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New campaign promotes 43 N.H. ice cream shops
Granite State Diary Promotion unveils Ice Cream Trail map
Memorial Day weekend marks the release of the New Hampshire Ice Cream Trail map, which features 43 ice cream shops around the Granite State, from Nashua to Pittsburg.
Sponsored by Granite State Dairy Promotion and supported by the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture Markets and Food, the campaign also includes a contest: Ice cream lovers visit all 43 ice cream shops on the map will be entered into a drawing to win a one-year membership to Planet Fitness, a basket of New Hampshire-made products and a Granite State Dairy Promotion sweatshirt.
"We hope the map will connect consumers with local ice cream shops and foster an appreciation for local, family-owned dairy farms,” said Amy Hall, director of Granite State Dairy Promotion. "New Hampshire's Ice Cream Trail is a summer tradition everyone can enjoy."
Maps can be found at all New Hampshire rest areas, welcome centers and chamber of commerce locations. A copy of the map can also be downloaded from Granite State Dairy Promotion's website.


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Survey Finds 41% of Gamers are Using AMD Processors
Mike Sanders / 2 years ago
It’s hardly any secret that since the launch of the AMD Ryzen platform back in 2017, Team Red has been making solid inroads into Intel’s desktop CPU market share. In fact, it has nearly doubled the 17.5% it saw in Summer 2016.
I personally believe that if the AMD 4th-generation releases (expected later this year) prove to be another solid step-up in the range, their overall market share will tip to over 40%. In a report via TechSpot, however, for PC gamers that may already be the case!
Survey Finds PC Gamers Are Choosing AMD
In a recent survey conducted specifically on PC gamers, it was found that 41% were using an AMD processor in their system. A figure that is roughly 7% higher than the current ‘overall’ market share. A number which includes ‘home’ systems AS WELL AS gaming-specific set-ups.
I can throw something of a damp towel over the AMD party. The latest Steam hardware figures show Intel increasing their market share. Don’t forget though, those numbers almost certainly include laptops which, as you probably know, are currently dominated by Intel CPUs.
It’s Looking Good for Team Red
While this is just one survey, it does seem likely that unless Intel fights back in 2020, the year is still shaping up to be dominated by the Ryzen 4000 releases. Particularly as owners of the original 1st or 2nd generation releases might now be ready for something newer and faster!
What do you think? – Let us know in the comments!

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Andy Coughlin has quit his post as global account director at Samsung Telecommunications Europe and is tipped to take the helm as UK head at LG Mobile.
The role has been vacant since Warren Lewis left after just three months in the post earlier this year. Lewis replaced Jim Michel, who left LG in July last year to become UK MD at Brightstar.
The first task for LG’s new UK chief will be to regroup the company’s mobile division, which has seen heavy staff losses over the past year. Last month, LG confirmed it had lost two network account managers. The Korean manufacturer has been widely criticised for not giving its UK operation enough autonomy.
LG has a busy 2012 planned with the launch of its new L-style range of phones, as well as the forthcoming Optimus 4X HD. In its most recent results, profits trebled to £21.2m in its mobile wing, although overall sales fell 14% to £1.6bn, which it blamed on declining feature phone sales. Shipments also fell by 22% to 13.7m.
Former colleagues describe Coughlin as a ‘tireless worker’ and a ‘highly motivated professional’ with a track record for driving the business forward and building strong relationships with partners.
An LG spokesman said: ‘LG is in the process of recruiting a permanent head of mobile and looks forward to welcoming a new member to the team in the near future. LG will make any relevant announcements in due course.’
Coughlin joined Samsung Electronics in 2004 as a national account manager. In 2007 he was promoted to global account manager at Samsung Telecommunication Europe, taking on the role of global account director in 2008.
A Samsung spokeswoman said: ‘After eight years with the business, Samsung can confirm that Andy Coughlin has decided to leave the European Telecommunications organisation. We wish him every success in the future.’ She did not reveal Coughlin’s future plans.
Before joining Samsung, Coughlin worked for Carphone Warehouse as a wholesale manager and at Global Link Industries as a sales manager.


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Alamo City brewers to host Texas Beer Freedom rally in support of HB 660
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- W. Scott Bailey
A trio of San Antonio business and political leaders have played a key role in efforts to try and pass new state legislation proponents believe would create more economic opportunities for Texas’ brewers and distributors and more retail options for beer connoisseurs.
Now that threesome plans to stage a rally Friday in the heart of the Alamo City as part of an effort to drum up more support for House Bill 660.
If approved by state lawmakers, HB 660 would allow Texans to buy beer brewed by brew pubs such as Metzger’s Freetail Brewing Co. and Joey Villarreal’s Blue Star Brewing Co. at restaurants, bars or grocery stores, where other beers are sold.
Current laws prevent Texas brew pubs from selling their beers to anyone other than the people who patronize their establishments.
Critics say unless Texas changes its laws, the Lone Star State will continue to miss out on an opportunity to tap into a growing craft beer industry and to gain some competitive traction against states such as Colorado and Oregon, whose craft brewers are selling their beers in Texas stores.
“Texas is a rapidly growing market for craft beer, yet brew pubs in the state can’t get to the (retail) market while out-of-state brew pubs can,” Metzger told the Business Journal recently.
“This bill is an effort to bring together the interested parties to find a common ground, a win-win solution that gives consumers more opportunities to drink great Texas beers, allows brew pubs to grow their businesses and provides new clients for beer distributors,” Rep. Villarreal says.
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Wired's Gilad Edelman in his article on the powerful digital platforms' acquiring nascent competitive threats and the FTC's recent announcement of its revisiting some of those acquisitions, quoted Maurice Stucke:
"Maurice Stucke, an antitrust scholar and the coauthor of Big Data and Competition Policy, said he was encouraged by the fact that the FTC is including questions about how big firms are treating the data they acquire when they roll up smaller companies. 'Having that data can help Google or Facebook obtain or maintain dominance in other markets,' he said. 'And that has been lost on the agencies.'
'It’s noteworthy, but now the question is what do they do with it,' he added."
The February 12, 2020 article is available here.


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Central American exports grew 22 percent last year
Central America exported goods for $52 billion in 2011, a 22 percent increase compared to 2010, according to the Central American Economic Integration System.
Panama's exports grew almost 33 percent last year, while Costa Rica had the lowest growth rate with 10 percent.
Nicaragua reports a 30 percent increase in its exports, while Honduras and Guatemala report 26 and 27 percent. El Salvador's exports grew 18 percent.
Source (in Spanish): El Heraldo


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"For decades, a good boot could be determined by its weight. Cat Footwear's new Excavator Superlite challenges this."
Our new Excavator Superlite is well, just that- Superlite. We job site tested our Excavator Superlite in one of the toughest cities we know, Detroit, and gave real workers a sneak peek to test our our newest addition to the Excavator collection. Check out Footwear News’ write up, below:
For decades, the mark of a good work boot could be determined by its weight. A hefty pair often meant it had all the requisite technical tools to protect a worker’s feet, from steel toes to sturdy uppers.
But Cat Footwear’s new Excavator Superlite challenges that old chestnut. The brand reworked the boot’s midsole to be significantly lighter, using waterproof, full-grain leather, an abrasion-resistant rubber outsole and toe bumper. Available for men and women alike, the boot gives new meaning to being a lightweight.
“For decades, a good boot could be determined by its weight. Cat Footwear’s new Excavator Superlite challenges this.”
To prove all of this, the brand sent pairs of the boots to a group of construction workers in Detroit to have them test out all of the functions on the job. The boot may look a bit chunky, with that bulbous rubberized toe, but it’s as lightweight as many of the sneakers currently on the market (let’s also not forget how bulky athletic shoes have become over the years — we’re looking at you, Balenciaga Triple S).
Over the past year, Cat has been expanding its repertoire to bridge the gap between its technical work boots and lifestyle options. The result is not only the Excavator Superlite but a series of boots aimed at other types of work, like those who work in environmental science and require a boot for muckier conditions.
For the full article, visit Footwear News.
Shop the Excavator Superlite.
Footwear News Feature:


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More than 14,000 cases of a popular all-purpose flour product are being recalled due to concerns of E. coli.
The FDA announced that ADM Milling Company is voluntarily recalling 14,218 cases of five-pound King Arthur Inc. Unbleached All-Purpose Flour due to the potential presence of E. coli.
According to the FDA, the recalled products were distributed through retailers and distributors nationwide. The recalled items have “best used by” dates of Dec. 7, 2019; Dec. 8, 2019; and Dec. 14, 2019.
The company has been informed that certain wheat used to make these lots of King Arthur flour has been linked to an ongoing outbreak of E. coli infections. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with King Arthur Flour.
“Consumer safety is our top priority, and therefore, we are voluntarily recalling these specific lots of Unbleached All-Purpose Flour to prevent potential illnesses. We are committed to educating and reminding consumers that flour is not ready-to-eat, and anything made with flour must be baked before eating,”
The recall has been assigned as a “Class I,” which means “it is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
Symptoms of E. coli include stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting for several days. Others may endure a minor fever.
"Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing of a stool sample. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care is the usual treatment; antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended," according to the USDA. "Most people recover within a week, but, rarely, some develop a more severe infection. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, is uncommon with STEC O103 infection.
"HUS can occur in people of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old, older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output."
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Sue’s List #19
Sue's List is your passport to a world where the open waters, quirky critters, and innovative technology collide in a delightful mix of excitement, amusement, and discovery. Enjoy and dive in.
Ahoy! Recreational Boating Sets Sail with Unstoppable Momentum
Recreational boating continues to ride the waves of popularity, defying industry experts who expected a decline in sales after the extraordinary growth witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It seems that Americans have found a lasting love for prioritizing outdoor recreation, nurturing their mental health, and creating unique experiences with loved ones. This ongoing strong demand brings good news not only for boat manufacturers and technicians but also for marinas and hospitality businesses that thrive off the boating industry. With boat sales stabilizing, at least those in search of a new vessel are more likely to have better luck finding one this summer. Interestingly, it's not just the yacht-owning elite responsible for America's booming boat economy. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), it's the countless regular individuals engaging in fishing, water-skiing, sailing, and jet-skiing who are driving the industry forward. In fact, a staggering 800,000 first-time boat buyers entered the market in 2020 and 2021, according to NMMA. The numbers tell an impressive story: between 2018 and 2023, recreational boating experienced a 35% increase in annual economic activity, leaping from $170 billion to $230 billion. The marine industry-related jobs also saw a 17.5% surge, growing from 691,000 to 812,000 during that period. Sales of powerboats, sailboats, and personal watercraft peaked at 318,654 units in 2020, amounting to $50.3 billion. While sales cooled slightly in 2021, with 305,734 units sold, this can be attributed in part to supply chain issues that affected inventory availability. However, the industry still managed to sell over 261,000 units last year, a strong performance by historical standards, along with more than 1 million pre-owned boats. Sales are expected to remain steady or experience slight growth this year. While the East and West Coast states contribute significantly to these sales, states in the Great Lakes region, such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, have also witnessed robust demand. As the industry anticipates a bustling summer, with an estimated 85 million people taking to the water in the U.S., the boating industry is exploring new avenues to enable more people to enjoy boating. Subscription-based boat-sharing clubs, like Freedom Boat Club, are emerging, providing novel opportunities to access the water.
Personally, I think subscription-based boat-sharing is a great idea especially in areas where the boating season is rather short and for anyone who is new to boating.
Oscar the AI sorter
I don’t know about you but I have found myself many times standing perplexed in front of a labyrinth of trash-sorting containers, questioning the recyclability of my empty yogurt cup. If you are also one of those people, the arrival of Oscar is a saving grace. This AI-driven system has a remarkable talent for scanning your throwaways and providing expert advice on where they belong. And let's be honest, with "consumer error" being a prominent contributor to the disappointingly low recycling rate of 32.1% in 2018, as indicated by the Environmental Protection Agency, Oscar's guidance is sorely needed. Intuitive AI, the Canadian startup behind Oscar Sort, has introduced a "smart recycling assistant" that possesses an impressive repertoire in identifying various food and beverage containers. Simply point your trash item at a computer screen, and like a recycling oracle, Oscar will swiftly determine if it's recyclable or compostable. Oscar Sort has gained significant traction in corporate and university cafeterias, sports stadiums, and retail stores since its introduction in 2019. What sets Oscar apart is its extensive knowledge of local recycling laws, ensuring that no matter where you find yourself or what you're discarding, it will direct you to the appropriate bin. The list of global installations is impressive, including renowned establishments such as Tim Hortons, TD Garden in Boston, and the offices of JPMorgan Chase, AT&T, Merck, Nike, and Visa. And the excitement doesn't end there. Intuitive AI is set to launch Oscar Pocket, an exclusive smartphone app that will revolutionize waste disposal both at home and on the go. Consider it the "ChatGPT for waste," a remarkable tool to navigate the bewildering world of recycling.
Oscar's mission goes beyond mere guidance; it aims to gamify the otherwise mundane process of throwing away trash. For example, at TD Garden, the system engages users with trivia questions and rewards correct answers. It's a transformative experience where people now spend one to two minutes at the garbage bin, having fun, and acquiring knowledge about recycling—a phenomenon previously unheard of. Cannot wait for Oscar Pocket!
Iguanas new unconventional habitat
In Miami, it has become somewhat of a local ritual for residents to perform a cautious inspection for porcelain predators before venturing into the restroom, particularly during the dark and drowsy hours of the night. This unique tradition has emerged due to the presence of invasive creatures, such as the notorious iguanas, who have developed a peculiar habit of infiltrating people's toilets, subsequently creating headlines in the local news. Yikes! However, it's not just the iguanas that pose a threat to the sanctity of the bathroom. Rats and snakes are also slithering their way through plumbing systems. These unwanted guests have found a pathway through the plumbing stacks on the roof, bypassing the bathroom's protective P-trap, which can dry out if the toilet is not regularly flushed. In order to prevent these unwelcome surprises, those who leave town for extended periods, should keep their water service running even while they're away. By adhering to these precautionary measures, Miamians can protect themselves from unexpected encounters with critters seeking to turn their restrooms into their own unconventional habitats.
For small peeps
Norwalk Moms Family & Friends Brunch Party
Get ready for an epic Friends & Family Brunch Party that will have you and your little ones grooving like there's no tomorrow! This is not your ordinary brunch affair where you have to stress about keeping the kids hushed and glued to their seats. No way! At our event, we want the kids to unleash their energy and let loose in the vibrant kid's corner, while the parents get their dance on. Prepare to be mesmerized by the electrifying beats of DJ Gruvy, who will keep the party alive with his sensational tunes. And guess what? Kids under 10 get to munch for free! So, come on, suggest your all-time favorite songs, and get ready to make this an unforgettable celebration. Oh, and don't forget, Father's Day is just around the corner, so we'll be cranking up Daddy's cherished club hits too. Get your tickets now because this is one party you don't want to miss. Cheers!
When: Sunday, June 11, 2023
Time: 11:30a - 1:30p
Where: Barcelona Norwalk (Waypointe)
Thanks for reading the entire list.
See you next Tuesday.


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Attracting diners to hotel restaurants has always been difficult. With 32 restaurants in London alone, our group is constantly trying to overcome the psychological barrier many people have about eating in hotels.
But with the sharp increase of talented chefs now working in the UK’s hotels, the quality of food has never been better. It was with this in mind that I have been working with our press office on A Culinary Tour of Great Britain, which will appear as a four-page supplement to the US magazine Bon Appetit next month.
Co-sponsored by the British Tourist Authority and American Express, the supplement focuses on our award-winning restaurants and, in particular, their chefs. It is good to see chefs enjoying more of the limelight and being recognised for their skills and hard work behind the scenes, and I was delighted that the Golden Valley’s restaurant in Cheltenham has just won an AA Rosette, joining 11 other Thistle hotels.
St David’s Day was the perfect opportunity for our chief executive, Robert Peel, to host a dinner with a Welsh theme at the Kensington Park hotel, one of a series of dinners aimed at key buyers from different industry segments. This time we targeted conference buyers and the dinner was an ideal forum for senior management to hear first hand from our customers and to reinforce our recently launched charter for conference organisers.
March also saw the first ever UK Hotel Industry Conference at The Brewery in the City attended by many leading hoteliers. It offered the opportunity to debate current industry issues, including the increasing use of technology in hotels, conference marketing and the long-term industry outlook.
I spoke about the importance of branding and used our own corporate identity change and our extensive market research as a case study. My conclusion was that branding should be a company’s servant and not its master. It provides a company with immediate recognition for its products and projects its core values through a visual identity while being a means to differentiate a group from its competitors.
The US market is an important one for us and my trip to Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles meant another hectic schedule, meeting more than 2,000 travel agents and journalists through sales calls, presentations and media lunches with five of our general managers.
The current big issue in the USA is the capping, at $50, of commission by all airlines on domestic travel, which means travel agents are looking for other means to increase their revenue. This now gives hotels a prime opportunity to take the initiative by ensuring prompt payment of commission. We now double ours if it is not paid within a month, which has raised our credibility in the trade.


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Check back regularly for the latest company news and articles.
What makes a smart home truly intelligent? To us, one of the smartest—and most convenient—components that can be included in every smart home is smart lighting. With benefits like energy efficiency, added peace of mind, streamlined day-to-day activities, and automated actions, it’s pretty easy to see why. Or is it? What does smart lighting actually entail?


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ROME -- Sergio Marchionne performed a near-miracle in turning around the fortunes of Italy's flagship industrial company, Fiat S.p.A. Now business leaders and economists hope he can do the same for the country's hidebound and ailing economy.
With Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi embroiled in yet another sex scandal and bent more on political survival than policy initiatives, economic reform in Italy seems to have been commandeered by the charismatic Italian-Canadian businessman.
For almost a year Marchionne has been facing down Italy's largest engineering union in a battle that could eventually change labor relations in the euro zone's third-largest economy more than any government has done for decades.
He announced the closure of one unproductive car plant in Sicily. He has threatened to stop investing in the others and move output abroad unless factories accept tougher rules on working hours, sick pay and strikes.
And he has formed new companies at the local factory level, which operate outside employers' confederation Confindustria, so they are not bound by the collective labor rules negotiated between the confederation and the trade unions.
"What is happening at Fiat marks an important turning point in Italy's system of industrial relations," says labor law expert Pietro Ichino. "It is greatly increasing the scope to set factory level deals in contrast to national contracts."
The current system, based largely on blanket, industrywide agreements, fails to adequately recognize different conditions from company to company and has been one reason for the dramatic loss of competitiveness of Italian industry. In the last 10 years, production costs have risen 25 percent more than in Germany.
There is no doubt Italy is in dire need of reform. Its economic growth consistently lags its euro zone partners and, according to International Monetary Fund data, it was the world's fourth most sluggish economy between 2000 and 2010, ahead of Zimbabwe, Eritrea and Haiti.
Real disposable income has been stagnant since 1990 and the average hourly wage, adjusted for the cost of living, is 30 percent to 40 percent below that of its three main European peers, Germany, France and Britain. It is the only euro zone country where per capita output is lower now than it was in 2000.
Of course, there are many reasons for this state of affairs, but analysts agree that one factor is the rigid and centralized system of industrial relations and an inability to increase productivity in line with its competitors.
This is where Marchionne comes in. Under a best case but far from automatic scenario, his shock therapy for Fiat, which dominates a domestic car industry worth 11 percent of GDP, could pave the way to similar changes in Italy's broader economy.
Tito Boeri, economics professor at Milan's Bocconi University, says Marchionne has provided "a healthy shock" to worker-union relations, and the Fiat chief is being egged on from the sidelines by his peers in Italian big business.


