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The economy of Vietnam has posted an unexpected 0.36% growth year-on-year, though the pace is slowest in at least a decade, as exports slumped because of the ongoing pandemic. Bloomberg data suggested the GDP to shrink 0.9%.
In the first quarter, gross domestic product saw a revised 3.68% growth, the General Statistics Office said Monday in Hanoi.
Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of $500 million in June, compared with a $900 million deficit the previous month.
Thus, despite blows to the export-reliant economy, the country is likely to be one of the better performers in Southeast Asia this year.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said last month the economy could sustain growth of 4%-5% this year as the government looks to attract more foreign investment from businesses adjusting supply chains rooted in China.
The bad figures include 2% fall in exports in June compared to a year earlier, while imports climbed 5.3%. Consumer prices rose 3.17% in June from a year earlier, up from 2.4% in May. The government aims to cap average inflation at 4% this year.
Like China, Vietnam is also feeling Covid-19 shocks as the new virus disrupts global supply chains and hurts demand.


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Chris Sullivan knows that Asheville suffers from a lack of locally made bagels. A volunteer with the Asheville Homeless Network, Sullivan also knows there's a significant population of individuals that find it hard to find shelter, let alone gainful employment. Combining two area needs — one decidedly more urgent than the other — Sullivan started Home Free Bagels. The business, still in its infancy, exists to provide more than just good bagels. It also hopes to cook up employment opportunities for the homeless.
Sullivan solidified her business plan in early December, detailing everything in her journal. Not two weeks after Sullivan's private journal entry, Xpress published an article highlighting Asheville's lack of toothsome, honest-to-goodness New York-style bagels. In such a locally focused town, especially when it comes to food, the article queried, isn't it funny that most mom-and-pop shops are now buying their baked goods from a larger corporate entity?
After reading the piece, Sullivan shot Xpress an e-mail. “It's funny that you just ran an article on the lack of bagels in this town,” she wrote. “For the past month, I, with the Asheville Homeless Network, have been working on producing and selling fantastic bagels for a great cause. Home Free Bagels is about empowering the homeless through social enterprise.” In other words, the business aims to teach a man to fish instead of just giving him one, as the old adage goes.
Sullivan speaks concisely and in a very linear, organized fashion. With her slight frame clad in casual business attire, her hair cropped short and a binder filled with mission statements and promotional materials, Sullivan is a picture of professionalism. Still, she has a lighter side: “The universe is lining up” for her business plan, she feels.
She points to the pastry case at the café where we are having coffee. Those bland Sysco bagels, she says, were a catalyst for the creation of Home Free Bagels. She added that she hatched part of her business plan right where we're sitting.
“A lot of people read that article about the lack of local bagels.” And many agree, she said, that a lot of coffee shops and restaurants in Asheville sell sub-par bagels — and begrudgingly, at that.
“When I was doing market research, asking people where they got their bagels, almost always there was this grimace right before they told me,” says Sullivan. “The time is right and the market is prime. It's a no-brainer.”
And how do Home Free Bagels taste? “They're really good. We brought samples all over town, and people said that they're better than Bruegger's,” Sullivan says. “They're definitely better than Sysco,” she says with a laugh. “I've become a bagel expert.”
Sullivan says that she uses a classic New York bagel recipe in plain and “everything” varieties. “It's very simple, as simple as we can get it, and that's awesome,” she says.
Why? “Because we're not just selling bagels, we're selling an idea. We're selling empowerment and we're selling something that means something. The product itself has to be kept simple from a business standpoint,” she says.
Sullivan details the process, and it sounds anything but simple. The dough has to be kneaded and allowed to rise properly. “Everyone knows how to do that,” she says. “But the trick is that you have to use malt syrup. Not sugar, not agave, but malt syrup. You use that in the mix and then you use it in the water that you boil the bagels in.” The end result sounds amazing: “When you bake them, the outside gets crispy and hard, and then the inside is still doughy. That's the key. A hard, bubbly outside with crunch with an inside that's doughy with a satisfying texture.”
It seems like a lot of work, especially when you consider that no one is getting paid — yet. Members of the homeless community are currently volunteering to make the bagels, says Sullivan. “And they understand that. They also get the first shot at a paid position once we go into full-scale production,” says Sullivan. “My vision is a living wage, but right now the goal is competitive pricing. The most important aspect of this project is to get people that otherwise have almost no shot at getting a good job — especially one that's satisfying — to get them employed.”
So far, Sullivan has been using donated space to make the bagels, usually a church kitchen. The Home Free Bagel team, a small group of two to three volunteers per session, is honing its skills before moving into a professional food production environment, like Blue Ridge Food Ventures. Formal production, depending on funding, begins in February, and until that happens, the bagel bakers are strictly focused on building the perfect bagel.
“We're in bagel practice,” she says, laughing. “The point of bagel practice is this: Before we go that large scale and start paying to use those facilities, we want to make sure that everyone is on the same page. We all need to know what we're doing so that we're not spending time learning and teaching in the rental kitchen.”
Once practice is over and Home Free moves into the full swing of things, leftover profits will go to the Asheville Homeless Network, Sullivan says. “The AHN is who is doing the work on a larger scale in Asheville as far as alleviating poverty and homelessness,” says Sullivan.
In addition to her work with the AHN, Sullivan's put together a cold-weather gear drive for the homeless and helped build shelters with Habitat for Humanity. Her preferred work with the under-served involves empowerment, not handouts, she says. “The more handouts you receive, the harder it is to get the initiative to go get a job,” she says. “There is a good majority of people that want to work, that want to get back in affordable housing, back in mainstream society. And they're just down on their luck, like anybody could be. Circumstances of life are brutal sometimes.” Sullivan lost her job last year, a result of the recession, she says.
Though the group still needs some startup funds and a van, says Sullivan, she's confident that everything will fall into place. “The vision is big, but it's totally doable,” she says. “Why would downtown businesses not buy these bagels? They're already invested in alleviating homelessness anyway,” she says. “There are just so many selling points.” Currently, she says, Firestorm Café is the most faithfully devoted to the project, while six other downtown coffee shops are lined up and willing, “as long as the price is competitive — which it is.” Sullivan declined to name those businesses out of concern for their privacy.
Sullivan says that she hopes to see Home Free Bagels in grocery stores in the future. “I would love to have plenty of full-time employees that have health insurance and a home, to be a beacon of hope, to be a little dramatic about it. But that's where I see this going. The potential's huge.”
For more information about Home Free Bagels, call Chris Sullivan at 545-1258 or e-mail email@example.com.
— Send your food news to Mackensy Lunsford at firstname.lastname@example.org

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The Christmas release of Aamir Khan starrer "P.K." (Peekay) has angered "Bombay Velvet" director Anurag Kashyap.
Kashyap had earlier mentioned that "Bombay Velvet", starring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, is one of his most ambitious projects. He had also booked 25 December (Christmas) date for the release of his film.
Earlier, it was only "Bombay Velvet" that was supposed to release during Christmas but Khan later announced that the release of "P.K." has been postponed from 6 June to 25 December.
In January, Khan took to Twitter to reveal that he has locked his lucky date (25 December) for the release of his new film.
Hey guys, PK release date is finally locked.... this Christmas.... my lucky date!!! Jai Ho!!!
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) January 20, 2014
And it has now emerged that the news of the Rajkumar Hirani directorial arriving on same day as his film has angered Kashyap.
"All it would have taken is a phone call. I heard the rumours and called Raju to tell him that if they were indeed planning a Christmas release to please let me know in advance. At that point, they said there were no such plans," Kashyap told Mumbai Mirror.
"It hurts because I respect Raju as a filmmaker and as a person. Apart from being a colleague, he is also a friend," he added.
It is a known fact that Christmas is a lucky period for Khan. Last year "Dhoom 3" was released during the period, and it created several records and became the highest grossing film ever. And even before that his superhits like "Ghajini" and "3 Idiots" were released during the Christmas Day in 2008 and 2009 respectively, with the latter going on to become the highest grosser film worldwide, till the release of "Chennai Express", "Krrish 3" and "Dhoom 3".
So when asked whether he is worried about the commercial prospects of "Bombay Velvet" being affected due to "PK", Kashyap told Mumbai Mirror: "Right now, I am focused on making a spectacular film. I'm not concerned about the marketing blitzkrieg at this point. It's obvious that both films will be affected if they release on the same day. We may sort that out at a later stage."
Hirani remained unavailable for comment. Apart from "PK" and "Bombay Velvet", John Abraham starrer "Welcome Back" is also set for the same release date.


