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Comprehensive M&A data with integrated detailed company information
Itochu to launch bid to balance of FamilyMart: Nikkei
Posted on Wednesday, 08 July 2020 10:11
Japanese conglomerate Itochu is on the verge of submitting a takeover approach to pick up the remaining stock it does not already own in convenience store operator FamilyMart.
The company currently holds a 50.1 per cent stake in the Tokyo-listed company.
Without identifying its sources, the business journal said the deal for the balance of the business is expected to be worth between JPY 500.00 billion (USD 4.65 billion) and JPY 600.00 billion (USD 5.58 billion).
It added that the purchase will enable the parties to deepen their ties in the procurement of food and consumer goods, customer data analysis and digital payments.
As yet, it is not clear when the approach for the remaining stake is likely to be launched.
FamilyMart claims to be the number two convenience store operator in Japan, with locations in all 47 prefectures.
The company operates some 24,573 stores worldwide and employs 13,955 people.
It posted core operating profit of JPY 64.55 billion in fiscal 2019, up from JPY 51.55 billion over the preceding 12 months.
Zephyr, the M&A database published by Bureau van Dijk, shows that Itochu’s most recent acquisition of a majority stake was announced in December, when it signed on the dotted line to pick up 90.0 per cent of Japanese risk credit and deferred payment services provider Gardia.
There have been 14 deals targeting convenience store operators announced worldwide since the beginning of 2020, Zephyr shows.
Of these, the most valuable was worth USD 17.86 million and took the form of a minority stake sale as Megah Eraraharia sold a 0.6 per cent holding in Indoritel Makmur Internasional in March.
Other companies in the sector to have been targeted since the beginning of the year include SHiDAX I, 7-Eleven Malaysia and Brown-Thompson General Partnership.
© Zephus Ltd


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Web And Mobile Data News - In Brief
- The Information For Development Program (infoDev) has announced the launch of their new, substantially revised external website at www.infodev.org. The new site contains detailed information about infoDev's new strategy and work program. In the coming months, they will be adding a variety of features to make the site more interactive and to foster the growth of knowledge communities around specific ICT-for-development issues.
- The SA government plans to develop a new policy on Internet gambling this year. This is according to minister of trade and industry, Mandisi Mpahlwa, who said in his budget vote in Parliament last week: “Further strengthening and effective implementation of consumer protection will continue this year. The department will establish a new consumer credit regulator, develop a policy on Internet gambling and assess the impact of gambling, consumer credit and liquor.” The renewed focus is part of the Department of Trade and Industry's programme to improve consumer protection.
In this regard, the DTI has published a consumer protection policy,” he said. Mpahlwa said the policy, which was drafted and published for public comment in 2004, provides for the formulation of better consumer legislation. The DTI has also published a Consumer Credit Bill designed to protect consumers in the credit industry from reckless lending. Internet gambling is regulated by various provincial gaming laws and is touched on by the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act.

domain: news


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DairyNZ, the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) yesterday endorsed the Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam, marking New Zealand's commitment towards global sustainable dairy development.
The Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam signals both a commitment towards feeding the world with safe and sustainable products and enhancing sustainability.
The signatories are the International Dairy Federation (IDF) and the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), who signed the Declaration during the World Dairy Summit in 2016.
"We are pleased to endorse the Declaration today as a signal of strong support for the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and for the important role of the dairy sector in the global community's efforts toward sustainable development," says Kimberly Crewther, Executive Director of DCANZ.
"We look forward to working with all IDF and FAO members to deliver the outcomes in the Declaration and its Sustainable Development Goals."
The Declaration highlights a number of areas where the dairy sector can support the achievement of its Sustainable Development Goals from an economic, social, environmental, and health perspective – all are priorities for New Zealand.
This includes collaborative efforts to find innovative solutions and build the capacity to develop sustainable food systems and resilient agricultural practices.
"New Zealand is engaged in collective global efforts to promote the efficient use of natural resources and combat climate change, such as the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, and the Global Dairy Agenda for Action," says MPI Director-General Martyn Dunne.
"We welcome the support expressed in the Declaration to meeting the needs of rural farming families," says Tim Mackle, Chief Executive of DairyNZ.
"The Declaration also recognises the major economic contribution that dairy makes to realising the sustainable development aspirations of farmers and communities around the world."
New Zealand is committed to eliminating distortions from global agricultural markets, such as subsidies and trade barriers that can hamper food security, prevent farmers from receiving the full value of their products, and raise food costs for consumers.
"Dairy remains one of the most protected and distorted sectors of global trade," says Kimberly Crewther.
"We also welcome the Declaration's focus on the social and health dimensions of dairy and its role in a balanced, nutritious, and healthy diet.
"As a leader in the production of safe and sustainable dairy nutrition, we'll continue to work to support the global development of science-based standards, policies, and practices for food safety and improved health outcomes."
Find out more
- The Dairy Declaration website
- [PDF, 3.8 MB]
The Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) was formed in July 2003 to coordinate and represent the collective public policy interests of its member dairy companies. Its members comprise, Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company Limited, Westland Milk Products, Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, Goodman Fielder New Zealand Limited, Synlait Milk Limited, Open Country Dairy Limited, Miraka Limited, Danone-Nutricia NZ Limited, Oceania Dairy Limited, Yashili New Zealand Dairy Co Ltd, and Dairy Goat Co-operative Ltd.
DairyNZ is the industry organisation representing New Zealand’s dairy farmers. Our purpose is to secure and enhance the profitability, sustainability, and competitiveness of New Zealand dairy farming. DairyNZ is funded by dairy farmers through a levy on milk solids.
The Ministry for Primary Industries’ purpose is to grow and protect New Zealand and our ambition is for New Zealand to be the most trusted source of high-value natural products in the world. MPI staff across 70 locations both in New Zealand and overseas are contributing to the success of the primary industries through their work across the 7 major systems that underpin our organisation – biosecurity, forestry, food safety, sustainable economic performance, animal welfare, trade, and fisheries.


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Media Center 10 million Media Center users a month Average Media Center session time is ~90 minutes Xbox 360 Xbox LIVE membership that has grown to 17 million active members. Xbox 360 has sold 28 million consoles sold to date More than $1 billion spent on Xbox LIVE since the launch of the Xbox 360 Xbox 360 has largest game attach rate Xbox LIVE Primetime channel brings together the best of TV and gaming in an interactive way. Primetime will create scheduled programming, offer interactive and social features. Average Halo player playing 150 hours on Xbox LIVE Two new Halo … Continue reading Random Notes from Microsoft’s CES Keynote
Company previews simpler, better Windows operating system and highlights connected entertainment offerings at CES. LAS VEGAS — Jan. 7, 2009 — In a keynote address at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer announced the beta availability of the Windows 7 operating system as well as the availability of the latest version of the Windows Live, a suite of personal communications services and applications. “I’m thrilled to announce the availability of the Windows 7 beta, which is on track to deliver simplicity and reliability,” Ballmer said. “Windows 7 and Windows Live are part … Continue reading Microsoft’s Ballmer Announces Availability of Windows 7 Beta and Windows Live
At CES 2009, Microsoft announced advances in Windows 7 beta, Windows Mobile, Windows Live – all designed to help consumers connect and live a ‘life without walls.’ LAS VEGAS – Jan. 7, 2009 – At the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft is shining a spotlight on something besides the biggest LCD screen or the coolest new tech gadgets: It’s showing consumers how Windows can make their lives easier, more productive, more enjoyable. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer opened the show with news that a beta version of Windows 7, Microsoft’s newest operating system, will be widely available for download on … Continue reading Windows Helps Consumers Connect to the Digital World
The biggest disappointment of 2008 has to be Microsoft’s failure to produce a follow-up release to the RTM release of Vista Media Center. The TV Pack, which was previously codenamed Fiji was delayed well over a year with no information give by Microsoft as to the reason why. Things finally settled down and Fiji was released as the TV Pack in August (officially at CEDIA in September). Of course the disappointments set in a few months early, with DIRECTV and H.264 being dropped, and then the announcement that Microsoft planned the TV Pack to be OEM-only. Then came some bugs, … Continue reading ’08 Disappointments: TV Pack
Now that we are fairly certain that DIRECTV will not ship with Windows 7, the big question remains to be will DISH Network? Around the time the TV Pack started beta testing, I did hear that some testers had been contacted about testing DISH Network Tuners, and that talk has popped back up in the past few weeks. Going under my theory that Microsoft has all the plumbing in-place for DIRECTV support, there is no reason that same framework can’t work for DISH Network. If DISH Network wants to make a Media Center tuner, they can using this framework, and … Continue reading Can DISH Network One-Up DIRECTV?
Now that DIRECTV has suspended development on their HDPC-20 Tuner where does that leave us? There are a lot of differing opinions going around about why DIRECTV canned the tuner, whose fault it is, and where do we go from here. Most people are pointing the finger at Microsoft, and with their history of releases how could you not? This doesn’t mean however that Microsoft is totally at fault, but let’s look at the whole situation to see how we got here. Timeline January 2006 – Microsoft and DIRECTV announce partnership to “develop new ways to expand the reach of … Continue reading DIRECTV and Microsoft: What Went Wrong
DIRECTV has informed several bloggers and journalists in the Media Center community that they suspended development of the HDCP-20 Media Center Tuner. Windows 7 will not include native DIRECTV support, which will servely impact the Media Center platform as a whole. I’ll have more on this later tonight, but I wanted to go ahead and get it out there.
By now you have most likely seen what some of the new features of Media Center in Windows 7 are, but don’t think it stops there. In this series I will go over some of the upcoming features of Media Center in Windows 7. These features should start appearing in later builds, although some of them will be limited to specific testers. I’ve been saying for some time now that Media Center needs to get serious about Internet and Web TV. Microsoft will be taking another step toward this in Windows 7 by integrating online services in the standard EPG … Continue reading Upcoming Windows 7 Media Center Feature: Broadband TV Services
So the big question in my e-mail Inbox is where have I been hiding. The answer is that I’ve been crazy busy with school and work, so blogging had to go for a bit. That doesn’t mean it is over, so let’s start it up again. The biggest news that I missed covering was the big Windows 7 unveiling at WinHEC. Charlie Owen write a great blog post going over some of the new looks and features, and I hear there is more to come in later builds. Of course, the focus of some posts about Media Center in Windows … Continue reading Short Bits: Windows 7
Charlie Owen will be answering questions about the Media Center TV Pack (Fiji) as soon as Microsoft makes the official announcements, so if you have any questions about things that may have been rumored now would be the time to submit them. I will also finally be able to talk in depth about stuff including what is in/out of Fiji, the possibility of a second Media Center release, and Windows 7 around this timeframe. If you have questions or comments for me to get a non-Microsoft response let me know.


