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By Lee Jones, Director of Sales and Business Development, Ingenico Enterprise Retail
2019 was a milestone year for many in the payments industry, and the good news doesn’t end there. The consumer drive for seamless experiences is continuing to push the industry towards new innovations that will change the face of payments. So, what will 2020 hold for e- and m-commerce?
Consumer Behaviors in the New Year
The verdict is in and it looks like convenience is high on the agenda for consumers. In fact, over 50 percent of U.K. consumers are now shopping online, and online spending is forecast to increase by nearly 30 percent between 2019 and 2024.
Consumers want to be able to make purchases at the click of a button. They also want assurance that their purchase is secure, and their details are safe. So, merchants should ensure that their checkout experience is in safe hands when customers are paying online.
However, security isn’t the only thing on consumers’ minds. Frictionless payments are also on the agenda and, as customers are constantly on the go, they want to be able to make purchases quickly, with as little effort on their part as possible. In response, invisible payments are on the rise, eradicating the need for inputting card details as apps already store the relevant consumer information.
Additionally, we are likely to see an increase in Scan & Go systems. Such systems are seeing a resurgence on consumers’ own mobile devices—they have been used in supermarkets previously, however, they required the use of an external device. As some stores make use of systems that significantly speed up the shopping process, retailers should be aware of the need to provide a payments system that appeals to consumers, to avoid driving them towards competitors.
Finally, the environment will be a clear concern for all sectors moving into 2020 and beyond. Consumers have made it clear they are paying increasing attention to the impact their purchases are having on the natural world. Recent research found that 29 percent of U.K. shoppers have started shopping with retailers that have more ethical or sustainable practices. Retailers should be aware that the drive towards environmentalism will result in many customers choosing to shop with stores that implement ethical practices, such as sustainable packaging and delivery methods.
On this note, retailers should consider how they can best communicate to their customers that they are taking their environmental responsibilities seriously. For example, setting up micro-donation technology which gives card users the option to make a small donation at the point of sale allows customers to have a positive social impact as they spend. Micro-donations charity, Pennies, in partnership with Ingenico, has raised some £2 million ($2.6 million) since 2011 simply by offering customers the option to donate their rounded-up transactions.
This preference for environmental consciousness is spreading across the retail sector, as big stores such as Marks & Spencer introduce motivational schemes to encourage customers to bring their own containers. Clearly then, the shift towards more responsible practices in 2019 was only the beginning, and in 2020 retailers should prepare for the environment to become a top priority in 2020.
The adoption of immediate delivery services by retailers will be key to providing convenience. Making this ethical by establishing more localised delivery hubs and pedal power completing the last mile with limited or zero packaging will tick a lot of boxes for consumers.
Significant New Developments in the Payments Sector
First up are subscription services. Three of every four organizations selling direct to consumers will offer subscription services by 2023. As a result, the competition is fierce and convincing customers to subscribe to a service is likely to be a harder sell, but ultimately more rewarding.
However, this means the pressure for a seamless checkout experience is higher, as there’s even more riding on a single purchase. With the continuing rise in contactless payments making checkouts quicker and simpler, there’ll be a greater swing towards the use of mobile payments in 2020, with the adoption of P2P payments via both cards and mobile devices. As all these factors culminate, consumers will begin to expect an increasingly seamless checkout experience, meaning merchants must move with the times.
This year also will see further advancements in voice commerce technology, which is moving into the mainstream. In 2018, $2 billion was spent on voice commerce in the U.S. market. But by 2022, that number is predicted to have increased to a massive $40 billion. While voice commerce has long needed advancements in technology to aid its further adoption, 2020 is likely to see an improvement in services and the immediacy of the method make it an attractive feature for shoppers.
However, to that end, it is increasingly important that consumers feel their payments methods are secure no matter the payment type. So, make sure you seek an experts’ guidance if you’re looking to reap the benefits of this trend.
As a result, security and regulation will continue to take up space in the conversation in 2020. As we close in on the final SCA compliance deadline, merchants will need to update their systems and ensure they are fully in line with the new rules in order to strike the right balance between security and a frictionless customer experience.
Prepare Yourself for a Prosperous 2020
In 2020, we expect to see an even greater shift towards a cashless society, making the retail experience quicker and more convenient overall. As a result, merchants must make the consumer experience their top priority as trends shift towards simplicity and convenience, ensuring online and mobile payments processes are as secure as possible.
Ultimately, the retailers that don’t stay up to date will lose customers to those who do. And this is true across all businesses and sectors – whether hospitality, parking, vending, retail; whether large or small - the seamless payment experience is crucial to excelling in 2020.
Lee Jones is the commercial leader for Ingenico Enterprise Retail in Northern Europe. He and his team help organizations deliver a reliable, secure and fuss free checkout experience, leading Ingenico into new markets, where the introduction of cashless payments is just starting to emerge. Ingenico Enterprise Retail helps businesses reduce the cost, complexity and burden of PCI while assuring their revenues and enabling them to increase their customer satisfaction scores.


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President Barack Obama is doing his part to support small businesses
In a city full of unusual sights, few outshine that of several thousand Santas ambling down the street en masse. The Las Vegas Great Santa Run is set to return to downtown Dec. 7, and organizers hope for a record number of attendees to the event, which benefits Opportunity Village.
A criminal investigation into the deaths of two men in a small Sierra Nevada town west of Reno due to carbon monoxide poisoning last month is nearing an end.
After four years of catering to Southern Nevada’s sweet tooth, Gimme Some Sugar is expanding its business model to open a wine and dessert bar in Henderson. Whether it’s with peanut butter and jelly macarons or chocolate brownies, owners Kristen LoVullo and Ashley Mastowski have been working to find the right beverages that pair with their pastries.
Dear Savvy Senior: Can you help me find a cheap home Internet service? I’m retired and live on a fixed income, and the Internet service I use now is too expensive. — Financially Squeezed
Here are some concerns of gardeners this time of year.
As a writer, you spend your life hoping for the next pithy aphorism to spill out of your fingertips and onto the keyboard. The great one-liner that punches you in the face. Clear, concise, and colorful. But such literary gems don’t exactly parade two abreast through every paragraph. When they happen, it’s like magic. You more give thanks than take credit.
Sports apparel giant Adidas might have to find a backup plan after building its multimillion-dollar NBA marketing campaign around the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose, whose injured right knee will cost him the rest of the 2013-14 season.
It has a long way to go before it reaches the secular awareness of the holiday it precedes. But Advent, the four-week period of pre-Christmas spiritual preparation observed by many Christians, is starting to make its own secular mark, too.
Mexican drug cartels looking to diversify their businesses long ago moved into oil theft, pirated goods, extortion and kidnapping, consuming an ever larger swath of the country’s economy. This month, federal officials confirmed the cartels have even entered the country’s lucrative mining industry, exporting iron ore to Chinese mills.

domain: news


text: Fashion brands develop design and manufacturing processes to more easily recycle clothing and footwear. Among the latest innovations, according to a study by GlobalData, is the German brand Adidas with UltraBoost DNA Loop footwear, an ultra-performing product developed as part of the “Made to be Remade” project. The sneaker is made with a single material and assembled without glue, so it can be disassembled, melted and reassembled in a new shoe at the end of its life cycle. Swedish fast fashion giant H&M has launched its first garment-by-garment recycling system, called Loop, in one of its boutiques in Sweden. Customers can see their clothes transformed before their eyes into fibers and threads used to create new garments, thanks to a technology developed by the Hong Kong Research Institue of Textiles and Appareil. Some brands are focusing on training instead. PVH Corp, the New York group headed by Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, has launched a training program called “Circularity 101” for its employees.


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Unbeknown to most end users, a new sophisticated piece of malware corrals consumer routers and DSL modems into a lethal botnet. Using a variety of strategies for exploitation, this could be an attack vector for the theft of personally identifying information – a technique that’s not going away, according to researchers at DroneBL.
The "psyb0t" worm is believed to be the first piece of malware to target home networking gear, which bills itself as a real-time monitor of abusable internet addresses. It has already infiltrated an estimated 100,000 hosts. It has been used to carry out DDoS, or distributed denial of service, attacks and is also believed to use deep-packet inspection to harvest user names and passwords.


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SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Small businesses that accept the government in its low-interest loan proposal may not repay the money under certain circumstances.
As part of the coronavirus economic stimulus bill in Congress, the federal government would make more than $ 350 billion in low-interest loans of 2.75-3.75% available to many businesses in less than 500 workers. The loans would help employers who are suffering in the midst of the economic crisis to stay afloat in the short term.
In addition, for companies that maintain their payroll or meet certain hiring requirements, the government can cancel the loan entirely.
“This could be a vital safety net for many of these businesses that may close, and for their employees who may have no other source of income during this painful time,” said Lynn Reaser, chief economist at the Point Loma Nazarene University.
Small businesses and workers in San Diego have been hit hard by the epidemic.
The San Diego Workforce Partnership estimates that 350,000 employees could be made redundant, many from service sector jobs that do not have the option of working from home. These jobs are primarily in retail, accommodation and restaurants.
At French Gourmet in Pacific Beach, owner Michel Malecot says sales are down 90% and the restaurant and its restaurant business have lost $ 350,000. He saved $ 150,000 to keep the lights on and pay his suppliers.
“It’s like being a zombie,” says Malecot. “You are in the grave and nothing is really happening yet. Your gut is taking over and you have to try to make it happen.”
Malecot is initially optimistic about the loan program. He says many of his 80 regular employees are unemployed, but he is doing everything he can to be able to get started as soon as business picks up.


