements, and other forms of communication, the company raises awareness about the environmental impact of plastic bags. By highlighting the benefits of using reusable bags, Walmart encourages customers to make environmentally friendly choices not just within the store, but also in their future shopping experiences.
Collaboration with Customers
Walmart recognizes that changing consumer behavior is a collective effort. The company actively seeks feedback from customers and engages in conversations about sustainable practices. By involving customers in the decision-making process, Walmart creates a sense of shared responsibility and empowers individuals to be part of the solution.
Overall, Walmart’s decision not to provide bags is a step towards encouraging responsible consumer behavior. By raising awareness about the environmental impact of single-use bags and promoting reusable alternatives, the company is taking action towards creating a more sustainable future.
Why doesn’t Walmart provide bags?
Walmart stopped providing plastic bags because it wants to reduce plastic waste and promote environmental sustainability. By not providing bags, Walmart encourages customers to bring their own reusable bags or purchase reusable bags at the store.
What are the reasons behind Walmart’s decision to not give bags?
There are several reasons behind Walmart’s decision not to provide bags. One of the main reasons is to reduce plastic waste and promote environmental sustainability. By not giving out bags, Walmart aims to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags and reduce the impact of single-use plastic bags on the environment.
Does Walmart charge for bags?
No, Walmart does not charge for bags. However, they offer reusable bags for purchase at affordable prices. By offering reusable bags for sale, Walmart encourages customers to use them instead of single-use plastic bags.
How does Walmart’s decision to not provide bags affect customers?
Walmart’s decision not to provide bags may require some adjustment for customers. They need to bring their own reusable bags or purchase them at the store. However, this decision also promotes environmental responsibility and encourages customers to reduce their consumption of single-use plastic bags.
What are some alternatives to plastic bags that Walmart offers?
Walmart offers a variety of alternatives to plastic bags. They sell reusable bags made from materials like canvas, nylon, or recycled plastic. These bags are durable and can be used repeatedly, reducing the need for single-use plastic bags. Walmart also encourages customers to use cardboard boxes or paper bags for their purchases.
Why doesn’t Walmart provide bags?
Walmart’s decision to not provide bags is driven by its commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic waste. By not providing bags, Walmart encourages customers to bring their own reusable bags and promotes environmental responsibility.


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What’s “The Deal” in Forest you ask? Well, the answer to that question was answered this morning as Forest Ford Managers Jon Moody and Dain Cauthern joined Brian “B-MO” Montgomery this morning during the 8 am Morning Drive to introduce themselves and their philosophy when it comes to dispelling the myth that small town can’t mean big time and town when it comes to service, selection and meeting your expectations.
Both were born in the area, and their travels have taken them every and anywhere, and they’ve seen the way things are done in other places and came to a mutual agreement…that’s not the way things were going to be at Forest Ford CDJR.
They pride themselves in delivering (literally) what customers should expect, such as delivering vehicles because they understand customers schedules, delivering the best price without the back and forth, and the fastest delivery of your vehicle when you’ve purchased it. Manager Jon Moody explained that the average delivery time was about an hour, to get through the process. “People can spend 5 to 8 in other dealerships to get through the process, and that’s not how we do things at Forest Ford.”
Also, if you’re mechanic and are looking for an incredible opportunity, contact Jon Moody at the dealership.
For quality you can depend on from the minute you step on the lot, until the time you drive off in your new vehicle, one trip to Forest Ford CDJR will tell you exactly what the “DEAL” is in Forest.


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This is what microwaved meals do to your body (and it might put you off buying convenience food ever again!)
- We've called on experts to explain the negatives of ready meals
- Certain carcinogenic toxins leak out of the plastic
- They also have less Vitamin C and poorer quality ingredients
They may be quick and easy to whip up when you come home after a long day in the office but experts say microwavable meals could be wreaking havoc with your health.
We've called on Rick Hay, anti-ageing food and fitness nutritionist a.k.a The Super Foodist, and Lily Soutter, nutritionist and weight loss expert at lilysoutternutrition.com, to reveal exactly what your convenience meals could be doing to your body.
Citing his main concern with microwave ovens, Rick explains that certain carcinogenic toxins are leached out of the plastic containers that we commonly use to heat food in in a microwave.
They may be quick and easy to whip up but ready meals have many downsides including less Vitamin C and poorer quality ingredients than homemade food
'These toxins enter the food, then as you consume the food, they enter your body,' he explained.
'The extra toxins put extra pressure on your digestive system and on your immune system, too. They can have a detrimental effect on fertility, hormone balance, blood pressure, cardio vascular health, mood and libido also.
'Obviously the more you use the microwave the higher your exposure to these potentially harmful chemicals.'
Rick also explains how there's much debate around microwave ovens and their effect on overall health. Many, he said, are concerned about the constant exposure to increased radiation that is emitted from the microwave.
'This can effect sleep patterns, concentration, energy levels and concentration,' he added.
Certain carcinogenic toxins are leached out of the plastic containers and these extra toxins put extra pressure on your digestive system and on your immune system, too
Likewise, Lily says there's plenty of other cons when it comes to eating microwave meals, including their lower nutritional content.
'Many of the fruit and vegetables found in ready meals are pre-chopped and packaged,' she said. 'Studies have shown that pre-prepared fruit and vegetable can contain up 50 per cent less vitamin C when in comparison to those which are loose and unprepared.'
She also explains that the meals are often packed with a cocktail of unhealthy additives, such as sugar, salt, saturated fats, chemicals, preservatives, stabilizers and E colourings.
'These are used to increase the shelf life and a cheap way of adding flavour,' she said. 'It's rare to find a meal microwave meal containing organic or free range foods. The ingredients used, tend to be cheap with poor nutritional values.'
If you really do need to reach for ready meal, Lily advises emptying the content and popping the food in a glass container to heat it.
As Lily explains, many of the fruit and vegetables found in ready meals are pre-chopped and packaged so often have less nutrients
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Nike Inc. cut ties with its manufacturing partners in Bangladesh last year and created a “country risk index” to score the potential downside of doing business in certain locations.
The Wall Street Journal featured a story Monday about the evolution of thought within Nike that prompted its leadership to reconsider its stance on corporate social responsibility.
Last year, a group from Nike visited the building in Bangladesh that housed supplier Lyric Industries. They found it littered with fabric, windows were bolted shut and workers were cramped on the eighth floor.
A year ago, Rana Plaza, an eight-story commercial building, collapsed in Savar, a sub-district in the Greater Dhaka Area, the capital of Bangladesh. The death toll was 1,129, with at least 2,515 people injured.
Five months before that, a fire at a clothing factory in Tazreen, Bangladesh killed 112 workers.
Nike wasn’t connected to those tragedies.
But the company decided after its site visit that outsourcing production to Bangladesh could not easily be fixed or monitored. It cut all ties to Lyric Industries, keeping only its factories in modern buildings in Bangladesh’s export-processing zone.
Nike then created a “country risk index” that would help it evaluate the costs of doing business in certain locations. Bangladesh ranked near the bottom.
Julie DiMauro is the executive editor of FCPA Blog and can be reached here.
Comments are closed for this article!


