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Just the prescription for prescription savings
After a year unlike any other, many of us are approaching 2021 with a renewed sense of hope. And while the new year may come with important plans to eat healthier and exercise more, there’s another resolution you should consider making – saving money on your prescription drugs.
Here’s the good news: Blue KC has ways to help!
It’s no secret that medication prices continue to rise year after year. This January, about 70 drugmakers announced annual price increases at an average of 3.3%, according to The Wall Street Journal.
We understand the importance of keeping prescription costs down. That’s why we’ve partnered with Rx Savings Solutions to offer a free, confidential online service that helps you – and anyone covered on your Blue KC policy – see if a better price is available for prescription drugs based on your Blue KC health benefits.
Rx Savings Solutions looks at the medications you take and prepares a personalized prescription savings plan. When they find a way you can pay less, they’ll automatically alert you based on your communication preferences. You can choose to get alerts by text, email, or letter by mail.
Did your deductible reset this January? Now’s the time to use Rx Savings Solutions to see if a lower cost is available on the medications you’re currently taking.
If you haven’t yet activated your Rx Savings Solutions account, sign up at https://myrxss.com/bluekc.
Or simply log in to MyBlueKC.com, visit the Plan Benefits section, and click on “Pharmacy.” Once you’re on the Pharmacy page, click on “Spend Less at the Pharmacy” and you’ll be directed to Rx Savings Solutions where you can view your current savings opportunities.


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Last year, it seems, was struck by great sadness as we mourned the loss of several retail giants, among them Toys R Us, Sears, and most recently, Payless.
A Reuters report announced on Thursday that Payless would file for its second bankruptcy in two years by the end of this month, as the company was unable to find a buyer to salvage it. But, the report also stated, there is a slim chance that a buyer could come forward even after the bankruptcy filing. Payless is also the only recent retail failure that I believe has not much to do with Amazon at all.
With decreasing quality, horrifying blandness, and unreasonable prices, Payless Shoes has set itself up to lose the interest of the American consumer. Its discount model is hardly competitive with those of other shoe retailers, especially DSW, Nordstrom Rack, and other outlets, where you can find branded shoes that look better and cost almost the same.
For children whose feet grow a half size every few months, Payless can be sensible and affordable. Its assortment of light-up sneakers and glittery sandals are perfect for parents who want chic offspring without having to throw out an expensive pair of shoes every six months.
For adult consumers, however, Payless hardly meets the mark. The retailer’s attempt at knock-offs of other brands are unconvincing and its original products don’t last long enough to matter. Its partnership with Christian Siriano, which began in 2008, might have been its
most only successful venture.
A recent prank that Payless boldly played on gullible fashion influencers might have convinced them to spend hundreds of dollars on shoes that were marked at $20, but I’ve learned that even if the $20 blender works better than the $200 blender, someone will buy the latter.
While it saddens me to see my favorite toy store disappear and my favorite place to sit in the washing machines be sold off, Payless is one retailer I’m relieved to bid farewell.
Photo: a screenshot of the company’s promotion video

domain: news


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Korea boasts the #3 market for Android apps in the world, behind only Japan and the United States in revenue. In a country that Samsung dominates as its home market, nearly three-quarters of smartphone users are on Android, making Korea a very attractive market for Android app developers. We conducted an analysis of the Korea Google Play Top Grossing, Top Free and Top New Free charts for the month of October.
Taiwan has a population of 23 million people, but despite being nearly one fifteenth the size of the US population, it ranks #5 on Google Play for worldwide sales. According to a Yahoo study, Taiwanese people rank #1 in the world for average daily smartphone use with nearly 200 minutes (average of 32 nations was 142 minutes). These factors make Taiwan an attractive market that should be on the radar of developers worldwide.
We conducted an analysis of popular app categories on the Google Play Top Grossing, Top Free and Top New Free charts, for the month of September. On the Top Grossing chart, Role Playing is currently the most popular category, with a category frequency rate of 18.9% in September. This is in contrast to how the Japanese market was formerly dominated by card battle games, as the Card category only ranks 4th, behind Role Playing, Casual and Simulation games. Of Google Play's 44 categories, the top 10 most popular categories made up 81.9% of all Top Grossing app appearances in September, indicating that a vast majority of apps monetizing well come from only a few select categories.


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Swing by its outlet in Herlev on Saturday afternoon, but don’t arrive by foot or you’ll have to leave empty-handed!
A lot of small businesses, particularly in the fast food sector, have been taking money under the table
Faruk Atay hopes that other restaurants will follow his initiative
You owe it to yourself to see what all the fuss is about at Bæst
In other news: Danes can now buy Volkswagen’s up! minicar online and Microsoft’s new Surface Book has just hit the stores


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The kind fellers at Boy Genius Report have scored again.
This time, it’s a roadmap of Sprint’s device releases through the rest of the year and into 2009.
Of interest to us: the BlackBerry 8350i. It’s in the Curve family, given the model number, and it’s set to drop in the fourth quarter of this year. I wonder how this will play out if Sprint ends up selling the iDEN network, as has been rumored.
Anyway, the Nextel 8350i will features WiFi (woo hoo!), GPS, and an optional 2 megapixel camera. Spec sheet, courtesy of BGR, after the jump.


