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Chicago, IL, June 8, 2021—The pandemic has not slowed USF Federal Credit Union’s progress in Florida. For seven years, Nova has been working with USF FCU to develop their retail brand and implement it into their newly built branches. Projects with USF FCU included the Marshall Student Center branch, which won a prestigious CUNA Diamond Award in 2016. With a field of membership that includes University of South Florida students who potentially remain members for life, USF FCU was looking for some spark to be injected into their brand in their retail space. “We went with colors from the bolder side of USF’s palette, worked with campus and local imagery familiar to members, and created a graphic asset that showcases their value words. The intent is to be colorful and fun so the campus branches feel at home and appealing to students while the brand continues to be inviting to older members,” says Nova’s Creative Director Linda George. On the results of the changes over the years, Chief Marketing Officer Debbie Clark comments “we’ve seen an increase in traffic and in volume of business and it has completely repositioned our brand in the hearts and minds of the people in the community. Our members love it absolutely.”
In the past year, Nova has had the privilege to continue implementing the brand playbook as part of USF’s ongoing development, completing work on a new branch in Sarasota and a new corporate office in Tampa. While numbers of in-branch usage were down because of the pandemic, Clark says traffic at the new corporate location has been steady and she anticipates growth now that businesses have reopened. The new branches have also provided employee morale and they continually receive positive feedback from the communities, including being voted one of the best credit unions in Sarasota by readers of SRQ Magazine.
Clark raves about her experience with Nova as “easy to work with” and “very innovative in the creative process.” Nova is currently working on new projects with them this summer.


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Given the sheer amount of independent watchmaking brands that have emerged in the 21st century, many people fail to realize that a small number of these firms actually date back to the mid-1990s. Among those pioneering companies that are still going strong is Urwerk , a brand that was founded in 1997 through a partnership between the watchmaking talents of Felix Baumgartner and the aesthetic eye of designer Martin Frei. Baumgartner and Frei have continued their work uninterrupted over the past 22 years and have established a well-deserved reputation for pushing the limits of traditional time displays, advancing watchmaking through their out-of-the-box creations that combine a distinctive design language and an avant-garde approach to watchmaking
As part of its just-announced relationship with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, Breitling has unveiled the Aviator 8 Etihad Limited Edition in black steel. This is a limited edition of 500 pieces and features stylized Arabic numerals on the dial, as is the norm with most Middle East editions
Ever since I began writing this column, I’ve wanted to cover the Seiko 5.
Tudor today announced a new limited-edition timepiece made to commemorate their partnership with the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. The Black Bay Chrono Dark Limited Edition is the first limited edition Tudor has ever produced, which in and of itself is unique. The watch is stainless steel and measures the same as the original…
The Rugby World Cup is a men’s rugby union tournament contested every four years between the top international teams. As the official timekeeper of the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan (September 20 to November 2), Tudor will equip all participating referees with a Black Bay Chrono in Steel ( see WatchTime’s review from 2018 )
Despite a recent focus on high horology found in watches like the Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral , one of the mainstays within the Carl F.
Bovet Fleurier paid modern tribute to the so-called “easel” chronometer — a 1930 pocketwatch with a patented balance that served as a transitional piece between the eras of pocketwatches and wristwatches — with its 19Thirty collection, introduced earlier this year in steel cases. The newest versions feature rose gold cases in the maison’s emblematic Fleurier style, along with its hallmark Fleurisanne engraving on the dials
Just as a strap change is a quick and easy way to mix up the look of your watch and freshen it, playing around with the dial on an watch can do much the same. Of course, that’s not a 30-second operation, and if you’re doing it yourself, there’s a lot more sweat equity involved. But hey, brands can do it as well, right?
Earlier this week, Vacheron Constantin and WatchTime hosted a private cocktail party for readers and brand clients at the Lido House hotel in Newport Beach, California. Attending guests were able to explore the full range of Vacheron’s current offerings, from the latest Overseas models, to timepieces from the Patrimony, Traditionelle, and FiftySix families.
Yesterday, Urwerk debuted their latest timepiece, the smallest and most wearable timepiece they’ve ever offered, the UR-100 Spacetime. At 41mm in diameter by 14 mm in thickness and 49.7 mm in length the case dimensions are much closer to a round watch than most Urwerk timepiece, nevertheless, they still were able to design a timepiece…

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If you think the U.S. government is doing a sub-par job of keeping your food safe, brace yourself. You could soon be eating imported chicken, beef and seafood products that don’t meet even basic U.S. standards for food safety. The Obama Administration is allowing corporations like Dow AgroSciences, Cargill and DuPont, and industry trade groups like the Pork Producers Council and Tobacco Associates, Inc. – 600 of them in all – to weigh in on negotiations on two of the largest free trade agreements in world history.
Who doesn’t get a seat at the table? Consumers, farmers, even members of Congress. In fact, the President wants to “fast-track” the two agreements. That means Congress will be forced to vote on them, after they’ve already been finalized and signed, without benefit of the normal democratic checks and balances that include debate and the ability to introduce amendments.
The Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) pose direct threats to consumer safety. They will weaken U.S. and world food safety standards, threaten domestic and international food sovereignty laws, and allow transnational corporations to sue governments for alleged future lost profits unless the corporations are allowed to freely peddle their unproven, unsafe goods with reckless regard for existing food safety laws.


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After a tweet for help from Steoreilly asking for some Android phone buying advice, Androidbloke has come into the rescue. I have posted up some of my thoughts on what the best in breed android phones are around today. From the news being released on our friends at Expansys blog, you are not the only one getting an android phone as it is currently taking the market by storm.
I am very excited to report that Droidcon, London is a officially GO GO GO!
We can all look forward to painting London town green with Android and having a whole 2 days ( plus afterparties) to celebrate android. Droidcon will be taking place this year on 28-29 October, where developers from all over Europe ( and hopefully further) coming to town to meet, network , eat and drink with their fellow androiders.
Thanks to the awesome tip from one of our readers, Phil. It appears that standard version of HTC Desire's Android 2.2 (aka Froyo) has started rolling out to Vodafone HTC Desire users.(without any branded extras!)
The update is the best version of android yet and...
Finally after 2 months of waiting the Android Mobile Panel is back and with new improved software. Nielsen have taken on board all the really great feedback that they received and are launching a brand new version of their software.
With android becoming so popular the world is starting to pay attention to Android users habits. The company that reports tv audiences is now getting into the Android business and is launching a mobile panel specifically for Android Smartphone Users.
For those of you lucky to be in the San Francisco this November, be sure to register to head down to the Open Mobile Summit. This event is one of the premier mobile events on the calendar and is one of the few opportunities to bump into the top people in the mobile industry


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- PMI falls to all-time low in March
- Manufacturing falls 23.6 index points
- Services decline 18.2 index points
Sri Lanka’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell sharply to record an all-time low in March, reflecting how deep the economic fallout of COVID-19 amid lockdowns is.
The manufacturing sector PMI recorded an all-time low index value of 30.0 in March, declining by 23.6 index points from February.
The services sector PMI for the month recorded an index value of 32.0, a decline of 18.2 index points from February.
“The decline of manufacturing PMI was mainly driven by the significant contraction of Production and New Orders sub-indices of PMI reflecting the significance of the COVID-19 pandemic to the Sri Lankan manufacturing sector,” a Central Bank statement said.
The sub-index, Production plunged from 54.8 index points to 5.2 points through the month while the New Orders sub-index slumped from 51.1 index points to 18.7 points from February
Significant contraction in sub-indices of Production, New Orders and Stock of Purchases was due to the closure of manufacturing companies since mid-March and halting of production activities.
Meanwhile, the orders received at the beginning of the month from USA and Europe, particularly for textiles and garments were subsequently cancelled due to the rapid spreading of the virus in those markets, the Central
Meanwhile, the suppliers’ delivery time lengthened in March due to delays in shipments and local logistics.
When the virus was fast spreading in China and neighbouring countries in January and February, Sri Lankan industrialists led by textile and garment manufacturers and construction sector among others raised concerns about supply chain disruptions, which could force them to suspend their production as much of Sri Lanka’s industrial exports depend on imported raw materials.
They had also cautioned that disruptions to supply chains and demand could linger for some time deteriorating their manufacturing activities significantly for the next three months.
Meanwhile, the government this week allowed the Board of Investment companies to resume operations subject to strict health guidelines, and the Export Development Board slashed their export earnings projections considerably to US$ 10.5 billion for 2020 from an earlier US$
EDB Chairman Prabhash Subasinghe stressed the need to become realistic in the way forward and termed it a “marathon” and not a “race”.
Forebodings were seen also in the services sector with the steeper fall in the sub-index ‘Expectation for Activity’ from 52.7 index points to 16.9 points between February and March.
“Expectations for Activity sub index declined to its all-time low in March 2020 as respondents were concerned about the expected fall in consumer demand emanating from the reduction in discretionary spending and personal income, import restrictions and fall in tourist arrivals,” the statement said.
“New Businesses and Business Activities declined mainly in services related to tourism industry such as hotels, travel agents, and recreation activities. In addition, domestic travel restrictions imposed in line with the lockdown of the country and slowdown in cargo handling have affected business activities of the transportation sub sector negatively.
Even though the wholesale and retail trade sector observed an increase in demand with stockpiling, the demand could not be catered due to the issues with staff availability and delivery networks”, the Central Bank further said.
Meanwhile, the employment in the services sector has continued to decline due to the discontinuation of contractual and casual employees amid the freeze of new recruitments.


