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From: Dan Ciuriak
To: Canadians Concerned about Tariffs
Date: August 29, 2018
Re: Trade Wars: the Costs so Far
Since last spring, the United States has initiated a series of trade actions that have elicited retaliatory responses from its partners. Trade wars are underway. This note quantifies the damage to date. (Click here for an expanded discussion.)
In March, US Customs began collecting tariffs on steel and aluminum products pursuant to an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 that concluded that these imports threatened US national security. Canada and Mexico were initially exempted, but this exemption expired in July. A handful of countries accepted limitations on their exports to the United States through quota arrangements. Australia, a minor supplier to the United States, played the golf card (Greg Norman) and negotiated a full exemption. Most US trading partners do not consider national security to be a credible rationale for the steel and aluminum tariffs and have accordingly retaliated.
Next, the United States announced a tariff of 25 percent on $50 billion worth of imports from China, in two tranches of $34 billion and $16 billion. This was framed as retaliatory punishment based on allegations that US exports and foreign sales were hindered by unfair Chinese trade practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. China has announced its retaliation in like amounts.
More could be in store. In May, the Secretary of Commerce targeted the imports of cars, SUVs, vans, light trucks and automotive parts with another investigation under Section 232. President Trump has repeatedly said that may result in tariffs of 25 percent, a threat he repeated this week as he urged Canada to come to a swift NAFTA agreement.
The probability of those auto tariffs looms larger in view of the openly voiced satisfaction of the Trump Administration with the effect of the steel and aluminum tariffs in boosting the fortunes of those sectors; these tariffs must accordingly be anticipated to remain in place indefinitely. In turn, downstream sectors require indefinite protection from foreign competitors with lower input costs, similar to the need for subsidies to farmers to offset the cost to them of retaliatory tariffs.
So let us count the costs so far.
Canadian Real GDP declines by -0.09 percent due to the steel and aluminum shock; Canadian retaliation compounds this by adding a further -0.066 percent decline, for a combined -0.156 percent from this theatre of the trade war. The US-China trade conflict, however, works to Canada’s advantage as Canadian products gain competitiveness in both markets; these actions fully offset the negative steel and aluminum impacts, reducing the cumulative impact to a minor nick (-0.013 percent). US tariffs on autos would take a heavy toll on Canada, however, reducing Canada’s real GDP by -0.336 percent. Canadian tariffs on US autos would add a further -0.6 percent impact.
The bottom lines for Canada on an all-inclusive basis:
- a cumulative real GDP loss of -0.95 percent, equivalent to US$23 billion in value terms
- a welfare cost of $21 billion
- total job loss on the order of 60,000
- the main sector at risk is automotive; it would face a potential decline of 28 percent in value-added with perhaps a similar percentage or close to 40,000 of the workforce of 140,000 at risk.
Macroeconomic dynamics could easily exacerbate the scale of the impacts. The IMF projects about 2 percent real growth for Canada in 2019. A full-blown trade war would reduce Canadian long-run growth by close to -1.0 percent, with knock-on effects from work flow disruption as supply chains rearrange, investment is stalled by uncertainty, and capital market volatility, all of which could easily stall the Canadian economy and tip it into full-blown recession.
The risks to the United States are smaller but not negligible. The IMF projects about 2.7 percent real growth for the United States in 2019. Trade wars would bring this to just above 2 percent; even doubling the size of the long-run impact to take account of short-term knock-on effects brings this down only to the 1.7 percent range. True, the United States can endure a trade war of attrition longer than Canada; however, all that winning would come at a cost.
Dan Ciuriak is Fellow-in-Residence with the C.D. Howe Institute, Senior Fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and Director and Principal, Ciuriak Consulting Inc.
To send a comment or leave feedback, email us at firstname.lastname@example.org.
The views expressed here are those of the author. The C.D. Howe Institute does not take corporate positions on policy matters.


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In a highly anticipated conclusion to the G20 Summit held in Hamburg, Germany, world leaders issued their closing statements, acknowledging the growing significance of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The discussions surrounding this revolutionary financial technology were marked by a sense of optimism and an understanding of the potential it holds for the global economy.
The G20, comprising the world’s major economies, recognized that digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others are rapidly gaining prominence, with significant implications for financial markets, technological advancements, and cross-border transactions. The leaders stressed the importance of fostering an environment that promotes innovation while addressing potential risks associated with cryptocurrencies.
One of the key takeaways from the summit was the acknowledgment that blockchain technology, the underlying framework behind cryptocurrencies, has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, including finance, supply chain management, healthcare, and more. The G20 leaders emphasized the need for collaboration and the sharing of best practices to fully harness the transformative power of this decentralized technology.
Furthermore, the G20 discussions focused on the necessity of striking a balance between encouraging innovation and ensuring consumer protection and regulatory compliance. The leaders recognized the need to develop effective regulatory frameworks that can address concerns such as money laundering, terrorist financing, and consumer fraud. At the same time, they acknowledged the importance of avoiding overly restrictive regulations that may stifle innovation and impede the potential benefits of this emerging technology.
The G20 Summit also highlighted the need for international cooperation and information sharing to combat the illicit use of cryptocurrencies. World leaders recognized that digital currencies, due to their inherent nature, can be exploited for illegal activities, such as money laundering and tax evasion. Therefore, the G20 called for enhanced collaboration between governments, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies to develop appropriate measures to address these concerns.
In conclusion, the G20’s closing statements regarding cryptocurrency and blockchain technology showcased a collective recognition of their significance for the global economy. The leaders emphasized the potential benefits of cryptocurrencies and the transformative power of blockchain technology while acknowledging the need for appropriate regulation and international cooperation. This declaration represents an important step towards establishing a balanced and conducive environment that fosters innovation and maximizes the potential of this disruptive technology.
As the world moves forward, it is crucial for governments, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders to work together to develop comprehensive and adaptable frameworks that can effectively govern the rapidly evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. The G20’s statements provide a strong foundation for future discussions and actions, signaling a commitment to harnessing the potential of this technology while safeguarding the interests of the global economy and its participants.

domain: news


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Lot’s of people were concerned about the dangers posed of wearing something that contains dangerous chemicals, but others were more focused on the effects on the environment.
But plenty of people were quick to point out that these kinds of warning labels are commonplace in California.
‘California is one of the few states that legally have to tell you about these chemicals,’ tweeted one person.
‘The tags only come on things sourced out of California. Other products can have the same chemicals they’re just not required to let you know its wildd [sic],’ added another.
It all stems from Proposition 65, a legal requirement in Califronia which means companies selling in the state have to put warnings on any products that may contain harmful chemicals.
So it’s hard to know just how seriously to take this kind of warning. But it is certainly a bit worrying.
We have asked Fashion Nova for comment on this warning and so far haven’t received a response.
MORE: Woman who was insulted because of her dress on Tinder is made an ASOS model
MORE: Woman’s ‘bruise’ on her thumbnail was a sign of skin cancer
MORE: The skills you need to learn to ensure yourself a job of the future
The daily lifestyle email from Metro.co.uk.
Source: Read Full Article


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Donald Trump is back in the news again.
And no, it’s not because of a 2024 political run. Rather, it’s because he’s launching a new company: TRUTH Media & Technology Group (“TRUTH Social”). TRUTH Social is a new social media platform that aims to recruit Trump supporters as users. It purports to be “free, open and honest,” and vows not to “…discriminate against political ideology.”
Trump has made his forays into online publishing in the past. He was a famously active Twitter user, launching a Twitter-style personal website and running a huge email list to support his political campaigns.
This isn’t the first time Donald Trump has jumped into digital ventures. But backed with big money, TRUTH Social is by far the most “serious” of Trump’s social media efforts. The company is going public through a merger with Digital World Acquisition (NASDAQ:DWAC), which means that you can buy stock in it. In fact, the shares are already trading today, even though TRUTH Social doesn’t exist yet. As you’re about to see, though, you might be better off leaving those shares alone. Here’s why.
DWAC is a special purpose acquisition company
The first thing to note about DWAC is that it’s a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). SPACs are notoriously risky assets. They are companies formed with the express purpose of acquiring or merging with other companies. People often start SPACs in order to make acquisitions. They will raise money from investors and commit to spending that money on buying out a company.
Many investors willingly buy in having no idea what company will be purchased. Sometimes, it’s pure speculation; other times, the name of the SPAC’s CEO draws them in. Investing in a SPAC run by, say, Bill Ackman, can seem like one way for retail investors to get in on rare venture capital-like deals that the little guy usually can’t access.
Investing in a SPAC is quite different from buying a normal stock. When you buy stock in a company like Shopify, you know the company’s financials, its products, and its track record. For a stock like SHOP, it is quite possible to perform a reasoned financial analysis. For a SPAC like DWAC, that’s not always possible. When you buy Shopify stock, you’re buying a business; when you buy DWAC, you’re buying an idea.
While SPACs may sound like a good idea on paper, in reality, they don’t actually perform well. According to Reuters, the average SPAC is trailing the S&P 500 Composite Index by 15 percentage points this year. That’s some serious underperformance. You may have heard about how active mutual fund managers almost never beat the S&P 500 long term. That’s true, but the mutual fund managers’ performance has been absolutely peachy compared to what SPACs have returned in 2021.
About TRUTH Social
Now, DWAC is a little different from the usual SPAC. It is well known what company this SPAC will be buying. And we know a fair bit about the company itself:
- It’s a social media startup.
- It’s valued at $875 million.
- Trump gets 15 million shares if the stock price is between $15 and $20.
- He gets another 15 million if it stays above $30.
- The stock closed at $67.75 on Friday.
Based on the above information, it looks like Donald Trump will get a hefty payout if the current stock price will be maintained.
Does that mean that retail investors like you should invest in it?
Probably not. Alternative social media platforms don’t have a great track record of taking off. The established players cover most of the ground already, putting copycat sites at a distinct disadvantage. TRUTH Social is based on an open-source framework for building Twitter-like sites.
It really looks like this is going to be a Twitter clone, which begs the question of why it even needs to exist. On that note, Mastodon, the creator of TRUTH Social’s open-source framework, is accusing Trump’s company of violating the agreement. If TRUTH Social doesn’t make its source code public, it could get into legal trouble. That’s not a great start to Trump’s latest social media adventure.