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Meet the $4.5m Supercar
The Geneva Motor Show started today, bringing together the world’s top manufacturers to show off their newest models and concept cars. Receiving much of the early buzz in Geneva was the new Lamborghini Veneno, a $4.5m carbon fiber supercar. The Veneno is the fastest car that the 50-year-old company has ever produced, capable of a top speed of 221 MPH.
We do have some bad news about the Veneno for potential buyers. Even if you have the spare cash to pick up your own model it is too late, as the company has already sold all three cars that they plan to produce.


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Center celebrating its 34th
The Evergreen Hearing Center will be celebrating its 34th anniversary the week of March 19-24 at its offices at 1024 N.E. Baker St.
During the celebration, those who update their file to include an e-mail address will receive a free pack of batteries. In addition, in-store specials are planned.
Chris Gustafson opened the office in March 1978 on behalf of a local doctor, who dubbed it the Oregon Hearing Aid Center.
He purchased the business himself in 1985 and changed the name to the Evergreen Hearing Center. It is now in its third location.
He said the biggest change over the years has been the one from analog to digital. "It allows us to be more precise in fitting the hearing aids," he said.
Gustafson has been active in professional associations, serving 13 years on the Oregon Governor's Advisory Council on Hearing Aids and doing terms as a president for both the International Hearing Society and Oregon Hearing Society. He holds certification from the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation.
The center is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 503-472-8850.
Nominations for individuals who have made an outstanding commitment to green practices are sought for the 2012 Green Achievement Awards. The awards will be presented at the La Casa Verde winemaker's dinner, set for 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 14.
Nominations are due by Friday, March 30. They can be made in the categories of education, business, wine, food and community leadership.
Forms are available at www.vivelacasaverde.com. Nominations can be filed there or e-mailed to Zachary Geary at firstname.lastname@example.org.
In addition to the awards dinner, La Casa Verda will feature a daylong event at the McMinnville Public Market. Vendors there will focus on green and sustainable efforts.
Musicians will perform throughout. Beer will be served, along with pizzas cooked on an open-fire cob oven built during last year's event.
A tractor-building competition is also planned.
Kits and pre-loaded Habitat for Humanity ReStore cards were supplied to competing vendors. Their mission will be to build a chicken-tractor capable of passing a series of tests.
The tractors will be auctioned off afterward, with the proceeds going to Habitat.
Dell and Linda Miller of McMinnville have released a new book, "Twelve Steps Unlocked."
In the book, the two use their five decades of expertise in treating addiction to define three signature characteristics - a sense of entitlement, a drive to numb pain and a pattern of isolating binges.
"The book introduces a refreshing perspective, offering answers to some of the hardest questions we approach in working on sobriety/recovery in the 12 Steps," Dell Miller said. He said it was written in part by a recovering alcoholic and addict and uses true stories of addicts in recovery to illustrate the workings of treatment programs.
He is the program director for Dependency Solutions, which operates a women's center in McMinnville and men's center in Newberg. Downloadable 12 Step worksheets, additional information and a book-order link may be found at www.12StepsUnlocked.com.
Speakers and equipment demonstrations are on tap during today's Lawn, Garden & Wild Bird Event at Buchanan Cellers, 855 N.E. Fifth St., McMinnville.
The store will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering information about lawn, garden and birding products. Botten Rentals plans to be on hand to display and demonstrate equipment.
Heather Havens of Concentrates Inc. will discuss organic options for lawns and gardens at 2 p.m. Following her will be Leonard Forrester of Pickseed Inc. who will discuss pasture management.
For more information, call 503-472-2610.
:WOMEN IN BUSINESS
The McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a Women in Business meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, at Real Deals Home Decor, 900 N.E. Eighth St. It will feature Teresa Shelburne of Interior Matters.
The cost is $10 for chamber members and $15 for non-members, which includes one glass of wine and light appetizers.
Oakwood Country Place, 421 S.E. Evans St., is sponsoring an Easter tulip sale to support its Pioneer Fund, which helps needy residents.
Bunches of 10 run $5. They can be picked up between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, April 6.
The tulips are being supplied by Woodburn's Wooden Shoe Tulip Gardens. To place an order, call Tammi Knobloch at 971-237-1456 or 503-472-3141.
:GRAD NIGHT BENEFIT
Ruby Tuesday, 1101 N.E. Highway 99W, will be donating 20 percent of the sales revenue it takes in between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, to McMinnville High School's Grad Night Committee.
The committee will be hosting a safe, all-night, alcohol-free graduation party for MHS seniors.
Molly Walker, the News-Register's business editor, can be reached at email@example.com or 503-687-1272.


