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This month, KP Nuts is the brand that has achieved the biggest uplift in its Ad Awareness score.
Having not been on TV for 25 years and primarily relying on Christmas to drive sales, the savoury snack brand have re-released an advert that was first shown last year called ‘The Nut Nut’s Nut’ in order to assert taste superiority over other nut brands.
It is a 30 second ad which shows a cantankerous baby elephant complaining about a selection of party snacks that weren’t made by the KP brand.
YouGov brand tracking data shows that the advert has already been performing well among the general public.
Its Ad Awareness score (whether somebody has seen an advert for the brand) has seen a significant increase since the ad was first re-launched, going from 0 to +9, a rise on last year’s high of +7.
The cheeky elephant ad has already proven to be a hit, with last year’s sales boosting by 8% in the three months following its launch.
Looking to this year, KP’s Attention score (whether someone has heard anything about a brand in the past two weeks) has risen from 0 to +6 since the campaign launched. Not only are people noticing it, but it’s also getting people talking too – KP’s Word of Mouth score has also jumped from 0 to +4.
KP Nuts can be pleased that their Nut Nut’s Nut advert keeps on giving – and will be hoping that the brand can achieve even higher results than last summer this time round.


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The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc (JAMA)—the organizer of Tokyo Motor Show—has announced that it will gears up its preparation for the much-awaited 2017 Tokyo Motor Show from October 27 to November 5.
With its theme “Beyond the Motor,” the event focuses on the broadly extended functional value and enjoyment of automobiles, attracting and integrating globally leading-edge knowledge and transcending industry borders to spawn new innovation and business.
The show will also offer innovative “hands-on” features that expand the direct-experience factor with advanced technologies including cutting-edge virtual reality, and conference events that brings together key figures in the development of next-generation mobility from different sectors.
A total 14 manufacturers (15 brands from Japan) and 13 manufacturers (19 from overseas) will gather at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake Koto-ku, Tokyo to witnessed a comprehensive show that includes passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and aftermarket products.
Swedish luxury car manufacturer Volvo will return in the passenger car category along Harley-Davidson in the motorcycle category, while the commercial vehicle maker Scania will make it debut in the exhibit. The Tokyo Big Sight is expected to increase this year with the addition of East Halls 7 and 8.
NEW SIGNATURE EVENT
Meanwhile, JAMA will hold organizer-themed exhibit “TOKYO CONNECTED LAB 2017” as a new signature event of the Tokyo Motor Show. According to JAMA, 3 hands-on programs will provide for customers perspective for better experience of future of mobility. The 360-degree visual projection space, the VR exhibit using a network-type VR system, and talk events where business and trend leaders from auto industry are present to discuss with visitors the future mobility society.
Significant changes are taking place in the situation surrounding the automobile industry. Innovative technologies are emerging in rapid succession, and relationships between people and motor vehicles are diversifying. The Tokyo Motor Show will evolve as well, to become a more influential event playing a notably relevant role in next-generation mobility.

domain: news


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MAKERS of alternative proteins will need to deliver to a greater extent on tastiness, affordability and convenience to capture any consumer willingness to turn away from meat.
This was one of the key messages to emerge from discussions on consumer readiness for novel protein sources at an online seminar hosted by the University of Sydney's Centre for Advanced Food Enginomics.
Key speaker Dr Chris Bryant, a United Kingdom-based social scientist and animal advocate whose research focuses on consumer psychology around meat-eating and alternative proteins, said the world was at a 'tipping point' where consumers were turning away from meat.
Dr Bryant, who received his PhD from the University of Bath, now consults for various alternative protein companies and pro-animal nonprofit organisations.
He provided extensive data and survey results on public opinion around vegetarianism which point to areas that alternative protein producers will need to address to gain greater consumer traction.
He also spoke about public perceptions around farmers' livelihoods, leaving no doubt proponents of alternative proteins like himself want animal agriculture displaced, rather than seeing plant-based and cultured products as filling a gap in growing global protein requirements.
The recent case where supermarket giant Coles retracted advice to customers that eating less meat was good for the environment following complaints from livestock industry leaders was raised at the webinar.
Dr Bryant said backlash from the farming community was a 'perennial problem' for the alternative protein movement because 'there are real people on the other end of the economic transaction who will lose their jobs if we get what we want.'
"It's a difficult issue to know how to contend with," he said.
"At the level of somewhat heartless economic analysis, preservation, or indeed creation, of jobs is never a sound reason to go after a particular policy.
"Often times in this conversation, the farmer who will lose his job is salient and the other problems caused by animal agriculture are more difficult to appreciate.
"There is a need for some kind of infrastructure to bring farmers along this transition."
Dr Bryant said in terms of where public sympathies lay, the farming community was well regarded.
He suggested discussions happen around helping farmers to move to new modes of production, citing a European program called Refarmed which helps dairy farmers move to oat milk production.
"There is also the discussion about farmers being able to produce the crops needed for plant-based meat," he said.
"And in the future the ingredients for cultured meat will be needed.
"There will be opportunities.
"However, if you're moving to a process that is less environmentally destructive, it's because it is more efficient and that will entail less jobs."
What consumers want
Dr Bryant said there were now strong signs the world had turned a corner on meat consumption.
He presented recent survey data on existing diets which showed people consciously reducing meat consumption (identified as flexitarians) in Germany was around 30pc and in France 25pc.
These two countries were important in forming European agriculture policy, he said.
"Importantly, in Germany the amount of people identifying as unrestricted meat eaters is now below 50pc," Dr Bryant said.
"That is particularly powerful from a social perspective."
SEE ALSO:Vegetarians are really flexitarians
Belgium research indicates that in 2020, 51pc of people were satisfied with existing meat alternatives - which Dr Bryant described as a sign alternatives were moving into the mainstream.
Data on opinions of vegetarianism taken from meat eaters in the UK showed more than 70pc of people agree vegetarianism is better for the environment, ethical and healthy.
Conversely, vegetarianism is not perceived as enjoyable or tasty, as affordable or as convenient as the diet choice of eating meat.
It was those latter traits that were the main drivers of food purchased, not ethical status or value for the environment, Dr Bryant said.
"Delivering tasty, affordable and convenient (alternative protein) products will be key to replacing animal products," he said.
"Our products have to be crave-worthy.
"We have to replace the experience of eating animal products, that will be the most important thing."
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The main advantage of Xiaomi products is not only quality, although it is at a very high level, but at the cost of its smartphones, tablets, television, head boxes and many other electronic devices. The reason for the low price of the gadgets by this maker is to buy and actually, and sometimes sells some individual models at a cost, that is, without earning money. Against this background, this maker decided to start using a new way of winning, which appeared in the MIUI 10 firmware.
All the Xiaomi smart phones that the MIUI 10 operating system set on the basis of any version of Android have now been integrated with advertising. Initially, many thought they had had malicious software on their mobile device, but then I found that this was not the case. The company's press service has confirmed officially that adding advertisements to the software of its brand smartphones is part of a new business strategy for the coming years to sell products at the lowest possible prices.
Due to such advertisements, if the user uses a smart phone, Xiaomi receives around $ 5 per month, which allows him to earn as much as $ 60 a year, that is, an amount great money. All of this money is going to create new software, research new technologies, and develop new smartphones. You can meet advertisements in the MIUI firmware 10 in almost all standard applications, ranging from music to the video viewing application.
Of course, nothing is good in all this, especially as Google ad additions have even added to the application installer, that is, every time the smart phone owner Xiaomi is trying to install some kind of program shows ad. At the same time, there are no functions and locations in the MIUI 10 firmware that could mean an advertising display at the level of the whole operating system, but you can get rid of it using third-party software.
All phone buyers from this brand should be ready for the fact that much advertising will be embedded in its firmware, and for everyone who already has such tools, You must accept this, because in future years, the brand policy on this subject is unlikely to change. Earlier it was reported that the Chinese Xiaomi corporation will ban applications on smartphones.
Up to March 10, inclusive, everyone has a unique opportunity to get free Xiaomi Mi Band 3 sports bracelet, spending just 2 minutes from personal time.
Join us in Twitter, Facebook, VKontakte, YouTube, Google+ and RSS to be aware of the latest news from the world of future technologies.


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We’re ending the week with all the funding, acquisition, and startup news from across the Southeast you need to know:
Atlanta-based Flock Safety closed $47 million Series C to grow its crime prevention and crime-solving platform. Hypepotamus has the latest information here.
North Carolina-based Momi, which is working on new breast pumps and other infant feeding technologies, closed a $1 million seed round, led by Kapstone Medical and Enventys Partners. MOMI’s founder and CEO, Carr Lane Quackenbush said in a statement, “I really do believe that these products will replicate nature, and will bring the advantages that we set out to bring to market.”
Miami-based REEF Technology, a startup working on parking and urban logistics, has raised a giant $700 million funding round from SoftBank Vision Fund, Mubadala Investment Co., Oaktree Capital, UBS AM and Target Global VC.
New Moves Across the Southeast
Invest Atlanta announced this week that Bonika Wilson will join their team as the first chief equity and inclusion officer. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, “the purpose of the new role is to help ensure economic investments benefit all Atlanta residents, especially those in disadvantaged communities.”