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Today BuyVia released our Back to School Survey results revealing that one third of consumers plan to purchase a tablet for back to school, one fifth plan to purchase a laptop, one fifth plan to purchase both a laptop and a tablet, and one third don’t have any plans to purchase a new device. Our results also revealed that of those consumers who are purchasing a laptop, 81% plan to buy a PC while 19% plan to buy a Mac. With the growing popularity of Macs among students and the reports of declining PC sales we thought Apple would be the leader in back to school purchases, but the opposite came through in our research. This could be because of the price difference between PC laptops and Mac laptops.
Additional Back to School survey results included: (more…)


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Premier Li Keqiang visits a service center in Xiamen, part of the Fujian Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ), on April 22, 2015, in a show of support and encouragement for the zone’s development. [Photo/Xinhua]
China will reinforce existing policies and streamline administrative procedures to promote a steady growth of imports and exports, the government announced on August 16.
The State Council meeting, chaired by Premier Li Keqiang, focused on key problems concerning trade policy implementation and measures needed to have them addressed.
During the meeting, while acknowledging that the economy had recorded an outstanding performance in the first half of the year, Premier Li pointed out that a sluggish global outlook and weak overseas demand had undermined efforts to shore up China’s trade volume. Rising domestic manufacturing costs have also had consequences for China’s imports and exports.
A series of policies have been released by the Chinese government since 2013 to encourage the steady growth of foreign trade, and in recent years, China has remained the world’s largest trading nation in terms of goods.
Yet, due to the impacts of the world financial crisis, as well as faltering global growth, China’s foreign trade growth started to lose momentum.
“We should enhance steady growth both in exports and imports to advance country’s industrial upgrading to attract new foreign investment on top of the foreign investment already in the Chinese market,” Premier Li stressed.
“An increase in this year’s imports could bring higher exports next year,” he said.
An evaluation was completed recently on the implementation of the policies to see how well they had boosted China’s foreign trade. The evaluation was mainly overseen by the Ministry of Commerce, China’s National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance.
It was revealed that while existing measures have contributed substantially to promoting China’s trade growth via financial support measures such as tax reduction and encouraging new types of trade such as e-commerce, there were still certain problems.
High financing costs for companies remain a major burden in maintaining trade growth. Other problems include sluggish trade policy implementation and outdated management methods.
A third party evaluation was conducted by the State Council’s Development Research Center (DRC) in July, through field research in enterprises in nine cities. The evaluation report shows China’s trade faces the combined headwind of the global economy’s in-depth adjustment and China’s economic transition.
Besides problems such as high financing costs for enterprises, the DRC evaluation reveals some other problems affecting trade growth. For example, officials are not aware enough about problems encountered during policy implementation. Also, while domestic labor costs kept rising, the country has not established competence based on technology, branding and marketing in the global market. In some areas, existing policies need to be updated for more variety among foreign trade businesses.
China customs figures show that in the first half of 2016, China’s foreign trade was valued at 11.13 trillion yuan ($1.7 trillion), a drop of 3.3 percent year-on-year, while exports amounted to 6.4 trillion yuan, down 2.1 percent. The value of imports decreased by 4.7 percent to 4.73 trillion yuan, but the country’s trade surplus increased by 5.9 percent to 1.67 trillion yuan.
Premier Li highlighted the importance of further opening up various sectors to market competition. He also required related government departments to enhance efforts in providing greater efficiency in facilitating customs clearance and financing channels.
More measures will be introduced for ensuring a steady growth of China’s foreign trade after the meeting:
--- First, detailed adjustments will be made on existing polices to better facilitate foreign trade development and better streamline procedures in trade gateways.
--- Second, finance institutions are encouraged to provide more financial and credit support to enterprises with substantial business profits, and export credit insurance will cover a wider range.
--- Third, procedures for tax reimbursement of exports will be more efficient, and unnecessary harbor and shipping costs will be reduced, creating a fair market for competition.
---Four, policies will be further adjusted to facilitate new types of trade, such as cross-border e-commerce.
--- Five, the role for bilateral investment will be further encouraged to boost foreign trade, through promoting the country’s Belt and Road Initiative, as well as international cooperation on capacity.
“China is now deeply integrated with the world economy, and our international competitiveness will be better enhanced through opening up,” Premier Li stressed. “China has opened its door to the world. The door will never be closed again, and will be opened even further.”


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Elon Musk thinks auto union workers have lost their minds
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, known for his outspoken and controversial remarks, recently added fuel to the fire of the debate between corporations and organized labor with his critique of unions.
Musk thinks the ongoing auto union strike is being driven by unreasonable demands that could have far reaching consequences for the automotive industry.
“They want a 40% pay rise and a 32 hour workweek. Sure way to drive GM, Ford and Chrysler bankrupt,” Musk posted on Sept. 26, taking a direct shot at the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.
Musk's comments come at a pivotal moment as UAW engages in a high-stakes strike against major automakers.
President Joe Biden publicly supported the UAW's call for a substantial wage increase during a visit to a General Motors plant near Detroit.
But the president’s endorsement could fall on deaf ears given the precarious state of organized labor in the country.
A bold or foolish move by the UAW?
Union membership in the U.S. has significantly declined, from 20.1% of workers in 1983 to just 10.1% in 2022. Much of that decline has occurred in lockstep with the erosion of domestic manufacturing.
Despite this decline, recent years have seen renewed labor activism driven by concerns about income inequality, job security, and benefits access.
One of the most notable recent examples is the UAW strike, which has been going on for more than two weeks and could easily drag on for months, according to WWJ auto analyst John McElroy.
The “union is shelling out an extra about $1.5 million a week for the people who are laid off,” McElroy said. While that amount is substantial, UAW’s war chest is worth around $825 million.
“I figure the union strike fund could easily hold out until Christmas,” he added.
The UAW is going up against General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis NV simultaneously, a feat that requires significant clout. UAW represents a large segment of the U.S. automotive workforce, so it has plenty of skin in the game.
Ultimately, the strike is about money.
UAW initially demanded a 40% pay increase but has since reduced its demand to 36%. That’s still well above any pay hike the average American has received in decades.
By comparison, in February 2023, Japan’s Toyota agreed with its union to raise employee salaries by 5%, the largest salary increase for that country in 20 years.
The impact of a prolonged strike
The automotive industry, a vital economic driver, relies on millions of jobs, and a prolonged strike could disrupt supply chains, affect production schedules, and lead to financial losses for both automakers and their employees.
If the strike really drags on and auto production declines, prices for new and used vehicles will likely climb.
As the Wall Street Journal notes, the most popular vehicles already have a very tight supply, so it wouldn't take much to spark a substantial price increase. For the typical American, this means higher costs at a time when auto loans are much harder to come by.
Moreover, the UAW's push for wage increases and improved working conditions mirrors a broader movement across various industries. Workers nationwide have been advocating for better compensation, job security, and union representation.
While these demands may benefit individual workers, they can pose challenges for businesses, particularly those navigating a transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
Musk and others are concerned about rising labor costs affecting the EV sector.
Companies like Tesla, Lucid Group Inc., and Rivian Automotive Inc. operate without unions, often using alternative compensation methods like restricted stock units and employee stock purchase plans.
Musk says this has made workers a lot wealthier.
“The UAW stole millions from workers, whereas Tesla has made many workers millionaires,” he wrote last March.
The worry within the UAW and the traditional auto industry is that EVs, which typically have fewer components and require fewer workers, could result in job losses and lower wages.
But if UAW achieves success with Detroit's traditional automakers and garners public support, it might inspire Tesla employees to consider unionization.
“Unionizing is extremely difficult under U.S. law,” said Catherine Fisk, a labor law professor at UC Berkeley. “That said, workers successfully unionized against even stiffer odds in the 1930s. It happened before, it can happen again—it’s just a torturous process.”


text: The stunning Fed interest rate cut of 75 basis points yesterday is very good news for credit cardholders as the prime rate is being pushed down to 5.25%. With a median revolving credit card balance of about $6600 and most credit card rates pegged to the prime rate, the average household will save about $50 over the next twelve months in interest costs due to the rate decision. Since dropping from 8.25% in September, the Fed’s action will reduce credit card interest costs by more than $15 billion over the next year. Considering all the rate cuts since last summer, a family with total revolving credit card balances of $6600 will realize a savings of about $200 per year while those carry balances around $10,000 will save around $300 per year. Americans owed about $775 billion on general purpose credit cards at year end 2007. Approximately 87% of all major credit cards carry variable interest rates. Over the past year the average variable rate credit card has dropped from 16.59% to 15.49%.