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EXCLUSIVE: Sony Pictures right now is starting the process that will scrap the rest of the TV campaign spend to promote The Interview. This occurred after the major theater chains announced they aren’t going to show the movie in theaters, in light of the terror threat that was delivered yesterday as part of the Sony Pictures hack attack. It makes perfect sense: Why promote a movie that audiences aren’t going to get to see in theaters?
Sony hasn’t gotten far enough to determine what it will do with the Seth Rogen-James Franco comedy, but even if the studio saves some of the P&A budget it hadn’t spent yet on the film, it still is on the hook for probably $60 million to $70 million in production and marketing costs. Depending on what the overseas prospects are for the comedy — or whether these hackers distribute the film online — that is going to be a painful hit on the bottom line, no doubt about it.
Since the majority of funds are spent for commercials to run in the days before the release, Sony at least can salvage some of those funds. But a lot has already been spent. According to tracking data from iSpot.tv, Sony has spent $20.5 million in national television spots alone. Not factored in are the ubiquitous billboards and radio and online promotional campaigns.
If the release is merely postponed, the buys can be restored, though it seems there will be no shortage of awareness on the film. It is plastered on buses and billboards all over Hollywood right now. Let’s see how quickly those go down.
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Facebook has hired Dwight Crow and Christopher Berner, the founders of a car comparison website called Carsabi. The founders want to sell the website so it continues to operate while they work at Facebook. Facebook said that the co-founders are “awesome entrepreneurs.” It is unknown what Berner and Crow will be working on. Carsabi crawls through online car sale listings that are public on the Internet including dealers and classifieds to help consumers find great deals.
Dwight Crow Posts
Randi Zuckerberg, the founder of R to Z and sister to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is going to be the executive producer for the reality TV show called “Silicon Valley.” The reality TV show will be on Bravo and the trailer video depicts entrepreneurs in the Valley as being hard-core into partying and standing in front of a walk-in closet filled with suits.
Continue reading →


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HMEs skirt ravages of California wildfires
November 3, 2003
HIGHLAND, Calif. - Ash from the wild fires in Southern California fell all over Palm Medical Drug and Supply one day last week, but that wasn’t the worst of it.
“You can look out the windows, and there are flames leaping everywhere,” said store manager Paul Haislip. “We are dead in the thick of it.”
Fortunately, the Santa Ana winds fueling the fire that consumed more than 3,000 homes blew away from Palm Medical. Some of its patients were not so lucky. “Some of them have already lost their homes,” he said.
Those who did have to evacuate were “real good” about taking oxygen with them. Those who stayed behind sometimes couldn’t get the equipment they needed.
“There are blocked roads everywhere,” said Haislip. “We’ll get an order to deliver, and we can’t get to them. That’s it.”
HMEs contacted in southern California reported booming mask sales last week, arduous delivery routes, light walk-in traffic, but not the kind of breakneck response that characterized HME response to the recent power outage that affected 50 million Americans.
In San Bernadino, Floyd Friess, manager of American Healthcare, was himself breathing heavily on the phone as he reported his company’s response to the wild fires, which were burning three miles away from his location.
“The majority of our 40 oxygen patients are in the mountains, and they are all evacuated,” he said. “Some have escaped to the beach, so we’ve had to make some long distance deliveries.”


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Of course, the biggest obstacle in Australia is the combination of limited range of electric vehicles and the tyranny of distance in our big country, especially when compared wth the UK.
But it’s not just sales of electric motorcycles and scooters that are stagnant. Electric Vehicle Council figures show that last ear only 6,900 electric cars were sold in Australia, up just 2.7% on 2019. That’s just 0.7 per cent of total Australian car sales.
By comparison, electric vehicles in the EU increased their market share from 3.8% in 2019 to 10.2% in 2020. In California, market share went from 7.6% to 8.1%. Norway EV sales rose from 56% in 2019 to 75% in 2020.
In the the UK, it was 3.1% in 2019 against 10.7% in 2020, but that should improve markedly if the survey from motorbike insurer Bikesure is any indication.


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New Jersey, United States: Verified Market Research has added a new report to its...
PHILADELPHIA—A new University of Pennsylvania (Penn) research collaboration with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will investigate...
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), and Department of Workforce Development (DWD)...Read more
Mark J. Terrill/Associated PressNBA Commissioner Adam Silver knew putting "Black Lives Matter" on the court during the league's Orlando, Florida,...Read more
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Real Eats offers fully prepared meals that are healthy and convenient.You can choose to have 4, 6, 8, or 12...Read more
The Report Titled, Weight Loss Supplements Market Research: Global Status & Forecast by Geography, Type & Application (2016-2026) has been...Read more
A new report added by Big Market Research claims that the global Nutrition & Supplements market growth is set to reach newer...Read more
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As the country awaits FDA approval for a COVID-19 vaccine, Philadelphia health officials are already preparing...Read more
The University Park Undergraduate Association, in partnership with Art With Impact, will host a virtual “Movies For Mental Health” event...Read more


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Amperity Announces Support for Unified ID 2.0 to Utilize Brand’s First-Party Customer Data with Cookieless Media
Amperity, the #1 enterprise Customer Data Platform (CDP) for consumer brands, announced that it supports the Unified ID 2.0 (UID 2.0) initiative, a collaborative and soon-to-be open-source framework for cookieless media. Amperity has prioritized the use of Unified ID 2.0 to enable brands to retrieve and store Unified ID 2.0 identifiers against their first-party customer data to allow advertisers to maximize reach and accurately target, optimize, and measure their media investments without third-party cookies.
“Unified ID 2.0 has quickly emerged as one of the leading foundations for targeted media, spearheading the transition to an identity-based approach that puts the consumer in control,” said Derek Slager, CTO and co-founder of Amperity. “Amperity’s goal is to provide our customers with the most direct connection between their own first-party data and the identifiers like Unified ID 2.0 that will power the next phase of targeted media, all with consumer privacy in mind.”
Recommended AI News: Vic.ai Introduces New Partner Program for the Autonomous Accounting Era
Initially developed by The Trade Desk, Unified ID 2.0 provides an alternative to third-party cookies in the form of a privacy-conscious identifier tied to encrypted email addresses. Unified ID 2.0 will soon be submitted to IAB’s Tech Lab to allow the digital framework to be open-source. The initiative has gained rapid adoption across the advertising ecosystem, among publishers, buyers, and technology providers.
“As identity-based solutions become the cornerstone of our industry, advertisers’ first-party customer data becomes a critical pillar to successfully plan digital ad campaigns,” said Bill Michels, GM of Product at The Trade Desk. “Unified ID 2.0 will help brands, including those who work with Amperity, target their marketing based on their best customer insights.”


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While Research in Motion(RIM) says that the BlackBerry Bold 9900 will only be available in Malaysia starting September 2011, Malaysian Wireless has been been informed by reliable sources that it will go on sale next week.
Maxis and Celcom Axiata will be offering the BlackBerry Bold 9900 sometime next week. RIM is scheduled to preview the new device to the press next Tuesday.
Malaysian Wireless will be updating the pricing of the BlackBerry Bold 9900 on this post soon. Look out for the update later!


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The real estate investment trust has announced that it is in the midst of conducting a strategic review of its malls.The winds of change continue to blow through the shopping mall and shopping center industry, and that’s leading some of the nation’s leading property holders in that sector to further examine their overall strategy. According to Cleveland.com, we can add Forest City Realty Trust to the list of those who are having a moment of reflection.
The Cleveland-based real estate investment trust has announced that it is in the midst of conducting a strategic review of its malls and specialty retail properties. While it’s classified as simply a review, it sounds like they may have the answer they are looking for close at hand.
"Our intent is to exit that business to the great extent," Forest City CEO David LaRue shared on a conference call in response to an analyst’s question.
The company's portfolio currently includes 14 regional malls dotted across the country, as well as 19 specialty retail properties, and retail has long played a significant role in the company’s overall strategy.
Westfield San Francisco Centre"Retail has been a part of our company since early in our history, well before we went public in 1960. We still believe in the retail business, the strength of our assets and the quality of our retail associates," said LaRue.
That being said, the company acknowledges that changes are afoot. If they successfully move on from this part of the portfolio via an asset sale, it’s expected that Forest City will reinvest the proceeds in apartments and office buildings, which have been two areas of focus for the REIT of late.
"Based upon our own internal review of what has truly been driving us. we came to a decision that this was the right time to explore this opportunity and go through this process and decide if we can come to a transaction now would be a great time to do it," LaRue added.
We’ll have to wait and see if an asset sale comes to fruition, but Forest City has not been shy about shifting its strategy as the market dictates. In recent years, the company has exited the land business, sold off real estate and slashed debt among a host of other changes, all with an eye towards staying ahead of the curve and adapting to the changing times.
"We have been on a journey and a transformation since 2012 and doing a lot to focus our business and help, I guess, prove value of the portfolio for the shareholders and ourselves, as part of that shareholder group," said LaRue.


