text:
- Online ads, search engines and social media spoiling kids’ belief in Santa -
- The internet contributes to children discovering Santa isn’t real at a younger age - driving down the average age Aussie kids stop believing from almost 9 years old in their parents’ childhood to under 7 years old today.
- Targeted website ads, revealing search histories and seeing the results of a parent’s internet Christmas shopping are the top online reasons for ruined beliefs.
- In response, and to protect the magic for longer, www.hidemyass.com has released free software for parents that cleverly conceals any online content that could lead to children prematurely discerning the truth about Santa – such content is covered with a picture of Santa in his workshop
- The software can be downloaded at www.hidemyass.com/keep-believing-in-santa
Children will eventually discover the truth about Santa but it’s now happening much earlier than parents are happy with. Once, kids would find the presents they’d asked Santa to deliver, hidden away in a cupboard. Or an older sibling or playground whispers would be the spoiler.
Today, as a result of social media, targeted advertising and the truth of Santa being just a quick Google search away, youngsters are ever more likely to come across the reality of Santa Claus while they’re online.
The age belief ends
According to new research* of 2,004 Australian parents, by virtual private network provider www.hidemyass.com, the internet seems to be playing such a major role in altering children’s Christmas beliefs that it may be contributing to driving down the average age youngsters stop believing in Santa. 1 in 6 (16.3 per cent) parents said that the internet was responsible for their children finding out that Santa Claus is not real.
A generation ago, the responding parents stopped believing in Santa at an average of 8½ years old (8.59 years) compared with children born in the last 20 years where the average age they stopped believing in Santa was just over 6½ years old (6.73 years).
The main online culprits
Of the parents who pointed the finger of blame at the internet, the most common online offender was advertising. Indeed, 44 per cent of children had their Santa suspicions raised after seeing ads online for the very gifts they’d wished for in their letters to the North Pole.
Additionally, over a third (38 per cent) performed a Google search for Santa and clicked onto a web page explaining that he was no more than a merry myth. While 25 per cent of children simply watched on in the background as their parents shopped online for Christmas presents.
Meanwhile, for one in 10 (9 per cent) Aussie children, their holiday happiness came crashing down after reading an unfortunate Tweet or Facebook post saying that Santa is make believe.
Reflecting the fact that this generation’s youngsters are effectively born internet literate, research also shows that 7 per cent of children have turned cyber sleuth and looked through their parents’ internet search history or online shopping accounts to find evidence that mum and dad had procured the Christmas presents, not Mr Claus and his elves.
Such junior detective work is obviously made all the easier with two thirds (64 per cent) of parents polled by Hide My Ass! never deleting their search history or logging out of online shopping accounts during the pre-Christmas season.
For all of these reasons it is perhaps no surprise that the overwhelming majority of parents (86 per cent) strongly believe that the internet has made it far easier for children today to find out the truth about Santa - and to find out earlier than they had when they were children.
Keep believing in Santa
To help parents keep the wonder alive, HMA! has made available a simple plug-in that can be installed on home computers to let children continue to browse the internet without stumbling on un-Christmassy news.
The Keep Believing in Santa plug-in (or extension if you’re a Chrome user) can be downloaded free from the www.hidemyass.com website - which has a set of trustworthy and approachable tools that equip the family to use the internet, freely, safely and privately. It takes seconds to install and has a single, Switch On function to effectively hide any search results, web pages, tweets or Facebook posts where certain combinations of words such as ‘Santa’ and ‘fake’ appear. Instead, kids will only see a reassuring picture of Santa.
The development of the software has already been welcomed by 62 per cent of parents in Australia who are keen to see an online feature that will help preserve the mystery of Santa Claus for their children that little bit longer – something 53 per cent see as important.
Santa Claus himself has issued a video appeal today urging parents to install the software and help protect the Christmas spirit for their little ones. This can be viewed here: www.hidemyass.com/keep-believing-in-santa.
Santa Claus concluded: “Parents! It has come to my attention that some people are taking the joy away from Christmas, by whispering on the inter-web that I’m nothing but a figment of your imagination. If you don’t want your little whippersnappers to see falsehoods conjured up by internet imps, down-load this thingamabob that covers all the wicked fibs with jolly pictures of me in my workshop. Ho Ho Ho!”
Cian Mckenna-Charley, of www.hidemyass.com, commented: “We all spend so much of our time on the internet that the lines between ‘online’ and ‘offline’ aren’t just blurred, they’ve been erased completely. Consequently, as our research shows, this constant connectivity makes it far easier for children to discover online content bringing Santa’s existence into question.
“Not only is there a higher likelihood of the internet now being the main source of a child’s belief in Santa ending, it can also result in youngsters finding out sooner than for those born before the digital era. With this campaign, we wanted to give parents an optional tool that would allow them to maintain the magic of Christmas and the mystery of Santa for that little bit longer.”
- ENDS -
Notes to editors:
* Consumer research conducted by Censuswide on behalf of www.hidemyass.com in November 2015. 2,004 Australian parents of children born between 1983 and 2013 were polled. A child is being defined as aged 0 – 15 years.
About Hide My Ass!
HideMyAss! is a VPN (virtual private network) provider founded in 2005. It is now a global company based in London with offices in the UK, Serbia and Ukraine. HideMyAss.com provides a free web proxy service and VPN Pro, a paid-for virtual private network.
For further information please contact:
Shuna Boyd BoydPR +61 2 9418 8100
AVG Technologies AU
About AVG Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG)
AVG is the leading provider of software services to secure devices, data and people. AVG’s award-winning consumer portfolio includes internet security, performance optimization, location services, data controls and insights, and privacy and identity protection, for mobile devices and desktops. The AVG Business portfolio, delivered through a global partner network, provides cloud security and remote monitoring and management (RMM) solutions that protect small and medium businesses around the world. For more information visit www.avg.com.
P: 02 9418 8100
M: 0419 415 301


text:
Star Control: Origins is once again up for sale on both the Steam marketplace and GOG.com. The spacefaring role-playing game, which was released in September 2018, was temporarily removed from sale on both platforms following a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) claim against its developer, Stardock Games. The claim was made by the Star Control series’ creators, Fred Ford and Paul Reiche. In a blog posted on Jan. 28, Stardock says that both Valve and GoG reviewed the claim and both elected to return the game to sale.
“Thanks to the timely review of the situation by our partners at GOG and Valve and taking the exceptional step in placing our game back for sale, despite ongoing litigation,” Stardock wrote, “we have been able to avoid having to lay off employees assigned to the project.”
The litigation in question refers to dueling lawsuits issued by both parties related to the ownership of elements of the Star Control franchise. The narrative begins in December 2017 when Stardock sued Ford and Reiche, alleging that the pair had no legal claim to the franchise that they themselves created. Then, in February 2018, Ford and Reiche made similar claims in a complaint against Stardock.
The situation escalated in December 2018 when a federal judge cleared the path for Ford and Reiche to issue a DMCA claim against Stardock. In a lengthy blog post, the two men said they were well within their right to issue the claim at that time.
“We don’t claim to have a copyright on all interstellar travel,” they said, “but we do have a copyright on the specific way we expressed interstellar travel in Star Control 2. We see many such examples in Star Control: Origins where its expression is substantially similar to and/or derivative of our copyright-protected work, without our permission.”
Stardock CEO Brad Wardell ridiculed the notion on social media and, it would seem, has prevailed on his retail partners to see things his way. Star Control: Origins is now back and available for purchase.
“We are hopeful that this malicious use of the DMCA process will make consumers aware of just how out-of-hand the state of the DMCA has become,” Stardock continued in its blog post. “Anyone with an interest in digital goods and services owes it to themselves to increase their awareness of how wide-spread DMCA abuse has gotten and spread the word on it.”
This is not the only story on alleged abuse of the DMCA system to make headlines in the world of video games. Most recently, Battlestate Games, makers of Escape From Tarkov, issued nearly 50 DMCA claims against a single YouTuber in an effort to suppress his videos. The Russian-owned company admitted to Polygon that it was wrong to use the DMCA in such a manner, but said it had no other choice.
Polygon has reached out to Ford and Reiche for comment.
Read more: Polygon

domain: news


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Food and Farming
Our national security depends on those workers who feed us. They deserve a living wage and health care.
We live in a nation where food is plentiful but millions of children experience hunger and food insecurity.
As a kid, food stamps helped me eat, study, and succeed as an adult. Americans today deserve the same investment.
Tens of millions of Americans use CBD products. Most don’t realize it’s entirely unregulated.
The EPA wants to ban research that doesn’t violate the privacy of its subjects. That means less science — and fewer rules for polluters.
40 percent of Americans can’t afford a $400 emergency — and more emergencies are coming.
As hundreds of Wisconsin dairy farms go under, the White House is telling them to clear out for the big guys.
Corporate takeovers and consolidations aren’t just bad morals, but bad business too.
Plutocracy means spending millions to harass hungry poor families who have a dime more than Trump thinks they should have.
The fires are no accident. They’re set by people turning a profit in a grocery store near you.


