text:
KORN’s THE NOTHING is available now in all good records store and online with exclusive bundles available at this location.
The new album follows the band’s acclaimed 2016 LP, THE SERENITY OF SUFFERING, which includes the GRAMMY® Award-nominated single, ‘Rotting In Vain.’
KORN recently wrapped up one of their biggest ever North American tours, which saw them performing in front of capacity audiences from coast-to-coast.
The band are currently gearing up for a headline performance on Sunday October 13th at Sacramento, CA’s Aftershock Festival, with 2020 tour plans to be announced in the coming weeks. For tickets and tour information, visit www.kornofficial.com.
KORN changed the world with the release of their self-titled debut album. It was a record that would pioneer a genre, while the band’s enduring success points to a larger cultural moment.
The FADER notes, “There was an unexpected opening in the pop landscape and KORN articulated a generational coming-of-angst for a claustrophobic, self-surveilled consciousness. KORN became the soundtrack for a generation’s arrival as a snarling, thrashing, systemically-restrained freak show.”
Since forming, KORN has sold 40 million albums worldwide, collected two GRAMMYS, toured the world countless times, and set several records in the process that will likely never be surpassed.
Vocalist Jonathan Davis, guitarists James “Munky” Shaffer and Brian “Head” Welch, bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu, and drummer Ray Luzier, have continued to push the limits of the rock, alternative and metal genres, while remaining a pillar of influence for legions of fans and generations of artists around the globe.
The level of KORN’s reach transcends accolades and platinum certifications. They are “a genuine movement in a way bands cannot be now,” attests The Ringer. They represent a new archetype and radical innovation, their ability to transcend genre makes barriers seem irrelevant.
We have some white vinyl copies and CD’s of “The Nothing” to give away and all you have to do is follow us on Instagram and share this article on your socials.
You can access Overdrive Instagram here. Winners picked at random and contacted privately on Friday 11th October.
All names are protected under the GDPR Regulation 2016/679.


text:
Home > News > Rugged molecules that remember
December 2nd, 2003
Rugged molecules that remember
Porphyrin molecules created for data storage are remarkably hardy, holding up under the high temperatures and trillions of read-write cycles required of current silicon-based technology, says David F. Bocian, chemistry professor at the University of California, Riverside. Molecular computing, Bocian says, may supplement or replace semiconductor technology that, limited by the physics of silicon, is rapidly reaching its limit in terms of compactness and efficiency.
Nano - "Green" metal oxides ... January 13th, 2015
Quantum optical hard drive breakthrough January 8th, 2015
Instant-start computers possible with new breakthrough December 19th, 2014
Switching to spintronics: Berkeley Lab reports on electric field switching of ferromagnetism at room temp December 17th, 2014

domain: news


text:
GAIN INSIGHTS INTO:
» What initiatives Patagonia, Levi’s and The North Face took to top Kearney’s Circular Fashion Index as the brands most committed to fashion circularity.
» Why the “S” in ESG is becoming increasingly important.
» Which textile and fashion companies are featured on the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Startup Index.
» Why consumers’ awareness and affinity for eco-friendly products is growing.
» How apparel brands are shifting their eco efforts in response to greenwashing accusations.
» How secondhand clothing and recycled textiles will become a $9 billion sector by 2027.


text:
Self Driven cars from Google will soon become very popular in the streets of Nevada , when the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles approved the license of World’s First Autonomous Vehicle on monday .
This all was approved when Officials drove the car on the highways , in Carlson City neighbourhoods and also along the very famous Las Vegas part.
These new technological cars from google runs with the help of sensors, lasers, radar sensors , video cameras and database of information which collected separately from manually driven cars to help navigation.
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles approved Toyota Prius which was modified by Google with its driver-less technology.These cars from Google had crossed Golden Gate Bridge and had also been driven along the beautiful Pacific Coastway.
According to Bruce Breslow, director of Department Of Vehicle , Nevada these cars from Google can be rightly called the ” Car of the Future “.
Another thing is that ” Most of the vehicle accidents are due to the human errors and through the utilization of radar sensors , video cameras and other systems , this self driven vehicle will help in analyzing the driving environment more quickly and more safely “.


text:
EU to harmonise corporation tax
A COMMON corporation tax could be in place across Europe within three years, the EU Tax Commissioner predicted today. Laszlo Kovacs said those countries that currently opposed such a move, seeing it as an attack on their sovereign right to fix economic policy, would come around.
'My assessment is three years if everything goes well,' Kovacs told a conference on EU policy in Stockholm when asked when the common corporate tax base would be ready.
He said a working group of senior officials was already looking at different ways that tax bases could be harmonised.
'At the moment there are 25 different ways to calculate the corporate tax base ... If we manage to have only one EU-wide set of rules that will increase competitiveness,' he added.
He said 20 countries backed having such a single way of calculating corporate tax, with 4 or 5 other countries more reluctant.
'They are afraid that it is a Trojan horse to implement the harmonisation of tax rates at a later stage,' he said. 'We have no ambition and I have no personal ambition (to do that).'
His predecessor overseeing EU tax affairs, Dutchman Frits Bolkestein, made the original proposal on a common corporate tax base last year and finance ministers agreed in September 2004 to study the possible launch of such a system.
Kovacs also said he favoured allowing the 10 new member states of the EU to able to extend the exceptions they have from current minimum VAT rates of 15% when they expire in 2010 in order to stay competitive with the 15 old members, whose derogations from minimum rates have no time limit.
Most watched Money videos
- Rustbucket Mercedes-Benz roadster sells at auction for almost £40k
- Ford unveils electric version of Britain's best-selling vehicle
- 1990's advert for the Vauxhall Cavalier Turbo 4x4
- Is Elon Musk the right person to lead Twitter?
- Ford tests traffic light tech that could change the commute forever
- BMW's new 7 Series luxury limo features giant cinema screen
- Ray Massey gets exclusive access to the new green Rolls-Royce Spectre
- Rare 1965 Jaguar E-type found in barn sells for £40,000
- Land Rover unveils its new £80,000 Range Rover Sport
- Bentley brings the comfort of a limo to their popular SUV
- A 1956 Mercedes SLR 300 Coupe reportedly sells for record £115m
- Watch the BANNED Land Rover ad that 'misrepresented' parking sensors


text:
Why Get A Tablet PC?
Bill Gates was a long-time advocate of the tablet form-factor, and those devices have evolved in functionality and construction; all they lack is a mass audience.
From the geek perspective, a tablet PC is a pretty cool device. Modern ones like those made by Fujitsu and other manufacturers can be used as a modern version of the slate tablet, or by pivoting the screen operated like a conventional notebook computer.
Taking a look around places where one normally sees portable computers and their owners at play, like the library or Starbucks or Panera Bread, and it’s notebook after notebook. I’ve yet to see one outside of a display case.
It seems as though tablet PCs should take off. There is some demand for them in a couple of distinct vertical niches. If the very first Tablet PC concept were announced today, it’s easy to imagine people seeing them as useful for the healthcare industry.
Financial industries like insurance should take right to them as well, and a few have. Multitudes of forms can be rendered into electronic form, and that stylus can replace the ballpoint pen as the sign on the dotted line choice.
Both of those industries have one thing in common – paperwork. Let’s face it, we’re no closer to a paperless society than the Cubs are to winning a pennant. But anyone who has ever been admitted to a hospital or signed up for life insurance knows that the need to sign here, initial here, and date this here on paper persists.
I tend to think it won’t take off until Apple releases a tablet PC. It may take the equivalent of a Photoshop on the software side to drive that adoption, but if Steve Jobs and company can bring the artistic crowd into the fold, other ease-of-use-first customers could follow.
This week marked the tenth anniversary of Flash technology, now owned by Adobe via its purchase of Macromedia. Wired News reminded us that Flash began as an application called SmartSketch, an illustration tool made for the stylus-driven Tablet PC.
Maybe a return to the past, with ten years of technology advancements coming along for the ride, will turn the question of “Why a Tablet PC?” to “Why the heck not?” instead.
David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business.


text:
Much has been written about restaurants going digital with deliveries and takeaways during the coronavirus pandemic. But food events have also pivoted to online formats to avoid large gatherings of people in auditoriums for ceremonies, talks or cooking shows.
From the Michelin Guide and the recent World’s 50 Best Bars ceremonies, to San Sebastián Gastronomika and the Omnivore festival, world-renowned events have relied on smartphones and computers to reach a global audience in streaming mode.
The trend’s latest follower is acclaimed chef Alex Atala, who will host his cerebral food conference FRUTO online for the first time, in partnership with the Basque Culinary Center. The symposium, co-created by Atala and cultural promoter Felipe Ribenboim with ATÁ Institute (Atala’s organisation focusing on promoting Brazilian food diversity), will be held on 19 and 20 November.
Although all previous editions of FRUTO were broadcast live (with all videos available on YouTube), this will be the first time it has been 100 percent online. “Even if it is a pocket version, and our first try at doing something in a digital format, I think of it like a capsule, a small container but with a powerful effect,” says Atala.
Felipe Ribenboim and Alex Atala
With the theme 'Gastronomy as a Tool for Transformation’, the event will address sustainability and discuss how the gastronomy sector can engage with the many environmental, economic, and social realities looming on the horizon, especially during a pandemic. More than 30 participants are part of the programme, including environmental activists, farmers, foragers, and, of course, chefs such as Matt Orlando from Amass (Denmark), and Douglas McMaster from Silo (UK).
This edition focuses on a new generation of actors in the food industry, bringing young leaders to share their sustainability experience around the world, and counting on a broader geographic and cultural representation. Step forward the likes of farmer Chido Govera from Zimbabwe, and chef Marsia Taha from Bolivia. Young French environmental activist Camille Étienne will also speak about how Generation Y is changing the world today.
“It is incredible to think that there are a lot of talented people emanating positive messages outside the conventional axes, like Europe, USA, etc. We want to highlight other voices in the food scene, changing the perspectives we used to have of the world,” says Atala.
Ribenboim explains that, to connect with a younger audience, the event seeks a more dynamic format, with talks on the first day, and workshops on the second. There, attendees can ‘enter’ the restaurant kitchens, and visit farms and other projects, virtually.