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America's over-reliance on consumer spending helped create the mess we are in. To finance our spendthrift ways, we borrowed more than we could afford. We also saved less than necessary and bet that rising home and stock prices would make up the difference. In addition, our willingness to consume more than we produce led to unhealthy imbalances with nations like China.
Well, guess what? The latest data reveals that America is more dependent on the consumer than ever.
Last Thursday, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) revealed that personal spending in August rose 0.9 percent, its biggest monthly jump since 2001. Reports suggest the increase stemmed from stepped-up purchases of durable goods like cars, aided by Washington's cash-for-clunkers scheme, as well as aggressive back-to-school promotions by nervous retailers.
The BEA also announced that personal income -- the sum received from all sources, including wages, government transfer payments, and interest -- rose a more subdued 0.2 percent. While the result beat Wall Street's expectations, the gap between the two data points helped to highlight an unsettling development.
More specifically, the relationship between the two has diverged to the point where personal spending is now at a record high relative to income, surpassing the level seen at the pre-financial crisis peak of housing bubble-induced euphoria.
Other data paints a similarly troubling picture. Personal consumption relative to gross domestic product (GDP), the sum total of U.S.-produced goods and services, has also hit a record. Based on estimated data for third quarter GDP, the consumer now accounts for around 72 percent of output, a far cry from the 50-year median of 64.5 percent.
That might not be so bad if the consumer was in better shape than he (or she) was in the past, but various data indicate that is not the case. For example, although household debt relative to net worth is marginally below the second quarter record of 26.9 percent, it is still two-thirds higher than its long-term average.
Another series also shows that households remain stretched, despite some improvement from the record highs seen in the spring of 2008. According to the Federal Reserve, Americans devoted just over 18 percent of their monthly disposable personal income -- the amount left over after income taxes -- to debt, auto lease, rental, homeowners' insurance, and property tax payments in the second quarter.
Aside from the fact that the median average of the Financial Obligations Ratio (FOR) since 1980, when the Fed started keeping tabs on it, is 17.3 percent, or less than we have now, the current measure is above the range that prevailed prior to the accelerated lift-off in housing prices following the 2001 recession.
And while the personal savings rate is no longer scraping along at the unsustainably low levels we saw in the middle of the current decade, at 3 percent it is still less than half of its long-term median and well below the more "normal" levels of 8-10 percent that were commonplace since the Great Depression.
It doesn't help, of course, that severe declines in stock prices and property values have undermined what economists refer to as "the wealth effect," which helped power a measure of past spending. The fact that American's net worth relative to GDP has fallen back to more normal levels while debt loads have remained high is not at all reassuring.
This doesn't even take account of other developments that suggest the health of the consumer is seriously at risk. Along with data released this past week, which revealed that a growing number of Americans are losing their jobs, being forced into foreclosure, and filing for bankruptcy, recent research also highlights the fact that income inequality has hit an all-time high.
In the end, none of this bodes well for an economy whose fortunes are (still) so closely tied to the spendthrift ways of the U.S. consumer. In fact, once the man in the street figures out that, despite the sorry state of his finances, he is the one that is being counted on to rescue the economy, that's when the real trouble will begin.


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In October, FCA sales in Europe totaled 76,300 vehicles (+1.5% year-over-year). For the ten months year-to-date, sales totaled nearly 907,800 vehicles, an increase of 7.6% year-over-year (+3.8% for the industry). By brand, sales were particularly strong for Alfa Romeo (+20.3% in October, +34.4% year-to-date), Jeep (+20.4% in October, +0.3% year-to-date) and Fiat, which posted a 7.5% increase for the year-to-date. The Fiat Panda and Fiat 500 continued to dominate the European A segment, with a combined share of more than 29.5% for both October and the year-to-date. Panda sales were up 9.7% for the month, while the 500 posted a 5.7% increase for the year-to-date. The Lancia Ypsilon continued to lead the B segment in Italy. Jeep posted a further increase in sales, driven by the Renegade and the recently launched Compass, which continues to climb the European rankings. Alfa Romeo posted the largest increase of any brand in Europe for the year-to-date, driven by the success of the Giulia and Stelvio.
FCA closed October with sales in Europe (EU28+EFTA) up 1.5% year-over-year to 76,300 vehicles. For the year-to-date, sales were up 7.6% (versus 3.8% for the industry) to nearly 907,800 vehicles. Market share was up 30 basis points over the same period in 2016 to 6.9%. For both October and the year-to-date, FCA outperformed the industry average in France (+14.6% in October, +12.3% year-to-date) and Spain (+19.5% in October, +15.8% year-to-date).
Fiat brand posted October sales of 54,750 vehicles, with European market share at 4.5%. For the year-to-date, sales totaled more than 684,300 vehicles. The brand outperformed the industry with sales up 7.5% over the prior year and share increasing 20 basis points to 5.2%. The brand significantly outperformed industry averages for the year-to-date in Germany (sales up 12.4%), France (+11.6%) and Spain (+14.5%). Fiat brand sales in Spain were also very strong in October, with the brand posting a 15.8% increase versus an industry average of 13.7%. Fiat continued to dominate the European A segment with the Panda and 500 ranking first and second for both October and the year-to-date. The two models held a combined segment share of 29.8% for the month and 29.5% for the year-to-date. Panda sales were up 9.7% for the month, while the 500 posted a 5.7% increase for the year-to-date. The Fiat 500X was once again among the top five in its segment. For the Fiat Tipo, October sales were up 18.1%. For the Fiat 124 Spider, sales were up 144.2% for the year-to-date to more than 7,300 vehicles.
Lancia/Chrysler posted October sales of more than 4,500 vehicles, with European share at 0.4%. Year-to-date, brand sales totaled 53,700 vehicles and share was 0.4%. In Italy, the Lancia Ypsilon was the second most popular model overall in October and first in the B segment with a 12.0% share.
Alfa Romeo sales were up 20.3% in October to nearly 6,500 vehicles, with European share at 0.5%. Year-to-date, sales were up 34.4% to nearly 72,500 vehicles, representing the largest year-over-year increase of any brand in Europe. As a result, market share was 10 basis points higher at 0.5%. The brand significantly outperformed the industry average in nearly every major market, with October sales up 10.3% in Italy, 27.9% in France, 29.1% in the UK and 46.6% in Spain. For the year-to-date, brand sales were up 27.7% in Italy, 49.3% in Germany, 32.4% in France and 35.7% in Spain. Driving these results were the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia. Year-to-date sales totaled nearly 12,800 vehicles for the Stelvio (not available in 2016) and more than 20,100 vehicles for the Giulia (+200.9% year-over-year).
Jeep posted another strong monthly sales performance, with more than 9,700 vehicles sold (+20.4%) and market share 10 basis points higher at 0.8%. Year-to-date, sales were up 0.3% to nearly 88,700 vehicles and market share was in line with the prior year at 0.7%. In October, the brand outperformed the industry average in France (sales up 26.2%), Spain (+35.9%) and Italy (47.2%). Year-to-date, brand sales grew 18.2% in Italy, 4.5% in France and 24.0% in Spain. Those results were driven by the continued strong performance of the Jeep Renegade, which consistently ranks among the top ten in its segment in Europe. Sales of the Renegade totaled more than 5,400 vehicles in October and nearly 62,200 for the year-to-date. Two other models will soon be making a significant contribution to brand sales: the new Compass – already among the best-sellers in its segment just a few months after launch – and the all-new iconic Jeep Wrangler, to be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 29.
Maserati, the Group’s luxury brand, European sales totaled 810 vehicles in October and 8,337 for the year-to-date.
London,16 November 2017


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As we close 2017, Trulia is finishing a pivotal year of innovation. The company expanded its hyper-local Rent Near Transit tool to new cities, further personalized experiences for consumers with Activity Feed on its apps, and doubled-down on investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
We’re excited about where all of this work will take our products in the years ahead, and much of our efforts in 2017 mirror the predictions for tech in real estate that we shared at the beginning of the year. But, what does it all mean for the future?
I sat down with some of Trulia’s tech leaders to hear about what they expect and hope to see for technology in 2018 and beyond. Here’s what they shared:
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Will Play a Role in Real Estate
By Fall 2017, everyone was talking about cryptocurrency and blockchain. Whether the discussion was about Bitcoin specifically or regulations and ethics, these are hot topics and Trulia’s tech leaders have ideas on how to apply blockchain to real estate.
Both Tim Correia, senior vice president and general manager of Trulia, and Yardley Ip, general manager of Trulia Rentals, think we’ll see the cryptocurrency craze dwindle a bit in 2018, but both agree blockchain technology has the potential to transform outdated real estate transactions.
“Blockchain will bring updates to the most outdated elements of the real estate transaction,” says Correia. “Take escrow as an example. Blockchain technology has the potential to finally make this obsolete process faster and easier.”
While we saw at least one home purchased with Bitcoin in 2017, Ip adds that we’ll need to see a change in both traditional banking and FinTech before buying homes with cryptocurrency becomes mainstream.
Regulations will also play a big role in this, and all of us at Trulia are curious to see how things shake out.
More Data, More Artificial Intelligence, More Personalization
Things are about to get a lot more personal, predicts Deep Varma, VP of Engineering at Trulia. While everyone in 2017 has been talking about their general use of AI, Varma predicts the future is about focusing AI efforts to deliver even more personalized experiences to consumers and customers.
“Improved accuracy in data collection and easy access to machine learning technology for companies is playing a big role in creating a shift in expectations,” explains Varma. “Both customers and consumers now expect businesses to know them better, and serve relevant content at relevant times.”
With this new expectation, recommender systems will multiply in 2018, says Varma. Taking a page from Netflix, more companies will start offering recommender systems powered by AI to deliver products, services or experiences based on consumers’ inferred behavior.
Creating personalized experiences and fine-tuning our recommender system were focuses for Trulia in 2017, and they’ll be an even bigger part of what we do in 2018.
“With more data, technology will be able to continually personalize product experiences, so renters and buyers can find their future homes more easily,” explains Ip. “For example, data can help us experiment with using prediction engines. Maybe we’ll be able to use them to determine when someone should buy or rent.”
Augmented Reality May Find a Home with Consumers
We’ve talked about augmented reality (AR) in previous prediction blog posts, but now, with AI and hardware both getting better, we expect to see the capabilities of AR grow and morph into something more meaningful.
“AR is in the same place visual search was a few years back,” says Varma. “We’re starting to see progression with the big players embedding chips in their devices to create faster data connections, so experiences like AR are better for consumers.”
In addition, Correia says augmented reality will be the gateway that virtual reality needs to move into the mainstream consumer world.
“A broad application of AR, driven by an industry like real estate, will create a comfort level among consumers over the next few years in a way that will allow virtual reality players to get a foot in the door,” says Correia.
By that, he expects AR to enable home seekers to tailor their journey their way. For instance, a busy, single mom can check out a home and neighborhood without having to make the time to visit an open house.
The tech world grew leaps and bounds in 2017: companies started sharing delivery dates for driverless cars, cybersecurity became a real concern and facial recognition went mainstream. We expect 2018 to be even bigger.