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Honor 20 Lite launched with 32MP Selfie Camera, Triple Cameras and...
Honor 8A Pro goes official with Helio P35 and Waterdrop notch
Honor Watch Magic, Honor Band 4 Running Edition launched in India:...
Honor View20 launched in India at a starting price of INR...
[Exclusive] Honor View 20 Indian Price Leaked ahead of the official...
Honor Play at Rs 13,999? Huawei, Honor to bring massive Discounts...
Honor 10 Lite with Kirin 710 and 24MP Selfie Camera launched...
(Updated) Honor 10 Lite to launch in India on January 8...
Honor 8A goes on pre-orders ahead of the official launch
Honor View 20 Pricing and Maserati Edition leaked ahead of the...
Honor to launch a new smartphone with In-Display camera on Jan...
Honor 8C with Snapdragon 632 and Dual Cameras launched in India:...
Honor 10 Lite with Dual Cameras and Kirin 710 SoC announced...
Honor 8C with Snapdragon 632 supposed to launch in India by...
Honor Magic 2 with bezel-less display and In-display FP unveiled in...
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You may have a cute and beautiful dog like mine, but can your dog talk back to you? Give you news update? Lit up the bedroom lights? Or even make a purchase?
It seems Aibo the electronic dog is looking for a sequel.
“Twelve years after abandoning its robot business, Sony will relaunch it next spring with a robot for homes that resembles a dog.
The company is now forming a development team of people formerly involved with Aibo, a robotic pet dog that captured media attention years ago.
Sony has just emerged from a long restructuring period, but has yet to create products with new value. Still, the company hopes to compete with rivals in the U.S. information technology industry, which has a head start in artificial intelligence, by taking advantage of its expertise in mechanical engineering.
The company’s first foray into the field will be a robotic pet, frolicking like a real dog while controlling home appliances at voice commands. It will be similar to smart speakers equipped with AI and internet connectivity, such as those offered by Amazon.com and Google, except that it will look and, to some extent, act like a dog.” Source: Nikkei.com
Image by Nikkei.com
The best part of this news is Sony plans to make the proprietary operating system an open platform just like ROS (robot operating system) to allow outside developer to add features.
I’m looking forward to see their open source application. It will be a cool addition to Autonomous Robot project.
Featured Image by AFP/ Getty Images


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Historical shipment data of Taiwan's first-tier IT manufacturers.
Taiwan is gearing up for artificial intelligence development
Xiamen, a city on the southeastern coast of China, is aspring to become an IT hub of the country.
Taiwan is stepping up efforts to turn itself into Asia's Silicon Valley
Demand for PERC solar cells is rising.
For some panel makers, 10.5G lines can offer better production efficiency and enrich product mixes
Taiwan's startups offer a variety of innovative applications and services.
Ultra HD, or 4K, is becoming mainstream resolution in the TV market.
HTC is banking on its VR device to revive its business
The escalating US-China trade war is sending many Taiwanese firms moving their production out of China.
Taiwan has adopted a "New Southbound Policy" eyeing the markets in ASEAN and South Asia.
The world is eager to find out what products Apple will introduce in 2018.
Armenia may be a small nation, but its tech potential should not be underestimated.
Taiwan makers are ready to launch mini LED backlighting applications targeting the smartphone and TV market.
Apple has released iPhone X and other next-generation smartphone models. The iPhone supply chain has been busy for quite a while.
Semiconductor equipment and material suppliers are showcasing their latest products and technologies at SEMICON Taiwan 2017 in Taipei September 13-15.
According to Digitimes Research, Apple is developing four next-generation iPhone projects for 2018.
The 2018 edition of the annual display technology tradeshow runs from August 29 to 31.
Asustek's smartphone shipments may have been disappointing in 2016, but the vendor is seeking a rebound in 2017.
Digitimes has conducted a series of interviews with angel investors and venture capitalists in Silicon Valley and Taiwan. In the series, they analyze the problems and opportuities that Taiwan-based startups face, and offer...


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Spurned suitor Microsoft painted an alarmist portrait of Yahoo’s outsourcing deal with Google during congressional antitrust hearings on Tuesday.
Google and Yahoo execs, on the other hand, described the alliance as good for consumers.
Execs from the three companies presented very different pictures of the deal during testimony before the Senate and House judiciary committees. Yahoo inked the Google deal on June 12 after failing to reignite acquisition talks with its former suitor.
Microsoft senior VP-general counsel Brad Smith spoke darkly about rising prices and reduced competition resulting from the alliance of the two search companies, noting that Google already controls at least 70% of the market for search advertising. He said Google will control up to another 20% of this market with the Yahoo deal.
“Never before in the history of advertising has one company been in a position to control prices on up to 90% of advertising in a single medium,” Smith said. “Not in television, not in radio, not in publishing. It should not happen on the Internet.”
Yahoo and Google say Congress has little power to stop the arrangement, but lawmakers can use the bully pulpit to raise concerns about the deal at a time when Yahoo is fending off a proxy battle with investor Carl Icahn. Icahn has been trying to oust Yahoo management since execs turned down Microsoft’s $47.5 billion takeover bid on May 3. Both sides have been ratcheting up the rhetoric as the Aug. 1 Yahoo shareholder meeting draws nearer.
If Washington somehow scuttles the partnership with Google, Yahoo could find itself under even more pressure to head into some kind of deal with Microsoft after all.
Solons turned up the heat by asking whether the Google partnership will further weaken Yahoo and cement Google’s dominance in the online ad biz.
House Judiciary Committee chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) asked whether the partnership would be more anticompetitive than a Microsoft purchase of Yahoo. And Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.) chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, said Congress needs to explore “whether this agreement will reduce Yahoo to nothing more than the newest satellite in the Google orbit.”
David Drummond, Google’s senior VP of corporate development and chief legal officer, countered that the partnership will benefit consumers and advertisers by enabling Yahoo and Google to deliver targeted ads that are more relevant to those who see them.
“The whole system becomes more efficient,” he said.
Yahoo exec VP-general counsel Michael Callahan maintained that the Google agreement will make the company “an even stronger competitor to Google, to Microsoft and to others in the dynamic and rapidly growing online advertising world.”
Although the Justice Dept. and several state attorneys general are examining the partnership between Yahoo and Google, lawmakers mostly refrained from passing final judgment on Tuesday.
“I’m confident that Yahoo, Google and Microsoft will wake up the next morning and prepare for the next battle,” said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). “I am not concerned that this deal will spell the end of any of these three companies.”
Still, he added: “What I am concerned about is whether this deal is good for everyday Internet users.”
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)


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Square Enix has announced their lineup for the Tokyo Game Show. While the list only has games that were previously announced, this does not mean Square Enix will solely show these titles as they have claimed in prior interviews that the next Kingdom Hearts title would be featured.
Square Enix's official Tokyo Game Show website has more details about the upcoming event. Here is a list of what to expect:
Square Enix is also offering a Kids' Corner with playable versions of Dragon Quest Monsters - Joker, Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime, and the Arcade game Dragon Quest: Monster Battle Road.
Square Enix also has a small handful of non-RPG games as well such as the fighting game Dissidia: Final Fantasy (Sony PSP), the educational DS Style and more cellphone titles like Monotone and Tobal M.


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Samsung is about to launch its new series Galaxy S20 so the expectation grows and, with it, the rumors about what these new devices will bring us. In fact, leaks have been happening with information about the possible design of mobile phones and how much they will cost, but until now they were nothing more than speculation.
However, the 91mobiles digital has achieved official rendes of Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, thanks to the technological tipster Ishan Agarwal, whose forecasts tend to be quite right.
These renderings reveal that Samsung’s smartphone from high-end 2020 will feature a periscope camera with
100x digital zoom, the highest in the industry.
According to this information, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G will feature a 2.5D glass design for the screen, moving away from the more curved 3D design seen on premium smartphones in recent years.
The volume button and power buttons will be on the right side, while the left one has been left clean. The camera stands out in the back more than we are used in the main reference smartphone.
But it is in the back where the most interesting is, because the module shows that the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G will have four camera sensors. The one at the bottom is the periscope sensor that will provide the phone with its zoom functions.The high-end S20 model will offer a 10x optical zoom and a 100x digital zoom.
On the zoom there will be three sensors and a single-tone LED flash, square. It is also said that the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a fifth 3D ToF sensor, although this is not visible in the images that have been filtered.
Colors and prices
In addition, we have also learned that the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, as well as the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 +, will launch in three different colors: Cosmic Black, Cosmic Gray and Cloud Blue.
As for the price of Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, predictably will be launched at a price of 1,349 euros. However, it is not known exactly what storage capacity the version of this price will have, since it could be 128 GB or 256 GB. The price of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G for the 512 GB variant will be 1,549 euros.
The launch of the Samsung Galaxy S20 series is initially planned for the February 11th.


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Seasoned design expert Frank Stephenson has announced his resignation as head of Alfa Romeo's Centro Stile.
Stephenson is one of the most influential modern car designers and is responsible for designing cars like the new Mini and X5 during his tenure with BMW, along with Maserati's Quattroporte and MC12 sports car.
During his time at Fiat, the design centre has created models like the Grande Punto, Bravo and the new 500, which sparked a dramatic turnaround in the company's fortunes.
Since joining Centro Stile, Stephenson was responsible for the design of the new Mi.To hatchback and prompted development of the 149 hatchback and 169 executive sedan.
Stephenson will be replaced at Alfa by Christopher Rietz.