text:
By Thomas J. Ryan
<span style="color: #999999;">At SFIA’s 7th Annual Industry Leaders Summit held in Baltimore, MD last week, technology’s disruptive force was again an overriding theme at the event but developing deeper connections with consumers was at the heart of many discussions.
Keynote presentations were given by the top executives at Topgolf and Zumba on how they attract fans, partly through digital channels. Attendees also heard how Lululemon is seeking to better understand their customer’s behavior to empower the company’s innovation platform. Other topics included the potential for 3D printing, the digitization of the fan experience, China trade, and employee diversity.
But increasing engagement appears to be getting more focus because sports play is increasingly competing with screen-time on mobile devices.
Chris Clawson, chairman of SFIA, who recently returned to Life Fitness as CEO, noted SFIA asked industry participants for the first time in 2018 whether declining sports participation was a concern for them. The topic immediately led the list. Said Clawson, “When things start to go left or they start to go right we, as an industry, have to pay attention.”
One promising development is the possible passage of the PHIT Act, which would change current federal tax law to include physical activity as a medical expense as a form of prevention. Effectively, consumers would receive 20- to 30-percent out-of-pocket discounts on gym memberships, yoga classes, athletic equipment, and a wide range of other sports and fitness expenses.
Tom Cove, shown in the lead image, SFIA’s president and CEO, said the bill was close to passing last year but was derailed by the government shutdown. He said passing the act remains vital as 28 percent of all Americans reported no activity in SFIA’s participation findings for 2018. Costs are found to be a primary inhibitor from youth participating in sports at schools to millennials joining their local health club.
Cove said SFIA is on track to get as many members of Congress to support the act this year as last year but he urged for continued support. Said Cove, “We’re on the road to victory. The next six to eight months is our target.”
Other successful programs include Project Play, an initiative of the Aspen Institute that seeks to build healthy communities through sports. Project Play recently earned wide acclaim for its “Don’t Retire, Kid” campaign that calls attention to the finding that kids, on average, quit playing sports by age 11.
Another thriving program is Good Sports which, as of August 2019, had donated more than $50 million in new sports gear to communities in need. But much depends on the ability to recruit younger talent to the industry, an underlying goal behind SFIA’s 4th Annual Start-Up Challenge that was held at the event, as well as to better engage today’s digitally-savvy consumer.
Digitizing The Golf Experience
In the first keynote, Erik Anderson, executive chairman, Topgolf Entertainment Group, told the story of how Topgolf has reimagined the golf experience by blending technology and entertainment.
Anderson said the traditional driving range has been all about “solitary confinement” but Topgolf first began gamifying the experience by implanting electronic chips in balls to measure the distance they land from targets. This allows users to not only better gauge their own improvement but compete against others globally. Game statistics and player information are displayed on nearby monitors.
Desiring not to be just “another place where you visited,” Topgolf has continually added new elements. Eateries and bars with live and recorded music support socializing. Newer experiences include the “Swing Suite,” a lounge outfitted with a virtual reality system that enables guests to play virtual games of golf as well as baseball pitching, “zombie dodgeball” and other games.
Anderson said that while fewer people tend to want to go to a golf course and play for five hours, they’ll come to a Topgolf, wait for two hours, play for two hours, and then hang out for another hour. Said Anderson, “It’s still a five-hour experience, but it’s an immersive, self-generated, very-social, very-fun environment.”
An emerging opportunity for Topgolf is content programming, which launched in 2017 and has already had two hits with the “Who Will Rock You” and “Chef Showdown” series.
Topgolf, which operates 63 facilities in the U.S. and three in Great Britain, may seek to similarly gamify other sports. Anderson cited soccer and baseball as two possibilities. The success will depend on whether the sport can deliver an “authentic experience,” or offers a high level of competitiveness, the degree to which it supports the community and whether the sport can be digitized.
The Staying Power Of Zumba
In a second keynote, Alberto Perlman, the founder of Zumba, discussed the staying power of Zumba, the high-energy exercise fitness program using Hispanic and Latin dance steps. About 15 million people take classes globally every week.
Perlman, shown center-right, estimated that 20 of his past businesses failed before he found wild success with Zumba, with its launch during the 1990s. He believes to be successful, business has to first have a “great product.”
He believes Zumba hasn’t become a fad like many other fitness crazes because beyond the workout, the dancing element adds community bonding as well as an emotional release for practitioners. He likened Zumba to yoga in that it offers “endless learning” for practitioners.
A second factor to success, however, is to “get lucky” with timing, according to Perlman. In his case, Zumba was aided at the time by growth in the fitness industry, Latin music becoming more accepted with the arrival of Ricky Martin and Shakira and eventually the popularity of Dancing with the Stars. The Internet’s arrival and social media also spread the word.
Finally, Perlman believes long-term success involves having “something else besides money as your motivator.” He said instructors continually come back with stories about how Zumba has changed lives, helping individuals work their way through not only personal goals but to recover from hardships or tragedies. Said Perlman, “Everybody is thinking about how to make money. That ocean is packed. You need to think about something else, and then create a business model that funds that somehow.”
The Science Of Feel
Taking a fresh take on engagement, Tom Waller, SVP, Whitespace at Lululemon, focused his presentation on “emotional fitness” and Lululemon’s concept of “the science of feel.”
Waller noted how people often feel better or worse throughout their day depending on the garment they choose to wear in the morning. He said Lululemon is increasingly seeking to translate those insights into customer behavior into the design. Said Waller, “We all believe we unlock our full potential when we feel our best.”
As such, Whitespace, Lululemon’s R&D department, is paying close attention to neuromechanics, or how an individual’s sensory system informs their nervous systems in how they perceive the world.
Ironically, a break-through for the Whitespace team came in 2013 when Lululemon faced a major recall of black pants. The pants contained Lululemon’s initial break-through Luon fabric and were see-through when worn.
The team came up with the Align pant that became a blockbuster hit. But the big lesson the Whitespace team learned was that women were looking for “different sensory experiences” while the retailer has been only offering one with the Luon fabric. The finding has incentivized expanded experimentation around pants.
Lululemon next extended the ”science of feel” concept to advance the sports bra category. Waller noted that most bras are designed to stop breast movement, but Lululemon’s design team embraced how the breast moves with a women’s individual gait to invigorate the retailer’s sports bra range with the Enlite.
A latest effort to understand emotional fitness is Embody, which enables users to access meditation in an eyes-open state through virtual reality. Introduced earlier this year at the SXSW and Sundance festivals, the individual tries to match the movements of a virtual instructor while weight-sensing mat and a camera track the user’s movement to gauge accuracy.
Waller said Embody aims to make meditation more accessible to “give you direct access of how your body works” and that’s expected to provide more insights into how self-awareness and regulation translate into performance.
Riches In Niches
One session featured a roundtable exploring today’s start-up successes with the Founders of three niche brands: George Foreman III, co-founder, Everybody Fights; Michael Schaeffer, co-founder NoBull; and Bruce Smith, CEO of Hydrow.
Moderator David Knies, chief growth officer at Essential Design, shown right, said the industry continues to find brands being built by tapping into micro-communities, citing Peloton in the connected fitness area, SoulCycle in boutique fitness, Lululemon in apparel, and Barstool Sports in sports/fitness media. The three start-ups interviewed similarly stand out for delivering community-driven experiences and their tight connections with their fans.
Everybody Fights, which will have almost 30 gyms in operation by year-end, offers circuit training, cardio and recovery classes. But boxing is the theme that anchors the community aspect of the gyms as well as the mission of many members to change their lives through fitness, even if they don’t box. Said Foreman, the son of the famed boxer, “People just want to be in that atmosphere.”
Everybody Fights also features amenities such as a sauna, steam rooms, a juice bar as well as friendly pricing compared to some of the popular fitness studio boutiques.
NoBull focuses on CrossFit and its name was inspired by the Crossfit’s fans’ dedication to putting in the work to improve their fitness. Said Schaeffer, who discovered CrossFit while working at Reebok, said, ”We don’t believe in gimmicks.” The brand was discovered by CrossFit fans via Instagram and has expanded into functional fitness and running.
Working similarly to Peloton, Hydrow is an at-home rowing system that allows users to join live or pre-recorded training sessions with world-class rowing champions who are actually doing the work out on the Charles River or elsewhere while they work out on a rowing machine at home.
Smith had Hydrow taps into the love of being on the water as well as the community-aspect of working with a team. Said Smith, “We’re happiest when we move around in packs.” Hydrow recently secured a major order from Best Buy.
Smith said his mission is to re-tell the story of the benefits of rowing. These include the speedy fitness benefits from a rowing workout but also the connections to water and rowing partners that allow rowers to “get back to your reality” with many consumed by digital devices. Smith half-joked, “My goal is to get people to stop buying treadmills.”
3D-Printing At Scale
A fireside chat with Phil DeSimone, co-founder and chief customer officer of Carbon, explored his company’s success scaling 3D printing. In the sports space, Carbon first partnered with Adidas last year to launch the Adidas’ Futurecraft 4D shoe, which takes a digital model of a customer’s foot structure and quickly prints a shoe to fit it.
Earlier this year, a partnership with Riddell produced the first 3D-printed football helmet liner that can custom-fit football players’ individual head shape and size. In August, Carbon teamed up with bicycle manufacturer Specialized for a 3D-printed bike seat.
