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Bitcoin transactions deep dive
value of Bitcoin has been steadily declining from an all-time high in December of 2013, while, for example, electricity costs in the US have been increasing by an average.7 across all sectors. The continued weakness of the Chinese economy the overwhelming majority of, bitcoin trading occurs on Chinese exchanges, while the continued weakness of the Chinese economy has seen investors using bitcoin as a haven against expectations of a further fall in the value of the yuan. Garrick Hileman, researcher at Cambridge University and CEO of There are still negative connotations with cryptocurrencies including wild price swings and the link between bitcoin and people buying illegal items from the dark web. The process is quite complicated but whats important to understand that there is a small fragment of the transaction (ScriptSig that can be changed without invalidating the cryptographic signature, although it will generate a new hash.
Bitcoin might happen in a single go in a soft-fork. This network is composed of clients that generate transactions, nodes that validate transactions, and miners. Lets take a look at a handful of examples across different industries, not just the banks. Whether blockchain begins to power the world and is the biggest disruptive force since the internet, as some have suggested, remains to be seen. While traditional currencies are issued by central banks, bitcoin has no central authority. 10: Bitcoin mutant transaction regular behavior. Elections are another space which blockchain technology could be applied. That is what we are building.
Nov 13, 2016 at 14:57 UTC.
CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group.
A deep dive into.
Bitcoin and what makes it better than real money.
The moment one of them gets ahead, miners working on the shorter one will get prompted to cease any work and switch to the longer branch, eventually condemning the shorter one. Ripple also has a cryptocurrency attached to it known as XRP, but it is not necessarily needed to power its xCurrent product. These led to the inevitable collapse of the exchange due to poor management decisions. Moreover, it is open for everyone to see the path in which the funds could have been spent and also reveal the type of wallets etc. These scripts are only unlocked when certain conditions are met. Garrick Hileman, researcher at Cambridge University and CEO of Also, while many of the blockchains in existence are public, major companies are trialing a private version of the technology. Even though the loan was put on the public Ethereum blockchain, bbva stressed that in no way is the loan linked to the ether cryptocurrency. When we delve into real-world examples of blockchain technology, its clear that many of the things that have caused problems with the bitcoin blockchain have not been adopted. This method/implementation is called Taproot and was first proposed by Blockstream CTO Gregory Maxwell.
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As we reported earlier, the next big thing from Samsung, the Galaxy S III Android smartphone was rumored for an April arrival, and now we have confirmations regarding the same coming in, confirming the launch time frame. The report comes in from ZDNet Korea, who claim to get the confirmation from Samsung’s marketing and advertising agency, Cheil Worldwide. Boasting 1080p full HD visuals, a 1.5GHz quad-core processor and a revamped ceramic encasing among the improvisations over its predecessor — the Galaxy S II, it isn’t surprising the Galaxy S III is the hottest Android property at the moment the world over, garnering almost as much attention as Apple always garners when a new iPhone is due for launch. Talk about competing neck-and-neck…
So Apple is gearing up for a 7.85-inch iPad launch next year, eh? This is not the first time we’re hearing such ‘rumors’ and it definitely won’t be the last. Back in September of last year, rumors began circulating that Apple is working on a smaller 7-inch iPad to compete with RIM’s BlackBerry Playbook launch back then. The rumors also went on to state that the 7-inch iPads will have a USB port, orchestrating mixed reactions among people. But those rumors were quickly quashed when the late Steve Jobs said the following at Apple’s quarterly conference call last year:
Let’s talk about the avalanche of tablets; first, there are only a few credible competitors, and they all have seven-inch screens. This size isn’t sufficient to create great tablet apps…we’ve done extensive testing, and 10 inches is the minimum tablet size.
Today, those rumors are back again with a publication from Digitimes a few hours ago that states that Apple is definitely considering a smaller iPad and that the production for it will start in the second quarter of 2012, ready for sale by the end of the same year. This smaller iPad, though, won’t be the iPad 3.
Apple is likely to launch a 7.85-inch iPad prior to the fourth quarter of 2012 in addition to a new iPad scheduled to be released at the end of the first quarter, according to sources in the supply chain.
The new iPad that is rumored to launch early next year will presumably be the iPad 3, while the smaller 7-85 inch iPad, rumored for a late 2012 release, is still searching for a suitable name (iPad 3S?).
Digitimes’ “sources” believe Apple will go for smaller iPads to compete with the fast-selling Kindle Fire which is threatening to eat up Apple’s tablet market share, as well as similar new entrants which pose a threat to Apple, including large-sized smartphones such as Samsung’s Galaxy Note.
However, in order to cope with increasing market competition including the 7-inch Kindle Fire from Amazon and the launch of large-size smartphones from handset vendors, Apple has been persuaded into the development of 7.85-inch iPads, the sources indicated.
LG Display and AU Optronics are reportedly leading the race to be the manufacturers for the 7.85-inch panels that will hit the supply streams in Q2 2012.
While it definitely makes sense for Apple to go for a 7.85-inch iPad, i personally don’t think we’ll see an iPad smaller than what we already have. Apple is always known to lead the way rather than follow the competition and change its policies according to them so it’s hard to believe Apple will mend this time. And besides, as the great man once said: “This size isn’t sufficient to create great tablet apps…we’ve done extensive testing, and 10 inches is the minimum tablet size.” He may be no more but his ideology and vision is echoed by those working at Apple. Even after his unfortunate death.
Google has finally released a native Gmail application for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, just as we reported yesterday. The app, which is available for devices running iOS 4+, allows you to:
- Receive notification badges for new messages
- Read your mail with threaded conversations
- Organize your mail by archiving, labeling, starring, deleting, and reporting spam
- Keep track of important messages with priority inbox
- Auto-complete contact names as you type
- Send and receive attachments
- Search through all your mail
We’ve created a new Gmail app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. We’ve combined your favorite features from the Gmail mobile web app and iOS into one app so you can be more productive on the go. It’s designed to be fast, efficient and take full advantage of the touchscreen and notification capabilities of your device. And it’s one more reason to switch to Gmail.
A full-fledged, feature-rich native Gmail experience was indeed missing on iOS. Thankfully, not any more.
According to CNET, there are some sources who have informed them that manufacturers are finding it very difficult to create the high resolution 2048×1536 resolution display in large quantities that Apple requires. Though they will start production in November it is quite unsure whether they will be able to make enough to cater to Apple’s needs.
If the manufacturers are unable to make the required number of displays then they will make a 1,600×1,200 resolution display.
Detailed information on this is currently unavailable but we will try to get it very soon.
Until then hope that the manufacturers can make enough display so that we can have an iPad 3 with a better resolution (264 PPI [pixel per inch] — twice than the 132 PPI on the iPad 2).
“We confirm that all the evils, plus Gaddafi, have vanished from this beloved country,” Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril said in Tripoli as the body was delivered, a prize of war, to Misrata, the city whose siege and suffering at the hands of Gaddafi’s forces made it a symbol of the rebel cause.
“It’s time to start a new Libya, a united Libya,” Jibril added. “One people, one future.”
A formal declaration of liberation, that will set the clock ticking on a timeline to elections, would be made by Friday.
More coverage: Reuters
In an interesting report coming out this morning, it is revealed that the iPhone 4S was NOT Steve Jobs‘ last project. Instead, it was the ‘next generation iPhone’ (iPhone 5?) that the iconic chief worked on before he departed for the heavens. Continue reading “Steve Jobs and a Redesigned iPhone 5”
PocketGamer reports that an “inside source” has hinted them that Apple is planning to host a media event on October 5th to launch some new hardware, which will then subsequently release a week later on October 12th.
In the sort of hush-hush operation whereby we’d have to kill you etc etc, it seems that Apple is gearing up for a slightly earlier than previously expected iPhone 5 launch.
Our inside source says there will be a press conference announcing the new hardware on October 5th, with retail release occurring a week later.
The symbolism works well too: iPhone 5, iOS 5, October 5.
Various reports are strongly suggesting that there will be not one but two different variations of iPhones available, one pretty similar to the current iPhone 4 (iPhone 4S) and the other a totally different one (iPhone 5). The report also expects a new 3G-equipped iPod Touch to arrive with the iPhones.
While all this sounds good and exciting, we must not get carried away as previously too a report had suggested that Apple will hold an event on September 7 and launch the iPhone 5 and iOS 5. But nothing of the sort happened. And now, we have October 5 as the date when some new hardware from Cupertino arrives. But will we be disappointed this time too? Only time will tell.
The report says that “soon after India emerged victorious at the World Cup 2011, and Zaheer Khan finished as the joint highest wicket taker of the tournament (he and Afridi both got 21 scalps), his proud parents were reportedly insistent on getting the best bowler (read, flavour) of the season married. And their wish was Zaheer’s command! We hear Zaheer is planning to walk the aisle with his long time girlfriend and Bollywood actress Isha Sharvani very soon.”
Their love story is almost like a movie script. Isha was performing during an event in 2005. Zaheer was there. They got introduced and kept bumping into each other at various social dos. And before long they were seeing each other. However, after two years of dating they decided to call it quits. Both went their seperate ways. And were not in touch till they met again in 2010.
Isha and Zaheer decided to give love a second chance. “True love deserves a second chance and Zaheer Khan and Isha Sharvani are doing just that,” said Hindustan Times. And now, it seems their decision was the right one.
The pretty damsel, who began her Bollywood career with Subhash Ghai’s ‘Kisna’ opposite Vivek Oberoi did not outright deny this news when contacted by a tabloid. Nonetheless, she preferred to keep it simple by saying, ‘I really don’t want to comment on this.’
Love is in the air folks and the good news is just around the corner… 😉
Apple has finally released it new Macbook Pro. Below are its specs
Size and weight
- 0.95 inch (2.41 cm)
- 14.35 inches (36.4 cm)
- 9.82 inches (24.9 cm)
- 5.6 pounds (2.54 kg)1
Connections and expansion
- MagSafe power port
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- One FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
- Mini DisplayPort
- Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
- SD card slot
- Audio line in
- Audio line out
- Kensington lock slot
- AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking2 (based on IEEE 802.11n specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) wireless technology
- 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
- Stereo speakers with subwoofers
- Omnidirectional microphone (located under left speaker grille)
- Audio line in minijack (digital/analog)
- Audio line out/headphone minijack (digital/analog)
- Support for Apple iPhone headset with microphone
Environmental Status Report
MacBook Pro is designed with the following features to reduce its environmental impact:
- Highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure
- Mercury-free LED-backlit display
- Arsenic-free display glass
- Reduced packaging volume
- Meets ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 requirements
- Rated EPEAT Gold4
- 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors
- Supported resolutions: 1440 by 900 (native), 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched
- Optional 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit widescreen display with 1680 by 1050 pixels (glossy or antiglare)
Graphics and video support
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR3 memory on 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz configurations; or 512MB of GDDR3 memory on 2.66GHz configuration
- Intel HD Graphics with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory5
- Automatic graphics switching
- Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
- iSight camera
- Mini DisplayPort
Pure digital video output
DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (optional)
VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (optional)
Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter supports 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display (optional)
HDMI output using Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter (optional)
- Full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)
- Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; supports inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
Processor and memory
- 2.4GHz or 2.53GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 3MB shared L3 cache; or 2.66GHz Intel Core i7 processor with 4MB shared L3 cache
- 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 memory; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 8GB
- 320GB or 500GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive; optional 500GB 7200-rpm hard drive, or 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB solid-state drive6
- 8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
- Maximum write: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
- Maximum read: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD
Battery and power7
- Built-in 77.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
- 85W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system
- MagSafe power port
Electrical and operating requirements
- Line voltage: 100V to 240V AC
- Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz
- Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F
(10° to 35° C)
- Storage temperature: -13° to 113° F
(-24° to 45° C)
- Relative humidity: 0% to 90% noncondensing
- Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet
- Maximum storage altitude: 15,000 feet
- Maximum shipping altitude: 35,000 feet

