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Octoshape is known for creating efficient transport methods for the delivery of video streams across the internet, using standard media formats and players.
Showing results 1 to 20 of 40
Amazon has launched its own pay-per minute service for transcoding video formats for end-user devices that puts it in competition with some of its customers.
YouTube has blocked a video which is considered anti-Islamic after the film caused violent protests in Egypt and Libya.
China is asking online video websites to self-censor content. More specifically, they have to pre-screen anything that is considered vulgar, violent, or pornographic. If the new rules are not followed, site owners will be held accountable.
How do the three major web video formats compare in terms of CPU usage and battery life? You might be surprised at the results.
New royalty-free WebM will be supported by Mozilla and Opera
The web giant has announced a free, open-source video format for the web, which will compete with the popular but more restrictive H.264
At Google I/O in San Francisco, Google's Vic Gundotra unveils a new royalty-free video format called WebM. Google has partnered with software developers Mozilla and Opera to support the encoding technology in their browsers.
At Google I/O in San Francisco, Google's Vic Gundotra unveils a new royalty-free video format called WebM. Google has partnered with software developers Mozilla and Opera to support the encoding technology in their browsers. The format is based on the VP8 technology that Google acquired from On2 Technologies in February.
Around 200 people were at Melbourne's National Day of Action against the government's internet filter, braving the heat before the state was inundated with golf-ball-sized hailstones just hours later.
Blu-ray hasn't been setting any sales records, in no small part due to its higher price. That, however, doesn't alter the fact that Sony absolutely had to win the format war, even if media downloads end up supplanting video disc formats.
From camera phones to Webcams, more and more people are experimenting with these formats. Combined with video-sharing Web sites like YouTube, anyone can direct and star in a film. CNET News.com's Kara Tsuboi explores the shift toward 'disposable film.'
Playing games for kids is the most prevalent activity on the four key devices: 84% are gaming on a computer, videogame system, portable digital music player (PDMP) or cell phone, according to NPD. Also, more than 50% are listening to music, and one-third are communicating with images or interacting with various video formats. 46% of [...]
This week a number of Silicon Valley pioneers and practitioners of the NewTube--next generation TV, video, formats and business models--put on suits and testified before the Congressional Telecom and Internet Subcommittee on the "Future of Video.
You gotta love writing like this: "The future is indeed bright for those engaging in legitimate transference of DVDs to other video formats, as well as dirty, stinking, filthy, communist pirates stealing food from the mouths of the children of movie studio executives. The same sun shines on us all."
Under pressure from Universal/Vivendi, MySpace experiments with video signature software.
This is yet another continuation of our ongoing experimentation with video here at ZDNet. Today, in addition to our other themes (see our experimental Technology Breakdown, Product/Vendor Interview/Analysis, and Trade Show/Conference formats too), we're trying out something called the "ZDNet Tech Minute.
Thanks to Philipp Lenssen you can now view a video of Google Spreadsheets in action. See what happens as three people edit the same spreadsheet, add text, change formats... even play tic-tac-toe! A gallery of screenshots is also available.
After pointing out in this blog the mockery that the the International Organisation of Standardisation (the ISO) is making of standards setting by allowing multiple standards for the same thing, the folks who run the TV studios here at CNET Networks said let's make a video about it. So, we did.
The best of ZDNet, delivered
- 1 ZDNet Cloud TV: Hurdles to overcome (highlights)
- 2 Perfectly legal ways you can still get Windows 7 cheap (or even free)
- 3 34 ways to improve your iPhone's battery life
- 4 How much does an iPhone 6 really cost? (Hint: It's way more than $199)
- 5 So you have an app idea and want to make a bajillion bucks


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Taxation of board fees in Sweden- new practice
The Swedish Supreme Administrative Court (sw. Högsta Förvaltningsdomstolen) recently decided that board fees shall be taxed as salary income. The verdict contradicts the Swedish Tax Agency’s former view and could have significant impact for Swedish board professionals.
The Swedish Tax Agency has practised that board members could charge their fees from a separate legal entity, if the board member holds a minimum of three board positions and each board assignment is performed in a company not directly or indirectly owned by the board member or any of its related parties. Consequently, taxes on board fees in a number of cases have been levied upon privately held companies rather than on the board member as a person.
The Court disagrees and has recently stated that board fees should only be charged to such privately held companies if the board assignment is temporary and specially defined. Unless both criteria are met, board fees shall be paid and reported as salary.
As most Swedish board professionals have ordinary board assignments, i.e. not temporary nor specially defined, this new practise will have two major effects:
1. The tax burden of such board members will increase, and
2. The companies paying board fees for such ordinary board assignments will be liable for payroll tax.
It is evident that both companies paying, and board members receiving, board fees should assess their current handling of such fees.
Link to the Swedish Supreme Administrative Court’s verdict (Mål nr 278-17) here.
In case you have any question about the verdict, do not hesitate to contact Espen Iversen Størseth at email@example.com.

domain: news


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USA / Global
Toyota Aygo x-clusiv edition bows in Frankfurt
Toyota has used the Frankfurt Motor Show to introduce the new Aygo x-clusiv special edition.
Sep 16, 2015
2015 Toyota Aygo x-cite unveiled
Toyota has quietly unveiled the 2015 Aygo. It features new safety systems and a stylish x-cite variant.
May 29, 2015
Toyota Aygo X-Wave convertible introduced
Toyota has announced plans to offer a retractable "x-wave" roof on the Aygo.
Jan 15, 2015
2014 Toyota Aygo officially revealed in Geneva with premium design
Toyota is exhibiting in Geneva the all-new Aygo together with its French cousins, the second-gen Peugeot 108 and Citroën C1.
Mar 04, 2014
2014 Toyota Aygo first pics hit the web
The first official images with the second generation Toyota Aygo have been published online ahead of the model's debut tomorrow in Geneva.
Mar 03, 2014
2014 Toyota Aygo teased ahead of Geneva unveiling [video]
Toyota has released a teaser photo and short clip with the second generation of the Aygo set to be showcased on March 4 at the Geneva Motor Show.
Feb 19, 2014
2012 Toyota Aygo facelift unveiled [video]
Toyota has released the first details about the 2012 Aygo, ahead of its debut at the Brussels Motor Show on January 10th.
Jan 05, 2012
Toyota debuts in Paris - Verso S announced
Toyota has announced plans to introduce several new models at the Paris Motor Show. Full coverage inside.
Sep 01, 2010
Toyota Aygo Black Announced in UK
We have the full story on the new Toyota Aygo Black, coming soon to the UK market. Details and pics inside.
Mar 18, 2010
USA / Global
Our International Editions
Edition: USA / Global
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The St. Clair County Community College Potters Market will return for its 16th consecutive year from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 15 and noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 16 to 18 in the SC4 Welcome Center.
Visitors can explore and purchase pottery crafted by the college’s students, alumni, faculty, staff and guest artists. The event will feature hand-built and wheel-thrown ceramic work from two dozen potters.
“The market offers a valuable networking opportunity for students and a unique shopping experience for members of the community,” school officials said in a news release. “Students have the chance to meet with professional potters to discuss their processes and learn strategies to market their work, while others can get a jump on holiday shopping by browsing the jewelry, holiday ornaments and functional and structural pieces that will also be on display.”
The market was started in 2003 by former student Celeste Skalnek, who now serves as the director of college, cultural and alumni relations at SC4.
“In our first year, we sold just over $3,000 in pottery,” Skalnek said in the release. “Last year’s total was near $12,000. The offerings are as varied as the local artists who make them, and the artists are donating 15 percent of their sales to support the arts at SC4, so it’s a great way to help bring unique cultural opportunities to our community.”
SC4 is located at 323 Erie St. in Port Huron. For more information, email Skalnek at email@example.com.
– Emily Pauling, The Voice


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Vice Chair of Dorset Crimestoppers, David Tharby, has been up with the larks on several occasions recently to pay an early morning visit the studio of BBC Radio Dorset.
The Breakfast Show is a popular current affairs programme and the ideal place for a prime time talk about our campaigns on Rural Crime and the ongoing personal and financial effects on the victims. Live and recorded interviews on various aspects of our work have been discussed on air.
In November we featured to discuss the costs of rural crime, the impact on the food chain and how the cost of crime is passed on to the customer by producers and supermarkets alike. There is no such thing as 'a victimless crime' we all pay eventually.
Rural crime puts prices up
Rural crime has an impact on a wide range of services and costs that affect the public, such as:
- Insurance premiums
- The cost of food and its production
- Repairs to equipment and replacement livestock
- The impact on lives and businesses
- Wildlife crime is cruel and heartless
Help kick crime out of Dorset
In our rural county, poaching, wildlife crime, theft of fuel oil, equipment and vehicles, vandalism, burglary and arson can have a devastating impact on businesses whether they are a farm, home or riding school. Don't let criminals get away with hiking your weekly bills.
If you see or hear something suspicious you can contact us anonymously either by calling us on 0800 555 111 or filling in our Anonymous Online Form.


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Mayweather has also been enjoying himself — having already spent a chunk of his huge payday by taking nine close friends and family shoe shopping.
The retired American boxer is believed to have pocketed around a staggering $297 million in total after his 10-round bout with McGregor.
And the 40-year-old spent some of his money taking his entourage to high-end fashion store Gucci and letting them pick what they wanted.
Erin, who works as a hairdresser but has a second career as a bikini and fitness model, has played a big role in shaping Conor’s look.
The 34-year-old recently told the Sunday World: “Everyone loves Conor’s hair and so many men want it..
Erin says her brother has been a huge inspiration to her, and that they’ve supported each other through tough times.
She added: “Whenever I was low, Conor was on the other end of the phone.
“I remember him saying: ‘No one realizes what it’s like until they’ve done it themselves.’
“We forged this mutual respect that I suppose we never had before.”
Aoife is also a huge supporter of her brother.
The 30-year-old works for a mini excavator rental company in Dublin, but puts work on hold when a big fight is coming up.


