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In the noon hour on Tuesday, the Dow Jones industrials were down 0.6% and the S&P 500 down 0.24%, while the Nasdaq traded 0.25% higher.
After U.S. markets closed on Monday, Canoo reported a smaller-than-expected adjusted loss per share and, as expected, reported no revenue. The company reported $69.7 million in cash and equivalents as of Monday and projected second-quarter operating expenses of $40 to $60 million and capital expenditures of $10 million to $20 million. Shares traded up 0.67% Tuesday.
Nu Holdings handily beat the consensus earnings per share (EPS) and revenue estimates. According to Monday’s Form 13-F filing, Berkshire Hathaway maintained its stake of about 107 million shares in Nu Holdings. Shares of the Brazilian fintech firm traded up by less than 1%.
Before U.S. markets opened on Tuesday, Home Depot beat the consensus EPS estimate by a penny and missed on revenue. Sales were 4.2% below the year-ago quarter’s level. Home Depot also issued downside fiscal-year EPS and revenue guidance. Same-store sales are expected to decline by 2% to 5%. Shares traded down 1.7%.
iQIYI just beat the consensus revenue estimate and met the adjusted EPS estimate. The stock traded down 8.1%.
Sea Limited reported a big miss on the consensus EPS estimate and revenue that was higher than expected. Revenue increased by 4.9% year over year. Shares traded down 15.9%.
Tencent Music beat estimates on both the top and bottom lines. Shares traded down 3.6% nonetheless.
After U.S. markets close on Tuesday or before they open on Wednesday, Kyndryl, Star Bulk Carriers, Target and TJX Companies are scheduled to report quarterly results. Look for Cisco and SQM to report later on Wednesday.
Walmart reports first-quarter results first thing Thursday morning, along with these three companies.
Over the past 12 months, shares of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE: BABA) traded essentially flat with plenty of big swings. But over the past two years, shares have dropped about 57% of their value. Aside from the country’s strict lockdown rules that were not repealed until early this year, the company managed to get sideways with the Chinese government, and that is never a good thing. The holding company has announced a six-piece split of its individual companies that could unlock some value, along with calling a halt to government fears that the e-commerce giant is getting too big.
Of 46 analysts covering the stock, 43 have ratings of Buy or Strong Buy. The others rate it at Hold. At a recent price of around $88.00 a share, the upside potential based on a median price target of $143.90 is about 73.8%. At the high price target of $217.73, the upside potential is 147.4%.
For Alibaba’s fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, analysts are expecting revenue of $30.05 billion, which would be down 16.3% sequentially and by 6.6% year over year. Adjusted EPS are expected to come in at $1.36, down 51.2% sequentially but 8.8% higher year over year. For the full fiscal year that ended in March, Alibaba is expected to report EPS of $7.61, down 8.40%, on sales of $125.02 billion, down 7.1%.
Alibaba shares trade at 11.6 times expected 2023 EPS, 10.2 times estimated 2024 earnings of $8.63 and 9.0 times estimated 2025 earnings of $9.81 per share. The stock’s 52-week trading range is $58.01 to $125.84. The company does not pay a dividend, and total shareholder return for the past 12 months is 2.10%.
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A Japanese jewelry store unveils $5.25m gold model of Lionel Messi’s left foot
- March 6, 2013
Japanese jeweler Ginza Tanaka has hit the football headlines after creating a $5.25 million gold model of Lionel Messi’s left foot.
The jeweler took a cast of Lionel Messi’s foot in Spain at the end of 2012, and three months later the pure gold replica of the Barcelona forward’s foot has been created.
Lionel Messi’s golden foot is now available for purchase, with Ginza Tanaka agreeing to donate a portion of any future sale to Lionel Messi’s foundation which in turn will go to support children in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami disaster that hit Japan in March 2011.
A report into the $5.25m gold model of Lionel Messi’s left foot can be seen below.
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- Thiago Messi’s appearance at Barca celebrations has produced cute Photoshops
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- What Pep said to Messi

domain: news


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In September, the global food manufacturer overhauled its business operations, vowing to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and improve employee working conditions. CEO Grant F. Reid said he anticipates a long, bright future for his company, but only if it puts sustainability at the core of its business ethos. . . .
As Reid and other CEOs are learning, sustainability isn’t just a “nice-to-have,” especially from a consumer perspective. A recent study indicates that one-third of consumers prefer to buy from brands with reputations for sustainability, so it no longer matters whether your business deals directly with environmental issues: Business leaders must use enlightened self-interest to educate themselves and their teams on sustainability’s benefits in order to implement and scale environmentally sound initiatives.


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iPhone adoption since June rose 48 percent among those earning between $25,000 and $50,000 per year and by 46 percent among those earning between $25,000 and $75,000. These growth rates are three times greater than that of those earning more than $100,000 per year. Overall, iPhone penetration grew 21 percent.Those are great numbers by any standards -- and especially impressive considering that though smartphones such as Research in Motion's ( RIMM) BlackBerry and various offerings from Palm ( PALM) have been around for a decade or so, they're only now becoming popular with consumers. Mark Donovan, senior analyst for comScore, reminded me that the cellular industry is undergoing huge change, with users flocking toward smartphones, and especially to the second-generation iPhone. According to comScore:
The number of people earning between $25,000 and $50,000 accessing news and information via mobile browsers grew by five percent since June, while the market overall grew by three percent. There has also been seven percent growth in mobile e-mail usage and five percent growth in mobile music consumption among that income group."These data indicate that lower-income mobile subscribers are increasingly turning to their mobile devices to access the Internet, e-mail and their music collections," wrote Donovan. "Smartphones, and the iPhone in particular, are appealing to a new demographic and satisfying demand for a single device for communication and entertainment, even as consumers weather the economy by cutting back on gadgets." Super marketing, great timing and word of mouth all contribute to the iPhone's overwhelming success. According to Senior Analyst Jen Wu: "As an additional household budget item, a $200 device plus at least $70 per month for phone service seems a bit extravagant for those with lower disposable income. However, one actually realizes cost savings when the device is used in lieu of multiple digital devices and services, transforming the iPhone from a luxury item to a practical communication and entertainment tool."


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Leading designer and manufacturer of wetsuits, HUUB, has taken a leasehold agreement with Derby City Council to move its design team of ten staff into Park Bikeworks on Full Street in Derby city centre, along with start-up business, Full Street Design creative agency.
Top international cycling brands will also join HUUB at its new base.
Boardman Bikes, the British bicycle manufacturer founded by the professional cyclist Chris Boardman, will open its third UK showroom at Park Bikeworks in the coming weeks. This will be closely followed by the opening of the top French sunglasses and helmet manufacturer Ekoi's first UK showroom.
Campbell Wigley, Director of Park Bikeworks Ltd, said: "We are delighted to be working with Derby City Council and HUUB Design. Bringing Boardman Bikes and Ekoi into the premises is a real coup for the city and will be welcomed by cyclists across the region who will now be able to see, feel and try the products first hand in the showroom."
Dean Jackson, Founder and Owner of HUUB, said: "As a growing company, Park Bikeworks fits with our aims of promoting fitness and participation in sport - particularly the triathlon disciplines of swim, bike and run."


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Published on Mon, Jul 23 2018 16:20 IST
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Today’s California ag headlines include the California Strawberry Commission praising Governor Brown, China’s impact on California’s nut industry, a free workshop for beginning farmers, and a harvest festival.
Click to Open or Download Audio Report
The California Strawberry Commission is praising Governor Brown and Assemblyman Luis Alejo of Watsonville for their ongoing efforts to address the needs of the state’s immigrant workforce. It comes after the governor signed Alejo’s bill to allow immigrants to get California driver’s licenses.
President of the commission, Rick Olivares Tomlinson, says quote “We stand with Governor Brown and Mr. Alejo in advocating for a huge segment of the population integral to California’s culture, economy and communities.”
The strawberry commission represents 400 strawberry farmers. It has sent several delegations of farmers to Capitol Hill to educate members of Congress about the need for immigration reform.
A new Rabobank report suggests that China could have a bigger impact on the California nut industry. China has a big demand for nuts. In fact, about 40 percent of our pistachio exports head there, along with about 20 percent of our almonds. California’s tree-nut exports have nearly doubled n the last five years
Beginning farmers are invited to a free workshop to learn more about marketing approaches for fruit, vegetable, value-added products and more. It’s in Pleasant Hill, on Thursday October 17 from 3 to 6:30 pm. But you need to reserve your spot by this Friday.
Presentations will cover how to develop a marketing plan appropriate for your farm, as well as a more in depth examination of online markets, restaurant sales and the benefits of wholesaling. A panel of farmers and buyers will share tips and experiences selling at a variety of scales and through a diversity of venues. For more information, click here.
It’s harvest festival season, and one of the lengthiest is Cambria’s scarecrow festival. Cambria is along the Central coast area. For the entire month, you can find all kinds of scarecrows around the streets of the town. More than 350 scarecrows – ranging from spooky to comical to artistic – are displayed by home and business owners as part of the town’s annual harvest celebration. This weekend is the official Harvest Scarecrows Weekend, which includes a winemaker dinner, the harvest pie baking competition and tasting, the Harvest Market featuring local farm-fresh food as well as local wines, and an all-day farm tour.
For more information, click here.


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This story was published more than 5 years ago.
This week the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation announced that they're looking for assistance with expanding their online sportsbetting operations next year.
The expansion will be facilitated through a third party company and will see live action taken during sporting events. The company also wants to expand to allow for eSports and novelty wagers such as political bets and results of game shows. Ontario is competing to catch up with their fellow provinces such as Quebec, Manitoba, and British Colombia to offer the services to customers.
Speaking about the upcoming products OLG Spokesman Tony Bitonti said, "OLG sports offering will include new products that will provide more betting options on a wider variety of events, including all major North American sports leagues and major international sports."
Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa added: "We've been looking at the modernisation strategy, we're looking at expanding and protecting consumer activity. The situation is that a lot of online [gambling] activity occurs that is unregulated and many people are exposed, especially young kids.
"In my capacity, I have a duty of social responsibility here. I also have to ensure that we re-invest in things that will help people with addiction."