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Port St. Lucie Civic Center now offers tickets online
PORT ST. LUCIE — The Port St. Lucie Civic Center now offers an option for event-goers to buy admission online through Etix, a web-based ticketing provider.
This online ticketing system gives Civic Center customers a new option in addition to the ability to purchase tickets over the phone and in person at the Civic Center.
Customers may either print a ticket at home or display a ticket on their smart phone to present at the event, according to Kathleen McAlpine, Civic Center director.
As an added benefit to event organizers, the ticketing platform allows for event sponsors by offering advertising space on tickets purchased online.
Tickets are on sale now for the Feb. 14 Ambassadors of Swing’s “Dancing with the Big Band” event and the Feb. 15 Port St. Lucie Community Band concert.
Tickets also can be purchased for Civic Center events on the city’s Facebook page at www.cityofpsl.com/cityofpsl, directly from the post for each event.
For more information or assistance purchasing tickets, call 772-807-4488 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.Monday through Friday. For online ticketing support, Etix customer service is available seven days a week at 1-800-514-3849.


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Starbucks teamed up with Lady Gaga for a new line of iced drinks that will help raise money for the pop star's foundation.
The "Cups of Kindness" campaign kicks off Tuesday and the drinks will be available in the U.S. and Canada through June 19.
Starbucks said 25 cents from every drink sold will go toward Gaga's "Born This Way" foundation which aims to promote kindness.
“We’re healthier and happier when we live our lives with compassion and our communities are stronger when we treat one another with generosity and respect,” Lady Gaga said in a press release. “Born This Way Foundation and I are so excited to partner with Starbucks to help inspire positivity and love through the 'Cups of Kindness' collection.”
The drinks in the "Cups of Kindness" collection include two of Starbucks' famous pink drinks as well as two new beverages, the blackberry-flavored violet drink and matcha lemonade.
Check out the drink descriptions here
One of the programs that will benefit from this initiative is Born This Way Foundation's Channel Kindness, which features stories of kindness documented by young people across the country.
Starbucks said it will donate a minimum of $250,000 to the foundation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Founded by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, Nothing’s first product, ‘Ear 1’ will be launched globally, including in India
Nothing, a new consumer technology venture by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, on Tuesday, said it will launch its first product in June this year.
New consumer technology start-up, Nothing, has said that it will launch its maiden product in June this year. Founded by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, Nothing’s first product, ‘Ear 1’ will be launched globally, including India. It is backed by CRED founder Kunal Shah.
In a blog post, CEO Pei said, “ Our mission is to remove barriers between people and technology to create a seamless digital future that looks, lives, and feels like nothing. For those hoping for a disappearing act overnight, Ear 1 falls short.”
“We believe the earphones market was begging for differentiation, space where we can elevate design and deliver value from day one. Additionally, as an area of hyper-growth, the earphones market will provide a fertile backdrop as we strengthen our capabilities and prepare to enter new product categories,” Pei added.
So far, the London-based company has successfully raised $22 million from investors, including GV, Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin, and Reddit CEO Steve Huffman.
According to IDC, the global shipment of wearable devices reached 153.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, witnessing a growth of 27.2 per cent year-on-year, while that for the full-year was at 444.7 million units (28.4 per cent growth). In India, the wearables market posted 144.3 per cent y-o-y growth in 2020, exiting 2020 with 36.4 million unit shipments.


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Workers at the Berkeley bookstore unionized as organized labor is gaining steam nationwide.
Maybe it’s the fact that the NLRB is currently tallying votes for the biggest Amazon unionization drive yet. Maybe it’s the fact that Biden claims to be “the most pro-union president you’ve ever seen.” Maybe it’s the pandemic, pushing economic inequality and worker safety and security in stark relief.
Whatever the cause, unions are more popular today than they’ve been in decades, with 65 percent of Americans approving of labor unions, according to a fall Gallup poll. Just in the last six months, local workforces ranging from Stiiizy budtenders in the Mission to that of Google and Medium have unionized. The most well-known unionization efforts have been in tech.
As of March 9, however, a new union was formed in Berkeley that outsiders might not have seen coming. The workers of Moe’s Books, a bookstore in Berkeley best known for its radically leftist history, have joined the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Doris Moskowitz, owner of Moe’s Books and daughter of the original owner, Moe Moskowitz, for whom the shop is named, voluntarily recognized the union. The workers will be holding a rally outside the store on Saturday, April 3 at 2 p.m.
Workers say the union was formed after their concerns about health and safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic were ignored and some workers faced retaliation. “Frontline staff felt unsafe in that safety protocols were being changed without their consent, and without their knowledge,” says Noah Ross, a book buyer at Moe’s who is also part of the workers’ organizing committee. “They would just walk into work and discover that protocols have changed.”
Most of the tensions revolve around a check-in station, where an employee has been stationed, sitting behind a folded table outside the store’s doors, for most of the pandemic. Upon entering Moe’s, this worker checks that each customer wears a mask and sanitizes their hands (because who doesn’t flip through more books than they buy when visiting a bookstore?). They also monitor store capacity. But management has tried to remove this check-in station or move it inside the doors on multiple occasions, causing workers to worry they’ll have less power to enforce COVID protocols and that employees hired for this position will be abruptly let go. Since management recognized the union, they still moved the station inside once and reduced the hours of two front door checkers — an example worker organizers reference as evidence that management is not empathetic to their concerns. But when asked about the union on Friday afternoon, Doris Moskowitz replied that “if the employees want it, it’s probably good for Moe’s.”
In comparison to other unions formed recently, this is the first to spring from one of the Bay Area’s iconic landmarks of ’60s-era counterculture. Moe Moskowitz opened the store at the height of the Beatnik era in 1959 with his wife Barbara, and quickly became known for his proclivity toward agitation. He helped finance the band who sang the Vietnam-war anthem “I Feel Like I’m Fixin to Die Rag” at Woodstock, and sheltered demonstrators in his store during Berkeley’s anti-war protests. But protestors warn the community to not take the store’s radical history for granted.
“I think that my boss has used that legacy in order to bring in business, and bring in business in a way that has obscured the actual issues,” says Kalie McGuirl, another worker on the organizing committee. “But the actual legacy of Moe, and the things he did at the bookstore definitely trickled down — and I think that’s a large part of why Moe’s was able to unionize so effectively, why we were so unanimous in this.”
SF Weekly Link: https://www.sfweekly.com/news/moes-books-employees-unionize-rally-saturday/