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Recognizing that its customers are eager to atone for their holiday indulgences, Toronto-area grocery chain Longo’s has started carrying Weight Watchers’ line of diet-friendly breads.
Longo’s will sell a variety of Weight Watchers bread products, including tortillas, sliced bread, bagels, English muffins and buns. The pre-packaged products are available in white, whole wheat and multigrain varieties.
A recent shopper survey conducted by Longo’s found that more than 87% of its shoppers are interested in buying healthy foods, while nearly one-third (31%) are health-focused.
Longo’s spokesperson Rosanne Longo says that availability of the Weight Watchers breads will vary by store, depending on a combination of shelf space and how well those types of products sell in a given location. The products will be available year-round, she says.
“A focus on healthy, fresh and local defines our brand,” says Longo. “It’s what we’ve stood for forever, so adding these breads to our product line-up is a natural fit with what our customers are looking for.”
Sales of diet bread increased 12% – from 1.68 to 1.88 million units – between December 2015 and January 2016 according to Nielsen data. A total of 23.18 million units were sold in Canada during the 12-month period from December to November.
All of the new products are low in Weight Watchers “smartpoints,” making them suitable for customers who may be following the company’s weight loss regimen, says Longo.
Longo’s carries a range of Weight Watchers products, including meal replacement bars, with Longo telling Canadian Grocer they boast broad-based customer appeal.
“A healthy lifestyle is kind of top of mind with our customer base,” she says. “We’ve got customers who may be looking to balance their diet and have something as a low-carb option, to those who are on a weight loss program like Weight Watchers.”
Several of the country’s major grocery chains, including Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Your Independent Grocer, Walmart, Metro/IGA and Overwaitea, carry Weight Watchers bread products.


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The Bel Group has announced its intention to separate the functions of chairman and CEO, which should lead to the appointment of Cécile Béliot as chief executive.
The shift marks a new stage in the governance of Bel, allowing the company to continue implementing its strategy which focuses on three product families – dairy, plant-based and fruit.
The implementation of a separate governance system will take place in 2022, in which Béliot’s appointment will be put before a vote by the board of directors. According to Bel, its board has already declared itself in favour of this move.
Béliot joined Bel as executive vice president in 2018. During the upcoming transitory period, she will succeed Antoine Fiévet as chairman of MOM – consisting of fruit compotes and dessert brands Materne, Pom’Potes, GoGo squeeZ and Mont Blanc – which it recently upped its ownership stake in to 82.5%. Béliot will progressively prepare the next steps in bringing together the Bel and MOM teams.
Bel says this type of governance has shown its strengths in many international companies and should allow both for short-term transformation and for long-term sustainable performance.
It follows a similar move by Danone which saw the company separate the dual chairman and CEO roles, and Emmanuel Faber depart from both positions.
Bel’s current CEO, Antoine Fiévet, will remain as chairman following the transition. “This governance shift is the fruit of a long-standing consideration, and I have wished to progressively set it up to guarantee the stability and sustainability of the group’s growth,” he said.
Fiévet added: “This is also a strategic moment, as we are accelerating on new growth territories: plant-based products and, through our MOM activities, the fruits segment.
“Cécile Béliot has shown over these past years her commitment to our group’s values and DNA, her leadership, her ability to transform our model in order to uphold our mission: offering healthier and responsible food for all. I am convinced that she will be able to meet our future challenges and to continue developing sustainably our group and its brands.”
Cécile Béliot, Bel’s executive vice president, said: “The trust shown in me by Antoine Fiévet and the shareholder family is a great honour, but above all a great responsibility. It commits me to the pursuit of our mission which we have undertaken together for three years now, and to be dedicated to the values which have made our group’s success.”
By Emma Upshall
Cargill will appoint Brian Sikes as its president and chief executive officer on 1 January 2023. The soon-to-be CEO, currently holding the chief operating officer title, has worked at Cargill for 31 years. Dave MacLennan, who has served as Cargill’s CEO since 2013, will assume the role of executive chair of the company’s board of directors.
Comforting colors, feel-good flavors, and unique food and beverage experiences will resonate most with consumers in the new year, according to ADM’s latest Flavor and Color Outlook. ADM anticipates that 2023 will be the year of self-expression, and the company identified four trends that are sure to stand out.
Nestlé’s Nespresso brand will pilot home-compostable coffee capsules on the Nespresso Original system in France and Switzerland from spring 2023 before further launches in several other European countries within a year. The paper-based capsules are touted as a breakthrough in packaging technology after three years of R&D.


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More of us than ever before are clicking online for Christmas. Online sales were up 18 per cent in December compared with last year.
At the same time, sales on the high street were also up - but only slightly. Our business correspondent Carole Green has been crunching the numbers.
More top news
Sporadic outbreaks of rain will spread to all areas overnight, perhaps with some heavy bursts at first before these ease.
Ron Jones survived Auschwitz and has supported the Poppy Appeal for over four decades. Today he celebrates his centenary.
A windy day, with rain gradually spreading from the south-west further into the rest of the country.


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Primarily known for operating dispensaries in Florida, Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) today announced plans to expand into Connecticut by acquiring an existing storefront.
Trulieve just entered an agreement to snap up 100% of Bristol-based medical cannabis dispensary The Healing Corner, which has operated in the city since 2014.
Medical marijuana usage was officially legalized in Connecticut back in 2012. While various bills have been proposed to legalize recreational usage in both 2018 and early 2019, none of them have yet gathered enough support to be passed and hit the governor’s desk.
Located between Litchfield, Hartford, and New Haven counties, The Healing Corner currently offers cannabis in capsule, concentrate, edible, topical, and dried flower form, as well as various marijuana usage accessories.
In addition to supplying products to registered medical patients, The Healing Corner offers online ordering through the Canna-Fill system and provides education initiatives to assist physicians and potential patients in navigating medical cannabis laws in the state.
The Healing Corner isn’t the only dispensary Trulieve has bought up in other states recently, with the company also purchasing Life Essence, Inc. in Massachusetts and Leef Industries, LLC in California last year.
Discussing the impending Connecticut acquisition, Trulieve’s Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers commented:
The move into Connecticut follows a deal struck earlier this year between Trulieve and Binske to begin providing edible cannabis products to patients across the state of Florida.
Trulieve is gearing up to hold the company’s annual shareholder meeting this coming June 24, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario. That meeting comes after Trulieve just released Q4 and full year 2018 financial results, reporting revenue of $102.8 million for the full year, which represents a more than 400% growth over the previous year’s numbers.
The company additionally opened a 55,000 sq. ft. cannabis processing facility in Florida last year to increase production and distribution capacity for state-wide operations.
The opinions provided in this article are those of the author and do not constitute investment advice. Readers should assume that the author and/or employees of Grizzle hold positions in the company or companies mentioned in the article. For more information, please see our Content Disclaimer.


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It turns out that Pearl Abyss wasn’t quite finished with the huge Black Desert rollouts, even after a 2019 that saw the PC game come to PS4, Xbox One, and mobile. Today, the South Korean MMORPG studio announced that crossplay is coming to the console versions of the game.Desert Oasis column) will already know, the PC version here in the west is several years ahead in content of console, but the two console versions have been leapfrogging each other to keep up, causing many grumbles from both playerbases. With crossplay – and parity – those grumbles should go away.
The rollout is set for March 4th, so you’ve not got long to wait, though it’s not entirely clear how the servers and naming situations will sort themselves out yet, so we’ll keep you posted as we learn more. There’s a brief new trailer down below!


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Singapore has finally broken into the Top 10 list of Top Fashion Capitals of 2011, emerging #8 while surpassing cities including Tokyo (#9), Berlin(#10), Sydney (#11), Madrid (#12) and Shanghai (14).
With notable fashion buzz surround the Royal Wedding and Alexander McQueen, London overtakes New York to take top bragging rights, whilst Paris and Milan take the 3rd and 4th rankings.
“We are seeing what the impact of two genuine media stars, Princess Kate and Alexander McQueen can have upon a global ranking. Our numbers show that it was their presence that tipped the victory to London over New York,” said Bekka Payack, the Manhattan-based fashion correspondent of the Global Language Monitor.
Most notable contribution to Singapore's improvement of 7 places from #15 in 2010 was the inclusion of Men's Fashion Week ("MFW"), the first in Asia and only the third of its kind in the world -- which presented fashion shows from leading international brands like Hugo Boss, Shanghai Tang, CANALI and also showcased up-and-coming Asian design labels including JBB* from Thailand, JailJeans from the Philippines, Gil Homme from Korea and Song for the Mute from Australia.
According to a survey conducted by Global Language Monitor, the eighth in the series, was based on its Narrative Tracking Technology which analyzed the Internet, blogosphere, the 75,000 print and electronic media, as well as new social media sources (such as Facebook and Twitter).
Men's Fashion Week 2011 A Key Contributing Factor
Held from March 30 to April 3 at Marina Bay Sands, Men's Fashion Week has so far generated tens of millions in media value with coverage from leading international daily and monthly publications and broadcast/cable channels, ranging from New York Times, Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, CNN, BBC, China Network Television (CCTV), NHK, MTV Asia, Bloomberg, Forbes, Vogue, Elle, MediaCorp, ChannelNewsAsia, The Straits Times, The Business Times, Travel + Leisure, FashionTV and more.
"As Official Online Media Partner for Men's Fashion Week, SENATUS played no small part in raising the online awareness and publicity of the progress we have made in Singapore as a fashion capital, and a barometer for maturing sartorial sensibilities in Asia as a whole," said Kien M Lee, Managing Director of SENATUS.
Following a key contribution during MFW as Sponsorship Director, Kien takes over the role of Festival Director of Women's Fashion Week 2011 in Singapore.
Women's Fashion Week 2011 in Singapore
Set to take place at the end of 2011 and title-sponsored by The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and co-organized by SENATUS, Women's Fashion Week is a fashion festival celebrating the finest in women’s fashion and luxury accessories, cumulating from a series of preview events and showcase installations set within The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
The event is set to feature a fashion exhibition, retail initiatives, ready-to-wear fashion shows and finally a 5-day finale with a high fashion and luxury showcase in a magnificent arena built from scratch, set to top the Fashion Metropolis at Men's Fashion Week.
The inaugural WFW 2011, a fashion and style extravangaza, was announced at a preview party held in conjunction with the Closing Charity Gala Party for ScreenSingapore this evening attended by more than 800 guests at the ArtScience Museum, including members of the media and over 30 other local and regional celebrities.