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UL approved Inrush Current Limiters, Thermistors
Product Announcement from Ametherm, Inc.
Regulators in most countries look for Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification to ensure product safety.
Ametherm, a U.S. based manufacturer of inrush current limiters, recently received UL approval on its smaller power thermistors, providing engineers and manufacturers with a better choice of products that can consistently meet their design and development standards.
The Ametherm parts that received UL recognition are listed here.
Many of Ametherm's other power thermistors also have UL, as well as CSA (Canadian Standards Association), recognition.
Ametherm's smaller SL products have been in high demand in markets worldwide, especially for applications that have tighter spaces, yet still require durable protection from inrush current.
Since agency approvals involve extensive testing and processing, there are only a few inrush current limiter manufacturers that offer them. At the same time, safety standards are becoming more universal, making agency recognition more important when manufacturing electronic components and devices.


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|By PR Newswire||
|September 28, 2012 05:58 PM EDT||
Solar Contract Carpet of Carrollton, TX has been honored with a recognition by Floor Focus in its selection of "Top 100 Retailers."
CARROLLTON, Texas, Sept. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Announcing a special recognition appearing in the November, 2011 issue of Floor Focus published by Flooring News Corporation. Solar Contract Carpet was selected for the following honor:
"Top 100 Retailers"
A spokesperson from Solar Contract Carpet commented on the recognition: "This is quite an honor for us. The fact that Floor Focus included Solar Contract Carpet in its selection of 'Top 100 Retailers,' signals that our constant efforts towards business excellence are paying off. We are proud to be included in this recognition."
About Solar Contract Carpet: a short profile by and about the honoree:
The business of Solar Contract Carpet lies on the surface of the American real estate landscape. Over the past four decades, we've covered America with millions of square feet of flooring products. Our clients are as varied as the American business landscape. Apartments. Hotels. Condominiums. Offices. The key to our success for the past four decades has been our service.
Following the publication of Solar Contract Carpet's selection for Floor Focus's Top 100 Retailers list, American Registry seconded the honor and added Solar Contract Carpet to the "Registry of Business Excellence™." An exclusive recognition plaque, shown here, has been designed to commemorate this honor.
For more information on Solar Contract Carpet, located in Carrollton, TX please call (800) 677-0450, or visit http://www.solarcontractcarpet.com.
This press release was written by American Registry, LLC with contributions from Solar Contract Carpet on behalf of Solar Contract Carpet and was distributed by PR Newswire, a subsidiary of UBM plc.
American Registry, LLC is an independent company that serves businesses and professionals such as Solar Contract Carpet who have been recognized for excellence. American Registry offers news releases, plaques and The Registry™, an online listing of over 2 million significant business and professional recognitions. Search The Registry™ at http://www.americanregistry.com.
Solar Contract Carpet
Phone: (800) 677-0450
Email Address: email@example.com
SOURCE Solar Contract Carpet


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All parliamentary group blockchain
In the beginning of , UK Parliamentary members established the All Party Parliamentary Group on Blockchain in order to better coordinate the work of multiple initiatives by Government and Non-Governmental organizations. This committee regularly organizes meetings with leaders of the industry and top experts. The meeting was devoted to discussing the importance and impact of the Blockchain in UK Industry Landscape Overview a landmark analytical report produced by Big Innovation Centre and Deep Knowledge Analytics in coordination with the APPG on Blockchain , as well as how multiple government bodies are now conducting research and analysis on the development of the blockchain and cryptoeconomy industry within the UK, and how the APPG on Blockchain should adjust its own internal focus and allocation of resources on the matter, given the work that other bodies are already doing on the topic. Kaminskiy highlighted the fact that just the creation of a single catalogue of all ongoing initiatives in Parliament, Government and Think Tanks would create strong opportunities for synergetic coordination among all existing entities rather than competition and repetition, wherein the APPG on Blockchain can become the center of gravity to better coordinate all major UK initiatives from Government, industry and citizens in an optimized and synergetic manner, in order to deliver maximum acceleration of the industry's development and growth, for the interest of all stakeholders and the national economy. Other News:.
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- India to ban private cryptocurrencies, bill to be tabled in parliament
- Digital Assets Digest - January edition
- El Salvador Is Betting on Bitcoin to Rebrand the Country — and Strengthen the President's Grip
- Contact Us
- Blockchain Revolution Series
- Blockchain APPG
- Remarks before the European Parliament Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
- Need to regulate, not ban cryptocurrency, Parliament panel members & experts suggest
- ALASTAIR MARKE
- Why are there now so many bitcoin trading firms?
India to ban private cryptocurrencies, bill to be tabled in parliament
A country distancing itself from its neighbors and hardening its borders — as the U. A recently convened group of U. The ad hoc, non-partisan alliance arrives at a time when U. The U. But more recently, Britain has been lagging behind, particularly when it comes to crypto, according to some industry watchers.
Back in , the fintech movement was going strong thanks to the U. He said there has been little meaningful effort to increase competition or support new products coming to market. Meanwhile, the U. When it comes to crypto, some of the blame for this is being laid at the door of the U. He pointed to markets like Singapore and the United Arab Emirates UAE that have developed sophisticated frameworks and invested in being responsive to the industry while managing risks to consumers.
Countries around the world are currently reviewing their approaches to crypto regulation and we want the U. However, a blanket approach is coming out of Brussels, the bureaucratic nerve center of the European Union. The Markets in Crypto-Assets MiCA framework, an all-encompassing attempt to harmonize virtual asset services in the EU, is expected to come into force in the next two years. While MiCA has been broadly well-received, the U. As such, the U. When it comes to the technical detail of regulation around stablecoins, for instance, the U.
Returning to the question of the U. However, the current climate needs to change, he added. Neither London and Brussels have shifted their stances since last year, and hopes of a breakthrough before the Stormont elections are receding. Trump got just five bids for her signed hat, watercolor, and NFT. Score over 60 percent off beloved brands like Apple, Philips, Roomba, and more! If you ever connect to public Wi-Fi networks, you should absolutely be using one of these tools.
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Amanda Kloots is looking back on a sweet video of her late husband, Nick Cordero, with a smile. On Jan. The video, Kloots explained, was taken two years ago today, less than six months before Cordero died following a months-long battle with the coronavirus that began during the earliest days of the pandemic. Perfect for kicking back on the couch, but stylish enough to wear out of the house.
This Chefman air fryer also bakes cakes, broils meats, and toasts bread. It took two years for Disney Parks to add plant-based, vegan items to every menu at Disney World and Disneyland. Alicia Silverstone gave a very clear message to body shamers in an epic TikTok video. If Salma Hayek's New Year's resolution was to give fans more swimsuit photos, she's off to a productive start.
The year-old star has posted no fewer than five shots of herself in swimwear since Jan. Actress Emma Roberts is opening up about her life in Hollywood and as a new mother in the latest cover story of the British Tatler magazine.
Dirt, debris, dander and pet hair are no match for the Hoover WindTunnel XL — score over 40 percent off. The deals are coming fast and furious, from Shark, Apple, JBl and more. More than 21, reviewers rave about its virtues. We did the heavy lifting of hunting down excellent Bowflex dupes. Read full article. More content below. Lisa Cameron.
Ian Allison. In this article:. MP Lisa Cameron, chair of the U. Story continues. We will lose a lot of innovators in the U. Latest Stories. Yahoo Life Shopping. Yahoo Life. Yahoo Life Videos.
Digital Assets Digest - January edition
This will be the first meeting on the subject to be convened by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance on the subject, which has generated a lot of interest as well as concerns in various quarters around investment potential and risks. Talking about the meeting, panel chairman Sinha said the meeting on crypto finance will discuss the opportunities and challenges this fast evolving industry presents to the regulators and policy makers. We have called stakeholders from across the industry including operators of major exchanges, members of CII as well as academics from the Indian Institute of Management IIM Ahmedabad, who have done a very thorough study on the crypto finance, Sinha told PTI. We will hear from them about their views on the right regulatory framework for this industry as it continues to develop and evolve, he said. The RBI had announced its intent to come out with an official digital currency, in the face of proliferation of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin about which the central bank has had many concerns. Reproduction of news articles, photos, videos or any other content in whole or in part in any form or medium without express writtern permission of moneycontrol. Presenting Partner.
El Salvador Is Betting on Bitcoin to Rebrand the Country — and Strengthen the President's Grip
Back to top. Also featured will be the newly released first comprehensive effort to survey blockchain standards, prepared by GBBC, World Economic Forum, and industry leaders. The forum will engage leading blockchain experts from the private sector, various government agencies and regulatory bodies, The World Bank Group, NGOs, and academic institutions in a setting designed to foster learning and the exchange of ideas. Whether you are a blockchain novice or an expert, work in the private sector or the government—if you want to learn about the best practices regarding blockchain applications and explore new opportunities in the field, the Kogod Third Annual Blockchain Forum, co-hosted with GBBC, is designed specifically for you. He brings over 17 years expertise in technology management, innovation, policy, small business, and enterprise solutions to facilitate operational delivery. He has deep experience in all phases of federal operations focused on delivering national programs within the federal government, private industry, and academia. He is a respected leader in applying emerging technologies utilizing modern infrastructure including blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic process automation to federal business processes and mission critical program challenges. Jose has published several articles on the importance of communicating with the industrial base to ensure successful business outcomes. He has also written articles on valuing disruptive technologies from a private sector investor perspective.
Hundreds of companies offering bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are operating under the radar of UK regulators. It issued 23 in December. The surging value of crypto assets has spawned a multibillion-pound industry that is enticing savers with adverts on social media, at football grounds and on public transport. New firms are starting almost every day, causing a headache for regulators. Celebrities are also fuelling the surge in interest.
Blockchain Revolution Series
Although having proved its practical value to the world, blockchain has not yet been fully recognized and adopted by all governments around the world. However, we must note that small steps are being made as some countries have recently published their blockchain strategies. In fact, the European Union has already started to work in that direction. The European Parliament launched a pilot project, the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum that focuses on accelerating blockchain innovation and the development of the blockchain ecosystem within the Member States. Here are a few examples of how governments are amending current legislation to accommodate decentralized technologies and blockchains. Amendment to Italian law Senate Act no.
The cryptocurrency was invented in by an unknown person or group of people using the name Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoins are created as a reward for a process known as mining. They can be exchanged for other currencies, products, and services. Bitcoin has been criticized for its use in illegal transactions, the large amount of electricity and thus carbon footprint used by mining, price volatility , and thefts from exchanges. Some investors and economists have characterized it as a speculative bubble at various times. Others have used it as an investment, although several regulatory agencies have issued investor alerts about bitcoin. The word bitcoin was defined in a white paper published on 31 October
Remarks before the European Parliament Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
Street view to guarding user base: why MapmyIndia is the preferred alternative to Google Maps. Choose your reason below and click on the Report button. This will alert our moderators to take action. Stock analysis.
Need to regulate, not ban cryptocurrency, Parliament panel members & experts suggestRELATED VIDEO: Blockchain voting
To ask the Prime Minister a how large is the crypto asset market in Singapore; b how does MAS view the trend of greater transactions of such assets amongst companies and retail investors; and c how are crypto asset exchanges regulated to provide a stable and benign trading environment in Singapore. There are two common types of crypto assets. First, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, which may be used for payment purposes. Second, securities tokens, which are digital representations of traditional securities such as shares and bonds. The risks posed by each type are different and so are our regulatory approaches. Cryptocurrencies can be highly volatile, as their value is typically not related to any economic fundamentals.
We will discuss the latest Blockchain trends and breakthroughs, and share ideas on how to adapt to what is coming next. Want a taster of this year's event? Check out the video from our last event which charted a disruptor's journey from concept to fundraising, then to maturity. To keep up-to-date with the event, follow WBDBlockchain. Check out the video round-up of our inaugural Blockchain forum.
Why are there now so many bitcoin trading firms?
Welcome to the latest edition of our Digital Assets Digest. This consultation report , published on 17 January , analyses the developments in online marketing and distribution of financial products to retail investors in IOSCO member jurisdictions, both domestically and on a cross-border basis. The report notes a significant growth in digitalisation and the use of social media for the marketing and distribution of financial products.


