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Callaway Golf Co. saw its net loss in the fiscal fourth quarter deepen to $40.6 million, compared with a loss of $29.2 million last year. However, sales surged by 20.2 percent to $374.6 million, led by strong demand in the golf equipment segment and a quicker-than-expected recovery in the softgoods business, boosted by higher sales of TravisMathew and Jack Wolfskin apparel.
Currency fluctuations had a $9 million favorable impact on revenues. The gross margin decreased by 4.6 percentage points to 37.1 percent, due to inventory reduction initiatives for softgoods segment, as well as increased operational costs due to Covid-19, including higher freight costs.
In dollars, there was a 40 percent increase in the golf equipment segment, while softgoods revenues inched up by 1 percent. E-commerce performed well everywhere.
The U.S. recorded a 34.2 percent surge in revenues to $174.8 million during the quarter, thanks largely to a boom in golf rounds played during the period, helped by favorable weather conditions. In constant currencies, sales inched up by 0.1 percent in Europe to $91.5 million, while Japan fell by 3.0 percent to $53.5 million. In Rest of World, revenues jumped by 26.2 percent to $54.8 million.
The management highlighted the potential of the merger with Topgolf, which it announced at the end of October. Topgolf operates large, technologically enhanced driving ranges with restaurants and bars. Callaway identified many synergies and strong growth prospects. It said the merger is on track, subject to shareholder approval planned for March 3, to close in the first quarter of 2021. Callaway noted that Topgolf’s exceeded expectations in the fourth quarter, despite some store closures in the U.S. and the U.K. due to the pandemic.
Golf club sales soared by 48.5 percent to $170.5 million, on the strength of Epic drivers and Apex irons, while ball sales increased by 14 percent to $43.3 million due to supply constraints. Apparel sales were up by 8.7 percent to $110.0 million, but Gear and other sales plunged by 12.4 percent to $50.7 million.
Ebitdas, which stands for operating earnings excluding interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as well as stock compensation, showed a loss of $21.0 million, against a loss of $9.6 million last year.
For the full year, Callaway recorded a net loss of $126.9 million, versus a net profit of $79.4 million in 2019, due to a $174 million impairment charge on the Jack Wolfskin goodwill and trade name earlier in the year. Revenues declined by 6.6 percent to $1,589 million and the gross margin dropped by 3.7 percentage points to 41.4 percent.
Looking forward, the group declined to release a formal guidance, but said it anticipates that the pandemic will continue to negatively impact its business in 2021, although to a lesser degree than in 2020, thanks to increasing demand for golf equipment and recovery in the softgoods sector.
It also said that on a pre-merger basis, which does not take into account Topgolf, its consolidated sales for the first quarter of 2021 will exceed 2020 sales. The gross margin should be negatively impacted by increased operational costs due to Covid-19, including higher labor costs, logistical challenges and increased freight expenses resulting from a shortage of ocean freight containers. Despite these headwinds, the company believes that its gross margin will be approximately the same as in 2019. Operating expenses are estimated to be about $70 million to $80 million higher as compared to 2019, due to planned investments in the softgoods business, including the opening new doors for TravisMathew, along with investments related to new market expansion for Jack Wolfskin in North America and Japan.


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Zoo e-News received this trophy at the annual PRISM Awards of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA).
Zoo e-News scoops top industry award
At a glittering red carpet event in Johannesburg on 25 March 2012, Zoo e-News was awarded a prestigious PRISM Award by the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA).
The award was given in the category "Publications" and the judges considered how the newsletter contributed towards achieving the overall public relations and business strategy of the zoo. "Zoo e-News illustrated how an electronic newsletter could serve as a powerful marketing tool in an organisation's customer relations management," the judges commented.
At the event the Chairperson of the PRISA Public Relations Consultants Chapter, Lorraine van Schalkwyk said, "Once again our strategic communication professionals have demonstrated that we can produce world-class strategies and publications worthy of an international stage."
The competition attracted over 200 entries. The awards promote excellence in public relations and strategic communication in South Africa.
The National Zoo's Manager of Commercial Services and Business Development, Craig Allenby mentioned that there was stiff competition in this category and the zoo competed against some of the biggest public relations and advertising firms in the world.
"Well done to all who contributed towards our newsletter's success," he said.
The National Zoological Gardens of
South Africa is a proud facility of
the National Research Foundation

domain: news


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Rodney Beagle is going pro brewer with Colony Espresso and Beer, plus early October’s beer events
Rodney Beagle’s beer is coming to Colony Espresso and Beer — it’s just going to take a little while.
The North Kansas City coffee shop and bar is in the beginning stages of filing the necessary paperwork, but Beagle — a homebrewer who spent time learning to brew at Big Rip Brewing Co. — says he expects to have a Brewer’s Notice by the end of the year. The plan is to buy Rock & Run Brewery’s one-and-a-half-barrel system when the Liberty brewery upgrades to a three-barrel system in four months.
“The timelines match up perfectly,” Beagle says. “I don’t want to call it coincidence. It’s more like fate.”
Beagle anticipates beginning to brew in February or March. After that, he’ll follow what he calls the “Crane model” and take his brews to every festival to spread the Colony name.
Colony owner Drew Cobb confirms that the brewery will be built where one of two bathrooms now exists. There will be a window, so you can watch Beagle work. He plans to do two batches a day, with three Colony-brewed beers on tap at all times (and maybe a Crowler for 32-ounce to-go cans).
“I’ve kinda just been taking my favorite ideas from different places and incorporating them into our spot,” Beagle says. “Our goal is to serve the town of North Kansas City first and foremost, and cater to the clientele from the river to the hill.”
Beagle says he likes to brew fruit beers and revive historic styles rather than sticking to the usual suspects. “I promise you we will never have a pale ale, a brown ale, a stout and a wheat beer on tap,” he explains. “We’re never going to do that. We’re going to do fun, inventive beers that you want to go try that sparks interest. Instead of doing a pale ale, we’ll do a pale ale with lime zest and raspberry, kind of like the Cloud Nine from 4 Hands. Something weird that works.”
This year’s KC Nanobrew Festival was Beagle’s last under the Beagle Brewing moniker.
“I represent Colony Handcrafted Ales from here on out,” he says. “We’re not in it to get rich. We’re in it to drink beer. I can say that I’ll be doing this until the day that I die. I want to make beer because it makes people happy.”
Big Rip’s Ripper Halloween Party returns
The annual Ripper Halloween costume party at Big Rip Brewing Co. (216 East Ninth Avenue, North Kansas City) is set for Saturday, October 29, from 7 p.m. to midnight. It’s open bar (beer, wine and liquor), and you get dinner from Helen’s on Wheels, music, games and more for your $60 ticket.
Arts & Crafts dates set
The guys at Screenland have announced the dates for their not-to-be-missed beer fest: Friday, December 2, through Sunday, December 4. Look for more beers, movies, music and art in year No. 4. Tickets are on sale now.
Flying Saucer releases KC Craft Beer Week schedule
Kansas City Craft Beer Week is shaping up to be amazing. It starts Sunday with a 4 Hands Stout Week beer dinner. It continues through Friday. Look at this lineup:
Monday: Nebraska Brewing Betty Night, featuring Lil’Betty, Black Betty & Sexy Betty.
Tuesday: Avery Night, featuring 2013 Czar, 2015 Uncle Jacob’s Stout and 2016 Tweak.
Wednesday: 2014, ‘15 and ‘16 Deschutes Abyss vertical and KC Pet Project fundraiser.
Thursday: Mother’s night, featuring 2014 and 2015 MILF and 2016 Brandy-Barrel MILF.
Friday: Firestone Walker night, featuring 2014, ‘15 and ‘16 Parabola.
Torn Label releases Rod & Todd
Torn Label’s next draft and bottle release is here: Rod & Todd (the sons of Maude, you know, Flanders on The Simpsons), a Flanders-style red ale aged in Amigoni wine barrels. It is delicious.
Other Torn Label news: Halloween events go down October 27-30, including a movie marathon and a Halloween cask. Robert Altbier, an tribute to Robert Altman brewed in collaboration with Bier Station, is hitting on draft and in 22-ounce bottles in mid-October. Late October sees the release of Quadjillo, a Belgian quad with Quajillo chiles, on draft and in 22-ounce bottles. In November or December, Old Believer Russian imperial stout comes back on draft and in 22-ounce bottles. It’ll also come with variant releases weekly in the taproom.
Carve a pumpkin at Green Room
Green Room Burgers and Beer’s annual pumpkin-carving party is set for Wednesday, October 26, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the brewery (4010 Pennsylvania). Pumpkins provided.
Crane Brewing announces new taproom hours
Looking to visit Crane Brewing? Here’s when you can get in the taproom (6515 Railroad Street, Raytown): 4-10 p.m. Tuesday, 4-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 2-10 p.m. Friday, and noon-10 p.m. Saturday. Tours now run Tuesdays and Wednesday at 4, 6 and 8 p.m., and Saturdays at noon, 2 and 4 p.m.
New Tallgrass brews
New beers from Manhattan’s Tallgrass Brewing Co. are coming to stores soon. Backpacker Brown, a hoppy brown ale, joins the year-round lineup. But the more intriguing release is Idaho 7 IPA, the first in the brewery’s Single Hop IPA Series. Idaho 7 features hops from the Jackson Hop Farm in Wilder, Idaho. Get it from September through December.
Thursday, September 29
Krokstrum Klubb & Market (3601 Broadway) hosts a five-course Crane Brewing beer dinner at 5 p.m. It’s all about beets, marking the launch of Beet Weiss. Seats cost $75; RSVP at 816-599-7531.
Sample Martin City Brewing Co. beers at Buckley’s Wine Market (8661 West 135th Street, Overland Park) from 5 to 7 p.m.
Friday, September 30
Grünauer (101 West 22nd Street) throws its Oktoberfest at 3 p.m.
Gomer’s (9902 Holmes) hosts a Martin City can sampling from 4 to 6 p.m. Or head to MDL (13510 South Alden, Olathe) from 4 to 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 1
Cider-Tobierfest, with cider pressing, German beers and food, goes from noon to 5 p.m. at Grain to Glass (1611 Swift, North Kansas City). The festival resumes Sunday, October 2.
The annual Westport Oktoberfest pub crawl is today.
Beer Tasting Kansas City bottle share, cookout and camp out starts at noon at Smithville Lake, shelter No. 9. You don’t have to camp out to share beers.
Louisburg Ciderfest takes place today at the Louisburg Cider Mill (14730 KS-68, Louisburg) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free State Brewing hosts an open house at its eastside brewery (1923 Moodie Road, Lawrence) from noon to 4 p.m. Old Fangled will be there playing music and there will be food, drink and dogs. Yes, dogs. There will be pups there from the Lawrence Humane Society that are in need of forever homes. Sample a beer, take a dog home.
Sample beers from aspiring KC brewery Strange Days at Borgman’s Dairy Farm (777 Northwest 131 Highway, Holden) from 6 to 9 p.m. Expect beer and goat cheese; look for Australian Sparkling Ale, Galaxy Pale Ale, Daydream saison, IBS (Imperial Belgian Stout). Tickets range from $20 to $35.
Sunday, October 2
One word: Cantillon. Two words: Bier Station. Get to 120 East Gregory Boulevard from noon to 4 p.m to drink Cantillon Gueuze, along with Rose de Gambrinus, Kriek, Vigneronne, Lou Pepe Gueuze. Also, kegs from Jolly Pumpkin, Crooked Stave, Prairie, Mikkeller.
Monday, October 3
The self-serve beer wall officially goes live at 99 Hops in the Argosy Casino (777 Northwest Argosy Casino Parkway, Riverside), and it starts with a 13-tap Jolly Pumpkin takeover. The first 30 people get a Jolly Pumpkin glass.
Tuesday, October 4
Torn Label Brewing Co. is taking over the taps at Colony Espresso and Beer (312 Armour Road, North Kansas City) with limited-release beers and a special coffee-beer variant.
Wednesday, October 5
Get a John Lennon glass at the Flying Saucer (101 East 13th Street) tonight at 6.
Friday, October 7
Rimman Liquors (15117 West 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa) samples Deschutes beers from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 8
Botanical Brewfest at at the Overland Park Arboretum (8909 West 179th Street, Overland Park) from 4 to 8 p.m.
Leinenkugel’s is bringing Oktoberfest to the Power & Light District from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. It’s $10 to get in, and there will be wiener dog races.
Wednesday, October 12
Stone Brewing’s 20th Anniversary tapping takes place at the Foundry (424 Westport Road) starting at 4 p.m.
BD’s Mongolian Grill (19750 East Valley View Parkway, Independence) is hosting a Samuel Adams stein-hoisting contest from 6 to 8 p.m. This is an official qualifier with the winner getting a chance to go to Las Vegas and maybe on to Munich. On tap: 2015 KMF.
It’s a Ballast Point hump-day fundraiser for Spay and Neuter KC at Bier Station from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. On tap: Longfin Lager and more.


