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A new Penneys store has opened in Tallaght, Dublin, bringing 300 jobs to the area following a €10m investment.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially opened the new outlet, the first new Penneys store in Dublin for six years and its 37th in the country.
Located on the ground floor of The Square centre, it runs to 43,000 sq ft of retail space.
The Taoiseach said: “Penneys is at the centre of Irish and international retail, and its success continues to prove how valued the brand is in our lives in Ireland. The jobs announced today are testament to Primark’s strength and continued growth.
“Penneys is a significant employer in Ireland and internationally, and its growth brings footfall back to our towns and cities in Ireland. I congratulate all at Primark on today’s opening in Tallaght and wish this beloved retailer continued success.”
Parent company Primark, founded in 1969, now operates in 14 countries and employs 70,000 people.
Chief executive Paul Marchant added: “We know our customers have been waiting for Penneys at The Square for a long time and we are delighted to finally open our doors to this great community. We now know more than ever how much it matters to our customers that we stay true to our mission of offering something for everyone at prices that are affordable to as many as possible.
"Our continued growth demonstrates the confidence and commitment we have in our Irish business, and we are proud to continue to play our part in supporting Irish cities, towns and communities.”
The retailer recently announced a commitment to maintaining existing prices on hundreds of children's products.
“Shoppers at the new Tallaght store can be confident that this autumn prices will be held across many of its most popular kids’ lines, from underwear to t-shirts, to dresses and jeans,” the company pledged.
It also stressed its commitment to expanding its Primark Cares label, a range of sustainable clothing made from recycled or more sustainably sourced materials.
The new store also stocks its licensed ranges including Disney, Winnie the Pooh, the NBA and NFL brands, and a dedicated denim trend area.
There’s also an in-store beauty salon, operated by Nails, which offers a wide range of manicure, pedicure, brows, lashes and threading services.


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Stocks continue to trade in mixed fashion as earnings reports are mostly over with and the August doldrums are here. Amazon today traded over $1,900 for the first time and the company appears ready to join Apple in the trillion-dollar market cap club. Every time I talk to an employee at Amazon I get the same response which is “you ain’t seen nothing yet”. At the close the Dow was off 74 points on light volume at 25,509. The NASDAQ closed higher for the eight day in a row.
Lumber prices continue to pull back from June highs. The Random Lengths Framing Lumber index slipped from $491 to $463 in the latest reading. Last year, at this time, lumber prices were $427 a thousand board feet. OSB prices are also falling as 5 new OSB mills in the US have begun production which is helping balance out the supply demand picture. Labor shortages are being reported at mills from coast to coast and efforts to recruit workers are being ramped up. Loggers are on hoot owl hours. The fires around Redding, CA are not having any negative effects on the lumber industry at this juncture. Canada has hit the US with a 10% tariff on plywood imports which is causing US sales to Canada to dry up like a prune.
Bill will be out of the office starting tomorrow and John and Cleo will pick up the slack. Bill is taking a group of Scouts on a hike into the Cascades from Cascade Pass to Lake Chelan. The hike is 23 miles and hopefully we will be free of bugs, bears and fires. The lunkheads are busy planning meals and getting ready. The adults are filling out of wills, practicing headlock techniques and making final arrangements. It should be a good time. I hope it rains but am not holding my breath.