domain: news


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As a construction industry professional, you have to be a jack of all trades and, in today’s competitive market, master them too. How do successful managers find enough hours in the habits of productive managers day? They streamline their activities to ensure that they function in the most effective and productive way. Here are some habits of successful managers from Forbes Magazine that will help you to boost your productivity.
The skilled labor crisis in construction is going to get considerably worse during 2022 and 2023, experts warn. This crisis was caused by the pandemic which saw many construction workers leaving the industry.
Whether you already have your own construction company or you have aspirations for the future, good business practices are universal to all companies and trades. While you may know everything there is to know about your trade, you can always learn new techniques of dealing with customers.
The DBA is hosting the Dallas Builder’s Show on October 15 which offers industry professionals a day of insights and opportunities. The DBA Show kicks off with a member’s meeting with special guest speakers Ross Perot Jr. and Dr. Elliot Eisenberg, have a trade show featuring 70 exhibitors and a cocktail reception in the evening will benefit the worthy Operation Finally Home.


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The Rue 21 store at Salina’s Central Mall will be closing soon, according to an announcement on the Rue 21 corporate website.
In an additional statement on their website regarding the Salina store, the company said, “It’s true – we are closing this store. It was a difficult but necessary decision. Stop by and check out the deals before it’s too late. But the good news is we still have hundreds of locations across the country, and our website rue21.com, open for business!”
An exact closing date has not been given, but sources say the store will close in early June. Requests for comment from store management were referred to the Rue 21 corporate office in Pennsylvania.
“As part of our ongoing business transformation into a more cost efficient operator, we are closing unprofitable stores across our fleet in order to focus on our many hundreds of highly profitable locations,” the company said in their online statement . “The exact number and timing of these closings will be determined in the coming weeks, but a significant number of closing stores will be holding promotional sales this holiday weekend.”
News agency Reuters, citing anonymous sources, reported earlier this month that Rue 21 was preparing to file for bankruptcy. With that filing, Rue 21 would become the latest U.S. retailer to file for bankruptcy protection following recent filings by Radio Shack, Payless ShoeSource, Gordmans and Vanity.
In addition to the closure of Salina’s store, Rue 21 will also close three other additional locations in Kansas, including stores in Emporia, Hays, and at Wichita’s Towne West Square.
Rue 21 becomes the latest to vacate their Central Mall location. Since March, Radio Shack, Sears and Vanity have all shuttered their Salina stores.


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Time is running out for "clockers". Well, that's according to the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI), which has launched a major campaign to stamp out one of the most notorious and costly of car frauds - amounting to at least pounds 100m each year.
Clocking at its simplest involves falsifying a car's mileage reading to show a shorter distance travelled, to increase its second-hand value. Interestingly, altering the mileage is not in itself an illegal act, but selling a clocked car, whether or not the seller knows it to be so, is an offence.
Recently questions were raised in the Commons when the Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whether the Government plans to reduce the incidence of clocking. In reply Glenda Jackson, Minister of Transport for London, described the practice as "deplorable" and went on to say that the Government is reviewing what further measures can be taken.
Christopher Macgowan, chief executive of the RMI, commented: "We are encouraged that the Government is committed to reviewing the law, and hope that they will do so with the utmost speed". But is new legislation really going to stamp out clocking?
The Institute of Trading Standards Administration has calculated that a car's value increases by an average of pounds 30 for every 1,000 miles erased from the odometer. In fact, it can be a lot more for a Mercedes or a BMW, but the point is that any car is worth clocking for the criminally minded motor dealer, or the private seller.
Clocking is simple to do. An unnamed motor trade source explains: "Without giving too much away, all it involves is taking out the section of the dashboard containing the speedometer and then turning the number wheels with tweezers to the mileage required." Digital mileage recorders, the norm on most cars built in the last five years, were hailed as the hi-tech solution to a low-tech clocking problem - except that those with a lap top computer and reprogramming skills can still ply their legal trade via advertisements offering "mileage adjustment", or "correction services". It costs as little as pounds 50 to reset the read-out on many models.
At the heart of the clocking problem is a cosy deceit that low mileage is everything. It makes a car more saleable and profitable, and the buyer feels confident that it is less worn out. But low mileage does not necessarily make a healthy car. A properly serviced vehicle with high motorway mileage is often in much better condition than a town-bound minimal miler.
For all these reasons, it is hard to believe that legislation could change entrenched buying attitudes and the pursuit of illegal profit. The RMI, in partnership with Hastings Direct insurance, has produced a free pamphlet with information on how to buy a good used car and avoid the clockers. And the organisation has also persuaded an MP to table a Private Member's Bill to clamp down on clocking. Among specific proposals to curb the practice is a business registration scheme to identify car dealers and all other parties in the transaction, and to enable a vehicle's history to be monitored. Car auctions would also be better regulated, with proof of identity from those purchasing vehicles, details centrally recorded, and enforcement agencies being allowed to inspect the details on request. Finally, odometer "correction", as it is euphemistically called, would be made illegal - including production of the equipment used to falsify mileages.
It is hard to disagree that the motor trade's image needs a makeover, and regulation may well be a way to do it. Whether it will stamp out clocking is another matter, since criminals and fraudsters have a frustrating habit of sneaking around rules and regulations. Enforcement also costs time and money. I foresee forged documents, false identities and traders operating as private sellers, much as happens now.
However, the problem could be wiped out overnight if buyers simply ignored the mileage and bought a car purely on the basis of its condition.
For a free car-buying booklet, ring Hastings Direct (0800 001066).Reuse content


