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The usually businesslike proceedings of the Crystal Lake City Council were interrupted this summer when Karen Winsett, her 10-year-old son at her side, won resounding approval to open a billiard room tailored to teenagers.
Parents praised the venture, council members reminisced about the off-limits pool halls of their youth and one woman launched into a nearly respectable rendition of ``Trouble in River City.``
`` We`ve come from mothers trying to keep their children out of pool halls to wanting them in,`` said Councilman John Yerly, drawing laughter with a go-figure shake of the head.
Two months later, Winsett`s Smooth Strokes is doing brisk business in the far northwest suburb, prompting some entrepreneurial minds to wonder if such places might be just what the area needs.
``Pool halls have a definite image problem, but we wanted some place for the kids to go that was a family-oriented place,`` said Winsett, a respiratory therapist.
A good number of municipalities still cast a suspicious eye on any place with cue sticks, said Winsett, who tested the waters in several suburbs and found them decidedly chilling before approaching Crystal Lake. She runs the 10-table room under bright lights and tight discipline with her husband, Tim, an avid pool player.
Indeed, the establishment bears little resemblance to its shaggier cousins that serve alcohol in a haze of smoke, or trendy spots like Schaumburg`s Billiard Emporium, which has a dress code.
In fact, it is a curiously suburban place, tucked into one of a row of strip shopping centers along a booming stretch of U.S. Hwy. 14 on Crystal Lake`s southeast side. Peer out Smooth Strokes` window and there is the decade`s mass-produced panorama, complete with video-rental store, frozen yogurt shop and computer software outlet.
But inside flows the studied cool practiced by 16-year-olds.
``You know if your friends aren`t home you can find someone here,`` 17-year-old Nancy Linklater said over the click of ricocheting balls. ``There aren`t that many places to hang out.``
The complaint is common in Crystal Lake, one that some parents fear leads to drinking, cruising and a social vacuum.
``Where can a kid go? They stand around in the parking lot at Burger King. They hang out in the shopping center,`` said Susan Schultz, mother of two budding pool players. ``Here, they can talk and learn how to do something.``
Even with the only liquid refreshment coming from a soda machine, a night at Smooth Strokes` tables at $4.75 an hour can add up.
But then, so do a lot of alternatives. ``You go to the movies now and you know it`s going to cost you and your date more than $12,`` Schultz said. ``So why not be where you can talk?``
And, in the harried world of trends and countertrends, billiard establishments for young people and their families seem to be gaining in popularity.
``The trend we saw about three years ago was places that catered to yuppies and singles opening up in New York, Boston, Chicago, cities like that, and marketing themselves as nightspots, posh places to go,`` said Karen Brattmiller, spokeswoman for the Billiard Congress of America, in Iowa City.
``Now we`re seeing more family (billiard) rooms . . . in the suburbs,``
Semantics are shifting, too. For people who say a pool hall by any other name is still a pool hall, comes a gentle nudge.
``A lot of places call themselves billiard rooms now,`` said Brattmiller. ``The term `pool` kind of went with the old underworld image.``


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Apple's, iPhone is not selling well in India. It currently sells via Airtel and Vodafone. It appears that the operators are not interested in selling the iPhone and are pushing through other channels.
One can buy an iPhone from a few other mobile phone retailers, though iPhone in India sells only via Airtel and Vodafone. The way it works is, you place an order with the mobile phone retailer, pay the full amount in advance and wait for a day or two to receive the handset.
One can only speculate that their may be an arrangement between the retailers and the operators. The retailers keep a dummy model as a display, the procure the handset from the operator when you pay them in advance and then you receive it in a day or two.
Not sure as to how it works, but then then got to know about the advance payment and delivery at a later date on inquiring about a discreet dummy iPhone display at a mobile phone retailer in India.

domain: news


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Columns by Ray Rowlands
Ray Rowlands from market research firm DrinksInfo gives his monthly view on the latest issues affecting the soft drinks & water categories
Articles by Ray Rowlands
10 April 2014
Last month, Nelson Peltz of Trian Fund Management sent a 37-page letter to PepsiCo's board urging it to spin off, what he described as, its struggling beverage business. Ray Rowlands of Drinksinfo Ltd looks at the pros and cons of such a monumental undertaking and draws his own conclusions.
13 March 2014
As its Japanese home market struggles to expand Ray Rowlands of Drinksinfo Ltd looks at the recent overseas ventures that the Asahi Group has undertaken in its hunt for growth culminating in its latest foray, this time in the Indonesian soft drinks arena.
4 February 2014
Ray Rowlands of Drinksinfo Ltd reports on the recent controversy surrounding the SodaStream Super Bowl advert in the US and asks, who really gained from its rejection by the media?
10 October 2013
3 September 2013


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Jennifer Connelly has been named the new Global Face of Shiseido.
The 'Requiem for a Dream' actress - who previously fronted a Japanese advertising campaign for the brand over twenty years ago - will also be the face of their premium skincare line Future Solution LX and is delighted to be involved with the campaign.
She told WWD: "I am honoured to be working with Shiseido again and to be representing the Future Solution LX line globally.
"Like Shiseido, I believe it is important to prepare now for our future wellbeing. I look forward to sharing my journey with Future Solution LX with women worldwide."
Shiseido are thrilled to be working with the 41-year-old actress again.
Hiroshi Maruyama, General Manager of the International Marketing Department, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer back to our family as we celebrate our 140th anniversary.
"Jennifer's genuine personality, commitment to her family and approach to living a beautiful life embodies the core values of our company, and match those of the Shiseido customer. We believe that she portrays the essence of the Future Solution LX line perfectly and that her inner and outer beauty will inspire our customers."


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The corporate regulator has accepted an enforceable undertaking from a Gold Coast-based “financial planning and property management company”.
Equanimity Concepts Pty Ltd - an authorised rep of non-aligned licensee Sentry Financial Planning until March 2014 - has entered into an EU after an investigation found potentially misleading advertising regarding financing options for home loans.
“From January 2012 to July 2014, Equanimity advertised on its website, YouTube and in numerous in-flight magazines and police journals that consumers could pay off their home loan in a very short amount of time,” an ASIC statement said.
“For example, one line read, ‘Pay off your 25 year home loan in less than 5 years’.”
ASIC deputy chair Peter Kell said the compliance processes in place at Equanimity were “unsatisfactory” and may have been consumer protection laws.
“Consumers who may have come across these ads may have been misled in Equanimity’s ability to help them pay back their home loan in a significantly reduced timeframe without incurring further debt,” Mr Kell said in the statement.
“Advertising of this nature will not be tolerated and ASIC will take swift action when confronted with false claims.”
Equanimity must now appoint an external compliance consultant to review its processes and procedures.
The ads in question have now been removed.
Advisers have implored the wealth giant’s largest shareholders to ask some “serious questions” about their fate at the company’s upcoming annu...
The government has released draft legislation around the establishment of the single disciplinary body for advisers, which will sit inside ASIC. ifa b...
More than 80 per cent of consumers now expect their retirement savings to be invested ethically, and adviser platforms are moving quickly to cater to ...


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TRENDING ON ONEINDIA
- Will Rafale Deal Be Probed? — Supreme Court To Decide Today
- Why Is December A Good Month To Invest In Stock Markets?
- Nissan Kicks Review — Should You Buy The Latest Five-Seater SUV From Nissan?
- IPL Auction 2019 — These Five Players May Be Sold For A High Price
- Shahrukh Breaks Silence On His Film With Salman Khan And Sanjay Leela Bhansali
- Things To Know About The World's Quad Camera Smartphone
- Mumbai And Its Vintage Parsi Cafes
- Can Meditation Enhance Creativity?
Google has recently introduced an update with which the Google Assistant will now be able to make video calls. This also includes calling international users on Google's video chat mobile app. The new feature will allow users to make calls from their smartphone, contacts and messaging apps with the help of the mobile video chat app (Duo).
Google mentioned in a post late on Monday that, "If you use the Google Assistant: You can start a 'Duo' video call by saying or typing, "Video call (name)." The latest update was released by Google for the latest version of "Duo" for both the Android and other OS-based smartphones and tablets.
To use the video calling feature on the smartphones or the tablets the device must be running on Android Oreo 8.0 and upper versions. The users will then need to sync their "Google Duo" settings with the help of "Account Sync" option. For the users who do not have the "Duo" app installed would be redirected to the Google's other video chat and messaging platform which is the "Hangouts". Google has started rolling out the feature for the Android users. However, it might take some time before it makes it way to all the users.
To recall, Google had earlier released an update for the Google Duo which was the version 31 of the app. The v31 of the Google Duo app allows a user to add their Google account during the setup while they provide their phone number. The new app further allows the users to register directly to the app without the need of updating a phone number. This implies that going forward the app could make its way to other OS platforms as well. You can read the complete story by clicking on this link.
Also, Google has recently Gmail, Chrome, and Google Drive on the web. Following this the company has given a sneak peek at the latest upcoming new all-white design for its Android apps, you can read the complete story by clicking on this link.