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It has so far raised over $1 billion in the round from investors including Provident Capital, Google, JD.com and Tencent.
SoftBank has already pumped in about $1 billion and currently holds 46 per cent in OYO.
Experian's investment in Grab is its fourth in Asia.
Rest of Asia
Building up Uber Eats could be the company’s best chance, for now, to capture revenue in the world’s third-largest economy.
In May, the firm launched BukaGlobal, a new platform which connects its more than 4 million Indonesian sellers to international buyers.
The funding appears to be part of Ola's ongoing $472 million Series J round that includes a $238 million investment by Hyundai and a $62 million inves
The lock-in model opted by consumer internet firms to capture market share is destroying profitability, pricing experts Dr Jochen Krauss and Jan Weise
Ola Electric Mobility just raised $250 million from SoftBank Vision Fund at $1 billion valuation.
OYO plans to expand its presence in Vietnam to 10 cities and 20,000 rooms by 2020.
SoftBank is also the single largest investor in Ola with about a 26 per cent stake.
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The week ahead
What we need to know
Let’s start with black friday’s news data:
As i’ve posted on X, online spending hit a new record according to Adobe.
Alessio is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Source: Bloomberg Terminal
This is definetaly a good news despite the recent warnings of consumers pulling b…


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Jio Platforms, Qualcomm successfully test 5G solutions, clock over 1 Gbps speed in trials
Qualcomm and Reliance Jio on Tuesday announced that they have aligned efforts on 5G in order to fast-track development and rollout of indigenous 5G network infrastructure and services in India.
Leveraging Qualcomm's technology, Jio has indigenously developed a 5G RAN (Radio Access Network) product that has achieved ultra-high throughputs, and the product is already tested by a Tier-I carrier in the US, Mathew Oommen, President, Reliance Jio Infocomm said.
Speaking at the Qualcomm 5G Summit, Oommen said, "I am excited to announce that with Qualcomm's technology and support, Jio has indigenously developed a 5G RAN product that has achieved over 1 Gbps throughput...in fact joining the gigabit throughput clock, the product is already tested and validated by a Tier-I carrier in the US."
This latest move signifies the entry of Jio and India into the 5G product club. At present, only a handful of nations, including the US, South Korea, Australia, Switzerland, and Germany are able to showcase 1 Gbps speeds for 5G customers.
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc and Reliance Jio Platforms along with its wholly-owned subsidiary Radisys Corporation have announced their expanded efforts to develop open and interoperable interface compliant architecture based 5G solutions with a virtualized RAN, a Qualcomm statement said.
"This work is intended to fast track the development and roll out of indigenous 5G network infrastructure and services in India," the statement added.
Earlier this year, Reliance Industries had announced that Qualcomm Ventures will pick up 0.15 percent stake in Jio Platforms for Rs 730 crore. It recently received the subscription amount for the deal, and allotted the equity shares.
The latest progress on the 5G product portfolio neatly dovetails into Jio's overall plans to develop homegrown 5G telecom solutions, as was outlined by Reliance Industries' Chairman Mukesh Ambani at the company's annual general meeting in July this year.
RIL had earlier said that Qualcomm Ventures' investment would deepen the ties between Qualcomm and Jio Platforms to support the latter on its journey to rollout advanced 5G infrastructure and services for Indian customers.
In all, Jio Platforms — that houses India's youngest but largest telecom firm Jio and apps — has raised about Rs 1,52,056 crore from 13 investors, including Facebook, Google, Silver Lake, Vista Equity Partners, General Atlantic, KKR, Mubadala, ADIA, TPG, L Catterton, Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Intel Capital, and Qualcomm Ventures, for a total 32.9 percent stake.
Edited by Kanishk Singh


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Burger King to bring back Big Mac copycat
- The burger was previously a limited-time offer, but will now go permanent
- A middle bun has been added to the original version - just like the Big Mac
- Burger King also has a McRib clone called the BK Rib Sandwich
What has two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions on a sesame bun? Burger King's latest sandwich.
The Miami-based chain says it's bringing back its 'Big King' sandwich, which looks a lot like the popular Big Mac made by its bigger rival McDonald's. Burger King says it's an addition to the permanent menu rolling out this week.
Burger King says it previously offered the Big King as a limited-time offer. But back then, it didn't have the middle bun — a Big Mac hallmark — like it does now. A representative for McDonald's didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The return of the Big King, which resembles a Big Mac, is another recent move since investment firm 3G Capital took Burger King public again 2012
It's just the latest move by Burger King that seems to pay more than a little homage to the Golden Arches. Last spring, Burger King also unveiled a revamped menu that looked a lot like the food McDonald's had added in recent years, such as fruit shakes, chicken snack wraps and specialty coffee drinks.
Since then, Burger King has also rolled out a rib sandwich to compete with the popular McRib, as well as chicken nuggets (Burger King is better known for its chicken tenders). As the New York Post wrote at the time, "They look like McNuggets. They're as nutritious as McNuggets. Just don't call them McNuggets."
BIG KING NUTRITIONAL FACTS
780 milligrams of sodium
65 milligrams of cholesterol
29 grams of fat
BIG MAC NUTRITIONAL FACTS
970 milligrams of sodium
75 milligrams of cholesterol
29 grams of fat
The changes come under new management for Burger King Worldwide Inc., which has undergone numerous owners over the years. 3G Capital, an investment firm run by Brazilian billionaires, bought the chain and took it private in 2010. It took it public again last year in a deal that allowed it to earn back what it paid while still maintaining a majority stake.
Since then, 3G has moved CEO Bernardo Hees on to another assignment over in Pittsburgh, where he's heading up H.J. Heinz. 3G bought the ketchup maker with Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. In Mr Hees' place, 3G installed another one its principals, Daniel Schwartz, who was 32 at the time.
The classic: The McDonald's Big Mac, shown here, is what the Big King is gunning for
As for the new "Big King," Burger King's website lists it at 510 calories. The Big Mac is listed at 550 calories.
Burger King also recently introduced lower-calorie fries that it dubbed as 'Satisfries.
Notably, Burger King has been touting the fries as having 30 percent fewer calories than regular fries. But the comparison is to McDonald's fries, not its own fries.
Satisfries have 20 percent fewer calories than Burger King's own fries.
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Smart scooter maker Twenty Two Motors bags $1.6 mn angel funding
Saturday, April 8, 2017, 6:08 PM
Gurgaon-based Twenty Two Motors Pvt. Ltd, which is working on rolling out its first smart scooter, has secured $1.6 million (Rs 10.2 crore) in a pre-Series A round led by Ishwar Singh, chief executive of Haryana Group of Industries, a company statement said. Farhaan Shabbir, former director at motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson, also participated in the round and joined the company as a founding member.


