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QVC is getting a little cleaner with the help of Danny Seo.
The retailer is collaborating with the clean living guru, who will offer an assortment of curated brands on QVC’s website. The collection, which has been dubbed “Naturally, Danny Seo,” will live on its own designated landing page.
Seo’s picks consist of 30 items from brands Farmacy, Serumkind, Patyka and InstaNatural. QVC will also be launching a limited-edition beauty box with full-sized products from Farmacy Beauty, Lavido, InstaNatural, Seed Phytonutriends and Beekman 1802. It will retail for $40.
Seo, an Emmy Award-winning TV show host, will also be creating content for the retailer’s various platforms. On the curation’s landing page, he will host video reviews; on YouTube and Instagram Reels, he will speak to product benefits, ingredient stories and application pointers.
“I’m really joining QVC to be like a chief storyteller about clean beauty,” Seo told WWD. “I looked at thousands of stock keeping units, and hundreds of brands that have been pitched to me, and these were the ones that belonged on a platform like QVC, who needed their stories told properly.”
All of Seo’s selections have to meet QVC’s criteria for its clean beauty seal, which the retailer introduced in 2019. Adhering products must leave out sulfates, parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, petrolatum, mineral oil, chemical sunscreens and coal tar, among others. They must also be certified cruelty-free by an external party.
“A lot of the brands were cruelty free, but they never took that extra step to get certified,” Seo said of his item selection process. “I handheld them along that process to make sure they got certified. From there, it was about finding true hero products.”
For more from WWD.com, see:
West Coast Watch: The Latest in Clean Beauty
EXCLUSIVE: The Center Acquires Phlur, the Clean Fragrance Company
Safilo, The Ocean Cleanup Launch Eyewear in Recycled Plastic
Source: Read Full Article


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Abrupt and unprecedented reductions in inventory by growers and the distribution channel led to significant volume decline despite steady on-the-ground consumption
Second Quarter 2023 Highlights
- Revenue of $1.01 billion, down 30 percent versus Q2 2022 and down 28 percent organically1
- Consolidated GAAP net income of $32.4 million, down 75 percent versus Q2 2022
- Adjusted EBITDA of $187.6 million, down 48 percent versus Q2 2022
- Consolidated GAAP earnings of $0.24 per diluted share, down 77 percent versus Q2 2022
- Adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.50, down 74 percent versus Q2 2022
- Returned approximately $123 million to shareholders, including $50 million in share repurchases
- Revenue of $5.20 to $5.40 billion, reflecting a 9 percent decline at the midpoint versus 2022
- Adjusted EBITDA of $1.30 to $1.40 billion, reflecting a 4 percent decline at the midpoint versus 2022
- Lowers adjusted earnings per diluted share outlook to $5.86 to $6.80, reflecting 15 percent decrease at the midpoint versus 2022
- Lowers free cash flow outlook to a midpoint of break even
03 August 2023, US: FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) today reported second quarter 2023 revenue of $1.01 billion, down 30 percent versus second quarter 2022, and down 28 percent organically. On a GAAP basis, the company reported earnings of $0.24 per diluted share in the second quarter, a decrease of 77 percent versus second quarter 2022. Second quarter adjusted earnings were $0.50 per diluted share, down 74 percent versus second quarter 2022.
|Second Quarter Adjusted EPS versus Q2 2022||-143 cents|
|Adjusted EBITDA||-116 cents|
|Interest Expense||-20 cents|
|Depreciation & Amortization||-4 cents|
|Minority Interest||-3 cents|
“FMC delivered second quarter results in-line with recently adjusted guidance expectations. Active inventory management by growers and the distribution channel drove unprecedented volume declines and as a result we now expect the overall crop protection market to contract high-single-digits to low-double-digits percent this year despite steady on-the-ground usage by growers,” said Mark Douglas, FMC president and chief executive officer.
Revenue in the quarter was driven by a 31 percent decline from volume. Price was up 3 percent, partially offset by a 2 percent foreign currency headwind. Demand for the company’s innovative products remained resilient as sales from new products launched in the last five years were essentially flat to the prior-year period despite the overall sales drop. Branded diamides performed better than the rest of the portfolio, with reduced partner sales the main driver of volume decline in diamides.
North America revenue was down 25 percent (down 24 percent organically) versus the prior-year period as partners, the distribution channel and growers reduced inventory. Branded diamides in the region showed strong growth largely due to high insect pressure in Canada. Sales in EMEA declined 26 percent (down 24 percent organically) compared to second quarter 2022 due to channel and grower destocking as well as adverse weather conditions across Europe. Volume headwinds were partially offset by strong pricing gains in the region. In Latin America, revenue was down 38 percent versus the prior-year period driven by significantly lower volumes as destocking was amplified by a historic drought in southern Brazil and Argentina. Sales in Asia declined 29 percent (down 23 percent organically) year-over-year. As expected, India continued to manage high channel inventory and was impacted by challenged growing conditions in most of the country. Globally, Plant Health revenue was down 31 percent (down 25 percent organically) versus prior year driven by similar channel dynamics as the rest of the crop protection portfolio.
|FMC Revenue||Q2 2023|
|Total Revenue Change (GAAP)||(30%)|
|Less FX Impact||2%|
|Organic1 Revenue Change (Non-GAAP)||(28%)|
FMC second quarter adjusted EBITDA was $187.6 million, a decrease of 48 percent from the prior-year period. The negative impact of volume more than offset the gains from better year-over-year prices and costs. Cost was a positive driver of adjusted EBITDA for the first time since 2020. FX was a headwind to adjusted EBITDA.
Full Year 2023 Outlook2
Consistent with the company’s release on July 10, FMC is forecasting full-year 2023 revenue to be in the range of $5.20 billion to $5.40 billion, reflecting a 9 percent decline at the midpoint versus 2022 and full-year adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $1.30 billion to $1.40 billion, representing 4 percent decline year-over-year at the midpoint. The forecast for the 2023 adjusted earnings range is lowered to $5.86 to $6.80 per diluted share, representing a year-over-year decrease of 15 percent at the midpoint. The company is lowering full-year free cash flow guidance to a range of negative $175 million to positive $175 million due to the lower revenue generated in the first half of the year, lowered adjusted EBITDA guidance and expected lower payables at year end.
Second Half Outlook2
Sales in the second half of 2023 are expected to be in the range of $2.84 billion to $3.04 billion, representing a 2 percent decrease at the midpoint compared to the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA is forecasted to be $751 million to $851 million, representing 16 percent growth at the midpoint versus second half 2022. Forecasted input cost tailwinds, operating expense discipline, anticipated growth of new products and projected pricing gains are expected to more than offset the adjusted EBITDA impact from anticipated volume decline in the second half. The split of earnings and revenue between the third and fourth quarter is forecasted to be more heavily weighted to the end of the year as growers and the distribution channel purchase closer to application.
Third quarter revenue is expected to be in the range of $1.19 billion to $1.27 billion, representing an 11 percent decrease at the midpoint compared to third quarter 2022 as inventory destocking dynamics in the channel are expected to continue and ‘hand-to-mouth’ purchasing behavior is expected to shift some orders closer to the application timeframe in the fourth quarter. Adjusted EBITDA is forecasted to be in the range of $240 million to $290 million, representing a 2 percent increase at the midpoint versus third quarter 2022 as the impact from lower volume is more than offset by favorable input costs and pricing. FMC expects third quarter adjusted earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $0.90 to $1.32, a 10 percent decrease at the midpoint mainly due to projected higher interest expense.
Fourth quarter revenue is expected to be in the range of $1.66 billion to $1.78 billion, representing a 6 percent increase at the midpoint compared to prior year aided by channel and grower purchase timing, expectations for increased planted acreage in Brazil, forecasted product launches and continued pricing actions. Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter is expected to be in the range of $511 million to $561 million, a 24 percent increase at the midpoint versus fourth quarter 2022 due to forecasts of higher revenue and lower input costs. FMC expects adjusted earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $2.71 to $3.17, which represents a 24 percent increase versus fourth quarter 2022.
“The crop protection market is in the midst of a global resetting of inventory levels. We anticipate volume pressure at the start of the second half and have adjusted our outlook accordingly. However, we continue to observe steady consumption of product by growers along with acreage increases for key crops. As a result, we expect to grow adjusted EBITDA in the second half due to lower costs, price increases and improved mix from new products as demand for our innovative portfolio remains strong,” said Douglas.
|Full-Year 2023 Outlook2||Second-Half Outlook2||Q3 2023 Outlook||Q4 2023 Outlook|
|Revenue||$5.20 to $5.40 billion||$2.84 to $3.04 billion*||$1.19 to $1.27 billion||$1.66 to $1.78 billion|
|Variance at midpoint vs. 2022||-9%||-2%||-11%||+6%|
|Adjusted EBITDA||$1.30 to $1.40 billion||$751 to $851 million||$240 to $290 million||$511 to $561 million|
|Variance at midpoint vs. 2022||-4%||+16%||+2%||+24%|
|Adjusted EPS^||$5.86 to $6.80||$3.61 to $4.49||$0.90 to $1.32||$2.71 to $3.17|
|Variance at midpoint vs. 2022||-15%||+13%||-10%||+24%|
* Q3 and Q4 ranges do not sum to H2 range due to rounding.
The company will post supplemental information on the web at https://investors.fmc.com, including its webcast slides for tomorrow’s earnings call, definitions of non-GAAP terms and reconciliations of non-GAAP figures to the nearest available GAAP term.
(For Latest Agriculture News & Updates, follow Krishak Jagat on Google News)

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Listen To This Post
Shahnaz Hughson, the former owner of Bombay Gal Boutique, will soon open Boho Gal, a new jewelry boutique and gathering spot off Moreland Avenue right next to Hodgepodge Coffeehouse.
The roughly 1,200-square-foot space will offer two distinct areas.
Wholesale jewelry production and shipping that constitutes 80 percent of operations, will take place in the back, Hughson told What Now Atlanta in a telephone interview.
The front will be a showroom compartmentalized for retail, community meet-ups, entrepreneurial gatherings, classes and maker workshops.
“In the showroom, we will have gifts, cactus, books, crystals, greeting cards and jewelry,” Hughson said.
“As I’ve gotten older my interests have changed, so we’ll be offering classes on a variety of those interests like knitting and crystal readings. I want this space to motivate and empower women, but also invoke creativity.”
The interior buildout and conversion from a former hair braiding salon multipurpose boutique is expected to be complete by the beginning of March 2020.