Carbon uses Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP), a photochemical process that harnesses light and oxygen to rapidly produce objects from a pool of resin. Instead of layering like traditional 3D printing, the liquid metal fuses into shape. DeSimone related the vision for the technology to the cyborg featured in the movie “Terminator Two” that could fuse into different shapes.
DeSimone said Carbon’s process continues to move quicker. The Riddell turnaround from initial conversation to product launch took only eight months while the turnaround with Specialized took six months.
DeSimone believes the limits in traditional manufacturing, including the heavy costs around prototyping and labor, as well as Carbon’s continued advances, will continue to support the company’s expansion. Said DeSimone, “The shoe is about energy return. The saddle is about pressure management. The helmet is about energy dissipation. We can do all of those things and that gives us the potential to reach other verticals.”
Digitizing The Sports Fan Experience
Tamiko Hutchinson, VP, Intel Capital, shown right, shared how the Intel Sports division is tapping the company’s vast computing expertise to digitize and reimagine the sports fan experience. A focus of her presentation was on Intel True View, which uses a series of strategically positioned cameras at sporting events to capture volumetric (pixels with volume) data to create unique 360-degree and 3D game action highlights.
The highlight videos are published to a mobile app where fans can select a player and take control by spinning and shifting the perspective to basically watch the game from any angle. For example, with a recent partnership with Manchester City, fans are able to see the field through the perspective of a player to gain a better view of what influenced their action, such as his shot at the goal.
Hutchinson said it takes ”massive amounts of data to create one of these great immersive experiences.” At Etihad Stadium, Manchester City’s home, dozens of 5K ultra-high-definition cameras, as well as on-premises Intel servers powered with processors, crunch up to one terabyte of data for each 30-second clip. Intel is also bringing similar interactive highlight clips to fans of football and basketball.
The Power Of Diversity
Ron Lumbra, managing director at Heidrick & Struggles, the executive search firm, discussed best practices and challenges in recruiting, on-boarding and developing diverse talent.
Lumbra pointed to numerous studies that have proven the benefits of having more diversity across ranks from a business perspective. But, he also believes a company’s goal to increase diversity should be part of its mission and values.
He noted how the CEOs from the Business Roundtable, a non-profit led by 181 of the U.S.’s top CEOs, recently updated their corporate principles to argue that companies shouldn’t always put shareholder returns first but also consider the needs of all stakeholders, from workers to customers, suppliers and communities. Lumbra said, “It’s about exploring what’s our impact on society.”
Progress is being made on diversity including 57 percent of board placements being diversified last year. Companies with diverse board members tend to drive a more diverse c-suite. Women have been seeing strong momentum in advancing to executive ranks, especially in landing on boards, but the representation of minorities on boards and exec ranks is seeing an upward trend as well.
Among his tips for driving diversity is a strong commitment from the c-level. About half of the major U.S. corporations now measure how they’re faring against diversity goals, Lumbra noted. According to a report by Calvert Investments, 42 percent of the companies in the Standard & Poor’s 100 Index link executive compensation to diversity goals. Many companies also have mentorship programs to support career development for women and minorities.
Lumbra also said diversity programs have to have “intentionality” to them. For instance, firms have to be “patient” to keep seeking to fill an open position if a qualified candidate isn’t found quickly.
Finally, Lumbra said firms have to be “adaptable” in exploring the reasons why certain diversity goals aren’t achieved. Some challenges include geography, as some companies are based in areas without a wide pool of diverse candidates. In functions such as human resources, legal and R&D, women have made more progress in gaining senior positions than other functions. Said Lumbra, “It’s not just a cookie-cutter solution.”
Online Reviews Influence Demand
Paul Kirwin, CEO and founder of Channel Signal, shown right, explored how online product reviews can help or hurt a brand’s reputations.
Peer-to-peer communication has always been around but has reached another level with the popularity of online product reviews, stoked by Amazon’s success. Kirwin noted that studies show that nine out of 10 consumers use product reviews at the beginning of the purchasing process, 84 percent trust them and 67 percent check product reviews before entering a store.
For brands, Kirwin said understanding the “storyline” across the opinions expressed in reviews, it is particularly valuable.
For example, Channel Signal research finds online conversations around running footwear include topics such as support, cushion, style, comfort, sizing, and color. But reviews show that buyers are most frustrated with shoelaces, whether too short, too long, coming undone, etc. A second factor that resonated across running footwear reviews was “out of the box delight,” or instant comfort. A third was insoles. Kirwin noted that certain consumers highly appreciated the ability to take out an existing insole to put in another orthotic insole inside.
In athletic apparel, the most negative sentiments were expressed around the elastic. Shrinking, color-mismatch, color fading, and pilling were also frequently called out on the downside in reviews.
While consumer reviews can certainly be used to understand where products are falling short, positive attributes can be reinforced in marketing. Kirwin called out Athleta as one company “doing it right.” Athleta’s hang tags include attributes such as “lasting odor control,” “wide waistband is fit to flatter” and “minimal seams reduce chafing” that mimic the positive language seen on online reviews.
Kirwin said that while many execs don’t focus on online product reviews because they feel it’s largely negative opinions, most reviews tend to be positive and those opinions are shaping the images of brands. Said Kirwin, “It’s not what I believe. It’s not what you believe. It’s what they believe that’s moving the marketplace.”
High Hurdles To China Trade Resolution
In a discussion on China trade, Frances Hadfield, legal counsel in Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Group, shown right, provided a bleak assessment of the tariff situation. She noted that President Trump doesn’t appear to be relying on, or listening to, the recommendations of his advisors. The administration also appears to be underestimating China’s perseverance to wait out the tariff hit, and there’s no sign the U.S. will offer a deal to help China “save face” in negotiation.
Any resolution is also being complicated as areas such as fentanyl imports and national security concerns are being linked into the discussion. Trump’s recent move to increase tariffs by the increment of 5 percent also removed a previous belief that a 25 percent tariff rate would be the ceiling.
Hadfield offered a number of tips for applying for tariff exclusions, including common mistakes many firms are making. Tips were also provided on how to benefit from the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) and employ other tariff-mitigation and trade-related cost-saving steps.
More Challenges Than Opportunities In Today’s Retail Marketplace
At a breakfast session, Matt Powell, VP and senior industry advisor, The NPD Group, said that in footwear, athletic overall is performing better than fashion. Athletic’s growth, however, is being led by sports-lifestyle styles, which is dominated by athletic-inspired casual sneakers. In a survey last year, NPD found only 16 percent of buyers of athletic footwear indicated they intended to do a sport with their purchase.
One casualty has been basketball footwear, which has been running negative for several years and has shrunk to 5 percent of the footwear business.
In apparel, although the athleisure trend remains strong, the overall category is being hurt because people can wear “the same sweatpants and tights” across occasions, thereby reducing net purchasing opportunities. Powell said, “I don’t see a time when we’re going back to dressing more formally.”
Other factors impacting spending overall in the sports space include younger consumers spending money on video games and AirPods, a movement toward simplification sparked in part by Netflix’s “Tidying Up” series starring Maria Kondo, and the trend toward re-selling and renting apparel. Opportunities around kids are also being impacted by a declining birth rate that’s partly tied to more stringent immigration policies.
For the second half of the year, Powell expects athletic footwear to decrease in the low-single-digits as the industry faces challenges anniversarying strong releases a year ago. Activewear is also expected to decline in the low-single-digits. Promotional pressures are expected to continue to the back half, driven by heightened promotions at vendors’ DTC (direct-to-consumer) businesses.
On the plus side, Powell sees opportunities for brands tapping retiring baby boomers with lower-end product in sports such as golf and pickleball. He believes stores would benefit from better showcasing protection categories amid growing concerns over sports-related injuries. He believes many brands are falling short on the women’s opportunity because they’re not focusing on the mid-market where women tend to shop. Finally, he believes “small as the new big” as the Gen-Z generation is seeking out brands their friends don’t have.
Do What You Do Best
A highlight of the event was an inspirational dinner talk by Jim Abbott, shown left, the former Major League Baseball player. Born without a right hand, Abbott became a star pitcher for the University of Michigan, helped Team USA win gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and then went on to play 10 seasons in the majors, including pitching a no-hitter for the New York Yankees.
He discussed the three pillars that have defined his life: creativity, determination and belief.
Creativity involves “doing things a little differently,” such as the way he learned to shift his glove to catch and throw a baseball. He offered that as sound advice for any individual seeking to overcome their own personal obstacles or looking to drive innovation and fresh ideas. Said Abbott, “It’s about taking that chance.”
Determination centers on remaining disciplined in reaching your goals, holding yourself accountable and not being distracted by “what we allow ourselves to buy into.”
The third pillar involves understanding ”what you do best” and “make the most of what you’ve been given.”
Abbott detailed that the no-hitter he threw against the Cleveland Indians in 1993 came a few days after he was shelled by the same team. Before the no-hitter game, his catcher told him to scrap any game plan and instead asked him, “At the end of the game, how many pitches can you throw with trust?”
The strategy worked that day.
“I would argue to you that so much comes back to strength,” Abbott said. “Even in the face of uncertainty and doubt, call upon what it is that you do best. Trust it. Believe it.”
Lead photo + last photo courtesy SFIA