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BANGKOK -- The world's largest canned tuna producer Thai Union announced that it, together with Seafood Alliance, will take a 36% stake in U.S. restaurant chain Red Lobster.
Thai Union, which already has a 25% stake in Red Lobster, hopes that greater control of the chain will allow it to increase synergies with its core seafood processing business through product development and the expansion of suppliers.
Thai Union and Seafood Alliance will buy the stake from U.S. private equity firm Golden Gate Capital by the end of September. They have not disclosed the purchase price. Rit Thirakomen, chairman of MK Restaurant Group, and former Minor Food CEO Paul Kenny are among retail investors who are in the alliance.
In 2016, Thai Union invested $575 million in Red Lobster for the 25% stake and preferred shares that could be converted into common shares within 10 years for another 24%. If those preferred shares are converted, Thai Union will hold 85% of Red Lobster shares.
"The Red Lobster brand is strong, with unmatched awareness and millions of loyal guests and we believe it has tremendous long-term potential," said Thai Union CEO Thiraphong Chansiri.
The move marks a drastic change for Thai Union that had been cautious about taking a majority stake in any restaurant business due to its lack of expertise in the industry.


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Saudi Aramco‘s 2Q20 earnings dropped by 73% to 24.6 billion riyals ($6.56 billion) as a result of lower energy demand and prices due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The world biggest oil exporter announced a drop of 73% in profit for the second quarter of 2020 from 92.6 billion riyals ($24.6 billion) in 2Q19 to 24.6 billion riyals as worldwide lockdown in at the end of first quarter throughout the second quarter limited travel demand and other activities, led to lower oil consumption and prices.
However, Aramco’s CEO Amin Nasser said that he had seen a partial recovery in the energy market and a pick up in demand upon the gradual reopening of the economy after the lockdowns while pointing out that China, as one of the first country to recover from the pandemic, has been recording a demand for gasoline and diesel at almost pre-Covid levels.
But the company stuck with plans to pay $75 billion in dividends this year and CEO Amin Nasser said global oil demand was recovering.
Nevertheless, Nasser affirmed that the company is committed to paying a dividend at the total amount of $75 billion.


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Fast-fashion retailer Asos has reported weak August sales and said it was “cautious” about its consumer spending outlook as inflation affects the spending power of its customers.
The UK-based group said on Friday that its full-year profit would be between £20mn and £60mn “around the low end of company guidance”, but with constant currency sales growth, “in the range” of market expectations. approx 2 per cent and net debt around £150mn.
The retailer said it generated “good growth” in June and July, but sales were weaker than expected in August as inflation squeezed consumers’ pockets and ushered in a slow start to autumn shopping.
UK inflation has grown at double-digit rates this year, the highest level in more than 40 years and the highest among G7 countries.
Asos warned on profits in June as it blamed rising inflation rates for the increased rate of product returns. The London-based company then lowered its guidance for adjusted pre-tax profit to between £20mn and £60mn, down from its previous guidance of £110mn to £140mn.
Shares of Asos, which are listed in London, have fallen about 72 per cent this year.
Fashion retailers, such as Asos and its rival Boohoo, have been struggling since the height of the pandemic as younger shoppers buy more products, try them at home and return many of the items they bought.
Returns eat into profits for online retailers because processing is largely manual and returned items often have to be marked down when resold.


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Green light for huge new warehouse scheme that will create 1,000 jobs
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Developer GLP has secured planning permission for a 736,000 sq ft of warehouse space at G-Park Ashby in Leicestershire.
The planning consent allows for the development of either one or two units depending on customer requirements.
Gwyn Stubbings, planning director, GLP, said: “The proposals to redevelop a brownfield site will deliver significant economic benefits to the area including improved local infrastructure and create almost 1,000 new jobs, at a time when the need for logistics has never been greater. The logistics industry will continue to play a vital and important role in supporting the economic recovery in the UK and this development will respond to the significant outstanding demand for modern and sustainable warehouse space.”
Planning and development consultancy Turley provided planning, strategic communications, EIA, and sustainability services for the scheme.


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Ridwell, a doorstep pick-up subscription service for special recyclables/reusables not accepted in curbside recycling, started up on Bainbridge in March of 2020. Every two weeks this Seattle-based company stops by to collect plastic film, batteries, “threads” and lightbulbs, plus one extra category each time. The response from the Bainbridge community has been very receptive: Within one year, subscriptions have more than doubled. More information can be found here.
As of 4/16/2023, 830 Bainbridge households have joined.


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Adani group stocks down; Modi seen winning in Gujarat
Reuters Market Eye - Adani Group stocks fall on profit-taking after gaining recently on expectations Narendra Modi would win a fourth successive term as the chief minister of Gujarat.
Adani Group is based in Gujarat and is seen benefiting given perceptions of Modi as a leader who is business-friendly, dealers say.
Adani Enterprises Ltd (ADEL.NS) falls 5.9 percent ahead of its planned sale of 23 million shares on Friday.
Among other Adani group stocks, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSE.NS) is down 2.8 percent, after rising 11.6 percent in December as of Wednesday's close.
Adani Power Ltd (ADAN.NS) falls 3.9 percent after gaining 29.2 percent this month.
(Reporting by Abhishek Vishnoi)
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The latest Reuters poll of 20 economists taken over the past week shows Asia's third-largest economy will likely grow 5.5 percent this fiscal year and 6.4 percent the next, slightly better than 5.3 percent and 6.3 percent expected in the July poll. Full Article
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Porsche crossovers may go EV, coupe routeDec. 11
Porsche will make a final decision next year whether to build full battery-electric and coupe versions of its Cayenne and Macan crossovers.
BMW may expand EV range with iX-badged crossovers, SUVsDec. 5
BMW may expand its EV range with iX-badged crossovers and SUVs as it seeks to benefit from the industry shift toward battery-powered cars.
Toyota's show cars: The onslaught beginsDec. 4
Executives at Toyota and Lexus promised that the Los Angeles offerings were just the start of an onslaught of new ideas and products as they take up Akio Toyoda's call for more get-up-and-go across the company.
Crossover countryDec. 4
Automakers clearly expect the crossover boom to continue, with nearly a dozen crossovers making their world or U.S. debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Toyota wades again in crossover waters with FT-AC conceptNov. 30
Toyota is testing the baby crossover waters again with another concept -- this time the FT-AC, for "future Toyota adventure concept" -- styled more like a traditional SUV and aimed at outdoor enthusiasts.
Lexus targets conquests with 3-row RX variantDec. 4
Lexus figures it has been leaving money on the table for years because it lacked a three-row variant of the segment-leading RX crossover. That's about to change.
Nissan adding new gateway crossover with KicksNov. 29
Nissan, looking to further capitalize on the crossover craze, is adding the Kicks as a gateway to the brand's light truck lineup. With the Kicks, Nissan will join Fiat with two entries in the subcompact crossover segment.
VW packs I.D. Crozz EV with smart motorsNov. 28
The VW I.D. Crozz, due in 2020, will be powered by a pair of electric motors, one on each axle, with a combined output of 302 hp. Each motor can operate together or separately as conditions demand.
Hyundai fuel cell crossover spiedNov. 25
Spy photographers recently captured the Hyundai FCEV, revealing the crossover's styling cues are largely carried over from a concept that debuted in August. The production FCEV will be formally introduced at CES in January.
New face and new tech for MKCNov. 27
The MKC crossover, Lincoln's best-seller in China and top conquest vehicle in the U.S., is getting its first significant updates, including new technology features and the brand's mesh grille design.
Lexus to unwrap 3-row RX crossover at L.A. auto showNov. 15
Lexus' U.S. dealers have clamored for a family-friendly version of the popular RX crossover for years, but it's unclear whether the third row will accommodate two or three passengers.
Lincoln's freshened 2019 MKC gets new mesh grille, techNov. 21
The freshened 2019 MKC compact crossover, due in showrooms next summer, features new infotainment and safety technology and the mesh grille found on Lincoln's newest products.