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The retailer said it is charting a course to exit bankruptcy before the holiday season.
The shop, which features luxury skiwear and casual sportswear, will open Nov. 1.
From “multi-preneur” to “mom-preneur,” Christina Hammond’s career path is one that continues to evolve.
An increasingly conservative Supreme Court could reshape LGBTQ rights, with implications for the fashion industry.
The project comes amid a legal battle, accusing Bernstein of copying indie label The Great Eros’ designs.
The pandemic has been better to Amazon than anyone realized, thanks to online shopping surges.
Savile Row’s Huntsman brings its heritage into the modern era with new Huntsman at Home suite of tech services.
The outdoors brand is focusing more on omni-channel initiatives as future growth opportunities.
Digital growth and online innovation are critical to offset difficult business at stores and meet changing customer expectations.
Retail Ecommerce Ventures has retained the 58-year-old home goods retailer’s senior buyers for the relaunch.
The pandemic has not made the athleticwear brand averse to physical retail.
The firm’s second-quarter top and bottom line showed improvement over the first quarter.
Three people were killed Thursday morning in the southern city of Nice, two inside the Notre Dame basilica.
The retailer logged a $231 million profit for the quarter, up from $20 million the same time last year.
Christian Nucibella, founder and ceo of consultancy FiloBlu, believes a project-based, cross-functional mind-set is key to thrive.
Several leaders of the city’s Business Improvement Districts have been calling on city officials to give stores more outdoor space.
The U.K. property owner is stepping up its game, and could soon take a stake in Roland Mouret.
Balmain’s latest Paris runway ushers in a new TV channel from LG, with a short film all about Lady Gaga’s “911” music video to follow.
Online shopping will rake in $189 billion, a 33 percent year-over-year jump that equals two years of growth crammed into one season, Adobe said.
It’s been an election cycle like no other, and even less than a week from Election Day, it’s likely far from over.
Barring further drastic lockdown measures, the company expects a positive operating profit for 2020.
The Philadelphia-based brand hired Cindy DiPietrantonio as its new president and chief executive officer.
The editor in chief of the magazine said he has collected every issue since the first copy he bought after leaving Belfast in 1997.
As companies struggle with steep wholesale declines, some brands are trying to connect more with consumers by holiday giving.
The ongoing conflict between J.C. Penney’s lender constituencies reflects the ever-present struggles in a bankruptcy.
Crevoiserat, who has been serving as interim ceo since July, is the first woman to lead the fashion company that houses the Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman brands.
The ceo promoted key executives to focus in on brand and connect with consumers.
The offerings aim to unblock growth barriers in the e-commerce industry.
SimilarWeb ranks the top sites by measuring average monthly site visits.
The President tried to argue that the Department of Justice should take over the case on his behalf.
Investors include H&M Co:Lab, the venture capital arm of the H&M Group.


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The first Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update release has arrived and unsurprisingly, it lands for a carrier inside the United States, one of the only regions confirmed to be getting a Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update.
Earlier this week, we reported that the Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update for Sprint had been spotted in several places. We first noticed it lurking in a User Agent Profile string on Sprint’s site, a sign that the update was indeed coming and that it could be close.
The update also made an appearance inside Samsung’s OpenSource developer site. Once an update’s kernel source appears there, it typically takes about 48 hours before the update lands for the public. In other words, we believed that the Sprint Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update and the start of the overall Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update were close.
Today, our suspicious were realized as Sprint announced the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update. The update is not only the first Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update to land in the United States, it’s the first Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update to land for anyone. Sprint is well known for pushing out updates in a timely manner and the carrier continues to set the bar for software update speed.
The update was announced in two different places on Sprint’s website. Unfortunately, a full on change log isn’t available and the carrier just says that the update delivers Android 4.4 KitKat. We expect the update to feature more than just Android 4.4 KitKat features and it should deliver enhancements and fixes unique to Sprint.
The carrier says that the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update could roll out in waves which means that it may not become available OTA to everyone today. It looks like those that are unwilling to wait for the OTA can head over to XDA-Developers to download the update themselves as the update has been pulled.
Those who aren’t adept at flashing official software should simply wait for the Over-the-Air update to arrive. Typically, Sprint’s Android updates will take around a week or so to complete, if they roll out in stages.
Sprint’s Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update was the first Galaxy S3 update confirmed by a carrier so it’s no surprise that it’s the first to roll out. Unfortunately, it’s still not clear where the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 update is going to be heading next because confirmations are extremely scarce at this point.
Sprint’s rivals including AT&T and Verizon have yet to confirm the update. American carriers typically don’t confirm updates ahead of time so this shouldn’t come as any surprise. While nothing is set in stone, historically, U.S. Cellular follows Sprint while Verizon brings up the rear. Release dates are extremely unpredictable so there is no really no telling how it will play out.
As for the rest of the world, the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update remains in limbo. Samsung USA and Samsung Poland are the only regional wings of Samsung to confirm the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update and Samsung Poland has said that it only plans to push the update for the 2GB LTE version of the Galaxy S3. The Sprint Galaxy S3 is the 2GB LTE model as well.
Some believe that Samsung could skip over some versions of the Galaxy S3 though others believe that Samsung will push Android 4.4 KitKat for several different variants including the international GT-i9300 model. Samsung still hasn’t confirmed that though we expect to hear more now that the update has finally started to roll out.
International carriers also remain silent about the prospects of Android 4.4. We’ve seen carriers offer roll out schedules through the month of June and none of them have Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat updates listed. So if the update does roll out, it could be that Galaxy S3 owners are waiting for quite some time.
Android 4.4 KitKat is expected to be the last update for the Galaxy S3, a device that was introduced all the way back in 2012. Google recommends 18 months of software support but Samsung typically offers two years of software support for its flagship devices. The Galaxy S3 is one of the most popular smartphones in history.
The Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat release starts just a few days after another important Android 4.4 KitKat release. Last week, Samsung started pushing out the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update to owners of the international model in France. The update remains limited to that one device in Europe but it’s expected to start spreading in the weeks ahead.
These two updates follow behind the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat updates, both of which started rolling out this year. Samsung still needs to fulfill a number of Android 4.4 KitKat update promises as there are a number of devices remaining on the upgrade list it unveiled earlier this year.
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PRINCETON — Take a bow, Princeton businesses.
Google said the renowned college town, with retail and service sectors that support a bustling population of locals and residents, has the strongest online business community in New Jersey.
On Wednesday the Menlo Park, Calif.-based corporation released a list of "digital capitals" for each state, giving Princeton the title of New Jersey's 2013 eCity.
"Given the importance of the web in growing our local businesses and our local economies, we worked with independent research firm IPSOS to analyze the online strength of local businesses in cities and towns across America," wrote Scott Levitan, Google's director of small business engagement, on the company's official blog. "Businesses in these communities are embracing the power of the web to find new customers, connect with existing ones and fuel their local economies."
In its press release about the eCities list, IPSOS provided an explanation of its methodology, which used AdWords data to calculate the top five cities in each state relative to population.
Then the market research firm randomly selected 51 small- and medium-sized businesses to grade them on their online presence.


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Monday, 27 November, 2023
Realme Achieves 200 Million Shipment Milestone, Unveils Premium Phone Plans
Chinese tech company Realme reaches a significant milestone with 200 million shipments. Capitalizing on this success, Realme announces plans to launch premium smartphones, expanding its product portfolio. It highlights Realme's impressive growth in the tech market and outlines the company's strategic move to cater to the premium segment, signaling its ambition to compete with high-end smartphone offerings in the competitive global market.


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A little bleary-eyed after a night spent with Queen (that's backstage with the rock band not the monarch) former Australian of the Year finalist, Jon Dee, had a lot of roles to fill in his seven days promoting National Op Shop Week.
At the Katoomba Anglicare store, the co-founder of the Do Something charity, was keen to get the message across that op-shopping was no longer uncool as he tried on a groovy motorbike jacket.
"People have got over that silly notion that second hand is somehow inferior. I find the clothes are better made, the quality of the materials is better, you often get something unique and if you want to help Australians in need it is the simplest way to do that," Mr Dee said.
In its third year, National Op Shop Week has Margie Abbott as its patron, with the first lady admitting she often bought the prime minister's shirts at her local Manly op shop.
The Katoomba Anglicare store was getting into the spirit of the week with a half price sale.
Store manager Stephanie Seers de Vasquez (pictured above) says "everything" she buys is from op shops but she tries to "leave the cream" in her store for the customers. The funds go to numerous vital community programs.
Mr Dee, who is a connoisseur of sixties and seventies jackets, managed to find a dark pin-striped suit jacket for $7.50 in the men's racks, but insisted on giving $25 to the store manager at the checkout.
ABC host James Valentine had come under criticism for admitting to Mr Dee on air last week he had found a $40 pair of RM Williams while op-shopping. Some listeners thought he should have paid more or shopped somewhere else. Mr Dee says he now encourages those who can afford a little more to donate a few extra dollars towards their purchase.
Mr Dee said the annual event was a joint initiative of Do Something and the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations and drew attention to the good work of Australian charity recyclers who diverted two billion items (over 300,000 tonnes) of clothing from landfill each year through donation bins and in-store donations.
Op shops fund essential frontline services, like homeless shelters, women's shelters and food assistance, he said, and some 70,000 Australians volunteered regularly in the charity shops.
"You can help your local charity op shops in three ways," Mr Dee said. "You can donate unwanted clothes or goods, volunteer at a shop or help them to raise money by buying their goods."
Mr Dee, a father of two young girls, recently moved his Do Something office from Newtown to Katoomba after becoming tired of the long commute. "I was travelling so much I wasn't properly here. I feel more like a local now."
n Details: Go to OpShopWeek.com.au or search on Facebook.


