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DP World offers UK shippers £100 per box as modal shift incentive
DP World has raised the incentive for UK importers using its Southampton terminal to switch ...
Rail-air freight is becoming an increasingly feasible option for shippers looking for more sustainable long-haul routes.
Problems on the rail link between China and Europe have mostly been solved, speakers from DHL Global Forwarding and DB Schenker told delegates at the World Cargo Symposium in Shanghai this morning.
“Rail is becoming an important solution in the industry,” acknowledged Nover Jin, DHL GF’s product head, air freight for east China. “It will replace some sea freight and take over some air freight. It is flexible, can meet business peaks and has on-demand performance.”
There had been concerns over security, different rail gauges in different countries and the weather on the rail link between Chongqing and Duisberg. But for the most part, these had been solved, said Mr Jin.
Both DHL GF and DB Schenker are using temperature-controlled containers or insulated containers for goods unable to contend with the severe cold in winter. Eight different rail companies across the network were working better together and DPS tracking had improved security.
“As soon as a container door is opened a signal is generated,” explained Lothar Moehle, director air security standardisation for DB Schenker.
“We have to allow for an option for Customs to open a container, but if a shipper requires it, a signal can be generated that alerts a security company connected with the police.”
He did acknowledge that both the reefer options and security cost shippers more, but the rail-air link to the Americas from China could speed up journey times significantly: from 50-55 days by sea, westbound, to 23-25 days by rail and air.
“We use rail as a base to add on air,” said Mr Moehle.”Customers got caught out a few years ago. Air freight become too expensive while ships started slow-steaming, and that opened a gap for a solution.”
Noting that at first it had seemed counter-intuitive to go eastbound for what had been a transpacific service, Mr Moehle explained that containers leave China and arrive in Duisberg, where they are taken by truck to an air hub, such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Luxembourg. The container is then unpacked and transferred into several air shipments, and flown to the destination in the Americas.
DB Schenker had started the route for a European electronics customer wanting a faster service from China to Sao Paulo. “It wanted to reduce transit times and this service had an economic advantage.”
The freight cost, capital cost and time can make rail-air an efficient option.
Rail worked for most commodities, said Mr Moehle, including hi-tech, automotive, manufacturing, consumer goods and telecoms. He added that it also had an environmental benefit over air freight.
Forwarders consolidate where possible along the route, but Deutsche Bahn does offer an LCL service.
“This is a sustainable business, provided the political situation [across the countries] allows it. It’s early days, but it could be a regular alternative,” argued Mr Moehle.
The service could be facilitated by China’s forthcoming acceptance of the TIR trucking licence scheme. In January it started the process of joining the TIR, which can be applied to any journey that includes trucking, even if it is only the first or last mile.
“In theory, TIR means a container on rail wouldn’t need to be opened, but you can’t stop a Customs official with suspicions,” said Marek Retelski, TIR and head trade facilitation at the International Road Union.
“But when China joins TIR we will be able to use trucks in a faster and cheaper way.”
Other countries signing up to the scheme include Afghanistan, the UAE, and Pakistan, while there is also interest from Argentina, Brazil, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and several countries in Africa.


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Babies are normally vaccinated against measles at 12 months old. But doctors are now suggesting having the shot as early as six months might be worthwhile for youngsters traveling overseas.
New PwC survey dispels myths about women and work...
5 Mar 2015
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: South Korea's Samsung and LG have both launched smartwatches powered by Google's new Android Wear software as they jostle to lead an increasingly competitive market for wearable devices seen as the mobile industry's next growth booster.
27 Jun 2014
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: South Korean police said they had arrested a man for allegedly allowing his infant son to starve to death while spending days playing online games at Internet cafes.
15 Apr 2014
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: The South Korean government plans to exploit the country's obsession with plastic surgery by extending taxes to popular procedures like lip jobs to help fund spiralling social welfare costs.
12 Aug 2013
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Kim Nam-Hee pulls no punches as she warns a classroom of wide-eyed South Korean 10-year-olds that they stand on the edge of an addiction that will turn them all into "mindless slaves".
28 Jun 2013
SA's biggest drug manufacturer Aspen Pharmacare expects its Asia-Pacific business to generate the biggest share of the company's revenue by the end of the year‚ its chief executive Stephen Saad said at the release of its interim results for the six months to December.
Tamar Kahn 8 Mar 2013
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: South Korea has drafted a new law aimed at restricting alcohol advertising amid mounting concerns over binge drinking and alcohol-related crimes, a government official said on Thursday.
6 Sep 2012
SINGAPORE: The contact lens industry continues to perform well in 2010, registering a healthy 12% growth across the five combined markets monitored by GfK Asia - Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan. According to GfK's full year retail audit findings, all these markets expanded in value within the range of 9 to 12%.
29 Mar 2011

domain: news


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The content studio's management also laid out its international expansion plans in greater detail, undermining rumors that the Starz network might be up for sale.
News & Analysis: Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation Class B
Find out what made these stocks miss out on the market's bounce.
An attractive entertainment is apparently still on the block, plus two retailers report quarterly earnings.
The cable and streaming unit is sparking interest from potential suitors.
Despite pressure on the overall market, merger and acquisition activity and favorable analyst views lifted these stocks.
Rumor has it that a major media company might want to buy the Starz property for a cool $5 billion -- and that Lions Gate turned the offer down in search of more money.
Soggy quarterly results and a disappointing movie opening caused investors to give Lions Gate the cold shoulder.
Lionsgate's recent stumble at the box office shines a brighter light on Disney's impressive consistency.
The mini-major content studio's holiday quarter couldn't measure up to a muscular year-ago period, but the company is pushing several potential blockbusters for the upcoming summer season.
The studio has been working hard to expand availability of its streaming channel, and it's beginning to pay off.


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Fingerprint readers have always felt pretty futuristic and are often the most exciting part of business laptops. So Apple adding biometric technology to the iPhone 6 could make it the innovative mobile wallet that the world’s been waiting for.
We’ve already reported on Apple buying AuthenTec, a fingerprint security company, and now a fingerprint reading phone patent has appeared online. This patent shows a biometric scanner built into the screen of the phone that recognises you as you swipe to unlock, seamlessly.
While biometrics in mobiles could be great, as NFC toting handsets replace wallets, the tech is still not advanced enough to rely on. But if anyone can fix that it’s Apple. Fingers crossed, and hopefully, scanned.
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Back to work doesn’t mean back to spending as before
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The end of July marks a grim transition for tens of millions of Americans hurt financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal moratorium on evictions ended July 24, and the extra $600 a week in expanded unemployment benefits expires July 31.
We’ve been checking in with two workers, April Oliver and Maria Barillas, since the pandemic was declared in March about how their economic lives have changed month to month. Here’s the latest.
Oliver is an environmental scientist who recently started a new job after graduating in December. She began working in April — her start date was delayed due to the pandemic. She feels safe and comfortable at the lab, because everyone can easily keep their distance and they’ve “been wearing masks from the beginning.”
But, despite the new job, Oliver said she and her partner are struggling to save money because “he has quite a lot of student debt.” They recently moved into a more affordable apartment.
Barillas has been in the restaurant industry for the past four years. In mid-March she was laid of from her job due to the coronavirus outbreak. After the layoff, Barillas began collecting unemployment insurance, along with the extra $600 that was added because of this crisis. Recently, she began a job at a new restaurant with outdoor dining and take out.
Unlike Oliver, Barillas doesn’t have a comfortable level of social distancing at her job. “The first week was probably the worst week,” she explained, because she had to adjust to “being around so many people.” Because she relies on tips, she said it’s hard to ask someone to put a mask on or enforce other health protocols.
The amount of Barillas’ restaurant paycheck is less predictable than her unemployment check, and because she’s working part time, it’s less money. Consequently, she watches her spending more, asking herself, “Should I spend $50 on that thing?” And thinking, “Maybe I’ll table that and see how my paycheck looks the next two weeks.”
COVID-19 Economy FAQs
What’s going on with extra COVID-19 unemployment benefits?
The latest: President Donald Trump signed an executive action directing $400 extra a week in unemployment benefits. But will that aid actually reach people? It’s still unclear. Trump directed federal agencies to send $300 dollars in weekly aid, taken from the federal disaster relief fund, and called on states to provide an additional $100. But states’ budgets are stretched thin as it is.
What’s the latest on evictions?
For millions of Americans, things are looking grim. Unemployment is high, and pandemic eviction moratoriums have expired in states across the country. And as many people already know, eviction is something that can haunt a person’s life for years. For instance, getting evicted can make it hard to rent again. And that can lead to spiraling poverty.
Which retailers are requiring that people wear masks when shopping? And how are they enforcing those rules?
Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, CVS, Home Depot, Costco — they all have policies that say shoppers are required to wear a mask. When an employee confronts a customer who refuses, the interaction can spin out of control, so many of these retailers are telling their workers to not enforce these mandates. But, just having them will actually get more people to wear masks.
You can find answers to more questions on unemployment benefits and COVID-19 here.
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Your investment in Marketplace helps us remain paywall-free and ensures everyone has access to trustworthy, unbiased news and information, regardless of their ability to pay.
Donate today — in any amount — to become a Marketplace Investor. Now more than ever, your commitment makes a difference.