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The South Korean giant, Samsung has come up with another Wearable device and it is the Samsung Gear Live that went for Pre-Order in US and will be heading to India soon. This device has been reveled in the Google I/O event that is going on currently and along with this there are other wearable devices like the LG G watch and the Moto 360 that were also unveiled in the event. Moreover this device will be heading to India and is priced little more than the LG G watch and is cheaper elsewhere.
Coming to the device, it is another wearable device on the wrist that will be notifying all the details like the Messages, calls and other notifications. You can also get all the weather forecast and it also has the OK Google support so that you can search anything on Google with voice commands. We are not sure about the compatible app that is required for the device to share all the information from Smart phones to the handle all the notifications.
We know Samsung has released the wearables like the Galaxy Gear which initially had the Android OS, and the other smartwatches Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit which were on Tizen operating System. Samsung is also making the competitor of the Google Glass with its Gear Blink that is expected be released later this year. It will have a 1.63 inch Super AMOLED display with 320 x 320 pixel resolutions. The device will be powered with a 1.2 GHz processor coupled with 512 MB of RAM and has a 300 mAh battery. The on-board memory is at 4 GB and it will also be a water and dust resistant device like most of the wearables. This device weights 59 grams and is 8.9 mm thick.
Moreover bringing Android to wearables is a good move and luckily this Gear Live is not just limited to Samsung Smartphones unlike its earlier wearable’s, that mean any Android device gets get the access to this and should improve its market since every other smart phone users will be able to use it that run Android 4.3 or later. The device is priced at $199 in US and is Rs. 15,900 in India. The smartwatch is going to be shipped from July 8th in US, while in India, we might need to wait a few days more.


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Witness sees Maui shark bite victim
A Boston Fire Department spokesman describes the scene of two explosions at the Boston Marathon.
Script / info to follow.
Arts foundation director blames staff discord, power struggle for her resignation
Pantone, the company that considers itself the authority on colors in consumer trends, announced Thursday that the color of 2014 is .... radiant orchid!


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Cybercrime , Fraud Management & Cybercrime , Incident & Breach Response
Home Depot Settles 2014 Breach Lawsuit for $17.5 MillionHome Supply Retailer Must Also Implement Several Cybersecurity Protocols
The Home Depot on Tuesday reached a $17.5 million settlement of a multistate lawsuit stemming from a 2014 data breach that compromised the payment card data of 40 million customers, according to the South Carolina attorney general's office.
See Also: Live Webinar | Breaking Down Security Challenges so Your Day Doesn’t Start at 3pm
The settlement, which involves 46 states and Washington, D.C., stems from the breach that happened between April 10 and Sept. 13, 2014, when fraudsters planted credit card skimming malware in Home Depot's network to steal customer payment data. In addition to the financial component of the settlement, the company agreed to implement specific cybersecurity measures to safeguard the personal information of its customers.
"This settlement serves to promote fair but rigorous compliance with state laws, which require businesses that collect or maintain sensitive personal information to implement and adhere to reasonable procedures to protect consumers' information from unlawful use or disclosure," South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson says.
Home Depot has created a $13 million fund to allow for payments to customers who have documented losses attributed to the breach. Customers also will have the option to receive 18 months of free credit monitoring, Wilson's office says.
A Home Depot spokesperson tells Information Security Media Group: "We're glad to put this matter behind us and continue to focus on serving our customers." Since the breach, the company has "invested heavily to further secure our systems," the spokesperson adds.
Additional Security Measures
Wilson's office notes the company will have to build upon the security measures it has already put in place since the security breach happened. As part of the settlement, The Home Depot must:
- Employ a CISO reporting to both senior executives and the board of directors;
- Provide the resources necessary to fully implement the company's information security program;
- Provide appropriate security awareness and privacy training to all personnel who have access to the company's network or responsibility for U.S. consumers' personal information;
- Implement security safeguards, including logging and monitoring, access controls, password management, two-factor authentication, file integrity monitoring, firewalls, encryption, risk assessments, penetration testing, intrusion detection and vendor account management.
The Home Depot will also undergo a post-settlement review to ensure the agreed-upon details are being implemented.
Todd Rowe, an attorney with Tressler LLP of Chicago who specializes in insurance and privacy issues, says that Home Depot has likely already implemented many of these changes. For example, in 2019, it hired Stephen Ward as CISO and named him to the board of directors.
"If a company like Home Depot didn't have these security measures in place by 2020, it would be pretty negligent," Rowe says, calling the $17.5 million settlement "paltry."
But the attorney general's offices in the 46 states see the settlement as a way to put corporations on notice.
"Instead of building a secure system, The Home Depot failed to protect consumers and put their data at risk," New York Attorney General Letitia James said after the agreement was announced Tuesday. "My office is committed to protecting consumers, which is why we will continue to use every instrument in our toolbox to hold accountable companies that fail to safeguard personal information."
A Major Breach
The big-box retailer reported the breach on Sept. 18, 2014, saying an estimated 56 million payment cards were compromised when an attacker's custom-built malware gained access to its payment system.
At the time, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned retailers that the malware - dubbed Mozart - was designed to exploit Home Depot's system (see: Fraud Tied to Home Depot Breach Mounting).
Managing Editor Scott Ferguson contributed to this report.


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EA predicts PS3 shortages for North America
Well, you can’t say I didn’t warn you. Wearing his Master of the Obvious hat, Electronic Arts CFO Warren Jenson warned on Friday, that PlayStation 3 units will be hard to get hold of in the US this Christmas following the console’s launch on November 17. Jenson’s reasoning is what’s worth reporting
In a conference call Jenson said, “We’re thinking that with PlayStation 3 in North America, the [shipment] range is probably 500,000 to 800,000.” Sony has previously stated it plans to ship 2 million consoles to the US and Japan by the end of the year, but that number had recently been downgraded to 1-1.2 million.


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David Banfield, President of The Interface Financial Group, announces three new UK-based Interface offices, the first step in establishing an IFG-UK network that will provide alternative funding to small businesses.
At its annual franchisee conference, David Banfield, President of The Interface Financial Group, announced the establishment of three new UK-based franchises.
This is another first for IFG as they expand their operations base into the U.K. Currently Interface operates their franchise system in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States.
The new offices will not only offer the unique brand of financing that IFG has delivered in other countries for the past 38 years but they will also be the foundation on which a UK network of offices will be established. Interface offers a premier financial service franchise serving the small business community.
Interface holds the prestigious distinction of being rated a ‘world class’ franchise by the Franchise Research Institute based in the United States. Interface has a strong background in providing specific niche financial services to small business, a service they can now offer in the U.K.
Banfield noted that with mainstream financial institutions such as ‘high street’ banks under pressure opportunities for small business funding are declining. Interface plans to offer alternative funding that will rejuvenate the small business marketplace.
Because all Interface offices are independently owned and managed they are able to respond to their client’s needs in a very time effective manner.
Banfield indicated that the move into the UK market represents a significant step forward in the growth plans of the organisation.
The Interface Financial Group certified a World Class Franchise® for the eighth consecutive year
19th August 2013
The Interface Financial Group has received World Class Franchise® certification from the Franchise Research Institute® for the eighth...
Global finance firm, IFG, launches exclusive UK franchise
26th June 2013
IFG who has a franchise history of more than 20 years is set to launch a brand new franchise model, exclusive to the UK.
Global finance firm, The Interface Financial Group, recruits business development manager
17th June 2013
The Interface Financial Group, an international finance firm which offers a unique ‘spot factoring’ service for SMEs has created a new role...
New year, new start with The Interface Financial Group
28th January 2013
As we enter a new year many people are thinking about making changes in their professional lives, and The Interface Financial Group is...
The Interface Financial Group Earns Two Top Franchise Honors
29th February 2012
Alternative financing firm cited for comprehensive franchise support and training as well as helping clients to grow out of the recession
Interface expands into the Republic of Ireland
1st November 2010
David Banfield, President of The Interface Financial Group, announced from the company’s International Headquarters the opening of an...


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DRIVING DOWN VEHICLE THEFT; STATEWIDE EFFORTS FROM C.H.P.
It's an ongoing battle with auto thieves, but new statistics show California is making progress. According to C.H.P. numbers, over 156,000 vehicles were stolen last year in the Golden State. That's a 1.3% reduction from 2010.
The rate of vehicle theft in California has dropped since 2006. It's a positive trend attributed to enforcement, education, and advancing theft deterrent technologies employed by the automotive industry.
Of the vehicles reported stolen last year, 84.9% were recovered. However, the economic loss to Californians continues to be approximately $1 billion annually.


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Nintendo treated their 3DS fans to a really fun National StreetPass Weekend from 12/13 – 12/15! Any 3DS owner who visited their local Nintendo Zone with StreetPass Relay were treated to a shuffle of StreetPass Relay tags, allowing US gamers to get StreetPass tags from other states and even other countries! StreetPass Long Island hosted a local event to celebrate National StreetPass Weekend by organizing members to meet at a local Starbucks in Uniondale, NY on Sunday, 12/15 from 2:30 – 4:30pm!
To make the event even MORE exciting for members, StreetPass Long Island handed out free giveaways: The Legend of Zelda Treasure Chests! These awesome items were provided by Nintendo and GolinHarris (thank you NoA!!) and SPLI members were ecstatic to receive them!
Despite there being a huge snowstorm the day before, StreetPass Long Island members came to Sunday’s meetup in droves and Starbucks was delighted to be overwhelmed with customers. SPLI members gathered to collect StreetPasses (some members received StreetPass tags from the west coast, Europe and even Japan thanks to the StreetPass Relay Shuffle during the event!) and played popular 3DS games together, like Pokemon X&Y and Mario Kart 7.
StreetPass Long Island was happy to welcome some new members and first-time meetup attendees at this event, while also hanging out and having fun with our regular members and SPLI Admin staff. Everyone had a great time, some members even stayed to hang out for almost an hour after the event officially ended! SPLI Co-Founders Jeff and Debbie also used this opportunity to drop some hints about upcoming meetup events planned for 2014. Afterwards they announced that the [Second Annual] 2013 SPLI AWARDS: Voting Phase was about to open to the public, giving fans a chance to vote for their favorite Nintendo games and SPLI Events from the past year.
Every StreetPass Long Island member who attended gave us great feedback and we all hope that Nintendo organizes another National StreetPass event next year! The StreetPass Relay Shuffle added a lot of buzz and excitement to the group and we really enjoyed it! Thank you Nintendo for helping us to end 2013 with a great meetup event!