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According to KLCBT’s Chief Operating Officer Linda Grimbeek part of the chamber’s strategic vision and objectives – as outlined in its three-year marketing strategy – deals with the need for innovative products and attractions in the region to increase visitor numbers.
“Part of our vision is to inspire innovation and to create/reinvent unique, inclusive and marketable tourism themes, routes, products and experiences that modern travellers seek. We believe the addition of this award will aid our vision and inspire innovation our region,” she says.
“The idea of the new award was so well received that sponsorship was taken up in less than 24 hours,” she adds.
As a special, contested award individuals, businesses or projects can enter the KLCBT’s annual awards to compete for the Innovation in Tourism Award and be branded and promoted as the creator or re-inventor of something unique in the region.
KLCBT’s 2017 Awards open for entries in July.


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68% of consumers say they’re searching for coronavirus updates on the internet – making it the biggest online activity, according to latest research by GlobalWebIndex.
The company has been studying consumers’ media consumption habits in the current pandemic. They include what media people are consuming more of (and plan to continue after the crisis ends). The sources of information they find most trustworthy generally and on social media. What they want to see more of in news coverage and their willingness to pay for the information.
Coronavirus content currently dominates consumers’ time online across markets, income groups, gender and most generations, except Gen Z (16-23 years-old). This group is more likely to listen to music (71%).
87% of US consumers, and 80% of UK consumers say they’re consuming more content. And they are doing so mostly via broadcast TV, online videos, and online TV streaming.
70% are looking for positivity in the news
Globally, people are most likely to turn to news channels (60%), news websites (55%), news bulletins (45%), government updates (50%) and social media (47%) to stay informed about the outbreak.
When asked which sources they consider to be most trustworthy, around 50% cited the government. This was followed by news channels and then updates from health organizations.
Consumers are searching for trustworthy information amid the bogus miracle cures and fake news they’re seeing online, giving publishers a chance to shine.Rob Williams, Contributing Editor, Mediapost
While people are primarily looking for coronavirus information in the news coverage they consume, they’re also seeking out positive stories. Recovery rates and positive stories are the most sought after in news across every demographic group.
People also want a degree of critical analysis of how the outbreak is being managed by the government. And around a third of consumers, in the US and the UK, want to see more topics unrelated to the coronavirus.
Among those seeking more non-coronavirus news, around 30% say they’re searching for sports and celebrity news, and around 70% are looking for positivity in the news they consume.
The report notes a strong appetite to pay for more media subscriptions, with around 40% respondents in the UK and the US considering purchasing new media subscriptions.
News consumption is the “fastest growing behavior on social platforms”
Social media as a news source has made a resurgence. 49% of US, and 39% of UK consumers are reading more news stories on social media as a result of the outbreak.
“This is more than the number who are increasingly keeping in touch with family and friends, watching entertainment content, and sharing photos and videos – making news consumption the fastest growing behavior on social platforms,” according to Virna Sekuj, Senior Insights Analyst at GlobalWebIndex.
Certain media consumption behavior may have more staying power, especially in the US, according to GWI. 76% of US online video watchers say they plan to consume just as much content when the outbreak is over. The figure is 58% in the UK. It is followed by book readers, over 70% of whom intend to keep reading just as much after the crisis is over.
They are followed by millennial podcast listeners, 68% of whom say they intend to keep up with the consumption.
“Readers have returned to trusted news sources”
Although it’s hard to predict the extent to which these plans and expectations will convert to reality, they do indicate potential areas of revenue for digital content providers.
“Regardless of what type of content we are consuming,” says Katie Jones, Writer and Strategist at Visual Capitalist. “The fact is that every generation is relying on their devices during this pandemic to inform and distract more than ever before, creating a huge opportunity for media companies to engage a captive audience.”
“Considering that the progress of the virus is not yet understood, spending this period investing in a sustainable loyal readership base is a worthwhile endeavor,” writes Hisham Itani, Head Of Marketing at Deep BI, Inc. which helps publishers leverage their first-party data with AI.
Engaging with readers now and guiding them through the funnel — even if it is with something as simple as a newsletter signup, registration or mobile app download — is betting that over time the customer’s long term value will be significant indeed.Hisham Itani, Head Of Marketing at Deep BI, Inc.
“Readers have returned to trusted news sources for information and assistance during this difficult time in vast numbers. And the industry has responded overwhelmingly positively by removing obstacles to COVID-19 content,” adds Itani.
“Adding a strong digital strategy to this mix can help publishers ensure that readers are receiving the proper information and support they need during this troubled time and guarantee their own future in this role.”


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just On Call
We report back from drinks companies' conference calls post-results announcement.
Boston Beer Co's CEO has said cider trends in the US may stabilise over the year as the impact from hard soda fades away.
The CEO of Constellation Brands has said craft beer acquisition Ballast Point's strong performance is down to "real beer aficionados" who are looking for a "real beer".
Remy Cointreau has bottomed out in China, the company's CEO has said as she predicted improved results in the country for 2017.
The CEO of Brown-Forman has said the company is continuing to invest in Finlandia, a brand that was recently reported to be up for sale.
Brown-Forman's CEO has defended flavoured whiskey as US figures show the previously-rampant growth for Tennessee Fire and Tennessee Honey fading.
SABMiller's CEO has called 2016 "a year to watch" on currency as the company battles ForEx weakness in Africa.
Coca-Cola HBC has said it will launch the Monster energy brand in Nigeria during the second half of the year.
Carlsberg's CEO has said he expects to close more breweries in China, following yesterday's news that the group has already closed eight over the last 12 months.
C&C Group has maintained that it remains strongly-placed to participate in the current round of consolidation in the beer industry, despite lining up a sizeable share buyback plan in the coming months.
The head of Gruppo Campari has said the company's takeover of Grand Marnier's parent, Marnier-Lapostolle, is on schedule.
Gruppo Campari is trialling a new spiced rum as it looks to extend its portfolio in the category.
The CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBev has said he expects growth in China to come from the top end of the company's portfolio, though he warned the market is still under pressure.
Molson Coors's CEO Mark Hunter has said that gaining full control of Miller Lite will offer a "great backbone" of international brands as he looks to scale up overseas operations.
Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) is planning to roll out new Monster energy drinks in Europe, ahead of its expected bottler merger in the region.
The Boston Beer Co's founder has said the US could "run out of space" for craft beer within two years as the number of brewers continues to grow.
- Diageo's Q4/FY 2016 results - Preview
- Diageo's FY performance by region - Focus
- Wine consumption and its health effects
- Time to take stock of Constellation's Corona
- The future for drinks industry's waste products
- Diageo sets sights on alcohol-alternative trends
- SABMiller puts brakes on A-B InBev integration
- "We tried to make Bushmills hot" - Diageo CEO
- Diageo names new TR head as Doug Bagley exits
- Brexit "not a big deal" for Scotch - Diageo CEO
- Global RTD insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends
- Adultifying Soft Drinks; Capitalizing on rising adult demand for non-alcoholic beverages
- Global non-Scotch whiskies insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends
- Global Scotch whisky insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends
- Global travel retail insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends


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ASPEN, CO–IBM previously used a scattered approach to sell its zSeries software: “Basically, we just e-mailed everybody,” said Bill Romenesko, chief information officer at IBM.
A year ago, 96 percent of the messages going out about software were by e-mail. Now, that's down to 75 percent, he said, and IBM executives want to see the number drop to 50 percent. The company had phenomenal success using a multichannel approach on a recent zSeries campaign, Romenesko said at last week's Donnelley Privacy Forum.
“We used every channel — we used e-mail, direct marketing, newsletters, e-newsletters, events, conferences, user groups, telemarketing, face to face,” he said. “We had print and PR. We used the whole gamut of channels for this effort.”
For the campaign, IBM saw a lead conversion rate of more than 9 percent, “which in the IT industry is great, that's a great lead conversion rate,” Romenesko said. “We were looking at the metrics week by week, looking at it by differences of business — by geography, sales team. We've been able to improve our leads, our opportunities throughout the life of the campaign.”
Today, the software group is one of IBM's growth areas, he said.
At Miller Heiman, vice president Jeff Brunings said the global sales development, consulting and training company started a program two years ago with the objective of gaining more Fortune 500 business.
“We took the list of Fortune 500 and applied a criteria of both demographic and behavioral attributes and narrowed it down to 238 companies, specifically vice presidents of sales,” Brunings said.
Miller Heiman used what Brunings called “high-end thought leadership research-based content” and sent it by FedEx. Two days after the package was delivered, the company followed up with a call.
“It wasn't just telemarketing,” Brunings said. “These people actually consider themselves business development experts, not just telemarketers. What they do is very scientific, an art, to get past the gate keepers to these top-level people.”
Packages were sent every week for a six-month period with the goal of initiating a dialogue, he said.
“The content was critical. It had to be very specific, issues based,” Brunings said. “Of the 238 that we pursued, we had a 28 percent conversion rate of executives willing to take a one-hour appointment either face to face or over the phone. Over an 18-month period, we saw 10 percent of these 78 appointments yield revenue in 2004, and one of the companies resulted in one of the top five revenue producers for our company.”
To work properly, the marketing department had to work closely with sales to “make sure you have alignment, that you're targeting the right people at the right time with the right content and the right call to action to slowly move the dialogue forward and actually put opportunity into the funnel of the sales reps,” he said.


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Homeland star Damian Lewis is fronting the new campaign of British heritage brand Aquascutum. The 43 year old actor is accompanied by fellow Britain Eliza Cummings in a series of black and white images captured by Alasdair McLellan.
Initially launched in 1851 by John Emery as a luxurious British retailer, Aquascutum was the brand that made trench coats for officers in the First World War, although it has had some troubled time in recent years. After falling into administration in 2012, the brand was bought out by Chinese fashion retailer YGM Trading. (source)
Click here to view last season’s campaign images of Aquascutum.