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“Jefferies initiated coverage of Apple’s stock with a buy rating on Monday, estimating the tech giant can build ‘a massive’ services business on its core iPhone business,” Michael Sheetz reports for CNBC. “‘We believe AAPL’s stable iPhone business will serve as the foundation upon which it can build a massive, recurring and high margin Services business,’ Jefferies analyst Timothy O’Shea said in a note.”
“O’Shea said the firm believes the services business could make up 25 percent of Apple’s revenue by fiscal year 2020, as well as 40 percent of the company’s gross profit,” Sheetz reports. “‘Applying a higher multiple compared to the lower margin hardware business, we see a significant opportunity for investors as Services alone could be worth $111 to $177 per share by that time,’ O’Shea said.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Jeffries’ O’Shea gets it.
Apple’s decision to stop reporting unit sales of iPhones, Macs, and iPads is a ‘defining moment’ – November 2, 2018
Apple to stop reporting iPhone, Mac, and iPad quarterly unit sales – November 1, 2018
Apple tumbles 7% after reporting record-breaking quarterly earnings – November 1, 2018
Apple beats Street with another record-breaking quarter – November 1, 2018


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To promote multi-level and wide-ranging exchanges between Huai'an and Switzerland, Huai'an held the 2021 Huai'an-Switzerland industrial cooperation conference on July 27 in Shanghai. The Swiss Consulate General in Shanghai, Swiss Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Swiss enterprises in Shanghai and relevant departments, counties and districts of Huai'an participated in the conference.
The representatives from Swiss Chinese Chamber of Commerce introduced the chamber and Swiss enterprises in China to the delegates. Then, they emphasized, Huai'an has an advantageous location, an advanced transportation system, and strong pillar industries such as green food and equipment manufacturing, which provide more potential cooperation possibilities for the two sides. They hoped to build a bridge for exchanges and cooperation between Switzerland and Huai'an to promote mutual benefit and win-win results.
The representatives from Huai'an introduced the commercial and industrial development and cooperation plans. The two sides signed an industrial cooperation agreement at last.