text:
An eatery that began as a walk-up counter in Midtown Manhattan in 2011 is looking to expand with a new prototype.
Melt Shop has opened a new location at The Westchester, a Simon Mall in downtown White Plains, New York. The sleek, modern format will serve as the prototype the company plans to use for all its mall locations moving forward.
Since the announcement of the company’s franchise program in late 2017, Melt Shop has signed agreements to develop 28 restaurants in key Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets, as well as the Middle East. The company debuted in Kuwait in January and has opened two of seven planned franchise locations in the market.
The Westchester location is corporate owned.
“While we are looking to grow our footprint through franchising, we also feel it’s important to continuously invest our capital into new corporate restaurants,” said Spencer Rubin, founder & CEO of Melt Shop. “It’s part of our commitment to maintaining the authenticity of our brand, as well as the commitment we’ve made to our franchise partners that we’re in this with them.”
Melt Shop is a part of Aurify Brands, a company that describes itself as equal parts hospitality group and restaurant incubator.


text:
Cafe Coffee Day, part of Amalgamated Bean Coffee Trading Company, is looking at expanding its base in East European and Southeast Asian market in its bid to be a global player in the coffee retailing segment. The coffee retailer has 19 stores across the world, of which 18 are in the Czech Republic and Vienna along with one store in Pakistan.
“We are in talks with players in Philippines, Vietnam in Southeast Asia for acquisition of a coffee chain to enter these markets,” Shwetha Shetty, president of International Business of Cafe Coffee Day, said. The privately-held company was also looking at Eastern Europe for inorganic expansion. “I can’t give an enterprise value as it all depends on the acquisition target,” she, however, said.
Earlier, the company had acquired a coffee chain in the Czech Republic in 2010 for '15 crore. International operations contributes around 2-3 per cent to its revenue and it plans to increase this share in the near future.
“Though the present market share is not significant, future expansion plans will help in increasing our market share,” she said. Cafe Coffee Day, which has a sound domestic presence with more than 1,000 outlets across the country, is planning to increase it to 2,000 in the near future to tap the growing domestic consumption. This rising domestic coffee consumption in the last two decades also witnessed the entry of global coffee retailers like Italian Barista Lavazza and Costa. Recently, US-based Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts also announced their plans to open outlets in India.
Speaking of the rationale behind overseas expansion, she said, “It’s true that most coffee retailers are interested in opening shops here to tap domestic consumption. However, Cafe Coffee Day is not only looking at consolidating its position in the domestic market, but also wants to emerge as a global brand.”


text:
MSME DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Here’s what MSMEs expect from Modi 2.0
The exporting community that comprises of MSME players (responsible for 40% of the country's total outward shipments) seems to be buoyed by the victory of the NDA Government.
Slowdown concerns to be addressed in Budget: Sources
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the RBI and the IMF have cut India's GDP growth foreca...
Inflation pickup unlikely to worry RBI too much
Data on Monday showed consumer prices rose 2.92% in April from a year earlier.
RBI's MSME committee calls for public suggestions to identify issues
“The Committee is undertaking a comprehensive review of the sector to identify causes and propose long term solutions for its development. "
What makes NBFC-P2P sector a better choice for raising funds for an MSME these days
India has huge credit gaps and it is important to build institutions and structures that can help bridge the chasm. Being reliant on just one form of financing can prove to be a costly mistake.
Indian data issues: Economists are now creating their own benchmarks
Economists and investors are now using alternative sources of data or creating their own benchmarks to measure the economy.
In a first, US appoints Indian to geospatial advisory committee
Delhi-based Sanjay Kumar, CEO of Geospatial Media and Communications and Secretary General of World Geospatial Industry Council, is the first Indian to be inducted to NGAC.
In 5 years, MSME loans jump 2.5 times, NPAs move up too
India’s commercial credit growth remained strong at 14.4 per cent year-on-year in the December quarter.
MSME credit growth remains robust but CIBIL warns of possible NPA stack up: Report
The report said the mid and large corporate segment held the biggest share of the overall credit at about 43%, with an exposure of Rs 47.5 lakh crore.
Copyright © 2019 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service


text:
Watawala Plantations, Duxton Asset Management invest in Sri Lankan dairy farm
ECONOMYNEXT – Singapore-based fund manager Duxton Asset Management has tied up with Watawala Plantations to set up a Sri Lankan dairy farm with an investment of 11.5 million US dollars, aiming to improve local yields and replace imported milk products.
Vish Govindasamy, Group Managing Director of Sunshine Holdings, the parent firm of Watawala, said he expects a return on investment of about 17 percent, with the farm using imported cows and expertise on an estate where tea cultivation is no longer profitable.
The two companies will invest total equity of over six million US dollars in almost equal proportions and raise the remaining funds as debt.
The farm, on Lonach Estate, Ginigathhena, will import about 1,000 milking cows and produce about 30,000 litres of milk when running by the end of year, up from 1,500 litres of milk a day now.
“We have to build the farm and import the cows and get them acclimatized to the climate,” he told a news conference.
“Lonach Estate has a lot of workers and because tea is not doing well now, we unable to give them work,” he said. “With the farm coming, we can grow different types of feed stock which means more people will be employed.”
Desmond Sheehy, co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Duxton Asset Management, said the fund mainly invests in the agricultural field, being the largest investor in dairy in Australia and having also invested in tea in India.
A subsidiary, Watawala Dairy Ltd., will run the dairy farm and will use imported, very efficient cows, and farming expertise to improve local farm practices, he said.
Duxton manages assets of 690 million dollars of which 460 million dollars in agricultural investments
“The dairy operation is expected to further diversity and strengthen the revenue streams of Watawala Plantations, which has benefitted from strategic diversification into palm oil,” a statement said.
“Once in full operation Watawala Dairy will expand its herd to 1,000 dairy cows and is forecast to generate over a billion rupees in revenue from the fourth year of operation” with significant potential for further expansion, it said.
(COLOMBO, March 24, 2016)


text:
Following a successful first edition, Juffali Automotive Company, the official distributor for Mercedes-Benz in the Kingdom hosted “Discovery Day” event for its customers. The event, held at the Mercedes-Benz showrooms in Jeddah, on 3rd of June 2023, aimed to educate customers on Mercedes-Benz’s latest technologies, vehicle launches, and dealership offers.
Customers and Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts were invited for a guided tour with brand experts at the world-class facilities – discussing the brand’s innovations and technology, benefits of using Mercedes-Benz Genuine Parts, service packages and limited-time promotions.
Mr. Basim Wali, the Director of Marketing and Development at Juffali Automotive Company, said: “With ‘Discovery Day’, we wanted to create a completely new experience for our loyal customers. And the successful first edition reaffirmed the importance of creating such connections with our customers through unique engagements and interaction.”
“We would like to thank our guests, and everyone involved with organizing the event. It was a huge success, and we look forward to hosting another successful edition soon.”


text:
Brazilian Crypto Firm 2TM Announces Second Round of 15% Layoffs
2TM - the Brazilian startup that owns the Mercado Bitcoin cryptocurrency exchange - announced Thursday that it will lay off 15% of its workforce, or about 100 employees.
This is the second round of layoffs at 2TM as the company had already laid off more than 80 jobs in June as part of a cost-cutting plan due to intensive bearish market fears.
2TM Group is the parent company of MercadoBitcoin.com.br, one of the most prominent digital currency exchanges in Brazil.
2TM wrote in its official announcement:
“The competitive environment remains deteriorated and unfair, lacking the approval of the legal framework for crypto-activities, as players following the law are penalized by companies that ignore local rules.”
2TM is valued at $2.1 billion following $200 million it raised in a Series B funding round and $50 million in a second closing of the funding last November. The startup also received a liquidity injection from Mercado Libre earlier in January alongside Paxos as reported by Blockchain.News.
Other crypto-related companies in Latin America have also announced layoffs as the crypto-economic adversity continues.
South American trading platform Bitso announced the decision by laying off 80 employees for maintaining its long-term business strategy.
UAE-based cryptocurrency exchange BitOasis has announced that it has cut 5% of its workforce as part of a cost-cutting plan.
Coinbase announced an 18% layoff, meaning the company laid off about 1,100 full-time employees. Crypto companies like BlockFi, Robinhood, and Crypto.com have also recently announced massive layoffs.
Image source: Shutterstock
Thailand Tightens Crypto Advertising Rules after Crypto Zipmex Bankrupted


text:
Thomson Reuters, which provides intelligent information for businesses and professionals, has partnered with CNBC Africa to provide the broadcaster's various platforms across Africa with the latest financial data and analytical tools.
The partnership joins two of the most powerful news and information brands to supply cutting edge news and financial analysis to the African market. Thomson Reuters has 196 people on the African continent spread across Kenya, Nigeria, Mauritius, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and South Africa.
Says Keith Nichols, Managing Director, Africa for Thomson Reuters: "Both Thomson Reuters and CNBC Africa have a strong presence in Africa, which makes this partnership even more important as Africa's economic pulse has quickened and is growing at an incredible rate. We are proud to be associated with such a respected brand which is at the forefront of delivering quality, real time information and infusing the continent with market leading news that benefits business decision makers."
Thomson Reuters financial products, Eikon and Elektron power the key financial markets in Africa and are empowering financial professionals all over the continent to make critical decisions and act with confidence in a complex world.
CNBC Africa, headquartered in Johannesburg, reaches audiences in over 48 countries across Africa. The broadcaster's news channel is available in 90% of sub-Saharan Africa through DTH and Satellite TV operator, Multichoice Africa and DSTV.
CNBC Africa has bureaus in over 15 cities across Africa, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nairobi, Accra and Kigali. The TV channel is targeted at key decision makers ranging from chief executives, senior members of government, day traders, brokers, fund managers, entrepreneurs and private investors.
"CNBC Africa is synonymous with credible, real-time and actionable business content. This long term strategic alliance with Thomson Reuters in Africa enhances these values. This partnership along with the growth of our bureau network will enable the continuous improvement of our on-air product, both from the depth and breadth of our reporting as well as from the immediacy of dissemination. We look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership in the years ahead," said Sid Wahi, Director at CNBC Africa.


