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KENNEBUNK — Bring your car to Kevin Thyng and he'll clean and shine it up as if it just came off the showroom floor.
"I want to make sure that when that vehicle leaves I'm very proud of what I've done," said Thyng, a Kennebunk resident who started Kevin Thyng Detailing about one year ago. "I want to take care of the people. I'm that kind of person. When their car leaves I want them to be happy."
Thyng, who takes care of his 91-year-old mother-in-law full time, started the auto detailing business out of his home as a flexible way to still help financially support the household. The Wells native, who was a painter for many years and has lived in Kennebunk for the past 15 years, says detailing cars in his three-car garage allows him to make his own schedule.
When he decided about one year ago to move forward with the idea, Thyng sought advice from a friend who ran a car detailing business for 35 years.
"He said, 'I think it's a wonderful idea. I know how you are, you're very picky,'" Thyng said, adding that his wife, Janet Wentworth, has been incredibly supportive of his new venture.
All of the products Thyng uses are bought from a company in Lewiston, he said.
"The wax is the bomb," he said.
It takes about eight hours to fully detail a vehicle, he said, which he does thoroughly.
The cost to fully detail a vehicle, from the engine to the trunk, is estimated at $225, while the cost of detailing only the inside is estimated at $125, said Thyng, who added that he is fully insured. Those are soft price estimates, he said, as they may change depending on the work a vehicle needs. Gift certificates are also available.
Customers drop their vehicles off at Thyng's business, preferably the night before, and pick them up the next day.
Business has been picking up, spreading mostly by word of mouth, Thyng said, and customer feedback has been positive.
"One client said to me the other day that her car looked better than it did coming out of the showroom," Thyng said.
To contact Kevin Thyng Detailing, call (207) 251-0281.


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By Pepe Escobar : Posted with permission
Biggest story at ASEAN was convergence of moves toward Asia integration, leaving Delhi out for now
A pan-Asia high-speed train has left the station – and India – behind. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which would have been the largest free trade deal in the world, was not signed in Bangkok. It will probably be signed next year in Vietnam, assuming New Delhi goes beyond what ASEAN, with diplomatic finesse barely concealing frustration, described as “outstanding issues, which remain unresolved.”
The partnership uniting 16 nations – the ASEAN 10 plus China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and, in theory, India – would have congregated 3.56 billion people and 29% of world trade.
Predictably, it was billed as the big story among the slew of high-profile meetings linked to the 35th ASEAN summit in Thailand, as RCEP de facto further integrates Asian economies with China just as the Trump administration is engaged in a full spectrum battle against everything from the Belt and Road Initiative to Made in China 2025.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng was blunt: “It’s the 15 nations that have decided to move forward first.” And he added “there won’t be any problem for the 15 nations to sign RCEP next year,” when Vietnam takes over as the chair of ASEAN.
It’s not hard to figure out where the “problem” lies.
Diplomats confirmed that New Delhi came up with a string of last-minute demands in Thailand, forcing many to work deep into the night with no success. Thailand’s Commerce Minister, Jurin Laksanawisit, tried to put on a brave face: “The negotiation last night was conclusive.”
It was not. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad – whose facial expression in the family photo was priceless, as he shook hands with Aung San Suu Kyi on his left and nobody on his right – had already given away the game. “We’re very disappointed,” he said, adding: “One country is making demands we cannot accept.”
ASEAN, that elaborate monument to punctilious protocol and face-saving, insists the few outstanding issues “will be resolved by February 2020,” with the text of all 20 RCEP chapters complete “pending the resolution of one” member.
RCEP dwells across a large territory, covering trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property and dispute resolution. The Indian “problem” is extremely complex. India in fact already has a free trade agreement with ASEAN.
RCEP, in practice, would extend this agreement to the other big boys, including China, Japan and South Korea.
New Delhi insists it is defending farmers, dairy owners, the services industry, sectors of the automobile industry – especially hybrid and electric cars, and very popular three-wheelers – and mostly small businesses all across the nation, which would be devastated by an augmented tsunami of Chinese merchandise.
Agriculture, textile, steel and mining interests in India are totally against RCEP.
Yet New Delhi never mentions quality Japanese or South Korean products. It’s all about China. New Delhi argues that signing what is widely interpreted as a free trade agreement with China would explode its already significant US$57 billion a year trade deficit.
The barely disguised secret is that India’s economy, as the historical record shows, is inherently protectionist. There’s no way a possible removal of agricultural tariffs protecting farmers would not provoke a social cataclysm.
Modi, who is not exactly a bold statesman with a global vision, is between a heavy rock and a very hard place. President Xi Jinping offered him a “100-year plan” for China-India partnership at their last informal, bilateral summit.
India is a fellow BRICS member, it’s part of the Russia-India-China troika that is actually at the center of BRICS and is also a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Geopolitically as well as geoeconomically, it hardly makes sense for India to be out of RCEP – which means excluded from East Asia and Southeast Asia integration. The only feasible solution might be an elaborate bilateral India-China deal within RCEP.
Questions remain whether both players would be able to work that out before the Vietnam summit in 2020.
Putting it all together
India was only part of the story of the summit fest in Thailand. At the important East Asia Summit, everyone was actively discussing multiple paths towards multilateralism.
The Trump administration is touting what it calls the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy – which is yet another de facto China containment strategy, congregating the US, India, Japan and Australia. Indo-Pacific is very much on Modi’s mind. The problem is “Indo-Pacific,” as the US conceives of it, and RCEP are incompatible.
ASEAN, instead, came up with its own strategy: ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) – which incorporates all the usual transparency, good governance, sustainable development and rules-based tenets plus details on connectivity and maritime disputes.
All the ASEAN 10 are behind AOIP, which is, in fact, an original Indonesian idea. It’s fascinating to know that Bangkok and Jakarta worked together behind closed doors for no fewer than 18 months to reach a full consensus among the ASEAN 10.
The biggest story in Thailand was, in fact, the convergence of myriad moves towards Asia integration. Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang was lavishly praising the prospects of integrating Belt and Road with something called the Master Plan of ASEAN Activity, which is the connectivity part of AOIP.
South Korea’s Moon Jae-in jumped in extolling the merits of his Southern Policy, which is essentially northeast-southeast Asia integration. And don’t forget Russia.
At the ASEAN business and investment summit, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev put it all together; the blossoming of the Greater Eurasian Partnership, uniting the Eurasia Economic Union, ASEAN and Shanghai Cooperation Organization, not to mention, in his words, “other possible structures,” which is code for Belt and Road.
Belt and Road is powerfully advancing its links to RCEP, Eurasia Economic Union and even South America’s Mercosur – when Brazil finally kicks Jair Bolsonaro out of power.
Medvedev noted that this merging of interests was unanimously supported at the Russia-ASEAN summit in Sochi in 2016. Vietnam and Singapore have already clinched free trade deals with Eurasia Economic Union, and Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia are on their way.
Medvedev also noted that a trade and economic cooperation deal between China and Eurasia Economic Union was signed in late October. Next is India, and a preferential trade agreement between the union and Iran has also been signed.
In Thailand, the Chinese delegation did not directly address the United States’ Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy. But Medvedev did, forcefully: “We are in favor of maintaining the effective system of state-to-state relations which was formed on the basis of ASEAN and has shown a good track record over the years.
“In this regard, we believe the US initiative is a serious challenge for ASEAN countries, since it can weaken the association’s position and strip it of its status as a key player in addressing regional security problems.”
Summits come and go. But what just happened in Thailand will remain as another graphic illustration of myriad, concerted moves leading towards progressive, irreversible Asia – and Eurasia – integration. It’s up to Modi to decide when and if to hop on the train.

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Subaru recently revealed some updates to the 2015 BRZ along with a new entry level model that can cater to those that will customize the car in the future.
The chassis has been stiffened up and the electronic power steering has been improved as well. Inside, a satin silver finish for the steering wheel and gear lever is now available for sprucing up the cabin.
The range-topping 'S' model also gets new standard equipment like cruise control, instrument panel speakers and an 8-speaker system with a power amplifier.
Subaru also unveiled a new entry level model of the BRZ called the 'R Customize Package' which is basically a stripped down model that was designed for buyers that will further modify the BRZ or possibly use their cars for racing. Priced lower than the other models on offer, it only has basic features like a manual aircon, floor silencer and a trunk mat.
The refreshed 2015 Subaru BRZ will go on sale on April 16, 2015 in Japan. Subaru PH has yet to confirm if they will offer the updated BRZ along with the new entry level R model.


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Hugh Hardy's new book, Theater of Architecture from Princeton Architectural Press, comes with a film trailer, which is fitting given Hardy's work in civic architecture.
We talk to War Horse cast member Isaac Woofter who plays one of the several actors that play "the heart" of the equine puppets that star in the show.
Elastic City hosted a walk of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts by choreographer Adam Weinert complete with movement practice.
Close out September, the month dedicated to the latest high fashion around the world, with one last fashion ad doodle bomb, Alexander McQueen.
Help the talented young designers behind Egg Collective secure the opportunity to design part of the David H. Koch theatre in Lincoln Center through their Kickstarter page.
In honor of Fashion Week, the DowntownDoodler doodle bombs a Chanel Ad.
The Downtown Doodler captures the swirling excitement around NYC's Dîner en Blanc.
At last night's magical Dîner en Blanc at Lincoln Center, we captured this timelapse video from the balcony of Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center.
Lincoln Center has never gotten down quite like this. 3000 revelers took in the night at the NYC Dîner en Blanc, descending upon the plaza and its fountain.
Groove was in the air during last Friday's Lincoln Center Out of Doors event in Damrosch Park Bandshell


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The trading app brought retail investing to the public—now it is going public via its retail investors. Our Wall Street correspondent reports from inside its unusual IPO. Plus, as food prices soar, big agriculture is having a bumper year. How long can it last? And lessons from the history books for a new age of central banking. Patrick Lane hosts
Subscribers to The Economist can join John O’Sullivan, Buttonwood columnist, and Alice Fulwood, Wall Street correspondent, on July 29th for a live event unpicking the inner workings of financial markets and how to make sense of them. Register and submit your questions at economist.com/marketsevent
For full access to print, digital and audio editions as well as exclusive live events, subscribe to The Economist at economist.com/podcastoffer
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.


