text:
Scott Disick Launches Lawsuit Against Mercedes Benz
Scott Disick has made his love of luxury goods well known, whether he’s rocking Patek Philippe or cruising around Calabasas in his Porsche, but there’s one big-ticket item that isn’t putting a smile on the Lord’s face: his 2012 Mercedes.
TMZ reports that Scotty Boy is suing the German auto company, claiming that the luxury car he bought from them is about as much use to him as a Ford Pinto.
Scott claims that his Mercedes SLS AMG, with its Delorean-style cull-wing doors, has to be repaired so often that it’s virtually useless for anything other than draining his bank account, thanks to its countless trips to the mechanic.
Despite numerous attempts to fix the car’s issues, Scott says he’s fed up with Mercedes and just wants his money back. And the money he put into it. And whatever else he can get from them for putting him through such a distressing ordeal.
If Scott does get what he wants out of Mercedes, he could be looking at a pretty big payout; the list price on the car is $190,000, and we can only imagine what kind of costly improvements the Lord made to his not-so-trusty steed.


text:
In the end, Tommy Hilfiger decided to hire his biggest groupie. Full Story
CBS has announced that The Cut, the network's The Apprentice-like reality series that features fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger starring in the Donald Trump role, will move to Fridays at 9PM ET/PT beginning Friday, August 5.
CBS has announced that The Cut, its new The Apprentice-like reality series that features fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger starring in the Donald Trump role, will move to Wednesdays at 8PM ET/PT beginning Wednesday, July 6.
CBS has unveiled the identities of the sixteen contestants who will be competing in its new previously announced The Cut reality series.
CBS announced Friday that The Cut, its new Project Runway-like fashion competition reality show in which fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger will search for "America's fashion trendsetter of tomorrow," will premiere on Thursday, June 9 with a special 90-minute premiere in Survivor's 8PM ET/PT time period
If the likes of real estate developer Donald Trump, supermodel Tyra Banks, and even Tommy Hilfiger's teenage daughter can have their own reality shows, then why can't the famous fashion designer himself?
- 'American Idol' eliminates a male contestant and determines Top 6 finalists
- Exclusive: 'Survivor: Cagayan -- Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty' castoff LJ McKanas talks (Part 1)
- Porsha Williams turns herself into authorities on battery charge, takes glamorous mugshot
- 'American Idol' Top 7 show features performance highs and lows
- 'Survivor: Cagayan -- Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty's merged Solarrion tribe takes out LJ McKanas
- Tori Spelling wants to humiliate Dean McDermott in 'True Tori,' says source, she's angry and not in a good place
- Exclusive: 'Survivor: Cagayan -- Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty' castoff Morgan McLeod talks (Part 2)
- 'Dancing with the Stars' pro Tony Dovolani on NeNe Leakes tiff: My comments were taken out of context, it's tough to be portrayed as a villain
- 'American Idol' eliminee Malaya Watson: There was never a moment I doubted the judges' advice
- Lindsay Lohan reportedly relapses again and drinks at Coachella
- 'The Voice' coach Usher determines his three live-shows competitors, completing the Top 12 artists
- 'The Bachelorette' star Andi Dorfman: "She's looking for the right
- Flavor Flav pleads guilty to misdemeanor battery
- 'American Idol' eliminee Malaya Watson: I was really hesitant to do the show
- 'Chrisley Knows Best' renewed for second season by USA Network
- Kim Kardashian and Kanye West check on wedding details in Paris
- 'Dancing with the Stars' eliminee Cody Simpson: I have mixed feelings, I had no clue I'd be going home
- Exclusive: John Erck and Jessica Hoel talk 'The Amazing Race: All-Stars' (Part 1)
- 'Southern Charm' stars Kathryn Dennis and Thomas Ravenel reportedly have baby girl
- 'Dancing with the Stars' eliminates Cody Simpson and professional partner Witney Carson on 'Disney Night'
- 'The Voice' coaches Shakira and Adam Levine determine their three-person teams, four artists get eliminated
- 'Dancing with the Stars' pro Peta Murgatroyd: James Maslow and I have amazing chemistry, it feels so good to be back with him!
- Kim Kardashian and Kanye West reportedly tour Chateau de Louveciennes as possible wedding location
- 'The Amazing Race: All-Stars' eliminates John Erck and Jessica Hoel

domain: news


text:
NIGERIA – UAC Foods Limited – a leading manufacturer and marketer of tasty and nourishing convenience foods in Nigeria, has unveiled to the public Gala Mega – a brand new addition to their rich basketful of Snacks offerings in a colourful ceremony held at their office in Ojota, Lagos.
Gala Mega, as the name implies, is a larger sized Sausage Roll with the same trusted and satisfying Gala taste, but in a bigger, meatier and more filing size to meet the yearnings of Consumers, who want to be easily filled up on a friendly budget.
General Manager -Marketing of UAC Foods Limited, Mrs. Joan Ihekwaba who unveiled the Gala Mega at the ceremony alongside other invited high dignitaries, said Gala Mega is a product of direct response to the yearnings and desires of Gala Consumers for a more filling Snack to keep them going as they achieve their daily goals.
She said having pioneered the Sausage Roll market way back in 1962, Gala Sausage Roll has kept faith with Nigerians by holding the N50 price point for 10 years and with the new offering, which will in no way hamper the availability of the regular Gala Sausage Roll at 50 naira retail price, UAC Foods is once again setting the pace in the Sausage Roll Industry with a new pack size.
“For over 5 decades, the Gala brand has believed in/ identified with the Nigerian story, a story of perseverance, strong will, and a passion that never gives up.
“The new brand is an addition to existing variants of the Gala Brand, which includes regular Gala Sausage Roll, Mini Gala, Gala Chicken and Gala Cocktail. The regular Gala Sausage Roll is still available at N50,” she said.
Mrs. Ihekwaba revealed that Gala Mega is the first Sausage Roll in Nigeria to include micronutrients for the health and nutrition of its Consumers and that the product is greatly enriched with vitamins and minerals such as Zinc, Iron, Folic acid and Iodine, as well as Vitamin B1 and B2, which is prepared from pure beef filling and rich pastry.
She said there couldn’t have been a better time for UAC Foods Limited to introduce Gala Mega into the market than now given the prevailing economic situation in the country, where Nigerians want a truly filling sized Sausage Roll at a pocket friendly price to fit their upwardly mobile lifestyle.
The new brand is said to be available all over the country at a retail price of N100 and the pack is differentiated with a touch of green and the word ‘Mega’ inscribed on the primary packaging.


text:
Holmes Report 01 Dec 2013 // 5:12PM GMT
There is a significant “authenticity gap” between UK consumers’ expectations of leading brands and their experiences with them, according to new research conducted by global communications consultancy FleishmanHillard and partner Lepere Analytics, who polled expert UK stakeholders on their expectations and experiences of 160 businesses.
This gap, observed most acutely in the area of innovation, undermines customer confidence and business performance, the survey findings suggest.
The Authenticity Gap research identified nine fundamental drivers of reputation that are consistent across industries and geographies: doing right, consistent performance, credible communications, better value, customer care, innovation, employee care, community impact, and care of the environment.
Of these nine drivers, innovation was cited by UK stakeholders as the most critical driver of a company’s reputation in 75 percent of the industries analyzed—60 percent higher than in the US, Germany and China—yet experience fell short of expectation in 65 percent of cases.
The largest gap between innovation expectation and experience in the UK exists in the smartphones and the tablets and e-readers sectors, suggesting increasingly bold claims about transformative technology are ringing hollow with consumers and undermining authentic engagement. The authenticity gap for smartphones was significantly more pronounced in the UK (-24.5 percent) than in the US (-11.1 percent), Germany (-16.1 percent) or China (-3.5 percent).
In only five industry sectors did the UK consumer experience of innovation actually outperform expectations: energy, hotels, insurance, social networks, and travel operators.
“Businesses and brands can say what they like about themselves, but there is no hiding place if the experience is out of step with the promise,” says Richard Kanareck, managing director of FleishmanHillard London. “In a world where customers are able to share their actual experiences with greater speed, visibility and impact than ever before, measuring and managing reputation—what those customers are saying about you, in relation to what you’re saying about yourself—becomes a business imperative. A gap between expectation and experience is, at best, an opportunity to enhance reputation and confidence and, at worst, can bring a business to its knees.”


text:
Nintendo’s New Console at E3 2011
This June at E3, Nintendo will be debuting a new console and finally bring HD into play.
It’s rumored that the next console will have more power than both the Xbox 360 and PS3 which is a big leap knowing how much power the current generation of consoles can put forward.
Nintendo did not give comment on the rumors about the power of the next console.
E3 will surely be more exciting this year with all eyes on Nintendo.


text:
While it seems less impressive, Battle Royales will continue to attract millions of users in 2021. Epic games thanks to Fortnite continue to largely dominate this hugely popular game mode. However, other licenses such as Apex Legends, PUBG or Call of Duty: Warzone are also of great interest. Just a week ago, Apex Legends hit the symbolic mark of 100 million players.
Short-lived bliss for Apex Legends
Electronic Arts (publisher of Apex Legends) won’t have long had time to use this place as Activision just announced that Warzone, in turn, has more than 100 million players. If Apex Legends and Warzone are still far from the 350 million players Fortnite announced in May 2020, they are now ahead of PUBG, which claims to have sold 70 million copies on console and PC. Not to mention PUBG Mobile, which generates over $ 7.4 million a day.
100 million players and counting.
Thanks for your visit. It wouldn’t be #Warzone without you. pic.twitter.com/knanptnCMU
– Call of Duty @ (@CallofDuty) April 20, 2021
While Apex Legends and Warzone are now connected, it’s important to point out that Call of Duty: Warzone was introduced long after Apex and appears to be growing much faster. Warzone is likely being played more than Apex Legends at this point, and the divide is likely to widen over the next several months.
If Call of Duty already offers its mobile version (including Battle Royale), Apex Legends plans to land on smartphones by the end of the month. At the same time, Respawn Entertainment (developer of Apex Legends) plans to introduce a version that is compatible with the Nintendo Switch. A strategy that could allow us to stay in the race against the giant Call of Duty: Warzone.
Also note that Activision continues its relentless battle against scammers by banning tens of thousands of accounts that violate its rules. A way for the company to deliver an increasingly high quality gaming experience that could help attract new players.