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Can the new Pokémon Go update catch ’em all again?June 20, 2017 Updated: June 20, 2017 7:25pm
Remember last summer when Pokémon Go had everyone and their grandmas pounding the pavement to capture those cutesy Nintendo pocket monsters with their smartphones and tablets? Well, Go hopes to be cool for summer once again.
The hit augmented reality game is about to get what developer Niantic calls its biggest update.
A new Raid Battle feature will let you team up with up to 20 other players to defeat a super-tough Pokémon known as a Raid Boss.
You’ll be able to spin a Gym for items just like at PokéStops. Gyms also will get a little easier to master, thanks to limits to only six unique Pokémon per Gym and a motivation meter to keep those Pokémon in tip-top shape so players don’t just set them and forget them.
But is it enough to bring back the gonzo Go crowds of yesteryear?
“It’s certainly not at the level of what it launched last year,” said Chris Kramer, a Niantic spokesman, of current Go play. “But it’s still a very active global community of Trainers taking part in the game.”
Kramer said Go has been downloaded 750 million times worldwide since its July 2016 launch. He noted back in May that 65 million people a month still play the game globally.
In the U.S., though, the numbers don’t sound as impressive.
According to comScore media measurement data, Pokémon Go peaked in the U.S. on July 13, 2016 — about a week after the app launched — with 28.5 million users in the United States 18 and older.
Those numbers fell to around 20 million by the end of the month, then to around 10 million in September. Go numbers leveled off around 5 million domestic users through the end of 2016.
So basically 4 of 5 U.S. users quit.
Like many Go players who got in on the craze last summer, Matthew Egan, a longtime local Pokémon Go player and former Nintendo employee, doesn’t play nearly as much as he used to. And that’s even after logging enough time to capture all 142 Pokémon for the game’s North American Pokédex in August last year.
“There’s only so much to catch,” Egan said. “And the game had gone so long without an update, it just lost its appeal.”
The new Go update could be a sign of revitalized, if not somewhat sustained, excitement.
“Pokémon Go continues to have a strong presence in the Games category for both revenue earned and time spent in-app,” said Lexi Sydow, senior market insights analyst at App Annie, a market insights and data analytics provider, via email.
Sydow said during the first quarter of 2017 in the U.S., 1 out of every 3 minutes spent in the top 5 games by time spent was spent in Pokémon Go on Android phone, a sign “users are still engaging at exceptional rates.”
Sydow noted the game netted nearly $40 million in iOS and Google Play combined revenue during this same time period in the U.S., and remained at No. 6 for revenue.
“We anticipate the app’s newest updates, particularly around its one year anniversary, will only continue to boost Pokémon Go’s ongoing success,” Sydow said.
Niantic announced it’s “temporarily disabling” all Gyms as it rolls out the update. Gyms will return once the update has rolled out to players around the world, Niantic said. In the meantime, players can still catch Pokémon out in the wild as usual.
The Raid Battle feature will then roll out slowly over the next few weeks, the developer said, starting as a beta, with raids visible only to a subset of players at certain Gym locations. Niantic will invite more players to experience those features over a few days.
San Antonio players could be in for a longer wait.
“I heard early July for Gyms being back up (in San Antonio),” said Egan, owner of the S.A.-based internet marketing company, Image Freedom.
Egan went to a Go party at the San Antonio Zoo on Friday. Such confabs abounded last summer, with businesses scrambling to add PokéStops to lure players through their doors and to their registers. But Egan noted as interest in the game declined, the interest from businesses to add PokéStops dropped, as the people weren’t coming in as much.
Nevertheless, he noted the July 22 Pokémon Go Fest in Chicago, which celebrates the game’s first anniversary, quickly sold out, with tickets reportedly going on eBay for $350 to $1,000.
Still, Egan wishes Go delivered on the more basic Pokémon features that go back to the franchise’s Game Boy roots — namely being able to trade Pokémon with other players and to catch the likes of Mewtwo and other rare buffed-up characters known as Legendary Pokémon.
Egan worries once the update excitement dies down, there may not be enough players sticking around to help each other take down a Raid Boss.
Bottom line: the second summer of Pokémon Go is bound to make noise on die-hard players’ devices. Just don’t expect to bump into droves of casual Go players like you did in the summer of ’16.
“I don’t think that it will ever reach the same excitement level that there was at launch,” Egan said.


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By F. Martin
TTC Service.- Undoubtedly the most successful international tourist modality is the cruise ship industry and analysts consider such global trend will continue in 2018.
A new report from the sector revealed that the demand for cruise tourism is higher year after year. In 2017 approximately 25.8 million people worldwide made a cruise compared to 24.7 million posted in 2016, according to estimates of the international association of the sector, CLIA.
The eloquent figures suggest that for this year could reach 27 million passengers worldwide.
USA Today magazine estimates that 2018 will be a big year in the world of cruising. “Just about every major cruise line will have a new ship in 2018 as the industry continues to expand rapidly around the globe”.
The prestigious publication mentioned that among the newcomers will be a new vessel from Royal Caribbean that “will smash the record for biggest cruise ship ever — if only by a tad. Dubbed Symphony of the Seas, it’ll carry more than 6,000 passengers and feature dozens of lounges, bars and restaurants as well as an array of deck-top amusements”.
According to USA Today, just as notable will be a new ship from Royal Caribbean’s sister company, Celebrity Cruises. To be called Celebrity Edge, the 2,900-passenger vessel will be the line’s first new ship in six years and boast an innovative new design.
Also unveiling new ships in 2018 are Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line. At all five brands, the newcomers will be sisters to earlier vessels. Fast-growing Viking Ocean Cruises also will be rolling out a new ship in 2018 — it’s fifth since its 2015 debut.
In all, that adds up to eight major new oceangoing cruise ships aimed at the North American market. Experts say the activity of cruising remains enormously popular among the vacationing public. The cruise industry is predicted to enjoy one of the best Caribbean winters in its history.
“So if you are anxious to enjoy a winter cruise in the warm Caribbean, you must act now. You must leap to your telephone; if you do not, you will discover that many Caribbean sailings are totally full and thus no longer accepting bookings. Act quickly, or you may be out of luck”, an analysis on the Internet stressed.
The powerful Carnival Corporation presented a positive outlook for 2018. The company expects adjusted earnings for next year. The net income from approximately $2.9 billion to $3.1 billion based on outstanding shares.
According to CEO and Carnival president Arnold Donald, cumulative bookings and pricing for 2018 is head of the prior year.
Donald added that his focus is on growing revenues and that he will accelerate the retirement of older ships if he has to. And as for China, he added that he has no hesitation to relocate ships if necessary.


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The Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting will weigh whether to overhaul its tax rates on cannabis businesses, a move a consultant and city staff say would make the city more competitive with neighboring jurisdictions.
The proposed changes would cut taxes on retail cannabis businesses in half, reducing them from the 10% tax on gross receipts approved by voters in 2016 with the passage of Measure L to 5%.
That move would align its retail rates with nearby Salinas, Hollister and Marina. It would also bring Watsonville close to its nearest competitors, Santa Cruz County (7%) and Monterey County (4.5%).
The city of Santa Cruz taxes its retail cannabis businesses 7%.
Cultivators would also see a similar tax cut, as the proposed rate of $10 per square foot of canopy area is half of the current rate. Cannabis nurseries, which in the past have been lumped in with all other cultivators, would only be taxed $1 per square foot of canopy area—the same rate neighboring Monterey County charges its nurseries.
The city, however, would now charge a 2% tax on gross receipts for cannabis processing, a new charge that coincides with the state’s cannabis processing license that allows for the separate drying, curing and processing of the plant.
The new rates, according to the prepared staff report, would generate between $1.4-2.6 million per year for the city.
Because of voter approved Measure M, those funds would go to the police (20%), fire (15%), community development (20%), parks and community services (25%) and library departments (8%). In addition, 12% of cannabis taxes go to nonprofit grants determined by the Watsonville City Council.
The proposed changes follow the Watsonville City Council’s recent decision to allow three dispensaries to operate within city limits and expand its limits on cultivation, among other things.
It is unclear when Watsonville will welcome its first bonafide retailer. Community Development Department Director Suzi Merriam said the city received 12 applications from prospective dispensaries when it opened its application process last year. That included three businesses that applied for the city’s equity program, which sets aside one of the three retail licenses for small, local and minority-owned businesses owners.
To see the complete March 9 Watsonville City Council agenda, click here.


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Device manufacturers go to great lengths in order to promote their products and when it comes to Umi, the brand always does something unique. Umi is quite happy about Umi London as it is very well received by tech enthusiasts and users alike. Umi has posted a new video on YouTube under the unique title “Beauty Smash Test”. You can check out the video below.
The video above shows the smartphone being thrown around by some pretty ladies and we guess that’s the reason Umi is calling it Beauty Smash Test. The smartphone is being repeatedly smashed around and it survives all. Umi London is a rugged smartphone and the video above confirms it.
The highlight of this smartphone is the DG Twin Sheild Technology. As for the specifications, Umi London features a 5-inch 720p display powered by a MediaTek MT6580 chipset aided by 1GB RAM and 8GB of internal storage. In addition to an 8MP rear and 5MP front camera, it is fueled by a 2050mAh battery. This smartphone carries a price tag of $59.99 (401 Yuan).
Umi is giving a chance to all the global reviewers to win this device and if you think you can win this phone then you can apply here.


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As far as I'm concerned, if the new NA Chevy Colorado doesn't at least have a diesel opinion for us - they can fogetaboutit! The midsize pickup truck segment already has a couple of proven choices - the Tacoma and the Frontier. Chevy has to do something to step-up its game like delivering a diesel pickup that gets 30+ MPG highway and does well in the IIHS crash tests. That's not asking too much but I would be enough to be a game changer. The 2012 Colorado currently rates worst in the small pickup truck crash test category. I know Chevy can do better.
Spy Shots! 2014 Chevy Colorado and 2014 Chevy Impala Eco Caught Testing
Chevrolet has been busy testing the new Colorado and Impala models, and thanks to some spy shots acquired for our sister websites, we can get a good idea of what to expect. Chevy Colorado and truck fans knew that the new Thai market Colorado that we had seen last year could be a forerunner of the truck we would end up with. GM then announced that it would indeed build the 2014 Chevy Colorado in its Wentzville, MO, factory, and engineers are currently working on altering the truck for the U.S. market.There will be some pronounced changes: while the Thai market Colorado employs diesel engines, the U.S. version will be gasoline powered, possibly with a diesel option. The U.S. Colorado will also feature an updated face, as the front end of the Thai version bears older design language. The 2014 Chevy Colorado will also feature a newer interior, with the sporty gauge-cluster seen in Asia—and lifted from the Camaro—sure to make its way here, well. As for the Chevy Impala, the times are a changin'. The Impala will be going green, with the 2014 Chevy Impala Eco being added to the range. The Impala Eco will be a mild-hybrid version, and will sport Eco badges like the Chevy Malibu. The 2014 Impala will also have a few front-end changes, such as bright LEDs and a new grille. The newer grille will replace the Camaro-three-bar in favor of a solid insert—a Chevy bowtie serving as the back-drop to the Chevrolet logo. More details are expected as we get closer to the launches of both models next year. Source: Motor Trend (Colorado), Automobile (Impala)
The 5-Series GT is a car that BMW fans might be inclined to forget about, but still does its job well:...