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This fall, one of the hottest thing of interest to Millennials in outdoor gear wasn’t a new drone or motorized skateboard. It was the Airstream Basecamp, a $35,000 teardrop of aluminum that can be towed behind a Subaru.
The aerodynamic, riveted pod comes with one massive panoramic window, solar power, Italian cabinetry, and a Bose Bluetooth speaker system. It’s an RV made for Instagram. “It’s really kind of an online phenomenon,” said Bob Martin, chief executive of Airstream parent Thor Industries.
The Basecamp and a crowd of models like it have pushed an already brisk RV business to historic highs.
RV-makers pushed their advantage with a flurry of new rigs, generally smaller and lighter than the monster coaches they used to build. The idea was to draw new customers rather than coasting on Baby Boomers. “There’s kind of been a shift and we’re noticing younger buyers,” said Martin. “We’re starting to get the front-end of millennials and we’re strong now with Gen Xers. These people don’t want a huge unit.”


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Remember when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II came out, and we were all excited but also super bummed about that being the end of Harry Potter? Dark times. Six years later, we’ve managed to avoid the worst timeline. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was great and just the first of five movies, Harry Potter has made it to the stage with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and Universal Studios has given us the gift that is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Next year, it’s going to get even better!
We would’ve been satisfied with the makers of Pokémon Go coming out with their AR Harry Potter game, but now news is getting out that another developer is preparing a whole other kind of Harry Potter experience! While Niantic’s Harry Potter: Wizards Unite will make us wizards roaming the local streets, this new one promises to put us where we all feel like we belong — Hogwarts!


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09:34 | 15/11/2016 Trade
The second Cao Phong orange festival and the Northwest Agriculture, Tourism and Trade fair kicked off at Cao Phong district Cultural House, Hoa Binh province, on November 13.
Delegates cutting the ribbon to open festival
Addressing the opening ceremony, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong highly appreciated Hoa Binh province’s efforts in building new rural areas and restructuring agriculture. He also asked the local authorities to continue implementing the building of new rural areas and restructuring agriculture programme.
The second Cao Phong orange festival and the Northwest Agriculture, Tourism and Trade fair feature the participation of 200 organisations and businesses, along with 350 booths. Among them, there are 80 booths displaying oranges and agricultural products, 80 introducing tourism products, in addition to over 100 booths displaying trade products and 40 booths showcasing the traditional cuisine of Hoa Binh province and neighbouring provinces in the northwest region.
The events will run until November 20.
In 2014, Hoa Binh’s Cao Phong district received Geographical Indication for its oranges. In 2016, the intellectual property institute in Vietnam recognised the fruit as one of the ten most popular Vietnamese trademarks.
Cao Phong district is home to more than 2,000 hectares of citrus fruits, accounting for nearly one third of the entire citrus plantation in Hoa Binh.
The Cao Phong orange festival is held to honor and promote local products, creating opportunities for organizations and inpiduals to promote trade, while at the same time, raising awareness and creating positive changes at all levels of industry and civil society in the protection and sustainable development of Cao Phong oranges./.


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Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. has agreed to divest major portions of its chemical industrial products business unit to fellow Japanese companies Nitta Corp. and Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd. for undisclosed sums.
Among the businesses being divested are components for railway cars, industrial rubber products, hoses, waterproof materials, rigid polyurethane products, etc.
Toyo stressed that the seismic isolation rubber business — which was involved in a series of fraudulent business transactions over the past several years that resulted in tens of millions of dollars in losses for Toyo — is not part of the sale.
Neither Toyo nor Nitta disclosed financial details of the deals, which involve the creation of a new stock companies involving Toyo Chemical & Industrial Products Co. Ltd. and Soflan Wiz Co. Ltd., Toyo subsidiaries.
The Nitta deal involves six factories — three in Japan, two in China and one in Thailand.
Toyo did not disclose the scale of sales the businesses being divested represent.
Toyo said the divestitures are related to a business review process started earlier this year. Toyo said it evaluated and reassessed each business from various perspectives, including market growth potential and business continuity, and determined the best course of action to enhance the value of each business.
That led to Toyo’s concluding it would be best for the businesses now targeted for divestment to “pursue future opportunities under the ownership of a well-established company that possesses profound knowledge of a similar business segment, and has the necessary infrastructure to promote the business.”
By Bruce Davis
Source: Tire Business
France has launched an offshore green hydrogen production platform at the country’s Port of Saint-Nazaire this week, along with its first offshore wind farm. The hydrogen plant, which its operators say is the world’s first facility of its type, coincides with the launch of another “first of its kind” facility in Sweden dedicated to storing hydrogen in an underground lined rock cavern (LRC).
The project sets up the Hydrogen Valley in Rome, the first industrial-scale technological hub for the development of the national supply chain for the production, transport, storage and use of hydrogen for the decarbonization of industrial processes and for sustainable mobility.
At first glance, hydrogen seems to be the perfect solution to our energy needs. It doesn’t produce any carbon dioxide when used. It can store energy for long periods of time. It doesn’t leave behind hazardous waste materials, like nuclear does. And it doesn’t require large swathes of land to be flooded, like hydroelectricity. Seems too good to be true. So…what’s the catch?


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PayPal Layoffs 2023: What to Know About the Latest PYPL Job Cuts
It looks like the “Big Tech Layoff Club” just keeps getting bigger. Reportedly, PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) just disclosed plans to lay off 2,000 workers. This could help PayPal improve its top and bottom lines over time. Still, today’s PYPL stock traders don’t seem to be very enthusiastic.
PayPal’s headcount reduction will equate to roughly 7% of the company’s workforce. The timing of this announcement is interesting, as PayPal is set to report its fourth-quarter 2022 earnings very soon, on Feb. 9.
It’s not difficult to see why the company would reduce its headcount. Businesses have been spending less lately, due to high inflation and recession fears. Consequently, management feels the need to cut back on expenditures.
CEO Dan Schulman says that PayPal has “made substantial progress in right-sizing our cost structure.” Yet, Schulman also acknowledges that the company has “more work to do.”
Could this mean that more layoffs are coming? That’s a possibility employees and PYPL stock investors may want to bear in mind. In any case, let’s check in and see how PayPal shares are moving today.
What’s Happening With PYPL Stock?
As of this writing, PYPL stock hasn’t moved much. Earlier this morning, it was trading flat to slightly up for the day. Now, shares are down by just 1%. It’s possible that financial traders aren’t very impressed with PayPal’s cost-reduction efforts and want to see more action on that front. Or, maybe they’re just busy focusing on today’s big Federal Reserve interest rate hike announcement.
That said, analyst Brett Horn is definitely paying attention to the company’s future prospects amid a challenging economic landscape. Horn feels that PayPal has more room to cut its costs. At the same time, the analyst believes PayPal has the potential to “meaningfully improve margins over time.”
So, PYPL stock could still rally on the layoff news. For the time being, though, investors aren’t buying with both hands.
On the date of publication, David Moadel did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.
David Moadel has provided compelling content – and crossed the occasional line – on behalf of Motley Fool, Crush the Street, Market Realist, TalkMarkets, TipRanks, Benzinga, and (of course) InvestorPlace.com. He also serves as the chief analyst and market researcher for Portfolio Wealth Global and hosts the popular financial YouTube channel Looking at the Markets.
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With bloated prices at the pumps, it should come as little surprise that Americans say fuel economy is the number one factor when considering the purchase of a new car.
Read This Article
The 2014 Volkswagen Passat is ditching its 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine for a smaller turbo four-cylinder unit. The payoff is dramatic.
Describing electric cars as the U.S.
What would we like under our trees in the car world? Here are our picks.


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SRC Agrees To Settle False Marketing Claims
The Sports Research Corporation agreed to settle a class action lawsuit claiming that the company falsely advertised its products.
The Class Action Lawsuit was filed by lead plaintiffs Daniel Rossi and Mark Hinkle in a California federal court in January 2020.
The lead plaintiffs alleged that the Sports Research Corporation (SRC) untruthfully advertised its products Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex and Premium MCT Oil.
According to the class action lawsuit, the products in question were marketed as containing additional health benefits that they cannot provide, including having antioxidants, healthy fats, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
It adds that the company has intentionally misled their customers into buying the products by adding benefits that they do not contain so they will be able to sell the products at a higher price to health-conscious customers.
The class action lawsuit also states that the company’s deceitful action infringes various laws such as California’s False Advertising Law (FAL), California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), and California’s Unfair Competition Law (UCL)
The Sports Research Corporation did not acknowledge any charges and allegations against them.
The company believes that they did not commit any wrongdoing or breach any law.
Despite this, SRC has agreed to the proposed settlement to resolve the issue.
The settlement estimates that SRC could sell around 700,000 pieces of the MCT Oil and Turmeric product from 2016 to 2019.
According to the settlement terms, any individual residing in the United States who has purchased the covered products, MCT and Turmeric, manufactured by the Sports Research Corporation, is considered a class member.
The covered products should have been bought between the approved class period, which was on January 9, 2016, and January 9, 2020.
The purchase should only be for personal use. The settlement does not cover resale and distribution purchases.
Class members would need to submit a valid claim form to receive the compensation.
They would only need to submit one claim form regardless if they made multiple purchases of the covered products.
Affected class members were notified via email, mail, internet campaign, and through the settlement website.
The notification included details on how to submit the claim form.
Eligible class members who were able to submit valid claim form before the deadline may receive the following compensation:
- A $7 voucher that can be used to buy products sold or produced by SRC. The voucher is transferable and valid for one year.
- A $3 cash compensation
The deadline for class members to submit a claim form was 120 days after the proposed settlement has been approved.
It has already passed, which was on February 23, 2021.
The deadline for objecting and opting out has already passed and was scheduled for February 23, 2021.
The agreed settlement was scheduled for a final hearing on March 26, 2021.
Editor’s Note on Sports Research Corporation Settlement:
This article is published to inform you of the latest settlement the Sports Research Corporation has acknowledged to pay to resolve false advertising claims on their products.
What are your thoughts on this piece? Have you purchased the MCT or Turmeric product manufactured by SRC?
Please send us a message by clicking the ‘Contact Us’ button below. We’d love to hear back from you.