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Baristas ‘throw down’ at Pittsburgh Coffee Week event
Participants came from far and wide to compete Thursday night in Pittsburgh Coffee Week’s Latte Art Throwdown at Commonplace Coffee’s Headquaters on Washington Boulevard.
The winner, Joyce Yong of State College, walked home with $300 and a steaming pitcher, and the second-place finisher got a coffee grinder and steaming pitcher.
The event was organized by Tyler Bryan, who owns Artisan Cafe in Bloomfield.
Baristas from as far way as State College, Cleveland, Columbus and Maryland came to compete.
Andrew Kiser, 26, of Cleveland, used the competition as an excuse to check out a new city.
“It’s like a mini vacation. I rented an Airbnb, and just go from coffee shop to coffee shop and explore the city,” Kiser said.
Pittsburgh Coffee Week’s last event is a closing party at Commonplace Coffee Headquarters from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday.


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Our music scene has been on the rise for the past few years with UK Rap, Drill, Grime and now Afro Swing dominating radio stations and playlists across the country. Each year more doors are opened and more of our artists are celebrated in the mainstream media and beyond, 2018 being no different.
What is even more greater is how our favourite artists have now created brands that transcends just music.
Early this month rap duo Krept and Konan announced the opening date of their new Croydon restaurant “crepes and cones”. Stormzy also announced his line up for his annual “Merky Festival” which will be taking place in Ibiza this July. Prior to this, Steff London announced her collaboration with leading online clothing brand boohoo catering to women sizes 6-24 and Skepta is gearing up for the release of his second collaboration with Nike.
These are just a snippet of the extra curricular business activities that our rap and grime stars are involved in, however it’s a trend that I am happy and hope to see continue.
We need more black owned business in the UK and it’s great to have a few of them birthed from our music scene.


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Sport shoes maker Skechers USA Inc said it filed a lawsuit against larger rival Adidas AG's Reebok International Ltd, alleging infringement of patents related to the company's Go Walk shoes.
The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages and injunctive relief for infringing Skechers' patents and design rights as well as for unfair competition, the company said in a statement.
Continue Reading Below
Skechers also said it would take similar action against any retailer that sells Reebok's Walk Ahead RS shoes.
Reebok said on Thursday it does not comment on pending legal matters.
Skechers' Go Walk range starts at $40 for girls and around $60 for men and women, according to its website. Reebok's Walk Ahead RS women's shoes sell between $42.00 and $54.99 on Amazon.
Skechers filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Adidas, the world's No.2 sportswear maker behind Nike , had in February sued Under Armor Inc in a U.S. court over alleged infringement of patents governing fitness training and tracker devices.
Adidas has been losing market share to Nike Inc. The market leader extended its lead to take 15 percent of the global sportswear market in 2013 compared with 10.8 percent for Adidas, according to data from Euromonitor, a market research firm.
Skechers' shares were down 1.6 percent at $45.24 on Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange. (Reporting By Lehar Maan and Sruthi Ramakrishnan in Bangalore; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)


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She suggests that a slowdown in consumer spending might be necessary to combat inflation.
Janet Yellen, the Treasury Secretary of the United States, believes that the risk of a recession in the country is diminishing
Yellen made these comments in an interview with Bloomberg News, emphasizing the resilience of the labor market and the decreasing inflation rate as reasons for her optimism. However, she acknowledged that the Federal Reserve‘s tightening policy, which has included 10 interest rate hikes since March 2022, poses a potential risk. Yellen stated that a slowdown in spending is necessary to control inflation, as the core measure of price increases remains high. The recent consumer price index release showed that core inflation rose by 5.3% compared to the previous year.
Yellen expressed confidence in the decreasing inflation rate, attributing it in part to an expected adjustment in the housing market. She also addressed the debate about whether the Federal Reserve should raise its inflation target from the current 2% rate, stating that it is not the appropriate time for such discussions.
Yellen had the opportunity to interact with Chinese Premier Li Qiang
She noted that China has been more cooperative in providing debt relief for Zambia, which marks a positive step in international relations. Yellen suggested that China’s recent engagement in debt-relief efforts might be part of a broader initiative to improve its international image, as the country faces economic challenges such as a declining population and a high youth unemployment rate.
Janet Yellen’s assessment of the US economy reflects her confidence in its resilience, despite concerns about inflation and monetary tightening. Her interactions with Chinese officials indicate potential progress in international debt relief efforts and a desire by China to foster a positive climate for foreign investment.


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Wallaceton man closing store after 52 years|
Saturday, September 29, 2012
By Terry Whetstone Staff Writer
WALLACETON - The aroma of food cooking drifted through the air in Wallaceton earlier this week. The smell got stronger if you opened the door to Hummel's Grocery Store, but the shelves inside are nearly bare.
The shelves are so empty because, today, at the close of business, Harold D. "Zeke" Hummel will lock the doors for the final time.
It was 52 years ago that he bought the business, which has been in existence since 1918.
Hummel said Charles Wolfe built the store in 1918 and he ran it until 1948 when Wilber Smeal bought it and ran it until 1953 when he closed the store and ran a television repair shop until 1960.
Hummel bought the business in 1960 and he has been there ever since, until today.
Best known as "Zeke," he said people in town don't really know his real name. He said his brother started to call him that when he was younger and it just stuck.
For 45 years, the Wallaceton born and raised man has been in the business with his loyal companion and wife, Judy, by his side keeping the place going seven days a week. Sadly, Judy passed away in April just one week after being diagnosed with cancer.
"I was going to close the store 10 years ago," he said. "But Judy talked me out of it."
He said he has only missed one day at the store and that was because he just didn't feel good that day. He said he has taken a few vacations here and there, but he would try to get someone to run the store for him.
He would put in 80 hours a week at the store, for 47 years, making food for the customers or selling them whatever groceries and goods they may need.
He would be at the store from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day for a while, then when he was 27 years old, he and Judy got married and he only worked from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Then he would reopen from 7-10 p.m., but again it was seven days a week. A few years ago he cut way back and closed on Sundays.
"I've had a good time," he said. "I've never had a morning I didn't enjoy."
He said the 1960s, 70s, and 80s were his best years.
He said in the 60s and 70s, he and his wife made between 1,000 and 1,200 sandwiches a week, during the summer.
The store has seen its share of changes under Hummel's ownership. He had a pinball machine and jukebox and "it seemed like a thousand kids," he said.
At one time he had a lunch counter in the back of the store.
"After 20 years the older fellas started to die off, so I took it out," he said.
He said he does enough business to pay his overhead but that's about it.
So, why is he closing if he enjoys it so much?
"I can't keep up with the house," he said. "And I want to quit while I still have some of my health left."
He said he is a Civil War buff and he wants to do some traveling, perhaps to Gettysburg and Virginia and West Virginia and some other places, and he wants to spend some time at home.
"I haven't been there a whole lot," he said.
Customers who were in and out of the store said they are going to miss him and the store.
"You won't find a nicer person around here than Zeke," said Don Bordas, Wallaceton resident. "He'll really be missed. I've known him for years and you just won't find anyone nicer, that's for sure."
Hummel said he was in the Air Force but not for very long. He also said he worked as a surveyor for underground coal mines before he bought the store.
He likes to cook as well, and he said in the early 50s there was a small restaurant in Wallaceton and he would cook there in the evening when he was done working.
Hummel's Grocery Store was probably the last remaining place where people could go in and get some items they needed and if they couldn't pay for at the time, Hummel would just tell them, "Take it and pay me when you get the money."
He would write it up and put the paper with the rest he gave credit.
"Saturday is going to be a sad day," Hummel said.