text:
By Paul Strauss
Sold under the Honda brand name in Japan, the Acura Integra was a popular and beloved 2+2 sports coupe from the time it debuted in 1986 until it went off the market in 2006. The Integra helped to launch the Acura brand alongside the more elegant Acura Legend and eventually was renamed with the Acura RSX badge in 2001. Now, nearly two decades later, the Integra is coming back.
Acura has yet to say anything about the new Integra’s size, shape, design, or drivetrain, but they do say it will return in the Spring of 2022. In addition, they dropped a single short teaser video on Instagram which shows the front left headlight and part of its grille and fender. The headlights look super sleek and modern, accented by a bold daytime running light that looks like a checkmark, or a stretched-out “V”. The diamond-shaped criss-cross grille is reminiscent of those seen on other current Acura models like the RLX and ILX.
I’m hopeful that the new Integra will mark a return to sports coupes for the performance-luxury brand, who currently only is focused on sedans, crossovers, and SUVs. If you’re interested in learning more about the new Integra, Acura has a page on its website where you can register for updates.
Source:: 95 Octane


text:
If it hasn’t been obvious lately that there’s a crucial battle going on for the future of the automotive business between Silicon Valley and the traditional auto industry, Ford’s new omnibus marketing campaign draws a type of line in the sand.
After actor Bryan Cranston plays a number of roles in mini-vignettes that make fun of the future-casting hype behind Silicon Valley’s every move, in the new main ad for Ford, Cranston is seen in a very familiar setting behind the wheel of a Ford that is going places fast.
“Let the other guys keep dreaming about the future,” he mutters in a sort of throw-down to the tech wizards as he pilots a Ford F-150 across a dusty desert-like landscape, set against the music of the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black.” “We’ll be the ones building it.”
The ad also includes glimpses of “maker” references such as Ford’s pioneering River Rouge manufacturing complex near Detroit, an old Ford Mustang, some of its new autonomous-driving technology, and a snazzy graphic that promise Ford will be authoring the “mobility” solutions for cities.
Other ads take shots at the digital tech titans who would take over the auto industry by making fun of entrepreneurs in pursuit of flying cars and at Elon Musk, who wants to fly to Mars. The ad notes that Ford’s Escape SUV hasn’t been out of the stratosphere but that there are 2 million of them sitting in American garages.
The ads are the major part of Ford’s new swagger-based marketing campaign under the banner “Built Ford Proud,” which, of course, takes a page from the brand’s long-running “Built Ford Tough” tagline for its F-150 pickup truck line.
The campaign is the first effort out of the chute in its new creative partnership with Wieden & Kennedy—to which the company is devoting the cash outlays and production heft that would befit a major new vehicle launch.
In the process, Ford CEO Jim Hackett and his leadership team are placing a significant bet that they can lay out a robust picture of Ford now—and a persuasive vision for its future—that will both help counteract the company’s 2.4% dip in US sales so far this year and inject some life into its flaccid stock price.
“He has a kind of swagger to get down to the essence of things,” Jim Farley, Ford’s president of global markets, told reporters this week about Cranston, the star of Breaking Bad. “He just captures that no-baloney, real honesty that frankly we don’t hear much of any more.”
Matt Van Dyke, Ford’s director of US marketing, said that Ford is “honest about the cultural context we’re operating in. There’s all this talk, and we’ve got a 115-year heritage of doing and building and backing it up by making a car every 5.4 seconds. We’re ready to speak with an attitude of pride and confidence.”


text:
Published - 02 Jun 2021
We all are very well aware of the ongoing pandemic caused by Covid-19. This time the second wave hit hard on the domestic tractor sales. At the time of the 1st wave, the tractor industry faced a slight loss, but this time the 2nd wave purely shaken up the industry. In the rural area where demand for tractors is high, there is a severe impact of the corona, and dealerships also face lockdown.
The domestic sales recorded 55599 units in May 2021 against 60441 units in May 2020. This shows a drop in tractor sales by 8%. This data clearly shows that the second wave of Covid-19 hit hard to rural India.
Check out below the following Brand Wise Sales report and market shares.
India’s No.1 Tractor Manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra sold 22843 units in May 2021 against 24017 units in May 2020. This data shows a 4.9% decline in sales. But Mahindra Tractors successfully increased its market share by 1.3%.
Commenting on the performance, Hemant Sikka, President - Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, "We have sold 22843 tractors in the domestic market during May 2021. In May, COVID spread in rural markets led to stringent lockdowns, leading to deferment of tractor purchase and limited operations at dealerships. While state specific lockdowns and localized restrictions continue, it is heartening to see the Covid cases reducing sharply. This is leading to sharp improvement in farmer sentiments and green shoots of recovery are visible, especially since the last week, as farmers start preparing their land for upcoming Kharif crop season. A bumper Rabi harvest, record procurement, food prices holding up, gradual opening up of Mandis and expectations of a normal monsoon will pave the way for growth in the upcoming season. In the exports market, we have sold 1341 tractors with a growth of 314% over last year."
TAFE Group faces a huge loss, sales declined by 32.4% in compare to May’20. They sold 9505 units in May 2021, and in May 2020, they have sold 14070 units. This shows sales dropped by 4565 units. Along with this, the company also lost its market share by 6.2% in May 2021.
Sonalika Tractor also lost their market share by 0.3% in comparison to May’20. The company sold 6857 Tractors in May 2021 against 7640 units in May 2020. This shows a decline in Sonalika tractor domestic sales by 10.2%.
Escorts Group also recorded a loss in domestic tractor sales in May 2021. The Escorts Group sales were 6158 units in May 2021 against 6454 units in May 2020, which shows a drop. The company's domestic sales decreased by 4.6 %, but the Escorts increased its market share by 0.4%.
Escorts Management sees rural sentiment to be strong, on account of all positive macroeconomic factors viz. prediction of a good monsoon, high crop production and better support by the Government on crop prices. The farmers of our country have shown utmost courage and have worked hard during the pandemic ensuring all of us have food on our plates. It is our moral duty to reciprocate to the farming community with actions supporting their well-being. Under a program titled ‘Escorts Covid Kavach’ we have announced several Covid-19 relief measures for our customers, including insurance coverage for hospitalization and home treatment expenses. We hope our collective efforts will help our country overcome this crisis soon.
John Deere Tractor sales increased by gained 26.7% in May’21. They have sold 4321 units in May 2021, and in May 2020, they sold 3411 units. With this, John deere also gained 2.1% in their market share in May 2021.
New Holland tractor company sales declined by 10.5% in this month. They have sold 2189 units in May 2021 against 2447 units in May 2020. Along with this, the New Holland tractor also lost its market share by 0.1%.
Kubota Tractor registered second highest growth in this list of tractor company. Kubota tractors sales increased by 145.5% in May’21. The company data shows 1382 units sold this year against 563 units in last year. Kubota’s market share increased by 1.6% in May Month.
Preet Tractor domestic sales increased unbelievably. They recorded 254.7% domestic tractor sales in May 2021. With this, Preet tractor gains a 0.7% market share.
Indo Farm Tractor domestic sales noted 508 units in May 2021, and it registered 243 units in May 2020. They reported a gain of 109%. The Indo Farm Tractor market share increased by 0.5%.
VST Tractor domestic sales decline this month. It registered 496 units in Mar 2021 against 601 units in Mar 2020. This displays an 17.5% decrease, and it also lost 0.1% of the market share.
Captain Tractor domestic sales noted 433 units in May 2021, and it registered 256 units in May 2020. They reported a gain of 69%. The Captain Tractor market share increased by 0.4% in May’21.
Force Tractor lost 31.1% in its domestic sales this month. Force tractor domestic sales noted in May 2021 were 175 units, and in May 2020 were 254 units. And, they lost 0.1% of the market share.
ACE Tractor also registered 38% declined in domestic tractor sales. As it registered 116 units sold in May 2021 and in May 2020, the sales were 187 units.
In May 2021, SDF Tractor sales noted 91 units, 39.3% lower than the tractor sales recorded in May 2020.
Tractor Junction also Offer a Monthly Subscription of Tractor Sales (Wholesale, Retail, Statewise, Districtwise, HPwise) Report. Please Contact us for the detailed report.


text:
Pay What You Can Staycations to Help Maine Businesses
A couple of vacation places in Maine want Mainers to staycation this summer.
When COVID-19 became a global pandemic, reservations were cancelled left and right to many Maine destinations. That could be devastating for many small businesses who rely on out of state vacationers to keep them going.
News Center Maine reported that two businesses in Maine are trying something new, to have YOU set the price on a rental. Aaron Sprague, who owns Acadia Yurts, a luxury camping spot in Southwest Harbor, said that as soon as the word pandemic was used, people cancelled their trips. Starting in June, they are allowed to open, but only to Mainers. That's when they decided to offer pay-what-you-can for the month of June.
Aaron Sprague told News Center Maine,
We didn’t put in any kind of minimums. We didn’t even give any suggestions as to what they could pay.
That's a heck of a deal. 30-foot yurt rented for a week during the peak summer season can be between $1200 and $1500 - but not for you! Name your price. It's a clever way to stay open and let Mainers experience something they may not have.
The managers at Newagen Seaside Inn in Southport, heard about this plan and decided to hop on board too! They've had an overwhelming response and so has Acadia Yurts. Why not stick around and help out some small businesses - what do you want to pay?