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Analyst Insight: Now that the Eastern European economies have exited the recession (as indicated by recent GDP growth trends), these markets are once again drawing increased interest from investors. And as the region's economies are coming back into spotlight, so are the local supply chains. With such sectors as retail, consumer goods, agribusiness, logistics/distribution and manufacturing among those attracting the most investor attention, supply chain excellence is bound to play a critical role in propelling these economies forward.
--Viktoriya Sadlovska, managing director of Prameya Research
The Eastern European market comprises economies different in size, structure and infrastructure development levels. Hence, supply chain capabilities and management techniques differ significantly throughout the region. In most Eastern European countries, much investment is still needed in the supply chain and distribution infrastructure. However, the differences across countries are significant. While nations like Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and others have been making large investments in their infrastructure and moving quickly towards meeting the EU standards in supply chain management, their Eastern neighbors (Russia, Ukraine, et al.) are still lagging behind in both logistics infrastructure and SCM expertise development.
There are multiple logistics and distribution challenges for companies trying to compete in countries like Russia, Ukraine, Belarus or Moldova. These include the lack of reliable supply chain infrastructure (roads, rail, distribution center and warehouse facilities, etc.), the lack of logistics management knowledge and strategic approach to SCM, complex regulatory environments, etc. These challenges are fueling the demand for specialized third-party logistics services in the region. Besides the core SCM expertise, such outsourced providers are also likely to have better insight into how to navigate the peculiarities of the often confusing local regulations.
Today, most local companies in countries like Russia, Ukraine, Belarus or Moldova do not have an integrated view of SCM and tend to view its functions in silos. Manufacturers, distributors and retailers operating in these markets can reap significant competitive benefits by taking an integrated view of SCM and investing into building supply chain excellence internally.
There are sizable opportunities for development not only in regional supply chain infrastructure and knowledge, but also in enabling software and automation technologies throughout the value chain. A growing number of local software firms are offering SCM solutions, and global software players like Oracle, SAP and JDA have already established regional presence. Local branches or suppliers of multinational companies are driving increased awareness of the benefits of SCM software solutions, as these are often mandated by the global parent or partner company.
Over the next decade, supply chain infrastructure, SCM techniques and knowledge, as well as the market for supporting SCM products, software and services in Eastern Europe are poised for strong growth. Companies that have a long-term vision of having a presence in this region should invest in their local supply chain capabilities today.
There is significant room for development in Eastern European supply chain infrastructure -- the entire value chain in countries like Russia, Ukraine, Belarus or Moldova requires modernization. But almost as important as infrastructure development is the development of SCM knowledge and human resources. Companies that want to succeed in this market in the long term need to begin growing their locally relevant capabilities today, including adopting an integrated view of SCM and investing in knowledge development and automation.
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What: Ad-tech company AppNexus has acquired its fifth company within a year: RealMedia Latin America (RMLA).
Why it matters: Major players in the Ad-Tech World are taking positions in the expanding Latin American market, where programmatic is growing rapidly, albeit from a low base. Other companies that recently have expanded into the region include Gravity4 and MediaMath.
Ad tech company AppNexus has acquired its fifth company within a year: RealMedia Latin America (RMLA).The acquisition gives AppNexus a strong foothold in the continent to continue expanding. The transaction,which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the third quarter.
Founded in 2002,São Paulo, Brazil, -based RMLA offers marketing and technology solutions to online advertisers and publishers. Currently, the company has operations in Mexico, Argentina and Chile and brings a strong roster of Spanish-language and Portuguese-language publishers.
In March, AppNexus acquired rival firm Yieldex for US$100m and cross-device technology firm MediaGlu last December. Three months before that, the Company received US$25m in funding from WPP, and acquired the Open AdStream (OAS) ad serving platform from Xaxis audience profiling and targeting division.
The acquisition of RMLA extends our physical footprint to key locations in the region and positions us to create an independent powerhouse in a fast-growing part of the programmatic market.
‘AppNexus already has a strong commercial presence in Latin America. The acquisition of RMLA extends our physical footprint to key locations in the region and positions us to create an independent powerhouse in a fast-growing part of the programmatic market. Latin American buyers and sellers of online advertising need a state-of-the art technology platform if they’re to build strong, independent businesses that can compete locally and globally. AppNexus is thrilled to join forces with RMLA and its outstanding team to bring our offerings to companies across Latin America,’said Michael Rubenstein, President of AppNexus (photo).
AppNexus Programmable Bidder
To be in tune with product development, also announced the launch of AppNexus Programmable Bidder (APB), which enables advertisers and agencies to upload their proprietary algorithms directly to the AppNexus open platform and test and refine their own algorithmic strategies to optimize campaign outcomes, using a new language called Bonsai which the company says is similar to the established language Python. Company CEO and co-founder Brian O’Kelley (pictured below) said of the launch:
‘Our underlying thesis is that open beats closed. We don’t just allow – we invite – the most innovative technology companies to build their tech on top of ours. It means that buyers can fashion campaigns that deliver the right message to the right audience, without turning their data over to a black box,’ said company CEO and co-founder Brian O’Kelley of the launch.
AppNexus has also joined comScore’s online ad quality effort Trust Initiative, which was launched in the US in January and Canada in April.Trust Initiative allows media buyers to use the firm’s ad metrics when planning and buying programmatically, and sellers to gain insight into how their properties are represented in programmatic platforms. Headquartered in New York City with 23 global offices, AppNexus employs a staff of more than 900 employees.


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Place: The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner
Election ’12 heralds advertising shift to Web video
Resonate Networks ran 100+ digital campaigns
Reston-based Resonate Networks Inc. has capped off a busy election season that saw the ad-tech startup run more than 100 advertising campaigns, with a far greater emphasis on digital video than two years ago.
This was the first full-blown presidential campaign cycle for the company, which recently shortened its moniker to just “Resonate.” Resonate was just getting on its feet in 2008 and saw its first real test, in terms of political advertising, in the 2010 midterm elections.
Since then, the company has more than doubled in size to almost 80 employees, won $22 million, led by the Revolution Growth fund, and seen roughly half of its political work migrate to video advertising across Web and mobile platforms, estimates CEO Bryan Gernert.
And if the 2012 election saw any big shift in ad spending, it was to digital video, which comprised less than 10 percent of Resonate’s workload in the prior election cycle, Gernert said.
That trend, he believes, foreshadows 2014.
“It’s still in the early days in that we’re taking [television] assets and repurposing them,” he said. “If I looked at 2014 and beyond, I think we’ll see a lot more videos created specifically for the Web and incorporate a lot more interactivity into the messaging, so people can engage with it more than just click on it.”
Resonate’s business is split between political and brand advertising, although its fundamental methodology is the same for both. The company’s combination of surveys, data analytics and browser cookies enables its clients to pinpoint their ad spending based on a long list of consumer characteristics and values. Resonate also runs the ad campaigns themselves. The company doesn’t disclose its political campaign clients.
Bill Flook covers technology, biotech and venture capital.
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Obvious security devices such as tags or locked cases have become part of the retail experience, but one company aims to bridge the gap between security and customer experience through the use of a tough paperboard packaging solution.
MeadWestvaco Corp. (MWV) will be demonstrating its new Security Carton at International CES (January 6-9). The Security Carton is essentially a customizable carton made from recyclable and responsibly sourced paperboard that provides brands with a printable space on which to display their message.
In a January 5 release MWV claims that the carton cannot be ripped open in-store due to "tear-resistant" technology but that it can be opened at home with scissors. MWV states that the Security Carton is designed to provide a better customer experience by allowing consumers access to the product on the shelf - unlike several current security measures. However this of course does not prevent a person from merely opening it with scissors in the shop.
"This packaging solution [Security Carton] offers both brand owners and retailers another option to securely merchandise their products while eliminating the additional costs associated with security devices," stated Jeff Kellogg, vice president of consumer electronics and security products for MWV.
The Security Carton is part of the Nantralock security package, which won a green award at the National Hardware Show in the US in 2008.
Other packaging exhibitors at CES include Shinly Plastics, Prodlink, iStyle Originals and Beone CNR Co.
International CES, in Las Vegas from January 6-9, is one of the biggest events on the tech agenda. The event is often used by companies as a launch pad for new products and attracts over 126,000 visitors each year. More information can be found at http://www.cesweb.org/