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Did you miss a session from GamesBeat Summit Next 2022? All sessions are now available for viewing in our on-demand library. Click here to start watching.
Fighting back against Google’s new social game platform, Facebook announced its own game announcements today. The enhancements are part of a larger set of improvements for Facebook users.
The social networking giant is making the announcement today in part to try and keep the focus on its own platform, rather than the new Google+ game platform announced today by its competitor, Google.
Facebook announced some enhancements such as the ability to post announcements about particular user achievements on your friends’ Facebook pages. If you pass up your friend’s score in a game, you can easily brag about that and make your friends more competitive. You can also boast about your movement up a game leaderboard. Facebook users can also utilize new bookmarks on the home page to see their top apps more easily.
Arjun Sethi, a top executive at 6waves Lolapps, one of the biggest Facebook game developers, attended an event tonight where Facebook described the enhancements.
“They’re really focusing on engagement and retention of the user,” Sethi said in an interview. “They have a qualitative and quantitative way to deliver better discovery of games for developers.”
That means that game players might become more engaged in noticing the new games that are promoted to them or appear on their home pages, Sethi said. So far, 6waves Lolapps is paying attention to Google+ games, but its main focus is still making Facebook games, he said.
As pictured, you can also see exactly what your friends are playing or doing on Facebook in a real-time “app activity” ticker window on the upper right corner of the page now. Users can also see a bookmark for a person’s top apps listed, so the player can quickly go back to the app when they want to do so. Facebook will also allow developers to expand the size of their games on the page so that players can have a more immersive experience. Lastly, Facebook said that it is driving quality distribution to its game developers, mainly through improvements that get game promotions in front of the right gamers at the right time.
Facebook said that more than 200 million people play games on Facebook each month and the top 80 games on Facebook have at least 1 million active users. Zynga has the most players, with 258 million monthly active users according to AppData.
But Facebook is drawing attention to other successes beyond Zynga. Stung by criticism that Facebook and Zynga have too cozy a relationship, Facebook is trying to point out that there are a lot of other players that are part of its game ecosystem.
- For example, Meteor Games, which makes Facebook games, recently expanded from 35 employees to 100 in the past year and is doubling its staff every six months. The company’s hit game Island Paradise has been installed more than 20 million times in the past two years without any marketing. The company also began making money from its Ranch Town game via Facebook Credits, which lifted the number of paying players three-fold overnight, Facebook said.
- Facebook noted that another company, Funzio, raised $20 million in funding earlier this year and plans to go from 55 employees to 100 by the end of the year.
- Facebook said that iWin, the maker of Family Feud, saw its monthly active user base increase by 40 percent over the last month. iWin’s Deal or No Deal game has grown to 900,000 monthly active users in one month, and the company has added 30 employees this year.
- Ninja Warz, the first game from developer Broken Bulb Studios, has stayed above 125,000 daily active users for two years with no marketing. The company launched Miscrits: World of Adventure, in January and have 4.5 million monthly active users. They doubled their head count from 11 to 23 and moved into a new officer.
- Kabam grew from 20 people last year to more than 500 people this year, in four offices on three continents. Nine out of 10 Kabam players play daily, and they play on average for three hours a day.
- GSN grew from 4.8 million monthly active users at the end of July 2010 to 7.5 million this July, up 60 percent. The company’s social game team has tripled over the last year.
Overseas growth has been good as well among Facebook developers.
- Nordeus of Serbia built Top Eleven, a football app that grew to 3.5 million monthly active users in three months.
- Platika of Israel has 4.8 million active users a month for titles such as Slotomoania and Farkle Pro. Last year, Cesars Entertainment bought 51 percent of the company for up to $90 million.
- In Turkey, Peak Games was founded less than a year ago in October 2010. The company already has 50 employees, 10 games, and 10 million monthly active users playing traditional Turkish and Arabic card and board games on Facebook. The company has raised $7.5 milion.
- In Finland, Supercell was founded in June 2010 as a maker of hardcore social games. It has raised $12 million from Accel partners, and it has 20 employees. Gunshine, a crime-fighting game on Facebook where players shoot criminals and other enemies, currently has more than 300,000 monthly active users.
- In France, Pretty Simple Games launched MyShops in December. The game now has more than 1.5 million active users and the company has raised $3.6 million.
- Also in France, Kobojo has 4 million monthly active users and it has raised $7.75 million to date.
- And another French game company, IsCool Entertainment, has more 2 million monthly active users on Facebook. It has grown from 30 to 85 employees in the last 12 months.
GamesBeat's creed when covering the game industry is "where passion meets business." What does this mean? We want to tell you how the news matters to you -- not just as a decision-maker at a game studio, but also as a fan of games. Whether you read our articles, listen to our podcasts, or watch our videos, GamesBeat will help you learn about the industry and enjoy engaging with it. Discover our Briefings.


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IAB Tech Lab issues first software: A universal SDK for viewability
The Open Measurement SDK, and a later API for websites, seek to create one industry-wide data stream for viewability stats.
The struggle over ad viewability has been compounded by the different kinds of data available.
To help remove that variable about ad display, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Tech Lab has released in limited beta an Open Measurement software development kit (SDK) that it hopes will become the standard for acquiring data about ad viewability in apps. This the first software product issued by the Tech Lab.
An API to do the same thing for websites is scheduled for publication by year’s end, with code available early in 2018.
Although there are a variety of ways to look at the data, viewability comes down to measuring how much of a digital static, rich media or video ad was shown, and whether it was seen by — you know — an actual human.
The SDK, which has been released so far only to half a dozen publishers and vendors associated with the Tech Lab’s Open Measurement Working Group, is initially delivering four basic kinds of data: if the ad was viewed, how long it was viewed, impressions served and general invalid traffic detection. The beta phase is expected to last into Q1.
Dennis Buchheim, general manager and senior VP of the Tech Lab, noted that more metrics can be added later, such as engagement with the ads.
In a blog post announcing the new SDK, two members of the Open Measurement Working Group — Pandora VP Eric Picard and Senior Product Manager Brad Beal — noted some key reasons behind this effort:
What is unlikely to be obvious to most people in the industry is that integrating software code from a third party into the code of the mobile app itself is fraught with all sorts of complexity and risk. Mobile app developers must incorporate a Software Development Kit (SDK) into the code of their app to support the vendor’s tracking and analytics. From a resourcing and time perspective, integrating with just one SDK can be costly for an organization. The process requires not only coding, but also significant testing on an ongoing basis to ensure the stability of the app. Couple this with regular SDK updates, essentially repeating the cycle, and the costs become prohibitive. And even then, SDKs can and do cause instability.
Buchheim added that a universal SDK also reduces discrepancies in the data used between vendors. Ad buyers do not have to worry about different kinds of measurement for different inventory, and app publishers don’t have to support every SDK or risk losing potential buyers.
It remains to be seen if the SDK will be widely adopted, but the Open Measurement Group includes some key players in the measurement space: Google, DoubleVerify, Integral Ad Science, Moat and Nielsen.
If viewability data becomes uniform across measurement vendors, Burchheim told me that they can differentiate themselves by “how they integrate the data, how they package it and their post-bid fraud detection.”
Because it’s open source, he said, all vendors will be working together to improve the SDK. Advertisers will be able to work with any vendor and any inventory they choose, and app owners will only have to integrate one piece of code.
More importantly, he said, “vendors will spend less time on core mechanics and more time on outcomes.”
“The industry has gotten stuck in viewability,” Buchheim added, “and not so much about what drives outcomes. This starts us down that path.”
Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily MarTech. Staff authors are listed here.


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UPDATE (November 8, 2018): West Midtown Center Lands Mamoun’s Falafel, First of Six Planned Metro Eateries
NYC-Based Mamoun’s Falafel, a restaurant franchise serving Middle Eastern cuisine since 1971, this week announced a six-unit franchise deal for Georgia, QSR Magazine first reported Wednesday.
Kalki and Parimal Patal, the franchisees who inked the deal for the Georgia region, are scouting locations in Atlanta and Athens, according to Wednesday’s report.
Fransmart, the franchise development partner behind brands like Five Guys Burgers and Fries, is working with Mamoun’s on its franchising growth.
“We’re very excited to bring Mamoun’s to Atlanta, there is no place like it,” the Patals told QSR.
“Mamoun’s serves real Middle Eastern food and that’s something we’re missing in Atlanta right now. We’re looking forward to getting our first location open and introducing Atlanta to this great restaurant.”
The restaurant doesn’t currently have any southern locations with its footprint primarily in the northeast, but spreading southward.
The company’s first outpost opened over 45 years ago in a 200-square-foot Greenwich Village space, “the oldest falafel restaurant in New York City and one of the first Middle Eastern establishments in the United States.”
Stay tuned to What Now Atlanta for details on where Mamoun’s Falafel will open in Atlanta as they’re available.


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Casting the net wide
Namibia expanding fish export market
Windhoek ‑ Namibia’s fishing industry is aiming for a sizeable share of the United States of American market as it intensifies efforts to broaden its exports markets, as opposed to solely relying on Spain as a key export destination.
Namibian fish products have started entering the US market, a pilot phase being undertaken by two companies to assess the profitability of that market.
Namibia, famed for its hake and horse mackerel, has over the years relied on Spain and the European Union, as key export destinations.
The fall in demand and prices of fish products since the global financial crisis in 2008, has resulted in concerted efforts towards diversifying the export market for fish products.
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernhard Esau, told The Southern Times that the industry has been able to penetrate new markets.
He said that demand for hake from neighbouring South Africa has been picking up over the past few years.
“The industry is not necessarily feeling the effect of the slowdown in our key markets, the European Union and Spain particularly, as new markets have come up where there is decreasing demand in traditional markets.
“Demand for white fish (hake) from South Africa has been increasing,” Esau said.
“We have also been exploring the US market and there are two companies, still in the process of testing that market.
“Hangana Seafood has been packing fish for the US market, they started this season.
“The second company is Seawork Fish Processer, which also started exporting to the US this season,” Esau said.
“The US market is very big and we want to realise that potential. It’s a high income market and the industry will have to structure its pricing geared towards that particular market,” Esau said.
Namibia’s fishing sector is one of the country’s largest employers, with more than 13 000 workers and contributing around 4 percent to the country’s gross domestic product.
Harvesting for hake, popularised in key export market, the EU as white fish this season runs from May up to April 2014 while the harvesting for horse mackerel, which is only exported into the African market, runs from January up to December 2013.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources this year set the total allowable catch (TAC) for hake at 140 000 tonnes and 350 000 tonnes for horse mackerel.
Esau said that Namibia is keen to grow its African market for horse mackerel in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe as well as Nigeria and Senegal off the West African coast.
“Most of our fish has been going to the DRC but we have made decisions to grow the entire African market. We can’t put our eggs in one basket,” Esau said.
The Minister also said that Namibia started its annual harvest of seals this July; an exercise that often draws the ire of international animal rights activities, but which the government says is necessary to balance the eco-marine-system.
Seals feed upon fish, and if they are not culled annually, this might result in fish species being wiped out entirely, the government says.
Esau said that the seal harvest season has just started and 80 000 pups are going to be clubbed to death while 6 000 bulls will be shot.
The harvest of pups started this month and the season will come to an end in November 2013, Esau said.
The Minister acknowledged that Namibia is often subjected to international backlash from animal rights activists, but said the exercise is necessary to balance the marine ecosystem.
“Since we started harvesting seals, there are always groups of animal lovers who say we are not doing justice to the Cape Fur Seal by harvesting it.
“But we see this as a necessary exercise, which enables us to strike a balance within our marine ecosystem by harvesting some seals.
“If we don’t harvest the seals, this will result in an imbalance between fish and seals and eventually it will impact on the fish stocks,” Esau said.
Namibia’s seal harvest season attracts howls of criticism from international animal lobby groups whose complains centre on the manner in which seal pups are clubbed to death.
Adult seals, known as bulls, are shot at point blank range.
“There have been complaints in the manner in which we harvest the seals but we have always said if there is anybody out there who has a method that is ‘humane’ we are ready to test such a method.
“We have always appealed to those international organisations to come to us off season such that we do trials, we test the methods they think is humane,” Esau said.
He added that the reason for clubbing seal pups on the skull is ‘because that is the softest part of their body and they die quickly’.