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Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) Portfolio Strategy Research released a report last Friday titled “U.S. Equity Views: S&P 500 4Q 2013 Earnings Update”. This report provides both an overview of S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) earnings for the fourth quarter and updates for company for earnings next quarter from various market bellwethers.
S&P 500 positive earnings surprises
The Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) report highlights the fact that the overall earnings season has been positive in terms of revenues for most companies. “More companies surprised positively on revenues than in a typical quarter. 43% of firms beat consensus sales expectations by more than one standard deviation (vs. 40-quarter average of 35%). But top-line beats have not translated to the bottom-line as earnings results were in line.”
Tiger Legatus Master Fund was up 0.1% net for the second quarter, compared to the MSCI World Index's 7.9% return and the S&P 500's 8.5% gain. For the first half of the year, Tiger Legatus is up 9%, while the MSCI World Index has gained 13.3%, and the S&P has returned 15.3%. Q2 2021 hedge Read More
Others figures of note for 4Q earnings include the fact that 43% of firms beat consensus sales expectations by more than one standard deviation (compared to a 10-year average of just 35%). On the other side of the coin, only 11% of firms disappointed on sales by the same magnitude magnitude (compared to 20% on a 10-year basis).
Overall, S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) companies beat consensus EPS estimates by 8.4%. If you take out accounting adjustments, then reporting companies only beat estimates by 3.3%.
Information technology sector boasts revenue growth
The Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) report also points out that more than 75% of S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) information technology companies beat consensus revenue figures in the fourth quarter. “Info Tech represents about 20% of reported companies, but 40% of revenue beats. The percentage of tech sales beats is at the 40-quarter high. The strength of revenue beats varied by company. While some firms noted stronger demand, several guided next quarter sales below consensus.”
A total of 62% of info tech companies surpassed earnings expectations last quarter.


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USARK - USARK will be at the North American Reptile Breeders Conference in Tinley Park, Illinois this weekend, October 12th and 13th. They will have all the answers to your...
USARK Auction at Tinley Park NARBC
USARK - Update: The spring NARBC has been rescheduled to June 19th-21st, 2020. Look for the USARK auction to take place in June.
The North American Reptile Breeders Conference is taking place this weekend, March 14th and 15th, in Tinley Park, Illinois. After the show on Saturday night starting at 6pm, an auction will be held to benefit USARK. There will also be a special benefit for the family of Forrest Fanning, a herpetoculturist that was lost far too early.
Preview auction items starting right after the show. Donated auction items include a piece of original artwork donated by the talented Emily Burke featuring the geckos of New Caledonia. This event supports good causes by raising money to protect and help responsible herpers and herp conservation. Do not miss it!@ USARK


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Kazunori Yamauchi's laughed off talk of a 2010 release date for GT5, saying in a fan interview that the game will be released sooner than people think.
"No, no," he said when asked if the racer's full version would release in 2010.
"Don't worry much about that. It's going to be sooner than expected."
GTPlanet user Super_fla got to meet Yamauchi on a visit to Polyphony in Japan, as you can see here, and put the question to the driving dev overlord.
And he got him to sign his white PS3. As you do.


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Yesterday Fitbit released a statement for an update coming to Windows 10 and Xbox.
“For a Fitbit user, health and fitness progress helps them make timely decisions throughout the day – from what to order for lunch, to take the stairs instead of the elevator, or what time to go to bed,” said James Park, CEO and Chairman, Fitbit. “As we do across all platforms, we continue to design features that empower people with information and motivation to set and reach goals with engaging experiences through our mobile apps. With the new Windows 10 app, we worked closely with Microsoft to give Windows users an even easier way to access, utilize and interact with the information that matters most to them, across all their Windows devices, to further support them in their fitness journey.”
As a Fibit user I am excited to see what amazing features will be coming. But as a Windows 10 user this is exciting news because now seeing all my info from an app showing live information. I can’t wait for Cortana to come to Windows 10 (I live in Canada). Then I will be able to say Fitbit I just ran 1 mile and the information will update itself.
Fitbit now that it’s a public company it has the money for this type of R&D. And if we see more developers do this with the Windows ecosystem it could be a game changer in the future. And the Xbox app will be coming out later this year, so when playing games I will be able to see how unhealthy I was and need to go for a walk.
Right now it’s an exciting time to be a Windows fan and Fitbit. Now to go play with the new Fitbit app for Windows 10.


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Alexander Wang’s raucous NYFW afterparties following his runway presentations have become legendary in their own right, inspiring the designer’s recent campaigns and now, a limited-edition capsule collection.
Aptly named No After Party, the collection features four pieces, including a cheeky pair of cutoff shorts embroidered with the words “No After Party” on the front panel, “Seriously” on the inside waistband, and “Byeeee” on the rear. There’s also a pair of black tights with the No After Party logo emblazoned down one leg, as well as short and long-sleeve t-shirts stamped with the same design.
Wang’s wildly inventive afterparties have become one of fashion’s hottest invites throughout the years, held in unexpected locales around the city. Case in point: to fete his spring 2010 collection, the designer took over a gas station in Chelsea; for spring 2014, he invited Nicki Minaj to perform at the food court in South Street Seaport.
On Saturday night, Wang celebrated his fall 2017 collection with a party and a runway presentation at an abandoned theater in Harlem, releasing the capsule collection in stores and online on Sunday in lieu of an official afterparty. The tights that appear in the No After Party capsule collection appeared in the show.
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As preparations for the royal wedding kick into overdrive, let’s not lose sight of perhaps the most entertaining aspect of this spectacle: the associated business opportunities, which above all else are very, very extra.
The New York Times surveys the landscape of cash-ins. First and foremost—obviously—come the housewares. Think mugs, tea cups, tea towels, trays, plates, etc. The Royal Collection Trust will naturally be producing their own, official range of china. Ceramics manufacturer Emma Bridgewater quickly brought out a limited edition mug (roughly $27) announcing “Harry & Meghan are engaged” with the date; all thousand of them sold out within 24 hours. Royal Crown Derby went to work four months before the official engagement announcement and has multiple designs in the works, as well as international schemes:
As royal fever grows, the company plans to hire an additional 10 to 15 people. It is also hoping to tap into heightened interest in the United States — Ms. Markle is American — to push its products in places like Bloomingdale’s and Bergdorf Goodman.
Congrats to anyone compelled by ties of affection to buy me a birthday gift.
If you don’t need anything else to dust and you are more of an experiential millennial type, there are the tour opportunities. For instance: “Olivia Basic, a tour planner at the company, said the themed tours for Prince Harry and Ms. Markle could include upscale nightclubs where the prince—known in his earlier years for partying heavily—has been spotted.”
However, the article sadly neglects iconic merchandising opportunities such as shortbread tins, which will clutter up American antique malls for decades to come. Really, if anything, the article understates how bonkers this is going to get. Please, if you live in the United Kingdom or plan to travel there in the coming months, send us photos of the most ridiculous swag you set your eyes upon.


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BEIJING, China, Aug. 30, 2019 (Antara/Xinhua-AsiaNet)--
Yili Group (600887.SH) announced its 2019 interim results on the evening of August 29th. The report shows in the first half of 2019, Yili realized a total operating revenue of RMB 45.07 billion, a year-on-year increase of RMB 5.13 billion, and a net profit of RMB 3.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of RMB 0.33 billion, further underlying Yili's strong growth momentum as the industry leader and pointing to its prospect and potential for sustainable development going forward.
Earlier this year, Yili pioneered in the industry with the vision of a "global health ecosystem" as it continues to deepen its global footprint with a view to integrating the best resources globally to better meet consumers' health and nutritional needs.
Yili continues to grow its footprint in Southeast Asia and Asia at large, offering more diverse product choices to local consumers. Yili's products have already entered such markets as Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Myanmar. Last year, Yili launched the Joyday ice cream in Indonesia, which is now available in major cities across the country and being introduced to more Southeast Asian countries with great popularity.
The acquisition of Thailand's largest local ice cream company, Chomthana, was a major breakthrough for Yili in terms of growing regional production capacity and gaining market access. Yili helped Chomthana improve on food quality, safety and sales model. Within one month of post-deal integration, Yili helped increase Chomthana's production capacity by more than 30%.
Yili's expansion in Southeast Asia is underpinned by mutually beneficial and win-win partnerships. Yili adheres to a localization strategy and works with local partners to effectively drive local economic development. 85% of Yili's employees in Indonesia and Thailand are local. Yili has created more jobs for the local community and brought about significant gains in local taxation and economic prosperity.
Source: Yili Group
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Reporter: PR Wire
Editor: PR Wire
Copyright © ANTARA 2019


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Three and a half years ago, Apple released the iPhone 4 which introduced the world to the then-new Retina display.
In Apple’s parlance, Retina is basically a cleverly-coined marketing moniker which stands for a screen with pixels so densely packed that the average eyesight (20/20 vision) is unable to discern the individual ones at normal distance.
Apple has since Retina-fied its iOS device lineup, including some Mac notebooks. With the exception of the MacBook Air which stayed at 1,366-by-768 and 1,440-by-900 pixels for 11 and 13-inch models, respectively, we’ve been kinda keeping our fingers crossed for a Retina iMac this Fall.
Apple instead gave us a radically different Mac Pro as its first desktop so powerful it’s capable of driving three 4K displays simultaneously.
One would also expect Apple would by now have released a Retina Thunderbolt Display because the product’s been unchanged for almost two years. Instead, the firm opted for the waiting tactics until Retina-grade desktop screens become available at consumer prices.
That day is now looming as Dell on Monday released two 4K desktop monitors starting at just 50 percent more than the $899 Apple Thunderbolt Display. Just a year ago, you couldn’t find a decent 4K monitor under $5,000. But Dell’s only warming up: by early-2014, the computer maker plans to release a 28-inch 4K monitor priced at under $1000…