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The Securities and Exchange Commission has expanded its investigation of Saks Fifth Avenue to include chargebacks -- the deductions merchants take on payments to apparel makers for supposedly defective or unwanted goods, according to a person briefed on the investigation.
In addition, the S.E.C. is examining some records from late 2004, the person said, although Saks Inc. -- which owns the 57-store Saks Fifth Avenue chain, along with Parisian, Carson Pirie Scott and other department store chains -- announced on Monday that its own internal investigation identified "no improper collections during the 2004 fiscal year."
Nevertheless, within the last month, Saks Fifth Avenue has apparently begun to return some money collected during that period. Yesterday, one executive at a clothing company that started doing business with Saks Fifth Avenue in 2004 said the company recently received a refund check.
The executive, who insisted on anonymity because the company wanted to keep doing business with Saks Fifth Avenue, said the check came with scant explanation. "It was like, oops, we just discovered this error," the executive said.
The matter seems unlikely to disappear anytime soon: the S.E.C. considers its current investigation open, so it can be expanded to include any indications of wrongdoing that might emerge, according to the person briefed on the inquiry.
A spokeswoman for Saks Fifth Avenue referred calls seeking comment to Julia Bentley, chief spokeswoman for Saks Inc., who did not return calls yesterday.
Collected properly, chargebacks represent money subtracted from vendors' payments for goods that arrive damaged or that differ from what was ordered. Increasingly, vendors complain, chargebacks are fanciful deductions from what is rightly owed to the clothing suppliers -- often big-brand companies like Tommy Hilfiger and Liz Claiborne but also including smaller companies with precarious finances.
"They'll say they didn't receive all 60 pairs of pants -- when they did -- and they'll deduct the money for the 'missing' pairs," said Allan J. Ellinger, a partner in MMG, an investment bank that specializes in fashion ventures. "Or they'll subtract a whopping percentage because they claim the shipping labels were on the wrong carton -- or any other excuse."
For their part, the stores say such deductions are part of the partnership between merchants and their suppliers, and there has always been grumbling.
The tradition of chargebacks and markdown money -- money withheld from vendors' payments to cover discounting -- is several decades old. But vendors and retail consultants say the intensity of the feuding over them has heightened significantly. In early March, the S.E.C. began investigating markdown money at Saks Fifth Avenue.
On Monday, the Saks Inc. board said its internal audit committee found evidence of wrongdoing. Three top executives were fired -- including Brian Martin, the brother of the chief executive, R. Brad Martin. Brian Martin was a senior vice president and former general counsel at Saks Inc.
Besides those executives, Monday's press release said, an undisclosed number of supervisors and other employees "involved in the overcollection of vendor allowances" at Saks Fifth Avenue were being dismissed.
Yesterday, analysts, bankers and retailing consultants were buzzing with questions about how many would be fired. For some vendors, that question was even more intriguing than whether any other top executives were involved, because day to day the vendors deal more with midtier managers, people with titles like general merchandise manager.
Saks also announced Monday that Brad Martin's bonus would be reduced or eliminated because of "the quality of communication" between him and the board.
C. Warren Neel, chairman of the audit committee and executive director of the Corporate Governance Center at the University of Tennessee, said the committee "left no stone unturned."
Saks said that on May 2 the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York informed it of an investigation into vendor allowances at Saks Fifth Avenue. A spokesman for the United States attorney's office had no comment.
In its Monday announcement, Saks Inc. said the internal investigation found no wrongdoing at Saks Fifth Avenue in the 2004 fiscal year, when new management was installed. That team is led by Fred Wilson, who had been chief of the Donna Karan division of Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, and includes other big names in retailing -- so big that the chain's management has been criticized as too top-heavy with talent.


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Retail traffic has been less than stellar in recent months, and the latest data suggest that the up-and-down trends in both sales and traffic may continue.
Total U.S. retail visits were up 2.5 percent year-on-year in the second week of September — a solid improvement over the previous week’s decline of 4.3 percent, according to a report by Cowen & Co.’s retail team.
While the uptick offers some encouragement for footwear and apparel companies, the Cowen report attributed the acceleration to the Labor Day shift and cautioned that the third week of September is forecast to be the warmest in five years, which does not bode well for fall apparel sales.
Conversely, retailers that have opted to keep some of their summer goods on shelves through September may benefit from the warmer temperatures, the report said.
Citi Research analyst Kate McShane also highlighted improved retail traffic during the past week, noting that U.S. retail same-store traffic climbed 6.99 percent year-on-year, compared with the prior year’s increase of 0.27 percent.
Like Kernan, McShane acknowledged that much of the U.S. — the South, North Central and Northeast, specifically — will see warmer temperatures in week three. However, McShane added that a cold front in the Southeast and colder, wetter weather in the Northwest and West Coast could offer a boost to fall footwear and apparel purchasing in those regions.
Still, both Cowen’s research team and McShane predict that retail traffic will be down in September’s third week.
McShane believes there will be a decline of 1 percent to 3 percent, while Cowen forecasts a decrease of 2 percent to 4 percent.


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One of Australia's big shopping centre chains is considering introducing robotic cleaners, with trials underway at DFO Homebush in Sydney.
The Vicinity Centres trial is an Australian first, focused on "automated night cleaning".
The chunky robot, which is roughly 50 centimetres tall, is a hands-free system with 11 sensors, giving the robot a 360-degree view which allows it to "operate and clean autonomously".
In a statement, Vicinity Centres insisted that if the trial was successful, cleaning contractors would be redeployed rather than dismissed.
"The focus of incorporating this kind of smart cleaning technology into our centres is to reinvest and redeploy our cleaning contractors into areas that vastly improve our presentation standards and our customer experiences," it said.
Vicinity Centres has more that 80 shopping centres throughout Australia.
At what cost?
But Professor Katina Michael from the University of Wollongong's School of Computing and Information Technology told ABC Radio Melbourne that she had some reservations about the new technology.
"I think they're very good in terms of the innovation side and what they're potentially able to do in replacement of a human," she said.
"However, I would say there are a lot of things that people aren't thinking about regarding upgrades, maintenance ... there are other real costs that people aren't thinking about."
Chuck E. Cheese's and Peter Piper Pizza has agreed to employ Kids Play Safe's cleaning practices, according to an article on the Arizona Republic website. Kids Play Safe was founded by a Chandler, Ariz., mom, Erin Carr-Jordan, who was banned from McDonald’s after highlighting life-threatening pathogens in restaurant play areas.
Carr-Jordan recently announced the partnership between her organization and the chain restaurants.
To earn a Kids Play Safe certification, restaurants must:
• Clean the kids play area every eight-hour shift, although Chuck E. Cheese's has agreed to an hourly wipe down of play machines
• Use an eco-friendly product when cleaning throughout the business
• Maintain the safety of the equipment kids use.
Carr-Jordan said the certification provides parents “an extra level of comfort” when turning their kids loose to play.
2017 Spring Cleaning Tips
Kids Play Safe Announces Partnership with Chuck E. Cheese's
Robotic cleaners are being trialled by Australia's big shopping centres


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Despite the rain and dreary skies, the air at Saturday’s Pop Up Shop was buzzing with excitement.
Patrons weaved in and out of the canopies set up along the sidewalks, admiring businesses’ products spread out across tables underneath. Toddlers tottered around playing with the garbage can-shaped stress balls handed out by Fleetline Sanitizing. People sipped on pink lemonade from The Beverage Box or horchata from La Garnacha food truck.
Organized by Jen Wence, of GG Designs, the Pop Up Shop featured over a dozen small businesses selling everything from homemade jewelry to health drinks.
“It’s been way better than expected,” Wence said of the event. “A lot of people have come out to support.”
With the help of the City of Longmont and the Latino Chamber of Commerce, Wence organized the event in the hope of helping small businesses in the area recover after the pandemic.
Many of the businesses that came to the event have been supporting each other over the past year. Silvia De Leon of De Leon Queens Cakes is friends with several of the business owners, and explained that sometimes they will refer customers to one another.
“We all help each other out,” she said.
Sofia Pereyra, 17, only recently started her Heaven’s Sweets business, and has been grateful for the community that exists between the small businesses.
“Getting to know the other businesses has been great,” she said. She explained that they have supported her and helped her get her name out through events like the Pop Up Shop.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several of the small businesses present at the event had taken a hit.
Melissa Granados, 24, owns My Little Oven Bakery, a home-based cottage company that produces sugar cookies and other treats. During the pandemic she saw a dip in sales, but is hoping to recover as it comes to an end.
Granados enjoyed the pop-up because it was an opportunity to meet a lot of new clientele. “It has been a great chance to see people face-to-face,” she said.
For Edison Parker, 32, owner of Shinkyu-No, the COVID-19 pandemic hurt his homemade dumpling business.
Having started Shinkyu-No in 2018, Parker primarily partnered with breweries to share his product. However, many restaurants closed during the pandemic, so Parker was forced to restructure. He began to package his dumplings by the dozen and deliver them directly to people’s homes.
The pop-up event was the first that Parker had been a part of, and he was eager to get his company’s name out there. “This has been really great for exposure,” he explained.
Wence is already organizing a second small business pop-up event for August and expects triple the amount of businesses to participate.


