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Posted by Dale Buss on February 27, 2015 07:57 AM
CNN and other cable news outlets fuel frenzy over llamas on the loose, as the social web also goes wild over #thedress, whose maker (and wearer) reaps rewards. Meanwhile, another dress—Calvin Klein's pearl-encrusted Oscars gown for actress Lupita Nyong'o—is stolen.
IBM shifts $4 billion in spending to cloud and mobile.
Netflix finds room for product placement deals for AB InBev and Samsung.
Apple Watch will be unveiled on March 9.
Weight Watchers loses ground more quickly to fitness trackers.Continue reading...
brands under fire
Posted by Mark J. Miller on February 6, 2015 10:01 AM
Twitter has a lot of issues to deal with these days. Despite its 97 percent rise in revenue to $479 million in its fiscal fourth quarter over a year earlier, analysts were unhappy with the company’s slow user growth, and that revenue wasn’t actually enough to turn a profit. That didn’t stop investors, though. According to USA Today, shares went up 11 percent after hours on Thursday.
Beyond its earning and user concerns, Twitter also has to contend with a major issue affecting its brand interity and future: how much haters (aka "trolls" in social media parlance) seem to like using the site, an issue that is affecting individual users and brand partners alike.
Case in point: This week saw Coca-Cola's post-Super Bowl #MakeItHappy campaign ambushed by a hate-mongering Twitter account that turned out to be a fake account set up for the purpose of testing the brand. Continue reading...
Posted by Dale Buss on January 27, 2015 10:15 AM
Winter storm Juno expected to put a dent in US January car sales as brands react on Twitter and DirecTV launches severe mix channel in the NE US.
Super Bowl advertising heats up further as NFL plans a domestic abuse ad ... BMW invokes the internet in i3 ad starring Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel ... Coke teases its campaign ... Kia readies Pierce Brosnan for "action" role ... Mercedes-Benz debuts Super Bowl ad on Ellen ... T-Mobile gets Kim Kardashian to mock herself ... Papa John's offers free pizza deal for fourth year as Super Bowl official pizza sponsor ... and Volvo seeks to get mileage via Twitter from other automakers' Super Bowl ads.
Newcastle Brown Ale, meanwhile, releases new "co-op non-Super Bowl" commercial while bowing to pressure to remove caramel coloring.Continue reading...
sip on this
Posted by Mark J. Miller on January 13, 2015 10:58 AM
Coca-Cola’s Share a Coke campaign has gone worldwide, enticing consumers with the ability to see their own or their friends' names replace the logo on a can or bottle of Coke. Since launching in 2011 in Australia, it has been so popular that the campaign is now in more than 50 countries.
The latest local market launch is Nigeria, featuring 600 names that “have been picked from the rich array of names across the various regions” of the country, according to a press release. If customers can’t find a can or bottle in stores now with the desired name, they will “have the chance to create their own personalized” one during a nationwide activation next month.Continue reading...
sip on this
Posted by Mark J. Miller on December 17, 2014 02:07 PM
Coca-Cola’s branding has been all over Fox’s American Idol for 13 seasons, from the massive cups visible on the judges’ table to the dizzying background videos when host Ryan Seacrest sits down to have a tête-à-tête with contestants.
But Coke has finally decided to disengage from the once all-powerful FOX TV show, Variety reports. The show has been losing ratings in recent years and announced this week that the results segments would be completely eliminated; performances and results will now all be in one episode, AmericanIdolnet.com reports.
Apparently, the audition portions are popular enough for the network to keep them around for two nights a week, so the next season will start off with two audition episodes followed by once-weekly showings after that.
All of it will now be without Coke, though the question remains how producers will handle the Coke-emblazoned cups that may have been in front of the judges last summer when they taped the auditions. (Digital product placement insertion, perhaps?)Continue reading...
sip on this
Posted by Dale Buss on November 25, 2014 05:05 PM
In addition to bringing back its beloved holiday icon, Santa Claus, this holiday season, Coca-Cola is trying to "open happiness" with an entirely new kind of beverage: designer milk to go with those cookies for Saint Nick.
Based on the selling points behind the startup brand Core Power that Coke has been distributing for a while, Fairlife milk has 60 percent more protein and 50 percent less sugar than regular milk as well as 30 percent more calcium, Business Insider reports.
In that regard, Fairlife seems like a perfect bit of diversification for the beverage giant, whose sales of regular and even Diet Coke have been sliding for years under greater health scrutiny by consumers and vilification as a major contributor to the world's problem with obesity.
"It's basically the premiumization of milk," Sandy Douglas, a senior vice president at Coca-Cola's North American operation, said last week at an investor conference, according to CBS News.Continue reading...
Posted by Shirley Brady on November 7, 2014 07:05 PM
Coca-Cola is bringing back its iconic truck, which will be crossing the UK in a festive tour through November and December's holiday season. Check out its related "Give a little happiness" ad campaign in the UK, which will have local-language variations across Europe, below.Continue reading...
Posted by Dale Buss on October 23, 2014 04:34 PM
Coca-Cola chief marketing officer Joe Tripodi was at least partially responsible for one of the few bright spots in Coca-Cola's recent marketing performance: The "Share a Coke" campaign, which gave Coke sales an upward blip of hope amid a secular decline that has been decades in the making.
But that wasn't enough to save his job, as CEO Muhtar Kent keeps casting about for ways to reinvigorate the company's flagging sales of its signature beverages and products, unsatisfactory growth in its healthful beverages and renewed mojo into its iconic brand, according to the Financial Times. Now holding the third spot on Interbrand's Best Global Brands, Coca-Cola was #1 only two years ago.
Tripodi, who has held the top marketing spot since 2007, is retiring in February 2015 to make way for Marcos de Quinto, a Coca-Cola veteran who takes over the CMO role on January 1 and who currently runs the company's Iberia business unit and is vice president of its Europe Group.
Under Tripodi's supervision, Coke launched "Open Happiness," one of its most successful global brand campaigns a few years ago. Now in his late 50s, he "brought stability to Coke after the company had cycled through several CMOs in the previous decade," the Wall Street Journal said. Continue reading...


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Amazon says the president had already repeatedly expressed that he wanted to harm the company
The company is asking that its proposal be reassessed to obtain the contract.
MARK RALSTON / AFP via Getty Images
Amazon says that, because of the president of the United States, he lost a contract with the Department of Defense of $ 10,000 million, according to Mashable.
All this was learned after a complaint filed by the online sales company was released on Monday, explaining that he lost the contract of a government project called JEDI, due to the “inappropriate pressure of President Donald J. Trump, who launched public attacks to harm his political enemy Jeffrey P. Bezos, founder and CEO of the AWS parent company, Amazon.com, Inc. ('Amazon') and owner of the Washington Post. ”
This project, which had to do with the Pentagon computer system, was awarded to Microsoft last October, but Amazon immediately appealed the decision. "The substantial and omnipresent errors of the Department of Defense are difficult to understand and impossible to assess separately, apart from the determination expressed repeatedly by the President of, in the words of the President himself, 'harm Amazon'," reads the complaint .
Now, the company is asking the Department of Defense to make another evaluation of the proposals presented, since it considers that Trump's intervention made it impossible for him to be chosen as the winner of the contract, according to CNBC.
For its part, the Pentagon spokeswoman, Elissa Smith, denied any external influence in the decision to award the JEDI project and declined to comment further on claims made by Amazon.
The White House declined to comment on this issue.
–You may also be interested: He bought an Apple Watch at Amazon but they sent him a bottle opener!

domain: news


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Our vehicles are becoming more like consumer electronics -- more like mobile computers on wheels -- and a pair of "digital carjackers" demonstrated what happens when all of the tech beneath the sheet metal falls into mischievous hands.
More and more components of modern vehicles have begun to fall under the control of computers. And we're not just talking about infotainment and dashboard apps. Think about it: a modern vehicle's engine, brakes, electronic power steering, active safety systems, and sometimes even the throttle are ultimately controlled by little electronic brains somewhere behind the dashboard.
In the video below, a pair of automotive hackers, Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek, demonstrate to a Forbes staff reporter how they're able to spoof fuel levels and vehicle speeds to display incorrect data on the dashboard, trigger the precollision system, take limited control of the electronic power steering system, honk the horn, tug at the driver with the seat belts, and even deactivate the brakes. Scary stuff.
To be fair, hacking the Prius in the video wasn't as simple as plugging into the dashboard USB port. Cars are traditionally closed systems, so the hacked vehicle's dashboard had to be almost completely disassembled for the demonstrators to access the many electronic control units (ECUs). It also looks like the prankster's laptop has to be wired into (or at least very near) the vehicle to trigger the events.
However, as we approach the age of autonomous cars where a vehicle's dozens of ECUs become more centralized and more vehicles start to feature wireless communications, automakers will need to pay closer attention to these vulnerabilities.