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Voyego Partners With Greenstorm Mobility to Develop an Innovative European E-Bike Marketplace
Posted on: 23 Sep 2019
Voyego, the dedicated travel and mobility division of Comtrade Group, announced the launch of Greenstorm Mobility‘s innovative European e-bike marketplace across the EU and Switzerland.
Through the new marketplace, Greenstorm Mobility, ranked among the 100 fastest-growing European companies by the Financial Times, is extending its current e-commerce offer to both international end consumers and its extensive Dealer partner network. Voyego drove the transformation of Greenstorm’s former online-shop into this new central marketplace which will include both used and new e-bikes.
The innovative new e-bike marketplace is so far off to a promising start with over 800 private dealers across Austria, Germany and Italy signed up to provide e-bike enthusiasts with access to 80,000 new and 120,000 used bikes. The prices typically range from EUR 1,600 to EUR 12,000, depending on the brand and model.
The marketplace allows private dealers to benefit from a zero commission platform for promoting their bikes. E-bikes on the marketplace are usually promoted with a 5% discount for new and up to 38% for used bikes. Customers can pay using credit cards, direct payment or other alternative financing options. Future plans include the integration of several more payment platform options to further improve the customer experience.
Richard Hirschhuber, CEO of Greenstorm Mobility, said: “Our objective is to become the leading e-bike marketplace in EU. We are very pleased with our partnership with Voyego which designed and built a state-of-the-art digital technology platform for us in record time. This platform will now allow us to create a superior marketplace with 3000 dealers across the EU and most importantly provide them with a commission-free platform to promote their goods.”
Marko Javornik, General Manager of Voyego, said: “Greenstorm Mobility is a very innovative fast-growing company that recognized the power of a truly digital marketplace to exponentially grow their business. We are proud that we were entrusted with developing the next generation e-bike marketplace, which brings a truly win-win business model to all involved stakeholders – the dealers, e-bike customers and Greenstorm Mobility as the platform operator.”


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An ever-increasing number of American shoppers are opting out of camping out in the cold for days waiting for big holiday sales on Black Friday, instead opting into shopping on the Internet from home, where it’s warm and comfy and no one cares if you’re wearing your favorite jammies.
In 2005, the website Shop.org coined the term “Cyber Monday” for the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday, and hyped it as the busiest online shopping day of the year.
Since then, “Cyber Monday has been the kickoff to the heavy portion of the online holiday shopping season,” said Andrew Lipsman, vice president of industry analysis for Comscore, Inc., a global leader in digital business analytics. “It’s typically when we see a big spike in activity, and then that heavy spending continues over the next two to three weeks, into about mid-December.”
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But hype aside, Cyber Monday was not the biggest day for cyber retailers — until last year.
“For a long time there was actually a misconception that Cyber Monday was the heaviest online shopping day of the season, and that wasn’t the case,” Lipsman said. “It ended up usually being the eighth- or the tenth-busiest online shopping day. But we’ve actually seen Cyber Monday increase in importance over the last couple of years, and in fact in 2010, it was the heaviest online shopping day of the year. There was over $1 billion in online sales, and that was the first time on record we saw the $1 billion threshhold eclipsed.”
Retailers have certainly embraced the Cyber Monday concept as a creative marketing tool; scores of major retailers are offering special deals this year that shoppers will only find online.
As the economy slowly improves and consumers dig a little deeper this year, projections for Cyber Monday purchases on Nov. 28 are greater than 2010. “We’re anticipating there will be about $1.2 billion in spending, so we are expecting a nice growth rate over last year,” Lipsman said.
Will Cyber Monday be the heaviest online shopping day again in 2011?
“I don’t know if it will be the heaviest, but we do expect it to be among the top three, and it certainly could end up being the heaviest day of the year,” Lipsman said.


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eBay is seeing a big payoff for getting into the mobile game early. Their iPhone app has been downloaded by 6 million users and they see 175,000 visits a day via mobile apps.
This year, half a billion dollars of transactions were made on eBay via mobile. And it’s not just “safe” inexpensive items as people are trying out the apps. Mobile eBay purchases included designer handbags and a $75,000 1966 Chevrolet Corvette.
“Mobile is changing the way people shop this holiday season,” said Lorrie Norrington, president of eBay marketplaces. “We see consumers taking advantage of that freedom to find great holiday gifts and deals without sitting at their computer or being stuck at the mall.”
This holiday, 1.5 million items were bought on eBay via mobile. That’s an item every 2 seconds. Users from 165 countries visited eBay through an app or the mobile web.
“eBay buyers and sellers have rapidly embraced mobile commerce this year, and this holiday season has been a mobile commerce tipping point. Shopping will never be the same again,” concluded Norrington.


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China bans sales of older model Apple iPhones
INTERNATIONAL - A Chinese court has ordered a sales ban of some older Apple iPhone models in China for violating two patents of chip maker Qualcomm Inc, though intellectual property lawyers said enforcement of the ban was likely still a distant threat.
The case, brought by Qualcomm, is part of a global patent dispute between the two US companies that includes dozens of lawsuits.
It creates uncertainty over Apple's business in one of its biggest markets at a time when concerns over waning demand for new iPhones are battering its shares.
Apple said on Monday that all of its phone models remained on sale in mainland China and that it had filed a request for reconsideration with the court, the first step in a long appeal process that could end up at China's Supreme Court.
“It's incredibly unlikely, I'd say almost impossible (that Apple would have to stop sales),” said a Beijing-based IP lawyer who is not directly connected with the Qualcomm case, but has worked with large US tech firms. “In all likelihood it will drag on for some time. It's worth keeping in mind that this is just one battle in a larger rift”, he said, referring to the legal fight between Qualcomm and Apple that stretches from European courts to South Korea. Qualcomm said the Fuzhou Intermediate People's Court in China found Apple infringed two patents held by the chip maker and ordered an immediate ban on sales of older iPhone models, from the 6S to the X. Apple said the trio of new models released in September were not part of the case. “Qualcomm's effort to ban our products is another desperate move by a company whose illegal practices are under investigation by regulators,” Apple said.


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Google’s first “Pixel feature drop” includes post-snap Portrait Mode, auto Call Screen, and more
Earlier this month, Google rolled out the December Android security patches. The company made some changes to the format they have traditionally used for these monthly releases. Instead of listing “functional patches” on the Pixel Bulletin, Google moved them to the Pixel Community Forum. Today, the company announced another change to how Pixel devices will receive updates with the first-ever “Pixel feature drop.”
Google describes Pixel feature drops as follows:
Your Pixel automatically updates regularly with fixes and improvements. Now, your Pixel will also get bigger updates in new Pixel feature drops.
This inaugural feature drop includes a couple of great features. First, we’ll start with Google Photos. Portrait Mode is a great feature in the Google Camera app, but it does require you to proactively switch modes before snapping a photo. You will now be able to retroactively turn on Portrait Mode on Pixel devices with Google Photos.
Next up is automatic Call Screen on Pixel devices, which is something we discovered in an APK teardown. Google Assistant can automatically screen unknown callers and filter detected robocalls before your phone rings. If the call was not a robocall, your phone will ring a few moments later and show context about who is calling and why. You can find transcripts of these calls in the Dialer app. Google mentions that this is an update to Call Screen specifically on the Pixel 4.
There are a few other odds and ends included in the feature drop. Google Duo gets smoother video calls on poor connections thanks to sound prediction with machine learning and the 90Hz display on the Pixel 4 helps reduce choppiness. Duo also has a new Portrait Mode-esque filter. Memory management has been “enhanced” across all Pixel devices so you can run more apps at the same time. Google also highlighted the features that users discovered in the last security update.
So that’s it for the first Pixel feature drop. This is essentially a rebranded and much more consumer-facing approach to the “functional patches” found in security updates. Google can elaborate on the features much more and make sure users know what’s new.


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The Internet of Things (IoT) and big data form an ecosystem with expanded security risks. Experts believe that IoT needs more data-centric security.
According to ITWire, the Internet of Things will be composed of around 20 billion devices by 2020. Securing them is not an easy task. Many of those IoT devices are lacking of security standards as they are legacy, purpose-built gadgets.
All IoT devices, commercial or just consumer, are basically computers that connect to a network or cloud via the Internet. They could be targets for attacks of cyber criminals. Critical security challenges come from this new dependence on the cloud.
In this new context, some experts believe that the data integrity is what matters the most, especially in the case that some personally identifiable information is involved. This is the case of South Pacific's head of enterprise security products at Hewlett Packard, Shane Bellos. In his opinion, IoT needs to focus more on data-centric security.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Security Research estimates that the risk of data breach is high and around 70 percent of consumer IoT devices are vulnerable to attacks. In case of the IoT connected devices, to the data breach risk is added physical risk as well.
There are IoT devices that can control from a mobile phone a gas appliance, air conditioning, ventilating, heating, opening and closing the home door or even a medical device. An attacker that takes control on such IoT device can physically attack an individual from anywhere in the world.
In the IoT age everyone needs to be concerned about security. From the device to the big data platform, the answer to IoT security issues can be found in data-centric protection.
According to ZDNet, another expert, IoT Domain Lead at SAS Kevin Kalish, believes that organizations need to focus to the filtered data extracted from the "fog" -- the intermediate layer between the cloud and the IoT devices.
Kalish also believes that in the future, there will be sensors in every imaginable place. A smart world is going to dramatically change how an organization approaches innovation, as well as how it manages its day-to-day operations and how it connects to its customers.


