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(Editor’s note: This story is part of a recurring series of commentaries from professionals connected to the cannabis industry. Tiffany Devitt is chief of regulatory affairs for CannaCraft and vice president of the California Cannabis Industry Association board of directors.
In February, California state Sen. Anna Caballero, a Democrat, introduced Senate Bill 1326, which would establish a framework for permitting the export of marijuana and MJ products into other legal states.
The legislation also would allow for the import of marijuana and MJ products into California, upon mutual agreement.
This is arguably an important milestone on the road to a national marijuana industry – something cannabis entrepreneurs have long sought.
But is now the right time for California to open its borders?
Don’t get me wrong: I’m all for being hospitable and welcoming.
But I’m also of the opinion that one shouldn’t invite others over for dinner when the house is on fire.
And make no mistake: The California cannabis industry is aflame – and not in a good way.
The smoke we’re seeing is not the smoke of thousands of homegrown, terp-rich blunts.
It’s the smoldering remains of a once-vibrant California cannabis industry that has buckled under the pressure of the state’s regulatory missteps and excessive taxation.
The regulated market – meaning those of us playing by the rules – faces crushing competition from an illicit market that’s making billions.
Absent the tax, licensing and regulatory burdens we face, our criminal counterparts are making stunning profits while undercutting our prices by as much as 70%.
Unfettered by rules, regulations and respect for local jurisdictions, they have thousands of sales outlets in every city and county in the state while we have licensed retail outlets in about 20% of municipalities.
California’s legal operators are teetering on the brink of failure, trying to carve out a sustainable business from the tiny sliver of California cannabis consumers that have both access to licensed retail and enough disposable income to cover the tax and regulatory markup.
Not so simple
In this context, it’s unsurprising that some cannabis operators and sympathetic policymakers are looking out of state for a solution.
But the notion that the grass is greener – or at least easier to sell – across state lines is probably misguided at this time.
The hope is that interstate agreements will give California marijuana cultivators an outlet for selling their oversupply of flower and thus allow farmers to shore up the plummeting prices.
But how likely is that?
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The most probable candidate for an interstate marijuana commerce agreement is an adjacent state such as Oregon (which has already laid the groundwork for such agreements).
But as awesome as California cannabis is, Oregon doesn’t need or want our weed.
They already have an oversupply, and, like ours, their regulated market is shrinking.
In other words: Their house is on fire, too.
What’s more, since Oregon cultivators and manufacturers aren’t subject to California’s $161-per-pound cultivation tax or our rigorous environmental compliance requirements, they can and will undercut California providers on price to reduce their stock.
So, rather than expanding the market for California flower and California-made products, we might find that we’ve made things worse by inviting another lower-cost competitor into the market for very little in return.
Hold your fire
So, here’s my message to Sen. Caballero: Thank you for your steadfast leadership.
Thank you for trying to right the ship.
We look forward to working with you to pave the road for interstate commerce.
But, if not done the right way and at the right time, interstate commerce could further destabilize local businesses and employers.
Let’s put out our house fire first, because if we walk into such agreements before the smoke has cleared, we’re likely to step off a cliff.
Tiffany Devitt can be reached at email@example.com.
The previous installment of this series is available here.
To be considered for publication as a guest columnist, please submit your request here by filling out our form.


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Latest Personal digital assistants Stories
Market research indicates explosive growth underway in wearable tech NASSAU, Bahamas, June 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- No longer a novelty, smartwatches are fast becoming a bona fide
The wearable market continues to see growth as technology increasingly becomes more "wearable." Shipments of such devices could reach 19.2 million this year, according to a recent forecast from IDC.
On Tuesday April 1 it might have been mobile carrier T-Mobile that was feeling a bit the Fool, as BlackBerry Limited announced that it would not renew its licensing agreement with the carrier.
LIDKÖPING, Sweden, February 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Handheld Group [http://www.handheldgroup.com ], a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computers and smartphones,
Technology Industry Analyst Jeff Kagan is available to speak with reporters, or may be quoted through this release. (PRWEB) November 25, 2013 Today Blackberry
3G Watches introduces the "smartwatch phone" a device that allows you to make voice calls, browse the web, and download apps without the need to pair with a smartphone.
Select number of supporters to receive everything from accessories to huge discounts on untethered smartwatch. Montreal, QC (PRWEB) November 19, 2013
There are a plethora of devices as well as mobile phone apps that promise to track a wearers’ activity, including daily movements, and provide ongoing health monitoring. However, most of these devices have required the use of a special pulse or heart rate monitor.
MugenBattery.com announces the launch of extended 4400mAh batteries for Blackberry Q10. Denver CO (PRWEB) October 24, 2013 MugenBattery.com (
The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday Microsoft could be looking to develop wearable smart glasses that could compete with the technology developed by rival Google.
Wearable technology, which includes wearable devices, tech togs, and fashionable electronics, consists of articles of clothing and/or accessories that incorporate computer and advanced electronic technologies. Designs often incorporate practical functions and features, but may also have a purely critical or aesthetic agenda. Today, wearable devices are exploding onto the market, with everything from smart glasses (Google Glass) to smart watches (Samsung Galaxy Gear) on the rise. As for...
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- An uxorious, effeminate, or spiritless man.
- A timorous, cowardly fellow.

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Published on: June 17, 2004Notes and commentary from the 2004 CIES World Food Business Summit
ROME – It isn’t many industry conventions at which one can hear speakers quote from treatises written in 1759, much less make reference to the enduring value of great art.
Nevertheless, those were just two of the points made during the opening sessions of the annual CIES World Food Business Summit here, an event attended by more than 900 delegates from 42 countries, and bookended by loud protests and synchronized swimmers. It was an afternoon that highlighted the notion of value and values in their various forms, starting with discussions of supermarkets’ role in society at large.
Mike Moore, the former director general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and a former prime minister of New Zealand, made an impassioned plea for retailers to engage in transparent and ethical behavior, noting that “you have to get ahead of the wave or you’ll be punished.” In the modern world, Moore suggested, the establishment and communication of values can be a value-added proposition for a consumer base particularly attuned to such notions.
It was Moore who talked about how Adam Smith, who wrote “The Wealth of Nations” as a guidebook to capitalism and economic prosperity, also wrote in 1759 a book entitled “The Theory of Moral Sentiment,” in which he attempted to create a case for ethical behavior in a political and cultural context, arguing even then that capitalism and morality are not diametrically opposed.
“It is good that companies have to explain themselves to their shareholders,” he said. “If anything, business should get ahead of the curve.” Such a stance, he noted, is required because the realities of modern communications mean that utter transparency and appropriate behavior are absolutely necessary. “Big Brother is not watching us,” he said. “Rather, consumers are watching Big Brother. This cannot be stopped. It should not be stopped. The question is, how do we manage it?”
Moore also made an excellent point for encouraging the active participation of employees in helping companies think and act in an ethical fashion. “No one ever cleaned a rental car,” he said. It is only when people actually have some ownership of the car – or the business – that they will behave in a way that keeps it in good running order. (This seems to stand in sharp comparison to certain US retailers who seem to believe that their employees are the problem rather than the solution to corporate ills.)
It was ironic that as Moore was speaking to issues of values and ethical behavior, the air was thick with loud, recorded protests from a Greenpeace truck that was sparked just outside the conference center. The protests, broadcast in several languages, seemed to be trying to get the assembled CEOs to address issues of bio-technology and animal rights, and to give consumers a choice. Retailers, of course, usually do offer consumers just such a choice – but they’re not taking sides in the bio-tech issue. (Which is what really annoys Greenpeace, an organization that seems more dedicated to restricting choice than promoting it.)
Perhaps coincidentally, Moore – who said he was a member of Greenpeace – said that business would be foolish to ignore the possibilities that science has to offer. “Science and culture are advancing faster than our political ability to cope,” he said. “But if we don’t embrace science, we revert to the age of witchcraft.”
A promised panel discussion on the subject of sustainable business practices - moderated by the estimable food industry writer Denise Larking-Coste – was marred by the fact that most of the participants seemed armed with position papers rather than prepared to engage in thoughtful conversation. It was hardly a surprise, for example, that Wal-Mart International CEO John Menzer said that his company’s primary goal was to “raise the standard of living and quality of life on a worldwide basis,” and that Wal-Mart is highly focused on “fair and ethical treatment” of both suppliers and associates; Wal-Mart’s position seems to be that whatever allows it to cut prices for consumers is good, and that whatever prevents it from doing so is bad.
It wasn’t hugely surprising that Ahold CEO Anders Moberg said that his main job these days is to make sure that Ahold’s various chains are “individually sustainable,” though folks at Giant of Maryland who are losing their jobs because of consolidation with Stop & Shop might raise an eyebrow or two at that one.
Nevertheless, there were points in the discussion worth making. Larking-Coste referred back to last year’s Summit closing speech by Bob Geldof, in which he outlined the five requirements for the food business to achieve sustainable success:
1. Is your business responsive to consumers?
2. Is your business dominant?
3. Are your brands bullies?
4. Do you as a sector grab too much of taxpayers’ subsidies?
5. Do you as a sector enjoy an unfair share of the world’s water supplies?
And two retailers on the panel – both CEOs of cooperatives – suggested the level to which retailers need to be responsive.
Vincenzo Tassinari, chairman of Coop Italia, told the audience that his organization has made as a priority to collaborate with suppliers on issues of food safety, environmental care, and human rights – and to make adherence to proper ethical behavior a cornerstone of operations and relationships. “This is not done for marketing advantage,” he said, but to create in fundamental ways a foundation upon which the business can survive long-term. (Coop Italia already has a pretty good track record for survival – it is celebrating its 150th birthday this year. But still, forward momentum cannot and should not be slowed.)
And Claude Hauser, chairman of Migros in Switzerland, told how his organization has established a code of conduct for itself and suppliers, and is aggressively communicating the values it associates with organic and private label brands to consumers.
Where did Van Gogh come in?
Well, in the final session of the day, Britain’s Lord Hindlip – known as Charles Henry Allsopp before his elevation – spoke of his near five decades as an auctioneer at Christie’s, a subject that might seem to have little to do with the sales and marketing of groceries.
But Lord Hindlip, while acknowledging that to many of us the price of fine art such as an original Van Gogh or Picasso seems completely beyond reality, noted that in comparative terms over the past fifty years, the price of a haircut, a pair of shoes, real estate in a major city, or a decent restaurant meal in London has gone up far more.
It was an interesting point. Value, when you think about it, is essentially arbitrary. It is decided upon by consumers, who evaluate and deliberate and finally act – or don’t act – upon their reaction to a thing of art or beauty or commerce. And one’s values often can be defined by the things to which we assign value.
That’s a concept worth thinking about. Often retailers make decisions about what they seen as having value, and assume that the consumer will go along and see it their way. That may not always be the best idea.
As Warren Buffett once said, “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” Retailers determine price, but it is consumers who ultimately define value.
And about those synchronized swimmers? They were members of the Italian Olympic team, who entertained the audience during the evening cocktail party, sponsored by Coca-Cola.
Something for everyone here at CIES 2004…and we’ll have more for you tomorrow on the subjects of food politics and obesity, both of which are scheduled to be discussed today.
In addition, four new board members were named by CIES:
- Kenneth Bengtsson, President and CEO, ICA AB, Sweden,
- Steven Esom, Managing Director, Waitrose, United Kingdom
- Bill McEwan, President and CEO, Sobeys Inc., Canada
- Sean Summers, CEO, Pick’n Pay Retailers, South Africa.
- KC's View:


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Crash Detection is a valuable new safety feature that’s arrived with the iPhone 14 lineup and the new Apple Watch Ultra, Series 8, and SE 2. But even though Apple uses all-new hardware, an advanced algorithm, and over a million hours of crash data, false positives are still possible. As it turns out, roller coasters have been causing a number of erroneous automatic 911 calls by tricking Apple’s Crash Detection. Here’s what’s happening and a workaround until there’s an update.
Reported by WSJ’s Joanna Stern and Coaster101, in the last several weeks, Kings Island and Dollywood amusement parks have noticed a trend stemming from customers with an iPhone 14 or a new Apple Watch.
Kings Island has seen Crash Detection triggered falsely by the park’s roller coasters at least six different times.
And Dollywood has seen the issue enough that it is putting out signs asking people to not bring the devices on rides or power them down.
Interestingly, some unofficial tests of Apple’s Crash Detection have trouble triggering the safety feature. But it turns out roller coasters have the critical attributes to trick the algorithm which takes into account G-force measurements, pressure changes, GPS/speed changes, and loud noises.
You can listen to the automatic 911 call one of the roller coasters induced in Joanna’s tweet:
An Apple spokesperson told Joanna that Crash Detection is “‘extremely accurate in detecting severe crashes’ and that the company optimized it for getting users help while minimizing false positives.”
In responding to questions about roller coasters tricking the feature, the spokesperson said “the technology provides peace of mind, and Apple will continue to improve it over time.”
Roller coaster iPhone 14 Crash Detection fix
Dollywood’s sign asking customers to not bring devices on rides isn’t likely to be followed and even powering off devices can be a hassle. So…
- Turning on Airplane mode is the best way to prevent false Crash Detection positives on coasters
- Especially if you’re going to be on and off rides all day, a quick tap on Airplane mode for your iPhone 14 and new Apple Watch is the most convenient choice.
It sounds like roller coasters triggering Crash Detection isn’t a surprise to Apple but it did the best it could given all the factors.
However, with Google having its crash detection feature available for several years, there don’t appear to be many instances of it being triggered by roller coasters.
I wonder if this could be solved with a geofence update – which could Apple know if a user is at an amusement park and ignore roller coaster measurements. But maybe there are some privacy issues at play that Apple isn’t willing to compromise on that Google is?
We’ll be on the lookout for anything in iPhone and Apple Watch updates that could bring an official fix for this issue.
Top image via David Traña on Unsplash
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Bahamas, April 20, 2017 – Nassau – The long awaited debut of the Baha Mar Resort is finally here, with the Resort being opened on April 21. The resort is ready to be open, in part. The Grand Hyatt, which is the largest of the three hotels at the resort, will be opened this Friday with 1,800 rooms. The other two hotels, SLS and Rosewood are scheduled to open later this year.
Along with accommodation, the casino, the golf course, seven of eleven swimming pools, a part of the sea and a handful of luxury retailers and restaurants will be open on April 21. The rest of the amenities are scheduled to be introduced over the next year.
Story by: Sheri-kae McLeod


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Egis Division to Develop, Produce Active Ingredients for Partners
French-owned Hungarian pharmaceutical company Egis Gyógyszergyár on Tuesday announced the launch of a new division to develop and produce active ingredients for industry peers as a contracted partner, according to a report by state news wire MTI.
Egis unveiled its new business, dubbed Egis Pharma Services, at the industry trade fair CPHI taking place in Barcelona on October 24-26.
Egis noted that its R&D and production activities are conducted solely in Hungary.
Egis CEO Csaba Poroszlai said the company's vertically integrated structure gave Egis a big advantage.
Egis had revenue of HUF 219 billion in its business year ended September 30.
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A few weeks ago, Sony confirmed its intention to close, in the course of the summer, the PS Store virtual stores of the PS3, PSP and PS Vita. A decision that surprised many players, with consoles that would no longer be able to access their digital store, with the impossibility of downloading games, DLC … However, and against all expectations, Sony has just returned to its decision.
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The PS Store PS3 and PS Vita will not close (but that of the PSP yes)
Sony Interactive Entertainment explains, through its CEO Jim Ryan: “We recently warned players that the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita will be shutting down this summer. However, after careful consideration, we realized that we had made the wrong decision. That’s why I’m delighted to announce today that we’re ultimately not going to close the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita. On the other hand, it will disappear well from the PSP on July 2, 2021, as planned.”
Indeed, following the announcement of the closure of the PS Store, many players have displayed their dissatisfaction with Sony. Indeed, although some players today enjoy the PS5, some still take a real pleasure in enjoying the many games offered by the old PS3, whose PS Store is literally overflowing with hits. Ditto for the PS Vita, with a portable console that has failed to find the path to success, despite obvious qualities.
“I am also delighted that we can leave this part of our history unscathed for gamers, while focusing on new game worlds on PS4, PS5 and the next generation of virtual reality.”Explains Jim Ryan. On this subject, remember that the next major title of the PS5 is a certain The Returnal, to come at the end of the month, without forgetting Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart, expected for its part on June 11.
A disaster backpedal that is somewhat reminiscent of the Xbox division a few months ago. Indeed, Microsoft had decided to significantly increase the price of its Xbox Live Gold subscription. Again, faced with the discontent of the players, the American giant had been forced to reverse its decision … the next day.