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LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the state can use existing economic development incentives to assist Fiat Chrysler’s expansion without her needing to ask lawmakers to approve new incentives for the company.
She said Wednesday the state’s package for Fiat Chrysler will be publicly released at a future meeting of Michigan Strategic Fund, which awards companies grants in exchange for job creation. Fiat Chrysler announced plans Tuesday to add 6,500 jobs in Michigan, many of them in Detroit.
Under an existing deal with the state, Fiat Chrysler is eligible for more than $1 billion in business tax credits through 2029, and it can claim the credits for an increasing number of employees this decade.
It is not clear if the company or state may try to restructure the agreement.


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LG is set to finally start selling its radical rollup TV.
In 2016, the firm announced the world’s first 18-inch rollable display at CES in Las Vegas – and last year, showed off a 65inch version.
Now, it plans to finally start selling the 65inch version – although hasn’t yet said how much it will cost.
LG has developed a 65-inch OLED screen that can be rolled up like a newspaper. In 2016, the firm announced the world¿s first 18-inch rollable display at CES in Las Vegas ¿ and now, they¿ve more than tripled its size. The firm has yet to reveal more details on the system
WHAT IS OLED?
OLED, or organic light-emitting diodes, works by putting electricity through certain materials that glow red, green and blue.
It is the only TV technology to create colour like this. LCDs, for instance, use colour filters and liquid crystals that block light to create an image.
Meanwhile, plasmas use UV light by triggering pockets of gas that create red, green and blue phosphors.
This means that OLEDs can be thinner and more flexible than any other television technology currently on the market.
The envisioned 65-inch TVs will retract automatically at the touch of a button like a garage door, the person said on condition of anonymity because it’s an internal matter,’ wrote Bloomberg.
They will sport organic light-emitting diode or OLED screens, which produce crisper images and fold more easily than traditional LCD or liquid-crystal display panels.
The new LG Display will be the world’s first 65-inch rollable OLED display.
The design aims to optimize space utilization, allowing the large screen to be packed away in a more compact form when its’ not in use.
This makes for easier storage, while still achieving high resolution.
The key to LG’s radical new display is that it does not require a backlight.
This gives it the freedom to roll up and be stored away.
OLED TVs are estimated to account for just 1.1 percent of the market this year, while LCDs claim almost 98 percent, according to data tracker Statista.
But unit shipments of OLED TVs are set to grow 70 percent next year to 4 million from an estimated 2.35 million this year, it said.
LG previously unveiled an 18-inch display that can be rolled-up in the same way.
The paper-thin product was announced by the Korean giant ahead of the CES technology show in 2016, with claims the technology could one day be used on smartphones or in-car screens that curve around a vehicle’s interior.
LG’s AI OLED TVs will have Google Assistant so users can control them with voice commands.
And, users will have access to ‘more intelligent content information,’ to search soundtracks or casts, and even let the TV turn itself off when a program ends, without setting a specific time.
The TV can connect and control all of the other smart home devices as well.
LG says it is making its OLED TV even better for 2018, with the alpha 9 processor for 50 percent more powerful image processing than last year’s lineup.
It will have 731 percent more colour points than its predecessor, along with high frame support and Dolby Atmos Sound.
An advanced algorithm will reduce image noise
There will be five models in the series, ranging from 55-77 inches.


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Jimmy Kimmel strikes again! This time he's showing off the new Apple "iWatch" to a select few, only to reveal that he is really giving displaying a Casio watch with an Apple sticker.
Giveaway: Win the Logitech G910 Orion Spark mechanical keyboard!
Six Windows 10 features not available to Insiders... yet
All the latest on Windows 10 build 10041
windows 10 technical preview
Microsoft wants to turn Android phones into Windows 10 phones
LG Windows Phone mock-up
How to get Cortana working outside of the US in preview build 10041
Neowin is at CES 2011 and is covering all the highlights the show has to offer. Casio is attending the show and has a press conference scheduled for 1PM GMT-8. Neowin will be live blogging...
Casio today announced the launch of some super thin cameras. Most credit card sized cameras either feel flimsy or take mediocre pictures. Step up to the plate Casio's Exilim Card EX-S770, bringing you an all...


