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Vodafone Group to get $US130 billion payout from massive US telco deal
Tuesday, September 3, 2013/
Vodafone Group is set to cash in to the tune of $US130 billion after agreeing to sell out of its US-based joint venture in the third-largest corporate deal in history.
According to Reuters, the deal will see the UK-based telco sell its 45% stake in US mobile phone carrier Verizon Wireless to joint venture partner Verizon Communications in exchange for a massive $US130 billion windfall.
The deal, which is set to reshape the telecommunications industry globally, is the third largest corporate deal in history, trailing only Vodafone’s $US203 billion takeover of Germany’s Mannesmann in 1999 and AOL’s $US181 billion acquisition of Time Warner in 2000.
The massive deal will see Vodafone gain $US58.9 billion in cash, $US60.2 billion in Verizon stock and a further $US11 billion in related transactions.
Vodafone is set to return 71% of the proceeds, worth $US84 billion, to shareholders, while leaving the telco giant billions for potential mergers and acquisitions, as well as improvements to its mobile phone networks around the world.
Vodafone Group, the world’s second largest telco by subscribers after China Mobile, owns 50% of VHA joint venture in Australia, which trades under the Vodafone brand locally.
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New research has found that generative AI and other rapidly evolving technologies will usher in a future for business which will bring physical and digital worlds together.
Accenture in its report estimates that as much as 40 per cent of all working hours will be supported or augmented by language-based AI. Among business leaders, 98 per cent of respondents agree AI foundation models will play an important role in their organisation’s strategies over the next three to five years.
“The next decade will be defined by three mega technology trends—cloud, metaverse and AI—which collectively will collapse the distance of our digital and physical worlds,” said Paul Daugherty, group chief executive of Accenture Technology.
“While generative AI will have far-reaching impact, leaders must dive in now to achieve its full promise, as it will require significant investments in data, people, and customizing foundation models to meet organizations’ unique needs,” he added.

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Kroger has announced a "hero bonus" for all of its frontline employees during the coronavirus pandemic.
On Tuesday, the grocery chain said it will add $2 to its associates' standard pay rate for the hours worked from March 29 through April 18.
All frontline grocery, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmacy and call center associates will receive the hero bonus.
Kroger is the parent company of North Carolina-based Harris Teeter.
"It's just one more way to continue to convey our thanks and gratitude to our associates, who have worked tirelessly on the frontlines during this national emergency," the company's chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen said.
The hero bonus is in addition to Kroger's one-time appreciation bonus announced nearly two weeks ago.
Earlier, Harris Teeter announced it's providing hourly associates in its retail, distribution center, manufacturing and corporate offices a one-time bonus of $300 for full-time workers and $150 for part-time workers.
H-E-B gives store employees $2/hour raises during COVID-19 crisis
This restaurant's CEO is giving up his salary to pay workers


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New Delhi: Automobile maker Mahindra and Mahindra, reportedly interested in acquiring Ford Motor’s top brands Land Rover and Jaguar in Europe, is also looking to buy a design firm in Italy to upgrade its skills.
“The company is looking to acquire a design company in Italy,” Mahindra Group chairman Keshub Mahindra said on the sidelines of the SIAM annual convention here.
“The acquisition is a part of our global strategy to source the best product. We are always in search of this and whenever an opportunity arises we will go for it,” he said, but did not give details on the possible takeover.
The company, which also makes utility vehicles, has been looking for overseas buys to expand its business. It had bought tractor manufacturing assets of China’s Jiangling Tractor Company a couple of years ago, and was also interested in buying a Romanian firm.
In recent days, the company has been reported to be eyeing ailing Ford Motor’s two marquees Jaguar and Land Rover, and is also said to have started due diligence. The company’s bigger Indian rival Tata Motors has already confirmed its interest in the two brands.
Mahindra also said the company’s manufacturing unit in Chennai with French carmaker Renault and Japan’s Nissan would be operational in two years.
The companies had in February agreed to form a joint venture to make cars in the 925-acre Chennai plant at an investment of Rs4,000 crore.
The plant, which would produce models for all three partners, would have a capacity to produce 400,000 cars and utility vehicles, besides power train for Renault and Nissan.
Mahindra also said M&M is developing a special economic zone at Gopalpur, Orissa.


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A new study from security firm AVG suggests that the average 11-year-old is just as tech savvy as their adult counterpart. The fourth installment of AVG’s Digital Diaries, which studies the digital life cycle of children, also reveals that parents are largely oblivious to this fact.
Vision Pro is here and it’s a surprisingly capable device. Apple has also loaded the headset with a ton of options and features that aren’t obvious at first glance.
Apple announced that its Major League Soccer Season Pass (through Apple TV) will include new immersive video content covering the 2023 playoffs. Apple TV is the exclusive provider of online Major League Soccer broadcasts via the MLS Season Pass subscription.
As the election approaches,Meta plans to activate an Elections Operations Center to identify potential threats and put mitigations in place in real time.


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Spoiler Alert, a Boston-based software company that helps perishable consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands manage excess inventory, announced on Wednesday that it raised $11 million in a series A funding round. The backing follows the rapid implementation of the company’s software over the last year, during which the company experienced over 400 percent growth in gross transaction value.
The platform is used by a growing number of CPG brands to digitize their business-to-business (B2B) liquidation. In other words, brands use Spoiler Alert’s service to easily sell their excess food items and short-dated, perishable inventory. Some of its clients include Campbell Soup Company, Danone North America, Kraft Heinz and Nestlé — four of the largest food and beverage manufacturers in the world.
“One of our core beliefs is that waste is no longer a necessary or acceptable cost of doing business,” said Spoiler Alert co-founder and chief product officer Emily Malina, in a press release. “Everything we do is geared towards moving perishable inventory faster to benefit brands, retailers, consumers and the planet.”
But just how detrimental is food waste? The answer is twofold. First, around the world, over 800 million people experience hunger, which is exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, in the US alone, it is estimated that 30 to 40 percent of food is wasted, which in turn wastes land, water labor, energy and other resources. That’s why Spoiler Alert was created — to alleviate the effects of food waste by keeping more food out of landfills and saving emissions and resources that go into food production.
Here’s how it works: suppliers can build custom offer sheets for their saleable inventory and buyers can discover products and plan orders in a matter of minutes. Suppliers then allocate their inventory in order to manage excess, slow-moving and discontinued items. Since it processes data from CPG brands on a regular basis, Spoiler Alert partnered with Files.com, a data transfer solutions company, to allow for faster connectivity, flexibility and highly responsive support.
When CPG brands use the platform, it results in increased profitability and a stronger supply for opportunistic inventory for closeout channels and other retailers. “Spoiler Alert lets us take these efforts to new heights, enabling our team to be better partners with our key retail customers and more rapidly respond to fluctuations in supply,” said Jacob Saxon, Head of US Sales Solutions for Kraft Heinz, in a press release.
Spoiler Alert is not the first company that is helping CPG brands divert food waste. Divert is another food waste mitigation tech company that uses data to minimize food waste from the retail supply chain. Other local organizations, such as City Harvest and Imperfect Foods, serve a similar purpose; however, Spoiler Alerts appears to have the broadest reach and the largest clientele.
Prior to its most recent funding round, Spoiler Alert raised $5.2 million in various seed and non-equity assistance rounds. The company will use the latest round of funding to expand its team and offerings, including investments in platform enhancements to move more inventory through various channels.