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In Vietnam, a predominantly Buddhist nation, Christmas is not an official public holiday. For most people, it is just another normal day, no one gets a day off. But mass marketing has ensured that most offices celebrate the event with Xmas trees and gifts, many families have adopted the habit of giving gifts to their children through Santa Clauses that deliver them.
People wear Santa hats and go out to enjoy the Xmas atmosphere, with downtown streets glittering with lights as shopping malls and other establishments put up fancy decorations and offer festival discounts.
In the capital city Hanoi, nowhere is the Xmas spirit more pronounced than at the famous St. Joseph’s Cathedral, where decorations are already up, with neon lights, big Christmas trees and stars. The Cathedral is especially beautiful at this time of the year, attracting thousands of people, particularly in the night.
To the right of the cathedral, Adrian and Sven are soaking atmosphere in, drinking Hanoi beer. They’ve came all the way from Germany for a new Christmas experience.
"Christmas in Vietnam feels a little bit artificial to me. Sure, I can feel the atmosphere here but there’s something unnatural about it," Adrian said.
"We’ll probably end up in Da Nang by Christmas. It would be cool to spend Christmas in a tropical country," Sven said.
Stuart, an Australian, is also here for the sun and a different Xmas experience.
"I don’t know where I’ll be on Christmas Day, but I’m sure that it will be here in Vietnam. My plan is to go across the country, starting from Hanoi to cities like Hue and Hoi An and my final stop will be Ho Chi Minh City. I’ll spend about two and a half weeks here," Stuart said, enjoying his beer on Ta Hien Street.
Kate, an American, is not all that excited. She thinks it is just another ordinary day.
"I’ve worked here for two years and like every year, I have no plan for Christmas this year. I might just go and grab dinner with my friends on that day. I don’t think that it’s necessary to celebrate Christmas here."
Unlike Kate, Edward from Australia is enjoying his holidays in Vietnam with his daughters Miranda and Elisa. His plan for Christmas is a bit different.
"Sapa. That’s where we will be on Christmas Day. My family will still have a Christmas dinner but this time in a restaurant there," Edward said as he waiting for a barbeque stick he ordered.
"When I come here I can see the spirit of Christmas in the air, like in that corner of the street, where there are so many stores selling decorations and gifts that make the street turn red," he added.
The street that Edward was talking about is Hang Ma Street, where many businesses sell elaborate decorations. On this street, at this time of the year, Hanh’s store is filled with Christmas goods that she imports from other countries. She said that they sell very well.
"I started selling these Christmas goods two weeks ago, and have no trouble selling them. Many people buy gifts, decorations or just simply a
Santa hat, just to feel the Christmas spirit, from students to married couples, from Vietnamese to foreigners," she said.
Not just on Hang Ma Street, the spirit of Christmas is also tapped by big hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and department stores.
Back at the St. Joseph’s Cathedral, it’s not as crowded as it was in the early afternoon, but in the evening, people will fill up the place to take pictures and get into the spirit of Christmas.
Nhan, a 30-year-old Hanoi resident, is busy taking pictures here before it gets crowded. He wants to capture the church without too many people around.
"I think Christmas Eve is more important than Christmas Day here. Although Christmas is not an official holiday in Vietnam, you can see that every year on December 24 night, people here will celebrate Christmas although many of them are not Christians."
Because for the most part, Christmas in Vietnam is a curiosity rather than religious holiday," Nhan said.
"But as they keep saying on TV, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, so we should enjoy it, right?"
Story by Tuan Hoang
Photos by Anh Trung


text:
Financial analysts say the economy is on an upswing, but consumers are still cautious about spending. According to a new study from Parago, American shoppers are routinely choosing price over brand and that could hurt small retailers on the web.
After long months of rampant unemployment, high gas prices, and a poor housing market, consumers are feeling hard pressed to keep up. 70% said they were more sensitive to price and 83% said they felt their purchase power was the same or less than it was a year ago.
Because of this, 66% of those surveyed said price was the primary factor in deciding what to purchase. This is up from 60% last year.
With price being such a key factor, more people than ever are reading circulars, looking for deals online and researching prices before buying. A full 95% of shoppers said that a good deal was more important than brand loyalty.
A year ago, only 59% of the respondents said they researched prices. That’s a big leap in a short time.
Advances in technology have made it easier to conduct price research while on the go, but that didn’t affect the folks in this survey. 73% of them said they’ve never used a mobile app for price comparisons.


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Tech world’s gang of four
Scott Galloway’s not-so-charitable account of rise and rise of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google is a scary read on the smothering tech oligopoly over our lives.
As its latest offering, the iPhone X, went on sales to enthusiastic crowds across the world, Apple Inc’s market capitalisation briefly breached $900 billion on November 3, well on its way to be the first firm to brace the trillion-dollar mark. On the same day Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos beat Microsoft’s Bill Gates to become the world’s wealthiest person once again on the Forbes rich list, with a fortune of $90 billion.
Four days later, in Washington, Google and Facebook, the other two of the quad that make up the tech industry’s enviable “Gang of Four”, testified before the US Congress on the investigation into their alleged role in Russian meddling in the last US Presidential elections that put Donald Trump in the White House.
Apple is the most profitable company in history, with its cash hoard equal to Denmark’s GDP. One in every five of the 7.5 billion people on earth has a daily relationship with Facebook. About one in six of the 3.5 billion queries posed on Google each day have never been asked before. And Amazon is unquestionably the biggest store on the planet.
With so much market, consumer, financial, societal and, increasingly, political heft behind them, no wonder these four invite so much awe, imitation, derision, even hatred. How did the “Four Horsemen,” as Scott Galloway calls them, aggregate so much power?
“Are they the Four Horsemen of the apocalypse?” poses Mr Galloway, once a reluctant investment banker, a serial entrepreneur and professor of marketing at NYU’s Stern School of Business.
Making his uncharitable judgement of these firms’ obvious right at the start of the book, he writes; “…Facebook and Google own media; Apple owns the phone; and Amazon is about to molest the entire retail ecosystem.” The book profiles each of them, and it is in these chapters that some of the “hidden DNA” promise of the book comes alive, making it an interesting read for anyone — consumer, competitor, partner or regulator — wanting to understand the staggering success of these firms.
Take Amazon. Mr Galloway avers that it is not operational capabilities, engineers or brands that make up its “core”. It is the understanding of and appeal to our instincts in whatever it does that makes Amazon such an amazing and successful, though a heartless, enterprise.
How, one may ask? According to Mr Galloway Amazon appeals to our huntergatherer instinct to collect more stuff with minimum effort — from one-click shopping that it pioneered, Amazon is ushering in virtually effortless, zero-click ordering though its cashier-less offline convenience stores (Go) and its artificial-intelligence voice-ordering assistant (Alexa).
“Leveraging big data and unrivaled knowledge of consumer purchasing patterns, Amazon will soon meet your need for stuff, without the friction of deciding or ordering… Your order will arrive with an empty box; you’ll put stuff you don’t want in the return box, and Amazon will record your preferences. Next time, the return box will get smaller,” writes Galloway.
This is not just future talk, as the firm has already launched its Wardrobe service in the US, where a customer pays only for the selection they make, and get a full week to decide what to keep and send back. And Amazon is not even letting out the fact how much robotics — another of its core competencies — it is employing at its warehouses and the job havoc it is creating. Mr Galloway estimates roughly 76,000 retail jobs will be destroyed in the US alone this year as a result of Amazon increasing the number of robots in its operations by over half last year.
All this wouldn’t be possible but for Amazon’s serenading investors with amazing storytelling about its future, where “patient capital” is ever willing to buy the lore of vision and growth over profits! “The equity markets now believe what’s good for Amazon is bad for retail, and vice versa. It’s a situation almost unique in business history… The real hand-wringing is going to begin when people start asking if what’s good for Amazon is bad for society,” writes Mr Galloway.
Though less harsh on the other three horsemen, Mr Galloway doesn’t hold his punches either. So Apple’s runaway success is based on elevating a luxury product to a sacred cult brand that allows it the leeway not to follow the rules that govern and bind the rest of the business world. That coupled with a business strategy with scarcity (recollect long queues and monthslong waiting period) and vertical integration as its cornerstone gave it an outsized and, for some, irrational profits. The Cupertino firm sold just under 15 per cent of smartphones bought globally last year, but its luxury-cult status allowed it to collect around 80 per cent of all profits in the industry.
Often, however, Mr Galloway sounds unconvincing, even frivolous, more so when he goes back to the evolutionary theory to explain these businesses’ hold on consumers. The reader may flinch at his explanation of Apple’s core as filling our “two instinctual needs… to feel closer to God and be more attractive to the opposite sex.” Really?
Or take this one on Facebook. Mr Galloway is clearly oversimplifying human nature when he writes: “…As a species, we are weaker and slower than a lot of our competitors. Our developed brain is our competitive differentiation. Empathy is what makes us more human. The explosion in images distributed on social media platforms has led us to more empathy.”
Even as the four jostle to “become the operating system for our lives”, Mr Galloway says the only safety for the world is in the hatred the four harbour for each other. As easy prey run out, they are competing directly with each other — Amazon in product search with Google; Apple and Amazon in voice assistants; Google and Amazon in cloud computing; Facebook with Google for share of the mobile traffic. Will Google get Amazoned? Or will Facebook get Googled? It is a Goliath versus Goliath battle, with stakes for not just businesses, but all the living and the unborn. THE FOUR The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google Scott Galloway Penguin Random House (Bantam Press) 310 pages; £31.99


text: Casio’s G-Shock watches have always retained a certain active edge. Simultaneously celebrating this and the current accessory trend, G-Shock has released three camouflage renditions of its toughest models. The GD-120CM, GD-120CM-4JR and GD-120CM-8JR have each been done up in the military pattern, adding beautiful modern detailing to the classic watches. The same quality specifications stand for these watches, including water resistance up to 20 ATM, full shock resistance, digital stopwatch and world time functions, and other features. Look for these at select Casio G-Shock retailers for about $158 USD.