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A system featuring Apache Hadoop on Intel Xeon E5 processor-based servers is helping to analyse molecular, genomic and clinical big data. The result could drive breakthroughs in understanding, treating and curing cancer and other diseases.
The post NextBio manages Big Data using Hadoop and Xeon E5 servers appeared first on Intel IT Center Connect.
The rise of the machines is really coming and for CIOs and IT managers. We are not talking about hoards of Terminator-style robots, but rather the arrival of the Internet of Things
The post Internet of things: How the rise of the machines disrupts the enterprise appeared first on Intel IT Center Connect.
Highlights and interviews from Intel and ComputerworldUK's Workplace Transformation event at Lords Cricket Ground in June.
The post Using Technology To Drive Workplace Transformation appeared first on Intel IT Center Connect.
During 2014, sales of tablets will grow by 18%, and smart phones by 12%, estimates IDC. The analyst firm says BYOD initiatives are driving a lot of the �consumerisation� of IT, with the growing range of smart phones, laptops, tablets and hybrid portable devices being an indication of this. BYOD can offer significant benefits to [�]
Intel works closely with industry groups such as the Open Data Center Alliance (ODCA). The ODCA accelerates the development of widely-adopted standards that promote a broad range of interoperable, multivendor cloud solutions.


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Management at Geary’s Bakery hope new contract wins could see them producing 1 million loaves every week within a few years.
Geary’s has already grown production to 600,000 loaves a week thanks to a partnership with Aldi and a new bakery in Glenfield.
And it has room to grow at the new factory on the Optimus Point business park - and create new jobs.
Managing director Jason Geary said: “We are already planning an extension at Glenfield in the next few months which will add another 200,000 loaves a week and will still have a third of the production floor spare.
“When the new line is at capacity, we will add another line which should eventually take us to over 1 million loaves a week. That will be three to five years away.”
Geary’s production is split between factories in Barrow-upon-Soar and Glenfield, and the business has taken on 30 or 40 people in the past year growing the team to around 250 staff.
The £300,000 production line extension at Glenfield will open in the next three or four months, taking capacity to 800,000 loaves a week and creating about 15 jobs new jobs.
The Glenfield bakery opened around 15 months ago following a £15 million investment, supported by Leicester accountants Newby Castleman.
Mr Geary said it had been hard work settling into the new plant, but things were flying along now.
He said the Barrow bakery supplied rolls and bread for sandwich producers such as M&S.
Glenfield, he said, baked bread for supermarkets, with Atherstone-head quartered Aldi their main client.
Geary’s supplies Aldi stores across the UK with its artisanal long-fermented craft bread.
Mr Geary said: “We had literally filled the existing site in Barrow and so invested £15 million in Glenfield which is our new head office.
“Things are going well. Last year was tough with moving into the new site and getting the factory bedded in, but by the back end of the year it really started coming together and is performing very well.”
As with previous expansions, Geary’s turned to its long-standing accountants Newby Castleman for advice.
It has been working with the same accountants since the days when the firm was run by Jason Geary’s grandparents.
Newby Castleman partner Stephen Castleman said: “We pride ourselves on building deep, lasting client relationships, immersing ourselves into their businesses and ensuring that not only are they fully compliant in all areas, but they have the best financial set-up possible in order to facilitate growth.
“To offer our assistance to Geary’s Bakeries in taking this next step has been very rewarding.
“We are proud to play whatever role we can in helping such a dynamic, ambitious brand to flourish.”


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EU's Subsidy Probe into China May Include Non-Chinese EV Brands like Tesla
Potential Scope of the Investigation
Valdis Dombrovskis, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, has indicated that non-Chinese brands of electric cars, including Tesla and BMW, could be examined as part of the ongoing subsidy investigation on China initiated by the European Union (EU). While the exact scope of the investigation is yet to be determined, Dombrovskis emphasized that it is not limited to Chinese brand electric vehicles. The EU launched this probe in response to evidence of significant distortions in the European market caused by subsidies provided by China to EV makers.
Lengthy Investigation Process
The EU investigation is expected to last up to 13 months, highlighting the complexity and thoroughness of the process. As part of the pre-initiation consultations, Dombrovskis traveled to China to engage in discussions with Chinese authorities in Shanghai and Beijing. Chinese officials raised the issue of the investigation multiple times during the four-day trip, expressing concerns about potential protectionist views from Brussels.
Focus on Fair Trading Practices
Dombrovskis stressed that the subsidy probe is a well-established process conducted in compliance with applicable EU and World Trade Organization (WTO) principles. The investigation aims to address distortions in the European market and create fairer trading practices. Dombrovskis sought to reassure Chinese authorities that the EU does not intend to sever ties with Beijing but rather aims to minimize strategic dependencies and maintain open strategic autonomy.
Broader Geopolitical Context
During his visit to China, Dombrovskis acknowledged the challenging broader geopolitical context and emphasized the importance of mutually beneficial relations based on open, fair trade, and investment. He highlighted the potential consequences of choosing a path that weakens shared benefits and reduces opportunities for both economies.
De-risking Strategy and Trade Deficit Concerns
The EU's policy of de-risking from China involves minimizing strategic dependencies for select strategic products. This approach aims to maintain open strategic autonomy while addressing concerns about trade deficits. In 2022, the EU recorded a trade deficit of nearly 400 billion euros with China, prompting a reevaluation of certain dependencies.
Reassurance and Fair Trade Practices
Dombrovskis used his trip to China to reassure Chinese counterparts that the subsidy probe is intended to establish fairer trading practices rather than severing ties with Beijing. The EU seeks to engage in a facts-based investigation and provide ample opportunity for dialogue with Chinese authorities.
In conclusion, the EU's subsidy probe into China's EV market may extend beyond Chinese brands and encompass non-Chinese manufacturers like Tesla. The investigation aims to address distortions in the European market and establish fair trading practices. It is part of the EU's broader strategy of de-risking from China while maintaining open strategic autonomy. The outcome of this probe will have significant implications for the future of EV trade between the EU and China.
EU's Subsidy Probe into China: Implications for New Business Ventures
Investigation Scope and Market Distortions
The European Union's ongoing subsidy investigation into China, which may include non-Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands like Tesla, presents a complex scenario for new businesses. This probe, as indicated by Valdis Dombrovskis, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, is a response to significant market distortions caused by Chinese subsidies to EV makers. This situation underscores the need for new businesses to be aware of international trade dynamics and potential regulatory probes that could impact their operations.
Lengthy Investigation and Protectionist Concerns
The EU's investigation, expected to last up to 13 months, highlights the complexities involved in such processes. Chinese officials' concerns about potential protectionist views from Brussels during Dombrovskis's visit to China underscore the delicate balance between regulatory oversight and maintaining open trade relations.
Emphasis on Fair Trade Practices
The EU's focus on establishing fair trading practices through this investigation offers a crucial lesson for new businesses. Adherence to principles set by bodies like the EU and the World Trade Organization is essential for maintaining a level playing field in the global market.
De-risking Strategy and Trade Deficit
The EU's de-risking strategy, aimed at minimizing strategic dependencies, reflects a growing trend among economies to protect their interests. This approach, triggered by a significant trade deficit with China, suggests that new businesses should consider diversification and risk mitigation in their strategic planning.
Implications for Future EV Trade
The EU's subsidy probe into China's EV market could have far-reaching implications for the future of EV trade between the EU and China. New businesses in this sector should closely monitor the outcome of this investigation, as it could shape the competitive landscape and influence their strategic decisions.


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Postal banking is rooted in a time before the emergence of an efficient, supervised banking system in our country. In fact, the U.S. Postal Service once offered savings accounts and other financial services, but these were eliminated in the 1960s after years of declining use as consumers found a better deal at their local bank branch. Shoring up the finances of the U.S. Postal Service - a government agency which lost $46.2 billion over the last eight years - by expanding its business footprint to cover retail banking could only have been cooked up in the D.C. echo chamber, which believes the federal government knows best how to run a business. A report from the Postal Service's inspector general was produced by an office with zero experience operating a modern financial institution. It lacks any significant experience navigating state and federal banking regulations, underwriting loans, handling consumer financial data or building a nationwide financial services network.
The most ironic portion of the report is the suggestion that it should offer small-dollar loans based on customer deposits in prepaid debit card accounts. Just days before the report's release, nearly every bank in the U.S. which offered small-dollar (deposit advance) loans eliminated the product because of new regulatory guidance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The two bank regulators made it all but impossible for these banks to offer small-dollar, short-term loans, thereby eliminating a product favored by the vast majority of consumers who used it responsibly under transparent and fully disclosed terms.
Forcing banks out of this lending business took away safe options from consumers and pushed them towards payday lenders and fly-by-night entities. If the plan were adopted as proposed, then the federal government would be getting into the very business it just eliminated.
Fortunately for consumers, we have over 6,800 banks in our country ranging in size from national institutions to one-branch community banks in addition to the nation's 7,000 credit unions. Furthermore, digital channels are reshaping the way consumers interact with banks. Today, it is not necessary to visit a branch to conduct business, including cashing checks, transferring money and paying bills. Banks, however, learned that lesson much quicker than the Postal Service. According to AlixPartners, consumers visited a branch "39 percent fewer times per month after adopting mobile banking services." Bank of America alone sees over 100,000 checks cashed each day via mobile devices.
The development of digital channels has led to the elimination of some bank branches as the industry adapts to consumer demand. However, the FDIC still counts 96,339 branches across the country, in addition to 420,000 ATMs. The Postal Service has just 27,000 post offices, according to Mark Strong, president of the National League of Postmasters, meaning only one post office serving every 131 square miles - not exactly convenient considering the hundreds slated for closure each year.
Corrected on July 16, 2014: The original version of this article incorrectly attributed the Postal Service’s losses.