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Weight Watchers will now be known as “WW.” The 55-year-old company just announced that it is rebranding to focus more on overall health. Its new tagline: “Wellness that works.”
It’s a change the company has been building up to since 2015. Oprah Winfrey came on as an investor when Weight Watchers was in decline and announced that she lost a lot of weight on the program while also still eating bread every single day. The company’s fortunes have improved since then, but it is shooting for $2 billion in revenue, according to Fortune, a goal that has been in its sights for almost a decade but has not yet come to fruition.
It’s not surprising that Weight Watchers is distancing itself from dieting. We are in a moment when the concepts of wellness and self-care have become all-important. Talking openly about dieting is becoming taboo, and the body positivity movement is on the rise. Weight Watchers had to change to stay relevant, and it’s been increasingly talking up wellness and a healthy lifestyle for a few years now. Tellingly, in an op-ed in the New York Times in March decrying the company’s plan to offer free memberships to teens as young as 13, Jennifer Weiner wrote, “You could almost believe that the company was preparing to change its name from Weight Watchers to Self-Esteem and Healthy Habits Central.”
But is Weight Watchers, and our culture of dieting, truly changing? Not really. No matter its name, WW is first and foremost a company that wants to help you lose weight in a society that prioritizes weight loss. Everything else is essentially just marketing.
What the new WW looks like
Weight Watchers was founded in 1963 by a Queens housewife named Jean Nidetch. She had struggled with her weight and went to an obesity clinic when she was over 200 pounds; according to her obituary, she hid cookies in her hamper to eat late at night. Then, the story goes, she invited several overweight friends of hers over for a commiseration session, which ended in a pact to try to lose weight together. Nidetch lost more than 60 pounds, and Weight Watchers was born.
Historically, members went to weekly support meetings for lectures and a weigh-in. This still exists, but there’s also an app that doesn’t require attending IRL meetings.
Weight Watchers costs about $3 per week to join as a digital member; $7 for a “studio” membership, which includes in-person meetings; and about $13 for “digital plus personal coaching” membership, which includes things like personalized sessions on behavior management and food planning. (Disclosure: I’ve been a paying digital member of Weight Watchers on and off for several years.)
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Our mission is to inspire healthy habits for real life—for everyone. We’ll always be the global leader in weight loss. Now we welcome anyone who wants to be healthier: eat better, move more, develop a positive mindset… or all of the above! So we’re moving from Weight Watchers to WW, to reflect that we’re becoming the world’s partner in wellness. And we’ll be launching exciting tools, rewards and experiences to bring that promise to life. Tap the link in our bio to learn more. http://weightwtch.rs/wellnessthatworks #WeAreWW
Weight Watchers has always been, at its core, a company that requires members to log food intake. Through the years, it has employed different methods of applying value to food, beyond just calories. It assigns points values to food, then assigns each person a points total they are allowed to consume every day.
This proprietary points system changes pretty drastically every few years. The most recent iteration, called Freestyle, allows users the fewest number of daily points it ever has, but it also made a whole slew of foods that used to be “expensive” worth zero points. For example, beans and bananas used to have relatively hefty points values because they’re high in calories. But they are also healthy foods, so they now can ostensibly be eaten with abandon at no “cost” to the Weight Watcher.
Some members didn’t like this new version. Someone even started a Change.org petition to bring back the previous version of points; it gathered 3,600 signatures. They argued that it was actually more restrictive because members lost a significant amount of their daily point allowance and the new zero-point foods were very protein-heavy (like eggs and chicken), making the diet more Atkins-like.
The fact that the points system changes so often partly reflects new understanding of diet science, at least according to Weight Watchers, but mostly reflects societal attitude toward diets and the needs of Weight Watchers shareholders. As is becoming clearer, diets don’t work. Weight Watchers has been slowly changing its policies to focus more on a journey than a destination, something that is less rigidly prescribed.
Earlier this year, Weight Watchers announced that it would no longer use the time-tested advertising method of showing before-and-after photos in its ads, in a nod to the body positivity movement. But at the same time it announced this initiative, it got itself into trouble by also proclaiming that it would offer free memberships to teens. There was backlash, with opponents arguing that it would be bad for teens’ body image and indoctrinate them early into dieting culture. “The name is Weight Watchers, not Health Enhancers. The second the focus turns to weight, the potential for mind and body damage begins,” wrote Rebecca Scritchfield in the Washington Post. Now, of course, the company is saying it does want to be about enhancing health.
One of the ways it aims to do this is via its robust community of users. In addition to logging food, the other pillar of the Weight Watchers lexicon is community. The weekly in-person meetings and weigh-ins used to be a requirement. These still exist, but they’ll now be called Wellness Workshops. While there are 31,000 in-person weekly meetings, according to Fortune, a lot of the community has moved online.
Connect, the company’s social media platform, is an integral and often uplifting part of the experience; it’s an unsullied online space where earnest posters provide support to one another. It’s most analogous to Twitter, in that it features an ever-updating global timeline, though you can comment on posts in a way that is pretty Facebook-like. You can choose to follow members and see their posts in a separate timeline. WW will be adding focused areas within Connect, where people with similar interests, like being gluten-free or vegan, for example, can “gather.”
To keep people using and paying for services longer, new incentive programs called “WellnessWins” are launching, awarding people products and experiences for meeting certain goals. Fortune notes this is a bid to get men to join, who presumably like prizes and being competitive. Currently, 10 percent of Weight Watchers’ members are men. DJ Khaled and filmmaker Kevin Smith signed on as spokespeople this year.
Finally, Weight Watchers also sells tangible products beyond just a promise of weight loss, like food, food storage containers and food preparation utensils, and cookbooks. Its foods and snacks will be reformulated to no longer contain artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or preservatives. Ingredient scrutiny is a big part of wellness consumerism, and if you’re selling stuff that isn’t perceived as “natural,” it’s a problem for a brand.
Why Weight Watchers ditched the diet (even if it’s not really ditching dieting)
The body positivity movement is slowly gaining steam. Consumers have put pressure on clothing brands to offer extended sizing, and a mantra of self-acceptance has begun to permeate the internet, even if it’s still far from universal (not to mention that brands have co-opted the concept in order to sell products). All of this means that diets are not necessarily perceived as cool or acceptable anymore. But it’s really just semantics.
“People were now fasting and eating clean and cleansing and making lifestyle changes, which, by all available evidence, is exactly like dieting,” writes Taffy Brodesser-Akner in an August 2017 New York Times article about Weight Watchers. “Healthy is the new skinny,” Weight Watchers CEO Mindy Grossman told Fortune.
WW actually still is, not surprisingly, primarily focused on weight loss. Much like the beauty industry wanting to move away from selling you anti-aging products while never mentioning the word “aging,” WW still wants to help users lose weight. Upon navigating to its website (still at weightwatchers.com), you are greeted with a large blue banner and an explanation of the name change. “We will always be the global leader in weight loss, but now WW welcomes anyone who wants to build healthy habits — whether that means eating better, moving more, developing a positive mindset, focusing on weight ... or all of the above!”
A quick browse through Connect today shows that, as is usually the case when Weight Watchers changes something, users are having mixed emotions about it.
“I think it’s a terrible idea. By all means, focus on healthy habits but people join because they want to lose weight. Concentrate on your core audience,” wrote one.
“So excited about this change! I was hoping for something like this when they came out with Freestyle. ... Focusing on health is so much more sustainable than just cutting calories and only focusing on weight loss,” wrote another.
The blue logo featuring the two letters stacked on top of each is by now a familiar one to users of the company’s app. But “double-you double-you” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. Will the company try to shorten that into something like “Two Dubs” or “Double Dub”? Wait a few more financial quarters to find out.
Or, as one member wrote in Connect: “To me this is like when Kentucky Fried Chicken changed the name to KFC. It will still be the old name to most of us forever.”
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“We had the pleasure and honor to meet, greet, share,
Nigerian coffee houses named "Cafe Neo" hope to become Africa's
Black Coffee revealed that "Superman" would be featured on a highly-anticipated Drake mixtape
South African Trevor Noah has found fame and fortune in the U.S., becoming one of the country’s most notable comics.
Writer Louis Nevaer examines the mood of Cubans both on and off the island, about the death of Fidel Castro


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Since PGA TOUR 2K21 was released a year ago, the outpouring of support and content you’ve shared with us here at 2K and HB Studios has been nothing short of overwhelming. Because of our loyal fans, PGA TOUR 2K21 has officially eclipsed 2.5 million units sold — please, give yourself a round of applause (or a golf clap). This monumental moment has inspired us to announce we’re releasing a new theme for the all-new custom courses coming to multiplayer playlists in September. In addition, we’re proud to announce a collaboration with lifestyle and gaming collective 100 Thieves. We will be showcasing Nadeshot’s dream course created by Crazycanuck1985 so stay on the lookout for it in multiplayer playlists!
Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen our community create some truly elaborate courses in PGA TOUR 2K21, and we’re thrilled to be adding a handful of them to multiplayer playlists soon. Each month, we'll feature courses created by players around the world: American Mattf27, Canadians Crazycanuck1985 and Arctic Fury, b101design from the United Kingdom and New Zealander Energ1zer. Playlists will highlight distinct and creative themes for you to enjoy each month, starting with September’s “Dream Courses” theme. As if this wasn’t enough, Crazycanuck1985 will be partnering with 100 Thieves Founder & CEO Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag to create an 18-hole masterpiece for players to unleash their skills on.
"As an avid golfer and gamer, PGA TOUR 2K21 really nails the intersection of a challenging golf simulator and the cool, laid-back culture of modern golf,” said Nadeshot. “I’m thrilled to partner with 2K and one of the game's most talented course designers, Crazycanuck1985, to bring my own dream golf course to life.”
Our fans have made PGA TOUR 2K21 a special place to create, compete, and connect with one another. We’re excited to promote that creativity and continue searching for new ways to give back to you, the players. Be on the lookout for the aforementioned courses in the coming months!