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New Green Banking MENA programme prepares to enhance investment opportunities in the renewable energy and energy efficiency markets in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia
BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE/AETOSWire)-- The Renewables Academy AG (RENAC), an international training provider for green energy technologies, announces the start of the scholarship application phase for one of the trainings under its 18-month programme “Green Banking MENA - Capacity Building on Green Energy and Climate Finance”. The programme comprises a total of three training courses, a Train-the-Trainer seminar, an Applying Green Energy Finance Programme and an Online Training. The main objective of the programme is to sustainably improve capacity for renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) financing options in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.
The agreement signed in Paris during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) is proof of the key role renewable energy and energy efficiency play in international climate change mitigation efforts. While green markets keep gaining momentum, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia enjoy the necessary natural resources for widespread implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Local professionals with the appropriate know-how will be able to profit from new business opportunities in a growing industry, which additionally presents manifold benefits (reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, energy security and job creation, among many others).
Currently, RE and EE projects face substantial blocks to external financing from banks, which is usually characterized by high interest rates. The trainings are intended to tackle these circumstances. Through the “Green Banking MENA” programme, professionals from private and public financial institutions involved or interested in financing green energy projects will gain specific knowledge in technologies, financial schemes, risk evaluation, mitigation measures and international climate finance options. Interested professionals from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia can apply here until 15 January 2019 for the first part of the scholarship programme, the Train-the-Trainer seminar at RENAC’s Training Centre in Berlin, Germany.
“Green Banking MENA” is a scholarship programme as part of the project DIAPOL-CE - Policy dialogue and knowledge management on low emissions development strategies in the MENA region. DIAPOL-CE is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) within the German International Climate Initiative (IKI) and implemented by GIZ.
Since 2015, RENAC’s award-winning Green Banking programme has been successfully implemented in South-East Asia and is now being transferred to other regions, such as MENA. To ensure that the content of the programme meets local requirements, capacity needs assessment trips took place in winter 2017 in cooperation with the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE). “The Green Banking Train-the-Trainer seminar is a great opportunity to learn from one of the world’s top renewable energy countries as well as obtain efficient didactical methods”, said Nguyen Thi Cam Tu of Vietnam Public Joint Stock Commercial Bank, who participated in the scholarship programme in Vietnam. In addition to the Train-the-Trainer seminar at RENAC’s Training Centre in Berlin to build up local trainers, the programme’s activities include a face-to-face training in the partner countries and an online training.
The Renewables Academy AG (RENAC) based in Berlin, Germany, is one of the leading international providers for training and capacity building in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Since 2008, more than 10,000 participants from over 140 countries have joined RENAC’s training programmes. For further information, please visit RENAC’s website. Interested professionals can apply until 15 January 2019.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181206005296/en/
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 25 November 2018: Accountancy professionals will be increasingly required to broaden their skill-set and take ownership of their personal development if they are to succeed in an ever-changing, dynamic world, states the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
As found in a report launched by ACCA, Learning for the Future, the accountancy profession, like many other professions, faces several significant challenges from social and technological trends and developments. Digital innovations in finance and accounting can present both an opportunity for accountants to move up to more value-adding roles and responsibilities, but could also mean others are at risk of getting marginalised if they are not open to change.
ACCA brought together over 100 individuals to discuss the future of work and learning at an event supported by RAKBANK. Attendees heard from Deloitte Middle East on how the profession is evolving in the UAE; with a concluding presentation from BDO who highlighted the skills of the future.
Lindsay Degouve de Nuncques, Head of ACCA Middle East states:
“Many of the traditional perceptions of work are being challenged by evolving business models, giving way to more flexible and dynamic team based structures. Instead of developing staff in existing roles, many organisations are now embracing the gig-economy and ‘borrowing’ talent over a specific period of time to cover a certain phase in growth. Also, many societies are facing the reality of four generations in the work place and strategic organisational design needs to ensure all generations are able to work together and leverage each other’s strength and experiences.”
ACCA’s executive director, strategy and development – Alan Hatfield, says:
“ACCA sees the successful accountant of the future being one who realises the need to develop their skills on a continuous basis. They take full responsibility for their own development and accept no one will do this for them. While they need to be technically competent, they also need to have the softer skills required for the value added aspects of their role. As the pace of change progresses so we need to ever more refresh and build upon our skills to remain relevant.
‘It’s also vital for employers to maintain a culture that supports continuous learning in the workplace and recognise that employee development is a longer-term project. Effective mentoring and coaching from peers, colleagues and fellow professionals is also essential in that regard, which is why ACCA recently introduced its own online mentoring programme to facilitate those important connections across our global membership.
‘The learning and development community should endeavour to move away from being providers and rather become curators of learning content. Organisation-wide learning is probably a thing of the past and a one-size fits all approach can never effectively address the variety of needs. They must step in and provide guidance and support on how to achieve the most from the range of developmental programmes available.’
This report is based on surveys, roundtables and interviews with ACCA members and students and those from the learning and development communities, including employers and education providers. The event was attended by ACCA members, affiliates and students based in the UAE.
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.
ACCA supports its 208,000 members and 503,000 students in 179 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 104 offices and centres and more than 7,300 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.
ACCA has introduced major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.
Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 25 November 2018,: Fine Solutions, the away-from-home division of Fine Hygienic Holding and the region’s largest paper tissue manufacturer, recently announced that its eCommerce website, finestore.com, has reopened with an improved design and layout and is ready to continue serving customers in the UAE. More accessible than ever, the new website is now available to consumers as well as businesses, bringing Fine’s high-quality products to more people than ever.
With a sleek and intuitive user-friendly design, the FineStore has enhanced its accessibility and greatly improved its overall user experience, making fulfilling your hygienic needs simpler than ever. Fine’s full range of hygienic products can now be ordered online with ease, and its specialized solutions can be requested for custom installation and maintenance at the client’s convenience.
FineStore allows the user to choose a category and directly browse over sixty different products within the range, while displaying the language and currency of their choice. The “shopping cart” feature allows the user to review the items they have selected, customize them if needed, and make an easy online purchase. The eCommerce approach lets the user interact with the market in a way that suits them, and FineStore guarantees the easiest and most convenient user experience on the market.
“The new FineStore is the embodiment of Fine Solutions’ vision to provide the widest range of specialized services and solutions to our customers, and the convenience and efficiency of this new site empowers us to do this better than ever before,” said Nedal Al-Zatari, Chief Fine Solutions. “We have worked hard to ensure that this website provides the best user experience in the industry, and we cannot wait to bring the same quality, convenience, and value to other markets in the region.”
This eCommerce platform will not be limited to the UAE market for long; Fine Solutions plans to expand FineStore access to all its customers in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt before the end of 2018.
About Fine Solutions
Fine Solutions is the away-from-home division of Fine Hygienic Holding, providing businesses and institutions with the solutions they need to ensure a clean, hygienic work environment. Powered by a commitment to continuous innovation, Fine Solutions utilizes its superb resources, consistent operational excellence, and extensive experience to ensure its place as a regional leader in the hygiene industry.
Key leaders from business and government sectors will congregate to lay the blueprint for greater economic cooperation between the two countries.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, November 25, 2018: The capital city of Abu Dhabi will host the second edition of Economic Times India-UAE Strategic Conclave on November 27, 2018 under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Tolerance.
The day-long Conclave will feature key discussion topics including ‘Fresh ideas for the strategic ties’, ‘Encouraging trade and long-term strategy for enhancing non-oil trade’ and ‘The India UAE Defence and Space Collaboration.’
The Conclave, to be held at Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, will have an exciting line-up of participating leadership which includes ministers, higher leaders from government organizations, mission offices, semi-government and commercial bodies, trade organisations, commerce, industry including businesses, investors, innovators, advisors and specialists.
The Conclave will identify new rewarding sectors in order to widen the scope of bilateral investments. Key business leaders and senior government officials will come together to lay the blueprint for greater economic cooperation between the two countries and explore the economic gains through boosting both the countries’ status as major trade hubs and key gateways to regional and international markets.
Commenting on the significance of the Conclave, Mr. Deepak Lamba, President, Times Strategic Solutions Limited, said, “We are glad to conduct the second edition of Economic Times India-UAE Strategic Conclave in Abu Dhabi this year. This will further enhance the insights from the inaugural edition by identifying key areas for more investment flows between the two nations. This conference will enhance the connection between the governments and business communities of both countries to forge new partnerships and explore the possibilities of deeper cooperation in sectors of mutual interest.”
“The Conclave happens at a time when both the countries are seeking to increase innovation and entrepreneurship in sectors of mutual interest. Since India and UAE are two of the world’s largest and fastest growing emerging markets, the Conclave will provide a platform to highlight investment potential in India and the UAE by creating awareness among investors about exciting opportunities,” he added.
HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance, will deliver his keynote speech at the Conclave, which will be inaugurated by HE Navdeep Suri, Indian Ambassador to the UAE. The Conclave will also feature HE Abdulla Al Saleh, Under Secretary of Foreign Trade & Industry at the UAE Ministry of Economy, and HE Dr. Matar Al Neyadi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Energy.
The line-up of thought-leaders to be featured in the Conclave includes HE Dr. Eng. Mohammed Alahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency; Sharafuddin Sharaf, Chairman - UIBC & Vice Chairman of Sharaf Group; Abdulla Alshehi - MD, Chief Consultant & Founder of National Advisor Bureau Limited; Ankur Singh - CEO & Vice-Chairman of Dana Group of Companies; Dr BR Shetty, Founder & Chairman - NMC Healthcare; Rajiv Agarwal, CEO & MD - Essar Ports; Cyrus Engineer, MD - SP International Property Developers; and Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General of FICCI.
Other senior leaders at the Conclave include Gautam Sashittal - CEO of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC); Arvind Varchaswi, MD - Sri Sri Tattva, Saurabh Kochar, Co-Founder of Foodpanda; M.A Yussuf Ali, Chairman & MD - Lulu International Group; Capt. BVJK Sharma, JMD & CEO of JSW Infrastructure Ltd; Ulugbek Yuldashev, CEO & Founder of AWOK.com; Raza Siddiqui, CEO of Arabian Healthcare Group; and Sangita Reddy, Executive Director of Apollo Hospitals Group in India.
