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On Sept. 9, 2021, French container delivery big CMA CGM declared an unusual stage for a gain-targeted business with stated bonds: It put all raises in location prices on hold until finally Feb. 1, 2022. The determination was built to “prioritize its prolonged-expression relationship with consumers in the encounter of an unparalleled problem in the shipping and delivery marketplace.”
Even so, CMA CGM’s gains and profits for every container carried have enhanced at any time due to the fact.
CMA CGM is the world’s 3rd largest shipping corporation by capacity, in accordance to Alphaliner. On Friday, CMA CGM claimed Q1 2022 internet income of $7.2 billion, 3.5 occasions internet earnings in Q1 2021, topping its previous record quarterly effects in Q4 2021 ($6.7 billion).
CMA CGM doesn’t launch fleet capability figures but Alphaliner calculates these numbers. A 12 months ago, Alphaliner documented that CMA CGM’s fleet of owned and chartered ships experienced capacity of 3,012,168 20-foot equal models. It at the moment puts CMA CGM’s fleet dimensions at 3,300,522 TEUs, a year-on-yr maximize of 9.6%.
In spite of a larger sized fleet, the French liner company’s quarterly throughput has been ebbing. A yr ago, in Q2 2021, CMA CGM moved 5.69 million TEUs. In the latest quarter, it moved 5.3 million TEUs. The business characteristics volume headwinds to “port and inland congestion which has led to extended transit instances for vessels.”
CMA CGM income for each container saved rising
As with other ocean carriers, CMA CGM’s large surge in revenues and gains in the face of constrained throughput was driven by amplified freight charges.
Whilst CMA CGM does not report its common quarterly freight fee, it does report transport revenues. Its delivery revenue in Q3 2021 — prior to the spot charge freeze — was $2,292 for each TEU. Considering the fact that then, revenues for every TEU amplified 22% to $2,802 per TEU in Q1 2022.
How have shipping and delivery revenues for each TEU increased in the course of a location charge freeze?
One particular cause could be enhanced agreement fees and enhanced contract coverage. At the time of the location amount cap, Vespucci Maritime CEO Lars Jensen commented, “The advancement indicated by CMA CGM would look to lead in a route where by the prioritization will lean much more in direction of contractual customers and customers with more robust pre-present interactions.”
Xeneta, which tracks contract prices, mentioned on Could 31 that extended-expression charges are up 151% 12 months on 12 months.
Another probable driver of CMA CGM’s earnings-per-TEU expansion during the location-rate cap period of time: A sizable portion of the place capacity for the freeze time period may well have already been booked when the cap was announced and/or far more spot volumes may perhaps have been booked at the cap amount.
Randy Giveans, previously the shipping and delivery analyst of Jefferies, speculated at the time of the CMA CGM price freeze: “This is only from September to February and I would think that CMA CGM capability is now practically total from September to February. They never say how a great deal capacity this applies to or how impactful this will be. It could be like a gasoline station soon after Hurricane Ida telling folks it is not heading to raise fuel rates when it only has 8 gallons remaining in its tank.”
Macro threats ahead
Looking forward, the French provider expressed the very same macro fears as several other ocean carriers.
“The team is closely monitoring the evolution of the present-day geopolitical condition and its consequences on the macroeconomic outlook.
“Even if the team continues to be confident about its economic performance potential clients for 2022, the existing surroundings and its medium and prolonged-phrase consequences stay uncertain. The sharp increase in strength charges, put together with price tag inflation of numerous uncooked resources, is weighing on retail consumption and could have a detrimental influence on the economic situation and the outlook for world trade.”
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Nisa-Today's converted a record 111 stores to its Nisa symbol group fascia in the year to March, enabling it to reach a 400-store milestone.
The figure includes all shops under the Nisa Local, Nisa Express, Nisa Metro and Nisa Extra fascias.
One of the most significant Nisa Local conversions in the past year was the 2,500 sq ft Nisa Local in Borth, Wales, which was given an innovative look.
Meanwhile, the first M to Go store, supplied by Nisa-Today's, has opened at Moorfields underground station in Liverpool.
Based on the Dutch Albert Heijn model, it will be the first of many to be rolled out.

domain: news


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Samsung's next flagship lineup will be here before you know it
Although the Samsung Galaxy S23 series remains some of the best Android phones you can buy right now — particularly the massive Galaxy S23 Ultra — it's easy to look ahead at what's next. Samsung recently announced two new folding phones, including the massive Galaxy Z Fold 5. But if you're uninterested in foldables, the Galaxy S24 series is the company's next set of incoming flagships, set for release early next year.
From the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 to brand-new smartwatches and tablets
Believe it or not, we've reached yet another Samsung Galaxy Unpacked. The company hosts two events per year, where it unveils the latest and greatest in smartphones, tablets, wearables, and any other accessories you can dream up. After launching the Galaxy S23 series in February, today's event was focused on upgrading its foldable lineup, alongside the Galaxy Watch 6 series and a new trio of tablets. Here's what we saw at Galaxy Unpacked today.
The biggest upgrade is a larger front display, but little else has changed
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of seven gadgets announced during the second Unpacked event of 2023, and it’s the most remarkable of this new series. While the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Watch 6, and Galaxy Tab S9 series are all iterative updates, the Z Flip 5 is the biggest change from the Z Flip 4. That said, it isn’t a huge upgrade from its predecessor.
Samsung is coming for first-time foldable buyers — upgraders be damned
As we rapidly approach the fifth anniversary of the original Galaxy Fold next year, it's hard to believe how quickly foldables have evolved from an ultra-expensive, ultra-niche product category into… well, something just as expensive, but a little less niche. While Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series has yet to dip below an $1,800 starting price — not including the occasional sale on aging hardware, of course — it has developed into something you could expect your average Android user to actually consider when it's time for a new phone.
New Galaxy foldables, tablets, and wearables are coming
Samsung's flagship Galaxy S23 series debuted at the beginning of this year. But that does not mean the Korean giant is done with its major product announcements for the year. Samsung is holding its second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year later today (July 26), where it is set to announce some of the most anticipated foldables of the year: the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5. Additionally, the company will continue its dominance in the Android smartwatch segment with the Galaxy Watch 6 series. If you are excited about Samsung's upcoming products, here's how to catch all the action live.
Motorola Fever still going strong
After a break last week to recover from Prime Day and some unwelcome strep, we're back with a preview of what Samsung will Unpack this week! You can tell from the brimming excitement in our hosts' voices that there will be plenty to look forward to with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5. Or maybe we'll talk about Motorola again, look, I just cut the show up and write the notes up, I can't be held responsible for what Will does.
Google's foldable treats the outer and inner screens separately
The Google Pixel Fold may not quite measure up to Samsung's fourth-generation foldable when it comes to hardware durability and build quality, but to be fair, that sort of thing has never been Google's strongest suit. Instead, the Pixel Fold's appeal lies in its approach to software, include an assortment of smart features that mostly stay out of the way, but that can make a real difference when using the handset. One highlight is the way Google implements auto-rotation across the Pixel Fold's internal and external screen, which I would like to highlight today.
It may be less than half of what was offered last year, but who cares when you can actually use it on what you wanted?
When the reserve bonus for Samsung's July 26 Unpacked event was initially announced at $50, I was floored. The same $50 reservation bonus was given back during the Galaxy S23 pre-reserve period, but that had been less than half of the reserve bonuses we saw around last August's Unpacked launch. And the S23 series topped out at $1,200; the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will almost certainly be at or above the gut-punching $1,800 price tag of its predecessors.
Feeling bored by Samsung and Google? An alternative might've been under your nose this whole time
It's no secret that meaningful competition in the Android space has become more restricted than ever, specifically in North America. Walk into a carrier store, your local Best Buy, or peruse Amazon's virtual shelves, and you'll find the best Android smartphones are limited to Samsung, Google, and a handful of smaller competitors. Even Nothing, the rare upstart challenger, took several years and two generations to really break ground in the US market. The days of LG and HTC providing real competition is long gone — frankly, it can feel downright depressing.
The Pixel 6a is my handy companion for taking photos, but it cannot be my daily driver
Google Pixel phones are special, and even without the kind of access they get to the latest Android software, there's a lot to be impressed about what they're capable of doing. Still, they're not for everyone, and a serious shopper will want to go in eyes-open about some of their bigger limitations.
After the Pixel 7 impressed us, what's next for our favorite Android phones?
The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are likely to be two of the best Android phones of 2023, but we've yet to hear any official news directly from the company on their existence. Leaks and rumors suggest we'll be seeing both phones appear in the second half of 2023. While we did expect to see a teaser of them at Google I/O 2023 alongside the reveal of the Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet, that didn't happen. The Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro were first teased at I/O 2022, but unfortunately, these phones remain a mystery — unless you follow the rumormill, that is.
From the fanciest of foldables to the barest of budget phones, these deals are selling out fast
Just like that, Amazon Prime Day is done. We saw a lot of phone deals over the past two days, with lots of price fluctuations and with deals selling out and restocking several times. The good news is there are still some deals to be had if you're looking to save on your next daily driver. Both top-end premium phones and some great budget and midrange options make up a bulk of the latest and greatest in Android hardware, and companies like Google, Motorola, and OnePlus are still offering deep discounts on all sorts of their hardware. There's no telling how long these sales will last, so don't hesitate to jump on them while the savings are still good.
Some of Samsung's best cell phones and tablets have huge discounts for Prime Day
Great news for tech enthusiasts like you - Amazon Prime Day is finally here! With incredible savings on some of the best tech products, including Samsung-made devices, you'll be able to grab a deal you won't want to miss. Samsung's devices are usually quite expensive, so this is an excellent opportunity to pick up a new phone, tablet, Chromebook, or even wireless earbuds at a great price. Prime Day is one of the best times to buy new tech, and this year is no different. Check out the best Prime Day deals on Samsung devices now!
The best Google products at the lowest prices you can find on Prime Day
If you're in the market for a new phone, tablet, smart home accessories, headphones, or any other tech-related gadget, rest assured that Google offers some of the finest products in those categories. But new technology can be expensive, which is why Amazon Prime Day is an excellent chance to finally get your hands on that Google device you've had your eye on. Take a look at the best Prime Day deals for Google products, including phones, headphones, smartwatches, and more!
Hands-on with Nothing's promising new $600 phone
After months of hype-building leaks and teasers, Nothing has finally launched its second phone, the Nothing Phone 2. The Phone 2 marks a big step forward for Nothing: while the company’s previous phone, the Phone 1, was only available in the UK, Europe, Japan, and India, the Phone 2 is the company’s first to be officially available in the infamously tough-to-crack US market. I’ve been using the phone about a week and a half, and while I can’t share a full review just yet, I do have some early impressions.
OnePlus' first foldable could turn out to be a winner
The foldable segment has seen an uptick in launches over the last year or so. While Samsung dominates the foldable lineup with its Fold and Flip lineup, its offerings have faced stiff competition from the likes of Huawei, Oppo, and others. OnePlus, known for its flagship killers and some great budget phones, is also foraying into the foldable segment this year. The company's long-rumored OnePlus foldable phone will debut later this year, and if priced right, it could give the Galaxy Z Flip and Fold a run for their money.
July 4th celebrations may be over, but there are still deals available
While Amazon Prime Day may be the shopping holiday hogging all the attention this July, Independence Day is the original hot deal summer event. The Fourth of July may be over now, but we're still seeing consistent discounts from the big day continue over into the rest of the week. It may be that we continue seeing some of the best deals below through to Prime Day, which starts on July 11. Take a look below for the very best Fourth of July deals that are still active right now.
Michael Fisher appearance number two!
Is it a coincidence that the Mr. Mobile, Michael Fisher, is joining the Android Police podcast for the second time (the first time under a different run) and both times the discussion at hands was about foldables? Maybe it is, but whatever the case may actually be, this episode is all about the Pixel Fold and our evaluations on how Google's first step into foldable phones has landed.
With so many folding phones now, picking the right design that fits your life is tougher than ever
While the rest of the world has seen no shortage of foldable options, buyers in the US have, for the most part, been limited to just one brand for nearly half a decade. Aside from some half-formed Motorola devices in 2020, Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold series have held a monopoly in North America. But look at what's happening elsewhere, and brands like Oppo and Tecno have either been innovating in design or bringing the price down by hundreds of dollars.
Featuring Joe Maring of Digital Trends
It's a study of contrasts with reviews going out for Motorola's Razr+ and Google's Pixel Tablet. This week, the Android Police podcast is graced by the presence of Digital Trends mobile editor Joe Maring to chat about garbage fires and unexpected triumphs as well as marketing of charming and questionable natures.


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Well here’s a nice twofer. On the same day Rolls-Royce releases its first official teaser image showing the 2014 Wraith, we also get a look at the car undergoing some cold-weather testing courtesy of some new spy shots. As the coupe version of the Ghost, the 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and it’s expected to go on sale during the fourth quarter of this year.
Rolls-Royce already confirmed plenty of information in a teaser it released last week, but the latest image shows us a clear shot of what the car’s midsection will look like. Comparing this image and the spy shots, we can see that the Wraith will have a pretty sleek – (almost Bentley Continental GT-like) roofline, and, like the Phantom Coupe, it will have rear-hinged doors. We can also tell from the spy shots that it seems to be keeping the same face as the Ghost and taillights, too.
Be sure to check out the latest spy photos for the Wraith as well as a brief press release from Rolls-Royce by scrolling below.


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By Sarah Tawton
Lloyds has launched a new current account which offers customers an interest rate of 4%, along with a range of other perks.
The Club Lloyds account will pay a tiered interest rate of up to 4% on balances up to £5,000.
The move will increase competition in the current account market, as banks bid to offer more attractive returns to savers.
Lloyds said the new account would be available for "free" to new and existing customers who use it as their main current account, if they pay in £1,500 a month and set up two direct debits.
Earn 4% interest on balances of £4,000 - £5,000
Those who do not meet these requirements can still get the current account, but will have to pay in £5 a month.
Customers will receive 1% interest on balances of up to £1,999.99, with the interest rate rising to 2% for balances between £2,000 and £3,999.99.
An interest rate of 4% will be available for those with balances of £4,000 to £5,000.
Account holders will also have access to a monthly savings account, which will pay 4% interest on savings of up to £400 a month.
They will also be able to take advantage of a mortgage rate reduction of 0.2% and a range of "lifestyle benefits".
'Everyday offers' rewards scheme
These include cinema tickets, an annual magazine subscription or access to discounts at more than 6,000 restaurants with an annual Gourmet Society membership.
Under the bank's "everyday offers" rewards scheme, customers can get up to 15% cashback on their everyday spending.
The new current account has a £100 interest-free overdraft buffer, after which the borrowing rate is 19.94%.
Meanwhile, Lloyds also confirmed plans to put its paid-for packaged accounts back on sale in branches.
The accounts have remained available online but have not been sold in branches for just over 12 months.
Packaged accounts go back on sale from Monday
Lloyds said it took them off sale in order to bring the way it sells them into line with its sister bank, Halifax.
It said the move was unrelated to efforts by regulators to clamp down on the sale of packaged accounts, amid fears that some customers were being sold unsuitable products.
Lloyds' silver account charges £9.95 a month, while its platinum account is available for £17.
The accounts will go back on sale in branches from Monday, when the new Club Lloyds current account launches.


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Oculus Co-founder Palmer Luckey is leaving Facebook. Luckey is the credited inventor of the Rift virtual reality headset. Facebook purchased Oculus in 2014, making Luckey a Facebook employee. According to a report at UploadVR, today is Luckey's last day on the job at Facebook.
This change comes about a year after Luckey hand-delivered the first Oculus Rift to the first customer to pre-order the VR system. Luckey and Brendan Iribe created created Oculus in June 2012 in Irvine, CA and helped herald the massive VR movement.
In the last six months, Luckey has gone from being the forerunner of the VR movement to a recluse. Just over six months ago, in September of 2016, Luckey came under fire for donating to extremist right-wing political group Nimble America which sought to damage the campaign of Presidential Candidate and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. After posting to Twitter and Facebook to apologize for how his actions affected the company he helped found and the industry he helped create, Luckey disappeared from the social media scene.
The next we saw Luckey was on the witness stand in the court of Dallas, TX in the lawsuit posed by ZeniMax Media. Luckey appeared alongside Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to due to allegations that a former ZeniMax employee and current Oculus chief technology officer, John Carmack, brought trade secrets to Oculus that allowed for the creation of the Rift. That suit was a rather ugly one and included a rather vicious smear campaign by ZeniMax to discredit Luckey. That lawsuit ended in a half-million judgement awarded to ZeniMax.
Facebook has since vowed to appeal that judgement, which will likely drag this battle on for some time to come.
Facebook's statement on his departure is as follows, "Palmer will be dearly missed. Palmer's legacy extends far beyond Oculus. His inventive spirit helped kickstart the modern VR revolution and helped build an industry. We're thankful for everything he did for Oculus and VR, and we wish him all the best." Though they remained quiet when UploadVR asked if the departure was voluntary. Given the controversies proceeding Luckey's departure, it was a fair question to ask.
Luckey is quoted as having said of VR that "It's the future. It's the Matrix." It's obvious where his legacy will lie.


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General Motors is full of surprises. After yesterday’s unveiling of the the price tag on the Chevrolet Volt, the American manufacturer had a press release today in which it announced it’s intention of increasing the number of Chevrolet Volt units produced in the United States by fifty percent in the year 2012, totalling 45,000 units.
It is said that the increase took place because of more than 25,000 fans, if we can call them that way, which expressed their interest in the Chevrolet Volt. We still stand by our statement made yesterday, but it is clear that there is something definitely moving here. The question remains whether it will be a good thing or not. But let’s be optimistic.
The above announcement was made in the presence of President Barack Obama, which was touring the Detroit-Hamtramck plant. A good marketing call, by both the manufacturer and the President (hint: “The American Auto History: A Comeback Story”). The said plant is planned to be producing the Chevrolet Volt and received an investment worth $336 million to get ready for it’s production.


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Dark Dreams of Furiae - a new module for NWN:EE! Buy now
August 10 Livestream Recap
During last week’s livestream Beamdog Studio Director Phillip Daigle and Marketing & PR Manager Lee Guille shared the latest studio and gaming news. Phil and Lee talked about what’s to come for Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition and the Infinity Engine Enhanced Editions.
Catch up with a quick summary: http://blog.beamdog.com/2018/08/august-10-livestream-recap.html


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CALIFORNIA (KFSN) -- Gov. Newsom says some relief from inflation will soon be on the way to millions of Californians.
Sunday night, Newsom and several state leaders announced they reached an agreement on the 2022-2023 state budget.
It includes a $17 billion inflation relief package, which would offer tax refunds to millions of working Californians.
It would also provide $350 to those making less than $75,000 per year.
Those who make more than that would also receive a smaller direct payment.
In addition, the package would include a suspension of the state sales tax on diesel, and additional money to help people with rent and utility bills.


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Amazon Go is bringing out its second cashier-less store in Seattle. This store will be located 12 blocks away from the first store. It is expected that the store will be opening this fall.
The store is going to be opening at Madison Centre close to the Seattle Center. The new store is an indication that Amazon is expanding its retail stores minus the cashiers. It has further plans of opening such stores in Chicago and San Francisco. The new store is rumored to be twice as large as the first one. This store like the first one will be equipped with sensors and cameras that will be able to track the customers’ footfall around the store and charge them based on what they pick out from the shelves. Customers do not have to check out.
The Amazon retail strategy is revolutionizing how people shop. The new retail concept depends highly on the Amazon Go app. Customers scan a unique QR code within the app before passing through the doors of this store. Amazon Go is a big push by the retail giant to enter the world of physical retail. “We are excited to bring Amazon Go to 920 Fifth Ave. in Seattle. The store will open in Fall 2018,” said an Amazon spokeswoman in a statement.


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Aquazzura, the Italian luxury footwear brand created by Colombian-born designer Edgardo Osorio, will be the Pitti Italics feature at the forthcoming edition of Pitti Uomo.
The Aquazzura style, a perfect blend of modern design and impeccable craftmanship will be the key player in a special event to be held at Palazzo Corsini in Florence on Wednesday evening, 19 June 2013.
Aquazzura is one of the names in this season’s Pitti Italics program that Pitti Immagine has launched to promote and support new generation fashion designers who design and manufacture in Italy and already have enormous international appeal.
"Edgardo Osorio’s fashion experience could be a sort of manifesto for young Italian designers”, says Lapo Cianchi, Pitti Immagine Director of Communications and Events. “Cosmopolitism, entrepreneurial spirit, knowledge and application of traditions and the abilities of manufacturing here in Italy along the ability of combining all this in a distinctive, international, glamorous product that is profoundly Italian”.
“I am very honored that Pitti Immagine invited me to present my creations here in the city that marked the beginning of my career and that I consider my home. Dance and motion will inspire my event. I have always loved women who move, walk and dance in my shoes…”


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PewDiePie, the top-subscribed independent video maker on YouTube will leave blockchain video platform Dlive to stream exclusively on YouTube. On May 4, YouTube officially announced the news, with PewDiePie claiming that the agreement was a “natural fit.” In April 2019, PewDiePie had signed a partnership with blockchain-based content sharing platform Dlive. PewDiePie said that he decided to stream via DLive because he was treated “like a real partner,” noting that Dlive has ze
Online gaming platform, Donnerlab lets gamers hunt for Bitcoin (BTC) and pick-up “Satoshi cubes.” The announcement was made on Nov. 19 by Donnerlab for the launch of its latest project, titled Bitcoin Bounty Hunt, a fully lightning-native multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) game. Our newest project, Bitcoin Bounty Hunt: a fully lightning-native multiplayer FPS.
⚡ Integrated neutrino wallet
💰 Hodl-auctions for adspace
🎮Players fight for sat bounties
Refereum, a US-based rewards, and marketing company announced a partnership with the decentralized streaming platform DLive to reward gamers for creating and watching content. On Nov. 7, a press release was shared stating the partnership between Refereum and DLive will enable users to earn rewards for live streaming games. DLive partnership with Refereum 🥰
We are proud to announce our partnership with Refereum.
Refereum is a games rewards platform that rewards you for doi


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- Subscribe NowLimited Time Offer
Tesla's San Jose plans stall
- Lisa Sibley
Tesla Motors Inc.’s plans to locate its headquarters and a manufacturing plant in San Jose have stalled.
The intended location, an 89-acre strip of land between Highway 237 and Zanker Road, no longer works because Tesla wasn’t able to raise the $100 million in venture capital funding it had counted on to finance the facility.
The San Carlos-based automaker — known for its two-seater, convertible electric Roadster — announced in September it would move its headquarters to the city. The company also planned to build a $250 million Model S manufacturing facility on the consolidated 600,000-square-foot planned campus.
"We abandoned (the VC route) because the VC financing environment became so tight and difficult,” company spokesperson Rachel Konrad told the Business Journal on Wednesday.
Instead, Konrad said Tesla has applied for about $400 million in two federal, low-interest loans through the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program. It is seeking $250 million for the Model S manufacturing facility and $150 million for an advanced battery and powertrain facility.
The Zanker Road location no longer works because it’s an undeveloped “greenfield site,” and Tesla would build on it from scratch. The federal loan program favors “brownfields,” sites on which factories or plants closed years ago and need to be rehabilitated.
San Jose officials still hope to lure Tesla’s headquarters to the Zanker site.
“We’re very optimistic, even with Zanker Road,” said Michelle McGurk, senior policy adviser to San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed. “We know all the reasons Zanker Road made sense, and it still might make sense depending on how things shake out.”
Lisa Sibley can be reached at 408.299.1841 or email@example.com.
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On the first day of Sail America's 2010 Sailing Industry Conference, 140 attendees heard about the industry's troubles during the recession and its attempt at a comeback.
Layered between Dean Brenner's opening remarks at St. Johns College in Annapolis, Md., about leadership communication and Gary Jobson's suggestions at the end of the day to make sailing essential again (which included a lighthearted recap of the America's Cup since 1980), attendees could choose from several panels and sessions to discuss social networks, trends in retail and commercial banking customer behavior and marine financing.
The consensus among the speakers was that much has changed in two years since the first conference in 2008.
"Then it was a marine industry conference," said speaker Dean Brenner, chairman of the U.S. Olympic sailing program and president of The Latimer Group, who attended both events.
"This year it is a business conference," said Bob Bitchin, publisher of Latitudes and Attitudes magazine. "The timing is good and the content is good, because it is addressing people who run a business."
Bitchin, who is on the board of Sail America, is tasked with helping the organization develop individual membership. For first-time attendee Greg Eck, sales manager at Yanmar America Corporation, the conference was proof that the industry is alive and well, but not unscathed as it emerges from the recession.
"The bomb went off, now everybody is digging out from the pile of rubble," he said.
The conference continues today with more speakers and breakout sessions, including one on sustainability moderated by Soundings sailing editor Dieter Loibner and one on the future of selling by marketing consultant Don Cooper.
- Dieter Loibner


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A lot of headlines are underscoring the strong year-to-date performance of precious metals. Gold is set to have the best January since 2008, while silver is poised for a record January compared to the last thirty years. Even platinum and palladium are up 15.8 percent and 5.7 percent year to date, respectively.
Yet in large part, the precious metal rise has been due to the strengthening of the Euro against the dollar and investors’ reaction to economic flash points like the Greek debt crisis and Iranian sanctions. Even so, stories abound of a surge in physical buying around the world, as if the gold price is being driven by the man in the street.
In some parts of the world it makes sense. An FT report details the trend of Syrians buying physical gold bars as a hedge against the plunging value of their currency (from 45 Syrian pounds to the USD to 70 on the black market since the onset of the troubles there). Physical gold bar and coin sales are said to have spiked thirty-fold on levels just a year ago, but sales of worked gold jewelery have fallen, showing buyers are simply after a hedge against the currency and a portable store of value as the regime is assailed on all sides by a popular uprising.
In India, already the largest gold consumer in the world, demand surged over the last month as the rupee strengthened and buyers came back into the market. After a brief lull, the wedding season stimulated renewed interest, according to the Economic Times of India, and lower rupee prices encouraged strong demand.
Forbes reported that the second-biggest gold consumer, China, has also been active. This month, the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department reported that China imported nearly 103 tons of gold from Hong Kong in November, an increase from October’s 86 tons. November was the fifth consecutive month of China’s record gold purchases from Hong Kong. Analysts estimate China bought as much as 490 tons of gold in 2011, double the estimated 245 tons in 2010.
During last week’s Lunar New Year holiday, China saw a gold rush with consumers spending more on buying gold than during the 2011 festival, the blog site BullionVault reported, quoting a lovely line from a Beijing resident: “People seem crazy about gold, snatching it up more like a cheap cabbage than such a precious metal.”
The value of sales at two of Beijing’s top gold retailers, Caibai and Guohua, were said to hit 600 million yuan ($95.28 million) – a 49.7 percent rise on last year’s sales. Although gold prices have risen 25 percent over that period, so has the Chinese yuan by 3.6 percent, so the rise in yuan value also reflects a substantial rise in volume.
It’s the Currency, Stupid
Theories abound for why physical sales have been so robust, but one common denominator is currency.
In Syria, it is fear of a depreciating currency; in India, the strengthening rupee encouraged buyers back in as local market prices fell; but in China, the currency has only increased by 3.6 percent in a year, barely enough for buyers to notice. The Forbes article puts it down to capital flight by Chinese residents unable to actually move their money out the country.
The article talks of capital flight by the wealthy and companies, saying that while figures are sketchy, it appears there was $34 billion of it in the third quarter of last year and $100 billion in the fourth. It also suggests widespread fear of the currency being devalued following a rapid decline of the trade surplus. We doubt the Chinese man in the street is motivated by such pessimistic fears as depreciation of the currency after several years of steady appreciation — there is doom and gloom everywhere, but China is at least still growing (and at 8%+, growing strongly).
Gold buying is more likely in the pursuit of a quick buck. The Chinese are notorious gamblers and the sight of gold rising 20 percent in a year is enough for those with spare cash but no interest in the property market to take a punt. Of course, just like property, gold can (and does) go horribly wrong, but in a market where cash in the bank earns next to nothing and holding gold has no carry cost (unlike property), it is understandably attractive.
Rapidly growing markets like India and China, even with their distortions and problems, create a growing middle class with cash to spare. Both markets will likely continue to be significant drivers, both of sentiment and volume, in the gold market.


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Nearly 10,000 Uber drivers are cruising the streets of Boston and surrounding communities, dwarfing the number of licensed cabs and underscoring the importance of Uber in the region’s transportation system, as well as the need for ride-sharing regulations, experts and officials said.
“Ten thousand people is more than many of us had ever thought, or had imagined,” said City Councilor Tito Jackson. “Uber is actually even more of a substantial provider of rides than any of us knew, and this will be very helpful in terms of the types of policy that we form on this.”
Uber released the data for the first time yesterday in a 27-page report outlining the number of drivers, earnings and demographics in 20 markets nationwide.
The 10,000 drivers that span the company’s Boston market, which includes communities such as Framingham, Brockton and Andover, made at least one trip last month, Uber said. Boston Uber drivers make about $20 per hour, which does not include expenses such as gas and insurance, according to the report.
Uber said the number of drivers in Boston has doubled in less than a year.
In comparison, there are 1,825 licensed taxis in Boston, with roughly 3,000 licensed taxi drivers. In Cambridge, there are only 257 licensed taxis.
Taxi companies have been at odds with ride-sharing companies such as Uber, saying they have a competitive advantage since they don’t have to follow the same rules.
“They have saturated the market, they’ve been able to underprice and pretty much run a business without any oversight or regulation,” said Donna Blythe-Shaw, a spokeswoman for the Boston Taxi Drivers Association. “It throws in the face of city regulators and the state that there’s an industry that has been running wild with no oversight and putting people out of work.”
Boston’s 10,000 drivers make the Hub the sixth largest Uber city in the country. The largest, Los Angeles, has more than 20,000 drivers, Uber said.
“It does have some impact on a potential for the need for regulation, but I don’t think that the size of the number given, the fact that it’s over a metropolitan area, I don’t think that it means Uber should be shut down,” said Janice Griffith, a law professor at Suffolk University. “What it does say is that a number of people have decided that they would prefer, or at least are willing to engage in, ride-sharing.”


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IBM Corp. has shifted its global procurement headquarters from Somers, New York, to Shenzhen, China, a move that initially is more symbolic than any kind of upheaval in the company’s purchasing operations. For now, the move involves the relocation of one person.
John Paterson, IBM’s chief procurement officer, is now based in China, an IBM spokesman said Thursday. “This is the first time the headquarters of one of our corporate support organizations is based outside of the U.S.,” the spokesman, Fred McNeese, said.
Choosing Asia as the location for the vendor’s top decision maker on how IBM sources components, products and services from suppliers will help sharpen the company’s focus on the region and particularly on China, he added.
Asia has been a key region for IBM’s procurement, mostly in the hardware space, over the past 50 years. One of Paterson’s new focuses will be to help IBM ramp up the purchase of third-party software and services from the region’s suppliers. He’ll also work with Asian suppliers on improving their supply chain processes.
Some 700 of IBM’s total 7,500 worldwide procurement staff are based in China, McNeese said. IBM currently has relationships in place with 3,000 suppliers across Asia. The vendor spends around 30 percent of its annual US$40 billion procurement budget on goods from Asian suppliers, a percentage IBM expects to see rise in future, he added.
At present, IBM has no plans to make any similar moves to relocate other of its business unit headquarters outside of the U.S., McNeese said.


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Recycling industry crisis ‘temporary’
The crisis in the recycling industry is only temporary, environment minister John Gormley has claimed.
Following a meeting by the Irish waste Management Association (IWMA) to discuss the collapse in the market for recycled materials, the minister said Government would help find other markets for the products.
Globally, the price for recycled materials has fallen as much as 75%, the recycling industry heard.
Speaking after Friday’s meeting, IWMA chairman Jim Kells told the Irish Times: “To date the market has been very buoyant, and recycling rates have increased, but the recent fall in commodity prices will have an impact across the retail, commercial, industrial and household sectors.”
Recycled materials have followed other commodities in losing value, with Chinese importers reportedly willing to pay a quarter of what they used to.
Among the solutions discussed at the meeting was storing recyclables in the hope prices will recover, selling off the material at a loss or, controversially, selling them as a fuel for cement-kilns.


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TikTok trumpeted two milestones at the end of September. As a first step, the company announced it had more than a billion monthly active users worldwide. A new, exciting technology would allow anyone well-heeled to own a digital collectible, a oneofakind productMany people covered it due to the recent breakout stars, Lil Nas X and Bella Poarch. The new Superman, the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane is concerned about the environment. The first NFT collection is being launched by TikTok featuring top artists and creators like Lil Nas X, Grimes, BellThe collection features six TikTok videos as one of one NFTs, and also limited edition sets. This fall TikTok will announce the first official minted NFT collection titled Top Moments. The collection will feature six TikTok videos as unique NFTs and a series of limited edition NFTs. NFTs, using distributed blockchain technology, provide a way to certify ownership of digital content. The men on today’s show discuss whether or not NFL players wear cups and if there could be a full year of wearing them. Most of the most important stories that reverberate across the globe are also talked about by the men.
NFTs Will Be Available on the Ethereum Blockchain:
Every individual who spoke to Rolling Stone did so on condition of anonymity, fearing the wrath of TikToking. A list of questions about the status of its NFT’s and the difficulties a company faced in completing the project on time was questioned byThe market for NFTs exploded earlier this year. Nonfungible tokens are digital data associated with some sort of asset. It could be a file of an image, song, or video. It is unique and irreplicable, as well as easy to trade, thanks to the blockchain where the NFT is stored. For some collectors, the same aura is reportedly had by these products as an Impressionist painting or one of Michael Jackson’s. The Weeknd and Kings of Leon were sold art and new music. It is akin to passive. Active to passive. He’s going for sale at Lil Nas X, in collaboration with Rudy Willingham, on Oct. There is a total of six. That is a collaboration between Poarch and Grimes, who made approximately $6 million from selling her own NFTs earlier this year, and BroThe NFTs will be available on Ethereum, powered by Immutable X, a carbon neutral trading system. As our creator economy continues to grow, we are continuously seeking new and differentiated ways to support our creators. The video featuring the artist ‘Montero’ will be showcased. Willingham’s signature cutouts appear in 81 frames of the TikTok video. Bella Poarch, Curtis Roach, Brittany Broski, FNMeka, Jess Marciante and Gary VaThe single and limited edition NFTs will be available on the Ethereum blockchain. The limited editions will be powered by Immutable. Weekly drops are taken by a dedicated section of Immutable’s website until the end of the month. The NFT sales produce revenues for the artists and creators who were involved, or other charitable causes, according to TikTok. Nick Tran says that as the creator economy continues to grow, we are continually looking for new and differentiated ways to support our creators. Police used six millions dollars over a four month period. There was a viral video showing police using stop sticks to blow up criminal’s tiresTodd attempted a type of Ocean’s 11 heist. If they had to attempt, then it would be Ocean’s 11 type heThey make a list of some factual information as well as fiction, and will answer listener questions such as which television show group of friends they wouldThey close out their dreams and read a couple of their vitamin thoughts on their phones.
NFT Communities Engage With Some of the Internet’s Most Loved Cultural Milestones:
Rudy Willingham’s 1/1 NFT was experiencing a brief delay. This is extremely exciting, and is currently being resolved by us. The range is from active to passive. Nick Tran shared a moment on TikTok that inspired the internet while supporting some of their favorite creators were modeled by fans. We are excited to see how our community and NFT communities engage with some of the internet’s most beloved cultural milestones are celebrated by us. It is a little bit strange. Beginning on October. 1 thru Nov. Number 5. Other single-edition TikTok Top Moments NFTs are set to include a collab from musicians andThe largest monthly active user worldwide has been topped by TikTok earlier this week. It’s a choice from the active to the passive. It is a fun event. Come join us for a fun time. The performers are Todd McCramas, Pat McAfee Show, Digz, Nick Markey, andIt goes from being active to passive.


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Rimowa has just unveiled the second installment of its collaboration with Fendi.
With the first joint suitcase— a dual-branded gold and silver cabin case — releasing at the end of last year, the new collaboration sees Fendi’s “Double F” logo and either blue or red detailing according to a 2018 HypeBeast report.
Like its predecessor, the case displays the double F logo with a brushed effect, which changes depending on the light, as well as Cuoio Romano leather handles on the top and side, and a web belt that runs across the case. A new leather Airbag charm, shaped like a paper airplane, has Fendi’s signature Bag Bugs eyes according to a 2018 Women’s Wear Daily report.
This is also one of the first pieces to feature RIMOWA’s recently-unveiled new visual identity, which includes personalization options and subtle redesigns. As it stands, there is no official release date for the collaboration, but keep checking back for more information according to a 2018 HypeBeast report.
The novelty is that the cases will be among the first to feature Rimowa’s new visual identity, unveiled earlier this year to coincide with the brand’s 120th anniversary. Personalization options include stickers and a customizable leather name tag that snaps onto the external belt, according to a 2018 Women’s Wear Daily report.
Fendi, which like Rimowa belongs to French conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, was the first brand to collaborate with the German luggage maker following the arrival of luxury scion Alexandre Arnault as chief executive officer, according to a 2018 Women’s Wear Daily report.
Rimowa is a manufacturer of premium luggage. The company was founded it 1898, in Cologne, Germany. Paul Morszeck and Heinrich Görtz founded the company under the name Görtz & Morszeck. In 2016, LVMH acquired an 80% stake in the company.
Rimowa has also made limited-edition suitcases with Supreme, Off-White and graphic design duo M/M Paris.


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Industry group Freeview today announced it will be launching a new FreeviewPlus mobile application for access to all of the free-to-air networks’ live streaming and catch up content later this year.
While details on new app are still limited, the app promises to merge the content from all Free to Air networks onto one platform. It’s a product that Freeview has been promising for some time.
Freeview will also invest in upgrading FreeviewPlus which will allow viewers access to a wider range of features and functionality, the details of which will be announced later this year.
Freeview is hoping the new app will improve discoverabilty of FTA content by having programming from all networks indexed in one app experience, rather than content silos such as tenplay, iview and 7Plus.
The industry is facing increasing pressure from the online sector, particularly SVOD provider's including Netflix.
Freeview CEO, Liz Ross, said she was delighted that the strength of collaboration across the FTA broadcasters around the program had also influenced the decision by SBS to re-join Freeview.
“We have an exciting year ahead in free-to-air television and the spirit of progress and collaboration will deliver some significant innovations in 2016,” Ross said. “We’re especially glad to welcome SBS back to the Freeview family.”
“It’s clear that consumers are in charge of their viewing and they want the flexibility to watch what they want, when they want, on the best available screen at the time even when out of home,” Ross said. “Freeview has responded to changing viewing habits and we are excited about the FreeviewPlus multi-screen future,” Ross said.
Freeview also announced the appointment of Clive Dickens as its new Chairman. Seven West Media Chief Digital Officer Clive Dickens replaces inaugural Freeview Chairman Kim Dalton who has stepped down after seven years in the role.
“We would like to thank Kim for his vision and energy in the role,” incoming Chairman Dickens said. “Under his stewardship, Freeview has launched the award-winning hybrid TV service FreeviewPlus delivering Australian audiences the best in FTA TV technology.
“This year will continue to be one of collaboration and innovation for Freeview leading with FreeviewPlus mobile product and we look forward to announcing even more exciting IP initiatives in the coming months,” Dickens said.


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Supplies of Mexican rambutan are beginning to wind down.
The Mexican rambutan season is a short one—it begins in June and ends right around Thanksgiving. “Right now the Mexican season is about five weeks away from the end and supplies are declining. They started to about a week ago,” says Yasmani Garcia of Sweet Seasons in Hidalgo, TX. “They’re still available but we’ve jumped to Guatemala for supplies for the last two weeks.” This is the first year Sweet Seasons has turned to Guatemala to supplement supplies from Mexico, whose supplies will become increasingly tighter until the end of November.
At the same time, demand is good for rambutan, particularly from the Asian market. “We’ve handled rambutan for five to six years and in the beginning, we’d only bring in three loads the entire season,” says Garcia. “Right now, in certain weeks, we can get up to five loads in one week.” He does add that the acreage has slightly increased this year by approximately 20 percent given how much more output the company is receiving.
A delicate touch
Yet, the fruit is a delicate, challenging one to handle. “It’s sensitive to temperature changes. It basically doesn’t survive any changes at all,” says Garcia. “While the fruit itself is protected and fine to sell to retailers, the hairs on the outside need to be shiny green and shiny yellow. Once they start going red or dark, that’s bad news for retailers. The wholesale market might take them but retailers won’t and that’s where most of our items go.”
As for pricing, Garcia notes the pricing on average has been $15 or $1/lb. FOB Texas. “There’ve been points where it’s been a little lower. Right now, it’s higher because we made the jump to Guatemala so it’s about $1.10/lb.”
Rambutan is just one item Sweet Seasons will discuss at this year’s PMA Fresh Summit being held virtually October 13-15, 2020. “One reason we do the show is we like to go see our customers face to face. But I realize it’s not the right time for that,” says Garcia, who adds that the marketing team at Sweet Seasons has put a lot of work into preparing for this show. “They’re doing all sorts of videos and have creative ideas to get our name out there.”


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Cost of living pushes Kenyans to shop in Uganda
By Irissheel Shanzu | April 12th 2021
Harsh economic times are driving several residents of West Pokot to neighbouring Uganda where basic commodities are affordable.
Most of the residents said the cost of basic foods in Uganda was affordable compared to local prices.
Some locals in Pokot North Sub-county claim they have identification documents from both countries, which makes crossing over to Uganda and coming back seamless.
Michael Kemer, who claimed to hold both Kenyan and Ugandan identification documents, told The Standard he has voted before in elections in the two countries and prefers doing his shopping in Uganda due to the low prices of basic goods.
“We move to Uganda during drought. They have never discriminated against us. We intermarry, and we are one family," he said. Atorom Etom, 86, said he has children on both sides of the border and has been participating in elections in both Kenya and Uganda.
He said his home in Kacheliba Constituency was in Uganda but during demarcation of the boundary, he found his home on the Kenyan side.
Etom said they prefer buying goods across the border as they are quite affordable compared to the prices back home.
“The prices we get locally are beyond our reach. During these harsh economic times, we prefer to cross over to Uganda where we get pocket-friendly prices,” he added.
West Pokot residents flood Karita, Amudat, Kanyerus, and Moroto markets to buy maize flour where a kilogramme goes for Sh50 compared to Sh70 on offer on the other side of the border.
Etom noted that many of the trading centres situated along the border were flooded with products from Uganda, which was an advantage to them.
Emanuel Koritai, a shopkeeper, said most business owners in the area have good relations with their neighbours across the border, which eases the process of accessing the goods.
“A packet of Latto milk, for instance, costs Sh40 if you buy it in Uganda but upon reaching West Pokot, we sell it at Sh70,” said Koritai.
One kilo of sugar costs Sh60 in Uganda while the same goes for between Sh100 to Sh150 here.
“I would rather cross over to Uganda for the commodities and save a few coins,” said Domongole Abraham, a resident.
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- Postmortem: Missing Mombasa woman died painfully
By Brian Okoth
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- UoN sheds jobs, courses in step to cut costs as admissions dip


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Calling the location outside Indianapolis a key transportation hub, a fund sponsored by CBRE Global Investors has acquired a newly constructed 505,872-square-foot Class A warehouse/distribution property in Greenfield, Ind. The property, known as Mount Comfort Logistics Center II, was completed in the first quarter and is fully leased.
READ ALSO: Top 5 Markets for Industrial Construction
The price and seller were not disclosed by CBRE Global Investors. The developer and most recent owner of the property at 4268 West County Road 300 N. was Ambrose Property Group, according to CommercialEdge. In early June, Ambrose stated Progressive Logistics would be leasing the newly built site in the business park. At that time, Progressive Logistics officials said the state-of-the-art climate-controlled facility would allow it to grow its food-related and e-commerce business.
Ambrose also announced it would be expanding the park with four more Class A distribution buildings on a newly created east campus. When that expansion is completed, Ambrose will have developed eight Class A distribution buildings totaling more than 3.5 million square feet at the Mount Comfort Logistics Center.
Mount Comfort Logistics Center II sits on a 42.78-acre site and features 36-foot clear height; 54-foot by 50-foot column spacing; 50 dock doors, with the ability to add 80 more dock doors; three drive-in doors; 50 trailer parking spaces, with an option to add 83 more spaces; and 155 auto parking spaces. The facility can also add more than 200,000 square feet to accommodate potential tenant expansion.
Gary Jaye, head of Americas Logistics Operator Division for CBRE Global Investors, said in a prepared statement Mount Comfort is in an extremely well-located site on the east side of Indianapolis that provides users access to a strong labor pool and excellent interstate connectivity. Mount Comfort is less than 25 miles east of the FedEx Air Hub at the Indianapolis International Airport and has immediate access to I-70, a major east-west highway in the U.S.
Jaye said the Indianapolis MSA has more than 330 million square feet of industrial product, with a tight vacancy rate. In addition to the FedEx Air Hub, the second-largest in the U.S., the MSA has access to five railroads and substantial freeway infrastructure, which provides access to more than 75 percent of the U.S. and Canadian population within a 24-hour drive.
The Mount Comfort submarket is one of Indianapolis’ fastest-growing modern logistics submarkets. More than 5 million square feet of new users have recently opened logistics operations or committed to the Mount Carmel submarket, according to Colliers. Hancock County, where Greenfield is located, plans to spend more than $30 million in infrastructure improvements to its major thoroughfares to accommodate the needs of the modern logistics users.
In June, Exeter Property Group acquired a 52-acre site in Mount Carmel Commercial Park, also in Greenfield, from Becknell Industrial. Exeter plans to develop a 955,687-square-foot speculative warehouse on the property that will feature a 40-foot clear height, 282 trailer parks and 80 exterior docks. The building is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2022.
CBRE Global Investors has also been active this summer in the Orange County industrial sector. Last month, the firm acquired Irvine Crossing, a mixed-use facility in Irvine, Calif., from Menlo Equities through one of its funds. According to public records, the property sold for $180.8 million. The deal was one of the largest industrial transactions in Orange County so far this year. Amazon is one of the property tenants.


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AFC Energy unveils H-Power EV Charger product
Hydrogen power generation technology provider AFC Energy confirmed the successful launch of its ‘H-Power EV Charger System’ on Thursday, and announced its partnership with the British Motor Show 2020 as the event's official electric vehicle charging partner.
The AIM-traded firm said that, following an absence of 12 years, the show was making a return in 2020 as a “celebration of motoring”.
It said that, with more than 50,000 expected visitors from the UK and overseas, future technology would be a major part of the relaunched event, which would showcase several of the latest electric vehicles from international automotive manufacturers including the ‘Alternative Driving Experience’, which would offer test drives in electric vehicles to visitors.
The company said the show would also exhibit technologies that supported rapid electric vehicle deployment into the market, to which AFC Energy claimed its technology would be a “key enabler”.
To that end, the firm was officially launching its zero emission, rapid H-Power EV Charger on Thursday.
The system was said to be the first in a series of three discrete H-Power EV Charger unit sizes, that would offer a “unique solution” to several infrastructure challenges, the board said.
In collaboration with the British Motor Show 2020, AFC Energy said the H-Power EV Charger would offer rapid charging capability to several automotive manufacturers showcasing their vehicles at the show's co-hosted EV Zone and Alternative Driving Experience pavilions.
“The British Motor Show is one of the world's iconic motoring events with such a rich heritage in leading innovative engineering and design excellence over many decades,” said chief executive officer Adam Bond.
“It is a privilege to have been recognised in such an illustrious setting as the Motor Show and play a small part in this new leadership role as we advance into a new era of highway electrification.”
Bond said that journey would begin with the launch of the H-Power EV Charger on Thursday.
“With such a global showcase of world leading automotive manufacturers, this is a standout opportunity to highlight the benefits of AFC Energy's zero emission electric vehicle charging solutions and the benefit this can bring to the world's transition to an electrified vehicle future.”
At 1547 GMT, shares in AFC Energy were down 2.46% at 19.9p.


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News / Blue Diamond Resorts announces the opening of a Planet Hollywood Beach Resort in Puerto Plata
Planet Hollywood Beach Resort will debut in late 2024 in Puerto Plata
In the midst of FITUR 2023, Blue Diamond Resorts, together with the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, announced the opening of the first Planet Hollywood Beach Resort that will debut in late 2024 in Puerto Plata. The hotel management company will be one of the main players in the industry as part of the Punta Bergantín relaunch project.
Located in the northern part of the country, the Punta Bergantín region will offer Resorts, eco-tourism, an 18-hole golf course, a residential development, shopping and even a movie studio. This last concept is very well aligned to the lifestyle concept that Blue Diamond Resorts offers in their Planet Hollywood Beach Resorts in Cancun and Costa Rica.
This new property will feature the signature all-inclusive Vacation Like A Star™ experience and will bring authentic Hollywood memorabilia to the tranquil Bergantín Beach to delight guests of all ages. From modern accommodations to themed restaurants and bars, sparkling pools, day and night entertainment, relaxing treatments at PH Spa and state-of-the-art fitness facilities at PUMPED, this Planet Hollywood Beach Resort will be one of the top vacation choices in the Caribbean.
Blue Diamond Resorts will continue working hand in hand with the Ministry of Tourism for the growth of this important tourism plan that will generate over 83,000 jobs in the region and will contribute new real estate developments such as hotels and resorts, housing units, and even a movie studio that will reinforce the essence of Planet Hollywood.


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Have you ever wondered how many of those Snowflake liberals who have been attacking Confederate monuments own an iPhone? Or a pair of Nike's? Or drink Coca Cola products? More importantly, how many of those "activists" are concerned about current day slavery?
There is a bill zooming its way through Congress that is designed to curtail the importation of Chinese goods made by slave labor. But none of the Snowflakes can be found who are trying to stop the efforts of American companies lobbying against the bill and offering amendments to water it down to meaninglessness.
Here's the story from Tristan Justice writing in The Federalist:
Major American corporations are flexing their Washington influence to fight legislation reeling towards the president's desk that curbs their ability to profit off Chinese slave labor.
According to the New York Times on Sunday, Nike, Coca-Cola, and Apple have deployed their teams of lobbyists to push back on a bill prohibiting product imports manufactured in China using forced labor. The bill, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, passed overwhelmingly in the House with bipartisan support 406-3, is expected to be signed by President Donald Trump or a President Biden next year if approved by the Senate.
Read the full article HERE
on The Federalist


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A check on the websites visited most regularly by staff at the Department for Work and Pensions has shown the majority are not relevant to their jobs.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance has criticised this “inappropriate” use of work computers and called for Whitehall chiefs to bar online shopping and social networking.
A spokeswoman for the DWP said misuse of internet access is a disciplinary offence, but added that the list of the most popular websites accessed includes use inside and outside office hours.
The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, show the top 100 websites receiving the most hits from DWP staff every month from April last year to this February.
To its credit, the DWP was the only Whitehall department to supply the information, with the others saying they could not access it.
The most commonly accessed sites at DWP work stations are the search engine Google and the BBC website, but the online shopping sites for Argos, Littlewoods and Amazon also figure prominently in the top 30 sites viewed. Argos.co.uk rose to number seven in the number of hits for last November and then number six in December, suggesting use for Christmas shopping.
In the December table, amazon.co.uk was at number 18 and littlewoods.com at 19th.
The National Rail website for checking train times is another regular resident in the top 10 list of most viewed sites, with the online banking sites of Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB and HSBC featuring in the top 20 each month.
The websites of British Telecom and Sky TV are popular with DWP staff, as are the car sales site of Autotrader, property sales site Right Move and auction site eBay.
Also on the list are hotel booking site laterooms.com, travel agent Thomson and social networking site Facebook. Blogging site Twitter entered the top 40 in the first two months of this year.
John O’Connell, research director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Staff shouldn’t be shopping for Christmas and the January sales while they are on taxpayers’ time.
“Employees should be kept busy so that they are more productive and provide better value for money. At least that department has honestly published information. It’s disgusting that others in Whitehall have refused to be open with taxpayers, who might wonder what they are trying to hide.
“Staff time is the biggest item of expenditure for most public bodies so information like this should be routinely published.
“It is important that taxpayers have all the information so there is accountability if staff are spending their time on dodgy or irrelevant websites instead of doing the work they’re paid for.”
A DWP spokeswoman said: “We employ just under 100,000 staff and make it very clear that misuse of the internet will not be tolerated.
“This is why we not only monitor the type of sites being accessed but also the extent and frequency of use. Our top 100 internet users report highlights use both inside and outside office hours, and we will investigate and discipline staff if they are shown to be misusing their internet access.”
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Transcript for Jewelry Store Owner Fires at Armed Robbers
Surveillance video shows a white Ford -- beat backing into a handicapped parking space. This one by 15 suspects violent to a Garden Grove jewelry store the masked men then attempt -- robbed the store at gunpoint. It was rather obvious it was going to be some sort of this smash and grab plus. Take over type robbery. But it seems city it was going to be a -- in Al and then get back in the in the vehicle. -- -- -- quick in and out fifteen seconds to beat -- side. As two of the suspects armed with handguns -- their weapons on employees at a single customer the three others opened pillow cases in demand cash. But barely half a second later they would -- empty handed chased out by one very angry store owner. The store owner was in the very back of the store and through a small window in that separates the main area the store to this back -- C armed herself with a handgun. As a suspect barged -- they ordered everyone to the ground thinking they have the upper hand. But the store owner would soon turn the tables on the armed robbers. She felt that this suspects were possibly getting interviewed the employees and a customer so she fired two rounds from her -- again towards the suspects which caused them to -- the store. And believe they did. Bumbling and stumbling into each other and they clamored to escape the store owners theory one suspect fired -- for round that hit this -- before exiting. Obviously we -- were leery of recommending that store owners take. Immediate action it's all going to be have to be based on the circumstances at hand and.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.


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Microsoft tries to be
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saw that. Pretty cool.
was surprised to hear of the keyboard cover tears. Everything
'd heard until now was the hardware was solid.
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ON SECOND THOUGHT, maybe the multiplex isn't dying after all.
Ending a three-year slump, attendance at movie theaters is up this year almost 4%. Box-office revenue is up too, by 5.5%. The results stand in sharp contrast to last year, when weekly ticket sales failed to beat the previous year's results for 19 consecutive weeks, and total box-office revenue was down more than 5% from 2004. Attendance fell 8.7%.
Those results led some analysts to speculate that consumers had lost interest in moviegoing, rejecting inhospitable multiplexes and high ticket prices in favor of bigger-screen TVs and videogame consoles. The turnaround this year offers a simpler explanation: Last year's movies just weren't very good.
To some degree, the uptick in attendance is a function of luck. The studios decide which movies to release a year to 18 months in advance, so it's not as if they made a few quick adjustments after last year's flops. Similarly, theater owners are still raising ticket prices, struggling to hush rude patrons and showing a raft of commercials before the feature. The only real change from 2005 has been in the movies themselves: fewer remakes, more sequels and more animation with broad appeal.
Nevertheless, this year's improvement belies the widespread notion that moviegoing had taken a permanent turn for the worse. In fact, despite the occasional dips, the number of people going to see movies is continuing to grow gradually, as it has every decade since the 1970s. The average then was 970 million tickets sold each year; in the '80s, it rose to 1.1 billion; in the '90s, it reached 1.3 billion; and it has averaged about 1.5 billion so far this decade.
That's not terribly impressive, given the growth in the U.S. population. But the filmmaking business is also getting better at responding to its audience. Well-funded independent filmmakers and producers now cater to overlooked or underserved genres, such as spiritual or horror flicks. While some studios are cutting expenses and releases, other distributors are launching or being revived, broadening the range of choices for consumers. The major studios have evolved too, expanding their offerings through specialty divisions and using the Internet and mobile phones to promote their films and compete for attention.
Meanwhile, theater chains continue to try to improve the moviegoing experience, building new cinemas, refurbishing old ones and deploying new ways to control rude customers. One strategy being tested: giving selected customers a panic button that summons ushers to remove chatterers.
It's an interesting idea. But maybe a better way to fill theaters is to put something on the screen that customers will still be talking about after they leave.


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Posts tagged 'Cornell'
Image credit: abcnews.com
Original article: http://bit.ly/1XtWLwK
Raising the vaping age actually leads to an increase in teen smoking, according to a new study from Cornell University.
Published in Preventative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine investigators found an 11.7 percent increase in teen cigarette use after states introduced new age restrictions for e-cigarettes between 2007 and 2013...


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Group 1 Automotive Inc. has announced CEO Earl Hesterberg will retire at the end of this year. According to a statement made on Wednesday, Hesterberg will be succeeded by Daryl Kenningham, the group’s current president of U.S. operations. Kenningham will be named Group 1’s president and COO effective immediately and will take the CEO title starting January 1st.
In a statement, Hesterberg said, “Now is the perfect time to transition to a new generation of leadership at our company.” He also called Kenningham’s performance throughout his career “exemplary,” and said, “He has driven our U.S. business to record levels.”
Hesterberg has been with Group 1 since 2005, after working for both Ford Motor Co. And Nissan Motor Co. Kenningham has been with Group 1 since 2011, and was initially regional vice president, before working his way through the ranks.
“I thank Earl for his outstanding leadership and the board for their confidence, guidance, and support,” Kenningham said in the company’s statement. “We have an outstanding team at Group 1, and I am energized to work alongside them to chart our path forward for the benefit of our employees, customers, communities, and stakeholders during this exciting and dynamic time in our industry.”
Group 1 Automotive was the fourth largest U.S. auto dealership group in 2021. The company has over 204 automotive dealerships, 273 franchises, and 47 collision centers in the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
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But not being an expert, I am willing to be swayed, so I drew up this list of questions and emailed them to my Congressman and Senators. Not one of the congressional talking heads that have appeared on TV during the past few weeks have even come close to answering these questions and I doubt that they will. So allow me to suggest that you add your questions to these and send them to YOUR representatives:
1) The “Bail Out” Supporters Keep Saying its not a bail out it is a loan. Loans are given to be paid back. If GM already owes $60 billion and are losing $5 billion a month, HOW CAN THEY PAY BACK MORE MONEY? For Pete’s Sake, the entire company is worth less than that. They aren’t even worth enough to buy a senate seat in Illinois.
2) Why Are we talking about propping AMERICAN Auto Makers? Last month I purchased a Toyota Prius (Not for the mileage but with a Prius I get to use the car-pool lane even if I am driving alone). While my car was NOT made in the US many Toyotas are and in 2010 the Prius will be made in the US also. Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Hyundai-Kia, BMW and Hyundai also do some of their manufacturing in the US.
3) Why Aren’t Aren’t the Unions Feet Being Held to the fire? You keep hearing that the cost of labor is less than ten percent of the cost of each car. That number does not include ALL of the costs, like the costs of people who have retired or that famous job bank.
This quote is attributed here to a man named Daniel Brooks, who is a professor of supply chain management at the W.P. Carey School, and he was asked to look at the United Auto Workers contract a year ago, 13 months ago from a broad perspective of risk, and they wanted his comment in the story…….the union specifically targeted General Motors to get this aspect of a new contract for all three eventually of the Big Three, and here is what Daniel Brooks said in his analysis, 13 months ago. “The union targeted GM because they have some cash. On the other hand, GM also famously spends over $1,600 per vehicle on the healthcare costs of current and retired US workers while Toyota pays about $200 per vehicle. Although GM also pays about another $1,000 per vehicle on holiday pay, work rules, plant-shutdown-pay and line-relief to UAW workers — expenses Toyota, for example, does not have — these costs were not as much the focus of these negotiations,” because the irony here is that the UAW targeted GM for this new contract because they had the cash. Do they have the cash now? We found out that they’re going through billions every quarter, six billion, four billion, whatever it was. So it’s not just that there’s $1,600 per GM car for health care, for current and retired auto works. There’s another $1,000 per vehicle for holiday pay, work rules, plant-shutdown-pay and line-relief. So $2,600 per car coming out of General Motors that Toyota does not have to spend. (Source Rush Limbaugh)
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4) The UAW Pension Fund is worth BILLIONS, my pension fund is worth less than $100,000 why isn’t the UAW forced to invest more money into the Weak three before I do? Heck and I am out of work without a job bank!
5) Chrysler is owned by a private equity firm, Cerberus, called by Forbes one of the world’s richest private equity firms:
Last year Cerberus and about 100 co-investors bought an 80% stake in Chrysler and its financing arm at what financial analysts universally say was a fire sale price of $7.4 billion. (Cerberus’ own stake was $2 billion.) Business Week described it as Cerberus getting Chrysler “essentially gratis.”To date, Cerberus has barely tapped any of its massive holdings–its investments in Chrysler are estimated to be just 7% of its assets under management–to stabilize Chrysler’s precarious finances; the exception was a $2 billion loan in July. Instead, the company has shed 30,000 jobs, a specialty of cost-cutting corporate flip artists like Cerberus. Source ForbesSorry Ceberus there is no lemon law for investments! Why are they tapping into MY personal private equity before Cerberus taps into theirs? I assure you that the people who HOLD the wallets of the Cerberus board members, have more private equity than I do.
6) Ford say it doesn’t really need the bailout, it just wants a line of credit “in case.” Why are they in the mix ? Hell I would like a line of credit too.. People who had thousands of dollars on their credit lines are having problems buying holiday presents because their credit card limits are being reduced…HEY FORD JOIN THE CLUB.
7) If we gave money to the banking industry why does that mean we have to give money to the Auto industry? I grew up in the days before homes were “kid proofed.” I learned not to put my hand near the oven range the first time I put my finger on the range. The banking bailout was WRONG, why does that mean we have burn our hands once again?


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Written by Adrianne Madden
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
It's bad enough that the vast majority of seafood consumed in this country is imported. But what's worse is that it seems harder to know whether the fish you buy at the supermarket or order at the restaurant is actually the species listed.
Just last week, the Miami Herald published an opinion piece by Bob Jones, executive director of the Southeastern Fisheries Association, regarding the problem. "Seafood industry experts believe at least 20 million consumers are ripped off each year through the illegal practice of seafood product substitution known as bait and switch," Jones wrote.
Jones mentioned how a couple of investigative reporters from the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times randomly purchase grouper sandwiches and red snapper dinners from 11 Tampa Bay-area restaurants, sent samples off to a New York laboratory for testing, only to find out that six of the 11 purchases turned out to be imported pond-raised catfish or tilapia or other species.
Here we have an industry that's been trying for years to make seafood more of a staple of American consumers. It's a great product, full of nutritional benefits and tasty to boot. We've seen creative marketing programs that are working to get seafood on the dinner table more often. It's a shame that these seafood switcheroos can undermine consumer confidence in such a worthy product.
The American Fisheries Society is honoring recently retired Florida Institute of Oceanography director Bill Hogarth with the Carl R. Sullivan Fishery Conservation Award — one of the nation's premier awards in fisheries science - in recognition of his long career and leadership in preserving some of the world's most threatened species, advocating for environmental protections and leading Florida's scientific response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.Read more ...
The Marine Stewardship Council has appointed Eric Critchlow as the new U.S. Program Director. Critchlow will be based in the MSC US headquarters in Seattle. He is a former vice president of Lusamerica Foods and has over 35 years in the seafood industry.Read more ...


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Learfield IMG College, the Plano-based sports marketing powerhouse, is naming a successor to longtime chief executive Greg Brown.
The company announced Brown’s retirement Friday and said Cole Gahagan, who joined Learfield in January as president of content, revenue and enterprise solutions, will succeed him. Following a transition, Brown will become co-chairman of Learfield’s board of directors.
“It’s been the privilege of a lifetime to be associated with the great people of this company and the collegiate sports industry for the past 36 years," Brown said in a statement. “When Cole joined us in January, I had in my mind transitioning to this new role later in 2020. But with college sports on virtual hold, this lull is an ideal time for the company leadership to transition now."
Gahagan previously served as chief commercial officer of Fanatics Inc., chief revenue officer for Ticketmaster and senior vice president of business development and strategy for Live Nation.
Brown, who succeeded founder Clyde Lear as CEO in 2009, helped grow Learfield from its humble beginnings in 1972 as a farm radio network heard over six Missouri stations into one of the nation’s top broadcasting, branding and sponsorship companies for collegiate sports programs. He started with the company in 1984 by selling sponsorships for the Iowa State Cyclone Radio Network.
He guided Learfield through a series of acquisitions and a $2 billion merger with IMG College in 2018. The company now represents more than 1,000 collegiate athletic programs, conferences and arenas.
For the last three years, trade publication Sports Business Journal has recognized Brown as one of the 50 most influential people in sports business.
Gahagan said he wants to leverage the company’s technology expertise in data mining, digital tools and content to “usher the collegiate athletics industry into a new era of growth.”
“Over the last several years, we have evolved from serving as an asset creation and sales company to a fully integrated media and tech leader — and we’re only getting started,” he said.


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The Petroleum Institute of East Africa say that Total lost 1.3 per cent to close the period at 16.7 per cent and retain its position as the country’s top oil marketer.
Vivo, which trades as Shell, is ranked second having shed 1.2 per cent to have a 16.6 per cent share while Kenol Kobil shed the least share (0.3 per cent), ending the period with 15.2 per cent.
Gulf Energy, a small oil marketer which has been in the country for a decade, was the only oil firm among the top seven companies to gain market share in the period under review, underlining a shift in the industry.
The oil company has grown rapidly over the years and now runs fuel stations in most major towns in the country. It also has a presence in Uganda.
“Kenya fuel consumption increased by approximately 20 per cent up to September this year compared to the same period last year,” said Wanjiku Manyara, petroleum institute’s general manager.
Kenya’s top-three oil market rivals are competing on customer convenience and wider distribution to increase sales. Kenol Kobil is also running a promotion and discounts on their loyalty cards. A wider footprint is critical in driving sales of products such as diesel, petroleum and kerosene to motorists and households.
The bigger oil marketers have more retail outlets than their smaller rivals.
State price controls have tamed price wars among the fuel companies, making market presence and strategic locations key factors in winning customers who don’t have to seek bargains at various outlets.


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Celebrating 20 years in the industry this month, Bournemouth-based window fabricator Connaught Windows has a lot to be proud of. Where other companies in the region have floundered due to the recession, this family-run business has continued to manufacture and supply a wide range of products, quietly building a solid reputation with both local and nationwide retailers.
From its humble beginnings as a small window fitting company in 1994, to becoming one of the south coast’s longest-standing window manufacturers, Connaught Windows has produced enough windows and doors in its 20-year history to supply approximately 5900 homes; the equivalent of all of the homes in the City of London, while its yearly usage of glass would be enough to cover the outside of The Gherkin!
While the company prides itself on being local, manufacturing 45 different products right here in Dorset and using locally extruded aluminium and PVCu profile, the total miles of window used since it opened its doors in 1994 would reach approximately 6900 miles, or the distance from London to New York and back again if laid end to end.
Linda Witczak, director at Connaught Windows, said: “While the last few years have been challenging, with some careful, strategic planning and wise investments in top of the range machinery that streamlined our approach to manufacturing, we have successfully weathered the storm of the recession and in 2013 saw a 14 per cent increase in our turnover over the previous year.”
For more information, please visit www.connaughtwindows.com or telephone 01202 525212.


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LG has revealed not one however two smartphones at MWC 2019: its new flagship LG G8 alongside the corporate’s first 5G phone, the LG V50 ThinQ. Regardless, LG has adopted most different phone makers in saying a flagship handset with just a few new bits to allure informal shoppers, whereas additionally introducing a telephone poised to harness 5G for patrons keen to purchase slicing-edge tech. The LG G8 seems to be to be an acceptable flagship with a pair of new advances. The telephone makes use of a depth sensor (which LG is looking ‘Z Digital camera’) mixed with the time of flight tech to intricately monitor hand motion in the entrance of the digital camera.
The LG V50, then again, packs some slicing-edge parts to hyperlink as much as 5G (each time community infrastructure is constructed out sufficient to ship 5G, anyway). The phone packs the model-new Snapdragon 855 chip with a Snapdragon X50 5G modem together with a Qualcomm connectivity chip to allow the cellphone to connect with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5. The LG V50 might be out there from Sprint solely within the coming months, per an official press launch. Different service suppliers will ultimately get the phone; Verizon has already introduced it would carry the phone “this summertime” within the US, which implies by September.


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Qualcomm boss Paul Jacobs has confirmed that the first Mirasol product, which was an ereader originally scheduled to land in the first quarter of 2011, has been cancelled as he wasn't happy with the device.
Speaking at a briefing attended by Pocket-lint in San Diego, the CEO said: "We were getting ready to launch a low volume ereader product, but I didn't like the whole system. I didn't want to launch our first product and have it be something that we didn't really like, so we basically decided not to launch it, and instead just focus on the next version of it."
Pocket-lint originally got up close and personal with the Mirasol tech back in June 2010 at Qualcomm's San Diego campus, and it was even rumoured that Amazon could be on board with a view to getting a colour Kindle into the market.
But now the Qualcomm supremo has bigger plans for the tech, hinting that a Mirasol screen featured tablet could even be on the cards.
"We have a really interesting roadmap - we're starting out on ereaders because we figured having E Ink as a competing technology was a good way to get started," he said
"But if you think about the power consumption of the screens that are out now [on tablets], they're very bright OLED screens that use up a lot of the power of the battery.
"We don't today have as vibrant colour as an OLED display - but we have a roadmap that gets us to a much brighter colour."
Currently the Mirasol development is carried out at a small operation in Taiwan. But Jacobs spoke of a billion dollar investment for the plant, so watch this space.


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Macy’s is going public with its plans to boost its private business.
Earlier this summer, Macy’s announced it will roll out four new private brands by the end of 2025. The first, called On 34th, officially launches on August 17 in stores, online and via Macy’s app. On 34th shoes will go live in spring 2024. Macy’s plans to launch more than one private brand in 2024, and its brands will span across categories, from clothing to accessories.
Macy’s currently has a robust portfolio of more than 25 private brands, including I.N.C., Alfani, Charter Club and Sun + Stone. Roughly 16% of Macy’s annual sales in fiscal 2022 came from private brands. That share used to be higher before the pandemic, at around 20%, a number that Macy’s wants to target once more in the long term. Back in 2020, Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette said he wanted private brands to account for 25% of Macy’s sales by 2025. The company is betting on its private-brand renovation to win over more customers and get closer to that goal.
Macy’s may have additional motivations for building its private brands. As a department store, Macy’s largely carries discretionary items, and many shoppers right now are shying away from that category to save money or redirect spending to essentials. Macy’s net income fell nearly 18% in its fiscal 2022 year, and its shares are down more than 20% year-to-date. One way a big-box or mall retailer can recoup losses by investing more in brands that they control directly. That way, they have more of a say in production and distribution and keep a greater portion of profits.
Collecting data and filling gaps
Today, Macy’s is taking a three-pronged approach to its private brands. This involves adding new brands, giving existing ones makeovers and sunsetting others that no longer resonate with customers.
Emily Erusha-Hilleque, svp of private brands at Macy’s, told Modern Retail that Macy’s already has brands its customers love. At the same time, it is “looking at our portfolio to identify gaps that we were not serving, whether it be from a customer profile standpoint or from an aesthetic standpoint,” Erusha-Hilleque, who was previously a design director at Target, said.
As far as tweaking existing brands, Erusha-Hilleque likened Macy’s approach to a face lift. “We’re touching everything within the portfolio and really anchoring it into the new voice of [the] customer,” she explained. And, when trimming down its portfolio, Macy’s is looking at which brands “are driving more duplication than needed,” she said.
Macy’s has dedicated the last two years to building this private-brand strategy. It conducted more than 100,000 online surveys, and its executives spent hundreds of hours with shoppers to determine what they wanted out of a private brand. It’s an approach that Carol Spieckerman, president of Spieckerman Retail, praised. “Retailers have more data available and better tools for acting on it,” she told Modern Retail. “It’s a good sign that Macy’s isn’t just throwing a dart. Macy’s is putting the work in to give its new private brands a running start.”
After hearing that customers wanted to shop the same size across brands, Macy’s zeroed in on fit. First, it broke down the fits of its menswear, womenswear and kidswear. Then, to help make garments more consistent, Macy’s turned to Alvanon, a fashion-technology company that has conducted thousands of body scans. Using its own data points and Alvanon’s, Macy’s adjusted its private-brand clothes to make them more universal and lowered its number of fits across its private brands from five to two.
Macy’s has made other changes, too, including tweaking its fabric and construction standards and narrowing its supplier base. It is also using its private brands to reflect trends and up-to-date styles. On 34th, for example, includes wardrobe staples like pants and tops that shoppers can easily slip on. At the same time, “we punch them up with new print and pattern, optimistic color, dreamy fabrics that wash and wear incredibly well,” Erusha-Hilleque said.
Macy’s first new private brand includes 750 SKUs that Macy’s says can be mixed and matched to create more than 1,000 outfits. On 34th is geared towards women, and its prices range from $18.50 to $299.50. Macy’s plans to promote the launch via brand shops in its stores, online videos, digital landing pages and an influencer campaign involving some 50 participants.
Macy’s views On 34th’s audience as those in the “adulting-to-primetime life stage,” or people between the ages of 40 and 60, Erusha-Hilleque said.
“That’s where we have the biggest growth opportunity in private brands,” she said. “And that’s where the customer right now is a bit underserved as it relates to product type.” Many of the campaign’s influencers will belong to this age bracket.
The good news for Macy’s, Erusha-Hilleque said, is that Macy’s has a built-in audience of 40- to 60-year-olds shopping its beauty and fragrance departments. Now, she said, it will need to convince those customers to move to its other high-margin categories, like apparel.
“On 34th, it’s going to start to attract people that maybe hadn’t considered Macy’s before or in a while to come back and try us again, or to try us for the first time,” Erusha-Hilleque said. “It is really laying the framework and the groundwork for what will be the new Macy’s and how private brands will show up in a really, really different way over the next two to three years.”
A mixed bag for private brands
Many retailers have built up private brands in the last few years, to mixed results. Target, for instance, has more than 45 owned brands; one of these, Cat & Jack, is worth $3 billion. Sprouts Farmer’s Market achieved $1 billion in sales from its private-label products late last year, according to its CEO. In February, Walmart executives said they saw more consumers choose private labels over branded products in the last 90 days.
Many shoppers are turning more to private labels because of rising costs. Private labels tend to have a lower price point than national CPG brands, many of which have hiked prices to keep pace with inflation or downsized products to save more money. In 2021, private-label sales increased by almost $2 billion, according to Marketplace, and private-label food brands enjoyed a record year in 2022, the Private Label Manufacturers Association said.
At the same time, not all private labels are successful. In 2020, Bed Bath & Beyond announced it planned to launch more than 10 store brands within 18 months. To make room for these, it scaled back on brand names such as Oxo and All Clad, the Wall Street Journal reported. But, this was during the beginning of the pandemic, and shipping delays prevented many of these private-label goods from being delivered. When they did arrive, customers weren’t as interested; they wanted the brands they already knew.
Amazon, too, started cutting back its private-label business in 2022, with leadership reportedly asking its team to reduce items. Over the past year, Amazon decided to eliminate 27 of its 30 private clothing labels, as well as all of its private-label furniture, according to the Wall Street Journal. Amazon’s private labels directly compete with other sellers on its platform that customers may be more familiar with. Amazon has come under fire for pushing out private-label products that are near copies of items already sold by other retailers or entrepreneurs. The Federal Trade Commission is currently investigating Amazon on antitrust matters.
Private brands have pluses and minuses, Spieckerman said. “Private brands bring higher margins, drive differentiation and give retailers more control over brand development,” she said. “The downside is, with that control comes ownership. When private brand products pile up, retailers can’t get rid of them as easily.”
Erusha-Hilleque pointed to four factors to explain why Macy’s new strategy will succeed. First, she said, is brand strength. “One of the things that we continue to say as an organization is maybe in our past, we treated brands as labels, as vessels for beautiful things,” she said. “But now we have built strong brand DNA, values, purpose… Having that rigor in the organization now has given me a lot of confidence that we will be successful going forward.”
The second factor, Erusha-Hilleque said, is its “strategic supplier matrix” and the quality of Macy’s goods. The third, she said, is how Macy’s uses “hard and fast data” to make product decisions. And the fourth is “original design.”
While Macy’s has announced four new private brands, “the sky’s the limit,” Erusha-Hilleque said. “We’re just getting started. We’ve built out our strategy through 2025, but honestly, we’re ideating past 2025 into 2026 and beyond.”