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Wednesday, June 13, near the very spot where Walmart hopes to establish a beachhead in central Los Angeles, labor, community and political leaders will put the retail giant on notice that it can forget about getting the red carpet treatment. The company’s plans to open an express store selling groceries in Chinatown have provoked widespread opposition that goes beyond mere irritation over the arrival of a corporate megachain.
As Frying Pan News has documented, Walmart typically has a blighting effect on the communities where it locates: Local stores go out of business and the retailer’s workers, who lack decent wages and medical coverage, must rely on for public assistance in the form of food stamps and emergency room visits.
But it is mostly the dismal working conditions of employees at Walmart and its suppliers that is fueling resistance to the company’s expansion. Only yesterday foreign guest workers employed by a Louisiana seafood supplier to Walmart went on strike against what they say are long, partly uncompensated work hours and rat-infested housing.
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32), L.A. labor leader Maria Elena Durazo, Southern Christian Leadership Conference President Reverend Eric Lee and others will speak at a press conference today announcing a massive March Against Walmart on June 30. They will outline the political, legal and moral arguments against the proposed Chinatown store, while Brave New Films – creators of the influential Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price – will premier a short video on Walmart.
WHAT: Press conference to announce major march against Walmart and low-wage jobs in L.A.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 13, 1 p.m.
WHERE: 700 West Cesar Chavez Avenue, downtown Los Angeles, on the southeast corner of Grand & Cesar Chavez avenues (kitty-corner from the proposed Chinatown Walmart)


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Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research) has upwardly revised its growth forecast for the Thai economy in 2023 to 3.7 percent, against the 3.2 percent projected before, thanks to the positive effects of China’s early reopening towards Thai tourism and exports.
In 2023, K-Research expects that the number of Chinese tourist arrivals in Thailand will reach approximately 4.65 million, helping bolster the number of international tourist arrivals to 25.5 million, or within a range of 24-26 million.
Meanwhile, the overall Thai exports may shrink by only 0.5 percent as Thai shipments to China, particularly consumer products, are projected to record substantial growth despite the sluggish global economy.
Such products are mainly food, including fresh and canned fruit, rice, chicken, shrimp, and sugar, plus products required by the Chinese industrial and manufacturing sectors as China has relaxed its zero-COVID policy although these exports to China may grow at a slower rate than plastic pallets, chemicals, cassava products, rubber products, and electronics because some manufacturing facilities have relocated from China in recent years.
Additionally, China’s production sector and exports may not perform well in 2023.
Regarding inflation, China’s decision to relax COVID-19 measures and reopen the country earlier than expected will likely support the overall commodity prices to stay at elevated levels for an extensive period of time despite pressure from the slowing global economy, especially the US and Eurozone.
However, China’s reopening may not cause commodity prices in 2023 to accelerate as fast as in 2022 when they were chiefly driven by the Russia-Ukraine war. In a base case, KResearch expects that the Dubai crude oil price may average at approximately USD 90/barrel in 2023, a decline from the USD 97/barrel reported for 2022.
Inflation in Thailand will likely stand at about 3.2 percent in 2023 as producers are expected to transfer their costs to consumers in line with higher electricity and labor expenses. Domestic retail oil prices may not decline as fast as expected because of the relatively high Oil Fuel Fund deficit.


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Glaxo chief 'demoted' for pay bungle
SOME of the key powers of GlaxoSmithKline chairman Sir Christopher Hogg were stripped away from him in what was seen as retribution for his handling of the bungled pay offer to chief executive Jean-Pierre Garnier.
Sir Christopher was effectively demoted as chairman of the important nominations committee that decides crucial board appointments. The post went to Sir Ian Prosser, chairman of brewer Six Continents. Sir Christopher was also replaced as chairman of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee by US diplomat Donald McHenry, although he stays on both committees.
In a further significant reshuffle, former Reuters boss Sir Peter Job joins the remuneration committee, which decides board pay. His appointment is seen as an attempt to pacify UK institutions by diluting US influence on the committee, which has three Americans including chairman Paul Allaire, former head of Xerox.
Glaxo stunned the City with plans to award the Philadelphia-based Garnier compensation worth about $18m a year. The offer was withdrawn later after intense criticism. Many influential figures felt Hogg should have responded much sooner to shareholder reaction and scrapped the proposal.
GSK's pay policy faces scrutiny again on Wednesday when it publishes full-year results and insists top executive pay is needed to compete with US pharmaceutical groups.
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Whether it’s makeup or fashion, much has been written about Millennial Pink. Whether you know it or not, the color, that ranges from a light beige to a peach or salmon hue, has been in our culture since about 2012 and thanks to its intended audience, product is flying off the shelves. Now, it’s fine jewelry’s turn and Brooklyn-based WWAKE and its designer Wing Yau says the range of pink hues she’s debuting in her Millennial Pink collection on her website today, “just feels so right.”
“I’m so excited about this collection,” she says. “Everyone in the office is a millennial including myself, and not only are we not ashamed by the stereotype, we feel really moved by it.”
Known for its airy, delicate sensibility, WWAKE is introducing a total of 44 separate items, including earrings, rings, and necklaces. The designer has also added seven new silhouettes—two new rings, four new earrings, and one new necklace. The colorways—mostly pink sapphires and some opals set in 14k gold—range from bright pink to beach to almost white.
“The pink gradient captures the acts of blushing rather than one color of blush,” Yau explains. “It’s about a movement, about things coming together.”
All stones are ethically sourced and 50 percent of all her stone purchases goes back to the communities in countries where she sources pink sapphires, like Malawi. Her gold is recycled as well.
Aside from the company website, the collection also bows today on Net-A-Porter. Prices range from $200 to $2,700.
Blush gradient bias ring, $978
Blush linear chain necklace, 16-inch, $1,315
Blush large four-step earrings, $849
(Top: Image from WWAKE’s website launch of its Millennial Pink collection)
Kristin Young is writing the All That Glitters blog while Amy Elliott is on maternity leave.Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine


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TENS of thousands of Northern Ireland shoppers are pouring over the border to take advantage of significantly lower prices caused by the weakening euro.
Hotels, shops and businesses operating close to the Republic’s side of the border are reporting a currency-fuelled business boom on the back of the decision by the European Central Bank to pump billions of euro into the eurozone economy through quantitative easing. The move saw the euro drop further against sterling, giving consumers from Northern Ireland a longer-stretching pound in the south.
Tourism chiefs in the Republic are predicting that 2015 will be their best in years.
In Dundalk, Co Louth, Paddy Malone from the local Chamber of Commerce said the town was “booming” again for the first time in years.
The flow of trade into the Republic is a reversal of the cross-border boom enjoyed by border retailers in Northern Ireland around 2009.


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The October roll-out of Apple’s iPhone 4S boosted its position in Britain and United States, but the new phones failed to excite interest in continental Europe, where Apple’s share of the fast-growing smartphone market slipped.
The smartphone industry is dominated by Google, which has stormed the market with its free Android platform.
“In Great Britain, the U.S. and Australia, Apple’s new iPhone continues to fly off the shelf in the run-up to Christmas. However, this trend is far from universal,” said Dominic Sunnebo, global consumer insight director.
Apple’s [AAPL 398.55 2.105 (+0.53%) ] market share in the 12 weeks to end-November rose to 36 percent in the United States from 25 percent a year earlier and in Britain to 31 percent from 21 percent, Kantar said.
However, in France its share slipped to 20 percent from 29 percent and in Germany to 22 percent from 27 percent. Similar drops were seen in Italy and Spain.
Read More: https://www.cnbc.com/