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That's one way to show your support.
Kylie Jenner displayed some love for her sister Kim's boyfriend, Kanye West, this weekend. Jenner posted a photo to Instagram of herself wearing a shirt picturing Kanye's face around her bottom, with the caption "Hollywood & Vine." West has had a busy few weeks, as this weekend marked the opening of Kanye's collaboration with APC, and his "Yeezus" release last month had major hype. "Yeezus" turned sour in its second week, but was extremely well-reviewed by Pitchfork and Rolling Stone.
Though the gesture seems sweet, we have to question the placement of her support. What happened to wearing T-shirts on your top?
Also on HuffPost:
HuffPost Entertainment is your one-stop shop for celebrity news, hilarious late-night bits, industry and awards coverage and more — sent right to your inbox six days a week. Learn more


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Instacart, the scrappy grocery delivery service challenging AmazonFresh, revealed on Tuesday that it has raised up to $220 million, a boost for the quick-growing startup that has so far proven the throngs of grocery delivery naysayers very wrong.
The big investment, led Kleiner Perkins, values San Francisco–based Instacart at an estimated $2 billion –the same market cap as San Jose data storage firm Nutanix, which is expected to go public next year, and just trailing San Francisco-based Box’s $2.4 billion valuation.
About six months ago, Instacart raised $44 million from Andreessen Horowitz and Sam Altman, among others, at a reported $400 million valuation. The latest funding round reveals just how quickly the startup has grown: It has added new grocery retailers to its app, and has a new partnership with Whole Foods in which Instacart workers are stationed inside the grocery store to shop for and bag food, preparing deliveries for the Instacart driver, and expediting the entire process.
Instacart told the New York Times recently that it is poised to generate more than $100 million in revenue in 2014, 10 times what it did in 2013. Founder and CEO Apoorva Mehta told this newspaper in a 2013 interview that the company was making “tens of millions of dollars in revenue” a year after its 2012 launch.
It is also looking to expand into other categories beyond groceries, according to the New York Times.
While $220 million is more money than most of us will ever see in a lifetime, it pales next to other mega funding rounds this year, which has seen more deals over $100 million than any other.
Here’s a list of the top 10 U.S. tech deals of 2014, provided by research firm CB Insights, which tracks venture capital investments. All but two companies are headquartered in the Bay Area.
1. Uber: $1.2 billion
2. Uber: $1.2 billion (yes, the car service app raised back-to-back mega rounds)
3. Cloudera: $900 million
4. Magic Leap: $542 million
5. Airbnb: $475 million
6. Palantir Technologies: $444 million
7. Privia Health: $400 million
8. Dropbox: $350 million
9. TangoMe: $280 million
10. SurveyMonkey: $250 million
Photo: Instacart founder and CEO Apoorva Mehta in their new offices South of Market in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 15, 2013. Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group.


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At the age of 22, the inspring founder of For Brown Girls and the social media movement #DarkSkinRedLip, Karyn Washington committed suicide earlier this year. Her death sent shockwaves through the black blogosphere, as she was one of the most popular self-love bloggers for black women. Her latter online organization #DarkSkinRedLip especially touched her readers as it encouraged women of color, specifically those of darker hues, to wear bright shades. Washington felt compelled to commence #DarkSkinRedLip after the rapper A$AP Rocky made unnecessary comments in an interview with The Coveteur. He expressed a disdain a red lipstick in general and went on to suggest…or imply… that black girls shouldn’t wear red lipstick at all. QUESTION! Since when did rappers get the temerity to offer beauty advice? His ignorance created a big controversy online.
Sadly, that wasn’t the first time such a remark was made public (apparently Rocky isn’t a fan of candy-color shades like green, blue, or purple on the lips either), but something in Washington made her take a stand as she hoped others would follow suit.They did, and on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr, women of all brown hues uploaded photos of them proudly wearing red lipstick. Major points for womanity worldwide! And red lipstick continues to be worn by the pretty likes of Kerry Washinton, Kelly Rowland, Sanaa Lathan, and Janelle Monae.
So while black beauty has mourned the passing of Washington, you can still honor her cause. With so many lip color options out there, #DarkSkinRedLip can live on. And little do most men, black or white, know is that red lipstick is never just red. Don’t even get us started on the options such as wearing a blue-base or orange/coral-based lipstick. For the hashtag, M.A.C.’s “Ruby Woo” matte lipstick was the most popular choice, so let’s upgrade the list of other red lipsticks to choose from. Whether you’re pale or deep, there’s a color of passion for everyone.
*Also use lip liners, pencils, or gloss to accentuate your pout. Especially the liners (paging M.A.C.’s “Brick”…)
- “Viva Glam I” by M.A.C.
- “On Fire Red” by Maybelline Vivid Sensationals
- “Infrared Matte” by Smashbox’s Be Legendary
- “Alabama” by NYX’s Matte Lipstick
- “Tempt” by CoverGirl Lip Perfection
- “Cherry Frost” by Wet ‘n Wild’s Silk Finish Lipstick
- “Melted Ruby” by Too Faced’s Melted Liquidified Longwear Lipstick
- “Natasha” by Stila’s Color Balm
- “Red Velvet” by Revlon’s Color Burst Lip Butter
- “Standout” by Revlon’s Color Burst Matte Balm
- “Diva” by M.A.C
- “Red Revival” by Maybelline


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Wednesday, August 13, 2014
On-trend club-style sandwich added to proven brand’s offerings
CINCINNATI – AdvancePierre™ Foods (APF), a nationally-recognized, fully integrated producer and seller of handheld sandwiches and value-added meats, is expanding its Fast Choice sandwich line with the Grilled Chicken Club.
The new sandwich features flame-broiled chicken, topped with Monterey jack cheese and bacon ranch sauce on AdvancePierre’s famous sesame seed bun. Wrapped in a clear film with eye-catching graphics, consumers can easily notice this new Fast Choice offering.
“Club-style sandwiches are gaining in popularity in quick-service and casual dining restaurants, which means the time is right to provide a club offering under the proven Fast Choice name to convenience and vending retailers,” said Tony Schroder, president of convenience channels at APF. “We’re confident that after just one bite, consumers will enthusiastically ‘join the club.’”
Not only are club-style sandwiches trending, but chicken sandwiches are one of the fastest-growing sandwich segments, according to Technomic, a leading fact-based consulting and research firm serving the food industry.
The new sandwiches have a 14-day refrigerated, nine-month frozen, shelf life and can retail for $2 - $2.50. The Fast Choice Grilled Chicken Club sandwiches will be available in August.
For more information about AdvancePierre™ Foods, visit www.advancepierre.com.


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Live Nation, the world’s largest promoter and venue operator, has purchased a majority stake in Trunk LTD., a high-end licensing and merchandise firm. The purchase price was not disclosed.
“Artist merchandise is a large segment of the live business [that] we have never been in, and we believe with the amount of tours we produce globally, the venues we own and festivals [we produce], that this segment represents a new area of growth and services we can provide the artist,” Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino tells Billboard.biz.
Trunk has more than 60 exclusive licenses, including AC/DC, Aerosmith, the Beatles, Blondie, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, the Grateful Dead, the Doors, the Rolling Stones, Motley Crue and David Bowie. Trunk products are available at 600 specialty stores and boutiques around the world, and will now move from retail shelves to venues.
Trunk was founded in 2003 and led by CEO/creative director Brad Beckerman, who will continue leading the company on aggressive growth strategy under Live Nation as president/CEO of Live Nation Merchandising. The plan is to take Trunk distribution beyond traditional retail outlets into Live Nation venues by creating Limited Edition products only available on tour.
At Live Nation, Beckerman will join the company’s executive team to develop merchandising, venue retailing and branding strategies. “I’m not a typical merchandiser,” Beckerman tells Billboard.biz, “I’m a brand developer.”