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Technology giant Apple may face legal action over the alleged practice of disabling updated iPhone 6 devices that have been repaired by third parties, with one U.S. law firm investigating the possibility of a class-action lawsuit.
The so-called Error 53 problem appeared after an iOS software update and seemed to affect devices with replaced or damaged home buttons and Touch ID sensors, according to the Guardian. The issue has prompted outrage from owners who say they were left holding inoperable — and now worthless — phones.
Apple has claimed the error is the result of a security feature. “iOS checks that the Touch ID sensor matches your device’s other components during an update or restore,” the company said on a dedicated support page. “This check keeps your device and the iOS features related to Touch ID secure.”
But PCVA, the Seattle-based law firm considering a class-action lawsuit, said on its website: “We believe that Apple may be intentionally forcing users to use their repair services, which cost much more than most third-party repair shops.”
- The Fall of Roe and the Failure of the Feminist Industrial Complex
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- Column: 6 Proven Ways to Reduce Gun Violence
- Ads Are Officially Coming to Netflix. Here's What That Means for You
- Jenny Slate on the Unifying Power of a Well-Heeled Shell Named Marcel
- Column: The FDA's Juul Ban May Not be a Pure Public Health Triumph
- What the Supreme Court’s Abortion Decision Means for Your State


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According to local news reports, EatStreet, a Madison, Wisconsin-based third-party restaurant delivery provider, is reportedly edging toward bankruptcy or liquidation in the wake of a $1.2 million settlement of a lawsuit brought by workers.
After several years of consolidation, where local delivery providers were absorbed by larger companies, EatStreet was one of the largest regional meal delivery providers in the country.
Started in a dorm room 12 years ago, EatStreet raked in approximately $50 million in investment funds throughout its history. Those cash infusions helped the company expand to four states and 25 delivery markets across the Midwest.
With W-2 drivers, rather than independent contractors, EatStreet felt its model was finding success in the shadows of the industry’s giants at the dawn of the pandemic.
According to various reports, EatStreet’s current troubles result from a years-long class action lawsuit brought by the company’s drivers who claimed that the company violated federal Fair Labor Standards Act and Wisconsin state wage laws regarding tips used to offset the required minimum wage.
Madison’s Capital Times, EatStreet agreed to settle the case for $1.24 million, which workers’ attorneys claimed accounted for just 27 percent of the $4.54 million the workers attempted to recover.
“Unfortunately, over the last three months, EatStreet’s financial circumstances have deteriorated rapidly due to multiple factors,” wrote EatStreet attorneys Paul E. Benson, Benjamin T. Johnson and Emi M. Passini of Chicago law firm Michael Best & Friedrich.
The company is reportedly looking for buyers or new investors, but has been unsuccessful thus far.


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By Vivian Chang, Senior Director, Marketing and Head, Direct-to-Consumer Practice
Taking consumer-centric marketing and learning to the next level, the Clorox Direct-To-Consumer team recently relaunched Brita.com and BurtsBees.com and launched BetterYourHealth.com (a unified shopping experience for our vitamins, minerals and supplements brands) sporting new features, capabilities, and fresh ways of getting to know and serve our consumers.
Since launching Brita’s first shoppable site in 2021, we watched and learned as consumers engaged and shopped with the brand directly for the first time. With a better understanding of our buyers, we relaunched an enhanced consumer experience at the beginning of the year. Brita consumers can now benefit from filter subscriptions, easier reordering, improved product descriptions, sticky “Add to Cart” buttons, and improved search functionality to drive conversion and loyalty so no one ever misses a clean sip.
Our Burt’s Bees brand had a complete makeover and evolved its brand positioning with the launch of a new website. This beautiful new site showcases the brand’s rich history and commitment to sustainability while highlighting new lip and face products to thoroughly engage users. It’s designed to make product discovery easy while the team gathers critical learnings about core consumers, fostering loyalty and love for the brand through personalized content.
Better Your Health
Our new BetterYourHealth.com represents an incredible leap for our Better Health VMS brands, unifying all four — Rainbow Light, Natural Vitality, NeoCell and RenewLife — under a single domain. Consumers can still shop each brand the way they always have, but now — whether they order products from one brand or all four — they’ll enjoy a more seamless experience with one account, one cart, one order and one shipment. We are excited about the potential for this to fuel our omnichannel businesses.
Each of these achievements represents a key milestone in the migration of our U.S. brand direct-to-consumer sites to a single platform, laying the foundation for personalized, frictionless consumer experiences. We have also moved all the sites to a single, standardized payment processor. These successful consolidations will drive optimal operating efficiency in the coming years.
Not to be outdone, the launch of our Clorox brand DTC site last year has already yielded impressive results. With a reach of 2,300 consumers , bundle purchases have driven 38% of revenue with “Build Your Own Bundle” leading the pack, confirming that our consumers love personalization.
Be sure to shop the new Brita.com, BurtsBees.com and BetterYourHealth.com to experience these sites that truly put our consumer at the center.


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‘India Demands Safety Standards’ is a multi-pronged initiative that showcases the importance of safety standards across various verticals. Behind the campaign are Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a global safety science organization, and CNN-News18, a leading English news channel in India.
The campaign aims to raise consumer awareness on the advantages of using safety-compliant products, devices and technologies – vis-à-vis non-certified alternatives across varied categories, such as consumer products, electronic devices, chemicals, medical devices and infrastructure.
The first chapter of ‘India Demands Safety Standards’ will revolve around the Healthcare sector. The healthcare and medical devices industry accounts for as much as $200 billion globally. India is one of the top 20 markets for such devices in world. Yet, it is plagued by poor standards and a feeble regulatory framework. That allows substandard medical devices to enter the market and affect patient safety.
The episode throws light on safety regulations and standardization of medical devices and equipment. The healthcare industry must follow the regulations to ensure proper patient care and safety of the medical community using the devices.
With rapid urbanization, Indian cities are undertaking construction at a frantic pace to accommodate new inhabitants. An explosive boom in the infrastructure industry is anticipated and it will require construction of close to 700-900 million square meters of residential and commercial space per year. Setting safety standards for new construction efforts, as well as older ones, is therefore vital. Growing awareness on building safety is urging corporates to make safety and social responsibility integral to their corporate guidelines.
The second chapter of ‘India Demands Safety Standards’ will focus on the Infrastructure sector, throwing light on safe construction practices for both, commercial and residential buildings. The episode on safer infrastructure will delve into myriad issues ranging from legal requirements of building construction to the human and economic cost of noncompliance with infrastructural safety standards.
Technology has radically changed nearly every human experience in an incredibly short time. ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) is predicted to be the next big threshold of innovation and is poised to cause maximum disruption. Much like the internet did, it will open a sea of opportunities over the next five years. Nevertheless, technology can be a double-edged sword. Do we really understand how safe the internet really is? By participating, are we risking our own critical information?
To seek answers to these questions, the third chapter of ‘India Demands Safety Standards’ will focus on the Technology sector, throwing light on safe and secure practices in cyber security, risk, information security, data safety, etc. The emphasis will be on the sector’s drive to achieve both, safety and security. This initiative will recommend the best code of practice for India and seek to improve internet security, ensuring enhanced safety for the entire ecosystem.
India’s plunge into liberalization, privatization and globalization has made it a coveted market for consumer goods. Today’s consumers understand the significance of quality and safety. For them, it is not just about the final product anymore. They are equally concerned about how manufacturing and distribution processes will affect sustainable living. High consumer expectations, coupled with initiatives like ‘Make in India: Zero Defect, Zero Effect’, has led to a growing need for superior quality and safety. Achieving that will ultimately help gain global market access and popular goodwill.
The fourth chapter of ‘India Demands Safety Standards’ will focus on consumer products. It will talk about safe and secure practices in manufacturing and distribution of consumer products, covering a wide range of articles – toys, chemicals, cosmetics and electronics & electrical goods. This chapter revolves around the need to create awareness on the use of safer consumer products.
Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare,Government of India
Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta
Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute
Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited (AHEL)
Joint Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India
VP & GM,
Health Sciences, UL
Vice President and Managing Director, UL South Asia
Director, Sales and Marketing, UL South Asia
Vice President, Public Safety Mission, UL
President, Consumer Business Unit, UL
Global Head of Chemistry, UL Environment


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SORWATHE awarded best exhibitor prize
Rwanda Tea Company, SORWATHE, was yesterday named the best overall exhibitor of the 13th Rwanda International Trade Fair, during the closing ceremony of the one-and-a-half week long exhibition at the PSF Gikondo Expo Grounds.
Kenya Commercial Bank and Madhvani Group came as second and third best exhibitors respectively.
SORWATHE was awarded with a trophy of excellence by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Monique Nsanzabaganwa.
Conveying his gratitude, the Director General of SORWATHE, J. C. Alles, commended the government for providing a favorable climate for private businesses and investments, which in turn has encouraged positive competition amongst firms.
“We are grateful that our work has been recognized as the best at this year’s Expo. Whatever we do as SORWATHE, we try to do it very well, specifically to meet the satisfaction of our customers,” Alles said.
Addressing the guests at the function, the Chairman of Private Sector Federation Robert Bayigamba said that compared to previous years, this year’s exhibition was bigger both in terms of number of exhibitors, and number of customers. This is a clear indication that Rwanda is undergoing an upward trend in business development.
“In 2005, we had only 305 exhibitors, but the number has been growing since then and this year we have had 444 exhibitors and over 159,000 visitors,” Bayigamba said.
He added that at the exhibition, many foreign companies had shown interest in registering permanent investments in Rwanda, particularly, SQ Vision, a Belgian based Security Company and GKK; a Dubai based interior design company.
This year’s expo was made possible through the contributions of various local companies including Giant beverage company, Bralirwa and Kobil, a leading regional petroleum company.
Minister Nsanzabaganwa commended the business community for their contributions towards the success of the exhibition and pledged continued government support through the implementation of programs favorable for the growth of the private sector.