text:
Sturgis 2013 Biker Chicks hot news Buffalo chip black hills videos > hottest biker babes, Sturgis buffalo chip - 20622 131st avenue, sturgis, south dakota 57785 - phone: 605.347.9000. Sturgis 2013 Biker Chicks hot news Hottest biker women sturgis 2013- 1 - youtube, Http://www.buffalochip.com/events/con every year during the sturgis rally, the buffalo chip holds a contest to find the hottest biker babes out there. Sturgis 2013 Biker Chicks hot news Sexy sturgis women sturgis, sd 2012 motorcycle rally, Http://www.harleyrick.com hot harley biker babes are just a click away! incredible chicks, hot bodys, what are you waiting for? sturgis south dakota.
Sturgis rally: news, events, pics, & biker babes, Everything sturgis motorcycle rally! custom bikes, pics, videos, hot biker babes.. blog.leatherup.com/sturgis-motorcycle-rally/ 2013 sturgis rally photo gallery - motorcycle usa, Motorcycle usa black hills 73 annual sturgis rally covering party main street broken spoke .. motorcycle-usa.com/3861/Motorcycle-Photo-Gallery/2013-Sturgis-Rally.aspx Sturgis rally 2013 - motorcycle usa - motorcycle news , Sturgis rally 2013 biggest motorcycle rallys world returns small town sturgis, south dakota sturgis rally 2013.. motorcycle-usa.com/737/Motorcycles/Sturgis-Rally-2013.aspx


text:
New furniture in McCormick HallMcCormick Hall, which is connected to the Student Fitness Center and is the home of Illinois State's School of Kinesiology and Recreation, has been spruced up with brand-new furniture to help provide a more comfortable environment, whether students are studying or just hanging out.
Campus Recreation Operations movingHey, Redbirds! We are excited to announce that the new Redbird Adventure Center is in the final stages of preparation before it opens this coming Fall semester.
Summer updates at the Student Fitness CenterHey, Redbirds! We hope you’ve had a great start to your summer so far. We’re taking advantage of the slower summer days by doing some upkeep throughout our Student Fitness Center and McCormick Hall.


text:
Electronic Trade Documents Act Explainer
The Electronic Trade Documents Act was granted royal assent on 20 July 2023, giving electronic trade documents the same legal status as physical trade documents.
The government estimated in their impact assessment that 25 million paper documents are generated and couriered around the world each year. They have projected that digitalising all trade documents would generate a net benefit of £1 billion for the British economy.
The last few years has seen a significant drive towards the digitalisation of customs red tape. And since trade is cross-jurisdictional, global reform is going to be required for this act to reach its full potential. But, English and Welsh law underpins many international trade transactions, meaning that legal reform in the UK can act as a catalyst towards this global reform. According to the International Chambers of Commerce, 80% of trade documents around the world are based off English and Welsh law.
Replacing physical paperwork has numerous benefits:
- There is less chance of sensitive paper documents being lost
- Digitalising can achieve greater security and a reduction of fraudulent trade documentation
- Facilitation of cross-border trade would be much easier
- More businesses will be incentivised to participate in international trade if they don’t have to grapple with complex paperwork
- Great transparency of supply chain information and cash flow will make it easier for small businesses to work with banks to better access trade finance
- Removing the requirement for physical paperwork will have positive impact on the environment
- UK movement in this area will help to kickstart global reform by setting a precedent the rest of the world should follow


text:
WELCOME TO The small business REPORT
Feature market insights and perspectives from top C-Level executives, elite technology influencers and thought leaders from your company here. This signature initiative has garnered immense support...
MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS STRATEGY
Fundbox | June 27, 2022
Fundbox, a small business embedded working capital platform, announced today that it has partnered with Galileo Financial Technologies, an open API platform that enables unique and differentiated financial solutions, and MetaBank®, N.A., a leading economic empowerment company, to accelerate its product roadmap and bring innovative products to market. In addition, jin Hwang, who most recently served as Head of Product - Platform at Marcus by Goldman Sachs and previously led the product team a...
SMALL BUSINESS ADVICE
TD Bank | June 04, 2021
CHERRY HILL N.J. announced the establishment of a$100 millionequity fund in support of minority-owned small businesses, demonstrating its continued commitment to combat racial inequities and provide opportunity in underserved communities. TD Bank's equity fund will enable Specialized Small Business Investment Companies (SSBICs) and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to provide small business loans and technical assistance, ensuring these businesses have the reso...
MARKETING AND NETWORKING
ShopBIPOC | November 18, 2022
ShopBIPOC has launched a new online marketplace featuring BIPOC-owned small businesses in Colorado. (BIPOC is an acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). The creation of ShopBIPOC was a response to calls from individuals, businesses, and institutions who wanted to support BIPOC-owned businesses and didn't have access to a central marketplace. So, twelve community organizations came together to create the ShopBIPOC platform an online marketplace where conscientious consumers can s...
ZINFI Technologies | February 23, 2022
ZINFI Technologies announced that YourSix has successfully launched ZINFI partner portal software to provide its network to resellers with a secure, accessible central repository of marketing and sales assets and to streamline its partner onboarding process. ZINFI Technologies, Inc. is a company leading the definition and creation of Unified Channel Management (UCM) solutions. While YourSix is a leading Physical Security as a Service (PSaaS) software provider to enterprises and small businesses....
TECHNOLOGY, SMALL BUSINESS ADVICE
SMALL BUSINESS TRENDS
Keep me plugged in with the best
Join thousands of your peers and receive our weekly newsletter with the latest news, industry events, customer insights, and market intelligence.
Put your news, events, company, and promotional content in front of thousands of your peers and potential customers.
Not a member yet? Not a problem, Sign Up
Sign up to contribute and publish your news, events, brand, and content with the
community for FREE


text:
ezGear has introduced its new ezView Leather Case for the iPhone 3G. Made from high quality leather, the case features a fold-aside front cover that doubles as a video stand thanks to an integrated Velcro band and two low-profile non-skid rubber feet to help prevent slippage. Other features include a slim profile, removable belt clip, credit/business card slots, and open access to all ports and controls. The ezGear ezView Leather Case for iPhone 3G is available now and sells for $35.
ezGear unveils ezView Leather Case for iPhone 3G
Charles Starrett was a senior editor at iLounge. He's been covering the iPod, iPhone, and iPad since their inception. He has written numerous articles and reviews, and his work has been featured in multiple publications.


text:
Blog: Intriguing questions about the impact of Amazon
Leonie Barrie | 27 July 2015
A lot was written about Amazon on just-style last week, following a prediction that the internet giant could take the top spot for US apparel retailing by 2017. The retailer also posted a surprise second-quarter profit, giving it a valuation that is higher than Wal-Mart. The figures raise intriguing questions about Amazon’s possible impact on the clothing market.
The battle for growth and added value in Myanmar’s garment export industry is heavily weighted against the mostly small local manufacturers who face tough competition from an increasing number of foreign investors with deep pockets and strong networks.
And H&M has called on the country's government to ensure a uniform minimum wage is implemented across all industries.
Ethiopia’s Almeda Textile, which also supplies apparel to H&M, is planning to ramp up production to five times its current capacity in the next five to six years at its Adwa factory, the company told just-style.
And while supply chain risks might not have changed much in the past ten years, as companies expand their global sourcing they are more exposed to a number of challenges, from fluctuations in currency and exchange rates, to volatile oil prices, regulatory change, geo-political issues and supply chain fraud.
Pakistan’s textile industry is pessimistic about its prospects, warning of wholesale closures amongst fabric mills unless the government steps in to help.
And as trade ministers prepare to head to Hawaii for the latest round of talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), groups representing US brands, retailers, manufacturers and importers are calling for "workable apparel provisions" in the agreement.
What sells when, and how to source ahead to make the most of it, is one of the biggest challenges facing fashion brands and retailers. But modern technology has created a new information chain that gives a stronger indication of what to manufacture or stock.
Fabrics, and the processes of joining them together, continue to evolve. One of the key factors that can deliver successful seam sealing and thermal bonding in textiles is the process of temperature control.
Striking workers at a Puma apparel supplier in Cambodia are being urged to return to work amid an ongoing dispute over their contracts.
And a sit-in protest by more than 1,000 workers at the Swan Garment and Swan Jeans factories in Bangladesh has entered its second week, as they seek payment of several months’ wages and bonuses following the "sudden and illegal closure" of the factories in April.
Meanwhile, in other news, US apparel giant VF Corp has reported strong second-quarter earnings and sales growth; Uniqlo has closed its store on Chinese e-commerce site JD.com after just three months; and the Indian Government has launched a US$300m credit fund to finance textile and apparel projects in Vietnam.
Over the past month, Donald Trump and his team failed to offer any clear plan to ensure Americans would "Buy American, Hire American" - while the British government's attempts to clarify the specifics...
The Bangladesh government was forced to respond late last week to pressure over its crackdown on labour activists after a number of global brands and retailers, including H&M and Inditex announced pla...
Fresh from their disappointment at seeing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade deal abandoned last month with an executive order by President Donald Trump, the US apparel and footwear sector...
With the ultimate aim of ensuring all the cotton in its products is sourced sustainably, value clothing retailer Primark is adamant that having a business model focused on offering the lowest prices o...
- What TTIP might mean for US, EU textiles & apparel
- Unlocks for the future fashion sourcing landscape
- EU eyes mandatory due diligence for apparel supply
- Geo-political uncertainty and how to survive it
- Four steps to reduce product defects
- US Q4 in brief – Finish Line, Oxford Industries
- Li & Fung forms supply chain partnership with PVH
- H&M, VF Corp and Levi among most ethical companies
- Sears has "substantial doubt" of future
- Vietnam limits hazardous chemicals in apparel
- Central and East Europe Report Package
- Central America strategic sourcing review - a focus on Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras
- Southeast Asia strategic sourcing review – a focus on Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar
- When Things Go Wrong - A Practical Guide to Managing Common Problems in Apparel Sourcing
- Outdoor performance apparel 2016: A broader perspective


text:
This morning, Helen-Ann Smith from Sky News came to interview us about how the gas price inflation has affected our ceramic business. It was a nice opportunity because it helped raise awareness of our business in Burslem and how it’s thriving despite the rise in costs to create our ware.
Our factory kilns require gas to fire at up to 1140°C in order to fire our ceramic ware. A number of our machines in the production line also rely on gas to operate so you would usually come to the conclusion that we’d take a heavy blow from how much it would now cost us to run things. However, we’re lucky in that our business is doing extremely well so helps us balance out the effects of the cost inflation and are confident in our factory’s future.