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Study: ‘Direct’ Bookings Do Not Cut Costs for Airlines
Expert study refutes airline claim that direct distribution is less expensive
A new study said that increasing so-called “direct” bookings does not reduce costs for airlines, suggesting the true motive of some carriers is to curtail consumer access to independent, neutral booking channels.
Conducted by specialist economists in the airline industry Infrata, the study “Airline Distribution Costs” highlights the deficiencies in previous distribution cost calculations presented by airlines and concludes that selling through travel agents using neutral booking platforms (often called global distribution systems or “GDSs”) is just as cost-effective for airlines as selling “direct”.
“When taking into account advertising, marketing, customer support and payment fees, as well as the significant costs of online customer acquisition such as search engine fees, the costs of “direct” bookings and those made through online and offline travel agencies is equivalent,” said the author of the study, Ian Lowden, adding that airlines seeking to justify a move to less transparent “direct” distribution schemes often omit from consideration these important – and unavoidable – costs.
The findings raise significant questions about what must drive an airline to encourage more direct distribution of fares, if not cost savings.
The study was commissioned by the European Federation of Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations (ECTAA) and the European Technology & Travel Services Association (ETTSA).
“Some airlines claim that sales made via travel agents using neutral booking platforms cost them several times more than direct sales. Yet the evidence shows that there is no reduction in costs when airlines push for more direct sales – and costs actually increase for some categories of airlines,” says Christoph Klenner, Secretary General of ETTSA.
According to ECTAA Secretary General Michel de Blust, airlines must have other motives to push direct sales.
“One clear motive seems to be avoiding the transparency, convenience and choice that travel agents and neutral travel platforms offer consumers. In airlines’ “direct” sales channels, such transparency and choice do not exist, allowing them to make consumers captive and vulnerable to increased prices.”
Key findings from Infrata’s “Airline Distribution Costs” report:
• Large airline groups incorrectly claim that it costs them several times more when customers book their flights via travel agents using independent, neutral online travel platforms.
• In that calculation, the airlines ignore how much it actually costs them to acquire customers, such as substantial “click fees” paid to search engines, and to cover payment and credit card costs, customer service, advertising and marketing costs, ancillary costs and other services.
• Taking all factors into consideration, going direct does not reduce costs; in fact in several cases it increases costs.
• For large network airlines, going direct has potential negligible cost savings of 11 eurocents (€13.43 vs €13.32), which represent less than 1% of their distribution cost.
• For network airlines with a small home base, going direct adds an extra eleven percent to the cost of each booking.
• Regional airlines also see an additional four percent increase to the cost per booked segment for going direct.
• The reason for this is that the cost of customer acquisition, (online) marketing and advertising, technology development, and customer service increase considerably for airlines that want consumers to book direct.


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June 18, 2020 by Ricardo Bilton
What will the recovery look like?
Brands should take a more nuanced approach to the block list
How the industry is (and is not) preparing for the death of the cookie
Brands are pulling back spending. Here’s why they shouldn’t be.
OTT is having its moment
All Hail the CFO
WTF: Programmatic terms explained
Event Slides: Adapting Programmatic Strategies
Event slides: Dentsu Programmatic redefines transparency
Event slides: Using data to tell stories
Full event videos
Between Google’s announcement that it was killing the third-party cookie in Chrome, the advent of California’s CCPA, and rapid industry consolidation, it was clear from the early months of 2020 that this was going to be an eventful year for the programmatic ecosystem.
Then the coronavirus happened.
In the months since the outbreak began, the industry has been hit with challenge after challenge: Brands in sectors such as travel and hospitality have seen dramatic declines in their own industries, that some may never recover from. And, as goes brands, so goes advertising.
Read more at:


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Nvidia announced its latest quarterly earnings to the result of $1.23 billion in revenue, giving the company its greatest three-month stretch of business in its own history.
...of fabulous flagships, Xbox excitement and Microsoft's mobile meltdown
Win a Microsoft Lumia 650 + a 200GB SanDisk microSDXC card!
Amazon Kindle Oasis 3G: the best Kindle that $360 can buy
Windows 10 for PCs build 14352 released to the Fast ring
Your handy guide to all of the phones and tablets running Windows 10 Mobile
windows 10 mobile
Dell Latitude notebooks will be made available to pilots of the Airbus A320 airliner family, connecting to flight deck systems, and providing in-flight digital access to crucial documentation.
The world's largest passenger jet, Airbus A380, will make its long-awaited landing Monday at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as part of its U.S. debut, officials in Los Angeles said. The landing at LAX on...
European plane maker, Airbus, has withdrawn its petition in the on going European Union investigation into Microsoft's activities. The withdrawal has been viewed with some suspicion by Microsoft and analysts, as it comes very close...


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#78 Australia’s largest media buyer sheds light on the future of brand communications.
Harold Mitchell AC owns the largest media buying agency in Australia. Hundreds of millions of advertising dollars go through his business each year. In this insightful interview, Harold talks about how the media world is undergoing the most dramatic shift it has ever seen since the introduction of the printing press; how by 2020 80% of all content we consume will be digital and why we (as podcast producers) might just be on to something (we really liked that bit).
Plus we help a Chiropractor that’s running out of patience and the Prof suggests social media may not be all it’s cracked up to be.