text:
Rival technologies that baffle consumers will run more companies out of business in the nascent music download market than will head-to-head competition, one of the lead creators of MP3 playback technology warned on Wednesday.
"It has slowed the download business for sure, and it's doing the same for the gadget makers," said Dr. Karlheinz Brandenburg, director of electronic media technologies at the Fraunhofer Institut in Ilemenau, Germany.
Consumers nowadays can store thousands of songs in a pocket-sized device, play music and videos on their mobile phones and buy albums at the click of a button.
But to their chagrin, a bewildering number of competing playback compression technologies and anti-piracy software options determine which songs play on which devices.
Apple Computers, Real Networks and Sony Corp. each have developed proprietary playback and DRM anti-piracy technologies. Songs bought on Apple's iTunes music store can play only on Apple iPods. Ditto for Sony.
The alphabet soup of technologies is meant to prevent fans from rampantly duplicating and transferring songs to others.
Brandenburg said he twice warned manufacturers and music labels that they risk alienating fans and driving them to unsanctioned file-sharing networks, where the songs are free and encoded in the unprotected MP3 format.
"They didn't listen. Maybe they thought it made commercial sense not to have a standard. It's very strange," he told Reuters on the sidelines of the Popkomm music conference.
Brandenburg should be the last man on the planet to complain about the impasse. Granted a lucrative patent in 1986 for developing the MP3, he and the Fraunhofer Institut collect royalties on the sale of MP3 players, including Apple's iPod.
"Blank MP3s is the only standard. It is supported by all," he said. "This has been good news for Fraunhofer. And, I consider myself a wealthy man as well."


text:
Teleik will take part in NDC 2012 on 6-8 June in Oslo. This is the 5th edition of the conference so far. Since the startup in 2008 with 850 participants, NDC has grown and developed rapidly. At NDC 2011 more than 1500 people attended the conference during the three days and this year the organizers expect even more attendees.
Join thousands of fellow developers and IT pros and make sure to stop by our booth N25 and learn more about our latest products. As always, we have some special surprises for you.
We look forward to seeing you at NDC 2012!


text:
© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.
ACVC 2019: Veterinarians: Get involved in the cannabidiol conversation
The cannabidiol (CBD) conversation is in full swing in veterinary practices across the country, and its time for veterinarians to chime in.
A recent survey from Colorado State University showed that about 30% of veterinarians are questioned weekly by clients about CBD. And an informal poll of the audience at the opening Veterinary Crossfire session at this year's Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference (ACVC) showed the vast majority are receiving regular questions about this issue.
But how do you answer questions and advise your veterinary clients on this issue when the use of these products, even in the human world, is mired in legal confusion? The answer, according to the panelists, is very carefully, and it depends on which state you're in.
Charlotte Lacroix, DVM, JD, founder and CEO of Veterinary Business Advisors, and Robert J. Silver, DVM, MS, CVA, chief medical officer of Rx Vitamins for Pets, kicked off the 2019 ACVC with a spirited discussion on the currently confusing world of CBD use in pets.
Drs. Lacroix and Silver agreed in a few areas, including their view of the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. That action was designed to to help speed up the commercialization of hemp, but it has led to more states making CBD use legal in humans, primarily when it's used for therapeutic purposes. However, as far as veterinary use goes, CBD as a therapy remains off limits.
Medication or supplement?
Dr. Silver noted that supplements, which are often used to improve overall health, are not approved by the FDA, so veterinarians could consider recommending CBD as a supplement. But Dr. Lacroix cautioned veterinarians about this thinking.
“If there is an adverse event [related to CBD] and it comes back on you as the veterinarian who recommended it therapeutically, you could be facing a medical malpractice lawsuit,” she said, “and you may not have the malpractice insurance needed to protect you.” She added that in most cases CBD is given to pets not to boost overall health but rather for therapeutic purposes, such as to treat anxiety or epilepsy, and this use is not legal.
Dr. Silver countered that the number of adverse reactions related to CBD in animals reported to the National Animal Supplement Council, which has been looking into this complex issue, has been extremely small-about nine in 16 million (mainly gastrointestinal disturbances). And emerging data show that CBD use in animals can have benefits, he noted, citing a Cornell University study demonstrating that dogs with osteoarthritis who were given CBD had noted pain reduction.
Let the research continue
Both panelists agreed that CBD is in an “evolutionary phase” and that more data are needed.
“It's important to have these clinical studies and encourage companies to invest in the research to establish the safety of [CBD],” Dr. Lacroix said. “It's tempting to get on the band wagon and sell it like everyone else … but our decisions are based in science. The FDA is the administrative agency that demonstrates that a product is safe and effective, and until that has been done, I don't think we can promote these products for therapeutic means.”
Dr. Silver echoed Dr. Lacroix's call for more research, adding that “veterinarians are being left out of the conversation.” He urged attendees to talk with their state veterinary associations to become more involved in these conversations, encourage more research, lobby for clearer direction on CBD use and provide further direction on what veterinarians can and cannot discuss with their patients.


text:
Marks and Spencer are to create 150 job vacancies in Sevenoaks, Kent with a new department store. The old social club is being transformed into a new modern look M&S store.
The agreement is based on a “pre-let” project and is due to be signed by the company on Thursday.
The company also has a food store in the town however the current store employees will be amalgamated into the brand new department store once it’s completed.
The land that will be a M&S is owned by the Sevenoaks District council and Reef Estates.
A planning application is coming in May and there will be an agreement signed by all the parties for a 25 year lease. The new store will be on 42,000 square metres.
Marks and Spencer Sevenoaks store will create 150 jobs once it is completed.


text:
Sell your broken and damaged mobile devices through the Swappa Boneyard
Swappa, one of our favorite destinations for buying and selling smartphones, has opened up a brand new section. Called Boneyard, it’s a place for you to help get rid of your broken and damaged mobile goods.
Got a water damaged device, old feature phone or something with a cracked display? Instead of tossing it in the garbage you may want to consider listing it in the Boneyard. If it’s legal and related to mobile devices, it’s likely on Swappa now.
The same rule applies here as with smartphones; nothing lost or stolen is allowed. Other than that, you can get rid of stuff like mobile hotspots, prepaid phones, and other salvageable things. Just a heads up, Swappa doesn’t review and approve the listing in the same manner as smartphones.
Get started at some of these sub-categories:
You might also like
We aren’t for sure, but reports are coming in that Sprint is considering altering it’s 4G rollout strategy in a way that could allow them to merge with T-Mo in
Amazon has just thrown down the gauntlet – announcing that all smartphones from Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T will cost one penny this week. Starting today and running through next Monday,
Facebook has been known for buying out products and companies have been successful were on the verge of success. Usually Facebook would acquire a new social network, an app or


text:
Here’s Why Microsoft Shares Could Be Headed Much Higher
Microsoft is, finally, partying like it is, well, the late 1990s.
Last week, shares of Microsoft (MSFT) rose above $58 for the first time since 1999. The stock is up nearly 21% in recent months, including 5% last Friday alone after the company’s most recent earnings announcement, and now trades at just over $60.
Along the way, the ride for investors has been a rollercoaster with a long lull in the middle. The stock was as low as $16 in 2009. For most of the oughts it was stuck in the 20s.
And with the run up in its stock price, Microsoft’s stock valuation has pushed higher and higher. Microsoft’s price-to-earnings multiple is now higher than the market in general, and higher than it has been in years. So are Microsoft’s shares still worth uploading to your portfolio?
First of all, the company is a lot different from what it was last time the stock was near $60 a share. In 1999, Microsoft had revenue of nearly $20 billion and earnings of $7.8 billion. These days the company generates $85 billion in annual revenue and it earned just over $16.5 billion in the past twelve months as of Sept. 30.
So despite being at the same price and market cap of $460 billion, Microsoft’s shares currently carry a price/earnings ratio of 29, or less than half of the 79 they traded for in 1999.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t necessarily mean Microsoft’s shares are cheap now. Figuring that out is in fact more difficult these days than it was two decades ago, when most of Microsoft’s earnings came from one product, Windows. But one way to do it is to take a closer look at the different and much more diverse business lines of today’s Microsoft, and see how investors are valuing their competitors in those businesses.
Microsoft reported better than expected earnings last week. What seems to have pulled the company out of its multi-year slump lately, though, is not a Windows revival but the company’s push into the cloud. Microsoft’s cloud division, which didn’t even exist a few years ago, now generates $25 billion a year. Of course, the cloud—shared storage and virtual operating systems—along with big data, is among the buzz areas of the computing business these days. And lots of tech giants want in, from retailer Amazon (AMZN) to consumer management software developer Salesforce (CRM).
Salesforce trades at a price-to-sales ratio of nearly 7. That’s higher than Microsoft’s overall price-to-sales ratio of 5.5, but again what matters is how Microsoft’s individual product lines should be valued. What’s more, Microsoft’s cloud services include software tools as well as computing power and storage, so it’s not exactly comparable to Salesforce. However, based on Salesforce’s valuation Microsoft’s cloud business, by itself, could be worth nearly $170 billion.
Microsoft still generates about $31 billion annually from its Windows operating system and office software (Word, Excel, etc.). That business has shrunk in the past few years, but it’s still valuable. Perhaps a good comparison for that is Oracle, which generates about $37 billion mostly from software sold to businesses. Oracle’s shares (ORCL) trade at a price/sales ratio of nearly 4; at that price, that would be another $124 billion in value for Microsoft.
On top of that, Microsoft generates about $13.5 billion a year from Xbox and Surface tablets, which Microsoft puts in its personal computing segment. Give that a roughly 3-times-sales, Apple-like multiple and that’s another $40 billion. There’s also another $6 billion that Microsoft generates from advertising. Google (GOOG) is the king of internet advertising, and its stock trades at a sales multiple of 13, which would value that portion of Microsoft’s business at nearly $80 billion.
Lastly, Microsoft has about $10 billion from providing business services, as well as server products and tools. Value that like IBM (IBM) and that part of Microsoft’s business should be worth another $20 billion.
Put that Salesforce-Oracle-Google-Apple-IBM mash-up together, and you get a total value for the company of roughly $435 billion or about $30 billion less than where Microsoft is currently trading. That means the market isn’t anticipating much growth from the company. It’s valued at what the company’s business lines are worth now.
And that could be because Microsoft hasn’t grown much in the past few years. Sales dropped 7% last year. But that appears to be changing, as the company’s pivot into cloud services gets more momentum. Sales growth was 5% in the most recent quarter, and expected to be up in the double digits by the end of this year.
Of course, Microsoft’s revenue growth was consistently above 25% back in 1990s. If it grew at even half that pace, Microsoft’s stock could be worth as much $79, which is 30% above where it’s trading now.