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Data Day Out Sydney: Live Broadcast
For the first time in Tableau Asia Pacific, we are thrilled to bring you a Live Broadcast of Data Day Out Sydney!
Tune in to our Live Broadcast of the event for a half day of thought leadership, Tableau updates, and of course, DATA!
You'll also hear from our inspiring customers such as Telstra, Coopers Brewery and NewsCorp about how they're succeeding with Tableau. We’ll explore business critical topics like creating a data first culture, data storytelling, and data literacy.


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We have seen an increase in sport-inspired sandals over the last year, with the adidas Adilette slide at the forefront of the trend.
This season however, the rubber sole is getting a makeover. Adidas has released a new version of its signature adilette slide, replacing the rubber sole for a vamped-up wooden one.
Featuring a wooden insole, a rubber outsole and a PU bandage upper, the slide remains true to brand with three printed stripes.
No longer are adidas slides reserved for dorky dads at the pool, pick up yours online here.


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Australia’s ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence registers second straight weekly loss, inflation expectations stable
Australian bonds slump after U.S.-China trade tension disturbs investors once again; Sep labour report disappoints
MAS likely to adopt further easing to a neutral policy by next policy review in April 2020, says ANZ Research
Fed’s dovish stance and balance sheet re-expansion likely to weigh on dollar in months ahead, says Scotiabank
Regulatory Series on Cryptocurrencies: US-CFTC Sues Naveda Company in $11 Million Cryptocurrency Fraudulent Scheme
Swedish jobless rate remains unchanged at 7.4 pct in September, wage growth unlikely to pick up soon
Australia’s rise in September employment remains smallest in seven months; jobless rate likely to drift higher in near-term
German bunds suffer as investors await eurozone’s June consumer price inflation data
The German bunds suffered during European trading session Wednesday ahead of the country’s and eurozone’s consumer price inflation (CPI) data for the month of June, scheduled to be released on June 27 and 28 by 12:00GMT and 09:00GMT respectively.
The German 10-year bond yields, which move inversely to its price, jumped 2 basis points to -0.312 percent, the yield on 30-year note surged nearly 3 basis points to 0.271 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year traded flat at -0.738 percent by 10:10GMT.
After a focus on business sentiment at the start of the week – with the downbeat German ifo indices contrasting the relatively positive French INSEE survey – the euro area dataflow this morning centred on the household, with national consumer confidence surveys from Germany and France released.
In Germany, consumer confidence has trended steadily lower since hitting a series high early last year. And that negative run seems to be continuing, with GfK estimating a larger-than-expected decline of 0.3pt to a 27-month low of 9.8 in the headline index in the latest month. The detail, however, was not all bad, Daiwa Capital Markets reported.
Admittedly, despite the strong labour market, the survey’s measure of income expectations dropped sharply in June, the lowest since March 2017. But the survey measure of broader economic expectations inched up slightly from the more than three-year low reached in May, still nevertheless remaining well down on its level this time last year.
And having last month fallen back close to the bottom of the range of the past three years, the index of willingness to buy rose back slightly in line with the Q1 average, still however some way below the norms of the past couple of years but consistent with ongoing steady growth in private consumption close to the 1.6 percent y/y rate recorded in Q1, the report added.
Meanwhile, the German DAX traded tad 0.63 percent higher at 12,306.11 by 10:15GMT, while at 10:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly Euro Strength Index remained neutral at 64.89 (higher than +75 represents bullish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex


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On this day in economic and business history…
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) took its biggest step toward consolidating the fast-growing PC industry under its operating system on May 22, 1990, when it released Windows 3.0 to the public. It had been five years since Microsoft’s first Windows release, which introduced a graphical user interface to compete with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)‘s Macintosh systems. However, earlier versions of Windows were barely used — Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) itself didn’t introduce Excel on the platform until 1987, and Word wasn’t available on Windows until version 3.0 was nearly finished. That finally began to change with the launch of 3.0, especially once Windows 3.1 hit the market two years later.
Key to 3.0’s success was Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s ability to convince many early PC-makers to pre-install the operating system on machines before they reached consumers. Although International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) and Compaq (now part of Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ)) refused to commit to pre-installs — International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) was still trying to push its 3-year-old OS/2 (an early Windows competitor), and Compaq’s general policy opposed all pre-installs at the time — Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) still managed to assemble a lineup of 30 computer makers, virtually none of which still make computers today, to include Windows 3.0 on machines out of the box. The $150 operating system sold 100,000 copies in its first two weeks on the market, and 4 million PCs were running Windows 3.0 by the end of its first year on the market.
Windows 3.0 didn’t kill off the Mac — Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s market share actually grew slightly during the early ’90s as second-tier systems like the Amiga and the Atari died off — but it nevertheless closed the door on any real competition for the International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM)-compatible PC in homes and offices. Windows 3.1 would sell at a brisker pace, with 3 million copies moved in its first three months, and Windows 95 provided all the fuel necessary to send Microsoft into the stratosphere: 40 million copies sold in its first year alone.
The difference between Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s stock and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s over the remainder of the turbocharged 1990s is telling: From the launch of Windows 3.0 to the end of the decade, Microsoft shareholders enjoyed a return of about 5,800%, while Apple shareholders saw only 160% price growth. This underwhelming performance failed to beat the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow Jones Indices:.DJI), which gained 300% over the same time period, and which would induct Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) to its ranks right at the close of the decade — one of its worst decisions, for the software maker would depress the index for more than a decade afterward. Windows 3.0’s success also nearly undid IBM by rendering OS/2 irrelevant, resulting in the largest loss in corporate American history by 1992.
Who owns flight?
Behind many great inventions is often a fierce patent war. Few were so consequential to American enterprise as that waged by the Wright brothers, who had filed a patent on their flying machine months before making the first successful flight in Kitty Hawk. When it was granted on May 22, 1906, it became a cudgel the brothers would use against all competitors. Wilbur Wright opined several years later: “It is our view that morally the world owes its almost universal use of our system of lateral control entirely to us. It is also our opinion that legally it owes it to us.” It’s no wonder that they so fiercely defended the patent, if they believed in the originality of their creation with such religious fervor.


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India's Tryst With GST – Unmatched Coverage on ET NOW
MUMBAI: India is at the cusp of a big transition, with the concept of one nation, one tax finally becoming a reality. This is India’s Tryst With GST and the government will officially roll out GST in Parliament on Friday midnight, adding a new chapter in the country’s history. ET NOW, India’s leading business news channel, has been championing this landmark reform, bringing you exclusive interviews, news breaks and ground reports along with interactive shows.
To mark the momentous event for Indian economy we have lined up round-the-clock programming on Friday, June 30, 2017. Through day, ET NOW will bring you big voices from the government, the Opposition and Industry as well as market and tax experts who will analyse every aspect of this game-changing reform.
The special programming at ET NOW will include the top architects of the GST, we get you a battery of ministers like Piyush Goyal, Jayant Sinha. Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram shares the opposition’s perspective and the politics of GST.
Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia and CBEC Chairperson Vanaja Sarna will give the nuts and bolts perspective and clarify all queries regarding the GST. Navin Kumar, GSTN Chairman shares his views on preparedness and logistics for rolling out this ambitious reform.
India’s top industrialists will be a part of our special programming. Some of the most noteworthy names include Kumar Mangalam Birla, NR Narayana Murthy, Sajjan Jindal, Kishore Biyani and Harsh Mariwala.
The best market voices will also join ET NOW with their perspective on the GST. The market panel will be led by none other than Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Vallabh Bhansali and Nilesh Shah.
To get a perspective on the impact of GST on the Indian economy ET NOW is interacting with the best economic minds in India including former RBI governors Bimal Jalan and YV Reddy, besides Gita Gopinath, Rajiv Kumar and Arvind Virmani.
We will be live with the grand GST gala from Parliament’s Central Hall, and will get you views and analysis even after the ceremony ends.
ET NOW’s Managing Editor, Sandeep Gurumurthi, said, “GST is the dawn of a new era for the Indian economy, it is the single biggest event that will change the course of not just the economy but also how business is done our country. We at ET NOW are calling it India’s Tryst With GST and leaving no stone unturned to herald this game changing reform that will set the stage for One India One Tax”.
He also added that the special programming is aimed at demystifying the GST besides spreading awareness and addressing concerns.


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- BusinessFox Business•6 hours ago
Boomers are setting a new pace settling into their Golden Years. According to a new survey by Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (TCRS), 66 percent of Boomer workers plan to, or are already working past age 65. “Today’s workers are grappling with retirement security and challenged by the wobbly three-legged stool comprising Social Security, employer-sponsored retirement benefits and personal savings,” said Catherine Collinson, president of TCRS.
- BusinessThe Street•8 hours ago
Sears Holdings (SHLD) is in really bad shape as its earnings report shows, and as it prepares for the holiday season. The struggling owner of Sears and Kmart reported a staggering second-quarter loss of $2.03 a share as it felt intense competitive pressures in businesses such as appliances and apparel from Home Depot (HD) , Lowe's (LOW) , J.C. Penney (JCP) , Best Buy (BBY) and Walmart (WMT) . A year ago, the company delivered a loss of $2.03 a share. Net sales plunged 8.8% to $5.7 billion. The impact of yet another loss could almost be felt in the dishearted statement by Sears' Chairman and CEO Eddie Lampert. "We continue to face a challenging competitive environment, and while we continue to
- financeBloomberg•2 hours ago
J.C. Penney Co. is in a surprising position more than four years after it was almost run aground by a former chief executive officer: It could be the last department store standing at your local mall.