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Following a successful multimillion raise in Europe, JUUNOO heads to the US to speed up circular adoption in the construction industry
Every year, $320 billion worth of partition walls are thrown out worldwide. JUUNOO, a Belgian startup taking the lead in circular building and construction, completed its Series A Financing round in Europe with a total capital increase of $3.8 million (supplemented by $3.2 million in additional loans and grants). The company now makes its way to the US.
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, building material production accounts for 25% of the total energy and 75% of raw materials consumed by the U.S. manufacturing industry overall. JUUNOO sees a clear opportunity to make a difference. By developing partitions that are 100% circular, JUUNOO ensures they can easily be moved or, after use, sold back to the company upfront for cash, which are then resold at a profit. Construction companies also benefit because productivity increases with faster installation. JUUNOO’s entire concept–from original product to design potential to buyback–revolutionizes construction and gives architects and builders both an economic and ecological advantage.
In the latest US construction industry forecast published by ResearchandMarkets.com, growth is expected to hit 8.8% in 2022. JUUNOO’s recent raise will let it take advantage of the positive industry developments as well as increased consumer demand for sustainability. A 2021 global survey by SAP (cited in a Forbes article) stated that 47% of engineering and construction executives felt that sustainability was top-of-mind.
Peter Vits, Principal of Wing Partners, an architectural design liaison that serves clients such as Under Armour, Nike, Coach, Heineken, among others, says:
“JUUNOO is a great addition to our range of wall systems for modern office interiors. In particular, the combination of circularity and aesthetics.”
New York office launches
Launched in 2017, JUUNOO’s steady growth mirrors booming interest. In 2021, the company headquartered in West Flanders succeeded in more than doubling its turnover. Today, the team consists of 22 employees and continues to expand internationally. With its recent capital raise, JUUNOO will continue to bring its pioneering partitions and walls to the Netherlands, Denmark and the United States. By 2024, the Kortrijk-based company plans to be active in six countries. Their NY office opened June first.
“Belgium remains our home, but we are deliberately looking to broaden our horizons to other countries and markets in order to have an even greater impact on the environment,” says JUUNOO founder, Chris Van de Voorde.
In addition to accessing new markets, recent funding will help the development of a brand new digital assistant for the office and commercial building sectors: JUUNOO Voltage. It offers contractors, architects, property developers, facility managers, etc. a way to visualize the placement of movable walls. From AI-designed floor plans to quotes, BIM drawings, sustainable & acoustic assessments, and AR building instructions. By quickly scanning and measuring spaces, drawing and adapting plans, the platform also helps determine budgets, order walls, check material reusability and get needed support. Users save time and benefit from a more efficient workflow. The platform aims to facilitate better cooperation between the various building teams and construction players.
Circular business models are the future of the construction sector
Securing backing from large and prestigious European entities gives credence to JUUNOO’s innovative and circular approach to construction. The Series A round is the result of a capital injection by Saint-Gobain Gyproc, Finindus and existing investors.“This capital injection is another step in our company's mission. We want to make circularity the standard in partition walls,” says JUUNOO founder Chris Van de Voorde. The financing round was also supported by Vlaio, Trividend and BNP Paribas Fortis.
One of the new investors, Finindus, an investment company formed by the multinational steel corporation, ArcelorMittal, and the Flemish Region, sees JUUNOO as a pioneer of a new movement in the construction world. “JUUNOO's growth trajectory has impressed us,” says Investment Manager, Roel Callebaut. “Driven by a desire to make an impact, the team also understands that economic logic is the best way to convince customers to become more sustainable. They do this by selling circular walls that pay for themselves. JUUNOO is showing the entire construction industry that circular business models are the future.”
Fresh off the heels of winning the first-ever Aureus Prize from the University of Luxembourg, JUUNOO’s Founder, Chris Van de Voorde, is in the United States specifically to demonstrate to new American investors and partners JUUNOO’s exceptional economic and environmental advantages. Both are key benefits in meeting the looming climate and inflation challenges. The startup will also take part in the US trade mission organized by Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) in early June, under the leadership of Princess Astrid. “We have been active in the US for a while with exports and already have a local presence,” says Chris Van de Voorde. "We notice a huge boost in sustainability happening there. This is essential to attracting new people after ‘The Great Resignation.’”
Continues Chris Van de Voorde. “This Series A round is a great vote of confidence from our investors. It is my mission to offer a better world to future generations, especially my children Juul and Noor (for whom the company is named), combined with my engineering love for walls -which are responsible for 1.05% of CO2 emissions worldwide! There’s still a lot of work to be done, but the fact that even a major industrial player like Saint-Gobain and Finindus, with its direct link to ArcelorMittal are investing in JUUNOO and getting on board with our circular story shows that the mindset is changing.”
Chris Van de Voorde, founder of JUUNOO
Speaking about JUUNOO’s ambitions directly, Van de Voorde continues, “We are driven not only by our unique position to bring an excellent product to market; JUUNOO saves time, money—and helps the environment! But JUUNOO also demonstrates how the construction industry can actively participate in a circular economy and stimulate others to innovate and join in.”
The ability to attract notoriously reticent, but high-profile European, investors to the table underscores the opportunity and potential JUUNOO hopes to replicate in the United States.


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Despite months of shooting down rumours and speculation that a Jaguar F-Type Coupe was on the way, a company executive has reportedly confirmed that a hardtop variant of the already popular Jaguar F-Type is indeed in the works and pinned for a debut at the IAA Frankfurt Auto Show 2013 in September.
The Jaguar F-Type Coupe to debut at the IAA Frankfurt Auto Show 2013 however won’t be the production ready car and will instead be a production concept variant just like the original Jaguar C-X16 coupe prototype. The production ready Jaguar F-Type Coupe is expected to follow soon after at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013 in November. Following on from those debuts, the Jaguar F-Type Coupe will hit showrooms late next year.
Unfortunately however, the Jaguar F-Type Coupe is expected to carry a premium over the convertible. This goes completely against the norm where droptop variants of sports cars and supercars are generally significantly more expensive than their coupe counterparts due to the extra development needed to produce them. However, as the Jaguar F-Type was produced as a convertible to begin with, it’s somewhat understandable. This is similar to what Porsche has done with the Boxster and Cayman models with the convertible Boxster undercutting the Cayman in terms of price.
However, with the extra cost, will come a more driver focused British sports car with the Jaguar F-Type Coupe set to weigh less than the current convertible.


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Recently, we have obtained a new car spy photos of a new generation of Ford Ranger Picard from overseas media. A new generation of Ranger or a family design similar to the new F-150 and will debut in 2022.
In terms of appearance, since the camouflage is too thick, it is difficult to find a new generation of Ranger’s overall changes, but from the headlight group In the details, it seems to have maintained a high degree of highness of F-150, and does not rule out the possibility of future new cars adopting similar face design.
Compared to the front, the tail light details of the new generation of Ranger are significantly exposed, which uses vertical arrangements, widening or will be arranged in The outside of the lamp cavity. According to foreign media, a new generation of Volkswagen Amarok and a new generation of Ford Ranger will share the platform, in addition to 2.2T / 3.2T gasoline engine, 2.2T / 3.2T diesel engine, will also be provided by 2.3T gasoline The engine and motor consisting of plug-in hybrid systems, and the power of 10-speed automatic gearbox is matched. (Image Source: Motor1)


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Carmakers and car dealers have different priorities when shopping for new partners, but relationship-building is vital to both
Europcar has begun competing with franchised dealers by offering consumers the chance to get a 69-plate car in September without the traditional long-term financial commitment.
Despite the advent of online car retail platforms and an attempt to deliver soft-touch approach in showrooms, 52% of car buyers feel that the sales process has not changed.
Sales of the all-new, all-electric £2 million Lotus Evija hypercar will be handled through the dealership network, according to Lotus Cars chief executive Phil Popham.
How will the car subscription models being introduced by vehicle manufacturers and tech start-ups affect motor retailers?
IVendi has said that list prices on new cars is creating uncertainty for new car buyers looking for a good deal.
Customers considering a new Mercedes-Benz can now experience a 48-hour test drive, allowing potential buyers to experience a car in the real world.
New car marketplace Leasing.com has won the Gamechanger award at the 4th annual Car Finance Awards.
Europe’s highest volume of May new car registrations since 2007 helped to maintain a degree of stability in the market last month – with a sales increase 0.2% across the month.
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) has described the Department for Transport’s (DfT) granting of a derogation for non-RDE compliant vehicles as “very positive”.
Car retailers increased their stock of used cars by an average of 15% in May but took longer to sell vehicles according to analysis of year-to-year trends analysed by Motors.co.uk.
Women are 71% more likely to buy a new car online than men, according to a new study from Buyacar.
Car dealers registered a “marginal” year-on-year improvement in profits during April, according to ASE – the month’s average total amounting to £5,000.
What Car? magazine has uncovered evidence that car dealers and manufacturers are offering car buyers cash discounts of £16.8 million to attract them into showrooms.
JudgeService has urged dealers to focus on improving customer satisfaction and attention to detail to help drive stock turn and avoid “book” drops.
Vauxhall is taking customer reservations for its new all-electric Corsa-e EV, with a £500 deposit securing one of the first examples to reach UK showrooms.
Lookers has joined the London EV Company’s (LEVC) taxi retail network with the opening of a new dealership in Stockport.
New car registrations dipped further into decline as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) recorded a further 4.6% fall during May – leaving the UK’s total sales 3.1% down year-to-date.
Vauxhall is offering car buyers a minimum £4,000 guaranteed scrappage allowance or £3,000 extra part-exchange value as part of its new scrappage-style Trade-Up sales campaign.
Sytner Group has revealed that construction work has finished on its £6.5 million flagship Mercedes-Benz showroom and workshop at Kingmoor Park in Carlisle.
Automotive Management Live: Where franchised and independent dealers will find everything they need to know about operating a modern showroom and service and repair facility fit for the digital age.
When: November 12 2020
Where: Birmingham NEC
Find out what features are in this month's, and future, issues


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Missile Spat Cools Korean Consumer Stock Stars on China ThreatsBy
Korea received most foreign tourists from China last year
China has used trade sanctions in similar disputes in the past
South Korean consumer shares, 2015’s stock-market darlings as tourists from China flocked to Seoul department stores, are now among the nation’s worst performers this year as a missile spat cools relations between the neighbors.
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Patrick Cudahy is ready to break ground on a new bacon slicing and packaging facility that will be an essential addition to the manufacturing headquarters in Cudahy, Wis. Specifically, focus will be placed on more efficient production lines for retail, deli and foodservice products. The year-long construction process is set to start later this fall and be completed in time for a grand opening in November of 2015.
The 16,500-square-foot facility will cost $12.1 million to build. The use of state-of-the-art technology is set to modernize the slicing and packaging processes and will be utilized as Patrick Cudahy continues to meet today's food operation and consumer demand. The building, which will be a new production facility for Patrick Cudahy, is being constructed with the goal to enhance the start-to-finish production and distribution process.
"We are excited be making such a large investment into the future of Patrick Cudahy," said, Bill Otis, President, Patrick Cudahy LLC. "Everything we do in the development of our production facility is to further the growth of our brand and this will be a huge step. Though it will not add additional jobs, our goal is that the technology implemented in this new facility will benefit both our employees and the people who purchase Patrick Cudahy."
For more information about Patrick Cudahy, log onto www.Facebook.com/PatrickCudahyMeats.
Source: Patrick Cudahay LLC


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They say desperate times call for desperate measures, but even though Apple had to do the unthinkable due to the coronavirus pandemic this year, pushing back both the announcement and commercial release of its newest iPhone generation compared to the company’s traditional schedule, the 5G-enabled iPhone 12 family is reportedly proving immensely successful.
Bigger is better
An exceptionally strong launch in a very difficult time
You know how every single major smartphone vendor, Apple included, was negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic during the first nine months of 2020? That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore, at least as far as the Cupertino-based tech giant is concerned.