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Interswitch is poised to restart investment in African startups again, according to CEO and Founder, Mitchell Elegbe, in his session on Techcrunch’s Disrupt 2020.
The Africa-focused fintech company launched a $10 million venture arm in 2015 but slowed to a stop after acquiring fintech security company, Vanso, in 2016.
The relaunched investing will be selective and will see Interswitch investing only in startups that the company can add value to financially and through its network. Already, a certified team has been put in place to kickstart the venture arm of the business.
“We’ll be very selective in the companies we invest in. They should be companies that Interswitch clearly as an entity can add value to. They should be companies that help accelerate growth by the virtue of what we do and the customers that we have,” he said.
Interswitch launched in 2002 in Lagos and has since expanded to 23 African countries.
Interswitch will continue with alliances but don’t expect an IPO, yet
Alliances have been a major part of the company’s growth. According to Mitchell, “Visa, Discover, and American Express are some of the strategic partners that we have come across. We have gone after them becuase we believe they will assist us in furthering our vision of replicating what we have done in Nigeria in other African markets.”
The partnership with American Express earlier this year brought Interswitch’s merchants into the global American Express network and made its cards more relevant to its users by leveraging Interswitch’s platforms in Nigeria.
A $200 million equity investment by Visa in 2019 brought Interswitch’s valuation to $1 billion, making it a unicorn company.
Elegbe said the company is focused on building products for the African continent and expanding into more countries.
An IPO may happen later and is one of the options the company will consider when private equity investors want an exit out of the business, however, there is no definite answer as to whether it is in the immediate plans of the company.
“We have private equity investors and at some point in the life of the business they want exits.” he said. “When it is time for them to exit there are various options on the table and an IPO is an option.”
The IPO has been delayed by a myriad of reasons. The drop in crude oil pricing and currency volatility in the country prevented the company from listing in 2017. The plans were revived in 2019 when Interswitch enlisted JPMorgan Chase & Co and Standard Bank Group to work on the potential initial public offering.
The IPO which was slated for early 2020, according to a Techcrunch source, has not occurred, perhaps due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In place of an IPO, the company announced the listing of N23 million bond on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in February.
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The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
NEW YORK, United States — Rent the Runway chief executive Jennifer Hyman has spent the last decade trying to convince fashion designers that letting her buy their clothes — so that she could, in turn, rent them to consumers over and over again — was a lead generator, not a brand killer.
She must be saying something right, given that Marni, Proenza Schouler and Derek Lam are just a few of the fancy-fashion labels currently for rent on the site. However, there are still holdouts.
"Our customer's number one brand that they want on Rent the Runway is Gucci," she said in a recent interview with BoF. "Mr. Pinault if you're listening....you already know that I love you and respect you. We will be very excited when we develop a partnership with Gucci several years down the line."
Hyman has a reason to be confident. After being written off by many as a special occasion-only service — a place where brands could effectively offload old product — the launch of Rent the Runway’s $159-a-month unlimited subscription has made some rethink their position.
In just two years, the service now generates more than half of the company’s sales — most recently estimated to be over $100 million in 2016 — with women using it, on average, 120 days in a year. That means Rent the Runway is placing big wholesale orders at the beginning of each season, making it an increasingly important account for brands that can no longer rely on department stores to meet their revenue goals.
Many brands now need Rent the Runway as much as Rent the Runway needs them. And this week, the company is introducing a new revenue-sharing model that could potentially increase their dependence.
Up until now, Rent the Runway has done what every other multi-brand retailer does: It buys product directly from the brand in a single transaction. While it’s not abandoning the wholesale model altogether, a new service, called RTR Platform, will offer more flexibility — and potentially bigger profits — for participating brands.
Instead of simply being paid a one-time fee for an item, brands will get a cut of the revenue generated with each rental. (The percentage breakdown varies from brand to brand and is dependent on a number of factors, including how well the brand already performs on the site, and general consumer demand for the label.)
RTR hopes brands will sell them more — and better — items by raising the potential payout.
Here’s how it works: Rent the Runway and the brand work together to create an “ideal assortment for rental.” That means products that are made from sturdy, dry-cleaning safe materials, and that speak to the customer’s desire for trend-driven, novel products. (They love colour and embellishments.)
The styles are then ingested into the RTR Platform. Rent the Runway takes care of everything that most brands are not currently equipped to do around rentals: fulfillment, reverse logistics, inventory care and customer service.
While the promise of a bigger paycheck is a big incentive for brands to join RTR Platform, it’s also an opportunity gain insights into how the rental consumer behaves, not to mention the durability of a specific item.
“It’s allowing them to turn on a rental revenue stream overnight,” said Maureen Sullivan, chief operating officer at Rent the Runway.
The model decreases Rent the Runway’s inventory risk because they are not investing in the product upfront. (That being said, some brands have been incentivised to onboard with upfront payments meant to help pay for production of inventory.) Most importantly, Rent the Runway needs more inventory for its growing subscriber base, and this model allows the company to scale up quickly.
A Club Monaco look available on RTR Platform | Photo: Courtesy
For the consumer, it means a wider breadth of product across multiple apparel and accessories categories. (RTR Platform products will be indistinguishable from products bought outright.) While many of Rent the Runway's longtime brand partners — including Jason Wu, Rebecca Minkoff and Prabal Gurung — are joining the platform, several larger-scale players — including Levi's, J.Crew and Club Monaco — are also partnering with the service for the first time. That's because Rent the Runway shoppers are increasingly using it for every-day wear. (Denim is the number one category.)
Sure, consumers may still be buying closet staples like black blazers and straight-leg jeans outright, but there’s now a chance they’re renting that piece first. Some customers have even hacked the system, opening multiple accounts so that they can keep more items in rotation. Currently, the “unlimited” service only allows a customer to rent four items at a time, although the company has hinted that an extended subscription is in the works.
Rent the Runway’s competitors have already begun to address growing demand. In March 2018, Gwynnie Bee, which specialises in plus-size rentals, launched CaaStle, a white-label, turn-key service that allows brands to launch rental via their own sales channels. (Ann Taylor, Express and Vince are clients.)
While Rent the Runway and CaaStle are offering a similar service, integrating into the Rent the Runway platform is in some ways less risky from a branding perspective. Consumers are already comfortable renting from Rent the Runway; renting directly from a brand may feel more foreign. It could also be considered a better value. Ann Taylor's monthly subscription fee is $95 to rent three garments at a time. Rent the Runway's monthly subscription, which allows four garments at a time, may be more expensive, but it offers access to hundreds of brands.
That is perhaps part of the reason a company like Levi’s may be so eager to join up. For Levi’s, it’s also about the nature of the product. Denim still has a higher barrier to entry online because of how challenging it is to get just the right fit.
They're realising something is happening, and they want to be on the ground floor of understanding how their product operates in this.
Integrating into Rent the Runway allows customers to experiment with new styles without committing straight away, and also allows Levi’s to give more exposure to its products other than jeans, like tops and jackets. It’s also sticking with more premium styles. A pair of “wedgie” jeans, for instance, costs between $98 and $158 at retail.
Then, there are the long-term justifications: Not only does Levi’s need to better understand how the new consumer generation likes to shop, it also needs to live up to its reputation as a business dedicated to sustainability and waste reduction.
"We know that our customers are interested in alternative ownership," said Brady Stewart, senior vice president of digital for the Americas region at Levi Strauss & Co. "This gets people into our product while still reducing our overall environmental impact."
For brands eager to get one step ahead of ever-changing consumer behaviour, Rent the Runway’s new model is a compelling sell.
“They’re realising something is happening, and they want to be on the ground floor of understanding how their product operates in this, to figure how it’s going to change their strategy long-term,” Sullivan said.
But even if it wins out over competitors, can RTR Platform send Rent the Runway on its way to becoming a $100 billion business? (That’s right: Hyman believes the company can be as big as Uber or Netflix.) It won’t be easy. The online clothing rental market, which surpassed $1 billion globally in 2017, according to a report from Allied Market Research, is still a fraction of the overall market for clothes and footwear, which was valued at $1.7 trillion in sales in 2017 by Euromonitor.
What’s more, Rent the Runway is spending a lot of money to get this service off the ground. By sharing revenue, they’re making less money on each item, hoping that it will allow them to scale instead.
In order to get to the size it wants to be, launching into more categories may be imperative, as will cementing its relationship with an even-wider breadth of both large-scale and high-end brands. Potential categories could include kid’s, men’s or home, although the company would not confirm any plans.
Rent the Runway is also focusing on building out its own physical retail after exiting a partnership with Neiman Marcus, now one of its biggest competitors. After all, Rent the Runway is now fighting for brand exclusives just like any other retailer.
Now whether or not we’ll ever see a Gucci Dionysus bag on site remains to be seen, but it no longer sounds so farfetched.