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SYDNEY (MarketWatch) — Asia stocks traded mostly higher Monday as investors reacted to U.S. and Chinese data, with Tokyo managing outperform the rest of the region on further weakness for the Japanese yen.
Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average
“Sentiment appears to be finely balanced between weak Chinese industrial output and retail sales data and the stronger-than-expected U.S. employment landscape,” said CMC Markets trader Niall King.
After the close of Asian trade Friday, monthly U.S. employment data that showed that the economy created 236,000 jobs in February as the employment rate fell to a 2008 low, helping to lift stocks on Wall Street. Read: Stocks up for week; S&P 500 near record
“There were more jobs, more hours and more pay, which combined with rising wealth effects, gives the consumer sector much more momentum to deal with higher taxes, the sequester and higher oil prices,” said Perpetual Investments head of investment research Matthew Sherwood.
The U.S. dollar
Exporters tend to benefit from a weaker yen, and those firms added to their recent gains Monday in Tokyo, with auto companies especially strong, as Mitsubishi Motors Corp.
“After what proved to be only a brief pause, the slide in the yen and associated surge in the Nikkei [Average] have both resumed with a vengeance. A yen/dollar exchange rate of ¥100 and a further rally to 13,000 on the Nikkei are certainly plausible targets for the near term,” said Capital Economics economist Mark Williams.
Lifted by inflation optimism, financial-sector firms have also strengthened notably since late last year, and the sector jumped again on Monday. Resona Holdings Inc.
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc.
Still, Sharp Corp.
Over in Hong Kong, investors were buying into globally exposed firms after the jobs data from the U.S, with logistics company Li & Fung Ltd.
up 1.5%, while fashion house Prada SpA
The gains in Hong Kong contrasted with weakness in Shanghai. Chinese data out over the weekend showed consumer inflation accelerating significantly in February, even as industrial output and retail sales eased. Read: China inflation climbs; other indicators soften
“The weekend China data showed firmer-than-expected [consumer] inflation, firmer-than-expected industrial production and retail sales, and weaker than expected fixed-asset investment — not the mix of activity and inflation officials would have liked,” said RBC Capital Markets strategist Sue Trinh.
“Some caution in interpreting the data is needed, given distortions caused by the Lunar New Year holiday, but it may take another month or two of data to get a clearer picture,” she said.
Bank stocks declined on the Chinese mainland, with China Merchants Bank Co.
South Korean exporters were once again suffering along with the weaker yen, as Korean and Japanese firms compete head-to-head in many overseas markets.
Autos have been particularly hard-hit since the start of the year, and they were lower again on Monday, with Kia Motors Corp.
After the Chinese data, Australian miners fell Monday on concerns about the economic health of their biggest customer, with Rio Tinto Ltd.
Helping to offset the mining-sector losses were energy giant Woodside Petroleum Ltd.


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The prospects of seeing Cadillac’s Blackwing twin-turbo V8 engine under the hood of the CT5-V sedan are nonexistent at the moment. The motor simply can’t fit inside the vehicle’s engine compartment and this forces the automaker to use the old 6.2-liter V8. That doesn’t mean the Blackwing project is dead as Cadillac’s president Steve Carlisle hinted we’ll see something from the Blackwing expertise in other future models of the brand.
During the presentation of the 2021 Escalade last week, Carlisle gave an interview to our colleagues at Road and Track and confirmed the automaker has “no specific plans for that engine” at the moment. However, the Blackwing name won’t die.
"We learned a lot with Blackwing. It's an idea that's really resonated with people. So there'll be a little bit of Blackwing in other cars going forward," Carlisle told the publication during the new Escalade debut ceremony.
The Blackwing twin-turbo engine was introduced with the CT6-V back in 2018 and offered 550 horsepower (410 kilowatts) at 5,700 rpm and 640 pound-feet (868 Newton-meters) of torque between 3,200 and 4,000 rpm. There were rumors that Cadillac could also use it for the CT5-V but the plans changed at some point.
save over $3,400 on average off MSRP* on a new Cadillac CT6-V
The CT6 will go out of production later this month when the Escalade will effectively take the position of the brand’s flagship model. Cadillac won’t build a direct successor to the CT6 but a new large sedan could be launched at some point in the future. It won’t feature an internal combustion engine though, as Caddy wants to “move into electrification, it's a clean sheet."


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- WHITE PAPERS
New research from Mintel shows that the breakfast daypart remains highly untapped in the Chinese market, even as foreign quick-service outlets are set to break the 50,000 mark in that country this year.
This is compared to 48,477 QSR units in China at the end of 2011, and 36,037 in 2006. Additionally, 44 percent of Chinese consumers said they plan to spend more on quick-service food in the coming year.
However, as the QSR market gets more crowded in China, Mintel reveals that breakfast is still highly under-penetrated. One in five (21 percent) urban Chinese consumers eat at QSRs in the morning (4 a.m.-11 a.m.) as opposed to 75 percent during lunchtime.
"Despite having the upper hand in quality, safety and service, foreign fast food still has much work to do in flavor, affordability, health and variety in order to compete more effectively against Chinese fast food, which has the largest share of the fast food sector. To increase consumption of foreign fast food, more has to be done to unlock opportunities in the breakfast market where usage is the lowest," said Tan Heng Hong, senior China research analyst at Mintel.
Mintel's research has also found that 86 percent of survey respondents have eaten at Chinese QSRs compared to 68 percent at foreign QSRs in the past year. The research firm suggests that inclusion of local menu items could help bridge this gap, as 76 percent of consumers expressed an interest in local fare.
"Chinese fast food restaurants, which serve Chinese staples including rice and noodles, are more popular as they win on price, variety, nutrition and flavor. Hamburgers, pizza and Japanese noodle or rice dishes served by foreign fast food restaurants are less popular because they are perceived to be more expensive or less healthy, which makes foreign fast food an occasional indulgence, rather than an everyday purchase. It is clear that consumers demand local flavors on their menu and this can be applied to the breakfast daypart, especially with items that integrate well on the menu, like porridge. The challenge for foreign fast food chains is to come up with new innovative products that can meet the demand for a more localized taste," Heng Hong added.
Foreign quick-service food in China has experienced steady growth throughout the past five years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19 percent from 2006-11. It now accounts 11.8 percent of the overall QSR sector.
Mintel forecasts the sector to increase to RMB (renminbi, the official currency of China) 171 billion by 2017, growing by about 95 percent on the expected value for 2012 or a CAGR of 14.3 percent. Furthermore, the number of outlets, chains and independents is expected to increase to 71,964 outlets by 2017, up 39 percent on the expected number for 2012.
Foreign QSRs vs. native QSRs
When it comes to attitudes toward foreign QSR outlets versus Chinese, there is a clear divide over a number of aspects. Foreign chains win out on speed of service with 19 percent of Chinese consumers saying that they perform a lot better, compared to just 1 percent for Chinese outlets.
Foreign outlets also have the advantage in terms of hygiene perception with 18 percent of Chinese consumers saying foreign QSR outlets perform a lot better in this area (compared to 1 percent for Chinese outlets), as well as ambience with 14 percent of Chinese consumers thinking foreign QSRs perform better in this area compared to 1 percent for native brands.
However, Chinese outlets won out for key areas such as variety of choices on the menu (16 percent versus 6 percent); balanced diet and nutritional value (13 percent versus 4 percent) and overall taste (9 percent versus 6 percent).
Mintel's research also shows a gender divide when it comes to foreign quick-service food. More women (71 percent) claim to eat at foreign brand restaurants than men (66 percent). This is attributed to dining out occasions being social and including children, friends, colleagues or other family members. That stated, there is still a sizeable percentage of women who bring their own meal packs (30 percent) compared to men (19 percent) for out-of-home eating, which means more efforts have to be made by brands to appeal to women. In addition, slightly more women (25 percent) than men (19 percent) eat at QSRs when there is a promotion such as meal vouchers or coupons. Women are generally more interested in promotions.
"To increase traffic among women, promotions such as vouchers and coupons can be a useful marketing tool. Women are interested in deals because they enjoy the thrill of not paying full price for an item. The popularity of meal vouchers or coupons is more pronounced in young women in their twenties and thirties. These age groups form the bulk of what is known as the 'coupon generation' where discount shopping has become a way of life, thanks to their access to new technology allowing e-coupons to be downloaded onto mobile devices, printed off websites, bought from group buying sites or collected from discount coupon vending machines," Heng Hong said.
Read more about trends and statistics.