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While there's hardly any batsman capable enough to compete with Virat Kohli on the field, the Indian skipper is leaving celebrities even outside his zone behind as well. In the powerful celebrity brand list of Duff & Phelps, the global valuation and corporate finance advisors, the Indian captain has emerged as the top-ranked celebrity for the second year in a row.
Presently valued at USD 170.9 million, Kohli has finished above Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone in the list which was the fourth time ever that Duff & Phelps released the list of India’s most valuable celebrity brands.
"While Bollywood celebrities dominate the rankings of the top 20 celebrities, sportspersons provide tough competition. Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and PV Sindhu collectively contributed almost USD 241 million, which is over 27 per cent of the cumulative brand value of the top 20 celebrities pegged at USD 877 million," Duff & Phelps managing director Aviral Jain said as the 2018 list was released.
Kohli has been adding new brands to his kitty consistently. He presently endorses a total of 24 brands across several categories. Some of the new brands that the 30-year-old started to endorse last year are, Flipkart, Too Yum and Uber. In a bid to maintain his healthy food choices, Kohli parted ways with beverage brand Pepsi earlier.
Former Indian captain MS Dhoni is the next cricket on the list, coming in at No. 12 (USD 26.9 million), ahead of Anushka Sharma (USD 23.4 million) and Sachin Tendulkar (USD 21.7 million). Here's the list of top 10:
|5||Shah Rukh Khan||5||60.7||2|
Download the full list here...
"While Bollywood celebrities dominate the rankings of the top 20 celebrities, sportspersons provide tough competition. Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and PV Sindhu collectively contributed almost USD 241 million, which is over 27 percent of the cumulative brand value of the top 20 celebrities pegged at USD 877 million," said Duff & Phelps managing director Aviral Jain.


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Home Tags Xbox News
Disney Bolt, Tembo the Badass Elephant, Friday the 13th: The Game and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge.
Xbox Game Pass regularly changes out which type of games are available, by both adding and taking away different games. We don’t have any news about which games will soon be leaving Game Pass, but we can tell you which new games will soon be added to the streaming service. New games are added every month, after all, and October’s games are worth a look.
With September being more than close enough to the holiday season, there are undoubtedly plenty of new deals and discounts to come along with it. It’s buying season after all, so developers and publishing companies are looking to take in the dough. Luckily for us, that means there are plenty of sweet deals available to take advantage of, and we’ll talk about some of the best ones here.
With digital games becoming more and more popular due to their convenience, brick and mortar retailers have been looking for ways to bolster sales of physical game copies. Quite frankly, there is answer seems to be a good one; why not just sell new games for cheaper than you can get them online? Both Amazon and Walmart have taken up this practice, selling physical copies of many new releases for $49.94 instead of the classic $60.
Hype is pretty high for The Outer Worlds, which releases on Oct. 25th for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC, while a Nintendo Switch version is set to be released at a later date. But while the initial game is being released on various different platforms, you may not be able to play the sequel on anything other than Xbox. At least, that’s the statement from Xbox Studios Head Matt Booty.
During E3 of 2019, Microsoft unveiled a few interesting details about its next generation Xbox, codenamed Project Scarlett. They didn’t show any actual hardware during the event, but the few details they provided did give us an interesting glimpse into what the Xbox of the next generation would provide. Like Sony’s PS5, it’ll get a solid state drive, and will allegedly be four times more powerful than the Xbox One X, which is currently the most powerful console on the market.
Microsoft and its major gaming platform may be best known for multiplayer games, but it’s possible that they are looking to diversify their offerings in the near future. Allegedly, more single-player titles are in the works at both Microsoft and its umbrella studios.


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Performance apparel brand BLK Sport has announced 50 per cent of all sponsorship will go to women’s teams under a three-year strategy.
BLK Sport CEO Tyron Brant said the Australian-based company was committed to promoting equality from the grassroots level right through to elite national teams.
“We have implemented a strategy to achieve an equal investment in both men’s and women’s sport by August 2020, and this will apply not only to our partnerships with elite sporting teams and grassroots clubs, but also across all ambassadors, products and marketing,” Mr Brant said.
“We felt it was important to document this enormous commitment to invest in women’s sport and we will be holding ourselves accountable to achieving that goal within three years, across 14 countries where BLK trades.”
Spearheading the strategy in Australia, BLK (Beyond Limits Known) announced a partnership with the Lorna Jane Queensland Firebirds to manufacture the club’s playing dress, performance kit and supporter’s merchandise range until 2020.
BLK also becomes Netball Queensland’s preferred athletic apparel supplier and will produce ranges for its high-performance teams and competitions. The company also supplies kits to New Zealand and England’s national netball teams.
Mr Brant said the initiative would provide sustainable support for all levels of athletes across a wide range of sporting disciplines, among them netball, rugby union 7s, AFL, soccer, hockey and swimming.
“As an innovative sports brand, BLK is backing female athletes with cutting-edge apparel to give them the confidence they need to continue to push the boundaries of sporting performance,” Mr Brant said.
“BLK is proud to partner with outstanding elite women’s teams and also grassroots clubs and associations who are driving the growth and success of their respective sports and paving the way for the next generation of female players.”
BLK is Australia’s leading manufacturer of apparel for grassroots sporting franchises, supplying player kits to more than 10,000 teams worldwide.
“Women’s sport is becoming increasingly high profile but to ensure its future success support needs to be structured in a sustainable way,” Mr Brant said.