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Mercedes-Benz Biome car
Jumpstarting sustainability and social good, Autodesk, makers of Autocad software, have put some of the most innovative projects created with their software on display at their San Francisco gallery.
This concept car from Mercedes-Benz would be built from a biological material that's grown from seeds, called BioFiber. The car would run on a liquid called BioNectar4534, use bioluminescence for headlights, and release oxygen into the air when it runs.
Image: Erin Carson/TechRepublic
Erin Carson has nothing to disclose. She doesn't hold investments in the technology companies she covers.
Erin Carson is a Staff Reporter for CNET and a former Multimedia Editor for TechRepublic.


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What is stagflation? TD Economics explains TD Canada Trust
The consensus among economists is that productivity has to be increased to the point where it will lead to higher growth without additional inflation. This would then allow for the tightening of monetary policy to rein in the inflation component of stagflation. The economic theories that dominated academic and policy circles for much of the 20th century ruled it out of their models. In particular, the economic theory of the Phillips Curve, which developed in the context of Keynesian economics, portrayed macroeconomic policy as a trade-off between unemployment and inflation.
Some point to former President Richard Nixon’s policies, which may have led to the recession of 1970—a possible precursor to other periods of stagflation. Nixon put tariffs on imports bitbuy review and froze wages and prices for 90 days in an attempt to prevent prices from rising. Once the controls were relaxed, the rapid acceleration of prices led to economic chaos.
- The term dates back to the 1960s in the United Kingdom, when it was used to describe a period that defied textbook economics because both unemployment and inflation were high at the same time.
- In remarks last week, Mr. Macklem left the door open to a 75-basis-point rate hike at the Bank of Canada’s next rate decision meeting in July.
- The Bank of Canada’s Business Outlook Survey also showed there’s “a form of stagflation that’s bothering business,” Lavoie said.
- According to Leslie Preston, Senior Economist at TD, stagflation is a combination of stagnation and inflation.
- This caused household income, purchasing power and consumption to decline.
For example, the government can create a policy that harms industries while growing the money supply too quickly. The simultaneous occurrence of these policies can lead to slower economic growth and higher inflation. Today, global economies are still reeling from COVID-19 and the uncertainties it has caused, and the ongoing war in Ukraine has sent oil prices skyrocketing. In turn, the prices for goods worldwide are climbing, which is leaving economic policymakers scrambling to bring inflation down. Economists usually think of a trade-off between inflation and unemployment. In recessions, as demand slumps, inflation tends to be low and unemployment high.
Responses to Stagflation
Stagflation is basically like a recession with the added headache of rising prices and costs to service debt. And as there is no definitive cure, it is harder to defeat and can last a long time. A recession is generally said to be in motion once there have been two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. Stagflation, on the other hand, is much more open to interpretation, mainly because it is rarer.
How to Navigate Stagflation
In October 1973, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) issued an embargo against Western countries. This caused the global price of oil to rise dramatically, therefore increasing the costs of goods and contributing to a rise in unemployment. The chief risk for higher inflation would be if supply chains became blocked, as they did during the global Covid pandemic — which was the chief driver of the inflation currently being tackled by central banks. Economist Friedrich Hayek proposed that governments fight inflation by ending expansionary monetary policies and waiting for prices to adjust via the free market. That means cutting back on things like expansions in the money supply and interest rate reductions. Proposed by economist Eduardo Loyo, the demand-pull stagflation theory suggests that stagflation can occur exclusively from monetary shocks without the need for a supply-related shock.
When weighing big purchasing decisions—like a car, for example—consider whether you can defer or delay the purchase of items where prices may be temporarily elevated, he adds. The term stagflation combines the https://forex-review.net/ words “stagnant” and “inflation.” Its first use is attributed to a British politician in the 1960s. Stagflation refers to an economy characterized by high inflation, low economic growth and high unemployment.
Why Is Stagflation Bad for the Economy?
The term stagflation was first used by British politician Iain Macleod in a speech before the House of Commons in 1965, a time of economic stress in the United Kingdom. He called the combined effects of inflation and stagnation a «‘stagflation situation.» In mid-2022, many were saying that the United States had not entered a period of stagflation, but might soon experience one, at least for a short period.
End of the Gold Standard
Stagflation does not necessarily involve a recession – two quarters of negative economic growth. But the way central banks respond to periods of stagflation can make recessions more likely. The OPEC oil embargo in 1973 and a drop in oil production after the 1979 Iranian revolution bookended the decade. After oil-exporting Arab nations stopped exporting oil to the U.S., the price at the pump quadrupled, and oil was in short supply. High energy prices drove up the cost of producing goods and slowed the economy. Annual inflation peaked at 14%, and didn’t decline substantially until the early 1980s after the Federal Reserve jacked up interest rates under the leadership of Paul Volcker.
Economist Nouriel Roubini is convinced that the Federal Reserve and other central banks’ attempts to curb inflation will lead to a hard landing and a grueling stagflationary debt crisis. Stanford economist John Cochrane, for example, is hopeful that inflation likely will go away and the risk of stagflation will be averted. This concerted push by central banks around the world led to a deep global recession. However, inflation did come down sharply and remained relatively low, averaging below 5 per cent for the rest of the decade.
Both argued that when workers and firms begin to expect more inflation, the Phillips curve shifts up (meaning that more inflation occurs at any given level of unemployment). While this idea was a severe criticism of early Keynesian theories, it was gradually accepted by most Keynesians, and has been incorporated into New Keynesian economic models. The de facto consensus on stagflation among most economists and policymakers has been to essentially redefine what they mean by the term inflation in the era of modern currency and financial systems. Persistently rising price levels and falling purchasing power—i.e., inflation—are just normal conditions of good and bad economic times. Even before the 1970s, some economists criticized the notion of a stable relationship between inflation and unemployment. They argue that consumers and producers adjust their economic behavior to rising price levels either in reaction to—or in expectation of—monetary policy changes.
Cancer vaccine with minimal side effects nearing Phase 3 clinical trials
The treacherous economic moment calls for financial prudence, Harvey said. «Stagflation is basically the worst of all worlds,» Veronika Dolar, a professor of economics at Long Island-based State University of New York Old Westbury, told ABC News. TD Bank Group is not responsible for the content of the third-party sites hyperlinked from this page, nor do they guarantee or endorse the information, recommendations, products or services offered on third party sites. We are hearing the term used today because there’s worry that the economy may be headed in this direction, but the current state of the economy does not fit the definition,” Preston said.
After a U.S.-led coalition conducted airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen this week, the stakes are raised — as are the risks of inflation remaining stubbornly high. This isn’t the first time robusta trade through the Red Sea region has been disrupted. Two years ago, a vessel that blocked passage in the Suez Canal also upended markets. Houthi militant attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea have disrupted a key passage for coffee exports from Vietnam, forcing many commodity carriers to take longer routes. As a result, the premium robusta futures for January delivery command over the next contract surged more than 30 per cent this month. That’s coming after a global shortage of the beans already helped drive up prices by almost 60 per cent in 2023 amid dry weather in the Asian country.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, soaring inflation and rising interest rates are weighing on global growth and pushing many countries towards recession. After successive rate increases by the Fed, the rise in consumer prices has begun to slow. The economy is just beginning to decelerate, but it continues to be very resilient. The Federal Reserve attempts to lower inflation by raising interest rates and slowing an overheated economy.
However, aside from a brief but severe recession due to the pandemic lockdowns in 2020, the economy muddled through, with gross domestic product (GDP) mostly positive and relatively steady. Stagflation doesn’t respond to the conventional monetary tools based on the Phillips curve (see figure 1). According to the classic theory, when inflation is high, unemployment is supposed to be low, and vice versa.


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Comparison-shopping service DealTime Ltd. yesterday announced an agreement to buy Epinions Inc., a provider of consumer reviews and ratings.
The deal aims to help DealTime shoppers make better buying decisions based on consumer feedback. Closure is expected in six weeks after regulatory and shareholder approvals. Terms were not disclosed.
New York-based DealTime will incorporate Epinions' 1 million consumer reviews on its site. Brisbane, CA-based Epinions will allow visitors to shop DealTime's 2,100 merchant partners on its site.
The combined firm will be known as DealTime. But both online companies will maintain their respective dealtime.com and epinions.com sites while mutually tapping their merchant relationships and distribution partners.
Epinions CEO Nirav Tolia will become chief operating officer of DealTime. DealTime will keep open Epinions' office in Brisbane.