text:
Coca-Cola delivery truck gets stuck under train tracks in downtown Greensboro
GREENSBORO, N.C. – A Coca-Cola delivery truck is wedged under the train tracks in downtown Greensboro, according to the Greensboro News & Record.
The tractor-trailer became wedged under the tracks about 1 p.m. Saturday at South Davie Street, near East McGee Street.
There is no estimate for when the vehicle will be freed from the railroad bridge.
A similar incident happened in the 400 block of East Market Street on Oct. 29.


text:
Suspected Digital Holiday Shopping Fraud in U.S. Increases 127%
18% of e-commerce transactions between Nov. 24 and Nov. 28 in the U.S. were suspected to be fraudulent.
Dec. 19, 2022
A new analysis found that the average number of suspected digital fraud attempts on any given day between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday (Nov. 24 and Nov. 28) was 82% higher globally than during the rest of the year (Jan. 1, 2022 to Nov. 23, 2022) and 127% greater than during the rest of the year for transactions originating in the U.S.
These findings from TransUnion are based on intelligence from billions of transactions contained in TransUnion’s TruValidate fraud analytics solution suite. The analysis determined 15% of all global e-commerce transactions reviewed between Nov. 24 and Nov. 28 were potentially fraudulent. For transactions originating from the U.S., 18% of e-commerce transactions during that period were suspected to be fraudulent.
The study also revealed the share of suspected digital fraud attempts for each individual day in the holiday shopping period for transactions in the U.S. The greatest propensity of risky transactions occurred during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
“Fraudulent activity tends to be particularly prevalent in online retail during the holiday shopping season,” said Shai Cohen, senior vice president and head of global fraud solutions at TransUnion. “Despite the fact that consumers have begun returning in larger numbers to in-person shopping in the post-pandemic era, online retail continues to be the preferred means of holiday shopping for many. It’s important that online retailers ensure consumer security and privacy protections, which is important to consumers, but in a way which ensures a seamless shopping experience that minimizes unnecessary friction.”
TransUnion also revealed in the analysis the top types of fraudulent e-commerce transactions during the holiday shopping season. This year, promotion abuse and account takeover were the leading fraud attempt types.
“Online retailers must equip themselves with the proper tools to detect fraud at the first warning sign, and without inhibiting the consumer journey,” said Cecilia Seiden, vice president of the retail business at TransUnion. “It’s more important than ever that these online retailers implement holistic fraud solutions that are able to verify customer identity and authenticity at the very beginning of a transaction without resulting in false positives that may cost them legitimate transactions.”
The increase of suspected digital fraud during the traditional busiest days of the holiday shopping season occurred as consumers express concern about being victimized. TransUnion’s 2022 Consumer Holiday Shopping Survey conducted in August 2022 found that 54% of American consumers are concerned with being victimized by online fraud this holiday season, a 17% increase from last year.
Additional information on TransUnion’s 2022 holiday fraud trends can be found here.


text:
Facebook has pushed a new update for its iOs app that now includes elements of its standalone Camera app and Messenger app. Also, the updated iOS app now lets users play around with 13 photo filters before uploading pictures a feature twitter is also purportedly bringing to its apps and also lets users upload multiple pictures [...]
The Verge has posted pictures purported to be images of upcoming Microsoft office applications for both iOs and android. The apps which are reported to be made public early next year for free, would require a microsoft account but will offer read-only functionality for word, excel and power point files except to users with office [...]
Nazara Technologies and EA leverage existing relationship to maximize availability of high end games to mobile phone users across 49 countries in Africa DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 7, 2012/ – Nazara Technologies (http://www.nazara.com), a leading mobile games developer and publisher, and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) announced they have entered into an exclusive business [...]
End of the line!
How to get Windows Phone 8.1 running on your device today
AfricaPractice presents: The Social Media Landscape in Nigeria
Parrot Zik Review
Samsung Galaxy Ace Style: Entry level KitKat running device announced
For today only, anyone can buy Google Glass…even you!
How to save and move apps to your SD card in Windows Phone 8.1
You can now check call durations on Windows Phone
Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop now lets you access your computer from y...
Techsuplex is an online technology magazine based in Nigeria. Its mission is to offer in-depth reporting, intelligent and mind-stimulating opinions, feature stories, breaking news coverage, product information and reviews as well as provide technology tips and solutions, all from an African perspective.


text:
13th February 2018
Posted in: Custom Install | News and Events
Take a look at all of the new products we launched at ISE this year.
3rd November 2017
Posted in: Custom Install | Product News | History | News and Events
We are proud to announce that Monitor Audio products are now available to use in The CEDIA Designer, an industry leading tool that helps installers plan highly detailed home theatres.
25th October 2017
Posted in: History | News and Events
Explore the features of the new Monitor Audio website.
7th March 2017
Posted in: News and Events
PL500 II grabs the crowds attention at The Bristol Show 2016.
28th November 2016
Roksan joins with Monitor Audio.
21st September 2016
Posted in: Awards | News and Events
Super Slim takes home a best in show award at CEDIA 2016


text:
It’s no secret that the global supply chain is in chaos and has been for months. Thousands of shipping containers are gridlocked at both the Long Beach and Los Angeles ports. The crisis started during the initial Covid-19 outbreak and has since worsened.
The jam is attributed to a perfect storm of contributing factors. First, there was a back order of goods after Asian factories shut down during the initial Covid-19 outbreak. Once shipping resumed, ports were swamped with deliveries and faced major labor shortages due to the pandemic. Experts believe the problems at the ports could last for years— causing some big box retailers to take matters into their own hands.
Costco has chartered three cargo ships to transport goods from Asia to North America. The retail giant said the cargo ships will be chartered for the next year and each load will carry 800-1000 shipping containers per load. The ships will make at least 10 deliveries. The company is hoping to get ahead of the holiday surge by stocking up on toys, consumer goods, and other hot holiday items.
Other retailers, like Home Depot, have also chartered ships.
“We have a ship that’s solely going to be ours and it’s just going to go back and forth with 100% dedicated to Home Depot,” President and Chief Operating Officer Ted Decker told CNBC.
Other major retailers like IKEA, Target, and Walmart are also chartering their own cargo ships.
This move will hopefully keep shelves stocked during the holiday season, but it will come at a cost. Increased shipping costs combined with a shortage of seasonal workers will most likely mean higher costs for end consumers. Experts say the best way to shop this Christmas is to hit the stores early and try to wrap up holiday shopping before Black Friday.


text:
Skin tech firm make first international hire
Skin tech company, Cutitronics, has appointed Virginie Darteyre as country sales manager in Paris to meet growing market demand in France.
The company, which combines med-tech know-how with an in-depth understanding of the skin care industry has developed a patented suite of technologies that analyses skin condition in real time, enabling personalised advice based on specific requirements of the individual and environment.
The award-winning firm’s latest prototypes feature a hand held sensor which scans the skin while the accompanying mobile app examines contributing factors such as weather and age, to determine how best to use skincare products to achieve optimum results for the consumer.
This allows skin care brands to open a dialogue and engage with the consumer at home, a challenge highlighted by the current global pandemic which has left many people without access to beauty counter experts.
Darteyre’s new role will see her develop international sales for the business and will be at the forefront of the company’s growth trajectory. She brings more than 15 years’ experience in international sales, previously working in the fashion and retail industry with household names including Fruit of the Loom and Firetrap.
Speaking on her appointment, Darteyre (pictured) said: “It has never been more important for beauty brands to incorporate new technological solutions into their strategies to meet the challenges presented by the pandemic. Beauty counters will be unable to operate as before, and spas and salons must overhaul their processes and systems to survive.
“The potential of these technologies to support independent and corporate brands is unprecedented. Demand for this is only going to increase as consumers change the way they interact with skin care, and brands look to find new ways to engage with consumers.
“I’m looking forward to taking this innovative technology into my home market of France. I want to identify new opportunities for this one-of-a-kind product where technology and wellbeing collide. The concept and company culture really appeal to me and I can’t wait to play my role in the skincare revolution.”
Dr David Heath, founder and CEO of Cutitronics said: “It feels fitting that this is our first international presence as we unveiled one of our first Cutitron technology prototypes and accompanying software in 2019 at in-cosmetics Global in Paris.
“We look forward to being able to support brands with a permanent team member based in Paris who will be able to spearhead enquiries and business opportunities, who understands the market and has a proven track record in driving international sales.”


text:
INFOCOMM INDIA/MUMBAI – (September 12, 2016) – Christie®, a leader in creating and sharing the world’s best visual and audio experiences, is welcoming visitors to the Christie Experience Center by showcasing a full suite of visual solutions at InfoComm India, taking place at the Bombay Exhibition Center, September 12-14, 2016.
Christie’s multi-zone display at Booth B1 is offering the ultimate visual experience using the latest 1DLP®, 3DLP®, LED, camera capture and show control technology. Leading the pack are the multi-award winning Christie Boxer 4K30 3DLP® projector, Christie HS Series boasting the world’s brightest 1DLP laser phosphor illumination, and the new Christie AP Series 3LCD projector, which provides high quality performance in a compact, easy-to-use and value-added package. This is the first time that the Christie HS and AP Series projectors are showcased in India.
Read the full press release


text:
Razzaq Dawood, Adviser for Commerce and Investment, expressed hope on Sunday that the Pakistan exports would exceed $50 billion as a result of trade diversification policy in prospective trade sectors by the end of the current government’s fiscal year – 2023.
A combination of export diversification, non-traditional industries, and increased exports to new markets, particularly the African market, would increase the country’s exports and assist the country in meeting its export objective.
The government’s top priority trade strategy is ‘Make in Pakistan,’ which aims to bring Pakistan’s conventional and non-traditional export industries and local goods to the world trade market.
According to the adviser, the government would export consumer durables such as mobile phones and motorbikes under the same trade policy, and the export of these two goods to the global market will usher in an age of engineering product exports.
Dawood stated that the country’s share of engineering products exports in the global trade market is presently 51% and that the government is now aiming to make a reputation for itself in non-traditional areas such as engineering and pharmaceuticals.
He stated that a Karachi-based electrical and electronics goods firm called ‘INOVI Telecom’ has just exported the first shipment of 5,500 “Made in Pakistan” 4G mobile phones to the Middle East.
He stated that Pakistan will begin exporting up to 10,000 motorbikes, up to 30,000,000 motorcycles yearly in the following years.
He stated that the Japanese business ‘Honda’ has chosen to establish its own manufacturing factory in Pakistan, making the country a motorbike manufacturing powerhouse.
In the next years, they plan to begin exporting bikes worth $30 million from Pakistan.
In response to a query, he stated that Pakistan’s exports exceeded $25 billion in the fiscal year 2020-21 and that the government has set an export goal of $38.7 to $40 billion for the ongoing fiscal year 2021-22.
He stated that the previous year’s export objective was $25.3 billion for goods and $6 billion for services.
He stated that the country’s information technology (IT) exports had increased by 47%, indicating that IT exports had surpassed the $ 2 billion thresholds.