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CINEMA-CON, LAS VEGAS:
Film studios seem determined to kill the movie business completely. After putting video stores out of business by authorizing Redbox to rent videos for $1 per day from what amounts to a Coke machine, now they want to put movie theaters in a coma by authorizing a new at-home video-on-demand release during what has until now been the exclusive first-run theater window.
This comes after demanding for the last 10 years that theaters spend $ billions on digital sound, stadium seating, digital projection, 3D projection and new locations.
Now James Cameron wants a completely new system put in place with enhanced frame rates for further $ billions.
In a stunning suspension of disbelief, many studio executives argue that an enhanced early at-home alternative will encourage MORE people to go to the movie theater — do people this naive really exist? It sounds exactly like the last ten years of internet gurus and solons calmly insisting that free (stolen) music would encourage higher CD sales. See how well that worked out. Fool me once … call me a record executive; fool me twice … what do they think, we're politicians?
I ask: "Are you a movie without a movie theater?"
If you answer “yes” a movie is a movie even if released just on television, then go ahead. In fact, if that’s true why aren’t you doing it now? The TV networks have no exhibitor relationships to destroy, why aren’t they spending $300 million to produce Avatar, or $150 million to produce “the Hobbit” or even $60 million to produce “The Hangover?” I know why because I’ve asked TV network heads in the past. They say it’s ludicrous to assume they could spend like a movie studio for TV product.
The TV movie model does not support the economics of a major feature film. It is the theatrical release that makes a movie a movie and builds the momentum and interest that enables it to gross over a billion dollars. For a major worldwide hit, it is also the largest contributor to the profits of a movie. Don’t be fooled by “retail” numbers. Home video was a very big retail number but the share to the studios was around 35 vs. 60 percent for a major hit in the movie theater.
Further, a major theatrical hit has an unlimited upside while a major video hit is intrinsically limited. Video and television are great for catalog, but they do not fund a front line release schedule — for that you need the movie theater with its higher per capita income and greater share to the studio.
As for the impact on theatrical attendance, I believe it will be devastating. However, among studio execs the best case quoted to me was a 10 percent drop in attendance with the executives insisting that, "Some theaters will close, others will raise prices … it's all good." The reality is that a 10 percent drop in total attendance, across the board and permanent, will cause 2/3 of all the theaters in the U.S. to close their doors and never open again.
When I brought this up, the response was that movie theaters were just a real estate play anyway so profits didn’t matter to the theater companies — something which hasn't been true for 30 years. Today, virtually all theaters are in leased premises rented from mall owners with only older, outdated facilities still existing on owned property.
The lack of knowledge of the economics of the theaters is stunning – but it pales in comparison to the lack of interest in hearing any point of view other than their own.
What is true is that the studios f—ed up the video business deliberately and with full knowledge. They were told by every video store chain that $1/day Coke machines dispensing videos would kill the bricks and mortar video stores. Their response was the typical studio response: "F— off and get out of my office!"
When Hollywood and Blockbuster shut their stores studio revenue dropped immediately by $ billions. The public’s demand didn't drop by that amount and in fact the volume of video rentals was increasing when this took place, but with increasing volume at 40 percent of the price the stores could not be profitable. The exigencies of a retail business dictate that when revenue drops below the break-even point the entire store closes, not 10 percent of it.
Studio executives are desperate and have invented this accelerated video/internet window mainly as a means to keep their jobs — see how clever we are, how progressive and forward thinking? The utter denial that this will affect the movie theater is stunning to behold and laughable to listen to if they weren't so serious.
I'm going to say it again — a 10 percent drop in attendance, with the attendant loss of box office revenue, concessions income and advertising income will CLOSE the theaters. Most theaters have only 15-20 percent operating margins. Amazingly, studios executives are simultaneously haranguing (and alternately ridiculing) the theater owners by demanding they increase their spending on new technology, even as they plan to undermine the theatrical release.
The contempt the studio executives have for the theater owner/operators reminds of the Silicon Valley contempt for what they laughingly refer to as "authored product" — you know, like books, music, movies and TV shows, stuff people have to think of, write and create and pay for.
Don’t believe me? There are many theater companies which are public. Run the numbers yourself.
What are the options? Theaters could raise their prices — like Broadway theaters are a viable model for the movies, or maybe Grand Opera is the new model? Go twice a year for $150 a person. The main advantage movie theaters have in the marketplace is that movie-going remains the single cheapest thing a family or couple can do on a night out of the house. Despite complaints over ticket prices and parking fees, by any comparison to restaurants, sports events, concerts, theme parks etc. movies are far and away the cheapest entertainment alternative out of the home.
You could cut the theater in on the income, but: (a) that wouldn’t make up for the lost concessions and advertising income which together are 70 percent of a theater’s operating profit, and (b) wouldn’t that be contrary to the reason for creating the window to begin with making it moot?
Raising prices will simply drive more people to the home alternative. What about cutting costs? Rent for theaters is fixed — pay it or file Chapter 11 and a drop in attendance doesn’t reduce the mall owner’s need to turn a profit on their development. Over 80 percent of the labor costs are at the minimum wage and people are already complaining that staffs are too small. Utility rates are unaffected by theater attendance. Sugar prices won't go down and neither will the cost of candy. Popcorn notoriously costs only pennies to begin with and the soda companies actually subsidize soda sales.
There are literally NO costs the theater can reduce except two: They can stop cleaning the theaters … OR … they can stop paying film rental. Hard to see how either helps things.
On top of all this, a decision to cut off the theatrical window is what strategic planners (something studios seem to have a lot of these days, most with the world "digital" in their title) call a "point” decision. Once you make it, it becomes irreversible and dictates everything that comes after. The famous business school case involves the Navy deciding on the length of the runway for an aircraft carrier. If you put in this window and it cripples attendance as I believe it will and as most studies suggest it will, the theaters will close and they won't reopen.
But you sure look smart for being the one to suggest it, don’t you?
Gotta go now, there's a new Blockbuster opening down the street … What? Where?


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Like beauty, can sexism be in the eye of the beholder?
In promoting the always popular stance of adding nothing to the price of an airline ticket, Chocotravel, a travel company in Kazakhstan, created an ad featuring naked female models posing as flight attendants.
…to emphasize nothing being added.
And while you are likely to see more nudity at the beach, the ad is not going over well in a 21st-century world… though, we get the feeling that if the ad featured exotic male dancers from Chippendale, there might have been a different response.
Marat Raimkhanov, a PR and communications consultant, told the BBC the ad is “a triumph of misogyny, a gesture of desperation to attract public attention.”
“It’s a total failure—socially, morally and professionally,” he proclaimed.
While charges of sexism were popular, Nurken Rzaliyev, who works for Chocotravel’s parent company, Chocofamily, rejected the claim.
“There’s definitely no sexism,” he said on Facebook, according to BBC. “Opinions were divided, but attention was made to the problem of high ticket prices.”
And that’s what ads are intended to do: draw attention.
Choctravel Ticketing Service director Nikolay Mazensev, also responded on Facebook, saying the ad was “bold and outrageous and we did not mean to offend”.
“It shows no less than you’d see on the beach or by the pool,” he added. “Do you attack girls in short skirts or swimsuits?”
Proving that they are an equal opportunity company, the company released a second ad the day after the first was released featuring an all-male revue, following the same script.
All of which proves that if nothing else, Chocotravel knows how to have a little fun — ladies beware!
- ESPN writer looks at Olympics differently now, cites presence of US flag as reminder of Jan. 6 - July 27, 2021
- GOP lawmaker said he hugged ‘distraught’ cop after he killed unarmed Ashli Babbitt: ‘You did what you had to do’ - July 27, 2021
- Fmr. CA Sen. Barbara Boxer mugged in Oakland as libs give lip-service to getting tough on crime - July 27, 2021


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Less than a week after agreeing to be acquired by Alphabet’s (NASDAQ: GOOG) Google, Fitbit (NYSE: FIT) reported a net loss for the third quarter, on an adjusted basis, as the wearables maker’s revenues declined amid growing competition. Revenues, meanwhile, topped Walls Street’s expectation.
On an adjusted basis, the tech firm reported a loss of $0.10 per share for the September-quarter, compared to earnings of $0.04 per share last year. The loss matched analysts’ forecast. Reported net loss was $51.9 million or $0.20 per share compared to a loss of $2.1 million or $0.01 per share in the third quarter of 2018.
Revenue down 12%
The deterioration reflects a 12% decline in revenues to $347.2 million, which is slightly above the consensus estimate. Around 3.5 million devices were sold during the quarter, unchanged from last year. The top-line was hurt manly by unfavorable pricing.
Smartwatch revenue increased year-over-year, while tracker revenue declined. There was a 10% growth in Fitbit Health Solutions revenue. The number of active users at the end of the period was up 9% from last year.
James Park, CEO of Fitbit, said, “The continued success of the Fitbit brand is built on the trust of our users, and our commitment to strong user privacy and security will not change. I’m excited about the combination of Fitbit and Google and look forward to closing the transaction and further advancing our vision and mission, accelerating innovation in the category and ultimately helping more people around the world get healthier .”
The company managed to limit the impact of unfavorable market conditions on its performance by shifting the business towards the faster-growing smartwatch category, with the introduction of Versa 2, and by expanding Fitbit Health Solutions.
Last week, the company entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Google in an all-cash deal that values it at $2.1 billion. The stockholders will receive $7.35 per share in cash upon the closing of the transaction,which is expected in 2020. The management will not be hosting a conference call due to the pending acquisition.
Shares of Fitbit gained steadily after slipping to an all-time low earlier this year. The stock moved up 26% since the beginning of 2019 and closed Wednesday’s regular session lower.
Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) Thursday said its fourth-quarter profit declined from last year, hurt by a sharp fall in revenues. Earnings, however, beat the market’s projection. On an adjusted
Shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) were down 1% on Thursday. The stock has dropped over 9% year-to-date. Although the tobacco industry has felt the pinch of inflation,
CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) reported second quarter 2023 earnings results today. Net revenues rose 2% year-over-year to $8.1 billion. Net earnings were $125.9 million, or $0.79 per share, compared to $285.2 million,


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BRATISLAVA-based carmaker Volkswagen Slovakia produced the millionth car in its 12-year history on May 28.
The company increased its production by almost 25 percent last year, producing over 225,000 cars, and plans to increase output by a further 10 percent this year.
The company, which employs over 9,000 people, makes the Volkswagen Polo, Golf, Bora, and Touareg, and the Seat Ibiza. The possibility of expanding to include the Audi Pikes Peak is currently under discussion.
2. Jun 2003 at 0:00 | From press reports of TASR and SITA


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Pirelli maintained its unbroken record of podium finishes in the revived British Rally Championship in 2016 as it occupied four of the top six positions on the Scottish Rally. Desi Henry finished the Dumfries-based gravel rally in third in his Skoda Fabia R5 to score his first podium of the campaign, building upon the promise
Pirelli has held a two-day wet tyre test at the state-of-the-art Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France with the specific aim of developing the latest generation of full wet tyres.
In a celebration of contemporary automotive engineering, Pirelli has confirmed that it will return to Salon Privé to sponsor the Prestige & Performance Competition on Saturday September 3rd, following the success of last year’s event. The modern-day twist on a Concours d’Elégance drew over 5,000 guests to the inaugural Pirelli Prestige & Performance Competition in
Pirelli is set to exhibit its latest latest generation of the :01 Series truck range next week at the Commercial Vehicle in Birmingham. The specific product range on show will include the FR:01 II and TR:01 II, the ST:01 Base, specifically designed for trailers and semi-trailers, also Europe’s first double ‘A’ rated Trailer tyre, the
Pirelli has been homologated for the Jaguar F-PACE in a variety of sizes across P Zero and Scorpion Verde All Season. The P Zero has been homologated in sizes 265/40R22 106Y XL, 255/50R20 109W XL and 255/55R19 111W XL while the Scorpion Verde All Season has been homologated in size 235/65R18 110H XL. All these
Highly-rated British racer Oliver Rowland has secured a deal to do a full GP2 season this year, with assistance from Renault.
High performance and innovative materials that have a very low impact on the environment. These are the characteristics of the new prototype tyre that Pirelli has recently tested on the Vizzola and Balocco test tracks, using a Maserati Ghibli.
Pirelli heads to one of the most iconic venues on the international calendar this weekend: the Bathurst 12 Hours, held at Mount Panorama in New South Wales, west of Sydney. This is the first round of the newly created Intercontinental GT Challenge, which takes in other classic tracks such as Spa-Francorchamps.
The Autosport International show traditionally opens up the motorsport season and is currently taking placed at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre. Once again Pirelli is showcasing all it has to offer in the world of motorsport.
Pirelli’s British Rally Championship stars will fight to deliver a victory on home ground this weekend on the Pirelli Carlisle Rally, during an important birthday for the event. This year marks the 40th running of the rally, and the 25th anniversary of Pirelli’s title sponsorship. To coincide with this, the rally will be starting from
A new era in the British GT Championship will begin at Brands Hatch this weekend with the start of Pirelli’s exclusive multi-year deal to supply one of the most prestigious racing series in Britain.