text:
Jody Stribrny of Genoa and her son Joseph Stribrny, who will be a junior this year, shop for school supplies at Meijer in Rossford. A retail federation predicts the average family will spend $634.78 for school supplies, an 8 percent drop from last year’s $688.62.
With daughters, Danielle, 11, and Gabriel, 9, in tow, Jennifer Wagner of Toledo made the rounds in Toledo last week in her annual summer hunt for school supplies.
A “cost-conscious” shopper, Mrs. Wagner got what she needed, but she also was determined to get the best deal for her money Thursday as she headed to Schoolbelles Uniform Store on Secor Road.
Her quest to pick up good deals on school supplies ended up taking her to OfficeMax, Schoolbelles, Target, and even home improvement retailer Menard’s.
“We’re watching the sales,” said Mrs. Wagner, who added she probably will spend a little more this year on supplies because her daughters are changing schools.
“We’ve been all over the place. We were here [at Schoolbelles] once before just checking out prices and we went someplace else to check out the prices. OfficeMax has the better deals on supplies, but Menard’s also has supplies on sale.
“Why does Menard’s even have school supplies?” she wondered aloud.
With total back-to-school and back-to-college spending expected to reach $72.5 billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation, it is probably more reasonable to ask what retailer won’t have school supplies to sell this year.
School supplies are like food: generally must-have items.
Experts say school supplies are must-have items. Some local parents say, however, they plan to encourage their children to reuse what items they can, such as backpacks, to cut down on costs.
But while retailers will be doing their best this year to get people such as Mrs. Wagner to part with their shopping dollars, overall it could be a disappointing summer for many merchants.
The retail federation is predicting the average family will spend $634.78 on schools supplies, an 8 percent drop from last year’s average of $688.62.
“The good news is that consumers are spending, but they are doing so with cost and practicality in mind. Having splurged on their growing children’s needs last year, parents will ask their kids to reuse what they can for the upcoming school season,” said Matthew Shay, retail federation president and chief executive officer.
A shopper from Sylvania named Kim, who declined to give her last name, said she planned to use that strategy with her two middle-school boys.
“My younger one gets the hand-me-downs from the older one — always, always,” she said.
“They might use the same backpack,” she added. “I’ll ask them and give them the option, but this is their second year of reusing them, so if they wanted a new one, I’d be OK with that. I’d let them pick out a new one, but I’ll ask them if they want to keep what they have,” she said.
Michael Niemira, chief economist for the International Council of Shopping Centers, is pessimistic about this year’s spending.
He is predicting that the average household will spend $285 on back-to-school shopping this year, a 5 percent decrease from 2012 when spending per household averaged $300. (His group includes fewer items in its survey than the retail foundation.)
In a positive note, a survey by the shopping center council and Goldman Sachs found that 42 percent of households plan to increase spending and 45 percent will spend about the same as last year.
But many of those shoppers will be cost-conscious.
Grace Barnswell, 5, of Sylvania, left, is getting shoes for kindergarten. Ava Melms, 7, center, and sister Gabbie Melms, 9, both of Sylvania, are also looking to trade their summer flip-flops for new shoes at Stride Rite Bootery in Sylvania.
“Consumers typically view back-to-school merchandise as an essential expenditure, which is likely a key reason that so many consumers plan to increase spending this year,” Mr. Niemira said. “However, this year consumers plan to do considerably more of that shopping at discount stores (90 percent vs. 83 percent in 2012) than anywhere else, followed by office supply and traditional department stores,” he said.
Discount retailer Meijer Inc., expects to draw a lot of back-to-school shoppers. The Michigan-based chain surveyed its customers this year and found most planned to start shopping earlier than before and expected to continue shopping right up to the start of school in order to get the best bargains possible.
Forty percent of those surveyed reported that they would have their back-to-school shopping completed before the start of the school year In addition, 90 percent of shoppers said they planned to spend the same or more than they did last year, with an increased emphasis on electronics such as ereaders and tablets, apparel, and art supplies.
Meijer competitor the Kroger Co. is hoping consumers will add it to their list of potential places to buy back-to-school supplies.
The supermarket chain’s new Marketplace store in Lambertville now carries clothing, along with large supplies of notebooks, pencils, and folders. It hopes to lure shoppers through back-to-school advertisements that will run this week.
“It’s going to be exciting to see, with all the new things we offer, just where it’s all going to go. We are having some great sales on paper, pencil, pens and that’s going to just draw some interest for people,” said Doug DeArmond, manager. “But we won’t get a feel for it until sometime next month.”
When the August data do come in, Britt Beemer, president of retail consulting firm America’s Research Group, predicts they will show a downturn of between 0.5 and 2 percent in back-to-school shopping compared to last year.
Overall, “it’s not going to be pretty” for most retailers, he said.
“The number of people who said they would delay back-to-school shopping until Labor Day was at an all-time high this year,” Mr. Beemer said. “These are people who are waiting until Labor Day in order to get as many deals as they can and they are just buying the basics right now.”
That seems about right to Randy Rowles, manager of Elder-Beerman in West Toledo.
“We’re selling a lot of our clearance now. They’re buying [sale items] because it’s an extra 50 percent off and they know they will be able to get bargains now and then maybe spend a little more later for what they really want,” he said.
“I’d say it’s a normal, typical start so far to the season,” Mr. Rowles said. “Clearance first, then a little bit of the fall merchandise has come in and people are spending just enough to make sure they get their preferred color and size.”
Courtney Chu, of Toledo, was among those shopping in July to make sure she got what her children needed and wanted.
“I hope to be done with it all soon, get it out of the way. I feel like [if you wait] until the last minute, you can’t find what you’re looking for with either the uniforms or the supplies,” she said.
Maggie Stein, manager of Schoolbelles, said she tries to advise customers in early July to shop early for the coming year, otherwise they could get shut out of color and size choices.
“We don’t really have sales, so it doesn’t pay to wait,” she said.
But while sales have been steady, it appears most consumers are waiting. The store expects to be very busy this week because several schools will open in mid-August.
Mr. Beemer, of America’s Research Group, sees at least one bright spot.
"Parents will spend on shoes,” he said.
That would be good news for Tom Curavo, owner of the Stride Rite Bootery in Sylvania.
Mr. Curavo closed his second store on Airport Highway last year, which boosted the sales of his store on Monroe Street. But back-to-school shopping is a critical time for Mr. Curavo, whose store deals heavily in children’s shoes.
It is his “Christmas season,” with August sales totaling nearly 20 percent of annual sales. As a result, on Thursday he began a big weekend sale for bargain hunters — buy a pair, get a pair at 50 percent off — to attract back-to-school shoppers, which he said began coming around mid-July.
Anticipating consumer desires, Mr. Curavo loaded up this year on Sperry brand shoes, a hot item particularly with young girls.
“Sperry’s were around 20 years ago but they are probably more popular with kids today than they ever were before. It’s what young girls in particular really want. And last year, boys wanted Sperry’s too,” he said.
One reason so many experts are predicting more delayed purchasing and bargain hunting this year could be the rising cost of school supplies.
According to Huntington Bank’s eighth annual Backpack index, the costs for K-12 school supplies this year rose an average of 7.3 percent compared to just a 1.4 percent rise in the broader consumer price index.
Huntington Bank said parents can expect to pay $576 for supplies for elementary school students, a 5.3 percent increase compared to 2012; $762 for middle school students, a 5.3 percent increase, and $1,223 for high school students, a 9.5 percent increase.
Many high school students, Huntington predicts, will head to classes this year with a mid-priced tablet computer that will add $300 to their school lists and increase a high schooler’s average cost by 36 percent.
Andy Dempster, manager of the MacCafe store in Toledo, said that while Apple iPads are good sellers, he hasn’t seen many parents coming in to buy iPads for their high school children.
“I know people have toyed with that idea, but I’m not a proponent of that,” he said.
A regular computer, he said, would be better for completing homework assignments because they are better for writing compared to tablets.
Contact Jon Chavez at: firstname.lastname@example.org or 419-6128.
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Castbox thinks paid service is the future of podcasts.
For now, audio advertisements have been one of the biggest sources of income for podcast companies, but in the future, premium paid content will surpass ads and become significant, said Renee Wang, founder of the podcast platform, at TechCrunch Hangzhou on July 3.
Although the company is based in San Fransisco, the majority of Castbox’s staff are in Beijing. It has raised a total of $29.5 million since its founding in 2016. Its proprietary technology includes features like curated podcast recommendations and in-audio deep search. It offers paid podcast shows and recently announced a blockchain-based payment solution.
China is taking the lead in paid content while the US lags a bit behind, said Wang. She said it’s not that American companies don’t want to charge podcast listeners, but they are not fast enough to develop the paywall technically.
The confidence Wang has in paid audio shows comes from growing Chinese podcast platforms like Ximalaya (喜马拉雅), Qingting (蜻蜓) and Dedao (得到), three of which she mentioned multiple times during the interview. Instead of being production companies themselves, these companies are focusing on content distribution and sales promotion. During Ximalaya’s 3-day 123 Shopping Festival last year, the company sold RMB 196 million worth of paid content, most of which were shows hosted by China’s popular key opinion leaders, such as talk shows.
US consumers are used to free podcasts, so there be must good reasons why people should pay, Wang said of the different attitude towards paid content. Apart from paid content being exclusive, Wang said their blockchain-based payment can be a good lure to convince people. Blockchain is a bit negative in China because all the ridiculous dramas involved, but in the US, it’s positive, Wang said. Introducing the concept to the platform will attract public attention and possibly increase their paid audience base.
Their app Castbox isn’t available in the Chinese market where there is already a fierce competition over paid content. The app is neither on App store nor Android stores because their database is outside China, Wang explained. It won’t enter the market in the near future either.
When asked about how to balance the quality of the paid content and its sales performance, Castbox stands by the market. The app is built by a team of engineers in Beijing, but the operation is all overseas. Wang said they mostly hire locals and seldom sponsored US working visas because she believes locals know the culture and market best.
Wang’s sales strategy believes in traffic and data, which are thought to be effective measurements of preference they sell on the platform. Castbox is also developing a recommendation system that personalizes feeds for users.