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Economy: Fitch Ratings (Fitch) has affirmed Indonesia’s Sovereign Credit Rating at BBB with a stable outlook. According to Fitch, key factors that support the affirmation are a favorable medium-term growth outlook and a low government debt/GDP ratio. On the other hand, Fitch underscores challenges including a high dependence on external financing, low government revenue, and lagging structural features such as governance indicators and GDP per capita compared with ‘BBB’ category peers.
In its assessment, Fitch projects that economic activity in Indonesia to contract in 2020, largely attributable to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The contraction is exacerbated by the effect of social distancing measures on consumption and investment, a temporary deterioration in Indonesia’s terms of trade and the sudden stop in foreign tourism inflows. The strong, broad-based impact of the pandemic on economic activity was illustrated by the 5.3% (year-on-year) contraction in 2Q20. However, Fitch forecasts a rebound of 6.6% in 2021. Economic growth momentum is predicted to continue in 2022, at 5.5%, supported in part by the government’s renewed focus on infrastructure development.
Monetary: Indonesia’s central bank kept its policy interest rate unchanged on 19 August, prioritizing market stability but loosened some lending rules to spur consumption in the pandemic-hit economy. The decision came after the economy shrank 5.32% in the second quarter amid a rising number of coronavirus cases in the country. Bank Indonesia (BI) kept the 7-day reverse repurchase rate at 4.00%, already the lowest since at least 2016, when it started using the rate as its benchmark, as expected by the majority of economists in a Reuters poll. BI has trimmed the key rate four times this year, totaling 100 basis points (bps), in response to the pandemic. These have come on top of cuts totaling 100 bps in 2019 to support economic growth.
In addition, BI has introduced the following measures: (1) Maintaining rupiah exchange rate stabilization policy in line with the currency’s fundamental value and market mechanisms; (2) Strengthening the monetary operations strategy in order to accelerate monetary policy transmission; (3) Lowering the minimum limit of down payment on green automotive loans/financing from 5-10% to 0%, in compliance with prudential principles, effective 1st October 2020; and (4) Strengthening synergy with the banking industry, FinTech, Government and relevant authorities to accelerate digitalization.
Trade: Indonesia recorded the biggest trade surplus in nine years in July as exports rose for a third consecutive month while demand for imports remained weak amid the pandemic. Exports jumped 14.33 percent month-on-month (mom) in July to US$13.73 billion, continuing the upward trend since May. The highest export growth was agriculture and manufactured goods despite the figure being 9.9 percent lower than in the same month last year. Imports stood at $10.47 billion in July, 32.55 percent lower annually and 2.73 percent lower than June, as domestic demand for consumption and raw materials remain subdued amid the pandemic.
The rise in exports and fall in imports led to a US$3.26 billion trade surplus, the highest since August 2011. “It is impossible for exports to immediately return to positive [annual growth] after an economic slump caused by COVID-19, but the [monthly] improvement is an encouraging sign,” according to the Head of Central Statistics Agency (BPS). Going forward, BPS see import growth will remain weaker than export growth due to suspensions in some domestic investment projects and production activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation might result in a narrow current account deficit.
Business: The retail industry – joined in the Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo) – announced its designed mitigation scheme for boosting people purchasing power which comes as a backup plan for the government’s future stimulus for the industry. According to the Aprindo, the association’s mitigation will be broken down into two strategies, which involve adapting to consumer’s purchasing power and improving services and most of all, offering innovations.
The retailers will continue to adapt to the conditions of consumers are in, such as adjusting the value of items and the consumers’ capacity by formulating the upstream sector. Moreover, innovations will come in the form of delivery services, better-utilizing app services, and making available drive-through services. Aprindo revealed that Indonesia’s retail industry is under immense pressure due to the deflation that nearly reaches 2 percent, dropping prices due to weak buying power, and infrastructures hampered by the rules stated under the government’s Covid-19 large-scale social restriction (PSBB).


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- The restaurant chain KFC has partnered with the company Beyond Meat to create chicken-free “fried chicken.”
- But fake fried “chicken” may not be much healthier than the real thing.
- Experts say that fried and processed food, even if it’s not meat can negatively affect your health.
With the growing popularity of meat-free eating, U.S. restaurant chain KFC has partnered with Beyond Meat to test a new plant-based “fried chicken” offering.
Only available as part of an exclusive one-restaurant test that started August 27 in an Atlanta, Georgia, location, customer response will determine if the new item becomes a fixture on KFC menus nationwide.
But as a heavily processed food, is fried, plant-based “meat” actually healthy to eat?
Meat alternatives are becoming an increasingly popular option in supermarkets and restaurants across the United States as people grow more concerned about health and the environmental impact of meat consumption.
According to KFC, the taste will be indistinguishable from real chicken.
“KFC Beyond Fried Chicken is so delicious, our customers will find it difficult to tell that it’s plant-based,” said Kevin Hochman, KFC U.S. president and chief concept officer, in a statement. “I think we’ve all heard ‘it tastes like chicken’ – well our customers are going to be amazed and say, ‘it tastes like Kentucky Fried Chicken!’”
And on its website, California-based Beyond Meat claims its plant-based products are better options that come without the health risks associated with some kinds of meat.
But there is controversy regarding whether or not plant-based meat substitutes are healthier than meat sourced from animals.
“While there are many positive benefits to choosing vegan/vegetarian protein choices, like no cholesterol, lower total fat, animal rights issues, and environmental impacts, it’s important to note that plant-sourced proteins don’t provide all the essential amino acids. Plant sourced proteins are not considered complete proteins in the world of nutrition,” Leslie Young, MA, RDN, and professor of nutrition at Purdue University Global School of Health Sciences in West Lafayette, Indiana, told Healthline.
Young pointed out for a balanced diet without meat, vegans or vegetarians need to find multiple types of protein sources to ensure they don’t miss out on key nutrients.
“However, if the consumer seeks this out as their new, sole source of protein or if portions sizes aren’t kept in check, then some nutritional risks may need to be assessed,” Young said.
A recent study
The findings suggested that for every 10 percent increase in the quantity of ultra-processed foods participants ate, their risk of cardiovascular disease rose by 12 percent, with similar increases in risk of heart and cerebrovascular disease.
Beyond Meat products contain a broad range of food additives, including preservatives and a coloring agent, placing them squarely in this category.
“These compounds are extractions from soy and pea, which is a refined food to some degree. Nevertheless, despite it being refined, there remain some benefits in plant foods which may still outdo meat products,” said Julianne Penner, MS, RD, from the Loma Linda University International Heart Institute in Loma Linda, California.
According to the
“If somebody has a soy allergy, they would have a reaction to any product with soy. Since peas are in the peanut family and also a legume (like soy), there is a possibility that those allergic to peanuts or soy may be allergic to pea protein, so should be cautious,” Penner said.
Additionally there have been concerns about the potential for soy products to affect certain hormones, although research is still ongoing.
The reason for the concern relates to the component genistein.
Genistein is a major component of soy that was found to disrupt ovary development in animal studies. Research
“Although we are not entirely certain about how these animal studies on genistein translate to the human population, there is some reason to be cautious,” said Dr. David A. Schwartz, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in a statement.
“More clinical studies are needed to determine how exposure during critical windows of development can impact human health,” Dr. Schwartz said.
Although soy has been considered a food that can help reduce heart disease risk since 1999, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering revoking that status.
“For the first time, we have considered it necessary to propose a rule to revoke a health claim because numerous studies published since the claim was authorized in 1999 have presented inconsistent findings on the relationship between soy protein and heart disease,” said Susan Mayne, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, in a
The association between fried food consumption and heart disease has been confirmed by numerous
“I wouldn’t consider it healthy, but it may be somewhat less harmful. I’m not sure what kind of oil KFC uses for frying or if it’s the same oil that will be used for the Beyond Chicken, but I would assume that it’s unhealthy oil,” Penner said.
Young also added that breaded chicken means there’s a significant carbohydrate component to the dish.
“Also, people with certain forms of diabetes need to be aware of the carbohydrate content of these meat alternative products. Most people associate fried meats as having little to no carbohydrates,” Young added.
Beyond Meat chicken itself also contains a small amount of canola oil. In some animal
“The data presented in the current paper demonstrate that chronic administration of a diet enriched with canola oil results in significant deficits of working memory and synaptic pathology,” the study authors wrote.
KFC has partnered with Beyond Meat to test a new plant-based, fried chicken in one location in Atlanta, Georgia.
Of the listed ingredients in Beyond Meat chicken, three may be concerning for the health conscious. These are soy and pea protein isolates and canola oil.
The new menu item will also be fried — a cooking method associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.