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Yahoo Finance's Ines Ferre breaks down the latest earnings report from Airbnb.
SEANA SMITH: One of the big earnings reports that we were waiting for, Airbnb, just releasing its results. We want to get over to [? Annette ?] [? Spuray ?] for a closer look at these numbers. And then, taking a look at the stock price, moving just to the upside here on the heels of the numbers that we got. What do you have?
- That's right, it's a beat across the board. Second quarter gross bookings value coming in at $13.4 billion. That was a beat. Second quarter revenue coming in at $1.34 billion. That was a beat. A loss per share of $0.11, that was a strong beat.
Also, the company saying that its third quarter revenue was well above, or will be well above third quarter 2019 levels. Also, the company giving some commentary on the variant of COVID-19, saying that it will keep effecting near-term travel behavior. Some interesting commentary, also, in the company's shareholder letter, saying that Airbnb booking trends seen during the pandemic are here to stay, including stay outside of top destinations and long-term stays. Those longer-term stays in areas outside of urban cities tend to bring in higher rates. And that is what the company has been seeing. It had been seeing that in Q1, and also in Q2-- seeing that growth in non-urban areas and longer stays. Seana, Adam?


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A 16 button pin set.
As part of the launch of Fire Emblem Engage last week on the Switch, My Nintendo is offering a new reward in certain parts of the world. This latest one is a pin set featuring many heroes from the past Fire Emblem series.
The same heroes return in Fire Emblem Engage to assist the new the cast of characters. Here’s the official description of this pin set. You’ll want to set around 1,000 Platinum Points, and delivery is 1-2 weeks.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com


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The official Twitter account of Nakanohito Genome [Jikkyouchuu]
manga announced on Thursday that the series will get an anime adaptation. The seventh volume of the manga will also reveal the announcement on its wraparound band, which will ship this Saturday.
Charismatic gamers became the one to be played!?
Akatsuki Iride is popular among the gaming community as a "natural" gamer. One day, he unlocks a hidden content in a mysterious free game called "Nakanohito Genome," and finds that the content is a real-life game. The imposed objective of the game is to clear several games and achieve 100 million views. Akatsuki, along with eight other charismatic gamers are gathered, as they challenge the mysterious game world by putting their lives on the line.
started Nakanohito Genome [Jikkyouchuu]
via Gene pixiv
in October 2014. Kadokawa has been publishing the series in physical volumes since June 2015. The compiled volumes have over 350,000 copies in print.
Source: animate Times
Nakanohito Genome [Jikkyouchuu]


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The government has urged state-owned corporations and big businesses to treat their employees to a vacation in Crimea, pulling out all the stops in the effort to fill beaches left empty by estranged Ukrainian tourists and prevent a collapse of the peninsula's tourism industry.
In a telegram sent by the Federal Tourism Agency on May 29, companies were told that "to fulfill the Russian president's orders … we propose that you purchase vacation packages to the sanatoriums of the Crimean Federal District for your employees with company funds," RIA Novosti reported Wednesday, citing a copy of the document.
The head of the ministry's press service confirmed to RIA Novosti that the letters had been sent, and said the companies could either pay for the vacations themselves, partially or in full, or labor unions could step up to purchase the holiday packages.
With little developed industry to its name, Crimea's economy is highly dependent on its tourism industry. Hoteliers on the peninsula say that up to 70 percent of their clients used to be Ukrainians — people who, thanks to Russia's annexation of the peninsula in March, are now on the wrong side of a hostile border. Tourists from other countries have also been scared off this year by media coverage of the annexation and of unrest in Ukraine. Six million tourists visited Crimea last year, according to the Federal Tourism Agency, meaning that Russian big business may have to send millions of tourists to keep Crimea's tourism sector afloat.
The Russian government is striving in other ways to encourage domestic tourism. A state-funded exhibition last month allowed Crimean tourism professionals to advertise their wares in Moscow free of charge. Other approaches have been more direct — the deputy head of Moscow's cultural department told Izvestia last month that 10,000 school children will vacation in Crimea this summer, with the government footing the 290 million ruble ($8 million) bill.


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Consumer satisfaction with a variety of products and services is on the rise.
The American Customer Satisfaction Index, which measures customer evaluations of the quality of products and services available to household consumers, posted its biggest increase in three years during the first quarter.
Areas showing gains include wireless phone service up five percent; cable and satellite TV with a three percent increase; and the hotel industry with a three percent improvement.
The airline industry was down one and a-half percent to 65.
That's the lowest score since it was rocked by the 9-11 attacks.


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Our Lieutenant Governor here in Texas, David Dewherst, attacks his opponent, Ted Cruz, because Cruz represented a Chinese company that stole some patented designs from a U.S. company. The adds from Dewherst claim that this cost American jobs.
On the other side, Cruz claims that he didn't argue the case and was not the attorney of record. Court documents show that to be a lie. He was, in fact, the attorney of record on the case.
But all is not what it seems in Dewherst's add either. There were no American jobs lost because a Chinese company stole American patents. The "American" company was moved to China, many years ago. The fact that a Chinese company stole the patents didn't cost any American jobs since the "American" company, except for executives, operates in China, and imports the products into the U.S.
The product is car tires.
But, these guys are Republicans. Truth isn't important.


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Semiconductor chip-maker Wolfspeed is moving at lightning speed to get this massive new factory in Chatham County up and running.
Cameras weren’t allowed inside this high-security facility, but WRAL News got to go on a tour. He got a first-hand look at how the site will provide the chips that power everything from electric vehicles to artificial intelligence.
Wolfspeed celebrated a topping-out ceremony with this final steel beam going up in the air in place at the factory site in Chatham County on Tuesday. The very first steel went in here nine months ago.
“It’s exciting with the great planning we’ve done and the leadership we have, so we’re ready for this moment,” said Chatham County Economic Development Director Michael Smith. “It’s been years in the making.”
Now, there’s this 2-million-square-foot facility.
More than 2,000 workers will be there daily building the John Palmour Manufacturing Center for Silicon Carbide or the JP as they’re calling it. Wolfspeed said will be the largest silicon carbide factory in the world.
“Toyota down the road is making a multi-billion-dollar investment,” said Sen. Thom Tillis. “VinFast. Wolfspeed. There are tens of billions of dollars in bets being placed on North Carolina’s economy and our ability to produce the workforce.”
Inside the factory, the company is already growing silicon carbide crystals under high security. There are massive hallways that look like highways.
It will be more than 80% automated with autonomous vehicles and robots moving materials and products. The JP is where Wolfspeed will make the silicon carbide wafers that go into semiconductor chips.
Those chips will end up powering electric vehicles. The company already has deals with Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover, and General Motors.
“We’re driving, pushing that envelope in terms of our silicone carbide technology to make sure you get the most miles per charge for all these electric vehicles,” said Wolfspeed Director of Facilities Shawn Lilly.
Wolfspeed plans to ramp up production in 2025.
This facility has the space where Wolfspeed can expand in phases over a decade.
The company said it will be able to increase its materials capacity by 10 times.