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ClearVoice recently launched a new feature to give freelancers a better way to show off their work and get new jobs.
CV Portfolios offer an easier alternative to personal websites that are often sparsely populated, out-of-date or otherwise neglected.
Thanks a technology that the company is calling VoiceGraph, writers no longer have to keep the pages updated themselves. Instead, co-founder and CEO Joe Griffin said VoiceGraph indexes stories from the top publishers online (about 250,000 currently) and matches them to their authors. It also aggregates metrics around social sharing and connecting to the authors’ own social media accounts.
“At the end of the day, what we want to do here is give freelancers very robust tools that make it as simple as possible to address one of the biggest hurdles freelancers were having: creating a portfolio and maintaining it,” Griffin said.
So for example, you can visit my CV Portfolio to see many of my latest TechCrunch articles. Granted, that’s not that so exciting, since you can do the same thing on my TechCrunch author page, but this could be pretty useful if I was a freelancer with a variety of publishers, or if I wanted to highlight articles I wrote for past employers.
There were around 400,000 automatically generated CV Portfolios at launch. Authors can claim their profiles, then edit them by creating new sections, moving articles around, deleting work that they’re not proud of, adding links or uploading files. And again, it’s a lot easier because they’re starting with a portfolio that’s already populated and automatically updated with new stories.
(And yes, if you’re a freelancer with an automatically generated portfolio that you don’t want on ClearVoice, Griffin said you can just delete it.)
The product is free. Sure, you can can use your CV Portfolio to promote yourself on ClearVoice’s talent marketplace, where freelancers get hired by companies to help with content marketing. But Griffin said he’s perfectly fine if people just want to create CV Portfolios and don’t participate in the market at all.


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Work is key to personal wellbeing and is about more than stakeholder returns or immediate deliverables
Nike's global revenues for the fiscal fourth quarter fell 38% to US$6.3 billion which saw the multinational corporation suffer a loss of US$790 million for the period, from a profit of US$989 million a year ago
We are seeing robots do the work of humans in dispensing prescription drugs, researching judgements and case law, and analysing insurance claims
"Who is in your network and how much input or influence they have on what you are doing or trying to achieve is critical to your growth and success."
"The overriding goal between now and 2022 is to speed up full implementation of our integrated store concept, driven by the notion of being able to offer our customers uninterrupted service no matter where they find themselves, on any device and at any time of the day.”
"Thierry has an exceptional leadership track record, strong international exposure, deep strategic expertise, a unique ability to forge long-standing client relationships, and proven experience of driving transformation and managing technological disruption," said Rishad Premji, Chairman, Wipro Ltd
"I believe that there is a significant opportunity to harness the strengths of the business to successfully deliver the planned product expansion and brand elevation," said Aston Martin Lagonda's new CEO Tobias Moers.
Alibaba's mobile users grew and sales for the company's cloud computing business, which competes with similar services from Amazon, Google owner Alphabet and Microsoft, increased 58% from last year
Mary Barra, CEO of the US$137 billion automotive giant General Motors, runs the largest business by a woman. She is the first female CEO of a major motor vehicle manufacturer.
"When it comes to leadership, we expect men to be ambitious and we don’t expect women to be. This erodes women’s ability to express their ambition," said Dr Morley.


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USC Students Build Their Own Holodeck
When it comes to virtual reality, there is no immersive VR environment as well known as the Holodeck from “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” So it’s no surprise that, with all the advancements in VR technology, a group of students from the University of Southern California (USC) are trying to build a working version of the interactive, 3D room. In the process, they may well create a lower cost alternative to more expensive full-room VR systems.
Of course, it doesn’t work quite like its fictional counterpart. Project Holodeck incorporates an Oculus RIFT headset to provide the visuals, PlayStation Move to track participants’ heads, and Razer Hydra motion sensing technology. And while it doesn’t create the type of fully interactive, haptic environment of the TV show, there are some fans integrated into the system that can generate wind to enhance the user experience.
The Holodeck is an Advanced Games project from the university’s Interactive Media Division at the School of Cinematic Arts, developed in conjunction with the Gamepipe Laboratory at the Viterbi School of Engineering.
The Oculus RIFT headset was designed as an inexpensive VR headmount display. Unveiled at the E3 Expo in May, the device is targeted at consumers (and gamers), but could provide VR capabilities for less than $500 per unit.
The students have developed a video game called Wild Skies to show off the room’s capabilities.
You can see a video about Project Holodeck below:
Source: Project Holodeck


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Registration takes less than 1 minute.
Combined with the sweeping Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement signed last month, the Chinese policy could help "ignite new trade," according to Federal Maritime Commissioner Richard A. Lidinsky.
Neptune Orient Lines, parent of liner company APL, has confirmed it has entered into talks with CMA CGM and Maersk about a potential sale, while COSCO and China Shipping told FMC Commisioner William Doyle they are in the "beginning stages of a merger."
Chinese carriers COSCO and China Shipping told the Federal Maritime Commission they are in the beginning stages of a merger, while Bloomberg reported CMA CGM has entered into talks to buy APL parent Neptune Orient Lines.
Industry groups said they are willing to work with the port to speed cargo through POLB, but expressed concern about how the plan might affect shippers, who want to pick up containers faster but say getting chassis and trucking capacity can be difficult.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said at the conclusion of the JCCT meeting Monday that China indicated it will review 11 biotechnology applications and continue the dialogue on U.S. beef.
Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company, the only non-carrier affiliated terminal, saw its volumes double to 22,225 TEUs, the largest percentage gain among the three container terminals at the South Florida port.