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Yesterday TechCrunch posted a brilliant article discussing the big players in the smartphone market in United States. By looking at the chart below, one can easily perceive that how search engine giant Google and Cupertino based company Apple are both leading in the long going smartphone battle.
What a difference just one year can make. In our Year in Tech post, I pointed out that 2011 was the year that Apple and Google won the smartphone wars. I put together the chart above from comScore U.S. mobile subscriber estimates to illustrate the dramatic shift in market share in the smartphone market. In less than 18 months, Apple’s and Google’s combined market share of U.S. mobile subscribers for iPhones and Android phones went from 43.8 percent to 75.6 percent between August, 2010 and November, 2011.How A Weakening PE Market Serves As Another Sign Of A Weakening Economy
Amid the turmoil in the public markets and the staggering macroeconomic environment, it should come as no surprise that the private markets are also struggling. In fact, there are some important links between private equity and the current economic environment. A closer look at PE reveals that the industry often serves as a leading indicator Read More
See the charts embedded below for having a better idea:


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Why Restaurants are Happy With the ROI of AI
AI Reshapes Restaurant Industry, Offers Competitive Edge
The restaurant industry has long been an early adopter of technology. Now, it’s an integral part of operations, customer service, and more. With technology evolving, the restaurant has a new tool in its technology toolkit—artificial intelligence (AI).
Speak Up to Order Up
AI has the power to revolutionize every aspect of the restaurant industry and improve the customer experience. Consider the reality of voice-activated ordering. Dunkin’ Donuts just announced its integration with Amazon’s Alexa.
Members of Dunkin’ Donuts’ loyalty program can place an order via Alexa then head down to the store to pick it up. Dunkin’ Donuts is in good company with this strategy in the hospitality space. Brands like Pizza Hut, Wingstop, and Starbucks all have similar capabilities either with direct ordering with a digital assistant or through chatbots.
AI Enters the Kitchen
Robot engineers have found a new use for these AI-driven machines—kitchen operations. Miso Robotics has developed an AI kitchen assistant, “Flippy.” The robot can assist with grilling, frying, prepping, and plating. It is like having a few extra hands in the kitchen. It works with software integrated with sensors, so it can “see” the food.
Flippy could become a restaurant’s most reliable employee and a clear advantage over the turnover that is part of the restaurant industry. In the long run, it could save restaurants money on labor, as the minimum wage continues to rise. Caliburger, a quick-serve restaurant, is using Flippy in its locations with a commitment to have them in place in at least 50 locations by 2019.
Robots have also made their way outside of the kitchen and could be taking customers’ orders soon.
AI Is The New Real Estate Agent
Over half of restaurants fail in the first year and most do so because of location. While restaurateurs certainly do their homework about a possible site, AI can help them make even better decisions.
AI removes some of the risk of failure due to location. Location intelligence combines raw data from a business with location information from massive databases. Then each variable is analyzed that relates to location. It can predict the effects of competitors and foot traffic. AI has the ability to guide restauranteurs towards the best location, with much more statistical precision than even commercial real estate experts.
From easy ordering to more efficient kitchens to the ideal location, AI is bringing exciting changes to the restaurant industry.
Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!


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(By 2015, the fragrance industry…)
DELHI: In the face of a grim, slow-moving economy the Indian fragrance industry seems to be blooming. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) recently painted a rosy picture for the industry in a recent report. By 2015, the fragrance industry is poised to reach the Rs 10,000 crore-mark. And the perfume manufacturers of West Delhi have a fair share in the pie.
"West Delhi's contribution to the fragrance market of the country is around Rs 2-3 crore per month," says Achyut Bhardwaj, director of Sanative Industrial Corporation - a company based in Naraina Industrial Area - which deals in mint oil, menthol oil and its raw materials. "We import these oils such as clove from countries like Madagascar and Indonesia and have a distillation plant in Bahadurgarh where the cleansing process takes place," says Bharadwaj.
The company has big names such as, Baidyanath and Dabur in their clientele. "Our clients also include some paan masala companies which use these essences in their products," he adds.
According to DS Rawat, secretary general, Assocham, the fragrance industry in Delhi is worth Rs 40 crore and the unorganised market accounts for about Rs 5 crore for the same. "While about Rs 3,700 crore is the overall worth of the fragrance industry in India, the unorganised market accounts for more than Rs 1,000 crore," says Rawat.
The Assocham study states that the Indian deodorant and roll-on market is currently poised at about Rs 1,800 crore and is growing at about 55 percent annually. While, the perfume market is growing at about 30 percent and is currently poised at about Rs 1,500 crore, the roll on market's current size is a meager Rs 400 crore as only a handful of brands are operating in this domain.
NOW THAT SMELLS GOOD!
"Fragrance industry in India is still at nascent stage but its rising demand is largely driven by growing awareness and preferences amid strong Indian middle-class with high disposable incomes as they do not shy away from splurging on lifestyle products to look and feel good," says Rawat.
He further adds that with grooming and personal hygiene fast becoming a part of peoples' accessory wardrobes, demand for fragrances is likely to escalate significantly.
"Rising demand for fragrances from tier II and III cities is the real growth driver of this industry as a result companies are gradually shifting their focus from metros and exploring other markets and gearing to launch a range of affordable deodorants, perfumes and colognes during summers," says Rawat.
For instance, Roadies - a deodorant by Karol Chemicals - is doing quite well. Rajeev Kumar, marketing manager of Karol Chemicals says, "A 100 ml bottle of this deodorant costs about Rs 200. The profit margin is between 25 to 30 percent," says Kumar, who has been with Karol Chemicals for the last 20 years.
With an increase in demand, the competition is getting tough. Saurabh Gupta, owner of Vanessa Incorporation that manufactures Vanessa deodorants for women says: "In this industry a lot of players have left the market and hence, made space for new players. Due to competition, manufacturers have to bring down their retail price. These days, if a deodorant was first being sold for Rs 200, it is now being sold for Rs 195. It is a case of price war." Based out of Pusa Road the company blends their own compounds to create fragrances.
With the retailer's margin being between 15 and 35 percent, Gupta further adds that there's tough competition in the fragrance industry. Untouched by the 'Axe-effect', there are manufacturers who still stick to making traditional perfumes known as attar.
Rajesh Sharma, owner of Naraina-based Chander Kaala Perfumery Company says that despite the high competition they continue to manufacture attar in fragrances like rose and jasmine. "Our attar is priced between Rs 20 and Rs 150. We procure our raw materials from Kannauj and our finished products are exported to South Africa, Russia and some Arab countries," says Sharma.
Established in the 1960s, Chander Kaala Perfumery has an automated plant and hence requires less manpower. "We maintain quality standards for our products as we get our fragrant oils tested from recognised government labs," adds Sharma.
On the other hand, Kumar of Karol Chemicals does not feel the competition as they target the middle-income group and not people who go for high-end perfumes. "We don't feel the competition from big international brands as we manufacture quality products and sell them in 15 states of India. We have customers who buy our products and they are mostly from middle income group," he says.
A major problem that the fragrance industry is now facing is that of counterfeit products. "The government should set up recycling units for aluminum cans, which are used for packaging. Empty bottles can be recycled and the aluminum can be used again for making these deodorant bottles," he says.


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AIRXCEL EXPANDS ITS MARKETING TEAM
Aug 6, 2021, 15:55 PM
Airxcel, Inc., market leader in OEM and aftermarket RV products, has expanded its marketing team to include a new social media and communications manager, and a new marketing coordinator. Piar Adams, VP of marketing and aftermarket sales, made the announcement.
Mary Bourassa fills the role of social media and communications manager for Airxcel's portfolio of 11 RV-specific brands. She creates strategic B2B and B2C marketing campaigns and is responsible for customer-facing communications through new and legacy media channels.
Bourassa comes to Airxcel from the travel and tourism industry, where she worked most recently in the US Virgin Islands helping companies rebuild and rebrand after the 2017 hurricane season. She holds a B.S. in journalism from the University of Colorado Boulder and an M.L.S. in creative writing from the University of Denver.
Leah Shaikin joins Airxcel as its new marketing coordinator, where she is the lead contact and primary voice within the corporate marketing group for Suburban. Working with the respective product teams, she is a product expert who drives brand recognition for both OEM and end-user audiences through marketing initiatives.
Prior to Airxcel, Shaikin was the director of partnership recruitment and management at Clout Fantasy and a marketing intern at the University of Colorado Boulder. She holds a B.S. in business from the University of Colorado Boulder.
"We're pleased to have Mary and Leah join the Airxcel marketing team," said Adams. "We have a talented, dynamic group poised to bring energy and global awareness to the wide range of new and innovative products our brands are debuting." Airxcel plans to soon add another marketing coordinator to provide unparalleled service to its committed partners.