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The answer to this stubborn stupidity, our wannabe nannies insist, is more of the same:
Simply presenting calorie information is not enough, he and his colleagues stressed.
To be effective, nutrition labeling must be clearer and larger. It must also reach regular fast-food eaters -- people who expressed more concern with cost and convenience than nutrition, Breck and his colleagues found.
The trend toward nutrition labeling on fast-food menus began in response to the U.S. obesity epidemic. About 38 percent of adults and 17 percent of teenagers are obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity has been linked to a greater risk of high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and other health issues.
Philadelphia in 2010 required fast-food restaurants to post the caloric, fat and sodium content of meals. New York City and Seattle already had similar rules.
But based on interviews with 1,400 people in Philadelphia, Breck's team concluded that significant labeling improvements are needed for such laws to have an impact.
Nutrition postings went unnoticed by nearly two-thirds surveyed at the restaurants and one-third questioned by phone, the investigators found.
To increase visibility of calorie content, the study authors recommended increasing the type size or color contrast of calorie information on menus and menu boards.
"Traffic-light or stop-sign type labeling indicating the healthfulness of food items is another example of a policy that has proven successful in laboratory settings in improving consumer choice," Breck said. But whether it would work in real-world settings isn't yet known.
Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis, said calorie posts are just a start in improving the nation's eating behaviors.
"Awareness is the first step in the change process, so if consumers begin to see the numbers, eventual change is possible," Diekman said.
Motivation is also critical, she said, "and achieving that requires time, education, a desire to change, and an environment that supports the changed behaviors."
As a society, Diekman added, "we have a ways to go to provide an environment that encourages and supports healthy eating."
Here's a radical idea: create an environment that encourages and supports exercise, and begin that process with children.
In 2015, Forbes pointed out that schools were eliminating recess and kids were getting fatter (and performing at lower levels) as the result.
- Countries that are internationally regarded as having the best education systems, such as Finland, schedule time for students to have unstructured breaks throughout the day;
- Activities—physical, emotional, cognitive, and social—that children regularly engage in during recess are essential to development and well-being, in childhood and throughout the lifespan.
- Kids eat better and healthier when they get recess.
And before even recess got the axe, educators went after actual physical education As far back as 2012 The New York Times reported that "Despite obesity concerns, gym classes are cut"
Apparently it's more fun to dictate to adults how the should behave than to let children play. More fun for those doing the dictating at least, and it does offer them a chance to feel superior, though that opportunity may have started to diminish on November 9th.


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Sources close to Yahoo have revealed that the company under Marissa Mayer might be looking at another acquisition with popular photo sharing website Imgur and talks have already begun.
Windows 10's Music & Video rebranded apps still aren't good
Five things we LOVE about Lumia Windows Phones
Windows 10 Mobile Preview build 10149 released to slow ring
windows 10 mobile promo img
Five things we HATE about Lumia Windows Phones
All the latest news on Windows 10
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has begun using her Twitter account in an effort to get users to switch to the company's services, retweeting and responding to those who promise to do so.
Yahoo were criticized when it was discovered they were complying with the NSA by allowing access to their 800 million users. Mayer has denied wrongdoing, and says she could have wound up in prison.
comScore has revealed Yahoo! as the most popular US web property of July. It comes as a relief for newly appointed CEO Marissa Mayer, who has made many changes to outperform Google and Microsoft.
Yahoo have announced a 'product-focused' event will take place on Monday amid rumours of a possible acquisition of Tumblr. Will the rumours prove to be true or is this unrelated?
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer is implementing a new policy in June that will bar employees from working at home. According to a report, many company employees are irate at the move.
Marissa Mayer, a vice president at Google, has resigned from the search engine company to helm one of its rivals. She starts as President and CEO of Yahoo! on Tuesday.


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Walmart announced that starting Friday morning, prices will be greatly reduced for both the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c.
According to CNN Money, with a two-year contract, the 16-gigabyte iPhone 5s can be purchased for $99, coming down from $149. And the 16-gigabyte iPhone 5c will cost as low as $29, down from $49.
The permanent price cuts suggest that the retail giant is looking to unload these phones to make room for the long awaited iPhone 6. The current iPhone has been out for long enough and the newcomer is slated to debut soon.
The new phone is rumored to have of a larger screen with an enhanced camera and a curved display.
CNET noted that in addition to cutting iPhone prices, Walmart has also lowered the price of the iPod Touch 16GB fifth generation from $209 to $195.
These deals, however, are not available online and can only be purchased for the lower prices at retail stores.


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Dr. Romanelli’s latest project comes to fruition with the SoBe Squamata initiative which kicked off
For-Tomorrow give us a look into new styles from contemporary brand Chronicles of Never. Tagged
As previewed last month, the adidas SLVR’s fall/winter campaign for this year is finally here.
Last Sunday saw the coveted FIFA World Cup Trophy arrive in style, as it entered in a bespoke


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maxiboy said: I've gotten back into COD4, man the MP in that is still so good, it was nice to know I hadn't lost the knack of sniping as I found when I could still take out 3 enemy snipers all trying to get me at once.
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Prices to Exceed Pre-Recession Peak by 2012
Central London workstation prices should return to 2008 levels by the close of 2011 according to Jim Venables, with the officebroker.com MD also confidently predicting that these peak prices will be exceeded during 2012.
With workstation prices across Central London having now recovered to ┬ú539 after falling as low as ┬ú466 in 2009, the predicted upswing arrives at a time when the dynamic of the market has changed, with businesses who would have traditionally sought conventional leases turning to serviced offices in order to deliver the flexibility they need.
ΓÇ£The market has changedΓÇ¥ states Jim, ΓÇ£but this is a good thing and a platform from which providers can launch a price recovery and push things forwardΓÇ¥
While traditional serviced office based businesses are only now returning to the market, the impact on supply being created by this growing corporate requirement could prove beneficial for all, with these larger requirements influencing availability and promoting competition for the space on offer.
ΓÇ£This isnΓÇÖt just about Central LondonΓÇ¥ continues Jim, ΓÇ£The regional signs are positive and in key cities such as Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Bristol and Edinburgh prices are already showing notable improvement.ΓÇ¥
ΓÇ£While it is true that the regional markets are normally 6-12 months behind the heart of the Capital, the increased demand for flexible space from businesses should filter out, resulting in, I believe, all markets exceeding their peak 2008 prices during the next 12-18 monthsΓÇ¥
Do you agree with Jim? Will the industry continue to see workstation prices rise back toward the peaks of 2008? Make your thoughts known by leaving a comment below:


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Uber drivers say they’re being harassed by minibus taxis
Taxi association condemns violence.
“First I was hijacked at gunpoint, then a week later a [minibus] taxi guy is saying he’s going to impound my car,” says Uber driver Tawonga Chifamba. “It’s a lot we’re going through as Uber drivers.”
Chifamba has been an Uber driver for the past two and a half years.
On Wednesday, 25 September, he had just completed a trip at the University of Western Cape in Bellville. It was about 4:30 pm when he pulled over on the side of the road opposite the main gate to wait for his next trip with a group of five other Uber drivers.
Chifamba figured he would have about 15 minutes before his next trip and began washing his car. Then a minibus taxi driver came over and began taking the keys from the ignition of every car parked there.
“He told us: ‘This is not your rank’,” recalled Chifamba. “He continued, saying: ‘You Uber drivers don’t have to park anywhere, this is our route, this is our rank’.”
The minibus taxi driver then refused to return the car keys and insisted that each driver give him R500.
As this was happening, another Uber driver arrived. The minibus taxi driver then went over to him and threatened to break the window to get the key of the car, according to Chifamba. The Uber driver panicked and began driving away at high-speed towards Robert Sobukwe Road, where he met with an accident after not seeing an oncoming vehicle.
The minibus taxi driver then ran away, leaving everyone’s car keys behind. Chifamba believes that he ran away because “he knew the police were coming”.
“This is what they are actually doing to Uber drivers,” said Chifamba. “At a mall or anywhere they can see that you are Uber drivers, they come and harass you.”
“These [minibus] taxi guys are taking everything into their hands and doing whatever they want on the road. I don’t know who’s going to help us in this industry.”
Although this was the first time Chifamba had experienced something like this since he started working as an Uber driver, it has been happening to Uber drivers more frequently.
“Now we don’t drive to Khayelitsha and Gugulethu,” said Lawrence Ndlovu, who has been an Uber driver for five years. “We’re scared even to drive in Bellville. Those guys are just targeting us.”
Ndlovu had his own encounter outside the University of Western Cape with two men who said they were from the taxi association and were going to impound his vehicle. “I said I want to call the police and that’s when they started to harass me, and tell me to give them money,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu said the men threatened to beat him up and then took his phone and the cash from his wallet, which was around R500, before leaving.
Other Uber drivers have reported similar incidents at Tyger Valley Shopping Centre, Capegate Shopping Centre, the Liberty Promenade Mall in Mitchells Plain, and Khayelitsha.
Although Uber does not release official figures on the number of drivers, it is estimated that there were around 4,000 Uber cars in Cape Town in September last year, according to an article in The Atlantic.
GroundUp has received messages from ten other drivers working for e-hailing companies who have been stopped by minibus taxi drivers demanding they pay money to continue operating in the area. However they did not wish to have their names published.
Drivers have begun relying on Whatsapp groups to communicate and report incidents in order to warn each other about areas to avoid.
“SANTACO [South African National Taxi Council] is not aware of such incidents,” said Thabiso Molelekwa, South African National Taxi Council spokesperson.
Molelekwa said SANTACO is “aware of taxi operators, particularly meter taxi operators, who are disgruntled about Uber operations”, but said the council “strongly condemns use of violence as a solution”.
GroundUp requested comment from the Cape Organisation For The Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) via e-mail on Tuesday after being unable to get through on the phone. By the time of publication, no response had been received and subsequent phone calls were unanswered.
An Uber spokesperson said: “While these incidents are isolated, the safety of our riders and driver-partners is a top priority. Our Law Enforcement Relations Team are on call to work with police at any time to respond to urgent needs, however, we encourage Uber driver-partners and riders to report any incidents of intimidation to Uber and the police to ensure these issues can be resolved.”
“We have number of safety features available to those who use the Uber app such as access to an In-App emergency assistance button and 24/7 in-app support. We also have an Incident Response Team (IRT) who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond immediately to any reported incidents.”
This article has been amended to include comment from Uber and to make it clearer that the taxis involved are minibus not metred ones.
Abdool Karim is a Daily Maverick intern seconded to GroundUp for a month.
Daily Maverick © All rights reserved