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NEW YORK -- Ultima II is flinging itself back into the women's fragrance market.
In September, the Revlon division will launch Head Over Heels, its first scent in the nearly five years since UII was introduced in 1990.
The new women's scent is just part of the company's plans to expand its reach without broadening its distribution. "Our goal is to become a multi-categorical business within the [2,000] doors that already carry us," said Geoffrey Donaldson, president of Revlon's department store group. "We have been pretty much a one-segment business: color cosmetics with only some treatment."
According to Donaldson, who declined to discuss dollar figures, color now accounts for 75 percent of Ultima's total sales. Fragrance makes up less than 2 percent and treatment the remaining 23 percent.
Industry sources estimate Ultima's total 1993 wholesale volume at $80 million.
"We are hoping that by 1996, fragrance will represent 20 percent of our total sales, treatment 30 percent and color 50 percent," Donaldson said. "We plan to do this not by decreasing our color business but by building up the division's total sales and the sales of treatment and fragrance."
With Head Over Heels, Ultima hopes to broaden the brand's reach into the fragrance category, an area in which the brand has traditionally been weak.
Sources said the UII women's scent is less than 2 percent of total wholesale volume, or less than $1 million at wholesale. "When we launched UII, it was around the same time that we came out with The Nakeds, so it never got the support that it needed," said Andrea Robinson, president of marketing for Revlon's department store group, referring to the launch of Ultima's top-selling cosmetics concept of matte, neutral color products.
"It's got a nice cult following with our existing customer but it didn't attract new users to the counter," said Robinson. "This time we are going to do it right."
Head Over Heels will be marketed as a playful product, in sharp contrast to the often serious mood of the typical prestige fragrance. Rising from the top of the square bottle, for example, is a pair of pink-glass legs that seem to be kicking the air. Just as non-traditional is the fragrance, a sparkling, fresh floral."A lot of cosmetics companies seem to be focusing on status -- the aspirational aspect of cosmetics -- so there is a sameness about so many of the department store brands," Donaldson said. "But there are a lot of other important things about cosmetics, like being hot, newsy, fun and high energy."
This irreverent approach has become an Ultima trademark during the past year as the Revlon division launched one offbeat product after another, such as Lipsexxxy, Eyesexxxy and Falsies Mascara. Another major strategy has been to build the business an item at a time, thus increasing productivity per stockkeeping unit.
"We are looking to reduce our total number of sku's, but we also want to increase our productivity per sku," Donaldson said. "So we are focusing on single hot items, rather than complete lines." Donaldson added that in the last two years Ultima has pared its total sku's down from 600 to 350. To that end, this year Ultima has cut back the number of its seasonal shade promotions from four to two.
The strategy apparently has worked, with Ultima reportedly chalking up an 18 percent sales gain last year to attain the $80 million volume mark. Another 25 percent gain is projected for this year, pushing the wholesale total to $100 million.
Progress has been noted by retailers. "Ultima has a whole kind of attitude and personality," said Margo Scavarda, senior vice president and general merchandise manager at The Broadway. "They don't launch just another lipstick or just another mascara. Their new products are young and fun. They aren't just following the mold.
"We have been real pleased with Ultima's performance," she added. "Our highest sales increase for any makeup and treatment company last year was in Ultima. We have worked together to build a great partnership with them to do a wonderful job of merchandising and positioning."
At J.C. Penney, Dallas, Ann Gravseth, divisional merchandise manager of fragrance and cosmetics, said, "We are very pleased with the success of Ultima color and treatment products in our stores. We think their item-intensive strategy is superb. Lip and Eyesexxxy are real winners and we think that Falsies, with its great TV advertising, will be just as good.""The only problem with using a key-item strategy to drive a color business is that if the shades aren't forecast correctly, your color business can hit a slump," said Pat Joyce, divisional merchandise manager at Rich's, Atlanta.
Head Over Heels is expected to generate $11 million at wholesale in the first year, according to industry sources.
Ultima will spend $7 million to $8 million on advertising and promotion in the fourth quarter of this year, with more than 50 percent of the total earmarked for television, Donaldson said.
Regional and national print campaigns will break in the November editions of women's fashion and service magazines, Robinson said. Regional television spots will hit the airwaves in early October, paving the way for national network advertising in late October and December.
The company will distribute a million samples throughout the fourth quarter, Donaldson said, including carded vials in the shape of black platform pumps.
The new scent also will be aggressively priced, with an opening price point of $28.50 for a 1.9-oz. eau de toilette spray. The rest of the line consists of a 3.9-oz. eau de toilette spray for $38.50, a 1.9-oz. eau de parfum spray for $36.50 and a 6-oz. body lotion for $25.
Ultima first took a playful, sexy stance a year ago with Lipsexxxy, a long-wearing lipstick launched with a breezy ad campaign.
According to Donaldson, last year the company spent $9 million on television commercials that featured Ultima model Jenny Brunt lip synching to the pop song "I'm Too Sexy" by the British band Right Said Fred.
In nine months, the lipstick reportedly sold 2.3 million units. With a suggested retail of $11 to $11.50 for each of the 22 shades, that puts the brand at over $25 million at retail in the first nine months.
The "sexxxy" concept was extended in June with Sunsexxxy bronzers and Eyesexxxy eyeshadows this past October; sources project it will do $6 million at wholesale in its first 12 months. Ultima's latest color entry is Falsies mascara, which will hit stores in the middle of this month, with price tags of $12.50 per tube."Mascara is not a very substantial business for us, so we see it as an opportunity for us," Robinson said. The company is reportedly expecting Falsies to double its current mascara business to about $6 million.
Ultima will spend $8 million advertising Falsies on national TV in a campaign that will break in the middle of March and run through the rest of the year, Donaldson said.
The tag line for the Falsies ads says: "Not since the push-up bra has something done so much for so little." But while venturing into fragrance and maintaining its momentum in color, Ultima is also moving deeper into treatment after a three-year hiatus.
Brighten Up Tighten Up, a moisturizing and firming eye cream that hit stores in September, claims to not only firm the eye area but to lighten and brighten the skin with optical diffusers. Since its launch, Brighten Up Tighten Up has reportedly sold a quarter of a million pieces. At $18.50 per 0.5-oz. jar, that means that in less than six months, the cream had sales of almost half a million dollars.
In late December Ultima introduced Smart Move Lotion, a product that was designed to reduce fine, dry lines, while soothing, smoothing and moisturizing the skin. A 1.7-oz. bottle sells for $25.
In the spring, the new lotion will be backed by co-op advertising and one million samples.
"We started selling Brighten Up Tighten Up this fall, and it has been very successful for us," Gravseth noted. "Smart Move just hit our counters on the first of the year, but we anticipate that it will do very well. We had good, strong gains with Ultima in 1993 and look forward to a continuing strong 1994."
Rich's Joyce noted that so far this year, Lip Sexxxy, Eye Sexxxy, Brighten Up Tighten Up and Smart Move are comprising 30 percent of Ultima's business at Rich's.
"We are forecasting Falsies will do 10 percent or better of Ultima's sales this year, which means that the four products together will be doing 40 percent or better of Ultima sales," she added. "We are finding that their innovative products add a lot of interest to our stores."
The annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in Pacific Palisades this weekend drew Kate Hudson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Laura Dern and more. See pictures of the star-studded event on WWD.com. (📷: @chelsealaurenla) #wwdeye
In his new book “Hollywood Royale,” Andy Warhol’s Protégé Matthew Rolston celebrates the Eighties revival of Hollywood glamour. Featuring more than 100 portraits taken by Rolston from 1977 to 1993, the book contains photos of icons like Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and @drewbarrymore, pictured here in 1991. “Hollywood Royale,” out today, will be accompanied by an exhibition opening at Los Angeles’ Fahey/Klein Gallery on March 1. #wwdeye
"Nowadays when life is not so happy with everything going on in the world, I think people come to me for a little bit of whimsy and color and fun." - Designer Rebecca De Ravenel on her cult-favorite jewelry line. (📸 : @vsteves) #wwd40
“Everyone is talking about how the retail industry is struggling, but I think it’s an incredible time because brands who are doing something different and innovative are setting themselves up for the future,” said @adamgoldston, who founded the luxury athletic brand @apl with his brother @ryangoldsten. The Goldston’s are part of WWD’s 40 under 40: a group of industry notables. See the rest of the list on WWD.com. (📷: @vsteves) #wwd40
@eyeswoon blogger Athena Calderone debuted her first-ever cookbook, “Cook Beautiful,” which is heavily centered on the presentation and visual expression of food. Pictured here are her miso glazed carrots from the book. Get the recipe on WWD.com. (📷: @johnny_miller_) #wwdeye
“It’s passion that helps get anybody to a certain point and it’s what’s propelled me,” said Kith founder @ronniefieg, one of WWD’s 40 under 40: a group of industry notables who are changing the face of retail, fashion and beauty. Fieg, who opened a Manhattan flagship on October 7, began his career at age 13 as a stock boy and salesman for footwear chain David Z. “I think staying true to [my] beliefs, hard work and passion have gotten me to where [Kith] is today.” See the rest of the 40 at WWD.com. (📷: @vsteves) #wwd40
25-year-old @samweaving is about to break out this fall, starring in Netflix’s horror film “The Babysitter,” fittingly out today on Friday the 13th. That’s not the only place you’ll be seeing her, though — Weaving’s got a role Showtime’s “SMILF” and another alongside Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Though she’s got a full plate at the moment, there’s one role she’s got her eye on: Marilyn Monroe. “I’m a little too young at the moment, but it’s on my bucket list,” the actress told WWD (📷: @dandoperalski) #wwdeye
BFF's Poppy Jamie and Suki Waterhouse celebrated the launch of their bag line Pop x Suki at Nordstrom last night. "The line is really about our friendship, and how we are so different but complement each other," said Waterhouse. 👯 (📷: Katie Jones) #wwdeye
After designing the new @louisvuitton and @bulgariofficial flagships and a @chanelofficial boutique opening in Japan, @petermarinoarchitect has another project on his plate: The Lobster Club. Located in the Seagram Building, it’s the famed architect’s first restaurant project in New York, serving up modern Japanese brasserie-style cuisine. Bronze hues, bespoke material detailing, blush and chartreuse tones and a heavy emphasis on Picasso can be seen throughout. Mark your calendars for Nov. 1 for the much-anticipated opening. (📷: @clint_spaulding) #wwdeye


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Revolutionizing Drone Imagery
At the touch of a button, a farmer downloads an application to their phone. They open the app, and with another touch of a button, they’ve just ordered drone imagery that will cut costs, reduce chemical waste and precisely spray only the acres necessary in the field.
While this may not be far in the future for the United States, Dr. Allan Gray, executive director of the Purdue University Center for Food and Agricultural Business, is experiencing first-hand how Brazil is revolutionizing the use of drones in agriculture and taking push-button technology to the next level.
Currently on research assignment in Brazil, Gray is studying the mechanisms used to align participants in more sustainable food and agriculture supply chains. Through his studies, Gray has gained countless insights and opportunities, including the chance to work with Coopercitrus, a full-service cooperative in Brazil on the leading-edge of the digitization of farming. Coopercitrus has experienced dramatic growth over the last few years with a cost-cutting focus centered around serving farmers through the use of technology.
In Sao Paulo, Brazil, several perennial crops prevent farmers from driving machinery directly into fields to reach certain areas in need of attention. With advancements in technology in production agriculture, the traditional crop-dusting method poses unnecessary and costly impacts for farmers. Recognizing this issue, Coopercitrus has enlisted the help of drones to solve the problem.
For example, in a 5,000-acre sugarcane field, a drone is sent out to capture field images, measure weed pressure and analyze data. Discovering 300 acres in need of spraying, the drone then creates a flight pattern for an additional sprayer drone to follow. The sprayer drone reads the flight pattern and precisely sprays only the 300 acres deemed necessary, saving the farmer money and protecting the environment.
Coopercitrus is customer-focused and tech-savvy. They have made ordering drone imagery as simple as ordering a pizza. By downloading the cooperative’s app, farmers have drones prepared to manage the entirety of their crop at the tip of their fingers and are only charged for the acres that are treated. By having a clear focus on cutting costs for their own benefit and the farmer’s, the company has been able to rapidly produce cutting-edge technology to increase productivity, ease and success for its clients.
Has your agribusiness firm developed a clear focus on your farmer customer needs, and are you working at a pace to stay ahead of the curve?
Beyond the Blog
Dr. Allan Gray will return from Brazil in time to share more of his research, insights and findings at our Managing Talent to Win professional development program, Purdue Food and Agribusiness Executive Summit and other upcoming programs.
Value-based sales can empower companies to craft compelling value propositions, understand the customer’s business model and effectively communicate to stakeholders.
Data is one of the most powerful resources for a company. It enables accurate decision-making and minimizes risk, ensuring greater revenue and sustainable growth.
The future for the agrifood sector appears promising, driven by technological advances, strategic M&A activity and a growing commitment to innovation.