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The ink has just dried on the deal for Carte Blanche Greetings to acquire Is It Art, the industry’s major distributor to the independent retail sector, owned by industry stalwart Martin Nevin.
This significantly strengthens Carte Blanche Greetings’ connections with the independent retail sector, fulfilling part of the company’s strategic growth plans. The acquisition has been concluded with the agreement from Blue Mountain Arts, Danilo, Emotional Rescue and Gemma International that their products will continue to be distributed by Is It Art.
Is It Art was founded in 1998 by Martin Nevin, who, upon his acquisition of Emotional Rescue in 2015, reduced his involvement in Is It Art. Martin stepped back into the business earlier this year when conversations developed between Is It Art and Carte Blanche concerning the potential of a combined business opportunity.
Discussions between the two companies have been ongoing for the last few months, with the final agreement being signed shortly before PG Live closed.
As Carte Blanche ceo, Alister Marchant commented: “This acquisition is very much part of our long-term plans to represent a comprehensive brand offering across numerous sales platforms.”
Alister has extended his role to also become ceo of Is It Art, with Martin continuing a connection as Emotional Rescue products will continue to be distributed by Is It Art.
As Alister elaborated on the rationale of the purchase: “With the retail landscape changing faster than ever, at CBG we recognise that to grow our market share we need to work with exceptional partners which will allow our customers to choose some of the very best brands and products that our industry has to offer.”
Gerard O’Mahoney, commercial director of CBG revealed that there are no plans to make any changes to the Is It Art sales team. “We truly want to get under the skin of the Is It Art business, determined not to lose any of the essence of what has made the company so strong.”
However Gerard does not discount that in the fullness of time that it may well consider distributing other complementary greeting card brands to further “support the independent retailers’ offer. Adding the major brands of Blue Mountain Arts, Danilo, Emotional Rescue and Gemma International to our three strong brands of Me to You, Hotchpotch and Wishing Well, means we now have a very compelling offer for independent retailers.”
Speaking about the acquisition, Brett Smith, sales director for Danilo said: “Danilo welcomes the acquisition of Is It Art by CBG as an truly exciting industry development which will be of great benefit to both the vital independent retail sector and their loyal customers. We have enjoyed a fantastic 20 year relationship with Martin and his team at Is It Art and look forward to building on that success within the new structure. Everyone at Danilo wishes Martin well for the future.”
And Tim Rudd-Clarke, director of Gemma International, whose products are distributed by Is It Art said: “This is a really good development for the whole industry. Carte Blanche, being such a strong player who understands independent retailers’ needs now owning the key distributor can only be a positive thing for all concerned.”
Pictured at top: Martin Nevin and Alister Marchant
UPDATE: This story has been updated since first published on 7 June.