The Conclave will also unveil two Coffee Table Books titled ‘The Economic Times Best Lifestyle Brands’ and ‘ET Best Realty Brands’.
The inaugural edition of ET India-UAE Strategic Conclave laid the foundation of a very important platform for bilateral trade discussions between the two regional powerhouses and the second edition will take stock of the developments during the past year and deliberate on the future of this very important relationship.
About ET Edge
Times Strategic Solutions Ltd., functional under the brand name ET Edge, is an Economic Times initiative founded to empower multiple industries and segments by sharing critical business knowledge through strategic conferences and summits. Encompassing the Indian business vista, ET Edge strives to bring together visionaries and key leaders on its knowledge platforms to create social and business ecology conducive to the positive changes required by the industry. The main aim of this initiative is to channel global business intelligence through summits and conferences in overarching lectures, hands-on workshops, panels, roundtables and case studies.
Senior industry experts will come together to discuss game changing trends in the pharmaceutical industry and the implications for Morocco
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 26 November 2018: Frost & Sullivan has co-organised with AMIP (Moroccan Pharmaceutical Industry Association) to host its very first Healthcare Meeting on December 4, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Casablanca, Morocco.
2018 will be a tipping point for mainstream adoption of popular digital health tech/solutions and the transition of noble technologies from research/proof-of-concept to actionable healthcare and clinical applications. Envisaging huge growth opportunities, Frost & Sullivan will host the meeting and discuss the global trends and the growth opportunities in the healthcare and life sciences sector.
At the start of every year, Frost & Sullivan’s Transformational Health team brainstorms top predictions in the healthcare space. Despite on-going political uncertainties and rising cost pressures, the global healthcare industry will register a stable growth rate in 2018 and will cross the $1.85 trillion mark in terms of manufacturer revenues. Digital health investments crossed $6.5 billion in 2017, up to 109% from the previous year. This growth curve is expected to continue in 2018 as technologies and platform solutions that promote innovation around care quality, outcomes, and chronic disease management will continue to rise. High growth opportunities in emerging markets will change the paradigms of product development and geographic rollouts.
The Frost & Sullivan Healthcare and Life Sciences experts are predicting big disruptions, transformations and innovations in the coming years as the healthcare industry continues to overhaul outmoded business models.
“Our interactive workshop is designed to help managers and CEOs understand key issues affecting the healthcare industry globally,” noted Sandeep Sinha, Vice President & Head, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Frost & Sullivan. “Advances in areas ranging from cancer immunotherapy products to blood testing, as well as the convergence of cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence and blockchain will help shape the healthcare industry into a much-anticipated, value-based care paradigm.”
Attend the Frost & Sullivan Healthcare meeting to get updated on the most recent trends and future opportunities in the Healthcare domain, exchange your ideas with industry peers, engage in discussions with Frost & Sullivan healthcare experts, and more. If you are interested in attending the event, click here to register.
About Frost & Sullivan:
For over five decades, Frost & Sullivan has become world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion
GCC Operators Set for Commercial 5G Launches in 2019; Supportive Regulatory Environment and Availability of Spectrum Key to Driving 5G Adoption Across Region
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates-- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Arab States1 are set to be global leaders in the deployment of 5G networks, with all six markets expected to launch 5G mobile services in the next two years, according to two new reports released today at Mobile 360 Series – MENA. The reports from GSMA Intelligence – ‘The Mobile Economy: Middle East and North Africa 20182’ and ‘5G in MENA: GCC operators set for global leadership’ – highlight that pioneering mobile operators in the GCC Arab States are expected to launch 5G networks commercially from 2019, driving innovative new services across the region and spurring future growth. By 2025, 5G will account for 16 per cent of total connections in these markets.
“Backed by proactive government support, mobile operators, particularly in the GCC Arab States, have been quick to establish the foundations for global leadership in the deployment of 5G technology, moving rapidly from trials to early commercialization,” said John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA. “While we are encouraged by their progress to date, it is imperative that the region’s governments create a regulatory environment that allows 5G to flourish, including releasing sufficient spectrum, so that businesses and citizens can fully enjoy the innovative new services that 5G will deliver, as well as the resulting socio-economic benefits.”
Policy Central to Realising 5G Digital Future
The reports encourage policymakers to establish spectrum roadmaps that commit to releasing sufficient quantities of spectrum across all frequency ranges to enable operators to meet coverage and capacity. They further note that governments should implement taxation policies that could improve affordability and boost digital inclusion, and adopt an approach to licence renewals that enables operators to make long-term investment decisions rather than maximising government revenue.
A Region of Rapid Subscriber Growth, Increased Smartphone Adoption
There are currently 381 million unique mobile subscribers (Q2 2018) across the MENA region, accounting for 64 per cent of the population.3 However, it is a diverse region in terms of market maturity, encompassing the advanced GCC Arab States, where 77 per cent of the population on average are mobile subscribers, alongside other North African countries such as Comoros, Djibouti and Somalia, where subscriber penetration is below 30 per cent.4 Between 2017 and 2025, the MENA region as a whole will see the fastest subscriber growth rate of any region except Sub-Saharan Africa, growing to reach 459 million or 69 per cent of the population.
The number of smartphone connections across MENA stands at 332 million as of Q2 2018, accounting for just over 50 per cent of total connections in the region. This is expected to continue growing at an average annual rate of 8 per cent to reach 587 million smartphone connections by 2025, or just under three-quarters of total connections across the MENA region. The UAE remains a global leader in terms of smartphone adoption, second only to Singapore, with smartphones accounting for 85 per cent of total connections. High mobile broadband usage and smartphone adoption has also resulted in more people across the region using data services such as IP messaging and using their mobile phones to watch online video.
Immersive Digital Entertainment Presents Revenue Opportunities in the Early 5G Era
The reports highlight how operators will offer enhanced mobile broadband services in early 5G deployments, while applications and services for enterprises will be introduced later. There will be significant opportunities for operators across new consumer-oriented services such as immersive reality, eSports and enhanced in-venue digital entertainment at stadiums and music venues, for example. Further, video consumption on mobile devices will evolve to include newer augmented reality and virtual reality applications that will make content even more immersive and data intensive.
Mobile Contributing to Jobs and Economic Growth
In 2017, the mobile industry contributed approximately $165 billion to the MENA region’s economy, equivalent to 4 per cent of GDP. This contribution is expected to increase to over $200 billion by 2022 as countries in the region benefit from improvements in productivity and efficiency brought about by increased take-up of mobile services. The mobile ecosystem also supported more than 1 million jobs in 2017, which includes workers directly employed in the ecosystem and jobs indirectly supported by the economic activity generated by the sector. Further, the mobile industry made a substantial contribution to the funding of the public sector, with more than $17 billion raised in 2017 in the form of general taxation.
A Citywide Activation Organised by Arab Fashion Week and JollyTrust
The Seventh Edition of Arab Fashion Week returns to Dubai from 21st- 28th November 2018, headlining the new platform co-organised by Arab Fashion Week and JollyTrust, Dubai Fashion Days by Hala China, a joint initiative by Meraas and Dubai Holding.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates-- Hala China, a joint initiative between Meraas and Dubai Holding, presents Dubai Fashion Days, a citywide fashion festival, co-organised by Arab Fashion Week and JollyTrust. The eight-day celebration of fashion-centric programming seeks to showcase the most exciting design talents from the Middle East, China and the rest of the world, affirming Dubai’s position as both an economic and creative hub for International fashion.
Dubai Fashion Days will transform Dubai’s fashion scene into a citywide activation at key destinations including City Walk and Dubai Design District (d3) and is supported by the Dubai Design and Fashion Council.
This pioneering cultural initiative sees the most powerful and influential fashion and development institutions of Dubai joining forces, to stage an innovative programme of fashion shows, retail pop-ups, industry talks and exhibitions, that is expected to attract more than 20,000 visitors.
Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Chairman of Hala China, said: “The inaugural edition of Dubai Fashion Days at City Walk and d3 aligns with Hala China’s strategy to develop ongoing events and explore opportunities in trade, tourism and investment that can mutually benefit our economies. We have worked diligently to bring together industry experts and stakeholders to create an event that aims to positively impact the fashion world. With a strong offline and online presence, we are confident that Dubai Fashion Days will enable Chinese brands to explore the Dubai market and provide them with international exposure. The event will also establish links between UAE-based designers and the Chinese fashion industry.”
Headlining Dubai Fashion Days is the 7th edition of Arab Fashion Week which will take place at City Walk and d3, featuring runway shows from over 30 international and regional UAE designers including; AMATO COUTURE (UAE), ASMARIIA (RUSSIA), BLSSED (UAE), BAV TAILOR (UK), DIANA MAHRACH COUTURE (USA), DANIELLE BENICIO (BRAZIL), DKLTJU (CHINA), HKFG DUBAI CAR|2IE (HONG KONG), HKFG DUBAI MODEMENT (HONG KONG), HUANG JIA PRODUCTION (CHINA), HUMARIFF (RUSSIA), ILSE JARA (PARAGUAY), JOLLYCHIC (CHINA), JUDY & JULIA (CHINA), LA CAVA (CHINA), MICHAEL CINCO (UAE), MOLLY (CHINA), NINA ZANDIA (UAE), OLD TIMES (CHINA), PEARLA COLLECTION (UAE), SHEIN (CHINA), SOPHIA NUBES (SWITZERLAND), SORAYA B COUTURE (UAE), THISNORTHAT (CHINA), TONY MIRANDA (PORTUGAL), VERRAGEE (CHINA), VRO PARDO (PARAGUAY), WTC (CHINA), XIN IS LU (CHINA), XUNRUO (CHINA),YARA BINT SHAKAR (UAE), YOUPPIE! (CHINA), AND YI DAI MEI (CHINA).
In a first for any International Fashion week, collections shown on the runway will be available immediately for sale on the official e-commerce platforms of exclusive online retail partners JollyChic and MarkaVIP, transforming the runway shows into a practical see-now-buy-now revolutionary customer experience.
Jacob Abrian, Founder and Chief Executive of the Arab Fashion Council commented: “Arab Fashion Week is delighted to co-organise this powerful new initiative together with JollyTrust, in partnership with Hala China. The sum of our collective expertise will propel Dubai into new heights on the International Fashion Week Calendar, by providing designers participating in Arab Fashion Week with the unprecedented opportunity to sell their collections from the runway directly to the consumer.”
“Fashion is an expression of culture and a way to seek resonance. It is also an exploration of the future,” commented David Ding, Co-founder and Executive President of Jollychic, the strategic partner of Dubai Fashion Days and leading mobile e-commerce platform in the Middle East. “Emerging designers in China and the Arab world are becoming increasingly influential. Their voices are being heard and ambitions understood. We are very glad to support them on this journey as they seek to gain visibility on the international fashion stage and shape the future of our industry.”
For the first time, Jollychic will present and live stream their closing show at Arab Fashion Week, via their app, so that those unable to attend the show can still feel immersed in the excitement and can purchase directly from the catwalk.
“We aim to provide a seamless user experience to our clients. We are honored to work with all our partners to make Arab Fashion Week and Dubai Fashion Days a world-class event infused with creativity and technology, leveraging our position as a leading e-commerce platform to close the distance between couture, catwalk and consumer,” said Ding.
Aligned to Dubai Fashion Days, ‘China’s Textile Exhibition’ to be held at d3 will present 20 exhibitors from China, connecting Dubai-based designers with fabric suppliers and manufacturing facilities. It will also provide an ideal platform for designers from the two countries to network and exchange experiences and best practices through a series of talks and workshops led by industry experts.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release