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A severe formula shortage has prompted the Federal Trade Commission to launch an investigation into industry consolidation and whether online dealers have taken advantage of desperate families struggling to find formula.
“The FTC is launching a public inquiry to identify factors that contributed to the shortage or impeded our ability to respond to it,” Lina M. Khan, president of the agency, said in a statement on Tuesday. “Learning from this experience can help determine how we can minimize the risk of similar shortages in markets for other life-sustaining products.
The agency said it would examine mergers and acquisitions patterns to better understand how the industry – which is now dominated by four manufacturers – has become so concentrated and how this consolidation should inform future merger reviews. The FTC will also review federal regulations and trade barriers that prevent foreign companies from entering the infant formula market.
Learn more about the formula shortage
Federal officials are also seeking public input on cases in which families believe they were scammed trying to buy formula or were forced to pay exorbitant prices from online dealers.
The U.S. infant formula industry has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, with lawmakers and consumer advocates questioning why production of a key source of infant nutrition has long been controlled only by a handful of actors. Abbott Nutrition, which controls around 48% of the market, threw the infant formula market into disarray in February when it voluntarily recalled some of its most popular powdered formulas and closed a factory after four babies who consumed some of Abbott’s products have become ill with bacterial infections. Abbott said there was no evidence his formula caused all four illnesses, and no samples of the bacteria, Cronobacter sakazakii, from infants matched the strains found in the plant.
Severe shortages have left parents frantically searching for food for their children and stores limiting sales of infant formula. The Biden administration has taken steps to ease the supply shortfall, including invoking the Defense Production Act to ramp up manufacturing.
The inquiry follows growing calls from lawmakers to investigate and overhaul the industry. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Democrat of Illinois, urged the FTC this month to launch a comprehensive study into the industry and market conditions that led to the shortages.
Navigating the U.S. Formula Shortage
A growing problem. A nationwide shortage of infant formula — triggered in part by supply chain issues and compounded by a recall by baby food maker Abbott Nutrition — has left parents confused and worried. Here are some ways to manage this uncertainty:
The FTC said it will work with the Department of Agriculture to examine the impact of a program that aims to help low-income families buy infant formula and has helped large companies with contracts become industry giants. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as WIC, is a federally funded program that provides grants to states to ensure that pregnant or postpartum women with low income and their children have access to food. Administered by state agencies, the program purchases more than half of all infant formula supplies in the United States.
State WIC agencies cannot legally purchase formula from any manufacturer. They are required to bid for the contracts and select a company, which becomes the exclusive formula provider for all WIC recipients in the state. In return, manufacturers must give states deep formula discounts.
Researchers say the tendering system could make it more difficult for small businesses to enter the market. According to research by David E. Davis, a professor of economics at South Dakota State University, brands that win exclusive contracts gain prominence in stores, which drives sales among families who don’t get WIC benefits.


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By Ann Brown
The president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, approved a data protection law that complies with European Union legal standards.
KENYA, Nairobi: In a photograph taken by the Kenyan Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism (MEAACT) 22 July 2015, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta speaks during the opening ceremony of the Pre-Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) Expo being held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in the Kenyan capital Nairobi ahead of US President Barack Obama’s much-anticipated visit to the east African nation this weekend. The Pre-GES Expo being held over the 22-23 July in the Kenyan capital showcases Kenyan start-ups, innovators, entrepreneurs and small businesses from across the country with the main Global Entrepreneurship Summit taking place for the first time in sub-Saharan Africa this weekend bringing together entrepreneurs at all stages of business development, business leaders, mentors, investors and high-level government officials. MANDATORY CREDIT: MEAACT PHOTO / STUART PRICE. Photo via Flickr
Kenya just took a big step towards its tech development. On November 8th Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta approved a data protection law that complies with European Union legal standards. This will finally allow Kenya to embrace its full potential when it comes to tech innovations and startups and to


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Tickets to the Memorial Day game when the Cardinals will host the New York Yankees at Busch Stadium are now the most expensive tickets of baseball's first half, Forbes reports. Tickets for the game have a median price of $147, according to data from ticket reseller Vivid Seats, the highest for games between now and the All-Star break in July.
An Illinois House committee has OK'd a plan to contribute $100 million in state funds toward construction of a Barack Obama presidential library in Chicago.
It's not just the stuff of musical lore. There really is a Hotel California, a 101-year-old, 83-room hotel in San Francisco, and it just sold for $27 million.
You might want to think for a second before you click 'like': General Mills has added language on its website alerting consumers that they forfeit their right to sue the company if they download coupons, join it on Facebook, enter company-sponsored contests, or interact with it in various other ways.
Teens are spending more on food than on clothing, according to a new study from Piper Jaffray, marking the first time food has outranked clothing in the study. And the top eating establishment where teens are spending their (or their parents’) money? Starbucks, followed by McDonald’s, Chipotle, Olive Garden and Taco Bell.
Angela Mueller covers health care.


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Detroit, MI, October 05, 2012 --(PR.com
)-- Hansons Windows customers will be planting pink lawn signs in front of their homes during the month of October as a show of support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The new signs, sporting Hansons’ familiar logo in pink instead of the traditional orange and blue, have already begun appearing on front lawns of the company’s most recent happy customers.
Hansons ordered the pink signs in anticipation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is recognized every October.
“This is a very important cause for us,” president Brian Elias said. “We have done walks and other events to support the fight, but this is a great way for us to proudly show our commitment in a more visible way.”
For the month of October, Hansons Windows’ Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/1800Hansons) will display photos of customers standing proudly next to their pink lawn signs as another way to bring awareness.
Elias founded Hansons Windows, known also as 1-800-HANSONS, in 1988. A self-made entrepreneur, Elias started by selling the leads he canvassed door-to-door. As Hansons approaches its 25th anniversary, it has become one of the home improvement industry’s largest companies. In 2011, Hansons generated $46 million in sales, offering replacement windows, siding, roofing, gutters, doors and insulation.
For more information about Hansons Windows and interviews with Brian Elias, please contact Eaman Gaggos at 248.581.3030 ext. 2301 or email@example.com.


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The US-China trade war is directly benefitting Bangladeshi exporters, with garment shipments to the US increasing over 3 percent this year compared to that last year, said the leaders of Bangladesh Garment Buying House Association yesterday.
Last year the shipments to Bangladesh’s largest export destination decreased 2 percent year-on-year, said the association’s President Kazi Iftequer Hossain at a press conference at its office in Dhaka.
Though Bangladesh will continue to benefit from the trade skirmishes, the biggest gainer is Vietnam which has received more work orders, he said.
The biggest challenges are fast adoption of automation and exploration of marketing avenues alongside meeting shortages of skilled mid-level manpower, he added.
“We need to produce massive numbers of trained human resources to survive in the business in the age of automation,” said the association chief.
Some Bangladeshi garment exporters are already in business with Amazon, a US-based global e-commerce giant, and industry insiders say marketing through one of the world’s largest online retailers leads to lesser dependence on human resources.
“So the automation has been taking place not only in the production of the garment items but also in the distribution of the goods,” Hossain also said.
“Our garment business should be more technology dependent, otherwise we cannot go very far with the traditional marketing system and production in the factories,” he said replying to queries of journalists.
The formulation of the textile law last year has allowed buying houses to get registered with the government and come to the mainstream, bringing discipline to the sector, he added.
Currently, the association has over 500 members, he said, adding that 46 have got registered with the government while another 164 have already applied.


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The increasing convergence between television and phone services has been made more apparent this week, with Shaw and Telus discovering new methods to grab each others customers in the province of British Columbia.
Shaw has started its own digital phone VoIP service, which provides unlimited local and cross country calling at a price of $55. Although somewhat expensive for a VoIP offering, Shaw uses their existing brand name to inspire trust, and targets customers who spend a fortune on cross country calls.
Shaw has already recruited 90,000 digital phone customers across Canada, and has announced that they are expanding into the huge market of Vancouver, BC. Merrill Lynch estimates that the service will steal 150,000 customer from Telus over the next year.
Telus, meanwhile, is wanting to pull of an identical trick against Shaw Cable, by launching a satellite television service in Edmonton and Calgary late last year. Telus tv support They intend to launch an identical offering for Vancouver and the Fraser Valley by the summer.
Ultimately, both companies find yourself in direct competition with each other over the same market. Most customers find yourself choosing one or another as their exclusive provider, in order to save money by bundling services.
Now it’s difficult to share with whether this trend of market convergence will cause one company to become dominant over another, or when it will just create a gradual reshuffling of subscribers. If the later happens, customers will more than likely take advantage of the increased level of choice and potential for pricing competition.