text:
The COVID-19 outbreak is dramatically altering the sustainable seafood industry, upending global markets and introducing new business uncertainties daily for fishers, distributors, restaurants and retailers. Members of Sea Pact, a collaborative group of 11 seafood distributors in the U.S. and Canada, are working to maintain progress on sustainability while meeting shifting consumer demand at an unprecedented moment.
I spoke with Rob Johnson, Sea Pact's managing director, and Richard Stavis, Chief Sustainability Officer at Boston-based Stavis Seafoods, about how companies are adapting to the crisis.
Why is an ongoing commitment to seafood sustainability important during the COVID-19 crisis?
Rob Johnson: Sustainability is critical to long-term business viability and resilience, so we need to double down on sustainability in crisis times. Every link in the food chain is being affected right now, but that doesn't mean you can abandon or backtrack on sustainability. We need a long-term supply of sustainable seafood. That comes from a resilient supply chain that adapts to changes in market conditions.
Richard Stavis: Talking about whether sustainable seafood is still essential in the midst of crisis is like talking about whether electricity is still essential. A crisis doesn't change these priorities. We need to source products just as sustainably as before. A lot of the demand for seafood has been shifting towards retail rather than food service – and the retail customers want sustainable products. If anything the demand for sustainability in seafood has increased.
What has been the most significant impact on seafood distributors?
Richard: There has been a dramatic reordering of peoples' understanding and consumption of seafood. Every member of Sea Pact has found that our food service business – business with restaurants – is down between 80% and 90%. It is literally decimated. At the same time, retail and home meal replacement business – services like Hello Fresh and Blue Apron – is off the hook. Retail is up between 200% and 300%.
Rob: We have other Sea Pact members making more direct-to-consumer sales, home deliveries and even engaging in mail-order business to get seafood on peoples' dinner tables.
The supply chain starts with fishermen. How is this crisis affecting them?
Rob: Fishing communities are in the eye of this storm. A lot of fishermen just aren’t on the water. They’re dealing with immediate concerns about health and safety, disrupted fishing seasons and uncertainty if they will be able to sell their catch. We are in solidarity with fishermen and want to support their ability to catch fish and keep waterfronts working so the hardworking people and communities on the front lines of the industry continue to provide healthy sustainable seafood. Everyone in the seafood industry needs to work together now to fulfil our responsibility to help feed the planet.
How are you adapting to that shifting market?
Richard: Our quality assurance regulatory department is working like crazy because any new products we are piloting must be legal, safe and appropriate. When you sell seafood for home meal replacements, for example, as opposed to restaurants, you need to put product in tray packs or vacuum bags. So it's extraordinarily labor intensive.
Rob: Our members have rapidly adjusted their business models. Besides working with a more limited array of products and adapting to the surge in retail demand, our members are managing other disruptions, like having to figure out whether they need more staff or fewer.
How are seafood distributors preparing for the future with so much market uncertainty?
Richard: It's a tough question because you need to decide whether you want to buy seafood. Demand is as uncertain as supply. My concerns aren't just about, 'How do I buy more fish?' They're also about selling what I have. Or, when is demand going to kick back in?
Rob: There is a greater focus on transparency and traceability – all the things that have a positive impact on seafood as a healthy, viable, sustainable protein. As we look to come through the other side of this, we are focusing on ways to be more resilient, more robust, stronger. Our members are a community of colleagues who share ideas and challenges. We've always been business competitors, but we collaborate on sustainability. One thing we are starting to implement is a business marketplace within Sea Pact, recognizing that some members will be short on some seafood products and some will have extra product. Where we're selling to each other or doing innovative deals like bartering, that's one way of sharing and supporting each other.
I think we are being extraordinarily nimble.
What makes you proud about how the industry is responding?
Rob: Sea Pact members are mid-supply chain actors and pride themselves on being nimble. That's how we rallied the group to bring our voice and purchasing power to bear on sustainability efforts. The complexity of the supply chain for seafood is often cited as a challenge to being nimble, more transparent and sustainable. We are demonstrating those things are possible, but also necessary in challenging circumstances.
Richard: I think we are being extraordinarily nimble. It is a challenge when your company's business is highly reliant on the food service sector and 90% of that business disappears in a day. Before this crisis, 8 out of 10 people said they only ate seafood in restaurants. Now the restaurants are closed. So what do we do? We are all working incredibly hard and we've all been incredibly creative. Every one of us goes home exhausted every night. We should all be proud of what we've done. I view us all as essential workers in getting healthy food to people sheltering safely at home. We’re keeping companies operating and people employed.
Sea Pact is a Walton Family Foundation grantee.


text:
Michigan retailers: GOP border tax will hike prices
While Congress is focused this week on plans to overhaul the federal health care system, Michigan retailers are worried about what’s next.
The Michigan Retailers Association on Thursday blasted a prospective “border adjustment” import tax backed by U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, who wants it to be part of a major tax reform package that the House and Senate hope to take up later this year.
The border tax is a “dangerous proposal” that would drive up prices on imported products for both consumers and businesses, said Amy Drumm, the retailers association’s vice president of government affairs.
“This consumer tax will hit Americans at the grocery store, when they do a home repair and when they buy clothes and shoes for their kids to wear to school,” she said.
Drumm spoke at a press conference announcing a new state chapter of the “Americans for Affordable Products” coalition. Michigan retail giant Meijer Inc. and Wolverine Worldwide are both members of the national group.
Ryan’s “better way” blueprint for tax reform calls for border-based adjustments to tax imported products but exempts exports, which he says would encourage domestic production and job growth, discourage companies from moving work to other countries and create incentives against offshoring.
Most U.S. trade partners raise significant revenue through value-added taxes that include border adjustability, Ryan argues. Exports from the United States “implicitly” bear the cost of the personal income tax, while imports do not, creating a trade imbalance, he says.
“This amounts to a self-imposed unilateral penalty on U.S. exports and a self-imposed unilateral subsidy for U.S. imports,” says the blueprint Ryan released in June of 2016.
The border adjustment tax would reportedly generate $10 billion in new revenue over a decade, making it a key element of the Ryan plan because it would help offset estimated revenue losses from large proposed cuts to corporate and income tax rates.
But critics say the costs will ultimately be borne by retailers and passed along to consumers. The border adjustment tax could cost Michigan families an estimated $1,700 a year, Drumm said.
The concept has divided the business community, and some congressional Republicans have already spoken out against the idea.
President Donald Trump has not explicitly endorsed the border adjustment tax but in February told Reuters it “could lead to a lot more jobs in the United States.”
Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose taxes or tariffs on companies that move jobs abroad and import products back into the United States, including Detroit-area automakers.
While House Republicans have not formally introduced a tax plan or border adjustment proposal, “they’re throwing out a little bit of a trial balloon, and we’re trying to shoot that balloon down before it takes off,” said Pete Lund, state director for the Michigan chapter of Americans for Prosperity. The conservative group supports other elements of the developing tax reform plan.
“The thought might be in the short-term it helps create jobs, but we’ve actually seen that putting barriers like this up hurts jobs, and more importantly it hurts people who have jobs and their ability to buy things,” Lund said.
Retail is a “penny business” with razor-thin margins, Drumm said, suggesting the border adjustment tax would strain businesses or force them to raise prices.
“We all agree we’d love to see more Michigan made products in stores … but a border adjustment tax will not guarantee that American companies will start making products that currently can only be imported,” she said. “It will only guarantee that prices for these products will increase.”