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Virtual Reality (VR) technology, once a futuristic dream, is now reshaping the entertainment landscape in profound ways. While VR gaming has been evolving for years, recent technological advancements have catapulted it into a new era, offering experiences that are more immersive and interactive than ever before.
However, it’s not just the entertainment industry that’s benefiting from cutting-edge technology. Similar to how VR has revolutionized gaming and movies, innovative strategies like “email warmup” are transforming the field of digital communication and marketing. Just as VR technology creates more engaging and realistic experiences, email warmup ensures that critical business communications reach their audience effectively, enhancing overall digital engagement strategies.
Virtual Reality (VR) technology is rapidly reshaping the entertainment landscape, moving beyond just gaming to revolutionize movies and concerts. With each passing year, new innovations emerge, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. In 2023, we’ve witnessed groundbreaking developments in VR that are enhancing our entertainment experiences in unparalleled ways, paralleling advancements in other digital realms such as email deliverability.
VR Gaming: The Latest Innovations
While VR in gaming is not a new concept, the recent advancements are nothing short of revolutionary. This year (or perhaps in early 2024, depending on how things go), we’ll see the launch of the Valve Index 2, a successor to the acclaimed Valve Index VR headset.
This new headset takes gaming to extraordinary levels with its ultra-high-resolution display, wider field of view, and advanced hand-tracking capabilities. Coupled with new VR games that offer richer storylines and more interactive environments, the Valve Index 2 is redefining immersive gaming.
VR in Movies: A New Dimension of Storytelling
The world of cinema is also embracing VR, moving beyond traditional screens to offer a 360-degree cinematic experience. The Venice Film Festival’s Venice VR Expanded is a prime example, showcasing how filmmakers are experimenting with VR to tell stories in novel ways. “Spheres,” a VR film series narrated by Millie Bobby Brown, Jessica Chastain, and Patti Smith, lets viewers explore the cosmos in an immersive environment, redefining the concept of a ‘movie.’
Streaming platforms are also integrating VR. For example, Netflix VR is revolutionizing the way we watch movies and TV shows. Beyond just viewing content in a 360-degree virtual environment, Netflix VR introduces an interactive dimension where users can engage with their favorite characters and storylines. Imagine dodging obstacles in an action-packed scene or unraveling mysteries by solving puzzles alongside characters in a crime drama. This interactive approach makes viewers active participants, adding a layer of excitement and engagement to the traditional viewing experience.
This not only enhances viewer immersion but also introduces a social element, as people can watch together in virtual spaces.
Virtual Concerts: The Next Best Thing to Being There
Perhaps one of the most exciting applications of VR is in the music industry, particularly through virtual concerts. A perfect example is the recent Travis Scott’s virtual concert in Fortnite, which attracted over 12 million viewers and was a groundbreaking event that combined gaming, music, and VR in a unique entertainment experience.
Innovations in VR technology are also exploring the possibility of digital “resurrections” of long-gone stars, allowing fans to relive iconic concerts of the past. Imagine stepping into a virtual reality experience that takes you to a Rolling Stones gig from 1972 or lets you sway to the rhythms of a Bob Marley show as if you were really there. Using “de-aging” techniques already popular in film could enable us to see living legends perform as their younger selves.
This blend of historical reverence and modern technology not only offers a unique way to honor the legacies of these artists but also bridges generational gaps, allowing newer audiences to experience historical performances in an immersive, contemporary format.
The Future of VR Entertainment
Looking ahead, VR is set to become even more integrated into our daily entertainment. Developments like 5G will improve wireless connectivity, enabling smoother and more detailed VR experiences. Innovations in haptic feedback and motion tracking will also enhance the realism of VR, making virtual worlds almost indistinguishable from reality.
For example, the integration of Augmented Reality (AR) with VR promises to bring new dimensions to storytelling and gaming, allowing users to interact with a mix of real-world and virtual elements. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will further personalize these experiences, adapting and responding to individual preferences and behaviors. This could lead to highly tailored entertainment experiences, from VR games that evolve based on how you play, to virtual concerts that change dynamically according to audience reactions. As these technologies converge, the line between digital and physical realities will blur, offering experiences that are not just immersive but also uniquely responsive and interactive.
Virtual Reality is not just a novel technology; it’s a new frontier in entertainment. From gaming and films to virtual concerts, VR is expanding the boundaries of how we experience and interact with media.
As technology continues to evolve, we can expect VR to become an integral part of our entertainment landscape, offering experiences that are as rich and diverse as they are immersive.
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The Industrial IoT Provider Develiot Is 2019’s Betapitch Sofia Winner
Winning startup competitions is like a second nature to Develiot these days. On Friday night, a jury consisting of Tatyana Mitkova, co-founder and CEO at ClaimCompass; Vladimir Rusev, regional manager at Leanplum; and Nikola Stojanow, co-founder at Aeternity, selected the Bulgarian industrial IoT company out of ten participants as the champion of Betapitch Sofia. With this victory in the bag, Develiot will have the opportunity to go to the global finals in Berlin and compete for 6 months of free betahaus membership, €5k, and a trip to Silicon Valley.
The 8th edition of Betapitch Sofia also saw the return of two former contest winners – Spas Kerimov from Printivo and Miroslav Miroslavov from OfficeRnD delivered keynote speeches and told the audience about their significant progress since the times they pitched on the Betapitch stage.
Develiot: traction, scalability, and social impact.
For those who still have not heard the name, Develiot develops hardware sensing systems that help city officials make data-driven decisions. It’s interesting, though, that while municipalities are one of the main users of Develiot’s solutions, the 11-month-old startup has chosen not to sell directly to them but to scale much faster through telecommunication providers and IoT systems integrators. As of today, a total of 33 air quality monitoring stations have been installed in Sofia and Ohrid, and telcos like Telelink, Vivacom, and A1 have joined Develiot’s partnership network. Considering the big acknowledgment from Microsoft back in June and the more recent win at CESAwards 2019, Develiot’s team has all reasons to be optimistic about the future of its business.
A number of relatively unknown before Betapitch startups got a positive reception and showed that we might hear their names a bit more often in the months to come. Ampeco, a company whose SaaS platforms enable EV charging and shared mobility operators to quickly develop their businesses, Cowork 7/24, a provider of flexible and affordable access to coworking spaces, and Sheetly, a solution to help web merchants with product data management, all demonstrated a great deal of initial customer interest and balanced experienced teams.


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Ram will build an electrified pickup, FCA CEO Mike Manley confirmed during the company’s third-quarter earnings call Wednesday. Manley provided no details, but confirmed that electrification is on the way for its truck brand. This also means that it’s not clear whether this truck will be a full electric, or if it will be a conventional or plug-in hybrid. It’s still significant, though, since this is the first time we’ve heard a clear message from FCA leadership that electrification will be a priority for Ram.
“I do see that there will be an electrified Ram pickup in the marketplace, and I would ask you just to stay tuned for a little while, and we’ll tell you exactly when that will be,” Manley said, according to the Detroit Free Press.
With concrete plans starting to emerge from both Ford and General Motors, FCA is now looking like the odd one out. Company representatives have been tough to nail down on the question of electrification. Without ruling it out entirely, Manley and other shot-callers have been somewhat dismissive of the notion in previous announcements and interviews.
“The reason we haven’t spoken much about electric pickup trucks is not because we view that market as non-existent. We’ve always had a slightly different view of timing and adoption rates, particularly in North America in terms of full electrification. We are very committed to our electrification strategy — most of which we have revealed,” Manley, said in August.
Of course, what had been revealed at the time did not include a pickup. That hasn’t exactly conclusive, either, as FCA’s future product roadmap has been nebulous (to put it charitably) for essentially the past decade. The announcement of a merger with PSA resulted in yet another strategic reboot, and we’ve yet to see exactly how Stellantis will integrate existing PSA electrification plans with FCA’s fast-and-loose approach to EVs.
Given the fact that PSA is not a player in the full-size pickup game, it stands to reason that Ram’s development would likely come from this side of the pond. Whether FCA/Stellantis will keep the development in house or tap one of America’s electric startups as a potential partner or supplier remains to be seen. Either route has potential, with a number of electric truck start-ups in the U.S., and extensive EV and hybrid experience within FCA and the soon-to-be-integrated PSA group. In fact, the plug-in hybrid powertrain from the Wrangler 4xe shows some potential for being shared with something like the Ram 1500. For now, though, we’ll just have to wait and see.