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Thailand and Southeast Asian countries continue to be a magnet for investment by Chinese companies thanks to the growth prospects of the region and the imminent formation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
As the ‘factory of the world’ faces rising labour and production costs, Chinese companies are taking a closer look at Asean and Thailand.
Vietnam overtook China to become the largest producer of Nike shoes in 2010.
“Chinese investors have shown a growing tendency to establish production bases in Asean and Thailand is among the first countries to which they pay attention,”
said Bang-on Thitapaisalpol, the director of the Guangzhou office of the Board of Investment (BoI).
She said there were many reasons for the trend but one of the biggest advantages Thailand has is its location in the centre of Asean, where new rail and road links would help make Thailand the logistics centre of the region.
Asean, which currently has about 600 million people and trade valued in excess of $2 trillion, has seen its role gradually rise among Chinese investors, who have either used the region as the source for materials for their manufacturing sector or as export markets for processed goods.
Last year China-Asean trade value totaled $362.3 billion
This has prompted a surge in two-way trade between China and Asean which hit a new high last year, reflecting the gains made under free trade agreement that took effect in 2010 between Asean and the world’s second largest economy.
Last year China-Asean trade value totaled $362.3 billion, a surge of 24% from 2010. In the first seven months of the year, the figure was up 9% year-on-year to $220.57 billion. China’s top three Asean trade partners are Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
Under the FTA, the average tariff on goods from Asean countries to China has been reduced to 0.1% from 9.8%.
Apart from this, there has been a gradual shift of production bases from China to Asean nations over the past few months in response to rising wages at home. As a result, some Asean members have started to take China’s place as the “world’s factory”. Vietnam is a good example, usurping China to become the largest producer of Nike shoes in 2010.
Global fashion e-tailer Shein launches new hub in Singapore
How Businesses in Singapore can Reduce Overhead Costs During the Pandemic
The government is expected to draw on S$53.7 billion (US$40 billion) from its reserves for this year and an additional S24 billion (US$17.8 billion) over the next three years to assist local companies transition into a post-pandemic business environment.
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Last week we told you guys that Bumper refunds were being sent out, then we let you know that you could submit your request for a free Bumper via an iPhone application, and now we’re letting you know that Apple wasn’t kidding when they publicly announced that they’re going to have a hard time keeping up with the demand for bumpers. Creating enough bumpers is going to be a challenge for Cupertino; that’s why they decided to partner up with some other case manufacturers. But, then we heard that 3rd party cases were going to be delayed as well. So, if you’re expecting these magical cases to solve your non-existent problem any time soon, you might want to think about going to pick up a different magical case, because they won’t be arriving in the mail for another month.
Today we’re hearing that the Apple Bumpers are already delayed, and will be shipping in late August. We know that it takes time to get these things made, and that ramping up production is costly both financially and manpower-wise, but shipping by the end of August seems to be a long time away. The people who are having serious issues (all two dozen of them) have to be extremely annoyed that it’s going to take another month before they get a solution for their problem. This brings me to my next complaint. Everyone and their brother seems to be picking up a free case despite their phone functioning properly. It’s starting to drive me absolutely crazy. We get it: you love free stuff like we do, but I wouldn’t be running out to pickup a free iPhone 4 case unless my phone was having some serious problems.
If Twitter has any value at all, it’s tracking trends, and the amount of people who were outright shocked that a refund for a Bumper showed up in their email is pretty self-explanatory. Not many people knew there was an attenuation problem, and not many of them knew they’d be getting a refund. If there was ever proof that Apple’s market reach is comprised of a broader demographic than bloggers like to admit, this might be it.
Article Via Cult of Mac


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In the first six months, the world's automotive suppliers have spent $28 billion to buy other companies -- more than in all of last year, when M&A deals totaled $20 billion, according to AlixPartners, a New York City consulting firm that specializes in corporate turnarounds.
If the dealmaking continues at its current pace, the auto industry may approach or top the $45 billion in M&A activity achieved in 2011.
"This looks like a big year already," said Mark Wakefield, managing director of AlixPartners. Corporate CEOs "feel like they've done enough housecleaning, and now they want to look around and be strategic."
Two factors are driving the trend: inexpensive financing and automakers' transition to global platforms, which has pressured suppliers to beef up their most profitable divisions.
Some recent deals:
- In July, BorgWarner agreed to buy Remy International Inc. for $951 million. Remy's alternators, starters and hybrid motors will expand BorgWarner's portfolio of powertrain components.
- In February, Mahle GmbH struck a deal to acquire Delphi's thermal division for $727 million. The acquisition elevates Mahle into the top ranks of that product segment.
- In April, Spain's Grupo Antolin agreed to purchase Magna International's interiors unit for $525 million.
- In January, Harman International said it would acquire two software suppliers -- Red Bend Software and Symphony Teleca -- for a combined $950 million.
Global M&A activity is expected this year to hit the highest level since 2011, based on deals announced in the first six months.
Perhaps the most important factor fueling M&A activity is cheap money, Wakefield said. With low interest rates, buyers can easily line up credit for an acquisition. ZF Friedrichshafen AG's deal last year to acquire TRW Automotive for $13.5 billion was an eye-opener for the industry.
"The TRW deal was pretty extraordinary, in terms of the debt that ZF took on," Wakefield said. "There aren't a lot of impediments on the finance side."
Second, as automakers introduce global platforms, suppliers feel pressure to beef up their most promising operations. And if a division seems likely to remain an also-ran, some suppliers don't hesitate to dump it.
In many deals, the assumption is that a supplier must strive to be No. 1 in its segment -- or at least No. 2. And if that seems unlikely, suppliers are increasingly eager to bail out.
That drive to be big was a major factor behind Mahle's acquisition of Delphi Thermal. Two years ago, Mahle became a player in thermal systems when it acquired a majority stake in Behr Group. Now, Mahle is positioned to challenge industry leaders such as Denso Corp., Halla Climate Control and Valeo.
Size also was a motive for Grupo Antolin, which agreed to acquire Magna's interior trim unit in a bid to consolidate that market. The Spanish supplier is battling Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems Co., which last year formed a joint venture to acquire a 70 percent stake in Johnson Controls' interior trim unit.
Third, suppliers are eager to obtain technologies that automakers value highly because they improve fuel economy, provide connectivity or enable active safety. For example, the TRW acquisition gave ZF the ability to design collision avoidance systems for autonomous vehicles.
Likewise, BorgWarner's acquisition of Remy will help it supply automakers that need fuel-saving stop-start systems. And Harman's software acquisitions will enable it to make over-the-air improvements to infotainment systems.
Has the M&A market peaked? Peter Smidt, practice group leader for transaction services at Conway MacKenzie, says he expects dealmaking to remain robust, although private equity firms looking to flip distressed suppliers won't find many bargains.
But Wall Street investors haven't been shut out of the automotive M&A market. In June, for example, Bain Capital completed its acquisition of TI Automotive, the suburban Detroit maker of fuel systems and tanks, for an estimated $2.4 billion.
Wakefield of AlixPartners says he wouldn't be surprised to see even more deals in 2016. In recent months, companies such as Dana Corp., Delphi Automotive and TI Automotive have announced their willingness to make acquisitions. Meanwhile, Johnson Controls in July said it will spin off its seating and interiors units.
So there are buyers with cash and companies with something to sell. But the U.S. Federal Reserve is poised to raise interest rates this year.
"Interest rates would be a real big complication," Wakefield said. "If interest rates go up, the deals become more expensive. The clock is ticking."


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pesticides market will continue growing in 2018, driven by updated processing
technology and market consolidation. Large enterprises will profit the most in
2018 and more pesticides are getting banned. Foreign traders of Chinese
pesticides will face good opportunities to bring the products under trusted
brand names to international markets and benefit from the growing demand
to market intelligence firm CCM, the pesticides industry in China will continue
rising in 2018, supported by the elimination of further excessive production
capacity and outdated enterprises. This will lead to an upgrading of the
industry domestically and enhance the competition in international pesticides
China's pesticide use has dropped in the past three years constantly. The
middle kingdom has announced in 2015 the goal to achieve zero growth in the
number of pesticides used by 2020, and, according to official reports, it has
already seen negative growth over the last three years, likely to continue in
might be only a matter of time for the second round of price hikes to arise
throughout the Chinese pesticide technical market, given the tightening market
supply, increasing global demand, and supports from the new pesticide policies
in the country. After all, Chinese pesticide producers have been facing
increasing production costs in China, which results from the increased
environmental pressure by the government, conducting regular inspections.
regulations have posed significant impacts on domestic pesticide industry in
2017. China's environmental policies always work well in regulating the market.
Stringent administration helps cut out small-sized or even unlicensed producers
and favours the development of leading enterprises.
H2 2016, the central government has started four rounds of environmental
inspection across the country. This will help eliminate outmoded capacity and
enterprises that have substandard environmental protection equipment or unable
to afford environmental equipment upgrading. As a result, the supply side will
be further optimised.
more, by 2025, hazardous chemical producers that do not meet safety standards
have to move into designated industrial parks in China or shut down their
facilities. This regulation is likely to affect the supply of pesticide
intermediates in China for 2018, as small- and medium-sized enterprises, as
well as large enterprises with major potential risks, have to start relocation
before 2018 and finish before the end of 2020, according to CCM’s research.
Large enterprises will
shine in 2018
year 2018 will benefit the Chinese pesticides manufacturers that already have
upgraded their production processes and are in possession of a highly integrated
supply chain, able to generate their needed raw materials by themselves to
avoid high purchase costs.
leading enterprises in this industry are going to have more power in the market
as environmental inspections and safety inspections become a normal routine in
the foreseeable future. The main advantages of large pesticides enterprises are
the self-sufficiency in raw materials and the resulting independence of market
voluntarily, the implementation of new national standards for pesticides to fight
fake and counterfeit products, as well as big overseas markets with growing
demand and already existing clients.
Two new pollution laws
January 1, 2018, the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law will be
enforced officially. Besides increasing some rules and improving related
contents, it also strengthens the punishment of illegal water emission. Minor
violation will be fined with production suspension and monetary fines, for a
severe violation, the business may be shut down.
the same date, China’s first Environmental Protection Tax Law of the People’s
Republic of China will be enforced. So far, the applicable tax standards have
been determined across the country and levies are ready. After the policy
implementation, enterprises with air and water pollutant emissions will be
affected negatively. According to the law, enterprises, institutions and other
business operators shall pay taxes if they directly discharge taxable
pollutants into the environment.
More toxic pesticides
will be banned
highly toxic pesticides should be banned in China within five years. According
to CCM, there are 12 high-toxicity pesticides now in China. The government
looks to improve the safety of its farm produce with this measurement.
a fact, China has already withdrawn 22 highly toxic pesticides from use so far,
and it prohibits the use of any such products on fruit, vegetables and tea.
pesticides will be banned in the coming year, namely aldicarb, phorate
and isocarbophos. However, the bans will likely have limited impact on the
industry, as the pesticides marked for phaseout comprise only a very low
percent of annual pesticide production in China.
may be aiming to achieve more regulatory alignment with the European Union as a
way to make trade easier between the two economies.
Huge opportunities for
foreign traders of Chinese pesticides
to CCM, China’s pesticides industry is facing a bunch of challenges that will
continue to put pressure on enterprises in 2018. Overall, the recovery of the
global economy will still be a major support to domestic supply.
China is the largest pesticides exporter worldwide, the country is depending
highly on the development of global markets and the demand for agrochemicals.
Especially small enterprises have an uncertain future in China, not able to
update their production and waste disposal technology to the required standards
and lacking overseas clients for sufficient profitably of their sales. Hence,
mergers and acquisitions will continue throughout China’s pesticides companies
to the low quality of Chinese pesticides formulation and high barriers to enter
overseas markets with own pesticide brands, traders are still one of the main
purchasers of Chinese pesticides, mostly pesticides technical, to process them
into higher quality pesticides formulations and sell them under
well-established brands in their respective markets.
foreign traders have a great opportunity to collaborate with Chinese pesticide
manufacturers and sell their products under local names. Especially traders
with a good distribution network can profit highly from bringing the Chinese
products in the local market, creating a win-win situation for Chinese
manufacturers and themselves.
China may be aiming to achieve more regulatory alignment with the European
Union as a way to make trade easier between the two economies.
About this article
information on this article and China’s pesticides market can be found in CCM’s Newsletter and industrial reports. CCM is China’s leading market intelligence
provider for the fields of agriculture, chemicals, and food & feed.
can find comprehensive market research in CCM’s pesticide database as well.
Please click on the links to check the different services of CCM or contact the
team directly by emailing firstname.lastname@example.org or
a Christmas special, new users can get a 20% discount on any online
purchase of CCM’s products. Don’t miss your chance for the limited offer.