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BlueOcean Gaming goes to Dubai thanks to NetEnt!
BlueOcean Gaming is XXXtremely cheerful to announce that we secured first place in NetEnt’s operator competition “5-Star XXXtreme: Fly to Dubai”.
During the 20-day competition period, we managed not only to achieve the highest growth on the well-established Starburst game, but we also pushed the latest game release Starburst XXXtreme to new boundaries. We aren't just excited because two of our team members will be awarded a free trip to Dubai this November - we are super-proud to be able to achieve a top position in a group of such reputable and well-established NetEnt strategic partners.
Congratulations to all our team members, well deserved, and is great to see that our hard work is paying off. Big thanks to all our operators and partners that promoted the two games and off course big hug to our dedicated AMs Merili Urbala, Alistair Johnston, and Angelo D'Ascenzo from NetEnt & Evolution Group.
See you guys at Burj Khalifa!
07.10.2021The latest summer addition to our ever-growing GameHub is a casino content studio MrSlotty. Now the
01.10.2021We are delighted to announce the growth of game providers available with GameHub this time thanks t
23.09.2021Thinking about starting an iGaming business? Catch the new wave of online casino solutions from Blu


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He assured staff that the move will be better for the company’s future and is “not about cost reductions”.
See Hugh Marks’s email to staff in full below.
Today marks a truly momentous development for Nine’s future.
This morning we announced to the stock market the news that Nine and Fairfax have agreed terms to merge our businesses into one corporate entity, NEC.
The ground-breaking merger – harnessing the strength, assets, quality and reach of two of the country’s most famous industry brands – is another highly significant step in the evolution of Nine’s business into one of the most powerful media organisations in the country.
The scope of this deal is genuinely quite breathtaking.
In addition to our existing television and digital businesses, the new NEC will also become the proprietor of the iconic Fairfax mastheads as well as the new majority owner of Domain (60%) and the Macquarie Radio Network (54.5%). And through the transaction Nine will also move to 100% ownership of Stan.
This deal is all about our strategy for the future. A strategy that on completion of the merger enables the new Nine to:
• Significantly extend the scale of our offering to advertisers
• Substantially increase Nine’s exposure to high growth digital revenues through 9Now, the combined digital publishing businesses of Nine and Fairfax, and of course ownership of a majority position in Domain.
• Invest further in our core news and current affairs DNA, enhancing even further our ability to provide quality, independent, reliable and accurate News and Current Affairs content across all available platforms; and
• Really focus on the next steps that will be available to us for the future growth of STAN;
All as part of a company with a balance sheet that enables us to continue to prudently invest in our content creation and distribution for the future of media and entertainment.
In the new combined business NEC’s existing shareholders will have a 51% shareholding and Fairfax’s existing shareholders will receive new shares that will equate to 49% of the shares in NEC.
Peter Costello will remain Chairman of NEC – the new business – and I will remain CEO.
The new NEC Board will be comprised of members of both the existing NEC and Fairfax Boards.
Such a merger of two major media groups will of course result in some duplication of functions and you will read about synergies that will be pursued by the business as part of this transaction. But let me stress this merger is not about cost reductions. This merger is all about creating a business with the diversity and scale of revenues and earnings to be able to continue to do what we are all about. Create great content. Distribute it broadly. And engage our audiences and advertisers. Ultimately our people will all have new opportunities across more platforms, brands and identity to connect with audiences.
We will of course be outlining more details of the merged business over the ensuing months, but for now we embark on this new expanded phase of our company’s journey, with a scale of resources and platforms to continue to build on our shared heritage and iconic brands.
Make no mistake, these are exciting times for Nine. I look forward to joining with you all in making this merger an outstanding success. It’s a big deal. And it promises to substantially strengthen and reinforce what’s so great about our business into the future.


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Marlena Peleo-Lazar Departs as McDonald's U.S. Chief Creative
McDonald's U.S. Chief Creative Officer Marlena Peleo-Lazar is leaving the chain, Ad Age has learned.
Ms. Peleo-Lazar is a key player in advertising creative for McDonald's, which spent $1.43 billion in U.S. advertising last year, and was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the company's global "I'm lovin' it" tagline.
A 14-year company veteran, Ms. Peleo-Lazar oversees creative execution of national and local marketing for the chain, coordinating and approving thousands of pieces of creative. She also has input on strategy for creative briefs, concepts and their ultimate execution, according to people familiar with the company.
"As the Chief Creative Officer for one the most recognizable brands in the world, Marlena Peleo-Lazar has had significant influence at McDonald's and in the advertising industry overall. We've been 'lovin it,'" said McDonald's, when asked about the departure. "After 14 years, Marlena is leaving McDonald's. We wish her the best in her new endeavors."
The shift comes as McDonald's seeks ways of refeshing "I'm lovin' it," and recently wrapped a pitch for rebranding ideas that was won by Publicis' Leo Burnett. A new campaign is expected next year.
Ms. Peleo-Lazar has historically reported the U.S. chief marketing officer, according to executives familiar with the job. Deborah Wahl, McDonald's new CMO, took on that post in early March.
Since joining the Golden Arches, Ms. Wahl has shaken up some of McDonald's marketing processes, taking on more direct oversight than her predecessor in areas such as agency relationships and partnerships between McDonald's and brands like Disney or the NBA.
Ms. Wahl has also regiggered the department's organization. No longer is marketing grouped by product -- with a lead for beef or chicken for example. It is now organized by consumer groups, such as millennials (long a sore spot for McDonald's), families and adults.
The Golden Arches has been going through a number of executive shuffles of late. In August, McDonald's tapped its first U.S. digital VP, Julia Vander Ploeg. Ms. Vander Ploeg reports to the chain's chief digital officer, Atif Rafiq, who joined McDonald's in October, though she will also work closely with Ms. Wahl. Joel Yashinsky, McDonald's CMO in Canada, was also recruited to the U.S. business recently, although it's not yet clear what his new role will entail.
McDonald's most senior shift is the departure of U.S. president Jeff Stratton, who is succceded by Mike Anders. Mr. Stratton, named U.S. president in late 2012, has been under intense pressure to reverse McDonald's domestic sales slide.
The chain's global same-store sales last year grew 0.2%, while U.S. same-store sales declined 0.2% and comparable guest counts declined 1.6%. Calling 2014 something of a "reset" year, executives reiterated their commitment to paring down the menu to focus on core products, as well as improving marketing and investing in digital. McDonald's has been making new steps in digital with tests in mobile payment and the opening of a San Francisco office.


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Del Taco's signed the first franchisee it plans to recruit in its drive to open 80 restaurants around the Dallas area.
Guillermo Perales' Sun Holdings, which operates Popeye's, Golden Corral, Burger King and CiCi's Pizza restaurants, has added Del Taco to its portfolio.
"We wanted to add a Mexican QSR concept," Perales explained in a release. "We wanted to bring Del Taco to Dallas because we know this market so well."
Eighty percent of Sun Holdings' 200 restaurants are located in the Dallas area.
Del Taco last year opened a company-owned restaurant in Denton and plans to open an additional outlet in McKinney. While spokesperson Barbara Caruso refused to specify where Sun Holdings will locate its Del Tacos -- "there's so much competition for real estate," she said -- she suspects restaurants will turn up in Dallas proper.
There were Del Tacos in Dallas back when the chain was owned by W.R. Grace, but Caruso emphasizes the concept has changed radically since the company's changed hands. Unlike the casual dining Del Tacos that Dallas eaters patronized in the 1970s, the current Del Tacos are structured as fast-food joints.
"The only thing that's the same is the red sauce," Caruso says.


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Editor’s note: As prom season returns this year, MassLive.com is offering an exclusive benefit to subscribers: Click through the photo gallery below to see if we photographed your favorite prom-goer or just to check out the latest prom fashion trends, and get free, print-quality downloads. Subscribe to MassLive today.
Red has been a hot color for Massachusetts prom-goers so far in 2023. MassLive producers went through each prom, that was shot up until May 23, to pick out some photos featuring prominently red dresses, tuxedos, shoes and more. After all, nothing looks better than “MassLive red.”


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LVMH, the world’s largest luxury conglomerate, may be hopeful for the future, but its latest financial report reveals just how hard the behemoth has been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Monday, the French company said that while its revenue stream proved resilient during the first half of the year––falling 27 percent––given the climate, it’s profit was a different story. The first two quarters of 2020 saw LVMH’s net profit nosedive a staggering 84 percent to $612.29 million, something the operation attributes mostly to extended boutique closures during lockdown. And that figure is far below analyst estimates who expected a more robust recovery.
“I do not think we have ever seen such a perfectly negative alignment of planets against us,” said LVMH chief financial officer Jean-Jacques Guiony on a conference call. “The month of June was significantly better, and July will certainly see some improvement compared to June.” This uptick in sales is largely due to China’s reopening and was buoyed by the more recent reopening of shops in Europe, though the lack of tourist dollars remains a significant concern for the company.
The severity of LVMH’s losses may be due, in part, to its organization. The company is vertically integrated—it owns the majority of its suppliers, manufacturers and even individual stores. This model is one favored by CEO Bernard Arnault for the level of control it affords over every aspect of the business. Normally an advantage, that organization proved to be a drawback during the outset of the pandemic because LVMH couldn’t reduce costs by slashing orders to third-party businesses. “We do manufacture inside, and so we suffered some lack of absorption of fixed costs,” Guiony told the Wall Street Journal. “It’s particularly true at Vuitton, wines and spirits and some other businesses.”
Though Vuitton sales may have experienced trouble in select categories, the heritage house known for its leather goods remained one of LVMH’s top performers, along with the other jewel in its crown, Dior.
While the half-year profits report was unequivocally dire, Guiony cited another reason for optimism. The extreme circumstances brought on by Covid-19 have encouraged LVMH’s stable of luxury houses to take a fresh approach to e-commerce, one the CFO believes will inform the brands’ future. “When I see the amount of business that we’ve been able to generate in the last six months on our e-commerce platform, I think there is a future for these platforms to generate a significant amount of the global sales and to be a real and genuine distribution channel, alongside the brick-and-mortar,” he told WWD.