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The launch of Google next generation Nexus, which has been renamed to Pixel and Pixel XL has pretty much flooded the Android smartphone community and headlines recently. Now, the Google Pixel and Pixel XL teaser from Google has also been leaked online that looks pretty much similar as what leaked previously.
In short, it is confirmed that they will be a 5 inches Pixel and a 5.5 inches Pixel XL which will be manufactured by HTC. Although Google has not stated its official specs, rumored information shows it will be powered by Snapdragon 820, 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, 8MP front and 13MP rear camera.
The Pixel doesn’t comes cheap either. The base model Pixel starts at US$449 (~RM1800) while the enhanced variant Pixel XL comes at US$599 (~RM2400).


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Mid-America Leading Economic Indicator Rebounds
November survey results at a glance:
- Leading economic indicator points to modest economic growth in the months ahead.
- Inflationary pressures are a continuing concern. Supply managers expect 6.6 percent annualized growth over the next six months for producer prices.
- • Business confidence bounces higher encouraging inventory buildups.
Mid-America Leading Economic Indicator Rebounds:
Purchasers Expect Producer Prices to Growth at 6.6 Pace
For only the second time since May of this year, the Business Conditions Index for the nine-state Mid-America region advanced. According to recent surveys of supply managers, including those for November, the region will likely continue to grow at a slow to modest pace in the months ahead.
Overall index: The index, a leading economic indicator which ranges between 0 and 100, expanded to 55.9 from October’s 52.3. This is the 12th consecutive month that the index has risen above growth neutral. An index of 50.0 is considered growth neutral. Over the past year, the Mid-America index has normally exceeded the national reading (www.ism.ws). The overall index is a mathematical average of indices for new orders, production or sales, employment, inventories and delivery lead time.
“Strength in the region’s agricultural and energy sectors is spilling over into the rest of the area economy. For example, farmers have stepped up their buying of agricultural equipment, which has bolstered growth among the manufacturers and sellers of farm equipment and trucks. Unless the debt problems of Portugal, Ireland and Spain spill over into the rest of the Euro Zone, I expect strong agricultural income to continue to drive the Mid-America economy forward. However, any economic contagion that strikes Germany and France would weaken the Euro, strengthen the dollar and negatively impact U.S. agriculture and energy commodity prices,” Creighton University Economics Professor Ernie Goss said today.
Employment: For an 11th straight month, the regional employment index remained above growth neutral. However, the November job reading climbed to a fragile 53.0 from 50.6 in October. For November, 21.2 percent of firms reported increases in employmen,t while 15.3 percent detailed pullbacks in company employment levels. “Relative job growth shows clearly that the Mid-America region is outperforming the nation. For 2010, the Mid-America region is on track to add jobs at a pace of 1.3 percent while the U.S. will gain jobs at a much weaker 0.8 percent rate. I expect this gap to continue into the first quarter of 2011,” said Goss, director of Creighton’s Economic Forecasting Group and the Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics.
Wholesale Prices: The prices-paid index, which tracks the cost of raw materials and supplies, slipped to a still inflationary 64.7 from 69.9 in October. This was the 18th straight month that the survey’s inflation gauge climbed above growth neutral. “This month we asked supply managers how much they expect prices on products they buy to change in the next six months. On an annualized basis, supply managers anticipate a 6.6 percent increase in prices. This is up from 5.0 percent in July of this year, when we asked this same question. I expect this increase at the producer level to bolster consumer prices well above the Federal Reserve’s target rate of 2.0 percent, sometime in 2011,” said Goss.
Confidence: Looking ahead six months, economic optimism, as captured by the November business confidence index, rose to 67.8 from October’s 62.0 and September’s 51.6. “This is the second straight significant increase in the confidence index. While the overall U.S. economy remains weak, as gauged by unemployment rates, individual firms in the Mid-America region are experiencing solid improvements in business conditions. This is translating into a strong economic outlook,” said Goss.
Inventories: For the tenth time in the past eleven months, supply managers in the nine-state region expanded inventory levels. The November inventory index soared to 59.7 from October’s weak 48.3. “This time last year, supply managers were cutting inventories, and the November 2009 inventory index was 43.6. A stronger sales outlook is pushing supply managers to add to inventories,” said Goss.
Trade: The November new export orders slipped to 50.8 from 51.9 in October. The region’s import reading improved slightly from October’s 50.7 to 51.4 for November. “Only 8.2 percent of supply managers indicated that their international buying had grown over the past three months. The trade numbers were the most surprising and disappointing of the results from the November survey,” said Goss.
Other components: Other components of the November Business Conditions Index were new orders at 54.5, up from October’s 50.0; production or sales at 56.8, up from 52.8; and delivery lead time at 55.6, down from 59.7.
The Creighton Economic Forecasting Group has conducted the monthly survey of supply managers in nine states since 1994 to produce leading economic indicators of the Mid-America economy. States included in the survey are Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota. T
he Creighton Economic Forecasting Group uses the same methodology as a national survey by the Institute for Supply Management, formerly the Purchasing Management Association, which has formally surveyed its membership since 1931 to gauge business conditions. The overall index, referred to as the Business Conditions Index, ranges between 0 and 100. An index greater than 50 indicates an expansionary economy over the course of the next three to six months.
Arkansas: The state’s leading economic indicator, based on a survey of supply managers, climbed to a healthy level for the month. The Arkansas Business Conditions Index for November increased for a second straight month to 61.9 from October’s 61.3. Components of the overall index for November were new orders at 57.6, production or sales at 73.4, delivery lead time at 69.8, inventories at 53.0 and employment at 55.7. “Both durable and nondurable goods producers report solid improvements in business activity. Durable or heavy manufacturers are experiencing sharp upturns in growth and growth prospects,” said Goss.
Iowa: For an eleventh straight month, Iowa’s Business Conditions Index climbed above growth neutral. The index, a leading economic indicator from a survey of supply managers, slumped to a still solid 54.7 from 60.2 in October. Components of the overall index for November were new orders at 52.9, production or sales at 54.0, delivery lead time at 64.8, employment at 53.0 and inventories at 48.8. “Durable goods producers in Iowa are reporting the strongest growth among heavy manufacturers in the region. Agricultural equipment manufacturing is experiencing very strong upturns in business activity On the other hand, nondurable goods manufacturers, particularly food producers, are experiencing pullbacks in economic activity. However, the positives are definitely outweighing the negatives in the state economy. I expect continuing economic progress well into 2011 for the state, even as the unemployment rate remains unacceptably high,” said Goss.
Kansas: The leading economic indicator for Kansas from a survey of supply managers declined slightly for the month but was above growth neutral for the fourth straight month. The November Business Conditions Index slipped to 50.8 from 55.1 in October. Components of the overall index for November were new orders at 58.6, production or sales at 57.7, delivery lead time at 54.3, employment at 35.8 and inventories at 48.9. “Contrary to most of the region, Kansas nondurable goods producers are outperforming durable goods manufacturers. The state’s aircraft and parts producers continue to experience weak economic conditions,” said Goss.
Minnesota: For the first time since June, Minnesota’s leading economic indicator, based on a survey of supply managers, rose. The state’s Business Conditions Index climbed to a healthy 56.2 from October’s 52.8. The November survey represented the 16th straight month that Minnesota's index was above growth neutral. Components of the overall index for November were new orders at 57.7, production or sales at 61.1, delivery lead time at 48.2, inventories at 64.9 and employment at 49.1. “Both durable and nondurable goods producers in the state are experiencing very healthy business conditions with increases in both domestic and export sales. Computer and electronic component producers are reporting improving economic conditions,” said Goss.
Missouri: For the 17th straight month, Missouri’s Business Conditions Index climbed above growth neutral. The index, based on a survey of supply managers in the state, grew to 56.6 from October’s tepid 52.2. Components of the overall index from the November survey were new orders at 51.6, production or sales at 56.3, delivery lead time at 61.2, inventories at 59.7 and employment at 54.3. “Nondurable goods producers. including food processors. are reporting little growth in business activity. At the same time, vehicle and vehicle-linked firms are adding few jobs in the state. Most growth in the state is coming from value-added service providers, such as telecommunications firms,” said Goss.
Nebraska: After declining below growth neutral for October, Nebraska’s Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator, once again moved above growth neutral 50.0. The November reading, based on a survey of supply managers, increased to 52.1 from 49.8 in October but was well below September’s 57.3. Components of the overall index for November were new orders at 53.9, production or sales at 52.4, delivery lead time at 54.9, inventories at 48.9 and employment at 56.6. “Durable goods producers’ growth and growth prospects are exceeding that of nondurable goods manufacturers. The state’s large food processing sector is detailing slow to no growth,” stated Goss.
North Dakota: The state’s leading economic indicator remained above growth neutral. The overall Business Conditions Index, based on a survey of supply managers in the state, rose slightly to 52.2 from 51.4 in October. Components of the overall index for November were new orders at 51.9, production or sales at 46.2, delivery lead time at 60.7, employment at 53.0,and inventories at 49.2. “After growing at a much faster pace than the rest of the region, the gap between the growth in North Dakota and other Mid-America manufacturers, both durable and nondurable, has definitely closed. Even though I expect growth to continue to be positive for the state, I expect it to slow well into 2011, based on our monthly survey,” said Goss.
Oklahoma: For the 11th straight month, Oklahoma’s leading economic indicator from a monthly survey of supply managers remained above growth neutral. The Business Conditions Index slumped to a still regional high of 66.3 from 75.2 in October. Components of November’s overall reading were new orders at 71.5, production or sales at 68.1, delivery lead time at 75.1, inventories at 62.8 and employment at 54.1. “Nondurable manufacturers in Oklahoma, particularly food processors and energy-related firms, continue to experience healthy growth. On the other hand, durable goods manufacturers in the state experienced pullbacks in economic activity over the past several months. While I expect positive growth for the state in the months ahead, it is unlikely to match the rapid pace experienced by the state over the past six months,” stated Goss.
South Dakota: The state’s leading economic indicator continues to point to positive economic growth in the months ahead. The overall Business Conditions Index and based on a survey of supply mangers in the state, declined to a still healthy 57.8 from 61.3 in October. Components of the overall index for November were new orders at 52.9, production or sales at 65.7, delivery lead time at 49.2, inventories at 60.8 and employment at 60.5. “The expansion of manufacturing in the state has pushed overall economic growth in the state into a very healthy range over the past half year. However, I expect the pace of growth in the state, which has been quite strong over the past six months, to slow somewhat in the months ahead,” said Goss.
Follow Goss on twitter at http://twitter.com/erniegoss
For historical data and forecasts visit our website at: ttp://www.ernestgoss.com


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ATLANTA— Much has changed in the past year: the current economic environment, innovations in green cleaning and the spread of new infectious diseases. Have these changes affected women’s attitudes toward housework?
That’s the question being asked by Maid Brigade and the purpose of a new joint research venture between the top-ranking green cleaning service and Mom Corps, the pioneer and leader of the flexible employment market. Launching this week, the new survey is designed to compare and contrast recent changes in the attitudes and behaviors of women with past survey results.
The survey, targeted particularly towards working mothers, will be available online via www.maidbrigade.com/momcorps. All survey participants will be entered to win a FREE housecleaning valued at $250 from the professionals at Maid Brigade.
Maid Brigade and Mom Corps originally formed an alliance in 2009 to collaboratively help women improve their quality of life. A survey conducted at the time found that one in four women rely on a regular cleaning service or independent housekeeper to save time. Of these women, 98 percent believed having cleaning help provided them with better work/life balance.
The original study findings, as well as survey methodology, are available to the public at www.maidbrigade.com/momcorps.
About Maid Brigade
Headquartered in Atlanta, Maid Brigade is a North American housecleaning service with more than 400 franchised service areas operating in the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1979, Maid Brigade is the industry leader in green cleaning practices and has a longstanding legacy of providing quality customer service and consistent and thorough cleaning using the most advanced techniques and equipment. In 2007 Maid Brigade implemented a system-wide Green Clean Certified® and consumer advocacy program in response to reports from the Environmental Protection Agency linking chemicals in traditional cleaning products to a wide range of health risks. For more information on green cleaning, visit www.maidbrigade.com or call 770-551-9630.


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General Motors is recalling more than 50,000 of its full-size crossover SUVs, specifically the 2011-2012 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and the GMC Acadia.
Read This Article
The 2012 Buick Regal GS has created a stir as fans of the automaker wait for the vehicle’s release this coming fall.
General Motors just announced that it's moving around nine of its biggest-name, most talented designers.
There used to be a notion when Detroit iron still ruled the road that you’d buy a Buick because the Cadillac badge seemed far too ostentatious.