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MeU introduces ‘hackable’ clothes
Can the startup's open source wearable LED display provide a new platform for brands?
Putting static logos on T-shirts is so last century. In 2014, not only can we wear LED displays, we can customize them too.
While tech textiles are not a new phenomenon (CuteCircuit, for instance, has been lighting up runways since 2004 and Nite Life T-Shirts flash to the beat of music) on Monday MeU, a Toronto-based startup, is entering the space with an open source wearable LED display that invites people to “hack” their clothing.
The platform enables users to display any text image or pattern on clothing, bags and other accessories on a full-color LED square display with 256 LEDs. Users can manage the platform via an app that comes pre-loaded with icons, animations and text.
MeU will formally announced the launch of its Indiegogo campaign on Tuesday at the Wearable Sports and Entertainment conference. As of this morning the company has raised US$6,000 of its $175,000 goal, which it hopes to hit by December 5.
While the company’s founder, Robert Tu, says he is excited to see what others will do with the platform, he sees the opportunities as spanning both everyday use and advertising. For example, he says, it could be used by cyclists to increase their visibility on the roads or by those with limited speech as a way to communicate.
And of course, the technology offers the opportunity for advertisers to integrate their messages into live events using clothing as the media. “Brands could create a really unique experience for the audience,” Tu says, adding that in the beta-testing phase of the tech, the company branded individual dresses at parties.
Imagine, for instance, during a concert, the screen could be programmed to spell words or flash images on a performer or DJs clothing during a set, then display ads between the sets. Or models on a catwalk could deliver messages on their designer clothes.
Sean Dixon, director, emerging media at OMD in Toronto, says that there is “definitely brand appetite” for this type of application.
The opportunities for brands in the space, he says, is around building around the interactivity of the device, whether with the environment or other people. However, in a crowded cool-tech space, Dixon says he wonders if MeU will be able to get the attention of marketers.
“A fashion-aligned brand could absolutely consider it but would they go with CuteCircuit because it is so much more developed and fancy?” he wonders. “Night life, that is not as changeable but from a brand perspective, if they just want a light up shirt, they can get that and it’s not terribly expensive.”


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Streets were cordoned off and more than 2,500 people reportedly stood in line hoping to glimpse Lady Gaga, who cut a ribbon to open H&M's new New York City store in Times Square at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday. Gaga, who was wearing a colorful customized jumpsuit from the H&D Conscious Collection, was on hand to promote her new album "Artpop," which is on sale at H&M stores. [Cut]
The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show took place Wednesday night, and will air on CBS Dec. 10. Taylor Swift was among the performers (albeit fully clothed). Check out photos on our Ministry of Gossip blog.
Teen blogger and media maven Tavi Gevinson looks grown up and glamorous as a face of Cole Haan's holiday campaign. [Cut]
More costumes from the 1965 film version of "Sound of Music" are heading for auction, our Adam Tschorn reports. [Los Angeles Times]
Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat is introducing a collection of neckwear, tie bars, cufflinks and pocket squares with online retailer Tie Bar. [WWD]