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Hudson Star Observer
St. Croix Crossing rises
Harel Chiropractic Clinic in Hudson notifies patients of beach of unsecured personal information
18 arrested at cockfight near Glenwood City
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Kind hints he might support repeal of med device tax; band rails on Walker for using their song; 10 more Wisconsin stories
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Jets adding Hogan, Heimerdinger to front office
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS: Martin W. O\'Connell Estate; Case No. 15PR4
CITY OF HUDSON: 2/15/15 Public Hearing - Hudson Ford Investments LLC
CITY OF HUDSON: 2/12/15 Public Hearing - Heritage Greens Permit Amendment
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Jan. 18: Most frustrating five minutes in football
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Workout resolutions, 'happy gas' - and a great way to find your best
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Get Out! Deals
July 10, 2009
Governor meets with Chrysler's CEO about keeping Kenosha engine plant open
Gov. Jim Doyle met with Chrysler's CEO Thursday about the possibility of keeping the Kenosha engine plant open. The governor's office confirms that Doyle went to Chrysler's headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. But it would not say much else about Doyle's meeting with Sergio Marchionne....
July 10, 2009 - 9:55am
June 19, 2009
Can Chrysler be persuaded to keep its Kenosha engine plant running?
Congresswoman Gwen Moore is not sure if Chrysler can be persuaded to keep its Kenosha engine plant running beyond next fall. That's what the Milwaukee Democrat said Thursday after she and three other Wisconsin lawmakers met with Chrysler's deputy CEO, Jim Press. The pessimism...
June 19, 2009 - 9:29am
June 2, 2009
Governor hopeful car manufacturers considering Wisconsin for jobs
Gov. Jim Doyle says it's a milestone to have both General Motors and Chrysler at least consider future auto production in Wisconsin. Monday, GM said the now-closed Janesville plant is one of three in the running for a possible new small-car facility. And new language has been...
June 2, 2009 - 9:00am
May 29, 2009
Hudson Chrysler survives dealership cuts
Hudson Chrysler has escaped elimination, according to General Manager Tim Jubie. The business wasn't among the 789 dealerships nationwide that got letters from Chrysler Corp. a week ago telling them that they would no longer be selling new vehicles for the automaker. Luther Hudson...
May 29, 2009 - 8:40am
May 19, 2009
Hundreds protest planned closing of the Kenosha Chrysler plant
"U.S. jobs are worth fighting for." That was the main message from a protest rally Monday against the possible closing of the Chrysler engine plant in Kenosha. Hundreds of union workers at the plant and their families and friends took to the streets with signs saying "Invest in...
May 19, 2009 - 9:00am
May 15, 2009
Up to 1,000 Wisconsinites lose their jobs if Chrysler cuts ties with 18 state dealerships
Up to 1,000 Wisconsinites would lose their jobs if Chrysler gets its way. The automaker announced plans Thursday to stop selling new vehicles at 18 state dealerships, as the firm re-organizes itself under Chapter-11 bankruptcy. Nationally, Chrysler plans to close almost a quarter...
May 15, 2009 - 10:54am
May 8, 2009
Lawmaker 'appalled' at Chrysler's jobs leaving U.S.
Four of Wisconsin's federal lawmakers want Chrysler to use a federal loan program to re-tool its Kenosha plant and keep it running. Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, and House members Paul Ryan and Gwen Moore suggested the move in a letter to White House auto task force chair Steven...
May 8, 2009 - 9:40am
May 7, 2009
Chrysler admits communication on Kenosha plant was lacking
Chrysler admits it could have communicated better. But now, the firm promises to work with Kenosha and other communities involved in the auto-maker's restructuring. The union chief at the Kenosha engine factory said nobody ever told him the plant would close in 2010. The 800...
May 7, 2009 - 9:00am
May 5, 2009
Chrysler workers rally in Kenosha to keep plant open
More than 300 auto workers rallied in Kenosha Monday night, booing Chrysler's decision to close their engine plant and urging President Obama and Chrysler to reverse the move. Gov. Jim Doyle, Kenosha's mayor, and the county executive wrote Obama Monday, and asked that Chrysler's...
May 5, 2009 - 9:25am
April 30, 2009
Negotiations stall as Kenosha Chrysler nears midnight deadline
Chrysler employees in Kenosha did their part to try and avoid bankruptcy. Local president Glenn Stark of the United Auto Workers said 89 percent of those who voted Wednesday favored a restructuring of their contract from 2007. But the company might not able to avoid bankruptcy...
April 30, 2009 - 9:00am
February 26, 2009
Chrysler to make layoffs at Kenosha plant
Up to 150 workers will be laid off next month at the Chrysler engine plant in Kenosha. Production has been relatively stable on two lines in Kenosha. But spokesman Max Gates says the output on both lines will be reduced indefinitely starting on March 23, as the result of declining...
February 26, 2009 - 9:05am
July 18, 2008
Hudson Chrysler is under new management
Tim Jubie isn't a Pollyanna about the job ahead of him as the new general manager of Hudson Chrysler. "It certainly is the most challenging business environment I've ever been in," the 48-year-old acknowledged. But Jubie believes he has a strategy to improve sales at the Hudson...
July 18, 2008 - 12:00am


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Amid a heightened war for talent, employees say they want employers to make eco-friendly practices a priority
Submitted by Essity
U.S. employees have high expectations for green office spaces and expect more eco-friendly practices from their employers, according to new research released today by global hygiene and health company, Essity. The company recently conducted a survey of employees who have returned to the office at least part-time and found that the vast majority of employees (75%) say they want a more environmentally friendly office.*
The research also found that those surveyed have become markedly ‘greener’ than before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Just over half of employees working from an office (51%) say they became more eco-conscious while working from home during lockdown periods. Another 46% say they feel more aware of how ‘green’ their workplace is then when they worked in the pre-pandemic office. In fact, more than half (58%) feel their office is 'shamefully eco-unfriendly’, with one-third (34%) believing the introduction of eco-friendly practices within their workplace is usually an afterthought.
“Working from home and in their personal spaces during the pandemic increased employees’ attention on what it takes to create environmentally friendly workplaces and employers should take note – especially those looking to retain and attract talent in this market,” said Don Lewis, President of Essity’s Professional Hygiene business. “Our research shows that as many as four in ten employees prioritize companies based on their sustainability reputation and actions when looking for a new job. Increasing eco-friendly priorities in the workplace and empowering employees can create a greener office while helping drive employee engagement.”
The Essity survey found that a majority of employees working in the office (71%) feel it is essentially the employees themselves who are leading the charge to make sustainable changes in the workplace rather than management. Over half of employees (51%) believe their employers need to better communicate the ways they intend to address sustainability in the workplace. On top of that, 56% think their employees could be doing more to turn their office into an ‘eco-friendly’ place.
When asked who should be responsible, reactions were mixed. Roughly a third of survey respondents pointed to employers (32%), and nearly as many (28%) pointed to employees or a 50/50 shared responsibility between both employers and employees (27%), representing an opportunity for companies to get their employees involved.
“As employers continue to struggle to attract and retain talent, they ought to consider how they can appeal to their workers,” said Amy Bellcourt, Vice President of Communications, Professional Hygiene, Essity North America. “Our survey found that sustainability is often overlooked. Amid the pressure to deliver workplace flexibility, competitive salaries and benefits, and in-office perks, employers often disregard the importance of sustainability in the workplace – and their employees are noticing. Creating a more sustainable workplace leads to better outcomes, for your employee base and our planet.”
As sustainability becomes a top priority for employees, employers can implement and communicate simple, eco-friendly changes around their offices to meet ‘greener’ employee expectations.
Tork®, the Professional Hygiene brand from Essity, is the global leader in workplace hygiene. Tork solutions can help employers reassure employees that both their hygiene needs and sustainability expectations are being met in a way that is visible to employees. With award-winning Tork products and expert guidance, employees can improve their business performance – and sustainability communications – through sustainable hygiene management.
For more information, please visit torkusa.com/sustainability.
*This survey was conducted online within the United States by OnePoll on behalf of Essity from March 3-16, 2022 among 2,000 US office workers who have returned to the office at least some of the time.
For more information, please contact:
The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissues, soap, napkins and wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they're always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity and a committed partner to customers in more than 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit torkusa.com.
Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. We are dedicated to improving well-being through our products and services. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as JOBST, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda, and Zewa. Essity has about 46,000 employees. Net sales in 2021 amounted to approximately $13 billion. The company’s headquarters is in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Philadelphia is Essity’s Professional Hygiene headquarters. In addition to Pennsylvania, Essity has U.S. operations in Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. In Canada, Essity has operations in Drummondville, Quebec and Oakville, Ontario. Essity breaks barriers to well-being and contributes to a healthy, sustainable and circular society. More information at essity.com.
Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company that develops, produces and sells Personal Care (Baby Care, Feminine Care, Incontinence Products and Medical Solutions), Consumer Tissue and Professional Hygiene products and solutions.
Our vision is; Dedicated to improving well-being through leading hygiene and health solutions. The name Essity stems from the words essentials and necessities. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under many strong brands, including the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other brands, such as Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 48,000 employees and net sales in 2017 amounted to approximately 12.8 bn USD (SEK 109bn, EUR 11.3bn). The business operations are based on a sustainable business model with focus on value creation for people and nature.
The company has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Essity used to be part of the SCA Group.
Tork is a brand of Essity. Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company that develops personal care, professional hygiene and consumer tissue products and solutions. Essity offers Tork paper towels, toilet paper, skin care products, facial tissue, wipers, wet wipes, napkins and other hygiene products for washrooms, wash stations, healthcare areas, food and beverage handling, food preparation, manufacturing and maintenance. For more information, visit http://www.torkusa.com/
More from Essity