text: By PAUL LOCHERStaff WriterORRVILLE The inaugural Leadership Orrville class Tuesday got a lesson in small enterprise management as its members toured a trio of businesses and met with their owners.The 17-member class spent much of its afternoon segment touring Runion's Furniture Annex at 220 W. Market St., where owner Jack Runion talked about the development and evolution of the business. Runion said the family-owned enterprise had started in a private home on the west side of the downtown where his father sold both furniture and appliances.Runion said the mainstay of the business had been appliances with the furniture operation being "annexed" on. But as time changed, Runion explained to class members seated on comfortable couches and in armchairs around the business's first-floor showroom, appliances became more complex and servicing them was more difficult, prompting his father to place an emphasis on furniture sales.In the 1950s, Runion said, the business moved from the house to a downtown location where it has remained through subsequent decades. Today, Runion said, he feels Orrville has become established as a furniture and home furnishings destination for the region, with his own business being enhanced in that regard by Brown's Furniture, Stoller Floors, Howmar Carpet and Nancy's Draperies nearby.He said people wanting home furnishings are more likely to travel to a locale where they can look at the offerings of multiple shops rather than a single store.With some 6,000 names on the store's mailing list, Runion said about 25 percent of his customers are from Orrville, one-third from Wooster and about 85 percent overall from Wayne County. The remaining 15 percent, he said, come from outside the area.Runion toured the class through the store, describing development of various areas over the years as the business expanded and pointed out unique architectural features like the old tin ceilings. He said that unlike many businesses these days which have fallen victim to the Internet, the furniture business is not as vulnerable because customers actually want to sit on and touch furniture before buying. "We consider the Internet to be our friend," Runion said, adding, "This business just doesn't work on a mail order scale." Two years ago, Runion said, he started a business in downtown Wooster called Roomscapes in the Liberty Street Common as an experiment to see if he could develop a synergy between the two stores. He said the new 3,200-square-foot operation offered the business an opportunity to "start from scratch" and "create from the ground up" a chance to build a new customer base with "upscale product offerings."Runion said developing the new business has been "a lot of fun" and enabled the company "to reach an entirely different segment of our market." He said that through Roomscapes, Runion's has been able to target "a different customer base in the same market area."He said the business is currently working to align its traditional advertising with the store's new image. He said the store is a full-service furniture business entering its fourth generation, but its ads have not effectively reflected that.He noted that in the future the word "Annex" may disappear from the company's name, since it seems to cause confusion about the mission of the business.The class also toured Orrville Plumbing and Heating and Mennonite Mutual Insurance.At Mennonite Mutual, president David Lehman was among those who showed class members through a nearly completed new addition on the east side of the 14-year-old building.On the first floor there is only an elevator lobby, but below it there is a meeting room that seats 28 people, kitchen facility, training center, two fireproof vaults and a room which houses the company's computers and generators to make sure power to the facility is never lost. Lehman talked about the stability of the company through its 110-year history, noting that there have been only six different board presidents during that time. He said the first two presidents the first of which was Jerome Smucker who founded the J.M. Smucker Company served for a collective 85 years.After touring members through the building, Lehman spoke to the class on creating alignment within the organization.Reporter Paul Locher can be reached at (330) 682-2055, Ext. 218, or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.org.


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PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) India always encourages people to ditch leather and wear vegan. Now, recently it has launched a campaign that has featured Sonakshi Sinha in it.
For the campaign, Sonakshi is seen holding a bag that’s dripping with “blood”, she calls attention to the more than 1.4 billion cows, dogs, cats, sheep, goats, and millions of other animals who are slaughtered for leather each year.
“Cows and buffaloes are intelligent, emotional animals who mourn the loss of and separation from loved ones, so I choose vegan leather and other compassionate materials when I shop, says Sinha.
“Through this campaign with PETA India, I hope to inspire more people to keep fashion fun, not grisly, by wearing vegan,” she further adds.
Sonakshi has previously joined other stars in calling for the strengthening of animal protection laws, starred in a pro-adoption campaign for PETA India, and penned a letter on behalf of the group pushing for the transfer of an abused elephant near Jaipur.
On the work front, Sonakshi Sinha was last seen in an action comedy film titled Dabangg 3 which was directed by Prabhu Deva. The film serves as a prequel cum sequel of Dabangg and Dabangg 2.
(With Inputs from IANS)


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Plintron, a global player in Cloud Communications Solutions, today announced its service launch in Macedonia with a leading MVNO player.
Mohan Kumar Sundaram, Co-Founder and Chairman, Plintron said "We are delighted to expand our business through our Cloud Communication Platform in Macedonia thus expanding our footprint in the Balkan region. We have also deployed a local Data Centre within Macedonia to comply with the regulatory requirements. It is noteworthy that we could launch a full MVNO brand with a quick turnaround time of less than 10 weeks. The MVNO relied on Plintron experience and expertise in rolling out their MVNO service in Macedonia. With this launch, Plintron becomes stronger in the European Market"
"Plintron has been renowned for launching MVNOs in 22 Countries, this latest launch demonstrates our readiness to offer cutting edge technologies in newer countries globally. We are focused on large markets such as Brazil, Mexico and India across continents. Aspiring and potential MVNOs rely on Plintron’s expertise to launch their customized, branded mobile services with the help of Plintron’s Plug and Play Cloud Communication Platform bundled with Airtime MNO Contracts, Number assets, Interconnects, MNPs and regulatory support services.“ Subhashree Radhakrishnan, Co-Founder & Vice Chairman added.
With 2 million population, Macedonia has 106% mobile penetration and attracts significant roaming traffic as a tourist destination.


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Words Sylvia Abwao Photography Emmanuel Jambo Pictured Pedro wearing KikoRomeo
The Festival for African Fashion and Arts (FAFA) returns to Nairobi for its forth edition on November 17. Originally set up by KikoRomeo designer Ann McCreath in 2008 as a creative response to post-election violence in Kenya, the event has blossomed into the city’s major fashion event.
So much so that this year they have also launched the young talent search FAFA Insight. On June 30, 18 hopefuls showcased collections under the themed on “Rebranding Africa” and three finalists were selected to go forward and take part in FAFA – Jamil, Azra Walji and Galina Tatarinova.
“There’s never been a better time for young people in terms of access to technology, access to information and exposure to different cultures, ideologies and possibilities,” says Njuhi Chege, FAFA spokesperson. “FAFA offers a platform for them to be seen and heard on the world stage, supporting them in defining the developing their own cultures.”
Internationally successful Kenyan model Ajuma Nasenyana, who has worked with Vivienne Westwood and Marc Jacobs, will also be at FAFA to mentor the local models. “My experience has put me in a position where I can help train models to major runway standards and scout for the right looks,” Nasenyana says.


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Motorbike taxi service is gaining in popularity in Hanoi, with dozens of uniformed drivers on company bikes doing a brisk business outside My Dinh Station.
Motorbike taxi service is gaining popularity in Hanoi
With some ten companies now competing in Hanoi, offering price-meter rides, the service is growing in popularity. Operations began in HCM City in 2012.
Companies own and maintain the bikes, which carry the company logo and contact details, much like a normal taxi, and pay drivers a monthly salary of 70 percent of metered fares they collect.
Many drivers said that because operations are managed by companies, they earn a more stable income and get health insurance.
The motorbike taxi companies maintain a hotline for customers complaints to deter drivers attempting to falsify fares, or take longer routes than necessary, as well as to report on any poor attitude.
The Chairman of the Hanoi Automobile Transport Association, Bui Danh Lien, said that while motorbike taxis are a new service, the companies need to ensure transparency in setting prices for customers and focus on delivering good service.
A challenge for companies in Hanoi will be to build professional and competitive fleets of drivers.


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- Exports soar to highest ever of $ 968 m, boosting 2010 full total to a record $ 8.3 b, up 17.3% over 2009
- Imports soar to $ 1.42 b bringing 2010 total to $ 13.5 b, up 34% from 2009
- Trade deficit surpasses $ 5 b mark from $ 3 b in 2009
A merry month for exports in December has propelled the country to conclude 2010 as the best for ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ in global markets.
The Central Bank said exports in December recorded the highest ever figure of $ 968 million, boosting the full year value to $ 8.3 billion, the best ever in the country’s history. December shipments recorded 34% growth whilst end 2010 performance reflected a 17.3% growth over 2009. The year 2010 also surpassed the previous highest in exports $ 8.11 billion achieved in 2008.
Imports had also amounted to its highest level in December with $ 1.42 billion, up by 31% over the corresponding month of 2009, whilst the total figure for the full year was $ 13.5 billion, up 32% over 2009.
These twin developments saw the trade deficit expand to $ 5.2 billion in 2010 from $ 3.1 billion in 2009.
The largest contribution to the growth in exports in December was from the industrial sector, led by significant increases in exports of textiles and garments, food and beverages and rubber products.
Earnings from garment exports to EU and USA increased by 33.9% and 31.4%, respectively, in December 2010.
Exports of food, beverages and tobacco products increased by 74.3%, year-on-year, mainly due to higher earnings recorded by exports of fruits, vegetables and animal fodder. Rubber product exports consisted mainly of new pneumatic tyres and articles of apparel and clothing accessories (mainly gloves).
However, earnings from machinery and equipment and the diamonds and jewellery exports recorded year-on-year declines in December 2010. Earnings from agricultural exports increased in December 2010, reflecting a healthy growth in all major sub sectors, mainly due to higher prices recorded by major export crops in the international market.
The average export prices of tea and rubber continued to remain high at $ 4.56 per kg and $ 4.26 per kg, respectively, in December 2010. Earnings from minor agricultural exports increased by 28.8% to $ 30 million in December, 2010 mainly due to significant increases recorded in the export volumes of cocoa, essential oils, cashew nuts and cardamoms.
Expenditure on imports of intermediate goods increased in December 2010, led by higher expenditure incurred on petroleum imports. The average import price of crude oil increased by 16.5% to $ 90.37 per barrel in December 2010.
Textile imports also increased substantially in December 2010, indicating a better outlook for the garment industry. The expenditure on fertiliser imports increased by 119.4% to $ 29 million reflecting higher import volumes due to the extended acreage cultivated in the Northern and Eastern Provinces and extension of fertiliser support scheme to coconut cultivations.
Import expenditure on food and drink increased in December 2010 mainly due to higher food prices in the international market. Expenditure on non food consumer import category also increased mainly due to higher imports of motor vehicles. All categories of investment goods imports increased in December 2010.