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SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Murphy Research, a 10-year-old leading market research firm known for its comprehensive State of Our Health syndicated food and fitness study, will release its Online Fitness Deep Dive Report on Monday, Oct. 18, with highlighted findings shared during a free webinar at 2:00 pm ET on Thursday, Oct. 21. This new report paints a detailed portrait of the current state of the online fitness market by exploring online fitness market sizing, user profiles, brand engagement and performance, with a spotlight on the relationship between online fitness and gyms/fitness studios.
This report is particularly timely in light of increased interest in online fitness routines developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the types of consumers who have continued to use online fitness during the past year and the brands that are winning and falling behind in this crowded space. Key topic areas covered in the report include:
- Profiling current and lapsed online fitness users
- Evolving consumer online fitness routines, preferences and barriers
- Changes in online fitness engagement following gym and fitness studio reopenings
- Awareness, engagement and performance metrics for brands across the online fitness space, including trended data for many brands
The following five trends highlight key report findings:
Trial isn't equating to new users.
Overall participation in online fitness continues to grow, and if current trends continue, will overtake the number of Americans with gym memberships within the next year. Approximately 23% of U.S. adults report currently using some type of online fitness platform at least once a month. This includes streaming video workouts, fitness apps, virtual training sessions and fitness classes and services associated with smart equipment, like Peloton and NordicTrack iFit. Compared to 2020, the number of current users is virtually unchanged.
However, what has changed is how many consumers have tried online fitness since 2020. Among fitness-engaged U.S. adults (60% of the adult population) - defined as those who report exercising, wearing a fitness tracker or tracking fitness with an app at least weekly - 73% report having tried online fitness compared to 58% in 2020. However, this growth in trial has not translated into higher numbers of current users, highlighting a weakness the category will need to address for continued growth.
In a crowded category, trusted names stand out.
Peloton and NordicTrack's iFit lead in awareness, but YouTube remains the most commonly used online fitness resource. It is also where most consumers enter the category. However, newcomer Apple Fitness+, launched this past year, has quickly become a popular choice, coming in fifth in awareness and second in terms of current, regular users.
Specialized brands are showing higher levels of performance over digital and video platforms, like YouTube, despite their popularity. Brands with integrated equipment, like Peloton, iFit, SoulCyle, and Mirror, show higher rates of consumer satisfaction, as well as higher spending. Apple Fitness+ falls into this high-performing category as well. The investments these companies have made in variety and in motivating, personable and popular instructors are wise as these are the top drivers of satisfaction in online fitness, along with having fun, being a trusted brand, and providing guidance for improvement.
Current online fitness users are valuable consumers, but use many fitness resources to meet their needs.
Current online fitness users spend 5.8 times more on fitness than exercisers who have never tried online fitness. They are a very active group and online fitness caters to their need for variety, convenience, and motivation. However, online fitness is just one aspect of their fitness routines. More than two-thirds are currently members of a gym, and the majority workout at a gym or studio at least weekly. They spend more across all fitness categories than non-users, and use different fitness resources to meet different fitness needs.
Online fitness is a complement to the gym, not a replacement.
While online fitness plays an important role in fitness routines, it doesn't take the place of the gym for online fitness users. In fact, 74% of regular gym users report using online fitness most of the time or always while working out at the gym, which is as frequently as they use it at home. Clearly, online fitness has not replaced the gym at all for these users. Instead, it has filled a need for guidance and tracking that gyms are presumably not meeting, or not meeting as conveniently.
Online fitness brands need to innovate to meet the needs of a broader group of fitness consumers.
Lapsed online fitness users who no longer regularly log on are still quite physically active. These lapsed users tend to be older than current users and show a marked female skew. However, while these consumers use online fitness platforms less often than those who regularly turn to online fitness, they workout at home nearly as much, and don't mind an indoor workout.
These consumers share many of the same needs as current online fitness users; they too choose workouts where they can have fun, find variety and feel supported by a community. But, likely in keeping with their age and gender skews, they differ from current regular online fitness users in that they're more interested in burning calories and lower intensity workouts. They also suffer more from motivation issues - they enjoy fitness a bit less and are less regimented and competitive than current users.
This group expanded in size over the past year. In 2020, 9% of fitness-engaged U.S. adults were lapsed online fitness users. In 2021 this number increased to 22%. This is money left on the table for the online fitness category. A greater focus on low intensity, calorie-burning workouts, walking, gentle strength training and overall wellness might unlock the potential of this group.
"Online fitness clearly gained a lot of ground since the start of the pandemic, "said Chuck Murphy, founder and president of Murphy Research. "The question now is how the category is evolving as gyms and fitness studios reopen and consumers begin to resume some of their pre-pandemic activities. The data shows that there will likely be a 'new normal,' with a lot of variation based on fitness level, age, and even gender. Fitness brands have a unique opportunity now to capitalize on these changes to keep and even grow share, and to make online fitness a mainstay for a broader group of consumers."
Results included in the Online Fitness Deep Dive Report are based on an online survey of a nationally representative sample of n=1676 US adults. The report is the second wave of a study that was initiated in 2020, providing for comparative data between 2020 and 2021. The full report will be available for purchase on the Murphy Research website beginning on Oct. 18. Registration for the free Online Fitness Deep Dive Report webinar on Oct. 21 at 2:00 pm ET is now open. Click here to register.
About Murphy Research
Murphy Research is a full-service market research firm that understands groundbreaking research lies at the intersection of science and creativity. Based in Santa Monica, but with offices in Dallas, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Washington, D.C, the firm is known for its creative research design, rigorous execution, and enduring insights. Murphy Research offers quantitative and qualitative services to help clients with market assessment, brand strategy, product development, customer loyalty and engagement, and communications research. The firm works with leading Fortune 500 companies, like PepsiCo, Sony, YouTube, Disney, and Google, among many others, along with emerging technology, CPG, retail, media, communications, and financial services organizations. In addition to custom research, Murphy Research's comprehensive State of Our Health (SOOH) syndicated food and fitness tracker provides brands with an unparalleled depth and breadth of ongoing data uncovering the underlying truths that propel health and wellness attitudes and behaviors.
Jennifer Tilliss, SchroderHaus, +1 303-818-2485, [email protected]
SOURCE Murphy Research


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John Mahama made social media explode on Monday, 15 August, when he made an appearance at a shopping mall on Mother’s Day.
The former president of Ghana was spotted with his daughter, Farida Mahama, at a shopping mall and his eager fans could not help but scramble to take photos with him.
In one of the photos sighted by YEN.com.gh, the former president is seen at the checkout counter.
New information from Prince Kaye, who posted the images on social media network, Facebook shows that the shopping mall shown was the Palace Hypermall at Spintex.
John Mahama, with his hand around his daughter, was clearly checking out from the shopping center as the eager fan took a selfie with him.
In another image posted by the same Prince Teye on social media, the president and his daughter were almost mobbed as people clamored to grab a picture with him.
More images on social media show the former head of state busy with his shopping as people went to great lengths to capture the moment.
However, some social media users have accused John Mahama of trying to “copy” former president of the United State, Barack Obama’s style.
Earlier, a video of Obama shopping made rounds on social media and some users drew the conclusion that Mahama was trying to ride the “hype” to gain extra popularity
Got your own story to tell? Share it with us on Facebook or drop us a line on email@example.com, be featured on YEN!