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In an effort to keep up with competitors, Fidelity Investments has reduced commissions for online U.S. equity trades made by retail investors and financial advisors.
The Boston-based fund company announced Tuesday that it planned to cut commissions to $7.95 per trade as of March 15. Currently, Fidelity charges investors with more than $1 million in trades $8.00, plus one cent a share for every share over 3,000 shares. For investors with less than $1 million, it charges $17.95 for trades, plus $0.015 per share for every share over 1,000.
The company also said it would eliminate fees for online trades of 26 exchange-traded funds, including one proprietary Fidelity fund and 25 iShares funds that are offered by BlackRock Inc. [BLK]
Ron Fiske, an executive vice president for Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services, said that pricing “varied” at Fidelity and it was critical to align commission more closely.
“I think it is important to know that many end investors have relationships that span Fidelity,” he said. “We want to make sure that price is not a barrier to decide where our customers should do business.”
Fidelity’s decision to cut fees comes less than a month after Charles Schwab Corp. [SCHW] announced plans to reduce its online-trading commissions by 31% to $8.95.
Bill Doyle, an analyst at Forrester Research, said he thinks online trading commissions will continue to decline.
“They’ve been falling since 1998 when Schwab cut the cost of online trades from $60 to $30 in an aggressive move online,” he said. “A handful of minor players now offer free trades. But for the big firms, ‘free trades’ will only be part of relationship pricing, offered to customers who, for example, have significant assets at the firm.”
Fiske said Fidelity is “cognizant” of the fact that competitors have reduced trading commission, but “at the end of the day we make decisions for the maximum benefit of our investors.”
Over the past five months, Fiske said, Fidelity has been making adjustments to be more attractive to retail investors and registered investment advisors. In September, it eliminated fees and commission for RIAs that open new accounts. Since then, it has launched its WealthCentral platform and enhanced products and services for RIAs.
“Price is just one thing to attract advisors,” Fiske said. “We have done a lot around tech, service and product capabilities to help make ourselves as competitive as possible in this market.”
Fidelity has 12.4 million brokerage accounts with retail investors and services 4,000 registered investment advisors, a spokesman said.
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WE'RE COMING TO HOUSTON! @WhyHotel is excited to announce that our first #HoustonTX pop-up 🏨 will be with @CamdenLiving at their newest Houston development – Camden Downtown. The pop-up is slated to welcome guests in late 2019! #ThisIsWhyHotel #BreakingNews #Welcome2Houston https://t.co/n2qVximQC0
— WhyHotel (@WhyHotel) June 3, 2019
The D.C.-based startup that operates pop-up hotels in luxury apartment buildings is launching a new pop-up in Houston in partnership with Camden Property Trust. Camden Downtown, located at 1515 Austin Street, will feature 100 units for WhyHotel guests to use starting later this year. The apartment building has 271 units total and is equipped with amenities like a fitness center, lounge areas and dining spaces. The pop-up hotel is currently slated to run through late 2020.
“Visitors to downtown Houston as well as prospective residents of Camden Downtown will have the opportunity to experience our new luxury community firsthand, and a WhyHotel partnership offers Camden a unique amenity for its residents as well as additional income for the property during its lease-up period,” Laurie Baker, executive VP of operations at Camden Property Trust, said in a statement.
This is the company’s first official location outside of the East Coast region. Launched in 2018, WhyHotel currently has pop-ups in Baltimore, D.C. and Virginia. The startup also recently expanded to the West Coast with a San Francisco office and updates to its leadership team.
“This is the perfect location for a WhyHotel pop-up hotel and the Camden Downtown development should benefit from WhyHotel’s ability to attract guests that will activate the surrounding dining, entertainment, and retail spaces,” WhyHotel Cofounder and CEO Jason Fudin said in a press release.
UrbanStems raises $12M Series B funding round, and gets new CEO
Applications are open for DC Startup Week 2019’s pitch competition
CIT Gap Funds invests in Charlottesville, Va.-based Babylon Micro-Farms
Verizon is looking for the brightest ideas on how to use its 5G technology
CIT’s Virginia Founders Fund invests in Tysons-based Curbside Kitchen
Curbio closed on a $7M Series A funding round
HawkEye 360 closed a $70M Series B funding round
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On Sept. 23, auction-house big Christie’s introduced plans to promote its first nonfungible token, or NFT, at an public sale. This was only one week after the record-setting $100,000 sale at public sale of a digital artwork piece that additionally used a blockchain-based token to vest the collector’s new possession rights.
In the meantime, Anthony Pompliano, Morgan Creek Digital co-founder and associate, wrote on Sept. 21: “I personally consider that the digital artwork market cap will develop to turn out to be bigger than the bodily artwork market cap. This will likely sound ridiculous at present.”
Clearly, the digital artwork market is heating up. Duncan Cock Foster, co-founder at digital gallery Nifty Gateway, instructed Cointelegraph: “The digital artwork motion is rising at an extremely speedy tempo. The quantity of development we’re seeing has stunned everybody concerned I feel.”
A lot of this will in all probability be attributed to the coronavirus pandemic that has curtailed journey and shut down artwork museums. “Digital artwork permits folks to have interaction with artwork from their properties, on their computer systems, on their telephones, and ship photographs/movies forwards and backwards simply, which makes digital artwork particularly suited to this time in historical past,” Blake Finucane, co-author of a place paper on NFT-based artwork titled “Crypto artwork: A decentralized view,” instructed Cointelegraph. However one thing else could also be occurring. One of many historic points with digital artwork has been that it’s “basically not possible to monetize,” stated Finucane, including:
“If one thing exists solely in digital type — i.e. a gif, a meme, a digital picture, a digital video — it’s simple to easily display screen shot, copy or paste it, or replicate it. A digital art work’s worth is diminished in the case of promoting it commercially as a result of it’s so simple to repeat — and troublesome to trace what’s, in reality, the unique art work.”
However however, if a digital art work is tokenized, the unique can at all times be traced again by way of token, “making it a lot simpler to garner industrial worth as a result of somebody can truly ‘personal’ the unique,” she stated.
“This can be very vital for digital artwork,” Giovanni Colavizza, assistant professor of digital humanities on the College of Amsterdam, instructed Cointelegraph, including that tokenization “permits us to trade and create worth from types of artwork which beforehand have been problematic.”
On Sept. 18, NonFungible.com, an internet site that tracks NFT gross sales knowledge, reported a document excessive in art-related NFT quantity ($162,385), and that was adopted on Sept. 22 by the second-highest each day complete ever achieved ($123,205). The uptick since June in U.S.-dollar gross sales of blockchain-based digital artwork has been notable.
Digital artwork + blockchain = crypto artwork
Digital artwork has been round for many years. Artists started experimenting with computer systems again within the 1950s and 1960s, nevertheless it’s solely lately that digital artwork has been tokenized on a blockchain platform. As an example, Ethereum’s nonfungible token, ERC-721 — which is utilized by many digital galleries — wasn’t developed and rolled out till early 2018.
The normal artwork world typically dismisses digital artwork, asking: Why convey out digital artwork when copies will be made out of it? — defined Vladislav Ginzburg, CEO at Blockparty. Nonetheless, “I can use [NFT] know-how to show that I’ve the unique digital asset.” Ginzburg in contrast digital artwork to eBooks, which, like digital artwork, existed for many years with out a lot curiosity till studying gadgets such because the Kindle and iPad emerged. “Digital artwork is having its Kindle and iPad second proper now,” he stated whereas talking at artwork pageant CADAF On-line.
“The artwork world has been craving a approach to accumulate digital artwork and NFTs are an image excellent resolution to this drawback,” stated Cock Foster, including that everybody ought to distinguish between digital artwork and crypto artwork, the latter being the tokenized or blockchain-enabled model of the previous. Based on the aforementioned “Crypto artwork” place paper, which Colavizza additionally co-authored, the idea goes one thing like this:
“When a digital asset made by an artist is added to a digital gallery, a token is generated by a wise contract and deposited within the artist’s pockets. The token is completely linked to the art work, and is a singular, one-of-a-kind asset that represents possession and authenticity of the underlying art work. As soon as created, the art work begins its life on the given blockchain, the place a fan or collector should purchase it, and the place it may be subsequently exchanged, traded or held by collectors like some other uncommon artifact.”
Will artists embrace the cryptoverse?
Certainly sufficient, obstacles stay. Persuading mainstream artists to make use of NFTs, an esoteric know-how, could possibly be a problem, arguably. Cock Foster opined: “We had much more bother recruiting mainstream artists to the house six months in the past. It’s not that troublesome anymore.”
In the meantime, artists see a market that appears to be effervescent over — like with the $100,000 paid for “Proper Place & Proper Time,” a digital artwork piece based mostly on Bitcoin’s (BTC) fluctuating worth motion, or the $55,555 paid on Nifty Gateway in July for artist Trevor Jones’ digital art work “Picasso’s Bull.”
Furthermore, “NFTs are an unbelievable new artistic medium,” stated Cock Foster. “Artists are in a position to do issues within the NFT medium which can be unable to do with bodily artwork. That is the first cause that they’re .”
Secondary gross sales are an enticement, too. If a collector purchases a digital art work on Asynchronous Artwork, the artist is paid a fee on that sale (e.g., 10%). But when the collector sells the art work two years later, the artist additionally earns a 20% fee for that secondary sale. This occurs mechanically — it’s written into the software program — and is among the “revolutionary” features of blockchain-enabled digital artwork, Conlan Rios, founder and CEO of Async Artwork, instructed Cointelegraph. Such gross sales have been “not possible earlier than blockchain know-how got here alongside,” confirmed Finucane.
One other novelty with digital artwork is the sale of layers, stated Rios, whereby collectors can individually buy “layers” — spinoff works made out of the masterwork that usually provide an proprietor programming choices reminiscent of altering the art work’s colours, rotation and even its “state.” This represents a completely new income stream.
A counterintuitive idea
“The largest barrier to development is that folks have problem understanding what an NFT is,” Cock Foster instructed Cointelegraph. It’s a counterintuitive idea that folks have bother getting their minds round, however “As soon as folks perceive what an NFT is and why the idea is so highly effective, they shortly turn out to be obsessed.”
Nonetheless, Rios instructed Cointelegraph that “You may’t simply plug in your bank card” if you buy a tokenized art work. You first should create a digital pockets to carry the NFT, and it is best to know one thing about fuel charges and the like: “That’s in all probability the largest hurdle.” Colavizza agreed: “It’s good to put quite a lot of effort and time into figuring out the way to navigate crypto artwork. This creates a barrier to entry.”
“Many individuals are nonetheless intimidated by blockchain know-how,” stated Finucane, telling Cointelegraph that the principle challenges heart “across the authentication/validation of works earlier than they’re entered on to the blockchain.” She added:
“NFTs are significantly helpful for artists working in purely digital type, many artists will not be certain the way it suits into their observe if they’re working in bodily mediums like portray, sculpture, and so on.”
Elena Zavelev, founder and CEO of CADAF and New Artwork Academy, instructed Cointelegraph that “The worldwide digitization that occurred throughout COVID created alternatives for the digital artists that weren’t out there earlier than.” Furthermore, the recognition of blockchain know-how has introduced hope that when it turns into extra extensively accepted inside the conventional artwork neighborhood, it is going to enhance monetizing alternatives for digital artwork. However to this point:
“Its adoption stays anecdotal. I wouldn’t be stunned if, in a while, new know-how will likely be simpler to make the most of than blockchain for the mainstream artwork neighborhood and substitute it as a greater software.”
Crypto artwork nonetheless must develop an ecosystem extra like that present in conventional artwork, too, with museums, exhibitions, curators, public sale homes and festivals, added Colavizza. “The social mechanics which create recognition, status and thus worth should not there but, which is each a chance and a problem for collectors and artists.”
Then there’s the query of scalability: Can blockchains actually deal with all that knowledge flowing their method? Rios runs the gallery enterprise on Ethereum now, utilizing ERC-721 tokens, however he’s “blockchain agnostic.” Ethereum is “sturdy, however costly and gradual,” he instructed Cointelegraph. The platform’s shortcomings, like excessive fuel costs, is likely to be justifiable for artists creating works for the ages — the platform will likely be round for many years, presumably — however newer artists may favor to check out nonfungible tokens on less-expensive platforms that work passably properly.
As huge as bodily artwork?
May blockchain-enabled digital artwork surpass bodily artwork in market worth sooner or later, as Pompliano advised? Not many are ready to go that far — but. Finucane instructed Cointelegraph: “I wouldn’t say that it’ll ever ‘be as huge’ as conventional artwork however I consider it is going to have a distinguished place in artwork galleries and artwork historical past lessons alongside conventional artwork.”
Cock Foster added: “I don’t see this consuming into bodily artwork gross sales within the brief time period.” Artwork is just not a zero-sum sport. “NFTs are rising by rising the quantity of artwork bought on the planet, not by stealing consumers from the bodily artwork world,” he stated, including:
“The largest beneficiaries of this are digital artists who may by no means promote their art work previous to the invention of NFT know-how. One of many artists on our platform simply purchased a home utilizing the proceeds from his Nifty Gateway gross sales. Blockchain know-how is permitting extra artists than ever the prospect to reside by their artwork.”
Pompliano, too, famous that there are issues that may be finished with digital artwork that may’t be achieved within the bodily artwork realm: “Every bit can incorporate advanced motion and movement. […] A single display screen on a wall can periodically cycle by completely different items of artwork on the predetermined path of the home-owner or artwork collector.” Digital artwork can also be resistant to bodily injury as a result of it lives within the ether. Costly art-insurance protection could turn out to be a factor of the previous.
Colavizza instructed Cointelegraph that digital artwork curiosity is definitely accelerating in 2020, however this will likely simply be the start. “As quickly because the Tate [museum] or the same venue holds an exhibition of digital/crypto artwork — one thing that might occur fairly quickly — issues will actually occur.”
Briefly, digital artwork usually, and blockchain-based artwork particularly, have certainly gained traction within the time of COVID. Museums are closed — how else can one view artwork? However for digital artwork to burst forth over the long run, it has to discover a approach to reward artists, gallerists and others. They should become profitable from their toil.
That is the place blockchain know-how and NFTs change the sport: They furnish enduring proof of an art work’s uniqueness, enabling it to be bought and resold time and again. And every time that occurs, the artist income. It’s written within the code.


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I’ve posted a lot about Microsoft’s version of Star Trek’s “Universal Translator,” and they’ve just added Arabic to its ability (along with English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Italian, and Portuguese (Brazilian)).
In 2006, we started with machine learning-based translations between English and Arabic, Chinese and Russian. Almost 10 years later, with today’s update, we now offer 103 languages that cover 99% of the online population. The 13 new languages — Amharic, Corsican, Frisian, Kyrgyz, Hawaiian, Kurdish (Kurmanji), Luxembourgish, Samoan, Scots Gaelic, Shona, Sindhi, Pashto and Xhosa — help bring a combined 120 million new people to the billions who can already communicate with Translate all over the world.
Today they announced a further expansion. Here’s how TechCrunch explains it (read their post for more info):
Google is expanding its Expeditions program, the company’s effort to bring virtual reality-based field trips to the classroom, with the launch of a dedicated Android application for schools and educators who want to take their students on virtual adventures by way of mobile devices. Additionally, Google says it’s rolling out two more “Expeditions” – that is, the virtual experiences enabled by the program: the Great Barrier Reef and Buckingham Palace.
I think it’s particularly cool that Sir David Attenborough designed and produced the Great Barrier Reef trip.
You can visit the Google Expeditions site for more information and to register for the program and gain access to the new app.