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While Samsung comfortably leads the smartphone industry with devices like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, its fortunes in the chip industry have been different. The company’s key rival, TSMC, dominates the segment, although Samsung has tried its best to gain parity, even coming close on some occasions. So it would be a big win for a company like Samsung to have some of the industry’s best talents on board to fulfill its ambitions in the semiconductor business. The manufacturer has done exactly that by hiring former TSMC engineer and industry veteran Lin Jun-cheng.
Last modified: March 13, 2023


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Innovative new LTE IoT tracker based on Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 1200 platform planned to be available later this year.
YuanTel announced today, wearable devices based on the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Wear 1200 platform featuring support for LTE IoT Category M1 (eMTC) and NB1 (NB-IoT) radio technologies, as well as associated services, at Mobile World Congress Shanghai.
These devices and services are planned to be available later this year. YuanTel is the second ranked mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in China among the 42 licensees, as measured by subscriber size, settlement volume, and service quality, has more than 8 million subscribers, and boasts a strong independent product portfolio and innovation capabilities, including M2M modules for the Internet of Things (IoT).
YuanTel will utilize its strong R&D and experience in communication services and leverage reference design from Borqs based on Snapdragon Wear 1200, to offer and accelerate commercialization of comprehensive solutions ranging from smart connected devices to E2E cloud platforms. The LTE IoT smart wearable products and reference designs based on the Snapdragon Wear platform will target smartwatches, kid and elderly watches, smart bracelets, fitness bands, pet trackers, bicycle sharing and more – all in support of low-power, “always connected” and untethered experiences.
“We are very glad to use Qualcomm Technologies’ platforms to develop and commercialize applications for smart wearable devices. As a leading MVNO operator in China and based on the deep understanding of China’s network status and features, YuanTel firmly believes that it can rapidly respond to the consumer demand by taking our R&D innovation, business models and utilization of the Snapdragon Wear 1200 platform into more diversified products,” said Mr. Wang Lei, president of YuanTel.
At MWC Shanghai, Qualcomm Technologies announced the Snapdragon Wear 1200 platform, which takes advantage of the emerging LTE IoT technology in mobile networks to help usher in a new generation of ultra-low power, highly energy efficient, and always connected experiences enabled by targeted purpose wearable devices such as kid, pet, elderly, and fitness trackers. Snapdragon Wear 1200 complements the existing Snapdragon Wear 2100 and Snapdragon Wear 1100 platforms, extending the proven Snapdragon Wear product family across the smart wearables segments.
“The wearables industry continues to thrive with new innovations in LTE IoT standards and business models,” said Pankaj Kedia, senior director, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
“The newly announced Snapdragon Wear 1200 supports the required features for a range of smart tracking devices targeting kids, pets, elderly and fitness. We are excited about working with YuanTel, who are taking advantage of Cat M1 and NB-IoT, and bringing exciting wearables products to the IoT space.”


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Jumping in to the next generation of consoles is expensive. Locally, the PlayStation 4 will be released at a recommended retail price of R6299. We have no idea what the Xbox One is going to cost here when it does get released, but we do know it’s probably going to cost even more. Activision though, believes prices will come down sooner rather than later.
Speaking in an investor call, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said he expects prices of the next consoles to drop a little quicker than they did in the last generation – and installed user bases to grow quicker as a result. The Xbox 360 saw its first price cut two years after release, while the PlayStation 3 saw its first one 8 months after availability…but only because consumers had a hard time coughing up $599 for the thing.
There are a number of reasons for that – but the biggest one comes down to manufacturing.
There are "lots of efficiencies in manufacturing that could drive hardware prices down sooner in the cycle," Kotick said, adding that "There’s no indication from our perspective that you’re going to see anything other than a very successful 7-8 years."
With both consoles using hardware that’s somewhat analogous to PC architecture without much in the way of real, custom-manufactured silicon, it makes sense that the cost prices to make the new consoles will decrease steadily – leading to cheaper hardware sooner than we saw in this current generation.
Last Updated: November 7, 2013
Admiral Chief in 1986
November 7, 2013 at 10:49
What will a steambox cost precious?


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Mylan N.V. have announced the U.S. launch of Rivastigmine Transdermal System, a generic version of Novartis’ Exelon ® Patch.
Mylan received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for this product, which is indicated for the treatment of dementia associated with mild, moderate and severe Alzheimer’s disease and the treatment of mild to moderate dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease.
Currently, Mylan has 196 ANDAs pending FDA approval representing approximately $88.2 billion in annual brand sales, according to IQVIA. Forty-five of these pending ANDAs are potential first-to-file opportunities, representing $45.5 billion in annual brand sales, for the 12 months ending December 31, 2017, according to IQVIA.
Mylan President Rajiv Malik said, “The launch of generic Exelon® Patch is an example of the investment Mylan is continuing to make into products that are difficult to develop and manufacture, particularly in transdermal drug-delivery systems. The launch of this product also strengthens the company’s growing central nervous system portfolio, which is a therapeutic area of continued focus for Mylan as we strive to provide better health for a better world.”


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PHOTO : copyright Damien Rosso / DROZ PHOTO
Lapierre marketing service just sent an official press release concerning the composition of their downhill team for 2013.
4 pro-riders will compose the DH Team :
> Loic Bruni, the recent junior world champion
> Samuel Blenkinsop, the australian rider
> Emmeline Ragot on DH Elite Woman
> and the young Loris Vergier, considered as the new Loic Bruni according to Lapierre.
All of them will ride Lapierre DH bikes with pendbox system. Lapierre is also pleased to welcome new famous partner such as SRAM, Schwalbe for tyres, SDG for saddles and Dainese for wears and body protections.


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Learn how your company can create applications to automate tasks and generate further efficiencies through low-code/no-code tools on November 9 at the virtual Low-Code/No-Code Summit. Register here.
(Reuters) — Amazon.com on Thursday reported a record profit and forecast plowing past analyst estimates, strutting how its lucrative cloud computing and advertising businesses were helping it overcome the high costs of retail.
Shares rose more than 2 percent in after-hours trade. The report may come as a relief to investors in the U.S. technology sector, still reeling from a profit warning by Facebook Wednesday that plunged its stock 19 percent.
Amazon’s report shows how the world’s largest online retailer has increasingly learned to compensate for the high costs of fast package delivery and video streaming, which it has marketed around the globe to huge success. It was the first mover in the business of selling data storage and computing power in the cloud, a bet that continues to pay dividends and give it the leeway to invest in grand projects.
For instance, the company is working to ship food from Whole Foods Market stores across the United States, in an ambitious attempt to bring groceries into the age of online retail.
Join today’s leading executives at the Low-Code/No-Code Summit virtually on November 9. Register for your free pass today.
Amazon’s spending typically climbs in the July through September quarter, pressuring profits as the company prepares for Christmas and the winter holidays, its peak sales period for the year.
Yet the company said it expects an operating profit between $1.4 billion and $2.4 billion, up from $347 million a year earlier. Analysts were expecting $843 million, according to Thomson Reuters.
The company reported a second-quarter profit of $2.5 billion, its largest ever.
A July event that the company created to drum up business during the summer shopping lulls, Prime Day, has become a bonafide event to rival Black Friday. Popular brands now agree to put their inventory on sale for members of Amazon’s loyalty club Prime, while rival retailers scramble to drive traffic back to their websites.
This year, Amazon said the July event saw Prime members purchase more than 100 million products. The company said it now expects third-quarter sales of between $54 billion and $57.5 billion, up from $43.7 billion a year earlier.
Even more crucially, more people joined Prime on July 16 than on any previous day in the company’s history, Amazon said.
Prime includes fast shipping and video streaming for $119 per year in the United States and is the cornerstone of Amazon’s strategy. Its more than 100 million members globally spend above average amounts on Amazon, to get the most out of their subscriptions.
In the just-ended second quarter, Amazon’s total net sales rose 39 percent to $52.89 billion, missing the average analyst estimate of $53.40 billion.
Hiking the annual U.S. price of Prime 20 percent during the second quarter showed few signs of discouraging sign-ups: the company said subscription revenue increased 57 percent to $3.4 billion.
Highly profitable ad sales were a bright spot last quarter, too, and they are expected to help Amazon overcome the summer slowdown. The company said the category, including some other items, grew 132 percent to $2.2 billion. That also was ahead of analysts’ average estimate of $2.1 billion.
And finally, Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s profit center, posted a 49 percent rise in sales to $6.1 billion, beating the average estimate of $6 billion, according to Thomson Reuters.
VentureBeat's mission is to be a digital town square for technical decision-makers to gain knowledge about transformative enterprise technology and transact. Discover our Briefings.