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Digital streaming giant, Hotstar will be showing two more India cricket tournaments over the coming months, for UK customers.
Fresh from broadcasting the Asia Cup successfully, Hotstar has confirmed via TV adverts, that it will air the India and West Indies tournament in October 2018 and the India and Australia series in February 2019.
Hotstar has just launched in the UK, so it is pulling out all the stops to grab subscriber numbers before rival networks launch their own digital platforms. Hotstar will also be streaming the Pro Kabaddi League 2018 in October.
Keep it with BizAsiaLive.com for more.


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Six. Belizean meat processors and dairy farmers will be gathering at the National Agriculture Showgrounds in Belmopan to showcase their products at the Rodeo and Livestock Exhibition. The festival is being spearheaded by the Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) and the Equine Club. According to the General Manager of BLPA, Mindy Garcia, the event is geared at promoting local livestock products. Garcia says this is the first event of its kind for the company, however; they hope to make it an annual event.
The exhibition will be held on Saturday, July 15 beginning at nine in the morning.


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Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Whistler Blackcomb opens six days early on Nov. 19, 2010
Good news for ski and snowboard enthusiasts. Whistler Mountain is opening six days early this year. On Friday, Nov. 19, five lifts including Creekside Express will be in operation. Blackcomb Mountain will open on American Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 25), which is Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day.
With freezing levels lowering to Whistler Village, snow in the forecast and more than 180 snow guns operating, it looks to be a good season.
Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Manager Doug MacFarlane reminds snow enthusiasts that "early season conditions" will be in effect, and with the large crowds expected opening weekend, guests need to pay attention to the mountain signage (and obey the Temporary Boundary signs). Also watch for rocks and other hazards below the snow's surface.
Whistler Mountain opens on Friday, November 19 at 8:30 AM with access from the Creekside and the Whistler Village gondolas. Skiing and riding will be available from Emerald Express, Big Red Express and Franz Chair. Detailed information regarding terrain and services available opening weekend will be announced Thursday, November 18. Check whistlerblackcomb.com/whatsopen for current information.
For Canadian and Washington State residents: Whistler Blackcomb offers the EDGE Card, allowing guests to ski/ride from $60 (CDN) a day. EDGE Cards also offer such perks as 20% off retail/rental products and $35 (CDN) off snow school lessons. EDGE Cards are valid for use all season long, and available at early bird pricing until Nov. 21, 2010 at whistlerblackcomb.com/save.
Beginning Nov. 16, the Snow Report will be updated daily and may be listened to online or by calling 604.932.4211 in Whistler; 604.687.7507 in Vancouver or toll-free at 800.766.0449.
For more information about the area, click on Tourism Whistler's website.
Skiing Whistler Blackcomb
Photo by Sue Frause
British Columbia's Parliament Buildings ©SueFrausePhoto Just in time for the spooky season (aka Halloween), Tourism Victoria has put tog...
Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC. Photo by Sue Frause. I just watched a Canadian politician on CBC say the word process at least a ...
I just tweeted: Reading the Sunday New York Times in New York on a Sunday is a good thing. Yes, I'm in New York City, wrapping up a fiv...
Sunset at JFK International Airport. Photo by Sue Frause. HALIFAX - This isn't my first Canadian train adventure. I'd taken th...


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Kim Kardashian recently sported a pair of minuscule shades on the advice of her stylist husband – but it’s not an easy look to pull off From Joan Crawford to Jackie O, Kate Moss to Kanye West, a pair of sunglasses has long been the accessory weapon of the A list. They are a symbol that says: “I am very famous, and have possibly recently had a facelift.” But, as Kanye himself has recently decreed, “the bigger the better” is no longer the unspoken sunglasses rule. Instead, only tiny ones barely covering your eye sockets are cool now. Of course, viewers of Keeping Up With the Kardashians would know that already. Kim revealed that her husband, who doubles as her stylist when he’s not busy being the real Kanye, has effectively outlawed big sunglasses. “[Kanye] sent me a whole email like, ‘You cannot wear big glasses any more.
Read full story


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Jio Phone is yet to become widely available for the public to purchase, but there’s already an alleged case of the handset exploding. Last year, a Reliance Lyf smartphone had exploded and burst into flames too. Reports of the Jio Phone exploding come with many handset manufacturers, , including Samsung, Xiaomi, and Apple, are grappling with cases of their smartphone catching fire spontaneously. In a statement to Gadgets 360 on the matter, a Reliance Retail spokesperson said the company is aware of the incident, and found in its initial investigation that the damage has been caused by intentional sabotage. The Twitter account that first posted the image has deleted the tweet.
According to a report by technology blog Phone Radar, the Jio Phone explosion happened in Kashmir. The now-deleted image on Twitter shows the back panel of the phone has been melted but the battery underneath the casing seems to be intact. The front panel also doesn’t have any bearings of an explosion. The blog claims to have access to a photo of the phone’s charger, and its wire is supposedly also melted. Citing a Lyf distributor who checked the device, the report says the battery is remains operational.
In a statement, a Reliance Retail spokesperson said, “Jio Phones are designed and manufactured with global standards, and each phone goes through stringent quality control process. The said incident has been reported to us. Our initial investigation suggests that this is a case of intentional sabotage. The damage to the device seems to have been intentionally caused. The incident, as well as its timing, has been designed by vested interests to malign the brand. We will take appropriate action based on further investigations.”
Jio Phone is expected to slow down the switch from feature phones to smartphones courtesy its smartphone-like features at zero ‘effective price’; buyers need to pay Rs. 1,500 as deposit at the time of delivery. Its highlight is the access to 4G Internet and availability of movie, music and video streaming apps. In fact, since the launch of Jio Phone, other telecom operators have partnered with handset makers to bring phones bundled with freebies. These include Airtel and Karbonn’s A40 Indian Android smartphone and BSNL and Micromax’s Bharat-1 4G feature phone.


text: Reaction to Barneys Arrests, Racism and Classism Collide This week 19 year old Trayon Christian filed a discrimination lawsuit against the retail giant Barneys. Christian, who is Black, claimed undercover cops working inside Barneys followed him into the streets and accused him of credit card fraud after purchasing a $349 Ferragamo belt. So when reports of another hideous display of racial profiling by Barneys surfaced, the frustration and resentment amplified. Here was, Kayla Phillips, a black woman, being accused of credit card fraud after purchasing a $2,500 designer bag. “There were three men and a woman,” she recalled. “Two of them attacked me and pushed me against a wall, and the other two appeared in front of me, blocking the turnstile.” In the wake of these incidents, the most vicious attacks were not directed at the high end retail store. Many instead chose to attack the victims of Barneys racial profiling for spending their money on expensive items. Their purchases were unjustifiable for some due to them being Black and working class. Read the rest on Black Culture What were your reactions to Barneys racial profiling? Have you noticed anyone’s negative reactions to it?


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September 28, 2023 — Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) announces the promotion of two new leaders, signifying increased focus and support to suppliers and customers in the West and Midwest Region.
“Execution is what elevates RNDC as leaders in our industry. We’re committed to positioning our supplier partnerships and associates for success, and that is why I’m thrilled to announce the promotion of Gary Archuleta to the role of Midwest Region President and Bryan Boeck as West Region President,” said Taylor Sommer, RNDC Chief Sales and Execution Officer. Our move to smaller regional territories ensures we have dedicated senior leaders with proven results prioritizing our suppliers’ brands and our customers’ business.”
The Midwest Region under Archuleta will include Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, while the West Region under Boeck will include Arizona, California and Hawaii.
Prior to joining RNDC, Gary began his career at E&J Gallo in 1988 and progressed through multiple roles in the New Mexico and Colorado markets. Gary led the Virginia market as Executive Vice President from 2012-2019 and most recently lead the New Mexico market.
Bryan Boeck has dedicated over 30 years to the beverage alcohol industry and RNDC. In 2020, Bryan moved west from Texas when he accepted the role of SVP Spirits for California. He was quickly promoted to his most recent role, California State Executive Vice President in May 2022.
Both Gary and Bryan have built a positive culture of accountability and excellence in service – service to our customers, our suppliers, and our associates. We’re proud to see our talented associates continue to further their careers; helping us strive forward as the distributor of choice.
About Republic National Distributing Company
As a top beverage alcohol distributor in the nation, RNDC’s national reach helps suppliers by building strategic relationships with on- and off-premise customers to elevate their brands and reach their target consumers. RNDC currently operates in the District of Columbia and 38 states across the United States. To learn more, visit www.rndc-usa.com or contact Kanchan Kinkade, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Kanchan.Achar@rndc-usa.com.


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Update: According to several media reports, most of the tainted meat went through distribution centers in California, Texas, Illinois and Florida
Meat recalls are not terribly unusual, but the most recent posted by the USDA covers an extraordinary 8.7 million pounds of meat.
As part of a press release from the agency, it said the health risk was "high." In detail:
Rancho Feeding Corporation, a Petaluma, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 8,742,700 pounds, because it processed diseased and unsound animals and carried out these activities without the benefit or full benefit of federal inspection. Thus, the products are adulterated, because they are unsound, unwholesome or otherwise are unfit for human food and must be removed from commerce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The key to the announcement was that the meat was produced "without the benefit of full inspection."
All of the meat recalled was either beef or veal. The majority of the meat was marketed in large packages from 20 pounds to 60 pounds. So, far, the agency said, no one has been sickened by the meat.
Food recalls are not unusual. There have been five in February, and nine in January.
The USDA does have a means by which consumers can remain up to date on recall issues. Called “Ask Karen," the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is available via phone 24 hours a day.
The agency's mandate is much broader than the control of meat products:
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged.
8.7 million pounds of meat may not be a record recall; the largest was 143 million pounds of hamburger recalled in 2008. Still, this new recall is certainly enough to show that the amount of tainted food products produced in the U.S. can be extraordinarily high.