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PANAJI: McDonald’s has partnered with leading FMCG Company ITC Ltd. to add a differentiated fruit beverage, B Natural to the Happy MealTM. B Natural’s Mixed Fruit (No Added Sugar) beverage is made from fruit pulp, puree & juice of six delicious Indian fruits. It is a source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C and contains no added sugar or preservatives.
This is yet another initiative by the brand to make its food more wholesome and nutritious. The new Happy Meal is available across all McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India.
This initiative comes as a part of McDonald’s #25ActsofHappy campaign undertaken by the brand to give customers sweet surprises through the year, as it completes 25 years in the country.
Speaking on the launch of new Happy meal, Arvind RP, Director – Marketing and Communications, McDonald’s India (West and South) said, “At McDonald’s, we have always been cognizant of the needs and demands of our ever-evolving consumers. Children are an integral part of the McDonald’s family and we are excited to bring this new wholesome Happy MealTM to them. This initiative helps us further strengthen our commitment to the Good Food Journey.”
McDonald’s India has also forged a strategic partnership with ITC to include its B Natural Beverage as a part of the Happy MealTM.
Mr. Sanjay Singal, Chief Operating Officer – Dairy and Beverages, ITC Limited, said, “At ITC Ltd, we are committed to delivering products to consumers that are differentiated and cater to their evolving needs. With consumer led and science-based products as offerings, B Natural has been at the forefront of reinventing the fruit beverage category with the introduction of beverages that are not made from concentrate, artificial colours, and preservatives.”
Speaking on the partnership, he further added, “Such brand partnerships to set new standards for the industry are indeed encouraging and exciting. We are confident that the addition of the wholesome and nutritional B Natural mixed fruit beverage with no added sugar will make the Happy Meal more enjoyable.”
Three years back, McDonald’s launched its Good Food Journey initiative by reengineering its existing menu to make it more wholesome and nutritious. It made some significant alterations to its menu like reducing sodium content by 20% in some of its products, reducing oil content in its mayonnaise, making its patties 100% artificial preservative free, introducing the option of whole wheat buns and many more.


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Aspen buys GSK brands
Fin24 - Apr 23rd 2012, 14:01
London - GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to sell a clutch of international over-the-counter healthcare brands for Â£164m to South Africaâ€™s Aspen Pharmacare Holdings [JSE:APN], Britainâ€™s biggest drugmaker said on Friday.
Cash proceeds from the transaction are expected to be about Â£135m and will be returned to shareholders during 2012.
The sale is the latest move by GSK to fine-tune its consumer healthcare business and follows the divestment of other over-the-counter brands in North America and Europe.
The brands being sold generated sales of around Â£60m in 2011. They include the painkiller Solpadeine and anti-stomach acid drug Zantac.
The net profit realised on the disposal in 2012 - after deducting transaction costs and a profit deferral of some Â£25m pre-tax because Aspen is a GSK associate - is expected to be Â£105m before tax, or Â£90m after tax.
GSK added it continued to plan to sell its OTC weight-loss pill Alli. This process has been delayed due to supply problems at a Roche factory in the United States.
The Swiss company manufactures the active ingredient, orlistat, which is also the active substance in Rocheâ€™s prescription-only drug Xenical. Alli is a low-dose version of Xenical.
GSK first announced in February 2011 that it planned to dispose of non-core brands sold primarily in North America and Europe and representing about 10% of its consumer health portfolio, in order to focus on priority brands and emerging markets.
Pharmaceuticals: Adcock names new executives
14/06/2013 - 10:19
Pharmaceutical firm Adcock Ingram has appointed Werner van Rensburg as its chief operations officer, and Doreen Kosi has been confirmed as the government relations executive.
India: P&G to set up its biggest India plant in Andhra Pradesh
11/06/2013 - 10:10
FMCG major Procter & Gamble (P&G) India is enhancing its manufacturing capabilities and expanding its footprint by setting up its largest plant at Kothur Mandal in Mahaboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. The company will be investing R370 crore in the plant through Procter & Gamble Home Products.
Zimbabwe: New procurement law on cards
30/05/2013 - 10:47
Speaking at the Buy Zimbabwe procurement conference in Harare yesterday, Kasukuwere said companies should comply with the stipulated procurement regulations, in which local firms should be granted at least 50% contracts on procurement deals.
UK retailers suffered sales drop in April, BRC report shows
15/05/2013 - 15:23
Retailers suffered a 2.2% drop in sales last month compared with a year ago, thanks to the timing of Easter and wintry weather, according to industry figures.
Adcock gets proposals for 100% aquisition
10/05/2013 - 08:05
South African drugmaker Adcock Ingram said on Thursday a rival bid was in the offing to a $675m (R60.7) one made by conglomerate Bidvest [JSE:BVT], raising the stakes for a possible acquisition and pushing its share price up almost 8%.


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Book a seat at the 2019 Business Day TV SME Summit
Priming SA's SMEs and entrepreneurs to 'go big'
Having founded the now iconic hair-care brand Black Like Me more than 30 years ago during the apartheid era and on the back of a R30,000 loan from a friend, Herman Mashaba knows a thing or two about finding a niche and owning it as an entrepreneur.
He also understands the importance of supplier-development initiatives that give start-ups a foothold to succeed in a country where remedying unemployment is a priority.
As mayor of the City of Johannesburg and one of SA’s most successful entrepreneurs, his experience in establishing an entrepreneurial enterprise holds great value for owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in SA.
Mashaba will be one of the presenters at the 2019 Business Day TV SME Summit, taking place at The Empire venue in Parktown on March 7 2019, where he will highlight the City of Johannesburg’s innovative drive to stimulate inner-city opportunities and job creation.
Bookings for the summit, which is now in its third year, have opened. This is an opportunity for small-business owners, entrepreneurs, incubators, franchisors, investors and suppliers to the SME sector to come together and engage experts in business, technology, marketing and investment.
Sharing the secrets of success
Managing finances and obtaining funding and expansion capital are challenges many entrepreneurial businesses face as they look to grow their footprint in the market. Negotiating finance to ensure effective cash-flow management and being able to navigate complex tax issues are crucial skills all SMEs need to succeed.
The Business Day TV SME Summit deals with the most pressing concerns and needs of those operating in the SME sector. The line-up of speakers includes experts in the fields of business scaling, marketing strategy, intellectual property rights, and risk mitigation.
An international perspective on entrepreneurship will also be provided through Business Day TV’s The Big Small Business Show and a pre-recorded session with Uri Levine, the renowned serial entrepreneur and founder of Waze.
Levine was recently in SA as a guest of Tiso Blackstar Group to deliver the keynote presentation at the prestigious Sunday Times Top 100 Companies Awards to an audience of CEOs from the top-performing companies on the JSE.
Date: March 7 2019
Venue: The Empire conference and events venue, Parktown
Ticket Price: R995 excluding VAT
To book, email Lucy Johnson on email@example.com.
Leading organisations supporting the SME Summit
Once again, leading organisations are participating in the Business Day TV SME Summit, recognising it as one of the most effective platforms for SMEs to engage professional insights and facilitate knowledge-sharing in support of much-needed entrepreneurial development in SA.
This year’s headline partners are the Credit Guarantee Insurance Corporation of Africa, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and Standard Bank.
Other partners include BDO, Adams & Adams, Liberty, Payfast, GROW, the Tax Ombudsman, W&R Seta, Telkom, Santam and The Little Green Number.
Watch the highlights from last year:


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Avoiding stores? Here are six places selling groceries with minimal contact
Since the "New York State on PAUSE" plan took effect on March 22, many restaurants and food businesses that had been offering takeout and delivery have closed to protect their employees and the general public.
A few have started offering groceries procured through their suppliers. Most have order-ahead and curbside pickup policies that allow their customers to secure groceries while limiting contact with other people.
Flower City Produce, a produce house that distributes to Rochester restaurants and stores, also altered its business model. With many of its customers closed temporarily, it is now selling food directly to consumers.
The response has been enormous.
"We’re just taking it day by day," said owner Sam Lentine. He said they'll continue the service "as long as it can go and as long as we can get people good fresh produce." The expectation is to continue for the next week or two.
Flower City Produce is offering a $25 package that includes a week's worth of vegetables and fruits; the choices vary according to the day's deliveries. Other bulk items are available for purchase; think 20 pounds of pasta, 10 pounds of chicken breast, 66.5-ounce cans of tuna. And as of Tuesday, toilet paper was on the list as well.
Available items are posted on its Facebook page for pickup the next day. Orders may be placed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday by calling (585) 733-7044. Products are offered cash and carry. Pick-up is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday at its location within the Rochester Public Market. Go inside the facility to pay and the box is brought to your car.
Tree Town Cafe, Brighton
A cozy coffee shop and cafe, the Tree Town Cafe has started a pop-up outdoor market where people can shop for essentials in an open-air environment. Its indoor space is closed, except to employees.
It is getting frequent deliveries of essentials such as vegetables, fruits, eggs, milk, toilet paper, chicken, beef and sliced deli meats.
Stuck in the house and bored? Six easy projects to help you get your home organized
Among the offerings are products from Baker Street Bakery, Amazing Grains Bakery, Flour City Pasta, Superfly DMC cookies and Chai guy. Vegan baked goods are available.
Its cafe menu is available; orders are placed and delivered outside.
It is providing gloves for customers to use while shopping and is requiring that people keep a six foot distance.
The outdoor market is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The cafe menu is available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Customers are encouraged to call in orders in advance to (585) 348-9720.
It's located at 745 Penfield Road in Brighton.
Marty's Meats, 703 Park Ave., has started offering groceries like eggs, whole milk, butter, chicken and various meats, sourced through restaurant suppliers. In response to customer demand, it recently added produce from Fisher Hill Farm in Bristol. He plans to continue to adjust offerings according to customer demand.
Place orders online by 5 p.m. a day in advance. Pick-up is Wednesday through Sunday. Credit card payment is taken over the phone. The food is delivered to your trunk; call the restaurant when you arrive.
The restaurant is also offering take-out food from its menu.
“We're taking it a week at a time," said owner Marty O'Sullivan. "If the numbers make sense we’ll continue to schedule people.”
Marty's can be reached at (585) 434-3292.
Flour City Bread Co.
Keith Myers, the owner of Flour City Bread Co. at the Rochester Public Market, had been planning to start online ordering in the spring to alleviate the long lines that form on Saturdays. The coronavirus crisis prompted him to step up his plans.
He is using his new online ordering system in two ways.
The first is for the original purpose: ordering breads and pastries for pickup on Saturdays. Order online Thursday, Friday or Saturday morning. On Saturday, pull up to the shop, send a text and the order will be brought to your trunk.
"What I see as the big advantage of what we are doing is that people don't have to get out of their cars," he said.
In addition, he has teamed up with Seven Bridges Farm and Fisher Hill Farm for online grocery ordering for pickup or delivery on Friday. Choices include bread, ground beef, eggs, produce and Pittsford Farms Dairy milk.
Order online by 9 p.m. Wednesday for Friday. Pick-up is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Flour City Bread at the Rochester Public Market. Pull up to the shop, send a text and the order is delivered to your trunk. Delivery within Monroe County is available for a fee for orders over $50; deliveries are from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Friday.
The retail shop at the Rochester Public Market continues to be open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"It's very quiet and subdued at the market right now, which is great," Myers said. "People have been very respectful of everyone's space. I was very concerned about it." The usual large family groups are staying home and single shoppers, are placing orders for several families. "That's what we need," he said.
Village Bakery and Cafe
Village Bakery is offering its own fresh-baked breads and pastries as well as items from its cafe. In addition, it is offering items from Pittsford Farms Dairy, Finger Lakes Farm, Shrader Farms and more. Products include eggs, milk, bacon, barbecue sauce, pasta sauce, coffee, potato chips, kombucha and more.
They are available for online preorder only.
The items can be picked up at the Pittsford or Webster locations from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Shoppers are instructed to enter the stores one at a time to retrieve their orders. It is not accepting payments or selling additional items at the stores.
Delivery is offered for a $10 fee with a $50 minimum order. The website will indicate whether delivery is available to a certain address.
Gift cards are available via online purchase only.
The Village Bakery is at 5 State Street in Pittsford and 44 E. Main St., Webster. For questions, email firstname.lastname@example.org; the cafes do not have staff to answer phones.
585 Rockin Burger Bar
The 585 Rockin Burger Bar in Gates has tweaked its approach several times over the past few weeks to keep up with the rapidly changing situation.
"We're going to continue to be here as long as we can," said Gail Gallipeau, co-owner.
Menus and grocery information is posted on its Facebook page. It is at 250 Pixley Road in Gates. Phone number is (585) 247-0079.
NOTE: After the publication of this article, the 585 Rockin Burger Bar started offering groceries only by request on a limited basis.