text:
From Artificial Intelligence to Virtual Reality, the software and technology industry is having a positive impact across many sectors.
To recognize local companies and large enterprises that are setting the pace and disrupting the modern technology arena, New World Report, an insightful business news platform owned by AI Global Media, recently announced winners of its 2023 Software and Technology Awards.
Techloy was recognized as the best technology information platform in Nigeria for 2023 at the Software and Technology Awards, which recognised over 300 businesses globally. Since launching in 2010, Techloy has continued to build on its reputation as one of the most influential technology news platforms in Africa. Techloy.com publishes information about companies, products, careers, and finance in the technology industry across emerging markets globally.
According to Taylor Wilson, the Software and Technology Awards Coordinator, "This year’s Software and Technology Awards has been a pleasure. Working with trailblazers is always inspiring, and I’m sure our winners will be succeeding well into the future. Here’s to even more excellent achievements in 2024 – and beyond!"
Now in its eighth year, the Software and Technology Awards continue to acknowledge and celebrate the continued efforts of the pace-setters and disruptors in the modern technology arena, as well as those who have sustained excellence and exhibited long term dedication to their commitment to development and advancement.


text:
What’s it like for a supply chain in 2020? Cyberattacks, trade disputes, the coronavirus, natural disasters — it is exceedingly difficult to manage a complex web of business relationships around the globe when strands keep falling out.
Research out Thursday from the McKinsey Global Institue describes the costs of all this. Susan Lund, a partner with McKinsey, spoke with Marketplace’s Sabri Ben-Achour, and the following is an edited transcript of their conversation.
Sabri Ben-Achour: Can we attach a dollar value to all of these disruptions to supply chains around the world?
Susan Lund: We can. So, in our new research, we’ve been able to look at the rising frequency of supply chain disruptions and then when it costs companies. So, on average, companies can expect to lose half of a year’s profits over the course of a decade. You know, you might say, well, that doesn’t sound like so much. But companies worry over every percentage point drop in [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization], and the market pummels them. So that’s a huge loss. And in an event like COVID, of course, the damage is much more extreme.
Ben-Achour: How do you make a supply chain more resilient to a shock like COVID?
Economists think that we’ll see a recession AND inflation this yearMar 27, 2023
Some businesses are now more skeptical of using smaller banksMar 27, 2023
First Citizens picks up SVB assetsMar 27, 2023
Lund: Well, having a more diverse set of suppliers is one way, and that’s where the shifting to different countries comes in. But there are lots of other ways and things that companies can do. Probably the most important thing is to digitize their supply chain and get transparency, not only on who their direct suppliers are, but going through all of the tiers of the supply chain. Then companies can also do things like hold more inventory. They can design products to have less complex and unique parts that simplify the supply chain. There’s a whole set of actions that companies can undertake, and each one will have to decide which ones make sense for their business.


text:
In an update on its announcement from November last year, Royal Unibrew has said that it will no longer be acquiring Scandinavian mineral water producer Aqua d’Or from Danone.
According to the statement released this week, the parties have determined that they will not be able to fulfil the closing conditions and have therefore agreed that the deal will not materialise.
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority said that it had expressed competition concerns about the acquisition.
Jonas Guldborg Hansen, head of investor relations and communications at Royal Unibrew, said: “The parties have withdrawn the notification of the transaction to the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority”.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2022
World Beverage Innovation Awards – NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES!
The awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the global beverage industry.
Don’t miss out on having your innovations recognised on a global scale.
Deadline for entries 23 July – enter now!
Don’t get left behind
Start your free Foodbev magazine trial today and join thousands of fellow industry professionals in receiving food and drink trends direct to our business.
Click here to start your free trial


text:
DreamWorks' Voltron: Legendary Defender has been a massive hit for Netflix, and with it came some pretty fun toys as well. With the new generation digging deep into the history and lore of Voltron, a hand-picked collection of episodes were culled from the original series and released on Netflix as Voltron '84, and that just threw the doors wide-open for a new collection of toys. Beginning in January 18, the Voltron '84 Legendary Lion Assortment will be available at major retailers nationwide, allowing kids (and big kids) the opportunity to unlock over 60 sounds from the classic series by combining all 5 Legendary Lions into a Mighty 16" version of Voltron! Check out the full details below...
Halloween is almost here, and for 2017 my friends at DreamWorks Animation have served-up a fresh batch of free printable activities from some of their kid-favorite Netflix Original Series. There's printable pumpkin stencils for Spirit Riding Free and DinoTrux, and from Voltron: Legendary Defender there's patterns for creating masks, a sword, and The Cow of Voltron!
Ready for some Halloween action?
DreamWorks' VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER has been a big hit for Netflix over the past year, and now comes word that the third season will begin streaming on Netflix beginning August 4, 2017. Much of the tease revolves around the fact that it might be time to seek a new pilot for The Black Lion, because after all - no Black Lion, no Voltron. Check it out below, and get ready for some major action!
Over thirty years before DreamWorks' Voltron: Legendary Defender became a breakout hit as a Netflix Original Series (read my feature on it here), there was Voltron: Defender of the Universe... or what kids like myself knew it as back in 1984, simply, Voltron. Now, with the new series already in its second season, a whole new generation has discovered an exciting world, but one worthy of a history lesson. Voltron '84 is a hand-picked collection of twelve episodes from the original series, enhanced by introductions by the creative team behind the current series. To celebrate the arrival of Voltron '84 on Netflix, the Voltron crew has teamed-up with The Rock Father™ to give you a chance to win a couple of new action figures from the folks at Playmates Toys!
The crew at Playmates Toys is rolling into the North American International Toy Fair with an expanded portfolio this year, moving well-beyond the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles offerings that they're known for, and into the realm of DreamWorks Television Animation's Voltron Legendary Defender and Cartoon Network's refreshed Ben 10, Look for photos and details soon, but check out an initial overview of what will be shown at the Playmates Toys booth, #2469, at Toy Fair from February 18-21, 2017.
Voltron is an important character around these parts, and after visiting DreamWorks Animation last year for a pre-debut first-hand look at what they were cooking up for Voltron: Legendary Defender, I was hooked on the new series. Now, DreamWorks Animation Television and Netflix have unleashed the proper trailer for season two, which begins streaming new episodes on Netflix on January 20th, picking up right where the cliffhanger of season one left off...


text:
BOE Analysis Rejects Claims of Greedflation Profiteering in UK - BLOOMBERG
(Bloomberg) -- Profitability for most UK companies has fallen since prices started soaring after Russia invaded Ukraine, according to Bank of England analysis that finds little evidence to support accusations of corporate “greedflation.”
Oil and gas firms have seen margins increase but they buck the trend of declining profitability for the private sector as a whole. In aggregate, over the five quarters from the start of 2022, the share of national output captured by excess profits has declined by 3.5 percentage points, the research found.
The labor share, which measures the proportion of GDP workers take in wages, has remained constant, a paper published on Bank Underground, a non-policy blog for BOE staff, showed. The study suggests price rises have been legitimate for business cost recovery and there has been little evidence of consumer price gouging.
Businesses have been accused of ripping off customers by using the cover of inflation to raise prices more than they need. There has been some evidence of the practice in the US and the European Union but less in the UK, where the inflation shock has been greatest and living standards have fallen most.
The BOE paper says that costs of capital, in rising interest rates, and costs of production more than account for the increase in consumer prices. Its analysis differs from more straightforward measures which suggest profit margins have returned to pre-energy shock levels.
The BOE said it used an “alternative measure of corporate profits to capture UK firm earnings in excess of all production costs.”
“This measure has been declining since the start of 2022,” the researchers found. “This decline has not been uniform, however. Firms with higher market power have been better able to increase their margins; others have experienced large declines.”
The researchers cross-referenced their work against the BOE’s regular Decision Maker Panel survey of businesses. They found that “mark-ups,” another measure of profiteering, had also declined since the start of 2022.
In a speech at the weekend, BOE Deputy Governor Ben Broadbent said domestic inflation has been driven by workers and businesses competing to recover their lost income – in wages and profits - caused by higher import costs. Private-sector regular wages have risen 8.2% in the past year, the fastest rate in 22 years barring distortions in the pandemic, recent official figures showed.
Broadbent estimated that a steep rise in import prices in the two years to the third quarter of 2022, covering the pandemic and early months of the energy shock, has knocked 6% of real national income.
“Employees seek to defend real pay by bidding for higher nominal wages; firms protect the real value of profits by raising their own prices. Collectively this cannot succeed: the hit to real national income is what it is. But, in the meantime, the process fuels higher domestic and overall inflation,” he said.