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Simplicity Crib Recall Hotline:
Recent reports of lead-tainted toys and other hazardous merchandise has led to concerns about the effectiveness of product recalls. Too often, critics say, news of a recall doesn't reach the owners of dangerous products.
Nicola and Chad Johns of Roseville, Calif., believe the nation's product recall system is broken. In April 2005, they put their 9-month-old baby boy, Liam, to bed in a crib. Everything seemed normal until the next morning, when Nicola went back to her son's room.
"I saw my son hanging from the crib," she said, "his neck basically caught at the mattress. So his chin was resting on the mattress and the rest of this body was hanging straight down."
When Nicola pulled Liam out of the crib he wasn't breathing, and she feared the worst. She was right.
"We gave him CPR until the paramedics came," she said. "He was pronounced dead at the hospital. He was 9 months old."
To many, the story of the death of Liam Johns is indicative of a wider problem with America's recall system.
The crib that killed Liam was made in China by Pennsylvania-based Simplicity, Inc. It is also marketed under the Graco brand. Like many cribs, it had one side that could drop down to make it easier for parents to reach their baby. But in this crib, that drop-side came loose, allowing Liam's neck to get wedged between the side and the mattress.
Liam's death prompted Nicola and Chad Johns to file suit against Simplicity, Inc. They argued that a design flaw and unclear assembly instructions created the deadly hazard. Their lawyer, Charles Kelly, alerted the Consumer Product Safety Commission of the danger.
Kelly says he was astonished at how long it took the CPSC to respond to the case.
"I alerted the CPSC in June of 2005 about Liam's death," Kelly said, "and it wasn't until over two years later that they sent a field investigator to come to look at the crib and take it away."
By then, the crib model had killed two more babies; temporarily trapped seven others, and prompted more than 50 complaints. Finally, this past September — two and a half years after Liam Johns' death — the CPSC and Simplicity recalled 1 million cribs, the largest crib recall ever.
But it remains to be seen how effective the recall will be.
According to Kelly, the process is inadequate. He objects to the fact that the recall allows the company to merely send a repair kit to parents and ask them to repair the defective cribs themselves.
Kelly says Simplicity should be required to track down the dangerous cribs, get them back and give their customers full refunds. Instead, it's up to customers to figure out if they have a problem.
Simplicity has set up a toll-free number that provides a series of questions and instructions about how to get and install a repair kit.
The company did not respond to numerous requests by NPR to talk about the case. It released a statement last September saying, "Simplicity strives to make safe products; that is our number 1 priority. That's why we worked with the CPSC to take this action."
But to some consumer advocates, this particular recall is troubling.
Among them is Donald Mays, director for Public Safety Planning at Consumers Union.
"Simplicity bragged about the fact that they got a great response rate [to the recall]," Mays said.
"There were 45,000 responses to their recall action. That means there are still over 950,000 hazardous cribs still remaining in the homes of unsuspecting consumers," Mays said.
The Simplicity crib case is indicative of the problems of recalls in general, Mays said.
An investigation by Consumer Reports found that almost one-third of all recalled vehicles, more than half of all toys and appliances, and three-quarters of child car seats are never repaired or returned to stores.
But the CPSC doesn't rate the success of a recall by how many products are returned, said Julie Vallese, spokesperson at the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
"The way the CPSC determines if there was a successful recall," Vallese said, "is if the number of incidents, injuries or reports of complaints go down once the recall goes out."
Vallese couldn't talk about why it took the CPSC more than two years to investigate and recall those Simplicity cribs. She isn't allowed to do so without Simplicity's permission.
But Donald Mays of the Consumer Union says the Consumer Product Safety Commission is woefully understaffed, with only 400 full-time employees — 15 of whom actually work the docks to prevent unsafe products from crossing our borders.
"There are over 300 ports," Mays said. "Fifteen people can't cover them all."
Mays says manufacturers should be required to do comprehensive testing to ensure products are safe before they are sold. Many companies now do that on their own, but Mays says they should be required by law. He also supports legislation pending in Congress that would require product registration cards to be sent out with high chairs, strollers, cribs and other juvenile durable goods.
For their part, Nicola and Chad Johns favor tougher laws, even if it's too late to save their son and the two other babies who died in the Simplicity cribs.
"We're not going to stop until we have some kind of law change," Nicola said. "We can't save our child," she added. "But we can save other people's, hopefully."
Nicola Johns and her husband Chad eventually settled with Simplicity, but they're barred from disclosing the terms. But that's not stopping them from continuing to speak out.


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UK – The 4imprint Group closed the fiscal year 2016 with 12% growth in turnover. According to the annual results recently published, a turnover of 558 mil. US Dollars was achieved (approx. 524.5 mil. Euros). According to company accounts, around 97% of the turnover was earned in North America, whereby it was possible to compensate for the insecurities on the market in the fourth quarter caused by the presidential elections with higher revenues in December.
According to 4imprint, the order volumes also increased by 12% in 2016, the overall amount of orders totalled over one million for the first time ever. Furthermore, over 240,000 new customers were won over last year. Among other things, the success was put down to effective marketing measures. Since it was published that the company’s turnover for North America in 2015 for promotional products was 479.2 mil. US Dollars (approx. 450.8 mil. Euros), the US American industry magazine Counselor has been listing 4imprint as the industry’s second largest promotional products distributor.


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- Articles tagged "iconia"
Of all of Acer's strengths as a PC manufacturer, design hasn't always stood out as one of them. However all that is set to change with its new line-up of Windows 8 products. We take a closer look at what you can expect in retail stores from this weekend.
- 5 more CEE deals you shouldn't miss!
- Xiaomi Singapore has plans to bring in the Mi 4i in Grey
- WhatsApp voice-calling feature coming soon to Windows Phone
- Lenovo enters media casting space with Lenovo Cast
- HTC: One M9 and M9+ to be updated to Android M, more devices to be announced soon
- Lenovo looks to the future with smart concept technologies at Lenovo Tech World
- ASUS to announce ZenFone Selfie with two 13MP cameras and laser autofocus?
- SanDisk unveils Z400s low-cost SSDs to replace hard drives in notebooks


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Philadelphia-based fashion retailer Urban Outfitters has announced that their stores will be going “all Apple,” eschewing clunky cash registers, price guns and computer screens for sleek iPads and iTouches.
“Two or three weeks ago, we placed our very last register order,” Chief Information Officer Calvin Hollinger said during a presentation at the company’s first analyst day on Thursday. “We are out of the register business.”
The mobile devices that currently equip sales associates in some of the retailer’s locations and accept credit card-only payments will be replaced by iPod touches with messaging capabilities, as well as apps to assist returns, restocking and ordering out-of-stock merchandise. The registers will be surmounted by swivel-mounted tablets that will accept cash and debit cards, in addition to credit. “It’s very clean,” Hollinger said of the iPad, praising its large screen and intuitive operating system. “If it’s not in use, you can take the swivel arm, turn it away and you can use this as a packing space or maybe to display more items to sell.”
Hollinger said the iPad will prove to be a more versatile and interactive tool that makes information sharing and storage a two-way street. “In addition to being a register, we can download a lot of content to the stores,” he said, giving the examples of training videos, market tips and sales reports. “And then from a customer’s point of view, we turn the iPad to a customer, she’s entering in her shipping address, this can also be used, for example, as a gift registry,” he said.
The stores – more than 400 of them in the U.S. and Canada – hope to make the switch soon. “Once we successfully make sure this iPad works in all the stores, all stores will be designed and equipped with iPod touches and iPads,” Hollinger said. “And, frankly, I’m happy because the iPad is $1,000 fully-configured, fully-installed, versus $5,000 [for a cash register].”
Some of the company’s stores, which include subsidiary brands Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain and BHLDN, two years ago began accepting credit card-only payments through specially-equipped iPhones. “At the end of the day, we just replaced one technology – the fixed register – with another technology – the mobile register,” Hollinger said. “And these devices can do so, so much more, so we began to look at other capabilities that we can deploy.” Those include:
– A returns application that instantly refunds the customer and enters the merchandise back into the company inventory.
– An automatic price tag-printing application.
– An application that notifies sales associates when the sales floor needs to be restocked, complete with a photograph of items that require replenishing.
– An out-of-stock application allowing the customer to pay for an out-of-stock item with the rest of their order as the app scours the company’s centralized inventory, finds the closest location of the desired merchandise and ships it directly to the customer’s home.
– In the future, Hollinger said, the company also plans to build messaging and texting capabilities into the mobile devices so associates can communicate with one another and with the corporate headquarters. “Those kids text,” he said. “They don’t want to have the walkie-talkies.”


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The Group, which is set to launch its first store on November 21st at the Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock, has made a series of new announcements that are likely to shakeup the retail market.
This month, the group launched its own-brand, £599 Patriot PC. And its free internet service, Freeserve, which launched only two months ago has already attracted 475,000 subscribers, placing it just 25,000 customers behind UK market leader AOL and ahead of former number two, CompuServe.
But most recently, the group has been fending off criticism of its PC pricing policy by PC companies, consumer watchdogs and most prominently, chip giant Intel. Craig Barrett, Intel Chief executive, launched a verbal attack on Dixon's "ridiculous margins" at Comdex Fall.