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Shares of electric vehicle maker Arrival lost more than a quarter of their value Nov. 9 – wiping out about $3 billion in market value – after the company’s executives withdrew their long-term forecasts and markedly lowered their outlook for 2022 sales.
Founder and CEO Denis Sverdlov and his team have backed away for now from their plans for a fourth microfactory in 2022 to make their buses, vans and cars and are investing more in their operations, including by bringing in house logistics work and assembling more battery modules. As a result, they are delaying production plans for their large van to 2023 from next year. (The schedules for buses and regular vans haven’t changed from the second and third quarters of 2022, respectively.)
Arrival, which has yet to book revenue from vehicle sales, lost about $30 million in the third quarter, when it spent $94 million on capex projects. Its leaders now say they expect bus and van production next year to be “modest” with sales kicking in during the second half. On a Nov. 8 conference call with analysts and investors, Sverdlov said the Arrival team isn’t focused on quantity – even though executives repeatedly touted their order backlog of about 64,000 units on their call – but instead wants to focus on improving its processes.
“I would not call it a slowdown,” Sverdlod said in response to a question about the slower ramping up of production. “It’s just a more careful approach to the start of production.”
Mike Ableson, Arrival’s Automotive CEO, said the company still expects to be able to crank out 10,000 vehicles once its three microfactories – in Bicester, England and one each in North and South Carolina – are running at full capacity for two shifts. But that assurance and others like it weren’t enough for many investors, who understandably focused on execs' retreat from 2022’s forecasts. Arrival shares (Ticker: ARVL) fell nearly 28% Nov. 9 to $12.88, wiping out a month’s worth of gains. Following the drop, the company’s market capitalization stands at about $8 billion.


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Artificial Intelligence: Ambarella’s New Computer Vision Chip For AI-On-Edge
Ambarella’s new, low-power chip will enable AI processing on the device itself rather than the cloud.
Ambarella, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMBA) has unveiled its new CV28M SoC (System on Camera) chip for intelligent applications required to run “on edge.” These include smart home security, retail monitoring, consumer robotics, occupancy monitoring and in smart cars. (VB)
Ambarella’s CV Flow engine
In 2015, Ambarella decided to leverage its experience in image processing and compression to develop a fast, intelligent, and powerful system capable of running the latest neural networks with minimum effort, high precision, and low power consumption.
In a line, the company wanted to develop a low-power consuming, dedicated AI accelerator for embedded systems at the edge that could give cloud-based systems a run for their money in terms of performance.
What followed was the company’s range of computer vision chips known as CVflow.
Ambarella’s CV28M SoC
- CVflow Computer Vision Engine
- Combines state-of-the-art computer vision technology with image processing
- Single, low-power design.
- Fabricated using advanced 10 nm process technology
- Provides deep neural network (DNN) computer vision processing and 4KP30 video encoding
- Runs a multitude of computer vision applications on the edge
- AVC and HEVC video formats
- Streaming high-resolution video at low bit rates
- Next-generation image signal processor (ISP) to deliver outstanding imaging in low-light conditions
- High dynamic range (HDR) processing extracts maximum image detail in high-contrast scenes
- Advanced security features for on-device physical security
- Comes with a software development kit that offers a complete set of tools
- 64-bit dual-core Arm® Cortex®-A53 CPU up to 1 GHz
CV28M suited for consumer video applications with better privacy than cloud
According to VB, the CV28M consumes only 500 milliwatts of power, enabling wide use of “on edge” applications.
“The significance of this chip for the consumer video market is its ability to process more on the camera,” Blake Kosak, an analyst at market researcher Omdia, said in an email to VentureBeat. “Today, most consumer security cameras send video to the cloud for processing, which is expensive for the camera manufacturer. Chips that allow for more edge-based processing will benefit brands that are looking to avoid charging customers monthly for cloud storage and advanced analytics.”
According to Kosak, rising concerns of privacy, particularly in Europe and North America, also boost the case for on-edge processing because it reduces the need to send video data to a remote cloud server.
Related Story: Intel First To Deploy AI “On Edge” In Space
Image Credit for CV28M Chip: Ambarella
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The British Fashion Council has invited industry professionals to attend its Colleges Council Graduate Preview Day on April 28.
The annual open day will take place from 10.30am – 5pm at the Royal Institute of British Architects building, 66 Portland Place, London, with an awards presentation at 4.30pm.
More than 25 fashion colleges, all of which are members of Colleges Council, will be exhibiting portfolios of 2010 graduates’ work.
The event is open to fashion industry professionals from all disciplines including media, recruitment, retail, design, manufacturing, sales, marketing and PR to preview the work of graduating students who will be entering the job market later this year.
Colleges will be judged for three awards: The Drapers Awards for College Portfolio, Fashion Illustration and the WGSN Digital Presentation Award.
The Drapers College Portfolio Award will be awarded to the college that presents the best overall presentation of its students work, judged by a panel from the fashion industry, chaired by designer Anne Tyrrell. The winner and two runner up colleges will be featured in Drapers and also receive a 12-month subscription to the magazine.
The WGSN Digital Presentation Award will recognise colleges that use innovative digital media to reach new audiences and present their collections. The winning college will receive a WGSN subscription.
Last years winners were Edinburgh College of Art, which won the Fashion Illustration Award; The Royal College of Art, which picked up the Drapers College Portfolio Award; and University of Salford, which won the the WGSN Digital Presentation Award.
For further information, contact the British Fashion Council on 020 7759 1999 or visit www.britishfashioncouncil.com


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Thank you for reading the news about Saudi lender Arab National Bank posts higher quarterly profit of $173m and now with the details
Jeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - RIYADH: Emirati property developer DAMAC Group has announced plans to launch into the metaverse — a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection — and build its own digital cities.
The company plans to invest capital up to $100 million for the project, Zawya reported.
“In an attempt to mold to the progressive trends of business, we are expanding our offerings into the metaverse realm to avail of the many opportunities it presents. We are keen to pioneer the possibilities that the metaverse offers in ways which allow us to be more connected and involved with our customers and their interests,” Hussain Sajwani, founder of DAMAC said.
Meanwhile, a Dubai property brokerage is planning to sell the region's first metaverse mansions, where buyers can own a non-fungible token, known as NFT, with and without the bricks and mortar asset.
The digital mansions will enable buyers to view their properties in augmented reality, Union Square House said in a statement on Monday.
“Our foray into the metaverse stems from our strong belief in a prevalent virtual world that is set to transform many sectors, top of which is real estate,” Gaurav Aidasani, founder and managing director of USH said.
Aidasani added: “We believe digital real estate has already gone mainstream. Lenders are even offering mortgages to support customers in buying virtual properties. All these developments give momentum to digital properties, presenting investors in the metaverse with an opportunity to multiply the value of their virtual assets,” he said.
The company is aiming to launch the first set of NFTs in July and only ultra-luxury properties will be sold, with a focus on micro markets such as The Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, District One, Dubai Hills Estates and others.
While the project will start in Dubai, the company plans to expand to Abu Dhabi and other major cities, according to Thenationalnews.com
These were the details of the news Saudi lender Arab National Bank posts higher quarterly profit of $173m for this day. We hope that we have succeeded by giving you the full details and information. To follow all our news, you can subscribe to the alerts system or to one of our different systems to provide you with all that is new.
It is also worth noting that the original news has been published and is available at Arab News and the editorial team at AlKhaleej Today has confirmed it and it has been modified, and it may have been completely transferred or quoted from it and you can read and follow this news from its main source.