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An India-based online food delivery company, Zomato has laid off more than 541 employees from its workforce.
In a statement issued by the company on late Saturday, the company said, “As we have improved our Zomato platform with the AI-driven chatbots which are resolving the customer queries. Has resulted to led the overall reduction in direct order-related support queries.”
“The layoff of employees is majorly done from across customer, merchant and deliver partner support teams.” the company in its statement said.
“While it has been the painful decision the company has decided to extend the two-months severance pay (based on the tenure). Will also cover the family health insurance till the January end of 2020, and career fair opportunities with the companies,” the company added.
“Over the last few months, our technology products and the platform has evolved and improved significantly. Which has led to an overall reduction in the direct order-related queries,” the company added.
“So far the company has hired more than 1,200 people from across the functions (excluding its last-mile delivery fleet), and with over 400 off-rolls positions. the company is currently hiring in technology, product, and data science teams,” Zomato added.


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There’s some fantastic news coming out of the headquarters of America’s favorite dessert chains.
In an attempt to make their menu items healthier for their loyal customers, Dunkin Brands Group Inc announced that by the end of 2018, Dunkin Donuts and Baskin-Robbins will no longer use artificial coloring and flavoring in their products.
This is definitely a step in the right direction!
“It’s our goal to meet the evolving needs of our guests, including their preference for more nutritional transparency and simpler ingredients, while maintaining the great taste and fun, and vibrant colors expected from Dunkin’ Donuts,” wrote the Dunkin’ Editorial Staff. “We know that this is important to you, so it is important to us.”
Dunkin Donuts has already rolled out a lineup of cream cheese spreads that are free of synthetic additives and within the next two years, all your favorite treats including COOLATTA frozen drinks, coffee-flavored drinks and donuts will all be free of it too.
Since 2014, Dunkin’ Brand Group Inc. has been actively working towards creating a healthier and cleaner menu for its dedicated customers. They plan to “enhance menu quality by simplifying ingredient labels and lowering sodium and sugar content without sacrificing taste.”
Despite being approved by the FDA, the use of artificial dyes and flavors by the food industry has always been subject to debate especially with recent reports about the dangers of such food additives to our health.
What do you think of this news? Share your thoughts in the comments!


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As much as a quarter of all eCommerce traffic originates from mobile devices, a new study from Monetate suggests.
During the fourth quarter of 2013, mobile eCommerce traffic grew by 3%, TechVibes reported on Jan. 6.
Tablets account for the lion’s share of mCommerce traffic, or roughly two-thirds. Smartphones make up the remaining third.
As mCommerce traffic grows as a share of eCommerce activity, mPOS adoption will follow closely behind. Click here to get ROAM CEO Ken Paull’s take on the subject.
“What’s Hot” is aggregated content. PYMNTS.com claims no responsibility for the accuracy of the content published by the original source.


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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — There are few places on our planet where plastics haven’t end up. They’re in our oceans, our landfills and they’re even in the foods we eat.
Without a doubt, plastic has become a big problem — one that can only be solved if we all work together.
More companies and governments are trying to cut down on single-use plastics. But there are also some easy steps individuals can incorporate into their daily lives, beyond just reusable bags.
“What I’ve discovered is once I started reducing my grocery bags, I started looking at other things I can,” said Peggy LaPoint, a waste reduction specialist at Metro.
Other common plastic items that are used once and thrown away are water bottles and coffee cups. LaPoint said replacing single-use beverage vessels with reusable options is a matter of repetition.
“I either put them by my keys or by the door and then I’m ready to go,” she said. “I think, again, it’s that habit; how do you develop a habit and once you get into it, then you know it’s like remembering your phone.”
Another thing people can do is swap out plastic utensils and straws for reusable ones that can be packed into the bag you take with you to work every day. Reusable utensils like forks, spoons and chopsticks made of bamboo or metal are available at many retailers and online shopping sites.
“A lot of times, you know, you can just take one from your home and put it in your desk drawer and then you’re all set,” LaPoint said. “It doesn’t even have to be something you out and buy.”
Helping to reduce single-use items really comes down to changing certain established practices, like taking reusable containers with you when you go out to eat instead of getting to-go food packed into waxed cardboard or styrofoam boxes that end up in landfills.
LaPoint said she asks restaurant servers to box up her to-go food in her own container.
“I’ve actually been thanked,” she said. “I’ll have people say, ‘Oh I’m so glad you brought your own container, thank you.'”
There are many easy swaps to make at home, too. Plastic storage bags and plastic wrap aren’t environmentally-friendly methods for storing food; instead, try using more containers and jars that are easy to wash and reuse over and over. You often don’t even need to go to a store and buy special containers.
“I think there’s this misconception that being sustainable has to be expensive,” said LaPoint. She said her family eats a lot of peanut butter so she washes out the spent peanut butter jars and uses them to store leftovers in the fridge or freezer. An added bonus is that the jars are clear and you can see what’s inside them by just opening up the refrigerator door.
“I mean, there’s no extra effort to just wash and reuse it,” LaPoint said.
There are also sustainable alternatives to plastic wrap for help with storing food. LaPoint said waxed pieces of cotton are useful.
“You just wrap it up,” she said. “If I cut half an onion, you wrap it up and the heat from your hands warms it up and you just store it in the fridge.”
But how do you bring your fruits and veggies home from the grocery store without resorting to those long green plastic produce bags?
LaPoint suggests putting certain produce items directly into your cart. Anything that’s going to be washed at home or peeled doesn’t need to be bagged while the things that do need extra protection, like mushrooms, can go into reusable mesh produce pouches.
Pet owners can also reduce waste by using things they likely already have on hand. LaPoint uses plastic bread bags to pick up dog poop instead of buying rolls of bags made specifically for the task.
“These are things that would go in the landfill anyway in most cases so you’re using it and then throwing it away instead of putting this in the trash in addition to something you’re buying,” she said.
Lastly, special events should not be hall passes for wastefulness. It’s possible to maintain sustainable habits while planning parties or hosting guests for dinner. In fact, LaPoint says investing in reusable party supplies like cups, plates and bowls will save you money in the long-run because they last for years.
Summary of Metro’s tips:
- Swap plastic produce bags with reusable mesh bags
- Take reusable utensils with you when you leave home
- Take reusable straws with you when you leave home
- Opt for reusable water bottles and hot drink canteens
- Ask restaurants to pack to-go food in reusable containers
- Use glass jars and containers in place of plastic storage bags
- Swap plastic wrap with waxed pieces of cotton
- Reduce waste by using plastic bread bags to pick up dog poop instead of buying doggy bags
- Invest in reusable party supplies like plates, cups and bowls
All of these methods are meant to reduce waste and develop sustainable habits. But even the most environmentally-minded consumers mess up sometimes. LaPoint says if you bring something home and aren’t sure if it can be recycled, the best thing you can do is throw it in the garbage. Trying to recycle something that isn’t recyclable ends up costing more time and resources for waste management systems.
“It’s really important to keep the recycling stream clean and only put the things that belong in your home recycling bin there. If you’re not sure, it’s best to put it in the garbage,” LaPoint said.
If you aren’t sure about whether an item is recyclable, you can call Metro at 503.234.3000 or click here to see their online tools.
Follow KOIN 6 for the latest news and weather


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Start Live, formerly known as Anymedia, was set up in 2006 to deliver corporate and consumer brand experiences. Start took a major shareholding in Anymedia in 2008.
Start and Anymedia have been working closely together to develop live brand experiences for companies including Virgin, Jet Republic and Greyhound.
Mike Curtis, chief executive of Start, says, ‘As part of a group of brand-focused consultancies with complementary disciplines, Start Live already has a distinct advantage over traditional experience consultancies.
‘With access to Start’s vast creative resource, Start Live is able to conceptualise, create and deliver cutting-edge experiential solutions, and offer truly integrated brand experience services.’
Deborah Smith, managing director of Start Live, says, ‘Today it is more important than ever for a brand to engage with its audiences before, during and after an event, using the full range of communications tools in its arsenal.’