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$253,000 raised since Thursday against reversal of privacy protections
On Wednesday, two fundraising campaigns managed to raise several hundred thousands of dollars in a bid to purchase and reveal lawmaker’ browsing histories on Capitol Hill following a reversal of Obama-era internet privacy protections against the open sale of peoples' web history.
It will not be Apple after all
Microsoft’s $26.2 billion acquisition of LinkedIn means that the software giant is on track to become the world’s first trillion dollar company.
Cheap as Chip
A US outfit called Next Thing is offering a $9 development board for its Chip project which is currently seeking crowd funding..
Al Lowe looking to Kickstart an adventure


text: Months after announcing a new CEO who pledged to hear customer feedback, United Airlines has responded: free "stroopwafels" starting in February. These breakfast snacks, which United calls "a little bit of caramel heaven between crisp wafers," are among the free munchies that United will provide economy fliers. United hasn't served free snacks since 2008. Houston-based Continental Airlines, which merged with Chicago-based United in 2010, quit offering this service shortly after their union. "Food is a very important part of the customer experience," spokeswoman Karen May said Wednesday after the change was announced. Stroopwafels -traditional Dutch cookies - will be served on flights departing before 9:45 a.m., and United suggests warming the pastry on top of your coffee cup for two minutes. Passengers on later flights can choose between an Asian-style snack mix with rice crackers, sesame sticks and wasabi peas, or a zesty-ranch mix with mini pretzel sticks, Cajun corn sticks and ranch soy nuts. These will be served on thousands of daily flights within North America and Latin America. May said the return of free snacks stems from a "listening campaign with our customers." Part of this campaign includes the website unitedairtime.com that CEO Oscar Munoz is using to seek\u00a0 feedback from customers and employees. Munoz took the top position in September after former CEO Jeff Smisek left in the wake of an internal investigation related to a federal probe of the airline's dealings with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Munoz is currently on medical leave following a heart attack he suffered Oct. 15. Brett Snyder, author of the airline industry blog crankyflier.com, said free snacks are a nice gesture by the airline. And with industry consolidation, he said it's important to compete with products in addition to price. "Little things like this have the ability to have a meaningful impact on travelers," he said. Yet this and United's other recent food improvements could have little effect if the airline can't get the basics right: getting passengers to their destination on time, Snyder said. United has improved in this area, but he said it still has a ways to go. Snyder is optimistic next year will be better as United said it will give select corporate accounts a services credit if the airline doesn't meet one of two goals: have a better on-time arrival rate in 2016 than American Airlines or Delta or have fewer canceled flights in 2016 than American or Delta. "Why are we setting the bar so high? Quite simply because we know we can deliver," Dave Hilfman, senior vice president of worldwide sales for United, said in a video discussing the topic. Southwest Airlines, United's main competitor in Houston, has offered free snacks for the past 45 years. It offers peanuts and pretzels on every flight, and some of the longer flights serve an assortment of Kraft and Nabisco snack options. "We continue to provide free snacks on every flight for everyone at a low fare," said spokesman Brad Hawkins.


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When she has the time to get to the airport early, Anne Marie Mitchell, a communications professor in Chicago, will treat herself to a few hours in the airport lounge, either using a free pass from her airline credit card or paying a day-use fee.
“You get access to a bar, a nice clean bathroom, snacks and it’s uncrowded,” she said. “It makes traveling more fun.”
Airline lounges, bastions of civilization in airport terminals that are now often overstuffed with irritated passengers, thanks to flight delays and cancellations, have long been the retreat of the frequent-flying elite, forward-class ticket holders and those with expensive credit cards.
Now, with leisure travelers leading the recovery of the airline industry as business traffic lags, some clubs have made it easier for relatively infrequent fliers to claim a few predeparture perks, while others — including Delta Sky Club, which adopted a new rule that no user may enter the club more than three hours ahead of their scheduled flight — grapple with growing pains.
The expanding world of clubs
Historically, legacy carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in the United States, have operated lounges for passengers flying in first and business classes, as well as frequent fliers who qualify for membership. Their offerings sometimes include standard clubs (such as United Club at United) and more exclusive ones for forward-class fliers on long-haul international flights (United Polaris).
Another class of clubs welcomes members flying any carrier. These include Priority Pass, which offers access to more than 1,300 lounges in more than 600 cities (membership plans include 10 visits for $299 a year).
In this case, a lounge might be an actual airline club, such as the Plumeria Lounge from Hawaiian Airlines that Priority Pass members have access to in Honolulu; public airport restaurants that offer a food credit, such as Stephanie’s restaurant at Boston Logan International Airport; other club brands, such as Minute Suites, which are private rooms, at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport; or airport amenities such as the Be Relax Spa at Los Angeles International Airport, where members get credit for a chair massage.
Increasingly, lounge users are not airline devotees, but holders of expensive credit cards.
“It’s become popular to bundle lounge access with a premium credit card,” said Gary Leff, who writes the airline blog View From The Wing. “It’s a way of selling cards and retaining members.”
American Express Platinum card holders have access to many airline lounges, as well as the company’s own Centurion Lounges, which are found in 13 American cities — with new ones coming to Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta and Washington’s Reagan National in 2023 — for a total of more than 1,400 lounges globally. The card costs $695 annually, with credits up to $400 a year in hotel and airline expenses, among benefits.
Now other banks are getting into the lounge game, including Capital One, which opened its first lounge — with a stationary cycling room, showers and craft cocktails — in November at Dallas-Fort Worth, with follow-ups planned for Denver and Washington Dulles outside of Washington, D.C., later this year. Entry is restricted to owners of the bank’s Venture X card, which costs $395 a year, and their guests; the card’s perks include credits up to $300 for travel purchases.
Exploring America’s National Parks
The glories of the U.S. national park system draw hundreds of millions of visitors each year.
JPMorgan Chase has announced it will open its own brand, Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club, with six global locations, including Boston, Phoenix and New York’s LaGuardia Airport beginning next year and available to holders of its Chase Sapphire Reserve card ($550 a year with benefits, including $300 in credits on travel purchases and Priority Pass membership).
What price sanity?
In these times of airline mayhem, many travelers are willing to buy themselves out of the airport hell of sitting on the floor to get close to the only available electrical outlet in the concourse, a rescue offered by pay-per-use clubs.
Plaza Premium Group, which has restaurants, lounges and hotels in more than 70 global airports, recently introduced its PPL Pass Americas, which costs $59 for two visits within a year to most of its lounges in North, Central and South America. The pass gets you into stand-alone Plaza Premium Lounges and the airline lounges it operates for the likes of Virgin Atlantic, Avianca and Air France. There are six eligible lounges in the United States, with a new location in Orlando, Fla., expected to open later this year.
“The first and business top-tier premium frequent flier is well taken care of,” said Jonathan Song, the director of global business development for the company. “The remaining 85 percent are economy class and are airline agnostic, which is where we see the rise of affordable luxury. People want to enjoy the V.I.P. services they would in first and business, but may not want to spend that amount for the ticket.”
Now affiliated with American Express, Escape Lounges, also called Centurion Studios, has 14 locations, including Minneapolis and Sacramento, Calif., that offer pay-per-use plans at $40 a visit, if booked online 24 hours in advance, and $45 at the door (Platinum cardholders have complimentary admission). Access offers standard perks, including free internet access, food and drinks, and new locations are expected later this year at airports in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Columbus, Ohio.
Another option, the Club, has 16 locations in the United States, including New Orleans and Seattle, and two in London. It sells no memberships and runs strictly on a pay-per-use basis at $45 a visit (free to Priority Pass holders).
For one-stop shopping, the website and app Lounge Buddy sells airport lounge passes starting at $25. Among lounges with similar amenities at, for example, London Heathrow — such as Wi-Fi and free food and drink — the site offers $39 passes to Plaza Premium Lounges and $74 to the Lufthansa Business Lounge. In Barbados, a pass costs $27.
United offers day passes to its United Clubs for $59 on its app. Annual memberships cost $650 or 85,000 miles for most frequent flier members. American Airlines also sells one-day passes to its Admirals Clubs for $59 or 5,900 miles. Delta does not offer paid access.
Considering the high prices of airport concessions — a vendor at LaGuardia was recently censured for selling a $27 beer — hungry travelers may find admission worthwhile.
“On a one-off basis, with a long connection, you can make the math work for you, depending on how much you would otherwise spend,” Mr. Leff said. “You can eat and drink your money back, and maybe it’s less crowded and you have a power port to plug into.”
Beyond complimentary gin and tonics, fliers in a booking jam may find it valuable to pay the fee at an airline lounge to get prompt airline assistance.
“If your flight is canceled and there’s a two-hour wait to talk to someone, pay the $50 club fee and you’ll get access to agents who tend to be the most experienced and can do amazing things to get you where you need to be,” said Brian Kelly, the founder of the website the Points Guy, which covers loyalty rewards.
No room in the club
Depending on when you fly, even buying your way in may be out of the question these days as pass holders have been turned away, thanks to capacity crowds.
“Centurion lounges are like going to TGI Friday’s. You check in and they buzz you when there’s open space,” Mr. Kelly said. “As we’ve seen with travel this summer, people are raring to go and have missed out on premium experiences the last few years, so when they’re traveling, they are splurging.”
The crowding problem isn’t necessarily new, but some new factors, including airport staffing shortages, have exacerbated it.
“Many better lounges were crowded before the pandemic,” Mr. Leff said. “Now people are arriving earlier because of the uncertainty of security lines and then finding they have extra time to kill.”
“Now there are even queues outside the lounge, something I had never encountered in the pre-Covid travel era,” wrote Haris Stavridis, the owner of a public relations agency in London, in an email. “Lounges are supposed to be your safe haven, but they’re becoming problematic now.”
Some clubs are addressing the surge, including Delta Sky Clubs with its new three-hour rule. Though it is nearly doubling the size of its San Francisco Centurion Lounge and tripling its club footprint in Seattle this year, American Express will begin charging cardholders for guests (adults, $50) beginning next year unless a user spends at least $75,000 a year on the card.
Clubs may be victims of their own success, but accessing them may still be the cheapest upgrade-per-perk you can get when flying today.
“Everybody has some kind of privilege now with Amex or miles or buying in,” said Patrick Rollo of Providence, R.I., who travels frequently for his work in real estate. “So, everybody’s going to the lounge.”
Elaine Glusac writes the Frugal Traveler column. Follow her on Instagram @eglusac.