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Category Archives: Life
Bao Bao, the giant panda at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, did not disappoint at her Chinese dumpling farewell party on a frigid Thursday morning.
China’s worst H7N9 bird flu season appears to have passed its peak but still is expected to last into late April, according to the latest information from epidemiologists.
To its users, the photo app Meitu is an online version of plastic surgery. It allows them to enhance how they look: thinner, bigger eyes, no wrinkles, even whiter. To others, there are concerns that the free app’s filters allow whitewashing, and questions about Meitu’s collection of users’ mobile data. And to its China-based developer […]
Domestic entries are competing on precision, price
Tiffany Trump, the youngest daughter of the US president, is a fan of Chinese fashion designer Wang Tao and her fashion brand Taoray Wang.
The guests wore black and white with a purpose at the Waldorf on Wednesday: to raise funds to build a panda pavilion in Central Park.


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The year is only half over, but BabyCenter’s baby name experts already have their eyes on a few hot trends when it comes to baby names.
Leading the way so far in 2015 is the inclination toward gender-neutral baby names, with picks such as Amari, Karter, Phoenix, Quinn and Reese making substantial leaps in popularity for both boys and girls.
Looking back on the stories that have made headlines so far this year, this gender trend may come as little surprise. After all, when 2015 comes to an end in six months time, it’s a pretty safe bet that the remarkable story of Caitlyn Jenner‘s transformation will still be one of the top news items of the year.
“As usual, baby names are reflecting a larger cultural shift,” says BabyCenter’s Global Editor in Chief Linda Murray. “Millennials are an open-minded and accepting group, and they don’t want their children to feel pressured to conform to stereotypes that might be restrictive. Just as companies have started making more neutral kids’ clothes, and taking ‘boy’ and ‘girl’ labels off toys, an increasing number of parents are choosing unisex names.”
Indeed, toy retailers are among those leading the pack. We recently saw Toys R Us in Sweden issue a gender-free Christmas catalog, while the company’s UK counterpart has phased out “boys” and “girls” aisles in stores, instead grouping toys by age and type.
This shift has extended to clothing outlets as well, with Banana Republic’s exclusive “mini” collection shying away from the age-old pinks and blues in favor of gender-neutral hues like grey, black and cream. Even Apple broke with tradition when it released its Apple Watch in one gender-free style: “The company apparently has no interest in reinforcing gender stereotypes,” reads one review of the new technology.
Of course, as with any hot trend, those in Hollywood have been fully on board: Kristen Bell, Blake Lively and Mila Kunis are just a few of the celebrities who picked gender-neutral names for their new arrivals (see more below!).
Everyone has an opinion when it comes to baby names, and I personally really like this trend. A lot of the names on this list seem equally suited – and equally adorable – now for boys or girls. That being said, I must admit that I picked ultra-feminine names for my two little girls.
We’ll have to wait and see if this baby naming trend holds strong – I have a feeling it will. We’ll know for sure later this year, when BabyCenter announces the results of its highly anticipated annual Baby Names Survey and the Top 100 Baby Names of 2015.
What do you think of gender-neutral baby names?
These celebs picked traditionally boys’ names for their baby girls…
Photo: REX USA


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As on 31st October 2019, a total of 1,944,336 companies were registered in the country. Of them 1,156,114 companies were active (comprising of 1,090,762 private companies and 65,352 public companies). A majority of the active companies (about 73.54%) were operating in activities covered under four broad heads, namely, ‘Business Services’ (32.27%), ‘Manufacturing’ (19.96%), ‘Trading’ (12.82%) and ‘Construction’ (8.49%).
According to a recent survey, about 26% of businesses surveyed said their sales and purchases have been impacted due to the virus outbreak. MSMEs are grappling with problems like low liquidity or cash flow and lack of workforce as the daily-wagers have gone to their villages.Businesses that are. The services sector is also slowing down with more people opting for social isolationinto manufacturing will also take a hit on export business as the situation remains uncertain.As on 30th September, 2019, the total number of foreign companies registered in the country were4,836 and of them 3,388 foreign companies were active.
COVID 19 & MSMEs: The Identification Problem
The micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are perhaps one of the hardest hit due to the COVID19 lockdown in India. At present, the sector provides employment to 114 million people and contributes 30% of India’s GDP (gross domestic product), not to mention close to half of the country’s exports come from products and services within this sector.With severe supply-chain disruptions, especially for those businesses that do not manufacture or provide essential services, the capacity to continue paying workers (without any reductions) during the lockdown, as per government directives, looks bleak. A recent survey of 5,000 MSMEs, conducted by the All India Manufacturers’ Organisation (AIMO), has found 71% of them could not pay their worker salaries in the month of March. Reports from across the country raise similar alarm bells for how these businesses are unable to meet immediate capital requirements.
The government has announced that a stimulus package focused on the MSME sector is in the offing, to address medium- and long-term issues that will test their resilience. Emergency credit lines introduced by Public Sector Banks (PSBs); a concessional interest rate loan announced by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) specifically for MSMEs engaged in manufacturing goods or providing services related to COVID19; and deferring GST (goods and services tax) payments until June 2020. While these are good steps to be taken to ease short-term liquidity concerns, the stimulus package focussed on the MSME sector will have to be more far-reaching.
Governments across the world have been introducing a range of measures to infuse more confidence and credit into their small business lines. These measures include short-term liquidity providing ones as are being offered in India currently, but also involve wage support/subsidy (capped) for a period of three to six months, direct subsidies to one person businesses and micro units, deferral of rent and utility payments, compensation for decrease in turnover during lockdown periods, etc. While India must consider introducing such financial and safety net measures as well, the real challenge will lie in identifying these 63.4 million unincorporated MSMEs, of which 99% are micro-enterprises that remain largely informal.
Informality in the MSME sector
The number of enterprises in the unorganised sector (unregistered) is estimated to be 99.7% of all unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises (excluding construction). What is also pertinent to note is that 84.17% of this universe of unincorporated businesses are the owner-managed/self-employed firms (with characteristic features of household enterprises), and the next highest share is of units that employ up to five workers (micro units). The International Labour Organization (ILO) has specifically highlighted how economies with large informal sectors will need to acknowledge and act on the fact that workers in such sectors have no income replacement and are directly affected by lockdown measures – the worst affected group being the self-employed, street vendors, hawkers, construction, transport and domestic workers, to name a few.
Issues in identification
The lack of a comprehensive dataset on MSME units and their employment profiles will exacerbate issues of targeted relief delivery in this crisis situation.An RBI Expert Committee on MSMEs, in June 2019, has also noted the absence of reliable (and updated) information on this key sector of the economy. In the event that the government decides to directly aid workers in micro-businesses or provide a separate set of relief measures for say self-employed/owner-managed enterprises. With no end in sight by when the virus spread will be contained and the lockdown eased, it is clear that only currently available structures/mechanisms can be utilised to identify MSMEs and drive home relief measures. Some of these measures are discussed briefly here.
Targeted relief delivery for MSMEs: Potential Mechanisms
- The SIDBI, a financial institution set up for the promotion and development of the MSMEs, must herald the cause of targeted loan delivery. The Bank has already announced emergency assistance loans and must ramp up efforts in financing and refinancing this sector. This assumes more importance in light of the fact that as per RBI’s data on sectoral deployment of non-food credit, the MSMEs’ share in total outstanding bank credit has fallen to 37%, as of February 2020 (it clocked 5.58% share in March 2019). Coupled with a dwindling share in bank credit is another troubling fact – the weighted average lending rate to the MSMEs is 11.24% – the second highest amongst different segments. The need to push cheaper credit to these enterprises cannot be overstated, and SIDBI will be the ideal institution to drive this agenda, given its vast network and experience in this sector.
- There have been serious concerns around the MUDRA scheme in the recent past, in terms of these collateral-free loans coalescing into NPAs. However, information about enterprises that have availed this scheme will be vital to general enterprise identification in this crisis. A bulk of these loans is known to be sanctioned in the Shishu category that is loans up to INR. 50,000, with a majority of these beneficiaries being women. Around 13 million accounts have received these loans as of FY (fiscal year) 2018-19, and 10 million enterprises are reported to avail this scheme each year, since roll-out. Financial institutions should be able to draw up information about MUDRA beneficiaries and their employment profile to establish potential firm size, sector and employment profile, location, and other such details.
- The UAM and the MSME Databank, as mentioned in the previous section, are also additional avenues to identify enterprises better. It records 12 million registrations as of date while the MSME Databank is seen to have much fewer registrations at 160,000. It is unclear whether there are overlaps between these two datasets. Irrespective, basic information on 10 million MSMEs can be assumed to be readily available with the MSME Ministry.
- The Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile (JAM) trinity is being utilised to push direct cash transfers provided under the first stimulus package that the government announced days into the lockdown. While state-wise presence on JAM varies, it might be a good mechanism for wage support transfers to daily wage and casual workers, who have been unable to collect payments (in cash) from their employers due to the lockdown affecting movement. If wage support is rolled out for labour/workforce in MSMEs, the JAM would be ideal to use as a transfer mechanism. The importance of a wage (and incentives) support programme also comes highly advocated by the ILO – a recent report mentions that countries such as India, Brazil, and Nigeria, with a ‘lion’s share of the workforce in the informal sector’, will need to introduce such wage support to thwart increase in poverty in working classes.
- It is critical to note that while tax cuts may be necessary for larger businesses, such measures will exclude the informal sector where employment and turnover will not meet minimum thresholds required to pay income tax or to be registered under the GST. Relief for informal workers and tiny micro-enterprises with 5-10 workers, will need to be targeted such that it reaches them, in time to save their lives and livelihoods. The role that trade unions and other labour market institutions in India can play in identifying these businesses and workers, should also be encouraged. The government will need to collaborate with manufacturing and retail trade associations, and pay heed to the findings from surveys they have been conducting with their member businesses.
- Permanent structures to support the informal sector have been long overdue, and the hope is that these will be set up immediately post crisis recovery. For now, it is clear that money is not the real challenge, choosing the ideal mechanism to direct relief to the targeted vulnerable group will be.
Asit is, the Nation was reeling under slowdown of economy; COVID 19 has now struck as a proverbial last straw on camel’s back. Burdened by fixed costs of employees, rentals, finances, electricity etc., on one hand and cancellation or drying up of orders, default on payment by customers and non- availability of funds on the other hand, is pushing a large number of MSMES to either shut the shutter or go bankrupt.
Recent relief packages announced by RBI, Public Sector banks and SIDBI, especially for MSMES are at best capable of providing symptomatic relief. It is time that whiles some more quick fix solutions are being worked out, a long term strategy is put in place, keeping fast changing business environment in view.
Special Characteristics of MSMEs
- Vast discrepancies in legal structure. It is estimated 4 million MSMEs are unincorporated. Out of these, 99% are in micro sector, functioning in an informal way.
- Vast product and services range. While on one hand 31% of MSMEs are in manufacturing, 36% in trading and 33% in services; on the other hand, 51% are in rural areas.
- Mostly starved of cash flow. Except for a few MSMEs, which been well established and have developed good way of generating capital resources; others mostly rely on working capital loan and cash inflow from sales. The outstanding credit by banks is only 37% that too at a weighted average interest rate 11.24%. Structurally strong MSMEs are better placed to current turmoil. Hence they are more eligible for financial assistance.
- Agile like a fighter aircraft. As most of MSMEs are ownership managed, their capability to re-position products or services to meet changing market requirements, and ramp up and ramp down is great.
- Market reach, productivity and visibility. MSMEs lack basic capabilities to enhance their market reach, adopt new software driven productivity tools and use social media for greater visibility.
Need of Comprehensive Package
New Secretary MSMEs Mr Arvind Kumar Sharma has stated immediately after taking over “Reed ki haddi bachi rahegi to phir se khade ho jayen ge” (If the back bone is intact, they will stand again. He also stated that thrust in the coming days will be that small businesses come out of distress. (Toi 8 May). This is a very welcome statement. However, package must be comprehensive. While immediate aim should be to bring MSMEs out of distress, at the same time, government should put plans in place to reposition them to grab the new opportunities arising out of changing world order due to COVID 19. Here are a few suggestions:
- Financial Support. While this is most obvious action, the problem is in enforcement of Government directives and ensuring that the benefits reach to even micro industries. In first case, even when Government directive for banks is to give loans without collaterals, the banks demand collaterals. Here Government must give guarantees. It is estimated that unorganised micro industries are about 99.7% of the unincorporated sector. This is where there is major problem, as how to ensure the package reaches the right entity. This is because most of them are household entities with no proper records available in Government departments. Here, a highly flexible approach may be required. For this, data available in various schemes like MUDRA, UAM (Udyog adhar memorandum), MSME data base and Jan dhan, Adhar and mobile (JAM) etc. Should be utilised.
- Prepare them for future. In this regard, enhanced skill training, adaptation of digital tools, enhanced use of social media should be encouraged. MSMEs should be providedaccess to market by enhancing incentives to their customers and making reserved quota more attractive. Centralised platforms to be provided to increase their market reach. Also, focus should be on productivity, for this emphasis to be laid on Industry 4.0. Similarly, quality has to be ensured. All these measures will enhance their competitiveness. As India is positioning itself to be the global manufacturing and services hub, MSMEs will be able to grab a big chunk out of this.
- Help them to help themselves. As stated earlier,MSMEs are highly flexible. This has been amply proved in the recent times, where some of them have generated opportunity amongst COVID gloom. A large number of them have started manufacturing PPE and masks. Many chemical companies have switched over to sanitizer. There are MSMEswho are forming clusters to manufacture components of ventilators and producing reagents in volumes for use in COVID 19 testing kits. Formation of clusters is a very smart move as it will make it easier for the government to provide support to them. In addition, a large number of SEZs are coming up along with highways; these will need large network of ancillaries. This is where government can play a leading role by providing incentives, access to market, financing and making infrastructure highly economical.
Apart from such measures, it is also imperative that a plan be drawn up to allow businesses to reopen activity, in a phased manner, with social distancing norms in force. Regular and surprise checks even may be introduced to enforce state guidelines. But it is important to now engage with the idea of slowly restarting business operations in areas with low infection levels, albeit with necessary and vital precautionary measures in place. Covid-19 is a crisis with an unforeseeable ending. What is clear though is that the government and businesses—both large and small—will have to work together to ensure the protection of workers, be ready for risk-management in terms of phased re-starting of business operations and be prepared and open to structural changes in business activities.
The Policy Times proudly presents this article by Air Commodore S.S.Motial , Ex CMD ITI Ltd with Dr.P.Sekhar Global expert on Smart Cities and Secured Governance. These renowned experts analyse the Dynamic role of MSME for National growth bring out all facts on ground on Covid 19 and ways to strategically come out successfully and Economy fronts for the expansion of this very important sector.
By S. S. Motial
Retd. Air Cmde. Ex CMD ITI Ltd
By Dr P. Sekhar
Chairman of Global Smart Cities Panel, Micro Tech Global Foundation