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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Pacific Entertainment Corp., San Diego, creator of the award-winning Baby Genius brand of musical edu-tainment for infants and toddlers, is launching a new line of Baby Genius pre-school learning and development toys at Wal-Mart Stores here.
The line of 24 toys, manufacturered by Battat, will begin arriving at stores nationwide this month for the fall season and will target pre-schoolers ages 2-5.
The initial assortment of toys, retailing from $5 to $25, includes activity toys, musical toys, and role-play toys. The line will be supported by an advertising and marketing campaign targeting moms with children 2-5 years old.
Online advertising will extend to leading parenting websites such as NickJr.com, Noggin.com and DisneyChannel.com.
On-air television advertising spots will run on Comcast and Cox VOD channels where Baby Genius commands the #1 spot in children’s VOD on the Comcast Baby Boost Channel with over 10 million views per year.
Baby Genius product information sheets promoting the line will be included in Baby Genius DVDs and CDs. A dedicated national publicity campaign including a television media tour hosted by Baby Genius creator, Larry Balaban, will include appearances on network, syndicated and local broadcast and cable programs this fall. The campaign will also include outreach to key mommy blogs and placement in holiday gift guides in top parent and consumer media.
Read More of Today's Headlines


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A new study from Visa and Fundamo, the mobile money platform Visa acquired last year, reveals that the majority of consumers in six developing countries are already aware of mobile money services.
In addition, nearly 90% of consumers expressed an interest in making payments or sending funds from their mobile phone in the future.
RBS and NatWest have launched an NFC mobile contactless payment service for bank customers with an Apple iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S.
The service, which is called TouchPay, has been developed with Visa Europe and uses a protective iCarte cover that incorporates NFC technology.
The Google Wallet NFC payment app, which was launched in the USA last year, has been transformed into a cloud-based service.
Google Wallet was originally only available to customers who had a Citi MasterCard credit card or the Google Prepaid debit card.
Podcast - 11th July 2012
There's plenty of variety in The Fonecast this week. We start the podcast with news of MeeGo's resurrection by Finnish smartphone company Jolla before talking about a mobile network that’s giving away mobile data whenever its customers watch video advertisements.
There's also time to discuss Telefonica's recent deals, the rise of free WiFi availability, tablet-related legal action, malware in the Apple App Store and the truth behind a recent 'exploding mobile phone' story.
MeeGo... and me come back again
Mark Bridge writes:
It was a good week for technology stories hitting the mainstream news, thanks to the apparent appearance of a Higgs boson, Sir Alan Sugar’s YouView online TV service and football goal-line technology.
Mobile-related news hasn’t been quite so big, although plenty of well-known names have turned up in the headlines. What’s also been turning up – rather more than usual – is the presence of WiFi.


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The Arkansas lottery is launching a new draw game this month called Natural State Jackpot.
Director Bishop Woosley told the Arkansas Lottery Commission that ticket sales begin Aug. 27 for the game. Drawings will be held Monday through Saturday for the games and the jackpot starts at $25,000. Tickets will cost $1 per play.
Woosley said officials estimate that the average jackpot for the new game should be about $158,000.
Woosley told reporters that he expected the new game to help the lottery boost its sales of online, or drawing, games. He said the lottery expects to sell $6 million in tickets for the new game in the first year.


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Butchers offer great career opportunities
While youth unemployment is on the rise, the opportunity for work-seeking youngsters within the booming butchery trade has never been greater.
With the country’s focus on the Chancellor’s Budget, and the need to boost employment and get the economy moving, a new report has revealed the great scope of opportunity for young people within the independent butchery arena.
According to a survey carried out to support National Butchers' Week (25-31 March), around two-thirds of butchers are facing succession difficulties and are crying out for hard-working youngsters to step up to take the trade into the next generation. The opportunities for youngsters to enter a thriving sector, and learn genuine master craftsman skills has never been stronger; sales within the independent meat trade are booming as consumers look to the expert advice from butchers for cheaper, but tastier cuts of meat.
Competition within the retail trade for youngsters is tight, and butchers are concerned they are losing out to what youngsters perceive as sexier retail options. But with unemployment high, the trade is using this year's National Butchers' Week to flag up the breadth of opportunity within the business.
Ed Bedington, editor of Meat Trades Journal, which organises National Butchers' Week, said: "Our survey did raise some serious concerns when it comes to succession for butchers, particularly those without a family member to take on the businesses reins. However, while some may see a concern, we prefer to think of this as an opportunity. "
Youngsters looking for work should be clamouring to join the butchery trade as it offers great opportunities, from recognised skills and qualifications, right through to creating your own business empire for the truly ambitious young butcher.
"We've seen lads as young as 19 set up their own businesses and turn them into thriving chains – the only limit is the amount of ambition and drive that any young butcher has. It's time for the meat industry to step up and be seen for what it is – a serious, exciting, dynamic and successful part of the UK economy, and something more people should consider for a career."
The fact the sector is bucking the more general trend of decline within the retail market is yet another sign that the value of the high street butcher is being recognised by consumers. While Tesco appears to be slipping, three-quarters of butchers surveyed by MTJ said they were enjoying buoyant sales, with demand for cheaper cuts of meat and specialist products especially high.
“It is going to be a real challenge for traditional, skilled professions such as butchery to entice a new generation of workers, but with a positive outlook and the opportunity to thrive, we think there has never been a better time for youngsters and career advisors to take a second look at the butchery trade,” Bedington added.
The report is being backed by National Butchers’ Week ambassador Henry Herbert who, along with his brother Tom, is fresh from starring in the popular Channel 4 series The Fabulous Baker Brothers. Henry, a trained chef and butcher, runs Hobbs House Butchery alongside his brother’s Hobbs House Bakery in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, after rescuing a local butcher’s from extinction as it, too, had no accession plan in place.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Henry, “and has given me a great platform for all the other work that I’ve gone on to do, including starring in my own TV show with my brother, appearing on numerous cookery shows and just generally having fun telling people about great food.
“Learning a trade like butchery gives you a great base to go and do whatever you want to do, as well as giving you job satisfaction and a feeling that you are providing people with a really worthwhile service.”
Meanwhile, the National Butchers’ Week report also highlighted how sales of cheap cuts of meat were up by as much as 40%, with offal, mutton, oxtail, brisket, pork belly, and beef cheeks, skirt and shins among the star performers.
Henry, who has released a host of austerity-busting recipes from the newly released The Fabulous Baker Brothers book to back National Butchers’ Week, including a delicious Cassoulet, homemade Slider Burgers and Devilled Lamb’s Kidneys, added: “Sales of cheap cuts have rocketed in the last year as the economic downturn has bitten people’s budgets ever harder.
“National Butchers’ Week is a great opportunity for people to remember the great service and array of meats that can be found at the local butcher.
“It’s also a great opportunity for us butchers to remind people of the expertise we have to offer, including knowledge we are just bursting to share about different cuts of meat and how to prepare them. National Butchers’ Week is also an opportunity for us to remind everyone how great-tasting, homemade dishes, using meats that can sometimes only be found at your local butcher, don’t have to cost the earth and often just a couple of pounds.”
23 March, 2017
Hygienic Design in Food Processing Environments Conference 2017
23 - 29 April, 2017
Great British Beef Week
24 - 26 April, 2017
Farm Shop Deli Show
26 - 30 April, 2017
4th International Poultry Meat Congress


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A New York snack business is using Nebraska corn to create munchies from ingredients that haven't been genetically modified.
BFY Brands recently rolled out its new line of snacks called "Our Little Rebellion," which includes the triangular corn-based PopCorners, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.
The company has aligned with the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit that certifies products made without genetically engineered ingredients, for a marketing campaign that hopes to garner support for non-GMO corn.
All the corn to produce PopCorners is being grown on 59 Nebraska farms and milled by Bungee Limited in Crete before being shipped to processing facilities in New York.
BFY Brands CEO Paul Nardone said sourcing 20 million pounds of corn this year was a challenge.
"It wasn't as easy as just flipping a switch and being able to order 20 million pounds of non-GMO corn," he said. "We really had to re-engineer the supply chain and make sure there was enough acreage planted for the yield we needed."
Nardone also said Bunge built a network of farmers to grow the corn. The farmers earn a 20 to 25 percent premium for their product.
U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows that only 8 percent of all corn acres planted nationally, and 5 percent in Nebraska, are non-GMO varieties.
"We just feel we're being responsive to what our consumers are looking for, especially millennial consumers," he said. "We've even discovered there was a barrier to purchase by not being non-GMO corn."
The company expects $75 million in sales this year.