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South Western Railway (SWR) is revolutionising the vending machine game with their cutting-edge trial. Get ready to be amazed by the world's first vending machines with 'living walls'!
Created in collaboration with Decorum Vending, Regency Design, and phs Greenleaf, these machines are a true game-changer. These futuristic vending machines feature small, self-sufficient, vertical gardens that thrive in any location. Whether it's sunlight, shade, or covered areas, these living walls can handle it all.
And that's not all - these machines are also energy-efficient, using 54% less electricity than their predecessors. They even have a smaller environmental impact, thanks to upgraded refrigerants. But the benefits don't stop there! Each living wall consumes nearly 5kg of carbon annually while producing 2.4kg of oxygen. Not only do they combat air pollution, but they also boost biodiversity.
Made from recycled coffee grounds, the walls are eco-friendly from top to bottom. Join the eco-revolution at Bournemouth Station and witness the wonders of these innovative vending machines. Don't miss out on this incredible glimpse into the future of sustainable technology!
This news story has been produced by Chesil Radio's News Team, for more information please visit: https://www.chesilradio.com


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In what is seen as efforts to revitalise Bangladesh’s traditional silk sector, Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi formally reopened the Rajshahi Silk Factory recently.
According to media reports, to mark the birth centenary of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Textiles and Jute Minister on 10 January (Sunday) reopened the operational activities of 19 looms of the state-owned Rajshahi Silk Factory.
We have to build the silk sector as a model to inspire and promote the private sector, reportedly, stated the Textiles and Jute Minister who called upon officials of the Bangladesh Sericulture Development Board (BSDB) and Bangladesh Sericulture Research and Training Institute (BSRTI) along with others concerned to put in their best efforts to make the state-level silk sector profitable for the sake of protecting its existence.
Underlining that steps have been taken to bring more power looms of the factory in operation to restore the lost glory of Rajshahi Silk, Golam Dastagir Gazi, reportedly, maintained that when all the 63 looms will go into operation, 2.87 lakh metres silk clothes will be produced every year while adding that BSDB has adopted a Taka 32-crore project for boosting silk production and mulberry farming.
We pledge to revive the lost glory of silk, the Textiles and Jute Minister added further.


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Facebook announced its new name as ‘Meta’ on October 28, 2021, introducing the world to the new concept of the ambitious metaverse. The first time Mark Zuckerberg introduced metaverse at Connect 2021 conference, many people argued it to be just another set of technology while others described it as an evolution in the age of technology or internet known as Web3 or Web 3.0. This way the concept of metaverse differentiates for everyone.
“We’ve gone from desktop to web to mobile; from text to photos to video. But this isn’t the end of the line, the next platform will be even more immersive—and embodied internet where you’re in the experience, not just looking at it. We call this the metaverse, and it will touch every product we build.” writes Zuckerberg in a recent letter to his employees.
To be certain, talking about metaverse feel like a discussion about the internet but back in the 1950s when the world never imagined technology at a click. It’s a new kind of internet that defies the back logistic belief of an average person because no one knows what the reality is after being introduced to the metaverse. The term metaverse itself is a very vague and complex term because not everyone is introduced to it yet.
How does the Metaverse works?
To get a clear picture, the metaverse is a kind of technology that provides cyberspace or virtual space for people to interact face to face within a virtual reality. Simply, it’s a technology through which people of every corner can come together and meet in a virtual world. However, the meaning won’t substantially change yet the prefix meta is rather a very broad shift in how we interact with technology.
The technologies that can make up the metaverse includes sorely virtual reality which is a persistent virtual world that exists even when you’re not playing and augmented reality which is a combination of tools in digital and physical worlds. It doesn’t require that those spaces can only be accessed through VR or AR but they can also be used through laptops, game consoles, and even mobile phones. The game Pubg as well is a form of metaversal reality.
Additionally, it also translates to a digital economy where you can shop, buy and sell online using digital currencies. Amore interoperable version of metaverse will also allow a user to take virtual assets like clothes from one place to another- meaning that you can also gift these assets and use them according to your own wish. A user will be allowed with an avatar through which they can use virtual reality like physical reality.
The connections between the fiscal, virtual, and physical worlds have become blurred behind the wall of technology. Today these biases we use to manage our lives give us access to nearly anything we want at the touch of a button. The crypto ecosystem for example has become increasingly dominating in the techno sphere. NFTs, blockchain games, and crypto payments are not just limited to crypto geeks now. instead are now fluently available as part of a developing metaverse in the world.
In essence, through metaverse, the lines between the virtual world and reality have become blurred beyond recognition. It is a massively large experience synchronized perfectly with an unlimited number of users and real-time rendered 3D virtual worlds with multiple opportunities for next-level communication and digital lifestyle.
Therefore, digital safety in the metaverse should be addressed in a way that reduces risk, especially for vulnerable groups.


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Famed New York City department store Barneys is closing the doors to 15 locations including the flagship store on Madison Avenue this Sunday.
The closure comes after the company filed for bankruptcy last summer. Before its recent troubles, Barneys was a staple in the New York City fashion scene for almost a century. They were in business for 97 years.
In preparation for the luxury retailer’s closing, the store held massive sales, advertising up to 90% off, everything must go style. It’s not what you usually see in the halls of a high-end department store filled with expensive designer items.
Although the stores themselves are closing, the Barneys name, purchased by Saks Fifth Avenue, will live on.
Bye Bye Barneys, Bye Bye Department Stores
The jarring closure of what used to be one of New York City’s most famous retail locations does not bode well for the future of department stores, and traditional retail in general. What some have dubbed the “retail apocalypse” is showing no signs of slowing down.
As more and more people, especially young people, switch to online shopping, stores that don’t adapt will have no choice but to close their doors. Some stores, like Norstrom, are doing just that and trying to find ways to combat this move towards online sales.
I remember the first time I ever walked into Barneys on Madison Ave. I was probably 11 or 12, and I was shopping with my stepmom. Who knows what we bought, or what we were shopping for that day, but I remember very clearly the excitement of being in a real New York luxury department store. Everything was so high-end and cool. It was Carrie Bradshaw’s mecca. To me, Barneys was the epitome of New York City high fashion. Soon all the iconic stores that represent luxury and high-fashion may be gone, the victims of a dying industry.
This a blow to any old-fashioned sentimentalists among shoppers, or anyone who still likes browsing, seeing all the options, and trying things on.
It also may be a blow to the environment in the long term. Some studies indicate that online shopping is better for the environment. However, that may not be true when all the variables are counted. Packaging, expedited shipping, and ordering one item at a time all contribute significantly to the carbon footprint of online ordering. As studies continue, and the retail apocalypse goes on, it may very well turn out that traditional shopping was the more sustainable way to go.
Barneys may be gone, but its legacy will live on in reruns of Sex and The City. Time for a rewatching marathon.


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WASHINGTON — Two US lawmakers are calling for an investigation into whether Intel’s CEO, Brian Krzanich, improperly sold company stock after learning of a serious security flaw in the tech giant’s ’ microchips but before it was publicly disclosed.
Intel sent the technology industry scrambling earlier this month when it announced that the microchips powering nearly every computer and smartphone have for years carried fundamental flaws that can be exploited by hackers. The flaws, dubbed Meltdown and Spectre, flow from designs that allowed computers to operate more quickly and efficiently.
‘‘Security is job number one for Intel and our industry,’’ Krzanich said during an industry trade show earlier this week.
Now some lawmakers are questioning a large stock sale by the company’s chief executive late last year that was made before the news was made public, sending the company’s stock price down.
‘‘This is exactly the type of report of suspicious trading that the SEC routinely investigates, as well as the DOJ,’’ said Brandon Garrett, a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law.
Intel learned of the security flaw last June and several months later, in late November, Krzanich exercised and sold nearly 900,000 company shares and stock options, making about $24 million, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The sale reduced Krzanich’s holdings in company stock by 50 percent, to the minimum number of shares he’s required to own, according to Intel corporate policy.
Senators Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, and John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, have requested that the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department investigate the stock sale. It raises ‘‘concerns of potential insider trading,’’ they said in a letter this week to the agencies.