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JUN 17, 2022
Walmart drew fire for Juneteenth-themed ice cream and party favors that left a sour taste as blatant commercialization of the holiday. Missing the mark: Such misfires underscore a need for brands to reflect cultural sensitivities in their marketing. Our recent Spotlight on Black consumers notes that promotions targeting people of color aren’t always successful.
JUN 7, 2022
Walmart was roundly criticized for launching a limited Juneteenth ice cream. Considering the holiday is about emancipation from slavery, it’s the kind of launch we’d argue would never get approved had more diverse perspectives been in the decision-making process.
APR 22, 2022
If you could figure out how to deliver a pizza while it's hot or ice cream while it's frozen, everything seems a lot easier after that. We are moving into other categories because of the logistics network that has been set up, and also as a result of the pandemic, which increased consumer demand to get everything delivered.
SEP 3, 2020
However, Unilever cut advertising at the height of the pandemic, shifting spend from ice cream (its core food category) to hygiene products. After evaluating spend on a weekly basis, the company now plans to make significant increases during H2. Interviews conducted for this report confirmed that some advertisers cut spend for essential products because demand was already outweighing supply.
SEP 10, 2020
However, Unilever cut advertising at the height of the pandemic, shifting spend from ice cream (its core food category) to hygiene products. After evaluating spend on a weekly basis, the company now plans to make significant increases during H2 2020.
APR 29, 2021
We had a bold goal to get ice cream delivery in most of our big markets around the world. We went with delivery specifically because we realized there's a consumer need and, of course, the perfect pairing of ice cream and pizza. We're in more than 20 markets around the world, with a ton more slated to go into pilot this year.
JAN 18, 2021
CES, as always, teemed with some absurd and puzzling products we may not want or need—the Keurig of ice cream, poop-analyzing wellness toilets, wine-pouring butler robots, AI-powered emotional support furballs, and a $3000 doggie door. Aside from the virtual format, this year also stood out with efforts to grapple with the industry’s biggest challenge: the techlash.


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N. Evan Van Zelfden is buzzing at the E3 videogame show in Los Angeles that the industry is feeling like its bullet-repellent shield is up against the weak U.S. economy.
Ubisoft's Jay Cohen points out hardware and software sales, "are stronger than ever. We're not having a difficult time right now. We're not a yacht, we're not a car, we're not a second home -- we're a form of entertainment."
That may be true but that doesn't mean that the business is standing still. Shiraz Akmal, the managing director of GCube Ventures, said he believes there's a lot of opportunity to explore other revenue models.
"Look at free-to-play games, where a consumer can actually play, and have a great experience without actually having to spend any money." he says. "It's very recession-proof."
In Asia, Akmal says, "the industry has grown because all of the games are free," explaining that money is made through micro-transactions and advertising.
It's all part of the industry being able adapt to support what people are willing to spend -- unlike what's happened in the music business. "We're still at the tipping point of seeing lots of free-to-play type games -- even on the consoles."
I think that's something the Sony's and the Microsoft's of the world are going to experiment with in order to help grow their customer base," he says.
-by N. Evan Van Zelfden in Los Angeles
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Businesses are adopting automation not to replace workers but to augment scarce labor, according to data that HowToRobot released yesterday. It found that 80% of respondents said their projects are intended to free employees from manual tasks and move them to other more value-adding activities.
The Denmark-based provider of a global automation market platform said its findings confirm that businesses are seeing robotics and automation as a supplement to human labor, not as a replacement.
“From our daily conversations with manufacturers worldwide, it’s clear that the lack of labor has been the driving factor behind business decisions to automate in 2023,” said Søren Peters, CEO of HowToRobot, in a release.
“By automating the most cumbersome tasks, businesses have been freeing employees to take on other tasks needed to maintain production levels and fulfill customer orders,” he said. “Not one we asked did this because they wanted to lay off people.”
Labor shortages peaked in North America and Europe in the spring of 2022 as the COVID-19 pandemic eased, said HowToRobot. These labor shortages continued at elevated levels in 2023.
In the U.S., manufacturing job opening rates averaged 4.5% in 2023, almost twice the pre-pandemic average of 2.8% from 2013 to 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Labor shortages prevent productivity growth
The second biggest motivation for automating in 2023 was to increase productivity. HowToRobot reported that 70.9% of respondents’ projects had this goal.
Robots can improve productivity by reducing the labor hours needed to create the same output, it said. This enables companies to increase wages, reduce prices, and grow their profits, leading to stronger economic growth.
With high inflation levels over the past three years, productivity has been particularly important for businesses, said Peters.
Labor shortages have also constrained businesses’ ability to expand production capacity with manual labor, further increasing demand for automation, said HowToRobot. In 2023, 60.6% of automation projects sought to increase capacity, making it the third-largest motivation to automate, the company noted.
Hourly compensation in U.S. manufacturing alone grew by 18% between 2019 and 2023, according to BLS data.
“When costs are rising rapidly, what do you do as a business?” said Peters. “Either you cut down or invest in areas that increase your productivity.”
“We are seeing that many of those who had the foresight – and funds – to invest in automation are now coming out on top,” he added. “They are more competitive and can afford to pay their employees better.”
Product quality, working conditions matter, finds HowToRobot
About a third — 36.2% — of automation projects last year sought to improve product quality and uniformity with automation, making it a moderately important business goal, said HowToRobot.
Manual operations during certain parts of the manufacturing process can result in varying product quality and uniformity, which can lead to more customer claims and resource waste. Peters said that businesses are increasingly focusing on offsetting high input costs.
“We also see a growing awareness about the environmental impact of wasteful processes and how robots and automation can help reduce the ecological footprint of manufacturing operations,” Peters said.
Many businesses also looked for automation to improve their working environments. Last year, 31.5% of automation projects had this goal, said HowToRobot.
For example, businesses can automate demanding tasks that involve repetitive motion, heavy lifting, or hazardous environments. This can free up employees to take on less backbreaking and more meaningful tasks, HowToRobot said.
“It’s becoming clear for a growing number of businesses that investing in employee well-being also involves automation,” Peters said.
Peters has said that businesses shouldn’t wait to plan future robotics investments. According to HowToRobot, the time from starting an automation project to signing an agreement with a vendor can vary from a few weeks to more than a year.
The earlier a business starts the process, the sooner it can reap the benefits of automation, the company said.


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Beijing: Chinese vendors looking to cash in on the frenzy over the April wedding of Britain`s Prince William and Kate Middleton are selling copies of her engagement ring for as little as three dollars.
Knock-offs of the 45,000-dollar sapphire-and-diamond ring that the prince gave to Middleton -- and once worn by his mother, Princess Diana -- are on offer at various shops on Taobao.com, China`s largest online mall.
Most are selling for less than 100 yuan (15 dollars), with the cheapest -- allegedly made of zircon and unspecified alloys -- available for just 19.9 yuan, or about three dollars, according to Taobao pages searched by AFP.
The original item was given to Diana by William`s father, Prince Charles, when they were engaged in February 1981. Charles and Diana divorced in 1996 and she was killed in a car crash in Paris the following year.
Chinese media said this week that factories in Yiwu, east China, the world`s largest wholesale market for small products, were ramping up output of royal wedding souvenirs, from fake rings to cups to dolls.
The producers, wary of finding themselves in a copyright lawsuit, say they are making minor changes to their bogus engagement rings, reducing the number of "diamonds" surrounding the "sapphire", according to the reports.
"I believe other company owners are the same as me -- none of us would like to run the risk" associated with making exact replicas, one report quoted Zhou Mingwang, a businessman in Yiwu, as saying.
Cheap imitation rings have also flown off shop shelves in Brazil, reports said.


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Weekend reads: Is there pink slime in your ground beef?
Rest assured that our ground beef is 100% ground beef and does not contain pink slime. I am so glad we have our meat to eat!
- ABC News reports that 70 percent of supermarket ground beef contains pink slime. I had no idea. Now I’m really glad I know where my ground beef comes from.
- It’s not just in supermarket ground beef. The USDA is buying 7 million pounds of beef that contains pink slime for our nation's schools according to Yahoo. That’s one really great reason to pack your kids’ lunches.
- The Consumerist explains what pink slime is and how it is created.
- You’ll probably see a photo of what looks like pink soft serve ice cream floating around the Internet and connected to many articles about pink slime. The Washington Post says that photo is not actually what pink slime looks like. That photo has been circulating for years and is actually associated with chicken not beef.
The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.


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Lauren Conrad, star of “Laguna Beach” and “The Hills” on MTV and now best-selling author and fashionista, launches her fashion line in Kohl’s stores all over the country today. She explains her inspiration and fall fashion tips in the video after the jump. The line is going to be a contemporary lifestyle brand for women.
Try as I might NOT to like Lauren Conrad because I think those shows are trash and I can’t stand Speidi or Audrina Patridge… I just can’t do it. I actually LIKE Lauren Conrad. Sigh.