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How a Google Home Device Accidentally Stopped a Domestic Dispute
It was listening.
We tend to talk a lot about the ways technology has invaded our privacy, but for one couple near Albuquerque, New Mexico, this might have been a good thing. A Google Home device accidentally alerted authorities to an alleged domestic dispute on July 2.
Eduardo Barros was house-sitting with his girlfriend and her daughter when the couple got into an argument that turned physical, according to local police. Barros allegedly held up a firearm and threatened to kill his girlfriend, asking her, “Did you call the sheriffs?”
The Google smart speaker mistook his question for a voice command and called 911. A crisis negotiation team and a SWAT team were sent out to the home and Barros was taken into custody after an hours-long stand-off. The woman had sustained minor injuries but her daughter was unharmed.
In a statement to ABC News, Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales III said:
“The unexpected use of this new technology to contact emergency services has possibly helped save a life. This amazing technology definitely helped save a mother and her child from a very violent situation.”
Despite the clearly positive outcome of this situation, the fact remains that devices like Google Home are constantly listening in — for better or worse. In 2015, the Electronic Privacy Information Center sent a letter to the FTC warning of the implications of “always on” devices that constantly record their owners “and may constitute unlawful surveillance under federal wiretap law.”
And while they named technology like Alexa that’s used in smart home devices their letter, gadgets like Amazon Echo and Google Home are only kind of “always on.” They don’t record anything before wake words (like “Ok, Google,”) or commands are uttered, and they only record small snippets of speech, not entire conversations.
There are also settings options that can limit a smart home device’s chances of being accidentally used. You can get a device to play an audible tone when it’s been activated, so you remain aware that it could be recording. You can also program the device with passcodes for certain actions. Or you can just manually turn the microphone off.
When the microphone is on, however, law enforcement is likely to become increasingly interested in what these devices can pick up. Earlier this year the defendant in a murder trial in Bentonville, Arkansas agreed to let Amazon share information stored on his Amazon Echo that was found near the scene of the crime. Police had subpoenaed Amazon hoping information stored on the device would lead to more information about the crime.
Much like security cameras and cell phones, it seems like smart speaker devices have the potential to play a serious role in future criminal evidence. Forget The Wire, what about The Echo?


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Residents and visitors in beautiful Grenoble, France will never be at a loss for reading material thanks to a new project sponsored by the city government and local publisher Short Edition. Clever little orange and black terminals that dispense short stories are popping up all around the city. Each machine delivers a three minute story on a 8 by 60 centimeter strip that looks like a shop receipt. The attractive short edition venders are already in the tourist offices, city hall, libraries and shopping centers.
photo © Morgan Fromentin


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The market for organic food has grown in leaps and bounds over the last decade. Growers and producers have kept up to meet the ever-expanding demand, using innovation to gain a competitive edge while staying true to their values of promoting health and sustainability, says Marie-Michèle Le Moine, Fruit d’Or’s retail division director, and brand ambassador for Patience Fruit & Co.
“The organic community has much to celebrate at the tenth anniversary of Organic Week. It is quite amazing what has been achieved,” she says. “Reflecting back, I remember how proud and happy we were when we had our first organic cranberry harvest in 1998.”
At the time, Fruit d’Or didn’t have a lot of buyers, so the family business worked with like-minded organic pioneers to create a robust market. Today, one-third of all cranberries are now grown organically in Quebec, and Ms. Le Moine envisions building “a similarly strong organic ecosystem for the wild blueberries that are grown here.”
Environmental sustainability was the main motivation for switching to organic production, she says. “We want to use the land in a way that allows us harvest crops year after year, and pass it along to future generations.”
The goal of working with – rather than against – nature is one that unites members of the organic community, says Ms. Le Moine. “We apply the same values to sourcing and selecting the right ingredients and processing the food.”
An example is Patience Fruit & Co.’s new Active Blend product line, which includes carefully balanced organic ingredients to provide an energy boost for active people, she says. “I see a lot of innovation and care going into organic products – and that is reflected in the outcomes.”
The culture of innovation can also be a source for sustainable solutions, says Ms. Le Moine. Fruit d’Or’s approach to combating common pests, for example, comes out of “in-house research,” she says. “Organic production forbids the use of chemical pesticides, so we found that early-season flooding is a natural way for suppressing certain insect populations.”
Cranberry fields are already set up for flooding, since this is how the fruit are harvested, and Ms. Le Moine adds that some conventional growers have now also adopted this method.
From creating Fruit d’Or nearly two decades ago and Patience Fruit & Co. five years ago, the operation has grown from one farm of approximately 100 acres to an over-3,000-acre production in collaboration with different farms. Last year, the business reached the milestone of doubling the size of crop of organic cranberries.
Ms. Le Moine sees this as part of the effort to “democratize access to organic,” she says. “By expanding the organic market, we are strengthening a sustainable source of good food.”
While much has been achieved in raising the profile of organic food, Ms. Le Moine believes it is important to sustain this momentum. “We want to share our values more widely and make organics even more accessible. We want to inspire more people to be involved in growing this sector for the future.”
Produced by Randall Anthony Communications. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved in its creation.


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Apple on Tuesday rolled out security updates to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and Safari web browser to address a new zero-day vulnerability that could result in the execution of malicious code.
Tracked as CVE-2022-42856, the issue has been described by the tech giant as a type confusion issue in the WebKit browser engine that could be triggered when processing specially crafted content, leading to arbitrary code execution.
The company said it's "aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS released before iOS 15.1."
How to update: If you have personal or professional apple devices go to Settings>General>Software Update>Download and Install.
Full article here: New Actively Exploited Zero-Day Vulnerability Discovered in Apple Products (thehackernews.com)


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Avengers: Endgame was the conclusion of the third phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It saw superheroes including Captain America, Iron man and Thor join forces once again to defeat Thanos and save the world.
The movies success saw it recently became the highest-grossing film of all time, overtaking the previous leader Avatar.
If you havent seen it yet, or youre waiting to watch it again at home then here is everything that you need to know about the DVD release date.
When is the Avengers: Endgame DVD release date?
The film will be released on DVD on Monday 2 September 2019.
When is the film out on Blu-ray?
The Blu-ray is being released on the same day as the DVD – Monday, 24 September and is also available on Amazon, but for £14.99.
When is Avengers: Endgame available for download?
If youre keen to watch the Avengers at home before September, then the good news is that you have an alternative way to watch the film before the DVD release.
You will be able to watch Avengers; Endgame in August before the DVD release date, as it is available on HD Digital release from Monday 19 August on Sky Store.
The offers includes receiving the DVD (13.99) or Blu-ray (17.99) on Monday 2 September.
Which Marvel phase four movies have been announced?
Marvel have already confirmed several new movies that are set to be released as part of phase four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Several Marvel TV shows have also been confirmed for the new Disney+ streaming service, including Loki, Hawkeye, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.


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Asia Today: Asia Dishes Out Food-Company Deals
As food prices surge across Asia, deal makers are seeking to benefit with food-focused mergers and IPOs. With food valuations rising, there is a risk of indigestion. Nisha Gopalan of Dow Jones Newswires and WSJ's Jake Lee discuss.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
go ... if prices rise across Asia ... dealmakers are seeking to benefit


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Satya Nadella post: The digitization of nearly everything2013-12-10
Cheers! 5 tech tools and tips to help make your next party a hit 2013-12-10
Tech coalition calls on US to lead surveillance reform2013-12-08
Microsoft researcher donates ‘Hour of Code’ every day 2013-12-10
Notorious ZeroAccess botnet disrupted: Go behind the scenes2013-12-05
Microsoft takes measures to shield customer data from govt. snooping2013-12-04
NEW YORK — Feb. 7, 2013 — This week the catwalk lights up once again as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week returns to New York City. The 2013 Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 devices present a go-anywhere look with clean lines reminiscent of high fashion, matched by inventive features that meet the customer’s need for constant connectivity, mobility and flexibility.
Equipped with brilliant touch-sensitive screens, blazing processors and the latest Windows 8 apps, these devices on this year’s virtual catwalk are built for superior performance, yet show off remarkable design. So turn down the lights, turn up the music and take in this new experience.


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For many people Jordan begins and ends with the magical ancient Nabataean city of Petra. And it’s true, Petra is without doubt one of the Middle East’s most spectacular, unmissable sights, battling it out with Machu...Read More
Category: Jordan News
Religious Tourism Trends In Jordan – Sit Up and Take Notice Statistics: One in four travelers would like a spiritual component to their vacations. (Travel Industry of America ) International travel from the USA for...Read More
Tourism industry certifications in Jordan offered by JITOA Tourism industry certifications in Jordan, accredited by institutes worldwide, will be made available by the Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association (JITOA). The...Read More
bmi, Heathrow's second largest carrier, has today (18 July) announced that it will serve a new destination as well as introduce major enhancements to its network of services from Heathrow with effect from 28 October this...Read More
The Greco-Roman city of Gerasa will host the silver jubilee celebration of the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts starting July 25. The South Theatre will be the venue for official opening, featuring Jordanian vocalists...Read More
Washington, DC, July 10, 2006 – Long before the term "global economy" came into use, the borderless world was a reality thanks to caravans that moved spices, silk, gold and tea in an undulating, arduous course...Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 23, 2006) "“ Travel to Jordan from the USA outpaced growth from all other markets in 2005, according to figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MOTA). The 16% increase in travel...Read More
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Traders say that the prices of the notebooks have increased by up to 60%.
Merchants from different sectors of Bogotá assured that the prices of school supplies have risen considerably on behalf of cost overruns on imports and due to the shortage of some products.
Sellers of these items stated that “prices have really gone up a lot. The shortage is abundant because there is no raw material, there is no merchandise anywhere and the little that is found has very high prices at which people generally found ”.
As they explained, notebooks have had considerable increases since in previous years they were obtained from $ 1,200 or $ 1,300. For this year, the cheapest have a cost of 2.200 pesos.
You may be interested in: Shared mobility in Bogotá: Register your ship and save the bill and plate
They also pointed out that some of the more scarce elements are paper, cardboard, kraft paper and pens.
“Consumers complain about the price or because they can’t find what the school lists ask for. Other more expensive products are plastics and pens. In some brands there is no longer a supply of pens that stationery stores normally sell. The pens had a cost of 500 pesos and currently go up to 900 pesos“Added the merchants.
They indicated that, on average, school supplies for this year are up 25%. In addition, paper, notebooks, reams have increased by up to a 60% due to paper shortage in the national territory.
Read also: Get off a billetico … This is how the TransMilenio and SITP passage remained for this 2022
Faced with high costs, some consumers stated that they have seen the rise in school supplies because this year they had to invest between 100,000 pesos and 150,000 pesos more of what they usually spent on those items.
Additionally, they said that the value of school uniforms, which in many cases must be a single reference and bought in a specific place have increased an average of 50%.