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LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The ARIA Network, an integrated media group bringing billions of physical and digital assets to life through advanced recognition, augmented reality, 360° immersive experiences and original “living” NFTs, today announced the latest additions to its leadership team today.
The ARIA Network, which recently launched with announcements of exclusive long-term partnerships with the National Basketball Retired Players Association, the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, the NHL Alumni Association, the Roberto Clemente Estate and Brookfield Properties, expanded their leadership team in advance of additional partnership announcements scheduled for Q4.
- Evan Greene, former 17-yr Chief Marketing Officer of The Recording Academy (the GRAMMYs), joins ARIA as Chief Business Officer. Greene has also served in executive marketing positions with Disney and Sony.
- Jason Turner joins ARIA as Chief Operating Officer where he will lead the product roadmap. He is the former Chief Business Officer of The Virtual Reality Company, as well as having served in leadership roles at Playboy Enterprises, Endemol and FremantleMedia (American Idol).
- Travis McMichael III, ARIA’s SVP of Creative Strategy, brings over a decade of multi-faceted brand building experience, having developed culture shifting creative strategies across the tech, media and lifestyle spaces at Observatory (CAA Marketing), Pollen, Bang & Olufsen, Beats by Dr. Dre., Lionsgate and more.
- Ilona Stepanyants, SVP of Brand and Partnerships, is the former head of marketing at adidas for the Beyoncé / Ivy Park and Pharrell Williams partnerships. Prior to adidas, Stepanyants spent more than a decade at Nike leading multiple brand and retail initiatives including partnerships with the NFL, MLB and NCAA as well as athletes Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and the first ever World Basketball Festival across Nike Basketball, Jordan Brand and Converse.
- Jimmy Nguyen, ARIA’s SVP of Growth, served formerly with Warner Bros, Voya Financial and Salesforce, and brings significant experience in building strong foundations for hyper-growth brands geared towards constant evolution.
- Cathy Hackl, ARIA’s Futurist in Residence, is a world-renowned metaverse expert and will assist ARIA and its clients on projects that involve virtual worlds, virtual fashion and metaverse related strategies.
Earlier this year, ARIA brought on board Nadine Dietz, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, former Adweek Chief Community Officer; Barry Sandrew, Chief Technology Officer and industry recognized VFX, AR, VR pioneer; as well as an additional Advisor to ARIA, Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and President of Healthcare of Mastercard.
“As ARIA endeavors to break the mold, we are excited that our current partnerships and growth trajectory have attracted industry titans who want to work with us to build the future of marketing, media and advertising,” said Rebecca Jonah, Co-CEO, The ARIA Network. “This ‘dream team’ will undoubtedly help to propel ARIA into its next phase, most immediately in the NFT market where we have a multitude of exciting partnerships to announce in the near future on the ARIA Exchange.”
The ARIA Exchange, part of The ARIA Network, is pioneering a new frontier of the NFT market with living, original NFTs designed in partnership and on behalf of some of the world’s most iconic celebrities. Geared to grow over time with dynamic content and immersive experiences, ARIA NFTs will drive greater 1-to-1 connections between fan and icons than previously possible. Further, as ARIA is committed to reducing the impact of NFTs and technology on the planet, the ARIA Exchange is a sustainable NFT marketplace that is carbon negative.
The ARIA Network is a disruptive, integrated media network that uses proprietary technologies to immerse consumers and fans into new virtual worlds in ways never before imagined. ARIA builds disruptive augmented reality with gateways to infinite possibilities through recognition technology. ARIA also powers the ARIA Exchange, an advanced NFT trading platform that is more efficient, transparent, secure and carbon negative. ARIA partners with global brands to dynamically engage their consumers and is the exclusive AR/VR partner of Brookfield Properties, powering over 100 malls across the country. ARIA partners with leagues, players and celebrities to engage and excite fans across this new phygital ecosystem and is the Fan Engagement partner of the National Basketball Retired Players Association, the NHL Alumni Association and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.


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Law360 has reported that the founders of e-commerce cannabis company Dutchie are suing the current leaders and accusing them of orchestrating a coup.
Dutchie was founded in 2017 by brothers Ross and Zachary Lipson and was originally called Courier Plus Inc. The two say they were improperly kicked out of the company by the current board and are insisting they are still directors and officers of the company.
The complaint was filed derivatively on behalf of Courier Plus Inc. against Executive Chairman Timothy Barash and board directors Karan Wadhera, Wilder Ramsey, Gaurav Ahuja, and Thomas Linovitz. The case, which was filed under seal, is Ross Lipson et al. v. Timothy Barash, case number 2022-1135.
Law360 wrote that the Lipsons “allege the defendants conspired in late November to remove the brothers from their officer positions, improperly appoint Linovitz as an independent director, and replace Ross Lipson with Barash as CEO.” They claim to have been ambushed at a board meeting held on November 28, “where the board quickly passed pre-drafted resolutions to terminate them ‘for cause,’ stripped them of their status as key stockholders, removed them from the board and amended a common stockholders’ voting agreement so that Barash could take control.”
On Dec. 1, Dutchie announced that Barash was taking over as chairman and CEO and that the Lipsons had departed. Barash is described as instrumental in setting overall business strategy and supporting Dutchie’s fundraising success. Indeed, many of the current board members were involved in the company’s fundraising efforts over the years.
- Ramsey is the managing partner of Gron Ventures LLC, one of the lead investors in the Series A round, and is a “Series A director” of Dutchie, as defined in the voting agreement, according to the complaint.
- Linovitz is also a managing director at Gron Ventures.
- Ahuja is a partner at Thrive Capital, the technology-focused investor that led the Series B round.
- Wadhera is a managing partner at Casa Verde, which also participated in Dutchie’s B round funding.
The founders are no longer even mentioned on the company’s website nor do their names or pictures appear anywhere.
Dutchie came into the cannabis industry in a fast and furious drive to quickly push aside more established players. One year after being founded, Dutchie nabbed $3 million in a seed round. It was a who’s who of investors that wanted to invest in cannabis but also wanted to avoid plant-touching companies. Dutchie got the attention of Casa Verde Capital, a cannabis-focused venture capital fund whose team includes Snoop Dogg.
Dutchie then raised $15 million in a Series A round a year later, $35 million in a Series B round in August 2020, and $200 million in a Series C round in March 2021. The Series C round was led by Goodwin Procter LLP and featured Dragoneer, DFJ Growth, Casa Verde Capital, Thrive Capital, and former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. Dealogic said that deal involved a roughly 11.8% stake in Dutchie.
That was followed by a $350 million in a Series D round in October 2021, bringing its valuation at the time to $3.75 billion. Dealogic reported that the funding round involved a 9.3% stake in the company.
According to Law360, the complaint seeks a court declaration that Ross Lipson is still a director and CEO of the company and Zachary Lipson is still a director and the company’s chief product officer. “They also seek a court declaration that all the actions taken at the Nov. 28 board meeting, including amendments to the stockholder voting agreement, are invalid.”
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#Dutchie #Founders #Sue #Company #Orchestrating #Coup


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Hottest Gadgets for 2011
Not everything is new. At CES last year, Microsoft and other companies set 2010 as the year of the tablet, but only Apple took the lead with its iPad, as the New York Times pointed out.
WalletPop talked with Anthony Scarsella, chief gadget officer at Gazelle, a website that buys and sells used electronics. Here are some of the top gadgets coming out this year:1. Tablet Frenzy.
Thanks to the success of the iPad, tablets will be the highest-selling consumer electronic devices of the year, Scarsella said, with 40 to 80 new models being introduced at CES. "Apple has had so much success with the original iPad, and consumers want electronics," he said.
The new Apple iPad 2 is expected to be released between the end of February and early April, and should have two cameras, an SD card slot, HDMI, and will be smaller, he said. Samsung's Galaxy tablet is the only early competition for the iPad, but others such as Motorola, Asus, Blackberry, HP, HTC, Dell and LG are coming and many will offer new features such as high resolution displays, USB ports and carrier subsidies. Even the bargain TV manufacturer Vizeo is getting into the tablet game, Scarsella said.
2. Windows 7 Phone.
These phones came out in 2010, but more models are coming out, especially if sales of current versions are good, Scarsella said. Success will depend on size and quality of apps in their new app market and new hardware across carriers in the U.S., he said.
3. Android Phones.
This will be the biggest shaker for 2011, Scarsella said, with the new dual-core powered phones and Android 3.0 Gingerbread for tablets. Such phones are making portable gaming systems such as the Sony PSP obsolete.
4. Cloud Gaming.
While smartphones make gaming cheap -- a few dollars instead of $30 for a game -- the new trend of cloud gaming is picking up fast among gamers, Scarsella said. You don't have to buy expensive hardware or software because the games are hosted on servers and will give you instant access to tons of titles. Services such as OnLive and Gaikai will steal some spotlight from the new Kinect and PS Move in 2011. It's like having Netflix for video games.
Again, Apple's iPhone is grabbing headlines. The white iPhone 4 is scheduled to be released in the spring, and Verizon is expected to add the iPhone to its network with CDMA technology to improve call quality and give iPhone owners a better option than AT&T. To add to that, the iPhone 5 is expected to be released in June, Scarsella said.
6. Internet TV/Streaming Media.
Either via TV or set top box the Internet is coming back to the living room, according to Scarsella. TVs will have fully-integrated apps, features, and Web. "Pretty much TVs are going to have all of the capabilities of a smartphone, but on your wall," he said. Expect new set-top boxes with Google TV, and other boxes with Android to hit the market in 2011.
Remember 3-D TV? It was a hot topic at CES last year, but paying more than $100 for a pair of clunky glasses didn't really catch on. Manufacturers got the message and this year are coming out with glasses-free 3-D TVs and computer monitors, Scarsella said.
For the latest CES coverage, be sure to check out Engadget, the official blog of CES.
Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist in the San Francisco Bay Area.


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Posted 2/12/2001 12:00 am
Updated 2 years ago
The shelves are still stocked, but the business has been closed and a "for lease" sign has been in the window since late January.
Sandy Reaves, Tax Collector for the City Advertising and Promotion Commission of Little Rock, last received restaurant tax payment from the business in August. She hasn't been able to make contact with International Food Mart's managers or owners. International Food Mart's restaurant reported $11,377.69 in taxable restaurant sales from January-June last year, Reaves said. Paula Cox of the Ashley Co. in North Little Rock, owner of Ashley Square, said former owner Kieron Poulet sold the business to Monica Kabi.
Cox wasn't sure what Kabi's plan for the business was. Kabi could not be reached for comment.
(Got the scoop on food news in Arkansas? Dish it out to Brendan O'Reilly at 501-372-1443 or firstname.lastname@example.org.)


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AUSTRALIA PULLS NUROFEN PRODUCTS OVER 'MISLEADING CLAIMS'
An Australian court has ordered products in the Nurofen pain relief range off the shelves, saying the UK-based manufacturer misled consumers.
The court said products marketed to treat specific pains, such as migraines, were identical to one another.
Research also found the products were sold for almost double the price of Nurofen's standard product.
Manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser said the case related only to Australia.
It said the ruling would not be applicable in other countries, including the UK.
Reckitt Benckiser said it would comply with the Australian court order and that it "did not set out to mislead consumers".
The products affected by the order include Nurofen Back Pain, Nurofen Period Pain, Nurofen Migraine Pain and Nurofen Tension Headache.