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As people start to leave their homes, various brands and marketers have started to rethink their outdoor advertising spending. The holiday season and the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) have also caused brands and marketers to reconsider outdoor advertising.
Since COVID hit, most of us have connected to each other through our cell phones. Now we’re more likely to look up when we’re outside, rather than staring at our tiny mobile screens.
Experts believe that the recovery of out-of-home advertising (OOH) has been better than expected. Atul Shrivastava, CEO of Laqshya Media Group, tells afaqs! that outdoor advertising is now seen as an appropriate medium to reach the target audience. âThe revenue for the 2021 holiday season is expected to be close to 2019, which is a positive sign,â he says.
The oversaturation of digital media and the constant bombardment of social media ads are other reasons brands and marketers reach their target audiences with OOH advertising.
For Mark Titus, Marketing Director, Nippon Paint India, the silver lining is having the IPL during the holiday season, which means more excitement for a brand like his.
Nippon is currently running a campaign, in association with the IPL Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teams. The brand has also planned a few product launches. âWith increased mobility in mind, post-COVID blockages, we are seeing a slight increase in OOH spending for the holiday season,â says Titus.
Bullish brand categories on OOH
Brands in all categories are open to outdoor advertising. Shrivastava of Laqshya Media Group points out that it is not just over-the-top (OTT) platforms, car brands or smartphone brands, but even the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) and real estate spend a lot of money on OOH advertising.
Sidharth Parashar, President – Investments and Pricing, GroupM India, agrees, saying the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Retail, BFSI, Media and OTT brands will continue to dominate. âHigh-end real estate, luxury automobiles and other high-end brands will dominate at high-end OOH touchpoints. “
People generally tend to invest in things, including a new home, during the holiday season. Karthi Marshan, chairman and chief marketing officer of Kotak Mahindra Group, said that with this in mind, his company announced a low interest rate for home loans of 6.5%.
âThis is one of our main campaigns. We focus on OOH and digital media. We started an aggressive push towards home loans last October and have used OOH advertising extensively. “
During the holiday season, people also spend a lot on home renovations etc. Titus informs that Nippon’s recent OOH campaign was for its Weatherbond PRO product.
The brand has a 360-degree campaign around it, and OOH advertising plays a vital role in the subways and major non-metropolitan cities of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Nippon has also executed innovative animation campaigns led by bus shelters in cities like Chennai and Bengaluru.
Have OOH advertising rates returned to pre-pandemic levels?
Advertising rates have a major influence on whether or not brands include OHO in their marketing mix.
Sanjeev Gupta, managing director of Global Advertisers, mentions that while brands are optimistic about OOH spending, advertising rates have still not returned to 2019 levels and have yet to cross the pre-pandemic threshold. However, he seems optimistic.
âLast year advertising rates fell to zero. If there is no third wave (COVID), advertising rates are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by December 2021. “
Many OOH advertising companies have reduced their rates for most of 2020 and early 2021, and have given special COVID discounts.
Gautam Bhirani, MD, Eyetalk Media Ventures, mentions that his organization was offering discounted rates until July 2021. But it has now returned to normal rates for outdoor space. However, due to the comparatively lower footfall in spaces such as shopping malls, restaurants, shopping complexes and coworking spaces, brands and agencies still expect discounts.
Is DOOH the new conversation starter?
Speed, flexibility, and measurability are the main DOOH currencies that create lucrative opportunities for brands to deliver day-to-time-triggered content while measuring its impact on performance.
As Bhirani mentions, âDue to COVID, every industry has gone through transformation. OOH has also taken the (technological) leap, which has changed the dynamics of planning and purchasing. Large Format Digital Displays (DOOH) have taken center stage in cities like Delhi and Mumbai. “
Speaking from a brand’s perspective, Marshan tells us that while DOOH is part of Kotak’s marketing mix, his only complaint from the media is that the brand lacks supply.
âI really like the flexibility it offers to bring a previously static medium to life. I am also happy with the possibility of gradually reducing the use of vinyl. I look forward to the day when DOOH will also be solar powered, becoming a truly sustainable medium.
GroupM India’s Parashar states that premium touchpoints (like airports) are likely to generate significant ad spend. âAdvertisers are looking for more innovative solutions for their brand communication and that’s probably the flavor of this holiday season. The demand for DOOH is increasing in the subways. The reason: the medium offers better reach and an opportunity to connect audiences in real time.


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We are pleased to announce the arrival of Apple Music Replay. In just days before Spotify’s Wrapped stats are scheduled to be released, Apple Music is now offering an end-of-year summary of your most-listened-to songs, artists, albums, and more.
The Replay feature was launched by Apple in 2019 but was significantly updated last year, making it a lot more similar to Spotify Wrapped.
Although Apple Music Replay does not provide a set of shareable charts, unlike Wrapped, which offers a set of charts that can be easily accessed within the app, the statistics presented in Apple Music Replay simply do not appeal to posting online, so they cannot be accessed directly from Apple Music.
The Apple Music app still provides access to the 2023 Replay playlist.
As with last year, Apple Music Replay will display a highlight reel highlighting your favorite songs and artists on Apple Music, along with the amount of time you spent listening to them.
As part of Apple Music Replay, you can keep track of your milestones as you use the service, such as listening to 1,000 songs.
To view your replay for this year, head to replay.music.apple.com and log in with your Apple ID. From there, you can see all your listening stats for the year.
With Spotify Wrapped expected to launch in early December, Apple likely wanted to give Replay a head start before it gets drowned out by Wrapped stats shared across Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
Spotify and Apple Music vie for user loyalty every year as they compete for market share in the music streaming industry.
A recent announcement by Apple Music called Replay has sparked a heated debate among users and has created a battleground for supporters of both streaming services.
Spotify Wrapped statistics have been generating headlines for quite some time, but Apple Music has recently released its own version.
Spotify Wrapped vs. Apple Music Replay
Apple Music and Spotify are often compared, with one user comparing them to HBO and Netflix, which illustrates the distinctive features that each platform offers.
The truth is that rather than quoting users directly, it is evident that passionate discussions are taking place on the Internet.
Apple Music users, who have already received their Replays, have previously voiced their displeasure with Spotify Wrapped, claiming they should not be allowed to share their recaps on the day dedicated to Spotify Wrapped.
The Spotify team believes that it is an opportunity for users to celebrate and display their favorite music of the previous year.
There are also those who feel excluded from the conversation, in addition to the Spotify-Apple Music rivalry.
There is a perception among subscribers to YouTube Music and other streaming services that they are marginalized as most of the discussion is focused on the top two streaming services.
Streaming services have further stoked the debate and highlighted the fierce loyalty and tribalism surrounding their services.
Although the original article mentions memes being shared on social media, it does not provide information about what the memes are about.
The Spotify Wrapped vs. Apple Music Replay debate is evidently an area where users have found humor and have utilized a variety of creative means of expressing their opinions.
It is clear, however, that Spotify and Apple Music continue to compete aggressively against each other in a bid for listeners’ attention and loyalty, particularly in light of their increasing popularity and popularity worldwide.
With streaming services increasingly developing new features and adding new features to their offerings, this fiercely competitive industry shows no signs of slowing down as the fight for dominance continues unabated.
What are Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay?
Apple Music Replay and Spotify Wrapped are annual features offered by Apple Music and Spotify that allow users to see a personalized summary of their listening habits from the previous year.
Do other streaming services offer similar features?
Likewise, other streaming services such as YouTube Music also offer users personalized end-of-year summaries at the end of each year, although they may not receive the same attention as Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay on their end-of-year recaps.
Why is there so much debate and rivalry between Spotify and Apple Music users?
As music streaming has grown to become an integral part of personal identity and preferences, it is now deeply intertwined with these services.
Having a strong attachment to a social media platform can often result in passionate discussions and rivalries on the platform, as users become attached to their preferred platforms.
Are there any clear winners in the battle between Spotify and Apple Music?
As user preferences vary widely, it can be difficult to determine a clear winner.
In comparison to Spotify, Apple Music offers a wide range of features that make it a much more attractive service with a larger user base, while Spotify is integrated into its ecosystem seamlessly and offers a larger user base.
Individual preferences and needs will ultimately determine what one decides between the two and what one selects.