text:
The risk of becoming irrelevant has never been greater. It’s the role of CIOs to look beyond today's solutions and be ready for what lies ahead.
Santa Clara, CA (PRWEB) December 15, 2016
There is no doubt that the technology landscape is changing at a frenetic pace and staying ahead of the major trends reshaping today’s world will ultimately separate the winners from the losers. We have all heard the mantra of these days, “you either disrupt yourself or you will get disrupted”. The risk of becoming irrelevant has never been greater. It’s the role of CIOs to look beyond today's solutions and be ready for what lies ahead. However, the list of innovations can be endless and keeping up with the latest emerging technologies and new tools is no easy task. It requires a deep understanding of which technologies have the potential to add value to the existing business or create a brand new market. CTO Forum surveyed a group of senior technologists from America’s leading companies to get insights on technologies that are at the forefront of their minds and should be on every CIOs radar in 2017.
In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved from science fiction movie plots to everyday reality. “We’ve seen profound improvements in the implementations of artificial intelligence over the last few years. It was primarily driven by finally reaching the point where we can build significantly deep neural networks and have them run at a reasonable speed,” pointed Nicko van Someren, CTO of Linux Foundation.
Machine learning is dramatically changing the way we do business today. From workflow management tools, trend predictions to customer support, it helps drive productivity and reduce costs. “In consumer space scale is important. I think in the next 18 months or so intelligent agents and bots will be interface points and AI will help drive the personalized interface and enrich interaction with people,” said Ralph Loura, CTO for Rodan + Fields.
Machine learning and AI also play a significant role in the rapid development of autonomous vehicles. According to Gartner there will be 250 million cars connected to each other and to the infrastructure around them by 2020. Automotive Electronics Roadmap Report forecasts that the install rate of AI-based systems in new vehicles will rise to 109% in 2025 from just 8% in 2015. “We are on the verge of changing from being a car manufacturer into becoming a mobility ecosystem provider. The emerging technology that is very crucial for us is obviously autonomous driving that is powered by machine learning techniques,” said Chuhee Lee, VP of Technology and Strategy for Volkswagen.
Many experts call AI the new electricity and the same way electricity transformed industry after industry 100 years ago, AI is dramatically expanding the limits of what is possible today.
Internet of Things
The adoption of IoT devices in multiple industries has risen dramatically in the past several years. In fact, analysts expect there will be 25 billion connected devices installed by 2020 and companies will invest nearly 6 trillion on IoT solutions over the next five years. “It’s going to hit almost every industry. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in financial services, networking or consumer products, Internet of Things is going to impact you in some way,” said Steve Gray, SVP of Engineering for Qualcomm.
The accelerating adoption rate presents many implications for senior leaders. On one hand, it creates game-changing opportunities. The wealth of data will allow businesses to achieve new levels of operational excellence, innovate business models, improve product development, launch new revenue streams and roll out new services. “The Internet of Things gives us the ability to gather data from areas that previously have not been able to be gathered. We are able to animate, give voice to inanimate objects and then process the vast amount of data from these sensors to make better decisions and drive analytics,” pointed out Kirk Ball, CTO for The Kroger Company.
On the other hand, it creates brand new sets of risks. One of the most significant revolves around security. “We have seen today more and more security threats. We work in the automotive industry and that is a key consideration for us. The car has really become a networking device on wheels so we’re very focused on being able to shut down security threats,” said Qualcomm’s SVP of Engineering Steve Gray. However, 90% of organizations still don’t have a cybersecurity strategy for the Internet of Things in place, according to the new Cybersecurity Preparedness Benchmarking Study by the Berkeley Research Group. The silver lining is that the security flaws are being discovered so they can be identified and fixed. “It is crucial to be very aware of your security strategy and look at the technologies that are required to be able to secure the services or products that you develop. There are a lot of new technologies which are developed in the security realm, and if you are working in a business and you are connected to the internet, you invariably are dealing with security threats,” added Steve Gray.
There is no doubt that Internet of Things is no longer just a tech buzzword. It has tremendous potential to change the way we interact with the physical world. It is also clear that there is still a lot of work to be done especially around security and infrastructure.
Blockchain, the technology underpinning the bitcoin digital currency, has been gaining momentum and becoming one of the hottest topics across various industries. “I think we are beyond the hype and auditing phase for blockchain. More and more people are now thinking very specifically about how to use blockchain as an enabler of peer-to-peer trust and it is changing the game for a lot of things,” commented Ralph Loura, CTO at Rodan + Fields.
Blockchain technology is showing a great promise. Marc Andreessen, the renowned Silicon Valley’s venture capitalists, called blockchain the distributed trust network that the Internet always needed and never had. It undeniably has the potential to revolutionize the digital economy and is finding applications in wide range of areas, not only the financial sector. The potential use cases are endless – from cybersecurity, supply chain management, IoT to health care records and loyalty payments in the music industry. It isn’t yet clear how quickly blockchain will become mainstream but it sure will create major disruption and should be on the radar of every technology leader.
These technologies have been around for some time and are not new but they have now reached a certain level of maturity and are beginning to have a huge impact on how businesses operate and engage with their customers. No organization will take the lead just by waiting on the sidelines. Every strategic CIO needs to proactively look at opportunities posed by emerging technologies that can help reshape their business and strengthen the bottom line.


text:
The Altus-Southwest Area Economic Development Corporation or EDC kicked off the Altus Approved shop local program June 15.
More than 40 businesses have participated in the summer promotional program with more joining every day, making for a successful inaugural launch of the Altus Approved program, according to organizers.
Businesses have also enthusiastically flooded social media with their own photos of the program.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor has compiled statistics on how programs that encourage residents to shop locally can help businesses stay afloat. They have shown that choosing a few local businesses that would affect a customer’s daily life if they closed, and becoming a dedicated customer will help keep those businesses open, according to program proponents.
Statistics state that if half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month at those local businesses, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. By spending money locally, Altus residents are generating revenue for their neighbors and for the community.
“Being a smart shopper is beneficial anywhere, but it is especially crucial in Altus,” said Brian Bush, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and EDC director. “Our local residents and their shopping patterns have a massive effect on our local economy. That’s why I am fan of Altus Approved.”
Organizers hope the program serves to create shopping excitement over the summer months and encourage customers to spend their dollars in Altus, providing a way for residents to proudly support their economy.


text:
GameStop stores across the U.S. will start selling Steam voucher cards starting next week, according to a recent report.
A source has told Kotaku that the store will begin selling the vouchers starting May 15, opening up Steam purchases to players that don’t wish to put their credit card details into the service. The source supplied the picture found below and states that the deal is a bitter sweet one, as it is not the ideal way for either firm to do business.
The major positive – if this rumor turns out to be true – is that it opens up Steam gaming to a whole new section of gamers. Since various firms started getting hacked, many are worried about putting their credit card details online. It worked for Apple, so it makes sense for Steam to head down this route also.


text:
Perhaps the biggest winner of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE competition is the X PRIZE Foundation itself. The organization, formed in 1996 with the Ansari X PRIZE competition to stimulate private spaceflight, not only issued a challenge to see if automakers could build a vehicle that could get 100 miles per gallon (or the electric equivalent, measured as mpge), it found three teams capable of meeting the challenge.
"There's a science to designing a prize: It must be audacious but achievable," X PRIZE Foundation Chairman and CEO Peter Diamandis said Friday as the competition's winners gathered at New York City's Classic Car Club in a sort of a victory lap (they had been announced the day before at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.). The competition offered engineers some portion of a $10 million prize if they could meet a clear goal on a set deadline, with several checkpoints along the way. If that goal hadn't been met, none of the prize would have been awarded.
The size of the prize was chosen to give the competition credentials and provide the initial motivation for contestants, Diamandis said. It now also helps the winners defray some of their costs at exactly the time they most need an infusion of funding, he added.
By defining the goal and not the way to accomplish that goal, the foundation sought to stimulate creativity in a society that has increasingly become risk averse, Diamandis said. Within the confines of the competition, "if you win, you get the glory," he said. "But if you lose, you don't get any blame."
Another objective of the competition is to change the way people think about innovation. For example, the original X PRIZE was designed in part to help the public understand that the government isn't the only entity capable of space flight, according to Diamandis. The next X PRIZE competition, the Google Lunar X PRIZE, is offering $60 million (half chipped in by Google and the other half from NASA) to land a robotic rover on the moon and use it to complete certain objectives.
Mooresville, N.C.'s Li-ion Motors, which won $2.5 million in the "alternative side-by-side" vehicle category, plans to begin production of 39,000 Wave II vehicles in December. The initial cost for a Wave II is expected to be just under $40,000, although Li-ion team leader Ron Cerven on Friday said the company will continue to work on the technology to make it more efficient and eventually drive down the cost. For example, the car is going back into the wind tunnel for additional testing—the company believes it can surpass 200 mpge.
The prototype Wave II that won the X PRIZE has a body that's essentially made up of four fiberglass pieces. Steel bands run throughout the body to protect passengers in the event of a collision, Cerven said. Work will also continue on the materials used to make the car's body. Germany's SAERTEX Group makes a reinforcing fabric that Li-ion plans to use to make future versions of the Wave stronger and lighter.
Swiss firm Peraves AG won the $2.5 million prize for the best alternative vehicle in which passengers sit in tandem, as on a motorcycle. Its battery-powered E-Tracer is essentially an enclosed motorcycle based on the company's MonoTracer body. Peraves designed a new electric powertrain for the X PRIZE competition. Peraves has spent an estimated $10 million over the past 25 years developing its vehicles.
Riding an E-Tracer will require a motorcycle license and a bit of training, particularly in steering the vehicle, said Jim Lorimer, who sells Peraves vehicles in the U.S. through a Glenn Allen, Va. company called 21st Century Motoring. He adds that E-Tracer riders should at the very least be familiar with the concept of countersteering, a technique motorcyclists use to initiate a turn toward a given direction by first steering counter to the desired direction. Peraves is hoping to bring the E-Tracer to market in the fall of 2011. A gas-powered MonoTracer costs about $77,000 today, and an electric-powered E-Tracer is expected to cost about $100,000. The company's goal is to sell at least 100 per year.
The Very Light Car built by Charlottesville, Va.'s Edison2 stands apart for the other vehicles in the X PRIZE winner's circle for two very significant reasons—work on the car started from scratch more than two years ago and the car features a biofuel-powered internal combustion engine. It would have been easier for Edison2 to put an electric motor in its car, but the team's goal was to build a vehicle that would do its thermal conversion onboard and still achieve more than 100 miles per gallon, founder and CEO Oliver Kuttner said. "We didn't want the X PRIZE to be just an electric car competition," he said, adding that many of the other entrants in the mainstream car category were road cars converted into electric vehicles.
Edison2 built the car's suspension system into its wheels, which protrude from the car like a Formula racer. If applied to any car (not just the Very Light Car), this suspension system could make any car 180 kilograms lighter, Kuttner said.
The next phase for Edison2 is making improvements to its Very Light Car. The first area of improvement will be in the car's fuel efficiency, Kuttner says. Once the car is as efficient as it can be, the engineers will address the issues required to make the car more appealing to the general public, for example the addition of front and rear bumpers and a redesigned door that's easier to operate. The time it takes Edison2 to bring its car to market will depend upon how much funding the company can raise. In the meantime, they're looking to earn revenue by licensing out some of the technology designed for the car.
Images courtesy of Larry Greeemeier/Scientific American