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|By Phurbu Thinley
Ms Gyari Dolma alongside Mr Bhullar at the launch/Photo by Phurbu Thinley(Phayul)
Dharamsala: June 15: India’s leading mobile phone service provider, Bharti Airtel, today launched a new scheme - Tibetan Content on Airtel, a move which the group says is a step in preserving the rich cultural heritage of Tibet.
The new scheme includes Tibetan Hello Tunes and Tibetan Ring tones for its prepaid and postpaid customers, the service which will, henceforth, be available nationwide in India.
Airtel customers can now simply dial 678574 to subscribe to Tibetan Hello Tunes. To download Tibetan ringtones, subscribers have to access Artel Live on WAP compatible phones. Standard charges are made applicable.
Mr RVS Bhullar, Chief Operating Officer, Bharti Airtel Limited, HP Circle, formally launched the new service scheme here today in the presence of Ms Gyari Dolma, Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
Currently, the company has pulled together a pool of 133 Tibetan songs of mantras, folk songs and remixes to choose from, including, as per Airtel’s statement, “all-time favourites” like Khu Sim Ki Tsen Mo, Pho mo Dra Nyam, Nyi Dha, Khatak Dum So
. “The number of songs will further keep on increasing,” says Mr Bhullar.
Welcoming Airtel’s innovative move, Ms Dolma said, “Tibetans will appreciate the package.” “Tibetan music, to some extend, is part of Tibetan culture,” she said while adding, “This will surely help Tibetans to keep intact with their rich culture.”
Calling it a unique launch, Mr Bhullar announced that other Tibetan features, including wall paper and screen saver reflecting Tibetan culture, would also be added in near future.
Mr Bhullar said the launch was made from Dharamsala because of the significance of the place.
Located in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamsala is home to the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama and is the administrative centre of Tibetan refugees around the world.


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The Pennslyvania Department of Agriculture has revoked the kennel license of CC Pets, a Lancaster County puppy broker with a history of violations under its previous name.
Once known as Puppy Love, the kennel, owned by Joyce and Raymond Stoltzfus, has been the subject of investigations and lawsuits for at least 20 years, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
CC Pets sold more than 2,000 puppies last year, making it one of the state’s highest-volume dog dealers.
In 2000, the kennel was fined $35,000 by the state for selling sick puppies and misinforming buyers about the health or breeding qualities of the animals. In 2001, kennel owner Joyce Stoltzfus was cited for practicing veterinary medicine without a license. In 2005, the kennel was the subject of a consumer fraud settlement stemming from a lawsuit filed on behalf of 171 customers in seven states.
One of the agreement’s conditions was that Stoltzfus, had to identify herself and the business correctly to customers rather than use an alias. Her failure to comply with that condition led to the license revocation, officials said.
Posted by John Woestendiek October 8th, 2009 under Muttsblog.
Tags: agriculture, cc pets, dealer, department, investigations, joyce stoltzfus, kennel, lancaster county, lawsuit, lawsuits, license, order, pennsylvania, puppy, puppy love, puppy mills, settlement
Such, I think, is the case with the retractable leash.
After one brush with death — fortunately not my own — and lots of time spent disentangling other pets and my own, I put my retractable leash away more than a year ago, and haven’t used it since.
I had bought it at the recommendation of a friend, but after several uses, the disadvantages (entanglements, rope burns and the flying hockey puck effect) seemed to outweigh the advantages (giving the dog a wee bit more freedom, having my arm nearly jerked off less often.)
Evidence is mounting that retractable leashes — technically illegal in Baltimore, as they extend more than the mandated 8 foot leash maximum — may not be as good an idea as they originally appeared.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced one recall of retractable leashes. Last September, 223,000 “Slydog” brand retractable leashes were found to have metal clips that broke and flew off — like the one that struck and became lodged in the eye of Dereka Williams, a Dallas-area girl whose family has filed a lawsuit against Worldwise, Inc., the maker of the SlyDog retractable leash.
“She was like, ‘Mom, I can’t see! I can’t see!’” her mother Joy Williams told ABCNews.com.
Slydog has since fixed the problem and changed to plastic clips.
But according to the March 5, 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, retractable leashes — often banned from many dog events — have been causing ongoing injuries for years.
Posted by John Woestendiek March 26th, 2009 under Muttsblog.
Tags: amputations, burns, consumer, consumer reports, cuts, dangers, dog, dogs, injuries, lawsuits, leash, leashes, pet products, pets, recalls, retractable, retracting


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3D Printing News Briefs, July 3, 2020: ExOne, 3D Printz & Monoprice, CNPC, Liqcreate
We’re talking about business and materials in today’s 3D Printing News Briefs. First, the ExOne Company has been added to the Russell 2000 and 3000 Indexes, while 3D Printz has…
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Ex-Oddbins Gadsby joins Berkmann
Former Oddbins sales director Andy Gadsby has joined Berkmann Wine Cellars as senior national account manager in the off-trade team.
Gadsby left Oddbins a week before Christmas last year after 14 years with the business – saying he couldn't face continuing with the company into 2008 "under the current conditions".
The chain's then owner, French wine company Castel, was closing shops and converting others to the Nicolas brand.
Oddbins was bought by Simon Baile and his brother-in-law Henry Young in August.


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Tuesday’s Commentary On Gold (GLD)
Gold fell to 4 week lows Monday, as participants continued to pare holdings of the precious metals on expectations of tighter US monetary policy in the coming months.
The timing of a US Fed rate hike has been a constant source of debate in the markets in recent months.
The US central bank has one more scheduled policy meeting before the end of the year in mid-December.
Gold rallied in October as concerns over a global economic slowdown led by China and its impact on US growth prospects had prompted market participants to push back expectations for a rate increase to March 2016. We wait to see.
Meanwhile, Neutral to Bearish
India, the world’s 2nd-biggest Gold buyer after China, imposed the import restrictions last year to avert a trade deficit crisis that pushed the Rupee to record lows.
“Restrictions placed on import of Gold… stand withdrawn with immediate effect,” India’s central bank said in a statement on Saturday, 29 November.
Support for Spot Gold comes from jewelry demand from India in the lead up to and during the wedding season, which starts again in late September. India did record a 176% increase in Gold imports in August to US$2-B from about US$756-M.
Overall, the impact of wedding season Spot Gold buying has faded in recent times as India is no longer the world’s largest Gold consumer, partly because of the on-going government import restrictions on precious metals. If they are further relaxed, perhaps India will regain its Top spot.
India’s Akshaya Tritiya festival considered by India’s more than 900-M Hindus as an auspicious day to buy Gold and Silver, fell on 21 April this year. Bullion is bought in India during festivals and marriages as part of the bridal trousseau or gifted in the form of jewelry by relatives.


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Karachi, March 30, 2015 (PPI-OT): NBP Exchange Company Limited has opened a branch at Hyderi, North Nazimabad, Karachi. Mr. Khalid Bin Shaheen – Chairman NBP Exchange Company Limited inaugurated the branch and said that this is 18th branch at Hyderi Karachi to provide the most trust worthy remittance services and money exchange to the large number of commercial and retail clients in the area, especially to the families of Pakistani students studying abroad where timely and dependable remittance is of utmost importance. He further said that the branch will offer Sale / Purchase of foreign currencies, FTT / FDD and Inward / Outward Remittances through Western Union.
NBP Exchange Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Bank of Pakistan giving it unmatched capability and coverage to satisfy the needs of expat Pakistanis living across the globe coupled with the credibility and dependability of its parent institution. The opening ceremony attended by Mr. Abdul Wahab, Acting Managing Director, Mr. M. Imran Khan, Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Naeem Khan, Business Development Manager, Mr. Asim Baig, Manager Human Resource, Mr. Tariq Javed, Head of Internal Audit, Mr. Shahbaz Alam, Manager MIS, Mr. Aslam Jafri, Branch Manager – Hyderi Branch, Mr. Nabeel Saeed, SVP/ Head of Corporate Communication and Syed Ibne Hassan, Vice President, Corporate Communication.
For more information, contact:
Syed Ibne Hassan
Vice President / Divisional Head (A)
National Bank of Pakistan
Corporate Communication and Brand Management Division
Head Office, NBP Building, I.I. Chundrigar Road,