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The three tech fairs attracted more than 66,000 buyers from 160 countries and regions, including Mainland China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Korea, Taiwan, United States, Japan, India and Russia. The overwhelming response and lively exchange of ideas at the events highlighted Hong Kong’s rapid development into an international I&T hub, which connects the world with Mainland China and ASEAN.
The HKTDC’s hybrid EXHIBITION+ platform format offered in-person and online access, which enables exhibitors and buyers from around the world to continue conducting business online until 22 April. The Click2Match smart business matching platform, has facilitated over 3,000 business meetings so far.
Sophia Chong, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said: “It is encouraging to see that the three tech fairs brought together nearly 3,000 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions to present a wide range of innovative solutions, cutting-edge technologies and electronic products, to create business opportunities across regions and industries and to explore the unlimited potential of innovation and technology cooperation.
“Many exhibitors were pleased to receive orders on the spot and secure business partnerships. We are pleased to see the three tech fairs playing a major role in the innotech ecosystem of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), which attracts the participation of ASEAN and Asian markets, and those further afield in Europe and the Americas. The success of these events reflects Hong Kong’s determination to develop at full speed into an international centre for innovation and technology and reaffirms the status of the city as an international trade and exhibition centre,” she added.
InnoEX and the Hong Kong Electronics Fair were flagship events of the inaugural Business of Innovation & Technology Week (BITWeek), which also included the Digital Economy Summit, co-organised by the HKSAR Government and Cyberport.
The three tech fairs of the HKTDC featured more than 100 innovative solutions to drive smart-city development in Hong Kong presented by the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics projects from 14 research laboratories in collaboration with world-renowned universities introduced by the InnoHK initiative under the Innovation and Technology Commission, the latest electronics and smart-lighting solutions as well as a series of forums, panel discussions and seminars featuring distinguished experts to share their insights on the latest technological trends.
AI, smart city and metaverse take lead
The fairs featured more than 50 events, including the InnoEX Forum, Under 30 – Tech Trends Symposium for the Next Generation, Asian Lighting Forum and the France in the Game – Sustainable Development for the Cities of Tomorrow organised by the So French So Innovative pavilion, and Collaborate & Build Data Ecology between Twin Cities organised by Hong Kong’s Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization.
I&T industry bullish on sales
Most of the 1,000-plus exhibitors and buyers who responded to independent surveys commissioned by the HKTDC at the fairs held optimistic views on upcoming business development and sales. They agreed that Hong Kong offered the advantage of connecting the world with the GBA and ASEAN.
According to the survey, 75% of respondents at InnoEX believed overall sales would increase in the next six months to a year while 86% expected a rise in the next one to two years.
Respondents believe the biggest advantage of Hong Kong's innovation sector lies in the city’s highly skilled and multicultural talent pool (26%), creative technology solutions (25%) and its unique role as an intermediary between Mainland China and the world (21%).
In addition, with the support of policies, many companies are committed to expanding into ASEAN markets With 38% of Hong Kong exhibitor respondents trying or planning to expand into the ASEAN countries, while 31% planned to expand into the GBA and 89% were optimistic about opening up businesses in the GBA market and 21% planned to expand into other non-GBA Chinese cities.
Smart products in demand
The Chief Marketing Officer of InnoEX virtual reality exhibitor Shanghai Yuweia Technology, Mr Ryan Zhu, said: “This fair was a huge success! Buyers from both domestic markets and abroad highly praised our products. In addition to meeting hundreds of potential clients, we received orders from Japan, Canada, the United States, Indonesia, Singapore and other places. We intend to take part in the fair again next year and bring our latest products to consumers worldwide.”
Government officials from ASEAN countries, the mainland and Hong Kong met exhibitors from various countries and regions at the ASEAN Smart City Development Roundtable to exchange ideas. Mr Lim Chinn Hwa, Senior Director of GovTech of Singapore, said: “Hong Kong and Singapore can potentially collaborate on investing in technologies relevant to smart cities. Together, we can also work on aspects, like handling the different data collected, dealing with the differences in the two places' governance approach, identifying talents who can serve the needs of both places and facilitating knowledge exchange. Sharing ideas and policies in these areas is highly beneficial.”
Hong Kong exhibitor Doss (H.K.) Limited promoted its Bluetooth speakers at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition). Sales Manager Ms Vivian Liang said: “We aim to explore new markets and strengthen relationships with existing customers through the fair. Face-to-face interactions with customers during the fair helped us foster long-lasting relationships and generate more orders. This fair produced positive outcomes. We met with about 50 new buyers, mostly from Europe and the United States. We anticipate receiving orders totalling US$100,000.”
Robust global purchasing power
Resumption of customs clearance between the mainland, Hong Kong and the world attracted buyers from all over the world, with robust sales activity generated on-site and online. Mr Arvine Quizon, Head of Technology of Leading Edge based in Australia travelled to Hong Kong and sourced at the Electronics Fair. He said: “It's a great place for horizon scanning, finding new trends and the focus for the industry. I’ve always loved the fair in Hong Kong. It’s the best in the world for sourcing new products. It’s great to be back since the pandemic and I’ll certainly be back more often.”
Exhibitor Ms Vivian Wu, General Manager of mainland firm Zhongshan Obals Lighting & Electric Co., Ltd obtained a huge order. She said: “We are thrilled to have received an onsite order worth US$3 million for our LED commercial lighting products from a long-term customer from Australia on the first day of the fair. Buyer traffic has been heavy at the fair. We have established more than 300 new contacts with quality buyers from new markets, such as Africa, Asia and the Middle East. And about 30 new buyers came from large companies, which have their own brands.”
HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition)
HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition)


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1/27/2012 : HIGH 5 GAMES EXPANSION
IGT games supplier seeking new partnerships
The New Jersey-based games developer High 5 Games (H5G) is planning on international and online expansion in 2012, embarking on a strategy to expose is games to as many players as possible.
The company who develops and provides games to International Game Technology is the team behind online fav's such as Da Vinci Diamonds, Cats and Noah's Ark. It released 32 new games in 2011 including top-performers Golden Goddess and Black Widow.
"High 5 Games has had and will continue to have a strong and fruitful relationship with IGT," said Anthony Singer, chief executive officer of H5G. "But with our growing abundance of premier content, we know that we need to expand our operations and partner relationships to get all of our games in front of as many players as possible."
"With the flourishing markets in Macau and Singapore and the potential that comes with internet gaming proliferation, we believe High 5 Games is in a great position to better serve both gaming manufacturers and casinos," added Singer.


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In my last Forbes article, we reviewed the ways in which the meteoric rise of NFTs over the past few years has changed not only who can own art, but the definition of art itself. Ahead of my second Forbes article, where we are going to review how certain market participants are erroneously offering NFTs with securities features without proper compliance — and accordingly getting both issuers and investors in trouble — I would like to review with you further the confusing NFT landscape: opportunities and risks.
NFTs can provide a plethora of benefits to both fans and creators. “In the last ten years, we’ve seen the creator economy explode in front of our eyes. Web3 is now poised to fuel that even further like gasoline on a fire, and Web3 byproducts like NFTs will proliferate. It’s an exciting time, and it will drive yet another reset for media where fan connections are strong, and creativity and art drive commerce,” said Alex Luke, former Apple Music, Amazon Music executive, now Chief Strategist at FanVestor.
In January, Canadian rock band Our Lady Peace offered the first five hundred copies of their latest album, Spiritual Machines II, for sale, only as an NFT. “We just had 500 fans lean into the future of web 3.0 with us…” said the band’s leader and co-founder, Raine Maida, of the sale. “We have firmly embraced this critical intersection between music and tech and are leveraging the power of the Blockchain to … change the way we distribute music.”
Our Lady Peace is just one example of musicians, who are riding the NFT wave to revolutionize the way they generate revenue from their work and deliver greater value to their fans. And it’s not just financial — one trend, according to Fortune, is for up-and-coming bands to give away NFTs to their fans so they can journey to success with them. One month prior to the album release “Our Lady Peace” had done just that: free NFTs with unique combinations of tracks and artwork — some created by Maida on his iPhone ‒to invite-only fans at a live event at Syracuse, New York. Those fans now own piece of art that can be sold or traded later.
Indeed, what started as a disrupting force in the visual art world is now rapidly moving across entertainment verticals with enormous popularity and bringing with it endless new possibilities for creators to be justly compensated for their work. Ajay Nwosu (ex-professional soccer player in England and Kansas City, CEO of Teqball USA, LA Sports Council’s Board Member) points out — “NFT’s have taken over sports collectables, digital art, memes, and much more with the potential to revolutionize the whole sports industry. The delta in the adoption of NFTs over the last 24 months has been profound, and it’s clear that the NFT culture is here to stay and thrive as seen by the sports industry’s recent boom and fast expanding market share in this space. The direction of travel here will certainly be dictated by the demand, scarcity, and utility in each use case and whilst considering fractionalization in the ownership model. The intrinsic value of each NFT will also definitely be dependent on the popularity of the athlete, the structure of the smart contracts, whilst also factoring in the key moments in sports, which can be single or multiple editions of major events (a game winning touchdown, a winning goal, a home run etc.). Moreover, the NFT fractionalization and ownership of such events present a larger scale yet untapped potential and opportunity to become a secondary derivative asset whilst contributing substantially to additional revenue for athletes, sports leagues and teams and also enhancing existing relationships with fans. Based on this dynamic, it’s evident that the sports with the largest fan-bases and revenue (soccer, 3.5 billion fans, Cricket 2.5 billion fans, Basketball 2.2 billion fans) will most likely over index on sports related NFT activity in 2022 and beyond.”
When something becomes popular quickly, the pendulum will begin to swing the other way, and after a flurry of media hype throughout the pandemic, many of the same voices that championed the rise of NFTs, are now decrying the space as everything from a bubble about to burst to an unsavory environment where investors are scammed as a matter of course. This new wave of sweeping generalizations is both engendering confusion for lay people, and those who make the rules.
Clearly, the NFT ecosystem is experiencing growing pains, a byproduct of both the speed with which it gained traction and the continued impact it is having on the financial and creative worlds. Think back to the early 2000s, when the internet was considered a “Wild West” of sorts. Over time, there have been measures put in place, both by governments and private concerns, to protect consumers’ privacy and their wallets. The internet is again evolving in a new direction, with Web 3.0 allowing consumers to make money from the personal data that they share; providing them with more secure online interactions and relying more heavily on artificial intelligence to vet their data (e.g., identifying inappropriate information intended to sway their purchasing decisions). Reasonable minds will continue to disagree as to the level of regulation that is appropriate. No one is suggesting throwing the digital baby out with the bathwater, but Web 3.0 and NFTs have the potential to democratize the way entertainers and athletes make money and provide unprecedented opportunities for fans to become part of their communities.
“NFT’s are giving us a peek into the future. Content creators are being empowered as we are moving to the next wave of digital evolution and digital commerce. This world is still taking shape but even in these early stages, creators and fans have connected in very powerful ways. I am looking forward to this necessary changing of the guard,” said Russell Redeaux (CBO at FanVestor and Co-Founder at Stampede Management).
I recently met with FanVestor’s key advisors, Sara Hanks and Andrew Stephenson of CrowdCheck, Inc. and Brandon L. Klerk of Halyard Compliance, and reviewed how certain market participants are erroneously offering NFTs with securities features without proper compliance — and accordingly getting both issuers and investors in trouble with the SEC. My second Forbes article will focus on the learnings and recommendations for the industry.


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Facebook is testing a new “Want” button in a move that could make the social network much more attractive to ecommerce sites, according to a new report.
Inside Facebook reports that the plugin would function in a similar way to Facebook’s iconic “Like” button.
Waddington also said the button will only work on Open Graph objects marked as “products,” indicating it may be used for marketing.
Developers have been able to create their own “want” actions using Facebook’s Open Graph, but users have to authorize a third-party app for those buttons to generate stories on Timeline and News Feed.
“If the Want button plugin works similarly to the Like button, users will not have to go through the step of authorizing an app. This means even more users will be likely to click it,” InsideFacebook.com said.
On the other hand, it said the Want button could be a key way for Facebook to collect desire-based data.
The ‘Want’ button is not publicly listed among the other social plugins on Facebook’s developer site,” it added.
It quoted a Facebook statement as saying, ““We’re always testing new Platform features, however we have nothing new to announce.”
A Want button would be helpful for Facebook in that it could allow the social network to differentiate between what you Like, which could be both items you have already as well as those you are looking to get, and what you Want, which are likely things you are in the market for.