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THE Apple you may be working on your own search service for your products. This is what the Financial Times this Wednesday (28): according to the newspaper, the American company is looking for alternatives to Google, which faces an antitrust lawsuit in the United States.
Some clues about the possible change were left by the company itself, says the report. Quietly, Apple began presenting its own results in surveys conducted on iOS 14, taking users to sites directly by searching the iPhone’s home screen.
The traces were also noticed by experts. To Financial Times, digital marketing consultant Suganthan Mohanadasan says that AppleBot, a mechanism for indexing pages from the iPhone maker, has been more active than usual on its customers’ websites in recent weeks.
Sought by the newspaper, Apple did not comment on the matter.
Google pays Apple up to $ 12 billion to be standard on iOS, says newspaper
Google is expected to pay up to $ 12 billion to Apple to be the default search engine for iOS and other products from the iPhone maker. According to the New York Times this Sunday (25), the annual payment is part of a supposed agreement that was renewed in 2017. The value is equivalent to between 14% to 21% of Apple’s annual revenue.
The report adds yet another episode to the lawsuit filed by the United States government against Google, which opened on the 20th, which accuses the company of maintaining an illegal monopoly in online searches and advertisements. In defense, the company claims that the lawsuit “is deeply flawed” and that people use its services because they want to.


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The demand for semiconductor chips has exploded with the rise of technology consumption in the last couple of years. Semiconductor chips are used in every electronic device from smartphones, laptops, game consoles, to smart IoT appliances that we use everyday. The automotive industry also heavily relies on semiconductor chips, especially with increased production of electric cars and autonomous self-driving vehicles.
Semiconductor chips are like the nuts and bolts of our digital world: we use them every day but don’t often give them much thought. Chips are essential in powering modern day technology, which is why the global chip shortage can have a huge impact on our daily lives.
We have been in a severe global chip shortage since 2020. In fact, chip suppliers are finally catching up and increasing production to pre-pandemic levels, but the demand for chips has only increased since then. The fact that companies are still ramping up IoT production underlines that the silicon shortage will continue to be an issue in the coming years.
So what’s causing this chip shortage? And how can we navigate this global problem?
The Globalization of Semiconductor Supply Chain
Semiconductors have been called the “brains” of modern society because they function as the building blocks for most electronic hardware, from smartphones and wearables to laptops and IoT devices. The semiconductor industry is globalized in nature. For more than a decade, the global electronics industry has been slowly consolidating its production in Asia. Most semiconductor foundries are located in Asian countries such as Taiwan and South Korea, while the design houses that create new chips are mostly based in North America, Europe, and Japan. This industry-wide globalization has led to a highly concentrated supply chain, which means any disruption to the chip manufacturers would affect everyone else down the production chain.
Only a handful of chip makers are capable of producing the latest chips, and about 75% of all semiconductor manufacturing is done by Asian foundries. Most consumer electronics brands don’t make their own chips — they procure them from these foundries. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which manufactures chips for Apple, Nvidia, and AMD, is the largest chip manufacturer with more than 50% market share. The rest of the market is made up of other chip manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics, Intel, Global Foundries, UMC. This Nikkei Asia article talks more in depth about how the structure of the chip industry contributes to the chip shortage problem.
Covid-19 Effects: Increased Demand and Disruption of Supply Chain
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, there were already signs of increased demand for semiconductor chips. According to the World Economic Forum, the semiconductor industry has grown significantly in the last decade due to rapid development of the technology sector and the increased need for cloud computing and memory storage devices. This trend of increased growth in profitability is expected to continue as forecasted by McKinsey’s report (see below).
The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the semiconductor industry on many levels. Wafer production capacity has been reduced while demand for chips in consumer electronics and automotive has surged. The impact of these competing dynamics has been felt across the entire supply chain: chip manufacturers are overwhelmed by orders while device makers are struggling to secure enough chips. On top of that, any disruptions at chip manufacturers would affect everyone else down the value chain: foundries depend on wafer suppliers for raw materials, design houses need silicon wafers to test their new designs, and OEMs rely on both wafer and design houses for semiconductors to meet their customers’ demands.
The demand for electronics dramatically increased as people around the world tried to cope with the effects of the pandemic such as working from home and quarantine measures. However, supply chains and manufacturing plants for semiconductor chips were forced to shut down during the pandemic, making it difficult for companies to produce the number of chips needed to keep up with consumer demand. This chip shortage has affected companies all across the industry such as Apple, Nintendo, Sony, Samsung, and Ford—and it’s not going away anytime soon.
Manufacturing plants have been struggling to recover from Covid-19’s disruption to their supply chains, and now they are facing additional challenges such as rising costs and increasing competition. The auto industry has been hit especially hard by the semiconductor shortage – automakers like Volkswagen, Ford, Honda, and Toyota had to delay the production of certain models because they don’t have enough microchips to build them.
Russian-Invasion of Ukraine: Further Shortage of Materials
The global pandemic has caused a huge shortage of semiconductors, and while there are signs that the shortage is slowly recovering, recent events have shown that the shortage of semiconductors is likely going to get worse for an extended period of time before the supply chain returns to normal.
Tech companies and automakers are still not able to keep up with the demand that skyrocketed during the pandemic. The CEO of Nvidia stated last year that the chip shortage is expected to continue well over 2022. This comes after previous statements from other chipmakers like Samsung and Intel, who also predicted that it could take until 2022 for chip supplies to recover.
However, unexpected global events can delay the chip shortage recovery even further. Neon, a gas that is an essential component in semiconductor manufacturing, has been in short supply since Russia invaded Ukraine earlier this year. Ukraine has been a major producer of neon for much of the world, but the war has halted Ukraine’s neon production with no near end in sight. This Vox article discusses in detail the effects of the neon shortage on the semiconductor industry. The neon shortage is another example of how semiconductor production is interconnected globally and any changes to the supply chain can have ripple effects across the world.
How do we navigate the global chip shortage?
The effects of the global semiconductor chip shortage are severe and long term, and many companies are faced with the difficult question of how to navigate the prolonged chip supply chain issue. There are no fast and easy answers to the question, but there are a few strategies companies can adopt to adapt to this changing landscape.
One way to adapt is to shift production closer to home. Many countries have started initiatives to invest in their own semiconductor production capabilities. In Japan, for example, companies like Sony and Nikon have begun looking into building local chip manufacturing plants. In the US, Texas Instruments and Intel recently announced construction of chip plants in Dallas and Arizona. This would help mitigate the risk of relying on foreign suppliers and speed up the process between production and delivery.
Another solution is to embrace new technology like virtual prototyping and digital twinning to help speed up hardware product development cycle even when there is a component shortage. Digital twinning utilizes digital adaptation of a physical component to let developers test hardware prototypes throughout the lifecycle of a product, not just at its conception. Since products and prototypes exist virtually, it is significantly easier to replicate, test, and solve for a wide range of failure conditions. Creating prototypes digitally can also help reduce costs and excess waste during the production process because engineers can test their designs without creating additional physical prototypes.
The chip shortage is a big problem in the semiconductor industry. The globalized nature of semiconductor manufacturing has contributed to the chip shortage problem, and it’s time for the industry to embrace new technologies that will utilize these resources in a more efficient way than ever before.
What are your thoughts on how we can navigate the global semiconductor chip shortage? Comment below and let us know.