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Electric vehicle uptake rose rapidly in Queensland in the first three months of 2022. But, new registration data tells a different story for April: It was a month where Polestar started to make some customer deliveries and the Kia EV6 topped the table.
The biggest surprise was the massive decline in Tesla uptake in Queensland. As we reported earlier, Tesla fell of its perch as best selling EV brand in April, partly due to the seasonal nature of its deliveries (it tends to bulk up deliveries at the end of a quarter).
But data from carloop shows that only one new 2022-built Tesla was delivered to a single lucky customer in Queensland last month. This brought the new 2022 Tesla total to 962 cars in the sunshine state.
The main reason for this spectacular decline is the fact that the Tesla delivery cycle for Australia, but there is also pressure on the supply chain, and a suspicion that Teslsa is prioritising other markets.
It has already warned that Australian deliveries for the June quarter will be pushed back to the second half of the year, and new reservations will not be met until 2023.
The only exception to the delivery cycle rule in April was Tasmania, which bucked the trend and had 24 cars delivered there in April. This was more than the March deliveries.
Polestar 2 edges the Model 3 in the sunshine state during April
Polestar 2 did slightly better than Tesla for deliveries of their new 2022 built cars in Queensland during April. A tortal of 15 new 2022 built Polestar 2 EVs were delivered to customers. That’s after Polestar reported 93 new sales in April 2022 across the country.
April deliveries of new Polestar 2 were slightly above March 2022 when only 11 new EVs were delivered in the state.
That’s miniscule compared to the 2022 built Tesla Model 3 deliveries there. Data from March 2022 showed that over 630 new EV owners in Queensland took Tesla Model 3 onto Queensland roads.
Prediction after Tesla’s Quarter 2 deliveries now written off
Recently Tesla pushed back Australian deliveries for all Tesla Model 3 owners who were expecting cars in Q2 2022 due to Shanghai lockdowns. Some owners in Queensland have been waiting for nearly 6 months after placing an order back in December 2021.
This means that the third quarter of the year will see an influx of Tesla EV deliveries in Queensland. Carloop predicts over 2000 new Tesla Model 3s to end up on sunshine state’s roads by Q3.
EV uptake in Queensland looks to be slowing down due to supply issues. This will change in the second half of 2022 with Tesla resuming production and deliveries.
Combined with the launch of the new EVs such as the updated MG ZS EV and the BYD’s Atto3, more Queenslanders will end up behind the wheel of an EV in 2022 than ever before.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne. He is a mechanical engineer who worked all around Australia building infrastructure for the first 7 years of his career before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.


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While avocado leaf tea might sound like a niche category, its smooth taste, naturally caffeine-free credentials, interesting nutritional qualities, and the fact it’s not taking up extra land (it’s from trees already grown for fruit) make it an intriguing new option in the category (which now includes coffee leaf tea), says Wibbenmeyer, who was speaking to FoodNavigator-USA at the Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show.
“It’s like a green tea, but it’s got a buttery finish. There’s no bitterness, no astringency.”
The award-winning tea – which is sold in biodegradable teabags – is currently available online and in around 50 boutique stores, says Wibbenmeyer, who says he discovered a long tradition of drinking avocado leaf tea in Central America.
“It has been boiled and drunk for centuries as a home medicinal remedy, so Aztec, Mayan, Central American cultures would pick four or five leaves, boil it for about 20 minutes and let it sit, and it releases this beautiful red rustic flavor…
“It took us about six months of R&D to try to get it into a single serving bag and still release that beautiful red rustic flavor.”


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Monday, December 6, 2010, 9:41 AM ET|Posted by Will RichmondNot content to sit by and watch the headlines claiming significant cord-cutting is underway, ESPN is wading into the cord-cutting research fray, releasing a new analysis of its own, which it asserts that the activity has been totally overblown.
By analyzing Nielsen data, ESPN says that in the past 3 months, .28 percent of U.S. households have cut the cord, though mitigating this decrease is that .17 percent of households that had been subscribing to the lowest tier of pay-TV service (dubbed "broadcast-only") upgraded to pay-TV and broadband Internet services. With approximately 110 million households in the U.S., ESPN is saying around 308,000 homes cut the cord, with 187,000 upgrading from broadcast-only, for a net loss due to cord-cutting of 121,000 households. Interestingly, that 121,000 households is quite close to the 119,000 subscribers that SNL Kagan said that U.S. pay-TV operators lost in Q3 '10.
To be fair, some will suggest that as a key industry player, research from ESPN is hardly neutral.
From my perspective, given the closeness of the ESPN and Kagan numbers, the ESPN analysis doesn't so much as debunk the cord-cutting theme, as it helps validate its sizing. At these rates, the gross level of cord-cutting in the U.S. may well be running in the 1-1.5 million subscribers per year range at this point. With over 90 million homes subscribing to pay-TV service, that's not the mass exodus some like to portray, but certainly losing 1-1.5% of subscribers each year due to low cost alternatives should be above the bar to cause concern. How the industry responds to this threat - through initiatives like TV Everywhere, lower-priced tiers, integration with new devices, etc. - will have a huge influence over whether the 1-1.5 million level grows or contracts going forward.
Trends in cord-cutting plays will have a huge impact on ESPN in particular since it is by far the most expensive channel on a per subscriber basis for pay-TV distributors to carry (widely understood to be more than $4/mo/subscriber). ESPN further noted that among medium and heavy sports viewers, there was "zero cord-cutting." That doesn't surprise me, but as I recently suggested in "Are Live Sports Pay-TV's Firewall or Its Albatross?" the issue is that light sports fans and non-fans have been effectively subsidizing the pricey sports channels for years, and now, given cheaper over-the-top entertainment-only options, they could well flee the subscription model. That's why efforts like Time Warner Cable's "TV Essentials," which excludes sports could become more important, to pay-TV retention.
In 2011, as each quarter's results bring mounting losses of pay-TV subscribers, the debate over how real cord-cutting is will further intensify. For cord-cutting's enthusiasts, pay-TV Armageddon is just ahead; for others the industry is still very much in control of its destiny. We'll see.
What do you think? Post a comment now (no sign-in required).
(click on any image to download report)
See additional research »
Video Research Around the Web
- U.S. Homes Adding SVOD Services Falls To 3.9% in 2Q, Kantar Reports B&C
- As streaming surges globally, Roku is falling behind abroad Protocol
- World-Wide Streaming Subscriptions Pass One Billion During Pandemic WSJ
- Cable Now Controls Nearly 70% of U.S. Fixed Broadband After Biggest Year Since 2008 Next TV
- Cord Cutting’s Worst Year Ever: Analyst B&C
- Disney Plus Will Surpass Netflix in Customers by 2026, Research Company Says Next TV
- Tubi Says Streaming Rose 58% In 2020, With Half Of Viewers Younger Than 35 Deadline
- U.S. SVOD Revenue Spiked 39% in Q3 to $5.5 Billion Next TV