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News - Nissan
Nissan Australia focuses on positives in tough 2019
Returning passenger cars to help increase Nissan Australia’s future volume potential
13 Aug 2019
NISSAN Australia says it is focusing on the positives in a tough year, with sales down 14.2 per cent to the end of July on the back of 29,154 vehicles sold, while a broader return to selling passenger cars will increase its volume potential further down the line.
Speaking to GoAuto at this month’s Navara N-Trek national media launch in Maleny, Queensland, Nissan Australia managing director Stephen Lester stopped short of specifying the company’s 2019 sales expectations but suggested it will again finish in the lower half of the top 10, despite recently expressing its aspirations for a podium finish.
“We seem to bounce between sixth and ninth pretty routinely. We’re probably going to end up somewhere in that range,” he said.
“We’ve got a very specific mandate to finish cleaning up our sales this year, which we’ll endeavour to do, making sure that our dealers’ inventory is in line (and) making sure that we’ve got a healthy inventory as well, and that inventory is quite youthful.
“And we’ve got a number of products that we’re focused on continuing to build on the success and momentum with, be it Patrol as an example. X-Trail continues to be very, very strong and we’re excited about the launch of the Leaf.”
The Patrol upper-large SUV is Nissan Australia’s only model to post sales growth this year, its 1191 new registrations in the first seven months representing a massive 48.7 per cent increase over the 801 examples sold during the same period in 2018.
The X-Trail mid-size SUV is still the company’s best-selling model with 11,208 units finding homes in the year to date. Even though this figure is down 7.6 per cent, it represents the smallest loss in Nissan Australia’s line-up.
As reported, the second-generation all-electric Leaf small hatch officially launches this month, but 109 sales from a supply bank of 128 units for the rest of this year took place in July alone, most of which were believed to be dealer demonstrators.
When asked if Leaf is the first in a new line of passenger cars for Nissan Australia, following the company’s axing of Micra, Pulsar, Altima and Maxima from 2013 to 2017, Mr Lester indicated it is a matter of when, not if.
“Over time, you will see more passenger cars from us,” he said. “You don’t really need to guess any further than what the most dominant segments are – in terms of where we would look and what we would try and push for. That’s absolutely where we’ll go to.”
Mr Lester would not be drawn on timing for Nissan Australia’s return to selling mainstream combustion-engined passenger cars, which may have to wait until the next generation of models become available. The company is now only trading with the ageing 370Z and GT-R sportscars.
“There can be a difference between my timeline and the timeline I may be given at some point or agree to,” he said. “It can never come quick enough in my eyes, nor our dealers’ eyes.
“That’s what we get paid to do – work hard with the global teams and see how we can bring that to life.”
While a returning Pulsar five-door hatch would be a logical entrant in the high-volume small-car class – the market’s second-largest segment – its current C13 series was discontinued in Europe in September last year due to low demand. It is still, however, sold in China as the Tiida.
Conversely, the prospects of the Pulsar four-door sedan are much brighter, with the B18 series (known as Sylphy in China) debuting at the Shanghai motor show in April this year.
Unlike its hatch counterpart, the sedan will be produced in Japan for local consumption, which is where Nissan Australia sources most of its right-hand-drive models. This is also key due to the lower export costs brought about by the free-trade agreement between the two countries.
Alternatively, Nissan Australia may look at introducing the K14 Micra light car. While it is built in France, it is manufactured in right-hand drive for the UK, which makes its prospects strong, particularly in a relatively buoyant class.
The L34 Altima mid-size sedan and A36 Maxima large sedan are also possibilities, despite being ruled out last year. That said, both models are manufactured in the US and China exclusively, which may weaken any business case, alongside the fact that they compete in shrinking segments.
Another model that has been mooted for Nissan Australia is the Navara-based Terra large SUV, but Mr Lester admitted that is no sure thing as the lack of a Euro 5-compliant engine (to satisfy ADRs) and autonomous emergency braking (to receive a five-star ANCAP safety rating) continue to prevent its introduction.
“We’re no closer to seeing Terra, to be perfectly honest,” he said. “I’m not entirely sure that project will come to life or not for us.”
Meanwhile, Mr Lester was quick to defend the Qashqai small SUV’s performance this year (6496 sales, -22.8% or 1922 units), which has dropped more volume than any other model.
“I think you really need to dive into the numbers on Qashqai. It’s actually had quite a fine year,” he said. “When you look at the quality of sales and what we’re being able to get over the line, I’m quite confident Qashqai’s doing the job.”
The second-largest hit to Nissan’s sales has come from the Navara ute (8136, -14.7% or 1358 units), but Mr Lester pointed out that the changeover with the upgrade introduced in July and the addition of its new N-Trek flagship this month briefly stunted its momentum.
“We’ve had the outgoing Series III and the incoming Series IV, so that’s part of the equation,” he said. “I think that Navara’s really well poised for a very, very strong second half. And, again, we’re seeing really good improvement in the quality of sales.”
As for the broader market, Mr Lester stressed that its return to growth “couldn’t happen soon enough”, with the industry down 7.7 per cent for the year to date.
“We had the election come and go (and) things haven’t moved as quickly as anybody would’ve liked, but that being said, we’re seeing some other good lead indicators,” he said.
“We’re going to be focused on capturing whatever portion of the pie there is for us to capture and continuing to grow the business.”
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In celebration of National Pizza Day on February 9, Domino's Pizza is launching a brand new meaty addition to its menu - and pizza fans are sure to love it.
The new Absolute Banger pizza offers not one succulent sausage topping, but four different kinds. With Domino’s iconic pepperoni slices, fiery chorizo and sizzling sausage - and if that wasn’t enough for one sausage feast, there’s also new and improved smoky hotdog slices.
Speaking about the new launch, Josh Engleman, Senior Sausage Slicer at Domino’s, said: “Our customers love a Mighty Meaty, so we decided to add to the fun by serving up some serious sausage with our latest launch.
"The Absolute Banger combines four delicious sausages, each offering something different. With the perfect combination of spices and smokiness, we can’t wait for customers to try the Absolute Banger".
The new pizza is available now to order online or through the Domino’s Pizza app for takeaway collection and home delivery. our. To find your nearest store visit: www.dominos.co.uk.
Anyone looking to taste test the new addition can also snap up some extra savings when buying through Topcashback.
Any new Topcashback member who orders £10 or more worth of pizza from Domino's before 28 February will get £10 in cashback.
To get the deal all you'll have to do is sign up to Topcashback.co.uk for free here.
In honour of National Pizza Day, pizza lovers will also be able to order a Domino’s and receive another one completely free using code DOUBLEUP.
The offer, which started on 7 February, will run until 11 February.


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Episode 155: BL and David discuss a welcome video to an Illinois teacher’s fourth grade class that went viral; the Kardashian’s lack of sponsor disclosure on their Instagram accounts; President Obama’s venture into virtual reality; WhatsApp’s privacy reversal; YouTube’s social ambitions with Backstage; Vogue’s Photoshop fiasco; Twitter’s portable Direct Messaging; a transgender Ken controversy; Google’s policy of punishable popups; Uber’s lickable breathalizer cards; the WizKid Science YouTube channel; a Minnesota dog that was elected mayor; and much, much more.
Episode 153: BL and David discuss the new LinkedIn Influencer Q&A videos; Microsoft’s acquisition of Beam’s livestreaming video technology, #SaveTwitter, Facebook’s clickbait filter; Donald Trump’s perpetual recurring online donations; The Gap’s sexist ads; Facebook Live video ads; Petnet’s dumb SmartFeeder; a bear-in-the-house video that went viral; Google AMP for everyone; the FTC’s influencer crackdown; Facebook’s Area 404; Facebook video ad publishing tools; The World’s Biggest Asshole; Netflix’s Stranger Things 360 trailer; and much, much more.
During Episode 151 co-hosts BL and David discuss the backlash over Melania Trump’s plagiarism of Michelle Obama’s DNC speech; musicians objecting to the use of their songs by the Trump campaign; an Apple patent for technology that would disable the recording of video, audio and photography on smartphones and tablets; untargeted Donald Trump banner ads; new updates for Facebook Live video; the long-lasting impact of the ALS ice bucket challenge; DoubleClick Native ads; verified Twitter accounts; Michelle Obama’s carpool karaoke; Yelp’s partnership with Pokemon Go; and much, much more.
Episode 150: Co-hosts BL and David discuss the Trump/Pence campaign logo and fallout; Facebook’s live video streaming growing pains; the #ConservativeBecause hashjack; Pokemon Go players at Arlington National Cemetery and the Holocaust Museum; some little-known problems with email open rates; the live streaming of the Turkish coup attempt; Twitter’s live streaming deals for the national political conventions and with Bloomberg; Pokemon Go’s sponsored locations; Twitter’s Audience API; and much, much more.
Episode 149: BL and David discuss the Facebook Live broadcast of Philando Castile’s death at the hands of a Minnesota police officer, its aftermath, and its implications for news coverage; Donald Trump’s Trollmaster; Microsoft’s recruitment fail; Facebook’s secret messages; Red Cross’ racist pool safety poster; the Washington Post under Jeff Bezos’ leadership; the New York Times’ call for Facebook Live political footage; the revenge of the liberal arts majors; permanent snaps; NASA’s short film contest; Patrick Stewart’s country crooning; and much, much more.
Episode 146: BL and David discuss the online reaction to the Orlando nightclub shooting and Donald Trump’s humblebrag tweet; the Gawker bankruptcy case; Axle Rose’s ill-advised reaction to the Fat Axle Rose meme; Adidas’ misspelled ads; advertising fraud and organized crime; Mark Zuckerberg getting hacked; Twitter passwords for sale; Google’s Trust Score replacement for passwords; the first Google Tango phone from Lenovo; Joe Biden’s open letter; John Oliver buying medical debt; Facebook’s vanishing posts; how Twitter is better than Snapchat; Facebook video comments; mock political ads; a Golden Doodle runs a marathon; Twitter Insiders; and much, much more.
Episode 145: BL and David discuss Queen guitarist Brian May’s new virtual reality headset; Google’s Project Soli reducing radar to fit on a computer chip; Mary Meeker’s new Internet Trends report; a Vox editor endorsing anti-Donald Trump riots; Facebook’s DeepText AI; a racist Chinese detergent ad; Facebook’s continuous live stream video; a Google Chrome extension used by white supremacists; Podtrac’s podcast audience ratings; landlords likegating their tenants; faive new Medium features; Airtime’s relaunch; France banning after work email; a new set of emojis; and much, much more.
Co-hosts B.L. Ochman & David Erickson discussed the Facebook trending stories controversy; Amazon’s new Video Direct program; George Zimmerman’s attempt to auction the gun he used to murder Trayvon Martin; programmable Amazon Dash buttons; Budweiser’s rebranding of America; Donald Trump posing as his own publicist; IABC’s plea for fee-free content; a Text and Die billboard; the Dalai Lama’s interactive atlas of emotions; voice search keyword research; a potential Google VR headset; a Canadian matchmaking service; plus great new apps and important stats and a lot of stuff in between.
Co-hosts B.L. Ochman & David Erickson discussed the effectiveness of anti-Donald Trump ads run by the Stop Trump PACs and the Hillary Clinton campaign; KFC’s finger-lickin’ good chicken-flavored nail polish; Elizabeth Warren’s Twitter war with Trump; sales email fails; PetSmart’s Cinco de Mayo tweets; the GAP’s 60s-era space shuttle tweets; Windows 10 shenanigans; the CDC’s Clean Hands Count campaign; Facebook mail; the #Oldchella concert; Radiohead erases itself then drops; Zoe for President; Facebook’s politics; the Anne Frank virtual reality film; Amazon Echo’s location services play; the CIA live tweeting the Osama Bin Ladin raid; plus great new apps and important stats and a lot of stuff in between.
Co-hosts B.L. Ochman & David Erickson discussed the passing of music legend Prince, brand reactions to his death–both good and bad–and the outpouring of grief and celebration online; they discuss the social media outrage over KFC’s bad joke; Facebook’s updated newsfeed algorithm; a popup window worst practice; MTV podcasts; the rainbow-colored food fad; Juiced TV; suicide prevention via social media; a billboard you can conduct; plus great new apps and important stats and a lot of stuff in between.