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The number of smartwatches shipped worldwide overtook Swiss watches for the first time ever, according to a new report by consulting firm Strategy Analytics.
In the three months to the end of 2015 a total of 8.1 million smartwatches were shipped compared with 7.9 million Swiss watches – and most of them were android smart watches for men.
There was a 316% increase in the number of smartwatches shipped in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 – up from 1.9 million.
Meanwhile, the number of Swiss watches shipped in the fourth quarter of 2015 declined by 5% on a year-over-year basis, down from 8.3 million in Q4 2014.
Global Smartwatch vs. Swiss Watch Shipments in Q4 2015
|Global Shipments (Millions of Units)||Q4 ’14||Q4 ’15|
|Global Shipments Growth: Year-over-Year (%)||Q4 ’14||Q4 ’15|
|Source: Strategy Analytics|
Apple and Samsung account for 80% of smartwatches shipped worldwide
Cliff Raskind, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, “We estimate global smartwatch shipments reached 8.1 million units in Q4 2015, rising a healthy 316 percent from 1.9 million in Q4 2014. Smartwatches are growing rapidly in North America, Western Europe and Asia.
“Apple Watch captured an impressive 63 percent share of the global smartwatch market in Q4 2015, followed by Samsung with 16 percent. Apple and Samsung together account for a commanding 8 in 10 of all smartwatches shipped worldwide.”
Global demand for Swiss watches is slowing down
Steven Waltzer, Analyst at Strategy Analytics, added, “We estimate global Swiss watch shipments reached 7.9 million units in Q4 2015, falling 5 percent from 8.3 million in Q4 2014. Global demand for Swiss watches is slowing down, and major players like Swatch are struggling to find growth.”
The Swiss watch industry has been slow to react to the arrival of smartwatches
Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “The Swiss watch industry has been very slow to react to the development of smartwatches. The Swiss watch industry has been sticking its head in the sand and hoping smartwatches will go away.
“Swiss brands, like Tag Heuer, accounted for a tiny 1 percent of all smartwatches shipped globally during Q4 2015, and they are long way behind Apple, Samsung and other leaders in the high-growth smartwatch category.”


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What’s the difference between road car and race car (like NASCAR) oil? Sponsored by Mobil 1 motor oil.
Only appearing as a 2011 model, the 1 Series M Coupe is one of the most remarkable production cars ever made by the marque.
Our spy photographers have spied the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf R Wagon completely undisguised. It's due here next year.
The off-road-focused package will add a lifted suspension, knobby tires, black six-spoke wheels, and a rougher appearance.
The 40-year search for an unbelievable piece of history is over. You have questions? We have answers.
Thanks to Off The Record for sponsoring today’s episode. Always Fight Your Tickets with Off The Record.
Even well-received sports sedans have been struggling recently, but Lexus' fast-selling IS seems to be bucking the trend.
Michael Hyssong, 30, has 1.4 million subscribers to his automobile YouTube channel.
Start to finish the Jeep Hurricane Power Wheels build with a fully custom fabricated frame, 100HP KTM LC8 990 v twin, Haltech Elite 550 tunable ECU, Rottweiler Performance intake system, and 4WD components from a quad and snowmobile. Altogether this makes this the worlds fastest and capable Power Wheels Build ever!
German luxury automaker BMW says net profit fell 23% last year to 3.86 billion euros ($4.62 billion) as the pandemic shuttered factories in the first part of the year....
Agencies across the metro area have been cracking down on street racing, and the Clayton County Sheriff's Office is the latest to make a large-scale bust.
Nissan says the new engine, which is rated at up to 33 mpg combined by the EPA, will be part of a 'small pilot program.'
The XP2 prototype with limited revs was driven for the first time at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold, Surrey, UK and just metres from where the T.50 will begin full production in 2022. Its first test drive was personally undertaken by Professor Gordon Murray.
You have seen my videos entitled 'Tribute to Pop Up Headlights,' and I decided to make a video dedicated solely to the many concept cars I have gathered that have pop ups. You'll see the Corvette CERV III, Cizeta V16T prototype, Isdera Commendatore 112i, Corvette Mako Shark, and several others!
While not the biggest story to come out of February 2021, the Australian new-vehicle market registered a positive sales result for the fourth month in a row, with its volume up 5.1 per cent month-on-month, to 83,977 units


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Over the course of 12 months, Timothy Ray Ramos had the misfortune of working at a Dollar General store that was robbed three times.
The first time, Nov. 21, 2017, Ramos escaped without suffering physical harm. About two weeks later, the same robber hit the store at 3350 SW Military. This time, he stabbed Ramos in the neck with a knife.
Then, on Nov. 9, 2018, a trio of robbers raided the store. One jumped the counter to loot the cash register while another aimed a rifle at Ramos.
Read the source article at News, Sports, Business


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Good Food News - Vegan Ballpark Eats
Veg News Magazine highlights the latest in Veg friendly guides and apps. And they have good news for plant-based baseball fans.
Veggie Happy has a park locator with information about game-day plant-based food offerings. Users can write reviews and share their experiences on social media. And yeah, I gotta say it... take me out to THAT ballgame!


text: ISLAMABAD: Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has apprised the Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Asim Ahmad about the difficulties faced by importers and exports at Kharlachi Border, Kurram agency. A delegation of FPCCI led by its President Nassar Hyatt Magoo met with Chairman FBR at its headquarters to brief on the issues. According to a press release by FBR on Saturday, FPCCI requested to withdraw the value added sales tax of 3 percent on import of industrial raw materials so as to provide the level playing field to importers and industry. It also notified of the high tax on import of tea. The delegation also raised the issue of closure and non-clearance of vehicles at Chaman Border due to the rent dispute between different governmental institutions. Further, it also requested to withdraw further tax and to introduce minimum tax under section 113 for different sectors. The Chairman FBR assured the redressal of issues raised by the representatives FPCCI in the upcoming Budget 2021-22. The Chairman FBR was assisted by Member (IR-Policy) and his team.


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!- Google Analytics ->
Israel-based cultivated meat startup Future Meat Technologies has changed its name to Believer Meats, marking a rebrand of the company, which broke ground late last year for a large production facility in Wilson, N.C.
Founded in 2018 by Yaakov Nahmias, the company opened its first cultivated meat production line in Israel in 2021, using animal cells without genetic modification.
“People are biologically conditioned to crave meat, but the conventional ways meat gets made today make it difficult to feel good about eating it,” said Nicole Johnson-Hoffman, CEO of Believer Meats, in a press release. “Our company rebranding to Believer embodies the course we’ve charted to build a better future of meat production.”
Believer Meats received significant Series B funding in 2022. The company’s investors include ADM, Emerald Technology, Bits x Bites, Cibus Fund, Tyson Foods, and Menora Mivtachim.
In addition to the rebrand, Believer Meats is working toward a commercial launch in the United States in 2023, pending regulatory approval. The company’s growth agenda calls for it to use its lines of animal cells to expand its cultured meat selections, including cultivated chicken, lamb, beef, and pork.
More than half of rural American consumers reported being worried about having enough food to feed themselves and their families, according to a national survey from the Save the Children Action Network (SCAN).
SCAN is a political advocacy organization founded in 2014 that focuses on issues critical to children’s lives in the United States, including early childhood education and child hunger. The survey was conducted in November 2022 and included 1,006 registered voters from counties considered “mostly rural” or “completely rural” on the U.S. census. Of the respondents, 72% reported living in a rural community and 28% reported living in a small town.
When asked about the biggest problems facing families in rural areas, respondents said that high prices and inflation caused the most concern. The top concern was gas prices at 23%, followed by general inflation at 18%, and food and grocery prices at 15%. Additionally, 84% of respondents reported changing their eating patterns due to increasing grocery costs. And more than three-quarters (77%) of parents surveyed said they are concerned about their ability to afford enough food.
SCAN’s survey also asked respondents which measures and programs they would support or oppose in order to address food access. The most popular solutions are simplifying the retailer application process for farmers markets and bolstering food programs through food pantries or school sites. Additionally, rural voters across the political spectrum reported strong support for government action to address food insecurity.<
Toppings such as mushrooms and ranch dressing are adorning more pizzas in the United States, according to Slice’s Slice of the Union report. Slice, an online technology platform, provides tools and resources to its members in the pizza space, with over 19,000 pizzerias currently using its services. Its annual report gives insight to flavor trends, purchasing patterns, and price variation around the United States.
In 2022, mushrooms were the number one topping, with an increase of 8.9% in orders. Also popular was ranch dressing, with 9.7% more orders with ranch last year. Pineapple was projected to perform well in 2022, but instead decreased in sales. There were 6.1% fewer pineapple orders in 2022, compared with a 76% increase the previous year.
The report also gives two trend predictions for the coming year: Roman-style pizza and pickle pizza. Roman pizzas feature a thin, focaccia-like crust and sauce and toppings spreading to the edges. Pickle pizza first came on the scene in 2018 and has quickly gained popularity. This new creation features a garlic-based sauce, mozzarella cheese, and dill pickles.
Researchers from the Virginia Tech Department of Food Science and Technology and the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences are initiating a study on the flavor and shelf life of field-grown and indoor-grown cherry tomatoes.
Through this study, researchers will analyze samples from both local, conventional growers and indoor agricultural growers in Virginia to compare their shelf lives and flavors. This will include liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with olfactory detection.
Virginia Tech Assistant Professor of Food Science Yun Yin said that while indoor growing could increase the shelf life of cherry tomatoes compared with those grown outdoors, there is a key difference: flavor.
“One preliminary result is that currently indoor [tomatoes] are likely to be less flavorful, but they have a longer shelf life,” she explained in an interview with Food Technology. “So we can study this and provide consumers with different targeted requirements.”
Cherry tomatoes are growing in popularity among consumers due to their health benefits and ease of consumption. Additionally, Virginia tomatoes make up a multimillion-dollar market, boosting the state economy.
“This is a more popular snack compared to traditional tomatoes, and they are a very healthy snack,” Yin said. “Cherry tomatoes have boosting vitamins, lots of phytochemicals, and a lot of minerals as well. And a lot of times they will fulfill either the fruit or vegetable section of the dietary guidance.”
An expansion of global seaweed farming could help alleviate food security and biodiversity loss concerns, according to a new study from the University of Queensland. The research was published in Nature Sustainability.
Using the global Biosphere Management Model, researchers mapped potential areas for seaweed farming of 34 species and estimated the environmental benefits. These benefits were measured by land-use changes, greenhouse gas emissions, water and fertilizer use, and projected changes in species present.
“Seaweed has great commercial and environmental potential as a nutritious food and a building block for commercial products, including animal feed, plastics, fibers, diesel, and ethanol,” said PhD candidate Scott Spillias in a press release. “Our study found that expanding seaweed farming could help reduce demand for terrestrial crops and reduce global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by up to 2.6 billion tons of CO2-equivalent per year.”
The researchers also identified several exclusive economic zones (EEZs), or areas where a state has special rights to marine resources, which could be used as potential farming locations. The largest EEZ found was in Indonesia, with up to 114 million hectares suitable for seaweed farming.
IFT notes the passing of Frank Orthoefer and John A. Siregar.