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JOHANNESBURG: Mahindra South Africa (MSA) has said it has positioned itself to continue as a fast growing automotive brand in the country with the launch of two new models in the first quarter of 2014.
“Since the last show here two years ago, Mahindra has grown by about 150 per cent,” MSA chief executive Ashok Thakur said at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show as the vehicles went on display for the visitors, who are expected to number 2,50,000 over the 10-day event.
Commenting on its distribution of vehicles manufactured by Korean manufacturer SsangYong since its acquisition in April 2012, Thakur said this had grown by about 280 per cent.
“So both these brands are growing rapidly and faster than the industry.”
Thakur attributed this success to a strong network of 60 Mahindra dealers across the country, 36 of which have also taken on the SsangYong vehicles.
He claimed MSA scored on after-sales delivery against other foreign brands trying to make inroads into the highly competitive South African market.
“Thakur also announced an five-year or 1,50,000 kilometre warranty on its vehicles which he said would match the best of manufacturers across the globe.
“We are really proud of our achievements after nine years in South Africa,” Thakur said, adding that the SsangYong component of Mahindra's business was an important part of the company's strategy in growing the business in southern Africa.
“The SsangYong range not only helps us provide a wider choice to consumers but also gives our dealers an opportunity to expand their market and to make their business more viable.”


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Hyundai Motor Group’s two major brands, Hyundai and Kia investing heavily in the electric vehicle market. They have launched a number of electric vehicles and are continuing to launch new models.
Hyundai and Kia sold more than 1.5 million electric vehicles
According to several media reports, Hyundai Motor and Kia disclosed on Sunday local time that their cumulative sales of electric vehicles exceeded 1.5 million units at the end of last year.
Hyundai Motor’s first electric car, BlueOn, was launched in July 2011. It took 12 years from the launch of the first electric car to the cumulative sales of electric cars of the two major brands to exceed 1.5 million units.
Reportedly, 516,441 of the electric vehicles sold by Hyundai and Kia were sold last year, accounting for more than one-third of the 1.53 million electric vehicles they have sold.
In addition, the electric vehicles sold by Hyundai Motor and Kia are mainly exported to other markets. Last year alone, 80% were sold in overseas markets. Best-selling models include Hyundai Kona, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia Niro, Kia EV6, etc..


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Yup, there's actual third-parties on Nintendo.
NintendObserver’s select content on the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2015.
Most titles in development at Nintendo are actually on Wii U since that's what their next consoles will be made from.
Gearing it big with the likes of Hyrule Warriors, Bayonetta 2, Pokémon ORAS, and Super Smash Bros. for the holidays.
Mario Kart 8 stands at 2.82 million units sold as of June 30th.


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Donald Trump has made his second visit this week to the U.S Midwest.
The region’s voters were key to him winning the presidency.
But while some are suffering in the global trade war, Trump is keen to prove that others are enjoying a resurgence thanks to his tariffs on foreign imports.
CGTN’s Owen Fairclough reports.
Steelworkers helped put Donald Trump in the White House.
And he thinks his trade war is helping factories like the one he visited in in Illinois to open up again by hitting foreign metal imports with tariffs to protect domestic producers.
Granite City’s closure was partly blamed on cheap metal imports driving steelworks out of business.
Trump told employees: “Our steel workers are going back to work in record numbers, have you noticed? “The blast furnace here in Granite City is blazing bright.”
Trump is fighting trade battles on multiple fronts.
And if one with Europe appears to be on hold after a visit from the European Commission’s President, another with China is taking its toll on another set of voters who are crucial for Trump.
Farmers are to receive up to 12 billion dollars to compensate them for their losses from China’s tariffs on U.S. agriculture exports—retaliation for U.S duties on Chinese imports worth 34 billion.
Beijing said Washington’s strategy is backfiring.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Geng Shuang told a news conference, “The current situation is completely due to the United States pursuing unilateralism and protectionism, breaking its promises and flip-flopping, and insisting on provoking a trade war toward China. American farmers are now footing the bill for the U.S. government’s trade bullying.”
Trump is threatening to escalate this battle further by ramping up duties on $500 billion worth of Chinese goods—almost all of China’s exports to the U.S. in 2017.
His aim: force China into remedying longstanding complaints about unfair trade practices that harm the U.S economy, and that China continues to deny.
Governor John Hickenlooper on the importance of China-U.S. trade
U.S. governors are closely monitoring the trade tensions with China. They know tariffs could affect their states’ bottom line. CGTN’s Mike Walter spoke with Colorado’s Governor at the National Governors Association’s summer summit. John Hickenlooper was quick to point out the importance of trade between China and his state.
Most Americans not expected to start feeling effect of tariffs until after midterm elections
CGTN’s Mike Walter interviews Dan Scandling, senior ditector at APCO about recent trade and tariff news.


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Ludlow Brewery Seeks Investors
BIRCUS Brewing Company is officially seeking investors.
The Ludlow-based brewery - the brainchild of Paul Miller, the clown behind Circus Mojo - announced this week that it is the first brewing company in America to qualify its initial offering under the Tier 1 of Regulation A+ with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
BIRCUS announced Friday that it has qualified with the SEC its offering of $500,000 in equity units at a fixed price of $1,000 per unit.
Eligible investors residing in Kentucky and Indiana only can invest in BIRCUS. individuals can invest as little as $1,000, 26 people can invest $5,000 and up to 12 people can invest $10,000.
This is all a part of BIRCUS’s strategic plan to expand the Ludlow Theatre into a brewery to connect local history, community outreach, unique entertainment and stellar
beer, Miller announced in a news release. Proceeds from sales of BIRCUS beer will help fund the Circus Mojo Foundation, a nonprofit entity providing circus scholarships, job opportunities, and free programming to individuals and the community.
"We have our TTB Brewer's Notice. We have hired an award-winning Brewer, Alex Clemens, and have assembled a fantastic team. We want to make BIRCUS at the Ludlow Theatre a one-of-a-kind tourist destination by creating the most beloved, talked-about, tweeted and engaging brands of local beer," Miller said. "Over 50,000 people have attended our events and that number is estimated to grow to over 100,000 a year with the addition of BIRCUS. Locations serving BIRCUS beer will have access to live circus acts from acrobats and hula-hoopers to keg walkers and outdoor fire breathers, increasing revenue and a competitive advantage for our brand."
BIRCUS and Circus Mojo will hire neighborhood artisans whenever possible to customize their props and signs, using Steidle Fabricating in Bromley as well as Bluegrass Iron Works and Ideal Supply in Ludlow. They also will collaborate with Folk School Coffee Parlor to produce local events and have featured Folk School musicians at the Ludlow Theatre.
As the BIRCUS Brewing Co. grows, BIRCUS plans to restore the marquee to highlight upcoming events and talent. Restoring the marquee will invite travelers to visit the cafes and restaurants, retail shops and art studios, and distillery and brewery.
Image via Facebook


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Detroit, Michigan-headquartered American automotive manufacturing giant General Motors has announced that production of the 2023 Bolt EUV will be commenced this summer, with the Redline Edition add
American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian recently announced a considerable improvement in its production rate, and the company is expected to improve further in the current quarter despit
American electric vehicle automaker & automotive technology startup Rivian Automotive has confirmed that it has issued a recall for more than five hundred units of its R1T all-electric pickup t
German carmaker Volkswagen AG and its partners have announced plans to invest €10 billion to make electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries in Spain.
Electric bike maker Fucare’s new Gemini X e-bike promises a unique blend of style, comfort and performance at an affordable starting price of $1,899.
Audi, a luxury vehicle brand of German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen Group, suffered a noticeable decline in first quarter sales of its vehicles but sales of all-electric cars didn’t disappoin
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The hemp industry’s pivot from pilot-program experiment to national commodity kept entrepreneurs clicking to keep up with changes for the new industry.
And Texas’ entry into the national hemp-producing economy was a development not to be missed.
Those were among the most widely read stories for 2019 at Hemp Industry Daily, based on page views.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) cited the 2018 Farm Bill in noting that “certain forms of cannabis no longer require DEA registration to grow or manufacture.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a hemp law in June that added the nation’s second-largest state to the list of more than 42 others that allow commercial hemp farming.
In October, Hemp Industry Daily was the first to report that White House Office of Management and Budget had approved the federal hemp production rule released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In September, a federal judge threw out Indiana’s ban on smokable hemp, calling it unconstitutional for states to ban one type of hemp because they can’t easily distinguish it from marijuana.
This November story about the heartbreaking consequences of crop failure for struggling farmers hit a nerve with readers.
As planting season kicked into high gear in June, many farmers reported that they were still looking for high-quality feminized hempseeds and clones – and coming up short.
The U.S. Congress legalized hemp to bring a new crop to farmers hurting from depressed markets, low prices and crop tariffs.
But as this October story explained, many first-time hemp farmers who hurried to cash in after the crop became federally legal struggled to reap any benefits.
Some industry experts predicted 95% of 2019’s hemp farmers would exit the business.
Hemp farmers often look for strategic partnerships with other farmers and landowners to boost their production capabilities.
But those relationships can go awry if care isn’t taken in picking the right partners and creating solid contracts.
This May story looked at four Oregon farms facing production lawsuits and checked in with experts on how to avoid hemp litigation.
Federal agriculture authorities said in August that they were struggling to craft a nationwide THC testing standard so that state and local regulators can tell hemp from marijuana, complicating the release of a standardized production rule.
William Richmond, head of the Specialty Crops Program in the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, told a group of dietary-supplement and CBD business owners that coming up with reliable testing methods is “as complicated as you think it is.”
Hemp Industry Daily delivered this exclusive in September that federal agriculture authorities had finished a draft proposal for hemp production rules.