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Cottage Grove, Wi — Matrix Fitness Systems' U.S. sales for the fourth quarter 2007 increased by 120 percent over the corresponding 2006 period, and worldwide sales grew by 62 percent for the same timeframe, according to the company. Overall, Matrix's 2007 domestic sales increased 102 percent, and global sales grew by 58 percent. This marks the third consecutive year that Matrix has attained triple-digit percentage growth in U.S. sales.
“Much of our domestic growth can be attributed to the addition of key personnel, expansion of our U.S. commercial sales team and forming key partnerships with our valued customers,” says Chris Clawson, president, Matrix Fitness Systems. “The success of our innovative new products, including the Ascent Trainer, Incline Elliptical and the Hybrid Cycle, further fueled our phenomenal sales growth.”
In 2008, the company will introduce several new products, develop more key partnerships and maintain good customer service to help continue this growth in the year ahead, Clawson says.


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New York restaurant, Blue Hill, was one of the first to prioritize ultra-local sourcing. (Lou Stejskal)
5 ways restaurants are putting climate change on the menu
In U.S. restaurants, 22 to 33 billion pounds of food is wasted each year. Worldwide, our food system is responsible for 30% of carbon emissions. Taking these two facts into account, it is obvious restaurants have a negative impact on the environment.
However, restaurants are putting climate change on the menu. Industry leaders are transitioning their restaurant operations to be more sustainable and climate friendly. Here are 5 ways they’re doing it.
Restaurants are converting their spaces into sustainable buildings. Azurmendi, a three-Michelin-star restaurant in Spain and two-time Sustainable Restaurant Award winner, uses solar panels for electricity and uses geothermal energy for indoor climate control. Root Down, a sustainably focused restaurant in Denver, is run entirely on wind power. Nomad an ultra-local restaurant in Australia operates off of solar energy and is a solar panel host site for the community.
The shift to renewable energy is not exclusive to high-end restaurants. McDonald’s opened a new net zero energy restaurant, the first in their fleet of 36,525 locations, in July 2020 in Orlando, Florida. The new location is a first step in McDonald’s sustainability goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 36% by 2030.
The farm-to-table phenomenon that became popular in restaurants over the past few years has been crucial to kick-starting a wave of restaurant sustainability. Local, farm-to-table produce emits less carbon, as there is less transportation necessary to deliver it. Amber in Hong Kong, the Sustainable Restaurant Award 2020 winner, specializes in ultra-local, hyper-seasonal selections on their menu. Their menu is up to 50% plant-based and they’ve removed all dairy from their dishes.
Blue Hill, a New York based restaurant, was one of the first to prioritize ultra-local sourcing and foster relationships with the farmers they work with. By seasonally changing menus and sourcing produce and meat products from local, sustainably operated farms, restaurants can greatly reduce their carbon footprints.
We can all do our part by recycling. We all know the saying: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” Restaurants are using recycled paper products, recycled water, and recycled furniture. Relae in Denmark, winner of the Sustainable Restaurant Award 2019, recycles wherever possible. From reusing empty wine bottles to serve their in-house filtered water, to using recycled furniture and wearing sustainable-fabric aprons, Relae works tirelessly to employ sustainability in all aspects of their operations.
Founding Farmers in Washington, D.C., uses recycled materials in a similar way. From recycled paper-composite counter tops, to recycled paper menus and recycled wood furnishings, the restaurant group prioritizes sustainability in all nine of their locations.
Circular Economy and Community Involvement
Many restaurants engage in circular economies and community involvement, which helps their communities and involves locals in sustainability efforts. Septime in Paris sources all of their produce from French farmers, and works with those farmers to save seed varieties and plant species. Mil, a restaurant nestled in the Andes Mountains of Peru, fosters close relationships with local communities and the farmers they source from, ensuring that farmers receive 50% of harvest profits. Woodberry Kitchen, a Baltimore restaurant, repurposes oyster shells and returns them to Chesapeake Bay to regenerate oyster beds.
Zero Food Print
Zero Food Print is an organization that enables farmers to practice carbon farming. Carbon farming is a method that restores soil biology, which then pulls carbon out of the atmosphere, reviving the soil and replenishing nutrients. Zero Food Print restaurants contribute a few cents per meal to helping farmers implement carbon farming through grants from the organization’s Restore programs. According to Professor Rattan Lal at Ohio State University, “A mere 2% increase in the carbon content of the planet’s soils could offset 100% of all greenhouse gas emissions going into the atmosphere.”
As restaurants prioritize sustainability, they are supporting local farmers, reducing their impact on the environment, and making an impact on their guests. By continuing to put climate change on the menu, restaurants will be a key player in the fight against climate change.