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For the past decade or more, the pharmaceutical industry has been hampered by numerous factors that have resulted in decreased profits. On one hand, operational costs are increasing across the board … as is the price of raw materials.
Most companies responded to these production expense increases — caused by inflation and supply chain issues — by raising their prices. However, prescription (Rx) drug fees are mostly regulated, making it difficult for pharma companies to respond to market fluctuations in the same manner as other industries.
Although of benefit, switching to over-the-counter (Rx-to-OTC) practices are not an unlimited source of new income; generics continue to drive down prices and the next big patent cliff is reportedly on the horizon in several markets.
Nutraceuticals, on the other hand, have proven to be somewhat resilient to various and often unprecedented conditions in recent years — including the recession in 2008 when there was only a slight decline in growth.
This is where the opportunity presents itself. With a shorter time to market, nutraceutical products offer a way to start generating revenue within an average of 1–2 years for new indications.
The associated regulatory requirements are much less demanding and the cost of development is consequently less. The time and risk metrics are especially low for already developed and market-tested private label or out-licensing solutions.
As consumers increasingly focus on preventive healthcare, it’s no wonder that the supplement market is already larger and growing faster than OTC drugs (according to Euromonitor). In 2020, the vitamin and dietary supplement (VDS) category actually surpassed that of OTC drugs for the first time.
This historic event had been predicted to happen, but the pandemic fast-tracked its occurrence by several years. According to the same source, supplements are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 5% between 2022 and 2026, corresponding to a revenue increase of $27.1 billion. At the same time, the OTC segment is predicted to grow at a CAGR of approximately 4.5% to reach a value of $25.4 billion.
This not only speaks volumes about shifting consumer attitudes from treatment to prevention, but also about the increasing importance of supplements for the pharmaceutical industry.
Unsurprisingly, supplements present an increasingly large share of pharma company portfolios. According to Euromonitor, supplements remained Bayer’s best-performing consumer healthcare category in 2022 and created higher absolute growth last year than OTC drugs.
Bayer’s VDS segment, led by brands such as Berocca and redoxon, accounted for 29% of the company’s sales in 2022, generating $2.5 billion. Many pharma market leaders have recently decided to invest in launching added-value nutraceutical products. For example, Bayer launched Dicoflor IBSIUM in 2023, a product based on branded probiotics.
In March 2023, Haleon launched PanaNatra, a natural alternative to their world-famous pain killer drug Panadol, again based on branded ingredients. Even in less developed markets, such as Brazil, Abbott launched orodispersible SoftDGo vitamin D tablets in in 2022.
Haleon entering the pain segment highlights the realisation that pharma companies have been limiting themselves to only addressing the “need state” of consumers. The recent extension of the Excedrin migraine drug brand with supplements for preventive antimigraine use and post-migraine recovery demonstrates Haleon’s clever strategy to engage with consumers during the condition’s full lifecycle.
Therefore, even during the boom times for OTC drugs, supplements still present an important opportunity to expand the product offering and appeal to consumers both pre- and post-disease.
Not only are Big Pharma brands launching nutraceuticals, they are also acquiring more supplement brands, splitting off their consumer health businesses (Haleon and Kenvue, for example) and creating partnerships in the supplement space.
For example, Haleon recently partnered with Hologram Sciences to develop personalised supplement solutions and Johnson & Johnson partnered with Holobiome to develop next-generation pro/prebiotics for infant and maternal health.
Additionally, it is now clear that promotion through the channels that pharma companies normally use for OTC drugs (a combination of medical detailing and above the line [ATL] marketing) is also possible — and successful — for supplements.
When thinking about nutraceuticals, many pharma executives still have the impression that these are commodity based, cheap, simple and ineffective products. However, an increasing number of high-quality clinically studied nutraceuticals is crushing this myth.
With case studies in markets from Western Europe to Southeast Asia, we see first-hand that nutraceuticals can reach impressive sell-out numbers when sold through pharmacies and promoted through healthcare professionals.
The pharma-nutra convergence is becoming a reality. Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly tapping into the preventive segment by launching their own supplement products and brands. With the success it has been bringing so far and the development of wearable technology that will highlight the efficacy of supplements, we can expect this trend to continue and permanently reshape the nutraceutical industry.


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- Powered by the attitude of Impossible Is Nothing, the brand accelerates its mission to create real, lasting change for women in sport.
- This season sees the launch of major new women-focused innovations alongside enhanced support for established and emerging athletes and new grassroots programs.
- The latest chapter of the Adidas Impossible Is Nothing campaign spotlights a global collective of inspiring women who are breaking down barriers in sport and beyond.
Adidas’s Most Significant Commitment Is To Innovation, Athletes, And The Future Generation Of Women In Sports.
As a significant year of sport commences, Adidas continues its Impossible Is Nothing story to announce its biggest ever commitment to women. Driven by the belief that sport has the power to change lives, the brand will support those who are breaking down barriers and driving gender equity, on and off the field of play.
“This spring, we continue to use our brand attitude – Impossible is Nothing – to unite a strong, diverse and powerful community of women athletes who are changing the game. We see their power; celebrate the possibilities they see. We share the optimism with which they seize opportunities. This is our call to action to all the women out there to keep making the impossible possible every day. adidas can only continue to be their ally, committed to serving them through innovation in our products, partnerships, and across all dimensions of sport.”
Vicky Free, Head of Global Marketing at Adidas
The commitment, launched alongside the latest chapter in the brand’s Impossible Is Nothing campaign, sees three key focuses:
2022 sees significant investment in women-focused product innovation to recognize and meet the specific needs of women in sport. Meanwhile, in December, the brand introduced Ultraboost 22, built to address differences between male and female instep height, heel anatomy, and gait cycle trends. As a result, it will continue to launch innovations across the year – starting with a completely new approach to sports bras.
Adidas is a proud, long-term partner of some of the best athletes, teams, and creators in the world. In addition, this season the brand will celebrate and elevate them around the most significant moments in sports culture, from tennis grand slams to basketball tournaments, to winter sports. As well as expand its sponsorship of major leagues and tournaments – including the UEFA Women’s Champions League and Women’s Euro 2022.
The launch and extension of long-lasting grassroots programs will encourage and keep women and girls in sport. For instance, these include the Breaking Barriers Academy launch, a five-year commitment to supporting 15 non-profits through organizational change, and training 100 community champions across Europe; to help drive gender equity for 50,000 girls. This season also sees continued partnerships with the Black Women’s Player Collective and Common Goal; and support for the next generation of WNBA stars through the Adidas Legacy program.
As part of this commitment to visibility, this season’s Impossible Is Nothing campaign shares the stories of women who have made their impossible possible, intending to inspire others to do the same. The I’mPossible film series will launch on February 14 at adidas.com/impossibleisnothing and feature volleyball player Tifanny Abreu; basketball player Asma Elbadawi; model Ellie Goldstein; actor, HoYeon; runner Fatima Ibrahimi; skateboarder Momiji Nishiya and yoga teacher Jessamyn Stanley.
Follow updates across the season at @adidas on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok.


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Provider of cloud-based solutions for businesses, Crossflow Payments, has launched a new cloud-based system to ease cash flows between buyers and suppliers, in transaction processing and P2P finance.
Having processed more than 20 million invoices to date, Crossflow aims to offer buyers a simpler, and more cost-effective, transaction processing solution for their supply chain.
“We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy supply chain from start to finish for all businesses, said chief executive officer, Tony Duggan.
“Our system helps buyers keep their relationship with suppliers mutually beneficial so that external factors like long payment cycles don’t affect cash flows and relationships.”
*Supply Chain Standard is running a Supply Chain Finance Summit covering all the information you need to make the right decisions for your organisation.
How should your supply chain finance package be composed? Is supply chain finance even the right route for you? Explore this and more at the Supply Chain Finance Summit on 3rd December 2013 in London.


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South Korean University Awards NFT Cert During Graduation Ceremony
A South Korean university has come forward in addressing the urgent issue of certification counterfeit by introducing non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
First of Its Kind Fake-Proof NFT Certificates
Sungkyunkwan University said Monday that it will present NFT certificates to three students who have won the intramural competition. The certificates will be issued during an online graduation ceremony on Wednesday.
“Sungkyunkwan University plans to award awards and prizes to winners by producing them in the form of NFTs that give unique values and meanings,” the university said in the statement.
The university said that the NFTs are immune to counterfeit and loss, and are based on Klaytn public blockchain.
Sungkyunkwan has decided to “keep up with developing digital technology” and offer a unique experience for students receiving the NFTs. Additionally, the institution said it will adopt blockchain tech when issuing other degrees and credentials, a local media reported.
Moon Kyung-won, a pharmacy major student, is one among the three to receive NFT certification for conducting mentoring activities for children of multicultural and North Korean defector families.
NFTs Are Taxable in S. Korea
Korean lawmakers announced last year that NFTs are subject to taxes after classifying them as virtual assets. The country’s Financial Services Commission has imposed a 20% tax on income from virtual assets that exceed 2.5 million won ($2,102), starting from Jan. 1, 2022.
The move contradicts the regulator’s stance on NFTs that it does not classify as virtual assets and cannot be regulated.
The news interestingly accorded with the nation’s leading business conglomerate Samsung’s move into NFTs.
Sungkyunkwan university established a partnership with Samsung in the late ’60s till ’70s and renewed the alliance in 1996. The partnership has aided the university in developing academic programs in various fields including medicine, engineering, business, and law.


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The extent of domestic lead exposure, and its resulting health hazards has been understudied in developing countries, though its importance in cognitive dysfunction related to early exposure is well established in countries such as the United States, says Scott Clark, PhD, professor of environmental health at UC and study collaborator.
Researchers compared the Nigerian paint samples with those sold in some Asian countries, using data obtained by Clark and his collaborators in previous studies. In the September 2006 issue of the journal Environmental Research, Clark reported that more than 75 percent of consumer paint tested from countries without lead-content controlsincluding India, Malaysia and Chinahad levels exceeding U.S. regulations. Collectively, these countries represent more than 2.5 billion people.
Although the median lead levels on Nigerian consumer-based paints did not substantially differ from those in Asian countries, nearly all still exceeded U.S. safety guidelines.
Sandy Roda, a study coauthor who oversaw sample analysis, stressed the international nature of the problem. She noted that one paint manufacturer in Nigeria sold high-lead paint in India, but offered a low-lead version in Singapore, a country that enforces a lead standard similar to the United States.
Its very likely that many existing Nigerian homes contain dangerously high levels of lead, so its absolutely critical from a health standpoint that immediate efforts be made to assess the presence of lead in homes, adds Clark.
Lead is a malleable metal previously used to improve the durability and color luster of paint applied in homes and on industrial structures such as bridges. Now scientifically linked to impaired intellectual and physical growth in children, lead is also found in some commonly imported consumer products, including candy, folk and traditional medications, ceramic dinnerware and metallic and wo
|Contact: Amanda Harper|
University of Cincinnati