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Significant opportunities exist in the ICT sector in the Western Cape, which is the third largest employer in this region and worth about R43 billion (US$6.7 million). This is according to Masedi Molosiwa, Cape Information Technology Initiative (CITI) executive director, and keynote speaker at Futurex Cape 2004, which started in Cape Town Wednesday.
While there was growing recognition that the region contained “exceptional project management and software development skills”, Molosiwa says much still needed to be done to “address a huge skills program”.
“We have got to make learnership programs work and producing graduates with relevant and required skills is obviously also a big challenge,” he says, adding that structural transformation of the Western Cape ICT sector would require “unpacking black economic empowerment to make sure that it starts to happen”.
According to Molosiwa, other challenges include encouraging research and development, and providing business development support for small and medium enterprises. He says research conducted in the region last year indicated there were about 1,200 ICT and ICT-related companies in the Western Cape, with the U.K., Africa, Germany and Holland as their main export markets.
“Many companies are looking at outsourcing in this area, and there are a high number of start-up businesses here, which brings innovation into the market,” he comments. He adds that the region’s key strengths lie in software applications for financial services markets, mobile messaging, multimedia and bespoke solutions.
Johan Jacobs, Meta Group Inc. senior research analyst: enterprise applications, says business success depends heavily on being responsive to change. Jacobs states that more and more companies were now either implementing a mobile worker component into their workforces or considering it. He says these companies had moved their ICT spend on innovative initiatives to between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of their overall investment, in contrast to the five percent that local companies generally spent here.
Decisions around ICT spend were now increasingly being made by business representatives rather than ICT professionals, he adds, which was proving problematic for the many vendors who had yet to adapt their sales approaches to accommodate this trend.
Discussing the rationale behind software process improvement, Old Mutual business process engineer, Marius Smit, says ICT professionals were still struggling to show the value proposition here due to ineffective communication.
“About 60 per cent of companies operate with really long lead times,” he says, adding that those which had software process improvement initiatives in place were getting their offerings to market much quicker than those who did not. These initiatives also enabled companies to reduce their ICT total cost of ownership, boost productivity levels and deliver higher quality products, services and solutions, concludes Smit.


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Do Black Friday sales in the us alone work Calgary(Transmit 1130) Friday does not have the symptoms of affected overall retail sales patterns in this country, Mathematically Canada after black friday 2016 ads looking into 2014, 2011 and just 2006.
But it points out that black friday day 2015 some sectors have seen their November sales grow massively: Jacket and of add-Ves; Technology captive market and appliances; And sporting goods, Article topics, Tips and music. StatsCan says Friday promotions have best sales black friday 2015 the signs and warning signs of shifted some sales from December to November. Adds that 30 per cent of electronics sales are pcs and software, 19 per cent are phones and equipment for your office, And 15 % are TVs black friday online 2015 and audio photo gear. Endorsing of CDs, DVDs and dslr eos digital slrs were down. The agency points out the timing of the appearance of cold months affects sales of clothing and accessories. StatsCan documents from 2006 to 2014, The fall of share of annual retail sales rose only a tenth of a indicate 8.5 percentage points, While December share fell six tenths of a establish 9.
3 percentage. Mutually, They released up 18.3 pct of total annual retail sales, Up half a college degree.
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LONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - British grocery inflation was 3.4 percent in the 12 weeks to Nov. 5, its highest level since November 2013, industry data showed on Tuesday.
Market researcher Kantar Worldpanel said prices are rising fastest in markets such as butter, fish and cola and are falling in only a few markets, including crisps and fresh poultry.
Kantar said overall UK grocery sales increased in value by 3.2 percent year on year in the 12 week period.
Of Britain’s big four grocers, Sainsbury’s, the No. 2 player, was the best performer with a sales rise of 2.6 percent, followed by market leader Tesco, with an increase of 2.3 percent. Asda and Morrisons followed with rises of 1.5 percent and 2.1 percent respectively.
Discounter Lidl was Britain’s fastest growing supermarket for the fifth straight period with sales up 15.1 percent. Rival Aldi’s sales rose 13.1 percent. (Reporting by James Davey; editing by Costas Pitas)


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Stocks to Watch 2018
Tesla (TSLA) - Tesla (TSLA) will be ramping up production of
the Model 3 to 10,000 vehicles per week at some point in 2018. The company plans to start producing the autonomous big
rig truck and take pre orders of the Model Y in 2018 as well. The Tesla Solar roof will begin selling and shares could
easily hit $500 based on these huge milestones. Autonomous self driving cars should be a reality in 2019/2020 which
will give Tesla a monopoly in the space.
Bull 3x ETF (TNA) - TNA has rallied from $32-$64 since the election.
TNA remains a strong buy on all major pullbacks in 2018.
Paypal (PYPL) and Square
(SQ) - These two mobile payment companies should continue to shine in 2018.