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Last week, Eve Lom, a London-based beauty brand that forged a cult-like following for its botanical cleansing balm, was acquired by Chinese beauty giant Yatsen Global for an undisclosed amount.
Yatsen, the parent company of C-Beauty juggernaut Perfect Diary is flush with cash, after raising $617 million in an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in November last year. Its market cap recently hit $12.4 billion.
The firm has made its desire to build a portfolio of brands clear. Not only did it outline a plan in its IPO prospectus, it also acquired French skin care brand Galénic in October 2020.
But Yatsen isn’t the only Chinese investor on a shopping spree in Europe.
“I had the opportunity to interview all these up-and-coming, recently founded brands with great founders and I saw that there is an opportunity here to invest. This was my logic,” said Feng Chuxuan, founder and chief executive of Huasheng Media.
Huasheng Media is best known as the publisher of Chinese editions of T:The New York Times Style Magazine, Wallpaper and Kinfolk, but since late 2017, the company has branched out by investing in some of the same independent, niche brands its publications write about.
Its beauty related investments include a stake in Ormaie, the all-natural Parisian perfume label founded in 2018 by mother-and-son duo, Marie-Lise Jonak and Baptiste Bouygues. “A lot of investment companies are researching algorithms, but I love seeing the opportunity to invest in small brands with low cost and lots of room to grow,” Feng said.
Another Chinese player that has recently been topping up its coffers to invest in more niche beauty players is omnichannel brand partner Ushopal, which announced the close of a $100 million round of funding earlier this week.
The group, which has been working with high-end beauty brands on China market entry and brand building, has already invested in several of its brand partners, including Spanish spa brand Natura Bissé and Juliette Has a Gun — the perfume label helmed by Nina Ricci’s great-grandson Romano.
Ushopal works closely with international brands on e-commerce operations, social media management, KOL (Key Opinion Leader, as influencers are known in China) relationships, and offline distribution, through its own chain of offline stores Bonnie & Clyde as well as other offline partners.
“After a few years of working with brands in this way we realised we could help them grow beyond just selling products [so] in 2019 and 2020 we started investing in more brands, becoming shareholders at headquarters level,” explained William Lau, vice president of brands at Ushopal and chief executive of Bonnie & Clyde.
What’s driving this investment rush?
Money is flowing into these international niche beauty brands quite simply because Chinese consumers are increasingly interested in gaining access to them.
China is already the world’s second-largest beauty market. In 2019, sales of cosmetic products in China reached 425.6 billion yuan ($65.32 billion) and are tipped to reach 455.3 billion yuan ($69.87 billion) this year, according to Statista data.
The market’s scale and growth trajectory has been great for the world’s beauty giants, who have long had a foothold in the Chinese market and are doing an excellent post-pandemic trade here.
Last month, L’Oréal chairman and chief executive, Jean-Paul Agon, cited “spectacular” growth in China as key to the group’s strong fourth-quarter performance. Also in February, Estée Lauder pointed to China’s strong sales as a reason for the group’s earlier-than-anticipated return to growth in its second quarter, ending December 31.
[China’s beauty sector is like] high stakes poker… This is a big boys’ game.
But a new generation of Chinese beauty consumers are demanding more than just household names.
“Young women and men are experimenting with niche brands in order to express themselves,” said Tracy Zhang, director of fashion and beauty at luxury intelligence firm, Gusto Luxe.
“Before Covid-19, they could travel around and they would go and research and discover new brands [overseas] and when they come back, they still pay attention to these brands and want to have access to them in China too,” she added.
To fuel this demand for consumers wanting more access without the ability to travel outside the country last year, Tmall Global, Alibaba’s cross-border platform, added 1,000 new beauty brands to its roster. In April, it announced its intention to help support these brands to each surpass 10 million yuan ($1.54 million) in annual revenues in the China market.
But, in a hugely competitive market where thousands of new brands become available each year, standing out from the crowd becomes almost impossible for small players — unless they have a war chest of tens of millions of dollars, or a foundation of dozens of staff members, or at least local knowledge of the China’s unique digital and retail infrastructure and its social and cultural context.
This explains why China’s beauty sector is like “high stakes poker,” says Julian Reis, the founder and chief executive of beauty and wellness consultancy SuperOrdinary, which has brought brands including Drunk Elephant, The Ordinary, Supergoop into the market.
“This is a big boys’ game,” he said. “You can’t just launch a brand on Tmall and hope you get traffic…We spend a lot of time talking to brands about how expensive it is to undertake activities that are required for you to successfully launch your brand.”
This is one of the reasons Chinese investment is such an attractive prospect for many niche international beauty brands. Local investors offer the necessary capital to enter the market and scale, and they can also offer the added value of local knowledge and relationships.
“Eve Lom might be a niche brand in the China market, but now everyone knows it’s the brand that Perfect Diary’s parent company invested in,” explained Chen Ye, a research analyst at market intelligence firm, ChemLinked.
This gives Eve Lom an immediate leg-up when it comes to exposure. Even more valuable in the long run, however, might be access to Yatsen’s famed private traffic operations, which reach millions of engaged consumers.
“Perfect Diary operates thousands of WeChat groups and now Eve Lom can also be marketed to these loyal fans,” Chen said. “It must give Eve Lom a huge competitive advantage over other niche beauty brands who don’t have the same kind of help from a Chinese company.”
For Lau, the advantages Ushopal has been able to offer the companies it invested in are evident in their impressive growth.
“When we started working with Juliette Has a Gun in June of 2019, the brand only had 20 posts on Xiaohongshu and there were no parallel sellers on Taobao,” he said. “In a little over 12 months, we grew the brand to being top three in the entire fragrance category for the Double 11 [shopping festival on Tmall] last year, surpassing 70 million yuan ($10.75 million) in [gross merchandise volume annually in] 2020.”
Natura Bissé , meanwhile, has seen its China sales grow 1000 percent since receiving investment from Ushopal in 2018, according to figures supplied by the group.
Feng Chuxuan maintains that his deep expertise in the mainland market can also offer Huasheng’s investment partners more than just a capital injection.
“I can also continue to give them advice about the China market; I can help with media resources when they come into the China market, including the access to celebrities, including headlines on WeChat and advertisements, online and offline activities. This is how we can help,” he said.
What are Chinese investors looking for?
Most of the beneficiaries of investment from Chinese companies fall into some pretty obvious categories — namely, premium skin care and fragrance.
Consumers have more faith in international skin care brands.
This reflects areas of major growth for international brands more generally in the China market, as C-Beauty brands account for a higher proportion of colour cosmetics sales (almost 50 percent of the market, according to Kantar research). Local brands haven’t made the same headway, however, when it comes to curing local consumers of their preference for international skin care brands.
“In the Chinese market, the makeup and skin care sectors are different. Consumers don’t have a great passion for high-end makeup products [so] affordable makeup brands are [considered] suitable for daily life,” Chen said, adding that in the skin care sector, high-end international skin care brands like Estée Lauder, Lancôme, La Mer and La Prairie dominate.
“Consumers have more faith in international skin care brands and high-end skin care brands…,” she said. For domestic Chinese players that want to enter the skin care sector, especially at the high-end, acquisitions of international brands are a good way for them to do that.”
Fragrance is another sector in which local players, with a few exceptions, haven’t yet capitalised in booming interest from younger, post-90s and post-00s consumers, leaving the door open for more foreign brands to fill the void.
The other thing that brands attracting Chinese investment share is a good story. As Tracy Zhang points out, key to success in China is feeding the beast of China’s relentless daily cycle of social media over a plethora of platforms, each of which requires different formats and tones. If a brand has an interesting story — whether it’s about its founder, its heritage, its ingredients, its hero products, or all of the above — that can form the basis of engaging content.
For Lau, the idea of heritage is also important, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be 100 years of history. Rather, it’s a case of “the brand [being] mature [in terms of being] on the market for a period of time and… the way its story is being told.”
The next important factor, he says, is proprietary formulas. Advanced formulations are at the heart of brands such as Eve Lom, Natura Bissé and Galénic and help to give them an edge with Chinese consumers, who relentlessly research every advance and innovation in skin care efficacy.
A compelling country-of-origin association can also help make a foreign brand attractive to Chinese investors. Geoskincare is a natural skin care brand founded by a dermatologist Penny Vergeest in New Zealand in 2000 and acquired by Chinese businessman Liu Xiaokun (also known as Aaron Liu) in 2014.
When asked to describe his brand in a few words for an interview published on trade show Cosmoprof’s website, Liu says simply: “Natural, new-tech and New Zealand.” Its credentials, in terms of being “natural” are bolstered by coming from New Zealand and continuing to source products there, a country widely associated in Chinese consumers’ minds with a pristine environment.
Both Lau and Feng also emphasised the important role founders play when each of their companies decides whether or not to make an investment.
“When we have the founders on board and their visions for the brand are still being pushed through products, to copy and packaging, this ensures the brand is consistent everywhere and over every consumer touchpoint,” Lau said. “Then of course, the most important part is that the brands are growing abroad and catching a level of awareness in China.”
For Feng, the formula is even simpler. “[Naturally], these brands need to have the product quality, the materials and the packaging, but it’s the founders that really attract me,” he said. “If I like you, I will invest in you.”
FASHION & BEAUTY
Fendi Wins Chinese Court Judgement Against ‘Fake’ Stores
A court in Shanghai ruled in a retrial that Fendi should be compensated by Capital Outlets Commercial Development and Shanghai Yilang International Trade for trademark infringement and illicit competition. This legal case began back in 2016, when Fendi discovered Capital Outlets and Shanghai Yilang International Trade were selling grey market Fendi goods they had parallel-imported into China from France out of stores with Fendi signage and packaging, which Fendi said misled consumers into believing they were buying directly from a brand-run outlet. In 2018, the Shanghai Higher People’s Court found in favour of Fendi, agreeing that the use of the Fendi signage on stores and packaging was misleading to consumers. The court ordered Capital Outlets Commercial Development and Shanghai Yilang International Trade to pay 350,000 yuan ($54,000) in compensation. (BoF)
Alibaba’s Former CEO Bets $15.4 Million on ‘the Shein of Swimwear’
Following in the lucrative footsteps of ultra-fast fashion cross-border player Shein, another online only, Nanjing-based cross-border brand is attracting investment. Cupshe, a direct-to-consumer swimwear label that manufactures low-cost garments in China, but generates the bulk of its sales via its own website, as well as Amazon, to Western consumers, received a 100 million yuan ($15.4 million) investment from Vision Knight Capital. Vision Knight Capital was co-founded by Wei Zhe (also known as Daniel Wei), a former CEO of Alibaba. Cupshe, which was founded in 2015, sells swimwear priced between $14 and 42 to consumers in Western markets, mainly Europe and North America. (BoF)
Hedi Slimane Solo Exhibition Coming to Shanghai
Celine creative director, Hedi Slimane, will hold the first solo exhibition of his work as a multi-disciplinary artist in six years this month in Shanghai. The “Sun of Sound” show, which runs from March 19 to April 30 at Shanghai’s Almine Rech gallery, also marks the first time Slimane has a solo show of his artworks in China. At the heart the show will be the ‘Sonic’ series, in which Slimane created studio portraits of musicians such as Lou Reed, Keith Richards, Brian Wilson and Amy Winehouse. The exhibition will also feature an immersive sound installation. (BoF)
Aesop and The Body Shop Making China Market Moves
Just days after Chinese authorities officially dropped a requirement for most imported cosmetic products to be tested on animals before being sold in China, cruelty free beauty leaders are moving quickly to formally enter the world’s second-largest beauty market. According to Natura & Co. chairman, Roberto Marques, two of its high-profile cruelty-free brands will complete their product registration in China in the first half of 2021. Aesop is expected to be the first to open its first store in Shanghai in the fourth quarter of 2021, and The Body Shop’s first store in China is scheduled to open in 2022. “Although it is too early to mention the development of the Chinese market, we are committed to entering the Chinese market with a strong momentum, especially the two brands Aesop and The Body Shop,” Marques told analysts during a recent earnings call. (BoF)
TECH & INNOVATION
L’Oréal Unveils First Virtual Idol in China
L’Oréal Group announced on March 4 its first-ever virtual idol, an anime-style two-dimensional character named Mr Ou. The idol, who is described as being a 24-year-old, Chinese-French entrepreneur who cares for the environment and works within the beauty industry, will be tapped to contribute content on L’Oréal’s social media channels related to beauty trends, ingredients, sustainability initiatives, as well as interviews with influencers (know as Key Opinion Leaders, or KOLs in China) and celebrities. The virtual idol industry in China has exploded in recent years. According to a 2019 report on virtual idols released by Chinese streaming giant iQiyi, 64 percent of people aged 14 to 24 were followers of virtual idols and last year, on Bilibili, there was a 225 percent year-on-year increase in the monthly average viewing time of virtual idol livestreams. (BoF)
Chinese Q&A Platform Zhihu Files for $100 million US IPO
Zhihu, a Chinese question-and-answer platform, has filed with the SEC to raise up to $100 million in an initial public offering. Often compared with Quora, Zhihu is the largest Q&A-inspired online community and one of the top five online content communities in China, both in terms of average mobile monthly annual users (MAUs) and revenue in 2020. As of December 31, the company had 43.1 million cumulative content creators, and it had 75.7 million average MAUs in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Beijing, China-based company was founded in 2010 and booked $209 million in revenue for the 12 months ended December 31. No pricing terms were disclosed. (Renaissance Capital)
CONSUMER & RETAIL
Gap Weighs Sale of China Business as Sales Lag Behind
Gap Inc. is weighing options including a potential sale for its China business, according to people with knowledge of the matter, as the US clothing retailer looks to revamp the operation in the world’s second-largest economy. Deliberations are at an early stage and the company could decide to keep the operation, the people said. A representative for Gap declined to comment. The San Francisco-based firm, which owns Banana Republic and its namesake Gap brands, entered China in 2010. Apart from its brick-and-mortar stores, Gap’s products are also available on Alibaba’s Tmall platform. Gap last year pulled its Old Navy brand out of China after scrapping a plan to list the brand as a standalone public company. (Bloomberg)
Sales Surge 81% at China’s K11 Malls So Far This Year
Since January 2021, K11 mall properties in Hong Kong and mainland China have delivered a “strong” performance with cumulative sales surging 81 percent in the year-to-date, compared with the same period last year, according to data in interim results shared with analysts by Hong Kong-based New World Development. In the first half of the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2020, Shanghai’s K11 was among the best-performing, with a sales growth rate of 37 percent, hitting highs unseen since its opening in 2013. Even in Hong Kong, where New World’s flagship Hong Kong property, K11 Musea, was temporarily forced to close recently, after a Covid-19 outbreak was linked to one of its restaurants, re-opening was greeted by large crowds and long lines. Shoppers were lured back into store with vouchers that offered HKD 500 ($64.40) back when HKD 1,000 ($128.80) was spent on categories such as beauty. (BoF)
Dolce & Gabbana Re-Jigging China Retail Assortment
The Italian luxury brand has closed stores in Chengdu IFS, Shanghai IAPM Plaza and Nanning Mixc Mall, with new locations in Chengdu IFS and Shanghai IAPM due to re-open in the second quarter of this year. In the wake of D&G’s controversial #DGLovesChina marketing campaign in 2018 and ensuing fallout that resulted in a wider boycott of the brand among consumers and influencers, the brand has made a series of personnel and strategic changes in an attempt to revive sales in the Chinese market. Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce reportedly visited China in 2019 to visit learn about Chinese culture. In the same year, D&G participated in the Chinese International Import Expo and promised to continue to participate actively over the next three years. (BoF)
POLITICS, ECONOMY, SOCIETY
China Targets 6% Growth in 2021
China is targeting at least 6 percent growth this year, reflecting the government’s confidence in the wake of its successful containment of the coronavirus pandemic in the world’s second-largest economy. Premier Li Keqiang unveiled the goal at the National People’s Congress, the annual meeting of the country’s rubber-stamp parliament in Beijing. “The Chinese economy should very easily coast to the target growth rate,” said Jeremy Stevens, chief China economist at Standard Bank. “Eight per cent is more plausible.” (The Financial Times)
China Launches Digital ‘Vaccine Passport’
China has launched a digital “vaccine passport” to help citizens cross borders and make domestic travel more streamlined as coronavirus inoculation programmes around the world and at home gather pace. The electronic document takes the form of a mini-programme in WeChat, displaying an individual’s Covid-19 test results and vaccination status, as well as the type of shot they received. It includes an encrypted QR code that can be scanned for verification in participating countries, Chinese officials said. (Caixin)
Liu Wen Becomes First Asian Model to Get Her Own Barbie
Barbie released a brand new doll featuring Liu Wen in the seafoam green Zac Posen gown she stepped out in for the Met Gala back in 2014. The doll is part of Mattel’s Shero collection of Barbies and makes Liu Wen the first Asian model to have her own likeness immortalised in the form of a Barbie doll. In the past decade, Mattel has been making a more overt effort to embrace diversity and inclusivity. (Drama Panda)