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On the heels of reporting a a whopper fourth quarter, Netflix shares hit a 52-week high of $211 in this morning's trading.
Netflix shares today jumped more than 15 percent to hit $211.30 after closing at $183.03 yesterday following its quarterly earnings report. Wall Street is obviously thrilled with the 3 million new subscribers that Netflix reported adding in the quarter ending December 31. The total number of Netflix subscribers stands now at more than 20 million.
The report released yesterday showed that the company blew past the street's profit expectations. The consensus among analysts was … Read more


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Huge news on this Monday morning, as Samsung announced that it will acquire HARMAN International for $8 billion. For Samsung, the acquistion is mostly about strengthening its position in the connected car market, where HARMAN is reportedly the market leader. The press release below states that HARMAN will continue to operate as a standalone subsidiary and be led by HARMAN Chairman Dinesh Paliwal and the current management team. Samsung plans to retain HARMAN's work force, facilities, and all of its consumer and professional audio brands--which includes JBL, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, AKG, Lexicon, Infinity, and Revel.
Samsung Electronics and Harman International Industries, Incorporated announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Samsung will acquire HARMAN for $112.00 per share in cash, or total equity value of approximately $8.0 billion. Upon closing, the transaction will immediately give Samsung a significant presence in the large and rapidly growing market for connected technologies, particularly automotive electronics, which has been a strategic priority for Samsung, and is expected to grow to more than $100 billion by 2025. HARMAN is the market leader in connected car solutions, with more than 30 million vehicles currently equipped with its connected car and audio systems, including embedded infotainment, telematics, connected safety and security. Approximately 65 percent of HARMAN's $7.0 billion of reported sales during the 12 months ended September 30, 2016 are automotive-related, and its order backlog for this market at June 30, 2016 was approximately $24 billion.
HARMAN's experience designing and integrating sophisticated in-vehicle technologies, as well as its long-term relationships with most of the world's largest automakers, will create significant growth opportunities for the combined business by enabling it to leverage Samsung's expertise in connected mobility, semiconductors, user experience, displays and its global distribution channels. In addition, the combination of HARMAN's brands and audio capabilities and Samsung's expertise in consumer electronics will deliver enhanced customer benefits and elevate user experiences across Samsung's complete portfolio of consumer and professional products and systems.
"HARMAN perfectly complements Samsung in terms of technologies, products and solutions, and joining forces is a natural extension of the automotive strategy we have been pursuing for some time," said Oh-Hyun Kwon, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Samsung Electronics. "As a Tier 1 automotive supplier with deep customer relationships, strong brands, leading technology and a recognized portfolio of best-in-class products, HARMAN immediately establishes a strong foundation for Samsung to grow our automotive platform. Dinesh Paliwal is a proven global leader and, in our extensive discussions, we have developed deep respect for him, his strong senior leadership team and HARMAN's talented employees. HARMAN's sustained track record of rapid growth fueled by technology leadership and an unmatched automotive order pipeline reflects its commitment to innovation and customers."
"The vehicle of tomorrow will be transformed by smart technology and connectivity in the same way that simple feature phones have become sophisticated smart devices over the past decade," added Young Sohn, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Samsung Electronics. "We see substantial long-term growth opportunities in the auto technology market as demand for Samsung's specialized electronic components and solutions continues to grow. Working together, we are confident that HARMAN can become a new kind of Tier 1 provider to the OEMs by delivering end-to-end solutions across the connected ecosystem."
Dinesh Paliwal, HARMAN Chairman, President and CEO, stated, "This compelling all-cash transaction will deliver significant and immediate value to our shareholders and provide new opportunities for our employees as part of a larger, more diversified company. Today's announcement is a testament to what we have achieved and the value that we have created for shareholders. Samsung is an ideal partner for HARMAN and this transaction will provide tremendous benefits to our automotive customers and consumers around the world. Combining Samsung's strengths in leading-edge displays, connectivity and processing solutions with HARMAN's technology leadership and long-standing customer relationships will enable OEMs to provide new offerings for their customers. Partnerships and scale are essential to winning over the long term in automotive as demand for robust connected car and autonomous driving solutions increases at a rapid pace. This transaction will bring HARMAN and Samsung's complementary strengths together to accelerate innovation in this space. More broadly, this investment underscores the strength of HARMAN's employees, as well as our success and leadership across our markets. We look forward to working together with Samsung to elevate experiences for consumers worldwide."
Customer Benefits and Significant Growth Opportunities
Samsung expects the combination to deliver significant growth opportunities and benefits to customers by leveraging Samsung's and HARMAN's complementary technologies, resulting in increased market penetration across important end markets.
• Automotive: Combining HARMAN's leadership in new connected car technologies, including its top positions in infotainment, cyber security, over-the-air updates and telematics, with Samsung's significant expertise and experience in connectivity technologies, including 5G, UX/UI, display technology and security solutions, will enhance HARMAN's automotive and connected services businesses to drive greater sales and provide significant benefits as automakers speed the adoption of next-generation connected cars.
• Audio: HARMAN's leading brands and cutting-edge audio systems include JBL, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, AKG, Lexicon, Infinity, and Revel. The company also licenses Bowers & Wilkins and Bang & Olufsen brands for automotive. All of these brands will greatly enhance the competitiveness of Samsung's mobile, display, virtual reality and wearable products to deliver a fully differentiated audio and visual experience for customers.
• Professional: The combination will also expand the combined company's business-to-business platform through its ability to deliver integrated, large-scale audio and visual professional solutions at stadiums, concert facilities and other performance centers such as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and STAPLES Center - home of the GRAMMY Awards.
• Connected Services: Samsung will gain access to HARMAN's 8,000 software designers and engineers who are unlocking the potential of the IoT market. This collaboration will deliver the next generation of cloud-based consumer and enterprise experiences, as well as end-to-end services for the automotive market through the convergence of design, data and devices.
Operating Structure and Leadership
Upon closing, HARMAN will operate as a standalone Samsung subsidiary, and continue to be led by Dinesh Paliwal and HARMAN's current management team. Samsung is pursuing a long-term growth strategy in automotive electronics, and plans to retain HARMAN's work force, headquarters and facilities, as well as all of its consumer and professional audio brands. Samsung believes the combination will increase career development and advancement opportunities for the employees of both companies.
Samsung's Automotive Electronics Business Team, which was established in December of 2015 to identify opportunities for Samsung in the automotive sector, will work closely with the HARMAN management team to realize the full growth potential of the combination.
• Samsung to Buy Harman International in $8 Billion Bet on Cars from the New York Times
• Visit the HARMAN website for more info on the company's many brands.


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Charge less for broadband, Rais urges telcos
CYBERJAYA, July 13 — The Information Communication and Culture Ministry has called on telecommunication companies to impose minimal charges to encourage people to subscribe to broadband facilities and help achieve the 50 per cent broadband penetration by the year end.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, said that as of July 7, the penetration rate was 37.7 per cent with 2.3 million household subscribers.
“The lowest charge of RM38 is currently provided by TM. We hope that telecommunication companies can provide rates which are affordable to the people,” he told reporters after launching the national broadband awareness programme here today.
Rais said that out of 16 million Internet users in the country, 2.3 million households were broadband subscribers, 7.5 million 3G subscribers and one million dial-up subscribers which had the potentials to become broadband users.
“We are confident that the target is achievable but this can be achieved faster if the existing 3G and dial-up users convert their subscriptions to broadband,” he said.
He also called for improvement in the provision of broadband facilities in rural areas.
“I was told recently that there is already a cost-effective technology where access points can be installed in public telephone booths with a coverage of 2km radius,” he said.
On the broadband tour programme, Rais said it would cover 500 locations nationwide, with a focus on states which had low broadband penetration such as Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak.
He said that through the campaign, expedition members would give explanations on the importance of broadband in the people’s daily lives, and the latest information on the service. — Bernama


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The Full FX Unfiltered – with smartTrade
Posted by Colin Lambert. Last updated: January 21, 2024
In the latest Unfiltered video, John Stead, pre-sales and marketing director at smartTrade Technologies, talks to Colin Lambert about a lesser-known side of the firm’s business – payments. He explains the challenges facing the broader financial industry in the payments space, how it will impact traders, as well as how the space is evolving and what the future trends are likely to be.