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EU-Vietnam deal: a long time coming, but still good news for consumers
Press release - Trade
12 February 2020
EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren commented today on the approval by the European Parliament of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
“We have been pushing for a free trade agreement with Vietnam for many years, and are delighted at the European Parliament’s decision to approve the deal. With its liberalisation of tariffs and deepening of business links the agreement offers real opportunities for European businesses – granting exporters access to a strong emerging market of close to 100 million people, and offers EU importers and consumers new opportunities in a sustainable and responsible source of quality products. With the commitments made by Vietnam, the agreement will also reinforce the improvements already made to conditions for Vietnamese workers.”
The EU-Vietnam FTA will eliminate over 99% of the tariffs at present in force. Vietnam will liberalise 65% of import duties on EU exports to Vietnam at entry into force of the agreement, with the remainder of duties on, for example, dairy products and wines and spirits, being eliminated over a 5-10-year period. EU duties will be eliminated over the next 7 years.
Provisions on e-commerce will facilitate online trade, and Vietnam has committed to substantially improve access for EU companies to a broad range of service sectors.
The agreement also contains a strong chapter on trade and sustainability which guarantees environmental and human rights standards, with clear powers of enforcement. The Vietnamese government has committed to address earlier European concerns about workers’ rights in the country. They have undertaken to ratify and implement three core ILO conventions: one has already been transposed into Vietnamese law, and the others will be implemented shortly, significantly improving the situation of all workers in Vietnam. While the agreement covering goods only needs the agreement of Council and European Parliament, the investment provisions in it will require ratification by national parliaments.
“This is the most ambitious EU agreement ever signed with a developing country. Its benefits are significant, and I am pleased we have got there now. But it is perhaps worth remembering that the negotiations were concluded in December 2015. I sincerely hope that in this, and other pending agreements important to European business, the institutions and member states can speed up ratification so that the benefits for both sides are not withheld for too long.”


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ASTANA. KAZINFORM – A meeting of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) international association took place under the chairmanship of Kazakh Temir Zholy Governor Nurlan Sauranbayev in Tbilisi, Georgia, Kazinform reports.
Attending the meeting were the heads of railway authorities, shipping companies and ports of Georgia, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. Georgian Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili delivered his welcoming speech.
The meeting’s participants were presented with the reports on the work of the Association, focusing on the overall positive dynamics of transportation through the route and its greater role in ensuring transit flows between Europe, Central Asia, and China.
It was noted that owing to joint efforts of the Association’s members, the volume of goods transportation via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) rose 2.7 times in nine months of 2022 compared to the same period of last year. The figure totaled at 1 million 84 thousand tons in nine months.
Exports accounted for much of the growth. Export traffic from Kazakhstan via the route rose by 7.9fold.
The participants elaborated a number of measures to ensure further growth of container traffic via the Middle Corridor and providing favorable conditions through it.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) crosses China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, the Black Sea, and EU countries. The TITR international association includes 20 companies, including railway authorities, port, shipping, and logistics companies from eight countries.


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At least, this is what her company is being accused of; it was described as being "deceptively and misleadingly." Consumer Jonathan D. Robins claims that the company´s natural products are actually made from synthetic materials.
The lawsuit says, "Based on Honest's representations that the Products were natural, (Rubin) and the Class paid a premium for the Products over comparable products that did not purport to be natural. Instead of receiving products that were natural, (Rubin) and the Class received the Products, which, contrary to Honest's representations, contained synthetic ingredients."
Rubin and class members are aiming towards a $5 million reward for damages and interest in liquidated sums.
Alba’s company responded to these accusations on an ABC News interview with the following statement: "We believe that consumers deserve to know what's in their products -- whether it's diapers for their children, cleaning products for their families or beauty products for themselves. Our formulations are made with integrity and strict standards of safety, and we label each ingredient that goes into every product -- not because we have to, but because it's the right thing to do."
This is not the first time that Honest Company, co-founded by Alba in 2011, has received negative comments for their products. Last month, the company had to present a lengthy statement defending their Honest Sunscreen Lotion as buyers on Twitter were complaining that it was ineffective.
In the lawsuit document, Robins surfaces this complaints with the sunscreen lotion. This poses as a serious threat to Alba’s company since unlike last month’s accusations, this is a legal lawsuit that proceeds against not only one product, but the whole line of them.


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The Statesman Journal reported that Carl’s Cuisine The Kitchen Store has re-branded and will now be called Willamette Valley Kitchen Co.
Located in Salem, OR, the store will host a grand re-opening at its 333 Chemeketa Street NE location from Sept. 14 to Sept. 20. The store will have food as well as giveaways and raffles for patrons.
The store has not yet announced the change on its Facebook page, however, did leave an update that customers should expect something big to happen at Carl’s Cuisine.
Carl’s Cuisine changed hands in 2014 when it was purchased by Amy Church from original owners Carl Meisel and Jo Taylor, who started the business in 1980.


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US military to open its own GitHub repository
Telstra-built national cancer register running months behind schedule
Are users 'gaming' myTax to get bigger deductions?
Cloudflare reveals 'bad' data leakage bug
DTA expands digital marketplace
Don't have an account? Register now!
MYOB splashes $48m on Paycorp
Wants its automated payments capabilities.
Feb 23 2017 10:48AM
Macquarie, ING Bank sign up to Apple Pay
In challenge to big four.
Feb 13 2017 11:38AM
Banks surrender in Apple Pay fee fight
Narrow argument to NFC access.
Feb 13 2017 9:44AM
ANZ Bank gives data a seat at the executive table
Lures Woolworths exec to new role.
Feb 1 2017 5:31PM
MacTel, Optus retain spot as biggest tech political donors
But smaller offerings than previous years.
Feb 1 2017 9:04AM
CBA, Qld trial world's first blockchain-backed govt bond
Bank sets up "virtual crypto bond" for Queensland Treasury.
Jan 25 2017 9:27AM
ANZ allows card continuity on digital wallets
Changes way it deals with missing cards.
Jan 13 2017 12:43PM
US clearing house moves to blockchain
Swaps processing platform for distributed ledger.
Jan 10 2017 6:40AM
Apple tips $1.37bn into SoftBank tech fund
Total pot could top $95bn.
Jan 5 2017 9:42AM
Bitcoin's total value hits record high above $19 billion
Same value as an average FTSE 100 company.
Dec 23 2016 9:32AM
Westpac picks Oracle to underpin new tech foundation
Exclusive: Customer service hub deal sewn up.
Dec 19 2016 9:00AM
ASIC offers regulatory sandbox to Aussie fintechs
To test new services.
Dec 16 2016 11:23AM
NAB opens APIs to target travel apps
Puts 230 APIs into production.
Dec 15 2016 9:42AM
'Hardware issue' downs ATO digital services
Update: Entire day offline and counting.
Dec 12 2016 12:39PM
ATO outs tech giants with tiny tax bills
Who got away with paying zero?
Dec 9 2016 1:18PM
Building the 'biggest database ever' in AWS
Petabytes and petabytes of Wall St trades in the public cloud.
Dec 8 2016 6:00AM
CBA salesman monitored ex-worker's data during unfair dismissal case
Bank whacked with $10,000 fine.
Dec 7 2016 6:50AM
CBA builds a centre for bots
To bolster automation and robotics efforts.
Dec 6 2016 6:45AM
Banks set to lose Apple Pay NFC fight
ACCC issues draft decision.
Nov 29 2016 10:01AM
Melbourne apartment builder signs up for paperless settlements
Will use targeted PEXA solution.
Nov 28 2016 12:10PM
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The National Association of Foreign Trade Zones recognized BMW (IW100/37) as its Exporter of the Year, earlier last week.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, based on the 2011 value of BMW exports from South Carolina, the company’s Spartanburg facility is the largest automotive exporter from the U.S.
BMW’s plant in Spartanburg currently produces over 1,000 vehicles each day and is the exclusive exporter of X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and the X6 Sports Activity Coupe through the Port of Charleston.
This year, the plant is projected to produce more than 300,000 vehicles and will export approximately 70% of those vehicles to more than 130 global markets.
The plant originally began vehicle production in 1994. In the last 18 years, BMW has produced over 2 million vehicles.
Earlier this year, the company announced another $900 million expansion to increase capacity to 350,000 units by 2014 and will bring a new model to its Spartanburg operation.