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“Shrimp lovers don’t need to crash a fancy party to enjoy premium, seasoned-to-perfection shrimp,” announced a Taco Bell press release heralding the chain’s “Pacific Shrimp Taco,” which featured a half-dozen “premium shrimp” for just $2.79.
Twenty years ago, 80% of shrimp consumed here came from domestic wild fisheries. Today, the United States imports 90% of the shrimp consumed here. We bring in a staggering 1.2 billion pounds of it annually, mainly from farms in Asia. Between 1995 and 2008, the inflation-adjusted price of wild-caught Gulf shrimp plunged 30%.
In his 2008 book Bottomfeeder: How to Eat Ethically in a World of Vanishing Seafood, Canadian journalist Taras Grescoe took a hard look at the Asian operations that supply our shrimp. His conclusion:
The simple fact is, if you’re eating cheap shrimp today, it almost certainly comes from a turbid, pesticide- and antibiotic-filled, virus-laden pond in the tropical climes of one of the world’s poorest nations.
These factory farms generate poverty in the nations that house them; they privatize and cut down mangrove forests that once sustained fishing communities, leaving dead zones in their wake.
A new study from University of Oregon researcher J. Boone Kauffman finds that the flattening of Southeast Asian mangrove forests is devastating in another way, too. Mangroves are rich stores of biodiversity and of carbon, and when they’re cleared for farming, that carbon enters the atmosphere as climate-warming gas.
Fifty to sixty percent of shrimp farms occupy cleared mangroves, and the shrimp that emerges from them has a carbon footprint ten times higher than the most notoriously climate-destroying foodstuff: beef from cows raised on cleared Amazon rainforest.
Mr. Kaufman calls shrimp-farming in Asia “the equivalent of slash-and-burn agriculture,” because farm operators typically “only last for 5 years or so before the buildup of sludge in the ponds and the acid sulfate soil renders them unfit for shrimp,” he told Science.
Cheap shrimp, like cheap oil, is looking increasingly like a dangerous delusion.
Via Mother Jones.


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Etherscan detected a transaction using an astounding 100 billion Shiba Inu canine token, the second largest meme crypto by market capitalization value, a little more than an hour ago. It was purchased on a centralized cryptocurrency exchange and transferred to a cold wallet. This investor chose to invest in Shiba following the recent release of the much-anticipated Shiba Eternity game.
100 Billion SHIB Grabbed by Whale After This Major Milestone of SHIB
According to Etherscan, Whale purchased 100,000,000,000 Shiba Inu worth $1,108,000 on the Kucoin market. This whale appears to have purchased Shiba Inu following a significant inflow of new investors. The Shiba Eternity game was released globally on October 6th.
The number of downloads of the app put it into the top 20 list in the App Store as soon as it was released globally on both iOS and Android. In certain locations, the number of downloads on the Google Play Store surpassed 10,000. Following this, the number of Shiba Inu owners increased to 2,193,520. This is an increase of 2,220 users since the game’s release.
The Shiba Eternity team launched a contest in late September to invite the community to develop trailers for the game, encouraging video creators to “be creative and represent the finest of the game.” The winners’ trailers will be available on the App Store and Google Play. The game’s team has now stated on their Twitter page that the victors will get $5,000 in SHIB. This amount of money is equivalent to 451,263,537 Shiba Inu. According to the tweet, the team will contact the winners through Discord to organize compensation.


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Congress considers new bill on online sales tax
Retailers both online and off are coming together in support of recently introduced legislation that allows states to charge sales tax from out-of-state sellers whether or not they have a physical presence in the state, reported WWD.
After a more than 10-year fight, Washington has apparently solved the debate concerning Web sales tax, and Neiman Marcus Group and Amazon – known for its previous opposition to collecting online sales taxes – are some of the many merchants backing this new legislative solution.
“It is a win-win resolution,” Paul Misener, vice president of global policy at Amazon, wrote in a letter to the bill’s sponsors, said WWD. “If enacted, your bill will allow states to require out-of-state retailers to collect sales tax at the time of purchase and remit those taxes on behalf of customers, and it will facilitate collection on behalf of third-party sellers. Thus, your bill will allow states to obtain additional revenue without new taxes or federal spending, and will make it easy for consumers and small retailers to comply with state sales tax laws.”
Introduced by Sens. Dick Durbin (D., Ill.), Mike Enzi (R., Wyo.) and Lamar Alexander (R., Tenn), the bill has attracted 10 co-sponsors, plus received letters of support from Best Buy, the National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association, International Council of Shopping Centers and Jewelers of America, said Enzi.
The legislation, hailed as the “Marketplace Fairness Act,” would streamline the current system, offering states two alternatives to gather sales taxes from online and catalogue purchases. In the first choice, states can ink the Streamlined Sales & Use Tax Agreement of 1999, which declared that merchants are obliged to collect sales from out-of-state consumers only if they possess a “physical presence” in the consumer’s state.
Fully 24 states have altered their laws on taxation and adopted the agreement, necessitating out-of-state merchants to collect sales tax whether they do or do not have a physical presence in the state.
However, some states are dragging their heels. Under the new bill, these states have a second alternative: to collect sales tax only if they agree to certain minimum simplification requirements and supply retailers with notices concerning these collection conditions.
David French, senior vice president of government relations at the NRF, maintained the two-pronged strategy offered by the new bill is a “game changer” that will help drive the legislation’s passage in Congress. Legislation presented by Durbin in July basically only embraced states who sign the Streamlined Sales & Use Tax Agreement. Thus far, 21 states have failed to sign that agreement.


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After announcing the prices for the Australian market just a couple of weeks ago, Skoda the German subsidiary wants to look more appealing and announced that the prices for the Fabia sibling would come with some significant discounts.
Thus, the 2014 Skoda Fabia will be purchased in Australia from 15,990 AUD, with a drop down of 3,300AUD for the cheapest model.
The 2014 Skoda Fabia Ambition 77TSI edition can be yours from 16,990 AUD, with a discount of 4,000 AUD. The model is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
More than that, the Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo is also facing an 800 AUD discount, now ready to hit the market at 27,190 AUD, while the RS Wagon will be costing 28,190.
The discounts being offered for the Australian market comes after the Skoda automaker decided to make some room in its auto-shows for the upcoming Skoda Rapid Spaceback, due next month.
The fog lights or the cruise control system previously announced as standard, or now available as optional equipment for the right price of 270 AUD, respectively 240 AUD.


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The Cencoroll news has been ramping up this past week. Just days after the Cencoroll Connect film screening announcement, which will show the 10-year-old original Cencoroll short together with the all-new Cencoroll 2, Aniplex dropped a gorgeous new trailer. Originally announced 9 years ago, it’s a miracle that Atsuya Uki, who made the original short almost entirely by himself, gets to bring us a continuation of his vision. Atsuya Uki, whose character design work featured in Digimon Adventure Tri and Tsuritama, excels at creating sleek, stylish art in both his characters and world design. The new trailer oozes with style, and can be checked out below:
Not coincidentally, AnimeJapan is being held this weekend and Aniplex is giving Cencoroll a huge push. There’s an entire section of the Aniplex booth dedicated to the upcoming work complete with a one of a kind plush of massive alien creature and an interactive display! It’s relieving to see Aniplex taking the small but “Capital C” Cool franchise seriously. We’ll never know what happened in the dead-zone of time between Cencoroll 2‘s original announcement 9-years-ago and its upcoming Summer premiere. A trailer did release in 2014, but it was subsequently pulled and not heard of again until this January.
This writing comes from early Saturday morning. Later in the day, there’ll be a featured talk with Uki and a few of the voice actors from Cencoroll. We hope to see push its receiving this weekend at AnimeJapan continues into an international hype over the coming months. The original shorts screened at a few conventions and festivals in the West when it came out, but never received mass release, and was only available for streaming for a limited time.
Cencoroll Connect featuring both works will be screening in Japanese theaters this summer. More info forthcoming on its website.