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It’s been a giant 12 months for cellular apps and video games. Earlier this week, Google Play revealed its Better of 2021 record that includes all the hottest apps and video games on the platform for this 12 months.
Table of Content
- Google Play’s top games and apps
- android app store rankings
- google play store algorithm
- app promotion strategy
Along with one of the best apps and video games for smartphones and tablets, this 12 months’s record additionally contains one of the best apps for Google TV and WearOS gadgets.
Private development was excessive on the record of significance for apps this 12 months, with the Stability app from Elevate Labs taking this 12 months’s trophy for Greatest App. Stability is your individual private meditation coach that helps construct a each day meditation routine with assist from an enormous library of hundreds of audio information.
The opposite two high apps to make the record embrace Mentor Areas, an app for connecting “Black and Latinx early profession professionals with mentors,” and Speechify, a text-to-speech display screen reader.
As for Google Play video games this 12 months, Pokémon comes out on high. However it won’t be the sport that you just’re pondering. Pokémon GO has been the king of cellular Pokémon video games for a couple of years, however not this time round. Pokémon Unite takes the crown as this 12 months’s Greatest Recreation on Google Play.
Different video games that made the record embrace League of Legends: Wild Rift and Marvel Future Revolution.
Google Play’s record additionally contains one of the best Customers’ Selection sport and app for the 12 months. Customers selected the battle royale sport Garena Free Fireplace MAX as their favourite sport of 2021 and the Paramount Plus streaming app took residence the trophy for Customers’ Selection in apps.
READ MORE: Apple has revealed its greatest video games and apps of 2021
You’ll be able to take a look at the full record of Google Play’s greatest video games and apps of 2021 right here. Like a Hollywood awards present, the record options the highest apps in classes like “Greatest On a regular basis Necessities,” and “Greatest for Enjoyable,” alongside the “Greatest for Put on,” and “Greatest for Google TV.”
There are additionally classes for various sorts of video games, like “Greatest Aggressive,” “Greatest Indie,” and extra.


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Amid tougher fiscal conditions, technology is bringing modification to your GulfвЂ™s finance market that is personal
Conditions into the GulfвЂ™s finance that is personal in many cases are an excellent indicator of this overall health of local economies and 2016 had been no various.
In the same way local banking institutions faced a liquidity crunch connected to low oil costs just last year, customers experienced increased trouble gaining use of credit, specially when it stumbled on signature loans.
parison web site pareit4me stated that 1.68 percent fewer individuals sent applications for loans a year ago than in 2015, suggesting customers would not feel safe and secure enough to mit to longer loan agreements.
Meanwhile, the ones that did faced increased hurdles, by having a 10.26 % increase in applications indicating banks had been less prepared to hand out credit.
вЂњCertainly the liquidity crunch brought on by the low oil cost has received its effect on customers searching for easy credit вЂ“ which does not really occur anymore. Each for unsecured loans, suggesting that banks had been being more strict on who these people were offering individual finance to,вЂќ says Jon Richards, CEO, pareit4me. in 2016, users made on average 2.97 applications.
Amid this more challenging weather, the aggregator website and its own competing Souqalmal are a good example of the changing individual finance landscape when you look at the UAE and wider Gulf area, with technology playing a bigger role than previously.
Where when trying to get a free account included venturing to a bankвЂ™s nearest branch, and charge cards and loans had been offered within the phone through frequently undesired cool calling, technology is placing the energy straight straight right back when you look at the consumerвЂ™s fingers in more ways than one.
Branches are changing considerably with pills, video clip conferencing stands and movement screens that are sensitive conventional counters, workplaces and also staff in some cases. Therefore the same is increasingly real of procedures like having to pay bills and depositing cheques, as on the internet and banking that is mobile the latest norm therefore the loves of Emirates NBD and mercial Bank of Dubai launch an innovative new revolution of online-only reports focusing on millennials.
вЂњAs technology and social media evolve, the clients objectives of exactly exactly how they connect to their bank, what sort of solutions can be obtained in addition to information that can be found can be changing,вЂќ claims Mohsin Aikal, mind of customer finance at Noor Bank.
вЂњThey donвЂ™t want to consult with branches, they be prepared to conduct their banking to their Computer or mobile. And operations are continuously evolving to fully capture that feedback additionally the objectives of clients.вЂќ
The increase associated with aggregators
Despite improvements in the manner consumers conduct banking in the region in the last few years, Umair Hameed вЂ“ a partner in KPMGвЂ™s management consulting business вЂ“ contends there is innovation that is little it es to items such as for instance unsecured loans, bank cards and mortgages.
вЂњThe items on their own have actuallynвЂ™t evolved,вЂќ he states. вЂњIn the lack of any innovation it is really the prices and costs you can argue would be the differentiators.вЂќ
Because of this, Hameed shows that monetary technology companies like parison web internet sites вЂ“ or aggregators are those bringing real disruption to the non-public finance market and attaining impressive development figures along the way.
KPMG estimates aggregators within the UAE market are seeing 60 to 80 % increases annually within the amount of items being bought through their platforms as users appreciate the extra transparency they bring with an increase of than 75 banking institutions and finance panies.
вЂњCertainly individuals in this area are getting out of bed towards the great things about paring financial loans, but i believe which has less related to the present financial state and more regarding the reality that everyone else would like to conserve money where they can,вЂќ claims Richards.
вЂњAnd individuals are starting to realise that parison internet sites actually do save your self them money.вЂќ
This growth can also be disrupting old-fashioned push product sales techniques into the regionвЂ™s individual finance market, with direct parisons of items like loans, motor insurance, charge cards and much more forcing panies to pete more directly on prices and solutions.
вЂњThey introduce a layer of transparency and also this keeps most of the banking institutions on the toes,вЂќ says Aikal.
вЂњYou must be aware of exactly just what the petition is performing and whatвЂ™s available to you available in the market. Clearly you did that even before these aggregators but i do believe it adds an extra layer of urgency or awareness you perform some best you are able to as this is whatвЂ™s available to you. which youвЂ™ve surely got to be sureвЂќ
Islamic vs mainstream
One of the unwanted effects of this rise of aggregators happens to be the pitting of Islamic providers against their traditional counterparts in means maybe perhaps not seen before.
Aikal indicates how many customers choosing Islamic items is from the increase and growing faster compared to market, especially offered the often more favourable terms when it es to belated repayments.
But he thinks one key hurdle Sharia-pliant institutions face is deficiencies in customer understanding when it comes to just exactly how Islamic products work with parison for their old-fashioned counterparts.
A campaign that is recent dubbed #Ibankislamic saw seven Sharia organizations therefore the regulator when you look at the UAE meet up to advertise awareness through social media marketing, economic workshops and information sessions in schools.
вЂњWe need increasingly more of the therefore progressively people bee aware of just how it all works,вЂќ he claims.
вЂњAt the conclusion http://paydayloanadvance.net/payday-loans-wa/ of the afternoon all of us run in identical market whether main-stream or online and we pete for similar client base.вЂќ
Data from pareit4me indicates some known degree of success. The pany reported a 6.85 % escalation in the amount of individuals trying to get Islamic unsecured loans a year ago pared to 2015.
Nonetheless, an 8.57 % plunge in consumers trying to get Islamic bank cards recommends more focus should be required with this area within the approaching year.
The termination of cool calling?
As technology continues to disrupt the GulfвЂ™s personal finance market, Richards indicates you can still find an amount of gaps waiting become filled.
вЂњThe first that springs to thoughts are micro-finance, offering things such as payday advances on short-term agreements. Another is good finance for SMEs вЂ“ banks in your community purport to provide this however the the reality is not many loan providers will provide financing for an SME.вЂќ
He additionally contends a wider problem could be the system of determining credit-worthiness.
вЂњWeвЂ™d need credit checks to have much more advanced he says if we were to bring micro-finance and good SME funding to the region.
The Gulf also has some way to go in its adoption of parison sites, which have existed in other parts of the world since the turn of the century at the same time.
вЂњIn Europe, for instance, over 1 / 2 of insurance coverages are purchased via a parison web web web site, whereas that quantity is minimal right right here. Once again insurers are prepared to get online with parison internet internet sites thereвЂ™ll be much more option for customers and healthiest petition,вЂќ Richards adds.
But as adoption increases, Hameed thinks the stress shall be on banks to improve their approach, with a few smaller organizations perhaps opting to conduct their sales through aggregators totally in place of employing their very own staff.
вЂњRetail banking institutions need certainly to realise that вЂ“ with a moditised and standardised item offering, and increased interruption towards the old-fashioned petitive model вЂ“ as aggregators increasingly bee the intermediary among them as well as the end client, they truly are one action further far from having an immediate user interface with all the consumer. Plus one step nearer to being hidden to your customer,вЂќ he says.
Therefore does this suggest the end of cool calling by banking institutions desperate to signal you up for credit cards or loan?
Those dreaming about a finish towards the training can be disappointed but aggregators along with other technology improvements may at the least mean banking institutions are more smart in the manner each goes about this.
By utilising data and analytics to learn customer transaction data Hameed suggests lenders could quickly be calling clients to provide them something more tailored with their requirements, such as for instance an training item right after paying their childвЂ™s college costs, as opposed to a unwelcome distraction.
вЂњHow many times has someone called you during the point that is right of offering you one thing you will need? Banks arenвЂ™t doing that,вЂќ he says.
вЂњBy placing it in context they could give you something which is more appropriate.вЂќ


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As we’ve talked about quite a bit this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have been holding an unprecedented series of workshops examining the control that a handful of corporations have over our entire food system. Most of what matters about food safety, access to affordable, healthy food and the reason why so many family farmers still struggle to get by is the direct result of the stranglehold these corporations have on every link of the food chain.
If you’re in the Greater D.C.-Metro area, please join us for a special event to show solidarity with family farmers and learn more about how corporate control impacts consumers:
Confronting Corporate Control Over Our Food: A Farmer and Consumer Forum
Tuesday, December 7th
5-6:30pm, Supper from the Family Farm
The Methodist Building at 100 Maryland Ave NE, Washington DC (next to the Supreme Court)
RSVP to email@example.com
The event will feature an educational panel of farmer and consumer leaders who will introduce attendees to the DOJ/USDA antitrust workshop process, talk in depth about the impact corporate control has had on the lives of farmers and eaters and offer space for a “Community Speak-Out.”
The next day, Wednesday, December 8th, the DOJ and USDA will hold the final antitrust workshop—a workshop focusing on how corporate concentration affects the difference between consumer food prices and what farmers are paid for their goods. We encourage those in the area to attend this important workshop as well. You can register for the event here.
We hope you will join us tomorrow evening or at the Wednesday workshop itself (or, better yet, both!) to show USDA and DOJ that all of us who eat care about a fair food system and demand meaningful action against bad corporate players.