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The number of international tourists to Cambodia is expected to reach the pre-Covid-19 pandemic level in 2026. A senior official there said Cambodia’s tourism sector has significantly recovered and is forecast to attract about 7 million international tourists in 2026 or 2027 and up to 7.5 million in 2028. The Ministry of Tourism’s Secretary of State said during the first eight months of 2022, the kingdom received almost 1 million international visitors, up 720% year on year. They are hoping for 1.5 million to 2 million international tourists for the full year. The kingdom currently has 724 hotels, 2,122 guesthouses, 2,581 restaurants, 380 massage parlors, and 616 travel agencies.
Indian Hotels and other hospitality firms in India have said they are eyeing price rate hikes. IHCL recently went back on that, saying the price hikes will have to wait until November. IHCL’s CEO believes they need to wait to see if the 3rd quarter momentum is going to carry into the Festive Season and raise rates going into the final two months of the year. They are confident that as long as demand continues to outpace supply, hotels will continue to have strong pricing power, particularly in major metros.
Hyatt Hotels Corp announced the opening of Hyatt Centric Sector 17 Chandigarh, marking the debut of the Hyatt Centric brand there. Hyatt said they are introducing the Hyatt Centric brand to Punjab and Haryana with the opening of this hotel. The hotel is situated in the city’s commercial and shopping district. It has 144 guest rooms with modern and contemporary décor. There are 138 guest rooms and six suites in the hotel.
Marriott International announced it signed an agreement with Suzhou Jingyuan Hotel Management Co Ltd to bring the AC Hotels by Marriott brand to Greater China. Expected to open in December 2022, the 135 room AC Hotels by Marriott Suzhou will sit at the heart of Suzhou. The hotel will include a mix of dining options including the brand’s signature AC Kitchen and AC Lounge & Bar. The hotel will also feature flexible spaces, including an AC Store, 24 hour fitness center, a meeting room and a laundry room. Marriott International currently operates 15 hotels across eight brands in Suzhou.
Gamuda Land said it is expanding its international markets, launching their first UK and second Australian properties. They include the West Hampstead Central and The Canopy at Four Seasons Hotel. The two development projects will be the stepping stones of the Malaysian company. West Hampstead Central is located in between many of London’s top attractions and neighborhoods, developed in both English heritage and contemporary design. The Canopy on Normanby is located approximately 1.2km from Melbourne Central Business District.
Residential developer Keylin and hotel provider Accor have decided to split and go their separate ways after facing construction challenges on what was to be their conjoined-tower project in Brisbane’s inner city. It was November of last year when the two parties announced the developer’s luxury art-deco styled apartment tower “Oria” in Spring Hill would be complemented by the city’s first Movenpick Hotel, which would overlook Victoria Park. The original design for a shared pool deck, gym and carpark facilities, proved increasingly difficult to deliver over the past six months. The parties said it was a mutual decision to uncouple the tower and allow the residential developer to focus on its core business. Accor and Keylin will still partner to deliver the first Movenpick in the River City, with the duo looking for a site within 2km of the original location, likely to be in Fortitude Valley, the CBD or Spring Hill. The 96 room Movenpick Hotel Brisbane Spring Hill was slated to open in 2024 and offer a restaurant and conference room alongside the brand’s assortment of signature offerings.
One of the first and biggest hotels to become a managed isolation facility in Auckland is ready to re-open its doors. The Jet Park Hotel is opening following two years of being a property for people to isolate after being exposed to Covid. The hotel was in the process of being refurbished when Covid hit and now unveiled many of those things. There is new bar furniture, the rooms are fully refurbished with brand new beds, linens and mini-bars. The 221 bedroom hotel began the actual refurbishment two months ago.
Cross Hotels & Resorts said they are continuing to enhance its presence in Bangkok with the signing of a new hotel management agreement for a riverfront property with Kene Hotel Bangkok Co. Ltd. The Away Bangkok Riverside Kene is a 169 key lifestyle property located steps away from the Chao Phraya River. This is the ninth addition to the Cross family of hotels and resorts in 2022. The hotel includes a centerpiece indoor swimming pool, four restaurants and bars, and a unique social and business venue.
Central Pattana and Centara Hotels & Resorts announced the grand opening of Centara Korat Hotel, an all in one leisure and lifestyle destination in the heart of the Northeast. Centara Korat has 217 rooms and suites, a contemporary rooftop pool, bar and Sky Garden, fitness center, signature restaurants and a wide range of meeting facilities.
DoubleDragon Corp’s subsidiaries, DDPC Worldwide Pte Ltd. and Hotel 101 Worldwide Pte Ltd., executed the full payment for the acquisition of a 9,000 square meter land site for its first international Hotel 101 development located in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. The Hotel 101-Niseko is expected to have 518 rooms with the hotel catering to the mid-end market. The properties will be marketed and sold as hybrid condotels with pre-selling sales revenue expected to be US$137.3 million.
Dusit International said they are expanding their brand of hospitality in the Middle East with the opening of Dusit Hotel and Suites – Doha, the third Dusit-branded hotel in Qatar, owned by Al Majed Group Holding. The hotel opened on October 1. The 50 story property includes 192 luxury serviced apartments in Doha’s West Bay district. The property includes three bedroom duplex penthouses spanning two floors and offering between 338 and 370 square meter of space. The largest accommodation covers 1,104 square meters, including six spacious bedrooms. The hotel is home to six restaurants, the Namm Spa, a fitness center and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.


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A Better Better Business Bureau
Joan Murphy needed a new computer for the billing service she was operating from her apartment in Queens, N.Y. So when she saw an ad for a Dell (DELL) computer that could be hers after making six weekly payments of $99, she contacted the company, BlueHippo. As a reward for full payment, BlueHippo promised Murphy a free printer. "I remember the ad pretty clearly," Murphy says."It said if you didn't have good credit, paid over time, you could get the computer."
Murphy did get the computer. But after $2,379 in payments, she was still waiting for the free printer. "It was a big mistake to trust them," she says. BlueHippo didn't return calls for comment.
Frustrated, the 44-year-old Murphy embarked on a telephone campaign, calling the company from October, 2005 until well into April, 2007. "I was getting the same story each time," Murphy recalls. "Someone would tell me that my printer was going to be sent and it would never come." After getting nowhere with the company, she decided to contact the Better Business Bureau.
Catching Up with the Digital Age
Murphy is one of thousands of consumers who turn to the Better Business Bureau to act as referee in their disputes. Operating with an annual budget of $22 million, the national, nonprofit organization works with local branches that handle complaints. Last year, the BBB received 1.2 million complaints through 114 local offices from fed-up consumers across the country, up from just over 1 million the year before. This year, with reports of lead toys and tainted beef, the BBB expects that number to rise again. "The Better Business Bureau is the ombudsman of the marketplace," says Charlie Mattingly, president of the unit serving Louisville, Ky.
That's what the BBB has been doing for 95 years. But now the nonprofit is trying to remake itself for the digital age where there has been an explosion of Web sites and blogs devoted to airing customer service disputes and concerns. The challenge for the BBB is to become known as the place consumers can go to find information to help them make the best choices—not simply the place to go after they've have had a bad experience and stacks of grievances.
For consumers like Murphy who have routine but nagging disputes, the BBB has a well-oiled procedure for tackling complaints. First consumers fill out a form on the Web site. After the complaint is submitted, the organization contacts the company and requests a response within 14 days. Kimberly Evans was pleasantly surprised by how easily she was able to lodge her complaint with the BBB. She filed a complaint when a magazine subscription service refused to allow her to cancel her membership. Within a week of filing her complaint online, the company had cancelled her subscription. "It was so swift and easy," she says. "I wasn't expecting a response that quickly."
According to Mattingly, 90% of consumer complaints receive some kind of company response. If a company fails to respond, it will get an unsatisfactory record, which is essentially a poor rating in the BBB's database of company performance. The scarlet letter of bad customer service serves as a warning for other consumers, and will appear in the reliability report, a compendium of information the BBB keeps about a company. "These reports are the levers we have to motivate companies to act well," Mattingly notes.
Only a handful of complaints go through a protracted negotiation. The BBB offers consumers arbitration where a trained specialist acts as mediator between the company and the consumer to resolve the disagreement. Arbitrators are drawn largely from pools of volunteers who are trained during three-day sessions by the national council. "It's in the company's best interest and the consumer's best interest to satisfactorily deal with these disputes," Mattingly says.
Look Before You Leap
The BBB also wants to convince consumers that it's in their best interest to check in before making a purchase.
Since October the organization has spent over $1 million dollars on an ad campaign, complete with a new logo, "Start with trust," that is aimed at firmly placing the BBB at the start, not the end of the consumer advocacy process. Along with a new tag line, the BBB commissioned a national radio advertising campaign which runs on National Public Radio. "Competition has only made us better," Mattingly notes.
Other Internet sites like Complaints.com, GetSatisfaction.com, and Yelp have sprouted up in recent years to offer consumers space to vent about company misdeeds and demand better customer service. Matthew Smith, the founder and president of complaints.com, which he started in 2000, describes his site as a companion to the Better Business Bureau. "The BBB is a great help to so many people." Smith says his site is a forum for consumers to readily share information about bad corporate actors and failures in customer service. "It's a new way for consumers to share information and solve problems," he says.
The BBB also strives to share information with consumers by offering what it calls reliability reports compiled through a combination of consumer research, complaints, and company literature. These reports can guide consumers toward companies with feckless track records and help them avoid the ones that don't have a good record. "The reliability reports are the front line for consumers to avoid disputes," says Nora Carpenter, a senior vice-president with the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
The BBB offers consumers reports on over 400,000 companies. The reports are based on a company's history of service, its responsiveness to consumers, and an evaluation of whether its advertising is truthful. "Now I know that I should read up on a company ahead of time," notes Evans.
Trouble is, too few consumers actually know about reliability reports and, like Evans, only rely on them after a dispute has already arisen. Only 22% of consumers had contacted the BBB prior to making a purchase, according to a 2005 study commissioned by the organization. "We know consumers are well aware of the BBB, but associate us as complaint people," says Steve Cox, vice-president of communications. "We want consumers coming to us before the fact."
If Murphy had requested a reliability report from the BBB after seeing that commercial, she might have had a different experience. Murphy finally received her printer over a year after her final payment. Murphy now says she'll request a reliability report before making a similar purchase. "I can be a more educated consumer now."
Silver-Greenberg is an editorial assistant for BusinessWeek
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