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6 Reasons retailers should accept Bitcoin as payment
By Nick Rojas - Apr 16th 2018, 16:01
There are a growing number of business owners embracing cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, as a form of payment.
Businesses accepting Bitcoin are separating themselves from their competitors while preparing for the future of global transactions. Companies such as Subway, KFC Canada, Expedia, Virgin, and Microsoft accept Bitcoin as payment, among other cryptocurrencies.
“With many companies accepting the change and others getting ready to, Bitcoins are an extremely fast-spreading currency,” said Jonas Chokun of 99Bitcoins. “Small businesses aren’t missing out on the action; many small shops have made the switch as well.”
Is accepting Bitcoin or Bitcoin Cash as payment right for your business? From paying vendors to processing customer transactions, let’s take a look at six business-minded cryptocurrency benefits.
1. Paper Transactions Will Become Obsolete
Cryptocurrency and digital wallets are growing at exponential rates. The blockchain is becoming more accessible to business owners large and small, soon to make paper transactions an antiquated process.
In 2017, Bitcoin (BTC) grew by over $10,000 in value. Other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum (ETH) and Monero (XMR) also had banner years last year. This is an indicator that digital currency is the currency of the future.
2. Get New Customers
As Bitcoin becomes more popular and used more frequently, people with Bitcoins will interact only with businesses that accept the digital currency. This makes accepting cryptocurrency essential. This will help you get more customers locally and globally.
Remember when PayPal first appeared? It was difficult to find companies that accepted PayPal as a form of payment. However, as consumers identified ease of use, it grew by leaps and bounds. Now you can purchase almost anything using PayPal.
3. Using Bitcoin is Cost Effective for Business
Business owners shell out a lot for transaction fees. According to the Federal Reserve, a pin-authenticated transaction can cost business owners 0.25 cents. That is per transaction. The “average interchange fee per exempt transaction” was much higher, up to 0.51 cents per transaction.
Businesses that accept cryptocurrency as payment can avoid these middleman fees placed on transactions by financial institutions. This is due to the decentralized nature of digital currency. You can actually save 2-5%.
4. Real-Time Transaction Processing
The current method of processing transactions can be challenging since many business owners need to wait for funds to become available. However, if you accept cryptocurrency, you can process transactions in real-time, or within minutes.
Interestingly, digital currency transactions are faster than those in use presently, and also more secure. Not only do you get instant gratification on each sale, you also know your transactions are protected.
5. Avoid Chargebacks and Fraud
One benefit of cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, is that it is actually quite similar to cash. Your customers either have enough to make a payment or they don’t. This can protect you from chargebacks and fraud issues common in present financial dealings.
Every transaction is created on the blockchain as a block. Each block is then verified and secured. This makes it impossible for anyone to buy your product with money they don’t have.
6. Take Your Business Global
Accepting international payment can be costly for business owners. By offering a cryptocurrency payment option, you can avoid those international transaction fees. At the same time, you are opening up your business to the global marketplace.
There are also benefits of using digital currency for buying international products and services. Bitcoin transactions to international vendors can have a big impact on your operation and overhead costs.
Be a Business of the Future
Businesses large and small can benefit from accepting cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin. From processing transactions without exorbitant fees to become a global player, digital currency is the payment option of the future.
It may seem overwhelming to make cryptocurrency part of your business process. However, the long-term positives on your bottom line could be worth the effort, as early adopters can gain a leg up on their competitors. How will you integrate Bitcoin and other digital currencies into your business?RIS News
SA companies edging closer to full cloud capability
19/03/2019 - 09:07
While there is little doubt over the hype attached to cloud computing and services, the reality is that South Africa businesses are embracing cloud, especially solutions that are being used to strengthen contact centres and enhance customer engagement.
Distell’s premium-wine offshoot aims for the top
15/03/2019 - 14:37
"I’m in the business of wine; I’m not in the wine business," says Kay Nash emphatically. That may seem like splitting hairs, but it’s a subtle distinction that’s helping the CEO of Libertas Vineyards & Estates, the new premium-wine offshoot of drinks giant Distell, to shake up the company’s high-end wine business.
Three quarters in a row of sales growth for H&M
15/03/2019 - 14:26
Sweden’s H&M, the world’s second-biggest fashion retailer, posted local-currency sales growth for its fiscal first quarter that matched analysts’ forecasts, on Friday, while net sales were slightly higher than expected.
Spitz owner AVI says footwear sales walked all over its results
12/03/2019 - 10:27
AVI, whose brands include Bakers biscuits and seafood business I&J, said on its footwear businesses struggled the most in the six months ended December.
5 Things effective loyalty programmes have in common
11/03/2019 - 11:22
Customer loyalty retention is becoming increasingly important to the success of independent retailers in South Africa. The equation is pretty simple - customer loyalty means repeat business, which equals revenue and long-term sustainability.


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Hunting and outdoor outfitter Cabela’s reported a strong second quarter Thursday, citing the robust sales of guns and ammunition, along with hunting apparel, optics and archery supplies, as key contributors to its sales growth.
The Sidney, Neb.-based retailer announced a $44.5 million second-quarter profit, or 67 cents per diluted share, up 31.9 percent from $33.9 million, or 47 cents per diluted share, at this time last year. For the second quarter, the company had revenue of $756.8 million.
“We are certainly pleased with our strong second-quarter results and investments we have made to further build the future health of our company,” chief executive Tom Millner said. “Our retail stores are performing at very high levels.”
Those “very high levels” were mirrored in the company’s comparable store sales, which were up 10.5 percent in the second quarter, marking seven straight quarters of comparable store sales improvement. Excluding firearms, comparable store sales increased 9 percent. Comparable store sales increased at 32 of 33 stores.
Gun sales leveled off in the second quarter, compared with earlier in the year when consumer demand for firearms reached frenzied levels, Millner said. “Gun sales have reached a new normal,” he said in an investor conference call Thursday.
Ammunition sales are expected to remain strong.
Keeping the shelves stocked with ammunition has been a challenge but is improving, Millner said.
Supplies of .22-caliber ammunition are still “very, very tight,” Milner said. Ammunition for some pistols and revolvers remains tight but is improving. And while supplies of the much sought after .223-caliber ammunition is also improving, Cabela’s has not been able to replenish its inventory as it would prefer.
Cabela’s, which currently operates 45 stores in North America, has opened five new stores this year and plans to open another five by the end of 2013.
The company announced Thursday that it plans to open four new stores next year — in Acworth, Ga.; Augusta, Georgia; Missoula, Mont.; and Barrie, Ontario, bringing the total number of stores it plans to open in 2014 to 13.


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Apple’s new iPhones marked their official retail launch on Friday. Though many are still awaiting delivery, some have already gotten their hands on the new iPhones. One YouTuber even posted a video showing an iPhone X vs iPhone XS and XS Max drop test.
Not many surprises in the iPhone X vs iPhone XS and XS Max drop test
Described as the “ultimate drop test,” the video showing the iPhone X vs iPhone XS and XS Max drop test was posted on the YouTube channel TechSmartt. Like other drop tests, this one also included three types of drops: a head-height drop, a pocket drop and a 10-foot drop.
In the head-height drop, a scenario is simulated to determine the potential damage to the phone when it is dropped while held up close against the ear. In this particular test, the new iPhones did better than the iPhone X. The iPhone X’s front-facing display sustained a minor but noticeable crack. However, the new iPhones sustained no similar crack.
Dan Loeb's Third Point returned 11% in its flagship Offshore Fund and 13.2% in its Ultra Fund for the first quarter. For April, the Offshore Fund was up 1.7%, while the Ultra Fund gained 2.3%. The S&P 500 was up 6.2% for the first quarter, while the MSCI World Index gained 5%. Q1 2021 hedge Read More
Second, the pocket drop test tries to simulate the damage to an iPhone when it drops from your jacket or pants pocket. All three iPhone models survived the pocket drop. The results are not surprising, considering the iPhone’s premium stainless steel and glass construction.
The 10-foot drop is meant to simulate the damage if the phone drops from 10 feet in the air. This particular test gave some interesting results. In the test, the iPhone X and the iPhone XS Max sustained significant shattering when dropped from 10 feet in the air. However, the iPhone XS, which is made of the same materials as the XS Max, survived the fall and remained intact.
Beer bath for the new iPhones
After the iPhone X vs iPhone XS and XS Max drop test video, TechSmartt also posted a video testing Apple’s claim that the new iPhones are fully water resistant. The iPhone XS Max safely survived a 30-minute dip in a bowl of fresh water. When another iPhone XS Max was tested by putting it in for an hour at 10 meters (33 feet), it became unusable.
Warranty company SquareTrade carried out its own tests separately on the new iPhones to check the durability of the glass and IP68 water resistance. According to Apple, the iPhone XS and XS Max feature the “most durable glass ever in a smartphone” and come with improved IP68 water resistance. The IP68 rating implies that a phone can withstand being submerged in water two meters deep for about 30 minutes.
However, to test the water resistance, SquareTrade used beer instead of water. Using beer is not all that surprising, as Apple claimed during the keynote that the new iPhones are beer-resistant. For the test, SquareTrade used a 5-foot, 30-minute dunk test in a tank with 138 cans of beer. Both new iPhones performed well and were operational even after the beer bath.
All-glass design is not that strong
SquareTrade found that the new iPhones survived the water test, but the durability of the glass is not what Apple claimed. The iPhone XS shattered when dropped from a six-foot height onto a hard surface. The drop resulted in broken and loose glass on the back. Like the iPhone X, the iPhone XS and XS Max feature glass on the back and front to enable wireless charging.
Also like the iPhone XS, the back glass on the iPhone XS Max shattered after it was dropped from a six-foot height. In the side-drop test, neither device sustained any damage thanks to their stainless steel frames. However, both sustained damage when dropped face down.
In the face-down test, the iPhone XS display was shattered and malfunctioned. The iPhone XS Max fared better with hairline cracks and loose glass, and the display was working fine. In a 60-second tumble test, both new iPhones sustained scratches, hairline cracks and loose glass. In the pressure-based bend test, the iPhone XS sustained a crack at 250 pounds, and the screen blacked out.
Overall, SquareTrade applauded the iPhone XS Max, saying it is much stronger than the iPhone X. However, as far as the all-glass design, the company said that like the iPhone X, the iPhone XS and XS Max are “susceptible to cracking, particularly from drops, the most common cause of damage.”