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The launch of Delhaize’s “new game plan” has been widely welcomed by the market and the Belgium-based retailer’s share price has responded accordingly. The plan aims to drive sales growth by investing in pricing and expanding in new markets and low-cost formats, a strategy that is to be funded through the company’s ambitious cost cutting programme. Katy Humphries reports.
Addressing analysts in Athens today (3 December), Delhaize chief executive Pierre-Oliver Beckers (pictured) unveiled the company’s “new game plan”, which has been formulated to drive future sales and profit growth.
The three-pronged approach focuses on cost-cutting efforts, speeding up expansion in new markets and formats, as well as increased investment in lowering prices.
Last month, Delhaize posted strong third-quarter earnings growth and raised its full-year outlook. However, top-line growth at the company’s US business – which generates about 70% of sales – has been sluggish.
In the US, like-for-like sales in the July-September quarter were dented by food deflation and lower consumer spending, decreasing by 1.3%. By contrast, in Belgium, same-store sales were up 4.6%, the company revealed.
“We have been able to produce quite resilient numbers…. Quarter after quarter we have improved our volume growth,” Beckers said.
However, he added: “The numbers by any means have not been the best and the highest we have seen in the food retail industry. Our top-line growth numbers have not been as buoyant as some of our best-in-class competitors and we believe that is something we need and should address.”
Indeed, analysts at KBC Securities agree that Delhaize should focus on improving its top-line performance.
“We welcome the new game plan that aims to accelerate top-line growth,” KBC analysts wrote in a note today. “Delhaize’s margins are already at a satisfactory level but some of its peers perform better in terms of top line growth.”
Until now, Delhaize has followed a strategy that has focused on its supermarket format, particularly in the US, where it has looked to strengthen its brand and develop its own-label lines.
“We think that this has helped us reach leading positions within most of our markets,” Beckers insisted today.
However, Delhaize admitted in November that own-label growth has slowed as branded competitors increased their promotional activity.
And while Delhaize has – like many of its peers – already invested in lowering prices in order to woo consumers during the economic downturn, the group revealed that it plans to step-up these efforts.
Delhaize said that each of its banners is planning a new and “more aggressive” pricing strategy, that will kick in next month. The company will benchmark itself against the leading price competitor with the aim of narrowing the pricing gap.
The company is also increasing its focus on its discount formats – Bottom Dollar Food in the US and Red Market in Europe.
Delhaize launched its Red Market format in the back-half of this year in Belgium and, the company claims, the pilot has met with “incredible success”.
“We are extremely happy with the sales performance [at Red Market] and this is a key driver with our decision to speed the roll-out of the format,” a spokesperson for the group told just-food.
According to Barclays Capital analysts James Anstead and Amy Crofton, the increased focus on these discount formats could be bad news for Delhaize’s competitors.
“This Red Market format is a discount supermarket model that even Colruyt admitted was very impressive, focusing on high convenience (with long opening hours and entirely self-scanning stores) and low price, both of which play directly into current consumer trends,” they said.
Additionally, Delhaize said that it would triple its expansion efforts in the “high growth” markets of Greece, Romania and Indonesia.
Anstead and Crofton insisted that, despite a potential down-side in terms of free cash flow yield, the increased rate of store openings was “good news” that should go some way to “pep up its historically fairly low sales growth”.
The group also said that it hoped to fuel expansion through bolt-on acquisitions, such as its recently completed acquisition of 11 stores and a distribution centre operated under the Koryfi banner in Greece.
Beckers revealed that Delhaize remained hopeful that it would successfully complete the proposed acquisition of bankrupt Bi-Lo ‘s assets in the US, having made a US$425m bid in October.
“We’re still excited about the possibilities there,” he said.
Delhaize said that it plans to fund these investments through a cost-cutting plan that is expected to generate EUR300m (US$452.5m) of additional cost savings annually by 2012.
The company has already taken a number of steps to strip costs out of the business. In fiscal 2008, Delhaize generated annual savings of EUR60m and the company has indicated that it remains on-track to deliver cost cuts of EUR100m this year.
Its latest set of targets mean that the group intends to continue to incrementally improve its cost base at roughly the same pace as in fiscal 2009 into 2012.
A number of measures that Delhaize has already initiated could fall within these targets, including the reorganisation of its US distribution network and the opening of a new distribution centre in Belgium. The company said that the remainder will be achieved by eliminating dual functions in the central office and improving operations at the chain level.
While cost savings are generally warmly received by the market, analysts at US brokerage Morningstar warned that these measures may go “too far”.
“This comes on the heels of EUR160m in cost savings over the past two years, so we wonder if the company may end up cutting too much and starving the business,” the analysts wrote in a note.
Nevertheless, such concerns aside, Delhaize’s plan to reinvigorate the top line has been generally well received and its share price had risen 2.10% at 3.30pm today, climbing to EUR52.62.
While the company has done much to strengthen its brand and build loyalty in recent years, by investing in new formats, lower prices and expansion into new markets Delhaize hopes it will improve its top line performance over the next two years.
Certainly, with the current importance of price driving consumer spending and the highly competitive nature of its major markets in the US and Europe, investing in price has become a prerequisite for improved sales.


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Plug-in hybrid SUV is second biggest selling electric vehicle in UK even though it was only released last year
The Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid is the second most common green car in the UK even though it was only released last year, industry figures show. Analysis of DVLA data by the RAC Foundation show...
Tech giant quadruples number of locations for US customers to hand in old iPhones as part of recycling and reuse drive
GreenBiz releases its latest update on soaring renewables demand from US corporates
Record amount of future new wind capacity will be financed from last year's investment, according to WindEurope
Nation known for its natural beauty is under pressure with extinctions, polluted rivers and blighted lakes


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Matches start on 4th February 2016, top international cricketers set to take part
Dubai, 17 January 2016: HBL PSL announced itself in Dubai and Sharjah with a meet and greet event at a local hotel attended by leading business and media partners.
Chairman HBL PSL Governing Council, Mr. Najam Sethi was joined by Mr. Naveed Asghar, Chief Marketing Officer HBL, Mr. Salman Iqbal, CEO ARY and owner of Karachi Kings franchise, and Mr. Abdulrahman Falaknaz, Partner Dubai Sports City, for a press meet and greet event in Dubai.
Addressing the business community and media at the event, Mr. Najam Sethi said: “The HBL Pakistan Super League is now just days away and it is an exciting time for all cricket fans. I must thank all our valued partners in Dubai and Sharjah who have helped us in realizing this dream.”
Formally launching the sale of tickets, Mr. Sethi added: “I am pleased to announce that apart from online ticket sales at kyazoonga.ae/psl, we have many retail outlets where fans can go and purchase tickets. We are bringing top international players from 9 countries to the Dubai and Sharjah and I am confident that fans will come out to support their favourite stars.” Mr. Sethi also bought a match ticket that he will gift to a fan who sends the best tweet to him at the PSLTwitter account (@thePSLt20).
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Naveed Asghar, Chief Marketing Officer of HBL said: “HBL, Pakistan’s largest bank, is honored and delighted to partner with Pakistan Super League to bring the biggest sporting festival of Pakistan – the HBL PSL. HBL is a national institution that has always played an instrumental role in promoting sports and sportsmen, especially cricket, with some of the largest sporting stars in the country having realized their dreams with HBL.”
Mr. Abdulrahman Falaknaaz, Partner Dubai Sports City spoke about Dubai Sports City’s association with Pakistan Cricket Board: “We have partnered with Pakistan Cricket board for a number of years now. The HBL Pakistan Super League is a grand event and we are very pleased to be the host for the first season of HBL PSL. I anticipate great interest in the inaugural edition of this premier cricket event.”
Pakistan Women's Cricket Team Captain Sana Mir, Fawad Alam, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil and Bilal Asif also attended the event.
With top international cricketers from 9 different countries taking part in the League, it is sure to attract a wide variety of cricket fans from the UAE and beyond. These stars include Pakistani T20 skipper Shahid Afridi, England’s Kevin Pietersen, Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, former Bangladeshi captain and currently number 1 ranked ICC T20 all-rounder Shakib al Hasan and West Indian opener Chris Gayle.
Tickets for HBL PSL are available online to fans across the world at kyazoonga.ae/psl. Fans in UAE can also purchase tickets from branches of Al Fardaan Exchange, Karachi Darbar, Kulcha King, AJ Sports, Tandoori Junction, Sindh Punjab, TCS, and Delhi Nihari. Ticket prices for the single headers start from an extremely affordable AED 20 while tickets for play-offs, double headers, and the final start at AED 30.
The opening ceremony of the HBL Pakistan Super League will see performances by Pakistani heartthrob Ali Zafar and Sean Paul, and a fireworks show that the public will be able to enjoy before the opening match between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United.


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PRINCETON, WV (WVNS)– The city of Princeton is offering annexation incentives to people or businesses who add their properties within the city boundaries.
The Princeton Economic Development Authority first recommended the incentives in a December City Council Meeting and gained unanimous approval in January.
There are three incentives that will last between three to five years; business and occupancy tax forgiveness, free trash pickup, and forgiveness of building permit fees.
Samuel Lusk, Economic Development Director for PEDA, thinks all three incentives will help the city of Princeton gain business and residential growth.
“It’s just to encourage folks that are outside the city to come in and to further the number of businesses within city limits and the number of residents,” Lusk said. “And, we hope when we get enough businesses to come into city limits that we can eventually eliminate the business and occupancy tax in the city of Princeton altogether.”
To learn more about how you can take advantage of these incentives, you can contact City Hall and speak with Lusk directly about the process and fill out the necessary paperwork.


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MDR Withdrawal to Trigger Huge Demand for POS Terminals in India: Millennium
By: Millennium Soft-Tech India Private Limited
The government's recent decision to abolish MDR for small and medium retail merchants over the digital transactions through debit card up to Rs 2000 has come as a welcome relief for thousands of retail businesses across the country as they were finding hard to pay banks from their pockets or charge extra from customers.
According to industry sources, the demand for Point Of Sale (POS) transaction machines from shop owners will go up sharply as the government's decision to abolish MDR for two years from January 1, 2018 will encourage more to approach banks to install POS machines at their shops.
According to Reserve Bank of India, the government's push to popularize cash-less transactions has borne results as the number of POS machines used by merchants has gone drastically up to 3 million from the paltry 0.8 million machines a year ago.
Some of the merchants, whom this writer had contacted, expressed hope that such move would encourage more traders to adopt cashless transaction to lessen their burden on handling cash.
"I did not want to have POS machine earlier as I had no intention to charge extra from my customers in the name of bank transaction charges. But now, since the government has announced to bear the MDR charges for transaction up to Rs 2000, I will approach my bank to install a card transaction machine. For transactions above Rs 2000, since the RBI has reduced the charges now, it will not have any impact on our business in switching over to cashless transaction,"
Welcoming the government move, Mr Bhaskar Venkatraman, CEO and Director of Millennium Soft-tech India, a pioneer in introducing POS machines to Indian retailers says, "Withdrawing MDR is the right move to bring India closer to cashless economy. We expect huge demand for POS machines from retailers in the coming quarter as more merchants will accept card transaction at POS counters. Presently, the government has made debit card transaction free from MDR charges up to Rs 2000, which I feel should also be extended to credit cards to encourage more customers."
As the average debit card transaction amount in India is below Rs 1500, accepting debit card will be almost equal to accepting cash for small retailers. But the government should take measures to prevent traders from misusing the subsidy, says Mohanraj, a customer at a famous retail chain in Chennai.
After demonetization and GST rollout, the government's recent move to remove MDR charges for debit card transactions for two years is seen as the right step to encourage digital payments among customers and retail businesses.
K Ramanathan, Media Coordinator,
Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai.