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Regal Cinemas’ L.A. Live Stadium 14 multiplex is slated to feature the first “4D” movie theater in the United States. Regal inked a deal last month with the Seoul, Korea-based CJ 4DPlex to install the company’s first Stateside 4DX system at the downtown Los Angeles site.
4D is the latest theatrical innovation designed to lure audiences away from competing streaming and DVD/Blu-ray entertainment platforms.
Theaters today are under pressure to compete with a broadening array of home entertainment delivery systems – like the DVD/Blu-ray-based Redbox, and popular streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Redbox Instant, Hulu, and others. Smart TVs and inexpensive hardware devices designed to enable HML- and HDMI-port equipped standard televisions to wirelessly stream online content have made it increasingly convenient for viewers to stay at home and away from the cineplex. Newest among these devices are the $35 Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player, $49 Roku Streaming Stick, and $99 Amazon Fire TV. The latter was just announced Wednesday. Netflix and Amazon have further upped the ante over the last few years by creating their own exclusive content.
CJ 4DPlex answers the challenge with their 4DX system. Their aim is to make movies a more immersive and total sensory experience, one no longer limited to visual and audio appeal but now augmenting those with movement, tactile sensation, and smell. Per last Sunday’s Fandango.com article, movie audiences can now appreciate the cinematic medium with added “motion, wind, strobe, fog, mist, rain and ‘scent-based’ effects.” The sensations are delivered via air and mist blasts, seat bladders that expand and contract, seat vibrators and low-frequency speakers, seat tilt mechanisms, pneumatic leg and neck “ticklers”, lightning and strobe effects, and scent dispensers. While the theater industry has experimented with similar technologies since the 1980s – primarily in theme park venues — the goal of CJ 4DPlex and a handful of similar integrators is to bring the 4D process to standard multiplex cinemas.
4DX theater seats
4DX theater seats
The 4DX process was demonstrated this week in Las Vegas at CinemaCon, an annual film industry exhibition for studios, distribution companies, and theater owners. Ironically, in their study released at CinemaCon on Tuesday, the Motion Picture Association of America showed frequent moviegoing attendance of 18-24 year-olds dropping in 2013 by a precipitous 17%. The age group has been a key target audience of Hollywood studios for decades. The same study showed frequent 12-24 year-old filmgoers are likely spending much of what was previously their time at the movies instead watching content on a variety of other screens.
Clearly, theaters have a challenge – one not unfamiliar. The 4D process has precedent.
In the 1950s, movie studios developed and popularized unique film- and cinema-based experiences to compete with the then-new innovation of television — experiences that couldn’t be replicated at the time on TV. Among these were the original 3D film process, and a variety of widescreen film and projection technologies that used anamorphic lenses and/or deeply curved screens and multiple synchronized projectors to yield a bigger-screen and more captivating moviegoing experience. Today’s 3D processes and IMAX screens are modern versions of these, and have become popular for a similar reason – to draw viewers who might otherwise favor the breadth of programing available online and the convenience of watching that content without leaving home, whether on their TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone.
So will 4D get those viewers into theaters?
One can’t help to be reminded of William Castle. The producer of several late-1950s/early ’60s thriller, horror, and science-fiction B-movie cult favorites was known for enhancing his screenings with gimmicks intended to startle audiences at his movies’ key points. In 1959′s House on the Haunted Hill, when a skeleton rises from a vat of acid, Castle flew a skeleton on a wire over the audience. In the same year’s The Tingler, when the titular sci-fi creatures terrorize an onscreen theater, motors attached to real theater patrons’ seats vibrated beneath them. In 1960′s 13 Ghosts, moviegoers brave enough to withstand the shock could view the movie’s ghosts only by looking through red cellophane glasses provided by Castle.
Then there’s the short-lived 1970′s Sensurround. Originally employed in 1974′s disaster spectacle Earthquake, the process employed specially-made audio speakers during the movie’s ground-shaking sequences to amplify low-frequency sounds that were more felt than heard.
Does 4DX sound like the same sort of gimmick?
To-date, 58 titles have been mastered in the new format, including Hollywood blockbusters Noah, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Gravity, Frozen, Iron Man 3, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. While the United States is new territory, CJ 4DPlex already has installations in 91 theaters throughout 23 countries, including China, Chile, Hungary, Japan, Vietnam, and India. The company is currently planning other U.S. installations.
Regal Cinemas hasn’t yet announced what the surcharge will be for 4D screenings, but American moviegoers will have the chance to sample this latest movie sensation this Summer. The 100-seat L.A. Live Stadium 14 theater is expected to be ready for audiences by late June/early July.


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Cryptocurrencies are virtual or digital currencies in which encryption techniques are employed to monitor the generation of their units and evaluate the transfer of funds happening independently of a central bank.
India has always had its doubts about cryptocurrencies; however, it is gradually making up its mind to accept or decline digital currencies. As per the data obtained from crypto exchanges, an estimated 1.5 crore Indians have invested in cryptocurrencies worth Rs 15,000 crore. The number of people starting to invest in cryptocurrencies is increasing with every passing day.
The inter-ministerial panel under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Economic Affairs) concerning cryptocurrency has already studied the concerns related to virtual currencies, recommended suitable actions, and submitted the report. The panel has recommended prohibiting all private cryptocurrencies, apart from any virtual currencies issued by a state. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also has escalated concerns related to the cryptocurrencies traded in the market and have reported the same to the Centre.
An outright ban concerning cryptocurrencies will not be there; however, they will not be permitted for legal tender either. Cryptocurrencies are probably going to be managed as a tradable asset class with a market.
Previously, Nirmala Sitharaman, the Finance Minister, had stated that the government is not looking at closing all options concerning cryptocurrency. People will have adequate chances to experiment with bitcoins, cryptocurrency, and blockchain.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned that soon the Union Cabinet might be undertaking a bill for regulating cryptocurrency and its growing market in India. Cabinet note concerning the cryptocurrency bill is ready. Cabinet clearance is being awaited currently. The cryptocurrency bill probably might be tabled in the Parliament’s winter session.
For any clarifications/feedback on the topic, please contact the writer at email@example.com
Bhavana is a Senior Content Writer handling the GST vertical. She is committed, professional, and has a flair for writing. When away from work, she enjoys watching movies and playing with her son. One thing she can’t resist is SHOPPING! Her favourite quote is: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”.


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In an attempt to address the growing incidence of ATM frauds and boost digital transactions, the country's largest lender has just halved its daily ATM withdrawal limit. The State Bank of India has lowered the limit on its Classic Debit Card to Rs 20,000 a day, from Rs 40,000 previously, a report in the Economic Times said. The lower limit will be effective from October 31 and will impact many SBI customers since these cards constitute a sizeable chunk of the bank's card portfolio.
"In view of the increase in the number of complaints received by banks around fraudulent transactions at ATMs and to encourage digital and cashless transactions, it has been decided to decrease the cash withdrawal limits of debit cards issued or being issued on 'Classic' and 'Maestro' platforms," said a bank communique sent out to its offices. SBI has also directed all its branches to display the message on notice boards.
The latest RBI annual report reveals that the currency in circulation (CiC) stood at Rs 19.38 lakh crore as of August 17, 2018, which is higher than the pre-demonetisation levels. Consequently, India's currency to GDP ratio is once again among the highest in the world, compared to peer emerging market economies as well as advanced economies. Moreover, household savings held in the form of currency are at the highest level since 2011.
Although this restriction on cash withdrawals will come into effect just ahead of Diwali, the bank does not foresee any inconvenience to customers. "Our internal analysis shows most actual withdrawals are of smaller amounts. So, Rs 20,000 should be adequate for most customers. We are trying to see whether smaller withdrawals could minimise frauds," SBI Managing Director PK Gupta told the daily.
He added that customers with a requirement for higher ATM withdrawals can switch to card variants offering the same. For instance, the SBI Platinum International Debit Card allows ATM withdrawals of up to Rs 1 lakh daily while the Gold debit card allows Rs 50,000 per day. Such cards are issued to those maintaining a higher minimum balance in their bank accounts.
Experts say that debit card users are most gullible when it comes to card frauds, and the risk is not limited to ATMs. Even retail point of sale terminals and mobile card swipe devices can fall prey to skimmers. Moreover, many debit cards still follow the magnetic stripe technology, which is more prone to frauds than the newer chip-based cards.
The development comes a day after the police yesterday arrested two more Romanian nationals involved in an ATM skimming racket. In fact, industry insiders peg the loss from skimming - where devices are planted in ATMs to surreptitiously read card data, which is then cloned to swindle money - at over $2 billion a year.
Edited by Sushmita Choudhury Agarwal