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To end 2012, more Americans fell behind on their credit card bills while racking up more debt, a new report found. But both figures remain well below alarming levels.
The percentage of credit card holders who were 90 days late or more on their payments rose to 0.85 percent in the fourth quarter last year from 0.75 percent in the third quarter, according to report released Wednesday by credit reporting bureau TransUnion. The delinquency rate was also a tick higher than in the fourth quarter of 2011, when it stood at 0.78 percent.
The average credit card debt per borrower also increased to $5,122 from $4,996 during the same period. However, the average debt was lower than a year earlier.
Overall, the delinquency rate and average debt are lower than the 10-year fourth-quarter averages, which are 1.06 percent and $5,389, respectively. The quarter-over-quarter increase for both figures are likely seasonal, says Linda Sherry, director of national priorities at consumer watchdog Consumer Action.
"Certainly in the fourth quarter, there is more use of credit cards because people are charging holiday purchases or are planning their spring travel," she says.
Thirty-nine states experienced an increase in delinquency rates, while nine saw decreases. Two states remained unchanged.
The report also found that credit card companies were less aggressive in giving out new cards. New accounts fell by 2.4 percent in the third quarter of 2012 from the year before. The third quarter stats were the most recent available. Lending to riskier borrowers was also slightly less than in 2011. The share of new accounts that went to subprime consumers was 30.51 percent in the third quarter, compared with 30.63 in 2011.
"Assessing the risk of a cardholder is risky business because there are so many ways that a person can lose their income these days," Sherry says. "There are things going on in this economy that makes everybody a risk."
Follow me on Twitter: @JannaHerron


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• Renault Kwid and Datsun Redi GO face recall over a faulty fuel hose.
• Around 50K units of Renault Kwid and 932 units of Redi GO affected.
• Both cars will get a free inspection of the fuel system and a new hose clip added to it.
• Kwid manufactured between September 2015 and May 2016 and Redi GO manufactured until May 2016 will be inspected.
Renault India and its sister concern Nissan Indian Motors, which shares the same manufacturing plant in Chennai announced a recall on theirpopular cars, Kwid and Redi-GO on detection of a faulty fuel system. Around 50,000 units of Kwid that were manufactured between September 2015 and May 2016 are being recalled for inspection, while 932 units of Redi-GOwill be recalled as the latter was only launched in June 2016.
Renault India announced that they were conducting a pre-emptive and voluntary check on select 800cc variants and would add a new fuel hose clip to alleviate any further possible disruption of fuel supply. Both companies added that the inspection and the new hose clip will be added absolutely free of cost to the customers. Customers will be contacted by the company in the coming days to bring their vehicles for the inspection and replacement.
Image Source: Online
Audi launched special design editions of Audi Q3 and Q7 in India at Rs.40.76 lakh and Rs.82.37 lakh respectively. The new design editions get cosmetic tweaks on the exteriors while their interiors receive additional equipment
The entry of the Maserati Ghibli dates back to 2014 and was then introduced in the midsize luxury sedan segment. The 2014 Ghibli was offered with a turbocharged Six-cylinder engine satisfying both luxury and performance equally. The latest, 2018 Ghibli gets a little cosmetic adjustment from Maserati which is appealing in all its senses.
• Maruti Suzuki Ignis to be launched on 13th January 2017
• Addressed as a premium urban crossover, Ignis comes with a lot of unique features for the Indian specific model
• Available in both Petrol and Diesel trims and expected to be priced around Rs.5-7 lakh approximately
Hindustan Motors has signed an agreement with Peugeot, selling Ambassador Brand and certain related rights at a sum of Rs.80 crore. It also said that the proceeds of the sale will be used to clear all pending dues of employees and lenders.
Maruti Suzuki has launched the New Swift 2017 in Japan and it is just months away to the Indian launch. It is expected to reach India in the second half of 2017 and there has been some real buzz about it for quite some time now.
The unique and most loved car since 2005 has chosen a new avatar for the 2017 launch and is being awaited by the enthusiasts all over.
Honda WR-V (Winsome Runabout Vehicle), the sub compact crossover was unveiled at the 2016 Sao Paulo Motor Show in Brazil. Now, Honda is about to launch the same here in the country on March 16th, 2017. As WR-V rolls here, India will earn the name for being the first country to produce and launch it in the world. Previously named as the Jazz Twist, this crossover is based on the company’s best seller Honda Jazz but is slightly longer and taller than the latter.


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The Air Jordan 16 retro will retail for a whopping $250 upon its retail release on Nov. 5. Confirmation of its retail price comes via the below image of the box tag on the pair.
Rumors of an Air Jordan 16 retro have been around for years now, with Jordan Brand reportedly deciding against bringing the shoe back at one point because of concerns over the price. The last time this sneaker released was via the Countdown Pack in 2008.
The Air Jordan 16 retailed for $160 at its original release in 2001.
UPDATE 9/21: According to @TheDonDrew, the Jordan 16 "Midnight Navy" is now scheduled to release on Dec. 22.
Air Jordan 16 "Midnight Navy"
Release Date: 12/22/16
Color: White/White-Midnight Navy
Style #: 683075-106


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Amazon, the online store where you can buy everything from shoes to shelves, is now going to sell food from an in-house brand, available initially to only Prime members. They’ll offer dry goods like vitamins (which are not a food, people, so don’t eat them like one), coffee, tea, spices and more, all under a generic label.
And the general thinking is it will be a MASSIVE success. Amazon has already struck gold with their previous generic lines (such as AmazonBasics) and they are privy to a wealth of consumer data that will help them deliver the perfect products to loyal Prime users, creating a never-ending loop of positive feedback from all parties.
Experts are saying grocery stores should be very worried – one day we’ll be buying everything online, and it will probably be from Amazon. The emphasis on non-perishable foods and the widespread acceptance of generic brands will also likely help boost sales.
While the launch date isn’t yet public, the odds are good that the last 500 people without a Prime membership will be signing up ASAP.


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With a little over a month to go until the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, the paddock is fast filling up with the weird and wonderful.
New Honda e and 2019 NSX to debut at Festival of Speed
And Honda is the latest manufacturer to join the esteemed ranks, announcing today that it will be bringing both its ‘e’ electric supermini and the 2019 NSX.
For both models the Festival will be their UK debuts – the NSX on static display, while the ‘e’ will be seen in action for the first time on the famous hillclimb. With the mass production car just months away, the models on display will be un-camouflaged prototypes that are around 95 per cent true to the final version. Only a week ago Honda announced that an aerodynamic side camera system will replace traditional wing mirrors on the ‘e’, while the manufacturer also opened a reservation system for priority ordering online.
The hybrid supercar meanwhile, will feature a range of enhancements designed to make it more comfortable to live with day-to-day, and even more exciting to drive on track.
Managing director at Honda UK, Dave Hodgetts, commented: “With both cars featuring an electrified powertrain, the UK debut of the pure electric Honda e and the 2019 hybrid NSX further demonstrate Honda’s commitment to achieving its objective of 100% of automotive sales featuring an electrified powertrain by 2025.”
The Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from Thursday 4th July to Sunday 7th July 2019. Limited tickets are still available and can be purchased here.
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Sonya Michele has experienced a “baptism of fire” since launching Melbourne scarf business dog&boy at the start of 2016, as she continues to focus on taking on some of the biggest consumer markets on Earth.
The entrepreneur left the corporate world in 2016 to chase her “lifelong scarf obsession”. Michele quickly forged a vision for her business, inspired by the sketchbooks of her mother, who passed away from brain cancer and whose creativity inspired the design of dog&boy’s products.
“This is so different [from what I did before], but so rewarding,” Michele tells SmartCompany. The “baptism of fire”, as she calls it, has seen her negotiate everything from the blueprint of a company launch to global trade, all within three years.
Having bootstrapped the business so far, Michele looked to sow global rewards from her business early on. First came the online global store, which she says was a “an easy one”.
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It wasn’t long, however, before she was at a Trade Victoria event and the idea of China partnerships as a growth strategy was suggested. The idea appealed, and the business started wondering whether it was too early to investigate global distribution.
“We hadn’t planned to export as early as we did. I mean, we did so when we were just over 18 months old,” Michele says.
“Our systems probably weren’t right up to where they should have been at that point, but we got there. It was just about rushing to get that in place.”
Less than three years on from her initial idea, dog&boy now exports to China with a local distributor, and is looking to launch in Indonesia in the coming months, as well as making a tilt at the US market.
“The ultimate goal is to be distributed in [clothing retailer] Anthropologie,” Michele says, joking that if anyone has a good contact, they should let the company know.
Exporting currently brings in 10% of company revenue and the goal is to quickly double that — or ideally go well beyond 20% in the coming years, Michele says.
These early-stage exporting experiences of dog&boy were highlighted on Monday as part of an Australia Post panel focusing on the national mail carrier’s research into SME exports.
More than 2600 small Australian businesses were surveyed by Australia Post about their processes and practices in exporting products. Only 27% of small businesses surveyed said they export, but there was a trend among younger retailers, like Michele’s company, to explore overseas markets when opportunities crossed their radars, rather than waiting for years.
Michele’s business is still an early-stage operation with three permanent staff and a range of freelancers. She says the company’s size hasn’t been a barrier to going global, but suggests other businesses take heed of some exporting truths before they head overseas.
You can’t do it for free
The company is still working out how much its exporting projects have cost it so far, but Michele says businesses need to be prepared for countless unexpected costs to pop up when taking this path.s
“Do things in an informed way, because time and money is something you definitely need when you export,” she says.
Everything from travelling, to the markets you want to export into, to paying for logistics and platform set-ups — once you start the process, you have to foot the associated costs, she says.
“For example, I’ve just had to engage a third party to build the website for my VIP.com presence,” says Michele, who is unsure what the final cost on the first stage of the company’s China exports plan will be.
Businesses that export also have to take a crash course in foreign currencies and appropriate pricing to make sure wherever you go, your offer is compelling and reasonable for customers.
“Wherever you are, the first thing people will do when shopping is get online and look at prices. These have to fit with the local market; you can’t be super cheap or exorbitantly expensive,” she says.
You have to ask as you go
Michele’s business has taken opportunities to expand as they have arrived, but to be successful in exporting, she says you have no choice but to ask question after question to make sure you’re on the right track.
The company’s current plan to enter the Indonesian market came from just calling and emailing around until it found the right contact, using the support of local trade councils and advice.
“I would regularly shoot an email off [to Trade Victoria], saying, ‘Can you direct me through to someone who could help me with this?'” Michele says.
“Through this, I was directed to the trade commissioner in Jakarta.”
Michele says it’s important to ask people in the know how your company should get to the next step: instead of worrying about your lack of knowledge, focus on the types of global opportunities you want to achieve.
“Just target the market that you want to target,” she says.