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Once the Quarantine Is Over, I’m Over These Philly Institutions
In times of adversity, people reveal who they really are. Consider the tone-deaf actions of these institutions during the pandemic.
As we prepare to enter yet another month of self-quarantine that shows no sign of quickly ending, things are beginning to get ugly. This is about more than the growing number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities — it’s about how some of our public institutions are now showing their asses in the middle of this pandemic.
Right now, our city government and its adjacent political and corporate entities are making decisions that are either fiscally wasteful, tone-deaf or downright cruel. Just as I’ve begun to side-eye national brands such as Shake Shack and Ruth’s Chris Steak House for needing to be publicly shamed in order to show some humanity (I haven’t forgotten about you either, Amazon), Philly isn’t getting a free pass (looking at you, Penn).
I’ve been keeping a personal shit list: the local companies, institutions, and public figures that I may no longer support, patronize and/or respect once this quarantine is over.
City Council for paying social media “stars” to do the right thing
When news broke that City Council allocated taxpayer dollars ($10,000, to be exact) toward paying local social media influencers to spread COVID-19 awareness, I immediately cursed at my laptop. Seriously, who thought this was a good idea? Why is the Camel Prom Mom (who has made some rather questionable social influencing decisions in the past) being paid by the city to encourage folks to wash their hands? Why is some guy on Instagram named @wallo267 getting a check to tell me about social distancing? Answer: Because City Councilmembers thought they weren’t cool enough to get the message out themselves. “Councilpeople, we do have influence, but there are certain categories of people we don’t necessarily have that influence with,” Council President Darrell L. Clarke told the Inquirer. “From my understanding, they’ve got over 300,000 views on the various platforms.”
But attracting followers on social media isn’t the same as getting votes. When you consider that City Council members already have full staffs being paid to do such work, this just seems wasteful. Social media influencers shouldn’t be making money off the city for helping officials tell the public to be safe during coronavirus. That money could have been put to better use helping pro bono essential workers such as Ala Stanford, a physician who has been successful at increasing COVID-19 testing, advocacy, and training in underserved communities in Philly. Do better, elected officials.
Comcast for still charging late fees while we struggle
The last thing anyone should be concerned about right now is unnecessary late fees from a multibillion-dollar media conglomerate. Comcast is still charging late fees even though they say you don’t have to pay them. But the catch is that you have to go through the hassle of calling the company (1-800-XFINITY) and asking them to waive the fees. Why can’t Comcast simply eliminate the charges automatically? I can only imagine how many financially vulnerable people may not even know this and will end up being hit hard once they return to paying the internet and cable bills they can now temporarily pause. (The company has said it’s suspending disconnections at this time.) Yes, Comcast is still charging late fees on bills they know you can’t afford to pay right now — and you pretty much have to call and tell them the obvious (i.e., it’s a fucking pandemic) in order to get them waived.
comcast: now we're charged 10 extra dollars for late fees and a little bit more mystery fees even though we said we wouldnt be charging late fees in this pandemic
me: can i please talk…..
— a shell shock (@bouldertilde) April 25, 2020
The School District for stupidly suggesting that kids without home wi-fi study in parking lots
Speaking of bad customer service, it took public outcry for the Philadelphia School District to backpedal on an initial recommendation to students without home wi-fi to take advantage of such in parking lots. Yes, our school district thought it was a good idea to list on its website ways for our kids to get free wi-fi to do their assignments in potentially unsafe, unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory. The district thought it would be best to burden underserved families (16 percent of whom don’t have internet connection in their households at all) by subjecting themselves to humiliation.
If this is the best we can do as a country we should be deeply, deeply ashamed. https://t.co/RFHPceqGjr
— Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) April 22, 2020
Shout-out to Philly-based nonprofit New Options More Opportunities (NOMO) for stepping up to provide free wi-fi for families in need who have enrolled children.
PLCB for initially only reopening liquor stores in white neighborhoods
When the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) initially announced it was reopening some of its stores for curbside pickup, I thought happier days were coming. Wrong.
Instead, it chose to only reopen a few select stores in … wait for it … predominately white neighborhoods. This in a diverse city where most of the stores are located in black and brown areas. Out of the 52 stores in Philadelphia, the PLCB only reopened 10 “Premium Collection” locations in Center City, South Philly, Northern Liberties, the Far Northeast and Chestnut Hill. So the liquor store I go to in West Philly that I just know would have gotten great business was kept closed. Interesting.
Although the PLCB has, as of Monday, since reopened nearly all of the liquor stores in the city, the situation leaves a bad taste in my mouth. At this point, I’d rather support the local distilleries instead.
Hey there, Bluecoat. It’s been a while.
My @bluecoatgin is back in my hands where it belongs! #QuarantineLife pic.twitter.com/s6Bqc8fdqn
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) April 27, 2020


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Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price in July
Tartan Video have announced the UK DVD release of Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price for 24th July 2006 priced at £19.99. The ethics of big business come under the spotlight in this enlightening documentary about the working practices of Wal-Mart, the world’s largest supermarket store. Owners of Asda stores in UK, this $100 billion American retailer has been expanding its operations globally and despite being one of the most powerful corporations in the world, it is also heavily criticised for business ethics. It has banned union activity and employs cheap labour in the developing world whilst accused of damaging the environment and destroying local communities. Interviews with workers and campaigners are mixed with comments from Wal-Mart’s CEO. The film also touches on a current local UK campaign at Queen’s Market in London’s East End.
Director Robert Greenwald has made a reputation for himself as a campaigning filmmaker with a social conscience. He has taken current affairs and turned them into crusading forums which address our modern global multi-national culture. In Outfoxed, his set his sights on Rupert Murdoch’s TV empire whilst in Uncovered: War in Iraq, he tackles the legitimate claims of the Bush Administration to war. Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price continues this campaigning spirit, which has been evident in the work of Michael Moore and Morgan Spurlock’s Supersize Me.
- Anamorphic Widescreen
- DD2.0 Stereo
- Tartan exclusive interview with Robert Greenwald
- Additional interviews with staff
- Extra scenes


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If you love hummus, and especially hummus with pine nuts, then it's time to check your fridge. The Food and Drug Administration announced Monday that they have recalled three different brands of hummus that use a pine nut topping over listeria concerns.
The pine nut flavors of Fresh Foods Market Artisan Hummus, Lantana White Bean Hummus, and Marketside Classic Hummus have all been pulled off store shelves and the FDA urges anyone who has these products to either throw them away or return them to the store for a refund.
The products were distributed nationwide and in Canada, according to the FDA, between April 18, 2017 and June 13, 2017. To check if your hummus has been affected, look for the lot code — which will begin with a “use by” date followed by a “W” and a 7 digit code — and refer to this chart.
According to the FDA, an ingredient supplier that provided the pine nuts to all three brands notified the agency in June that the nuts were possibly contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A routine check of a different item produced by the supplier for a different company revealed positive Listeria Monocytogenes findings, so the company is voluntarily recalling everything made in their facility during the time of the potential contamination.
Listeria contamination is most harmful for young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, as well as people who are pregnant, according to the FDA.
In healthy people, symptoms of contamination are: high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
So far, no illnesses due to the hummus have been reported.
Read these stories next:


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And the 2013 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria is… Anna Ebiere Banner.
Just a few minutes ago, the 18 year old aspiring beauty queen, representing Bayelsa state was crowned MBGN 2013. Anna will go against other beauty queens from around the world at the Miss World 2013 Finale in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Anna wore a dazzling purple dress by Fabulous Beads Centre.
The 26th edition of the pageantry took place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
The 1st runner-up 19 year old Stephanie Okwu representing Imo state, will represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe 2013 competition in Moscow, Russia while 20 year old Powede Lawrence representing Adamawa state, will represent Nigeria in the Miss Tourism 2013 competition.


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The tourism company in Portorož, a summer town on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast, has planned to promote the place by the use of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The initiative is the digital component of the region’s tourism marketing for this year.
Portorož, in the southern town of Piran, has now become the country’s primary resort with its own non-fungible tokens, just after the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) issued a “sLOVEnia NFT” last month. According to local media, the initiative’s major purpose is to promote the two seaside communities as innovative, digital, and sustainable destinations.
During a presentation focused on Portorož ‘s innovations, Alexander Valentin, director of the Portoro Tourist Association, was cited as saying, “The door to the metaverse is opening, which will be a new market for future generations.”
Portorož Tourists activities to win prizes
The new “destination NFTs” are intended to capture the loyalty of tourists. Visitors will be able to acquire three tokens from three distinct collections by completing three activities: participating in a prize game, subscribing to a newsletter, and sharing an Instagram sticker with the resort’s @portorozpiran account. Every collection has 100 NFTs.
Slovenia and six other countries – Italy, Austria, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia — started a campaign under the slogan “We Are Here” on April 20. Its goal is to increase the country’s visibility as a tourism destination in new markets. According to the Primorske Novice news portal, nine tourism service companies are participating, with more anticipated to join.
Portorož and Piran are strengthening their promotional operations on social media in addition to entering the crypto realm through the NFT project. According to the magazine, the municipalities have lately joined a video-focused social networking service Tiktok.
In recent years, Slovenia, a tiny, bitcoin-friendly country, has emerged as a champion in cryptocurrency adoption in Southeast Europe. Thousands of cafés, restaurants, hotels, beauty salons, and sports facilities accept numerous cryptocurrencies around the country. Last autumn, the Ljubljana government sought public discussions on a draft law governing crypto taxes.