text:
11 May 2015
(MENAFN) Oman’s inflation rate or Consumer Price Index (CPI) decreased by 0.14 percent in April and averaged 0.41 percent for the first four months of the year, Muscat Daily reported.
The sectors and merchandise that contributed to the fall are foodstuff and non-alcoholic beverages by 1.21 percent, clothing and footwear by 1.29 percent and household appliances, furnishing and maintenance by 0.06 percent.
In addition, fish and seafood prices declined by 12.56 percent. However, other sectors and merchandise witnessed an increase in prices like vegetables and meat, which increased by 0.20 percent and 0.14 percent correspondingly.
24 May 2023
Empowering Success: BBK and BIBF honor 24 graduates of the BBK’s Women on Board Programme
16 Mar 2023
BBK partners with Four Seasons Private Residences Bahrain Bay to offer ownership financing for 112 waterfront homes.
01 Mar 2023
You could be the next lucky winner.. BBK: BD 1.9 million prizes from Al Hayrat this year


text:
SCMP Monday, November 13, 2000
Organic farming plan takes root
Organic farms will be promoted in a new government drive after a survey found many people were willing to pay more for non-organic vegetables if they were better marketed.
The consumer survey, funded by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, estimated one in six people would buy organic food even if prices were 50 per cent higher.
The news coincides with a backlash among consumers against genetically modified foods. Officials are drawing up labelling laws for them.
The department will also set up a working group to develop a certification and labelling system for organic farm products. Certification will involve setting guidelines for producing the food, including a ban on using artificial fertilisers and pesticides. Seeds must not be genetically modified. Details are expected early next year, with a system in place in two years.
"We'll develop a wholesale mechanism," agriculture officer Stephen Lai Yue-hong said. "About a third of farmers in Hong Kong are willing to grow organic crops, but there is a lack of technical support. Prices will come down if there is more competition."
His department will provide technical support to farmers who want to switch to organic farming as an alternative to mainland crops. Information on organic farming will be posted on the Web and the Government will promote shops selling organic vegetables.
More than 90 per cent of the vegetable market is dominated by imports from China, with organic vegetables taking up a mere 0.1 per cent. But the survey conducted in June and July predicted that market share could rise to one or two per cent with improved marketing and public understanding of the health and environmental benefits.
It could rise to seven or eight per cent if there were improved quality assurances, more consumer education and better distribution networks.
In the survey, one-third of the 616 people polled said they had bought organic vegetables, mostly at supermarkets. More expatriates than Chinese claim to be aware of organic vegetables.
Hong Kong Organic Farming Association chairman Angus Lam Chi-kwong welcomed the Government's pledge of support at a time when the farming industry was in decline due to stiff competition from the mainland.
But Jonathan Wong Woon-chung, associate professor in biology at Baptist University, said it might take more than two years to ensure arable land was contamination-free.


text:
K-Electric (KE) has made various changes to the electricity tariff rates and its slab structure in line with the governing laws, rules and regulations of the Government of Pakistan and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). These changes will be implemented from July and will be applicable nationwide, including consumers in KE’s service area.
The determination of costs of electricity to be recovered from consumers across the country in their bills comes under jurisdiction of NEPRA and the Government of Pakistan, says a statement. These changes include the non-extension of relief for zero-rated industries as well as the relief on peak-hour electricity consumption for industrial consumers.
Meanwhile, the retailer tax with revised slabs has been introduced for commercial consumers and Non-Time of Use (Non-ToU) residential consumers will also see a revision in their applicable tariff along with changes in the methodology for their calculation.
As per SRO 1004 dated 7th July 2022, the tariff rates and slab structure for tariff of unprotected non-ToU residential consumers (i.e. consumers with sanctioned load below 5kW) has changed. According to the statement, “Protected” consumers, as per tariff terms proposed by the GoP under its Power Subsidy Rationalization Plan and by NEPRA are those non-ToU residential consumers who have monthly electricity usage of 200 units of less, consistently for the past 6 months.
Meanwhile, all other non-ToU residential consumers will fall in the unprotected category.
Previously, category of unprotected consumers were provided the benefit of one previous slab in their billing (i.e. their billing was done in two slabs), which has now been removed. Unprotected consumers will now only be charged on one slab in which their units fall.
Furthermore, the power tariff rates have also been adjusted downwards to minimize the impact on consumers.
Meanwhile, the industrial consumers were previously being provided a relaxation by GoP, allowing them to utilize electricity during peak hours at the same rates as off-peak hours. However, this relief was allowed until June 2022 and has now been removed with no further extension.
Peak rates would now be applicable on industrial consumers as well. Furthermore, the zero-rated (export oriented) industries were being provided electricity at a fixed cost of $0.09 per unit, which was applicable until June 2022 and has now been removed. These consumers will now be charged as per the applicable tariff to normal industrial consumers.
Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA)
In addition to the above charges, it must also be noted that routine charges under FCA will be applicable in July bills within KE’s service territory.
According to the Finance Act 2022, the retailer tax on unregistered retailers have been revised as well and effective from 1 July 2022. The consumers on commercial tariff will be charged a minimum fixed tax of Rs. 3,000 for bills between Rs. 0 and Rs. 30,000. Meanwhile, the consumers will bills between Rs. 30,001 and Rs. 50,000 will be taxed Rs. 3,000 and those with bills above Rs. 50,000 will be taxed Rs. 10,000.
Read more: Latest Petrol Prices in Pakistan – 15 July 2022.
Leave a Reply


text:
Want to go to Beericana?
Now in its fourth year, the Holly Springs beer and music festival plans to have about 70 breweries serving 4,000 people. Some of the proceeds go back into the community, including to the NC Craft Brewer's Guild.
WRAL.com, along with 919 Beer, is giving away a pair of VIP tickets to the Sept. 9 festival. The tickets are valued at $75 each and get you noon entry to the event and access to VIP-only restrooms, along with unlimited beer tastings.


text:
The discovery of the world’s largest sapphire, a 93-pound specimen that a Sri Lankan company reportedly hacked into pieces, including an 85,000-carat chunk that it hopes to sell for some $800 million. “We are very positive that this stone will bring a lot of fame,” an unnamed company representative revealed in an on-camera interview that appeared on The Wall Street Journal’s website. Meanwhile, halfway around the world, a Christie’s auction set a new per-carat record for a nine-carat Kashmir sapphire—just one of a string of landmark jewelry sales that occurred this year.
Gems are making headlines due to a perfect storm of sorts. Interest in rare jewelry and colored gems has been on the rise for years, thanks to wealthy consumers who want to find a reliable way to diversify their assets. At the same time, gems are benefiting from a bit of celebrity cache: the Duchess of Cambridge and her Sri Lankan sapphire engagement ring are said by the country’s National Gem and Jewellery Authority to have been responsible for a double-digit spike in the sapphire market last year.
At auction, rarity is the main cause of record-breaking prices. Sotheby’s, bolstered by the sale of the Evelyn and Estée Lauder estate jewelry, reached landmark totals for single-day and annual sales of jewelry this year. Among the most coveted pieces was Evelyn’s 6.5-carat pink diamond ring, which sold for $8.6 million—$3.6 million more than the expected price. At Christie’s in Geneva, Switzerland, last month, a 76-carat colorless diamond from the 16th century sold for $21 million, 40 percent more than its expected price.
But, as far as the world’s biggest new blue bling goes, “these [hyped discoveries] are usually ridiculous,” said gemologist Edward Boehm of RareSource, a company that buys gems from mines. “It could be a very large sapphire that’s nowhere near facet-grade. It could be a big piece of junk.” Just this past January, gemologists were scoffing at the hoopla surrounding a watermelon-size emerald that was carrying a $1 million–plus price tag even though it was known to be partially dyed. (The gem’s owner was arrested for unrelated charges of fraud before the auction even started, and the gem ultimately went unsold.)
Still, the search for the next big thing never ends: last week, the Travel Channel greenlit a seven-episode run in 2013 of Gem Hunt, which will follow a gem dealer as he searches for the perfect stone in Sri Lanka.
llustration by John Ritter; Source images: Henry Arden / Getty; Arthur Edwards / WPA-Getty
Featured in Newsweek Magazine. Dec 17, 2012 12:00 AM EST


text:
FASHION FROM PORTUGAL IS AT MOMAD METROPOLIS
Christina Félix, Cristina Barros, Get In Vibe, Guimanos, Kalisson Bagoraz, Loco Luxo, M.Rolo, SCUSI, and SMF are the brands of the FROM PORTUGAL committee to participate in another edition of MOMAD to be held from the 3rd to the 5th of February in Madrid, Spain.
Momad Metropolis is a multisector fashion show which brings together, twice a year, the current trends in the world of fashion and clothing in the Spanish capital.
Participating in the Madrid event for several years, the Portuguese brand Cristina Barros hopes to “meet with loyal Spanish customers, but also open doors for possible customers from other markets who may visit us there”, reveals Marco Costa, commercial director. As for the novelties, the Autumn-Winter 2023/24 collection “has innovative techniques in the making of the pieces, which enhance the piece and give it a more irreverent and modern look”, reveals the commercial manager.
SCUSI will present novelties, especially in terms of colors, to another edition of the Madrid fashion fair. "We wanted to go against the logic that in winter the trend is for sad and very closed colors, for a collection with a lot of colors and very exclusive, because we think people need color", explains Rosa Coelho, the founder of the brand. In addition to being optimistic by nature, Rosa Coelho also adds that “the expectations are encouraging, because in addition to the collection being attractive, the invitations we made were positive, we have all the appointments confirmed”.
With Spain as its principal market, the Portuguese brand SMF returns to MOMAD with the Spring-Summer 2023 collection, hoping that expectations “are the same as last year, but a little better than the last September edition”, admits João Ramos, commercial director of the brand. “We are consolidating the Spanish market, which represents 90% of our regular customers, but the fair is always an added value for us to gain new customers”, points out the commercial director.
The M.Rôlo stand also promises many novelties, namely “a couple of new finishes that are trending, as well as a new collection of abstract mannequins”, anticipates Rui Rolo, general director of the brand. Concerning expectations, the general director points out that “the end of last year was a bit slower than we were expecting”, but “we are moderately positive. I believe it is in these moments of crisis that sometimes people with more experience tend to invest. Therefore, if this is the case, it will be better for us”, adds Rui Rolo. As for the market, “we are pleased if Spanish is well represented at MOMAD, as in past fairs we did not feel so much, and that some of the regions that have a very relevant presence ended up not coming”, points out the director.
Expectations are also high at the Guimanos stand, which will present the new 2023 winter collection with well-defined commercial objectives. “We are going to take our clothing collection dedicated to women to Madrid, mostly made up of knitwear, super colorful and with trendy patterns”, explains Alexandra Vidal, responsible for the international market.The participation of Portuguese SME companies in MOMAD is an initiative of Selectiva Moda and ATP – Portuguese Textile and Clothing Association, which aims to promote the internationalization of Portuguese companies in the Textile sector. This fair is in the “From Portugal” project, within the scope of the application submitted to the joint projects for the Internationalization of Portugal 2030.