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The Internet Retail Conference & Exhibition, held annually in Chicago each June, is a great way to take the pulse of digital commerce and the tools needed to make it work. And this year was no exception.
IRCE is a real working trade show. Exhibitors largely say it’s one of the more successful events for finding and signing new customers, and a variety of retailers show up with a shopping list of needed solutions. These are largely small and mid-size merchants — the ones who arguably are best positioned to deploy new technology quickly without many of roadblocks that systems developed in-house might throw up.
IRCE brings together these suppliers, small and growing businesses, and the larger, legacy merchants. This year's show provided us with no shortage of takeaways, from the growth of augmented reality and B2B e-commerce to the increased importance of packaging and a little company called Amazon.
Here are 7 key takeaways from IRCE 2017.
1. Retailers need to invest in employees
The overriding theme at IRCE this year was that as much as retailers are investing in technology, the technology needs to help employees do their jobs better. The effort is long overdue. Now that the infrastructure is in place to enable e-commerce, put forward omnichannel solutions, and meet mobile needs, it’s time for retailers to reinvest in the people who drive the great majority of their retail sales.
Walmart discovered this after announcing a major investment in employees in 2015 that included higher wages, new training programs, schedule transparency and new mobile technology to help those on the floor better complete tasks. Within short order, management said the move was paying off by increasing comparable store sales.
This message was mirrored by a myriad of presenters at IRCE, including Joe Milano, SVP and GM of digital retail for Saks Fifth Avenue. He revealed how a mobile-based program allows store associates — or "style advisors" as he calls them — to create a customer profile that follows shoppers from the store to the home and back again. Employees are rewarded regardless of the conversion channel, while these shoppers spend more and are more loyal.
Fabletics, too, is putting digital tools into store employees’ hands to grow sales across channels. President and General Manager Gregg Throgmartin detailed how the brand is “brick mining” stores to fuel digital expansion and product development.
2. Brands are going direct
The recent spate of store closings is putting increased pressure on brands that see distribution points dwindling. Major trends from personalization and social media marketing to marketplace selling are affecting brands today as they look to defend market share and grow even as their retail partners struggle.
Brands are now shopping for — and implementing — the same digital tools as retailers to directly reach customers. Email marketing, customer relationship management, shipping management, product descriptions and reviews are just a few of the programs on brands' shopping lists.
3. Marketplaces are going strong
Marketplace selling tools were everywhere at IRCE with entire conference tracks and special sessions devoted to the topic. Whether brands are just getting started or want to grow sales through this outlet, it’s clear that marketplaces are here to stay and will only get bigger.
It’s less clear, however, whether selling on a marketplace is the right move for every brand. Amazon is the clear leader with the largest marketplace today, but Walmart is building its own marketplace business and has set its sights on being a formidable competitor. But are retailers that bolster their bottom lines in the short term through marketplace sales putting their long-term futures in jeopardy?
It's a big question, and one Retail Dive will be exploring as the trend plays out.
4. Acronyms are in
Everyone’s talking about AI, AR and VR. These are all compelling if unproven technologies that every retailer needs to examine. Amazon’s success with AI and the emergence of Apple and Google as formidable competitors makes it the leading technology to watch.
But AR could be the dark horse here. Imran Ansani, principal manager of global e-commerce for Walmart Labs, told attendees that the ability to overlay digital data on a view of the physical world is game-changing interactive technology for retailers. “We’re moving from an information age to an experience age," said Ansani. “It’s going to be table stakes.”
"We’re moving from an information age to an experience age. It’s going to be table stakes."
Principal Manager, Global E-commerce for Walmart Labs
For VR, however, it’s still much too early, according to Brendan Witcher, principal analyst at Forrester Research. “No one expects it right now,” he said. “It might be relevant sometime around 2020.”
5. B2B e-commerce is on the rise
Business to business e-commerce has lagged its B2C brethren, but that’s now changing. Suppliers are selling to business accounts on digital platforms at a growing rate. While retailers may be more accustomed to reaching shoppers through digital means, they will be increasingly doing so with vendors as well.
6. Packaging matters
Scattered throughout the IRCE exhibition hall were a handful of packaging companies. It’s something of a shock to see these displays — a throwback of sorts to when trade show exhibitors were packaged goods and display companies. But there they were and the message is that packaging matters.
For starters, unboxing is a thing. A quick search of the term on YouTube delivers 62.6 million hits. These are videos of people unpacking or opening online purchases. They range from the simple “look at my haul from Amazon” videos to the more elaborate treasure chest-like opening of monthly subscription boxes from beauty companies.
Beautiful packaging helps internet retailers create a luxurious experience for the shopper and makes receiving orders a pleasure. That's something all retailers could pay more attention to.
7. Amazon is everywhere
There is no commerce business more omnipresent than Amazon.
Whether it’s to compete as a retailer, sell on the Amazon Marketplace or take advantage of a digital solution such as Amazon Web Services or Amazon Pay — Amazon hangs like a cloud over the retail industry. That’s one trend that won’t go away anytime soon.


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The ongoing Japan Mobility Show has so far witnessed the debut of a range of exciting products that are going to be a part of upcoming mobility solutions. Many concept cars from various automakers worldwide have been displayed; these are expected to be among the important automobile launches in the months that follow. Honda, the Japanese manufacturer, has pulled the covers off its brand-new electric scooter concept, dubbed the Honda SC e:. With this, the firm intends to expand its global lineup of battery-powered vehicles. The SC e:, still in the concept stage, is the newest all-electric model on the two-wheeler market. The EV, which debuted beside the production-spec EM:1, is an obvious tease at a bigger, family-friendly version from Honda and shares a battery-swappable feature with the smaller model. The primary distinction is that the SC e: has room for two of these battery packs, as opposed to only one, like the EM:1. Now, let's see what more the SC e: has in store for us.
Honda SC e: Styling Cues
The SC e: concept's general design is reminiscent of standard contemporary scooters. It has a unique look thanks to the full-width LED light bar with an illuminated Honda insignia up front. The model also features pillion-foot pegs that fold flat into the bodywork and a large, wide, single-piece seat with a full-size pillion grab handle. Blue highlights on the floorboard, bub motor, handlebar, front lighting panel, and tail section add to its EV character. The vehicle looks similar to the EM 1e: e-scooter that is currently on the market in Europe, however, the former appears significantly larger. Additionally, two replaceable battery packs that take up most of the storage capacity are positioned behind the seat in the concept.
According to Honda, the SC e: Concept is only a prototype, and there are no immediate plans to put this scooter into production. But since the platform might be used later, it could serve as a sneak peek at an electric scooter modelled after the Activa. Furthermore, although its design is undoubtedly futuristic, the company has made an effort to stay away from the bold visual cues that are typically associated with concept electric vehicles.
Honda SC e: Mechanical Details
Honda has termed the removable battery packs as "Mobile Power Packs" because of their 1.3kWh capacity for each unit. Nevertheless, the firm has not released any information on the motor's specifications, power, or range. A real-world range of about 100-kilometre is anticipated for the SC e: with two packs, though. The scooter may be able to reach a peak speed of about 60 to 70km/h thanks to its anticipated far stronger motor than the EM:1. Front disc and rear drum brakes, a rear mono-shock, and telescopic front forks will all be part of the underbody. The scooter further seems to have been equipped with 12-inch wheels.
Honda SC e: Expected Features
Regarding technological integrations, Bluetooth-based connectivity features are anticipated for the Honda SC e: electric scooter prototype. A rectangular area appears to be designated for a digital instrument cluster; however, as of now, it is not placed on the prototype. The instrument console will be smaller than the screens found on scooters such as the Ola S1 Pro and the Ather 450X.
Honda SC e: Will it Come to India?
The auto major had earlier made it clear that it would enter the Indian market for electric two-wheelers next year and that it plans to sell a scooter with a swappable battery. However, it is unclear if the production version of the Honda SC e: will be available in our home market. Notably, Honda's two-wheelers will also be equipped with the "Mobile Power Pack," which is the same network that has already been implemented for three-wheelers in a few regions in Japan.


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In late November, together with Sustainable Textile Solutions (STS), RESET launched a new service platform called Clean Production Group (CPG). Simply put, CPG offers high quality, standardised energy, water and chemicals performance improvement services to manufacturers in major Asian sourcing markets. Together with STS, we have already delivered solutions to over 500 Asian factories over … Continue reading Introducing RESET’s new service platform– the Clean Production Group
Businesses are facing increasing pressure to account for the environmental impacts associated with their manufacturing process, driven by growing stakeholder expectations– from consumers, business, civil society, and governments– as well as a recognition that regulatory compliance is no guarantee that products have been manufactured responsibly.
At RESET we started 2018 optimistic that Higg FEM 3.0 would conjure up much needed impetus to a sector seeking to reduce the environmental impacts of manufacturing at scale. However as FEM recently beat out the trade war and the IPCC special report to win RESET’s 2018 ‘most likely to induce office profanity’ award, our … Continue reading Small steps in the right direction
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) brought the Higg FEM 3.0 to market this year. I wrote a review of the Higg Index Facilities Environment Module version 3– its technical name– back in November of last year, saying that a quality execution of Higg’s ‘great idea’ was critical to its success. Higg FEM is an industry … Continue reading Revisiting Higg
Welcome to our new website. After 9 years in business we needed not just a new website but also an updated perspective. Our old mission, developed in 2009, was focused on the idea that companies could reduce their footprints commercially. We were trying to address the widespread perception in many Asian
Back in 2012 RESET worked with Hong Kong’s Central Textiles to conduct one of the first factory assessments using the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s Higg Index Facilities Environment Module (FEM). Higg is a tool designed to standardise and benchmark environmental reporting of apparel factories so that we end up