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Mozilla reviewed 25 car brands in its research (in the US) to find out how those companies collect and use your data and personal information. The result? “Every car brand we looked at collects more personal data than necessary and uses that information for a reason other than to operate your vehicle and manage their relationship with you,” says Mozilla.
Your data is being sold
While collecting data is something almost every company ends up doing, car companies, as per Mozilla are selling that data as well. Almost 84% of the car brands Mozilla researches said they can share your data with other businesses, service providers and data brokers. 19% said that they can also sell your data.
Bizarrely, the likes of Kia and Nissan say that they can collect information related to users’ sex life. The privacy policies of both car companies, as per Mozilla’s research, information about your sexual activity and sex life.
Of all the privacy tests, Mozilla conducted Elon Musk-owned Tesla failed on all counts. A key reason behind this is Tesla’s AI-powered autopilot feature, which has led to several deaths and remains under investigation as well.
Mozilla claims that it spent over 600 hours researching the car brands’ privacy practices, which is almost three times on any other product. “Even still, we were left with so many questions. None of the privacy policies promises a full picture of how your data is used and shared,” said Mozilla.


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By Kien Lee
Vacheron Constantin in celebration of the 20th anniversary of its Overseas collection, unveiled earlier this year at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) the newest models to add to its outstanding offerings.
The Re-Invention of the Overseas
This was the first time the brand has done a major overhaul of its coveted line, with the redesign not only aesthetic, but also technical. In-house-made movements, as well as complications and complexities including the Overseas ultra-thin, Overseas Chronograph (see below) and Overseas Ultra-thin Perpetual Calendar are the outstanding highlights.
Steve McCurry for Vacheron Constantin
On the occasion, the manufacture also announced its collaboration with photojournalist Steve McCurry, him of the Afghan Girl on National Geographic fame, and winner of some of the most prestigious awards including the Robert Capa Gold Medal, National Press Photographers Award, and an unprecedented four first prize awards from the World Press Photo contest.
McCurry with his eye for detail and visual storytelling of human drama, will present photographs which according to the brand, is a "representation of the history of the world as to the expression the time".
12 iconic locations - rare, little-known and sometimes inaccessible sites - have been chosen, a nod to the hours on a watch dial.
It is through a photograph that a moment in time is captured, and the summation of these images threads a timeline through eternity.
His odyssey begins in Geneva (the birthplace of Vacheron Constantin, founded 260 years ago in 1755) in February 2016 and now continues across the world for an entire year.
The other 5 locations just revealed includes India, China, United States, Mexico and Japan, with McCurry capturing the often lesser seen and esoteric facets of each country.
This is the mission that McCurry has been entasked with.
The Overseas collection embodies the notion of travel, and the partnership between Vacheron Constantin and Steve McCurry dovetails well together.Travel is an open door that allows one to observe and learn from different cultures and encounters." Steve McCurry
The World Debut of the Overseas World Timer
Vacheron Constantin will also reveal the latest member of the family, the Overseas World Timer watch, alongside the photograph exhibition. Featuring 37 time zones, including those offset by half-hour and quarter-hour increments in relation to UTC time, the timepiece is ideal for the quintessential traveller.
An all-new mechanical self-winding 255-part movement that was developed in house, patented and holding the Hallmark of Geneva certification, attests to its quality craftsmanship.


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ROR Operador Logístico receives its first award as a company, in the Míting d’Auto 2022 edition.
The Automotive Industry Cluster of Catalonia, CIAC, awarded the Industrial Productivity prize in the Productivity category. This award is linked to the work and effort made by the company in recent years and especially in 2021, with the emerging DROP Project.
The award was received by Ricardo Ortego, CEO of the company, and Ricard del Alcázar, Director of Projects and Strategy, in the presence of some 300 representatives of suppliers, manufacturers and companies in the automotive sector at the CIAC annual meeting.
The words of the CEO ROR OL “Thanks to the work of each and every person in the company, all this has been possible, without them nothing would have been possible, and without them nothing that is to come” expressed gratitude and importance of the people in the company and their work in favor of innovation, growth and evolution within the sector. Ricard del Alcázar expressed in the same vein during the subsequent cocktail party, emphasizing the Digital Twin DROP “What we are doing is for the people of the company and we do it with them, but even if we innovate with our Digital Twin, all of this is really possible thanks to a person like Ricardo Ortego, who allows us and allows me to innovate in a sector (logistics and transport) that is very complicated for He is the great innovator for trusting, letting us do and investing in it.”
The fifth edition of 2022 of the CIAC’s Miting d’Auto that Roger Torrent, Minister of Business and Labor of the Generalitat, closed by stating the Government’s purpose of ensuring that Catalonia leads green mobility in southern Europe, “that it be the engine of the reindustrialization of the country.


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On June 17 of last year I placed an order for a Toyota Prius and was informed that it would not arrive at the dealership until January, February or March of this year. I am still waiting for it, and the dealer can't tell me when it will arrive.
It is interesting that your Feb. 21 article "Toyota launches Prius ad campaign" states: "The wait time for a Prius in the United States averages two to three months, a Toyota spokeswoman says. That's down from a peak of six months, she adds."
If Toyota intends to launch an ad campaign, I think it should be upfront with its dealers and its prospective customers about the true wait time for delivery.


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with 13% growth
▪ Sales up by 13% to CHF 1.02 billion
▪ Despite the challenging market environment, Bertschi performed well and increased its proportion of worldwide business to 40% thanks to growth in Asia
▪ Investments of CHF 100 million in logistics in Europe and overseas
▪ Container fleet for liquid and dry-bulk chemical products reaches 40,000 units
▪ Chemical logistics hub in Zhangjiagang (China) to open in mid-2022
▪ Focus on digital transformation and sustainable logistics
In 2021, Bertschi performed well in a challenging environment and demonstrated the resilience of its business model. With record sales of CHF 1.02 billion, the company exceeded the one billion mark for the first time. Group-wide sales grew by 13%, with growth in worldwide business (particularly in Asia) significantly higher than in European business. The turnover share of global activities rose from 34% to 40%. ‘This is an extraordinary achievement by everyone involved, especially considering that Bertschi only went global with activities in Asia, America and the Middle East ten years ago,’ says Hans-Jörg Bertschi, Executive Chairman of the Bertschi Group.
Bertschi workforce – the world at home in Switzerland
‘In the current situation, marked by the pandemic and disrupted supply chains, this level of growth would not have been possible without the personal commitment of all employees,’ says Jan Arnet, CEO of the Bertschi Group. The workforce grew by 60 new recruits to 3,160 people in 2021. ‘Due to the increasingly global nature of our business, our corporate culture has also evolved and become richer. This is evidenced by the fact that people from all continents work at the headquarters in Dürrenäsch and nearly 40 different languages are spoken,’ adds Jan Arnet.
Investments in expanding the logistics infrastructure and container fleet
Bertschi expanded its own logistics infrastructure in 2021 with investments of around CHF 100 million. These included doubling the storage capacities for containerized chemical products in Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Middlesbrough (UK), and building a new chemical logistics hub in China. In addition, the fleet of tank and silo containers was increased by more than 2,000 units. Bertschi put the 40,000th container into operations at the start of 2022.
Positive outlook and opening of new chemical logistics hub in China
Bertschi is expecting the economy to stabilize this year. ‘The positive trend from 2021 will continue, even if growth is set to slow down in this phase of the recovery cycle,’ says Jan Arnet. Nevertheless, Bertschi will continue investing at the current high pace in 2022. A major tank container storage terminal for dangerous goods is being built in Antwerp. There are also plans to expand the existing logistics facilities in Duisburg, Schwarzheide, and in the Netherlands.
The new logistics center for dangerous liquid chemicals, located in Zhangjiagang at the heart of the Yangtze Delta area not far from Shanghai, will open in mid-2022. It consists of a dangerous goods storage facility for up to 1,000 tank containers, as well as automatic filling systems and three warehouses for different classes of dangerous goods, with space for 25,000 pallets. The plant has an annual capacity of 300,000–400,000 tons of chemical products. ‘This investment will further consolidate our position in the Chinese market, where we already enjoy a strong position with our tank container shipments to and from China,’ Hans-Jörg Bertschi believes.
Digital transformation and sustainability – anticipating the future
Bertschi will continue to systematically pursue its current digitalization strategy. Last year, full visibility was ensured in intermodal transport chains by means of automated status and ETA notifications to customers, with a coverage level of over 99%. Bertschi is also investing heavily in more efficient planning systems for European and global transport execution. Further implementations are planned for 2022.
Bertschi began its journey towards climate-neutral logistics in 2021. More than 90% of all European shipments are sent by intermodal transport, meaning the company is starting out with a favorable carbon footprint. ‘We will continue to invest in intermodal transport via the environmentally and climate-friendly method of rail, including investments in terminal infrastructure. In addition, we are planning to take steps to convert road transport to and from the terminals to climate-neutral propulsion energy, starting in 2024,’ says Hans-Jörg Bertschi. Further measures to reduce carbon emissions and use photovoltaics for sustainable power generation are planned at the company sites. Bertschi has already completed an initial project involving the installation of 44,000 square meters of solar panels on the roofs of the logistics center in Singapore. January 18, 2022