text:
Large bushfire still burning in Tasmania
Tasmanian residents describe an out-of-control bushfire burning in the Derwent Valley in the state's south.
Source: ABC News | Duration: 51sec
Eating donuts and avoiding the grocery shopping are high on the to-do list for Brisbane's world welterweight champion.
If 5 to 10 per cent of the population is psychopathic, you might have one in your life. Here's what to look out for, and what you can do to survive.


text:
The better bauble bubble could be ready to burst — or at least deflate a little and cause a shakeout of brands.
After years where accessories helped make unknown designers household names and boosted sales in otherwise down times for fashion, industry analysts predict the turbulent U.S. economy is likely to result in a slowdown in the category, from midmarket to super luxury. But industry executives said in the long run the strong will survive and creativity will flourish.
"When you look back to the Seventies, if we do go into a more profound recession, there will be a cultural shift where displaying wealth is not socially acceptable, but that takes time," said Suzanne Hader, principal of 400twin Luxury Brand Consulting. "For that aspirational segment, you're going to see the economic effects taking place. It already started this past Christmas and it will slowly creep up to the middle section of the luxury market this year."
The accessories and fine jewelry categories have been raising eyebrows in the past decade with the inception of "super luxury" and indulgent lines. The bigger-is-better bling diamond jewelry look sported by musicians such as Pharrell Williams and Sean Combs was proliferated by jewelers like Jacob & Co. and Chris Aire.
More recently, the "It" bag phenomenon rose to entirely new heights. Having a popular designer handbag in the $1,000 price range lost its exclusivity among top luxury consumers, making way for a proliferation of exotic skin bags done in alligator, ostrich and snakeskin from big and small brands at price points above $15,000. Some designers such as Chanel and Hermès even added diamonds and gold to the bag equation. Eyewear makers also have begun to include precious metals and gemstones into their designs, as a point of differentiation.
Not quite a volume business, the super luxury strategy was intended to influence the upper middle class to buy items like a designer key fob or a pair of sunglasses. Due to the influx of consumers gravitating toward the category, myriad handbag and jewelry brands emerged onto the scene, while international brands such as the British brand Mulberry and Samsonite made entry in the U.S. with luxe boutiques.
"The mood isn't good for spending," said Cathy Leonhardt, managing director at Peter J. Solomon Co. "All levels of luxury spending are being affected — even the really affluent customer seems to be tightening up."Robert Burke of Robert Burke Associates, a fashion consultancy based in New York, concurred, "Where you're going to see a big impact is the aspirational customer. The midmarket is definitely the area that's going to be most affected."
A recession is likely to lead to a shakeout of brands, which many retailers would applaud. Stores often lament on how many brands there are and that there is a lot of sameness.
"[Recession] separates the companies that should be there from the companies that shouldn't," said an executive, who requested anonymity. "There will be fallout because there are always too many brands. This is a period that really shakes the ground. Ultimately, it's good for business."
Hader believes it will be more challenging for brands that are new, or new to U.S. Coach Inc., a bellwether for the sector, contends it will thrive in this trying economic period because of its "diversified" business model.
"Accessories have a leading role in updating a woman's wardrobe," Coach chief executive officer Lew Frankfort said last week. "Even when she reduces her apparel spending, she has at the same time increased her accessories spending. But Coach is also channeling more energy into creating a broader range of smaller-size bags at "compelling entry price points."
Frankfort was one of the first industry executives to admit on record that the U.S. economy is already in a recession. He said it started last month and it probably won't be until the second half that things start to turn around, economic stimulus package regardless.
For the three months ended Dec. 29, Coach's net income climbed to $252.3 million from $227.5 million.
Marchon ceo Al Berg also is braced for tougher times ahead.
"The nature of the capitalist is that any perceived void will be expanded until it is overexpanded," he said. "It means that we just have to stand harder to stand out through product and pricing. Are we overbranded? Yes. Will that stop people from getting into the business? No. Better companies should be able to weather it."
In addition to producing eyewear for brands such as Michael Kors, Coach and Fendi, Marchon is bullish about acquiring new designer licenses. This year the brand will introduce Karl Lagerfeld and Pucci eyewear.Tiffany & Co. chairman and ceo Michael J. Kowalski acknowledged sales flattened a bit in the $1,000 to $10,000 price range, but sees the situation as an opportunity for the 171-year-old brand.
"Traditionally, when customers face different choices in terms of consumption, they come back to familiar places and spaces," he said. "The demand may be repressed, but there is opportunity. Tiffany is about longevity."
David Yurman ceo Paul Blum said, "In a recessionary period, all segments are more challenged. That being said, there are opportunities for growth in all of those segments if you create exciting products. There's always something to compel consumers to buy, something that's going to make them feel better. It just becomes more critical and competitive to give the consumers what they want."
There is an upside, though: Burke said while the market will be tough, there still should be plenty of design innovations coming out of this period. "It's going to make designers better in general," he predicted.
"Having a really well-balanced distribution around the world is crucial," said Cartier North America president and ceo Frédéric de Narp. The company is no longer focusing on Japan and has moved its concentration to China. "You may have one continent doing well and one suffering. Asia is booming, compensating for a slowdown in Europe and America."
High jewelry, which is priced up to the millions of dollars, has been one of Cartier's profitable categories, but the brand is still keen on offering a broad product range — from $500 to over $5 million — in its 270 worldwide stores.
"We are accessible and we're extremely high-end, that will not change," added de Narp.
Cartier parent Compagnie Financière Richemont, which also owns Montblanc, Dunhill, IWC, Chloé and Van Cleef & Arpels, reported an 8 percent increase in third-quarter sales to 1.67 billion euros, or $2.42 billion. But its stock hit a 52-week low last week on a poor outlook for the U.S. and Japan.
Also, concerns over the economy does not mean brands are retreating from the accessories category. For example, Oscar de la Renta is increasing its handbag offering in its own stores this year. Company ceo Alex Bolen said, "Knock on wood, we've seen no softening. We have high expectations....We think [handbags] will be very strong this year."The crux of the problem, however, is the mood of the country.
"Although people may want to splurge here and there, they're going to splurge on experiential luxuries instead of more things," said consultant Hader. "Money that used to go into Coach handbags are going instead into little aspirational getaways with family and friends. When money gets tight, guilt becomes a factor again — one way to disarm the guilt is to share the indulgence with others."
@tradesy is turning the concept of a showroom upside down with its new space in Santa Monica. Here, the company plans to hold events, art exhibits and a showcase rare fashion pieces like this Louis Vuitton boxing set. Get all the details on Tradesy’s first showroom on WWD.com. #wwdnews
Spotted last night at the @erdem x @hm launch event: Kate Bosworth, Rashida Jones, Kirsten Dunst and Selma Blair. The party, which took place in LA, also marked the opening of their pop-up shop. “I was interested in creating a collection that wasn’t in any way disposable. It was about pieces you’d create and keep forever, things that have a permanence to it,” designer Erdem Moralioglu said. #wwdeye (📷: Katie Jones)
Renee Zellweger in yellow in 2001 and again in 2017. Chosen as one of the 12 @pantone Leading Spring Colors (and dubbed “Meadowlark”), it only makes sense that the bright hue stands the test of time and is making a resurgence this season, seen already on stars like @blakelively and @gigihadid. (📷: Donato Sardello & @rexfeatures) #wwdfashion #tbt
Dior’s 70th anniversary celebration continues with a new exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. “Christian Dior,” which is scheduled to run through March 18, takes a look at the founders tenure from 1947 to 1057 and feature 40 designs. Pictured here is an evening gown from the Ailée, fall 1948-49 haute couture collection. #wwdfashion (📷: Brian Boyle)
As one of the most recognizable models in the world, Christy Turlington Burns has an insider’s view of the fashion industry and the allegations of sexual harassment swirling around it. “I can say that harassment and mistreatment have always been widely known and tolerated in the industry. The industry is surrounded by predators who thrive on the constant rejection and loneliness so many of us have experiences at some point in our careers,” Turlington told WWD, along with her suggestions for how the modeling world should protect younger women and men. Read more on WWD.com. Link in bio. (📷: Tony Palmieri) #wwdnews
@asics America has tapped a new brand ambassador: famed DJ/record producer @steveaoki. This initiative is intended to set the tone for the new brand identity and philosophy and will include partnerships with influencers and in-store and off-line activations that will continue into next year. This is Asics’ most significant marketing effort in two decades, and is expected to attract younger consumers to the brand. #wwdfashion
24-year-old Jean Prounis is redefining the rules of jewelry. Formerly a studio assistant to Jemima Kirke and a design apprentice at Ghuran, she focuses on handcrafted subtleties and ancient goldsmithing techniques. “There was a really sterile feel in the environment and I wanted to have jewelry with character that shapes how you wear it everyday,” Prounis said. Each piece is hand made in New York, either by Prounis or three other jewelers in the district. #wwdfashion
“These collections continue to build on that vision, empowering differently abled adults to express themselves through fashion,” said @tommyhilfiger of his line of adaptive apparel, which launches today. The line consists of 37 men’s and 34 women’s styles based upon the pieces from the spring Tommy Hilfiger sportswear collection. #wwdnews


text:
When fine watch making meets the digital age. Montblanc officially announced their first ever Smartwatch, the Montblanc Summit, in London and invited selected guests and press to an exclusive launch event, but they knew that fans of their brand should get a glimpse too. So they asked us to stream the announcement live to Facebook and long story short, we did.
Go check out the Montblanc Summit Smartwatch: http://www.montblanc.com/en-gb/discover/specials/summit.html
Red carpet impressions: https://www.facebook.com/montblanc/posts/10154538709012861
Like what you're seeing?