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A carefully adopted crypto strategist and dealer is bullish on Bitcoin as we begin 2022, highlighting two key catalysts that may ignite a BTC resurgence.
Crypto strategist Kevin Svenson tells his 82,000 Twitter followers that Bitcoin is due for a rally as he believes sell-side stress is about to see a big decline.
“Tax harvesting is completed.
Forced change promoting in China completed.
Selling stress is about to be diminished by 10 fold. Bitcoin restoration is underway.”
According to Svenson, market individuals who suffered losses this 12 months are selling their Bitcoin holdings in an effort to scale back their tax payments. The crypto dealer provides that the “tax harvesting” ended on December thirty first, noting that it might alleviate the promoting stress.
As for the compelled China promoting, Svenson is referring to BTC provide coming from customers of Hong-Kong-based crypto change Huobi. In late September, Huobi published a discover that it’ll retire accounts of mainland China customers by December thirty first, 2021 to adjust to native legal guidelines and laws.
According to Svenson, the promoting stress coming from Chinese customers changing their crypto into fiat will quickly be gone.
“The selling pressure has been mounting ahead of that ban as users from China seek to sell crypto and convert to fiat before the December 31 deadline”
“Huobi has a December 31 2021 deadline “to retire present China consumer accounts”
Selling stress will quickly be gone!#Bitcoin 📈
— Kevin Svenson (@KevinSvenson_) December 31, 2021
Looking on the long-term prospects of Bitcoin, Svenson says that BTC is buying and selling inside a big ascending triangle, indicating a really bullish market construction.
“Overall, when you look at this chart, if you are a professional investor, you’d see this as a positive chart. Ascending structure, higher lows, increase in demand overall. Retail crypto traders are just overly emotional because most are holding altcoins. Tune out the noise.”
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl will not be funding recommendation. Investors ought to do their due diligence earlier than making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital belongings. Please be suggested that your transfers and trades are at your individual threat, and any loses you could incur are your duty. The Daily Hodl doesn’t suggest the shopping for or promoting of any cryptocurrencies or digital belongings, neither is The Daily Hodl an funding advisor. Please be aware that The Daily Hodl participates in internet affiliate marketing.
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Natalie Portman certainly looks gorgeous, says Ashley Cardiff at The Gloss. But "unless [she] is a beautiful space alien that comes from a planet without pores," we can blame airbrushing for getting this Dior ad banned by the U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority. In addition to its heavy hand with the blur tool, Dior was also criticized for its blatant use of false eyelashes. Click through for more airbrushing controversies.
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A few months ago, ProgrammableWeb announced the release of Heroku’s Platform API, which allowed developers to integrate the Heroku platform with third party applications and services. Now, Heroku has launched a public beta for OAuth 2.0 support for the Platform API. OAuth 2.0 support allows developers to control service needs as opposed to offering full service access to all user accounts.
AccuWeather has removed the Reveal Mobile SDK from its iOS app due to privacy concerns brought to the company’s attention by many of the app’s users. According to an article published on Medium, the app was sending location information such as GPS coordinates and Wi-Fi router name to Reveal Mobile.
Do you use or plan to use a weather API in the near future? If so, Earth Networks would love to hear your thoughts on the landscape of Weather APIs on the market. Your feedback may help guide improvements in weather APIs and every survey respondent willl get a chance to win an Amazon gift card.


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Sprint's WiMax network, launched in 2008 as the first commercial 4G system in the U.S., will finally shut down in November 2015.
SoftBank completed its US$21.6 billion acquisition of Sprint Nextel on Wednesday, capping a months-long effort that was complicated by two bidding wars and some national-security objections but is expected to produce a stronger rival to the dominant ...
Clearwire shareholders approved Sprint Nextel's takeover of their company on Monday, ending a saga that had included years of uncertainty and finally a bidding war for the spectrum-rich wireless network operator.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has approved the $21.6 billion acquisition of Sprint by Japanese telecommunications group Softbank, saying it promises to bring consumers faster and more advanced wireless broadband Internet service.
Dish Network has dropped its offer to buy Clearwire, probably clearing the path for a strengthened Sprint Nextel to complete its takeover of the struggling but spectrum-rich mobile operator.
Sprint Nextel shareholders have voted overwhelmingly to approve SoftBank's US$21.6 billion takeover bid, setting the stage for the deal to close early next month.
Sprint Nextel has offered and Clearwire has accepted a bid of US$5 per share for the struggling wireless network provider, raising the stakes yet again in an expensive bidding war between Sprint and satellite service provider Dish Network.
Dish Network won't try to beat SoftBank's US$21.6 billion bid for Sprint Nextel, apparently clearing the way for the Japanese service provider to buy Sprint.
Sprint Nextel sued Clearwire and Dish Network on Monday in a bid to block Dish from taking over Clearwire, Sprint's majority-owned network partner.
An amendment to Sprint Nextel's subscriber terms of service points toward the carrier's expected shutdown of its 4G WiMax service.
Clearwire's board of directors has unanimously recommended its shareholders reject the takeover bid by Sprint Nextel, which owns roughly half of Clearwire, and instead accept a buyout offer from Dish Network.
On the roof of a medical building in San Francisco, Sprint Nextel has a cell site that's far above the cramped canyons of the city's streets, but despite the wide-open views, space is limited.
The tug-of-war over Clearwire looks set to continue for at least another two weeks as the struggling mobile operator postponed a special shareholder meeting once again to consider Dish Network's latest bid.
Dish Network has boosted its bid for Clearwire to US$4.40 per share, 29 percent above Sprint Nextel's most recent offer, and said it is prepared to buy up the stock of a minority of shareholders.
Sprint Nextel has increased its offer to buy out Clearwire, bidding US$3.40 per share, to counter a competing offer by Dish Network.
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American whiskey Jack Daniel’s has usurped Famous Grouse, the leading Scotch, as the off-trade’s number one whisky brand, reveals our 2016 Britain’s Biggest Alcohol Brands report, published in association with Nielsen this week.
With sales up 9.3% to £221.6m, Jack Daniel’s is now Britain’s ninth-biggest booze brand overall, up from 11th a year ago. Grouse, meanwhile, has fallen three places in our ranking to number 13, after haemorrhaging £32m, or 14.9%, of its value. The six blended Scotches in this year’s top 100 have lost £26.7m (4.4%) combined.
“We’ve seen Scotch whisky lose facings in the retailers as they recognised they were under-spaced and under-trading in American whiskey,” said Crispin Stephens, head of commercial planning & activation for Jack Daniel’s brand owner Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands.
“As a result they are giving more space to American whiskey. Jack is at a premium to its competitor set: you can buy a 70cl bottle for the same price as a litre bottle of another spirit. People want to trade up, so the retailers are giving more space to the brands they’re going to get the most return from.”
The switch to pricier brands drove the combined value of the top 100 brands up by £149m, with most of that the result of an average price increase of 1.4%. There was certainly no sign of a let-up in promotional intensity in booze aisles: 68 of the top 100 brands saw prices fall.
The price of Jack Daniel’s has itself declined by 6% in the past year. Stephens says price drops and featured space deals at key periods such as Christmas and Father’s Day, increasingly on one-litre bottles, have been crucial to growth, but points to other macro factors playing to the brand’s strengths.
“People don’t want to drink what their fathers drank,” said Stephens. “There is a broader interest in Americana. Positive cultural associations with America are coming through in casual dining trends. Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace and Bulleit and other American whiskeys are benefiting from this.”
The combined value of these ‘craft’ bourbons - included in the first-ever top ranking of craft spirits and craft beers - has doubled to £6.4m. “We’ve been growing Bulleit Bourbon in the on-trade for a number of years and are now looking to build it in the off trade,” said Diageo off-trade sales director Guy Dodwell.
Heineken MD David Forde said the decline of Scotch and growth of American whiskey was a sign of the times, following the Brexit vote, reflecting a polarisation even when it comes to whisky. “There’s a lot of emotion in the market and emotion invariably translates back into brand choice. To what extent are people going to embrace British brands versus international brands? Is there a split taking place along the Brexit/remain divide?”


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YOOX NET-A-PORTER first launched their online marketplace earlier this year and to expand further they are launching a new HOME DÉCOR + ART category.
As part of this category launch, furniture will be available to purchase, unlocking a more complete lifestyle offering for customers.
Housed on YOOX’s online marketplace, the category will see an increase of almost 10,000 products in the first two months of launch alone. Currently the marketplace features over 300,000 new products from 2000 brands across jewellery, ready-to-wear, accessories, footwear and now home décor for customers in Europe to choose from.
For over two decades, YOOX has been at the forefront of innovation, continuously pushing boundaries to create a unique shopping experience for its customers. YOOX was born as a one-stop lifestyle store, offering everything from fashion and accessories to design and art; with the launch of HOME DÉCOR + ART, we draw from our heritage roots, creating a holistic 360 degree lifestyle offering for customers, and enabling them to elevate their living space with some of the most renowned home and design brands.– Valentina Visconti Prasca, Managing Director, YOOX
Since launch, the YOOX Marketplace has received a positive response from both customers and brand partners and has driven additional traffic to YOOX, with nearly 20% of its customers being new to the online store. The YOOX Marketplace is currently live in almost 30 European markets, with the highest volume of orders coming from Italy, Germany, Spain and France. Further expansion is set to follow in the US and Middle East.