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The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Facebook on suspicion that the social network is violating the rules of free competition by using advertising data from its advertisers to compete with them in the markets in which it is present; an inertia that directly affects their online classifieds service, ‘Facebook Marketplace’.
The powerful social network, used by almost 3 billion people a month; a colossal audience that is used by around seven million companies “collects large amounts of data on the activities of users of its social network and beyond, allowing it to target specific customer groups,” explained the Commissioner for Competition. Margrethe Vestager. “We will take a closer look at whether this data gives Facebook an undue competitive advantage, particularly in the online classifieds industry, where people buy and sell products every day and where Facebook also competes with companies from which it collects data. In today’s digital economy, data should not be used in a way that distorts competition, “he remarked.
Its ‘Marketplace’, indicated directly in the investigation, is an integrated platform that allows the purchase and sale of products among the users themselves. Brussels wants to determine if it would be damaging competition in relation to other markets where Mark Zuckerberg’s company is also present thanks to its social network, “in particular in the sector of online classifieds”.
By advertising their services on Facebook, according to the Community Executive, external companies, which in turn are their competition “can provide” data “commercially valuable that the California giant” could use to compete with the companies that provided them.
The Commission is concerned that Facebook may distort competition from online classified ad services. In particular, “Facebook could make use of data obtained from competing providers in the context of its advertising on the Facebook social network, to help Facebook Marketplace to overcome them.”
It could, for example, “receive precise information about the preferences of users of the advertising activities of its competitors and use this data to adapt its own platform. This investigation moves on parameters similar to the one that is underway with other technological giants such as Google.


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Outsource BPO Services to India
Outsourcing BPO Services to India is one of the popular business practices in today's competitive environment. The Indian BPO industry is constantly growing.
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Outsourcing BPO - The Benefits
British Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, at a national conference of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said, "It is much easier to see the short term benefits of protectionism than to see the long term costs to consumers and business competitiveness."
This is the crux of the pro-outsourcing argument. Outsourcing BPO Services to India offers benefits not only in terms of cost reduction, but also in terms of increased productivity and quality. Companies along with their customers benefit since they can access some of the best talent and expertise in the industry at lower rates.
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Outsourcing BPO to India - The Cost Savings
Bob Beauchamp, BMC Software President and CEO talked about the backlash in the US where an economic rebound had not created jobs. Addressing the Product and Embedded Software Summit in Bangalore he said that there may be a backlash, "But as studies have indicated that for every one dollar invested in India, the value derived by the US economy is between $12-14." He termed outsourcing to India as "irreversible" and said it was a "must have" to improve the Indian and global economy.
Cost is and has always been a driving factor for businesses, that's also one of the reasons why the rise of rural BPOs in India has been stupendous over the years.
NASSCOM has tried to address some of the concerns voiced by anti-outsourcing parties especially about the benefits to the American economy.
The study shows that US businesses have witnessed significant cost savings by offshoring to India.
- The US banking, finance and accounting services and insurance (BFSI) sector's costs are 7-10% lower than that of its European counterparts
- American BFSI companies have saved $6 billion in the last four years by offshoring to India.
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Outsourcing BPO to India - Creates Jobs
It seems contradictory to say that the migration of jobs from one country to another actually creates jobs in the former. However, that can ultimately be the case. According to the NASSCOM report, the BFSI sector have saved $6 billion in the last few years and due to these savings have added 125,000 new jobs in this period thus preventing layoffs.
Nearly 170 Indian IT companies have offices in the US and they employed nearly 60,000 people in the US in 2001. These people paid nearly $810 million in taxes in 2001. Employees of Indian IT firms bought goods and services worth $1.2 billion in the US and paid nearly $300 million as social security in 2001.
Outsourcing BPO to India - The Value Addition
The NASSCOM study continues to explain the added benefits. BFSI offshoring has resulted in quality and productivity gains of 15-20% and customer satisfaction of almost 85%.
The report gives a striking example of the success of the automobile industry in the US due to outsourcing. Today, this industry is the largest in the world and two of the biggest automobile companies are American. The industry has the same number of professionals it did in 1994 as it did in 1974, which is 900,000. Over this same period sales and services in this sector grew 20% from 2 million to 2.4 million. Outsourcing gave this industry a competitive edge and opened up opportunities in terms of investing in new equipment and re-engineering processes.
The US steel industry, however, resisted outsourcing and suffered greatly despite several tariffs and quotas.
Outsourcing BPO to India - The Long Term Benefits
Amidst the mounting furor against outsourcing one has to examine things more objectively. In the short term, cost benefits and value addition may not be apparent because of the initial investment involved in training and infrastructure. Also outcries against migration of jobs seem to cement the argument. However, as the NASSCOM report shows, the long term benefits are very powerful. Not only does outsourcing BPO to India allow global companies to avail of some of the best talent and expertise at competitive rates, but it also allows the company to actually save several jobs, which it might have had to lay off otherwise.
Outsourcing BPO Services to Outsource2india
Minimize your operating costs and maximize your revenue by outsourcing your BPO services to Outsource2india. O2I offers high-quality BPO services that can add value to your business and increase your productivity. Outsource BPO services and save on time, effort and manpower. You can also get access to expert, skilled and specialized BPO services. Outsource BPO services to Outsource2india and give your organization a cutting-edge!