text:
Musgrave announced today that it is doubling its SuperValu product range sold on noon, the Middle East’s largest online grocery marketplace and on the noon.com dedicated fresh grocery platform.
The announcement will now see 250 SuperValu products available across the UAE on noon, soon to include items from SuperValu’s fresh food range.
The partnership between Musgrave and noon first commenced in June, making the Irish food retailer the first direct distribution partner with Saudi e-tailer noon.
As the partnership continues, Musgrave said it aims for up to 500 products to be available by the end of 2022 on noon Grocery.
The announcement was made at a trade meeting held at noon’s office in downtown Dubai, attended by Ireland’s Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Minister Robert Troy, Ali Kafil-Hussain, chief of staff at noon.com, and Liam Hyland, director of export and international trade at Musgrave.
Leading Enterprise Ireland’s trade visit to the Middle East, Minister Troy, said, “I want to congratulate noon and Musgrave International on what is a significant step forward in their partnership and will help introduce people across the UAE to a significant range of quality Irish food products that are widely enjoyed back in Ireland."
“This Government, through its agency Enterprise Ireland, is committed to supporting Irish businesses expand and diversify into new markets as well as to reinforce an established presence in existing markets," he added.
"Announcements such as the one today are a strong endorsement of Enterprise Ireland’s work in the region," said Minister Troy.
Musgrave noted that Dubai remains a hub for e-commerce growth in the MENA region.
With the pandemic changing consumer habits, the growth of digital shopping has accelerated, resulting in many companies investing in online sales activity and omni-channel methods, it said.
Ali Kafil-Hussain, chief of Staff, noon, said, “Grocery is increasingly moving online, especially as e-commerce penetration has surged significantly in this region. noon Grocery, our next-day fresh grocery delivery service, currently stocks more than 60,000 products.
"Focusing on grocery as a priority area, we have invested heavily in cold-chain capabilities, including a state-of-the-art dedicated grocery warehouse, to ensure the best produce arrives at our customers’ doorsteps in the freshest way possible," he said.
“When we launched the SuperValu range by Musgrave earlier this year we received an overwhelming response from our customers in Dubai, particularly those in the expat community, who were delighted to now be able to get a part of home delivered to their second home here in the UAE," Kafil-Hussain added.
Covid-19-led Digital Shift
According to a study by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the UAE’s retail e-commerce market reached a record $3.9 billion in 2020, a 53% year-over-year increase driven by the Covid-19-led digital shift, while e-commerce accounted for 8% share of the retail market during the same year.
Accompanying Minister Troy on the trade visit, Kevin Sherry, executive director of Enterprise Ireland, said, “The world has its eyes on the Irish market, and the Middle East has increasingly been adopting innovative solutions from Ireland’s companies."
"The success of this partnership between Musgrave and noon shows us that the UAE presents incredible commercial opportunities for Irish companies," he said.
"The region is continuing the shift to online shopping, presenting new ecommerce opportunities. Enterprise Ireland are proud to have supported Musgrave with the introduction to noon, and in achieving very positive growth in just four months since market launch,” Sherry added.


text:
Johnson & Johnson, well-known for its line of cosmetic and personal hygiene products, announced last month that it would stop using certain chemicals in its shampoos and soaps, after consumer advocacy groups insisted that some were hazardous to users' health.
While Johnson & Johnson stated in a recent press release that everything found in the products are safe – even some preservatives and trace byproducts – the company still acknowledged customer concerns and promised to stop using certain chemicals.
In addition, Johnson & Johnson announced that it was launching a website, SafetyAndCareCommitment.com, that would feature information on the company's policies regarding health issues and the initiatives that are taken to keep products safe.
"We're doing this because we're listening to the people who rely on our products, and if they have concerns, we're committed to addressing them, as long as we can do so safely and effectively," Susan Nettesheim, Johnson & Johnson's vice president of product stewardship and toxicology said in a press release. "We want to be sure people have peace of mind bringing our products into their homes and caring for themselves and their families. Nothing is more important to us."
Kenneth Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group – one of the organizations that has been negotiating with Johnson & Johnson – said that the measures being taken to improve and be more transparent were extremely impressive.
With technology becoming a more integral part of consumers' everyday lives, it's increasingly important for businesses and organizations to offer more communication options. This way, customers can rest assured that their questions will always be answered.
Working with a live answering service that also specializes in email and text message services will show customers that a company is putting their needs first, and is willing to be available 24/7 to quell any rising concerns.


text:
Minister to Promote Domel Model of Employee Ownership
Železniki, 27 January - Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Počivalšek and several other government officials visited the electrical motors manufacturer Domel on Tuesday to see for themselves a successful model of employee ownership. The minister would like to promote the model elsewhere.
The rest of this news item is available to subscribers.
The news item consists of 1.677 characters (without spaces) or 320 words words.
Buy the news item. Price: 2 tokens; on account: 0 tokens.


text:
It’s been less than two years since ChatGPT was released to the public — but the economic impact of the AI is already undeniable.
Everywhere from your doctor’s office to your financial advisor to the football game on TV, AI is being used behind the scenes. It’s optimising creative content, managing timetables and streamlining operations. Most importantly, AI is creating an incredibly exciting time for the markets… Unlocking huge developments and money-making opportunities.
Here’s the latest AI news…
Meet “the World’s most POWERFUL AI chip”
AI chip leader, Nvidia is arguably the “hottest AI stock” at present…
The company’s “must-have” H100 AI chip turned it into a multitrillion-dollar company…
One that’s worth more than Meta, Alphabet and Amazon today.
Now, Nvidia’s is looking to enhance its leading AI position with its “next-gen superchip” to meet the high demand for powerful computing.
Called “Blackwell B200 GPU”, this AI chip enables companies to build and run real-time generative AI at up to 25x less cost and energy consumption than its predecessor (H100).
At the same time, Nvidia’s introducing software to simplify AI deployment, moving towards becoming a platform for software development akin to Microsoft and Apple.
The GB200 processor, part of the Blackwell series, offers a substantial leap in AI performance, aiming to support the training of larger and more complex AI models.
The entire Blackwell system will help unlock breakthroughs in data processing, engineering simulation, electronic design automation, computer-aided drug design, quantum computing and generative AI — all BIG MONEY industry opportunities for NVIDIA.
While pricing hasn’t been established yet, Nvidia said its new Blackwell system could cost between $30,000 and $40,000.
Companies expected to adopt Blackwell are Amazon Web Services, Dell Technologies, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Oracle, Tesla and xAI.
And then there’s Intel’s BIG investment grant…
$8.5 billion to help the US dominate global chip production…
Remember the CHIPS Act?
The law that funds research and manufacturing for chips in the US.
Well, recently the White House announced Intel will receive up to $8.5 billion to increase chip making in the US.
This would be the single largest grant to a chipmaker under the program.
These funds will help Intel expand its facilities in states like Arizona and Ohio with the goal of putting the US ahead in advanced chipmaking. It will also help reduce the US’s reliance on foreign countries’ technology.
Despite facing competition from companies like Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm, Intel remains important because it both designs and manufactures chips.
This capability is rare since most competitors outsource their manufacturing.
All in all, this investment will help US produce roughly 20% of the world’s leading-edge chips by the end of the decade.
Saudi Arabia – the next major player in AI?
Recent reports suggest Saudi Arabia plans to develop a $40 billion AI investment fund.
That enormous sum dwarfs even the largest US funds and would be second globally only to Japan’s investment firm, SoftBank.
This move highlights the global rush towards AI and the country’s ambition to diversify its economy.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is in talks with top Silicon Valley firms, including venture capitalist’s Andreessen
Horowitz, about potential partnerships.
If successful, this fund would make Saudi Arabia the world’s largest AI investor!
In the past, the Saudi fund has made significant investments globally, including in companies like Uber and Bank of America.
Meanwhile, Andreessen Horowitz, known for backing major tech firms like Facebook and Airbnb, manages $35 billion and has a strong focus on AI startups.
These developments provide just an inkling of the potential growth in the AI market. That’s why you should not ignore the potential profit opportunities that AI can unlock. To follow our tips and what AI stocks we are buying right now, make sure you sign up to our South African Investor service.
Not a subscriber to Money Morning?
You can get free daily recommendations like these with Money Morning eletter. Just sign up here.


text:
You Can Use Jio Fiber 100Mbps Internet From September 5 Onwards, With Free Landline Voice Calls
RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani had quite a few announcements to make at the company's 42nd Annual General Meeting today. They had a few new launches to talk about.
But foremost among those was the announcement for the launch date of Jio Fiber in India.
Ambani announced that so far Jio Fiber has received 15 million registrations, and the aim is to reach 20 million residences and 15 million business establishments across 1,600 towns. The service is currently in 5 lakh homes on a pilot basis. It's been in testing since 2016, but might finally be ready to launch on September 5.
Jio Fiber plans will be priced between Rs 700 and Rs 10,000 per month. Additionally it will offer fixed line voice calls to any Indian operator (mobile or fixed) for free "forever". The service will apparently start with 100 Mbps subscriptions with 1 Gbps plans in the works.
Jio Fiber and bundled entertainment services
Ambani also revealed that Jio Fiber will come bundled with subscriptions leading OTT applications, possibly referring to the likes of Hotstar Premium or Netflix. The platform will also offer a service called Jio First-Day-First-Show, which will be launched in the middle of 2020, that will allow folks the chance to watch new movies the day of their release.
Jio Fiber subscribers will also receive other benefits like Postpaid Plus. It's basically a convenience service, allowing a priority SIM set-up at your home, family plans with data sharing, international roaming, and phone upgrades at preferential rates.
And more importantly, Fiber subscribers will be offered annual plans called Jio Forever, that net them an HD LED or 4K TV as well as a 4K set-top box for free.
There was also a new mixed reality headset called HoloBoard announced, developed in partnership with Indian firm Tesseract. Demoed at the event, this will tie in with specific applications under Jio's service.
Ambani also briefly talked about setting up a pan-India content delivery network, offering entertainment, shopping, gaming, and education through its broadband service. Meanwhile, they're also joining hands with Microsoft in order to set up a cloud infrastructure platform in the country, one that will store data locally.