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Cunard has announced new “Grand Escape Voyages,” which begin in October 2021.
New sailings in the series range from two to 40 nights long, offering travelers the chance to enjoy over 40 new cruises that visit 49 destinations in 2021 and 2022.
All three of Cunard’s ships will operate these cruises, with several overnight port calls along the way including Amsterdam, Lisbon, Hong Kong, Madeira, Dubai, and Barbados.
“We are thrilled to announce our new ‘Grand Escape Voyages,’ as we celebrate Cunard’s full return to sailing,” said Jamie Paiko, Vice President of Sales, Cunard North America.
“These new itineraries will not disappoint our dedicated guests who have eagerly been waiting for the opportunity to sail on their favorite ship. They will once again enjoy our distinctive ocean travel experience, hallmarked by new voyage options and our impeccable White Star Service.”
Queen Mary 2
The fleet’s flagship will operate Grand Escape Voyages on both sides of the Atlantic, calling at 15 ports in 14 countries.
Embarking on 29 new itineraries, Queen Mary 2 will complement a series of Transatlantic Crossings with brief sailings in western Europe as well the Caribbean, with departures from New York City, Fort Lauderdale, Hamburg, and Southampton.
The Caribbean cruises will call in St. Maarten, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts, and feature an overnight stay in Bridgetown, Barbados.
READ MORE: Cunard Announces 2022 Themed Cruises
Fresh from a summer of sailing along Britain’s coastline, Queen Elizabeth‘s Grand Escape Voyages season will include visits to 41 ports in 21 countries.
She will begin in western Europe before sailing to the Iberian Coast for a series of cruises exploring Spain and the Atlantic Islands. Overnight port stays will include Lisbon and Madeira, as well as late departures from Malaga.
After those cruises, Queen Elizabeth will undertake voyages between London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai, including a transit of the Suez Canal and calls to Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Queen Victoria will begin her Grand Escape Voyages in April 2022, marking her official return to sailing with three new itineraries that couple two western Europe sailings with a 16-night Baltic exploration cruise.
Sailing roundtrip from Southampton, the ship will visit 11 countries, stopping in Copenhagen, Helsinki, Tallinn, and Gdynia along with overnight calls in Amsterdam, Lisbon, and St. Petersburg.
Cunard Double Upgrade
Travelers who book a Grand Escape Voyage by September 30, 2021 on sailings six to 52 nights will receive the Cunard Double Upgrade from Inside to Balcony, free onboard credit up to $600 per stateroom, included gratuities, and reduced deposits. Grill Suite guests will also enjoy free drinks and free internet access.
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You should probably be more wary of the new app you downloaded because it's fairly likely the company behind it doesn't care about your privacy.
While large companies are more wary of the problems that can be associated with selling data, startups in early phases simply do not consider privacy to be a major factor. This was reflected in a talk earlier this month given by Rob Symes, founder of a predictive analytics company, when he said, "It's not my job to care about privacy."
This is despite Symes receiving a number of angry responses from shocked members of the public – "Is it not a violation of Human Rights [sic]?" Maggie Kaye wrote – after it was revealed that staff at his company, The Outside View, are forced to take part in an experiment that sees them track various elements of their fitness or leave the company.
This idea was reinforced in a committee room in the House of Commons on Tuesday, when the head of a group set up to support the growth of technology companies in the UK said the biggest privacy scares can come from young technology startups as these companies have very little to lose.
While larger companies might be wary of working with more intimate areas of customer data, smaller companies are more willing to take the risk, Antony Walker, deputy CEO of Tech UK said at an event focussed on what technology firms should demand from politicians, organised by Pictfor (The Parliamentary Internet, Communications and Technology Forum).
Aarthi Ramamurthy, founder of camera-rental company Lumoid – and former Microsoft and Netflix employee – based in San Francisco confirmed this on Radio 4's Today programme, when she said: "I don't think any startup cares about regulatory stuff until it gets really big."
This might just explain why some of the biggest privacy concerns come when early-stage startups develop technology that gets into the media limelight, from recycling bins that track your movements to retailers implementing technology to follow people around stores without telling them about it.
Email the author of this post at firstname.lastname@example.org


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New research from Xplor finds that 18% of UK consumers who did not attend a gym or fitness class pre-Covid are set to join a gym after reopening.
- 51% of the population said personal health and fitness became more important during the pandemic.
- Of those without a gym membership or regular attendance, 18% are likely to join a fitness club or gym after restrictions have lifted.
- 55% of gym goers agree it is impossible to replicate the energy of the gym at home.
LONDON, UK, 15 APRIL 2021: With lockdown restrictions easing as gyms and leisure centres reopen across the UK, leading provider of enterprise software, payments and commerce-enabling solutions for the health and fitness industry, Xplor, is thrilled to share its latest findings on consumer health and fitness habits post-Covid.
Over the last twelve months, the appetite for exercise has increased with consumers missing the routine, equipment, fun and social aspects of their gym, fitness studio or leisure centre. Of those without a gym membership or attending regular fitness classes pre-Covid 18% are likely to join a fitness club or gym after restrictions are lifted, which equates to 12%of the UK population aged 18-74.
Over half of the population (51%) said personal health and fitness has become more important to them during the pandemic, with 47% of those finding more time to exercise and 40% saying they now exercise more outdoors than they did pre-Covid. However,over a third of respondents said they were dissatisfied with their fitness regime during lockdown, with the biggest contributing factors being lack of motivation (41%); finding it hard to get into a routine (29%); and missing socializing with others (32%) particularly amongst those aged 55+ (42%).
Camilla Sunner, Chief Commercial Officer UK/Europe,for Xplor, comments: “The UK population’s overwhelming desire to get moving and back to into the gym bodes well for a successful reopening this week. With 46% of British gym goers agreeing it is impossible to replicate the energy of the gym at home, there’s an opportunity to harness this excitement, and give more customers exactly what they want from their fitness membership”.
Prior to the pandemic, gym and fitness class attendees spent an average of three hours on workouts,and 1.5 hours attending fitness classes – but during lockdown they reported a decline in the average time spent on health and fitness activities of up to 36%.
With such a huge disruption in routine for many gym goers, gyms, studios, and leisure centres will need to work hard to re-engage their community and entice their members back to their premises after reopening. Most gym goers turned to home workouts during the lockdown with 2.3 million (22%) purchasing equipment to replicate their gym experience at home – but 1.2 million (11%) of those surveyed,said they will not return to the gym at all.
However, gyms and leisure centres who have quickly adapted to digital fitness tools, using apps to engage with members and hosting online workouts for their community have reaped the benefits, with 32% of consumers having streamed or downloaded fitness videos during lockdown. The data found those who did online workouts were also more likely to engage with gyms in a bid to continue with their fitness goals post-Covid.
Sunner ends,“From social interaction to their favourite instructor, and the range of equipment and classes on offer – the reason people get a buzz from going to the gym vary. Now that we’ve reopened, its time for gyms, studios, and leisure centres to offer more flexible access (in person, online, virtual) and prices to attract those ‘home to gym’ fitness converts and those returning members.”
Advent International portfolio companies Clearent and TSG have merged to form Xplor Technologies, a superior global platform integrating software, payments and commerce-enabling solutions to help businesses succeed.
Xplor offers enterprise software solutions for businesses in five fast-growing ‘everyday life’ industries: Education, Health and Fitness, Boutique Wellness, Field Services and Personal Services – and a global, cloud-based processing platform that allows clients to process payments seamlessly and securely for their services. With operations across North America, Australasia, Europe, and the United Kingdom, Xplor serves over 82,000 businesses that processed over $27 billion in payments, operating across 158 countries in 2020.
Xplor Health &Fitness serves the UK’s largest and most well-known gyms and leisure centres through its Resamania, Legend, Clubware, BrightLime, Debit Finance Collections (DFC) and Harlands Group brands.
For more information visit https://www.xplortechnologies.com/
About the data:
On behalf of Xplor, Decision Architects conducted an online study of 2001 respondents during March 2021. The sample for the study was defined as people who are members or regular attendees of gyms, health clubs, boutique fitness studios, leisure centres or sports clubs. Population estimates are made referencing the 2019 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report produced by Sport Think Tank.


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Price Of Gold Historical Prices The above graph shows the historical data for Gold prices indicated in US dollars and in 1998 USdollars per ton. The graphical chart representation also. How To Make Money With Bitcoin Daily Since the real estate or the housing market appeared to be stable, most didn’t know what was about