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DETROIT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Federal Savings & Loan of San Rafael has partnered with leading digital banking provider, Bankjoy to deliver an intuitive and feature-rich online and mobile banking experience for account holders.
Through the partnership, First Federal’s account holders will be able to easily manage their finances from their preferred device using Bankjoy's end-to-end digital banking platform, which includes a robust suite of mobile and online banking features, integrated loan applications, and other advanced functionalities, such as online account opening.
With Bankjoy’s end-to-end digital banking platform, First Federal is able to provide a superior digital banking experience for customers that boosts engagement and drives deposit growth. The bank plans to implement Bankjoy’s newly enhanced Online Account Opening solution, which will enable a fully automated, secure and streamlined onboarding experience for new customers while helping First Federal grow deposits. First Federal will also leverage Bankjoy’s integration with Plaid, which allows the bank’s customers to connect multiple accounts from other financial institutions and third-party apps within online and mobile banking.
Additionally, Bankjoy’s platform will integrate directly with First Federal’s core banking system, Fiserv Cleartouch®. Bankjoy’s product suite is seamlessly integrated within the bank’s core system and designed with the end-user in mind, resulting in a consistent, secure, and intuitive UX for both desktop and mobile banking. With more than 120 integrations with third-party vendors and other core platforms, Bankjoy ensures a frictionless digital banking experience across channels, resulting in a more satisfied and loyal customer base for banks.
Founded in 1963 and based in San Rafael, Calif., First Federal is committed to making a difference in its community, offering real estate financing and deposit services at fair and competitive rates for customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Since then, the bank has grown to manage more than $221 million in assets and is ranked as one of the healthiest U.S. banks among almost 6,000 banks nationwide. Today, the bank remains dedicated to providing the highest level of service for members of its community. By partnering with Bankjoy, First Federal can further its mission of serving the financial needs of customers and continue making a positive impact throughout the Bay Area.
“The team at First Federal looks forward to rolling out Bankjoy’s industry-leading digital banking platform and enhancing our customers’ banking experiences,” said Paul Simmons, Chairman, President and CEO of First Federal Savings & Loan of San Rafael. “We take pride in the level of service we provide for customers throughout our local communities. Our partnership with Bankjoy will allow us to further enhance our standard of service and continue to exceed customer expectations, even beyond the branch.”
“By 2027, nearly 84% of U.S. consumers will access their bank account digitally at least once per month, according to a new report from Insider Intelligence,” said Michael Duncan, CEO of Bankjoy. “Generations that have grown up in a digital-first world have changed the way consumers bank and First Federal recognizes this. We are proud to partner with First Federal and empower their customers with an intuitive, modern digital banking experience.”
Detroit-based FinTech, Bankjoy, delivers modern banking technology, including mobile banking, online banking, and a banking API to banks and credit unions — big and small. The company prides itself on creating beautiful products with advanced features, simple navigation, modern look and feel, and world class user experiences shaped by talking to users. Bankjoy is backed by Curql Collective, Bessemer Venture Partners, Y Combinator, and CheckAlt. For more information, visit www.bankjoy.com.


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Fairfield used car dealership faces lawsuit
Ohio Attorney General General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit against a Fairfield used car dealership Tuesday.
DeWine accused Dixie Imports; its owner, Mustapha Aitmouha; and its manager, Earl Burns, of failing to clearly disclose contract terms, repossessing vehicles without giving proper notice to consumers and failing to deliver titles according to Ohio law, according to a release.
The alleged actions violate Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act and Retail Installment Sales Act, DeWine said.
"We are filing this lawsuit because we have an obligation to protect consumers," DeWine said in the release. "We want to bring the dealership's practices into compliance with Ohio law and obtain refunds for consumers who deserve to get their money back."
DeWine said his office has received more than 50 complaints about Dixie Imports in the past two years. He wants reimbursement for consumers and an end to any unfair or deceptive practices committed by the dealership, he said.


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The World Fair Trade Organization-Asia and the Fairtrade Labelling Organization yesterday vowed to assist small farmers of Negros become part of a full trading organization, and not just remain as producers.
At the press conference at the Governor’s Hall at the Provincial Capitol Building in Bacolod City, Ramona Ramos, director of the WFTO-Asia, said marketing the products of the farmers the fair trade way is necessary to become a real fair trade organization and they must become a duly-recognized FT organization.
Hagung Hendrawa, liaison officer of FLO Southeast Asia, said he will help farmers understand FT market system, the sugar market, the FLO certification of their products and organization, and can link them with other fairtrade groups.
FT international is owned by producer organizations and farmers and the benefits are circulated within them, he said.
With FT markets their products are purchased at premium prices. They also practice gender equality, sustainable environment, and labor rights, she added.
Ramos also said that there is opportunity for Negros farmers with FT because they can benefit from it and it is a strategy that they can take before the 2015 implementation of the tariff on sugar and other agricultural products.
Edwin Lopez, executive director of Alter Trade Foundation, Inc. said they are supportive of the efforts of the government to broaden the membership of fairtrade in Negros because they have witnessed it helped the lives of their 650 partner farmers.
Lopez, who is also the head of the task force Negros Fairtrade, said that with the creation of the Negros Island Fairtrade Federation, they are looking in to the 118,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries who can be part of FT market.
Meanwhile, Regina Martin, administrator of the Sugar Regulatory Administration also said that her commitment to all stakeholders is for them to have productive businesses and improved productivity and efficiency at a lower cost.*LTG


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Inflation rates in the UK have fallen. Below is the latest from the Office for National Statistics:
- The headline rate of retail price index inflation fell to 2.9% from 3.2% in July
- The rate of consumer price index inflation fell to 2.5% in August, from 2.6% in July
- The underlying rate of retail price index inflation fell to 2.9 % in August from 3.2% in July
More top news
Justice Secretary Michael Gove warned David Cameron that his failure to limit migration is 'corrosive' to public trust.
After a lively start to the long weekend with torrential, thundery downpours - a drier night.
Real Madrid have clinched a record 11th Champions League title after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Atletico Madrid


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Share tips: Moss Bros & DS Smith
Company: Moss Bros (Trading update)
Underlying Sales: +5.5% for the 18 weeks to December 5
One-year share performance: +36%
The threat of the sack has apparently prompted workers to smarten up their act.
At least that's the message being peddled by Moss Bros, the suits and wedding hire firm that also owns the Savoy Taylors Guild and Cecil Gee.
The reality is slightly more prosaic. Capacity has been taken out of the market following the collapse of the small, independent menswear chains, which has most definitely helped Moss Bros buck the dire trend in this specific niche of the retail sector.
That said, the self-help is working with gross profit margins ahead of last year despite some fairly heavy promotional activity.
Cash conservation initiatives also seem to be making an impact.
Now here's the reality check. The 150-strong shop chain is still slated to make a loss this year.
Although according to City broker Numis this is likely to be a much reduced shortfall, with the deficit estimated to be around £4.5m from a previous forecast of £6.4m.
Our Verdict: Better value elsewhere
Company: DS Smith (Half-year Results)
Pretax profits: £34.2m - 22.4pc
Dividend: 1.5p, - 42%
One year share performance: +58pc
The paper and packaging group DS Smith recorded a sharp fall in first-half profits and hacked its interim dividend back to 1.5p to save cash amid uncertain trading conditions.
But despite the terrible figures, the shares jumped more than 13% as the firm said it was confident of meeting market forecasts for full-year earnings, aided by £26m of cost cuts. Analysts expect profits of about £46m in the full-year.
The group is involved in producing packaging - cardboard and plastic - and also owns office wholesaler Spicers. These markets have been hit hard by the recession. Subdued demand for commercial and industrial products inevitably means less packaging, and there is no real sign of an uptick for 2010.
And for a medium-sized company like DS Smith, there must come a time when there is not much cost left to cut before doing damage to the business. Investors might be wise to sit and wait until the storm clouds
Our Verdict: Hold
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BMW Group – including Mini, of course – is one of the clear winners of 2001. Freed from the constraints of trying to make Rover profitable, BMW has grown in terms of production and stature. The group has a UK 100,000 sales target for BMW and Mini next year.
The group has silenced the sceptics (including Automotive Management at times) with the masterly way it launched the successor to the 1959 original Mini.
BMW kept its cool when AM and many other publications refused to adopt its preferred MINI title for the car.
Perhaps the group regarded the stance as a tribute, because the Mini is a fitting successor to the car which won the Monte Carlo Rally. It is classy, cleverly packaged and in demand.
The decision not to spend £1.5m to take a stand at next year's Birmingham motor show (revealed in AM, November 23) proves BMW GB is decisive. With an increase of nearly 18% in its UK BMW registrations to the end of November, the company feels it can set its own agenda. There will be a Mini stand, because the reborn brand needs to grow.
Citroen has had a rip-roaring year, with UK market share rising from around 3% last year to more than 5% in 2001. The totals for cars and light commercials combined are expected to show an increase from 2000's 84,491 to 150,000 or so by the end of the year.
For 2002, the target is 6% in Britain as the Xsara Picasso MPV (Citroen's star performer) and C5 are joined by the C3, to be sold alongside the smaller Saxo.
Ford has fared well in the UK this year, led by success with the Focus and the new Mondeo. Detailed SMMT new car registrations data published by Automotive Management in October provided the detail of sales trends during the first six months of the year and Ford's dominance across several market sectors.
With new Fiesta reaching showrooms in the spring, Ford will be confident it can at least maintain its market share lead over Vauxhall in 2002.
Toyota GB's year has been good and the manufacturer is ambitious. Led by Yaris, the product line-up is starting to shine and Toyota is determined to introduce its new approach to retailing throughout the dealer network. Critics have dismissed it as merely another American-style 'meeter greeter' gimmick but Toyota insists staff attitudes are changing. Toyota seems to have a product replacement programme and a retail renaissance running in tandem.
Honda UK claims an encouraging start for its £8m flagship dealership at Chiswick, south London, which puts the group's new cars, motorcycles and lawnmowers under one roof. The manufacturer has been decisive and shown confidence in the strength of its brand. The cost of the development shows why car manufacturers often need to invest in retail premises in the South-east and the Chiswick venture is likely to be replicated less expensively elsewhere.
Saab has much to do but the debut of the 9X concept car at September's Frankfurt show was enough to justify its listing as a winner. Many were impressed by the strength of the lines of the 9X, and General Motors has pledged to put in some heavy investment at last, giving Saab the chance to become a key global brand.
The marque's image is perhaps unique in the industry because it manages to combine safety and performance potential at the same time. Others – such as Mercedes – would claim similar prowess but Saab's trump card lies in its Scandinavian base and heritage. It is somehow less strident than Mercedes' image.
Three top executives working for manufacturing multi-nationals have been in the ascendancy this year – Renault Group's Carlos Ghosn, Volkswagen's Bernd Pischetsrieder and Ford's Sir Nick Scheele.
Carlos Ghosn has winner stamped all over him. Whatever else he achieves (with Renault group or elsewhere), it will be hard to top the way he has cut through traditional Japanese attitudes and turned round Nissan. This remarkable internationalist (a French citizen born in Brazil of Lebanese parents) is being touted as a future boss of Ford Motor Company. As the hottest automotive executive on the market, Mr Ghosn can take his pick and perhaps running Renault/Nissan is his goal.
He might though first want to dent Toyota's domination of the Japanese market (nearly half new car sales). Bernd Pischetsrieder, who resigned as the boss of BMW Group in 1999, was named as Volkswagen chief executive officer from April.
Sir Nick's rise has been less dramatic but noteworthy. The former Jaguar chairman and Ford of Europe president has proved he can listen, consider, discuss and then be decisive.
Now chief operating officer at Ford Motor Company, Sir Nick is probably the main architect of the masterplan to be announced next month. By nature charming and genial, Sir Nick has forged a close relationship with the Ford family and is underestimated by no-one who meets him.
There were UK retail winners, too. Bates Motor Group chairman Edward Belcher sold his business to Inchcape Retail for £22.3m. He stays at least until next September as business development director and is looking at new acquisitions.
Mr Belcher probably has no financial need to work again after this deal but may relish the prospect of trying to extend his version of customer care to Inchcape's new motor retail partnership with the AA.
Peter Vardy collected a knighthood and was No. 137 in the Sunday Times' list of the UK's top 500 earners this year. Sir Peter's earnings totalled £4.84m but he trailed IM Group chairman Bob Edmiston, 71st with £7.71m. Both men are committed Christians and use part of their wealth to help other people which is something to consider a few days before Christmas.