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Another FILA model made famous by Jerry Stackhouse will also make a return. We got a preview look at the Stackhouse Mid 2013 retro a few days ago, and it looks like a release date has surfaced.
Two versions will be available in a Brooklyn Nets “Home” and “Away” color blocking. Mark your calendars because the FILA Stackhouse 2013 has a release date on March 15th, 2013. The retail price is set at $90.
Fila Stackhouse Mid 2013 Retro


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The security breach at the anti-hacking division of data-storage giant EMC Corp. underscores how serious security threats have become — and is more justification for the load of venture-backed security start-ups touting new lines of defense.
“RSA’s a great company. They have a great focus on protecting themselves against some of the adversaries out there. This shows that no company is immune,” said Jim Geary, the chief executive of Invincea Inc., a start-up that uses behavioral analysis to detect malware.
RSA announced Thursday night that “an extremely sophisticated cyber attack” resulted in the loss of some data around its SecureID products that enable remote employees to access a corporate network.
Seeing such a well-known security vendor get compromised will have more companies worried about their own vulnerability and paying more attention to innovative solutions, Geary said. “When people hear about this happening in the government they have one reaction, but when they see brands like RSA, Google, Johnson & Johnson, it makes CIOs take notice.”
Invincea, backed by Grotech Ventures and New Atlantic Ventures, sells software that builds a virtual environment for running a Web browser or PDF reader, so that in the case of a malware attack, the virtual environment can be shut down without the malware ever coming into contact with the operating system of a computer or the computer network.
Though most companies have spent years trying to secure personal and customer data “this is another reminder that there’s another area to protect in intellectual property,” said Asheem Chandna, a partner with Greylock Partners who has invested in multiple security start-ups, including Palo Alto Networks Inc. That company makes firewalls that can look inside applications and block only certain aspects of it, rather than only giving IT administrators the choice between blocking it or letting it through.
Palo Alto’s founder and chief technology officer, Nir Zuk, said large vendors are trying to sell 15-year-old technology “with a little lipstick on it and that just doesn’t work.”
“I think customers are realizing that doing the same thing again and again and again when its not working, like Einstein said, is insane,” said Zuk, whose company’s investors also include Globespan Capital Partners, Jafco Ventures, Northgate Capital, Sequoia Capital, Tenaya Capital, among others.
(UPDATE: A previous post misstated the name of Palo Alto Networks’ founder, Nir Zuk.)


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Starbucks Workers voted in favor of unionizing at at least one store in the Buffalo, N.Y.-area, while one of the store’s election results are being contested
Johnson echoed the company’s stance on the union vote being tallied Thursday that “all partners in Buffalo should have a voice in the elections”
Restaurant Law Center and Texas Restaurant Association again seek to block limits on use of tip credit for sidework
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest data shows that numbers in restaurant industry employment keep creeping up, but not by much
In a hearing Thursday, Starbucks Workers United appeals to hold union elections at three more Buffalo, N.Y. stores; an Arizona store officially joins the unionization fray
Daily Grill parent says it intends to vigorously fight allegations
On Boston Market’s busiest day of the year, staff at multiple California locations walked out, leaving customers in a lurch: how do you prevent this from happening?
Employees at the W. Virginia-based chain claim managers called the police when they attempted to call a meeting to discuss majority union support
SOC asks board to conduct third-party assessment on issues such as racism and diversity
Digital solutions can help restaurant operators navigate labor issues like never before.