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THE LANES SHOPPING CENTRE
Updated 10 days ago
Globe Lane, Carlisle, CA3 8NX
The Lanes Shopping Centre is in the middle of Carlisle, with over 70 stores across the complex, easy access to the rest of town and a 600 space car park...
With over 70 stores under one roof including Primark, Debenhams, Next, Monsoon, New Look and H&M plus a range of specialist shops, and a 600 space Park Mark awarded car park above the centre, shopping has never been easier...
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Also known as: Lanes Shopping Centre


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Rajesh Alva finds out if the Hero XPulse is a new bike or an upgrade of the Hero Impulse. IMAGE:†(From right) Pawan Munjal, CMD, Hero MotoCorp;... ...http://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/first-look-the-hero-xpulse/20171110.htm
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The year 2022 is expected to make a huge appearance. In fact, this year has seen an enormous spotlight on Pokemon cards that stores are now imposing restrictions on how many a individual can purchase. There is a raging battle among customers another to get access to new packs. Several smaller retailers are locking up their inventory in fear of the theft. Do you really make a profit in buying an entire stack of Pokemon cards? Does it really represent what live box breaks and popular YouTubers claim it to be? This video will offer you the opportunity to hear from the former collector of Pokemon cards.
The streamer in question says that they no longer wish to join the growing Pokemon boxbreak community due to the way it’s grown into. The people who bought packs used to do so to entertain themselves, however the community was once meant to have fun. The trend is that consumers are looking for monetary value from their boxes, which streamers are able to reinforce by offering huge payment rates. Card buyers are being promised a lot of money as a reward for playing cards cannot be sold in the market. Even though Pokemon cards can make a profit it’s not as widespread as people think.


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After years of teasing customers with on-again-off-again doubled coupons, Ralphs grocery store announced in its weekly ad that it is revamping its entire rewards program.
Southern California's giant supermarket chain, beginning April 1, will only accept manufacturer's coupons at face value.
"While we understand your frustration, please know that we carefully considered these changes, keeping in mind the implications for our customers," according to a Ralphs statement emailed to NBC LA.
Local news from across Southern California
Along with ending its famous, customer-friendly coupon promotions, the jumbo chain is also changing how its rewards points will be redeemed.
"Ralph rewards members will move to a monthly fuel points program where 100 fuel points = 10 cents per gallon discounts at Ralphs Fuel Centers and participating Shell centers," according to its weekly flyer.
One fuel point, under the new rewards program, is earned for each dollar spent at the grocery store.
Many loyal customers did not receive the news lightly.
"Bye, bye to double coupons and loyalty rewards. Bye, bye to Ralphs. They've lost me as a loyal customer," wrote Leah Nelson on NBC LA's Facebook page.
In addition to moving over to its fuel points program, it is changing how customers receive rewards certificates. Under the new program, customers will have to apply for and use a Ralphs rewards Plus Visa Card in order to earn rewards certificates.
This change also upset customers.
"It's really cheesy that in order to get rewards you have to get 'their' Visa card. I don't need or want another credit card. I just want the best savings possible," wrote Ann Fejes on NBC LA's Facebook page.
Ralphs believes its new program is reflective of feedback and data it received from customers, according to the statement.
The grocery store plans to announce a new savings program, which it claims will be an "even greater savings for more customers," March 28.


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Georgia-Pacific opens two new facilities to manufacture recyclable padded envelopes for e-commerce
ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Georgia-Pacific today announced the official opening of new facilities in McDonough, Georgia, and Jonestown, Pennsylvania, to produce an innovative recyclable paper padded envelope. Combined with the recently added manufacturing capacity of a third production line at the company’s Phoenix-area facility, Georgia-Pacific has increased its production of recyclable mail by 350% to help meet growing demand. more sustainable e-commerce packaging options.
GP has been supplying the recyclable envelopes to Amazon since 2020 and will now have sufficient capacity to serve other e-commerce customers looking for a cost-effective alternative to plastic envelopes or boxes. GP mailers offer protection in a lightweight, flexible design, helping shippers save money on freight. Shippers are also designed to be easy to pack, which can improve warehouse efficiency.
“We are excited about the opportunity to provide additional customers with a sustainable and competitively priced packaging option,” said Adam Ganz, vice president of business development at Georgia-Pacific, who leads the shipping business. . “Consumer demand for sustainable packaging continues to grow, and brands and retailers are looking for ways to meet this demand without sacrificing strength and performance. Our recyclable envelope is a proven solution that exceeds the expectations of consumers and online retailers.
In addition to expanding its production capacity, there is now an option for high graphic multi-color images which are ideal for on-pack advertising and promotions. By leveraging GP’s Hummingbird® digital printing business or multi-color flexo printing, GP can help customers improve their brand image and consumer engagement.
The innovative envelope combines a unique expansive material between layers of kraft paper and meets SFI Certified Sourcing requirements. The cushioning material is very strong, protecting the contents of the package all the way from warehouse to consumer. GP offers recyclable envelopes in four sizes with external dimensions ranging from 7 inches by 9 inches to 14 inches by 18 inches.
GP’s padded paper packaging has received a widely recyclable label from How2Recycle® based on lab testing at a recycled fiber mill, meaning it can be dropped off at any paper collection point or corrugated cardboard, which for most consumers is their curbside recycling bin. The mailer helped GP win the American Forest & Paper Association’s 2021 Innovation in Sustainability Award.
About Georgia-Pacific Packaging
Based in Atlanta, Georgia‐Pacific is a leading integrated packaging provider that offers a full line of packaging solutions across the United States, including corrugated cardboard, boxes and corrugated sheets, recyclable envelopes for e-commerce, packaging with strong graphics through our Color-Box® activity. and digital printing for packaging through our Hummingbird® business. The company’s recycling subsidiary is among the world’s largest traders of paper, metal and plastic, contributing to a paper recovery rate of just over 65% and a corrugated cardboard recovery rate of 90% in the United States. For more information, visit: gppackaging.com.


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Abercrombie & Fitch is America’s most hated retailer
Abercrombie & Fitch is once again finding itself hated.
Once the purveyor of clunky cargo shorts and moose-embossed hoodies, the brand’s declining fortunes took another hit in a new survey that ranked it the most-hated retailer in the U.S. last year, scoring a 65 in a new American Customer Satisfaction Index, which measures people’s happiness with brands.
That’s an inauspicious start for Abercrombie, considering it’s the first year the brand has been included in the survey. Abercrombie declined to comment.
The retailer’s dismal score even surprised ACSI’s director of research, Forrest Morgeson, who told CNNMoney that the firm usually sees low rankings go to mega chains with monopoly power, like Walmart.
“Abercrombie and Fitch is not that; they aren’t that large, and this can spell serious trouble for the company,” he said.
Abercrombie is in a midst of makeover since it booted its former controversial CEO Mike Jeffries in 2014. The brand has since ditched its shirtless models (as seen above from a Facebook image posted in 2012), cut prices and stopped putting its logo all over its clothes. Instead, the retailer is focusing its efforts on mobile and designing less-preppy clothing.
If there’s a bright spot for Abercrombie, the survey saw overall satisfaction with retailers fall for the second time in a row, to 74.8. The survey’s authors suggested the country’s continuing economic recovery was at play, as retailers are focusing less on good customer service because they don’t need to fight as hard to get shoppers.
For what it’s worth, Costco is the most-liked retailer with a score of 81, down four points from 2014.
Update 2/26: Abercrombie issued this response from Abercrombie’s CMO Fran Horowitz:
“Over the last year, we have placed an intense focus on putting the customer at the center of everything we do, and our consumers are responding to this. The data we have from our consumers tells us they are positive on our brands, on our new offerings, and on the work we have done to improve the shopping experience. We are confident that we will continue to improve the customer experience over the coming year.”
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‘A symbiotic relationship’: Why social media platforms are getting in front of the growing creator economy
Social media platforms are rolling out the red carpet for creators, in hopes of capitalizing on the growing creator economy.