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Gone are the days when the daily trek to Waterloo or wherever swallowed the early and late hours. Now employers question why their ventures spent so much on offices and why they ever needed physical meetings – and the scope for Fareham to be more than a sleepy dormitory town is so much greater.
Just a few months back the demise of local shopping was a real concern. With the collapse of some chain stores, and the ravages of Covid, it still is. But with the shift to online shopping for the boring essentials and much more working from home, the future scope for Fareham’s small ventures is tremendous – more potential daytime customers and less money drifting away every day on the train to town.
Are we caring enough for local small retailers? How do we ensure that the money stays longer within our local economy? Could the shopping centre’s landlords be persuaded to revive its half-empty malls by offering low-rent space to the niche small retailers of West Street?
As for the online revolution, what a pity, as a community, we never invested in a decent full fibre digital provider instead of those creaking copper merchants whose products daily demonstrate their stuttering distorted inadequacy on our screens.
When Covid kicked off everyone hoped that we’d soon get back to normal. Now, we are learning that many of us can live and work very differently. That old moribund economy has gone. Welcome to a very new normal – a Fareham of fresh opportunities.


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|By Marketwired .||
|May 12, 2014 05:21 PM EDT||
SANTA MONICA, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/12/14 -- Manalto Inc. (www.manalto.com), the dedicated social media management solution provider, today announced the strategic appointments of Jerry Darnell as Industry Board Advisor, and Rahul Saluja as Head of Sales for North America and Canada. These appointments reinforce Manalto's commitment to shaping its core enterprise solution in conjunction with industry, and will also propel Manalto's continued expansion strategy.
"Jerry is an executive-level business leader and advisor with extensive experience across sales and marketing, and operations, particularly within the USA franchise sector and with start-up companies," said Anthony Owen, President and Founder of Manalto.
"Jerry's expertise within franchising is highly sought after and he is a strong advocate of development and change within the sector. Jerry's counsel and insights will provide tremendous value to Manalto as we continue to grow the business and develop our products for customers."
"I'm pleased to have the opportunity to extend my knowledge to help a business who demonstrates a strong willingness to drive industry improvement through product innovation. Manalto is a new and savvy team, committed to sustainably shaping the way social media is managed with a solid product that solves a tangible problem in effectively managing social media," said Darnell.
"Manalto has shown a strong interest in understanding the fabric of the franchise sector and directly shaping its technology development in response to industry needs. It is a refreshing and welcomed approach and shows a commitment to the growth and evolution of the franchise sector," said Darnell.
Rahul Saluja joins Manalto as the Head of Sales for North America and Canada. Rahul brings extensive software sales and systems integration experience, having worked across multiple industries including the Franchise sector.
"Rahul's end-to-end technology business development and broad customer implementation experience strengthens the enterprise-centric, problem-solving model underpinning our business," said Owen.
"The opportunity for every business to better manage their social media right across their operations is paramount to its overall success. Manalto delivers an original and robust, yet simple solution for business. I look forward to extending the reach of our solution to help businesses grow," said Saluja.
Saluja is tasked with the expansion of the Manalto development and customer integration function across North America and Canada.
Manalto is a provider of innovative enterprise-grade Social Media ERP software solutions. We partner with organizations to integrate social media management into their existing corporate ERP framework; to enable an organization to manage social media content with greater efficiency and alignment to their operations and to core marketing activity. Manalto was engineered with enterprise at the center of our solution. Organizations are now able to centrally manage their social media presence and brand inside Facebook and Twitter, with the security, consistency and efficiency expected of a robust enterprise system.
Manalto has offices located in Santa Monica, California and Australia.
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SYS-CON Events announced today that IoT Now has been named “Media Sponsor” of SYS-CON's 20th International Cloud Expo, which will take place on June 6–8, 2017, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY. IoT Now explores the evolving opportunities and challenges facing CSPs, and it passes on some lessons learned from those who have taken the first steps in next-gen IoT services.
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You think you know what’s in your data. But do you? Most organizations are now aware of the business intelligence represented by their data. Data science stands to take this to a level you never thought of – literally. The techniques of data science, when used with the capabilities of Big Data technologies, can make connections you had not yet imagined, helping you discover new insights and ask new questions of your data. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Sarbjit Sarkaria, data science team lead ...
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids’ Studio Park is home to the first Starbucks of its kind in Michigan.
The Starbucks Pickup on the corner of Ionia Avenue and Oakes Street SW opened last week.
“It’s the first corporate location we’ve had downtown, so it’s a chance for us to really get invested in the Grand Rapids community,” store manager Kristin Wehrum said. “I’m really passionate about this area. I live right over here. And so I’m excited to be able to to be a part of where I live now and give back to community with amazing company that I work for.”
Unlike traditional Starbucks stores, there are no seats in this location. Customers must place their order through the Starbucks app and select the proper pickup location. When they arrive, a digital display installed into the wall shows the status of their order. When their drink or sandwich is ready, a barista places it on a pickup shelf for the customer.
“All in all, it should be about a 30-second process,” Wehrum said.
Starbucks launched its pickup store concept in New York in 2019, according Wehrum. Since then, it’s grown to 30 locations nationwide, the Starbucks website shows. The Starbucks Pickup in downtown Grand Rapids is the only one in the area; the next closest location is in Chicago.
“Starbucks is busier now than ever. I mean, we’ve seen astronomical sales growth. And so if anything, it’s just keeping up with the growing business,” Wehrum said.
Wehrum said the pandemic accelerated store switchovers, with more people seeking out food delivery and mobile order options.
“I think it really put us in a great place to be opening up these locations because so many people are now familiar with the mobile platform, more so than ever. But I would say definitely we’re trying to cater as well to people who aren’t necessarily staying in (and) sitting for safety reasons,” Wehrum said.
The store employs 17 people, which Wehrum says is typical for a Starbucks store of the same volume. But she added that says she’s always looking for more help.
“I think the staffing shortage in the food industry has been really eye-opening for what we need to do as leaders in the service industry: to create workspaces that people still want to be a part of, great pay, benefits, a healthy work environment. And that’s something that I, personally, as a leader have always been driven to create. Obviously we’ve invested a lot in partner pay in the recent months,” she said.
Starbucks starting wages are $12 an hour for baristas and $15.24 for supervisors.
“And we are on track, I want to say in the next few years, to have a starting wage across the nation of $15 an hour, and that’s plus tips as well,” Wehrum added.
The company also offers health care benefits, free college tuition, a 401(k) and Spotify Premium to employees who work at least 20 hours a week, she added.
Wehrum said there are no immediate plans to open additional Starbucks Pickup locations in West Michigan.
“This is definitely a test to see the success that we have having a smaller footprint, what we’re capable of doing here and what kind of business we can attract,” she explained.
According to Wehrum, Starbucks plans to add 29 more Starbucks Pickups nationwide by the end of this fiscal year or beginning of next fiscal year.
As for the downtown location, Wehrum hopes to serve at least 3,000 to 4,000 customers each week. She’s hopeful ArtPrize and the visitors it attracts will help.
“I understand we’re a corporation, but I’m really community-driven. I love all these local places and the amazing things that we do in Grand Rapids and so I’m excited to be here,” she said.