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San Francisco, CA – September 28, 2017 – Verto Analytics (http://vertoanalytics.com), the consumer-centric measurement company, today announced it has appointed Liz Musch, a veteran advertising and technology industry executive, to its board of directors. This appointment comes as Verto Analytics continues to rapidly expand as it provides a single-source measurement solution for global brands.
“Liz joins our board at a significant time in Verto’s journey to become the go-to source for data and insights on consumer behavior,” said Hannu Verkasalo, CEO of Verto Analytics. “She has tremendous experience in the advertising, measurement and technology sectors, paired with an impressive track record of generating growth for organizations. Liz will help support Verto’s growth as we expand globally and scale our product offerings.”
“To keep pace with the connected consumer, marketers are diversifying their media allocation between even more channels and touchpoints. Yet, with this diversification comes the need for a more holistic understanding of the effectiveness of their advertising and media,” said Liz Musch. “Verto has the potential to make a huge difference in the measurement industry. Its single-source methodology offers holistic understanding of the effectiveness of media and advertising. I believe that Verto is giving Nielsen and comScore a run for their money.”
Musch has more than 25 years of experience as CEO in multinational professional and marketing services companies, and more than 20 years serving on private, public and nonprofit boards. Musch was most recently Global CEO of two divisions at Ipsos: their Loyalty and ASI brand and communications divisions. Prior to that, she held positions as European CEO of Kantar Added Value and CEO France of Millward Brown. Musch serves as a global strategic advisor at Lieberman Research Worldwide. She currently serves on the board of directors for ?WhatIf! Innovation & ABEO.
To learn more about Liz Musch and her new role on Verto’s board, please visit Verto’s blog for a recent interview.
About Verto Analytics
Verto Analytics provides a consumer-centric audience measurement solution for monitoring the complex behavior of today’s consumer on every device, app and platform used throughout the day. Verto provides data and insights to inform marketing, competitive intelligence, media buying, and product strategy and development. Read our blog, follow us on Twitter, or learn more at https://vertoanalytics.com.
All trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
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Merchants in downtown Lewiston invite the community to “Shop Small” for Small Business Saturday. Community members will receive a raffle ticket for every $25 they spend in participating businesses on Saturday, November 24. The raffle tickets from all participating businesses will be combined and raffle winners drawn on Monday, November 26. Raffle winners will receive a gift certificate of between $25 and $100 to one of the businesses who participated in the Small Business Saturday promotion.
For example, a customer spending $100 at a participating business like Sylvan Furniture or Hallmark Picture Gallery would receive four raffle tickets. The raffle tickets will be collected by BDL on Monday, November 28. BDL will draw raffle tickets and the customer could win a $25-100 gift card to another participating


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Nairobi, where most people stay for just a few days before or after a safari, is no longer a town on the edge of the African bush. It is a city of two million people with marked distinctions between rich and poor and, consequently, crime. But with simple precautions, most visitors leave unscathed.
Unemployed youths roam the streets, and daylight street robberies are common. In casual restaurants and coffee shops, watch your belongings. It is wise not to walk at night; there is little to do or see anyway.
Do not wear jewelry: it's unnecessary on safari, and it will be an easy target for robbers in Nairobi. Necklace grabbing is prevalent. Purse snatching is also common; carry your bag as you would in any big American city. Be careful outside the city market, where there are good bargains to be had but plenty of thieves.
One scam, prevalent outside the Hilton Hotel, involves either one or two youths approaching tourists and engaging them in a conversation. The youths say they are South African medical students and need money for their studies. In some cases, tourists have gone to a coffee shop with these ''students'' and listened to the hard-luck story. The youths ask for American dollars. After they are given some money they walk away and another youth comes up, waves an identification card of sorts and says that it is illegal for a foreigner to give foreign currency to a Kenyan resident, which is true. The third youth then says he won't report the offense if he, too, is given money. At this point, most tourists realize that they have been victimized and storm off, but other visitors have paid a second time.
Robberies of tourists in game parks, particularly the Masai Mara, have been on the rise in the last year, a trend that seems to have coincided with the drop in animal poaching. One theory is that now that elephant poaching is not worth the trouble - the ban on the ivory trade seems to be working - the former poachers are attacking tourist vans. The best precaution is not to drive by yourself through the parks. Most tourists go on organized drives with half a dozen or so passengers, using a Kenyan driver who knows the animals and the terrain. Having an experienced driver makes game viewing not only more enjoyable but also safer.Continue reading the main story


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Doug Sandler explains to Gerri Willis of Fox Business why the firm is optimistic about the health of the U.S. consumer despite week December 2018 retail sales data. Watch: Don't Count Out the U.S. Consumer...
Elise Perkins | Content & Media Specialist
Manages creation of content strategies and development for clients.
Former Director of Communications for both the Committee for Economic Development and Financial Services Roundtable.
B.A., American Studies, Dickinson College


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Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlights that market size of Ayush reached over Rs 3.59 lakh crore
Union Ayush Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat programme has been instrumental in promoting Ayush. Mr Sonowal said this in New Delhi while releasing the special issue of Central Council Research in Ayurveda Science’s research journal focusing on the Impact of Mann Ki Baat on Ayush Sector. He said, Ayush has made its identity not only in India but also in the world. Mr Sonowal said, the credibility of Ayush has increased among youth.
Ayush was mentioned in 37 episodes of Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio. The Prime Minister urged citizens to adopt a healthy lifestyle, practice yoga, and adopt evidence-based Ayurveda. As a result of Prime Minister’s efforts to promote the Ayush sector, there has been an increase in awareness about the benefits of the traditional Indian system of medicine. The study found that over 89 percent of people reported having benefitted from Ayush intervention during Covid -19. It also highlights that the market size of Ayush has reached over three lakh 59 thousand crore rupees. The manufacturing sector of Ayush has risen eight times from 2014 to 2022.