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It seems Ducati will release a successor for the 848 model.
This will be a 'mid' ranged engine which will partially follow the 1199 Panigale but the rumors say this won't be a 'racing bike' because of the FIM rules about the engine sizes.
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A report released Thursday by the group CropLife America finds that more than 40% of U.S. agricultural commodity exports - including soybeans, grains, tree nuts, fruits and groundnuts - could be blocked by upcoming changes in the European Union Plant Protection Regulation.
The blockages could cost Americans $4 billion in exports to the EU, in addition to exports of crop protection active ingredients. Such actions would imperil the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, CLA said.
The findings are part of the report, "Potential Trade Effects on U.S. Agricultural Exports of European Union Regulations on Endocrine Disruptors," which was commissioned by CLA and authored by Kyd D. Brenner, senior consultant at Washington, D.C.-based firm DTB Associates LLP.
The EU regulation, 1107/2009, diverges from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regulatory approach, which uses science-based risk assessment procedures for regulating crop protection products, CLA says.
The group says EU's increasing dependence on hazard identification without accounting for exposure or risk departs from not only the EPA's science-based process, but also the internationally accepted World Trade Organization practice for regulating crop protection products – the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. The EU is a signatory to that agreement.
If the regulation is approved, CLA explains that U.S. agricultural exports containing trace amounts of approved crop protection products will be blocked because Maximum Residue Levels for food and feed treated with these crop protection products will default to a near-zero level of 0.01 parts per million.
"This arbitrary threshold is a result of the EU regulatory requirement to categorize compounds as endocrine disrupters, which then triggers a market cut-off, or ban," a CLA statement noted.
CLA points out also that exports from the U.S. to the EU have already fallen relative to other exporting countries, partly due to existing EU SPS barriers to trade. The report estimates, based on MRLs established in the U.S., that at least 24 active crop protection products and 25 different types of agricultural commodities could be impacted by the EU regulation.
The largest effects would be felt in exports of tree nuts and fruit ($1.577 billion); soybeans and groundnuts ($1.516 billion); and grains ($0.586 billion), the report concludes.
"CLA is concerned by the findings of this report and the potential impacts a hazard-based precautionary regulation may have on agricultural trade between the U.S. and EU," said Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA.
Vroom noted that one of the main objectives of the TTIP is to seek regulatory convergence, and as such, differing regulatory frameworks for crop protection products like the regulation at hand present serious economic and trade impacts, he said.
"While TTIP works to open up trade between the U.S. and the EU, Regulation 1107/2009 could shut it down," Vroom noted.
CLA says EPA tests are completed before new pesticide active ingredients are released to the market place, in order to understand potential impact on human health.
"Understanding potency and exposure enables regulators to minimize risk while still benefiting from technology," a CLA statement said. "Risk assessment serves as the basis of the regulatory approach taken in the U.S., while the precautionary approach being pursued in the EU seeks to remove beneficial technologies from the market."
The full report is available for download online.


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Recently HAVA’s official website and IG issued a mysterious poster introducing the arrival of its new product, which highlighted the slogan of “ALL METAL, ALL IN ONE”. The poster attracted quite some attention on social networks. Many insightful vaping media like vape NEWS also kept a watchful eye on HAVA's upcoming product.
As one of the most popular vaping magazines in the world, VAPE NEWS is known for its keen observations of the vaping industry and unique product reviews. Getting more information about the product concept, VAPE NEWS invited the product manager of HAVA ONE to an in-depth interview about this special pod. After getting more information about the product concept.
Both Zipper, the interviewer of the article, and HAVA's product manager Mike are experienced players in the vaping industry. In the interview, Mike introduced the concept of 99 g and explained the new HAVA ONE product in detail. Besides, they talked in depth about the vaping industry and pod designs.
Users who are interested in this HAVA product can check out the October edition of VAPE NEWS magazine, which will include an interview of HAVA's product manager and a detailed introduction about this new, exciting product for passionate vapers.
For more information, please check on www.havahali.com


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PVH, one of the world’s largest apparel companies and owner of iconic brands including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen, Speedo, Warner’s and IZOD, is the newest member of the How2Recycle program. PVH will be using the recycling label to provide detailed instructions for how to recycle its Calvin Klein underwear packaging.
PVH is the first company in the apparel space to commit to featuring accurate, consistent recycling labels on their packaging, according to How2Recycle.
The How2Recycle label is a U.S.-based standardized labeling system that communicates recycling instructions to the public. The program is a project of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, a membership-based group that brings together business, educational institutions and government agencies to collectively broaden the understanding of packaging sustainability and develop meaningful improvements for packaging solutions.
Additional Retail Industry Initiatives
In December 2018, several fashion industry leaders joined the newly-launched UN Climate Change’s Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. Aligned with the Paris Agreement, this charter envisions the industry achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
The 43 signatories represent fashion brands, retailers, supplier organizations, and others. They include Adidas, Burberry, Esprit, Guess, Gap Inc. Hugo Boss, H&M Group, Inditex, Kering, Levi Strauss & Co., Puma, PVH Corp., and Target.
Membership organizations Business for Social Responsibility, Sustainable Apparel Coalition, China National Textile and Apparel Council, Outdoor Industry Association, and Textile Exchange also joined the charter, as did global logistics company Maersk and the nonprofit organization WWF International.
And in April 2018, several of the world’s biggest retailers and food companies backed a new initiative from the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) to improve global supply chains, boosting sustainable sourcing and streamlining benchmarking.
Kellogg Company, Nestlé, and Walmart are among the companies supporting the forum’s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI).
The new initiative aims to support the development of socially and environmentally responsible supply chains. By undergoing benchmarking and achieving SSCI recognition, brand owners signal their commitment to raising the bar, the Consumer Goods Forum says.
We are currently accepting submissions for the 2019 Environmental Leader Awards. Learn more and submit a project or product here.


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Amazon announced that on January 19, 2023, it will be raising fees for online merchants that use its Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) program.
What you need to know: MCF is Amazon’s third-party logistics (3PL) program that enables online merchants on platforms such as BigCommerce, Wix, and Adobe Commerce (Magento), to integrate Amazon’s massive network of fulfillment centers to deliver orders in unbranded boxes to their customers.
The company justified the fee adjustment by saying it will improve its standard delivery speed from 7 days to 5 days and continue to invest in its 3PL service to be more efficient and with more features.
Next year, Amazon MCF will continue to have three speed tiers: 5-day delivery, 3-day delivery, and 2-day delivery. But still no next-day delivery option.
Going away in 2023 is the super lightweight pricing for items weighing under 2oz that will now be merged into the same group of items weighing 6oz or less.
In addition, 5+ unit order pricing is also going away, with the new pricing starting at 4+ unit orders for larger shipments.
Select Amazon MCF Fee Comparisons
Let’s take a quick look at how the changes will affect prices at the standard MCF delivery speed next year:
- 2oz, single unit order now is $4.75; in 2023, it will be $7.15, up $2.40 (50.5%)
- 6oz, single unit order now is $5.35; in 2023, it will be $7.15, up $1.80 (33.6%)
- 1-2 lbs, single unit order now is $7.65; in 2023, it will be $9.50, up $1.85 (24.2%)
- 1-2 lbs, 5 unit order now is $3.10/unit; in 2023, it will be $4.75/unit, up $8.25 for all 5 units (53.2%)
These are massive increases Amazon is forcing on merchants next year, well above the shipping rate adjustments of 5.5% by USPS and 6.9% by UPS and FedEx that will go into effect over the coming weeks.
What they said: Some MCF users voiced their displeasure about these price increases on Amazon’s forum: “37%! I thought Amazon wanted [to] expand their 3PL, but clearly not,” said one user.
Another quipped, “This is extremely steep, also lumping all small categories, prevents any item under $20 to be not sold outside Amazon.”
While an argument can be made this is “rightsizing” the pricing structure for similarly shipped items with traditional carriers, it’s a big nut to absorb for small businesses, one that many will have to pass on to customers through higher prices.
As another user noted: “Wow, at some point the shipping cost increases for a products (sp) will be so high that people will actually start going back to buying from stores as online will be too expensive.”
Where to get more information: How this new price adjustment for Amazon MCF will impact your business, check out this link (Amazon MCF/Seller account required). The Amazon page has both current and 2023 pricing for your comparison.
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- February 2024 saw record prices for 500-pound steers in Oklahoma, with a notable increase in average prices compared to previous years.
- Despite a decrease in feeder auction volume and challenging conditions for feedlots, beef production is expected to drop by 5% year over year in 2024.
- Retail beef prices have risen, reflecting tighter cattle and beef market supply fundamentals.
In the first week of February 2024, Oklahoma witnessed a new record in calf prices, with 500-pound steers reaching an unprecedented $321.34 per hundredweight (cwt), eclipsing the former record set in November 2014. Throughout February, these calves have maintained an impressive average price of $323.64/cwt. Meanwhile, 800-pound steers have been trading at an average of $235.36/cwt, still shy of the September 2023 peak.
The agricultural sector experienced a significant correction in late 2023, particularly affecting 800-pound steer prices, which have since rebounded by approximately $19/cwt in early 2024. This year, Oklahoma’s feeder auction volumes have decreased by 14.6% compared to the previous year, indicating a shift in market dynamics.
Upcoming reports are anticipated to reveal a decrease in January placements within feedlots, despite a year-over-year increase in total feedlot numbers as of February 1. Feedlots are currently facing challenges, including overcrowded conditions and the impact of adverse weather, which have led to a slight decline in fed cattle prices and overall performance.
The January Cattle report highlighted a 4.2% decrease in estimated feeder supplies, marking the lowest level since records began in 1972. This decrease raises questions about future heifer retention rates and their impact on feedlot inventories.
Beef production is projected to fall by approximately 5% in 2024, following a 4.7% decrease in 2023 from the record highs of 2022. This reduction is attributed to fewer steers, heifers, and beef cow slaughters.
Notably, steer and heifer carcass weights have seen a decline due to earlier winter conditions, although a modest increase in carcass weights is expected this year due to lower feed costs and incentives for cattle feeders and packers to maximise beef production amidst dwindling cattle supplies.
Retail beef prices have seen a significant uptick, with choice boxed beef prices averaging $296.03/cwt over the past four weeks, nearly 10% higher than the previous year. The retail price for all-fresh beef in January stood at $7.81 per pound, up 8.5% year over year, reflecting the tightening supply fundamentals in the cattle and beef markets.