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Is Anna Wintour leaving Vogue?
Lara Spencer reports the buzziest stories of the day in "GMA" Pop News.
Harvey Weinstein's estranged wife, Georgina Chapman, has spoken out for the first time, giving a tearful interview in which she says she didn't know of his misconduct and weeps for her children, who still love their father
Monday night's extravagant Met Gala was certainly one for the books. This year's theme was " Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination ." A-list stars did not disappoint on fashion's biggest night. Kim Kardashian West , Miley Cyrus , Rihanna , Madonna and numerous others came decked out
Fashion's biggest night has begun as the Met Gala has rolled out the crimson and cream carpet outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Although the actual event isn't televised and has a strict no media policy, plenty of photographers have descended on the carpet ahead of The Met's
All eyes will be on the most iconic red carpet in fashion Monday night when the Met Gala takes place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, bringing with it Hollywood A-listers and fashion insiders. And don't worry if you didn't score a ticket to the black-tie affair, which reportedly
The company says the phones' cameras have been upgraded and users can now send animated emojis.
I mean yes votes yeah. Good morning she wouldn't we begin with Queen Elizabeth we'll she has never wavered in her fashion sense right. But that didn't stop her from checking out the shows in London her majesty making her Fashion Week debut. On Tuesday sitting next to the ground Donald all things
British royalty rubbed shoulders with fashion royalty today at London Fashion Week.
British royalty rubbed shoulders with fashion royalty today at London Fashion Week . Queen Elizabeth II made her first ever appearance at London Fashion Week and sat front row next to Vogue’s Anna Wintour at designer Richard Quinn’s runway show. Her Majesty views Richard Quinn's runway show


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Philippine Seven to continue expanding despite tepid performance of competition
May 31, 2023
July 23, 2018
CONVENIENCE-store operator Philippine Seven Corp., the local franchisee of 7-Eleven stores in the country, said it will continue to expand the number of its stores, despite the rationalization of operations of its competitors.
“The focus shall be further expanding our footprint even if there is reduced competitive activity, as we believe the market will continue to grow, and we are in best position to take advantage of this opportunity,” Jose T. Pardo, the company’s chairman and independent director, said.
Jose Victor P. Paterno, the company’s president and CEO, said he hopes to end 2019 with 3,000 branches, from the 2,386 branches as of the first half of the year.
Paterno said the challenge is to overtake the share of sari-sari stores in the country, which he said, quoting a study from Nielsen, still command a 33.3-percent market share as of last year. The entire convenience-store sector in the country, on the other hand, only had a market share of 3.3 percent, up by a mere 0.3 percent from 2016 figure.
“We consider that sari-sari stores are still our No. 1 competitor. Competition in convenience store is not about price war, it’s about size war. You kill each other over location. It’s all about trying to become the most convenient for customers, that’s where the battle is in the end,” Paterno said.
In 2013 a number of foreign-branded convenience stores entered the country. Most of them have since been rationalizing their operations—or closing down a number of branches—in less than two years after starting their operations.
FamilyMart, for instance, has been been sold by the Tantoco and the Ayala groups to Dennis Uy’s Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. On the other hand, there is talk that Lucio Co’s Lawson convenience-stores business is already being put up for sale.
The SM Group’s Alfamart is still on expansion mode, but in the outskirts of city centers, while MiniStop is also rationalizing its operations.
Paterno said the company may add up about 100 more stores before the year-end, but the bulk of its expansion will now be in Metro Manila and nearby cities, picking up from where its competitors have left off.
In previous years, the company expanded in the Visayas and Mindanao, even building distribution centers, while its competitors put up stores in Metro Manila in almost every corner of the city center.
“Last year we went to Bohol, this year we went to Mindoro, later this year we’ll be going to Leyte, but these are smaller moves and not building new distribution centers. Mindoro, Bohol [are] too small for building a new distribution center,” Paterno said.
Paterno said the company is now working on data mining to track potential purchase of customers in their next visit.
He said the company is currently working with a number of data companies to help them device an artificial-intelligence (AI) program that will aid the company in predicting buyers’ next buying decision.
“Basically we’re figuring out AI. That’s in the last three years. Before, people [thought] this thing’s never gonna work. Now, look at Google Translate and look how good it is. I have no doubt that it will start figuring out stuff like what is the optimal assortment [for] each store, like what product should you carry in each store. How much of this product will be sold on a given day given this weather,” he explained.
For the first half of the year ending June, the company’s net income surged 19 percent to P533.2 million, from last year’s P446.4 million.
System-wide sales jumped 22 percent to P22.17 billion, from last year’s P18.07 billion.


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Gigi Hadid is showing major skin in the new Guess campaign.
The 19-year-old model is the face of the Spring 2015 Guess collection, and she’s stripping down in the campaign photos. Check out all of the pictures in the gallery!
The latest edition of Style Scoop is filled with the latest celebrity collaborations and newest lines launching. So mark your calendars because we’re rounding up the style news you won’t want to miss.
Jessica Simpson reveals the inspiration behind her latest scent, Vintage Bloom — and it’s correlation to what was going o…


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|Verizon Wireless Updates Specifications for 4G LTE 700 MHz Devices|
Posted: 21-Aug-2009 [Source: Verizon Wireless]
[Updated 700 Mhz specs available to developers for wireless devices set to run on Verizon Wireless' LTE network set to launch in 30 markets in 2010.]
Basking Ridge, NJ -- Verizon Wireless today released updated specifications for wireless devices -- traditional and innovative -- that will run on the nationwide Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G network it is building on the Upper 700 MHz C-Block spectrum. The network access requirements contain key updates, clarifications and additions to guide developers into the next phase of bringing their LTE devices to the Verizon Wireless network.
Verizon Wireless expects to commercially launch its LTE 4G network in up to 30 markets in 2010, covering 100 million people. In subsequent years, an equally aggressive growth plan will result in full nationwide coverage in 2013. The company's LTE network will ultimately connect a full range of electronics devices and machines.
Developers can access the Verizon Wireless 700 MHz LTE Specification updates from the open development Web site at www.verizonwireless-opendevelopment.com. Developers can view which sections of the specifications have been updated by checking the Revision History. For more information about Verizon Wireless' LTE 4G network visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte.
Back to Headlines...