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Weeks after India’s free trade agreement (FTA) with the UAE — a crucial market for domestic jewellers — came into force, Malabar Gold and Diamonds on Friday announced that it would invest Rs 9,860 crore over the next three years. Malabar Group chairman MP Ahammed told FE that the jewellery chain is planning to open 97 showrooms, 60 in India and 37 overseas, by the end of this fiscal. In all, it plans to open 500 new showrooms by 2025, which will create job opportunities for about 11,000 people.
“The FTA will enable Malabar Gold to further enhance and promote the organisational vision using the UAE as its international hub,” he said. At present, Malabar has around 280 showrooms in a total of 10 countries — India, the Gulf Co-operation Council members (the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia), Malaysia, Singapore and the US. The company will also venture into Africa with showrooms in Egypt, Morocco and Algeria, apart from foraying into Canada and Britain.
On May 1 when the FTA entered into force, Malabar Gold was one of the three exporters to supply to the UAE under the pact. Indian jewellery exporters now get tax-free access to the UAE, which used to slap a 5% customs duty on such products.
As for domestic expansion, Malabar Gold will open more outlets in northern and western India since it already has a solid presence in Southern India, Ahammed said.
It will also focus on tier-2 and tier-3 cities, “where the brand is rapidly gaining acceptance”, he added.
Of the total investments, Malabar is planning to invest Rs 900-1,000 crore in retail expansion in FY23. The latest forecast of a good monsoon has also brightened the prospects of gold sales by jewellers in the domestic market after an 18% drop in the country’s demand of the precious metal (in volume term) in the March quarter. The announcement was made at an investors’ roundtable in Kochi in the presence of commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal.


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WeedMD exits Bowmanville facility as Mjardin enter supply agreement with BCLDB
In this week's "Rising High," The Fly's recurring series focused on cannabis stock news, The Fly looks back a facility exit, supply agreements and analyst views.
WEEDMD TO EXIT BOWMANVILLE FACILITY: WeedMD (WDDMF) announced Thursday it has reallocated all medical packaging, labelling and distribution activities from its Bowmanville, Ontario site to its Aylmer, Ontario facility which also houses the company's extraction hub. The company said, “These strategic steps are part of WeedMD's ongoing plan to maximize the utilization of its facilities, improve operational efficiencies and further align its cost structure while focusing on growth, following the successful integration of WeedMD and Starseed Holdings.” These structural changes, completed in January 2021, centralize production activities at WeedMD's flagship London-area sites. With the exiting of its Bowmanville facility, which served as WeedMD's medical distribution hub, the company has offered relocation and severance packages, where applicable, to about 20 employees. The move comes after the company announced the appointment of George Scorsis as interim CEO on Monday.
MJARDIN ENTERS SUPPLY AGREEMENT WITH BCLDB: MJardin Group (MJARF) announced Wednesday the completion of a major supply agreement with the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch to supply the provincial wholesaler with premium cannabis products in two formats: 3.5 grams whole flower and 5 x .5 gram pre-rolls. MJardin is entering the BC market with its new flagship brand, Flint & Embers. Flint & Embers remains on schedule to be available for purchase in Alberta and Ontario in Q1 of 2021.
INTELGENX RECEIVES ORDER FROM HERITAGE: IntelGenx Corp. (IGXT) announced Thursday the execution of a definitive supply agreement with Heritage Cannabis (HERTF) for the manufacturing and supply of filmstrip products containing 10 mg of CBD using VersaFilm technology for the Canadian and Australian markets. IntelGenx has received its first purchase order from Heritage for 50,000 CBD Filmstrips. IntelGenx expects to make its first shipment of product to Heritage in the second quarter of 2021. In addition to receiving a manufacturing margin, IntelGenx will also receive a double-digit royalty on the gross margin based on product sales. Heritage will supply CBD material for IntelGenx's filmstrip manufacture and supply in Canada and Australia on a non- and semi-exclusive basis, respectively. The agreement also contemplates an option on future co-development of CBD and THC filmstrips using proprietary technology from both companies.
BMO ANALYST SEES FEDERAL REFORM TAKING TIME: If Democrats take both senate seats in Georgia, any federal cannabis law reform likely take some time considering government bureaucracy and the existence of more pressing issues, BMO Capital analyst Tamy Chen said in a Wednesday note. The analyst believes the U.S. strategy with the most direct and immediate impact for Canadian licensed producers would be a strategic relationship with a multi-state operator, such as Canopy's (CGC) agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Acreage (ACRGF). Chen noted that the rally in licensed producer stocks since the U.S. election has expanded the valuations of all the mainline names.
PRICE TARGET RAISES: Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Pablo Zuanic raised the firm's price target on Canopy Growth on Tuesday to C$33 from C$29 and kept a Neutral rating on the shares, citing U.S. optionality. Zuanic said that given its contingent stakes in Acreage Holdings and TerrAscend (TRSSF), Canopy Growth is arguably the best placed Canadian LP in his coverage universe to benefit from an acceleration in the U.S. cannabis legalization process.
Meanwhile on Thursday, BTIG analyst Thomas Catherwood raised the firm's price target on Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR) to $218 from $177 and kept a Buy rating on the shares. A Democratic control of the House, Senate, and Executive Branch suggests changes are coming for the cannabis industry, the analyst said. Though he also warns that while the passage of the SAFE Banking Act is now more likely, the process could take much longer than some investors expect. Catherwood still anticipates continued robust cannabis sales, a land rush in states expected to add recreational use, and the return of cannabis sector M&A.
OTHER CANNABIS STOCKS: Other publicly-traded companies in the space include Akerna (KERN), Aleafia (ALEAF), Aphria (APHA), Aurora Cannabis (ACB), Auxly Cannabis (CBWTF), CannTrust (CTST), Canopy Rivers (CNPOF), CordovaCann (LVRLF), Cresco Labs (CRLBF), Cronos Group (CRON), CV Sciences (CVSI), CURE Pharmaceutical (CURR), Delta 9 (VRNDF), Emerald Health (EMHTF), FluroTech (FLURF), General Cannabis (CANN), Greenlane (GNLN), Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF), GrowGeneration (GRWG), Harborside (HBORF), Hemp (HEMP), HEXO (HEXO), IM Cannabis (IMCC), India Globalization Capital (IGC), Indiva (NDVAF), Indus Holdings (INDXF), Inner Spirit (INSHF), Khiron Life Sciences (KHRNF), Liberty Health Sciences (LHSIF), MediPharm Labs (MEDIF), MedMen Enterprises (MMNFF), Neptune Wellness (NEPT), Omnicanna (ENDO), Organigram (OGI), Planet 13 (PLNHF), Sproutly (SRUTF), Stem Holdings (STMH), Sunniva (SNNVF), Supreme Cannabis (SPRWF), Valens (VLNCF), Tetra Bio-Pharma (TBPMF), Tilray (TLRY), Trulieve (TCNNF), Village Farms (VFF), Vireo Health (VREOF), Wildflower Brands (WLDFF), YSS Corp. (YSSCF), Zynerba (ZYNE) and 4Front Ventures (FFNTF).


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Kiwi retailer Briscoe Group has posted a record full year profit in an industry chief executive Rod Duke says is challenging.
The company which owns Briscoes, Rebel Sport, and Living and Giving posted a net profit after tax of $59.42 million for the year ended January, a 26.06 per cent increase on the $47.14m from the previous year.
"We are pleased to announce another record profit for Briscoe Group in a market that has been challenging for many retailers," Duke said.
"The focus we place on managing and improving our retail brands underpins our strong profit growth of recent years as we continually drive to improve the way we do things in every area of the business."
Duke said the result was an increase of 77 per cent on the result from three years ago at an annual growth rate of 21 per cent for the same period.
The earnings were generated on sales revenue of $582.84m, an increase of 5.42 per cent on the $552.89m reported in the previous year.
The Group's gross profit margin for the year increased from 40.49 per cent to 41.07 per cent, reflecting the continued focus the Group has on inventory and promotion management.
The company would pay a final dividend of 11c per share.
"It is clear that the New Zealand retailing environment remains challenging with a number of retailers struggling for growth," Duke said.
"But we remain cautiously optimistic about the year ahead for Briscoe Group."
Rival Warehouse Group, now eclipsed by Briscoe's market capitalisation, last week reported a 76 per cent slump in first-half profit as it booked an impairment charge against its financial services unit, faced restructuring costs, and saw gross margins shrink 70 basis points to 32.2 per cent across its group.
Briscoe shares, of which Duke owns more than three-quarters, last traded at $4.39 and have gained 8.9 per cent so far this year. That values Briscoe at $963.7m, compared to $863.6m for Warehouse, which was recently up 0.4 per cent to $2.49.
Briscoe's bottom line was also bolstered by $4.4m in dividends from its 19.9 per cent stake in outdoor equipment chain Kathmandu. Duke said he's watching "Kathmandu's performance closely as they seek to restore historical levels of profitability."
Kathmandu's board rebuffed a Briscoe takeover offer in 2015, offering five of its own shares for every nine Kathmandu shares plus 20 cents cash, which at the time was an implied offer of $1.80 a share. Kathmandu's shares were recently up 1.6 per cent to $1.94, and Briscoe valued the stake at $76.6m at the January 29 balance date, up from $60.9m a year earlier.
Briscoe increased online sales by more than 40 per cent, and they accounted for 6 per cent of the retailer's $582.8m in revenue.
- With Businessdesk