text:
Frozen food specialist Iceland is to launch in the country of the same name after striking a deal with Johannes Jonsson, the father of controversial former Baugur boss Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson.
Sources close to Iceland said Jonsson is to become the franchisee for the frozen food specialist in the country.
The grocer has thrived in difficult trading conditions in the UK and it will hope to have the same success in Iceland, where the economy also continues to struggle.
The retailer’s presence in the country is likely to be small, because Iceland has a population of 317,398.
The grocer already has franchised stores in Spain and Portugal and opened its first shop in the Czech Republic in January.
Jonsson has a background in retail as founder of Icelandic retailer Bonus. He set it up in 1988 and recruited his son, Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson, to run the business.
Jonsson could not be reached.
Iceland declined to comment.


text:
Strong first half for Bravi
Bravi Platforms has reported a 20 percent increase in first half sales revenues to just over €12.3 million along with a 60 percent rise in first half order intake.
The growth compared to the first half of 2021 was driven by a 57 percent increase in sales of the Leonardo HD, and a 53 percent jump in sales of the 11ft Sprint model, while surprisingly order intake for the 7ft Spin-Go push around platform/stock picker doubled.
Bravi says that it has increased production of its best selling Leonardo HD by 66 percent to 25 units a day, while production of the Sprint were increased by 50 percent to 15 units a day - helped by a million Euro investment in the production lines this year.
Please register to see all images
The popular Bravi Leonardo HD
Chief executive Pierino Bravi said: “After closing 2021 with an unprecedented 70 percent increase in the volume of sales compared to 2020, Bravi’s performance during the first half of 2022 ended with solid and growing sales numbers and revenues. The growth recorded in this first semester of 2022 went slightly above what the company initially forecasted, with a 60 percent rise in the volume of orders, which however, due to the widespread supply chain disruption and of subsequent delays occurring in the deliveries of components, only translated to a 20 percent increase in overall revenues.”
“Considering the projected growth rate given by the current order balance, we estimate to be able to close 2022 with a global increase in sales of around 50 percent. However, due to these delays from our suppliers we estimate that the actual revenue will only translate into a 30 percent increase in overall revenues, despite our increased production capacity.”
“In the past months, we were able to enhance our daily production going from 15 to 25 Leonardo HDs and from 10 to 15 Sprint units. Significant additional investments are already planned for 2023, that will be made public in the forthcoming months.”
Bravi is no different than most other manufacturers facing component shortages which is holding back shipment volumes, extending lead times and expanding order books. The increases in daily production units for its two most popular products is therefore quite an achievement, and ought to benefit the second half more than the first.
Sadly, as is often the case with most privately held companies we do not have numbers to go with statistics.
The risk to companies like Bravi is that it is likely to turn potential customers towards other suppliers, and in particular those based in China or western manufacturers who badge products built in China where shortages do not appear to be quite as critical.
Bravi has an advantage with its Leonardo HD in that it is fairly unique and for many rental companies or major contractors there is no alternative for many applications.
All in all, 20 percent growth is pretty good when it follows on from a year in which revenues expanded by 70 percent.


text:
Alibaba (BABA) is moving from clicks to bricks. The e-commerce giant is set to invest $4.6 billion into the Chinese electronics retailer Suning, giving Alibaba a 19.99 percent stake in the company. The deal will provide Alibaba with a bricks and mortar network of distribution centers and delivery stations to add to its Cainiao logistics branch. Suning will open an online flagship store on the Alibaba platform and has also committed to buying a 1.1% stake in the online retailer for around $2.3B, according to the Wall Street Journal. Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang told the press in an announcement, 'we are seeing the integration of e-commerce with traditional commerce where consumers are able to enjoy a more engaged, omni-channel and seamless shopping experience.' Alibaba shares have dropped around 24 percent this year despite its increasingly expanding revenues. The online retailer will report first quarter earnings on Wednesday.
More from Video
Salesforce, Amgen and Honeywell will give a lift to the DJIA going forward.
CAG has hung onto the bulk of its recent gains, and could rise to the $50 area, according to the charts and indicators.
Breaking down an approach to the long side of this biotech stock.
AMSC CEO discusses that and China challenges.


text:
In this fragile post-pandemic recovery world, the hotel soft brand marketplace shows no sign of softening.
Contributed by Juliana Shallcross
Already a booming subset of the hospitality business before the pandemic, soft brands—both the franchise and independent varieties—have rebounded quickly in the past year, rapidly adding member properties around the globe. Meanwhile, new soft brands have continued to emerge, among them Accor Hotel’s Emblem Collection, Wyndham’s Trademark and Regency Collections, and Curator Hotel and Resort Collection, a portfolio of independent hotels formed by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust.
As travelers seek more lifestyle hotel experiences while hotel owners search for added operational and marketing support, the soft brand landscape is sizzling.
“It’s growing exponentially, hotels joining soft brands,” said Steve Turk, a Miami-based hospitality consultant, citing the pandemic’s wide-ranging effect on independent hotels in terms of revenue management, expenses, labor issues, and safety protocols as the main reasons for contracting with a soft brand.
But with more hotels joining up each day, is there really enough room for everyone, especially as larger hotel companies keep unveiling new collections? Many traditional soft brand executives say yes, pointing to the different types of collections for a range of hotels from luxury to 3-star, as well as the different needs of owners whether it be revenue management, operational assistance or marketing help.
“I don’t worry about more entrants into the (soft brand) space. There is a lot of space here,” said Chris Walker, chief commercial officer of New York City-based The Leading Hotels of the World, one of the oldest soft brand collections, formed in 1928 and consisting of more than 400 properties today. “And I think that we all do it a little differently.”
Pre-pandemic, Leading Hotels sought to diversify its collection geographically so that guests could have more Leading experiences around the world. Leading properties are pure-play luxury hotels with an independent style and spirit, a combination that’s been easy to pick up in Europe but more difficult in North America and Asia, and more so since the pandemic began. While diversifying remains a goal, Walker said Leading Hotels is adding smaller groups of hotels and tailoring their services to the needs of these collections-within-a-collection.
“We’re also looking at, who else can we appeal to?” Walker said. “What are those smaller groups of hotels that have maybe 6, 8, 10, 12 or 20 hotels that could still benefit from our scale? What kind of relationship could we have with them? And it doesn’t have to be a one-size fits all.” Some recent small group additions to Leading Hotels are Nayara Resorts in Costa Rica and La Reserve Group in Europe.
Other new strategies that Leading Hotels has implemented since the pandemic include getting in front of investors and owners earlier in the development cycle, ditching the fee for the Leading Hotels of the World loyalty program, and positioning their properties as sustainable and socially conscious.
At Newport Beach, California-based Preferred Hotels and Resorts, another independent soft brand collection, 56 new hotels were added last year and the company is on track to add about 80 this year, according to President Michelle Woodley.
The company also launched a new portfolio of sustainable hotels in November 2020 called Beyond Green. Coupled with the Historic Hotels Worldwide and Historic Hotels of America collections, and their PTG Consulting business, these offerings allow the company to really go to work for their member hotels.
“That’s what gives us the flexibility to really deliver the markets that are most meaningful to the hotel,” Woodley said. And it’s this flexibility that Woodley cites as an advantage over hard brands and the franchise soft brands from bigger hotel companies.
“Under Preferred Hotel Group, we can do different things and be flexible on how we do them,” Woodley added. A white paper released by Preferred Hotel Group last year enumerated this flexibility, detailing how independents fared better in 2020 compared to hard brands and franchise soft brands in terms of occupancy, ADR and RevPAR.
“Our hotels honestly could act a lot faster,” Woodley explained of the pandemic performance. “They didn’t have to wait for the brand to say, ‘Here’s now what your cleaning protocols are, here is now what your food and beverage protocols are.’ Independent hotels could act right away.”
For the Dubai-based Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), which works largely with independent hotel brands, their most attractive product for independent luxury hotels has been a loyalty program with nearly 20 million members. GHA recently added The Set Collection as well as the NH Hotel Group, totaling 40 brands and 800 hotels across 100 countries.
Yet, as loyalty programs changed, often becoming more complex and frustrating for guests to understand, the GHA realized its loyalty product had to evolve to ease these pain points and also to build an advantage against competitors.
“We started seeing a common trend of what consumers wanted and across the markets, regardless of what their reasoning was, they wanted simplicity, they wanted transparency,” said Kristi Gole, vice president, head of product for GHA. “They wanted to know, what am I earning, what’s the value of it, and then they wanted it to be easy to redeem and have choice on how they redeemed it.”
Guests enrolled in the GHA Discovery program now earn Discovery Dollars, ranging between 4% and 7% of the total bill, which can then be used upon the guest’s next stay and at property outlets. Members also receive 10% off room rates. For the hotels, GHA no longer charges fixed fees for the loyalty program, instead using a variable fee system depending on where the guest’s repeat stay originated—whether from the hotel itself or another promotion done with GHA. According to Gole, the loyalty program delivers an ROI that independent hotels couldn’t achieve on their own.
“We want it to be an attractive program to the end consumer, the hotel guests. And the more attractive the program is, the more that they’re going to choose to stay with the hotels that have that program,” Gole said.
The newcomer to the soft brand party, Curator Hotel and Resort Collection, which launched in early 2020, aims to help independent hotels, big and small, from an asset management standpoint utilizing some of the deals that its parent company, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, has secured.
“We’re trying to put the whole toolkit together for the hotels, so they can tap into all these resources to help their top line as well as their bottom line,” said Jennifer Barnwell, Curator’s president. This includes more than 80 master service agreements, insurance policies, proprietary workflow systems, and pilot technology programs. Currently, Curator has 91 properties in its roster.
“We run the gamut of almost everything you need to run an independent hotel,” Barnwell added. “Because we’ve gone through exhaustive RFP processes and done tons of due diligence to end up with partnerships at better financial terms or cost terms than anyone can get on their own.”
Despite the rosy outlook from within the soft brand landscape, it won’t be immune to outside forces such as drops in demand, new lockdowns, or the ongoing staffing issues which Turk said could affect the standards often required of hotels to join a soft brand, whether franchised or independent. Turk also advised hotels to be certain they can deliver on their partnerships as being removed from a soft brand means having to start the process all over again.
Yet for now, to stay competitive going soft is a solid move for an independent hotel.