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It's no secret that the economy isn't doing so well.
Sure, things aren't as doom and gloom as they were a few years ago, and we don't hear many stories about things looking up anymore.
But, there is this. ...
It seems that while national restaurant chains like Applebee's and Bennigan's have struggled in recent years, a smaller niche type of restaurant has actually been seeing an uptick: the "breastaurant."
It's basically a whole market of Hooters-like themed grilles with names like Twin Peaks, Titled Kilt and Mugs N Jugs (subtle, we know) -- and, they all feature waitresses in skimpy outfits, serving beer and fried food while televisions play whatever game is on in the background.
And, even though this small category of the food service industry only makes up about 1% of restaurants nationally, there has been a jump of 30% more opening in the last year.
The best part is that many of the owners of the small chain bristle at being called "breastaurant," arguing that though they might be PG-13, they're not X-rated restaurants. Some even pride themselves on the fact that a few customers bring their kids.
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Mukesh Ambani, on Monday, announced fresh investments worth ₹2.75-lakh crore to scale up various businesses under the Reliance industries empire including a pan-India 5G roll out by December 2023, entry into the FMCG space and building new capacity in the traditional petrochemicals unit.
Speaking at the Reliance Industries’ annual general meeting on Monday, RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani said Jio’s 5G network will be the largest and most advanced in the world.
Pan-India 5G launch
“To build our pan-India true 5G network, we have committed a total investment of ₹2-lakh crore. Jio has prepared an ambitious 5G roll-out plan which will be the fastest in the world. Within the next two months, by Diwali, we will launch Jio 5G across multiple key cities, including the metropolises of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. Subsequently, we plan to increase the Jio 5G footprint month after month. By December 2023, which is less than 18 months from today, we will deliver Jio 5G to every town, every taluka, and every tehsil of our country,” Ambani said.
Reliance Jio plans ₹2 lakh crore 5G rolloutDelhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata to get connectivity by this Diwali; pan-India deadline is December 2023
RIL also announced a 5G solution to allow customers to enjoy fiber-like data speeds over the air called JioAirFiber, a wireless, simple, single-device solution to have a Wi-Fi hotspot at home.
“With single device JioAirFiber, it will be really easy to quickly connect any home or office to gigabit-speed internet. With the simplicity of JioAirFiber, hundreds of millions of homes and offices can be connected to ultra-high-speed broadband in a very short period. With it, India can rank among the top-10 nations, even for fixed broadband,” said Ambani, adding that Reliance is working with Google to develop ultra-affordable 5G smartphones for India.
In the retail business, Reliance will launch its fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products as a part of its growth plans. The company also announced a partnership between Meta and Jiomart to offer an end-to-end shopping experience on WhatsApp.
Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO, Meta, said in a post, “This is our first-ever end-to-end shopping experience on WhatsApp. People can now buy groceries from JioMart right in a chat. Business messaging is an area with real momentum and chat-based experiences like this will be the go-to way people and businesses communicate in the years to come.”
New carbon fibre plant
RIL also announced a ₹75,000-crore investment to expand capacities in existing and new value chains in its petrochemicals business. First, in the polyester value chain, it will build one of the world’s largest single-train PTA plant of 3 mmtpa capacity at Dahej.
RIL will also invest in a 1 mmtpa PET plant at Dahej. Both PTA and PET will be targeted for completion by 2026. In the Vinyl chain, RIL will more than triple its existing capacity by adding world-scale plants at Dahej and Jamnagar in India, and also in the UAE.
RIL will build in phases India’s first and one of the world’s largest carbon fibre plants at Hazira with a capacity of 20,000 mtpa, based on acrylonitrile feedstock. “Besides other applications, carbon fibre composites are also used to meet the rapidly growing light-weight requirements of mobility and renewable energy. Thus, carbon fibre promises to be a multi-decade growth engine for O2C.” Ambani added.


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New research backs rapid COVID-19 testing to open up air travel says the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA has urged governments to accept the rapid antigen tests in fulfillment of COVID -19 testing requirements following the publication of new research by OXERA and Edge Health.
The OXERA-Edge Health report, commissioned by IATA, found that antigen tests are:
- Accurate: The best antigen tests provide broadly comparable results to PCR tests in accurately identifying infected travelers. The BinaxNOW antigen test, for example, misses just one positive case in 1000 travelers (based on an infection rate of 1 per cent among travelers). And it has similarly comparable performance to PCR tests in levels of false negatives.
- Convenient: Processing times for antigen tests are 100 times faster than for PCR testing
- Cost-efficient: Antigen tests are, on average, 60% cheaper than PCR tests.
Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO said “restarting international aviation will energize the economic recovery from COVID-19. Along with vaccines, testing will play a critical role in giving governments the confidence to re-open their borders to travelers. For governments, the top priority is accuracy. But travelers will also need tests to be convenient and affordable. The OXERA-Edge Health report tells us that the best-in-class antigen tests can tick all these boxes. It’s important for governments to consider these findings as they make plans for a re-start.”
IATA says testing requirements are currently fragmented, which is confusing to travelers. Moreover, many governments do not allow rapid testing. If the only options available for travelers are PCR tests, these come with significant costs disadvantages and inconvenience. And in some parts of the world, PCR testing capacity is limited, with first priority correctly given to clinical use.
“Travelers need options. Including antigen testing among acceptable tests will certainly give strength to the recovery. And the EU’s specification of acceptable antigen tests offers a good baseline for wider international harmonization of acceptable standards. We now need to see governments implement these recommendations. The goal is to have a clear set of testing options that are medically effective, financially accessible, and practically available to all prospective travelers,” said de Juniac.
The OXERA-Edge Health report presented the following analysis says IATA:
- The cost of PCR testing can completely alter the economics of travel. A family of four traveling from the UK to the Canary Islands will take a total of 16 tests at a total cost of around GBP1,600 or EUR1,850 – a premium of 160 per cent on top of the average airfare.
- A typical London-Frankfurt business trip sees a cost increase of 59 per cent with the PCR test requirement.
- The modeling shows that based on five routes studied (London-New York, London-Frankfurt, UK-Singapore, UK-Pakistan, and Manchester-Canary Islands) the cost impact of PCR testing will reduce demand by an average of 65 per cent. Replacing PCR with antigen testing would still have a cost impact on demand but at 30 per cent.
IATA warns that financial barriers will dampen traveler sentiment which already displays some weakness. In a February poll of travelers, 58 per cent said that they will travel less for leisure once the pandemic is contained. The same poll saw 62 per cent of business travelers say they would be traveling less.
Michele Granatstein, Partner at Oxera and Head of its Aviation Practice said that “when international travel reopens testing is likely to remain part of the strategy for controlling COVID. The type of testing regime chosen will make a difference in how quickly the travel industry recovers. The choice of a rapid test would be a real boost to the global travel and international business community, and our research shows it can be as effective as other testing regimes and as effective as a ten-day quarantine.”