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When teens and tweens can emotionally connect to a brand they love, they will spend their hard-earned dollars to buy just about anything it offers. From Abercrombie & Fitch to Esprit, this year’s 10 most familiar youth brands have fi gured out how to capture this fickle group.
With music blaring from the front doors of its 360 stores, Abercrombie & Fitch welcomes teens, who flock to it for its cool casual look — perfect for campus or the beach. The brand is so strong that it even managed to bump megabrand Disney from the top spot this year. Even in a tough economy, Abercrombie & Fitch has proven it can still have a growth spurt as it will open a slew of stores — 110 units in North America alone are planned so far.
After capturing this loyal American customer and seeing dramatic sales increases from its London fl agship, which opened in 2006, the company has set its sights on overseas expansion, too. Abercrombie executives predict that before the next 10 years is out, half of its business will come from its international stores.
The $3.75 billion retailer knows it can’t grow on the Abercrombie & Fitch name alone, so it also plans to expand its other retail brands as well. The brand’s newest concept, Gilly Hicks, launched in January targeting young women with comfortable and good-looking underwear and loungewear. Early response is leading the company to open 16 more stores this year.
Overall, A&F plans to grow overall square footage by about 11 percent this year with 67 new Hollister stores and 17 abercrombie children’s wear units. It also plans to open four Hollister stores in the U.K. With 946 stores in operation, American Eagle Outfi tters is managing to grow in tough economic times.
Last year, the company launched aerie f.i.t. workout wear consisting of graphic T-shirts, sports bras and shorts. That line is a spin-off of its successful aerie-brand lingerie and loungewear line that went from selling in AEO stores to launching its own aerie chain. To further capture today’s tech-savvy teens, AEO plans to air a TV and Web-based comedy series called “It’s a Mall World” on MTV and mtv.com. The series is being produced through the company’s new entertainment platform, 77Entertainment, and stars young fi lm and TV actors — who, naturally, will be decked out in AEO clothes. It is also expanding its Martin + Osa retail concept for people aged 25 to 40, opening 11 stores this year, for a total of 29 units by the end of 2008.
Disney may have slipped to number three on this year’s list, but that doesn’t mean the brand has slowed down. The Disney Consumer Products division hit the $30 billion mark, thanks to successful TV shows and fi lms like “Hannah Montana” and “High School Musical.” It’s from these programs that the giant entertainment conglomerate has launched a full range of products — from toys to clothes and accessories — and the brand has clout in retailers ranging from Wal-Mart to Kitson. Most recently, DCP launched “Camp Rock” merchandise — apparel, stationery and bags — based on the Disney movie featuring teen heartthrob songsters the Jonas Brothers, exclusively at Target and Disney Stores. The Tinker Bell line has also expanded in anticipation of the October movie release and includes vintage Tinker Bell apparel for juniors at specialty boutiques and a line of Tinker Bell body lotions by Goldie. Disney Couture continues to expand with Kidada Jones’ line of women’s Disney Princess lingerie sold at Fred Segal.
Ask any teen to name a favorite brand and Guess is bound to be on the list. Paul Marciano, vice chairman and ceo of the fourth-ranked brand, said in a recent interview that the fi rm has stepped up internationally, now running showrooms in Barcelona, London, Paris, Düsseldorf, Milan and Florence, with another opening in Lugano, Switzerland. Revenues in Europe, which surpassed $700 million this year, rose 50 percent in the most recent quarter and contributed to 68 percent of the firm’s operating earnings growth, he said, adding that Guess is two years ahead of its European store plan. “The plan was for 250 stores in Europe in 2010, and we are already close to 150. We will be at 220 stores by next year.”
The company also plans to triple its e-commerce business over the next three years. It expects to launch e-commerce sites next June 1 in Italy, Spain, France and the U.K. Currently, its site is operational only in the U.S. and Canada. Known for reeling in teens through its kitschy advertising campaigns, Candie’s hit it big again this year by scoring “Heroes” star Hayden Panettiere as its newest face. The star joins such Candie’s “It” girls as last year’s Fergie, Hilary Duff and Ashanti, among others. Owned by the New York-based Iconix Brand Group, the $300 million Candie’s brand, which placed fi fth, is doing well selling exclusively at Kohl’s. Also for fall, the brand will launch a new scent, Candie’s Luxe.
After selling a 75 percent chunk to Sun Capital Partners last summer, sixth-place Limited is onto new strategies in hopes of bringing in a new range of customers. Plans are in the works to enhance its 230 store interiors, as well as add larger sizes and more accessories to its mix. In 2009, the company plans to launch more categories, including intimates and bath and body.
Highly focused on that often-underestimated tween girl, Limited Too captures its customers through its happy and brightly lit storesselling a range of products — apparel, swimwear, sleepwear, underwear,footwear, accessories and personal care products. It has 580 stores in 46 states and Puerto Rico, and recently began opening franchised stores internationally. Additionally, seventh-place Limited Too publishes a catalogue coinciding with key tween shopping times, and conducts e-commerce on its Web site, limitedtoo.com.
Under the leadership of chief executive offi cer Millard “Mickey” Drexler, J. Crew has moved away from its classic, preppy looks in favor of colorful, trend-right merchandise — and it’s paid off for the eighth-ranked brand, as the retailer has grown to be a $1.4 billion empire. Now, the multichannel specialty retailer is opening new formats, such as its J. Crew Collection stores, which will sell a high-end mix of merchandise. The company’s Madewell division is also picking up steam.
Express is also still hot with the teen set. Last year was a turning point for the ninth-place retailer, which is known for sexy yet sophisticated sportswear. Its former parent, Limited Brands, sold a major stake in the 580-unit chain to Golden Gate Capital, a San Francisco-based private equity group, taking the Express brand private. Michael Weiss, who left the company in 2004, returned as ceo.
In 10th place, Esprit is trying to position itself as an adult women’s brand in the U.S., but the $3.85 billion label still keeps hold of its teen customers. As it celebrates its 40th anniversary, the company now has 12 product lines and a cosmetics brand called Esprit Red Earth. The company expects to return to its California roots by opening stores on the West Coast. It now operates 660 stores worldwide, as well as a healthy wholesale component. In March, the company launched de.corp Esprit Urban Casual, a casual sportswear line.
@deciem is all about transparency and approachability. At this year’s WWD Digital Beauty Forum, the brand's co-CEO @nicolakilner said talking to customers directly about the ingredients in products and how they work is key. #wwdsummits #wwdbeauty
‘We didn't know how relevant our film would be when we were making it. When Steven [Rogers] wrote the script Trump wasn't president, class divide in America wasn't as evident as it is now, though it was present. The Time’s Up movement hadn't began and the way we look at women and treat women who speak out — thankfully that is something that seems to have shifted in the last year. I think we just need to continue making art that provokes the conversation and do what we can,’ said ‘I, Tonya’ actress @margotrobbie. Head to WWD.com to see all the celebrities who walked the red carpet @bafta #timesup #wwdeye (📸: Neil Hall)
Gemma Arterton is joined on the @bafta’s red carpet by Eileen Pullen and Gwen Davis, the two women who started the fight for the pay-gap. ‘They represent a normal person speaking out for what is right. Speak out, we will listen and anyone can speak out,’ said Arterton. #eebaftas #timesup #wwdeye (📸: David Fisher)
On the list of emerging designers to watch at London Fashion Week is @nabilnayal. The Syrian-Born and raised designer – who is known for his sculptural and dramatic designs with an Elizabethan era aesthetic – said he designs for a woman who is not afraid to challenge conventions. To see which other up-and-coming talents are joining the schedule this season, head to WWD.com. #wwdfashion #lfw (📷: @gomezdevillaboa)


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Volvo buys Scania
7 August 1999
Sweden’s Volvo AB announced it has agreed to acquire a majority share in rival Swedish truck and bus maker Scania. Volvo would buy a 49.3% stake in Scania that had been owned by Investor AB, Scania's main shareholder. The acquisition, for $7.5 billion (60.7 billion crowns), would create the world's second-largest manufacturer of heavy trucks behind DaimlerChrysler.
Volvo began its negotiations with Investor in January, prior to the sale of its automotive business to Ford, when it bought 13 % of the shares in Scania. After buying Investor's stake in Scania, Volvo would have 49.3% of the company's capital and 69.6% of its votes. Volvo is offering to buy the remainder from Scania's shareholders at a cash price of 315 crowns per share, a premium over Scania's closing share price on Thursday of 244 crowns.
Investor said it would receive up to 13% of the voting rights in Volvo under the agreement, but provided no capital estimates.
The Volvo-Scania group would have 19% of the global heavy truck market, behind DaimlerChrysler's 25%. Its European market share would be 31%, the biggest share ahead of DaimlerChrysler. In 1998, Scania reported sales of $5.6 billion and Volvo's non-passenger car sales were at $10.2 billion. Both companies reported sales increases of around 12% for the first half of 1999.
The merger must be still approved by the European Union.