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Innovafeed and Cargill extend their partnership
Expanding from three years to ten, the global partnership will jointly develop and market insect meal to help aquafeed customers raise more sustainable seafood.
Cargill and Innovafeed are expanding their agreement from three to ten years. Inititially signed in 2019, the new agreement combines Innovafeed’s expertise in formulating precision insect ingredients and Cargill’s global animal nutrition capabilities to scale up the use of insect ingredients in multiple types of animal feed. Under this new contract, Cargill will benefit from high-performance and sustainable ingredients for salmonids. Insect-based feed has become a competitive alternative to other sources of protein at all levels, including nutrition, production, and sustainability.
Reducing CO2 emissions in the aquaculture industry is at the core to Cargill’s SeaFurther Sustainability Initiative. Leveraging Innovafeed’s high-quality insect meal in aquafeed saves up to 16,000 tons of CO2 for every 10,000 tons of insect protein.
Together, Cargill and Innovafeed maximize the use of resources to create a high-quality feed with much less waste. Co-products of the agriculture industry are used to feed black soldier fly larvae. Once the larvae reach a certain stage, protein and oil are extracted from the larvae, which can be used in Cargill’s feed for aquaculture species, and young animals such as chicks and piglets.
“A contract of this size and scope for insect ingredients in aquafeed is a first in our industry and marks a major milestone in favor of more sustainable and efficient animal feed, thanks to novel ingredients and insects more specifically,” said Clément Ray, Innovafeed’s co-founder and CEO.
Helene Ziv-Douki, president of Cargill’s aqua nutrition business, said, “we have a shared purpose with Innovafeed: offering innovative, sustainable solutions to meet the nutritional needs of our customers and a growing population.”


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DOHA: A Qatari businesswoman turned heads at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, pitting herself against giants of the industry while also bucking trends in the conservative country.
Noora al-Ansari — a Qatari woman running her own company and dealing with customers herself — is a rarity in the wealthy Gulf state, where a growing number of women work but few have made their name in the business.
Since opening her first Papillon store in the capital Doha, she said customers have been curious about her nationality.
“When women saw me standing in Papillon, they were wondering whether I was Qatari or not,” she told AFP, her exhibition stand flanked by household names of the jewellery world.
“They were not used to seeing a Qatari woman standing in her shop” and dealing with the business and customers, she said.
“When they found out they said, ‘we are so proud of you. You have beautiful pieces. And that encourages me.”
The week-long exhibition ending on Saturday reflects the opulence of Qatar, whose massive gas reserves have made it one of the world's wealthiest countries but where women's rights have caused controversy.
Ansari said she calls the annual show, which has drawn more than 30,000 visitors, “the big Qatari wedding” because it is highly anticipated among Doha society.
A steady flow of luxury cars could be seen pulling up outside the exhibition, where Louis Vuitton, Bulgari and other global names were showcasing their designs.
One Cartier necklace was on sale for $21 million.
‘All owned by men'
A former education and oil industry executive, Ansari designed her first solitaire ring in 2008 and launched her business three years later.
In 2022, she moved her store into one of Doha's most expensive malls alongside the international names she is competing with at the show.
“I am very proud as a woman to be a jeweller because all the names that you hear about in Doha, all the jewellery stores here, are owned by men,” she said.
She added that her customers appreciated her efforts to explain the “four Cs” of diamonds — cut, clarity, colour and carat.
“When I visited jewellery stores, no one was telling us what is a diamond, why it is valuable, why we should have it and enjoy it. We just keep hearing that a diamond is a girl's best friend,” she told AFP.
When she started out, there were only one or two Qatari designers while now there are at least 10 at the Doha show, according to Ansari.
“As a local brand, to be among the big names in the world is an honour, of course. It means that our jewellery is presenting our local tastes and high standards,” she said.


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Bono finds sexy way to change the world!
U2 frontman Bono has launched a charity credit card aimed at fighting Aids in Africa.india Updated: Mar 03, 2006 13:01 IST
U2 frontman Bono has launched a charity credit card aimed at fighting Aids in Africa.
The Red Amex card, also backed by supermodel Elle Macpherson, will donate one percent of the total funds spent on it towards combating the continent's HIV problem, and the Vertigo singer believes that working alongside major brands is the key to alleviating suffering in the developing world.
"This is really sexy to me. It is sexy to want to change the world. Red is a 21st-century idea. I think doing the Red thing, doing good, will turn out to be good business for them," Contactmusic quoted the Irish singer, as saying.
"We got a long way with Make Poverty History (charity organisation combating the income gap worldwide) but we need to keep the heat on these ssues.
Some people will be offended that activists like me are working with big companies, but when you see people queuing up to die from a disease which is curable, it makes you want to do something," he added.
First Published: Mar 03, 2006 13:01 IST


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Apple is a big customer of Googles search engine. In order to become the default search engine for Safari browser in iPhone and MAC, Google pays Apple billions of dollars every year.
On Thursday morning local time, Jon Henshaw, founder of coywolf, a digital marketing research firm, said it was not clear whether sirisuggestion was still using Google, but Apple was using spotlightsearch to provide search results rather than other search engines.
However, through a short test, some media found that the search using sirisuggestion on IOS 14 platform still came from Google. Similarly, the search using sirisuggestion on IOS 13 is almost entirely from Google.
The latest report says Apple is investing heavily in search projects and is hiring search engineers. It is worth mentioning that the employment demand in related fields has decreased rather than increased in the past year, which may be caused by the impact of the new coronavirus epidemic.
In addition, Apples web crawler, applebot, was updated in June this year. Henshaw said that the updated part of applebot, including how to verify the traffic of applebot, expanded the details of applebots user agent, including the difference between the desktop version and the mobile version. In addition to being able to grab HTML, you can also render pages similar to Google. Also added a section about search ranking and factors that affect the ranking of web search results.
Some developers have seen the recent increase in applebot activity in their website logs, which undoubtedly makes them speculate that Apple may launch a mature search engine. Henshaw also points out that the applebot crawler has been very busy, which he has only recently noticed.
Although there is no clear evidence that apple is about to launch its own mature search engine, it is important for all users to have a complete search engine. Henshaw said that if Apple has its own search engine, it will weaken Googles control over the search engine market, provide better promotion for Apples services, strengthen Apples control over the entire hardware and software field, and allow developers to promote their own applications in a wider range of search results, not just in the app store search of apple.
However, Apple launched its own search engine is not a small move. Media reports say that if Apple launches its own search engine, it may attract antitrust concerns from government regulators. Especially at present, apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon and other high-tech companies are facing strong antitrust charges from the US Congress, the federal government and the States. Perhaps in view of this, Henshaw believes that Apples self-contained search engine may never come to market.
At this point, everything is based on observation and conjecture. They (Apple) may never release a full search engine. But its possible that IOS, ipados and MacOS users will use Apples search engine. It could be tightly integrated into Apples operating system and its own applications, and eventually spotlightsearch will leave Google, Henshaw said (Tianmen Mountain)
Shenzhen Stock Exchange: shares of windstorm Group Co., Ltd. have been delisted. The United Development Division has applied to the United States to continue to supply Huawei. Yu Minhong said that Ruixing has lost the face of the Chinese people, and he has never made up false data. Source: Qiao JunJing, editor in charge of Netease science and Technology Report_ NBJ11279


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Fyffes reports higher profits for 2014
Pre-tax profits at fruit distributor Fyffes rose by more than 25pc last year to €39m, making 2014 the company’s sixth consecutive year of growth.
Total revenues at the company were up by 0.8pc to €1.091bn. Group revenue, excluding Fyffes' share of its joint ventures, increased by 2pc to €853m in the year.
The company is proposing to pay a final dividend for 2014 of €1.673 cent per share, up 12.3pc on the previous year.
Earnings per share in 2014 amounted to €11.17 cent, up 26.6pc on the previous year.
The company suffered a major setback last year after its planned near $1bn merger with US banana distributor Chiquita was aborted.
The proposed combination, first unveiled in March, would have created a distributor of more than 160 million banana boxes a year.