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Despite Australia's rising unemployment as a result of COVID-19, a significant number of Aussies looked at buying their own business amidst the pandemic uncertainty.
The business-for-sale online marketplace, SEEK Business, reported May as its 'highest month ever' of traffic for 'enquiries to buy businesses'. Figures showed a 50 percent increase in enquiries and a 29 percent increase in site visits, the highest the platform has ever seen. Research into business ownership indicated 41 percent of the population has considered buying a business, and with rising unemployment, candidates were looking at alternative income options.
There was also a rise in employment ads online showing businesses are still hiring. SEEK reported employment ads were steadily on the rise, with an increase of more than 60 percent volume in job ads since April. The data gives some confidence that job ad volumes are in the early stages of recovery.
Kendra Banks, Managing Director, SEEK ANZ, said that "historically, job ad volumes tend to ease off towards the end of the financial year, but are followed by a quick boost in July and August when hirers have reset their budgets".
"With the continued easing of restrictions, the economic measures put in place by the government and the new financial year we hope to see this translate into more jobs advertised in July," Ms Banks said.
SEEK employment data shows a direct correlation between restrictions easing and job ad volume growth with all states showing an increase in job ad activity. Sectors contributing the highest month-on-month job ad growth included Hospitality and Tourism (138%), Trades and Services (36%) and Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics (33%). With all states and territories showing growth up to the beginning of June when the data was captured.
But Prime Minister Scott Morrision has raised concerns that some unemployed my not be actively seeking work while the JobSeeker payment is supplemented to double what it would be outside of the pendamic.
"We can't allow the JobSeeker payment to become an impediment to people [getting] out and going doing work, getting extra shifts," Mr Morrison said in an interview with 2GB radio host with Ray Hadley.
"And we are getting a lot of anecdotal feedback from small businesses, even large businesses, where some of them are finding it hard to get people to come and take the shifts because they're on these higher levels of payment."
In a survey carried out by SEEK, Australians shared their feelings towards work and career in 2020 so far. When asked to answer the question "Generally, how does your working life make you feel?" - evidence showed an over all increase in optimism around the current times.
The survey, released in June, showed an increase in those feeling 'confident', 'energised' and 'inspired'. On the flipside, while 'uncertainty' is falling, 'boredom' has risen slightly, a potential reflection of the challenges navigating lock-down conditions.
"We are encouraged to see industries which were hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic rebounding at a good pace. Hospitality and Tourism is up 138% month-on-month," Kendra Banks, Managing Director, SEEK ANZ commented.
"Trades and Services also made a strong contribution to job ad volumes, up 36 per cent month-on-month in May. After being closed for several months, nail salons, hairdressers and other personal maintenance services are expected to see an increase in consumer demand, which could be why the top jobs for Trades and Services included hair and beauty services."
"Of all of the sectors, Professional Services has been slower to bounce back, which could be a result of a range of factors including reduced activity and people continuing to work from home. This was reflected in job ad volumes, where we saw key sectors such as Information, Communication and Technology increase only marginally, by 1 per cent, while Insurance and Superannuation was down by 2 per cent month-on-month in May 2020," Ms Banks said.
Job ad volumes in each state
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Editor’s Note: Robert W. Baird & Co. issued a client newsletter following the July shipments report from the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). Excerpts from the Baird newsletter follow.
Shipments down in July. Total RV shipments fell 9% in July — the largest monthly decline since 2009 — on declines in both motorhomes (-11%) and towables (-9%). Following seasonal restocking at dealerships in the first half, and a slower-than-expected retail recovery through the selling season, dealers seem reluctant to accumulate inventory.
• Total July RV shipments down 9%. Overall shipment trends have deteriorated following flat shipments in June and a stronger May (+14%). As seasonal restocking ends and retail trends have slowed, orders have moderated. Recall that dealers reduced inventory during the last cycle, limiting the destocking pressure if retail lags. In our recent dealer survey, dealers indicated plans for modest growth in orders for the back half of 2011.
• Towable shipments down 9%. Travel trailer shipments dropped 13% while fifth-wheel shipments grew 5%. Year-to-date towable shipments are up 4%. For perspective, Thor has reported preliminary results for its quarter ended July. We model Thor towable shipments down 7.5% (excluding Heartland), versus industry shipments up 3% in the quarter.
• Motorhome shipments fell 11%. Class A shipments fell 10%, while Class C shipments dropped 13%. We continue to expect pressure on shipments in the second half, as dealers seem reluctant to stock heading into winter, but note that comps become easier beginning in fall. Year-to-date motorhome shipments are up 6%. For perspective, we model Winnebago shipments to drop 18% in its August quarter. Through the first two months of the quarter, industry shipments are down 10%.
• SAAR. We calculate a seasonally adjusted annual rate of shipments. The SAAR of motorhome shipments decreased to 21.9K units in July, from 23.3K units in June (23.6K units were shipped in 2010). The SAAR of towable shipments fell to 183K units in July, from 243K units in June (199K units were shipped in 2010).
This summary of a Baird research report is not intended as investment advice. To participate in Baird surveys and receive research reports, contact Craig R. Kennison, CFA, at email@example.com.
The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) most recent survey of manufacturers shows that RV wholesale shipments slowed in July with total shipments down 9.1% from July 2010 totals and off 32.6% from last month. While July is usually lower for shipments than June, due largely to the ending of the summer season and effects of model year change-over, shipments in July this year were also impacted by concerns for a slowing economy and uncertainty of future government policies, according to RVIA. Year-to-date, RV shipments are running 4% ahead of the same time last year (162,000 units through July 2011 as compared to 155,800 units through July 2010).
With consumer confidence sliding and a clouded economic outlook, growth in recreational vehicle shipments is expected to slow, according to a new forecast by RV industry analyst Richard Curtin.
The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reported that RV shipments are expected to total 247,500 units in 2011, a gain of 2.1% percent above the 2010 total of 242,300. Shipments are expected to decline 2.0% in 2012 to 242,400 units.
“RV sales face challenges from the slowdown in economic growth,” said Curtin, director of consumer surveys at the University of Michigan, who produces the monthly Index of Consumer Sentiment. “Just as the last downturn was more severe than typical, the slowdown in the year ahead can be expected to be milder than average, but, unfortunately, more long lasting.”
The flatter projection for RV shipments is based on recent steep declines in consumer confidence that coincided with the debt limit showdown in the U.S. Congress. In addition, Curtin noted a “pervasive uncertainty” about job and income prospects, stagnating wages, depressed home values, and the likelihood of rising taxes. Each of these factors will adversely affect RV sales, according to Curtin.
“As a result, consumers have become more defensive minded, favoring spending cutbacks in response to financial setbacks rather than drawing down their savings or increasing their debt,” said Curtin.
In Curtin’s analysis, these economic conditions will persist and put an added premium on the ability of manufacturers to allow consumers to have the same cherished RV experiences within new budget realities.
“Rightsizing RVs for the decade ahead will require fresh thinking about design and layout as well as features and amenities,” Curtin said. “Those that adapt and evolve their products to meet the new economic realities will reap the benefits of market leadership.”
Editor’s Note: Robert W. Baird & Co. issued a client newsletter following the June shipments report. Excerpts from the Baird newsletter follow.
Shipments flat in June. Total RV shipments were flat in June, following stronger growth in May. Modest towable shipment growth (+1%) offset weak motorhome results (-9%) in the period. Following several months of seasonal restocking at dealerships and a slower-than-expected retail recovery in early spring, dealers seem reluctant to accumulate inventory as the selling season progresses.
• Total June RV shipments flat with last year. Overall shipments were flat following a stronger May (+14%). As seasonal restocking has slowed and retail growth remains modest, orders have moderated. Recall that dealers reduced inventory during the last cycle, limiting the destocking pressure if retail lags. In our recent dealer survey, dealers indicated plans for modest growth in orders for the back half of 2011.
• Motorhome shipments fell 8%. Class A shipments fell 8%, while Class C shipments dropped 9%. We continue to expect shipments to moderate in the second half, as dealers seem reluctant to stock heading into winter, but note that comps become easier beginning in fall. Year-to-date motorhome shipments are up 9%.
• Towable shipments up 1%. Travel trailer shipments dropped 2% while fifth-wheel shipments were up 9%. Year-to-date towable shipments are up 8%.
• SAAR. We calculate a seasonally adjusted annual rate of shipments. The SAAR of motorhome shipments decreased to 23.3K units in June, from 28.9K units in May (23.6K units were shipped in 2010). The SAAR of towable shipments fell to 243K units in June, from 253K units in May (199K units were shipped in 2010).
This summary of a Baird research report is not intended as investment advice. To participate in Baird surveys and receive research reports, contact Craig R. Kennison, CFA, at firstname.lastname@example.org.
Wholesale shipments to retailers of all RVs were reported at 26,700 units in the June survey of manufacturers, off 3% from last month, and down 1.5% from the previous year. Seasonally adjusted, June’s annualized total was nearly 268,000 units, the second best all year.
Year to date, shipments of total RVs have risen 5.9%, from 136,000 in the first half of 2010 to 144,000 units in the first six months this year. Towables reported the greatest number of units shipped with motorhomes improving by the largest percentage gain.
See chart below for June totals in each category.
According to a new forecast by RV industry analyst economist Richard Curtin, released today (June 6) at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) Annual Membership Luncheon, shipments will rise to 270,900 units in 2012, a gain of 3.9% from the projected total for 2011.
In an earlier posting, RVBUSINESS.com reported that Curtin prognosticated 2011 shipments will total 260,200 units, representing a 7.4% gain from the previous year.
“The RV market is expected to continue to grow at a reasonably robust pace, especially in view of the overall economic environment,” said Curtin, director of consumer surveys at the University of Michigan, who produces the monthly Index of Consumer Sentiment, during his presentation to RVIA members at RVIA’s annual Committee Week. “The ability to record consecutive annual gains in consumer sales against formidable headwinds underscores the appeal of the RV lifestyle.”
The positive RV outlook is based on favorable economic factors that outweigh the negative, according to Curtin. Credit is now more available, jobs and incomes are increasing, and household wealth has improved. While negative economic factors such as stricter credit terms, higher levels of unemployment, and concerns about home prices will dampen future growth, the enduring strength of the RV lifestyle means that the industry will succeed in this difficult economic environment, said Curtin.
“The RV market is the envy of all competitors for recreational spending,” said Curtin. “The strong appeal of the RV lifestyle surmounted the extraordinary toll that the Great Recession exacted on American families.”
Full revitalization of RV sales requires recognition of three key considerations, according to Curtin. First, consumers are reconsidering their spending and saving habits and will naturally gravitate toward products that provide an equivalent experience at a price that meets their new budget constraints. Second, RV makers will need to take a “consumer-centric” approach to deliver the optimal mix of size, convenience and features to each market segment. And third, companies will have to be focused on delivering the right selection of RVs at the right locations at the right time.
“Keeping inventories in line with sales is more important and more difficult when the recovery is slower and the pace more variable,” Curtin said.
While the strong desire to own an RV indicates a positive future, the RV industry most be prepared for some volatility in the near future, according to Curtin.
“The next decade will see more rapid changes in RVs than in the past decade if the market is to fully regain and surpass prior peaks,” Curtin said. “Although conventional and fifth-wheel trailers came to dominate the RV market in the past decade, motorhomes will regain some advantages as tow vehicles are downsized due to higher fuel costs and new energy regulations. All manufacturers will need to provide innovative solutions to maintain essential features while providing choices that fit more limited budgets.”
Wholesale shipments of 24,600 units to retailers were reported by manufacturers in the April 2011 Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) monthly survey, the same total for April the year prior.
RVIA reported that on a seasonally adjusted basis, shipments in April were at an annual rate of 242,100 units, 6.3% lower than the previous month. Towable RVs were slightly lower than April last year while motorhomes were slightly higher.
Year to date, shipments of all RVs through April were at 89,700 units, up 6.2% overall. Each product type reported shipment totals above this period last year except folding camping trailers.
See chart below for April totals in each category.
The latest projections from the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) show RV wholesale shipments climbing higher in 2011 after finishing last year on a very strong note.
In the Spring 2011 issue of RV Roadsigns, RVIA’s quarterly forecasting newsletter, University of Michigan economist Richard Curtin forecasts RV shipments to reach 263,100 units this year, an increase of nearly 9% over the 242,300 units shipped in 2010.
Motorhome shipments are expected to grow by 7% (from 25,200 units in 2010 to 26,900 units in 2011) with towable RV shipments rising by 9% (from 217,100 units in 2010 to 236,200 units in 2011).
Curtin noted that this is a sustainable growth path that mainly reflects improved retail sales at RV dealerships and is aided by an improving economy, the extension of income tax cuts and the reduction in payroll taxes.
He also cautioned that there will be a few factors that will moderate the growth pace of RV sales, including slow job and income growth and continued weakness in the housing market.
Next year’s increases will be seen across all vehicle types:
- Class A motorhomes reaching 13,900 units.
- Class B motorhomes at 1,700 units.
- Class C motorhomes at 11,300 units.
- Travel trailers at 157,900 units.
- Fifth-wheels at 59,300 units.
- Folding camping trailers at 15,800 units.
- Truck campers at 3,200 units.
The expected gains in 2011 shipments would continue the strong recovery that took hold in 2010 when shipments rose to 242,300 units – a 46% rise over 2009 totals and the industry’s largest annual percentage gain recorded since the mid-1960s.
The recreation vehicle industry is on the mend with a wholesale shipment forecast that indicates growth of 39% to 230,300 units in 2010. Shipments, according to a new estimate, are expected to grow to 249,700 units in 2011.
Robert M. ”Mac” Bryan, vice president of administration for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), delivered the new forecast to those attending RVIA’s Annual Membership Luncheon today (June (9) during RVIA Committee Week at the Century Center in South Bend, Ind.
University of Michigan economist Richard Curtin, who prepares shipment estimates for RVIA, had to cancel his keynote speach for personal reasons.
Bryan said the RV industry has recovered from the low 2009 shipment totals of 165,700 units as he presented Curtin’s methodology for measuring and forecasting within the RV market. Many factors are considered including major influences such as consumer confidence, buying conditions, wages and employment, credit availability and wealth effect.
Consumer confidence and buying conditions are improving, while wages and employment will be a slow to improve and credit standards continue to be more strict, Bryan explained.
On the positive side, he said, consumer demand remains strong. “Nothing can diminish this,” he said. “There is a very positive outlook demographically.”
Bryan contended Curtin’s forecasts, initally made 15 months into the future, are fairly accurate. Curtin also looks at RV shipments compared to new private housing starts, car and light-truck sales, and retail consumer sales — all of which have shown an increase in 2010.
“These are good indicators,” Bryan said.
Bryan pointed out that the initial surge in this year’s shipments indicates the need for dealers to ramp up low inventory levels to meet demand.
The forecast for a smaller increase in 2011 reflects the lingering effects of the recession, Bryan said.
“While the RV market has quickly recovered in past recessions, the current journey will be longer and the road will not be as smooth or as straight as in the past,” Bryan said.
According to Curtin’s forecast, three main areas are expected to affect the pace of recovery in RV sales — the financial health of consumers, changes in fiscal and monetary policies, and continued volatility in financial markets.
Here’s a breakdown of Curtin’s most recent estimate:
- Total RV shipments — A 39% increase to 230,300 units and, in 2011, an 8% increase totaling 249,700 units.
- Travel trailers — 140,600 units in 2010 and 151,900 in 2011.
- Fifth-wheels — A 36% increase in 2010 and a 9% increase in 2011.
- Folding camping trailers — A 20% increase in 2010 and a 9% increase in 2011.
- Truck campers — A 26% hike in 2010 and a 17% increase in 2011.
- Class A motorhomes — A 90% spike in 2010 and an 11% increase in 2011.
- Class B motorhomes — A 33% increase in 2010 and a 13% increase in 2011.
- Class C motorhomes — A 61% hike in 2010 and a 6% increase in 2011.
The latest wholesale shipments report released last Friday by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) was just what the Wall Street investment community needed to reinforce its contention that the RV industry has hit bottom and is on the way back
Three leading RV industry watchers, Kathryn Thompson, founder and director of the Thompson Research Group, Craig Kennison of Robert W. Baird & Co. and John T.G. Rogers of Janney Montgomery Scott, each offered encouraging words following the August RV shipments release, which revealed that shipments rose 5.3% in August, to 17,800 units.
Thompson noted that shipments’ upward movement marked “the first increase since July 2006 (excluding Oct-07 ‘false bottom’).”
She said the 9.9% increase in towable shipments “confirms findings from our Q3 2009 RV Dealer Survey published on 9/18/09. Travel trailers increased a strong 20.7% to 11,100 units vs. a decrease of 10.5% in July (8,500 units).
Meanwhile, while motorhome shipments fell 35.3% year-over-year, they showed “directional improvement.”
“Class A shipments fell 44.4% vs. last month’s 55.6% decrease. It is important to note that directionally Class A shipments have been trending up for the past four consecutive months. When Class A shipments reversed the downward direction in early 2001, Winnebago Industries Inc. traded up 200%+ over the next 12 months. We see this trend playing out with WGO today, and like the towable segment, we are starting to hear similar confirmations on real demand backing up volumes.”
Thompson concluded, “Going into our Q3 ’09 RV Dealer Survey, we placed acute focus on the status of dealer inventories and clarity regarding volume outlook. We received additional confirmation since our published Q3 ’09 survey that led us to believe the towable segment of the RV industry is seeing a real confirmation of a return in retail demand (vs. inventory replacement), prompting our upgrade of Thor Industries Inc. and Drew Industries Inc. We are starting to hear similar feedback in regards to the motorized segment, which would have positive implications for Winnebago.”
Kennison noted the year-over-year improvement in towables constituted “the first positive comp in 22 months.”
“The towable data are directionally consistent with our expectations for Thor — as we forecast Thor’s shipments to increase 30% in FQ1 ending October. We expect the trend to continue as comps ease and the destocking trend runs its course,” he stated.
“Shipments have remained below retail sales as dealers reduce inventory. We expect to see this trend run its course in towables as dealers begin to restock the lower-priced, faster-turning units. Additionally, Thor recently reported an increase in its backlog, suggesting dealers are beginning to reorder at a more normal rate. Dealers continue to destock in motorhomes, but this too is an unsustainable trend long term,” he stated.
Kennison calculated the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) for Class A and Class C motorhomes at 13,400 units in August, up from 12,600 units in July, and the SAAR for towables at 174,500 units in August, up from 136,500 units in July.
Meanwhile, Rogers said the sector appears poised for steady growth, according to The Business Insider.
“We continue to believe consumer tastes, demographics and the economics of RV ownership will support continued growth over the long term,” he wrote in a client note.
Rogers said White Plains, N.Y.-based Drew Industries Inc., which makes parts for recreational vehicles, will be a major beneficiary of the sector’s return to growth.
“Management has done an excellent job of managing costs during the downturn, and with its strong balance sheet and adequate access to capital, Drew is well positioned to capitalize on competition weakness,” the analyst said, reiterating his “Neutral” rating on the stock.
However, the analyst cautioned that although he sees an eventual return to normalized sales of RVs, the timing of that is uncertain.
In late morning trading, Drew Industries rose $1.48, or 7.2%, to $21.98, Winnebago added 88 cents, or 6.8%, to $13.81 and Thor increased $1.54, or 5.6%, to $29.14. Earlier in the session, the stock hit a new 52-week high of $29.32.