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Forget Self-Driving Cars, Get Ready for Self-<i>Banking</i> Cars
USAA is the lead investor in a venture-capital funding round for a developer of mobile applications for automobiles.June 26
After the early exuberance surrounding Apple Watch, banks and vendors are ramping up testing of bank apps on other wearable devices and everyday objects, preparing for a day in which most everything is connected to the Internet.May 5
The Internet of Things, blockchains and smart (not "big") data could help financial institutions fend off disruption in lending, payments and money management, according to the Spanish bank's fintech mavens.June 29
Mobile banking could, in the not-too-distant-future, include motor banking.
As manufacturers increasingly equip automobiles with Internet access, financial institutions are closely studying connected cars to understand what a future saturated with such vehicles could mean for their business.
FIS, the largest fintech vendor in the world, has been researching ways for people to do tasks like check bank balances with their voices, according to company spokesman Brad Fennessy. It's also looking at more complicated scenarios, such as turning the car into a wallet so when someone pulls up to the gas station, the pump is turned on and authorized because the vehicle is identified as belonging to an accountholder.
U.S. Bank posted a YouTube video in June that documented its vision to potentially let consumers use technology to order and send oil when the vehicle is need of a change. Most recently, USAA led the investing round for the company selling the device featured in U.S. Bank' video, Automatic Labs.
The San Francisco startup sells a device that can be plugged into a car to share relevant data such as engine diagnostics or where a car is parked with its smartphone app and other apps. USAA is investing in Automatic to see how the technology could help its members.
While the company originally called United Services Automobile Association is currently focused on the implications of connected cars for its flagship auto insurance business, it also owns a $70 billion-asset bank known for innovative uses of technology. So it's not a stretch to imagine the company incorporating car-related banking features into its mobile app, which serves as members' portal to insurance and banking. Automatic's app gallery includes expense report and car cost management apps, for instance, that could conceivably be linked to bank accounts.
In recent weeks, Fjord, a design and innovation firm, published a report that shined a spotlight on the possibilities of connected cars. These go well beyond obvious uses cases like insurance providers using the sensors to monitor customers' driving to adjust premiums based on how well they drive.
"The car is part of the constellation of different devices probably with the phone at the center," said Andy Goodman, a group director of design strategy at Fjord, which is owned by Accenture. "Think of a car as a remote device for the phone."
Goodman imagines a world where cars can be used to pay for things so the driver doesn't have to fumble with a credit card or cash at a drive-up. He could see a car serving as an ATM card when someone arrives at an institution's cash machine. Goodman also sees banks partnering with car sharing technology companies (not the same thing as ridesharing firms) which facilitate car owners renting their assets to others, to vie for more loan business from auto dealer partnerships. He could even see a day when the car prompts the person with a grocery list based on the driver's usual shopping habits; then the retailer could have those items ready for pick up upon arrival.
USAA sees the investment in the Automatic Labs as a way to test and learn what services could add value into the lives of its military members down the road.
Through its investment in Automatic, USAA is exploring how the tech could help its members in situations like emergencies. Automatic can place an emergency call when it detects a collision, in addition to contacting family members and emergency contacts.
USAA, based in San Antonio, already markets services like roadside assistance from inside its mobile app, but that experience requires members to reach out to USAA. In the connected car experience, the automobile itself could tell the driver's insurance provider and loved ones there's been an accident.
The World Economic Forum published a report Tuesday that discusses the many ways in which the financial services industry is and will continue to be disrupted including insurance. Insurers, which already gather data like the make of the car, will be able to track behavioral information in connected cars so they can predict, say, erosion of tires and then offer drivers discount offers to troubleshoot the looming problem. Insurance providers might be able to continuously refine individual risk profiles in a bid for more accurate underwriting if consumers are willing to share their information.
"Connected devices have the potential to have significant impact on the way in which insurers interact," said R. Jesse McWaters, lead author of the World Economic Forum report.
More broadly, the research also highlighted how firms are increasingly feeling the heat from would-be disruptors and are realizing there's an imperative to collaborate with new entrants.
"There is a recognition on the part of many large financial institutions that doing everything and being a universal bank that provides all aspects of finances isn't really within their capabilities anymore if they want to meet changing and increasing expectations of their customers," said McWaters.
USAA reckons the connected car could help cut down on driving-related fatalities in addition to simplifying peoples' lives by, for instance, reminding them their battery is about to die.
"The first thing we are focused on is how to help members stay safer," said Jon-Michael Kowall, assistant vice president of innovation for USAA Property and Casualty Insurance Group. "Right now, we are doing the iterative testing," he said.


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And it’s not going to get better in 2022, sorry to say.
The specter of rising prices won’t take a vacation. Prices for rental cars have been high for long stretches of the pandemic—we last wrote about the trend in October—but the new year doesn’t seem like it will bring any immediate relief.
The problem lies in the fact there just aren’t as many rental cars available these days, caused in part by a large selloff of rental cars in the early part of 2020 as the pandemic started. That selloff hasn’t been replaced by new vehicles entering the rental fleets. According to Auto Rental News, a trade publication that tracks the industry, the U.S. car rental industry added just over 725,000 new vehicles to their fleets in 2021, a 9 percent drop compared to 2020. But compared to the times before the pandemic, it’s a more major drop, around 58 percent.
The industry added almost 1,739,000 vehicles in 2019. By tracking car rental company sales by month, Auto Rental News was able to see that the pandemic had an impact, of course, but the real damage to availability of rental cars in the U.S. was caused by the semiconductor chip shortage. That’s not a surprise, but the numbers might be. In a normal year, ARN said, rental companies would buy around 800,000 cars in the fourth quarter. In 2021, though, they bought just 94,000 units. ARN is not saying then things might get back to normal, but it is expecting rental fleet sales to “stay depressed through most of 2022.”
“Car rental rates closed at record levels at the end of 2021, and I would expect more of the same for 2022,” Chris Brown, ARN’s executive editor, told Pittsburgh-based WPXI. “The automakers are frankly favoring retail sales over rental fleet sales at this time, so car rental companies are hunting for deals just like consumers are, and they’re paying closer to what consumers pay.”
We noted last year that some customers tried unusual rental strategies to get around in the places they were visiting, like renting U-Haul trucks while vacationing in Hawaii.WPXI reported that frustrated air travelers in Pittsburgh have even tried calling limousine services, trying to get a ride. The Wall Street Journal got numbers from Kayak that showed that the average daily rental rate in December was around $46 a day before the pandemic. In December 2021, it was $81, with many popular winter holiday locations reaching above $100 for the just past holiday season. But those prices aren’t slowing down demand.
“The Americas booking patterns for the fourth quarter and holiday seasons appear robust and are currently outpacing 2019 levels,” Avis CEO Joseph Ferraro said on that company’s third-quarter earnings call in November, the WSJ said.
So, what to do? Other than folding a car to fit into your checked luggage, the only ideas we have are the expected ones: Book as early as possible, but also check regularly as your travel approaches to see if there might be any sort of deals available. Making multiple reservations with different companies (ones that offer free cancellation up to a specific point before the rental) might also be beneficial, since supply is fickle and if one company cancels on you, you have the backup. Ditching the nationwide rental car search engines in favor of directly contacting local rental agencies is another idea from WPXI. Finally, try to think of any discounts—military affiliation, AARP membership—that might apply.


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Pixie Geldof raised more than a few eyebrows on the red carpet at the 2013 British Fashion Awards held at the London Coliseum in England on Monday.
That’s mostly because she opted to carry a green furry toy as a clutch, but also because the Topshop silver spaghetti-strap dress, styled with a deep-mahogany lip colour, wasn’t particularly flattering.
It was my least favourite look of the night.
Funky Fish jewels also accessorized her look.
MORE FROM RED CARPET FASHION AWARDS:
Posted by Catherine Kallon on December 3rd, 2013 In:


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Showrunner Eric Kripke elaborates on how season three sets up Soldier Boy and the reign of superheroes in a sit-down with Vanity Fair.
Delroy Lindo cast as Anansi in Amazon adaptation of Neil Gaiman novel.
Disney’s New Box Office Reporting Transparency May Cause Headaches for Its Rivals.
Amazon Prime and A24 released the trailer for the upcoming documentary ‘Val’, which is a personal insight into the story of actor Val Kilmer .
Neil Gaiman’s supernatural saga continues with a six-episode order, as reported by Deadline Tuesday. Aziraphale and Crowley, the unlikely existence-saving…
Leo the Lion might be finding a new home at Amazon. With the likes of James Bond and Jack Ryan…Amazon strikes back in the streaming wars.
Michael B. Jordan stars as ex elite NAVY SEAL John Kelly, who’s out for revenge when his family is murdered in cold blood by Russian assassins, of course.
Fans of The Boys have been patiently waiting for a Season 3 update on when filming will begin, and now the show’s cast and showrunner has revealed the cameras are officially rolling through some behind the scenes photos.
Amazon releases the official synopsis for its Lord of the Rings series.
Showrunner Eric Kripke just confirmed through Twitter that his acclaimed Amazon Prime series, The Boys, will begin filming early next year.


text: According to Reuters, Apple allegedly finalized the design of its next generation processor for iOS devices, tentatively called Apple A6. Early production trials have already started, with the help of Taiwanese TSMC, ahead of a 2012 launch. While the move is a major blow to Samsung, the sole supplier of A4 and A5 processors thus far, it does not come as a surprise, as Samsung increasingly became a threat to Apple over the last couple of years, with products such as the Galaxy S and the Galaxy Tab. As a result, both companies are currently involved in multiple infringement lawsuits. The Apple A6, based on the ARM Cortex architecture just like its predecessors, could offer dramatic performance levels, thanks to a quad-core architecture. Thanks to this new chip, the third generation iPad and sixth generation iPhone will see their raw processing power double, which should increase their performance, especially in heavy multi-tasking situations. The new processor will also help Apple better compete against the high performance smartphones and tablets expected to be released later this year. Everything’s not lost for Samsung though, as the Korean giant will remain one of Apple’s largest subcontractors, and will supply components such as the NAND Flash memory chips used in iOS devices.