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Last Updated Dec 8, 2009 4:20 PM EST
For decades now, through both Democratic and Republican administrations, antitrust enforcement in the United States has been virtually nonexistent. Companies have been gobbling up competitors in industries ranging from oil (Chevron buying Texaco) to software (Oracle buying PeopleSoft, which had already purchased J. D. Edwards) to banking (NationsBank merging with Bank of America) to pharmaceuticals (Pfizer's purchase of Wyeth). The reason for such lax oversight: a perspective out of the University of Chicago maintaining that there are relatively few real monopolies, markets are largely self-correcting, and government regulators and policy makers are not to be trusted to make economic decisions.
Numerous bad consequences flow from this misguided policy - or absence of policy. One is higher prices. There just might be some connection between the rise in pharmaceutical prices and the fact that this industry has seen mega-mergers among the major players for years.
Another is the recent financial meltdown and the taxpayer funds that have been expended to address it. How did so many financial institutions become "too big to fail" without imposing unreasonable systemic burdens and risks? Because no antitrust oversight precluded the numerous mergers and takeovers that created a financial landscape in which a few behemoths held most of the deposits and made most of the mortgages. And the "solution" to this problem, caused in part by having institutions too big to fail? Combine those entities with other, larger financial organizations - leaving mortgage markets, deposits, commercial loans, and investment banking even more concentrated than before.
Other negative effects on innovation and entrepreneurship have implications for the long-run competitiveness of the U.S. economy. To oversimplify somewhat, businesses can compete in basically two ways:
- Offer a superior value proposition in the marketplace - the bundle of product and service features coupled with the price.
- Use size and market power to bully or bribe your customers and forestall competitive entry.
All too many companies use their size and market power to intimidate or bribe customers into not pursing new offerings that may be beneficial. Intel recently paid an antitrust settlement of more than $1 billion. Although the company denied any guilt, the allegations were that Intel gave money to customers that would stop using AMD's chips. Oracle's strategy of using its vast cash hoard to "consolidate" the software industry - acquiring companies that make competitive and complementary products - provides it the market power to forestall customer defection even if the customers are unhappy, because they have few to no options left.
And then there is IBM. According to one knowledgeable industry source, more than half of IBM's profits still come from its mainframe business - and some of you thought mainframe computers were relics of the past! This fact is scarcely surprising when you think about how many mainframe competitors are left in the marketplace - approximately none - how many legacy applications and systems still run on large mainframes, and how long, costly, and difficult it is to migrate to new platforms. IBM will do anything to protect its mainframe business and margins. As Ashlee Vance details in her New York Times blog post, it's threatened customers with legal action for considering software that saves processing power and time, such as that provided by Neon Enterprise Software, and it's threatened other retaliatory moves, such as withdrawing support from customers' mainframe operations.
Fortunately, the European Union's antitrust authority has seen fit to be somewhat more active than its U.S. counterpart. The E.U. has given Intel, Microsoft, and now Oracle (with its proposed acquisition of Sun Microsystems) trouble. Instead of complaining about the EU and its "bureaucrats," as many of my high-tech friends do, people should appreciate the importance of antitrust enforcement.
Markets provide numerous benefits in the allocation of resources and in stimulating invention and the renewal of companies and industries. But markets need competition to work properly. Competition requires competitors and a game that is not rigged in favor of the large, powerful, and politically well-connected incumbents. The importance of getting this policy right is huge, both for the companies adversely affected and for the economy as a whole.


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Fraud can have a massive impact on both individuals and businesses, experts have warned.
According to fraud prevention service CIFAS, it is not true to say that fraud is a "victimless crime", as its impact is far reaching.
Identity fraud in particular was flagged up as a considerable hazard, as people's personal data can often be extremely valuable to criminals.
However, CIFAS said it believes more needs to be done to take action on the issue.
"All organizations must recognize this threat and review how they try to prevent such frauds," said Richard Hurley, communications manager at the group.
Businesses were encouraged to look at their security procedures to see whether they are fit for purpose.
CIFAS also suggested that members of staff who are registered to access business applications make sure they change their passwords on a regular basis.
Mr Hurley added that sensitive data should be treated in the same way as a "prized possession" and "protected without complacency".
Posted by Rachel Wheeler


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As this article goes to print, 40 million people will have watched a computer program called AlphaGo defeat the world’s Go human champion, Lee Sedol. Go is a deceptively simple and profound game invented in China and played all over East Asia.
What makes this triumph of artificial intelligence over humans so interesting to businesses is the commercial possibilities of the its technology to teach computers to recognise faces, translate between languages and show relevant ads to internet users.
If John Wanamaker were alive today, he would be banging his fist demanding the other 50 per cent.
But until Google writes a software program that replaces humans in the budgeting process, it is worth examining the merits and pitfalls of zero-based budgeting (ZBB), a trending headline since Unilever announced its move towards the strategy in late January this year.
While some call it a “belt-tightening move” in the face of uncertain economic conditions, others praise the FMCG giant for adopting a strategic approach to creating marketing budgets. What exactly is ZBB? Is it good or bad for business? The essence of ZBB is not the commonly misunderstood ‘zero’, but the whole idea of value.
Zero to hero?
ZBB often gets a bad rap as a cost-cutting trick that companies employ when they are in economic trouble.
Many define ZBB as wiping the budget slate clean every year and starting from zero, rather than extrapolating on the past years’ trends and next year’s revenue projections. It requires each function within an organisation to be analysed for needs and costs, and expenses to be justified for each new period.
While it can be more time-consuming than traditional budgeting, ZBB is all about funding based on efficiency and comes with the requirement for greater effort in determining ROI on every aspect of spending. So it allows for more visibility on the value of each function.
In addition to Unilever, ZBB has been adopted in the past several years by many of the world’s largest marketers, most famously by Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Mondelez and Pepsi.
Some companies employ ZBB less as a strategy to identify what adds the most value to the business and more as a cost-cutting method. Consumer goods giants, in particular, have struggled recently in the wake of the economic downturn, but also as consumer taste shifts and people move towards healthy lifestyle choices.
Many have found the implementation of ZBB to be a success. Mondelez has claimed to have saved US$350 million in SG&A in 2015 and is projected to have a three-year saving of US$1.1 billion with increased margins.
There are definite pitfalls to adopting ZBB as a blind mantra or a panacea for any marketing or budgeting ills. For example, making sure that smaller markets and brands receive adequate support and don’t miss out on the investment they need.
However, when used appropriately, ZBB can be an invaluable tool for focusing on core goals to drive growth rather than just chipping away at costs and overhead. It allows the marketing team to invest money strategically and leads to proactive marketing. Instead of doing what you’ve always done or adding/subtracting from the previous year’s budget, ZBB forces marketing teams to examine what’s increasing ROI.
Unsurprisingly, agency heads that weighed in on Unilever’s shift to ZBB don’t seem too enthusiastic. Some speculate that ZBB might threaten client-agency relationships, as pitches can sometimes be called to drive costs down. However, instead of viewing this shift as a business threat, agencies and marketers can look to another model — value-based remuneration — to better align on driving business results.
The commonly used labour-based remuneration model for most client-agency relationships presents problems for both parties. Like a taxi fare, the client has to pay whether or not the agency adds any value, and the agency is paid a fixed amount regardless if the value created is tiny or significant.
If a marketing firm shifts to a ZBB approach, looking to invest only in what creates value to the business, it would make sense thta the firm will prefer to compensate its agencies based on the value added, rather than the number of hours spent on a project.
This will however be tough to achieve if marketers keep pumping millions into their legacy network agencies and traditional ATL campaigns.
Marketers need to re-look at their agency partners to ask themselves: “For the launches where my returns are smaller, what kind of activities should I be investing in that are simpler and cheaper to deliver but still get me the results?”
In an age where consumers are always on, speed and agility, across all divisions, will matter more than ever.
R3 has worked with leading FMCG companies, financial services and telecom companies on implementing value-based remuneration models and found that the approach can be a catalyst for marketers to improve three main areas: measurement, accountability and sustainability.
If you don’t know which brands or campaigns are increasing ROI, it is impossible to create an accurate budget. It will also drive accountability, both internally and externally, with marketers being held accountable to business and agencies being pushed to deliver what matters. Finally, the more agile and responsive model focusing on measurement and accountability will empower teams to learn from failures much faster and replicate success quicker.
The end game for ZBB and value-based remuneration are the same -— spending marketing dollars effectively and efficiently. Marketers can mitigate cost redundancies, while freeing up that money to invest in market trends, which is crucial in the current landscape of constantly shifting digital ecosystems and agency relationship models.
However, it is important to note that while ZBB can provide cost cuts and savings if implemented correctly, it cannot be used to solve larger brand issues.
Shufen Goh is principal and co-founder of R3


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Peacock, a strong growing global lessor of tank containers, and IMT, the global market leader for tank container telematics, are pleased to announce their collaboration to provide innovative telematics solutions to Peacock’s customers.
Peacock, with a fleet of 20,000 tank containers, has committed to installing IMT’s telematics gradually on a significant base of its fleet, making it the first tank container lessor to do so without the direct demand from their customers. IMT has been the telematics supplier for Peacock for years, and this collaboration marks the next step in their partnership.
The added value for Peacock’s customers is that they will be able to activate the telematics services of IMT at any given moment without any investment in hardware or installation and with no waiting time. This brings a lot of added value to the customer, as they can not only monitor their tank container and cargo instantly but, based on the started implementation of AI on the IMT platform, also the actual loading status, the moment of loading/unloading, the duration of heating, the moment the tank container is cleaned, and much more.
IMT is proud of Peacock’s decision, as it shows that they are thinking with and for the customer. By collaborating with Peacock, IMT is demonstrating its commitment to providing innovative and reliable solutions to the tank container industry.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with IMT to bring the latest telematics solutions to our customers,” said Jesse Vermeijden, Managing Director at Peacock. “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our partnership, and we are confident that our customers will benefit greatly from this added value.”
“We are excited to work with Peacock and bring our telematics solutions to a broader base of their fleet,” said Dethmer Drenth, Managing Director at IMT. “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to innovation and delivering big data value to the tank container sector.”
Pictured from left to right:
Mr. Jesse Vermeijden, Managing Director at Peacock and Mr. Dethmer Drenth, Managing Director at IMT