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A team from Bibby Distribution used to picking, cutting, packing and distributing Perspex acrylic sheets has become part of the frontline effort to protect supermarket workers from contracting the coronavirus.
Based at Perspex International in Lancashire, almost 50 Bibby Distribution workers are now supporting efforts to create protective screens to shield cashiers from customers at check-out points – at a rate three-times more than usual volumes.
Bibby Distribution has worked with Perspex International for almost 27 years, helping store and deliver acrylic panels typically used in bathrooms and kitchens.
Bibby Distribution’s Business Unit Director, Mark Davies, says: “Our team has had to pull together, quickly introduce new ways of working and get used to new volumes and extremely tight deadlines to ensure demand can be met.
“The way they have adapted so quickly and flexibly in challenging circumstances, and with such a calm and measured approach makes me really proud of every one of them. We are all focused on doing everything we can to limit the spread of this horrific virus.”
While completing the work, Bibby Distribution team members are adhering to social-distancing guidelines set by the government, and all operatives have access to hand wash and hand sanitizer.
The working environment is also being cleaned on an hourly basis with supplies provided by Bibby Distribution.


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Retail sales fell 1.7% in August as lockdowns continue28 September 2021
Australian retail turnover fell 1.7 per cent in August 2021, seasonally adjusted, according to the Retail Trade figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This was the third consecutive monthly fall in turnover following falls of 2.7 per cent in July 2021, and 1.8 per cent in June 2021.
Ben James, Director of Quarterly Economy Wide Surveys, said: “Retail turnover continues to be negatively impacted by lockdown restrictions, with each of the eastern mainland states experiencing falls in line with their respective level of restrictions. In direct contrast, states with no lockdowns performed well with Western Australia and South Australia enjoying strong rises as physical stores were open for trade.”
Another full month of lockdown has seen New South Wales fall 3.5 per cent to its lowest level since April 2020 when the pandemic first hit. After having restrictions eased in July, Victoria fell 3.0 per cent as the state was placed back into an ongoing lockdown on August 5. A snap lockdown on August 12 in the Australian Capital Territory heavily restricted non-essential retail leading to a 19.9 per cent fall, while a mid-month lockdown in South East Queensland drove a 0.9 per cent fall.
With no lockdown restrictions in place for the month of August, retail turnover in South Australia rose 6.6 per cent, bouncing back strongly from a lockdown in late July. Western Australians continued to enjoy relatively few restrictions, with the state’s retail sales rising by 2.8 per cent.
By industry, the extended physical store closures across the country continue to negatively impact retail trade in August with the largest falls in clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-15.7 per cent), cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (-7.0 per cent), department stores (-10.2 per cent), and household goods retailing (-2.3 per cent).
Food retailing (2.1 per cent) saw the largest rise as coronavirus restrictions continue to limit mobility and keep households at home. Other retailing (0.8 per cent) also rose, in part due to additional online sales.


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The Apple Watch is shown on multiple pages of the magazine, depicting different watch casings and band designs in clean ads that feature nothing but the Apple Watch itself. The images are actual size, giving readers an idea of how big the watch is in real life.
Notably, there is a strong focus on the Apple Watch bands. Several are shown in close up images that highlight construction details. The Milanese Loop, the Green Spot band, and the Rose Gray Modern Buckle band are among the bands shown.
If you haven't yet seen all the various models of Apple Watch that will be available in April, click here.
Apple is stepping up its advertising ahead of the launch of its smartwatch, just recently we noted that SELF Magazine announced that the cover of its March issue features Candice Swanepoel wearing an Apple Watch.
Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or RSS for more updates on the Apple Watch.
Take a look at the Vogue spread below...