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|By Marketwired .||
|January 3, 2013 08:00 AM EST||
ANAHEIM, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/03/13 -- LiveWire Ergogenics, Inc. (OTCBB: LVVV) (OTCQB: LVVV) has renewed its sponsorship of Letner Racing and driver Harley Letner for the 2013 off-road racing season. The Letner Team will once again compete in the Best in the Desert ("BITD") series of off-road races as well as in other off-road racing events. Harley Letner is known amongst his peers as one of the best drivers in the sport of off-road racing.
Off-road racing provides LiveWire with some of its most effective promotional venues for its increasingly popular LiveWire Energy chews. LiveWire offers product samples during Contingency and Tech Inspections on race weekends, allowing the LiveWire Girls and brand ambassadors to have direct contact with all the drivers and their teams, as well as with the thousands of fans that attend the festival-like race settings.
Referred to as one of the "Young Guns" of off-road racing by Dirt Sports Magazine, Harley Letner is renowned for his aggressive and fearless driving style that racing fans enjoy. Letner has had several victories including the Baja 500, The Mint 400, the Parker 425 and a victory in the most enduring and prestigious race of them all, the Baja 1000.
In a career-defining display of competitive spirit and driving skill, Letner placed 2nd in class in the 2012 BITD General Tire Mint 400. After starting in last place due to technical problems, Letner passed over 70 cars to reach the podium with his 2nd place finish.
LiveWire CEO Bill Hodson commented, "Off-road racing is a remarkably exciting sport and it's one of the most effective ways we have to get the word out about LiveWire Energy chews. The events are located in Nevada and Arizona and many of the drivers are from California. We now have a strong retail presence in these areas with convenience and grocery store chains like Terrible's, Rebels and Albertsons. The wider distribution of our products and the popularity of off-road racing make these types of promotional events very effective for us."
"Harley Letner is a winner and LiveWire is proud to go racing with him and Letner Racing. We want to wish Harley, the Letner Team and all of our more than 800 brand ambassadors the very best in 2013."
About LiveWire Ergogenics, Inc. (OTCBB: LVVV) and LiveWire Energy Chews
LiveWire Energy chews are manufactured in Anaheim, California by LiveWire Ergogenics Inc., the first company to market a full-flavored, soft "energy" chew packed with both B vitamins and up to 120 mg of time-released caffeine.
Designed for consumers with an action-packed lifestyle, LiveWire Energy chews are pocket-sized, portable alternatives to bulky energy drinks or shots. Available in seven different flavors, the Company's grab-n-go packaging responsibly displays the amount of caffeine in each chew, including Citrus Mango (90 mg caffeine), Pomaberry (90 mg caffeine), Chocolate (100 mg caffeine), Mint Chocolate (120 mg caffeine), Sour Apple (90 mg caffeine), Cinnamon Fire (90 mg caffeine), and Coffee (100 mg caffeine).
LiveWire Ergogenics Inc. was formed in 2008 and its products are available for purchase at thousands of retail outlets nationwide or are available online at:
For additional information:
Email: [email protected]
Investor Information visit http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/LVVV/quote
Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent that statements in this press release are not strictly historical, including statements as to revenue projections, business strategy, outlook, objectives, future milestones, plans, intentions, goals, future financial conditions, future collaboration agreements, the success of the Company's development, events conditioned on stockholder or other approval, or otherwise as to future events, such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made.
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Differing standards of food quality in Eastern Europe have pushed MEPs to voice public complaints and call on the European Parliament to form a new agency dedicated to ensuring equal food standards throughout the EU.
MEP Daciana Sarbu of the Romanian Social Democrat Party and vice chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) voiced concerns that similar problems were affecting Romania and Poland.
In a recent interview with Euractiv, she said: “I have raised this issue with the European Commission, as it’s a problem that has been seen by a number of countries. There has to be a decision at governmental level to analyse and compare products. I’ve heard it from many people, ‘please can you bring me back a certain type of shampoo from Brussels’, but ‘we have it here too’, ‘yeah but it’s not the same’. Despite being sold in the same packaging.
“Manufacturers come up with a whole range of excuses, from the water being different to people’s tastes being different. There needs to be action at EU level, a type of quality control body, a kind of agency.”
The EC is expected to provide an answer within the next few months.
György Hölvényi, an MEP of the Hungarian Christian Democrat party, also voiced concern over findings by national agencies that inferior products are being sold under the same label in Eastern European countries:
“The Slovakian Office of Food Safety has reported that certain companies operating in the eastern member states of the EU are selling food of varying standards of quality under the same labels. Investigations by the Hungarian National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) have also uncovered similar findings.
"Some food powders, sweets, dairy products, spices and soft drinks have been shown to be inferior in quality and differing in their contents to equivalent products sold in Austria, for example” he said.
Hölvényi then asked whether the EC would launch investigations to corroborate the findings of national bodies like Nébih and if it would look into the activities of international companies to ensure fair standards.
He also challenged the EC as to what is already being done to prevent this.
An investigation earlier this year found that many products sold in Slovakia and Hungary contained cheaper, poorer quality alternative ingredients than the counterparts in Western European countries such as Austria.
Colourings instead of real fruit, sweeteners in place of sugar and lower meat contents were found in the studies.
Companies implicated included Knorr, Nestlé and Danone.


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NEW YORK, N.Y. — Innovative and award-winning HFactor Inc., announced today that their flagship beverage is now available in an additional 300 locations as the company celebrates its new agreement with Sprouts Grocery Stores. Sprouts joins an existing and growing family of retailers that includes Gelsons, Bristol Farms, Jaydes and Erewhon markets to name a few.
“We are thrilled by the addition of Sprouts to our network of retailers that are aggressively focused on bringing innovative and healthy living options to their customers. Its significant locations will add to our national footprint,” said HFactor Founder & CEO Gail Levy. Sprouts will be the 14th major retailer in the United States to feature HFactor’s Hydro-Pack with a hydrogen-protective spout.
Founded in 2014, HFactor is the first functional water supercharged with the documented benefits of molecular hydrogen – a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Created by a team of health and fitness product experts, HFactor is naturally infused with hydrogen to provide refreshing hydration plus therapeutic benefits for fitness, health, wellness and lifestyle recovery. It comes in a carry-anywhere pouch that optimizes the integrity and pureness of its hydrogen content, only two ingredients, pure water and pure hydrogen gas, which is created without magnesium or contaminating additives. HFactor’s water is sourced and packaged in the United States, and is available online and in select stores nationwide. www.hfactorwater.com
Sprouts has been providing fresh foods to their communities since 1943 when Henry Boney opened its first fresh food stand in San Diego. Today Sprouts continues to promote a lifestyle of healthy living by providing fresh and natural products to communities surrounding over 300 retail locations nationwide. For more information and a location nearest you please visit https://about.sprouts.com/


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Beef Value Cuts â€“ such as the Flat Iron Steak â€“ have found great success with the restaurant industry in recent years, and are now gaining momentum in the retail meat case. These cuts are the result of muscle profiling research funded by the Beef Checkoff Program, producing steak from tender cuts of beef that were historically made into ground beef.
Kroger, one of the nationâ€™s largest supermarket chains, debuted the Flat Iron Steak in 116 Houston-area stores beginning in late July, producing a terrific response from customers. The Flat Iron was promoted in Kroger stores through numerous grilling demonstrations, as well as radio, billboard and point-of-sale advertising. The national Beef Checkoff Program, Texas Beef Council and Tyson Foods partnered with Kroger for this promotional effort.
The joint promotion was initiated on behalf of the Cattlemenâ€™s Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). The NCBA serves as one of the Beef Boardâ€™s contractors for checkoff-funded programs.
"The Texas Beef Council saw this as a great opportunity to work with our partners at Kroger, Tyson and the national Beef Checkoff Program to focus a program on one cut â€“ the Flat Iron Steak â€“ and launch that product in Houston-area stores," says Russell Woodward, senior manager for product marketing for the Texas Beef Council. "The Flat Iron is a delicious and economical beef cut that simply needs greater exposure in the retail meat case. This promotion - especially the in-store demos that actually get samples into the consumerâ€™s mouths - has been highly successful."
Woodward notes that Houston-area stores holding in-store demos sold an average of 40 to 60 units per day of the Flat Iron Steak, with some stores selling more than 100.
"Thatâ€™s a phenomenal impact on sales," Woodward says. "So weâ€™re very excited about the results that weâ€™ve seen."
"The Flat Iron was a big hit with our Houston customers," says David Brislin, Kroger corporate vice president of perishables merchandising and procurement. "The partnership with the Beef Checkoff Program and the state beef councils has provided a great opportunity for Kroger to keep the momentum growing and expand this promotion into additional markets."
Cattlemenâ€™s Beef Board Chairman Al Svajgr, a cattleman from Cozad, Neb., added that retail success for the Flat Iron Steak comes as great news for beef producers.
"Cattle-Fax estimates that Beef Value Cuts such as the Flat Iron have added $60 to $70 per head for cattle producers, as we better utilize these muscles and enhance the value of each animal," Svajgr says. "The muscle profiling research that developed these cuts, as well as their promotion in the retail and food sectors, are just more examples of how checkoff dollars can generate a positive return for cattle producers."