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|By PR Newswire||
|January 28, 2014 07:30 AM EST||
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Drinks Americas (OTC: DKAM), the exclusive United States broker for leading premium authentic Mexican beers currently present in over 32 states, today is pleased to announce that its premium authentic Mexican Day of the Dead Craft Beer is available in all nine Whole Foods Markets in Arizona.
Whole Foods Market is the world's leader in whole and organic foods with more than 360 stores in North Americas and United Kingdom. The Company describes itself as America's Healthiest Grocery Store™ who seeks out the finest natural and organic foods available, while maintaining the strictest quality standards in the industry.
According to Classico Wine and Spirits, the distributor for the brand in Arizona, Whole Foods is regularly conducting in store samplings and participating in displays to generate awareness of the brand among its adventurous and loyal customer base. During 2013's Halloween Season, Day of the Dead Beer had free standing displays within the stores promoting the authentic Mexican craft beer. Plans are now being put in to place for Cinco de Mayo.
Dario Soldan, President, Classico Distributor L.L.C. "The excitement and support Whole Foods Market has shown our authentic premium Mexican Day of the Dead craft beer is overwhelming. The standards that Whole Foods Market has in place for vendors of every kind – including beer - are extremely high. We are thrilled to be included in their stores in Arizona and hope to extend our presence beyond in the time ahead."
About Drinks Americas Holdings
Drinks Americas (OTC: DKAM) is the exclusive United States broker for leading premium authentic Mexican beers currently present in over 32 states. The Company is on target to be the leading broker for Mexican beers in each state in which it operates. Drinks Americas' leading premium authentic Mexican beer brands include specialty Day of the Dead Craft Beer, Mexicali™, Rio Bravo™, Red Pig™ and Chili Beer™, which are all brewed in Mexico's third largest brewery, Cerveceria Mexicana, utilizing state of the art processes, fermentation and aging systems. Drinks Americas' brands continue to forge strong connections with consumers through some of the largest retailers and restaurants in the country. The Company is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA and trades under the ticker symbol "DKAM."
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this release, including the description of the company and its product offerings, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the historical volatility and low trading volume of our stock, the risk and uncertainties inherent in the early stages of growth companies, the company's need to raise substantial additional capital to proceed with its business, risks associated with competitors, and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Investor Relations: 866-501-6582
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE Drinks Americas
SYS-CON Events announced today that Super Micro Computer, Inc., a global leader in compute, storage and networking technologies, will exhibit at SYS-CON's 20th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on June 6-8, 2017, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY. Supermicro (NASDAQ: SMCI), the leading innovator in high-performance, high-efficiency server technology, is a premier provider of advanced server Building Block Solutions® for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, Hadoop/...
Apr. 29, 2017 05:30 AM EDT Reads: 2,502
With major technology companies and startups seriously embracing IoT strategies, now is the perfect time to attend @ThingsExpo 2016 in New York. Learn what is going on, contribute to the discussions, and ensure that your enterprise is as "IoT-Ready" as it can be! Internet of @ThingsExpo, taking place June 6-8, 2017, at the Javits Center in New York City, New York, is co-located with 20th Cloud Expo and will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty and the leading industry p...
Apr. 29, 2017 05:00 AM EDT Reads: 1,472
All organizations that did not originate this moment have a pre-existing culture as well as legacy technology and processes that can be more or less amenable to DevOps implementation. That organizational culture is influenced by the personalities and management styles of Executive Management, the wider culture in which the organization is situated, and the personalities of key team members at all levels of the organization. This culture and entrenched interests usually throw a wrench in the work...
Apr. 29, 2017 04:15 AM EDT Reads: 888
Judith Hurwitz is president and CEO of Hurwitz & Associates, a Needham, Mass., research and consulting firm focused on emerging technology, including big data, cognitive computing and governance. She is co-author of the book Cognitive Computing and Big Data Analytics, published in 2015. Her Cloud Expo session, "What Is the Business Imperative for Cognitive Computing?" is scheduled for Wednesday, June 8, at 8:40 a.m. In it, she puts cognitive computing into perspective with its value to the busin...
Apr. 29, 2017 04:00 AM EDT Reads: 3,802
NHK, Japan Broadcasting, will feature the upcoming @ThingsExpo Silicon Valley in a special 'Internet of Things' and smart technology documentary that will be filmed on the expo floor between November 3 to 5, 2015, in Santa Clara. NHK is the sole public TV network in Japan equivalent to the BBC in the UK and the largest in Asia with many award-winning science and technology programs. Japanese TV is producing a documentary about IoT and Smart technology and will be covering @ThingsExpo Silicon Val...
Apr. 29, 2017 02:30 AM EDT Reads: 9,347
SYS-CON Events announced today that CollabNet, a global leader in enterprise software development, release automation and DevOps solutions, will be a Bronze Sponsor of SYS-CON's 20th International Cloud Expo®, taking place from June 6-8, 2017, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY. CollabNet offers a broad range of solutions with the mission of helping modern organizations deliver quality software at speed. The company’s latest innovation, the DevOps Lifecycle Manager (DLM), supports Value S...
Apr. 29, 2017 01:45 AM EDT Reads: 1,285
The 20th International Cloud Expo has announced that its Call for Papers is open. Cloud Expo, to be held June 6-8, 2017, at the Javits Center in New York City, brings together Cloud Computing, Big Data, Internet of Things, DevOps, Containers, Microservices and WebRTC to one location. With cloud computing driving a higher percentage of enterprise IT budgets every year, it becomes increasingly important to plant your flag in this fast-expanding business opportunity. Submit your speaking proposal ...
Apr. 29, 2017 01:45 AM EDT Reads: 1,570
Building a cross-cloud operational model can be a daunting task. Per-cloud silos are not the answer, but neither is a fully generic abstraction plane that strips out capabilities unique to a particular provider. In his session at 20th Cloud Expo, Chris Wolf, VP & Chief Technology Officer, Global Field & Industry at VMware, will discuss how successful organizations approach cloud operations and management, with insights into where operations should be centralized and when it’s best to decentraliz...
Apr. 29, 2017 01:15 AM EDT Reads: 917
The age of Digital Disruption is evolving into the next era – Digital Cohesion, an age in which applications securely self-assemble and deliver predictive services that continuously adapt to user behavior. Information from devices, sensors and applications around us will drive services seamlessly across mobile and fixed devices/infrastructure. This evolution is happening now in software defined services and secure networking. Four key drivers – Performance, Economics, Interoperability and Trust ...
Apr. 29, 2017 12:30 AM EDT Reads: 944
DevOps is often described as a combination of technology and culture. Without both, DevOps isn't complete. However, applying the culture to outdated technology is a recipe for disaster; as response times grow and connections between teams are delayed by technology, the culture will die. A Nutanix Enterprise Cloud has many benefits that provide the needed base for a true DevOps paradigm. In his Day 3 Keynote at 20th Cloud Expo, Chris Brown, a Solutions Marketing Manager at Nutanix, will explore t...
Apr. 29, 2017 12:00 AM EDT Reads: 980
With billions of sensors deployed worldwide, the amount of machine-generated data will soon exceed what our networks can handle. But consumers and businesses will expect seamless experiences and real-time responsiveness. What does this mean for IoT devices and the infrastructure that supports them? More of the data will need to be handled at - or closer to - the devices themselves.
Apr. 29, 2017 12:00 AM EDT Reads: 1,052
@DevOpsSummit at Cloud taking place June 6-8, 2017, at Javits Center, New York City, is co-located with the 20th International Cloud Expo and will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty and the leading industry players in the world. The widespread success of cloud computing is driving the DevOps revolution in enterprise IT. Now as never before, development teams must communicate and collaborate in a dynamic, 24/7/365 environment. There is no time to wait for long developm...
Apr. 28, 2017 11:45 PM EDT Reads: 2,380
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Apr. 28, 2017 11:30 PM EDT Reads: 2,756
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Apr. 28, 2017 10:45 PM EDT Reads: 1,952
In his keynote at @ThingsExpo, Chris Matthieu, Director of IoT Engineering at Citrix and co-founder and CTO of Octoblu, focused on building an IoT platform and company. He provided a behind-the-scenes look at Octoblu’s platform, business, and pivots along the way (including the Citrix acquisition of Octoblu).
Apr. 28, 2017 10:30 PM EDT Reads: 1,627