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TheStreet's Jim Cramer says any jobs number in the 50,000-350,000 range will be 'ho-hum.' If interest rates don't shoot up to 3%, markets are sustainable.
Jim Cramer says people have doubted Buffalo Wild Wings CEO Sally Smith for years, but she has a unique restaurant formula focused on wings, beer, and sports.
RealMoney Contributor Dan Dicker tells TheStreet's Jim Cramer shares of Anadarko Petroleum can go to $140, pending a lawsuit settlement.
TheStreet's Jim Cramer likes Action Alerts PLUS name GM because the stock has a 3% yield, is taking share away from Ford and is showing huge growth in China.
Jim Cramer talks with Dan Dicker about alternative sources to Russian natural gas in Eastern Europe and finds one: Noble Energy's Leviathan field.
Jim Cramer says investors should not focus on the low ADP employment numbers because it is not indicative or predictive of nonfarm payrolls.
TheStreet's Jim Cramer points to PVH's acquisition of Tommy Hilfiger which he says was a 'brilliant' and 'fantastic' move by CEO Manny Chirico
Ventas, which runs the largest chain of senior living facilities in America, has a CEO who is 'hard-charging and likes to return a lot of money to shareholders.'
TheStreet's Jim Cramer answers questions from his Twitter followers on the gold ETF during the Ukraine crisis, Amazon's dip and Groupon's selloff.
Patrick Doyle has 're-energized Domino's,' according to TheStreet's Jim Cramer, by taking on two big issues the pizza chain was struggling with before his arrival.


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Talk about your captive audience.
Advertising is coming to the dentist’s chair in the form of personal video goggles that patients wear while getting their cleaning or root canal.
The company behind InChairTV figures advertisers for toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash and other dental products will be willing to pay higher rates to reach people seeking distractions from dental procedures. Companies selling travel packages and other stress-relief services might also find the dentist’s chair prime time to make their pitches.
Willing patients put on a special headset to watch movies or television shows licensed from The Walt Disney Co. and its ABC TV network. The programs and infomercials are sent to dentists on DVDs, but soon they will be downloadable over the Internet.
For the past year, InChairTV has been filling commercial breaks with short infomercials about teeth whitening and other premium procedures. Now the company says it is opening the commercial breaks to outside advertisers, though it has yet to close any deals.
Matthew Leader, chief executive of InChairTV’s MedPed Media LLC, points out that patients are focused while they’re sitting in the chair – there’s no e-mail or other distractions as they have while watching regular TV. And people who regularly visit dentists tend to have more money and be better educated than the general population, Leader said.
“We definitely see the value as much higher than undifferentiated broadcast television,” Leader said.
Broadcasters shouldn’t have to worry yet: Only about 400 dentists nationwide have bought the $500 system to entertain their patients.


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European publishers look to digital subscriptions to reduce platform dependency
Publishers are looking increasingly to reader-revenue models, not just to secure a sustainable business model but also to reduce their dependency on the duopoly, according to a report from Axel Springer. The report is the first of its kind from the publisher and was released to coincide with its first international paid-content summit last week.
The Guardian, Financial Times, Le Figaro, Schibsted, Axel Springer’s Bild and Business Insider, along with U.S. titles including The New York Times, were among the 33 publishers that participated in the survey, whose purpose was to discuss the future of subscriptions models.
Publishers are feeling more buoyant about the future of subscription models, with most respondents (70 percent) saying they have evidence that readers’ willingness to pay for content has increased in the past year, according to the report.
A flurry of publishers in Germany, France, Spain and Scandinavia, including Spiegel Online and Die Zeit, have recently launched new paid content models, said Stefan Betzold, managing director of Bild Digital.
“Unlike ad revenue, where the big platforms like Facebook and Google take such a large proportion, digital readership revenues and the relationships we can develop with readers provide another revenue stream that helps us reduce dependency on platforms,” Betzold said.
Betzold also acknowledged that Google and Facebook have made efforts to support publisher subscriptions. Last October, Google ended its first-click-free policy for subscription publishers’ content that required subscription-based publishers to let readers see at least three free articles in order to have the publishers’ content surfaced in search.
Facebook has also been testing subscription sales with publishers including Axel Springer, The Economist and The Washington Post through its platform. However, these tests are running just on Android devices and Betzold said Bild has seen little to no data on what impact the test has had.
“It took us two years of discussions with Facebook to get them to understand the future of news and journalism and what’s needed, and that resulted in these [subscription] trials,” Betzold said. “But we still need them to show more commitment to it, to bring product people together and help us work on it and analyze it together.”
He added that Facebook’s plans to purge its news feed of publishers and brand content do not directly address publisher attempts to monetize digital subscriptions via Facebook, though he said if news is dramatically reduced in the feed, promoting content that’s paid for on the platform will be harder.
Publishers surveyed in the report noted Google as the platform that’s made the most effort to work closely with them, whether via the Digital News Initiative or by ending first click free. In contrast, Amazon wasn’t rated as an important partner, while they deemed Apple News less important than Google and Facebook.
For Bild, Apple is the best performing when it comes to the platforms, not so much for Apple News but as a distribution platform for its own news apps, Betzold said. “Apple is an important partner for paid content distribution, despite it taking a revenue share, it’s an ecosystem that works well for us, much better than Google Play,” he said. “I’d put Apple ahead of Google and Facebook for driving subscriptions.”
Ensuring the continued health of paid content models depends on a number of factors, including optimization of user flow, investment in editorial content, a better understanding of data in the newsroom and churn prevention — all things the publishers surveyed in the report plan to invest in.
How the Washington Post is expanding its global subscriber base
The success that the Post saw in growing its global subscriptions business came from tactics put in place well before the pandemic.
As Q4 gathers pace, the ad industry braces for long-lasting economic trauma
While free money is being given away through economic stimuluses, it isn’t being spent. That brings opportunity and danger for an ad industry tied tightly to the economy.
Member Exclusive‘Marketing myopia’: Quibi’s flameout is a cautionary tale for advertisers keen to latch on to the next big thing in media
Advertisers bought into a vision — and a deal structure that offered little safety net if that vision wasn't realized.
SponsoredPublishers must strengthen their relationships with brands and customers
Zara Erismann, MD Publisher EU, LiveRamp In today’s market of tightening data regulations — and with the end of third-party cookies now around the corner — it is critical that publishers focus on optimizing their data strategies to ensure and strengthen close relationships with their audience. In a recent report, The State of Publishing: Monetizing […]
‘Something inherently local’: Tegna leans into user-generated content on linear and digital with ‘Near Me’
Tegna has received hundreds of thousands of user-submitted videos and photos which it says have been used to drive further reporting.
Why Nordic publishing giant Schibsted joined the coalition lobbying for Apple App Store ‘fairness’
Schibsted is one of the newest members of the Coalition for App Fairness, a group that includes the likes of Epic Games and Spotify.


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October 3, 2018
GQ Middle East is launching its first issue. Image courtesy of Condé Nast International
By Staff reports
Condé Nast’s GQ brand is bringing its take on fashion to the Arabian Gulf with the premiere issue of its Middle East edition.
Share your thoughts. Click here


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PSP Firmware 6.0 Available for Developers
Sony is working hard on its latest upcoming firmware 6.0 for PSP (PlayStation Portable). Recently, it also released PS3 firmware 3.0, and it is reported that PSP 6.0 will be compatible with PS3 firmware 3.0.
PSP firmware 6.0 has been released to game developers to test and debug all their games that they are fully compatible with the new firmware when it rolls out.
The only changes we know about are that security vulnerabilities along with hacking-protection has been made stronger, making it more difficult to modify the firmware now.
PSP Firmware 6.0 is expected to release on October 1 along with PSP Go!