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People love ice cream almost as much as they love inventing crazy new flavors of it. Häagen Daz Japan’s announcement of veggie versions of our favorite dairy dessert is only the latest in a new trend. Countless unusual ice cream flavors have cropped up this year, from soy sauce with wasabi to Oregon Fir. Which one would you like to try?
Häagen Daz Japan will debut two vegetable flavors, Carrot Orange and Cherry Tomato, on May 12. Here’s a glimpse at other wacky new ice cream flavors that have been publicized worldwide so far in 2014.


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Elon Musk asks his Twitter followers if they ought to pay for Tesla automobiles in Dogecoin. What’s next? Doubtlessly Tesla will place fragment of its balance sheet in Dogecoin, obtained’t they?
Elon Musk‘s adore for Dogecoin (DOGE) seems to be to be touching contemporary highs. A day after SpaceX announced accepting Dogecoin payments for its next location mission, Elon Musk teases his followers but again. On the microblogging location Twitter, Elon Musk requested his followers whether they need DOGE payments for Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA).
The area’s ultimate automobile broad already accepts Bitcoin (BTC) in payments against its automobile sales. Apart from, Tesla has also invested fragment of its reserve money in Bitcoin. Now, Tesla accepting DOGE will likely be a huge switch for the meme-cryptocurrency.
Construct you wish Tesla to settle for Doge?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) Would possibly even 11, 2021
The meme-cryptocurrency has shot to big standing in contemporary years. Final week, the Dogecoin (DOGE) market cap surged the total technique to $95 billion making it the area’s fourth-ultimate cryptocurrency.
On the opposite hand, it has corrected 30% since then. Nevertheless it sounds as if Musk’s tweet has reversed the tide in opposition to the north but again. At press time, DOGE designate is 2.21% up trading at $0.51 with a market cap of $66 billion.
Dogecoin has obtained solid backing from billionaire Elon Musk for a extremely very prolonged time. Musk accelerated his enhance for DOGE in February but again after which it gathered ample steam for this rally. Dogecoin has been on an unprecedented rally this year! Some analysts are already giving a target of $1 for DOGE by the waste of this year. Speaking about DOGE, Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at Ava Commerce mentioned:
“It’s mute extensively believed that the fourth-ultimate coin by market cap mute has the means to contact the one greenback impress as there is big enhance amongst retail merchants who’re betting their savings on this.”
Gemini Offering DOGE Holders 2.5% APY
On Sunday, Would possibly even 9, crypto trade Gemini announced that it might possibly probably possibly provide DOGE holders a 2.5% annual share yield (APY) via its Gemini Manufacture program. The announcement comes true internal every week of the crypto trade itemizing Dogecoin for trading.
“With our trading and custody enhance for DOGE, we are basically the simplest regulated trade in the U.S. the build you might well trade and manufacture hobby on DOGE in all 50 states,” mentioned Gemini.
With the parabolic upward thrust in the DOGE designate, tales of Dogecoin millionaires include already started rising. As per the document from eFinancialCareers, Aziz McMahon, a managing director and head of rising market sales at Goldman Sachs in London resigned from the firm after making thousands and thousands of bucks alongside with his Dogecoin investments.


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Showing 11-20 of 113
OVER 120 massage and reflexology centres owned and operated by the visually impaired community will be able to open their doors to customers once they are able to satisfy the conditions imposed by authorities.
TAMAN Sri Sinar residents can now enjoy upgraded facilities, including a new jogging track, at a park along Jalan 16/38D.
WHILE business operators understand the need for movement restrictions to break the chain of Covid-19 infections, they feel that customised standard operating procedures (SOP) can be introduced for the different industries to continue functioning.
AMID gloom and uncertainty shrouding their fate, some 200 needy and orphan children were in high spirits as they sang songs with gusto during a Merdeka celebration.


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It has so far reopened nearly 500 stores that were closed due to the pandemic, and plans to bring additional locations online in coming weeks. It started selling the brand this week online, at the same time it’s reopening stores. Penney built its strength by developing private labels in a different era when powerful regional department stores could squeeze out the national chains — Penney and Sears — from the brands that they wanted exclusively. J.C. Penney, which employs roughly 85,000 people, filed for bankruptcy protection in May after the coronavirus pandemic forced it to temporarily close its more than 800 stores across the United States, compounding financial woes that stemmed from years of dwindling sales. Early reports from the Daily Mail suggested the two sides were in talks for a merger. “Amazon sells a lot of dresses because it sells a lot of everything,” Sweney said, “but they have to put some equity behind some real brands.”. Use the form below to reset your password. Amazon is reportedly in talks to buy the retail chain J.C. Penney, which recently filed for bankruptcy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
During a court hearing on Thursday, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David Jones approved fresh financing from senior lenders to aid J.C. Penney's operations while it navigates Chapter 11 protection, and expressed concern the 118-year old chain needed to restructure quickly to survive. Click here to subscribe to D-FW Retail and more newsletters from The Dallas Morning News.
Still, concerns remain that customers might be slow to return amid health concerns and job losses not seen since the Great Depression. FILE PHOTO: A JCPenney store is pictured at a mall in Langhorne. Buyout firm Sycamore Partners in talks to buy J.C. Penney, sources say. A well-sourced fashion business publication, WWD.com, reported last week that Amazon had boots on the ground at Penney’s headquarters in Plano. as well as other partner offers and accept our, Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Private equity firm Sycamore Partners is in early talks to acquire JCPenney out of bankruptcy if the department store's negotiations with creditors fall through. This hinges on a slew of investment firms that hold the company's senior debt and have provided the company's bankruptcy financing agreeing to J.C. Penney's business plan by July 14. Get the latest on openings, closings and trends of the D-FW retail scene. Sycamore, a New York private equity firm that specializes in retail and consumer investments, has in the past taken control of high-profile businesses such as office supplies chain Staples, women's clothing retailer Talbots and department-store operator Belk.
They also bought "fast fashion" retailer FOREVER 21 for $81 million after it went bankrupt at the end of 2019. J.C. Penney knows how, and that’s because it has been doing private-label merchandise longer than most of its competitors. Sycamore is weighing acquiring J.C. Penney outright or making an investment in the troubled retailer, the sources said. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. But then it was reported Amazon and AMC are not in talks, according to, “We would be surprised if an acquisition down near all-time lows by Amazon in a transaction that would more than likely be for cash (and not stock) would appeal to AMC’s major shareholders,” said Eric Wold, an analyst with B. Riley FBR, according to. But the same analysts will tell you that Amazon needs help with its apparel business. J.C. Penney is also seeking permission from landlords to skip rent payments for June, July and August, Sussberg said last week. A lifelong interest in writing led to first professional freelancing, then becoming a Motley Fool author.
Joshua Sussberg, a Kirkland & Ellis LLP lawyer representing J.C. Penney, said during Thursday's court hearing that the company needed to persuade lenders negotiating to take control of the restructured business to keep it alive and that he planned to hold them accountable for how the case ended. The retailer announced a first phase of 154 store closings last week. Our news is free and we intend to keep it that way. Neither company has commented on the rumor. This hinges on a slew of investment firms that hold the company's senior debt and have provided the company's bankruptcy financing agreeing to J.C. Penney's business plan by July 14. Sycamore, Brookfield and Simon may have some steep competition: Rumor has it Amazon may want the retailer's real estate and could scoop Penney's or its real estate up in a bid to expand its potential retail and logistics footprint. Brookfield Property and Simon Property, J.C. Penney's landlords, are said to be strong potential buyers because an acquisition would ensure their numerous retail properties remain occupied. The report quoted a source: “There is an Amazon team in Plano as we speak. J.C. Penney is also seeking permission from landlords to skip rent payments for June, July and August, Sussberg said last week. JCPenney has already pledged to close 150 of its 800-plus stores. Just hit yes and continue on your way.
“There is a dialogue and I’m told it has a lot to do with Amazon eager to expand its apparel business.”, “This financing, combined with cash flow generated by the company’s ongoing operations, is expected to be sufficient to meet J.C. Penney’s operational and restructuring needs,” the company said, according to, Though the possibility of that move remains precarious. JCP stock has gotten so cheap that Amazon could be considering a takeover to expand its distribution network By Laura Hoy , InvestorPlace Contributor Jun 18, 2020, 3:12 pm EDT June 18, 2020 JCPenney Signs Asset Purchase Agreement with Brookfield, Simon and First Lien Lenders, Charting Course for the Future Article Stock Quotes (1) FREE Breaking News Alerts from StreetInsider.com! Still, concerns remain that customers might be slow to return amid health concerns and job losses not seen since the Great Depression. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Brookfield in May said it would devote $5 billion to non-controlling investments designed to revitalize retailers struggling in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. One would be a real estate investment trust that would hold some of the company's property and lease it back to J.C. Penney. Under a plan being discussed with its creditors, J.C. Penney would be split into two companies. Let's conquer your financial goals together...faster. Retail analyst Robin Lewis wrote in The Robin Report last week that Jeff Bezos would be making a “huge strategic mistake” if he purchased Penney, calling it “a rather dumb idea.”, Lewis is in the camp that thinks buying Kohl’s “would be a smart idea.” His reasons include that Kohl’s is bigger than Penney both in sales, market share and store count, and that most of Penney’s stores are in malls “where traffic has been tanking for years even before the virus.”. The chain created a new line of sheets and quilts called Linden Street to compete with specialty stores. We're not asking for your money.
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