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Call it the other Uber problem.
BankUnited in Miami Lakes, Fla., is seeing some stress in its loans to restaurant franchises, and executives say the culprit is an explosion of delivery options that has resulted in fewer people visiting restaurants and ordering high-margin items such as desserts and drinks.
During a fourth-quarter earnings call Thursday, Rajinder Singh, BankUnited’s chairman, president and CEO, said the company is keeping tabs on its $360 million restaurant portfolio as more consumers order in using such services as Uber Eats, Grubhub and DoorDash.
CEO Rajinder Singh said that while BankUnited’s portfolio of loans to restaurants is showing signs of stress, loans to fitness chains and other franchises are performing well.
“There is a lot of delivery happening. And when delivery happens, often the revenue model gets impacted because you’re not ordering some of the higher-priced stuff,” he said. “That change that is happening in the business model, coupled with tight labor markets … is putting pressure on the financials of our borrowers.”
Executives said some of those loans were moved to criticized or classified status during the quarter, but they did not provide an exact figure.
Other banks have reported issues tied to restaurant lending as the food-services industry struggles with competition, rising labor costs and declining foot traffic to shopping malls and big-box stores.
Singh said restaurant franchise lending is the only area of concern for the $32.9 billion-asset BankUnited. Other franchise businesses, such as fitness centers, are “doing extremely well,” he said. BankUnited is looking to increase commercial lending in the Atlanta metro area in 2020 and will launch a commercial card later in the year, he said.
Fourth-quarter profit at BankUnited rose by 70% from a year earlier, to $89.5 million. Like most other banks, the company increased its fee income, while its net interest margin contracted due to lower rates.However, a loan-loss provision recovery helped boost its overall results as the company bounced back from prior troubles with its taxi medallion lending portfolio. BankUnited posted a recovery of $500,000 in the fourth quarter compared with a $12.6 million loan-loss provision a year earlier.


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Published On: 6.9.2014 Charlotte, NC
Walmart Takes Full Responsibility In Tracy Morgan Fatal Truck Crash
On behalf of Charles G. Monnett III & Associatesof
The top executive at Walmart admitted that one of his company’s trucks was involved in a six-vehicle crash Saturday that killed one man and critically injured three others, including comedian and actor Tracy Morgan.
“The facts are continuing to unfold,” CEO Bill Simon said Saturday. “If it’s determined that our truck caused the accident, Walmart will take full responsibility.”


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As e-commerce extends into mobile technologies, growing numbers of hyper-connected consumers are making smartphones a regular part of their purchasing processes. This worldwide trend is moving fastest in certain emerging markets, where switched-on consumers are proving more apt to embrace m-shopping than are their developed market peers. New research shows that just 16 percent of US online consumers have used a mobile device to shop online, far short of the 50 percent in China, 48 percent in Singapore, and 42 percent in India.
After more than a decade of tracking consumers’ use of digital technology, global communications company Havas Worldwide has undertaken a major study to look at emerging paths to purchase around the world. Working with research partner Market Probe International, we surveyed 10,219 adults in 31 countries, representing a combined population of more than five billion. Already, 43 percent of all those we surveyed have used a smartphone to check for a better price or for customer reviews online while shopping for a product in a store. In the United States this emerged as a large minority practice adopted by 32 percent, whereas it’s already a standard approach to shopping for 74 percent in China, 62 percent in India, and 58 percent in Singapore.
Many consumers are using more than one device for their online shopping, although desktop computers are still the main go-to device in all countries. Overall 80 percent have shopped through a home computer, 24 percent through a work computer, 25 percent through a mobile device, and 14 percent through a tablet.
“Our study explores how consumers are moving on from the last decade’s relatively simple and static model of e-commerce to the more complex and dynamic systems of m-shopping, using a mix of fixed and mobile devices,” says Matt Weiss, global chief marketing officer of Havas Worldwide. “This shift is most pronounced in Asia, where wider adoption of m-shopping is giving brands and developers great incentive to push through new m-services. They’re well placed to be ahead of the curve in the coming generations of m-shopping technologies and systems.”
Highlights of the study include:
· Among developed markets, Germany is the most mobile-minded, with the second-lowest percentage (47 percent) shopping through a home computer and the highest (40 percent) shopping through a smartphone.
· Globally, more than a third (34 percent) of respondents say they are comfortable purchasing products and services through their smartphones, but there are big differences between respondents in the US (26 percent) and those in China and India (64 and 54 percent).
· Overall, 78 percent worry at least occasionally about their security when shopping online, but Latin countries are much more prone to online shopping anxiety. Just more than half (54 percent) of respondents in Brazil worry every time they make a purchase online, as do 49 percent in Chile, 43 in Colombia and Mexico, and 32 percent in Argentina, Similarly 37 percent in France and 33 percent in Italy are every-time worriers.
· More than 3 in 5 respondents (61 percent) trust peer reviews of products and services more than they trust expert reviews. Here, too, percentages are far higher in China and India (87 and 74 percent), as well as Brazil (78 percent), than in the US (58 percent).
· Contrary to popular opinion, consumers are not more apt to share bad experiences than good. More than half (53 percent) say they are equally likely to share good and bad experiences, and another 22 percent are more likely to share good experiences than bad. That’s great news for retailers, given that almost 4 in 10 (38 percent) say that finding a single negative comment online can dissuade them from completing a purchase.
· Just over half (52 percent) like to share their brand experiences via social media (as distinct from review sites), and 38 percent have changed their minds about purchasing a product or service based on something they read on a nonbranded blog or social media site.
· Consumers are ambivalent about the presence of brands in social media. Around 4 in 10 find that brands on social networking sites are intrusive. At best, brands need to earn their place by being responsive to complaints made through social media channels (53 percent expect them to be) or by offering discounts or prizes (42 percent).
“Brands and their marketers need to understand that mobile technologies are far more than just desktop digital in a handier format, especially in markets where desktop is not as common,” says Marianne Hurstel, vice president, Havas Worldwide’s BETC and global chief strategy officer, Havas Worldwide. “They are radically changing the consumer-brand relationship. Mobile devices provide each consumer with a personal 24/7 media space in which they control who and what appears—although, as we have learned of late, apparently not who is monitoring their activities. These devices foster expectations of easy access to information, worthwhile interactions, and immediate responses from their brand partners. And they create what may seem like erratic behavior as consumers repeatedly check their mobile devices and change their courses of action on the fly.”
“The evolution of digital from a desktop paradigm to a mobile paradigm makes it far more difficult for marketers to retain consumers’ attention,” says Matt Weiss. “In markets where smartphones are the norm, brands must aim to create preference by developing apps that make transactions quick and seamless, and that offer more value than the consumer can find elsewhere. More and more, this will mean making smart use of data to engage people at point of purchase with tailored offers that convince them to close the deal.”


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You scratch our back, we’ll scratch yours.
This seems to be the unofficial mantra between Nike and Tiger Woods, as the pair are on the verge of signing a new deal that would keep Woods as the highest paid endorser in golf, according to Wood’s agent, Mark Steinberg.
The relationship between Nike and Woods began in 1996, when he signed a deal reported to be worth more than $100 million. Nike has served as Woods’ most loyal endorser throughout his career, and did not follow the paths of Gillette, Accenture, AT&T and Gatorade by dropping Woods following his infidelity scandal in 2009.
Woods’ current contract is set to end at some point this year, but Steingberg told ESPN.com that signing with another apparel and equipment sponsor was never a serious possibility and that “we’re down to the very, very short strokes right now … I would expect we would come out with some sort of joint announcement when we get the paperwork signed. I hope this is viewed as a pretty bold statement.”
Steinberg would not elaborate on the details of the deal, but said they are pleased the world’s No.1 golfer will be able to continue his 17-year relationship with Nike.
“This process went as such where I never had to get out in the market to test the waters in a formal way,” Steinberg said. “That’s a good thing, because I think some of the most memorable moments throughout Tiger’s career to date are linked with Nike.”
Woods has worn Nike apparel since 1996, but did not began using their equipment until 2000 — when he hit the Nike golf ball well enough to win three majors.
The 37-year-old has 78 PGA Tour victories and 14 major championships in his career. Being just four PGA Tour titles behind Sam Snead and four major championships behind Jack Nicklaus, it now seems certain that if the day comes for Woods to surpass these legends, it will be done in his infamous Sunday Nike reds.
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Youâ€™re in the driverâ€™s seat and beauty companies know it. At a recent symposium sponsored by The Fashion Group International, beauty executives described the ever evolving retail economy, social media universe and consumer values, and the quick lane switching they must follow to keep up. The presentation entitled, â€œChanging Lanes: New Model, New Distribution, New Beauty World,â€ took place on May 2, 2012 at the New York Hilton.
â€œWe are losing control of our communication,â€ stated Mike Indursky, president of spa-product brand Bliss, referring to the power of social media and its viral potential. â€œThere are millions of options to choose fromâ€ when choosing a media outlet to reach consumers.
Peter Lichtenthal, president of hair-product company, Bumble and bumble, described giving away free blow outs to consumers in order to engage them in the brand. Anyone who purchased a Bumble and bumble product at Sephora was invited to get a free consultation and free blow dry at affiliated salons throughout the country.
With all the online options for purchase, brick-and-mortar stores have to be incredibly attuned to customer expectations. â€œAt Nordstrom, weâ€™re focused on customer-centric service and products,â€ stated Laurie Black, general merchandising manager and executive vice president of cosmetics at Nordstrom. One thing that consumers have declared loud and clear is the need to sample products before purchase.
Thinking outside the box to attract customers has become the norm rather than the challenge in our highly competitive retail atmosphere. StriVectin, an anti-aging skincare brand, began life as an anti-stretch mark cream â€“ but was refocused to target aging concerns. Today, it is handled as a multi-channel brand â€“ sold at QVC, Costco, department stores and online. The reason? â€œThatâ€™s where the consumer is,â€ explained Jill Scalamandre, chief marketing officer of Chrysallis, StriVectinâ€™s parent company.
About a decade ago, most beauty executives believed that shoppers never would purchase beauty products online, particularly not fragrance. Today, 1 in 4 women has purchased fragrance online and 1 in 5 has purchased cosmetics through online retailers, stated Elaine Dâ€™Farley, beauty director of Self magazine. The retail environment, led by consumer demands and social media innovation, is evolving at a meteoric pace, and BITB canâ€™t wait to see what happens next.