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Das Longboardbuch „The Lost History of Longboarding“ ist im März von Ministry-of-Stoke veröffentlich worden. Auf www.longboardbuch.de und unter www.longboardmagazin.de ist nun das deutsche Buch zur
Become a part of the Longboard-Embassy 2020
Lets Make Longboarding Great Again.
Fifty years of ISPO Munich – surely this is a reason to celebrate! We, the Longboard Embassy community, are rightly proud to be part of the largest sporting goods fair in the world. But ISPO is not a trade show in the traditional sense. It is THE definitive meeting point for the international sports scene. Whether professional footballers or skateboarders, everyone has had their own place here for decades. And the network that has developed at ISPO is truly gigantic. But something else characterizes ISPO: It invests in sports and communities that other, more cynical observers might deem dead or even non-existent. I’m happy to report that ISPO has grown with every passing year, and now it will even re-add summer editions as held in previous eras.
Shaking our heads in disbelief, in recent years we saw other parties attempt, in vain, to establish another trade show platform for longboarding. A mixture of ingratitude and frustration over their own failures seems to have motivated them to disseminate “hate speech” about ISPO – imagining that the Munich fair maliciously exploits board athletes and the board-sports industry. At this juncture it is critical to remember that good vibes are created not by hatred but by passion. So when encountering online talk about the “death” of the big trade shows, one should always consider the source and their motivations. If marketing budgets are not allocated to trade fairs, where does the money go? Towards online advertising! Google, Facebook, and Instagram have enjoyed titanic success. For most smaller advertisers, though, online can be a mass grave. But successful companies learn from past mistakes. Instead of continuing to over-invest in online campaigns, many are finding their way back to traditional forms of advertising. Of course, online advertising is indispensible. It would be wrong to pretend otherwise, or to demonize it. But is the effort justified on the current scale? Sizeable web-based shops with SEO specialists certainly benefit from online campaigns… but not to the extent that is always claimed.
Especially in the B2B space, we keep hearing statements like “I can see that on Instagram” or “I can look that up on Facebook.” But on the anonymous Interwebs, it is impossible to speak one-on-one with company founders, learn about the ideas and drives of industry leaders, or talk about the future over a beer in the evening. Only a trade fair brings these opportunities.
By now it has become a cliché marketing path: Burn your money online by creating dozens of click campaigns that point to your online store. But too often the main beneficiaries are third-world click farms, with unwitting philantrhopists in the industrialized world paying for pseudo-traffic. The bottom line, and the point I want to emphasize: People, let’s all get along with one another. And come to ISPO – as either a visitor or exhibitor. Promote the sport you love. Push the market. “Make Longboarding Great Again!”
If you need tickets, just contact us. Some of you may ask, What has ISPO done for us? There is not a shred of doubt that without ISPO’s significant financial support, the Longboard Embassy would never have existed and could not now continue. It is no secret that the longboard industry has been struggling, and many brands shut down after the boom that lasted from 2012 to 2015.
These days do you ever hear news from… 0313skateboards.de – Asphalt Nomads – Bareknuckle – Big Bang Boards – Casino – Geco – Kalawa Collective – Mathilda – Merge – NOSWELL… or… RollsRolls – Root – Sexdecks – Solala – Wefunk?
These are some of the German longboard manufacturers that have quit the business in recent years – a few of them before 2016, but even more during the period 2016 – 2018: probably the absolute low point for the industry. I used to compile and share a comprehensive list of contact info for German shops, but it’s no longer a viable effort given that many of them have closed their doors – casualties of the e-commerce era. Countless brands and shops outside Germany that were active in 2012 have also fallen. But our industry, dedicated to board-sports lifestyles for nearly 60 years now, remains confident and faithful.
Longboarding, in ever-evolving forms, is returning to the streets – because sunshine inevitably follows the rain. In recent years the surf-skate category has heated up, no small thanks to the powerful showcase provided by ISPO, and many new brands have emerged from the boom. The electric skateboard category has also become a bright new star in our industry’s ever-shifting skies… and here, too, the world’s largest sporting goods fair is indisputably the best platform to present them. Finally, the traditional longboard market is also picking up again – as in 2011 and 2012, we see signs of growth in both the U.S. and Europe. A new generation of customers is emerging, possibly crossing over from the worlds of Fortnite or Pokemon. The Longboard Embassy is returning in 2020, too. ISPO has even expanded our space – to 660 square meters. We have long imagined a “two-story event,” and it’s finally coming! In the upper area you will find a meeting room, a chill-out area (where you can watch Techramp’s Waveramp), and our TV studio.
Auf der Longboard-Embassy 2016 wird es eng. Es sind nur noch zweimal 3×1,50 frei und einmal 1×1,50 Meter Also können noch insgesamt drei Anbieter teilnehmen.
Bereits Anfang Oktober ist die Longboard-Embassy beinahe ausgebucht. Wir verfügen nur noch über wenige Flächen. Dies wären 1x 1meter 1,50-1,80 3x 3meter 1,50-1,80 1x 4


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Last week ASIC Commissioner John Price told the Cyber Insurance Forum that cyber insurance could encourage organisations to improve their cyber resilience.
“While it is still in its infancy in Australia, it is easy to see its potential as an incentive for businesses to better deal with cyber risks,” he said.
“Just as the process of obtaining home insurance can incentivise home owners to invest in alarm systems, smoke detectors, and better locks, the same could be true for companies seeking to obtain cyber insurance.
“Cyber insurance providers can potentially contribute to the management of cyber risk by promoting awareness, encouraging measurement and by providing incentives for risk reduction.”
Price said while cyber insurance could be part of the overall strategy to be cyber resilient, it was by no means a “substitute for good risk management”.
As part of ASIC’s mandate, he said the watchdog would focus on ensuring insurance products were performing in the way consumers and investors were told they would and were delivering value for money.
Cybercrime is conservatively estimated to cost the Australian economy $1 billion a year.
Almost 12,000 reports of cybercrime were registered with the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) from April to June 2017, of which 11 per cent were from WA.
The top three cybercrimes reported scams or fraud (51 per cent), purchase or sale (19 per cent) and cyber bullying (7 per cent).
In response to the new wave of crime impacting businesses, CCI is hosting Cyber Risk on October 19 as part of its Business Series.
Global professional services firm Aon’s Client Executive, Financial Specialties Riju Maitra will present the workshop to help businesses understand what cyber exposures are relevant in today’s climate and where gaps in insurance policies may lie.
Maitra is responsible for Cyber, Directors and Officers and Professional Indemnity insurance in Western Australia.
The event will run from 12-1pm and include a Q&A session.


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Retail sales down in January - stats office
Poland's retail sales decreased in real terms by 6.0 percent year on year, and dropped by 24.9 percent month on month in January 2021, the Central Statistical Office said on Friday.
Economists polled by PAP expected January's retail sales to fall in real terms by 5.0 percent year on year and to decline by 23.8 percent month on month.
In current prices, retail sales decreased by 6.0 percent year on year in January against a 5.0-percent expected drop.
The share of online sales in total retail sales increased to 9.8 percent in January from 9.1 percent in the previous month, the office also said. However, the value of current-price online retail sales decreased by 18.9 percent in January compared to December 2020.


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Authorities seize a new skin care drug being marketed without approval from the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA says U.S. Marshalls seized the drug from Crescendo Therapeutics LLC, a California based company that has continued to market the unapproved drug despite repeated warnings. The prescription drug, HybriSil, was being marketed as a topical gel, to treat scars and skin disorders.
Evidently, this is not the first time the company has had problems with the government agency.
- In April 2011 the FDA discovered the drug company marketing the cream without FDA approval.
- Seven months later, in November 2011, The FDA warned Crescendo Therapeutics, they could not continue to market HybriSil as ‘safe and effective’.
- On January 3, 2012, Crescendo submitted an application to the FDA to market HybriSil for investigational use only.
- However, another inspection in January 20l2 revealed that Crescendo continued to distribute HybriSil for non-investigational purposes.
Patients should discontinue use of HybriSil
As of yet, the FDA has not received any reports of adverse reactions from the drug. If you happen to be a patient who is using HybriSil, you should discontinue use immediately. Dr. Dan Del Vecchio, a board certified plastic surgeon in says, “there are alternative drugs on the market that are FDA approved and work well on scars and skin disorders.” Another board certified plastic surgeon from Dallas, William P. Adams Jr MD, adds “The scientifically proven scar therapy products are silicone gel sheets and topical silicone gels. It is unfortunate that this company chose to promote an non-FDA approved product to surgeons as well as recommended primary use of a steroid for scar therapy, a practice that few would agree with.” For more information on approved topical scar therapy gels containing steroid see a recent PSC mediawire from March 2012.
How does the consumer know if a drug is safe?
Dara A. Corrigan, the FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs says “The FDA continues to be committed to protecting consumers against new drug products marketed without FDA approval.”
Dr. Peter Fodor, a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills says, “It is best for patients, considering today’s ease of gathering information to do some research. As a source they can talk to pharmacists, check the internet and of course, talk to the physician who prescribed or suggested it.”
“The best way to feel assured if a drug is safe is to have it prescribed by a physician you trust,” says Del Vecchio. He says another benchmark would be to see how long the drug has been on the market and a third way is to look on-line to see if the FDA has issued any warning letters that are related to the drug.
The FDA advises the public and physicians to report any problems from the drug by calling 800-FDA-1088, or by logging on to: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.


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On the 20th anniversary of the Mac version of IE5, one of the program’s main developers has revealed how Apple’s Steve Jobs ignored the agreement and let Microsoft remove some features from its browser,media reported. The Microsoft IE5 Macintosh edition was announced at the Macworld show on January 5, 2000. Now, with its 20th anniversary, the program’s developer, Jimmy Grewal, has revealed how the influential program was developed and how he and his team regretted meeting Jobs’ demands.
“The MacIE 5 was built by a team of 40 talented and dedicated people from Microsoft’s MacBUSINESS division in San Jose, California,” Grewal wrote on Twitter. And help edify some of the features of MacIE 5, as well as the Mac OS X version. “
The design of the Mac version of the IE5 is reminiscent of the early OS X desktops, though Grewal says it’s a coincidence — at least for Microsoft.
“This ‘new look’ is strikingly similar to the Aqua interface that Apple later designed for Mac OS X,” Grewal continued. When we showed Apple the MacIE 5 in the summer of 1999, Jobs wasn’t happy about it. “
In a related blog post, Grewal quoted his colleague Maf Vosburgh as saying that their “new look” began with the idea of matching hardware and software. Vosburgh points out that his idea is that if you have a Bondi blue iMac, IE 5 will use the same color.
While Vosburgh said Jobs was interested in Microsoft’s design, Grewal told a slightly different story.
“Because at that time, no one but Apple knew Aqua, so (Jobs) couldn’t tell us what similarities it had to Aqua. Instead, he pointed the ire at Media Toolbar, another new feature of MacIE 5. This feature provides support for playing MP3 on the website. “
Media Toolbar is significant because it takes advantage of SoundJamp MP, which Apple is in the process of acquiring, and Apple is using it to build iTunes.
“Jobs insisted that we remove this feature because it destroyed QuickTime,” Grewal continued. It was released by Apple on iTunes’ name. So we removed this feature and deeply regretted it. “
At the January 5, 2000 launch, the Mac version of the IE5 demo appeared in Jobs’ keynote speech, instead of bringing Microsoft executives to the stage for a regular presentation.
“It’s an unusual request. The talking points were agreed, but to our disappointment, Jobs didn’t say anything about it,” Grewal said.
According to Grewal, Jobs instead “suggested” that the overall look of the browser was the result of using Apple standards.
But while Mr Jobs ignored the consensus and later regretted cutting the Media Toolbar feature, Grewal said he and his team were proud of the app’s birth. “The MacIE5 received a better-than-expected response at macworld conferences and in the media, probably because it looked great and was very similar to some of apple’s unreleased Mac OS X autonomous programs. We are proud of the work we’ve done, the praise from the critics, and the enthusiasm of Mac users, who have been unhappy in the past about Microsoft’s efforts to build Mac software. “
On March 27, 2000, Microsoft released IE5 for Macintosh computers, and the final version was released in 2003.