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Apple kills off its app affiliate program
Apple has announced that it is removing apps from its affiliate program. The change means that people will no longer receive commission for iOS and Mac apps.
Having once enabled sites to earn 7 percent commission for app sales, Apple then dropped this to just 2.5 percent. As of October 1, no commission will be paid at all as Apple says the App Store does a good enough job of increasing app discovery.
- Apple pulls away from Microsoft and Facebook on the way to becoming a trillion-dollar company
- Apple confirms MacBook Pro Core i9 throttling bug and fixes it with a software update
- Apple's big 2018 MacBook Pro keyboard cover-up
Described by the Register as the extension of a "corporate middle finger toward its army of fanbois", the move is unlikely to please the large numbers of small publishers who have previously been able to earn money through the scheme. Some have suggested that they will close down as a result of the change.
In the announcement on the iTunes Affiliate Resources site, Apple says:
Thank you for participating in the affiliate program for apps. With the launch of the new App Store on both iOS and macOS and their increased methods of app discovery, we will be removing apps from the affiliate program. Starting on October 1st, 2018, commissions for iOS and Mac apps and in-app content will be removed from the program. All other content types (music, movies, books, and TV) remain in the affiliate program.
For more information on commission rates, please see our Commissions and Payments page on the Affiliate Resources site.
If you have questions, please visit our Helpdesk.
It will still be possible to earn commission on music, movies, books and TV shows.


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Based out of Amsterdam, the Dutch IoT space startup Hiber had a successful 2018, as the company triumphantly launched 2 nano-satellites and also got named as ‘Amazon Web Services‘ commercial Startup Launch 2018.
Hiber: New leadership team
Now the startup is all set to focus on scaling up and further revolutionising the IoT landscape under the new leadership team. Ernst Peter Hovinga, the CEO of Hiber has handed over day-to-day management to Laurens Groenendijk (MD commercial), Maarten Engelen (MD technology) and Erik Wienk (MD operations, finance and legal) as per January 1st, 2019. So, there will be no new CEO in the company.
The three other founders have a proven track record working together at startup like Treatwell, that they exited to Japanese Recruit Holdings for €34 million. They were also involved, respectively, as founder at Just-Eat.com and Siteworkers, further also CFO at Booking.com.
Dozens of satellites in 12 to 18 months
Notably, the company is planning to launch Hiberband, the world’s first truly global satellite solution, opening the doors to the 90% of the world currently unable to use connected tech.
Furthermore, the company expects to launch dozens of satellites to meet the enormous demand for connected tech around the world in the next 12 to 18 months.
Hovinga will continue to be involved in the company as a shareholder and Advisor to the Advisory Board. He said, “Launching Hiber successfully and getting the organisation ready to scale up was always my ambition. Now that we have reached those milestones, it makes sense to restructure leadership at Hiber.”
Hiber: All you need to know
Founded and led by a dream team of satellite experts and tech entrepreneurs, these ‘Hibernauts’ are literally working on a moonshot goal: to launch and own a nano-satellite constellation in space. Each nano-satellite will roughly be the size of a large shoebox.
To date, around €15 million in funding has been invested in the company. Hiber’s nano-satellites fly over the earth’s poles 16 times a day and the equator twice a day, providing the entire planet with the ability to stream data to and from connected technologies. Using a process that is up to 20 times cheaper than existing global solutions, it works by transferring data from modems and antennas owned by customers directly to the nano-satellites. Data is then sent back to earth via the two existing satellite stations in Spitsbergen in Norway and Delft in the Netherlands.
Stay tuned to Silicon Canals for more updates in the tech startup world.


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Digi expands countryside mobile coverage
Telecommunications company Digi has expanded the availability of its freshly launched mobile telecommunications service in the countryside, the company told the Budapest Business Journal via a press release.
Coverage as of May 30, 2019.
Digi says that since May 29, its mobile services are also available in Kaposvár, Oroszlány, Ajka, Zalaegerszeg, and Kiskunlacháza. The company says that it extended coverage due to client requests.
Digi says it plans to keep extending its mobile network coverage in multiple phases, with a focus on those settlements most important to its clients. Those interested can track the progress of the coverage expansion on the companyʼs official website; the color blue represents areas where the service is already working.
SUPPORT THE BUDAPEST BUSINESS JOURNAL
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Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.


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PAYING OFFLINE: EBay Inc.'s PayPal is expanding its brick-and-mortar payment services to more than 7 million stores across the U.S.
HOW IT WILL WORK: It's a partnership with Discover Financial Services. Retailers that take Discover cards will be able to process PayPal payments beginning next year. People will be able to pay using PayPal cards and later, mobile devices.
THE TREND: The move marks the latest step in PayPal's push into physical retailers as it expands from offering online payments.


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2013-01-21 10:21:57 - Drawing on the buoyancy of the Dubai hotel sector, newcomer Abidos Hotel Apartments, Dubailand, has enjoyed excellent business results in its first month of operation
, with year to date average occupancy of over 90 per cent, according to Mr Mina Habib, VP - Business Development.
“Sixty-five per cent of this comes from online sources be it online travel agencies, brand website or e-bookings, reflecting the high demand for Dubai from a vast range of feeder markets,” he said. “In addition, we are also receiving FIT and corporate guests as well as airline crew, enabling us to start building a healthy customer base.”
The GCC has been the highest producer for the hotel with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the way, followed by countries in Europe such as UK, Germany and France. With the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) underway, Mr Habib said he expected a further
inflow of nationalities from emerging markets such as the CIS, Indian Sub-continent and China as well as a boost in regional visitors.
“Dubai Airports is predicting traffic levels will reach 66 million this year, following an increase of more than 13 per cent in 2012, and, in particular, the constant increase in low cost airline networks is providing hotels and apartments in Dubai with a greater number of feeder markets, offering non-stop and competitively-priced access from secondary cities in the CIS, as well as throughout the Middle East,” said Mr Habib.
“As a first-time participant at DSF, it enables us to introduce the brand and superior product facilities to visitors and offers an unrivalled platform to build awareness,” he added.
As an introductory offer, the Abidos Hotel Apartment has launched a family package, offering a two-bedroom apartment for AED650 per cent, for up to three nights’ accommodation and inclusive of buffet breakfast for two adults and up to three children.
In addition, all guests who book rooms at the hotel through the brand website www.abidoshotels.com automatically qualify for a raffle draw, with a prize of a free three-night stay for two at Abidos Hotel Apartment, Dubailand.
Enjoying easy access from Emirates Road and Dubai – Al Ain Road, Abidos Hotel Apartment, Dubailand is conveniently located within minutes from Dubai Academic City (DAC), Dubai Silicon Oasis, Global Village, Dubai Outlet Mall, Dragon Mart, International City, Sheikh Zayed Road, Wafi Mall, The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. Featuring 132 well appointed apartments, it’s a place you call yours. Each apartment boasts an elegant living room with a private balcony, generously proportioned bedrooms, beautiful bathrooms and fully fitted kitchens. All-day-dining restaurant MnM, State-of-the-art gymnasium ‘Energize’, splendid rooftop swimming pool with sauna and steam rooms and a well-appointed pool deck are just some of the features making living at Abidos Hotel Apartment, Dubailand, a great experience.
For more information visit www.abidoshotels.com
For media contact:
MPJ (Marketing Pro-Junction)
Mob: +971 50 6975146


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What does the science say about the safety of America’s chicken farming practice?
Food & Nutrition
Are those cheery ads, featuring celebrities with a milk mustache, actually beckoning you towards a shorter life and telomeres? Or is this just another "nutritional nowhere" situation? A recent study reports definitively, perhaps.
A controversial article on red meat had an unintended consequence: it unmasked the ties between science and industry. Not the meat industry, but the "anti-meat" health-advocacy industry, which reaches into academia and commercial interests. JAMA takes a stance. Good for them, which is good for us.
Bone broth is promoted as a “super-soup," rich in collagen and minerals. But in reality, this eye-watering expensive broth is a poor source of nutrition and it can’t boost your skin or help your joints, as claimed.
The risk of colon cancer from nitrite-preserved meat has been debated for so long that even the preserved meat has gone bad. A new study tries to back up this claim -- and fails miserably.
The new year brings a succession of ads prompting us to make healthy promises, to eat less and exercise more. The basis for the “science” behind those calls to healthful resolutions is called the Additive Energy Expenditure Model. But don’t be afraid; that merely means exercising more burns calories that you can use to eat something special.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest is often consulted by the media as a legitimate voice on scientific issues. On some topics, such as the worthlessness of many dietary supplements and the dangers of raw milk, CSPI is absolutely correct. On other topics, such as sugar substitutes and pesticides, it spreads misinformation.
The feats of the athletes in a Netflix documentary cannot be considered to be proof of the benefits of a vegan diet for athletic performance. For every vegan “star,” one can find numerous top-level athletes who gorge on meat.
It's unclear whether Big Agriculture, or small local farms, can save humanity from itself. Yet both groups sit on the sidelines yelling at each other without clear long-term strategies, suggesting that humanity is doomed unless the deniers are right.
Nationwide mandatory labeling of menus in chain restaurants has been in place for 18 months now, and the results are starting to come in. Is it changing our food choices? Maybe, but only a teeny bit and only for a while.
In nutrition, bashing sugar is all the rage. Over roughly the last 20 years, many researchers and health commentators have moved beyond implicating sugar as a cause of life-threatening disease, to blaming it for more mild concerns, even acne. Is it true? Let's find out.
The giant supermarket chain is long on marketing but short on science; this is hardly news. However, its officials apparently can't fathom the irony of selling nitrate-free meat in addition to nitrate dietary supplements. But we do.