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Mediaplanet sat down with Anita Stewart — the activist, educator, and food writer behind Food Day Canada — to discuss Canada’s rich culinary history and where our agriculture and food industry is headed.
Mediaplanet: What sparked your interest in advocating for Canadian food and cuisine?
Anita Stewart: Growing up, we ate from our gardens, our neighbourhood — our foodshed. If there was a spark, it was the realization that those commonplace ingredients and the growers who produced them were, in the terminology of the day, absolutely “world class.” Yet, as Canadians, we had been too busy founding this incredible nation of ours to pay attention to just how lucky we are. With the research that formed the foundation of my first cookbooks on the farmers’ markets of Ontario and the country inns of Canada, I realized how incredible our food traditions are and also how very fragile they are. They need to be protected, nurtured, and, above all, shared.
How has Food Day Canada grown and evolved since its debut in 2010?
Those chefs who walked the local talk in 2010 have become our often-strident brand advocates and, over the years, have created menus that could stand on absolutely any world stage. We added a menu competition — the Good Food Innovation Awards — under the auspices of Canada’s food university, the University of Guelph, and annually the Gold Award winners head to Manhattan to create a feast at the James Beard House, arguably the home of American gastronomy.
This year (2019) was another first for Canada. We illuminated 25 iconic structures in red and white from coast to coast to coast in honour of Canadian cuisine. I had the extraordinary privilege of lighting Niagara Falls. Even the CN Tower and BC Place got involved! And believe me, this was only the dress rehearsal for 2020, when we’ll be fully shining a light on our spectacular northern bounty.
What makes the Canadian food system unique?
With a landmass of roughly 9,976,128 square kilometres and the longest coastline on earth bordering on three oceans and measuring 243,000 kilometres, Canada is a land of ultimate culinary possibilities. We have more fresh water than any other nation on earth.
The richness and biodiversity of the indigenous harvest — our original palate — is the foundation of it all. Built solidly upon that base are our iconic ingredients — wheat, beef, apples — enriching and embroidering the culinary traditions of a multitude of immigrant groups who have gathered together from the four corners of the globe — men and women with a passion for this land which they now call home.
There isn’t one Canadian cuisine — there are hundreds, depending upon ethnicity, climate, and history. It’s ultimately based in the land and the sea. It’s defined by a mindset, a philosophy, and an attitude, and it uses ingredients that speak volumes of the glorious culinary history of Canada.
Why is it important for Canadians to support our domestic food system?
Canadian cuisine is about celebrating our magnificent differences, our roots, and our ethnicity. By supporting our domestic food system, we’re creating capacity for our producers to compete globally while maintaining the ability to feed ourselves. We’re creating the best from our local ingredients — then selling them to the world. It’s about branding ourselves “Canadian” and giving our producers an unmistakable edge that no other nation can emulate. It’s about culinary sovereignty.
How do you see Canada’s culinary identity evolving?
As a nation, our identity is one of inclusion and diversity. From Nootka Sound to Cape Spear, our story is one of great culinary wealth. The evolution we’re seeing today is simply one of educated pride… of place, of production, of culinary excellence… and of course, of celebration.
What advice can you give to Canadians hoping to better their culinary knowledge?
Travel, taste, explore. Do your research in libraries where you can find original sources, sometimes even original manuscripts. Pay only moderate attention to online “experts,” where so much information is a mile wide and an inch deep. Ask questions informed by your own experiences and realize that your food voice is as valid as anyone else’s. Then head to your kitchen and COOK!


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Ending weeks of anticipation, Intel launched its next-generation Atom chip, Bay Trail, at the Intel Developer Forum on Wednesday.
Lat year at IDF, Intel showed off a camera peripheral from Creative that could recognize the user, listen for his voice, and interpret gestures. This year, Intel has taken it a step farther.
Most years, the IFA trade show in Berlin is pretty boring. In 2013, it's anything but.
The Kenya Wildlife Service has a powerful new tool in its fight against the poachers who threaten endangered species living in the country's most remote areas: a high-tech network of custom cameras called Instant Wild that can instantly locate illegal activity as well as keep tabs on nearby animals.
Camera enthusiasts can duplicate the Google Street View panoramic effect with Ricoh's Theta, a sleek camera that fits in your pocket.
Pixy is a fast-vision sensor you can quickly 'teach' to find objects, and it reports its findings through several simple interfaces.
In recently declassified government documents published Thursday, the government acknowledged Area 51 in Nevada as the home of the U2 spy plane.
Canon unveils the diminutive Vixia mini compact personal camcorder to compete with smartphone video cameras.
TV industry changes, the sharing economy jumps the shark, cameraphones versus cameras and phones, and Google's latest tablet offensive. With guests Jon Phillips and Armando Rodriguez and hosts Jason Snell and Dan Moren.
Socialmatic's slim, Polaroid-branded digital camera will cost $300 when it ships early next year. It comes with built-in photo filters and the ability to printer photos.


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Facebook Is Helping Sites, Apps Track You Down
Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) has announced a new Custom Audiences function for advertisers that helps companies reach people who have visited their sites or mobile apps via their Facebook News Feeds. Custom Audiences will allow marketers to provide targeted ads in the Facebook News Feeds of people who have perhaps visited their site or used their app but didn’t make a purchase or haven’t been active users.
“For instance, a bike retailer could reach people who started designing bikes on its website but didn’t make a purchase. Through Custom Audiences, the company can reach these people via desktop News Feed and encourage them to finish customizing online. Or, a mobile travel app can deliver ads to people who have downloaded their app but haven’t used it in a while and encourage them to book getaways within the app,” Facebook said in the announcement.
Facebook has been developing different ways for advertisers to target potential customers and keep previous customers engaged with their products or services. At the beginning of the month, Facebook unveiled another ad service to help mobile apps keep their users engaged by placing deep-links within ads for mobile apps that are already downloaded on a person’s device. For example, if a person has downloaded a hotel-booking app, then that app could run an ad in their News Feed inviting the user to access the app just by clicking on the advertisement.
Research cited by Facebook has shown that 66 percent of app users only open an app between one and ten times after downloading it. Getting downloads is only the first part of the battle for app developers, and Facebook believes it can help improve user engagement.
Since Facebook’s own mobile app has been proven to be very heavily used, advertisers can almost guarantee that their targeted ads will reach their audience using the site. The Custom Audiences app will be available soon for certain test partners, and will be introduced around the globe in the coming months, Facebook said.
Follow Jacqueline on Twitter @Jacqui_WSCS
Don’t Miss: Analyst: Zynga Layoffs Are Coming.


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Skynet Smiles: AMD Unveils Monster Instinct MI300 Hybrid AI Accelerator
At AMD’s CES keynote this week, Chairman and CEO Dr. Lisa Su seemingly saved the best for last. At the very end, she held up an absolute monster of an APU, describing it as the first data center chip that combines a CPU, GPU, and memory on a single package. It’s called the AMD Instinct MI300, and it packs a whopping 146 billion transistors–46 billion more than found in Intel’s sophisticated data center chip, Ponte Vechio. AMD says the MI300 will be coming in the latter half of 2023, so for now it just wanted to show it off a bit.
The chip is absolutely massive; when she held it aloft, it was the size of her palm. The MI300 sports 24 Zen 4 cores along with its CDNA 3 GPU architecture and 128GB of high-bandwidth memory (HBM3). AMD didn’t mention how many CUs were being used on the GPU side. The CPU and GPU chiplets are 3D-stacked on top of a base die that connects them to the eight stacks of HBM. The design uses nine 5nm chiplets 3D-stacked onto four 6nm chiplets. It’s unclear how the CPU and GPU chips are divided amongst the chiplets and AMD hasn’t revealed it yet. The four 6nm base dies are active interposers that handle communications and I/O between the chiplets and the memory stacks.
AMD says this integrated approach allows for a significant boost in performance as well as efficiency. As an example, Dr. Su says it destroys the company’s previous generation product, the Instinct MI250X. Overall it offers 8X the AI performance along with a 5X uplift in performance-per-watt. In addition, she said the MI300 can reduce the training time for AI models from months to just weeks. This could theoretically save companies millions of dollars in electricity costs. The integration of the CPU and GPU also allows them to work on the same data simultaneously. Additionally, since the HBM3 is integrated, it might be able to function without separate DRAM modules.
Although the company’s 4th Gen Epyc “Genoa” chips are widely available and high-volume, that probably won’t be the case with the MI300. AMD didn’t divulge pricing because it’s not releasing it any time soon, but it will not be cheap. It’s currently slated to power the 2-exaflop El Capitan supercomputer at Lawrence National Laboratory. This computer will be powered on by the end of 2023 and will offers double the performance of the world’s current fastest supercomputer, Frontier, which is also AMD-powered. Frontier was the first supercomputer to break the exaflop barrier. Now it sounds like El Capitan could be the first to 2 exaflops.