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The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 31 May - 06 June 2017
Information Technology Supplement
Wednesday 31 May - 06 June 2017
Supplement to The Botswana Gazette
Are you safe from ransomware?
he fast changing world of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) has brought tremendous gains to both organizations and individuals, resulting in among other things a reduction in business operational costs and incredible levels of efficiency and productivity. However, the super-fast pace of technology has also dragged along some undesirable elements. The rise in tech-
nology has also seen a proportionate growth in IT related crimes like online related fraud, piracy and hacking. In recent weeks, the world has been awash with news of another form ICT related crime in the form of a ransomware called ‘WanaCrypt’ that has invaded and paralyzed operations of major businesses and government institutions in the developed world. The Wannacry malware has reportedly paralyzed the operations of the French car maker, Renault, US delivery company, FedEx, and health
institutions in the United Kingdom have also ground to a halt after vital patient information had been made inaccessible. It is reported that the Wannacry ransomware affected over 200 000 computers worldwide and about 150 countries have been seriously affected. Ransomware, as the name suggests, is a kind of malware that holds the victim’s data ‘at ransom’ and threatens to publish or delete the data if a payment is not made. According to Ishmael Lesolame of
ROI, a local computer systems service provider, the threat of ransomware in Botswana is as real as it is to any other country in the world that depends on the internet to deliver its services. “We are not aware of any ransomware attacks locally but according to media reports, there have been reported attacks at DIT but this could be by other ransomware derivates,” says Lesolame. The prospect of losing one’s valuable data can be unsettling to an or-
ganization or individuals. how best can it be prevented? “If the network security is compromised by users opening e-mail attachments from unsolicited sources or with attachments and hyperlinks. Only open emails from sources you are familiar with. We also recommend adhering to the organization’s IT policies. It is important to keep all your system updates up-to-date and latest backups off line and ensure that they are restorable,” Lesolame advised. Using an updated software version is also seen as a sure way to protect data from ransomware. While Windows is generally seen as the main carrier of the ‘WannaCrypt’ ransomware, the Windows 10 version of the software is ‘ransomware proof’ compared to earlier versions. By running a Windows Update those with earlier versions of Windows such as Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 can shield themselves against ‘WanaCrypt. Meanwhile, those with WindowsXP, Windows server and Windows 8 can protect their systems by downloading a new patch. Should one fall a victim to ransomware should they pay ransom? Generally, there is no guarantee that the victim will access their information once the ransom is paid as a result experts recommend against doing so. Refusal to pay a ransom is also seen as a way curbing the recurrence of such crimes. “Ignore the ransom demand if you have latest backups, restore from them and beef up your security. If you do not have backups, look for antiransom tools to help recover from the attack if you can afford the downtime. Else, unfortunately, pay the ransom, get the decryption key, retrieve your data and secure it,” said Lesolame.
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Inteli-Care is your One-Stop repair shop for all Apple gadgets and other brands.
PIT2 Evolution age 22 of information technology advertisement
Wednesday 31 May - 06 June 2017 The Botswana Gazette
How ICTs changed the marketing landscape
online marketing benefits Cosmas Chimombe
ver been targeted by an online advert that is in line with an area of your interest and wondered how this came about? How in the world did whoever was selling the product or service figure out that you could be interested in that particular product? This is how savvy marketing has become in recent years, thanks to technology. So revolutionized is marketing that it is now easier for a farmer in a remote village in Botswana with a smart phone and network connectivity to sell a goat by simply posting a picture of the animal on sale on their Facebook page. Recent years have witnessed a rapidly growing shift from the traditional mediums of advertising like television and print to digital forms that target users of smart phones, and tablets. From low costs to a leveraged market reach, there are a number of reasons for this shift in the way businesses are opting for Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to market or sell their products and services. Unlike communication mediums like television for example online advertising is seen as incomparably cheaper and yet achieving the same if not a wider market reach. This has made the internet more appealing to smaller businesses which otherwise cannot afford to buy slots on television. Another advantage of online marketing is the personal interaction between brands and their targeted markets. Real
time communication with customers is priceless to marketing teams. Through online marketing, customer information can be gathered in such a way that the message is packaged to fit the customerâ€™s particular needs. Not only would the messages be tailored to suit the customerâ€™s needs but it is their way of getting an instant response either through buying or feedback on what they think of the product. Some marketing related tasks can now be eliminated thanks to technology. Now there is marketing automation software that can automate mundane emails. Also with advent of social media, one message in the form of a video for example can go a long way in the spreading of the message by going viral. Of course, this means more than just commanding eyeballs, the message also has to be able to convert the audience into actual buyers. Of course, businesses have to combine the creative side of marketing and the technical side to accurately target potential customers. Traditionally starting a business has been associated with high startup costs commonly known as the factors of the production which are; capital, land and labour but now with the advent of the internet this has changed drastically. Now with technology at hand, all one needs is a laptop and internet connectivity and that alone can give an individual access to a billion potential customers. It can therefore be said the internet has democratized access to markets.
The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 31 May - 06 June 2017
Page 23 Evolution of information technology IT3 opinion
When technology bridges the financial gap Cosmas Chimombe
nly a few years back villagers in the remotest part of Botswana where brick and mortar bank branches were few and far between financial services were a privilege of those who were well to do. One could safely say that the underprivileged segment of the population was not even considered as a viable market . Unbeknown to many players in the financial sector it was a gold mine waiting to be tapped . Thanks to the entrance of electronic payment systems, the internet and mobile phones floodgates of opportunities have since opened up . Without even opening a bank account one can now either send or receive money. People thronging retail outlets and other agents to cash in or send money are now a familiar sight . Now the consumer is benefiting from this change that has made transactions much easier by saving them time and several trips to the bank or to make payments . “Indeed there have been major advances in technology that address the needs of the financial sector as a whole. Observation shows that many of these innovations are targeted towards those who already have access to banking and financial systems. There has however been an increase in the awareness of the financial needs of the unbanked sector of the society so more organizations and companies are developing strategies to efficiently address these needs. The rise in interest and strategies such as mobile money and our own unique electronic payments system shows that Botswana is ready to take financing innovation to the next level,” says Vivian Dakpo of Smart Switch a local electronic payments systems provider .
pass that risk . Dakpo however has a word of caution . “Care has to be taken because easier transactions may not necessarily translate into safer transactions,” says Dakpo adding that identity theft, money laundering and cyber attacks are some of risks associated with technology . What does the future hold in terms of making financial services available to the underprivileged? “We envisage that in the next few years we will see more quality products made available to the unbanked, more innovative ways of delivering these products. But to peddle products to a failing economy would be pointless as such progress starts when we work to uplift communities in our country.”
SmartSwitch SWITCH TO BE SMART
SMARTSWITCH SUMMARY COMPANY PROFILE target market is primarily, but not exclusively, the un-banked and under-banked segments of the population.
In Botswana for example, FinMark Trust has launched the “Making Access Possible” initiative to encourage co-operation in ensuring that the unbanked and underprivileged do not continue to operate at a marked disadvantage According Dakpo, this increase in the awareness of the opportunities offered by this previously untapped market has led to an increase in innovations catering for the unbanked. “In Botswana for example, FinMark Trust has launched the “Making Access Possible” initiative to encourage co-operation in ensuring that the unbanked and underprivileged do not continue to operate at a marked disadvantage. Many government initiatives also have inclusion as a stipulation guiding any financial products launched. Bank of Botswana safeguarding and governing policies are already in place to guide the direction of financial inclusion, however it is imperative that we as a society work to improve and develop the socio-economic status of all communities so that financial inclusion does not occur in a vacuum. Progress has already begun in that more IT companies and organisations are making inclusion a priority.” The risks that come with carrying huge amounts of money over long distances is something most people are aware of thus electronic payment technology has made it easier to by-
The primary purpose of SmartSwitch is to deliver an alternative method of affordable banking to citizens regardless of their financial position or income levels. In April 2008, SmartSwitch was awarded a tender by the Government of Botswana, Ministry of Local Government: Department of Social Protection, in terms of which the UEPS SmartCard technology has been used for the payment and distribution of Social Welfare grants to over 50,000 beneficiaries in Botswana. The past nine years has seen the successful implementation of the SmartSwitch solution for the provision of Electronic Food Coupon System and in recent time, Smartswitch has been able to save the Ministry over P60 million in funds that could otherwise have gone to “ghost beneficiaries”. In February 2014, SmartSwitch was awarded a contract with Botswana Postal Services to provide the UEPS technology for the payment of Pensions and Cash Allowances. Smartswitch also has a platform that allows participating retailers to sell airtime and electricity at competitive commission rates. SmartSwitch currently has a staff complement of 20 people, all of whom are Batswana. SmartSwitch prides itself on its efforts to empower Batswana and strives to transfer knowledge and grow employees within the company as much as possible.
SmartSwitch was established in 2006 with the exclusive right to deploy the SmartCard UEPS (Universal Electronic Payment System) into the Botswana market. The UEPS is the first system of its kind that can enable people worldwide, who generally have limited or no access to a bank account, to enter affordably into electronic transactions with each other, government agencies, employers, merchants and other financial service providers. SmartSwitch has deployed the UEPS SmartCard technology, rolling it out across the entire country and providing SmartCards to approximately 210,000 people. This has been achieved through strategic partnerships with Government, Parastatals, Financial Institutions (Banks, Insurers), organised labour and the private sector (retailers, employers etc.). The
SmartSwitch has established offices at Unit 34/35 Kgale Mews, Gaborone International Finance
Unit 34/35 Kgale Mews Gaborone International Finance Park Gaborone Botswana Tel: +267 364 7700 Fax: +267 364 7705
PIT4 Evolution age 24 of information technology
Wednesday 31 May - 06 June 2017 The Botswana Gazette
When technology becomes a necessity
rior counterparts. As Seleka points out that the latest t could Waterproof be argued that there is no operating systems are the best when it Magnetic other sector experiencing a faster comes to providing security for the comGPS Car Tracker rate of change than that the IT secputer. The speed of change that could tor. What could be held in high regard also see desktops become extinct is • Works on existing GSM/GPRS network and today could be made redundant by the already being witnessed. “The conveGPS satellites introduction of a new on the nience that comes with having a laptop • Locate and monitor anytechnology remote targets by market. So swift is the pace of change SMS, APP and Internet means they are becoming more prefer• Works locally and across theaffected border that both not only is what we buy able to desktops. That is why you see • Easy to whole install,industries no cabling/wiring even are affected. laptops taking over from desktops.” • Hide in any safe place of choice in the car Failure to keep up with change could Also, once viewed as a luxury, the • Self service tracking, no third party spell Magnet extinction for some oldbattery models smart phone is fast becoming a neces• Strong ,5000mAh Li-ion • Very or Affordable brands. “It would be very difficult to sity when it comes to the communica• ONCE PAYMENT - NO MONTHLY keepOFF some older computer models due tion front. The now immensely popular INSTALLMENTS to the fact that manufacturers no longer mobile application ‘Whatspp ‘ is more of Magnetic Waterproof make spare parts for those particular a need than a luxury. Being without this Location: Shop 108, Kollenberg, GPSnow Carall Tracker models.Main It’s Mall, like keeping a Nokia 3310 essential application could spell Gaborone(above KFC) for example, weMobile: know they make Tel: +267 3185817, +267longer 71864772 doom for one as businessnetwork opportunities • Works on existing GSM/GPRS and Email: firstname.lastname@example.org phone model. In such cases a con- GPScould easily pass by. Arguably, gone the satellites sumer would be better off getting a new • Locate and monitor any phone remotewas targets by a days when a smart simply APPforand Internet gadget,”says Chendzimu Seleka of New SMS,‘toy’ showing off. • Works both locally and across the border Technology Group. Businesses that do not embrace tech• Easy to install, no cabling/wiring Just like in the evolutionists theory, are on their way out. To car quote • Hidenology in any safe place of choice in the those species that refuse to adapt to the mogul no and founder • Self business service tracking, third party of one • Strong Magnet ,5000mAh Li-ion battery changes in the environment face extincmobile network service provider, Strive • Very Affordable tion, so do those who do not take heed Masiyiwa; • ONCE OFF PAYMENT - NO MONTHLY to the demands for change in the world “If I was starting a business today, I INSTALLMENTS of IT. A typical example can be found in would spend my time understanding the field of IT where those who do not how Shop to use108, the Kollenberg, Web and mobile technolLocation: upgrade their computer software could Main Gaborone(above ogy as keyMall, platforms to drive myKFC) busiTel: +267 3185817, Mobile: +267 71864772 risk having their systems hacked, afness. If you don’t make money with this Email: email@example.com fected by viruses or simply made extinct one you will have thrown away a great through non-compatibility to their supeopportunity.” Cosmas Chimombe
Magnetic Waterproof GPS Car Tracker • Works on existing GSM/GPRS network and GPS satellites • Locate and monitor any remote targets by SMS, APP and Internet • Works both locally and across the border • Easy to install, no cabling/wiring • Hide in any safe place of choice in the car • Self service tracking, no third party • Strong Magnet ,5000mAh Li-ion battery • Very Affordable • ONCE OFF PAYMENT - NO MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS
Location: Shop 108, Kollenberg, Main Mall, Gaborone(above KFC) Tel: +267 3185817, Mobile: +267 71864772 Email: firstname.lastname@example.org
The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 31 May - 06 June 2017
Page 25 Evolution of information technology IT5
Services Providered: Computer Parts Sales Database & ERP Services Hardware & Software Sales Business Consolidation & Virtualization Installation & Support Services Network & security Audits
What to look for when buying a computer
ou are in the market and you need a personal computer, either a laptop or desktop. There is one problem though, which brand should you go for? Should you go for the latest model? Or should the size of your wallet determine what you are going to buy? Which one would be the best for your particular needs. Unknown to many Batswana, buying a personal computer has to be compatible with the purpose for which you want to use it for. Buying a personal computer is more than simply looking for the most affordable or the ‘coolest’ brand. For example, a graphic designer would need a much different computer from the one to be used by a student. Besides, a lot goes into buying a computer that a lot of consumers aren’t aware of. It would be helpful to the prospective laptop owner to consult a technical expert to whom they can define exactly what they would need. “Choosing a computer depends greatly on the purpose for which one wants to use it for. A designer for instance would need more space, speed and RAM for the designing software that would need to be installed. In the case of a designer the latest operating system would be needed and also the best in terms in of security. Whilst a for a for a student, a simple laptop would do just fine,” says Chendzimu Seleka of New Technology Group.
It would be of great advantage if one would buy a high-powered laptop as that means a longer lifespan so they wouldn’t have to change or buy a new laptop every now and then. What about resuscitating old laptops an old laptop instead of buying a whole new one to save money? “For old laptops, you would have to have the processor or memory upgraded but for something like a Celeron you can’t modify the processor because of the type of motherboard used,” Seleka explains. As for some computers, they would just have to be gotten rid of since there are no longer parts available for that type of particular computer. Consumers, Seleka adds are not usually aware of their rights when it comes to buying computers. “One thing most people are ignorant of is the warranty. Some of the top brands have a one to three-year warranty from a manufacturer but in most cases a consumer would dispose of a computer that goes defunct after six months. This is mainly due to the fact that some retailers offer a threemonth warranty whereas if there were to be referred to a warranty centre they would get a new laptop.” With laptops taking over from desktop computers because of their compatibility, there also comes the issue security. “Most companies usually buy security cables ensure the computer is locked to the desk and as for very expensive computers insuring them is recommended,” Seleka said.
Contact Details Tell: (+267) 319 1123 email@example.com P O Box 203175 Gaborone, Botswana Plot 111, Unit 7, millennium Park Gaborone, Botswana
Electronic Fax Data Protection Antivirus Services Disaster Recovery Print Management Enterprise Content Management