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Blowing bubbles: Salmon farming campaigner, Corin Smith, has announced that the revolution has begun because land-based salmon farming is now commercially viable. His pronouncement comes after Atlantic Sapphire completed their first commercial harvest of land-based farmed salmon in the US. Mr Smith says land-based farming is now a credible alternative to the ‘feedlot’ salmon industry in Scotland and this moment should signal the start of the inexorable demise of the open cage industry.
Sadly, Mr Smith is being somewhat premature but that’s because he really doesn’t understand the commercial realities of land-based farming. This is something of a puzzle given his expertise in business finance, which in his case was with the on-line betting company Betfair. Indeed, if Mr Smith is so convinced about the future of land-based farming perhaps he should take a gamble and put a bet on whether companies like Atlantic Sapphire are still in business in ten years’ time. At this moment, I certainly wouldn’t put any money on it.
I also wouldn’t be like to depend on the news about this first harvest. In their media release the company states that the company celebrated a ground-breaking moment with the first harvest of US Bluehouse Salmon at scale. What it doesn’t say is what they mean by scale. Salmon Business asked the company exactly how much fish was harvested but they failed to respond. The company was supposed to have harvested 1,000 tonnes by mid-2020 but they clearly missed that target. These targets are important to Atlantic Sapphire because they have their investors to consider. Such a huge amount has been invested in Atlantic Sapphire as well as other fledgling land-based companies, that they need to keep to their plans otherwise risk losing investors. From May this year, the company was listed on the Oslo stock exchange and Salmon Business reported at the time that they had a production target of 10,000 tonnes a year by Q3 2020. The company said that the attraction of this listing was to allow more investors to take part in this innovative salmon farming venture. Of course, it also allows investors to sell their shares if the promises do not live up to expectation.
It is already possible to see the amount of pressure the company is under to perform by the announcement in August that 200,000 fish had been slaughtered prematurely at the farm. Rather strangely, Mr Smith who is quick to comment on mortality events in net pen farms remained silent on these deaths. The fish had been stressed due to construction work elsewhere on the farm. This should not come as any surprise to those who understand the industry as salmon are extremely sensitive fish. The fact that tanks had been stocked whilst the farm was still under construction was another example of the pressure to get results rather than wait until work was completed. The impact on the fish was somewhat predictable. Atlantic Sapphire had also lost another 227,000 fish in their Danish farm earlier in the year. The success of land-based farming is no forgone conclusion.
Atlantic Sapphire would need to operate profitably for at least five years before I am convinced that such land-based farms are commercially viable. One harvest is meaningless.
Harvesting is just one side of the story. Intrafish have said that the biggest question on investors and rivals’ minds is how much, if any, premium will the fish fetch? However, why the fish should receive a premium is unclear? They are produced nearer the market so therefore should be possibly cheaper than imported fish.
According to Intrafish, Atlantic Sapphire have announced that retailers will be selling the fish at $14.99/lb (about £26/kg) which they say is putting their fish at a competitive price with other fresh farmed salmon on the US retail market. What is also unknown is how this price relates to the true cost production. The question is whether this recommended price is subsidised to make it more attractive to consumers.
Intrafish compared this price with other farmed salmon being sold in some US stores. All the salmon is described as farmed Atlantic unless otherwise stated. The cheapest they found was in Walmart at $7.84/kg (13.60/kg), Kroger and Albertsons at $7.99/lb, Wholefoods and Trader Joes at $9.99/lb, H.E.B at $10.27/lb, Giant Eagle Norwegian at $10.99/lb and Giant Eagle Faroese at $15.99/lb (£27.70/kg).
Atlantic Sapphire announced they would be selling their fish to a range of stores including Giant Eagle, H.E.B., New Seasons Markets, Publix, Safeway, Sobey’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Wegmans and the Chef’s Warehouse.
The fact that Intrafish quote prices for both Norwegian and Faroese salmon highlights that the salmon market in the US is not straightforward. Shoppers have access to national, regional and local store chains ranging from premium to value. Larger chains can offer a number of different options of salmon so shoppers might have to select from a range of choices even in the same store. It is therefore not a matter of Atlantic Sapphire having to compete against Walmart’s cheaper salmon fillet.
To illustrate the point, the store chain Wegmans, one of those which is to take salmon from Atlantic Sapphire in Miami has the following salmon choices available to consumers.
The best deal is a pack of over 1kg of salmon selling for $7.99/lb, not that much different from the price at Walmart.
Wegmans standard salmon fillet is priced at $9.99/lb.
Wegmans also offer salmon belly or top loin priced at $12.99//lb equivalent to $2/lb cheaper than the Atlantic Sapphire fish.
They also supply a fixed weight portion which works out at £13.99/lb or $1/lb less than the Atlantic Sapphire product.
Finally, their premium product is European supplied organic salmon fillet at $18.99/lb or $4/lb more than the Atlantic Sapphire recommended price.
In addition, Wegmans are already selling Bluehouse salmon fillets selling at $14.99/kg but grown at their Danish facility and flown over to the US. Clearly, the price is subsidised in some way as there seems little justification for charging the same price if the fish does not have to be flown in from Europe.
John Andreassen, founder of Atlantic Sapphire posted the following photo of their Bluehouse Salmon displayed in a Wegman’s store.
What is interesting is that one of the benefits being promoted for land-based farming in the US is proximity of the market. Wegman’s stores are located along the eastern states from Massachusetts to North Carolina but News Seasons Markets by comparison can be found in Oregon, across the other side of the US. Even more interestingly, Sobey’s are the second largest food retailer in Canada. This is not really local production near to the market.
Of course, Atlantic Sapphire Bluehouse salmon does not just have to compete with other farmed salmon, Wegmans like many other US stores sell wild caught fish from Alaska. They have a choice with these fish too.
The cheapest Pacific salmon is the Sockeye selling at $16.99/lb. The Keta salmon sells at $17.99/lb in a family pack of about 2lb of fish whilst the Coho is the same price. Finally, the King salmon sells at a whopping $27.99/lb which is equivalent to £48.50/kg.
Finally on the subject of prices; not all the retailers are taking Atlantic Sapphire’s recommendation of a retail price as $14.99/lb. New Seasons Markets have put the price at $15.99/lb but are initially offering the fish at a promotional price of $13.99/lb; a saving of $2/lb.
This is to attract shoppers to the salmon because the majority are unlikely to pay a higher price to buy fish from what is described as a eco-friendly self-contained indoor farm, especially as such descriptions are unlikely to appear at the point of sale. Certainly, when Wholefoods started to sell Atlantic Sapphire salmon there was no accompanying explanation.
Atlantic Sapphire’s farm may be described as eco-friendly but one aspect of closed containment which is never mentioned is welfare. Critics of net pen farming complain about salmon being crammed in together at 10-15kg/m3 yet whilst demanding a change to closed containment appear to ignore that stocking might have to reach 100/kg/m3 or more in order to be commercially viable. It would be interesting to know what stocking density Atlantic Sapphire will be aiming for at maximum production.
The reality is that closed containment is mainly advocated by those who blame salmon farming for declines of wild salmon or else are NIMBYs who want farms anywhere else but near them. Certainly, I have never heard one critic welcome a proposal to site a land-based unit near to the location of a net pen farm it would replace.
I began this commentary with reference to the belief by Corin Smith that land based closed containment has been proved to be commercially viable, He adds that ‘Non salmon farming nations like France, Spain, Dubai, South Africa and Japan have all seen billions of dollars of inward investment in land based salmon farming facilities.’ So why isn’t Scotland? The answer is that companies who already farm salmon might know something that all these investors don’t. I am reminded of Tulip Mania and the South Sea Bubble.
Tulip Mania occurred in the 1630s and was the first speculative bubble in history. Tulips were introduced to Holland around 1590 and soon became a coveted luxury item. The more unusual varieties were especially sought after, and people were willing to pay inflated prices to buy them. This led to a futures market with prices skyrocketing but by 1637, the promised bulbs failed to materialise, and the market collapsed with people losing vast amounts of money through failed contracts or bulbs with no value.
The South Sea Bubble occurred after investors were encouraged to buy into the South Sea Company in England in the early 1700s. Unfortunately, the promises of wealth came to nothing and investors lost fortunes. Could land based farming be just another such investment bubble?
My belief is that the closed containment farm is still to be proven. It will be interesting to see whether the rewards for investing in such farms actually materialise and whether land-based farming lives up to the claimed promises.
Finally, Mr Smith says that in ten years- time, no-one will want to buy Scottish salmon raised in their own sewage; that has destroyed wild fisheries and has polluted the seas, so what then for the Scottish net pen industry? The answer is that just as now, consumers are not interested in the views of a few industry critics, especially anglers like Mr Smith who readily kill wild salmon for sport. Equally, in ten years’ time, we are likely to be still waiting for proof that closed contained land based farms are the commercially viable.
Three Rivers: BBC News report that six salmon, allegedly from the storm damaged Carradale farm have been caught in three rivers in England. These fish were caught in the rivers Ehen, the Border Esk and the Cumbrian Derwent.
The BBC say that there has been a massive change in the ecological balance of the marine eco-system and that the full impacts are only just starting to play out. They continue that the freed fish have more than trebled the number of salmon in the seas around the west coast, all competing for the same food as a wild species already experiencing significant declines.
The BBC report appears overly dramatic, given that just six fish have been caught and as yet, the origins have not been confirmed. It is unlikely that there has been a massive change in the ecological balance of the marine environment because past incidents suggest that the majority of the fish will disappear out to sea and die and that it is just a handful that find their way into freshwater. The fact that wild salmon typically migrate to feeding grounds off Norway and Iceland means that they are not competing for food with wild salmon off the coast of south west Scotland. This is just misinformation spread to try to undermine the salmon farming industry. Wild salmon are experiencing significant declines but this has nothing to do with salmon farming since the declines are across the whole of the Atlantic salmon’s range.
The BBC spoke to Brian Shields from the Environment Agency who said that ‘we want to see as many wild fish spawning as possible to benefit future fish generations, which is why we want to make sure these farmed fish can be removed from our rivers to prevent future damage to the wild stocks’
However, if the Environment Agency is so concerned about making sure that every returning fish is given the opportunity to breed to benefit future generations and to prevent future damage to the wild stock, then why does the agency permit anglers to kill the wild fish for sport before they are able to breed.
In 2019, the last year for which data is available, anglers killed 67 wild salmon and 122 wild sea trout in just these three rivers. I suspect that the loss of these fish will have a much greater impact on the future of wild stocks in these rivers than the appearance of six fish, that are simply present in the rivers and are not even certain to breed.
The angling sector are quick to use any excuse to point the finger at salmon farming but have yet to accept any responsibility that their own actions may have an impact on the state of stocks of wild fish.
The Truth: Salmon farming industry critics are always demanding the salmon industry should tell the truth yet the reality is that when they are told the truth they refuse to believe it because it doesn’t fit in with their narrative. This can be illustrated with reference to one of the few critics on Twitter who seems to use his own name – Niall McKillop from Fort William, Mr McKillop repeatedly keeps tweeting that I am the author of tweets under the name of @TalkSalmon. Like other critics, Mr McKillop cannot believe that there can be more than one or two people willing to speak out on behalf of the salmon farming industry so any Tweets must be from either me or Hamish McDonell of the SSPO. I personally don’t think that they are from Mr McDonell, as he like me, does not need to hide behind any anonymous account. I am happy to say what I say under my own name. I have written to Mr McKillop more than once to say this is not me but he continues to use my name in association with his replies to that account. He is totally uninterested in anything except his own voice.
Yet interestingly, Mr McKillop did have the opportunity to correct my alleged misinformation to my face. Through Direct Messaging, I arranged to meet Mr McKillop at a café in Fort William. Unfortunately, he failed to turn up. I did message him to ask where he was and eventually, he claimed his car had broken down on the road to Inverness. He made no attempt to tell me as much. Instead, at the time we were supposed to meet, he seemed to be posting pictures on Twitter of butterflies on a Buddleia bush in his neighbour’s garden.
Like all these keyboard warriors, Mr McKillop is happy to criticise the salmon farming industry from behind his computer screen but is totally unwilling to debate the issues face to face. He is clearly not interested in the truth.


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Last year, Budweiser captured hearts across the nation - and won Super Bowl Ad Meter - with a tale of a Clydesdale and his old trainer reconnecting after years apart. The ad strategy worked so well that the company will revisit the same premise during this year's game - but this time, with a puppy:
REGISTER: Sign up for Ad Meter
What the ad lacks in originality, it makes up for in cute animals. Judging by our Ad Meter bracket tournament championship, which features not one but two Budweiser ads starring cute animals, going all-in on "awwwwww"s is a smart strategy. It remains to be seen whether Ad Meter voters will look as kindly upon this iteration as they did last year's, but if the reactions of Twitter and the news media are any indication, early returns are good. Besides, Budweiser bought a ton of Super Bowl ad time this year. They'll have plenty of other opportunities to get creative.