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The Biennial Thinkers50 2017 ranking was announced last night, and we were not at all surprised to see some familiar faces make the top 50.
The Thinkers50 identify, rank, and share the leading management ideas of the moment. Their Gala, held last night in London, saw the announcement of the 2017 rankings – a collection of the most important management thinkers right now.
There were no fewer than 7 BoS Speakers on the list – a huge congratulations to all for achieving such recognition. Here they are, with a link to some wisdom they shared at BoS Conferences past.
Clayton Christensen is a regular atop the Thinkers50, having gained the #1 spot in both 2011 & 2013, and #2 in 2015. He is the Kim B. Clark Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, as well as an author, founder of consulting firm Innosight, and renowned speaker.
Clayton spoke at BoS USA 2011 with a brilliant talk titled “The Job Your Product Does”.
Founder of Strategyzer Alex Osterwalder comes in at #7 this year with Yves Pigneur, his co-author on books such as “Business Model Generation: A handbook For Visionaries, Game Changers, And Challengers”. Alex is perhaps best known for his Business Model Canvas tool, a strategic management template for developing business models.
Alex has spoken 4 times at BoS, including once earlier this year at BoS Europe 2017. Keep an eye out for that talk coming soon! Here is his talk from 2015 – “How To Design Organisational Culture”.
At #10 is USA2017 speaker Rita Gunter McGrath. The Columbia Business School Associate Professor is the best-selling author of “The End of Competitive Advantage”, and presented her new research on Strategic Inflection Points at BoS USA this year with Michael Sikorsky (CEO and Co-Founder of Robots & Pencils).
As well as this year, Rita spoke at BoS USA 2013 on “The End of Competitive Advantage”.
Dan is a brilliant author – you’ve probably heard of his books “Drive”, “To Sell Is Human”, and especially “A Whole New Mind”, which spent 4 years on the NYT Bestseller list. If you haven’t, you should most definitely check them out. His new book, “When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing”, comes out in January.
Dan spoke at BoS USA 2012, presenting ideas from “To Sell Is Human” a year before the book was published. Click below to watch “The Surprising Truth About Moving Others”.
Famous for his game-changing book “The Lean Startup”, Eric Ries is another old friend of Business of Software. After the success of “The Lean Startup”, Eric is now back with a new book, “The Startup Way”, which looks at how Lean Startup principles can be applied to big businesses too.
Eric launched both his books at BoS events in London, and spoke at BoS USA 2010, a year before “The Lean Startup” was published. Watch that talk here:
The “Purple Cow” author is again in the Thinkers50, having appeared there in 2011 and 2015 previously. Seth is a prolific author and you’ve probably heard of a few of them: “The Icarus Deception”, “Permission Marketing”, and “Tribes“ are just a few from his impressive back catalogue.
Seth spoke this year at BoS USA, but has spoken before, back in 2008 and 2010. Here’s his 2010 talk: “Are You Afraid To Truly Make An Impact?”.
Jennifer Aaker makes her second appearance in the Thinkers50 this year, having been at #36 in 2015. Jennifer is a social psychologist and author, as well as being the General Atlantic Professor of Marketing at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Her book, “The Dragonfly Effect“, co-authored with her husband Andy Smith, has been translated into over 10 languages.
Jennifer presented at BoS USA 2009 with a talk titled “Beyond Happiness” – click below to watch it:
Congratulations again to all our speakers who made the list – a truly fantastic achievement. Have a glass of bubbly on us!
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From Georgetown to St Lucia, Tobago, and Barbados, Atlanta, New Jersey and New York, fashion designer and entrepreneur Sonia Noel has been making the rounds with her magazine makin style, and her new line First Resort.
And she’s not done yet. First Resort takes the stage at French Guiana Fashion week this very weekend and Sonia sets her sights on Suriname, Guadeloupe and Trinidad for makin style and First Resort launches after showcasing at the celebration for Guyana’s 47th Independence on Friday June 21, at the Brooklyn Borough Hall in NY.
Seemingly tireless – no one has ever seen Sonia looking less than her best or without her trademark wide smile, she is already planning the second issue of her magazine and organising Guyana Fashion Week 6, which is scheduled for October.
Following her local and Caribbean launches, fortune favoured Sonia as she was able to tap into annual celebrations in the US: Memorial Carnival weekend and the celebration of Guyana’s 47th independence in Atlanta; Guyana’s independence flag raising in East Orange New Jersey and Caribbean Heritage Month celebrations in New York.
According to a press release, the Atlanta launch provided a great networking opportunity for Sonia and she expressed gratitude to Marilyn Brown who serves as the vice president of the Guyana Atlanta Association for her organisational skills.
In East Orange, Sonia was able to meet former mayor Robert L Bowser, Bayney Karran, Guyana ambassador to Washington and Allison Butters Grant Co-founder and Executive Secretary of Guyana -American Heritage Foundation Inc among others.
The release said the New York launch brought out such stalwarts as Sonia’s team leader Lorna Welshman-Neblett; Edmon Braithwaite; Tangerine Clarke; Rose October-Edun; board members of the Guyana Cultural Association of NY, Ave Maria Brewster, Clair Patterson-Monah; Guyana Tri-State Alliance’s Pat Jordan-Langford and Miss Guyana World 2011/12 Arti Cameron.
Hosted at the Vodou Lounge in trendy Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn by Elton Washington, the event also saw Johnson Johnrose of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation which was hosting its series of events celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month; Sandra Velasquez of Valesqiez Productions and her models; Brazilian model Bruna Gomes; FIT Professor Steven Cutting; Bobby Vieira; Bennie Parasram; Lydia Patel host of What’s up New York and Lydia Patel TV; Amelia Moore of All in a Day with Ameliaismore; Floss TV and BronzeMagonliine.com and Patricia Trim of Tots and Teen TV Show.
In Guyana, makin style is available at Sonia Noel Designs Barr St Kitty, Giftland OfficeMax, Germans Restaurant, Milady’s House of Beauty, Water Chris Hotel, Williams Supermarket in Bartica, Community Pharmacy in Grove, Gordon’s Stationary in Berbice, Major’s Sports Complex in the LEAP building in Linden and Global Exchange in Diamond.
In Tobago it can be found at Chocolate Trousers; in St Lucia at Sunshine bookstores countrywide and in Brooklyn NY at Pam’s Bakery.
Part proceeds from the sale of the magazine go to the Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts.


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In the coming weeks, Sony will announce two new products: Sony a7 IV and Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens. According to rumors, Sony a74 will be officially announced on October 21st, while Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens will be announced on October 13th this week. Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens will be a very light lens, about 30% lighter than original version.
Next lens for Sigma will be a super telephoto zoom lens, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS lens for Sony E-mount and L-mount. According to Nokishita, this lens will be a bit expensive than new released Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VXD lens ($1,399).
In next few days, Sony will announce a new APS-C vlogging mirrorless camera ZV-E10, according to latest rumors, Sony ZV-E10 will have a 24MP APS-C sensor, can shoot 4K video at 25p, and FHD video at 100p, the US price will be around $899, you can take a look at below:
Tamron has just posted a teaser about a new lens on April 22nd. According to Nokishita, this lens is Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD lens for Sony E-mount. You can take a look at leaked images and specs below:
Lens configuration: 25 elements in 16 groups
A minimum shooting distance of 0.6m (wide angle) /1.8m (telephoto)
A maximum shooting magnification of 1: 3.1 (wide angle) / 1: 3.7 (telephoto)
After Sony announced a7S III and a7C, there will be no new cameras in this year from Sony. While in 2021, Sony may announce two major full frame mirrorless cameras. One is the long awaited Sony a7 IV, and the other could be a new flagship full frame E-mount mirrorless camera price around $6,000. Below are some rumored basic specs of these two cameras.
According to latest rumors on SAR, Sony will soon announce a new full frame mirrorless camera for vloggers and Youtubers, the name of this camera now already confirmed, it will be named Sony a7C, it will be a very compact camera with a7 III specs and a6600 design.


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Customers will be required to visit alone or with household groups as shops reopen – Jason Alden/Bloomberg
All non-essential retail will reopen in April – but customers will have to shop alone.
The Government has said the reopening of the indoor economy, which employs around 1.2 million people, from April 12 will restore jobs and enable people to access important activities and services.
However, wider social distancing rules will apply in all these settings as they reopen as part of Step 2 of the roadmap out of lockdown. It means customers visiting shops, which are predominantly indoor spaces, will have to do so either alone or with their household groups.
While the news that non-essential retail will reopen was welcomed, the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) voiced disappointment with the designated April 12 date.
Andrew Goodacre, the Bira CEO, said: “Whilst it is good for us to have a date, we are very disappointed that non-essential shops will miss the Easter period, especially as they also missed out on most of the busy festive period.”
He called on Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, to recognise this in next week’s Budget and said independent retailers “are desperate to be open and serving their communities” and said: “In the meantime, we have large general retailers and garden centres free to trade despite only selling a small amount of essential items, with the prospect of being free form competition for the next seven weeks.”
Helen Dickinson OBE, the chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, called on the Government to “remain flexible and allow non-essential retail to reopen as soon as the data suggests it is safe to do so”.
She said: “Non-essential shops are ready to reopen and have been investing hundreds of millions on making themselves Covid-secure.”
Last week, the Tony Blair Institute published its blueprint to get Britain out of lockdown and suggested non-essential shops could start being opened towards the end of March if Covid cases continued to drop at the current rates.
Meanwhile, the impact the pandemic has had on the high street could see the John Lewis Partnership cut a raft of regional department stores. The organisation is said to be considering the closure of up to eight of its remaining 42 stores in the latest sign of the difficulties hitting traditional high street giants.
The Government’s official Covid response document said closing non-essential retail had led to a high take-up of the furlough scheme in the wider wholesale and retail sector.