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Sales of consumer vehicle have been declining from January and it has continued to remain in the low end this month as well. It has continued to remain slow with the drop of 1.87%. Earlier Toyota was seemed in stress and major car manufactures like Maruti Suzuki , Hyundai , Mahindra & Mahindra showed positive reports but a recent report from Society Of Indian Automobile Manufactures , the overall sales of automobile has declined and stood to 2,80,125 pieces in January on passenger vehicle.
However ,sales of commercial vehicles has an increase of 2.21% to 87,591 units. Sales of three-wheelers fell to 13.59% to 54,043 units. Increase in overall income and ownership cost also effected the demand of two –wheelers which showed a decline of 5.18% to 1.5 million units in January. There was also a drop in sales of two –wheelers which reduced to 2.55% to 12 million units in the same month. While the sales of scooters reached to 10.21% to 497,169 units. Overall sales of all categories have been declined by 4.68% to 2 million units.
Moreover it is believed that the industry will continue to experience low sales for next few quarters due to elections and market fluctuations in consumer incomes


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Cannes 2019 Takeaways
Ok, nobody is going to be sympathetic when you complain about being so tired from a week of meetings, conference content, and of course partying on the French Riviera. But as they say in Cannes, that rose’ isn’t going to drink itself! Despite all the distractions on the Croisette, I made it my mission to compile some of the more pertinent takeaways from Cannes 2019.
- Return of the HoCos: Even as you stepped off the plane in Nice you could feel the increased attendance and intensity. After taking a year off in 2018 Publicis was back in a big way, and other Holding Companies like Omnicom and WPP sent more delegates. This may have been an attempt to reclaim some turf after being encroached upon by the Consultancies last year. This set the tone for a busier week than we’ve seen in recent years.
- The Video Wars Heat Up: Traditional TV showed up in a big way this year. NBCUniversal tripled their footprint from last year, and OTTs including Jeffrey Katzenberg’s Quibi were aggressively courting advertisers. The general consensus at the Palais is that overall video spending will continue to grow, but some that money will keep shifting from the traditional networks to digital video. As a result the networks are playing some serious D while many new services are trying to elbow in on the market.
- Audience Targeting Black Eye: Remember when having audience data to target and retarget ad delivery was a good thing? Over the past two years data breaches and digital privacy concerns have created a negative perception for a still-valuable marketing tool. During a Facebook press event Sheryl Sandberg called it out when she said “targeted advertising is under attack”. This is the especially true in Europe, the home of GDPR.
- Snapchat Gets Real: Remember the infamous Snap Ferris wheel from Cannes 2017? While it made for a great PR stunt, it really served no business purpose. That’s a pretty good analogy for Snapchat’s business model back then – all show, no substance. But now things have changed. Snap leadership including Evan Spiegel and Jeremi Gorman were on the ground in Cannes taking client meetings, and their AR activation was open to all instead of a select few preferred partners.
I could go on for days with observations from last week, but I need to dry out and get back to my day job. Au revoir!


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Yesterday, the El Salvadorian authorities passed a law recognizing bitcoin as an official means of payment on the territory of the state. Against the background of this news, the rate of the most popular cryptocurrency in the world exceeded $ 38,000, having risen by more than 10% per day. At the time of this writing, the rate dropped slightly and one bitcoin could get about $ 37,200.
We will remind, the legislators of El Salvador officially allowed the use of bitcoins as a means of payment. Among other things, this means that prices for various goods on the territory of the state can be displayed in bitcoins, and tax deductions can be paid using digital assets.
Bitcoin proponents, who have long viewed cryptocurrency as a viable alternative to regular money, welcomed the decision of the El Salvadorian authorities. According to the available data, El Salvador will build the infrastructure necessary for using bitcoins together with the cryptocurrency company Strike.
It should be noted that against the background of the growth of the bitcoin rate, other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum and XPR, also show positive dynamics. Despite its current successes, bitcoin is still far from the record highs that were reached in April this year, when it was worth more than $ 60,000. Bitcoin is known for sharp fluctuations in the exchange rate, which is why critics call it an unsuitable alternative to regular money. It looks like El Salvador will soon show how bitcoin payments will affect the country’s economy.
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It's been a tough run for Sears (OTCMKTS: SHLDQ). After serving as a mall and shopping center anchor for years, the once-thriving department store is now nothing more than a dying brand.
It used to be the case that you could drive to Anytown, USA, and spot a Sears in the distance. Now, the famed department store has whittled down its footprint from roughly 1,000 stores to under 40.
But if there's one thing Sears always seemed to have going for it, it was space. Sears stores, in their heyday, were enormous and housed a vast selection of everything from apparel to household goods to appliances. And those stores allowed customers to move around comfortably rather than feel cramped between aisles.
While the Sears brand itself may be beyond hope, the space those stores once occupied can be put to good use. In fact, one empty Sears store is already being transformed into a place customers will no doubt want to frequent -- but this time, it won't be for incredible savings on scarves and refrigerators.
A new dining experience
The Sears location at Simon Property Group's Burlington Mall in Massachusetts isn't just going to sit there with all that square footage going to waste. Instead, it's being converted into a high-end dining gallery.
So far, four different restaurants have signed leases to open up locations in that space. And as more come aboard, that spot has the potential to become a major dining destination.
Of course, this isn't the only example of an empty Sears location being put to good use. Earlier this year, when coronavirus vaccines began rolling out, the professionals administering those shots needed a way to vaccinate hundreds of people by the day, all the while upholding social distancing requirements to keep everyone safe. And Sears came to the rescue by being converted to a vaccine distribution center.
At this point, the need for mass vaccination centers is waning. The point, however, is that mall or shopping center operators with empty Sears locations shouldn't hesitate to get creative and repurpose that space.
Some other ideas?
There's been a huge demand for walk-in medical clinics since the start of the pandemic. Converting unused Sears stores to urgent care centers, therefore, makes a lot of sense. In some cases, it could even pay to explore the option of converting Sears stores into schools for districts with buildings that are currently overcrowded. Incidentally, that's already happening in an old Macy's location in Vermont.
A smart use for a vast amount of space
While a Sears revival is pretty much off the table at this point, it's certainly in mall and shopping center operators' best interests to make the most of that space. Sears becoming a dining hub is a great example of turning vacant space into a revenue-generating opportunity. If more mall and shopping center operators get on board with similar ideas, it's bound to make real estate investors a lot happier -- and wealthier.


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ROUND ROCK, Texas (CBS.MW) -- Dell Computer said Tuesday it expanded its relationship with Samsung Electronics to include a five-yearliquid crystal display supply agreement.
The computer maker also will make a $200 million investment in the South Korean giant.
According to a Dow Jones Newswires report, Samsung Electronics expects to sell about $8.5 billion in displays to the Round Rock, Texas-based Dell over the course of the contract. A Dell spokesman wouldn't confirm the number, yet said "it's significant."
Additionally, Dell said it'll buy $200 million in convertible bonds in exchange for less than 1 percent of Samsung Electronics' outstanding common stock. Samsung will then use the money to up its flat-panel display production.
"We believe that these agreements make us a preferred partner of Samsung's, and will provide us with a massive stream of LCDs based on leading-edge display technology," said Michael Dell, CEO of Dell, said in a statement. "Like other parts of our business, the notebook segment remains an opportunity for tremendous growth for Dell."
Dell DELL, +0.24% shares rose 1/16 to 45 1/2. Samsung trades on the Korean exchange.


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Outerlight's game of hunt and murder aboard ocean liners, The Ship, could well be sailing into next-generation console port, CVG has learned.
With a PC version of the Source-powered title released over Valve Software's Steam service this week, it's an ideal time, we thought, to chase down Outerlight's managing director Chris Peck and grill him on the project. During detail spillage, peering into the future, Peck revealed that the developer will be "looking into doing an Xbox 360 version" of the game.
And that's not all. He went on to divulge that Outerlight is contemplating a version of The Ship for Microsoft's new OS Windows Vista, and hinted at sequel plans saying that the developer will also be "looking into The Ship 2".
Peck added that the future will find Outerlight "prototyping some other game ideas we have" too. Sounds like the boys and girls at the studio have a busy, busy time ahead. We'll be posting our full interview with Chris Peck on The Ship later today, so keep an aye-aye (heh, geddit?) out for it.
The Ship, just in case you were unaware, is primarily an online experience where players on-board ocean liners enter into a game of hunt and murder. You're given the name of another player, and you then have to hunt that person down with any weapon you can find and bump them off without being seen by security or your fellow passengers.