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Mahindra 2 Wheelers ramps up production of Centuro
Dec 09 2013 , Pune
“The four international patents for our four indigenously developed technologies with unique features to meet the evolving needs of global two wheeler users will boost our sales both in the domestic and international markets,” Viren Popli, executive vice president at Mahindra Two Wheelers told Financial Chronicle.
The four innovations for which patents were received by the Mumbai-based company are the fuel gauge system, the automatic ignition cut-off, the distance to empty fuel system, and the engine immobilizer system.
“These technologies are incorporated into the current and future range of Mahindra Two Wheelers’ products,” Popli said.
He said the all new 110 cc Centuro motorcycle launched last July was designed entirely in-house at the company’s world class, state-of-the-art R&D centre in Pune.
“The fully loaded Centuro priced at Rs 46,500 at New Delhi showrooms already features the internationally patented fuel gauge system, distance to empty system and engine immobilizer system,” Popli said. He said these features are pioneering, never seen before features in motorcycles.
“With our in-house technologies getting international patents, we are reaffirming our commitment to offer best-in-class technology and innovative products to meet customers unmet needs,” Popli said.
He said Mahindra’s indigenously developed intelligent MCi-5 (Micro Chip ignited-5 curve) engine fitted in the Centuro allows it to respond smartly to the need for muscle by, delivering a power output of 8.5 BHP @ 7500 RPM, 8.5 Nm of peak torque @ 5500 rpm. He said gives a mileage of 85 km per litre as certified by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).
The company reported sales of 24,245 units during November 2013, a growth of 126 per cent. Domestic volumes stood at 23,831 units, a growth of 136 per cent over the previous year.
“Bulk of the sales is driven by Centuro at an average of 20,000 units per month,” Popli said. He said at present the company had received a firm booking order of over 20,000 units of Centuro with a down payment of Rs 2,500 per bike.
“We have brought down the waiting period of around six weeks to three-four weeks. We will reduce the waiting period further after we complete the ramping up of production from 1,200 units a day to about 1,700 – 1,800 units a day over the next three-four months,” Popli said.
He said since three months the company was also exporting 1,000 – 2,000 units of Centuro bikes to some countries in Africa, Latin America and South Asia. “Our target is to double this number from next fiscal,” Popli said.
Mahindra sells a range of 125 cc scooters such as Rodeo RZ Standard, Rodeo RZ, Duro DZ, Flyte and 70 cc Kine priced between Rs 48,580 and Rs 34,331 and 110 cc Pantero motorcycle (Rs 44,190).
Mahindra’s facility at Pithampur, Indore has an installed capacity to make 10 lakh two-wheelers annually.


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Shares of Loblaw Companies Ltd (OTCMKTS:LBLCF) have earned a consensus rating of “Buy” from the six research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company.
Several research firms recently weighed in on LBLCF. Raymond James restated a “buy” rating on shares of Loblaw Companies in a research report on Friday, February 22nd. Desjardins lowered Loblaw Companies to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, February 22nd.
Shares of LBLCF stock opened at $49.75 on Tuesday. Loblaw Companies has a fifty-two week low of $38.65 and a fifty-two week high of $50.66.
Loblaw Companies Limited, a food and pharmacy company, engages in the grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, financial services, and wireless mobile products and services businesses in Canada. It operates in two segments, Retail and Financial Services. The Retail segment operates corporate and franchise-owned retail food, and associate-owned drug stores comprising in-store pharmacies, other health and beauty product stores, apparel stores, and other general merchandise stores, as well as supports the PC Optimum reward program.
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Glynn and Matthew spar over AI in retail! Brace yourself for a riveting exploration of a strategy that's reshaping the retail landscape.
ZEEKR, the new face in the world of electric vehicles, has recently opened its doors at one of the most iconic locations in the Netherlands: the Damrak in Amsterdam.
Nearly ten years since its inception in The Gardens Mall, Kuala Lumpur, Hermès has impressively expanded and revamped its store.
Lucid Motors took a bold step into the luxury scene by teaming up with the legendary American department store chain, Saks Fifth Avenue.
This month, Glynn Davis and Matthew Valentine spar over airport stores in this new edition of retail face-off.
Specialist wine retailer Majestic has opened its latest small-format store in North London as part of its experimentation with outlets on the high street that complement its larger traditional retail park units.


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Editor’s note: Watch the video or read the article below to see why Food Revolution Summit speaker Michael Greger, MD, believes it’s never too late to start eating healthier food.
A century later, the latest review on the subjects concluded that mortality from all causes put together, ischemic heart disease, circulatory, and cerebrovascular diseases was significantly lower in those eating meat-free diets, in addition to less cancer and diabetes.
I’m surprised they found such significant results given that people in these studies typically didn’t stop eating meat until late in life.
For example, in the largest study done up until recently, up to a third of subjects ate vegetarian for less than five years, yet they still ended up with lower rates of heart disease whether they were under 60 or over 60, normal weight or overweight, used to smoke or never smoked; those that had stopped eating meat had lower risk, suggesting that decades of higher risk dietary behavior could be reversed within just years of eating healthier.
If you look at countries that switched from eating traditional, more plant-based diets to more Westernized diets, it may take 20 years for cancer rates to shoot up. It takes decades for most tumors to grow.
For example, if you look at Asia, their dietary shift was accompanied by a remarkable increase in mortality rates of breast, colon, and prostate cancers. The same thing can be shown with migration studies. Men moving from rural China to the U.S. experience a dramatic increase in cancer risk, but tumors take time to grow.
So it’s remarkable to me that after most of a lifetime eating the standard Western diet, one can turn it around and reverse chronic disease risk with a healthier diet, even late in the game.
So, “Should we all start eating vegetarian?” asked an editorial that accompanied the results from the largest study ever published on Americans eating plant-based diets, which found vegetarian diets to be associated with lower all-cause mortality, meaning those who started eating vegetarian live, on average, longer lives.
This analysis included so-called semi-vegetarians, who ate meat at least once a month (but no more than once a week), so it’s not yet clear how harmful eating meat a few times a month is.
What we can all agree on, though, is that we should limit our intake of junk food and animal fat, and eat more fruits and vegetables. Most authorities will also agree that diets should include whole grains, beans, and nuts.
Instead of fighting over whose diet is the best, it’s time to acknowledge these common features of diets associated with less disease, and instead focus our attention on helping patients avoid the intense commercial pressures to eat otherwise.
How amazing the human body is if we just treat it right!
So please don’t allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good. Any movement we can make towards improving our diet can help. Though, the earlier, the better.


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CAR makers who try to cheat diesel pollution tests can now be fined €30,000 (£26,000) per car, under tough new laws.
The EU is introducing fresh legislation to crack down on dodgy results following the 2015 VW Dieselgate scandal.
Volkswagen faced no financial penalty in Europe for installing "defeat devices" and owners were left without compensation.
But under these laws, with 8.5million cars across the EU recalled, the German giant could've been liable for a £225billion fine.
New rules, approved by Members of the European Parliament, also include check-ups on cars already on sale to make sure they meet real-world emissions targets.
Authorities will also be able to conduct spot checks on type approval bodies to make sure cars aren't slipping through the net.
Any cars caught cheating will be pulled from the road quickly, too, under a new recall structure.
The legislation also requires independent garages be handed extra info for repairs and servicing to level the playing field.
The new laws must be introduced by all Member States by September 2020 meaning the UK could be exempt.
However, it's a policy the Department of Transport may enforce anyone having previously backed calls for unlimited fines for cheating car makers.
all you need to know about diesel
Conservative Internal Market spokesman Daniel Dalton - who helped lead the legislation through the European Parliament, said: “This legislation delivers for car owners and the environment while avoiding unnecessary burdens on manufacturers.
"Safety and emissions standards will finally be applied fairly and properly across the board.”
The changes will come into force alongside tough new emissions testing standards with the new lab-based Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) and on-road Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test replacing the outdated New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).


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Latest Almonds Stories
TV Host, Author and Actress Joins Food, Nutrition and Fitness Experts to Solve Everyday Problems, Like Diet Debacles and Limited Time for Workouts MODESTO, Calif., Jan.
Industry responsible for more than $21 billion in economic output, adds $11 billion to Gross State Product MODESTO, Calif., Dec.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov.
NEW YORK, Nov. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Organic Gemini is excited to announce the opening of their first retail outlet at Gansevoort Farmer's Market on November 7th, 2014.
New Addition to the TrailMyx Product Line—Cinnamon Roasted Almonds—Features Perfect Blend of Premium Ingredients and Fall Flavors Austin, TX (PRWEB) August
OAKDALE, Calif., May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Burchell Nursery, California's leading innovator in fruit and nut trees for almost 75 years for commercial and home gardeners across the West, has introduced
Almonds examined for effects on diet quality, appetite, adiposity and cardiovascular disease risk factors at Experimental Biology 2014.
In the news release, Dr.
Vim Vinegar and Sea Salt Dry Roasted Almonds to debut at Expo West, Booth #7109 Boulder, CO (PRWEB) March 04, 2014
Connect with California Almonds on Instagram Every Day in February for a Chance to Win An Almond "Life Hack Pack" MODESTO, Calif., Jan.
- The practice of two or more parties jointly purchasing all or part of a butchered cow and dividing the meat between them.


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If the idea of a marijuana-friendly town gives you an anticipatory buzz, you may consider taking a trip to California, where one municipality is slated to become one big pot tourism destination.Recreational marijuana will be legal in California as of Jan. 1, and in an effort to take advantage of the impending green rush, American Green Inc. — a …
NYS Entity Status
NYS Filing Date
JANUARY 03, 2014
NYS DOS ID#
NYS Entity Type
DOMESTIC BUSINESS CORPORATION
2014 - GREEN GIVING SOLUTIONS INC.
Around the Web
- Marijuana Company Turning Entire Town Into Pot Tourism Destination
By Mary Beth Quirk - Thursday Aug 3, 2017
- Echoing Green Announces 2017 Fellowships for Social Entrepreneurs
By email@example.com (Kyoko Uchida) - Thursday Jun 8, 2017
Thirty-six social entrepreneurs will receive seed funding of up to $90,000 over two years in support of their innovative solutions to global challenges....
- Time Inc. Launches 'People Perks' Membership for Product Discounts
Wednesday Sep 27, 2017
Time Inc. is offering memberships for $60 per year or $5.99 per month that give consumers access to deals on products related to entertainment, beauty, food, pets and more. It’s part of wider efforts to develop new revenue sources.
- Nikki Haley says ‘China is aware they must act’ on North Korea
By Mark Moore - Sunday Jul 30, 2017
The US ambassador to the United Nations said North Korea’s mounting military provocations punctuated by the recent test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile will require an international “solution.” “Done talking about NKorea. China is aware they must act. Japan & SKorea must inc pressure. Not only a US problem. It will req an intl solution,”...
- Time Inc. Joins Dentsu's Addressable Marketplace
Thursday Sep 28, 2017
The marketplace for premium programmatic advertising is expanding with Time Inc.'s decision to join Dentsu Aegis Network's Publisher Addressable Marketplace. That gives advertisers scalable access toaudiences across its digital portfolio, in addition to those of other premium publishers.