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Worldwide mobile phones sales have declined by 1.7 percent in 2012, according to a recent Gartner report. As per the findings of the report, while Apple and Samsung together hold more than 50 percent of the total market share, surprisingly Huawei has become the third top vendor to sell smartphones among all the players. Also Read - Battlegrounds Mobile India APK and OBB download links for Android: How to download
The fourth quarter of 2012 had recorded worldwide smartphone market share of Apple and Samsung together to grow to 52 percent from 46.4 percent in the third quarter of 2012.
A striking finding in the Gartner report suggests that for the first time Huawei has reached third position among smartphone vendors due to high increase in sales in fourth quarter. The company had sold 27.2 million smartphones to end users in 2012, up 73.8 percent from 2011. Recently released flagship Ascend D2 and Mate at CES are placed in premium models and helped the brand sales accelerate further in the market. Gartner analysts have been reported to say that Huawei will grow exponentially in the international markets in 2013.
The report shows that worldwide mobile phone sales to end users has been recorded as 1.75 billion units in 2012, which is 1.7 percent lower than sales recorded in 2011. This decline in sales was last recorded in the year 2009. Though fourth quarter of 2012 recorded smartphone sales of 207.7 million units, which is up 38.3 percent from last quarter of last year, tough economic conditions along with changing consumer preferences and growing market competition kept pulling the strings tight and thus resulted in a decline in sales worldwide.
Feature phones again were low in demand throughout the year 2012 with sales totaling to 264.4 million units in the fourth quarter of 2012. There sales has gone down 19.3 percent year-on-year and will continue to decline in 2013, Gartner estimates.
Samsung topped the chart and continues to grow with its overall smartphone sales totaling to 64.5 million units. This is up 85.3 percent from the Q4 2011. Another finding is that it totaled 384.6 million mobile phones sales, out of which 53.5 percent was contributed by the smartphone.
Apple touched 43.5 million units in Q4, 2012 and totaled 130 million smartphone sales worldwide, though Apple claims to have sold over 47 million iPhones. The report also suggests that demand for iPhone 4 and 4S models gained momentum due to less expensive price. The iPad Mini also became a considerable choice by many over iPhone 5.
In the fourth quarter of 2012, Nokia had relatively good sales for Asha mobile phones and Lumia Windows Phone 8 models, but recorded total of 18 percent, the lowest it has ever been. In 2012, Nokia reached 39.3 million smartphone sales worldwide, down 53.6 percent from 2011.
Gartner also projects that sales of worldwide smartphone sales to end users will be close to 1 billion units in 2013, and overall mobile phone sales to end users are estimated to reach 1.9 billion units.


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Australian internet search engine company Ansearch is going head-to-head with internet search "goliath" Google, by launching its own branded search engine for Australian users.
Though Google may appear to have a vice-like grip on the local online search market, the Melbourne-based Ansearch will officially launch www.ansearch.com.au on November 30.
Louise Williams, marketing manager at Ansearch, is confident the search engine will find wings: "The IT market is always volatile and full of new developments," she said.
"Before Google, no one thought Yahoo was beatable. We are not initially seeking to take Google out of the market, but believe there is an opportunity to do something different to Google and offer users something unique."
Ansearch will differentiate itself in several ways. Some of Ansearch's unique features include:
- Quality of data: focus on a relatively small list of the most popular websites in the world rather than those with the most number of websites linking to them
- Ranking: based on usage rather than link farm size.
- Focus on a site versus pages: IE's Geocities will feature in its database only once, rather than the extensive network of millions of free pages / Web sites that are found within Google. This will result in a natural tendency to feature more business/commerce sites.
- Top sites index: a listing of top Web sites updated and ranked regularly.
- Small data footprint: allows for a daily update of the top-ranked Web sites, as opposed to updates every six weeks.
Williams said statistics showed that the search engine market was growing and there was still a need for portals to drive traffic for companies wishing to conduct paid advertising.
"From an advertiser's point of view, the desire for more traffic via click-throughs is becoming even more prominent, with the current demand for page impressions outstripping supply in several major industries," she said.
Williams said there were several areas which would generate revenue. For the moment, these include CPC (cost per click): performance-based advertising similar to Google, Sensis and Yahoo; and Enterprise Search, which will allow companies to manage and search large quantities of data across an Intranet/WAN.
There are three other revenue streams that will be revealed in Quarter Four, 2005. "To the best of our knowledge, no other search engine -- global or Australian -- is addressing these other areas," she said.
According to measurement firm HitWise, Google was the most visited search site for the week ending 20 November, 2004 with 63.17 per cent. This was followed by Yahoo (10.96 per cent) and ninemsn (6.70 per cent).
Foad Fadaghi, senior industry analyst at Frost & Sullivan Australia, and a close follower of the search engine space thanks to several years at Internet research firm Jupiter, said Ansearch.com.au lacked the profile of the big guns in the search engine market. If anything, he said it had a role to play as a niche player, similar to that of an Anzwers.
Yahoo Australia's search producer, Peter Crowe, was of the same opinion. He said there were a lot of companies out there which posed a threat to the Yahoo search business, but said he did not feel threatened by Ansearch's presence.


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Samsung Galaxy F41 is all set to launch in India today. The phone marks the debut of the ‘Samsung Galaxy F’ series, and key features of the phone have been teased in the run up to this launch. The Samsung Galaxy F41 is teased to pack a large 6,000mAh battery and feature a Super AMOLED Infinity-U display. The phone is also set to have a triple camera setup at the back with a 64-megapixel main camera. Leaks in the past have suggested that the Samsung Galaxy F41 might pack 6GB of RAM and run on Android 10.
Samsung Galaxy F41 launch event live stream, expected price in India
Samsung Galaxy F41 launch event will begin at 5.30pm today. The event will be live streamed via Samsung India’s social accounts online. The upcoming Samsung Galaxy F41 is rumoured to be priced between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 20,000.
It was earlier also reported to be a rebadged Samsung Galaxy M31. Official details on pricing should be released in a few hours. The phone will go on sale via Flipkart and Samsung online store when it launches. Flipkart has published a dedicated page teasing the Samsung Galaxy F41, and it is also taking registrations of interest. The phone is rumoured to come in Black, Blue, and Green colour options.


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Pop up stores are common in shopping malls. GuesstHouse Powered by Guesst is providing an alternative to businesses through its new concept called “pop-sharing.”
Jay Norris, the chief executive officer of GuesstHouse, recently opened one of his facilities in The Westchester shopping mall in White Plains. The company began two years ago, he noted.
As stated on its Web site, GuesstHouse works with retailers and commercial landlords to use existing space to create new revenue. “Using Guesst is an agile, lower-cost alternative to pop-up stores, giving access to in-store retail opportunities in order to enter brick and mortar or to expand existing retail presence,” that are faster, easier and less expensive than having a company doing it on their own, GuesstHouse stated on its Web site. The company has a slogan that it provides “Brick & mortar retail with all the perks, and none of the work.”
Norris, who resides in Connecticut, said last week it is common for shopping centers and malls to have vacant commercial spaces and his company is providing a way to fill the openings. His clients pay GuesstHouse licensing fees for an initial three-month period and if the business owners want to continue the arrangement they can do so on a month-to-month basis, Norris said. In return for their licensing fees GuesstHouse provides its expertise and staffing, he said.
GuesstHouse has a number of “strategic advisors” from such companies as Bed Bath & Beyond and WeWork.
Many of his clients, who are brands and retailers, have an online presence but not a physical location in a shopping center or mall, which now is being offered by his company, Norris said. He noted that Amazon now operates physical stores. Norris described his company’s concept as providing a “co-retailing space” for his clients.
“E-commerce brands pay to be in the space and we sell their goods for them,” Norris said. “Brands that don’t have a physical presence come to us.”
In The Westchester Norris said he has about 20 spaces available at one time which combines for 3,200 square feet.
For more information about GuesstHouse Powered by Guesst visit https://guesst.co/. The company also has a Facebook page.


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There’s a lot of hype about new power trains and lightweight plastics, but traditional materials are sure to play a big, if not leading role, in making cars more fuel efficient. The new models on display at the International Motor Show Sept. 19-27 in Frankfurt are a case in point. Ten of the models from Audi, BMW, Opel, Peugeot and Renault use Hydro aluminum components and systems. Examples include:
Opel Astra, front and rear bumper beams;
Rolls-Royce Ghost, front end;
Audi R8 Spyder, rollover protection system; and
Peugeot 5008 MPV, rear bumper.
In addition, Hydro is supplying flat-rolled aluminum strip for body parts to the new BMW 5 series, the Mercedes-Benz E-class station wagon and all versions of the new C-class model, as well as the current Porsche Panamera.
Hydro supplies the aluminum content pictured above for several BMW models, including the new “small” Rolls-Royce.
The FDA has just released draft guidelines for using 3D printing in the design, development, and manufacture of regulated medical products. Although the recommendations are non-binding, they do set some much-needed parameters.
HP's industry-changing 3D printing announcement for commercial-scale end-production wasn't the only news of note at RAPID 2016 this week. Here are six more game-changing software and hardware news items, plus some videos explaining HP's technology.
HP has launched its long-heralded Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology for commercial-scale end-production, plus an ecosystem to go with it. The package could change the entire industrial market for making end-products with additive manufacturing. At the very least, it will be game-changing.
Focus on Fundamentals consists of 45-minute on-line classes that cover a host of technologies. You learn without leaving the comfort of your desk. All classes are taught by subject-matter experts and all are archived. So if you can't attend live, attend at your convenience.


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UP is playing a major role in bridging the demand-supply gap in the Indian electronics sector.
The Electronics Manufacturing Policy 2014 has been approved by the Uttar Pradesh cabinet in order to attract further investments in the electronics sector. To give a boost to the electronics manufacturing units the government has initiated a number of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives which will also benefit the expansion of the existing units.
The policy looks forward to establishing Electronic Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) in the state of UP and an upcoming semiconductor fabrication unit will also be capitalised for the Yamuna Expressway project. The investment ahs been expected around Rs 350,000 million. The plant is being jointly established by JP Associates, IBM and Tower Semiconductor Limited, Israel. The state cabinet, which approved the policy, held a meeting chaired by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.
The policy has some key points which include 15 per cent capital subsidy, 5 per cent interest subsidy for 7 years, 100 per cent exemption on stamp duty, 100 per cent tax reimbursement on VAT or CST for 10 years and so on. A special incentive package will also be considered under this policy for those units which invest over Rs 2,000 million in this sector. Besides, this policy also supports the 2012 National Policy on Electronics, to give a enhance to development of infrastructure facilities in UP.
This policy will help the state government to promote a number of industries like manufacturing of mobile devices, telecom products, consumer electronics, power electronics, IT system and hardware along with other components like transistors, resistors, switches and more. The current Indian market demand in the electronics industry is around $75.6 billion and these numbers are expected to touch 400 billion by 2020. To bridge the demand-supply gap, the state will try to emerge as a major hub for electronics manufacturing with this policy’s help.


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Analyst Ross Young claims that Apple will not launch a mini LED version of the 11-inch iPad Pro in 2022, because sales of the 12.9-inch model are doing "really well."
Alongside maintaining that Apple is producing a "Studio Display Pro" with mini LED, analyst Ross Young says the firm has chosen to delay using the technology in the smaller iPad Pro.
Panel production has started for the new 27" MiniLED display to launch mid year. Assuming it will be called Studio Display Pro...I have insight on the 12.9" MiniLED iPad Pro as well. It is doing really well. They don't need to do one at 11". Don't expect it this year.— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) March 10, 2022
Display Supply Chain Consultants analyst Ross Young's belief is that the mini LED is a significant success with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Postponing using it in the 11-inch model would keep that element of the differentiation between the products.
However, Ming-Chi Kuo has now suggested that it's possible Apple will postpone all new mini LED devices until at least 2023, because of cost issues.
That would include both the 11-inch iPad Pro, and the rumored "Studio Display Pro."


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Evleaks has claimed that the LG G Pad 8.3 tablet will soon make its way to Verizon Wireless. The information was given away via Twitter as the source usually does but sadly there was no further information. Usually, leaks coming from Evleaks is bundled with a leaked press image or something of that sort, but there was nothing shown off here. But since we already know quite a lot about the G Pad 8.3, it doesn’t matter much.
The tablet was launched in a Google Play avatar recently, so users have an alternative to choose from if they’re not fans of the LG user interface. We are guessing Verizon will make the tablet official in the coming days or maybe during the MWC event next month. The G Pad 8.3 is a more than capable tablet from a major manufacturer and features a very decent hardware specs sheet as well.
The tablet comes with an 8.3 inch 1920 x 1200 resolution display, a quad core 1.7 GHz Snapdragon 600 chipset, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage (expandable), a 5MP camera with a 1.3MP front camera, a 4,600 mAh battery and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. We can expect the Verizon variant to feature 4G LTE support as well.
Source: @evleaks – Twitter


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International trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) are considered the key drivers of global value chains. About 11 percent of economic activity (GDP) in the U.S. is dependent on foreign markets. But when relations sour between countries as they have between two of the world’s largest economies, foreign investments can dry up and put thousands of jobs in jeopardy. That’s why reports that Chinese investments in the U.S. have plunged nearly 90 percent under President Trump’s watch is quite disconcerting. According to data by the Rhodium Group, Chinese FDI in the U.S. has fallen from a peak of $46.5 billion in 2016 to just $5.4 billion last year, sharply reversing a trend of rising investments from the Far East. Much of the blame for the massive decline can be pinned on amped up regulations, a battery of tariffs and growing unease by the U.S. on China’s expanding global influence.
The apathy is not mutual though, with American FDI into China only declining slightly from $14 billion 2017 to $13 billion in 2018. After lagging for years, China managed to overtake the U.S. in two-way FDI for the first time in 2015– the balance has now shifted back to the U.S….CLICK for complete article
What will legal weed look like in the next few years? These cannabis market predictions are already coming true.
With new products, untapped markets, and better access to research and capital than ever before, the cannabis market is in the midst of another record-breaking year of growth.
Overall, 2018 was a groundbreaking year of growth for the cannabis market. But expect the industry to expand through 2019 and into 2020 as a volatile market becomes more stable and mainstream, encouraging unprecedented investor and consumer confidence.
Here’s what investors and consumers should expect as the cannabis market matures….CLICK for complete article
Investors can find plenty of fundamental reasons to think the 10-year bull market is coming to an end, with retail fund outflows, crashing yields, and the destruction of globalization all perfectly capable of signaling the next recession. However, technical price structure may offer stronger clues to market direction as we near the end of a prosperous but turbulent decade. And right now, this arcane venue is flashing warning signs that could translate into much lower stock prices.
Let’s look at three technical elements that predict the S&P 500 has topped out or will top out in coming months. All revolve around perfectly placed 2019 price action and broad brush pattern readings asserting that the rally has reached a level that can’t be sustained in the second half. What these numbers don’t reveal is the ultimate downside if bears resume control of the ticker tape, especially after more than nine months of binary price swings….CLICK for complete article
Ford waited until today to report its second-quarter new-vehicle deliveries in the US. So now we know what happened to total US auto sales in the second quarter and in the first half this year, and it wasn’t pretty. New-vehicle deliveries, fleet and retail combined, fell 1.5% in Q2 compared to Q2 last year, to 4.5 million vehicles; and in the first half fell by 2.4% to 8.4 million vehicles.
This puts new vehicle sales on track to fall below 17 million units for the year. This would be the worst level since 2014. According to my own estimates, new vehicle sales in 2019 will decline to 16.95 million units, roughly on par with 1999, in a horribly mature market, whose two-decade stagnation was interrupted by the excitement of a collapse and recovery back to stagnation levels…CLICK for complete article
With marijuana still classified as a Schedule I drug by the U.S. federal government, few institutional investors have been willing to write checks to cannabis companies. Despite the barriers, this hasn’t stopped the rise of a new clique of sector-specific firms that have a deep understanding of the nuances and challenges of investing in such a highly regulated and fragmented market.
The value of venture deals in the cannabis space has really taken off over the past few years, from a couple of hundred thousand bucks to billions of dollars currently.
PitchBook Data, a SaaS company that delivers data for private capital markets, started keeping tabs on the marijuana industry in 2012. Back then, the sector only recorded two VC deals worth a combined $300,000.
Fast forward to 2017 and venture capital funds flowing had multiplied more than a hundredfold to $378 million. A year later, the sector reached an important milestone with VC deals hitting the $1-billion mark….CLICK for complete article
The streaming revolution has unleashed a wave of disruption across the global music industry. But stock investors could reap longterm gains by buying shares of four major players positioned to dramatically grow in size and reap rich profits. That will happen as the streaming market nearly triples in size to $45 billion over the next two decades, according to a report by Goldman Sachs. The big winners may include Vivendi, with a market value of $31 billion, Sony Corp. (SNE), at $64 billion, Spotify, at $29 billion, and Tencent Holdings, at $24 billion, as music listeners switch from free to paid services, Goldman says in a story by Business Insider outlined in the story below.
Analysts’ optimism stems from faster-than-expected adoption of paid streaming services like Spotify Technology SA (SPOT) and Apple Inc.’s (AAPL) Apple Music. Goldman now expects the recorded music space to grow more than previous forecasts, roughly two and a half times from the current size at $19 billion. Analysts attribute the upbeat outlook in part to positive revisions to profit forecasts for industry leaders such as Universal Media Group, Warner Music and Spotify….CLICK for complete article


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By Chris Stonor
The UK county of Staffordshire in the West Midlands with a population of close on 880,000 is becoming a tech hub for drones, reports greensolutionsmag.co.uk.
For example, organisations Staffordshire Connected and Intelligent Mobility Innovation Accelerator (SCIMIA) recently formed a project, available to SMEs, through Staffordshire University’s Innovation enterprise Zone.
IDU Group is among the first companies to be accepted onto the project which has secured UKP986,000 from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund 2014 to 2020.
Company Founder, Kevin Duckers, who previously served with the Staffordshire Regiment and has extensive experience of logistics working for military organisations, said, “By 2040, we envisage that a third of all deliveries will be by drone. Currently the biggest problem is the same as with all deliveries – last mile inefficiencies and getting into the hands of the consumer, which does impact on speed and cost.”
He continued, “The project will look at the bridging mechanism by which we connect the goods with the consumer in a safe and secure way. Smartbox is a key component in our end to end delivery networks which uses drone capabilities, an autonomous home mailbox and integrated tracking.”
Duckers added, “It is early days but by tapping into the university’s digital expertise, we are hoping Staffordshire and the West Midlands will be leading the UK in making drone delivery accessible to all.”
Each SME partnership receives up to 12 months of bespoke support that includes a student or graduate to support the development of a new product or service plus access to a dedicated academic, the university’s specialist facilities and technical support.
Silverdale based Green4logistics is also partnering with the university on the scheme. The specialist removals company, founded by Staffordshire University internet commerce and business graduate, Darren Thomas, plans to offer a new bulky items removal and recycling service to households and businesses.
Business operations director Craig Hughes, explained, “The disposal of bulky household items is a problem everywhere. This project will involve designing a web app for consumers that works with our commercial diary to identify time slots to suit the customer.”
He continued, “Pricing will be fixed depending on the item and number of items and the app will work with our existing systems to detect when we have a vehicle in the area and how we can best utilise our workers during dead time.”
Conscious of its carbon footprint, the company will also be recycling the items wherever possible that involves establishing a new network of recycling centres and charities.
Marek Hornak, head of employer partnerships and enterprise, commented, “We are delighted to be welcoming on board our first partnerships. Intelligent mobility is an exciting market where our research, expertise and student base can add significant value to Staffordshire SMEs when developing new innovative products or services through knowledge exchange.”
Adding, “We will use our expertise in artificial intelligence, internet of things, big data, cloud computing, manufacturing, engineering, electronics and creative design to boost innovation in this area.”
For more information
(News Source: https://www.greensolutionsmag.co.uk/)


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Modern Campground is a brand new website that serves as the go-to for campground owners, RV park owners, managers, their team members, and anyone else who has an interest in outdoor hospitality.
Focused exclusively on the outdoor hospitality industry, Modern Campground takes pride in being an impartial source of information for campground owners and others.
Built specifically for RV park and campground owners, the new website will cover the entire globe, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and more. It will also be translated into 13 different languages.
“We’re thrilled to provide the outdoor hospitality industry with such an expansive resource that will only get better over time,” said Brian Searl, Founder of Modern Campground. “We are currently writing about 20 articles per day, but that will continue to grow as we work toward much more industry-specific content.”
Each news article is also available in audio format so you can listen instead of reading, the articles are published as podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify alongside other platforms for easy subscription.
Modern Campground is also building the first-ever Wikipedia-style information hub for the outdoor hospitality industry, allowing you to obtain more detailed information on specific article topics while you read them. For example, an article about ARVC will eventually provide detailed information on who ARVC is and its importance.
“What you’ve created is precisely the type of thing I’ve been waiting for, for decades,” said Randy Hendrickson, Founder & CEO of United Park Brokers. “I’ve been a part of this industry for nearly 30 years now and this is the most comprehensive and modern news resource I have ever seen.”
Modern Campground intends to establish itself as a trusted source for the latest news, industry updates, and more. The website will start with a focus on global news but will quickly expand to include original stories, editorials, interviews, video content, and more as it listens to feedback from readers.
Email newsletters will also be available soon, offering readers the ability to subscribe to specific countries, topics, and even receive breaking news text alerts. Modern Campground will also be offering advertising in the future, is committed to showcasing industry suppliers, and is currently accepting press releases.
If you would like to be involved with Modern Campground as the site continues to grow, we are currently accepting applications for regular column writers on a weekly or monthly basis. Please visit moderncampground.com to apply.
Modern Campground is also continuing its MC Fireside Chats weekly podcast that has been running for over a year now. The show is broadcast on multiple Facebook pages, including the Canadian Camping & RV Council, several YouTube channels, and also as a separate podcast on all the major platforms.


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NH 02-15 Press Release - BAX RT Lmono AOAC w-FoodChek - FEBRUARY 9 2015
FoodChek is actively working to ensure their products and services are addressing the concerns of industry users and suppliers alike. Check here regularly to see what type of news is capturing the attention of the food industry.
FoodChek featured in "FOOD-SAFETY fast track" in the April 2014 issue of Meat & Poultry magazine.
"FOODCHEK-TESTED" LAUNCHES IN US MARKETPLACE - FEBRUARY 24, 2014
FoodChek™ featured in "Food-safety savvy" of the April issue of Meat & Poultry.


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While rainbow-colored foods continue to dominate Instagram, one New York City ice cream maker has gone in a decidedly different direction. Nick Morgenstern, owner of Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream, is set to launch a new flavor that should compete for the title of “Most Instagrammed Dessert of the Summer.”
It’s called Coconut Ash, and its defining feature is its color, which happens to be smoke black. Most black foods get their color from squid ink, but Morgenstern’s concoction uses the "charred and processed remains of a coconut shell."
"I had been monkeying around with coconut ash for a while, and then I had this fancy chocolate bar that used coconut ash," he told Mic. "I knew I had to use it. We wanted to put a coconut ice cream on the menu and it all came together."
Coconut ash is essentially a form of activated charcoal, something that can already be found in things like pizza and cocktails. And, while Morgenstern acknowledges that the ingredient “theoretically” has detoxifying properties, the real he decided to use it was simple: its flavor.
Morgenstern insists that his creation has a rich coconut taste, which comes from a combination of coconut flakes, coconut milk, coconut cream, and of course the ash.
The ice cream is now available at Morgernstern’s in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. See you in line.
Make homemade ice cream with this Cuisinart ICE-50BC Supreme Ice Cream Maker, and let us know if you'll be trying Morgenstern's black ice cream this summer.


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By: Craig Bowles
Microsoft, Corp. (MSFT) is slated to report 1Q2018 earnings after the close on Thursday, October 26th. The earnings release is expected at approximately 4:05 p.m. ET with a conference call to follow at 5:30 p.m. that is webcast through Microsoft Investor Relations. A member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Microsoft has significant market influence and the potential to impact the broader market gauges.
Outliers & Strategy
- Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS) / Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share (EPS): (If unavailable, GAAP Earnings Per Share (EPS) would be comparable to consensus.) The Street estimate is $0.72 (range $0.68 to $0.76). (Source: Yahoo! Finance) Consensus was $0.78 three months ago.
- Revenues: Analysts expect an increase of 5.4% y/y to $23.53 bln (range $23.29 bln to $24.12 bln).
- Price/Earnings of 28.6 compared to a 5-year average of 20.5; P/Book 8.3 compared to a 5-year average of 4.3, P/Sales 6.8 compared to a 5-year average of 4.1, and P/Cash Flow 15.4 compared to a 5-year average of 12.7. Dividend yield of 2.0% compared to a 5-year average of 2.6%.
- Analysts view Microsoft with 26 Buy, 8 Hold, and 2 Sell ratings. (source: MarketBeat.com)
- Insider sold 7,017,132 shares during the last three months and 53,755,086 shares in the past year. (source: NASDAQ.com) The company approved another $40 bln stock buyback program that began in 2017. Microsoft again raised its dividend 8% to 42 cents.
- Microsoft is compared to other software and service companies with quarterly results possibly impacting Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOGL) and Oracle (ORCL).
- Microsoft shares have shown a 1-day average price change on earnings of 4.47%. Options are pricing in an implied move of 3.49% off earnings.
- 10/13: Microsoft and Amazon announced a surprise partnership in which they are jointly releasing a free software tool for developers called Gluon, which makes it easier for developers to build AI/machine learning systems to compete with Google, according to a post on BusinessInsider.com.
- 10/13: Joe Belfiore, Microsoft’s corporate VP of the Operating Systems Group, confirmed Microsoft won’t be adding new features or building new devices that run the mobile Windows Phone operating system, according to a post on BusinessInsider.com.
- 10/05: Canaccord Genuity upgraded Microsoft to Buy from Hold on expectations revenue growth will accelerate over the next half decade. Growth drivers: (1) Office Productivity; (2) Gaming; (3) Marketing; and (4) Azure’s Platform as a Service, according to a post on Barron’s.com.
- 10/04: Microsoft Corporation acquired social virtual reality application provider AltspaceVR and announced the availability of “Mixed Reality” headsets from partners – Samsung, Dell, HP, Acer and Lenovo, according to a post on Zack’s.com.
- 09/27: Credit Suisse is making the case as to why Microsoft Corp. is becoming a cash flow story that should enable its stock to outperform citing prospects in the cloud computing market, according to a post on investopedia.com.
- 09/20: Microsoft hiked its dividend by nearly 8% to 42c, up from 39c. Several analysts had hoped for a 10% increase, according to a post on Barron’s.com.
- 08/22: Credit Suisse reiterated an Outperform rating on Microsoft shares following a deal between Halliburton and Microsoft in which Microsoft’s “Azure” cloud computing service will host the latter’s “iEnergy” service for exploration and production, according to a post on Barron’s.com.
Microsoft stock has led the overall market higher since mid-2016. Increased revenue expectations seem to be driving the stock higher despite valuations appearing stretched. Analyst bullishness remains and insider selling is normal for the company. Over the past year, Microsoft has beaten analyst consensus by an average of 11c the past four quarters but it was 6c before last quarter. Estimize consensus for an EPS (or adjusted EPS) of $0.78 on revenue of $23.882 bln compares to analyst consensus of $0.72 on revenue of $23.53 bln.
DISCLAIMER: By using this report, you acknowledge that Selerity, Inc. is in no way liable for losses or gains arising out of commentary, analysis, and or data in this report. Your investment decisions and recommendations are made entirely at your discretion. Selerity does not own securities in companies that they write about, is not an investment adviser, and the content contained herein is not an endorsement to buy or sell any securities. No content published as part of this report constitutes a recommendation that any particular investment, security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.


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Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many luxury companies have pivoted to address urgent public-health needs: factories that produced scarves and perfumes now manufacture face masks and hand sanitizers, and many luxury groups have made monetary or product donations to hospitals and other not-for-profit organizations.
In a longer-term, with millions of people relying on the luxury-goods industry to make a living, this unprecedented crisis forces luxury players to jump into the future now.
With 20 to 30 percent of revenues generated by consumers making luxury purchases outside their home countries, the industry is heavily dependent on "global shoppers".  The suspension of most international travels therefore had an immediate effect on sales, and the impact was amplified by the closure of shops and the great confinement which followed the global spread of the virus.
As the pandemic is shaking some of the foundational aspects of the luxury industry sales are set to contract between 20-35% in 2020 according to Bain & Company.
Actually, according to the market research firm, after strong start to the year in all key regions (Mainland China, Europe, America), the collapse of tourism and the imposition of lockdowns led to an estimated 25 percent drop of sales in the first quarter of 2020. Luxury sales in Japan and the rest of Asia also declined, albeit at a slightly slower pace.
For its part, Euromonitor estimates the fall in sales of luxury goods to 18% in 2020, with no category being immune to the pandemic.  Most of the main luxury markets will be impacted: -25% for North America, -22% for mainland China (but only -5% in Japan and -1% in South Korea), between -15% ( United Kingdom) and -26% (Switzerland) in Western Europe, where the German market is expected to decline by 23%, France and Italy by 20%.
Digital and Asia to weight more in the future
From the start of the crisis, online sales have remained resilient. When stores are closed, e-commerce is a crucial channel for keeping sales up, communicating with customers, and forging a sense of community around a brand? For the future, McKinsey therefore recommends brands to accelerate their digital investments and shift media spending to online channels.
According to Bain & Company, the online channel, already experiencing double-digit growth in 2019, will continue to gain share and account for up to 30 percent of the market by 2025. This goes hand-in-hand with the younger generations (Gen Y and Gen Z) becoming the majority of the luxury market.
Furthermore, as China has begun to lead the way toward a recovery, Chinese consumers are set to cement their status as crucial drivers of the industry, accounting for nearly half of all purchases worldwide by 2025, according to Bain. As a region, mainland China will account for 28 percent of the luxury market, up from 11 percent in 2019.
“There will be a recovery for the luxury market but the industry will be profoundly transformed,” said Claudia D’Arpizio, a Bain & Company partner and lead author of the study.
However, it will take time for the market to recover. Bain & Company anticipates that a recovery to 2019 levels will not occur until 2022 or 2023. Market growth will resume gradually from then on, reaching an estimated EUR 320-330 billion by 2025.


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Work forges ahead on huge distillery attraction in Durham city centre
Work is forging ahead on a huge new distillery attraction which will open in the heart of Durham City.
Durham Distillery, who’ve built up a firm following with their Durham Gin, have started work creating their new distillery in central Durham.
Main contractor Black and White Construction will lead the conversion of the former McDonalds and Royal Bank of Scotland building in Prince Bishops Shopping Centre into a new distillery visitor attraction.
The 6,000 square foot space will house a shop and ticket office on the ground floor, with a huge still room, bar and visitor space in the basement floor underneath the streets of Durham.
“We are absolutely delighted to be involved with such a prestigious project, and we are looking forward to turning this amazing vision into reality,” said Sean at Black and White Construction.
The distillery will open the retail shop in time for Christmas, with the launch of the distillery and visitor space early next year. Their plan is to include interactive distillery tours, cocktail masterclasses and private events in the space, in order to cater for a wide range of groups and ages.
“This is a massive moment for the distillery,” said founder Jon Chadwick. “We have been working hard for years to get to this moment. We love Durham and we are proud to be at the heart of the city.”
Richard Toynbee, centre manager of Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, said: “This is one of the most exciting and innovative new retail projects happening anywhere in UK, and we are incredibly excited to have Durham Distillery here in the centre as it reflects our strategy to welcome local, independent and entrepreneurial businesses."
The opening of the new distillery, which it’s hoped will attract tourists as well as drinks connoisseurs closer to home, will also mirror an entire rebranding for the company. The transformation will include new bottle designs and logos, as well as the anticipated introduction of Durham Whisky, the North East’s first ever single malt whisky.
If you would like to become one of the first private reserve members of Durham Whisky visit www.durhamwhisky.co.uk/packages


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While legalized cannabis may present an exciting new business frontier for many entrepreneurs, it can also lead to traditional disputes over intellectual property. United Parcel Service has filed suit against a group of marijuana delivery businesses for infringing its trademarks. In its lawsuit that was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, UPS also claims the companies are engaging in deceptive advertising.
The delivery company is suing United Pot Smokers, UPS420 and THCPlant, claiming that the companies use “confusingly similar” names, logos and images that resemble its famous initials and shield trademarks. According to the lawsuit, the companies also use websites containing the term “UPS” to sell their cannabis products. UPS said that it sent the companies three cease-and-desist letters in 2018, but it moved to the courts when the companies did not respond or change their names and website URLs. The company said that in addition to potential confusion on customers’ part, it could also face reputational harm due to people believing that it is involved in the cannabis business. It also raised concerns that the quality of the defendants’ business could further injure its reputation.
A federal judge denied the delivery company’s request to obtain a temporary restraining order blocking the defendants from using the disputed names and logos. Instead, they must respond before the end of February. UPS wants them permanently barred from using the disputed names as well as financial damages.
Trademark holders have the right to aggressively protect this type of asset in order to retain their exclusive use. When businesses are unsure about what they can do, an intellectual property litigation attorney can provide guidance and representation in protecting creative products in an era of digital competition.
Source: Marijuana Business Daily, “UPS sues California cannabis delivery companies for infringing on trademark“, Feb. 18, 2019


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Girding itself for the upcoming holiday season, Toys ‘R’ Us Inc. has put the spotlight on Toysrus.com by splitting advertising responsibilities for the online brand from Leo Burnett, Chicago, and handing it to sibling agency D’Arcy, Los Angeles.
D’Arcy was one of 20 agencies that pitched for Toysrus.com business. The other two finalists were Doner, Southfield, MI, and Citron Haligman Bedecarre, San Francisco. Burnett will continue to handle the Toys ‘R’ Us offline account.
“Our goal is certainly to help build Toysrus.com into the No. 1 online toy retailer, but ultimately we’d like to help them become the No. 1 children’s and family e-commerce destination,” said Diane Krouse, managing director at D’Arcy’s Los Angeles office.
Toysrus.com is the No. 2 online toy retailer in sales, lagging behind Internet-only eToys.com, Los Angeles. Offline, Toys ‘R’ Us lost its No. 1 position to Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
The holiday season accounts for 50 percent of its annual sales, Toysrus.com CEO John Barbour has said. Yet the toy retailer in November tainted the Toys ‘R’ Us brand when it suffered embarrassing crashes to its site. It couldn’t cope with traffic after mailing 62 million holiday catalogs with $10 discounts for buying online.
Site crashes and fulfillment gaffes were not the only problem. There were complaints of failure to deliver in time for Christmas, including a lawsuit from an angry mother in the Seattle area. Toysrus.com sought to mollify aggrieved consumers with a $100 gift certificate redeemable online or at bricks-and-mortar Toys ‘R’ Us stores.
But the retailer is taking steps to avoid similar faux pas this year. It also is being helped by market conditions.
Take, for instance, last month’s bad news for the online toy-retailing sector. eToys raised $100 million through private investors rather than return to a skeptical stock market. KBKids.com sacked staff and dropped plans for a $210 million IPO. And educational toy retailer ZanyBrainy.com lost its CEO only seven months after launch.
The Federal Trade Commission made the waters murkier Monday when it sued Disney-owned Toysmart.com Inc., alleging that the company “deceptively” offered to sell personal information of Web site visitors to third parties. Toysmart went bankrupt and out of business May 22, followed a few weeks later by rival ToyTime.com.
A key beneficiary of this rout is Toys ‘R’ Us. It struck a deal last month with media giant Viacom to buy the inventory of defunct rival educational toy retailer RedRocket.com. It also will open a separate channel on Toysrus.com for Nickelodeon merchandise and cross-linkage. Nickelodeon is part of Viacom’s MTV empire.
Also, Toysrus.com has gained three new fulfillment centers to increase capacity in anticipation of the holiday season.
The new dedicated ad campaign for Toysrus.com plays into this new focus on the dot-com arm. Toysrus.com and D’Arcy still are in the process of allocating a media budget. Print and broadcast will probably be the dominant media.
Toysrus.com did not comment at press time.
Select Resources Inc., an ad review consultant, led the search for an agency of record for Toysrus.com. MediaVest — which, like D’Arcy and Burnett, is part of the BCom3 Group agency conglomerate — will handle media planning for Toysrus.com. Starcom will continue to buy media, however.
D’Arcy’s most recent assignment in the toy sector was the Tyco account, which it lost a few years ago. At the time, D’Arcy was known as D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles.
The agency’s Los Angeles office recorded estimated billings last year of $100 million. Its current online accounts are GMBuypower.com, furniture retailer kozyhome.com and firstsource.com, a business-to-business site for information technology products. Toysrus.com is its first toy account. Fourth-quarter work on the account will begin shortly.
“The key aspect of the brief was to help them understand both strategically and through creative and media execution how we would recommend they leverage their considerable assets as a bricks-and-mortar retailer in the online environment,” D’Arcy’s Krouse said.