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Alan Rownan, Industry Manager – Sports & Entertainment at Euromonitor International talks about how EURO 2020 will affect FMCG and retailing industries.
Sports events used to have a positive impact on country’s economy. How did that change during the pandemic?
Historically, major sports events such as the UEFA European Football Championship have offered a welcome economic boost to both the host nation(s) as well as key fan markets. This year however, it is more challenging to pin down just any one mood. The tournament spans multiple cities and countries for the first time meaning that there will be no concentration of fans and with various countries at different stages of recovery, this is anything but business as usual for UEFA. Over the last 12 months however, there have been two sides to the coin – a pent up demand to adapt to the ‘new normal’ which has included an eagerness to return to sports venues to support both domestic and national teams. The obvious counterbalance to this eagerness however has been the persistent health risks and fracturing of confidence in attending large gatherings.
Yet, while consumers may not be flocking out to bars or public squares to watch the matches, and with strict limitations on capacity at host venues (ranging from 25-33% of total) they are still likely to carve out a portion of disposable income to mark key matches. Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, snacks and meal delivery for instance will all see an uptick in sales.
How does FMCG and retail industry react to the changing situation?
In many instances, sports has suffered both directly through the widespread cancellation and postponements of events, but also through the downstream impact from other industries as marketing budgets that would have been earmarked for sports have been cut.
Generally what we’ve seen is a tentativeness from sponsors throughout the pandemic brought about by a range of factors, from a lack of certainty around return on investment (ROI) to reputational risks if sponsorship activations failed to strike the right chord with consumers. As the recovery starts to take hold across Europe, confidence in sponsorship is beginning to grow in parallel. There remains a long way to go to return to pre-pandemic norms.
Across FMCG and retail however, the emphasis will be engaging with fans online. TikTok is the first social media and digital entertainment platform to partner with the EURO 2020 and seeks to become a fan engagement hub when the tournament kicks off. In Euromonitor’s Voice of the Industry survey (fielded November 2020) almost 60% of industry respondents saw digital engagement as the most important factor influencing digital commerce in the past year as they seek to find new ways to reach consumers in virtual environments. More than 70% of industry professionals said they accelerated some technology-related investments due to COVID-19.
The annual Voice of the Industry: Digital Survey, asks industry professionals about planned technology investment and the perceived impact of technology on commerce development.#
How will beverage companies benefit from EURO 2020?
Major sports competitions such as EURO 2020 undoubtedly benefit various FMCG categories but aren’t an anti-dote to the much broader issues of pandemic restrictions and subsequent economic uncertainty. As a more granular level however, sponsors in key categories will benefit from global exposure and brand amplification throughout the tournament and can expect an uptick in brand consideration and favorability which can be converted to sales. Non-sponsoring brands will also benefit from fans more generally treating the tournament as a reason to indulge. The best outcome for the category will be strong fan engagement driving sales throughout the tournament with a view to sustaining this going forward as the pandemic recovery gains pace.


text: AMD’s Anti-Lag+ technology is set to return “soon” according to Frank Azor, after it was previously removed due to anti-cheat concerns. The technology reduces lag in PC games and improves responsiveness, providing a competitive advantage for gamers. While Nvidia has already integrated their own lag reduction technology, Nvidia Reflex, directly into games, it is unclear how AMD plans to implement Anti-Lag+. By making it a driver-based feature, AMD can add it to more games, regardless of developer interest or resources. However, making it an implementable game feature would mean fewer games could benefit from it. Ultimately, gamers will have to wait and see what changes AMD has made to their lag reducing technology.


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CANADIANS CELEBRATE BLACK FRIDAY NORTH OF THE BORDER: Black Friday’s just around the corner and nearly nine in 10 Canadians will be shopping north of the border this holiday season. A new survey by RetailMeNot.ca reveals that nearly all (87%) of Canadians will shop for most of their holiday gifts in-store at Canadian retailers, and 21% will shop for most gifts online with Canadian e-tailers this holiday season.
Word is more than $13 billion is set to be pumped into the economy North American-wide over the upcoming three days.
While 44% of those surveyed indicated that they do less holiday shopping in the U.S. now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are in Canada, many do not take advantage of the pre-season savings. Additionally, while 57% of Canadians surveyed see Black Friday as an opportunity to get great deals before the holidays, only 13% plan to actually shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year.
According to other sources, Black Friday’s the new Boxing Day — and more and more Canadians are declining the south-of-the-border shopping spectacle to keep the excitement back home this year.
Black Friday in Canada has grown since last year, notes the Accenture’s recent holiday shopping survey which found that 61% of the Canadian respondents said they planned to shop on Black Friday this year. Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 305,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries.
Of those shopping on Black Friday, Accenture reports 57% plan to visit three or more stores. The growing enthusiasm for Black Friday is largely being driven by younger shoppers, notes the survey, as 81% of consumers aged 18 to 24 are very or somewhat likely to shop on Black Friday. In comparison, 56% of consumers aged 45 to 59, and 30% of those aged 60 years and older, are very or somewhat likely to make Black Friday purchases.
“The market has changed and Canadian retailers need to be aggressive with offering the best deals of the season during Black Friday and Cyber Monday to keep and grow market share,” said Robin Sahota, managing director, retail at Accenture in Canada. “As the popularity of the U.S. holiday discount shopping dates rise to unprecedented levels in Canada, retailers will be forced to slash prices to meet the changing expectations of consumers, especially millennials who have embraced Black Friday and the ensuing Cyber Monday online shopping day more than any other age group.”
The Accenture Holiday Shopping Survey survey found Canadians plan to shop less with U.S. retailers online and in stores on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and during the entire holiday season. According to the survey, less than a quarter of Canadian consumers (24%) plan to do cross-border shopping to take advantage of U.S. deals, down from 60% last year. Of those consumers who plan to cross-border shop, 50% plan to shop online and in stores, 25% will shop almost all online and 23% will shop only in stores. The top products that cross-border shoppers are looking for include apparel and toys.
“It is not surprising to see cross-border shopping will be down this year, considering the lower Canadian dollar and that a growing number of Canadian retailers have been proactive with preventing holiday spending dollars from fleeing south of the border by offering more Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals,” notes Kelly Askew, managing director, strategy at Accenture. “The arrival of more American-based retailers in Canada has provided Canadians with options they once could only find in the U.S., which helps to encourage consumers to stay and spend in Canada.”
Meanwhile, many stores, malls and shopping spots are celebrating Black Friday in style:
YORKDALE SHOPPING CENTRE recently polled more than 3,000 of its shoppers and discovered that almost 80% plan to take advantage of Black Friday this year and 45% of shoppers will be starting their holiday shopping in November. Once a holiday exclusive to the U.S., Black Friday has quickly become one of Canada’s most popular shopping days. Yorkdale will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Black Friday and is offering $50 gift cards to the first 100 guests at the shopping centre. Line up at the West Entrance (the former Sears doors off of Dufferin).
Yorkdale Shopping Centre, 3401 Dufferin St. Yorkdale.com
HILLCREST MALL IN RICHMOND HILL will extend its shopping hours ( 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.) on Black Friday, as well as offer a special gift card promotion from 8 a.m. — 1 p.m. For every $100 gift card purchased, shoppers will receive a $10 gift card. Introduced in 2013, this promotion helped contribute to a gift card sales increase of over 5380% compared to the year before. In addition, 2013 saw a 12.5% increase in Black Friday traffic and a 7.6% increase overall during the month of November.
Hillcrestmall.ca for additional details and holiday news.
TORONTO PREMIUM OUTLETS will have extended hours between November 28 and 30 for an exclusive Black Friday shopping destination. Stores will open as early as 6 a.m., so you can sneak in some much-needed shopping before jetting off to work or school. Toronto Premium Outlets offers designer brands at an affordable price. Calvin Klein, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Coach, Kate Spade, Burberry, DKNY, Banana Republic and more will be offering some exciting discounts for Black Friday.
Torontopremiumoutlets.ca for sales, maps and special events happening each day.
NEWMARKET’S UPPER CANADA MALL: Following the triumph of last year’s venture into the Black Friday shopping trend, Upper Canada Mall will once again offer great deals, promotions and prize giveaways this Friday. Shoppers can now take advantage of Black Friday sales close to home as the mall is offering extended hours, door crasher discounts from participating retailers and the chance to win prizes, including Upper Canada Mall gift cards and the new iPad Air. Opening at 8 a.m. on Friday to 9 p.m., the mall will be offering spectacular savings for the special day.
Upper Canada Mall; 17600 Yonge St., Uppercanadamall.com
CADILLAC FAIRVIEW and its 20 shopping centres across Canada will also be pulling out all the stops for Black Friday shopping. Check out Cadillacfairview.com for listing of malls and shopping destinations. Look for early risers lining up at Fairview Mall (starting at 7 a.m.), Sherway Gardens (again at 7 a.m.) and the Toronto Eaton Centre (opening at 6 a.m.!)
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