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Formula One has formed an official partnership with Lenovo as the latter looks to utilise its technology across the competition’s operations.
As the collaboration is formed ahead of the upcoming 2022 season, the partners have stated that they want to ‘push the boundaries’ of what’s possible when combining sports with advanced technology.
Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula One, commented: “As we prepare for our record-breaking season, it is exciting to welcome Lenovo to the team and for us to join forces with a global leader in technology.
“Like everything in Formula One, precision and detail are everything, and Lenovo will be at the forefront of providing their experience and innovative technologies to our operations throughout the season.”
Lenovo’s hardware devices, as well as High Performance Computing and server solutions, will be integrated throughout its operations including on-premises data collection and supporting broadcast applications in a bid to better the overall fan experience.
“Our fans expect the best from everything we do, and Lenovo is the perfect partner in terms of its premium hardware offerings,” Domenicali added. “We are entering a new era of our sport and we’re committed to delivering a high-quality experience for our dedicated followers around the world.”
Furthermore, the deal builds exposure for the technology company whilst Formula One leverages its selection of hardware as well as its ‘next-generation’ technology including augmented and virtual reality.
Yang Yuanqing, Chairman & CEO of Lenovo, noted: “We are proud to announce our new global partnership with Formula One, the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, to engage half a billion fans all over the world with exciting, innovative experiences.
“This partnership is based on our shared passion for innovation, performance, and the winning spirit. Together Lenovo and Formula One will push the limits of technology to help shape a faster, smarter, and more sustainable future.”
In 2022, Formula One also announced it had extended its commitment to creating employment and education opportunities for underrepresented groups, in the form of ten engineering scholarships each year through to 2025.
Similarly, Lenovo is also focused on diversity, inclusion and removing barriers. The new partners will have a key focus on creating projects related to this area.


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[This is a sponsored article with Cradle.]
A few months ago, Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle) awarded a total of RM8.24 million to 28 tech companies under the first batch of its CIP Spark and CIP Sprint programmes.
These conditional grants can support, nurture, and prepare startups with their prototype or business model development, market validation, market access, and commercialisation activities.
Here are six tech companies that bagged a sum between RM90,000 to RM500,000 for their ideas and products.
CIP Spark is a pre-seed grant open to startups that are less than five years, and groups of individuals. It offers grants of up to RM150,000 to startups for product development and market validation.
Launched on Earth Day (April 22, 2022), Beebag was born from a university assignment by twin brothers, Joshua and Joel Lim.
Beebag can be likened to a membership card that earns you points whenever you shop from partner vendors. It’s a reusable shopping bag equipped with a QR code and NFC chip (called Beetag) that can be linked to the Beebag app.
When users get their Beetag scanned while shopping from partner vendors, they can earn Bee points to exchange for discount vouchers and other rewards.
Beebag incentivises customers to go green while shopping. Assuming shoppers remember to use the bag, they won’t have to worry about losing their membership cards from multiple shops that have partnered with the brand.
The brand is still growing its pool of partners, including a zero-waste bulk store, The Hive, and women’s fashion brand, LILIT.
“Not only is Beebag able to help vendors enhance their sustainability and marketing efforts, but our solution can also help them enhance customer engagement from the gamified shopping experience,” Joshua said about the brand’s market potential.
He believes this venture received RM90,000 from Cradle’s CIP Spark grant due to Beebag’s innovative approach to tackle Malaysia’s plastic pollution issue.
The twins will be using Cradle’s grant to develop Beebag’s app further, adding new features and improving user experience. Now associated with Cradle, the entrepreneurs are confident that this will give their business an immediate credibility boost for future investment opportunities.
Syahrir Suib developed GreenQR after witnessing his friends struggle to maintain the workforce in their retail stores during the pandemic. Though self-checkout kiosks were an alternative, they were pricey.
“GreenQR replaces self-checkout kiosks found at retailers like Lotus’s, IKEA, and Decathlon, into a more affordable alternative by making a customer’s phone the self-checkout system,” he described in layman’s terms.
Smaller retailers can also adopt self-checkout system at a fraction of the cost. This way, SMEs can benefit from increasing their business’s efficiency, while reducing manpower and operational expenses.
GreenQR will be free for consumers to use, as it monetises by charging merchants RM1 per month or RM12 per year, plus a 3% commission per transaction.
With RM100,000 awarded from Cradle’s CIP Spark, Syahrir will use the funds to finish developing GreenQR’s web app, which he intends to launch in Q1 2023.
He believes the main factor that got him Cradle’s grant was his solution coming in at the right time, just as Malaysia increased the minimum wage in May 2022.
While GreenQR has yet to partner with notable brands, Syahrir stated that he’s currently in talks with an association connected to several small retailers.
Launched in May 2021, CoKeeps acts as a safe box for digital assets such as cryptocurrencies and their exchanges, hedge funds, and banks. The startup’s solution is called a third-party custodial service, which protects private keys used to access digital assets.
Did you know: Private keys are usually made up of a random set of alphanumerics, and act as a user’s secret password that provides them access to their wallet. They’re extremely difficult to remember, but can still be stolen or hacked.
CoKeeps’ co-founder, Suhanna Husein, cited that over US$2 billion (about RM8.8 billion at the time of writing) has been lost due to an alarming increase in crypto thefts in 2022.
“Companies regulated by the Securities Commission and required to use third-party custodial services for digital assets could certainly benefit from CoKeeps services,” Suhanna explained the startup’s primary target market.
With RM150,000 from Cradle’s CIP Spark, CoKeeps intends to use the grant solely to enhance the software.
The service will be improved by incorporating feedback from existing clients, which includes one of the five licensed digital asset exchanges in Malaysia.
CIP Sprint is a grant awarding up to RM600,000 to help startups scale.
It is open to universities and research institutions’ spin-off companies, as long as the companies are registered as Sdn Bhd. This grant is also open to foreign-owned companies, where the majority of their employees are Malaysian.
Companies that apply must be less than seven years old with revenue of less than RM5 million, and hold intellectual property (IP) rights for their solutions.
De Eco SR Hygiene: RM370,000
Incorporated in 2020, De Eco SR Hygiene (SR Hygiene) is a deeptech spin-off company formed in Penang by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
It provides businesses with professional cleaning services via photocatalysts, a sanitisation method using the chemical reaction of light to get rid of indoor contaminants.
Photocatalysts can be used in services like deodorisation, sterilisation, air purification, wastewater treatment, and more.
Created to overcome the spread of contagious diseases, one of SR Hygiene’s products, EcoDifesa, was made to kill various bacteria and notorious viruses on surfaces and in the air.
Thus far, SR Hygiene has serviced notable clients, which include Kanzen International, Ecoat Resources, and Sinar Global.
Having been awarded RM370,000 from the CIP Sprint grant, SR Hygiene’s team believes that the driving factors in being awarded were the strength of their technology and intellectual property.
To further its commercialisation, SR Hygiene intends to expand its sales and marketing efforts. The team will also use the funds to register their products with the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).
What do you get when you cross streaming and theatre?
CloudJoi. It’s a digital venue for performing arts founded by Dennis, William, and Kevin, who each has a background in such areas.
Here, viewers from around the world can tune in to livestreamed or pre-recorded shows to share in the experience, as shows are all played at predetermined times.
It was initially developed in May 2020 to help performing arts practitioners sell tickets, and perform live over the internet amidst global lockdowns. As an indication of CloudJoi’s relevance in the industry, the Malaysian platform has partnered with Broadway On-Demand. Doing so brought over 20 Broadway and West End shows to Malaysian and Taiwanese audiences.
Instead of charging a subscription fee, CloudJoi takes commissions between 5% to 30% from ticket sales and its on-demand services.
Kevin believes CloudJoi’s passion and commitment to the performing arts industry, and innovating a platform for people to appreciate and engage in arts and culture, are key factors to bagging RM 400,000 from Cradle’s CIP Sprint.
Ittihad Maju Jaya: RM500,000
Ittihad Maju Jaya was established in 2020 to provide an alternative clean water source for those living in rural areas, and water-stressed areas (where there’s not enough clean water supply for the people).
Instead of depending on water from rivers, Itthad Maju Jaya looks for underground sources, using mapping and drilling techniques to extract clean water.
However, underground water tends to be contaminated with heavy metals such as iron and manganese. So, the company created a mobile and easy-to-install water filtration system that follows the MoH’s standards.
Awarded RM500,000 from Cradle’s CIP Sprint, Ittihad Maju Jaya’s Managing Director, Dr. Zaini believes this grant will benefit the startup in helping rural communities get their needs met.
The company will use the funds to create more units of its water filtration systems to speed up its delivery process.
“Ittihad Maju Jaya is optimistic that in two to three years, we would be able to market the product to our neighbouring countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia, as clean water access is not only Malaysia’s problem,” Dr. Zaini told Vulcan Post.
Judging from the few names highlighted here, it can be said that an opportune industry Cradle is currently eyeing has to do with exciting innovations in technological advances and digitalisation services for SMEs.
The high cost of running a startup is always on the rise. With operational and personnel costs getting more demanding on lean businesses, digital solutions that can help create efficiencies and automate workflows are always welcomed.
Cradle is now accepting new applications for its CIP Spark and CIP Sprint programmes, and you can submit one for your business on its website.
- Startups looking to partner with Cradle can learn more here.
- Read more funding-related articles here.
Featured Image Credit: Cradle Fund