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During BlizzCon 2018, the company has revealed a new cinematic bit for World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth. The latest cinematic for World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth reveals King Anduin Wrynn teaming up with Saurfang to try and stop the ongoing war.
There’s some really deep and dark reflections on the nature of conflict buried in the Battle For Azeroth storyline, and even though Warcraft as a franchise has never shied away from these topics, it’s nice to see the narrative building some genuine tension through personal conflict and doubt. And even though the obviously building civil war among the Horde is a bit tropish, I’m hopeful that Blizzard can deliver a satisfying conclusion to the ongoing war between the Alliance and the Horde. Although that probably won’t happen until a lot more bodies are piled up, so you better get ready to see some of your favorite characters hit the dirt.
We’re clearly building to a new facet of the conflict for patch 8.1 “Tides of Vengence.” in World of Warcraft. It’ll be interesting to see how this evolves over time.
This is just the beginning of our BlizzCon 2018 coverage, there’s a bunch more news that just got unveiled for other franchises like World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Diablo. So you’re going to what to keep an eye on ISKMogul to see what else Blizz has in store for fans and gamers.
Check out the full cinematic down below.


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This is because world leaders are always equipped with premium sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series. However, these cars are not yet compatible with the rapidly growing trend of environmental care.
In addition, the available electric cars are also not suitable for world leaders in terms of comprehensive protection. For example from a rifle or grenade attack.
That’s what BMW then tried to take advantage of by presenting the BMW i7 Protection. The car which is an electric version of the new BMW 7 series is claimed to be able to withstand rifle attacks, grenades and missile attacks.
Yes, it’s similar to the official cars of state leaders. The difference is that the car is an electric car. According to the Carsales website, BMW will provide three protection options. The choice adjusts to the type of protection desired, such as protection from light rifles to heavy rifles.
BMW plans to launch the super safe electric car at the G7 event in Germany later this year. Interestingly, word got out that BMW actually did not want to rush to present an electric car with high protection.
It’s just that the war between Russia and Ukraine that happened recently made them to release the car as quickly as possible. Another interesting note, the BMW i7 Protection will be a very heavy car. Currently, the BMW i7 has become the heaviest car made by BMW. It weighs 2.64 tons. That figure will be even heavier because the existing protection system will weigh approximately 1 tonne.


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Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh
|From:||Scott Mabury, Vice-President, University Operations|
|Date:||August 5, 2015|
|Re:||Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh|
The University of Toronto has announced it will be taking further steps to safeguard workers’ rights in Bangladesh apparel factories. Effective July 1, 2015, all licensees who source, produce, or purchase collegiate apparel for the U of T in Bangladesh must sign the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh.
The Accord is an independent agreement designed to make all garment factories in Bangladesh safe workplaces. It emerged as a particularly meaningful and rigorous initiative following several horrific apparel factory tragedies in 2012 and 2013, including the Rana Plaza building collapse, in which more than 1,100 people died. So far, more than 200 international companies with manufacturing operations in Bangladesh have signed on to the Accord.
The U of T’s support of the Accord will require licensees who conduct business in Bangladesh to sign a letter acknowledging the Accord requirement. Licensees that do not support the Accord will not be renewed.
The University’s Trademark Licensing Policy, established in 2000, was instituted to ensure that merchandise bearing the university’s official marks is manufactured under humane, non-exploitative conditions. The University of Toronto was the first Canadian university to have such a policy, and has also exercised leadership in its implementation of this policy over the last 15 years.
For further information, please contact Anne MacDonald, Director of Ancillary Services, at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G official render has been released by a company executive ahead of the Redmi Note 9 series launch this week. The render shows the back panel of the phone sporting a turquoise colour on top, blending towards a peach shade at the bottom. The smartphone is seen with a quad rear camera setup placed inside a circular camera module, along with an LED flash unit. Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is speculated to feature a 108-megapixel primary camera. The three phones in the Redmi Note 9 series will be launched on November 26.
Redmi General Manager Lu Weibing shared an official render of Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G on Weibo. Besides the turquoise-peach shades of the smartphone back panel, the image reveals that the smartphone has a volume rocker on the right, along with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
Weibing also hinted that the Redmi Note 9 series will be marked by an advanced camera setup. According to recent leaks, there could be a quad rear camera setup that is headlined by a 108-megapixel primary snapper, a super wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens, and a macro lens. QEarlier, the Redmi executive had suggested that Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G may be powered by the Snapdragon 750G SoC, although he didn’t explicitly say so.
Reed more –


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On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a bid invitation – solicitation number 2000008967 – inviting offers to sell shrimp products to the agency. The USDA’s solicitation seeks bids to supply up to 207,000 cases of domestic, frozen peeled and deveined shrimp of varying sizes. Offers to supply the products solicited are due to the USDA no later than December 23, 2022, with acceptances of successful bids to be announced by midnight, December 30, 2022.
Depending on the location, deliveries of the shrimp products to food assistance programs is targeted for February or March.
This is the third bid invitation for shrimp issued by the USDA, with the first – solicitation number 2000007319 – issued on September 11, 2020 seeking 318,600 cases and the second – solicitation number 2000008073 – issued on September 9, 2021 seeking 229,800 cases.
“The Southern Shrimp Alliance remains grateful for the USDA’s inclusion of wild-caught shrimp in the agency’s food assistance programs,” said John Williams, the Executive Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. “Moreover, the domestic shrimp industry is incredibly appreciative of the continuing efforts of Rep. Garret Graves and Rep. Jerry Carl to bring meaningful relief to shrimpers throughout the Gulf coast.”
Read the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s December 13, 2022 bid invitation here: https://shrimpalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2000008967-Bid-Invitation-1.pdf
Read about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s purchase programs here: https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/solicitations


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Macy’s new expanded partnership with Reebok includes the development of exclusive product.
Macy’s is broadening its partnership with Reebok to include a wider range of merchandise.
Under the new agreement, starting in spring 2023, Macy’s will debut an enhanced assortment of Reebok apparel for men, women and kids online and in its stores. The deal also calls for the development of exclusive product offerings. Product will be sourced from Reebok Design Group (RDG), the brand’s global hub for design, development and innovation and supplier of apparel and footwear categories.
The agreement with Macy’s is the latest in a series of wholesale agreements that Reebok has entered into under its new owners, Authentic Brands Group. In February, Reebok expanded its partnership with Foot Locker.
“Our partnership with ABG will expand our assortment and offer our customers high-quality styles from Reebok apparel in the U.S.,” said Sam Archibald, general business manager of apparel, Macy’s. “We look forward to collaborating with ABG and RDG on exclusive, one-of-a-kind product for our customers, who value brands that let them express their individual and authentic style.”
In a statement, Jarrod Weber, group president lifestyle and chief brand officer at ABG, added, “Reebok is experiencing a resurgence with its greatest days ahead. We are pleased to partner with Macy’s in offering Reebok’s core and special products through all of their doors.”


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Gamesys’ new chief executive Lee Fenton told eGaming Review it was business as usual at the London-based gaming firm despite a new-look management team, with founder Noel Hayden still “custodian of the long-term vision”.
Fenton was promoted from chief operating officer after chief exec Noel Hayden moved to executive chairman following the resignation of chairman Roger Devlin, with director of gaming operations Robeson Reeves stepping up to the COO role.
However, Fenton told eGR the management reshuffle “doesn’t signal any change” in the Gamesys business model, with the firm committed to finding new opportunities in the market.
“We remain an entrepreneurial company that is willing to invest and work out where we can place smart bets to continue to grow our business,” Fenton said.
“Our primary goal for the coming years is to continue to drive the success and growth of the Jackpotjoy proposition.
“We will grow the remaining Gamesys assets, such as Virgin Games, and will always consider exciting new opportunities that can benefit some or all of our and partners’ brand portfolios,” he added.
The management reshuffle comes just months after Gamesys sold its key Jackpotjoy, Botemania and Starspins brands to Intertain for £423m, with Hayden being awarded a seat on the firm’s board.
And Fenton said Hayden’s workload had increased since the deal and that had played a role in his decision to relinquish a little of his Gamesys’ responsibilities.
“Noel is a busy man and since the partnership deal with Intertain was struck, if anything he has got even busier,” Fenton said. “He recognised that many day-to-day decisions needed his blessing and that even he couldn’t be in two places at once.
“Noel remains the custodian of the company’s longer term vision. He’ll still be highly active and visible within the company working across a wide range of initiatives,” he added.
Gamesys said that Fenton’s focus for the coming months will be on implementing the firm’s “ambitious” growth targets and future programs both for Intertain and its own Virgin Games offering.


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DHAKA: Some victims of Bang–ladesh’s worst industrial disaster said on Monday they have still not received promised com–pensation, days after a deadline for payments from a multi-million dollar fund backed by Western retailers.
Victims, many of whom suffered horrific injuries when the Rana Plaza garment factory collapsed last year killing 1,138 people, said they feared authorities had bungled payments they were supposed to receive by April 23.
“I am still staying at the hospital and am running short of money,” said Rehana Akhter, 22, who lost her left leg in the disaster.
“Still no one has said whether I will get the compensation or not. If I don’t get the money I’ll have no choice but to start begging,” she said.
“I am not alone. A lot of Rana Plaza victims haven’t got any money. I think some people may have stolen our compensation,” Akhter added.
It is unclear how many victims have not been paid, but a Bangladesh government team helping to coordinate the payments said it has received complaints from around 50 victims.
The nine-storey factory com–plex on the outskirts of Dhaka, where workers spent long hours stitching clothes for Western brands for low pay, collapsed on April 24 last year.
A compensation fund managed by the International Labor Organization (ILO) started making its first payments of $640 for each of the survivors and families of the deceased last week.