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There’s been all sorts of news in the pickup truck world lately. Here’s a digest of some of the things you might have missed.
First up, let’s talk about Ram.
Ram caught up with Chevrolet in pickup sales in March. Ram sold 42,532 trucks while Chevy sold 42,247. This is the first time this has happened since the 1990s (and Ram was part of the Dodge name).
Ram also recently revealed a few updates to its truck lines. For starters, its Pentastar V6 is so popular Ram is making it available on more truck models, including the fancier-trimmed ones.
Here is the new Ram Power Wagon.
You can read all about it here or watch it here:
And Ram is also offering its Ram Black Express trim on HD pickups.
Now, here’s some news about Chevrolet. Like I mentioned above, Ram pulled ahead of them in March, and there are plenty of reports that indicate Chevy’s folks were not too happy about it.
Chevrolet rolled out plenty of incentives in March, and it’s keeping those incentives coming this month. It also rolled out its High Country trim level for HD pickups. Take a look:
But here’s some really good news for Chevrolet: Edmunds.com and Vincentric are saying that when you account for insurance, depreciation, reliability, fuel and all over factors, the Chevy Silverado is actually the cheapest truck to own over a 5-year-period.
Meanwhile, Ford is still selling trucks — what else — by the truckload and getting ready for its updated 2015 F-150 to hit dealer lots. In case you haven’t heard, the new F-150 will have an all-aluminum body.
There have been plenty of stories about all the steps Ford has taken in planning this process out. For example, it’s doing a new recycling plan that’s supposed to save it $125 on each one of these new F-150s.
Ford knows that a lot of customers are skeptical about these new aluminum-bodied F-150s and has been putting a lot of effort into showing how much testing and abuse it’s been throwing at them. Check out this video, for example:
This new F-150 will have a second EcoBoost option: a smaller 2.7L V6. And it’s spending half a billion dollars on a facility to make those engines in Ohio. The truck is also supposed to get some really awesome LED headlights, too.
Ford got some especially good luck recently when TV host Jimmy Fallon chose its F-150 King Ranch pickup on his program after discussing the issue on several episodes. He even had a little competition to decide which Ford salesperson would get to sell him the new truck. The winner was an Illinois dealer.
The current F-150 was also recently named one of the most “Made In America” vehicles you can buy today.
The Blue Oval is also rolling out some new Super Duty trucks soon. Here’s a look at the new F-350 King Ranch.
Finally, here’s a piece of news that will not only affect all trucks, but pretty much all consumer vehicles: Starting May 1, 2014, 100 percent of vehicles with less than 10,000 pounds GVWR will have to have rearview cameras installed at the factory.


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The world of work is changing rapidly, and flexibility is increasingly becoming a non-negotiable option for work. Taking this challenge head-on, Berlin-based deskless worker platform Lumiform has brought in €6.4 million to help businesses navigate deskless working and empowering teams to operate seamlessly.
The round was led by Capnamic and backed by 42CAP, EquityPitcher Ventures, Westtech Ventures, and Exxeta along with angel investors, including Christoph Gerber and Kai Hansen, founders of Lieferando, Christian Henschel, Paul Müller, founders of Adjust, Christophe Folschette, Thibaut Britz, founders of Talkwalker, and Stefan Tietze, founder of gebraucht.
The number of startups that are making the life of deskless workers easier has been on the rise and hence, Lumiform will face stiff competition in the market. Germany’s employee app Flip raised $30 million in Series A funding, Paris-based Snapshift logged in $45 million, London-based YOOBIC closed a $50 million funding round Sona brought in $6.8 million in the recent past.
Lumiform will use the fresh capital infusion to drive product development and expand its global marketing efforts. Already over 30,000 organisations across 188 different countries have submitted over 1.5 million forms by using Lumiform.
Founded in 2019 by brothers Philip Roelen-Blasberg and Lukas Roelen-Blasberg, the German startup has developed a mobile and desktop app to digitise and automate the workflows of deskless teams across all sectors and industries globally.
Lukas Blasberg, co-founder and co-CEO said: “Until now, most software solutions have been developed keeping in mind the desktop worker. And now, 80% of all employees worldwide are deskless workers. These analog processes are time-consuming and error-prone. With Lumiform, we are making it easy for deskless teams to switch to a digital solution that gives them real-time insights from the field to make efficient data-driven decisions.”
According to the company, users can create custom forms with a flexible form builder or kickstart digitisation efforts by using over 12,000 ready-made templates that are provided for free. Teams can then fill out the digital forms – online or offline – via the mobile app or desktop (whatever is most convenient at a given time).
Olaf Jacobi, managing partner at Capnamic said: “The largest contributor and backbone of the world economy is the deskless worker. Yet this group has remained largely untouched by the recent waves of digitalisation. Lumiform provides an easy-to-use, yet smart solution, that can be adopted in various industries and at companies of all sizes, digitalising mundane data capturing tasks like inspections and audits, making them trackable whilst providing a simple task distribution and management system.”


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Samsung just suffered a massive heist that sounds like something plucked straight from a movie script. But it had nothing to do with Hollywood, and now the company is missing $6 million worth of products. According to the Associated Press, over 20 robbers took part in the carefully orchestrated theft carried out late Monday night at a Samsung factory in Brazil. The group hijacked a company bus and made their way towards the plant, capturing eight employees along the way. After stealing each worker's ID badge, the heavily armed thieves took two of them along as hostages.
Thieves loaded up seven trucks with Samsung gear
They forced their way into the facility, subdued Samsung's security guards, and spent over three hours filling up trucks with Samsung-branded phones, laptops, and other electronics. And we're not talking just one or two trucks. The band of thieves managed to load over 40,000 devices into seven trucks before pulling away into the night. No workers were hurt during the ordeal, though several were forced to turn over their phones to prevent any calls to police.
Local authorities and Samsung are now scrambling to review surveillance video and any other clues that offer insight into how a heist of this magnitude was successfully pulled off. Naturally, one theory is that it was an inside job and the thieves had help from a factory employee. "We are fully cooperating with the ongoing police investigation, and we will do our best to prevent this happening again," Samsung said in a statement to the AP.


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United States based multinational chain of coffeehouses and roastery reserves Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) has closed down two of its outlets in China following reports that expired ingredients to make drinks in the outlets. This act goes against food safety rules.
This development was first reported by the Beijing Newspaper claiming to have arrived at the conclusion after an undercover investigation, according to the newspaper, the incidence took place at two outlets in the eastern Chinese city of Wuxi.
The report by the newspaper didn’t sit well with the company, Starbucks claims that since it entered the Chinese market over two decades ago, it has always maintained a strict zero tolerance policy towards food safety issues.
“We take what was reported by local media very seriously, and have immediately closed the two stores in question to conduct a thorough investigation. Since entering the Chinese mainland market 22 years ago, we have been committed to implementing strict food safety standards and adopt a zero tolerance policy towards food safety issues. We welcome the continued supervision of members of the media and the public,” said Starbucks.
Citing latest earnings reports by Starbucks, China is their third largest market outside the United States. As of October 3, the company had 5, 360 outlets across China.