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Japan's February final manufacturing PMI 51.6 vs 52.2 in January
[TOKYO] Japanese manufacturing activity expanded at a slightly slower clip in February domestic orders lost some steam, a survey showed on Monday, but stronger export demand from overseas suggest the manufacturing sector will continue to expand.
The final Markit/JMMA Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) was 51.6 in February, slightly above a preliminary reading of 51.5 but below 52.2 in January.
It remained above the 50 threshold that separates contraction from expansion for the ninth consecutive month.
The output component of the PMI index was 53.5, more than a preliminary reading of 52.7.
New export orders rose for the eighth straight month and at a faster pace compared to January.
Separate data last week from the government showed factory output jumped at the fastest pace in nearly four years in January as companies ramped up spending at home and won more orders in emerging markets, suggesting that exports will keep the economy on track for a moderate recovery.
But Japanese households cut spending more than expected and retail sales fell for the first time in seven months in January, other data showed, a sign the central bank's radical stimulus has yet to convince consumers that inflation will take hold.
Japan's economy emerged from recession in the fourth quarter of last year, though the rebound was milder than expected. It is expected to grow moderately this year as exports pick up and consumer spending stabilises after a sales tax increase last April.


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Despite criticism of the Immortal Diablo, Blizzard is excited about the titles for mobile devices.
A new report suggests that Blizzard is currently working a game with the style of Pokémon GO based on the universe of Warcraft (via PCGamer).
The Kotaku site has published an article about the past, present and future of Diablo, where they talk about the popular franchise, including Immortal Devil, the mobile title announced in the last BlizzCon that was heavily criticized by fans.
They emphasize that despite the negative reaction of Diablo Immortal, within Blizzard the opposite happens because they are very enthusiastic about mobile games since many of the developers usually play them, including, of course, the popular GO Pokémon that uses reality technology increased.
In the report they point out that the creation of this GO Pokémon title based on Warcraft would be due to the huge income it could generate but also indicate that the main designer Cory Stockton – who worked on World of Warcraft – is a big fan of the franchise. Pokémon
Although there are few details on the subject, it is expected that the title has characteristics similar to the Pokémon GO, but also has some new features, such as mechanics for individual games.
What do you think of the idea of a Warcraft GO for mobile?


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MIAMI – SCORE Miami-Dade now offers workshops in Palmetto Bay, expanding its reach of low-cost business seminars to meet the demand for resources available to local entrepreneurs.
SCORE Miami-Dade, an all-volunteer nonprofit, has teamed up with the Economic Development Council of South Dade to bring its workshops to business owners in the southern part of the county.
SCORE Miami-Dade also has expanded its workshop schedule, adding QuickStart, a seminar series for people who aspire to go into business; and workshops on setting up technology systems,; cleaning up your credit; branding; finding financing; and hiring smart.
“We added more workshops, locations and topics because our clients – local businesses – have asked for them,” said Marjorie Weber, chair of SCORE Miami-Dade.
The workshops are taught by SCORE Miami volunteers, successful business owners and leaders who share their expertise to help other businesses thrive.
The number of SCORE Miami counselors has doubled in the last year, with 67 counselors now offering one-on-one mentoring and workshops to business owners.
The influx of more than 30 new counselors is changing the perception of the organization as a place for retired professionals to one of resourceful executives. More than half of the SCORE Miami counselors are working business owers and professionals, Weber said.
“We are selective in bringing in counselors that have skills needed to succeed in the current business environment,” she said.
For a full list of workshops or to sign up for free business counseling, visit www.SCOREMiami.org or call 786-924-9119
SCORE is a nonprofit initiative of the Small Business Administration. The program features more than 12,500 volunteer business counselors nationwide. Counselors share their wisdom and lessons learned in business with aspiring entrepreneurs. For details about the Miami chapter, visit www.scoremiami.org.


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Just more than three-and-a-half years after declaring its intent to build electric vehicles in the U.S., workers at Volkswagen’s Tennessee factory are now officially making the automaker’s all-electric compact SUV. The Chattanooga plant became the sixth Volkswagen factory worldwide to assemble electric vehicles with the start of production on the ID.4, the first Volkswagen EV to be produced in the U.S. The plant expects to expand production to approximately 7,000 vehicles per month later in 2022 and begin deliveries as early as October; output would continue to grow through 2023.
The first ID.4s off the line in Chattanooga will be either rear- or all-wheel-drive versions with 82-kilowatt-hour batteries. A lower-cost rear-wheel-drive version with a 62-kilowatt-hour battery will go into production later this year.
The company said materials and components for the SUV — part of a $2.7 billion investment by ID.4 suppliers — come from 11 states, including steel from Ohio and Alabama and electronics from North Carolina and Kentucky. SK Innovation’s Georgia factory will provide the car’s batteries.


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CFIA Report: XL Foods Recall Preventable with Proper Culture
In September 2012, XL Foods – the second largest meat processing plant in Canada, representing one-third of the beef processing capacity in the country – was shut down in what would become the largest meat recall in Canadian history.
I posted a blog at that time to address the ongoing crisis, and wrote:
“The comments from the CFIA investigation suggest a breakdown in the food safety culture within the plant.“
This week the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released the report and recommendations of the Independent Expert Advisory Panel investigation. And the report confirmed my suspicions.
It provides a comprehensive overview of the probable circumstances that led to the E. coli infection, and a detailed review of the response.
The report outlines multiple breakdowns in the food safety management systems and protocols within the XL Foods plant, challenges in getting appropriate information, and issues in external communications.
In the Closing Thoughts the authors of the report have this to say (emphasis mine):
The XL Foods Inc. recall was exacerbated by a number of key factors. The company’s
record keeping was wanting. It was unprepared to deliver important product and
distribution information promptly to inspection authorities. Because the recall involved
the country’s second largest beef processor, producers had few alternatives for their cattle once the plant closed.
Coordination of communications with the public left consumers confused and worried. Over a period of several weeks, they heard that more and more product was not to be consumed. It is no surprise that polls suggest Canadians worry most about E. coli O157:H7 contamination in their food, and believe that it is on the rise.
And it was all preventable.
Food safety is comprised of two essential elements: a system, and the people that implement it.
As we have already noted, Canada’s food safety system is a complex one; given the several jurisdictions that govern us, that system necessarily involves many players. Despite some challenges, however, it works. It is recognized globally as a sound approach to food safety.
That said, continuous improvement is vital if we are to remain ahead of the food safety
curve. The Panel has identified recommendations that we believe contribute to that effort. The greater element – and the greater challenge – of food safety is people. Systems are of no use without the skill, vigilance and commitment of individuals. The lion’s share of our recommendations focus on this element.
We have already noted that food safety is a philosophy. It must be a culture adopted and practised across all levels of an organization – from the company president to the beef trimmer on the night shift; from the veterinarian in charge to the meat inspector. These individuals play a key and important role in the health of consumers. They must take that responsibility seriously.
Senior Executives and Managers across the food manufacturing industry need to review their own food safety culture in light of the results of the XL Foods Inc. Expert Advisory Panel Review.
- Sanitation, information and communications processes need to be effective.
- Full mock recall exercises should be undertaken.
- But most importantly, food safety is first and foremost a people issue. A commitment to an organizational culture – where Food Safety issues are at the core of every employee’s work – must be supported and promoted.
It has long been obvious that senior leaders prefer to remain wilfully ignorant of the processes and behaviours that can allow them to create and direct the corporate culture within their organizations. Hopefully, the fallout from the XL Foods fiasco will put an end to this ‘ostrich’ management style, and will motivate them to seek out the knowledge and resources needed to address this issue head-on.


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GM Invests in Auto Service Startup
Dec. 21, 2020—General Motors has invested in Yoshi, a Silicon Valley startup offering on-demand auto services, reports The Detroit News.
Yoshi has raised $23 million as a part of its Series B fundraiser, where GM Ventures (a GM subsidiary) was the leading investor. The company gained investments from GM Ventures, ExxonMobil and NBA player Kevin Durant in its first round of funding.
The company, which was founded in 2015, offers services like gas delivery, oil changes, washing and more and plans to get into alternative fuels going forward. Services are offered through its app in five major U.S. markets and GM has started rolling out the service to its employees.