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Beauty Independent | The State Of Indie Beauty
Originally published by Beauty Independent on May 4, 2022.
Ashleigh Barker, Director in Lincoln’s Consumer Group, discusses the current condition of the indie beauty industry, the challenges brands face and strategies brands can implement to position themselves for growth.
Ashleigh Barker, Director in Lincoln’s Consumer Group, was featured in Beauty Independent to discuss the current state of the indie beauty industry, the challenges brands face and strategies brands can implement to position themselves for success.
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Brands on Amazon are struggling to figure out how to adapt to the Amazon advertising ecosystem in the age of coronavirus. Supply and demand -- both for products and ad units -- have become volatile. Meanwhile, brands are struggling to figure out how best to remain profitable and plan for the future.
It seems like every day Amazon is changing the rules for its sellers. Some are seeing huge gains, others are seeing huge losses. What's clear, however, is that the platform has dramatically changed over the last few weeks and many brands feel left in the dark.
Two weeks into the age of coronavirus and Amazon third party sellers still feel in the dark. Those considered non-essential are trying to figure out ways to stay afloat while Amazon de-prioritizes their products. Some are trying to get their products re-categorized, others investing in new fulfillment resources. Risks abound for all the options.
Everyone is trying to get their hands on hand sanitizer and other cleaning products in the wake of the coronavirus. One top brand on Amazon is retooling its strategy in the height of the increased demand. Modern Retail chatted with its head of e-commerce about how it's approaching this dramatically changing retail landscape.
Selling on Amazon can be tricky. The company’s sheer scale means the key to getting the most out of Amazon as a retailer is the details. That was the major takeaway at Digiday Media’s recent Amazon Strategies event.
Reviews have been on Amazon for decades. But big and small brands alike are noticing more players gaming them. While Amazon claims that it's trying its best to fight the problem, it is only becoming a bigger headache as the e-commerce platform continues to grow.
Reviews have been on Amazon for decades, and so too have fake ones. But as Amazon has become a more dominant e-commerce force, the problem review fraud presents has become more clear. Here is a look at how Amazon has approached its review ecosystem, and how it's led to dark network of bad online actors.
This week, Digiday Media hosted its very first Amazon Strategies event. There, retailers, brands, marketers and others got into the nitty gritty details of what keeps them up at night. Competition -- both from others and Amazon itself -- was a frequent topic, as were data difficulties and problems keeping a clean brand presence. Here are some of the top observations overheard at the event.
During the Holiday season, Amazon abruptly announced that it wouldn't let merchants use FedEx to fulfill Prime orders. Now, the e-commerce giant has made an about face and let the parcel service back in. What's behind these moves is a complicated ecosystem of logistics competition and customer expectations.
Alibaba is making a big push to U.S. retailers. While much of its pitch is focused on entering the large Chinese market, Alibaba is also making one thing crystal clear: It is not Amazon has no plans to become like it. At a recent panel with Allbirds, the e-commerce company talked about this. Christina Fontana, Alibaba's Tmall's head of fashion and luxury, said the company is "building technology platforms and services that allow brands to speak directly to their consumers." She highlighted the data the company shares with companies selling on the platform, as well as the various opportunities to promote products -- be it via live-streaming or during events like Singles Day. Her pitch was clear: China is "the largest retail market in the world," she said, and Alibaba is an obvious way to access that population. It currently exceeds 755 million active users.
Large national retailers are all trying to grow out their own advertising businesses. Part of that is convincing brands that they have a unique platform that will lead to more sales. Modern Retail obtained Target's pitch deck, which shows how the retailers is positioning itself as a treasure trove of customer data.
FedEx and UPS are imposing new fees for heavy items. For the time being, this impacts individuals and companies that ship their own items. Overall, it's part of a changing shipping ecosystem where parcel carriers are trying to increase margins and rely less on Amazon. Online retailers, as a result, aren't sure how big the changes will be or when they will stop.
Amazon has long been touted as the "sleeping giant" of online advertising, and the retail giant showed further signs of fully awaking from its slumber in 2019. The company made significant improvements to its ad products over the course of the year -- particularly around data and analytics -- and ad-buyers say the company is getting more serious about making its tools more accessible and less confusing to understand and use.
The rise of retail media in recent years has unlocked new options for brands' digital ad dollars beyond just Google and Facebook ads.
Everyone loves to hate on Amazon. The e-commerce juggernaut ranks low on trustworthiness, DTC brands don't want to sell on it, and even Nike is no longer going to be working with Amazon Retail.
With in-person sales largely out of the picture this holiday season, brands must adapt to deliver the frictionless experiences that online consumers expect and demand.
Recognizing the next generation of leaders across media and marketing, fashion, beauty and retail.Remind Me