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Pearlfisher highlights Jordans Muesli's 'nature friendly' heritage
LONDON - Pearlfisher has produced a new look for Jordans' muesli range, with the new packs appearing in Asda stores nationwide from today.
The new look packaging will roll out to other major supermarkets during the first two weeks of October. The redesign extends to Jordans' Country Crisp cereal and Frusli bars, which will switch to the new look later in the year.
The Jordan family have been millers for over 150 years and began making natural wholegrain muesli in the 1970s.
The latest makeover has been designed to highlight the "nature-friendly" farming scheme that the company has been pioneering since the mid-1980s.
A new strapline has been devised to accompany the relaunch: "You can taste we care".
Shaun Bowen, creative director at Pearlfisher, said: "We have created a natural world of Jordans, starting at the mill and continuing around the pack with illustrations that reflect the personality of each flavour variant.
"The bold colours are crammed full of taste and are offset by the white sky which allows the Jordans logo more prominence than ever before."
Carol Welch, marketing and innovation director at Jordans, said: "The new packs look fantastic and successfully bring the world of Jordans to life in a compelling and engaging way.
"Pearlfisher's designs have been central to the development of a truly integrated marketing campaign for the brand, acting as the core creative stimulus for our advertising and website design as well."
This article was first published on brandrepublic.com
- Mid Weight Planner - ATL Daniel Marks London £30-£50K + Excellent Benefits, Central London
- User Experience Researcher Salt £350 - £400 per day, City of London
- Senior Marketing Manager Nigel Wright Recruitment £55000 Per Annum Competitive + car, bonus and benefits, East Midlands
- Senior Designer / Trafficker become £40-45K, Central London
- Creative Designer STI Group Salary will be commensurate with age and experience, Gillinghham
- Twitter attracts more ads, but rates tumble 67%
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- International Women's Day: "my gender is irrelevant" says Lisa Thomas
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The VR market, once seen as the future of gaming and entertainment, has encountered setbacks in recent years. Analysts attribute this to factors like reduced spending on VR content and a lack of exciting game releases.
According to research by Omdia, spending on VR content dropped from $934 million in the previous year to $844 million in 2023. This decline can be partly attributed to the market losing momentum after peaking during the pandemic in 2021. Additionally, the introduction of new gaming hardware options in 2024 has made VR headsets less of a priority for gamers.
The disappointing performance of key headsets like the Meta Quest 3, Sony PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2), and Pico 4 has also played a role in the market’s downturn. PSVR2 has suffered from a lack of compelling games and Sony’s focus on expanding PlayStation 5 peripherals. ByteDance’s reduced commitment to VR has affected its Pico brand, leading to project cancellations and a shortage of competitive content.
Inflationary pressures have further reduced consumer spending, making it less likely for potential VR enthusiasts to invest in expensive hardware and content. Except for Meta, major tech companies have shown little interest in VR technology, contributing to the industry’s expected decline over the next two years.
Despite these challenges, analysts predict a gradual recovery for the VR market, with content revenues projected to reach $2.3 billion by 2028. The industry is hopeful for a resurgence in 2026.
One potential game-changer is the launch of the Apple Vision Pro in 2024. Although its impact may not be felt until 2026, this product has the potential to shake up the market and create new growth opportunities. Additionally, despite Meta’s limited AR content and the high price of the Quest 3, the company remains a key player in the VR industry.
It’s worth noting that while sales of VR headsets declined by 24% in 2023, dropping to 7.7 million units compared to 10.1 million the previous year, the global active installed base of VR headsets remained stable at 23.6 million. However, only marginal growth is predicted by 2028, highlighting the need for industry-wide efforts to reignite consumer interest.
To revive the VR market, companies must prioritize the release of exciting games, invest in innovative content, and address pricing concerns. They should also focus on improving the overall VR experience by incorporating technological advancements and expanding into new markets.
In conclusion, the consumer VR market has faced challenges like reduced spending on VR content and a lack of appealing game releases. However, industry analysts maintain cautious optimism, expecting a gradual recovery from 2024 and potential revenue growth in the coming years. Adapting, innovating, and rekindling consumer interest are crucial for propelling the VR industry forward.


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As foreshadowed by FCC documents, seemingly displaying a rear-firing speaker, ecobee4 product marketing materials that have come my way and a premature Lowe’s listing confirm the presence of Alexa… to not only adjust one’s temperature via far-field voice recognition, but leverage many if not all of Amazon’s voice assistant capabilities. Hey, look there’s even the signature blinking blue Alexa light pipe up top. The move isn’t entirely surprising given Amazon’s sizable investment in ecobee and their new program that makes microphone technology available to third-party partners.
Beyond Amazon integration, the ecobee4 smart thermostat appears somewhat sleeker than my existing ecobee3 – an upgrade as they continue to fight off the more well known, though less capable, Nest (that, to this day, still lacks remote sensors). Interestingly, Apple HomeKit capabilities remain and we expect the new model to launch within the next couple months given the abundance of leaks and steep ecobee3 discounts.


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The LG G5 is literally going to work overtime to impress you, and we know that now because it’s been confirmed to have an screen that never sleeps.
The forthcoming Android phone has an always-on display that keeps time, date and up to four notification icons visible, even when the screen is off, according to LG’s official Facebook account.
It appears to be able to display this glanceable information without actually lighting up the rest of the screen and, importantly, without wasting a ton of battery life.
Accomplishing this is often done by using OLED displays, which don’t require nearly as much power to light up black backgrounds. Black pixels are as close as it comes to being “switched off.”
This would signal a major shift in LG’s long use of IPS LCDs in mobile phones, joining Samsung, Motorola and its many other Android competitors with bright OLEDs.
We’ve seen this trick before
The LG G5 always-on display isn’t anything new – not even for LG. The company included a thin always-on second display at the top of the LG V10 to show the time, date and app shortcuts.
LG G4, the previous flagship, didn’t use an always-on display, but it did show the firm’s interest in making the time and date readily accessible.
The G4’s Glance View was an easy-to-pull down menu that shined these information essentials even when the screen was completely off. There’s history here for LG.


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Uncertainty is in the Canadian air as 2018 comes to a close. Questions about trade deals, interest rates, housing values, oil prices and the GM plant closure are all weighing on the collective mind as we close out what has been a strong year.
Economists say we should expect further growth in 2019, in spite of an overall gloomy outlook for world economies. In fact, the OECD revised Canada’s GDP growth outlook for 2019 upwards in a November update.
Of course, a lot of our economic success is predicated on factors beyond the control of our own businesses, like politics south of the border, trade deals and wars, interest rates and oil prices. And with that knowledge business continues, dealing with many familiar challenges.
To get some insight into how several of Canada’s key sectors are faring, freelance writer Kara Kuryllowicz spoke with business leaders and asked them about the challenges they see for 2019. Here’s what she found out.
Vehicle owners have high expectations and OEMs like BMW know that location plays a significant role in giving drivers what they want.
“BMW recently relocated its Ontario warehouse from Whitby to Mississauga to enhance customer service and improve its supply chain logistics efficiencies, namely expediting parts delivery to 16 dealerships province-wide,” says Ian Sant, manager of the new Mississauga Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) for BMW Group Canada.
The Mississauga RDC opened in April 2018, after Sant and his colleagues had thoroughly assessed four contenders with proximity to rail hubs and airports and routes to markets such as Barrie, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo and Burlington.
At 285,000 sq. ft, the Mississauga facility is 50 per cent larger than its predecessor and will handle more than 41,000 SKUs and over one million parts annually.
For more details on the DC see our Inside Logistics feature “Distribution Test Drive“.
“We will never be short a part because we can now increase our minimum on every part,” says Sant.
In late 2019/early 2020, BMW’s first continental distribution centre will open in Pennsylvania as part of a global parts supply chain decentralization, and in 2020 a second new Canadian DC will open in Vancouver.
As BMW prepares to launch its 2019 models, every single part required by each new model will be stocked, because as Sant sees it, new car owners want their vehicle back as soon as possible.
Parts availability is a challenge that can be addressed through network design, but finding a skilled, reliable workforce is a constant and growing problem.
BMW is tackling the challenge with a creative, forward-thinking strategy. “Do what you can to create an amazing workplace to help attract the people you need and keep them fully engaged,” says Sant.
Staff was top of mind in the design of the DC. While the location facilitates the commute, the workplace environment – with leather sofas, MINIs mounted on the walls and giant TVs – is fun and welcoming.
Last spring, employees at the Mississauga RDC discovered an i8 Roadster when they arrived at work and in October, employees were treated to a ride-and-drive event that let them experience the cars as more than the parts they pick. “Our DC employees are still talking about it,” Sant says.


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Omega-3s May Lower the Risk of Preterm Birth
Taking omega-Three dietary supplements throughout being pregnant might decrease the chance for preterm delivery, a overview of research has discovered.
The evaluation, within the Cochrane Reviews, thought of 70 randomized trials that included nearly 20,000 girls. A number of studied fish consumption, however most examined dietary supplements of omega-Three fatty acids, the fat present in fish.
The researchers discovered high-quality proof that, in contrast with girls who didn’t take omega-3s, those that took dietary supplements had an 11 p.c decrease danger of giving delivery earlier than 37 weeks of gestation, and a 42 p.c decrease danger of a delivery earlier than 34 weeks.
They additionally discovered high-quality proof that omega-3s decreased the chance of low delivery weight by 10 p.c, and moderate-quality proof that it decreased the chance of perinatal demise by 25 p.c.
There was inadequate proof to attract any conclusions concerning the impact of omega-3s on severe adversarial outcomes amongst moms — induction post-term, admission to intensive care, or postnatal despair.
The lead creator, Philippa Middleton of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, stated that the results of untimely delivery, each short- and long-term, are extreme, and it’s the world’s main reason for demise amongst youngsters beneath 5.
“One of the explanations it is a very massive deal is that there’s little else on the market that offers with untimely delivery,” she stated. “Omega-Three supplementation is one factor that may make an enormous distinction to the prematurity price.”