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Aptare Inc. upgraded and expanded its StorageConsole storage resource management (SRM) suite this week, adding products to manage resources in VMware virtual server and NetApp replication environments.
StorageConsole 7.0 also includes Aptare's previous products, Backup Manager and Capacity Manager. Those products, along with the new Virtualization Manager and Replication Manager, can be managed through one console.
Virtualization Manager and Replication Manager each support only one vendor's software out of the gate, but Aptare CEO and president Rick Clark said they'll be expanded to work with more products.
Virtualization Manager lets customers determine the amount of storage capacity required for deploying virtual servers, as well as the amount of storage capacity available for that deployment. Like Aptare's Capacity Manager, the software interrogates the storage array through a Unix utility called "DF minus K" to assess the available space left on file systems. It then queries applications to find out how much space the application is actually using, compares the data and produces a capacity utilization number based on actual usage rather than allocation.
Clark said Virtualization Manager queries VMware's vCenter Server directly. Aptare has access to VMware's software development kit (SDK), but is still in the formal certification process with the server virtualization vendor. Clark said support is planned for Microsoft Corp.'s Hyper-V and Citrix Systems Inc.'s XenServer. Aptare's Virtualization Manager has a list price of $1,495 per physical virtual machine (VM) server.
Other SRM software products, such as NetApp's SANscreen (from its acquisition of Onaro Inc.) and Symantec Corp.'s Veritas Command Central Storage, have supported VMware for months. Analysts said that support would be crucial back when Aptare first released Capacity Manager in August 2007.
"In terms of timeframe, they're behind some of the other SRM players," said Bob Laliberte, an analyst at Milford, Mass.-based Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG). "But server virtualization for mission-critical, production applications is just hitting its stride."
Replication Manager's first release will support NetApp SnapMirror, SnapVault and FlexClone data replication software, and Aptare plans to expand coverage to more vendors. Hitachi Data Systems, which rebrands StorageConsole as part of its Hitachi Storage Command Suite, is high on the list.
"They're waiting until we have [support] for both TrueCopy and ShadowImage," Clark said of Hitachi Data Systems. NetApp was the first choice because it's "the market leader in pure number of licenses deployed," he added.
"NetApp is necessary, but not sufficient," said James Baker, research manager, storage software at IDC, Framingham, Mass. "They need to step up coverage of other platforms.
Replication Manager's list price is $9,995 per array.
Aptare is also updating its Backup Manager and Capacity Manager products. Backup Manager will now report on VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) in Symantec Veritas NetBackup environments. Backup Manager can now report according to a customizable backup window rather than by calendar date. Capacity Manager added proactive reporting and support for Hitachi Data Systems' Universal Storage Platform (USP) arrays, including thin provisioning; IBM Corp.'s DS and ESS disk arrays; and LSI Corp.'s midrange storage line, which also includes LSI's OEM partners IBM, Silicon Graphics Inc. (soon to be acquired by Rackable Systems Inc.), Sun Microsystems Inc. and Teradata Corp.
Aptare customer Tim Malfara, storage architect for King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based online marketing services company GSI Commerce Solutions, says he's most interested in the new proactive reporting for Capacity Manager. Malfara said he already uses proactive reporting in Backup Manager.
"Part of the power of the product is that you can put triggers in and set thresholds, so if the volume of your backups changes more than 30% in a day, for example, you'll get an email saying that," he said. "Now they'll have it for the capacity management side."
The company first engaged with Aptare in the second quarter last year. Malfara said GSI became an Aptare customer about a year ago for its reporting tools.
"One of the challenges in our environment is that we run multiple production data centers," he said. "There really wasn't a native reporting tool that would allow roll-up of multiple implementations into a common view."
Global recession an SRM boon?
The consensus among analysts in this market is that while the need for better capacity management is real, organizations have generally not been willing to pay for it. However, Clark said Aptare has more than 300 customers, and that sales the last three quarters have been the strongest in the company's history.
"I challenged them [Aptare] about that," said IDC's Baker. "How is a 'nice to have' tool getting discretionary dollars during the downturn? They have 300 customers. But they've been in business 15 years."
Perhaps organizations see capacity management as a way to avoid buying additional storage, especially tier 1 disk. To do that requires a good sense of what you already have, according to ESG's Laliberte.
"Aptare's also not a legacy product, meaning it's simpler to deploy, and that's a key point," he said. "They also look at the true utilization of the storage system, not just how much is allocated."
Aptare overcomes another barrier in the SRM market by offering its software to service providers who can manage the reporting system and provide their customers with information about their environment. Those partnerships, as well as the one with Hitachi Data Systems, are also helping the company stay afloat in the market, Laliberte said.
For more on this story, download a podcast of our interview with Aptare CEO and president Rick Clark about how the company has grown in recent months.


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NEW YORK -- Quick on the heels of Google's launch of its latest social-networking venture, Facebook said Wednesday that its 750 million users will now be able to make video calls on the site.
The feature will be powered by the Internet phone service Skype. Facebook also redesigned its chat feature, so that the people a user messages the most often show up first.


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To-be-launched Bengaluru eatery Tudum has chosen to advertise at Times Square in New York.
In a stated effort to create pre-launch buzz, spark curiosity and reach out to a global audience, Tudum claims to have become the first hospitality brand from Bengaluru to grace the Times Square advertising space in New York City.
Tudum is a venture from Insane Hospitality.
On the pre-launch campaign, Likith Shetty, Co-founder, Tudum, said, ”At Tudum, we believe that dining is not just about food; it’s a celebration of life. Our Times Square debut is a testament to our commitment to bringing this celebration to the world. We wanted to spark curiosity, generate excitement, and ignite the imagination of a global audience. Times Square, with its iconic status, was the perfect canvas for us to introduce Tudum’s unique blend of dining and entertainment. We invite everyone to join us on this extraordinary journey as we redefine the culinary landscape in Bangalore. Tudum is not just a restaurant; it’s a sensory wonderland where every moment is a celebration of life.”
Faizan Khan, Co-founder, Tudum, added, “This sneak peek is just the start, offering a glimpse of the extraordinary dining experience Tudum is set to unveil, redefining Bangalore’s culinary scene.Times Square, famously known as ‘The Crossroads of the World’, stands as the pinnacle of iconic advertising locales, where brands worldwide gather to leave their mark. By featuring Tudum in Times Square, we have ensured that the brand shines prominently on the global stage, sparking conversations about the remarkable celebration soon to embrace Bangalore.”
Feedback: [email protected]
(This information is published from a press release.)


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ONTARIO ─ Heather Fighter wanted to open an infrared sauna center because she knew it would help people -- just like it helped her.
Fighter had her first infrared sauna in Columbus earlier this year and knew right away she wanted to buy an infrared pod herself.
“It just makes you feel really good after (the session is) over,” she said.
A couple of friends encouraged her to share the fondness with more people. Fighter, a teacher at Pioneer Career and Technology Center in Shelby, took the advice.
“Being a teacher is that you always want to help people. And when I found this and how much it helped me, I knew it would help other people,” she said.
The business, Mind, Pod & Soul, has been open at Richland Mall since late-October. Located at the Wellness Entrepreneurs Center, Fighter said customers have been coming to relieve muscle tension and soreness from workouts or loosen their muscles before having a massage.
She also said their infrared pod is the first one of its kind in the area. A user will lie on the complete chamber to take the infrared heat, light and the Himalayan salt breathing treatment.
Fighter said the machine has five temperature settings that can meet everyone’s needs. As it heats up, it also gives customers a gentle vibration massage to help them relax. The lower temperature is good for relaxation and the higher temperature helps weight control or detoxification.
The infrared heat does not damage the skin, Fighter said. But people with epilepsy and active cancer should not take the sauna. Pregnant women and people with cardiovascular conditions should consult their doctors before they use the treatment.
Mind, Pod & Soul is a family business. Fighter owns it wither her two daughters, Morgan and Madeline Baker, who are in their early 20s.
Madeline said she and her sister are really the business partners of her mom. Everyone has one third of the ownership.
“If we disagreed, we have a two-to-one vote,” Morgan joked.
She also designed the logo and all the promotion materials for the business. She said she was thrilled to run the infrared sauna center with her mother because she is her role model.
“They are my everything. We always have been together and counted on each other. And I want to share everything that I have with them. They're my entire world,” Fighter said of sharing the ownership.
She also said they are offering a special discount. A 20-minute session costs only $25 now instead of $59. There are multiple package specials as well. People can purchase the sessions and make an appointment online.
The opening hours of Mind, Pod & Soul are 4 to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. It is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.


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Due to the European recession, the number of cruise vessels sailing to Kochi/Cochin port this fiscal are considerably less when compared to last year.
So far in 2013-14, four cruise vessels called at the New Mangalore Port. These include two luxury cruise vessels - Â‘mv Legend of the SeasÂ’ and Â‘mv Pacific PrincessÂ’. While the vessel Â‘mv Legend of the SeasÂ’ came from Kochi, the vessel, Â‘m.v. Pacific PrincessÂ’, came from Phuket in Thailand
It is learnt that two cruise vessels from the US and the UK called at New Mangalore Port recently carrying a total of 1,088 passengers. Both the vessels sailed out to Kochi after a brief halt at the New Mangalore Port. With these two vessels, the New Mangalore Port has received seven cruise vessels so far in the current fiscal. A pre