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Ford gains sales; GM, Chrysler stumble
Incentives may be reason for Ford's results
February 4, 2003
BY MARK PHELAN
DETROIT FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
Ford Motor Co.'s car and truck sales rose 4.1 percent in January, bucking a trend that saw General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG lose ground compared to a year ago.
Ford's U.S. brands outperformed its European luxury group as sales of Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars and trucks rose 4.7 percent to 226,758.
GM's sales fell a modest 2 percent, but sales of its highly profitable pickups and sport-utility vehicles plummeted 19 percent. DaimlerChrysler's U.S. sales dropped 10.3 percent as a record January for Mercedes-Benz proved too little to offset major falls at Chrysler Group.
Toyota Motor Corp. had a 5.7-percent drop in January.
Ford's strong January should boost its share of the U.S. market to 21.5 percent, a full point above January 2002, said George Pipas, Ford sales analyst.
Ford notched the increase to 242,555 vehicles despite the sluggish economy and threat of war in the Mideast.
"Ford had all sorts of problems a year ago," said David Littmann, senior economist with Comerica. "This shows they're beginning to remedy them."
On the other hand, high incentives may have driven Ford's success, said Joe Phillippi, a New Jersey-based analyst who advises investors on auto stocks.
"There's so much incentive money out there, and the dealers are being very aggressive," he said. "One has to scratch one's head looking forward, though. Family budgets are being squeezed, and the threat of war is hanging over the economy."
All three automakers stuck to their prediction that 2003 sales would total 16.5 million to 16.6 million cars and trucks, about 500,000 fewer than in 2002.
That economic unease was behind a drastic fall in Chrysler and Dodge minivan sales, said Gary Dilts, Chrysler Group vice president for sales.
"Minivans are a tough segment now," Dilts said. "The consumer is scared, particularly in that segment.
Chrysler might have waited too long to raise its incentives in January, Dilts said. The company announced a program Monday that allows customers to turn in leased vehicles early in exchange for a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep.
DaimlerChrysler's U.S. sales fell to 144,872 cars and trucks, down 10.3 percent from a year earlier. Chrysler Group sales fell 11.7 percent to 129,222, while Mercedes-Benz had its best January ever, selling 15,650 vehicles, up 3.7 percent.
GM's 2-percent drop to 292,330, a better result than most analysts expected after the company had a strong December.
"There was definitely a little payback," said Jacques Moore Jr., president of Jacques Moore Cadillac in Richmond, Va. "We've been dragging a lot of business forward."
In a development that could mean trouble for GM, the company's truck sales plummeted 19 percent, while sales of its less-profitable cars rose 24 percent.
"It was more a case of weakness in GM's trucks than strength for their cars," said Saul Rubin, who evaluates automakers for investment house UBS Warburg.
Buyers also could be growing jaded with 0-percent finance deals, another potential problem, said Paul Ballew, GM executive director of market and industry analysis.
"We do worry 0-percent financing may be losing some of its bite," Ballew said. "It remains one of the most effective tools in the business, however."
Ford also says 0-percent has lost some of its magic, but still helped drive the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable to 22.4- and 27.2-percent gains, respectively, Pipas said.
Ford's luxury Premier Automotive Group saw sales fall at two of its European luxury brands. Jaguar's U.S. sales fell 24.7 percent to 3,544 cars, mostly due to a 39.4-percent decline for its entry-level X-Type sedan to 1,673 cars. Land Rover sales fell 13.7 percent to 3,021 trucks. Sales for Ford's Volvo unit rose 12.9 percent to 9,232 cars and SUVs.
GM sold 144,475 cars and 147,855 in January. Truck sales slipped to 147,855.
"We view the year ahead with a degree of apprehension," Ballew said about the possibility of war and the sluggish U.S. economy.
The decrease in truck sales was partially due to strong sales of GM pickups and SUVs in January 2002, he said. Conversely, car sales benefited from higher fleet sales than a year ago.
Buick, Cadillac, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn all posted double-digit sales gains for the month.
Chevrolet and GMC sales fell 17.6 percent and 19.5 percent, respectively, largely due to the decrease in truck sales. The big losers at Chrysler included the Jeep Grand Cherokee, down 22 percent to 10,516 sales; and Dodge Caravan minivan, down 23 percent to 11,431 sales.
"January was a tough month for us," Dilts said.
Honda Motor Co. had its best January, propelled to 90,003 sales thanks to a 21.4-percent increase in light-truck sales.
Toyota's sales slipped to 119,329, despite more than doubling sales of its Corolla subcompact to 20,167.But Toyota's bread-and-butter Camry sedan fell 25.2 percent to 27,003 sales.
My first car was a 67 Mustang Coupe, 2nd one was a 67 Cougar XR-7, 3rd one was a 66 Mustang Coupe. Why did I get rid of these cars for ? I know why, because I'm stupid, stupid, stupid.
My next Ford.....


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Published: October 13, 1999
FORTUNE BRANDS INC., Old Greenwich, Conn., which makes Titleist golf balls, Jim Beam bourbon and other consumer goods, agreed to buy the closely held Boone International Inc., Corona, Calif., to expand sales of office products. Terms were not disclosed.
ADVANCE PARADIGM INC., Irving, Tex., a provider of health-benefit management services, said it would split its common stock 2 for 1 on or after Nov. 30 to shareholders of record on Nov. 11.
AIRGATE PCS INC., Atlanta, awarded a $150 million three-year contract to Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill, N.J., for equipment and software for a wireless network Airgate will build in North and South Carolina.
KROGER CO., Cincinnati, the nation's largest supermarket operator, plans to add 130 jobs at its Cincinnati headquarters in the next three years.


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Your guide to essential marketing, advertising and media matters in New Zealand.
The Agency Issue
There is no doubt that the New Zealand retail industry has taken a hard knock as a result the restrictions put on businesses due to Covid-19 lockdowns. To counter these restrictions retailers have had to leapfrog their brick and mortar offerings to dynamic e-commerce outlets.
At the same time, as consumer behaviours shift thanks to a pandemic, retail marketers are having to dig deeper and engage customers on new and evolving channels.
2022 has however seen some normality return to the sector as the country begins to open up again. At the same time, the industry is much changed because of the pandemic. Many retailers will have learned new (digital) skills to keep their businesses going while others will have refined their e-tail strategies to reach new and growing markets.
This entire issue of NZ Marketing puts focus on the retail industry, and more specifically omnichannel approaches to retail marketing. This, as marketers look to engage and convert customers across several touchpoints that are never static, but always changing and updating. From the latest trends in shopper marketing, the newest technologies, strategic insight from big brand retailers and more, this issue will hopefully inspire new ideas and ways of reaching your customers wherever you may find them, or they you.
Also inside this issue of NZ Marketing
In addition to our regulars, including Horse’s Mouth, an exiting Up-&-comer profile and insights from industry leaders on hot topic affecting marketers, our feature list includes:
- Navigating a changing media landscape: With the marketing landscape on the precipice of change, we look into how the industry can prepare.
- Tackling sustainability in marketing: Is it possible to both make the world a better place and grow a business? We find out.
- Audience segmentation and personalisation: Caitlin Salter speaks with brand marketers leading in audience segmentation and tech suppliers helping brands achieve a deeper understanding of their customers.
- Social commerce: Retailers are tapping into social media to reach customers. We discover what’s hot and what’s not on this growing channel.
This issue of NZ Marketing magazine is a precursor to our Future of Retail Marketing Conference happening at The Cloud in Auckland on July 28.
The day-long conference will bring together leading retail marketers and industry thought leaders as they workshop future-facing marketing strategy that will help get the industry moving again after the many disruptions over the past two years. We have lined up speakers that represent some of the country’s biggest and brightest retail brands. This is a must attend event for all marketers looking to better engage customers as consumer behaviours evolve.
I’m certainly looking forward to being able to network IRL again, and hope to see you there. Get your ticket here.
Get your hands on a digital copy of our award-winning magazine today for $36 for a 1-year (4 issues) subscription. To subscribe to NZ Marketing magazine, click here.
Or read the issue online if you are an existing subscriber, here.
Follow more updates from NZ Marketing via our social media pages: @nzmarketingmag


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NBB Wins Best Retail Bank in Bahrain
The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has been awarded the Best Retail Bank Award at the MENA Banking Excellence Awards 2022 awarded by MEED (Middle East Economic Digest). The accolade recognises NBB’s commitment to providing best-in-class products and services to its customers in line with its brand promise of being ‘Closer to You.’
NBB Signs onto the United Nations Global Compact
**The World’s Largest Corporate Sustainability Initiative**
The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has joined the United Nations Global Compact initiative, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. The Bank aims to showcase its commitment towards conducting business practices rooted in universal principles that contribute to a more inclusive global market and help build prosperous and thriving societies.
NBB’s Education Loan Campaign Offers 2 Lucky Winners 1 Year Tuition Installments
Encompassing all educational levels and providers
The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has launched an exclusive campaign as part of its education finance product where two lucky winners will get the chance to win a year’s worth of installments at any educational level valid for any educational provider/institute. The campaign will run from 20th July until the end of the year.


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Like some gargantuan supertanker that’s blundered in the wrong direction, Hewlett-Packard’s storied yet faltering business is expected to take nearly half a decade to turn around, but a looming question is whether investors will give the company and new CEO Meg Whitman that much time.
A delegation of Taiwanese technology officials is passing through Silicon Valley this week to remind the region that the island, often lost in the enormous shadow of its much larger neighbor, China, remains a powerful player in the world’s tech economy. And the officials are also hoping to discover some of the Bay Area’s major talent and relocate it back to Taiwan.
Columnist Troy Wolverton finds the MacBook Pro with Retina display is a very nice computer with a beautiful screen. But it’s expensive and the display turns out to have limited benefits, particularly for those who are not creative professionals.
Draper University of Heroes, is the brainchild of free-spirited venture capitalist Tim Draper, who is busy transforming a dilapidated San Mateo landmark into what he hopes will be a world-class boarding school for young entrepreneurs.
It wasn’t long ago families squabbled over who was hogging the TV remote control. Now they face off over who’s hogging the bandwidth. As the number of wireless devices increases in homes — multiple TVs, smartphones, tablets, laptops — networks are getting bogged down. But help is on the way with a new Wi-Fi protocol dubbed 802.11ac.
The fish Alan Lovewell and Oren Frey load into their van are to-die-for fresh. So fresh, the sablefish still think they’re swimming off the coast of Moss Landing, where they were swimming less than 24 hours earlier. “We’re trying to catch up with the sustainable-farming model that started the revolution back in the ’80s,” Lovewell said. “More and more people nowadays want to know where their food and fish are coming from and whether it’s safe to eat.”
Columnist Larry Magid mourns the eventual demise of physical media, such as books, CDs and videotapes.
China’s Lenovo is now the second-largest computer-maker in the world and the fastest-growing computer-maker among the top four vendors for the past 10 quarters. And it is positioning itself to replace HP at the top of the PC universe, analysts say. And it’s done it through a strategy to dominate every corner of its home turf, the world’s second-largest economy.
Columnist Chris O’Brien used to be more than happy to have every tidbit of his digital life channeled through Facebook. Several months later, however, he’s changed his mind about so-called “frictionless sharing.” Not only has it made Facebook more complicated and more frustrating, but he argues that it threatens the foundation of the social network’s business model.
Tesla Motors on Friday rolled out the first Model S luxury sedans for customers, a milestone that many hope could rev up the entire electric car industry and help return high-end manufacturing jobs to California.
Google CEO Larry Page took the unusual step this week of sending an email to reassure employees that he’s not seriously ill, after Google announced Page missed the company’s annual shareholder meeting because he lost his voice.
After months of increasingly loud and public complaints from Apple Store employees about not being rewarded enough for their labor, the Cupertino tech giant is raising hourly pay for workers by as much as 25 percent, according to news reports and some employees.
Tom Frainier left a job in the corporate world where he made a lot of bread to make real bread at a tiny storefront bakery in Kensington almost a quarter-century ago. Frainier is now president and CEO of that family-run business — Semifreddi’s — one of the Bay Area’s largest artisan wholesale bakeries.