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On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, Wigdor LLP filed a putative consumer class action lawsuit against Starbucks Corporation (“Starbucks”) alleging that over the last three years, Starbucks stores throughout Manhattan have been permeated with a toxic pesticide call Dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate or “DDVP”), which is highly poisonous and unfit for use in proximity to food, beverages and people.
DDVP is an active ingredient emitted into the air by products called “No-Pest Strips,” which are only intended to be used in unoccupied structures to rid such structures of vermin, bugs and insects. The label on these products clearly warns: “Do not use in the food/feed areas of food/feed processing or food/feed manufacturing or food/feed service establishments,” and “Do not use in kitchens, restaurants or areas where food is prepared or served.” As set forth in the Complaint, DDVP No-Test Strips were found throughout Starbucks’ Manhattan locations, where the toxic pesticide came into direct contact with the Company’s customers and contaminated the food and/or beverages that they consumed. As alleged, these strips were found near food preparation areas, inside pastry display cases and adjacent to air vents (and thereby circulating DDVP through air vents) as pictured below:The Complaint alleges that on numerous occasions over the last several years, Starbucks’ employees and third-party exterminators warned the company’s regional and district managers — both verbally and in writing — about the improper and dangerous use of No-Pest Strips throughout its stores in Manhattan. However, as alleged, despite being repeatedly made aware of the dangerous risks associated with DDVP exposure, Starbucks continued to use No-Pest Strips in its stores.
Statement from Douglas H. Wigdor, Founding Partner at Wigdor LLP:
“New Yorkers deserve to know what they are putting in their bodies and we call upon Starbucks to explain, as we allege in the complaint, its failure to take appropriate care for its customers’ well-being.”


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A refrigeration and air conditioning company has picked up a contractor of the year award in a national competition.
Thurmaston-based WR Refrigeration was presented with the accolade at the National Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Awards in London.
Managing director Mike Nicholas said the judges praised the company for achievements including a recent root-and-branch review of its business.
He said: "I am delighted to receive the award on behalf of the hard working, dedicated and passionate WR Refrigeration teams. My aim has been to re-focus the business and foster a dynamic culture that puts the customer at the centre of everything we do.
"The process is ongoing, however the first results are having a measurable impact on how we deliver for both staff and customers, and translating into solid business success."
WR Refrigeration and client Midlands Co-operative Society also won the refrigeration product of the year award on the night for a collaboration on a Combined Heating and Cooling Pack.
Designed for convenience stores, it harnesses heat from the refrigeration circuit for air conditioning.
The company was also highly commended in the training category for its European Refrigeration Training Academy, near Birmingham.
Business development and marketing director Patrick Mullins said: "We aim to be a leader in the field of environmentally responsible, alternative refrigeration.
"Key to this is equipping our engineers with the theoretical and practical skills to handle all of the major options coming on stream.
"It will also help the wider industry."


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Samsung’s latest innovation the Samsung Continuum, is the world’s first smartphone that comes with a live ticker screen. This feature provides current updates in the social networking, news, weather, sports, and also in finance departments. The rest of the features of Continuum is quite similar to a Samsung Fascinate and both of them are Verizon phones.
Third year BSc. examination results of Sardar Patel University (SPU-Gujarat) 2011 has been published. The examination was held in October 2011 and it was published on 5th January, 2012 at 6 PM. Students can see their results online by logging into the website of the university.
2011 may well be considered a lucky year for the simple reason that it has only one Friday that falls on the 13th day of a month. For ages now most of us have been afflicted by what is known as a case of bad luck on Friday the 13th or rather the superstition of […]


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Move aside chocolate and champagne, there's a new aphrodisiac in town: BREAD. That of the Panera variety, specifically. The popular bakery-cafe chain has announced the #PaneraProposalSweeps, a contest will reward five lucky couples a grand prize of free Panera Bread catering for their weddings — but only if they propose at a Panera location on Valentine's Day and document it on social media.
Interested in taking your shot at a carbo-loaded wedding ceremony? According to the official contest rules posted by Panera, the steps are simple. For one day only (February 14, 2018 — Valentine's Day, naturally) if you get engaged between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. inside or in front of a Panera Bread restaurant, then post proof to either Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the promotion's namesake hashtag. If the odds are in your favor, you may be one of the five couples chosen to eat free bread bowls with their betrothed.
The only parameters are that entrants must be at least eighteen years old, the wedding must take place before the end of 2019, and it must take place at a location within 30 miles of a Panera Bread location (makes sense, come to think of it). Honestly, who in their right mind would get married that far away from a Panera regardless?
The five winners selected randomly from all entries will be gifted a fully catered wedding reception valued around $2,000 each. But if heaven forbid your betrothed catches cold feet, it's unlikely you will be able to use the Panera feast to soothe your sorrows. The rules state: "If [a] winner cancels the wedding for any reason, the prize may be forfeited and no alternate winner will be selected." So make sure the two of you are both in this for the long haul, because carbs as precious as these should not go to waste.
This is not the first time couples have competed for a fast food-themed special day. Last June, Dan and Bianca Rykert made headlines after winning Taco Bell's Love & Tacos contest. After beating out ten other couples (including YouTube and Vine personalities Christine Sydelko and Elijah Daniel), Dan, a video game journalist and social media personality, and his fiancée Bianca, were the first couple to ever get married at Taco Bell's flagship cantina in Las Vegas. The custom taco-themed details including champagne flutes of Mountain Dew Baja Blast and a bridal bouquet made of sauce packets made for a surprisingly inventive and stylish occasion.
Domino's Pizza has also gotten in on the fast food wedding trend with the creation of their wedding registry. Though a wedding gift registry devoted to pizza may seem a little off-color, the logic behind its creation is actually quite sound. In a statement to USA Today, Domino's spokeswoman Jenny Fouracre said, "We hear often from customers that Domino’s was a part of their big day, from proposals to after-hours meals at their wedding. We wanted to make it easier for people to ask for and receive something that they’ll really use.” Well, that's certainly one delicious way to do it.
Last year, Louisville, Kentucky radio station WQMF partnered with a local franchise of burger chain White Castle to create a similar contest; it seems if you want to celebrate an engagement with fast food, you're never lacking in options.
According to data collected from 13,000 weddings in 2016 by website The Knot, the average wedding in the United States costs over $35,000, with total ceremony costs in big cities like Manhattan clocking in at over $78,000. If using the money you could spend on a car for a one day party doesn't sound like a decision you want to make, eschewing the gourmet catering is an easy way to lower the price tag while sill ensuring every guest leaves with a full stomach — maybe it's time more of us get on board with this trend, then.
If you're interested in entering the #PaneraProposalSweeps, full contest rules can be found here.