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Robert Falck used to work at a Russian trucking factory by day, and by night, he built a nightclub guest list startup. He also collects old books, and once guessed that Chinese author Gao Xingjian would win the Nobel Prize in literature. He grew up on a farm, but has degrees in finance, economics and mechanical engineering.
No, this isn’t a game of two truths and a lie — indeed, these are snippets from the life of a serial entrepreneur who harbors a vendetta against the carbon emissions produced by the world’s trucking industry.
Falck, now the CEO and founder of Swedish autonomous freight company Einride, also worked as the director of manufacturing engineering assembly at Volvo GTO Powertrain. He learned how heavy duty vehicles are produced en masse during his three-and-a-half years there, and also helped start and invest in other companies. Einride, which he founded in 2016, is his seventh company.
Einride’s business is threefold. It currently operates one of Europe’s largest fleets of electric trucks, but its main offering is its electric autonomous pods, self-driving freight trucks built without a front cab and no room for a human operator. The startup also offers an IoT system called Saga that runs through its fleet and helps the company and its shipping partners optimize routes, and manage and electrify fleets.
Einride launched its U.S. operations this month and plans to operate its pods, trucks and OS with partners like GE Appliances, Bridgestone and Oatly. In May, the company raised $110 million to help fund its U.S. expansion, bringing its total funding to $150 million.
We sat down with Falck to talk about Einride’s strategy for scaling revenue, the need for autonomous vehicles to be built on electric platforms and why the future is in startups’ hands.
“The average OEM will need to write off between six and seven years of profit to get rid of the legacy investments in diesel platforms.” Robert Falck
The following interview, part of an ongoing series with founders who are building transportation companies, has been edited for length and clarity.
TechCrunch: In addition to your work at Volvo, you’ve started two nightclub-related platforms and a hunting app. Why start an autonomous trucking company?
Robert Falck: Working at Volvo, producing diesel engines, gearboxes and trucks, made it clear to me the challenges the industry was facing and that I have a moral obligation. I mean, the heavy freight transport industry stands for between 7% to 8% of global CO2 emissions, and the engines that I helped to produce contribute roughly 1% of global CO2 emissions. That’s how much of an impact my previous position was actually making, and I realized that I was part of the problem.
It doesn’t exactly make sense to start a company. You’re either crazy, or if you’re in it for money, you’re not going to get there, because there are much easier ways to make money. But for me, I consider the CO2 emissions to be our generation’s greatest challenge. And it’s quite fascinating how secondary failure becomes when you know that you do it for the right reasons.
You have been described as a serial entrepreneur. Are you with Einride for the long run, or are you already thinking about your next startup?
I think all entrepreneurs get a thrill out of entrepreneurship. And I’m definitely more of an entrepreneur and company builder than I am an administrator and manager. I’m not the kind of person to sit there and keep the status quo. It’s not my thing.
So will your next startup tackle CO2 emissions, but just in a different industry?
A lot of the very traditional industries are ready for disruption, and that’s going to challenge and change society at its core. The main driver behind it is that if you look globally, there’s a huge demand for sustainability.
I think most of the companies that are going to change or save the planet will be created in the next five to 10 years, and there’s lot of potential in some of the more traditional parts of the economy. Everything from trucking and the automotive space to real estate, a lot of those big plays are still up for grabs. I think energy — smart grids and how we structure energy production — is going to be another one of them.
So you think most of the climate tech that’ll solve the biggest issues will come from startups rather than legacy companies?


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The ride-sharing services UberX, Sidecar and Lyft may soon find it almost impossible to operate in Illinois.
The Illinois General Assembly recently approved House Bill 4075, the Ridesharing Arrangements and Consumer Protection Act, and sent it to Gov. Pat Quinn to sign.
The bill attempts to bring ride-sharing services in line with regulations for taxi and livery businesses by, among other things, requiring that drivers who work more than 18 hours per week get chauffeur’s licenses and special registration plates for their vehicles. Read more…
With Colorado’s recent legalization of the recreational use of marijuana, ticket sales for Denver’s fifth annual Cannabis Cup this month are expected to double, according to event organizers.
The roving trade show, sponsored by High Times magazine, has already sold around 25,000 tickets to its Denver event, Dan Skye, the magazine’s editorial director and a spokesman for the show, said on the telephone. That’s almost 10,000 more than last year, Mr. Skye said, with 30,000 visitors expected in total over the weekend, April 19 and 20.
In fact, the event has grown so large, organizers were prompted to change venues from the Exdo Event Center to Denver Mart, where there will be plenty of outdoor space for, well, sampling.
Booths lining the outside recreation area will represent around 250 dispensaries, growers and pot shops, with lots of merchandise to be tested by those 21 and older, and those 18 and older with a medical use card.
“It’s probably going to be the biggest Cannabis expo in history,” Mr. Skye said. “I just spent a week in Colorado and it was like a green gold rush. It’s our 13th event in the United States, and it keeps getting bigger every year. It’s so gratifying.” Read more…


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Swedish bearings manufacturer SKF has destroyed 15 tons of counterfeit bearings seized in an enforcement operation in Greece.
The destruction comes seven years after SKF first started legal proceedings against a Greek dealer after 17,000 counterfeit bearings – estimated to be worth around €1m – were discovered at a warehouse in Piraeus.
"The bearings have now officially been declared counterfeit by the Greek courts system, resulting in their destruction," said SKF in a statement.
Counterfeiting of bearings has emerged as a major problem in recent years. As the fakes generally wear out more quickly than genuine products they can fail unexpectedly, leading to equipment downtime and expensive repairs in industrial equipment.
As bearings are used in automotive components, for example, failures can place the public at risk of life-threatening situations.
A wide range of companies from the marine and other industrial sectors were affected by the counterfeit SKF bearings sold by the dealer, ending up with products of "unpredictable quality and performance," according to SKF.
The financial damage resulting from the counterfeit products is difficult to quantify, but lost sales and significant loss of image are definitely some of the consequences it says. Dealers that sell counterfeit products risk financial damage as well as their credibility and reputation.
One anonymous company said that it spent €100,000 on large-size bearings from an unauthorised supplier to satisfy an urgent requirement, only to find that they failed within months, rather than the expected several years.
"We faced costly downtime and broken promises to our customer," said the company. "All this could have been avoided, by more awareness and caution in our sourcing."
"Counterfeit industrial products like bearings are not bought intentionally by customers, so the best way to fight counterfeit is to raise awareness," said Tina Åström, SKF's brand protection director.
"Customers who accidentally purchase counterfeit products are being cheated financially and risk damage to their machinery and expensive downtime."
SKF has developed an app (SKF Authenticate) that can be used by customers who fear they have purchased counterfeit bearings to send photos of the goods to the company for authentication.


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Online fashion powerhouse Boohoo.com continues to buck the flagging retail trend posting a staggering 43% increase in revenues for the six months ended on 31 August 2019, to £564.9m over the period with the Boohoo and Pretty Little Things brands recording 34% and 43% increase in sales.
Nasty Gal has revenue more than doubled over the period. The international sales have grown 55% increasing the contribution to total revenue to 44%. The UK sales have also increased by 35%. New apps developed in house for boohoo, boohoo Man and Nasty Gal (that were released over the period) have contributed to the increase in sales.
Celeb endorsements from the likes of Jordyn Woods have played a big role in the bump in revenue.
The number of active customers over the period have increased 30% to 13 million, with an average spend of £43.26, also a slight increase, while adjusted profit before tax has a similar increase to the sales figure, growing by 45% to 51.8% whilst the earnings per share increased 78% to 2.48%. The automation of the Burnley distribution centre has contributed to increase the efficiency of the operation.
The company has also reiterated the guidance from earlier this month but mentioned that the medium-term target is for an organically sales growth of 25% with EBITDA margin of 10%. The company cash position will allow to acquire further complementary brands to increase the demographic it appeals to.
John Lyttle, CEO, comments: “It has been a fantastic first half of the year for the group. We have delivered significant market share gains across all of our key markets, and for the first time in our history, revenue has exceeded £1 billion in the last 12 months. We have delivered strong growth and operating leverage in our more established brands and will continue to invest in both our more established and newly-acquired brands. We enter the second half of the year well-placed and confident that our platform, which combines the latest fashion, great prices and excellent customer service, all underpinned by a well-invested infrastructure, will deliver further market share gains.”
Commenting on the results, Fiona Cincotta, senior market analyst at www.cityindex.co.uk says: “Boohoo has yet again surprised the market to the upside, this time by showing that it’s having no problem converting the kind of bumper sales growth it revealed three weeks ago into profits. The big jump in profit numbers shows that Boohoo isn’t growing sales at the expense of margins, which is no mean feat given the pressure being exerted on consumer confidence by Brexit uncertainty.”
She continues: “Costs have been kept under control and the company’s celebrity-based marketing efforts are clearly hitting the spot, justifying the expense. Adjusted operating margins in the first half, at 10.8%, are tracking favourably compared to the company’s annual guidance of around 10%, boding well for the full-year result.”
Looking at the company’s strategy, Hugh Fletcher, Global Head of Consultancy and Innovation at Wunderman Thompson Commerce, adds: “Boohoo’s impressive results have confirmed its elevation as one of the leaders in online fashion, as it has continued to expand in the UK and internationally. Its global multichannel operations have been used cleverly to create an experience that is fast and convenient, that the younger generations can buy into. As one of the leaders in the ‘fast fashion’ space, it has not only built a model that is successful right now, but also one that is ready for the next generation of shoppers, as a third of 6-16 year-olds say they lose interest in a product if they cannot get it immediately.”
Fletcher says: “What is more, Boohoo’s popularity has grown as a result of its successful model around influencer sponsorships. With 55% of ‘Generation Alpha’ saying that they would buy a product their favourite Instagram and YouTube stars are using, its partnerships with influencers are important in boosting its sales. And Boohoo has identified this as one of its strongest selling points. The introduction of new content such as its podcast series with Love Island star Maura Higgins, it’s only likely to increase its popularity among the younger generation. Undoubtedly, this model has given it the platform to continue to thrive in an ever-competitive online retail environment.”
Commenting on what makes Boohoo remarkable in the current retail climate, Angus Burrell, Head of Omni-Channel Solutions at Valitor says: “It’s clear from Boohoo’s financial results that the online retailer is steps ahead of its competitors. However, there are a number of reasons why Boohoo has recorded impressive 43% growth.”
According to Burrell, PrettyLittleThing, Nasty Gal and MissPap understand the needs of their customers and quickly adapt to new trends – and that means collecting and using data. “By collecting and processing the right data, Boohoo knows its customers incredibly well,” he says.
“Predominantly targeting the 16-24 age group, it has focused its marketing efforts on social media and successful e-marketing campaigns, as well as working with the right celebrity influencers, such as the stars of Love Island,” says Burrell. “This approach to understanding and communicating with customers in a way that elicits the best response may sound simple, but it is being missed by many of its competitors. In the future, Boohoo could take this a step further and using data from payments, build up a holistic view of its customers for an even more targeted approach. Ultimately though, its customers are buying into a culture – not just purchasing products. This is a powerful way to build a long term, lasting relationship.”


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The NFC Forum and the Global Certification Forum (GCF) have entered into a cooperation agreement in a step towards providing interoperable contactless public transport access and ticketing using a broad range of NFC-enabled devices worldwide. The announcement supports the recently released Milestone Public Statement and NFC Interoperability Position Paper published jointly by GSMA, Smart Ticketing Alliance and NFC Forum.
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