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Companies are seriously ramping up recruiting efforts for workers with cryptocurrency skills. A recent analysis from LinkedIn found that the number of job postings containing the terms “bitcoin,” “ethereum,” “blockchain” and “cryptocurrency" grew 395% in the United States between 2020 and 2021.
That’s significantly bigger growth than the increase in listings for the wider tech industry, which saw a 98% bump in postings over the same period. The most common titles in LinkedIn listings included blockchain developers and engineers.
("The term "cryptocurrency" refers to digital currency that's underpinned by computer code rather than a central bank or other government authority. The technology behind that code is called blockchain. Some of the most popularly traded cryptocurrencies, or "cryptos," including Bitcoin, Dogecoin and Ethereum.)
LinkedIn said most of the postings were in the software and finance industries, but noted that the professional services industry (including accountants and consultants), the staffing industry and the computer hardware industry also boosted hiring for crypto-related jobs. A recent search for “cryptocurrency” on LinkedIn’s job platform turned up more than 11,000 results, including listings at major companies like PayPal and Deloitte.
And applicants are interested: An August report from the job site Indeed found that the volume of crypto-related job searches during one week last summer was 300% higher than a comparable week in 2020.
Searches for blockchain-related jobs soared 137% over the same period. Indeed also found that crypto and blockchain software development jobs are more likely to be remote compared to non-crypto software development jobs. That’s a major perk of the industry for people seeking a career that will allow them to work from home.
Crypto went mainstream in 2021
Cryptocurrency continued its meteoric rise into the mainstream in 2021. Bitcoin gained some 50% in value over the course of the year (though not without its characteristic volatility along the way) and notched new record highs. Experts expect that trend to continue, with some saying that Bitcoin will hit $100,000 per coin (more than double its current value) sometime in the near future. Meanwhile, altcoins like Dogecoin and Ether saw even more dramatic gains last year.
As the value of cryptocurrencies grew, so has the community surrounding the technology. People are asking for crypto gifts in their wedding registries. Investing clubs are growing more popular on college campuses, and students are increasingly interested in crypto. The mayors of Miami and New York City made headlines when they announced that they would take some paychecks in Bitcoin rather than dollars to boost the crypto industries in their cities. Some first-time homebuyers have even used proceeds from the sale of cryptocurrency investments to help fund down payments on houses.
The gist is that if you’re looking for a new job this year — or even just a side hustle — the crypto world may have something to offer.


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Ninja Theory [Heavenly Sword, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West] revealed Hellblade during Sony’s Gamescom press conference earlier this month, with the debut of the game’s teaser trailer. It was an unexpected surprise, and now the devs at Ninja Theory have released development diary to discuss how they’ve created that trailer.
Devlopment Diary 1: The Announcement — 6’01”
You can also see a version of the trailer from very early in its development, with some of the blocked out environment and selected shots from the mo-cap shoot
Hellblade Teaser Blackout — 1’34”
Hellblade is currently in development for the PlayStation 4 as a timed exclusive. It is planned for a 2015 release.


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Bentley News Highlights
Bentley Motors has released the first picture of the Bentley SUV, due to hit roads in 2016. It will be the most luxurious and powerful SUV on the market, setting it apart from any other SUV, true to the brand hallmarks of luxury, performance, quality and craftsmanship. The SUV forms part of Bentley’s £800 million investment in new model and facilities development in the next three years. The company anticipates a minimum annual sales volume of 3000 SUVs.
Bentley has also firmly reinforced its position as the world’s largest producer of 12 cylinder engines after announcing its Crewe headquarters will become the centre of excellence for the Volkswagen Group for all W12 engine production from the end of 2014 onwards. With this decision, Bentley will export engines for the first time in its history, creating around 100 jobs across the business.
In addition, Bentley Motors has posted a significant growth in profit and turnover, its strongest ever performance, as the company outlined its financial results for the year ending 31 December 2013. Operating profit improved to a record £139.7 (€167.7) million, up 66.9% on the 2012 figure of £83.7 (€100.5) million. Turnover grew by 15.5% to £1.40 (€1.68) billion, the highest in Bentley’s history. Profit margin increased from 7% to 10%. Bentley’s continued success across the globe gathered pace, with exports contributing to 88% of total turnover, with a total export value of £1.23 (€1.48) billion. This success has continued into 2014, with global deliveries to customers growing by 13% to 1,408 cars by the end of February.
Finally, Bentley Motors has been named as one of Britain’s Top Employers for the third year running by the Top Employers Institute. Bentley’s dedication to the personal development, working environment and employee culture of the 3,700 colleagues who work at the Crewe headquarters was particularly praised.


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'Toy Insider' Releases 2021 List Of 20 Hottest Kids ToysBecause of ongoing supply chain issues, customers are urged to get a heat start on their holiday shopping, and here's a place you may want to start.
Want To Make Sure You Have Your Holiday Gifts On Time? Start Shopping Now, Retailers SayClogged ports, labor shortages and higher demand are impacting shipments of toys, electronics, apparel and more.
U.S. To Reopen Land Borders With Canada And Mexico, Allow Nonessential TravelThe U.S. will reopen its land borders with Canada and Mexico next month, allowing nonessential travel for the first time in more than a year and a half.
Ongoing Shipping Delays Hurting Tri-State Area Businesses, Causing Concerns About Holiday ShoppingRetailers large and small are telling shoppers if they think they have tried-and-true strategies for holiday shopping, they might want to rethink those.
Experts Advise Shopping Early As Pandemic-Related Supply Chain Issues ContinueThe pandemic continues to disrupt workflow, from factories to stores, and transportation remains a big ongoing problem.
No Shortage Of Last-Minute Shoppers On Christmas Eve; One Million Packages May Arrive After Christmas, USPS Says'Tis the season for giving! Stores were packed with procrastinators scrambling for last minute gifts on Christmas Eve.
Struggling To Find Toys This Holiday Season? CBS2 Has Some Last-Minute Options For YouIf you forgot a few young ones on your list or want to add to their stocking this year, gifting experts have ideas that you can get before Christmas morning.
Shoppers Still Head To Tri-State Area Malls, Stores On 'Super Saturday' For Holiday Shopping Despite PandemicThe National Retail Federation estimates more than 150 million Americans are taking part in Super Saturday and that includes those doing it online.
Pandemic Brings Big Changes For Long Island Businesses On Last Shopping Weekend Before ChristmasOver 150 million Americans plan to shop on the Saturday before Christmas, but of those, 42% will do so online only, avoiding malls and stores.
Small Businesses Trying To Survive Economic Downturn Say 'Shop Local' Campaigns, Social Media Mentions Crucial To Staying AfloatThere are welcome signs and warning signs at local businesses struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic.
Cyber Monday Expected To Hit Record Sales, Tips For Saving While Shopping OnlineThe holiday shopping season is different this year with more people shopping online due to the pandemic. CBS2's Andrea Grymes speaks with experts about tips to get the best deals.
How Will COVID Affect Black Friday Sales? Stores 'Significantly Scaling Back,' Says ExpertBlack Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year, will look a little different in 2020, as COVID cases spike across the country.
Message From Small Businesses To Holiday Shoppers: Buy LocalIn downtown Montclair, alongside holiday decor, are pictures of small business owners. It's a reminder of who you are supporting.
Adapting To Coronavirus: Retailers Getting Creative To Keep Holiday Shoppers In Stores And SafeThe holiday shopping season is nearly upon us, but the Centers for Disease Control lists shopping in crowded stores as a higher risk activity.
Small Businesses Not Holding Back To Draw In Holiday ShoppersFrom dazzling light displays to free delivery, small businesses are pulling out all the stops this holiday season to boost their bottom lines and everyone's spirits, too.


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IBM just unveiled the world’s smallest computer, and it certainly packs a punch.
IBM is not backing down in its efforts to dominate the world of computing. From supercomputers to quantum computers, the company’s goal is to be the most comprehensive computing experts in the industry.
Just as an example of the breadth of this goal, IBM’s latest computer requires ultra-sharp vision to be seen. It is the smallest computer in the world.
The device, which is said to be no bigger than a grain of salt, was presented by the company at its Think 2018 conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday. The device reportedly measures 1mm by 1mm but is packed with the processing power of an x86 chip, which was commonly found in IBM’s 90s computers.
Despite its size, the tiny device, dubbed as a “crypto-anchor,” is said to be built as an anti-fraud computing device. It is equipped with memory, storage, a communication module, and a processor.
Smallest Computer to be Used Against Counterfeiters
In a blog post published by IBM, the company said that world’s smallest computer could be embedded in everyday objects and devices. It will also be used together with blockchain technology to fight counterfeiting. They wrote:
“Within the next five years, cryptographic anchors — such as ink dots or tiny computers smaller than a grain of salt — will be embedded in everyday objects and devices. They’ll be used in tandem with blockchain’s distributed ledger technology to ensure an object’s authenticity from its point of origin to when it reaches the hands of the customer.
These technologies pave the way for new solutions that tackle food safety, authenticity of manufactured components, genetically modified products, identification of counterfeit objects and provenance of luxury goods.”
IBM has not divulged further details about the device. However, its schematics show that it has a complete processor and up to a million transistors on a 1mm by 1mm board. It also has an SRAM memory and a photovoltaic cell for power, plus a communications unit that utilizes LED coupled with a photo-detector to communicate with the outside world.
Talking about crypto-anchors, IBM said:
“For example, crypto-anchors can be embedded into an edible shade of magnetic ink, which can be used to dye a malaria pill. The code could become active and visible from a drop of water letting a consumer know it is authentic and safe to consume.
Crypto-anchors are highly secure because they are embedded in the product and consist of cryptographic mechanisms that provide unclonable identification.”
The world’s smallest computer is still a prototype. However, IBM said that the first models of the crypto-anchor could be made commercially available in the next 18 months.
“within the next five years, advances in microfluidics, packaging platforms, cryptography, non-volatile memory, and design will take all of these systems from the lab to the marketplace,” IBM added.