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Facebook Answers Critics With Mobile-Ad Surge
Facebook Inc. reported Wednesday that profit more than doubled and revenue topped estimates for the ninth straight quarter due to strong mobile ad revenue. WSJ's Reed Albergotti reports. Photo: Associated Press
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... the only good dividend Beating Wall Street analysts ... and tonight ... quarter in a row ... I've read Albergotti The Wall Street Journal ... these but pulled in two point nine billion in revenue in the second quarter this year ... that's a sixty one percent increase year over year most of that revenue ... from advertising ... and about sixty two percent of the average rising revenue came from mobile ads ... that's really important because if you're member just over a year ago investors were very worried that Facebook was in ... making the transition to mobile that's where all the eyeballs are going these days ... I think after this quarter ... nobody will have any doubts ... that Facebook is a true mobile powerhouse second only to school ... it's really trench warfare now ... between you and pays for the school is ... much much larger ... I in its market share of the in in mobile advertising revenue ... that Facebook has been gaining ... market share in that where where you will actually has lost a bit of market share ... another extremely important point but that is that Facebook added about forty ... million users this quarter ... raising its total to one point three two ... billion monthly active users ... a fifth of the world's population is now on Facebook ... and despite the fact that is so large ... he continues to grow says those ... percentage increases to look huge ... but ... you really talking about a lot of new users coming on this quarter ... another point is the number of ... daily active users that's the number of people who log in to the service on an average day during the quarter ... in at least eight hundred and twenty nine million people ... that's about sixty three percent of Facebook's ... total monthly active users ... and that number continues to go up now Facebook says that's a bellwether ... of how often people use the service ... now the longer you stay on Facebook more at still see ... the more money Facebook can make ... and ... that number really shows that that that is happening it also posted profit of about eight hundred million dollars ... that's also up big time from a year ago ... so you anyways as Facebook ... is is not popular it's not cool anymore ... he knows ... he may not be cool anymore but people are using the service went crazy and Facebook's me a lot of money on them ... um you know the Ross isn't privacy concerns that these from ... last month ... on the conduct of the controversial experiment on users ... but you will see if that has any effect ... on the use of it seems like ... they know the answer is no ...


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*You may not know the name Veronica Morales, but you know the name Beyoncé. Why are mentioning them in the same sentence? Because Morales is standing in Bey’s way as far as trademarking “Blue Ivy,” which, of course, is also the name of Bey and Jay Z’s firstborn child.
Morales is not buying Beyoncé‘s claim that Blue Ivy Carter is a “cultural icon” in their trademark battle over the name, based on court documents obtained by The Blast.
As we’ve reported before, the Carters have been trying to trademark their daughter’s name since 2012, and are battling Morales, who argues that she has been using the name Blue Ivy for her company long before the world knew about Blue Ivy Carter.
Here’s more via Page Six:
Morales filed a trademark for the moniker in 2012 to use it for her event planning business, which she first opened in 2009, according to the company’s Facebook page. Blue Ivy Carter was born Jan. 7, 2012.
Beyoncé, who is trying to trademark Blue Ivy Carter and not Blue Ivy, previously argued the woman’s company is a “small business, with just three regional offices and a handful of employees” and that her daughter is a “cultural icon.”
“[Morales’ claim] that consumers are likely to be confused between a boutique wedding event planning business and Blue Ivy Carter, the daughter of two of the most famous performers in the world, is frivolous and should be refused in its entirety,” Beyoncé argued in court documents.
Now, Morales has fired back at the star’s claim that the 7-year-old is a “cultural icon,” stating: “Beyoncé’s company is trying to skirt the law, and recently argued that the 7-year-old Blue Ivy Carter is a ‘cultural icon’ in the United States. According to Wikipedia, a cultural icon ‘is an artifact that is identified by members of a culture as representative of that culture,’ such as apple pie, baseball, and the United States Flag.”
If you’re wondering, Blue Ivy Events has 905 followers on Instagram, and over 5,000 on Facebook.
And speaking of which, FB says Blue Ivy Events was named one of the top wedding planning businesses in the country by Brides Magazine and The Knot, and was founded by a Harvard grad. It has offices in Boston, South Florida and Los Angeles.
The next step in the dispute is most likely a trial.


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New research reveals there’s a strong shift in Australian companies to balance local and global marketing as they seek for a competitive advantage.
Mobile penetration continues to experience rapid growth in the retail sector.
Research by Monash University’s ACRS show shoppers are increasingly becoming comfortable interacting with retailers across multiple channels.
On behalf of the World Retail Congress, ACRS asked 219 retail CEOs from around the world for their view of the year ahead.
Highlights of the World Retail Congress in Berlin were shared by the ACRS, Monash University to an audience of eager retailers.
PayPal's Secure Insight: Changing the Way We Pay report indicates that online commerce is expected to reach $37.7 billion 2013.
An ACRS report suggests that retailers who engage consumers effectively across multiple channels including new technologies will earn a greater share of their customer’s wallet.
A survey by Salmat, Google and the ACRS indicated that a 5.1 point average of consumers are making contact via the online space before they even make a purchase.


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- Nokia estimated mobile device market share of 39% in Q4 2009, up from an estimated 37% in Q4 2008 and 38% in Q3 2009. The full year 2009 estimated market share was 38%, down from 39% in 2008.
- Nokia grew its converged device market share to an estimated 40%, from an estimated 35% in Q3 2009.
IDC Contradicts Nokia’s Smartphone Claims
DC has released its smartphone numbers and marketshare data for Q4 and FY 2009. After last week’s discussion about whether Android had “tarnished” or slowed Apple’s iPhone, these IDC numbers show strength for the Apple handset (growth outpaces competitors). Nokia remains number one followed by RIM and then Apple. Here’s what Nokia said about its own estimated marketshare in its most recent earnings release: