text:
Consumption of polymer-coated sheets fell by 21% in the first quarter
According to the website of the Ukrainian Steel Construction Center, the results of the first quarter of 2019 showed that consumption of hot-dip galvanized products decreased by 8% compared to the same period of 2018, and amounted to 59 thousand tons. Within that period, imports fell by 3%, while exports increased by 10% with relatively neutral trends in production — an increase of 400 tons.
According to the results of the first quarter, the share of domestic hot-dip galvanized products was 55% of the market capacity. The share of Chinese imports averaged 9%. The rest was imported mostly from the EU — 13%, Russia — 8%, and Turkey — 15%.
Hot-dip galvanized coils with a coating thickness of 140–180 gram/square meter account for the lion’s share, or 75%, of consumption of hot-dip galvanized products. 30% of these products were imported from Russia. The share of hot-dip galvanized coils of a coating thickness of less than 60 gram/square meter was 8% of the overall consumption volume.
Ukrainian and Chinese producers of hot-dip galvanized products continued their price competition: a difference in prices in the first quarter averaged $270 for a steel sheet 0.5 mm thick. The quality of Chinese products is still worse than Ukrainian and European ones.
Consumption of polymer-coated sheets reduced in the first quarter by 21%, down to 47 thousand tons, mainly due to a decline in domestic production by 62%, or 2 thousand tons, and a fall in imports by 17%, or 45 thousand tons. The import fall resulted from the response of the key players to the market saturation and overloaded warehouses in the second half of 2018.
According to the results of the first quarter, domestic production of polymer-coated sheets made up around 5% of the total market volume. China’s share in total imports of such products was 44%, while that of the EU was 46%.
As reported earlier, the Ukrainian market for hot-dip galvanized coils increased by 4.3% in 2018 compared to the previous year, or up to 314 thousand tons. In 2019, according to forecasts of market players, consumption of hot-dip galvanized coils in Ukraine may grow by another 5%. This is twice as high as the trend in the global market of hot-dip galvanized products.


text:
New data suggests Australian potato imports have increased over 2016, igniting concerns about the profitability and competitiveness of the domestic industry.
Figures released by Global Trade Atlas for the first quarter of 2016 indicate that imports rose by 23 per cent in comparison to the same time last year.
“The data shows a 37 per cent growth in frozen prepared potato imports compared to the first quarter of 2015, as well as a 21 per cent growth in non-frozen prepared potatoes,” said Shaun Lindhe, spokesperson for vegetable grower representative body Ausveg.
“These statistics are extremely concerning, as Australian potato growers will be competing against cheaper imports. This competitive disadvantage is compounded by Australia’s higher costs of production.”
Ausveg claims Australian potato exports have also experienced a 6 per cent decline in comparison to the first quarter of 2015, which equates to approximately A$290,000 in lost sales. According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, potato exports are likely to remain at similar levels in the medium-term.

domain: news


text:
Cargo is handled at Qinzhou Port, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. (ZHANG AILIN / XINHUA)
BEIJING - Despite COVID-19 outbreaks and growing uncertainties, China sees unstoppable momentum in its cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and is ready to further deepen its strategic partnership.
Since China and ASEAN forged dialogue relations in 1991, the two sides have remained committed to promoting regional prosperity with comprehensive cooperation and bringing tangible benefits to people in the region.
Vibrant and fruitful
In 2002, China and ASEAN signed a framework agreement to start the construction of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA), which came into effect in 2010.
Trade volume between the two sides jumped from less than $8 billion in 1991 to $684.6 billion dollars in 2020, an increase of more than 80 times. In 2020, ASEAN and China became each other's largest trading partners
Under this world's largest FTA, more than 90 percent of the goods between China and ASEAN countries can be traded at zero tariffs, and restrictive measures on services and investment have also been substantially lifted.
Trade volume between the two sides jumped from less than $8 billion in 1991 to $684.6 billion dollars in 2020, an increase of more than 80 times. In 2020, ASEAN and China became each other's largest trading partners.
After the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, a mega trade deal between 10 ASEAN member states plus China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand, officially took effect at the beginning of this year, the rosy prospects for China and ASEAN are highlighted by their even-closer economic and trade exchanges.
Customs data showed that in the first quarter, China's imports and exports to ASEAN reached 1.35 trillion yuan ($202.2 billion), an increase of 8.4 percent year on year, accounting for 14.4 percent of China's total foreign trade.
During the period, trade between China and ASEAN accounted for 47.2 percent, or nearly half, of China's foreign trade with RCEP partners, according to the data.
Last November, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the ASEAN-China dialogue relations, the two sides jointly announced the establishment of a China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, a new milestone in their relations.
Higher level and beyond
"The economic relations between ASEAN and China have never been stronger and closer than today," ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi said at a summit held last week.
"In response to the fast-changing global economic landscape in the post-pandemic era, ASEAN and China are moving towards a new forward-looking partnership," he said, adding that "the scope of this partnership is wide-ranging and includes many emerging priorities such as resilient supply chains, digital economy, and sustainability."
China is actively building the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN FTA with ASEAN members, according to Commerce Minister Wang Wentao at the 28th trade ministers' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
The country stands ready to advance pragmatic cooperation with all parties to boost regional economic integration, promote economic recovery in the region, and maintain regional peace and stable development, said a spokesperson for the ministry.
"China remains open to any regional economic initiative that conforms to the aforementioned principles," he said.
ALSO READ: China, ASEAN ties buoy growth
Underscoring efforts to cement ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture, China has made the call to "contribute to an Asian family of unity and progress together."
ASEAN countries are also pledging to enhance cooperation to implement the China-proposed Global Development Initiative in a bid to accelerate the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
A recent report has forecast growth among the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ASEAN+3) at 4.7 percent this year and 4.6 percent in 2023, with growth for ASEAN at 5.1 and 5.2 percent, respectively.
The regions can look forward to a fuller opening-up and a strong economic recovery, according to the ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook 2022.
To build a more resilient and sustainable ASEAN-China economic partnership, the two sides should jointly promote wider regional economic integration under the RCEP framework and further enhance infrastructure, said Satvinder Singh, ASEAN deputy secretary-general, in a recent article.


text:
Diller to Split His Conglomerate 5 Ways
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Barry Diller's IAC/InterActiveCorp, a conglomerate of more than 60 brands including Ticketmaster, Ask.com and the Home Shopping Network, is splitting into five publicly traded companies because, Diller said, the current structure is too complicated to be understood by Wall Street and investors.
Diller, the former head of Paramount Studios and Fox television and a former top executive at Vivendi Universal, began accumulating the many companies and brands that make up IAC about 12 years ago.
Since then, the company's bloblike movement and makeup have befuddled investors, and the structure has allowed problems with one business -- such as the recent mortgage industry troubles at IAC's LendingTree.com -- to affect the rest of the company. Diller's solution, which he came up with over the summer, was to spin off compatible brands into five companies.
"It's always complex to tell the story" of IAC, Diller said in a conference call yesterday, saying it was impossible for him to describe his conglomerate in even one paragraph. "Then, you've always got something in trouble. If you're across that many sectors, there's always some little anchor banging away out there."
Most recently, the anchor has been LendingTree -- not so little -- which saw its third-quarter revenue dive 41 percent compared with the comparable period last year, because of the real estate slump and mortgage industry meltdown.
After the spinoff, scheduled for completion by the second quarter of 2008, a slimmed-down IAC will concentrate on the company's Internet and advertising elements, such as the Ask search engine; Evite, an online invitation service; and Match.com, a dating site.
Home Shopping Network will take IAC's retail operations, which include Smith and Noble and the Territory Ahead.
The new Ticketmaster will bundle all of IAC's ticketing businesses in the United States and abroad.
Interval International, a timeshare exchange network, will take IAC's online travel businesses.
And LendingTree will be grouped with RealEstate.com and other housing-oriented online products.
Like IAC, other conglomerates have found themselves trading at what Wall Street calls a "conglomerate discount." This means that investors and analysts typically believe that conglomerates are unwieldy, inefficient structures that impede, rather than unlock, the value of their component companies.
The spinoff is not the first for IAC. In 2005, Diller spun off Expedia.com and other travel businesses at $25 per share while retaining control of the company. Expedia stock dropped to less than $15 per share but has climbed since, closing yesterday at $30.80.


text:
You are here
ATLANTA – AmeriCold, a third-party supplier of temperature-controlled supply chain solutions based here, is opening its second Charlotte, N.C. facility in a former Winn-Dixie distribution center. AmeriCold has invested close to $4 million in this 400,000-square-foot facility, which has more than 6.6 million cubic feet of freezer capacity (equating to 20,250 pallet positions) and over 4.5 million cubic feet of cooler space (9,500 pallet positions).
The Schwan Food Co. is among the customers that will are using AmeriCold's new Southeastern logistics hub.
"Charlotte is an ideal location to service both the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets economically," said Chris Hughes, group v.p. of supply chain solutions, AmeriCold, in a statement. "This distribution facility allows AmeriCold to continue to anticipate and meet customer demand and strategically complements our national network."


text:
In June of 2018, WBENC hosted the inaugural PepsiCo Choice Competition, a Shark Tank-like pitch competition that took place live onstage during the WBENC National Conference & Business Fair in Detroit, Michigan.
The competition put the spotlight on innovative female entrepreneurs with compelling stories and solutions or products impacting environmental sustainability, wellness and nutrition, and economic development. Applications were open to all WBENC-Certified WBEs, and three finalists were ultimately selected to give their best three-minute presentation on their company, product or innovation with the purpose of gaining valuable feedback from an expert panel of judges.
The three finalists pitched their innovative solution during the finale luncheon of the conference, including Pamela Isom of Ice Safety Solutions, Jaqueline Darna of NoMo Nausea Bands, and Jan Long of Mr. Canary Co.
But it was Dr. Jacqueline Darna, the medical inventor and CEO of NoMo Nausea Bands, who ultimately most impressed the judges and came away the winner, earning her $15,000 cash towards improving her business and mentoring sessions with PepsiCo executive.
We caught up with Dr. Darna recently to learn more about the story behind NoMo Nausea and how winning the PepsiCo Choice Competition has impacted her business.
Passion Behind the Product
Part of the reason Dr. Darna walked away the winner of the PepsiCo Choice Competition was the obvious passion she has for her product, which she says originated from her own life experiences.
“I had terrible nausea after giving birth to my second child,” she says. “This gave me the epiphany to create a nausea relief product for when medications did not work or when they came along with unfavorable side effects.” Her anesthetist gave her peppermint leaves and she had taped small balls of gauze to her wrist, at a point (P6) believed to relieve nausea.
“After smelling the leaves and creating a makeshift version of acupressure, I experienced nausea relief and could finally enjoy time with my new child,” she says.
Upon this discovery, Dr. Darna wanted others to experience relief, too. So she created the NoMo Nausea Band, an easy, natural, and fast-acting remedy for nausea.
“NoMo Nausea Bands are peppermint scented acupressure wristbands that are waterproof, clinically approved, work in 30 seconds and even come in a variety of colors,” she says. “Their slim design ensures they do not get in the way of daily activities and the multiple sizes ensures everyone, young and old, can experience nausea relief.”
Whether it’s from motion sickness, pregnancy or illness, Dr. Darna wants to improve people’s daily lives and often tells people to “imagine” their life or a day without nausea, because that is what her product provides.
“To be able to help multimillions of people on an everyday basis have a better quality of life, naturally, is truly the reason why I invented NoMo wristbands,” she says. "And it’s why I continue to strive to give those people the best quality of life they can have.”
Dr. Darna has stayed true to this statement and continued to expand her reach and line of products, including a NoMo Migraine Band for those suffering from headaches and migraines, the NoMo Nausea for Kids Band, and the NoMo Nausea for Dogs Band. Today, NoMo Nausea Bands are widely sold at well-known retailers such as Amazon, CVS Pharmacy, and Bed, Bath & Beyond, are recommended by 900 doctors, and have been published in clinical trials.
Winning the PepsiCo Choice Competition
Since winning the PepsiCo Choice Competition, Dr. Darna has continued to grow and strengthen her business, especially via the mentoring sessions provided by PepsiCo executives.
“We are extremely grateful to have won this award,” she says. “The resources the mentorship provides our team is extraordinary.” From finding ways to get NoMo Nausea on more retailers’ shelves to gaining deeper insights into pricing and P&L comparisons, the mentoring she and her team received provided the company with resources and support they could not find elsewhere.
“From P&L statements and pricing structure to supply chains and marketing, myself and my team are thriving in the new information, ideas and resources,” she says. “NoMo Nausea is undoubtedly utilizing this mentorship to fuel our company’s success strategically and effectively. Many thanks to WBENC for holding this competition and for our mentors at PepsiCo for this incredible opportunity and resources to strengthen their business.”
Stay tuned for more information on the 2019 PepsiCo Choice Competition, scheduled for Thursday, June 27 at the WBENC National Conference & Business Fair in Baltimore, Maryland.


text:
Flying Fish has announced that it has launched its new campaign on Twitter, titled 'What The Flying Fish?! / #FlowWithIt' campaign. The campaign conversation was kick-started by Twitter sensation and socialite Keabetswe Jan.
Brand spokesperson Colleen Duvenage says, "The '#WhatTheFlyingFish' / '#FlowWithIt' campaign, like Flying Fish, is fun, quirky and a refreshing brand. The aim is to inspire positivity in a difficult period across the world and show South Africans that our fun-loving natures and happy dispositions enable our resilience even in the toughest of times."
The '#WhatTheFlyingFish' / '#FlowWithIt' campaign advocates that life will be full of 'WhatTheFlyingFish' moments, where unexpected challenges are thrown our way. The answer to this is to open your mind and move into acceptance, according to the brand.
In such situations, when faced with a 'sink or swim' option, the brand suggests that we simply '#FlowWithIt'.
Keabetswe launched the brand-synced content with her personal choice to '#FlowWithIt' in her experience of 2020. The hashtag '#FlowWithIt' is double-edged, according to the brand, serving in the second instance as an invitation to flow the conversation on social media and to repost, respond and engage.
For more information, visit www.addsomeflavour.co.za. You can also follow Flying Fish on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.


text:
Advertising hones in on insecurities about self-image and targets desire for perfectionism, even though common sense would say that no one can be perfect. That’s where the Truth in Advertising Act steps in. The bipartisan act would require the Federal Trade Commission to monitor advertising having to do with the faces and bodies of models. Although the act’s wording includes protecting children from the damage caused by images altered by photo editing programs, even adults fall prey to desiring the slim, muscular stature and wrinkle-free skin of models, as portrayed in advertising. The Truth in Advertising Act petition seeks to protect consumers from the false impressions of unrealistic beauty created by photo editing.
Spearheaded by a father and former advertising executive who says the standard of “mass perfection” created by false advertising is creating a sickness in society as real as a physical illness, the Truth in Advertising Act seeks legislation to investigate and regulate advertising. He says that photo editing creates “anatomically impossible, fake and unhealthy images.” With a digital change in color and lighting and specific cropping, photo editors can create false ideals. The resulting feelings of inferiority or desire for ridiculously thin bodies by consumers could lead to eating disorders and/or substance abuse.
At present the Truth in Advertising Act is under study by a government committee, which will consider sending it to the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate for further consideration. More than 14,000 people have signed support of the petition, including a coalition of eating disorder groups and child advocates. Supporters want health and business experts to work alongside the Federal Trade Commission in finding ways to reduce the significant alteration of human images. “Our young people should be taught to lead healthy lifestyles, not to conform to advertiser’s fake idea of beauty,’’ said Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Florida Republican who introduced the bill.


text:
A number of businesses have made remarkable gains by integrating design thinking into their development process—not the least of which was Hovey-Kelley, which morphed in the early ’90s into IDEO, the international design giant. Some universities are even beginning to include a mandatory course in design thinking in the general curriculum. Some corporate strategy experts argue that design thinking is nearing the kind of inflection point that the Quality movement reached in the late 1980s, when the total quality methodology became an inescapable part of doing business. Yet some critics are saying design thinking is dead. But the truth is its value lies in the worldview it propagates.
Greater China is now Apple’s number two market after North America, comprising 24% of its business. In October, Apple CEO Tim Cook told investors he expects Greater China will eventually become the company’s top global market. To be sure, Apple faces challenges in Greater China. Sales in the region rose 14% in the company’s first fiscal quarter ended December 26 to $18.4 billion, compared to 70% in the same period a year ago. In a January earnings call, Cook said Apple is starting to see “signs of economic softness” in Greater China. Does the tech giant have staying power in what is now its number two market?
Companies that have spent months being feted by the media don’t tend to revise down their sales target, but in March Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi did just that—from 100 million units set in December 2014 to 80-100 million. Rival Chinese brand Huawei overtook Xiaomi in the third quarter as China’s top smartphone vendor. It’s a reality check for the upstart vendor, which soared to fame and a $45 billion valuation in less than five years as China’s first-time smartphone buyers snapped up handsets at a furious rate. But Xiaomi isn’t the only one hurting from the smartphone market slowdown in China.
Jim Collins, author of classics like Built to Last and Good to Great, on great companies, managing in a networked world and leadership
Apple China is back in the reckoning; Walmart announces brave expansion plan and Alibaba gives the YunOS a renewed push.
Having conquered China’s smartphone market, Xiaomi now wants to take over your living room—and the world
Online video platform LeTV believes its new smartphone can demolish competition. Is that too wild an ambition?
As Chinese tech company Xiaomi completes a phenomenal five years, we take you through the major milestones in its journey so far.
China’s national broadcaster CCTV shames errant companies on World Consumer Rights Day. A look at some of those who have been in the firing line in the past.
This week, Shanghai brought the annual practice of fixing GDP growth targets into sharp focus by simply abandoning it; Alibaba and SAIC washed their dirty linen in public; and Apple posted record profits bolstered by Chinese fans of the iPhone 6.


text:
- The draft e-commerce policy, shared with stakeholders on Monday for consultations, has proposed that such pricing policy be stopped from a specified date to regulate the sector.
- The policy, the first of its kind for the booming segment, has proposed legislation that will also cover food delivery sites such as Swiggy and Zomato, online service aggregators like UrbanClap as well as platforms offering financial and payment products such as Paytm and Policybazaar.
Key recommendations :-
- Barring group companies of e-commerce players from “directly or indirectly influencing” sale prices. This may mean restrictions on retail strategies of e-commerce majors with subsidiaries.
- The draft mentions that Bulk purchases of branded goods like mobile phones, white goods, fashion items “by related party sellers which lead to price distortions in a marketplace” will be prohibited. This, if accepted in the final policy, may seriously affect sale strategies of big ecommerce players.
- The policy also suggests Indian owned and Indian-controlled online marketplaces be allowed to hold inventory as long as products are 100% domestically produced. This relaxation on marketplace e-commerce firms is not available for entities controlled by foreign investment.
- For Indian founders with minority stakes, the draft suggests there should be differential voting rights giving founders more control.
- It defines an Indian e-commerce firm as that where foreign investment doesn’t exceed 49%, where the founder/promoter is a resident Indian, and the platform company is controlled by Indian management.
Further, the draft policy also suggests a sunset clause for deep discounting, suggesting a “maximum duration” be set for “differential pricing strategies”. CCI and the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) have been asked to flesh out this aspect.
- The draft policy also proposes a single legislation to address all aspects of digital economy and a single regulator for issues related to FDI implementation and consumer protection. It says legal fragmentation seen across various laws governing the ecommerce sector should be corrected.
- It has also favoured simplified GST procedures for ecommerce by allowing centralized registration instead of local registration and displaying requirement for each place of business.
On data localisation, the draft says only personal data or community data collected by “internet of things” devices in “public space” will need to be stored in India. Other data, which have no personal or community implications, can be stored anywhere. However, the draft suggests a two-year sunset period before making data localisation mandatory.
Greater Regulatory Scrutiny of M&As
- The draft suggests a separate wing be set up in the Enforcement Directorate to handle grievances related to Press Note 3, which details guidelines for foreign investment in e-commerce.
- Greater regulatory scrutiny has been recommended for mergers and acquisitions that may “distort competition’ and a relook has been suggested on what constitutes entry barriers and anti-competitive practices.
- The Competition Commission of India has been asked to undertake such exercises. This assumes significance in the light of the recent acquisition of Flipkart by US retail major Walmart.


text:
According to reports published by ThreatFabric, android apps on Google Play Store which stole banking details had more than 300,000 downloads by unsuspecting users. These seemingly harmless apps masqueraded as QR scanners, cryptocurrency wallets, and PDF scanners, and maliciously stole sensitive financial data. User details like passwords, two-factor authentication codes, users’ logged keystrokes, and much more ended up getting stolen by these apps which mainly fall under four families of malware, namely Anatsa, Alien, Hydra, and Ermac. Google has been trying to combat this issue with their introduction of a number of restrictions which are aimed at curbing the distribution of such apps. This, in turn, has prompted the development of ingenious methods of bypassing Google Play Store security restrictions by the minds behind these malwares.
As explained by ThreatFabric, malware content is not introduced directly via Google Play Store, thereby avoiding detection. Users are lured into downloading additional updates from third-party sources by these apps. The cybercriminals have gone so far as to manually trigger the download of such updates after having tracked the location of the devices with these apps downloaded.
Some of the malicious apps as identified by the cybersecurity experts include QR Scanner, QR Scanner 2021, Two Factor Authenticator, Protection Guard, QR CreatorScanner, Master Scanner Live, CryptoTracker, PDF Document Scanner, PDF Document Scanner Free, and Gym and Fitness Trainer.
Of the four predominant families of malwares, with over 100,000 downloads, Antasa tops the list. The large number of downloads and good reviews, as well as decent functionality of the apps themselves, gave them an appearance of legitimacy. After being downloaded from the Google Play Store, however, these apps prompted users to further download additional third party content in order to be used. This turned out to be malware, which, upon installation, was able to steal sensitive financial details and capture all activity on the device’s screen.
In an April blog post by Google, the company detailed the measures they have been taking to counteract such malicious apps, including restricting the amount of access the developers have to sensitive information. However, Google Play Protect does not provide a competent enough level of security, especially when compared to the prominent anti-malware programs in the market, according to a July test by German IT security institute AV-Test. Around 20,000 malicious apps were tested, and it could only detect about two-third of them.


text:
Digital TV News: Reed Hastings
Comcast to launch Netflix on X1
Nov 4, 2016 – Comcast has announced the launch of Netflix on millions of X1 devices. Netflix content will be integrated into Xfinity On Demand, enabling X1 customers to watch past and current seasons of shows all in one place.
News categories: Comcast, Netflix, Neil Smit, Reed Hastings, Cable TV, Digital TV, Middleware, Set Top Box, Streaming, USA
Liberty Global announces global Netflix partnership
Sep 14, 2016 – Liberty Global has revealed a multi-year partnership with Netflix which will lead to Netflix’s content being made available to Liberty Global video customers across more than 30 countries around the world.
News categories: Liberty Global, Netflix, Mike Fries, Reed Hastings, Cable TV, Digital TV, Mobile, Streaming, Worldwide
Netflix’s international pricing under the spotlight
Feb 15, 2016 – According to Digital TV Research, many were surprised when Netflix announced its global pricing strategy at CES. The rates are reasonable in developed countries, but are high in developing ones.
News categories: Digital TV Research, Netflix, Digital TV, Market Research, Streaming, Worldwide
Netflix launches its service globally
Jan 6, 2016 – Netflix has launched its service globally, simultaneously bringing its Internet TV network to more than 130 new countries around the world. The company made the announcement -- and the service went live -- at CES 2016.
News categories: Netflix, Reed Hastings, CES2022, Digital TV, Streaming, Worldwide
Netflix to launch in Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan
Sep 8, 2015 – Netflix has announced that it will expand into South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan in early 2016 as it moves to complete its global rollout by the end of next year. Netflix first became available in Asia earlier this month with the start of service in Japan.
News categories: Netflix, Reed Hastings, Digital TV, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Streaming, Taiwan
Netflix is available in Cuba
Feb 9, 2015 – Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) will offer a broad range of great global entertainment to Cuban consumers as Internet access improves and credit and debit cards become more widely available.
News categories: Netflix, Reed Hastings, Cuba, Digital TV, Streaming
Netflix to launch in Japan
Feb 4, 2015 – Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) has announced that it will expand this autumn into Japan, as it moves to complete its global rollout by the end of 2016. The rollout will follow the March expansion of the Netflix service into Australia and New Zealand.
News categories: Netflix, Reed Hastings, Gregory K. Peters, Digital TV, Japan, Streaming
Netflix to reach 100 million international subscribers by 2020
Sep 22, 2014 – Digital TV Research has estimated that Netflix is aiming for 104 million international subscribers by 2020 - just for the countries where it has already launched.
News categories: Digital TV Research, Netflix, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Digital TV, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latin America, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Streaming, Subscribers, Sweden, UK
Bouygues Telecom to offer Netflix from November
Sep 15, 2014 – Bouygues Telecom announces the signing of an agreement with Netflix meaning that its Bbox Sensation and future Android TV Box customers will get access to Netflix's unlimited subscription VOD service directly on their televisions.
News categories: Bouygues Telecom, Netflix, Olivier Roussat, Reed Hastings, Android TV, Apps, Digital TV, France, IPTV, Mobile, Set Top Box, Streaming
- Wurl offers global FAST channel distribution for content companies
- Accedo and Nreal bring streaming to lightweight AR glasses
- HBO up 1.9 million; Vrio down 178,000 video subs in 3Q 2021
- RTL Group and Amobee to form TechAlliance addressable TV JV
- Claro Box TV streaming in Colombia powered by Harmonic
- Verizon FIOS consumer video subscribers down 68,000 in 3Q 2021
- Vodafone España provides real-time accurate EPG with Alpha Networks and MediaData TV
- Vewd and Mediatek bring entertainment to vehicle rear-seats
- Conviva expands into advertising audience measurement
- C Spire to acquire Troy Cablevision
- Software Freedom Conservancy sues Vizio for GPL violations
- Altibox Android TV service goes live with 3SS and Technicolor
- Sunrise UPC launches yallo TV in Switzerland
- ATEME embeds Viaccess-Orca contribution watermarking
- Deloitte releases results of Digital Media Trends Fall Pulse survey
- RFE receives Android TV Operator Tier certification for IPTV STB
- Disney+ coming to Hisense and Toshiba TVs with VIDAA Smart OS
- Tremor International acquires Spearad
- TekSavvy TV footprint expands across Canada
- Airtel launches Video Platform as a Service product


text:
As Philip and Hollee Terry and their three kids were putting the finishing touches on a radiant rising sun at the center of a new mural on the west side of their shop, they had no idea the bright future that would soon dawn for their small meat processing business.
Last year they signed up to have the blank space transformed into an eye-catching scene as a tribute to the Chisholm Trail and part of a citywide beautification campaign.
Now they’re in the process of expanding as they aim to take advantage of a unique moment in history, when new customers are streaming through the door and small plants like theirs are getting renewed attention at the highest levels of state and federal government.
“We’re hoping this systemic shift in consumer behavior is here to stay,” Hollee said.
A broad consensus has emerged within the beef industry that the U.S. needs more packing capacity, and any expansion will likely come in the form of more small-to-mid-sized plants.
Speaking to the Texas Cattle Feeders Association in early October, Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, observed, “The key thing we have today is that we are out-of-balance with the number of animals we are producing versus our harvest capacity… Market access is a big deal, and what we really need is some additional packing capacity.”
Having additional smaller, more nimble plants would make the beef industry “less vulnerable to extreme events,” he said.
Most small processors are now scheduled out for months in advance and even turning business away. Enid Packing operates a retail store, Big Country Meats, and wholesales to a few locally owned burger joints, but around half their business comes from area producers in need of custom slaughtering services.
“We have lots of farmers that are selling meat now and calling us booking kill dates. It’s really been a boon for local cattle,” Hollee Terry said.
But there’s a catch; capacity is limited.
“Prior to Covid, the local ranchers could get their animals in within a week or two, and we were able to accommodate emergencies and also wild game and deer season,” Terry said. “Due to Covid-19, we don’t have the room. Demand has increased, and we are operating at max capacity.”
Normally it’s closer to 60 percent, but that changed overnight when grocery store shelves emptied, and shoppers came to them seeking an alterative.
“People were really genuinely scared, but we were able to assuage some of the fear because we owned the whole supply from beginning to end,” Terry said.
Around that same time, the Oklahoma Youth Expo was cancelled midway through the show.
“All of those animals needed to be slaughtered,” she noted. “The fact is there are very few slaughterhouses that will do it, and we were trying to help the kids.”
Workdays at the plant have been long and grueling. Hollee’s husband, a certified plumbing and construction contractor, moved routine maintenance to Sundays to free up as much time as possible to slaughter more animals. They never ran out of ground beef, despite a tripling of demand.
“We never changed what we ground, never compromised any of it, and that’s a testament to our amazing staff and our amazing network of farmers,” she said.
Customer calls came in from far and wide. One woman from North Dakota wanted 20 pounds of ground beef and convinced a family member who lived in the panhandle to drive to Enid, pick it up and deliver it to her.
“People had a real palpable fear. It was sad,” Terry said. “But it wasn’t that the farmers didn’t have cows; they had them in spades. It was the bottleneck at the processing sector, where a cow gets made into an edible product.”
State grants to the rescue
When demand surged, small meat plants everywhere went into overdrive, and many states have now stepped in to support them.
Oklahoma directed $10 million out of $141 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (or CARES) funds to small meat processors, with Enid Packing receiving $350,000.
“I couldn’t believe it. I really thought they missed a decimal point somewhere,” Terry said. “I did not expect it, just because it’s like winning the lottery. When you buy a lotto ticket, do you expect to get it?”
Though money was distributed to all corners of the state, it was still a selective process: only 41 out of 190 applicants received funding.
One thing that impressed Terry is how quickly the money became available: within a couple of weeks. As a former grant manager in grad school, she considers that truly remarkable given how slowly the gears of government normally turn.
“It was lightening quick. Everything was upended (by the pandemic) so for them to move that kind of money around that fast is amazing,” she said. “They wanted the people of Oklahoma not to have to worry. They really did an excellent job of spending the money to benefit the most people.”
Oklahoma might be behind the coasts in picking up on the artisan-butchering trend, but the state has been a leader in addressing the butchering backlog, she said. Neighboring states are also taking action.
Rick Hitchcock is the second-generation owner of a custom locker plant in Kiowa, Kansas, as well as Chieftain Brand Meats, a store downtown. His plant is one of 800 federally inspected facilities left in the U.S.
“I’ve been doing this 45 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this before,” he said of the pandemic-fueled demand.
He applied through the state’s Securing Local Food Systems grant program to help cover some of the investments he’s made to keep up, and received $100,000.
“The support is definitely a good thing, it makes you feel good,” he said. “It will be a tremendous help to a lot of plants. It will be a tremendous help to me.”
Hitchcock estimated he’s spent more than a quarter of a million dollars since the spring on repairs and new equipment. In the case of a band saw, he was forced to buy a new one rather than wait around indefinitely for a replacement part.
Overall, the increased business has been a mixed bag.
“To be honest, we were better off before,” he said. “We were getting along and paying our bills. Now we’re running six days a week, with 300 to 350 hours overtime every week for our employees, and I’m paying $4,000 to USDA for their overtime.”
When a federal meat inspector puts in more than 40 hours a week, the plant must cover the additional cost. Hitchcock added five new employees with current capacity maxed out at 60 head a week.
“It’s a whole lot more stressful,” he said. “I never had to keep a calendar a year out until this year. It’s just made everything harder to keep track of and more paperwork.”
“If it was a third less, everything would probably be perfect,” he continued. “But if it continues like this, we’ll probably end up working two shifts instead of one, and I’ll be sleeping a lot less.”
While things have changed dramatically, he doesn’t expect to see a reversal of the trend toward more industry consolidation, especially with the ongoing decline in the number of small farms. In fact, he believes the ongoing health crisis might actually accelerate processing automation and consolidation.
“There’s a need for businesses like this, but what the future holds is anybody’s guess,” he said. “I think, with Covid, these big plants will develop robotics faster than they would have otherwise.”
Building toward a brighter future
In Enid, Terry said her family is pouring their grant money into a major expansion. They plan to at least double, and possibly triple, their current 5-head-a-day capacity.
“We already own the block and a half between the kill house and the store, and that’s where we’re putting a new facility with two dedicated processing rooms, additional coolers and a smokehouse,” she said. “We would like to double our staff size. Right now we have 10 employees.”
They’ve already started on the improvements. The grant stipulates the money must be spent by the end of the year.
Benefits of the expansion will overflow into the local community, Terry said.
“In the long term, I see a health benefit to people eating more natural meats,” she said. “We cure our own bacon, hams and sausages, and you’re not getting all of the preservatives. At Walmart, a package of ground beef has an ingredient list. Ground beef shouldn’t have an ingredient list.”
Like many small processors, Enid Packing has been integral to the community for many years.
“We are very large supporters and donors to local food banks, with thousands and thousands of pounds donated through several programs we sponsor,” she said. Among them is “Hunters against Hunger,” which distributes wild game meat to those in need.
Like the Kiowa plant, which Hitchcock took over from his father and hopes to pass on to his son, Enid Packing is a multigenerational business. Hollee’s dad, Carl Lightfield, started the business in 1987. The couple stepped in to run it after he passed away in 2018.
He was a low-key guy and not one to toot his own horn. But he loved the community and instilled life lessons that can’t be learned in a book, Hollee said.
When she told him how thrilled she was to get her first car at age 16, he warned her, “don’t ever love anything that can’t love you back.” If she complained about not having the same stuff her friends had, he was quick with a comeback. “Evidently you need poorer friends,” he’d say.
When she came in to help around the store, he set high standards.
“No matter where you go, always wash the floors like you own the place,” he told her.
She can’t help thinking now how thrilled he would be to see the reaction of customers, the brisk sales and the big expansion underway. The new mural, painted by local artists Ty and Kelly Tompkins, keeps him close.
The image features a real-life longhorn steer named Twister. Perched on one of his dramatically sweeping horns is a swallow-tailed flycatcher, the state bird. The two animals share a symbiotic relationship, just as Terry’s parents did as they ran the business together for more than two decades.
“We like to say it’s mom and dad hanging out with us,” Terry said. £


text:
It's increasingly difficult to say Alphabet (GOOG -1.00%) (GOOGL -1.05%) isn't taking the work-at-home movement seriously. On Thursday, its flagship brand Google updated its video conferencing platform Meet to make it look more like the one offered by Zoom Video Communications (ZM -1.42%). As part of the overhaul, the company also integrated Meet with its Gmail email service. Google vice president Javier Soltero told Reuters that was just one of several new Meet features being launched while the COVID-19 outbreak has forced millions of people to work from home.
The pandemic has rattled businesses in a way they weren't quite prepared for. Most employees remain healthy and are able to work remotely, but with coronavirus-related shutdowns now being measured in weeks, real-time and face-to-face communication is becoming necessary. The aforementioned Zoom was one video conferencing option, but a major security flaw was discovered last month that sent many users scrambling for alternatives. Google, in fact, banned the use of Zoom on its company laptops.
Google has undoubtedly benefited from the contagion's impact. A week ago, Soltero wrote "Earlier this week, we surpassed a new milestone, with more than 2 million new users connecting on Google Meet every day." Underscoring the company's response to this quickly unfolding opportunity is Google's recent request to trademark the term "Google Meet."
Alphabet isn't the only major technology name chasing the new video conferencing opportunity, however. Microsoft (MSFT -1.41%) has ramped up promotion of its Teams platform, which facilitates a variety of online, remote communication. Verizon (VZ -1.10%) also announced on Thursday it would be acquiring a video conferencing company called BlueJeans.


text:
Despite some initial delays, Arris is jumping into the retail market for DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems with its latest modem model.
Arris Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRS), a leading player in the emerging wholesale market for DOCSIS 3.1 modems and other gear, announced that it's now offering its SB8200 modem directly to consumers and businesses through both its own online store and Amazon.com. The modem, which was certified by CableLabs last June, lists on the Amazon site as an Amazon Prime product for $199.99 but is reported to be temporarily out of stock right now. Arris says the modem will soon be available at other retailers as well. (See Arris Bags Ruckus Assets in $800M Deal.)
In an interesting side note on the Amazon site, Arris says that the modem has been approved for use by Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) and Cox Communications Inc. so far. Further, on its own site, Arris says that the modem is pending approval by Charter Communications Inc. and other MSOs, which it doesn't name.
Comcast has been steadily rolling out DOCSIS 3.1 in markets throughout the US since last spring. But Cox, which has been testing D3.1, has not yet announced when it will start rolling out the next-gen cable broadband spec. And Charter has said next to nothing about its DOCSIS 3.1 plans so far.
It's not yet clear how much of a retail market there will be for DOCSIS 3.1 modems and gateways. But at least two other major equipment vendors are banking on a market developing. Netgear Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR) is already selling a D3.1 modem for $179.99, while Linksys announced at CES last month that it plans to start selling a D3.1 modem for $199.99 by April.
Like other initial DOCSIS 3.1 modems, Arris' SB8200 model also supports the older DOCSIS 3.0 spec. The SB8200 features two gigabit Ethernet ports, 32 download and eight upload SC-QAM channels for D3.0 channel bonding, two download OFDM and two upload OFDMA channels for D3.1 capability and support for both IPv4 and IPv6.
— Alan Breznick, Cable/Video Practice Leader, Light Reading


text:
Hollywood, FL, Release: May 26, 2020. For immediate release
GRAND BAND™ has launched a new Official E-Commerce site for online shopping enthusiasts and customers who want an easy to use, quick, and affordable place to find all their GRAND BAND™ money band needs. In addition to the clean and easy to navigate format, Grand Band has stepped forward in offering fashionable trending images that can be Engraved for men and women making them memorable and special.This new Official GRAND BAND™ site now offers customers the opportunity to view the styles and variations for Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Wedding Favors, Birthdays, Graduation, Mother’s Day and Gifts for Any Occasion. In addition to the new and exciting styles being introduced, customization by way of Engraving, 14KT Gold Letters, and Color of Bands will be available.
“We are growing GRAND BAND™ from a small gift idea, to the leading Men’s and Women’s wallet alternative – The solution to the Bulky wallet. People are looking for an item that can fit all their cards and cash conveniently in one place. Wallets and money clips simply can’t compete with the versatility of our Money Bands. Now with the launch of our new direct to consumer site, customers will be able to easily & quickly view, select, & customize the Money Band(s) they want!”, said GRAND BAND™ Vice President of Operations & Sales, Adam Ziefer.
Since 2001,GRAND BAND™ is proud to be American: invented in America, owned by an American company, and fully manufactured domestically. The company's efforts have transformed a small niche product into a high-profile must-have. Family-owned and operated, GRAND BAND™ has blossomed from a humble enterprise into the single source for one of the country's most desired new fashion evolving products.
Once known only in the New York area, the GRAND BAND™ has found its place on a global map: you might have noticed the GRAND BAND™ presence at the most recent Super Bowl, Spotted on everyone from New York fashionistas to Wall Street scions to L.A. moms, it's one of the most desired personal accessories in the marketplace.
Name: GRAND BAND™
Address: 916 N. 20th Ave. Hollywood, FL 33020


text:
Swisscom to raise prices in line with inflation from June
Swisscom, one of the largest mobile phone, landline, TV and internet providers in Switzerland, has announced that it will be raising its prices in line with inflation from June 1. The company has told its customers that it reserves the right to increase prices for both new customers and those on pre-agreed contracts.
Swisscom to give itself the right to raise prices
In an email to customers, reported in 20 Minuten, Swisscom said that it will be adapting its “general conditions of sale” from June 1, 2023. As part of the reforms, Swisscom said it now reserves “the right to revise our prices at any time in line with inflation… Any price change will be communicated in advance, in due time.”
Any price increases will be calculated through the Consumer Price Index (CPI) - the main barometer for inflation in Switzerland. The new rules will also allow the company to change the prices for people who are looking to start a new contract and customers with a contract already in place.
Once a customer accepts the terms and conditions, Swisscom will be allowed to increase the price of their package once a year, regardless of the contract’s duration. Swisscom will also waive customers' right to cancel their contracts following notice of a price rise, meaning they will have to wait out the contract duration before being able to switch providers, even if the price has gone up.
Swiss consumer association condemns the change
The move was condemned by the Swiss consumer protection association SKS, with director Sara Stadler noting that the price rises will spark a “vicious cycle”: as the price of phone lines, internet and telecommunications services are used by the CPI to calculate inflation, if Swisscom increases its prices, the CPI will also rise, allowing for further price inflation.
What’s more, the SKS noted that customers will struggle to complain as they have announced the change months in advance. “Swisscom thus protects itself in advance and gives itself carte blanche to regularly increase its prices without having to fear the consequences,” Stadler concluded.
Other mobile and internet providers in Switzerland to follow suit
20 Minuten added that while Swisscom is the first to announce the change, other providers are set to follow suit. Salt and Sunrise have both told the newspaper that inflation-related price rises should come in 2024.
Thumb image: Shutterstock.com / Marlon Trottmann


text:
It's getting to where you hate to pick up a magazine, click on the TV or even go to a sporting goods store. Everywhere you turn, an instant “expert” is lecturing you on the shortcomings of agriculture.
One recent evening, TV news watchers were shown a video of male baby chicks being discarded at an egg hatchery in Iowa. The surreptitiously obtained footage was aimed at raising consumer ire against “factory farming.”
Cotton producers have been confronted with signs above a display of polyester clothing distributed by Under Armour that read “COTTON IS THE ENEMY.” Efforts to get sporting goods stores to change the message have been fruitless.
An article in the Aug. 21 edition of Time magazine may win the prize for being an affront to agriculture, however. Bryan Walsh's story, “Getting Real about the High Price of Cheap Food,” is a classic case of stretching and bending the truth to prove a point.
Walsh's article purports to show that America's abundant supply of cheap food comes at a high price to the environment, animals and humans. What it shows is how little Walsh and others who share his views know about farming and the economics of feeding a growing world population.
The story, which can be found on the Time.com Web site, contains many of the claims environmental and organic farm groups have been making for years, but Time's elevation of Walsh's opinion piece into a full-blown cover story has surprised farm organizations.
Walsh takes the two or three incidents of “bad actors” that sold tainted food to consumers in the last 12 months and turns them into an indictment of the U.S. food supply as “bad for us, even dangerous.”
The article concedes that Americans spend less than 10 percent of their incomes on food, but Walsh gives little credit to innovations by farmers. He claims a transition to more sustainable, smaller-scale production methods could be possible without a loss in overall yield.
“But it would require far more farmworkers than we have today,” he writes. “With unemployment approaching double digits — and things especially grim in impoverished rural areas — that's hardly a bad thing.”
Those are the words of someone who has never spent a day on a 1950s and 1960s farm or seen the figures on the hundreds of hours it takes farmers in Africa to clear their fields for planting due to a lack of herbicides.
(In a radio interview, Walsh said Time is going away from objective reporting and moving toward becoming part of the conversation. He said he had heard opposing views to the opinions expressed in the article, but chose not to include them.)
It's fine to have a “conversation” when the participants have some knowledge of what they're talking about. Sadly, that isn't the case with Walsh.


text:
The first ever Miami Grand Prix in 2022 created some terrific storylines, but not all of them were entirely positive. Notably the 'fake marina' that almost broke the internet.
But 12 months on from being roundly mocked for apparently attempting to recreate Monaco without the water, the Florida race is raising its aqua game for the 2023 edition on Sunday May 7.
Per US sports business leader Front Office Sports, race organisers are now offering a VIP 'marina' package dubbed the 'Sunset Cabana'. And it appears to come with REAL WATER. No more fakes, this is the real deal.
Marina package comes with eye-popping price tag
Of course all of this luxury (and water) comes at a price, with F1 gradually growing into a massive attraction in the United States. Thanks in no small part to the hit Netflix documentary show 'Drive to Survive'.
The price tag for the 'Sunset Cabana' comes in at a cool $67,000. To soften the blow just a little, those Cabanas can hold up to 15 people. Party time...
READ MORE: F1 WAGs in 2023: Who are the partners of Verstappen, Horner and co?


text:
Southport Rugby Football Club is delighted to have concluded a two year sponsorship agreement with the iconic alcoholic ginger beer brand,Crabbie’s, a key brand in the Halewood Wines & Spirits portfolio of successful and growing brands.
The deal, which commences immediately, will cover this season and the 2018/19 season.
Renowned for its refreshing range of drinks and having sponsored the Grand National at Aintree for numerous years it is apt that on October 7 Crabbie’s will sponsor the Merseyside 'derby' game between Southport and Sefton and also play a significant role in supporting the Club's ever popular Ladies Day in the Grand Marquee overlooking the main pitch.
Having sold out yet again this year, with 300 guests with the help of Crabbie’s, will raise money to support the cancer charity 'Headcase'.
Following this, on November, 3 Crabbie’s will collaborate with the Club to present the spectacular annual Fireworks extravaganza, and again in 2018.
The involvement of Crabbie’s in these superb events will make them even bigger and better than ever to provide a cornerstone to support the growth and awareness of the increasingly popular sport of rugby union in the town, especially the exciting open running style that Southport has developed throughout the club.
Commenting on the agreement Steve Olive, Chairman of Southport RFC said: “We were delighted as a Club in 2016 that our 1st XV were nominated for Team of the Year at the Crabbie’s National Rugby Awards held at Twickenham.
“Now, to have Crabbie’s, who are totally committed to supporting grass roots rugby, as a key sponsor of the Club is fantastic.
“We look forward to their participation in adding more glamour to Ladies Day and I am sure they will enjoy both the game and the fabulous atmosphere which this event always generates at the Club.”
Bob Kelly Sales Manager at Halewood International Ltd commented, “Crabbie’s is a key brand in our portfolio and has a high profile commitment to supporting the development of grass roots rugby.
“We are excited to be able to collaborate with Southport RFC, a great example of a successful, ambitious and innovative Community Rugby Club, located in our 'own backyard'.
“We look forward to this being a strong and beneficial relationship for both parties.”


text:
An FTC Warning
The Federal Trade Commission takes pride in their mission to “champion the interests of American consumers.” While they track and monitor retailers, they also do the same with our spending habits. This leads to a comprehensive ability to identify trends or concerns. Recently, they’ve issued a warning regarding online shopping.
In the first six months of 2020, consumers have lost approximately $117 million in shopping scams. That’s already more than in all of 2019. Additionally, 1 in 4 of these victims reports the scam was from a social media ad with 94% identifying the origin of the ad from Facebook and Instagram.
So how do you keep yourself from becoming a victim? Previously we’ve mentioned using credit cards or private shopping services. These both allow you easier disputing avenues than your bank. (Plus, they’re another layer of defense against your bank information being stolen.)
Also, the FTC urges consumers to research before you click. If you’ve never heard of the company, do a quick web search. You can quickly find online if other people have had difficulties or complaints. Education is key!
If you do come across a scam, make sure to report it to the FTC. They’re working their hardest to shut down fraudulent retailers. If we all work together, we can do a better job collectively of keeping each other away from scams.
I hope you all get the best out of this holiday season, and, as always, stay safe out there.


text:
New Workplace Rules Have Whole Foods Employees ‘Crying’ and ‘Having Nightmares’
Work is hard – even at Whole Foods. But when you have a generation of millennials that have been given a trophy for every effort, no matter how small, you aren’t going to have a workforce that appreciates hard work.
Millennials are shaping up to be a generation that doesn’t know how to push themselves or to have the need to impress others. They are, with some rare exceptions, a generation that can’t fathom being pushed out of their comfort zone.
Some companies probably attract these snowflakes more than others. I would assume liberal companies mostly attract liberal employees. However, that doesn’t mean the liberal companies don’t expect the employees to get the job done. They do need to make money after all.
Apparently the stress of working for Whole Foods has employees needing extra yoga time and more almond milk in their sippy cups.
H/T Fox News
Employees at Whole Foods Market say the company’s new policies have thrown their workday into chaos, with one supervisor saying it’s not uncommon to see stressed-out employees crying on the job.
Workers for the Austin-based supermarket chain tell Business Insider that the store’s new “order-to-shelf” inventory system has been taking a toll on the staff since the guidelines were implemented last year.
“I wake up in the middle of the night from nightmares about maps and inventory,” said one Whole Foods employee who spoke with Business Insider. “The stress has created such a tense working environment. Seeing someone cry at work is becoming normal.”
Under the new procedure, store managers and employees are instructed to display the store’s inventory mostly on its shelves, rather than hold a larger inventory in a back room and constantly restock — a practice that leads to stores “constantly running out of products,” according to one employee.
This order-to-shelf system, or OTS, is also the same system that was recently blamed for the empty shelves spotted at Whole Foods locations across the country, but employees have claimed that the “militaristic” inventory system prevented them from doing much to correct the problem.
Making matters worse are the new “scorecards” that managers are expected to grade their employees with. According to Business Insider, these scorecards record how an employee stocked a certain shelf, or managed the storage area for their department. Supervisors are also expected to quiz employees on the best-selling items or sales goals for that particular week, and deduct points for unsatisfactory results, if necessary.
“Every item in our department has a designated spot that is labeled or marked,” another employee told the publication. “If that item is even an inch outside of its designated spot … we receive negative marks.”
Any employee who scores below an 89.9 is possibly subject to termination, say workers.
And while lower-scoring employees have been terminated under the new “scorecard” system, an anonymous employee said store leaders and even one regional vice president have quit “because they consider OTS to be absurd.”
Other employees say they hope that Amazon, which recently acquired Whole Foods, will come to their rescue. (The implementation of Whole Foods’ OTS system predates Amazon’s acquisition of the company.) But as Gizmodo notes, Amazon’s own delivery drivers are working under “similar conditions” and struggling to finish their routes on time.
Now I don’t shop at Whole Foods and obviously don’t work there, but it seems to me that these employees need some lessons in stress, and perhaps time, management.
People of Facebook had no trouble responding to the Whole Foods employees. Daniel Peters says “I am deployed to a combat zone. Please tell me more about the “militaristic” system you have to put up with.”
Then there is Rick O’Shea, who commented “Yeah? I wake up from nightmares about dead and mangled friends in Iraq. I wake up from nightmares about teenagers dying in a car wreck while I held their hand and lied to them telling them they were going to be fine. I wake up from nightmares about pulling 4 pounds of slack out of a 5 pound trigger, on a guy who was legitimately reaching for his wallet. So you’ll excuse me if my tears don’t mingle with yours.”
Yes, workplace stress exists and it’s ok to complain from time to time. But I think perhaps these employees could be taught a lesson in perspective.
As my parents used to tell me when I would whine about my first job, “That’s why they call it work!” I would also remind the employees of the great thing about America, if you don’t like your job, quit and find one that you do!


text:
Alistair Darling announced in the pre-Budget report that he would allow small businesses suffering losses this year to set them against up to £50,000 of profits made during the last three years.
It could mean an additional cash rebate of up to £20,000 from the taxman for thousands of businesses struggling to manage their way through the recession.
But accountants have spotted that unincorporated businesses have been disadvantaged by the way that the Treasury has set up the scheme.
Anita Monteith, tax adviser at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, said it stipulated that the relief was available for the 2008-09 tax year.
As the profits and losses of unincorporated businesses are taxed against the income tax year which runs from April 6 to March 5, it means small businesses with accounting year ends in the first half of 2008 may lose out as they would not yet have seen the impact of the recession.
It will mean that they are unable to claim the relief as they are most likely to record losses in the following accounting period, which for income tax purposes will be the 2009-10 tax year.
Small companies are unaffected as they are taxed on their accounting period.
"The period as it is currently set out appears to discriminate against unincorporated businesses, which is surely unintended," she said.
To solve the problem, the ICAEW is suggesting that the Treasury extend the relief for another two years and let businesses decide which year that they use to claim the rebate.
Ms Monteith said that the Government had indicated its willingness to pass on the relief quickly by accepting tax rebate claims from April 23, the day after the Budget, rather than waiting for the legislation to be passed into law. The Government's new £50,000 annual investment allowance is nearing its first birthday and accountants advise that any businesses considering buying new equipment should take advantage of the relief.
The timing is particularly crucial for businesses with March 31 accounting year ends as the cost of any purchases, like new computer equipment, made before March 31 can be offset against this year's profits. But purchases made after that date will not attract any relief for a year.
As any unused allowance does not roll over, accountants advise business owners to "use it or lose it".
Smith & Williamson tax partner Dave Mouncey said as businesses face tough trading conditions many will defer discretionary capital expenditure until their prospects look better.
But if office or plant equipment has to be bought, it made sense "to optimise your capital expenditure planning," he said.


text:
Signing out of account, Standby...
Although rising cases of the coronavirus now threaten to derail the turnaround in the restaurant industry, profits recorded for the three months ended...
The U.S. fast food company had announced in March it was reorganizing its Asian operations by bringing in partners who would own the restaurants within a franchise business.
The company's China unit has been beset by food scandals and marketing missteps.
The parent company is taking over KFC's domestic marketing as franchisees remodel back of house.
Is the fast-casual-influenced Super Chix a Chick-fil-A knockoff or a serious contender?
Yum Brands, the parent company of the three chains, is so focused on millennials, its executives used Twitter lingo during a major investor meeting.


text:
We know General Motors has some electrification plans for the Chevrolet Corvette, but we just don’t know what they are. There have been rumors and reports citing unnamed insider sources and now there’s this recent survey sent out by Chevrolet to C8 Corvette owners in order to gauge their views regarding what the manufacturer described as an ‘electric sport vehicle.’
Chevy didn’t overtly say that it was referring to the next-gen Corvette that may go fully-electric, but according to this post from MidEngineCorvetteForum, it may, in fact, be the C9 that they are talking about. Owners described receiving an email from Chevrolet polling them about several topics like over-the-air updates, whether or not they were looking to buy a new car in the next two years or the aforementioned electric sports car.
Reactions among those who responded were the opposite of unanimous. Some seemed happy and willing to consider an electric Vette, while others shared more reserved positions not only about an EV sports car, but electric cars in general. The data gathered by GM via this survey probably contains a similar mix of answers.
Gallery: Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Spy Shots
What do we actually know about the electric Corvette? Well, not a whole lot right now. The scene was abuzz when Chevrolet ’ name back in 2015, prompting reactions pretty similar to the ones above; the trademark was renewed last year but this still doesn’t mean it will surely be used.
Some have also stated that this E-Ray could, in fact, be some kind of all-wheel drive hybrid (if so, most likely a PHEV), with a mid-mounted internal-combustion engine (still a V8, possibly twin-turbocharged, from the upcoming ZR1 model) driving the rear wheels and the front wheels powered by a pair of electric motors.
This could be the 1,000-horsepower Corvette Zora (named after the ‘father of the Corvette,’ Zora Arkus-Duntov) that is also said to be in the works. However, it could also be the less extreme electrified Corvette Grand Sport model, whose output is rumored to be around 600-horsepower mark (it reportedly pairs the standard C8’s 6.2-liter V8 with the same pair of electric motors up front).
But perhaps GM was gauging Corvette buyers’ opinions not for any of the electrified models mentioned above, but for an actual EV planned for even further in the future. How much further in the future? Well, given the fact that the rumors about the hybrid Vettes place their launch sometime in 2023, it’s going to have to be after that.
More GM EV news


text:
Just yesterday we posted some leaked renders and more info on the Mi 5 and today, some of the real renders have come out and they seem to match with the previous leaked renders, but not the one leaked by “Zaeke.” The press renders which came out today are in many colors.
According to the latest specs leak, the Mi 5 is going to sport a Snapdragon 820, have a 5.2″ either FHD or QHD screen. The device will also have a metal frame, 2.5D glass on top of the display and on the back it is being said that it’ll feature even a more curved “3D” glass. And there will also be a USB Type-C port with Quick Charge 3.0 support. It will have a 16MP rear camera and a 13MP front-facing camera when it comes to the shooters.
For the juice, it will have a 3600mAh battery and will also have dual-SIM functionality. And when it comes to the software, it’ll be running Android Marshmallow-based MIUI 7 straight out of the box.
There will be two variants of the device: 3GB RAM/32GB ROM variant will cost you CNY1,999 (Or $309 according to the current exchange rates) and for the 4GB RAM/64GB ROM variant, it’ll cost you CNY2,299 (Or $355 according to the current exchange rates).


text:
tech2 News StaffOct 20, 2019 12:41:25 IST
Back in March, Twitter announced a new OLED-friendly 'Lights Out' dark theme for iOS. However, now the new theme is reportedly rolling out to Android as well, albeit only on the alpha version of the app.
The Lights Out mode is different from the existing dark mode on Android, which has a blue/gray theme. The Lights Out mode, however, makes the backdrop of the app pitch dark.
Essentially, this mode is aimed at power consumption on Android smartphones with OLED display.
🇬🇧🇺🇸 Twitter "Lights Out"(black) mode is now available for Android! It looks awesome.
🇪🇸 El modo negro de Twitter ya disponible para Android. Se ve de maravilla. pic.twitter.com/303vWQI30F
— Hernán Castañón (@herna) October 17, 2019
If you are using the alpha version of the Android app, you will find the option to enable the lights out dark mode under the Settings and privacy > Display and sound > Dark mode appearance menu.
The OLED-friendly Lights Out dark mode, according to a report by Android Police, is currently available for users on alpha version 8.19.0-alpha.03 of Twitter for Android.
There is currently no news about the automatic dark mode coming to Android. The mode gives users the ability to switch from light to the dark mode theme of their choice according to their timezone. This feature takes the burden off of people to make the adjustments. The feature can be beneficial for users who use Twitter throughout the day.
Find latest and upcoming tech gadgets online on Tech2 Gadgets. Get technology news, gadgets reviews & ratings. Popular gadgets including laptop, tablet and mobile specifications, features, prices, comparison.


text:
Eaton Corp., Cleveland, reported earnings of $226 million in the second quarter on revenues of $3.38 billion, a significant improvement from the second quarter of 2009, when the manufacturer saw earnings of $29 million. Eaton Chairman and CEO Sandy Cutler said the results beat the company's own expectations, primarily on the strength of its end-use markets.
"As we survey our end markets, the year is shaping up to be better than we had forecast in April," said Cutler. "We now anticipate our overall end markets will grow by 8 percent versus our earlier forecast of 6 percent."
Cutler expects Eaton's electrical business in the Americas to be stronger for the year than originally forecast, despite continuing softness in non-residential markets.
"Our bookings in the Electrical Americas segment, adjusted for foreign exchange, increased 27 percent compared to the second quarter of 2009," said Cutler. "We now anticipate markets in our Electrical Americas segment will decline just 1 percent for the full year, as the recovery in our early- and mid-cycle markets and the benefits from stimulus programs have offset the decline in the non-residential market."


text:
Press Release Distribution
January 27, 2011 News
2 years ago, 16176 views, By www.cleanpcguide.com
Windows Disk is yet another rogue system tool. Windows Disk pretends to be a part of Windows operating system and it also presents itself as a useful utility. Windows Disk is neither related to Microsoft nor is it a legitimate app. Windows Disk is
2 years ago, 15180 views, By REKO HANDOYO
Makanan sehat untuk diet bukan obat dan bukan jamu bisa membawa anda berhasil turun berat badan hingga 20 kg dalam sebulan bahkan kesehatan anda bisa semakin prima, semakin sembuh dan fit, bebas asam urat, kolesterol, sakit jantung, bebas maag,
2 years ago, 8122 views, By JobsforFelons101.com
High-paying jobs for felons are especially hard to find in today’s tough economic times but tough doesn’t mean impossible. Use these 5 tips to find a better career path for felons.
2 years ago, 7223 views, By Free Unlisted Reverse Phone Number Lookup
Various services provide a Free Unlisted Reverse Phone Number Lookup but not every one offers identical scales of reliability and comprehensiveness. So what is the best method to perform a cell phone reverse lookup?
2 years ago, 6512 views, By Fireplace Downloads
Fireplace downloads is offering a Virtual Fireplace Video HD 1080p for instant download.
2 years ago, 5767 views, By Adam Paul
2D Drafting India- the only place for the wide range of raft foundation drawings. We provide raft foundation drawings services to worldwide clients at affordable rates.
2 years ago, 4792 views, By Conyers Nissan
“Thanks to high fuel economy, spacious seating and plenty of features, the 2011 Nissan Sentra gets high marks in the areas that matter to most people” comments Chris Cooper, General Sales Manager of Conyers Nissan.
2 years ago, 4792 views, By Automotive Advertising Network
Meadowlands Nissan, a premier Hackensack Nissan dealer, announced new improvements and pricing for the 2011 Nissan Versa.
2 years ago, 4144 views, By La Route Angkor
Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year or Vietnamese New year, also known as Tet, is widely celebrated in Cambodia.
2 years ago, 4021 views, By Grandmaswordsofwisdom
Does Grandma sound like an old lady to you? If you are a Modern woman, you may want to set the tone, and choose your grandmother name!
2 years ago, 3612 views, By dave erickson
According to California Auto Outlook Market Report for 2010 released by the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) that the best-selling vehicle in California during 2010 was the Honda Civic followed closely by the Honda Accord.
2 years ago, 3566 views, By Trendy Tummy Maternity
If you have been shopping around for some trendy and elegant maternity outfits for that special occasion or perhaps a wedding you have been invited to or are in, you are not alone.
2 years ago, 3507 views, By Setec
Setec have released their Battery Monitoring System. The BMS-001 is a high quality battery monitor that continuously monitors 12V lead acid batteries, acting as a “fuel gauge”, to estimate the state of charge and time remaining to discharge.
2 years ago, 3207 views, By Sounds Live Shop
The Yamaha APX500II arrives. After over 20 years as one of the great performance electro acoustic guitars,the ever-improving APX500 finally gives way to a new version.
2 years ago, 2798 views, By GWD Media
2010 has been nothing short of an action movie for 23 year old Ashley Ann Vickers. From working with an NBA team, filming a movie with Luke Perry, to hosting on a worldwide tv show for the WWE, and even finding time to shoot for Maxim Magazine...
2 years ago, 2771 views, By Jennifer Denby
Last week we told you that Oscar de la Renta was at it again, criticising the First Lady’s fashion choices. Well now it seems others agree with him, but Models Direct still think they’re being too harsh.
2 years ago, 2763 views, By GreeUSA
Will Offer Retailers and Commercial Contractors a Complete Line of HVAC Products Direct from the Factory Focus on Bringing New Products and Technologies Direct to Retailers, Contractors, and Consumers at Industry Leading Value
2 years ago, 2711 views, By Blockbuster
Blockbuster Australia has updated its website content following the relaunch of the site in July. The site provides a rich source of movie and home entertainment-focused content designed to complement the customers’ in-store experience.
2 years ago, 2660 views, By ali jii
The latest version of Android for smartphones, Android 2.3.1 Gingerbread has been released for iPhone 3G, 2G and iPod touch.
2 years ago, 2571 views, By brandITbandits
NANO-COMPLEX® Keratin Gold Treatment Revolutionizes Hair Straightening Without Harmful Chemical Formaldehyde
2 years ago, 2388 views, By OWL Testing Software
Columbia University is now using OWL Testing Software for ESL English Speaking Proficiency Assessments
2 years ago, 2381 views, By Egypt Holidays Directory
Will the political unrest affect our travel plans to Egypt? Which cities are safe to visit and which cities are not? Many questions might come up while packing your bag and planning for your long awaited Egyptian journey.
2 years ago, 2045 views, By Fronterion LLC
Leading consulting firm Fronterion has released a guide to the changing regulatory landscape for legal outsourcing in 2011. There is the potential for rule changes which could place outsourcing agreements under increased scrutiny.
2 years ago, 2032 views, By WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings
We are happy to announce that Folls Flower Farm, Auburn NY, is among the very best Floral/Florists within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee.
2 years ago, 2029 views, By chineseshop
wholesale Super thin iPhone AirPhone NO.1 WIFI& JAVA silver
2 years ago, 1978 views, By Silvercloud Marketing
We have over 30 years of experience in Photo Business. We are the official place for Dutch Passport Photo. We guarantee our work and our passport photo acceptance by all the entities. Customers will save money and time by using our services.
2 years ago, 1903 views, By Fast Market Research
Fast Market Research recommends "Cambodia Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q1 2011" from Business Monitor International, now available
2 years ago, 1880 views, By Steven Carvouni
Fundix has just hit the Australian market. Specialising in Kitchenware, Fundix offers great value products made from only the best quality materials.
2 years ago, 1841 views, By Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County
The Ventura County Job & Career Centers (JCCs) are offering free employee recruitment and other professional services to employers in Ventura County. All are designed to make the challenge of finding and retaining the right employees easier.
2 years ago, 1832 views, By Sounds Live Shop
The Tascam US-200 and US-600 USB Audio Interfaces carry forward Tascam's award-winning US interface range at their official launch at NAMM 2011 in Anaheim, California.
2 years ago, 1810 views, By Fast Market Research
New Fixed Networks research report from Business Monitor International is now available from Fast Market Research
2 years ago, 1787 views, By United Festival Company, LLC
New, impressive Country Music festival Offers unique lineup designed to rock young country fans. Biggest event to ever be staged in Campbell County, Tennessee.
2 years ago, 1774 views, By Cartridge World
Cartridge World of Cherry Hill Marks 5 Years Helping Offices Conserve Resources
2 years ago, 1765 views, By Latex Grenade
The alliance between Latex Grenade and Hotel California Tequila continues as they set out to film a joint promotion through Southern California starting Friday, January 28th. 4 bars will be featured in the campaign including SandBar in Mission Beach.
2 years ago, 1748 views, By Patrick Don
Astonishing results conclude approximately 60% of the 1700 people interviewed (in English speaking regions) felt that they themselves were responsible for managing and guarding their online privacy.
2 years ago, 1744 views, By Straight Talk Mag
The child rapper/actor explains himself in a candid interview about the "Music Biz" and everything that comes along with it.
2 years ago, 1668 views, By Westchester Medical Practice
Dr. Gordon will perform surgeries at Hudson Valley Hospital Center’s new Minimally Invasive Surgery Center. Her specialty is in minimally invasive colon and hernia surgery.
2 years ago, 1639 views, By Victoria Kelly
Since its creation in 2004, Facebook has dominated much of internet user’s activity with 50% of users logging into their account each day. What started as a social networking site is becoming much more than a way to keep in touch with friends.
Import China Digital Cameras,eReaders,Tablet PCs,Electronic Gadgets at Factory Prices at Fun-tek.com
2 years ago, 1624 views, By Fun Technology Limited
Where is the place to import China Digital Cameras,eReaders,Tablet PCs,Electronic Gadgets at Factory Prices? It is time for you to get the answer.Fun-tek.com is an online electronics sources for importers and retailers. Happy trading. Enjoy!!
2 years ago, 1600 views, By Joshua Delp
Tommy Hilfiger is an all American designer brand. Fall 2010 marks the debut of Tommy Hilfiger’s new eyewear collection; it is now available at Valuvision Eye Care in Jacksonville FL.
2 years ago, 1583 views, By Photo Experts
We are the experts for notary public in Los Angeles. We will notarize all of your documents for the best possible price. If you are looking for excellent and efficient notary public in Los Angeles, Photo Experts is the place to come.
2 years ago, 1561 views, By overstockArt.com
Klimt’s Masterpiece Portraying a Man and Woman in a Passionate Embrace Garnered the Highest Traffic in overstockArt.com’s Romantic Gallery
2 years ago, 1545 views, By Virtual Internet
Virtual Internet (VI) are delighted to announce they’ve recently launched Xen Sandbox Cloud servers as well as upgraded their VMware hosting solution, the industry’s latest cloud hosting technologies to meet your individual business requirements.
2 years ago, 1543 views, By Kimberly Cotton
McKinney’s Painting with a Twist, which will be celebrating its first anniversary on February 4, is proud to host Painting with a Purpose, a fundraiser for 30WALK© on Friday, February 11th, 2011 at 7 PM.
2 years ago, 1535 views, By Lindeneau & Associates, LLC
A Special Little Puppy Gets Rescued by a Very Special (and New) Nonprofit Organization, Wags to Whiskers of Texas! Meet Rayna......
2 years ago, 1522 views, By Dot Wears A Dress
Miss Universe Australia, Jesinta Campbell, joins Gold Coast boutique Dot Wears A Dress as they host a night of fashion and fundraising for QLD families and the Premier’s Flood Appeal
2 years ago, 1519 views, By hfgtyh
Efortech is a professional notebook parts and machine sales and maintenance services for the integrated enterprise.
2 years ago, 1502 views, By Jordan Scott
Were selling a Used 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel in Lethbridge with 70,582km priced at $28,995
2 years ago, 1501 views, By Jerry van Gessel
Global Pacific & Partners’ 5th Africa Economic Forum 2011 taking place on 8-9th March, Cape Town, follows our in-depth 2nd Sub-Saharan Africa: Business Briefing (by Dr Duncan Clarke, a leading strategist on Africa ) held on Monday 7th March 2011.
2 years ago, 1498 views, By LoobaLee.com
MIDLAND, MICHIGAN - LoobaLee.com is pleased to announce that it is now free to sell and, as always, free to shop on our site.


text:
On the heels of their critically acclaimed album Ungodly Hour, sister duo Chloe x Halle is thriving. After charting on the Billboard 200, their latest creative achievement was creating a Fendi campaign, titled #MeAndMyPeekaboo, shot entirely in their backyard.
For the first time ever, the Italian brand let the talent take complete creative control. And it’s appropriate since these girls have quite the résumé — whether it’s casually being mentored by Beyoncé, releasing hit albums at a young age, getting cast for the silver screen (Halle will play Ariel in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid), or using their platform to uplift the Black community. Plus, they’ve got the dream team behind them to execute all their creative visions.
The team includes art director Andrew Makadsi, who was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Production Design on Beyoncé’s music documentary Homecoming; videographer Derek Milton, who’s a frequent collaborator of both Chloe x Halle and Beyoncé; photographer Julian Dakdouk; and stylist Zerina Akers, who also personally styles the siblings and Beyoncé. In the video, Chloe x Halle wear Fendi pre-fall 2020 looks as they pose at their tennis court and swim in a pool with their Peekaboo bags. But what really sticks out is the chill confidence of the sisters, who love creating together.
“Working side by side as sisters is truly a blessing. Constantly having someone by your side, who is going through the same journey as you, is comforting and so very important,” the sisters said in a statement. “With everything going on in the world, it’s so easy to get down and give in to the uncertainty of the future. But this year 2020 is not over yet, and through the darkest times, come the most beautiful sunrises. Don’t be afraid to continue speaking up for justice, and for what’s right. Let’s make the future generations proud of us.”
The new Peekaboo bags seen in the campaign video will hit stores in August. Watch it below.


text:
The first month of the new decade is coming to an end, and VSBLTY Groupe Technologies (CSE:VSBY) (OTCPK:VSBGF) didn’t waste a minute of it. VSBLTY is a leading software technology company that is constantly evolving. We saw it in November 2019 when it launched two security initiatives, before retaining CHF Capital Markets in the following month. And that pace continued in January 2020.
Here’s an overview of what VSBLTY Groupe Technologies has been up to this month.
VSBLTY Groupe Technologies: A Bright Start to the New Decade
VSBLTY Groupe, with headquarters in Philadelphia, started January off by announcing that it joined forces with News America Marketing (NAM). As a premier marketing services company, NAM brings a lot to the table: it works with renowned brands, and it has an extensive network of shopper media. Together, VSBLTY Groupe said the companies plan to provide retailers and brand marketers alike with advanced digital in-store media analytics.
VSBLTY CEO Jay Hutton was optimistic about the partnership. Hutton explained that acting as the leading technology partner for NAM will allow the organization to understand shopper engagement better. It will do the same for its clients.
Through the partnership, NAM gains access to VSBLTY’s proprietary software platform, DataCaptor™. And what does VSBLTY get out of the deal? Well, more recognition in the technology software space—a win-win if you ask us.
The excitement didn’t stop there.
Six days later, VSBLTY was back making announcements. On January 13, 2020, the company said it paired up with Sensormatic Solutions to present at the National Retail Federal expo. The two companies—Sensormatic Solutions are the global retail solutions portfolio of Johnson Controls—demonstrated targeted display content at booth #5401 during the exhibition’s dates: January 12–14. The aim, according to VSBLTY, was to demonstrate the benefits of “proximity-aware, interactive brand messaging.”
New Month, New Opportunities
That may be all we heard from VSBLTY Groupe Technologies this month, but it was enough to keep investors happy: VSBY stock increased around 4% on its news of presenting at the National Retail Federal expo. And there’s so much more to come.
On February 11–13, the company will show its latest software at the ISE 2020 in Amsterdam. The following week VSBLTY will give an exciting demonstration at the Sensormatic Solutions location. Bring on February!
Keep Your Eyes Peeled (On the Stock Market)
January brought a lot from VSBLTY Groupe Technologies, and it’s already looking like February will follow a similar path. You don’t want to miss out: keep your eyes peeled on any new releases from the company.
Featured image: PixaBay


text:
Bollywood actresses were seen walking the ramp at India Bridal Fashion Week 2014 in Delhi. ‘Queen’ Kangana Ranaut walked the ramp for Suneet Varma. She was looking extremely stunning in red velvet saree with heavy jewellery.
Bollywood starlet Shraddha Kapoor turned a beautiful bride for JJ Valaya. Shraddha walked the ramp in the grand finale of India Bridal Fashion Week 2014. Shraddha was looking a perfect bride in a multi-coloured sari.
Nargis Fakhri who has recently become the talk of the town after doing an item number in Kick with Salman Khan was also seen walking the ramp at India Bridal Fashion Week 2014. Nargis walked the ramp for Azwa. She wore a black gown with a heavy necklace & was looking sizzling as always.
Check out our bollywood babes at India Bridal Fashion Week 2014.


text:
Economic growth is easing in the Eurozone
A normalization in growth is expected in Europe, with household spending underpinned by cheap financing conditions, a further improvement in the
labour market and faster wage growth. Stronger supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures may have a negative impact on 2022.
A normalization of inflation and monetary policy
Most of this inflationary surge is still transitory, but that does not mean that we expect it to ease rapidly. This implies that monetary policy will normalize as well, but with important differences in timing, with the Fed and the BoE moving first.
Investment back to pre covid-19 levels
€272.7bn was invested in Europe over 2021, which represents a 15% increase vs 2020, in line with the pre-Covid-19 levels. Investment in logistics (+51%) reached an all-time high while office (+10%) and hotel (+33%) investments are on the road to recovery. However retail investment (-7%) continues its descent.
Yield compression resumed
After drawing to a halt during 2020, office prime yields froze all over Europe, but they seem to be narrowing again. Prime retail yields also froze and are now expanding again in some markets. Prime logistics yields, on the other hand, continually decreased during the crisis. Compression accelerated from Q2 2021 and is ongoing.
Office: very dynamic Q3 and Q4
Take-up at the end of 2021 saw a significant increase (+27%) compared to last year. Slightly more than 10 million sqm was taken-up last year. Even though the pre-covid levels are not reached, take-up showed signs of normalisation in Q3 and Q4.
Prime rents unaffected by the crisis
Despite the slowdown in take-up, the prime market segment did not suffer from the crisis. In many markets, prime rental values are now even standing at higher values than before the outbreak of the pandemic.


text:
Ari Paul, founder of blockchain funding agency Blocktower Capital, weighed in on the bear market, evaluating the scenario to the tech crash again in the yr 2000. Paul likens Bitcoin (BTC) to Amazon, which is one of the corporations that survived the market collapse.
In a Twitter thread, Paul noted that whereas there are “modest” merchandise in the crypto market, many enhancements should be achieved with a purpose to attain the mainstream. Paul additionally argues that adoption is “5 years behind” from what many hoped.
The government additionally highlighted community outages in Solana, delays in scaling Ethereum and Bitcoin’s safety and future upgrades are neglected throughout bull runs however “feels very different” throughout a bear market, arguing that optimism wouldn’t minimize it anymore on this scenario.
Following these, Paul in contrast at this time’s crypto market to Nasdaq’s market in 2000, saying that almost all cryptos are dangerous and early stage. However, the Blocktower founder highlighted that there shall be one thing like “Amazon” that may survive the crash. He believes that it could possibly be Bitcoin.
According to Paul, Bitcoin has “far better odds” than different cryptocurrencies as a result of it doesn’t have a competitor as a product, and in phrases of its expertise. He tweeted that:
11/ what about bitcoin? Bitcoin is “separate” solely as a result of it’s the solely crypto asset not competing on tech or product. It’s competing totally on safety/stability. So I’ve at all times thought that if bitcoin fails, it in all probability gained’t be as a result of it’s changed by one thing higher,
— Ari Paul ⛓ (@AriDavidPaul) June 14, 2022
Despite sounding bearish, Paul clarified that he is “more bullish” on crypto now in contrast with virtually a yr in the past. He simply desires to warn folks to watch out of what they purchase throughout the present market downturn.
Related: Is the backside in? Raoul Pal, Scaramucci load up, Novogratz and Hayes weigh in
The results of the bear market have had a large impact on the livelihood of a quantity of staff in the crypto business. Crypto change Coinbase lately introduced that it’ll lay off 18% of its staff as a result of of the decline in income and the bear market.
Meanwhile, some group members have given insights and plans for merchants on what to do to outlive the crypto winter. From determining their danger tolerance and dollar-cost averaging to discovering new initiatives with potential, group members attempt to encourage others to maintain on transferring regardless of the chilly crypto winter.