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Google Play Protect Keeps Our Devices Secure
Earlier in the year, Google showcased the Google Play Protect suite. As you might expect from the name, Google’s Play Protect suite is a series of applications and features designed to keep your device and data secure. As it happens, Google Play Protect is essentially a rebranding of some existing applications and services, but the technology will make it more obvious that Google is checking for malware and suspicious behaviour – and proactively keeping our devices safer. Google Play Protect highlights one of the advantages of using the Google Play Store for your device apps: if you use the Play Store, you benefit from Google’s security software at the source. However, for those applications you may have downloaded from other sources, Google Play Protect can still scan these and will report any suspicious behaviour.
There are four key components to Google Play Protect. The first of these is how Google’s servers scan all applications on the Google Play Store, which means if you download an application from this official source, it has already been scanned. Whilst Google’s scanner is not infallible, this gives users some confidence.
The second part of Google Play Protect is a local device scan: Google Play Protect will scan the applications on your device as well as assess the behaviour of the handset, and will report if it notices anything suspicious. Play Protect also has the ability to block a suspicious application from running.
The third part of Google Play Protect is a feature that we’ve had with Android devices for some time, which is the “My Device” feature. We’d hope to never have to use this technology, which is a means of attempting to recover a lost Android device or to wipe it. My Device can show you your smartphone’s location, and you can present a message on the lock screen. You can even call the device from a browser, or if you believe that it’s been stolen, you can remotely wipe the device.
The final part of Google Play Protect is how the Google Chrome browser will warn customers if they are attempting to visit a website that is exhibiting suspicious behaviour, or has been reported as containing malware.
Google Play Protect is going to be more obvious for Android customers, especially for those devices running Android “O.” Play Protect will be an integrated part of the Google Play Services application and in the Google Play Store. It’ll be more obvious that the service has scanned the device and has either detected no issues, or has found something and is bringing it to your attention.


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Isn't it funny how you get used to things which, when you think about them, are totally intolerable to you.
If, like me, you are hurtling through your life at break-neck speed, juggling a busy career, a family life - with all the pressures and running around that involves, while trying to make time for your own hobbies - keeping a weather-eye out on everything is impossible. Things get overlooked, housework sometimes, health (often), your environment, whether it is at work, or your own home.
Then a light-bulb switch is flicked in your mind and you see something that needs changing.
During a cycle alongside a river near my hometown last week I had said light-bulb moment. There, in my line of vision as I cycled back from a new bridge being built over the river Barrow, I saw a small field of plastic, washed up from the river. It stopped me in my tracks and made me aware of the scale of the problem facing the Irish Government and all governments in tackling this massive problem for the environment. In the same week we got a glimpse of a black hole for the first time, I started imagining the impact how we, as transient passers-by in this amazing world, have impacted it through our behaviour.
Most of us plod along and are happy with our recycling efforts. Many use compost bins and I have taken to using a reusable cup for my take-away coffees. So it was great to see a supermarket, Lidl, introduce in-store recycling to reduce packaging waste. Of course Lidl inevitably came up against a wall of opposition in environmental group, Sick of Plastic Campaign, who said the new bins conflict with the Government's advice on what to put in our recycling bins.
Lidl is offering customers segregated recycling stations, by offering them at the end of customer checkouts in all 160 stores across Ireland.
The bins will be rolled out from the start of May and will be available across all stores by the end of the month.
The group have highlighted that not all clear plastic is recyclable, including soft plastic which cannot be recycled in Ireland. Only rigid plastic can be recycled apparently.
There have been welcome national efforts to reduce plastic waste, including in schools which are banned from buying or using single-use plastic cups, cutlery or straws under a Government initiative which came into force earlier this month. So the days of parents wrapping their child's sandwiches in clingflm or packing lunch-boxes with plastic straws or single-use plastic bottles, are over.
At a time of freak weather events and species becoming instinct we all have a responsibility to think green and do our part for the environment.
My daughter has inadvertently suggested a way I could help. As we drove past a woman running the other day she said: 'Dad, you wouldn't be like her: skinny. You're more inclined towards chocolate than exercise.'
So less chocolate and less chocolate wrappers for me! A small price as littering and all waste is something I can never get used to.


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Festooned with glittering wreaths and ornaments and all manner of holiday beauty, the Opera House ushered in Vacaville’s celebrants of Small Business Saturday.
“It’s keeping it local, helping small businesses thrive,” said Torie Florendo, an independent consultant of Paparazzi, where every elegant ring, bracelet and necklace was just $5 apiece.
That’s what drew Leah Minor of Vacaville, who couldn’t help but fall in love with the prices.
“My little girl is like a diva,” she joked. “So I bought her two bracelets and some hair clips.”
Her next destination — Rise and Redemption, which also offered deals galore on items for children. Her last stop, she advised, would be Mom Strong Fitness, which recently moved into a bigger space near Rice Barn Thai Eatery & Wine Bar on Browns Valley Parkway.
Browsing customers enjoyed seasonal pillows and more by Chalk Couture, beauty products by LipSense and more.
Celia Ortiz, a LipSense distributor, said the day’s event was an opportunity to get her name out in the community and also ensure “that women have their turkey-proof and mistletoe-proof lipsticks.”
Her products are all long-lasting, she explained, and won’t rub off when eating or, well, kissing.
Meanwhile, Opera House employee and Modern Gypsy business owner Aisha Gutierrez made shoppers smile with her array of clothing.
“We have sizes small to 3x,” she advised, adding that her business is mostly online.The day’s pop-up event, she said, allowed potential customers to see and feel her merchandise.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to have one day when it’s focused on us, just for us,” she said.
It’s just hard for small businesses to compete with big box ones, especially on Black Friday, she pointed out.
Plus, she continued, the season just calls for a gathering.
“I love this time of year,” Gutierrez emphasized. “You see all the families get together.”


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LXA's 2023 Predictions for Martech, Salestech and Nexttech report is now live, a report which takes a look back at 2022, as well as the key trends for the coming year.
The report includes the views of the LXA team, as well as some notable marketing experts including Christine Bailey and Seth Godin.
We take a look at the martech industry, sales enablement, and the emerging technology that has the potential to make an impact in 2023.
While martech and salestech have grown during 2022, economic conditions are tougher than in previous years, and the overall strategies of tech companies, marketers and sales teams will need to adapt to this.
One key theme is the faith in technology to power marketing and sales strategies. For example, 63% of CMOs surveyed for our State of Martech 2023 report expect martech budgets to increase in the next 12 months.
Key themes from our predictions report include:
The need for marketers to move beyond spray and pay
Passfort CMO and Author Christine Bailey thinks that 2023 will be the year of 'learn and earn' marketing, whereby marketers need to make use of technology to gain insights from data and create better customer experiences:
"Tools for personalised experiences and customer journeys will be increasingly valuable as the economic situation means marketing budgets will be constrained, placing greater pressure on ROI. We’ll see more marketers adopt a long-term nurturing approach, supported by the right technology for lead scoring."
It's also important to remember some timeless marketing lessons. Seth Godin thinks one lesson we shouldn't forget is the need to gain permission from customers:
"My book Permission Marketing, which is more than 20 years old, just basically said, if you can show up for people wanting to hear from you, you can do fine. And marketers can forget because they’d rather hustle at your home or get distracted by augmented reality, virtual reality. NFTs or the next thing, because it is a safer place than being on the hook to say ‘well, but does anyone actually want to hear from me?’ That’s what we need to earn with each earned permission."
Meanwhile, Joe Pulizzi thinks marketers need to raise their game and use email marketing as a tool for deepening customer relationships with more engaging content:
"Email is still the best thing around. However, most marketers we deal with are still using email as a spamming mechanism to move the right people into their marketing automation platforms."
The growing importance of AI
The use of AI has been growing over the last few years, with many major martech and sales tools using AI. Marketers and sales teams alike will continue to invest in AI over the next 12 months.
As LXA CEO Carlos Doughty explains:
"There will be major investment in the AI space. 2023 will be the year of AI-driven innovation across marketing, sales and CX. AI has been baked into many powerful martech and salestech tools for some time but marketers need to be aware of the advances in capabilities of AI-specific platforms."
One key theme is likely to be the growing potential of generative AI in content creation. Scott Brinker sees this as the trend which 'has the most exponential disruptive possibility' in the year to come.
Generative AI brings this technology into a new area. It offers the potential to create new content from scratch, whether this is text, images or video content. Tools such as ChatGPT and Jasper are beginning to show what AI can do for content, and we'll see a lot of progress in the coming 12 months.
Our report contains many more insights into the themes here, as well as digital transformation, Web 3 and metaverse, whether Twitter will survive Elon Musk, and some timeless marketing lessons from our expert contributors.
Hey there, martech fans. Want to expand your knowledge on the space to the nth degree? Well, have we got a treat for you.
It’s our goal at LXA to help marketers understand and deploy marketing technology. Our 4Ps of MarTech & Marketing Operations guide will provide you with a practical framework for doing exactly that. Check out our 4Ps of marketing technology ebook here!