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Shaky consumer confidence is creating havoc for exchange-traded funds tied to discretionary spending.
Consumer spending rose in May, but at a pace that trailed price inflation, and was particularly weak for a "pent up" spending period coming after the extreme winter weather. The latest Commerce Department report also showed that Americans continue to save more than they spend, even as personal income rises.
The consumer discretionary sector has rebounded a bit in June (up 1.9 percent), but it's the only sub-sector within the S&P 500 that has turned in a negative performance this year, as of June 27, according to an analysis done by Yardeni Research.
Still, bulls don't think the recent rebound in the American consumer bet is a fluky one.
A 6.3 percent unemployment rate remains higher than where many policymakers would like, but the rate is as low as it's been in more than five years. Though the International Monetary Fund has slashed its growth forecast for the U.S. economy to 2 percent this year, that is still better than the 1.9 percent gain the economy registered last year.
"I continue to be bullish on the consumer going forward in the second half of the year and into 2015," said David Bettencourt of ETF Daily News, in an email. "Exceptionally low rates, low inflation and an uptick in jobs will fuel the consumer and the [consumer ETF] XLY. XLY also has a dividend which makes it attractive."
The SPDR Discretionary ETF (XLY), the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT), and the Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) have all posted declines this year even as the broader market indexes reached record highs. More specialized ETFs betting on consumer spending, such as the PowerShares Dynamic Media Portfolio (PBS) and PowerShares Dynamic Leisure & Entertainment fund (PEJ), have also turned in lackluster performance.
The approaches these ETFs take to targeting consumer spending is varied.
Read MoreAging stinks—at least profit from it
XLY, for instance, has media companies including Walt Disney and Comcast in its top 10 holdings with Home Depot, McDonald's and Priceline.com. Vanguard's VCR also has significant exposure to media companies. The sector accounts for roughly 30 percent of both ETFs.
"Some of the media companies—it could be a push to say they are consumer discretionary companies. It's not right or wrong, but some could contest that," said Spencer Bogart, an analyst with ETF.com, though he added that XLY and VCR represent the sector well overall.
XLY is among the editors' picks at ETF.com and has a low 16 basis point expense ratio, among the lowest in the sector.
VCR, the Vanguard ETF, casts a wider net than its rival, holding many more stocks—385 to XLY's 84. VCR's expense ratio is 14 basis points.
Read MoreHow to build your own ETF
There are slight sector diversions among the two biggest consumer ETFs. VCR has a 17 percent weighting in hotel and entertainment stocks; XLY reports a 1 percent stake in software and IT service.
Both ETFs should do well if consumer confidence continues to slowly, but surely, improve.
That hasn't yet happened in anything resembling a straight line. Recent data released by Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan June sentiment index showed an increase to 82.5, up from a preliminary reading of 81.2 and a May reading of 81.9. That was better than expectations, but still below the April level and the year-ago reading.
"We are cautiously optimistic (about the future)," said Scott Hoyt, an economist at Moody's Economy.com. "The economy should be positioned to move forward more powerfully," in the second half of the year, he said.
Analysts like XRT, the retail stock-targeted ETF, because it is equal-weighted, meaning that stocks carry the same value in the index regardless of their market capitalizaton. This is important given that one of its stocks is Sears Holdings, billionaire Edward Lampert's struggling retail chain. Though the stock is down more than 20 percent this year, that doesn't hurt XRT shareholders nearly as much since the stock makes up about 1 percent of the firm's holdings. Another plus for XRT is that it holds many small-cap retail stocks, which tend to perform better in a rising stock market than larger-cap companies, Bogart said.
Read MoreA warning from the father of the VIX
PBS and PEJ have the highest expense ratios of the consumer ETFs, with expense ratios of 63 basis points. They make sense for investors who are looking to do a targeted bet on either media or leisure stocks but wouldn't be right for long-term, buy-and-hold investors because there are plenty of cheaper alternatives, Bogart said.
Bettencourt is a fan of PBS, because its holdings include Walt Disney, which is reaping the benefits of its $1 billion-plus hit "Frozen" and can take advantage of the mergers and acquisitions activitiy in the sector. Time Warner Cable may be acquired by Comcast, pending government approval, and AT&T plans to buy DirecTV . (Disclosure: Comcast is the owner of NBCUniversal, the parent company of CNBC and CNBC.com.)
Bettencourt is less of a fan of PEJ. Restaurant chains, including Chipotle and Sonic, account for more than 34 percent of its holdings and rising commodity prices are pinching the sector. Leisure and recreation companies, including Marriott, account for 23 percent; and Wynn Resorts and other casino operators account for about 12 percent. Casinos have been hurt by declines in business in Macao and rising competition for the U.S. gambler.
—By Jonathan Berr, Special to CNBC.com


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8 Last Mile Trends To Watch For In 2022
According to Statista, worldwide ecommerce sales will account for 20.4 percent of all retail sales in 2022. Just prior to the pandemic in 2019, online sales made up 13.6 percent of all retail sales.
Online sales, and in turn, the last mile logistics, were already growing exponentially with every passing year. However, the pandemic lit a fire that no shipper could see coming.
As a result, the last mile trends of 2022 are significantly different than those of years past. Take advantage of our list of last mile trends below to help prepare your business for the months to come.
1.) Safety Stock Warehousing
Who would have thought that the second year of the global pandemic would've turned out more challenging than the first? Over the course of much of 2021, shippers across all industries struggled to maintain adequate levels of inventory to meet surging consumer demand.
The main culprit, shipping congestion off the West Coast, created a cascade of supply chain bottlenecks. From intermodal to full truckload shipping, shippers were challenged to receive their products to meet growing final mile delivery demands.
In years past, supply chains embraced the just in time warehousing model. Going forward, more shippers will invest in building up safety stocks to meet seasonal and surge demands. To accomplish this, shippers will need to build strong partnerships with warehouse services providers in order to find adequate space in an already-strained market.
2.) Inventory Positioning
In addition to a return to traditional warehousing of backup products, another last mile trend in 2022 is the continued demand for quick delivery. Though shippers can benefit from utilizing a last mile delivery network to provide nationwide coverage, many customers have come to expect the Amazon Prime delivery standard.
To that point, shippers wishing to meet the demands of final mile delivery and customer expectations may find value in positioning inventory across multiple key markets.
Through a combination of warehousing and a prequalified network of delivery agents, shippers can benefit from a strategy called forward stocking logistics. This strategy helps to ensure that inventory is within range of key markets to provide next- and even same-day delivery.
Want to learn how one major retailer embraced this strategy to meet the needs of their customers? Download our free case study!
3.) More White Glove Demand
While we are far from through with the pandemic, consumers are desiring a return to normal. With vaccines widely available, the reluctancy to allow residential freight delivery agents inside will continue to decline for many shoppers.
Though the demand for white glove delivery didn't take a huge hit in 2021, the staggering growth in online sales will push the need for this service even further in 2022.
4.) Continued Pandemic Precautions
One of the ongoing last mile trends that the industry will face for some years to come is the precautionary practices to reduce the transmission of COVID. Though many states have become more relaxed with regards to enforcement, there are still many questions related to vaccine mandates and the impact of coronavirus on the final mile.
When it comes to inside deliveries, many agents and couriers will continue to wear masks in 2022. Still, in an industry already challenged by a shortage of employees, mandates may scare off many potential newcomers to the driving profession.
5.) Labor & Capacity Challenges
The truck driver shortage is not limited to less-than-truckload and over-the-road drivers. As reported by FreightWaves, a lack of drivers is one of the primary last mile trends that will bring additional challenges to shippers.
In addition to a whirlwind of supply chain challenges and inflation, 2021 was one of the toughest years on record for companies looking to fill positions across nearly every industry. For shippers moving products direct to residential customers, it may often be challenging to find adequate capacity at affordable rates in 2022.
Nonetheless, partnering with the best service providers can still result in a very successful last mile logistics strategy. By partnering with a nationwide 3PL company rather than limiting itself to one carrier or agent, a business can find the rates and capacity it needs to keep customers happy.
6.) Increasing Need For Better Visibility
When we talk about shipment visibility, we're not only focused on the end-user. While it is important that customers have the ability to track their shipments online or via text updates, shippers also need clarity.
That's why one of the growing last mile trends in 2022 will be visibility for shippers. By having visibility on the last mile, shippers can:
- Deliver better customer service
- Reduce claims and losses
- Keep track of carrier and agent performance
- Plan better for future shipments
7.) Heightened Competition From Giants
With every passing year, Amazon and other large retailers, seemingly take control of more of the supply chain. Amazon, for example, continues to expand its last mile delivery pool of agents.
While great for Amazon and some retailers that sell products through the online marketplace, other businesses have to find ways to compete in terms of supply chain efficiency and customer experience.
Faced with the driver shortage and the driver recruiting efforts of Amazon and its delivery partners, shippers need to make sure they have access to multiple options to ensure they can deliver a great final mile experience that leads to return business.
8.) Leveraging Technology To Close Supply Chain Gaps
Given all of the challenges that shippers have faced in the past two years, there are still positive last mile trends to look forward to in 2022.
Each year, technology is becoming increasingly more intelligent and better suited to meet the actual needs of shippers. For many years, there has been a gap when it comes to the data flow between the middle and final miles of the supply chain. It's two different worlds that operate in these areas. LTL carriers handle the middle, and couriers and agents handle the final.
Still, supply chains have needs in both portions. With more shippers look to benefit from the growing boon of ecommerce sales, finding a way to link both miles is more important than ever.
New technologies are emerging to bridge the gap. SHIFT, for example, is a transportation management system that does just that.
With SHIFT, shippers have access to:
- An established nationwide final mile network that includes white glove couriers
- Access to nationwide LTL rates and capacity
- The ability to seamlessly book both legs of the journey
- Customized delivery options
- End-to-end shipment status tracking and notifications
- A complete suite of shipment management and history tools
- All from one easy-to-use online portal
Request A Free Demo of SHIFT
If you're ready to learn more about how SHIFT can help save you time and money, while also delivering a worry-free experience to your end-customers, our team would be happy to give you a demonstration of our TMS.
To schedule a demo, call our office at (770) 672-4294 or email@example.com.
Request a free rate quote today!
We're ready to help you achieve your supply chain goals! If you would like to learn how our services can help you reduce your costs and improve your logistics strategy, contact us by email, phone (770) 672-4294, or by clicking the button below.Contact us today


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Amazon has topped Retail Week Indicator as the ecommerce giant continues to refine its digital capabilities
While some retailers are still at the start of their digital journey, Amazon is honing it to perfection.
The key to Amazon’s overall success is understanding how customers are shopping and being responsive to changing shopping habits. It is not content to follow the crowd; its culture of innovation means it will lead the pack and give customers a shopping experience they didn’t even realise they wanted.
Same-day delivery, personalised product recommendations, even drone delivery – Amazon invests to make sure it’s ahead of the curve.
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