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Export Growth Slows in April and Trade Surplus Narrows
- Canadian merchandise exports rose 0.6% to $64.3 billion in April, while merchandise imports climbed 1.9% to $62.8 billion.
- With imports outpacing exports, Canada’s merchandise trade surplus narrowed from $2.3 billion in March to $1.5 billion in April.
- After removing price effects, export and import volumes were down 2.1% and 0.4%, respectively.
- The increase in nominal exports spanned 7 of 11 major commodity groups, led by consumer goods and motor vehicles and parts.
- Exports to the U.S. rose 2.1% to $50.4 billion in April, while exports to the rest of the world decreased 4.7% to $13.9 billion.
- Although today’s report was disappointing, the slowdown in export activity is likely to be temporary. Higher commodity prices should provide a boost commodity-based exports, while a further easing in supply chain disruptions should support exports of manufactured goods.
EXPORT AND IMPORT GROWTH SLOWS IN APRIL
After two months of strong increases, Canadian merchandise trade activity slowed in April. Total exports rose 0.6% to $64.3 billion, while imports climbed 1.9% to $62.8 billion. The increase in both exports and imports was entirely due to higher prices, as real exports and real imports were down 2.1% and 0.4%, respectively.
Although today’s report was disappointing, the slowdown in export activity is likely to be temporary. Higher commodity prices should provide a boost to commodity-based exports, while a further easing in supply chain disruptions should support exports of manufactured goods.
CANADA’S TRADE SURPLUS NARROWS FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT MONTH
With imports outpacing exports, Canada’s merchandise trade surplus narrowed for the third straight month from $2.3 billion in March to $1.5 billion in April. Breaking these data down, our trade surplus with the U.S. narrowed from a record high of $12.2 billion in March to $11.6 billion in April. At the same time, our trade deficit with the rest of the world widened slightly from $9.9 billion to $10.1 billion.
INCREASE IN EXPORTS DRVIEN BY CONSUMER GOODS AND MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS
The increase in exports spanned 7 of 11 product categories. Exports of consumer goods rose 5.0% to $7.5 billion in April, building on the 5.3% gain in March. The increase in April was driven by higher exports of prepared and packaged seafood products, which in turn was attributable to higher crab prices and volumes.
Exports of motor vehicles and parts climbed 3.9% to $7.1 billion in April, the highest level since October 2020 and the sixth increase in seven months. This is yet another positive sign that semiconductor shortages are continuing to ease for the auto sector.
On the negative side, exports of aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts nosedived 16.9% to $1.6 billion in April. In particular, aircraft exports fell steeply, mainly due to lower exports of business aircraft.
At the same time, exports of energy products decreased 0.9% to $18.0 billion in April, down for the first time in four months. Export volumes of crude oil recorded a notable decline, weighed down by planned maintenance shutdowns at oil sands upgrader facilities in Alberta.
CANADIAN EXPORTS TO THE U.S. UP FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT MONTH
Exports to the U.S. climbed 2.1% to $50.4 billion in April, up for the fourth month in a row. On the other hand, exports to the rest of the world fell 4.7% to $13.9 billion, the first decline in three months. Among Canada’s major non-U.S. trading partners, only exports to Mexico were up, while exports to the U.K., the EU, South Korea, China, and Japan were down. The decrease in exports to the U.K. was driven by lower exports of gold, while the decrease in exports to South Korea was attributable to lower exports of copper ores.


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A New Study Shows Adding Seaweed to Daily Meals Can Make the Body Healthy
Nov 25, 2015 05:32 PM EST | By Pao Uychiat
Looking out for your health is always a priority. That's why a lot of people these days are conscious about what they eat, and careful with every calorie that goes into their bodies.
Because of this, a lot of fad diets like Atkins, South Beach, Paleo and many more have been getting a lot of attention.However, according to Science Alert, many food experts recommend eating seaweed every day. Yes, you got that right - seaweed.
Seaweed isn't a common food you'll hear when they discuss about diets. This is common in some coastal cities and in Asia as well. Not a lot of people get to taste it except when they want to eat sushi rolls and flavored rice crackers.
According to Danish researchers, people should include seaweed in their food daily in order to make their meals healthier. It is said to help in lowering the impact of obesity or being overweight and everything that can result from it. Ole G. Mouritsen, a biophysics researcher at the University of Southern Denmark said that certain substances in seaweed are important to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
His team thinks that this information should be available for everyone so that they can follow and get good benefits from it. He and his colleagues said that including seaweed in our daily diet shouldn't just be done by individual people, thus he suggested that food industry also has a key role in making it a common ingredient in which people can buy and consume every day. The research also suggested that at least a little amount of seaweed can be added an alternative ingredient or even just flavoring for pizzas, hot dogs and even fast food.
They examined the dietary profile of 35 different seaweed varieties and found a lot of health benefits. It includes essential nutrients like amino acids, antioxidants, minerals, trace elements, dietary fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is also good for flavoring because of its potassium and salt which doesn't lead to high blood pressure. It also gives out umami which helps promote satiety and help with the regulation of food consumption. The recommendations given in the study only applies to some species of seaweed and not all. The researchers strictly prohibit people from eating the seaweed that have been washed on the shore.
Finally, Mourtisen added that there is no exact amount yet as to how much one person needs to consume in order to get benefits, but he estimates that about 5 to 10 grams of dried seaweed a day may do the trick.


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One Huge Reason That Artificial Sweeteners are Unhealthy
Artificial sweeteners have gotten a very bad rap for a long time without much solid evidence as to why they’re bad.
There have been a lot of studies that have shown correlations between things like obesity and artificial sweeteners, but there are so many confounding factors in those studies that they’re pretty much irrelevant for anything other than casual conversation.
That’s rapidly changing.
Artificial Sweeteners Are Terrible for Your Gut Bacteria
As you probably already know, we have about 10 times as many bacterial cells in our body as we have human cells. In other words, we’re about 91% bacteria and about 9% human. That’s just a number, but the research on gut bacteria in particular is overwhelming in terms of the effects gut bacteria has on our well-being. Everything from autoimmune conditions to depression to obesity likely start with changes in our gut bacteria (usually called dysbiosis). The following study isn’t the first study to find the result that it did, but it’s the best I’ve seen so far: Artificial sweeteners induce glucose intolerance by altering the gut microbiota In this study, researchers focused on Saccharin, although they also tested other artificial sweeteners. The study looked at the effects of artificial sweeteners on the gut bacteria of rats, and then the effect of those changes on insulin resistance. And the effect was quite significant. And to be clear, this wasn’t just a correlation. The researchers confirmed the causality in several ways, including by surgical transfer of the gut bacteria from one rat to the next to confirm that the insulin sensitivity was being caused by changes in gut bacteria. It was.
Artificial Sweeteners Lead to Insulin Resistance
By changing the types of gut bacteria present in our guts, artificial sweeteners induce insulin sensitivity. And this really isn’t all that surprising, since we already knew that most artificial sweeteners aren’t digested by our bodies but rather by our gut bacteria. To be clear, this certainly isn’t the only cause of insulin sensitivity – overeating is probably the biggest reason (to protect cellular mitochondria from free radical damage). However, changes to our gut bacteria inevitably produce other consequences, so it’s definitely something to pay attention to. And it’s just another reason not to eat or drink artificial sweeteners.
What About Stevia?
You’ve probably heard that stevia is a natural sweetener made from a plant so it’s different from other artificial sweeteners. So, is stevia better? Read this article to find out.
Images: Copyright (c) Monika Wisniewska from Fotolia


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VF Corporation’s denim label, Lee, has proven to be the most valuable player in the company’s expansion in Asia, especially in China where VF estimates jean ownership is less than one pair per person.
An article published by VF this week outlined potential growth opportunities for the company in the Asia Pacific market (APAC) by focusing on “locally relevant” innovations and investment in demand creation.
In particular, China’s increasing affluence, growing middle class and demand for quality jeanswear has piqued VF’s interest. The company’s currency neutral revenues in the region were up 10 percent reaching $1.2 billion in 2015.
In China, VF’s Lee brand has experienced consistent growth over the years, with product innovations like JadeFusion Denim driving recent success. The innovative denim features particles from gemstones combined with treated cotton to help wick moisture and create a cooler surface—a strong selling point in hot and sticky China. VF reported that the Jade Fusion Denim line accounted for 13 percent of denim sales in China during the Spring ’16 launch.
The key to tap into the Chinese market, VF reported, is innovation. Aidan O’Meara, VF Asia Pacific president, noted that many consumers lost excitement in denim, as jeans manufacturers failed to innovate. “Lee exemplifies VF’s continuous innovation as one of the key strategies which differentiate us from our competitors,” O’Meara stated.


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Valleywag contributor Theo DP shreds BusinessWeek's typically gushy cover story on Amazon and founder Jeff Bezos.
There is softball coverage and then there is SOFTBALL COVERAGE. In Jeff Bezos' Risky Bet, the latest BusinessWeek cover story, Amazon sycophants Rob Hof and the BW crew give us a nice example of the latter.
Hof and Co. fawn all over Amazon's latest technology, including the patent-pending 'artificial artificial intelligence' Mechanical Turk, which not-so-impressed others likened to a virtual sweatshop. BW is wowed at how MT made it possible for Amazon to introduce its failed A9 Yellow Pages and may soon enable 18 year-old Eric Cranston to offer a pittance to those who complete mind-numbing photo-editing tasks! And in an exclusive interview, Hof gets Bezos to spill the beans on how MT can be used to tell if a photo has a naked person in it!
Surprised they aren't building entire cities around it.