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Hackers have stolen confidential data from as many as 40 million credit and debit cards that shoppers used at Target stores from the day before Thanksgiving until December 15.
The data breach reportedly extends to nearly all of Target's 1,797 stores nationwide and involves the hacking of machines at checkout lines on which customer swipe their cards when making purchases.
So far, there's no indication that payment data was stolen concerning online purchases from Target, the nation's second-largest retailer.
News of the breach was broken Wednesday by Brian Krebs, a computer security expert and former Washington Post reporter. After the Secret Service confirmed it is investigating, Target issued this release early Thursday.
It's not clear how attackers were able to compromise "point-of-sale" terminals at so many Target stores across the country, but it's believed that roughly 40,000 card-reading devices were affected. These machines collect information from the magnetic stripe on credit and debit cards, and potentially also personal identification numbers (PINs).
With this information in hand, cybercriminals can potentially create counterfeit cards by encoding the data onto any card with a magnetic stripe. If the thieves also were able to obtain PIN data for debit transactions, they would theoretically be able to clone debit cards and use them to withdraw cash from ATMs.
In its statement, Target confirms that stolen information includes customer names, credit or debit card numbers, as well as card expiration dates and CVVs (three- or four-digit security codes).
If you shopped at Target during the affected dates, immediately alert your credit or debit card issuer. You should also carefully check future credit card and bank statements for fraudulent purchases or withdrawals. In coming weeks, get a free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com (you can get one per year for no charge from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus) and then get another one a few months later (identity thieves sometimes hold onto stolen data before using it). Look for unauthorized charges and the fraudulent opening of new accounts in your name. Immediately report any that you find.
Click here to get more information about protecting yourself from data breaches.
Photo: Jay Reed/Flickr
Also of Interest
- 4 Steps to Smarter Donations
- Beware of Holiday Scams
- Questions about the Affordable Care Act? Get your answers here
- Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being
See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more


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In addition to launching the Reno 2 series last week, Oppo has introduced an even more affordable phone that still comes with its own quad-camera setup.
The Oppo A9, 2020 edition, will retail for £219.99 SIM-free from Carphone Warehouse, as well as on contract from Carphone Warehouse or EE with pricing starting at just £16.99 per month.
Powered by a octo-core Snapdragon 665 chipset, with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, the A9 2020 also comes with a massive 5,000mAh battery.
And unlike far more expensive phones limited to a maximum of 128GB (Google, I’m looking at you), the A9 2020 also has a memory expansion slot so you can add even more storage for photos, videos and other files.
In fact, the slot allows for three cards at once so you can have up to two SIM cards and a memory card inserted at the same time.
On the camera side, it is now abundantly clear that mobile photography is now becoming incredibly competitive at all price points, and the A9 2020 comes with the fantastic Sony 48-megapixel camera that now features on loads of different phones (including flagships), an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens (with 119 degree field-of-view), plus a 2-megapixel mono lens to aid low-light photography, and a 2-megapixel depth sensing camera to aid portrait photos.
Ultra Night Mode offers low-light photography, working on both the main and ultra-wide angle cameras.
On the front is a 16-megapixel selfie-camera, accompanied by an AI Beautification mode that recognises skin tone, age, gender and skin colour.
Video recording benefits from stabilisation to keep things steady when walking, cycling or running.
If you’re wondering how all of this is possible on a phone costing a little over £200, there is a compromise when it comes to the display.
The 6.5-inch display with waterdrop notch for the camera is limited to 720×1600 pixels, giving it a PPI density of 270.
However, despite the drop in pixels, the screen can be read in strong direct and also comes with a blue light filter to reduce eye fatigue.
Audio wise, the A9 2020 has dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos sound effects, with Hi-Res Audio certification.
Finally, for gaming the phone comes complete with Game Boost 2.0 acceleration.
The Oppo A9 2020 is on sale now.


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Press releases • Sep 21, 2020 14:00 UTC
Minneapolis, 21 September, 2020: CWT, the Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform, today announces the strategic aims and leadership team for its newly created Commercial & RoomIt business unit.
CWT Solutions Group creates new responsible travel consulting framework to help companies build more balanced travel programs
Press releases • Sep 16, 2020 07:01 UTC
Minneapolis, 16 September 2020: CWT Solutions Group, the consulting arm of CWT , the B2B4E travel management platform, has created a new responsible travel consulting framework to help companies look beyond compliance and cost management, and build more balanced travel programs that also align with other important objectives.
Press releases • Sep 11, 2019 05:57 UTC
CWT Solutions Group, the consulting arm of CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, is expanding its travel services outsourcing offering, following the positive reception from its first 26 clients across a variety of industries.
Press releases • Mar 12, 2019 07:42 UTC
CWT Solutions Group, the consulting arm of CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, forecasts global average ticket prices (ATP) for air bookings will drop to around US$673 by April, down just over 4% from February levels, as published fares correct from the sharp increase seen in the first two months of the year.
Press releases • Nov 29, 2018 08:03 UTC
CWT Solutions Group, CWT’s consulting division, has built an advanced data model that sifts through large historic travel data sets, as well as public data on commodity prices, macro-economic indicators, weather, and holidays. Those data are analyzed to identify patterns and correlations, generating robust predictions for a company’s future spend.
Press releases • Nov 05, 2018 08:10 UTC
According to research commissioned by CWT, the global travel management company, four in ten business travelers admit to using corporate cards for personal purchases – 46% of American and European travelers, and 38% of travelers in Asia Pacific.
Sydney Domestic Airfares to Most Capital Cities Up More Than 5%, Hotel Rates Also Climb: CWT/CAPA Report
Press releases • Aug 01, 2018 02:34 UTC
Airfares on several key routes from Sydney continue their relatively steep rise as the fare wars seen a few years ago subside into the background and the major airlines focus on profitability. Meanwhile, hotel occupancy in the city remains well over 80%, resulting in an increase in average daily rates (ADRs) and last room availability (LRA) rates.
Press releases • Jul 31, 2018 07:00 UTC
Carlson Wagonlit Travel, the global travel management company, has launched CWT Travel Consolidator, an analytics tool that captures every part of an organization’s travel and expense spend, helping travel managers make the right decisions, and saving clients money.
Press releases • Jul 24, 2018 08:07 UTC
Travel prices are expected to rise sharply in 2019, with hotels going up 3.7%, and flights 2.6%, driven by a growing global economy and rising oil prices, according to the fifth annual Global Travel Forecast, published today by GBTA and CWT with the support of the Carlson Family Foundation.
Perth International Airfares Continue to Rise, While Hotel Occupancy and Rates Fall: CWT/CAPA Report
Press releases • Jul 04, 2018 03:02 UTC
Airfares on key business routes from Perth have been increasing. Meanwhile, hotel occupancy and average daily rates (ADRs) in the Australian city continue to fall. These findings are published in the latest Business Travel Pulse report produced by CWT Solutions Group and CAPA – Centre for Aviation.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel Research: Business travelers feel 50% safer at airports than at train or subway stations
Press releases • Jun 28, 2018 07:02 UTC
Global business travelers feel more nervous at train or subway stations than at airports, according to research commissioned by Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), the global travel management company.
Press releases • Jun 19, 2018 06:13 UTC
Research conducted by Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) and Travelport shows that premium economy is the fastest growing cabin segment for business travelers in Singapore. Interestingly, the steady increase in premium economy bookings between 2015-2017 seems to have resulted mostly from travelers moving up from economy class, rather than down from business class.
Press releases • May 24, 2018 05:15 UTC
CWT Solutions Group and CAPA – Centre for Aviation have published the latest edition of their Business Travel Pulse report, focusing on Melbourne, Australia. The report highlights that airfares on key domestic and international business routes from Melbourne have been rising sharply. At the same time, hotel occupancy and rates in the city have also increased, owing to strong demand.
Press releases • Jul 05, 2017 19:18 UTC
CWT Solutions Group, the consulting division of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, today published research that shows a 5% gap between the perceived and actual value of Last Room Availability rates. For a company that spends US$ 20 million with their preferred hotels, that could amount to US $1 million.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel breaks US$2 billion new business sales barrier for the first time as CWT 3.0 gains traction
Press releases • Mar 09, 2017 07:30 UTC
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), the global travel management company, today reported strong results for 2016, highlighted by US$2 billion in sales attributable to new business.
Press releases • Dec 08, 2016 21:15 UTC
Research by CWT Solutions Group found that corporations could reduce travel over-spend by up to 15 percent by enforcing existing corporate travel policies. The latest white paper launched today focuses on the challenges of travel policy compliance and how to influence the behavior of travelers. Encouraging travelers to comply with a company’s travel policy can make a big difference.
Press releases • Aug 25, 2016 19:33 UTC
While more than half of travel managers have endorsed a mobile app in the past year, almost 70 percent indicate their travel program does not have a mobile strategy in place, reported a recent study conducted by the GBTA Foundation in partnership with Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) and the Carlson Family Foundation.
Press releases • Jul 28, 2016 19:37 UTC
Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s Solutions Group has today introduced four new proprietary products to help corporate travel managers both cut costs and engage their travelers in new ways.
Press releases • Jul 12, 2016 19:46 UTC
Adding some leisure time to a business trip might seem like a new phenomenon. But Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s Solutions Group’s analysis of 29 million business trips, the results of which are released today, shows the amount of bleisure has remained the same for the past five years.
Press releases • Apr 12, 2016 20:04 UTC
Women book their flights 1.9 days earlier than their male counterparts, according to Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s (CWT) analysis of 6.4 million air booking transactions. They therefore pay an average of around two percent less for their tickets than men.