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How McDonald’s & Others are Evolving Store Formats to Cater to Time Starved Customers
Time. If only we could have more of it. With more dual income families as well as more time spent commuting (globally people spend an average of two hours each day commuting) people are strapped for time. Sensing this trend retailers from Amazon to Starbucks to McDonald’s are focusing on store formats that emphasize convenience. The high-tech Amazon Go stores that Amazon spent hundreds of millions of dollars developing are essentially convenience stores. Is this a coincidence? No it is not. Amazon is trying to cash in on the convenience trend. According to Bloomberg when Amazon Go was first conceived the project was aimed at revolutionizing grocery stores and the initial real-life store mock-up was for a supermarket. When Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos first visited the mock supermarket he didn’t like the fact that customers would have to wait while various food items such as meat, seafood and fruit were weighed so that the cost could be tallied up for the customer. He also instructed the team to get rid of lines at the checkout. Eventually the store that we know today as Amazon Go has been whittled down in size from original mock store size and sells mainly convenience items.
In Beijing Starbucks recently launched a new store format called Starbucks Now. The store format has very little seating and is tailored made for customers that just want to grab a coffee and go. The next retailer that is poised to capitalize on the convenience trend is McDonald’s. On July 31st, 2019 McDonald’s launched its biggest restaurant format change since the drive through was launched in the 1970s. McDonald’s new restaurant format which opened on Fleet Street in London is called McDonald’s to Go and is takeout only. The décor is minimal, there is no seating and customers use touch screens on a wall to place orders (see photo above). To keep lines short and focus on speed of service the restaurant only sells a few of McDonald’s signature items including: Big Macs, McNuggets, and fries. In the fall McDonald’s is also planning to test a new line of freshly prepared salads in the new format.
Speaking about the new restaurant format, Henry Trickey, Senior Vice President for Development and IT at McDonald’s said: “in Fleet Street, where city workers are looking for something quick to grab and go, it makes sense to test a smaller format.”
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Verizon: Eh for OHA
Malady's use of the future tense is salient; device manufacturers and operators have already created 18 LiMo devices, while Android has just a few prototypes floating around from chip makers such as Texas Instruments and ARM. "The continued momentum being demonstrated by LiMo is in sharp contrast to the progress being made by Google's Open Handset Alliance that, other than a couple of early prototype demos at this year's Mobile World Congress, has yet to show further convincing progress," wrote Ovum Research analyst Adam Leach in a research note May 14.Indeed, by getting fully behind and invested in LiMo, it is clear that if push comes to shove, Verizon is going to choose LiMo over Android in a heartbeat. Moreover, against the backdrop of the war of accusations the companies are waging against each other through the Federal Communications Commission, Malady's comments about considering Android support rang hollow. Google May 2 filed a petition to the FCC asking the agency to clarify open access rules for wireless communications, citing what it claimed was Verizon's loose interpretation of the rules. Verizon said Google's claims have no merit and pledged to file a counter position. With that cross stream of fear, uncertainty and doubt, it was clear that the dinged feelings in the wake of Google's admitted manipulation of the 700MHz wireless auction in January were not resolved. Moreover, despite Gillis' diplomatic position, Verizon's wholehearted endorsement of LiMo could ratchet up the tension between the Google-forged OHA, which is similarly pushing the creation of Linux-based handsets, albeit running Google's Android brand of mobile OS. Malady said LiMo and OHA could both succeed in the market, competing with each other. He also said he thought the two could work together. However, historically such factions tend to fragment the industry, not come together.
If Android gets too powerful, Verizon may see it as a threat to LiMo and choose not to offer it. Offering LiMo and Android handsets together could cancel them out, defeating the purpose of Verizon's vigorous LiMo support.


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As Greece struggles with economic and political turmoil, its tourist numbers are dropping.
According to the Bank of Greece, the
number of visitors to the country fell by about 15% in the first quarter of
2012, with 7.9% fewer German tourists, 11% fewer British tourists and 41% fewer
Russian tourists – all key tourist demographics for the country. But some experts say that a recession can be one of the best times to travel.
What’s cheaper and what isn’t?
The falling euro is good news for international tourists visiting countries such as
Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Ireland. Although airfares are still
expensive (due largely to high fuel costs), once you reach your destination, local prices will be lower across
the board than they have been in the past. Tour operators and economists recommend that travellers visiting Greece should take
extra cash in euros, just in case the country leaves the eurozone and returns
to the drachma in an effort to regain control of its currency. Introduction of
a new currency would take at least four months, experts approximate and a
full supply of drachma would not be immediately available throughout the
country, according to TUI Travel, the
biggest tour operator in Europe. However, euros would still be accepted. Travellers
concerned about a “grexit”, a potential exit from the euro, could also consider
purchasing all-inclusive, pre-paid trips to Greece.
According to a 2012 report by the UK Post Office, Spain is currently the least expensive eurozone
destination for a resort vacation, followed by Portugal. In southern Spain’s resort
area of the Costa del Sol, the study determined that a cup of coffee costs
around 1.36 euro, a pack of cigarettes costs around 4.55 euro and a
three-course dinner for two adults (including a bottle of wine) costs around
28.43 euro. Similarly, the study found that a three-course dinner in Lagos, Portugal
costs around 27.35 euro, whereas the same meal in Vendée, France would be twice as much, around 56.97 euro.
To buck or heed the trend?
With riots breaking out in Athens, it is no surprise that tourism is declining
in Greece. Although the country usually receives most of its visitors from
Germany, tensions over austerity measures are keeping German tourists away. Considering that tourism is Greece’s largest industry, contributing to nearly
one in five jobs, political unrest is making a bad economic situation even
worse. For tourists willing to make the trip, though, it should be noted that
western governments have not issued travel warnings against travel to Greece. Since
most protests have taken place in Syntagma Square in central Athens, visiting areas
outside the Greek capital is generally a safe bet.
In Spain, protests
have been held in Madrid and other major cities. Travellers to Spain, Greece,
and other eurozone countries should stay aware of any pre-planned strikes or
demonstrations – and the closings and changes to transportation schedules that
The upside of economic turmoil in Europe,
though, is that many tourist attractions -- including beaches, monuments and
museums -- are becoming less crowded. And with fewer travellers, many European
cruises are discounting their prices, especially in the Mediterranean.
Travelwise is a BBC Travel column that goes behind the
travel stories to answer common questions, satisfy uncommon curiosities and uncover
some of the mystery surrounding travel. If you have a burning travel question,


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Christ, why are you so obsessed with paying for this update?
8.1 is an update to Windows 8. I can tell you right now, it will be a free release. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that charging for it would be asinine.
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A MAJOR supermarket chain has come under fire for selling eggs described as "Halloween Fun" on the packaging.
Asda said it was selling them as part of drive to promote eggs, but has faced a barrage of complaints from shoppers who believe it will encourage the Halloween prank of "egging".
Egging, which has become a growing problem in recent years, involves throwing them at people's homes and cars, as well as taxis, which are often targeted.
Across Merseyside, the company was yesterday facing criticism for selling the packets of nine eggs, with customers calling for the special Halloween packs to be withdrawn.
Wirral Council's executive member for community safety, Cllr George Davies, said he was disgusted at the marketing ploy which had backfired on the company.
He said: "We are trying across Merseyside to teach young people about being responsible, showing respect and understanding to other people, and here they are almost saying 'here are the eggs - go and throw them at someone'.
"I feel quite vehemently about this. We have a company the size of Asda being totally irresponsible in their efforts to sell this product. No thought has gone into the marketing."
He said he hoped the company listened to the complaints and withdrew the packets.
Yesterday, a senior Merseyside Police officer was in touch with the company's head office after learning of the sale of the Halloween eggs.
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said this time of year can be an exciting time for children and young teenagers but what they may think is innocent fun, can quickly turn into something more frightening for the elderly, and more vulnerable members of the community.
The spokeswoman said: "The throwing of any missile can never be acceptable when it is designed to deface, damage or intimidate. There are no exceptions, and damage caused by eggs and flour still leaves the person responsible liable to a range of sanctions up to an arrest and conviction for criminal damage. If it happens to be 'mischief night', or part of a Halloween 'trick or treat' it makes no difference; if it causes damage it is an offence."
She said the force was working closely with retailers to ensure that sales of eggs and flour are restricted to reasonable amounts and are only sold to adults.
A spokesman for Asda said they had a number of calls from customers asking if they were going to watch out for youngsters buying eggs this coming Halloween.
He said that as a result they would be doing just that - and urging other supermarkets to do the same.
Owen Hickey, Asda's customer service operations manager, said: "Our customers tell us loud and clear that they don't like this kind of prank and our stores will be vigilant in looking out for youngsters buying large quantities of eggs."


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Rayman Legends has been delayed until Q1 2013, Ubisoft has revealed.
We are taking the time to make sure we deliver a game that lives up to and hopefully exceeds expectations.
The Wii U exclusive, which was originally due to be available as a launch title in the UK has apparently been delayed as the development team wants to make sure the game lives up to fans expectations.
A statement explains, "Rayman Legends will launch worldwide in the first quarter of 2013.
"We’re happy that fans are excited about the game, and we are taking the time to make sure we deliver a game that lives up to and hopefully exceeds their expectations. We’ll have more details to share soon."