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The company’s Total Outcomes for smart payment solution is Itron’s global cloud-based offering, which provides prepayment vending and customer management software-as-a-service and managed services.
The certification marks first multi-commodity prepayment solution to be certified by Standard Transfer Specification (STS) Association. STS is a secure message system for carrying information between a point-of-sale and a meter, and is currently finding wide application in electricity metering and payment systems.
Itron notes that the offering streamlines the deployment of Itron’s smart payment solutions, from keypad meters to smart payment meters, for electric and gas utilities.
According to a release, the newly acquired STS certification validates the interoperability of the smart payment offering and ensures that system components from different manufacturers of prepayment systems can work together.
It adds that the certification also confirms that the appropriate encryption key management practices are applied to safeguard the security of the prepayment transactions of utilities operating STS systems.
Enhancing value of prepayment systems
[quote] Through its Total Outcomes solution, Itron manages all aspects of a utility’s smart payment and vending operations. The Washington-based technology company claims that its certified solution provides the flexibility for utilities to move from a smart payment system to a smart metering post payment system as needs change in the future.
“Itron Total Outcomes for smart payment [makes it] easier and faster for utilities and their customers to access the benefits of prepayment technology,” said Bruce Douglas, senior vice president and general manager of software and services at Itron.
“With STS certification, they can rest assured that our technology is interoperable and uses open standards.”
Henty Waker, managing director at iPay (Pty) Ltd, a STS-certified energy and payment solutions provider, added: “iPay has a long history of collaboration with Itron for smart payment processing. We played an important role in helping Itron’s smart payment offering secure STS certification by developing software that is used by the solution and managing the certification process.
“We are proud to be a part of this milestone and look forward to our ongoing collaboration.”
image credit: www.sparkblog.emc.com


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TikTok is rolling out a new warning banner on videos that contain unverified information to discourage users from sharing them.
TikTok already identifies and removes misinformation from its platform after having fact-checkers at PolitiFact, Lead Stories, and SciVerify assess it. But sometimes, fact-checking proves inconclusive as it’s difficult to verify a piece of content’s accuracy – especially as major events unfold.
To limit the spread of potentially misleading information, TikTok makes some videos ineligible to appear in people’s For You feed, but now it’s adding a warning banner to videos that fact-checkers have been unable to substantiate. The whole idea is to limit sharing of possible misinformation.
The banner reads “Caution: Video flagged for unverified content,” and the video’s creator will also be notified.
When someone tries to share the flagged video, TikTok will show the prompt as a way to help them consider whether to “share anyway” or “cancel.” As TikTok Product Manager for Trust & Safety, Gina Hernandez explains,
“We love that our community’s creativity encourages people to share TikTok videos with others who might enjoy them – both within our platform and beyond – but we’ve designed this feature to help our users be mindful about what they share.”
TikTok has seen a 24% decrease in the rate at which people shared these videos, as well as a 7% decrease in likes.
The feature is rolling out within the next few weeks – starting in the US and Canada.
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As part of its new #BeCyberSmart campaign, TikTok is launching a video series where creators and company employees tell cybersecurity …
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TikTok is celebrating its mission of inspiring creativity and bringing joy as it reaches more than 1 billion users every …
A new study shows that TikTok ads drive stronger brand recall and positive sentiment across various view durations.
TikTok is partnering with Mediaocean to allow brands to manage TikTok ads through the omnichannel advertising platform.
App analytics firm, App Annie, reports that Android users now spend more time watching videos on TikTok than on YouTube.
TikTok has issued a set of best practices for marketers and eCommerce brands to improve their video ad performance.


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Twitter has begun to assemble a new team dedicated to decentralising the social media network and enabling blockchain-based solutions on the platform. The startup may begin by allowing customers to make crypto payments and sell NFTs.
Twitter has always been the epicentre of all cryptocurrency conversations. Take the number of times the price of a crypto coin or token has risen after Elon Musk tweeted about it as an example.
The social media company appears to recognise its relevance in the industry, as it has recently stated that it will work on crypto and blockchain solutions for the platform.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM TWITTER ENGINEER
Tess Rinearson, the engineer who has joined Twitter to manage the company’s crypto initiatives, made the announcement in a new tweet.
Twitter’s new team will focus on the underlying solutions, such as blockchains and other decentralised technologies, rather than exclusively concentrating on cryptocurrencies.
The Twitter crypto team’s initial goal would be to look into how Twitter could be utilised to help the creators’ interest in decentralised apps.
These programmes can help people manage virtual products and currencies, which will help them support their business and communities. Rinearson wrote in her Twitter thread.
Though crypto payments and NFT galleries are the low-hanging fruit in the short term, this move by Twitter is part of a larger effort by the company to decentralise social media.
It will allow networks to run independently on the blockchain rather than on servers hosted by companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Individual users will have more control over their data and privacy as a result of these decentralised networks, according to the theory.
Still, other experts are concerned about how these decentralised systems might deal with content moderation issues, particularly when it comes to extremist political information.
For more interesting and informative Twitter talks and news, stay connected.


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News tagged keyboard
Last update: Friday 8 April 2016 [75 news items]
Darfon sees on-month revenues growth in September
Oct 7, 02:10
Benefiting by notebook vendors starting to increase their orders in September 2010, notebook keyboard maker Darfon Electronics saw its consolidated revenues for the month grow 11.2%...
Sunrex expects June revenue to remain flat
Jun 18, 16:54
Taiwan-based notebook keyboard maker Sunrex Technology expects its June 2010 consolidated revenues to remain flat or increase sequentially amid stable shipments. However, despite...
Primax sees profit in 2009
Apr 22, 15:21
Taiwan-based multi-function peripheral (MFP) maker, Primax Electronics saw consolidated revenues of NT$28.7 billion (US$914.74 million) for 2009 with a net profit of NT$950 million...
Chicony and Sunrex to see revenues drop in 1Q10
Jan 28, 15:16
Taiwan-based notebook keyboard makers Sunrex Technology and Chicony Electronics expect to see sequential drops in their first-quarter 2010 revenues, but declines will be smaller...
Asustek delays Eee Keyboard launch
Nov 6, 15:33
Asustek Computer has delayed the launch of its Eee Keyboard, which the company originally said would be launched in the US and Europe in October of 2009 because the device has not...
Chicony foresees 10-15% growth in 2Q09 revenues
May 19, 10:54
Taiwan-based Chicony Electronics, the world's largest maker of PC keyboards, has received orders for shipments during the next three to six months and expects its consolidated revenues...


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Michelin Development relaunched to support job growth in Dundee area
Production at the Michelin tyre plant in Dundee is expected to end by the middle of this year, with around 850 jobs affected. To offset this loss, the company is relaunching its Michelin Development scheme with the aim of helping to create hundreds of jobs in Dundee and the Angus area.
Civic and business leaders from across the region are attending an event today to hear more about the £5 million programme. They’ll learn that Michelin Development will provide funding and advice to firms that have the potential to expand and offer “high-quality, long-term employment.”
Successful applicants may be eligible to receive unsecured, heavily-subsidised loans and free, independent and expert advice to pave the way for growth. In addition, Michelin Development will target inward investment by providing grants for companies looking to set up in Dundee. Michelin urges high-potential small and medium-sized enterprises in and around Dundee, Arbroath, Carnoustie and Forfar – or businesses considering investing in these areas – to get in touch. Loans of up to £50,000 are available, and they can be used to lever additional funding from other sources.
“Manufacturing, engineering or business-to-business service companies with fewer than 250 employees are eligible,” shares Mike Cole, head of Michelin Development in the UK. “If you have a solid business plan and the potential to create high-quality jobs, but you just need that bit of extra help, then we want to hear from you.
“Michelin Development is here to support employment in and around Dundee by helping high-potential firms and entrepreneurs turn their ambitions into reality,” Cole adds.
Today’s event takes place at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP), a joint venture between Dundee City Council, Michelin, and Scottish Enterprise that utilises the Dundee factory site. According to Michelin, at least 850 jobs are expected to be created at MSIP, and Michelin Development has also targeted support for 850 new jobs.
“This is a significant announcement for MSIP, for the Michelin Group and for the Dundee area as a whole,” says John Reid, Michelin Dundee factory manager and the chief executive of MSIP. “When we announced in 2018 that the Michelin Dundee factory was to close in 2020, we pledged to support our employees and deliver a legacy that will benefit the regional economy for generations to come.
“We are determined to create at least 850 jobs on the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc and Michelin Development is another string to our bow. It will help attract investment and employment to both MSIP and Dundee.”
Michelin Development is backed by a steering committee made up of organisations including Michelin, Angus Council, Business Gateway, Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, Dundee City Council, Scottish Enterprise and the Royal Bank of Scotland.