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Student-Athletes Not Sleeping Enough, Intervention Could Help
This article was submitted by University of Arizona News courtesy of Michael Grandner, UA College of Medicine….feel free to comment on this article below….. College athletes are not getting enough…Read more »
Are You Really Getting Enough Exercise?
An interesting topic from this past May courtesy of PRWeb, please share your comments below….. Workouts that promise fitness with as little as four to seven minutes of high-intensity exercise…Read more »
Whole Foods Vs. Supplements – Are Whole Foods Really Enough?
By Jordan Layton Supplements have become tremendously popular in recent years, not only among athletes, but also among everyday people seeking the keys to youth, vitality and longevity. It seems…Read more »
Is Half Hour Of Daily Exercise Enough?
From Your Health Journal…..”A very important article that I had to promote from News.com.au written by Fiona Baker entitled Is Half Hour Of Daily Exercise Enough?. As you know, we…Read more »


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With the help of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, who served as grand marshals for the 20th annual parade, Michigan Avenue became a truly Magnificent Mile. The only things brighter than the more than 1 million twinkling lights, were the smiles on the faces of those taking it all in.
"The kids love it. We enjoy it every year. Very Chicago," Ashley Wiggins said.
"People are great, lot of energy. It's awesome. People are excited. Everybody's in a pretty good mood. So it's wonderful," James Neal said.
The festival featured live music and dancing, eye-catching floats and giant balloons. Joining Mickey and Minnie were Goofy and Santa. But one Disney Channel star seemed to steal the show.
"I love it. I just met China Anne McClain!" Shamaria Barron, 8, said. "A.N.T. Farm!"
The annual festival helps jumpstart the holiday shopping season. Many arrived early in search of a bargain.
"Extended hours, some early deals, and the shelves are full," said John Shikow, Greater North Michigan Avenue Association.
"We are going to be here a few days doing a lot of shopping and eating and enjoying the city," Jorge Cansinos, shopper, said.
(Note: Disney is the parent company of ABC7 Chicago.)


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Amex Contest Offers Big Break From Facebook
Does your small business need a big break? American Express Open just launched the “Facebook Big Break for Small Business.”
It’s a national contest that aims to help transform the way small businesses use Facebook to connect and engage with customers. What does that transformation look like? More authentic and more personal. Of course, it takes a little practice.
That’s why American Express OPEN is footing the bill for hands-on training at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif. Five small businesses will win a two-day in-depth, one-on-one business makeover. Oh, AMEX is also offering a cool $20,000 in cash to drive your social media strategy forward.
"Small business owners are experts at customer engagement, but the tools and techniques for finding and engaging customers are quickly evolving," says Julie Fajgenbaum, vice president of Brand and Customer Marketing at American Express OPEN. "It's critical that business owners understand these new channels and platforms, which is why we are collaborating with Facebook to educate on the benefits of engaging customers through social media and provide real, tangible tips on how to do it effectively."
What should you expect? If you win, you’ll be tutored on how to maximize the power of Facebook to better market your businesses, products and services to existing and new customers alike. This is practical and personal training on best practices for using Facebook Pages, Ads and Social Plugins.
But don’t worry if you don’t win… Everybody who enters will get to see the training as documented on OPEN’s Facebook Page and the OPEN Forum. You can also tap into a slew of “how to” videos. And even if you don’t win, you could still walk away with $2,500 in Facebook advertising to help you target new customers.
Nearly half of small businesses said they use social networking sites to communicate with customers and market their products, according to the latest results from the semi-annual American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor. This represents a substantial increase from 2009, when only one-in-ten respondents reported actively using social networking sites. Facebook is the most popular social media site for small business owners, according to the 2011 survey.
"Facebook is committed to the success of small businesses," says Adele Cooper, director of Global Customer Marketing and Communications at Facebook. "Using Facebook, a business can find new customers, let their customers recommend and share information about their business, and create loyalty by hosting an ongoing two-way conversation. This word-of-mouth-marketing is unique to Facebook and allows businesses to create a more personal and engaging relationship with their customers."
Here’s how to enter: Visit Facebook and submit answers to a short questionnaire describing how you would use the competition's winnings to better their business. During the first round of judging, 10 small business finalists will be selected by a panel of judges. Each submission will be judged based on the following criteria:
• Commitment to their business and growth;
• Overall social media need where Facebook could improve their business;
• Energy and enthusiasm for small business.
Finalists will then compete in a final round of judging where OPEN Facebook fans will be asked to vote for their five favorite small businesses to win the trip to Facebook and $20,000 prize.


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Arusha. At least eleven pharmacies and chemist shops at Ngarenaro, Levolosi and Kaloleni wards in Arusha city have been closed for failure to meet the mandatory audit recently carried out.
According to the city medical officer Dr Simon Chacha, some of the shops operated in premises which do not meet the required standards while others were manned by unqualified people.
"Yet others are operating illegally", he said when he was briefing the media on the recently completed exercise, adding that some pharmacies do not have valid licenses.
Dr Chacha said during the crackdown targeting the three wards, one medical store owner was found operating a clinic in the backyard of his shop without being authorized to do so.
The businessman (name withheld) is also reported to have been examining people on their HIV/Aids status which he says was illegal. The culprit would soon be arraigned to answer charges of operating a medical facility illegally.
"He had been examining pregnant women from the precints of the Kilombelo wholesale market. That is an improper place to do this given its filthy conditions", he pointed out.
The city medical officer called on people intending to open pharmacy shops to follow the laid down conditions and that they should visit him in order to be briefed on what to do.
On his part, the city pharmacist Zephania Mtaturu said one of the conditions for the pharmacies and chemist shops was that they should not be located in noisy and congested sections of the city.
He recommended they be located on the fringes of the central business district (CBD) or in the peri-urban areas where patients needing briefing on the use of the drugs can be attended.
"Only the wholesale medical stores should be located in the CBD because here there is no counselling on the drugs", he said, adding that they would have no mercy on the pharmacies and allied stores operating in unhygenic premises.
A health officer with the Levolosi health centre Allen Sumari said medical practitioners delivering health services in unauthorized places such as the backyard of their residence would be apprehended.


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Amber Solutions, the young Silicon Valley company that recently introduced an AC/DC enabler and AC switch that makes possible the digital control of electricity in solid-state architecture, is moving closer to making this control a mainstream reality. The company has announced it has signed one Letter of Intent with revenue and six Memorandums of Understanding with leading global electronics manufacturers, three of which were signed during the COVID-19 lockdown, to explore product, scoping, development, and contract terms.
The company also announced that it has completed and/or is building solid-state-based, full functional demo models or pre-production product for a range of categories that include multi-function capacitive touch smart dimmer switches, smart outlet, and smart, programmable retrofit Din Rail (Europe) and NEMA (US) circuit breakers.
“The combination of our internal and partner aligned development initiatives are re-inventing a foundational technology of modern life that hasn’t changed materially in over 50 years, and this is happening faster than anyone would have thought possible a few short years ago,” says Amber founder, president, and CEO Thar Casey. “Our partners recognize that Amber’s breakthroughs go far beyond providing new technology options to solving major and costly issues that have affected the industry for years.”
The prospect of Amber and its partners powering the wholesale upgrade of every electrical endpoint in every building, to solid state with embedded intelligence is very compelling. “We deliver a first mover advantage for our partners in an addressable market that is worldwide in scope and long overdue for transformation,” adds Casey. “We are opening the door to an entirely new area of opportunity for forward-looking investors, electrical products manufacturers, third-party developers, resellers, building architects, and developers — as well as end-user customers.”
Amber has five patents secured, with 36 filed to cover both hardware and software innovations as well as received UL component-level certification for one of their core breakthroughs. “Amber’s portfolio of patented technologies is going to disrupt the global electrical and powered products industries by enabling robust integration of advanced artificial intelligence and Internet-of-Things (IoT) connectivity in any electrical product that requires AC to DC conversion or AC switching,” Casey promises.
For more information, visit www.ambersi.com.


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New research from USTelecom, “US vs EU Broadband Trends (2012-2020),” features updated research showing the United States continues to lead the European Union (EU) in broadband deployment and adoption, while also outpacing Europe on broadband investment and competition.
A few highlights from the report:
- The US benefits from nearly twice the fixed facilities-based competition of the EU overall. When comparing rural areas, the US lead extends to 7x.
- In terms of deployment of ≥30 Mbps, the US has reached 91% of rural areas, compared to the EU, which has reached 87% overall and 60% of rural areas.
- 55% of connected US households and 34% in the EU had ≥100 Mbps subscriptions in 2020.
As stated by USTelecom, the findings “offer compelling validation that the US regulatory model – one that encourages vigorous private investment in continually building, maintaining and upgrading US broadband infrastructure—has yielded superior outcomes for American consumers and the nation’s digital future, when compared to the EU’s more heavily regulatory approach.”
Access the full report.


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For the period April-June, the group posted a net profit of 438 million kronor (47.85 million euros, 65.9 billion dollars), up from 301 million a year earlier, a Saab statement said.
Sales totalled 5.935 billion during the period, up by 15.35 percent from a year ago.
In the first six months of the year, sales reached 10.852 billion, exceeding analysts’ forecasts of 10.629 billion.
In the second quarter, the group’s operating profit rose by 55.9 percent to 630 million kronor, while operating margin climbed from 7.9 percent to 10.6 percent.
However, orders in the second quarter plunged by 74 percent to 2.954 billion from 11.431 billion a year ago, and were almost halved during the six-month period to 8.345 billion.
The group attributed the drop to Pakistan’s decision to reduce by 1.35 billion kronor an order for an airborne surveillance system.
“The first half of 2007 was a stable, forward-looking period for Saab,” group chief executive Aake Svensson said.
“Order bookings remained satisfactory, sales increased and income was stable. During the second quarter, important acquisitions were complemented by future-oriented partnerships of major significance,” he added.
For the rest of the year, the group said it expected growth in line with 2006 levels when the group posted a 12 percent rise in net profit to 1.347 billion kronor.