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The week in pictures
Salcombe Gin will be unveiling its seventh limited-edition release in its Voyager Series called ‘Daring’ next week. The gin was inspired by chef Paul Ainsworth’s dish A Tale of Porthilly, and is distilled with whey and botanicals foraged from the Cornish coast. Ainsworth’s dish celebrates the Cornish oyster, and the gin has been created to replicate the same umami and zinc-like properties of the shellfish. It also includes fennel, apple and lime in reference to the original dish.
Ainsworth said: “Creating ‘Daring’ with Salcombe Distilling Co., as part of the limited edition Voyager Series, has been a fascinating journey of discovery. Living here in Cornwall, we wanted to evoke a sense of being by the sea and include local flavours and botanicals that we enjoy in our restaurants. Our inspiration for the gin is an oyster dish called ‘A Tale of Porthilly’ that we
serve guests at Paul Ainsworth at No6. Within the ingredients of ‘Daring’ you can taste the saltiness of the sea depicted by oyster leaves, the freshness of green apples, the soft aniseed of fennel, along with blood orange and lime. At the heart of the distillation process is a daring ingredient, whey, a sustainable by-product from dairy farming which brings a buttery smoothness to the palate, perfectly complimenting the soft citrus and warming spices. The name ‘Daring’ also recalls a time when our quaint fishing village of Padstow was a thriving merchant port, whose ships transported spices all over the world. ‘Daring’ was one of the ships, built for owners in Padstow; it is also the perfect word to describe the driving force and ethos of The Ainsworth Collection.”
Northern Europe experienced freezing temperatures this week as vignerons across the land attempted to ward off the harmful effects of the frost. This image, from Domaine Belleville in Burgundy, shows numerous bougies being lit among the vines in an effort to raise temperatures. While beautiful, the candles also tell a different story. In France, vineyards the length and breadth of the country were affected. While the extent of the damage is yet to be properly assessed, Bordeaux-based industry body CIVB told France 24 the frost would “severely affect the harvesting volumes in 2021”. Other French wine regions, including Champagne, Chablis, the Loire, Rhône and Jura were hit, while reports are coming in from northern and central Italy, Austria and the UK.
Mexican beer brand Estrella Jalisco has introduced a new beer called Tropical Chamoy Michelada, a 3.5% ABV lager featuring a 3.5% ABV featuring a blend of clamato, chamoy and pineapple. The brewer is also campaigning for Merriam-Webster to add the term ‘chamoy’, a Mexican condiment, to the dictionary. It has enlisted the help of Mexican singer-songwriter Sofia Reyes to encourage fans to share their best definition of chamoy by 15 April for a chance to win a year’s supply of Tropical Chamoy Micheladas. The petition can be found here.
UK wine merchant Corney & Barrow has teamed up with the inimitable Oz Clarke to help raise funds for industry charity Hospitality Action. Together with C&B buyer Rebecca Palmer, Clarke will host an online tasting for a panel of celebrities on 13 May as part of its Wine In To Help Out initiative. Members of the public can reserve a place at the virtual event and buy a case of four wines due to feature during the evening. All profits will be donated to Hospitality Action.
More details can be found here.
Sauska, a family-run winery with vineyards in Tokaj and Villany, has won a competition that sought to find the best winery website in Hungary, organised by online publication Hungarianwines.eu and judged by db’s editor, Lucy Shaw and sommelier Andreas Larsson among others.
Sauska, which makes red, white, rosé, sparkling and sweet wines at its gravity fed winery, beat off competition from 51 other Hungarian estates to scoop the first prize. The websites were judged on their layout, user friendliness, English translation, photos, and SEO.
The Glen Grant’s master distiller, Dennis Malcolm, celebrated 60 years in the distilling industry last weekend. Born onsite at The Glen Grant distillery in Rothes in 1946, Malcolm has had a glittering career which saw him recognised for his service to the industry by Queen Elizabeth II in 2016 as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
To celebrate this milestone, The Glen Grant is releasing a 60-year-old LTO expression, the oldest of its kind in the brand’s 181-year history.
Campari UK’s marketing director Nick Williamson said: “Dennis is a credit to the Scotch whisky industry and an absolute master of his craft. His knowledge of distilling and his attention to quality and craftsmanship are unrivalled. He has created some of the greatest award-winning single malt Scotches and has demonstrated exceptional skill throughout his career. To this day, he remains committed to ensuring that every aspect of his work at The Glen Grant is of the highest standard. We would like to thank Dennis and toast his extraordinary work throughout the years.”
Family-owned Argentine winery Mendel Wines – a partnership between winemaker Roberto de la Mota and the Sielecki family – has announced a new partnership with UK fine wine importer Armit Wines. From this month, Armit will become Mendel’s exclusive distributor in the UK.
Brett Fleming, managing director for Armit Wines, said: “Mendel Wines has been awarded and recognized by the most prestigious International wine experts, journalists and magazines around the globe. As a premium producer expressing terroir driven wines that truly illustrate their own story, they are exactly the right fit for Armit’s longer term vision. We are thrilled to partner with Mendel Wines to grow their iconic wine portfolio in the United Kingdom.”
Diego Surazsky, CEO of Mendel Wines, added: “In our search for a regional partner, we quickly came across Armit Wines as a leading player in the UK’s fine wine business. Our two companies share the same values with regards to premium brand building and are committed to long term, sustainable, growth. We are excited to partner and look forward to unleashing the full potential of our wines in the UK market.”
In other supplier news, Andrew Will winery in Washington State has joined the Bancroft Wines portfolio. Producing some 4,500 cases of wine annually, wines are now made by second generation winemaker Will Camarda.
Lenka Sedlackova MW, senior brand manager of Bancroft Wines, said: “We are excited to be expanding our US portfolio and working with our first Washington State winery. Andrew Will has a long history in the UK market, having been first brought in by Jasper Morris MW. We look to build on this history and introduce these excellent, world-class wines to a wider UK audience. Chris Camarda has been instrumental in bringing attention and prestige to Washington State and his uncompromising vision for high quality and authenticity speaks clearly through the wines.
Winemaker Will Camarda of Andrew Will added: “The past year has been an eye-opening experience in navigating the world of wines sales. As a small producer, the importance of having strong relationships with our distributors is vital to ensure that our brand continues to stay relevant in a market, especially in these challenging times. The confidence that we have in Bancroft will allow us to continue to focus our energy on producing high quality wines with a focus on minimal intervention and a distinct style representative of Washington State. We cannot wait for the day that we hop aboard a plane across the Atlantic to open a bottle of Andrew Will with the entire Bancroft team.”
Scottish brewery Innis & Gunn has made a number of new hires to boost its in-house marketing team. These include Fiona Kennie (pictured) who will take on the role of director of marketing, and brings 20 years of experience to the role.
Kennie will lead a team of nine, with four new appointments and two further roles due to be added. Other appointments include Steph Forsyth, PR and internal communications manager, Lauren Baillie, social media editor, and e-commerce executive Natalie Brennan.
UK pub operator Young’s is marking the reopening of 144 of its pubs for outdoor dining next week with a short film, directed by Emmy Award-winning Peter Hamblin.
Called A House is Not a Home, the film conveys the sentiment that pubs are an integral part of British culture and is filmed through the eyes of a pub landlady, played by actress Katie Clarkson-Hill.
Patrick Dardis, CEO, Young’s commented: “The reopening of pubs across the country, and hospitality in general, is a massive moment after what’s been an incredibly tough year for all of us. We hope this film captures the great British public’s love for the pub and the place that pubs have always held at the very heart of their communities as we look forward to a summer of togetherness.”
“Pubs are much more than just bricks and mortar and we can’t wait to reopen the Young’s doors and for our customers to create new memories with us, their friends, families and colleagues.”
Hampshire winery Black Chalk has teamed up with Wild Escapes to offer four luxury treehouses adjacent to its Hide Vineyard on The Fullerton Estate. Built by craftsman Will Hardy, Black Chalk said the treehouses are the first to be constructed at a UK vineyard. Having briefly opened for bookings back in December, bookings will recommence on 12 April. Constructed six metres above ground level, guests staying in the treehouses can also book tours and tastings at the winery.
The producer of Tarquin’s Gin and Twin Fin Rum, Southwestern Distillery in Cornwall, has signed a new distribution deal with Molson Coors to expand the brands’ presence in the UK and western Europe.
Molson Coors will work to expand listings in grocery and on-trade channels, while the distiller will continue to supply independent and online retailers.
Founder and master distiller, Tarquin Leadbetter, said: “I’ve spent almost a decade building Tarquin’s Gin, from distilling on my cooker at home in 2012, to selling the first batch out of the boot of my car in 2013, we’ve grown to a team of 50 staff to become one of the largest independent family distilleries in the UK in 2021. This new distribution will enable us to roll-out further into UK retail and expand export beyond our existing 25 international markets.”
South African winery Journey’s End has released an update following its 2021 harvest. The producer said it had gone “very well” with rainfall still well above average over the last five years, despite lower levels than 2019-2020. Due to cooler conditions and wind during bud break, volumes of Chardonnay and Sauvignon were “lower than expected, but very good quality”, while the earlier-picked red grapes are displaying “real promise”.
“Overall, we are delighted with the quality of the harvest this year, and we are really excited to see how this year’s vintage is received,” the winery said.
West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) is installing a million-dollar solar energy plant at its St. Michael home. The distiller said it is hoped the plant will help it on the road to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
The plant is expected to generate over 400KW and produce 747,000 KWH in the first year of operation, powering at least 20% of the electrical consumption of the distillery.
Andrew Hassell, managing director of WIRD, said: “We are constantly researching innovative opportunities to further improve sustainable and socially responsible business practices. We also have new and ambitious environmental goals and we are looking at innovative systems in order to stop the use of fossil fuels altogether and to reduce our total energy usage.”
Wines of Georgia has announced an expanded UK campaign for this year. This includes two new initiatives: the Indie Alliance Fund, which will give small- and medium-sized retailers grants of up to £4,000 to increase their Georgian wine listings, and Georgian Wine Connect, an online hub going live later this month, which will connect trade buyers to export-ready wineries.
The group is also planning a trade tasting on 22 June, featuring over 100 Georgian wines to be held at Trivet restaurant near London Bridge. Six virtual tastings are also being planned throughout the year, which are open to the trade and press.