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This is the third post of a three-part series covering KPIs for APIs, based on John Musser's presentation at the BAPI Conference that took place this month in New York.
Our API directory now includes 35 editing APIs. The newest is the Touchcast API. The most popular, in terms of mashups, is the Aviary Suite API. We list 2 Aviary Suite mashups. Below you'll find some more stats from the directory, including the entire list of editing APIs.
What do you think will happen if you bring the best minds in photography, photo-editing, web design and computer science together? Chances are that it could give rise to the next set of imaging applications that could much further than what Instagram has achieved. If it sounds interesting, you do not want to miss the Photo Hack Day 3 being organized by Aviary, the photo-editing API platform for web and mobile.
What comes first, the API or the Application? This is a question that companies are grappling with as they set forth their product strategy. Many companies prefer to release their mobile applications first and if it gets popular, developers automatically start asking for theAPI. In some of these cases, a private API already exists under the covers. In recent times, we are seeing an increasing number of products that release the API first and much later, announce their mobile applications. Great examples are the Aviary API and the musiXmatch API.
Aviary, the web-based image editing solution, is now available via its image editing API to Mailchimp users. Mailchimp wanted to streamline the email design process. Previously, users would typically exit the mailchimp website to edit images in software applications such as iPhoto or Photoshop. Besides being time-consuming, this fragments the user experience and breaks the workflow.
On Friday Google closed two APIs, including the online photo editor, Picnik. To fill the void, Aviary has launched a new photo app using its Aviary Suite API on Facebook meant to be a Picnik replacement. Also, a San Francisco government organization creates what may be the first API for ethics. That and 11 new APIs rounds out today in APIs.
Aviary, the photo editing suite that includes a number of Aviary APIs to incorporate photo editing into your web applications is moving its tools to mobile. Today it announced SDKs for iPhone and Android, as well as an impressively long list of launch partners who have already incorporated the platform in their mobile apps.
Aviary & Zazzle want you to make some money, they really do. They’ve teamed up to form one awesome combo, like peanut butter and jelly. Scratch that. It’s more like peanut butter and chocolate. The companies are combining on a contest for apps using the Aviary API and Zazzle API.


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Salesforce’s Stephanie Buscemi: ‘Reach is going out of fashion’
Brand purpose has become the go-to phrase for chief marketing officers. Stephanie Buscemi, CMO at Salesforce, claims brand purpose is imperative for every brand and it’s even expected by the employees.
“Specific to tech, there is a trust crisis,” said Buscemi on this week’s episode of the Making Marketing podcast. “It’s a big focus to restore trust. Research shows 90% of consumers will stay loyal to a brand they trust. Not only is it about doing good, but it’s imperative for your business to do well. Every company has a responsibility to make a positive impact in the world, whether through social values or environmentalism or however they choose. The challenge is how that is done, especially how marketing shows up. It cannot just be talk. There have to be initiatives across the company.”
Buscemi discusses how brand purpose applies to Salesforce, how the company interacts with agencies and more. Edited highlights appear below.
Focusing on engagement instead of reach will set the right priorities.
“Metrics matter but it’s about changing the metrics set. You cannot manage what you cannot measure. B-to-B marketers have been heavily [focused] on leads [as a metric.] Leads are important and they’re a key indicator of revenue and revenue growth. But they’re not the only indicator. There are many other metrics related to engagement. On social, it’s not just followers. Reach is going out of fashion. But how are people engaging with your brand? Focusing on engagement and not just leads, [encourages] the right behavior and the marketer listens to the market’s needs and interact with them to create content with the customer.”
Events remain a powerful marketing channel.
“The majority of [marketing expenses] go into content production and syndication on different channels. We do rich events for our customers, one of which is Dreamforce. There’s associated costs in activations and online experience. The benefit of Dreamforce far exceeds the revenue impact. It’s a community of our customers, our employees and our huge partner ecosystem. It is the ultimate feeding ground for new content and new thinking. At the end of Dreamforce, we think about the most meaningful conversations and what resonated the most. We package that into a single day and take it to over 12 markets around the world and bring those stories to people who can’t get there.”
The interaction with agencies has changed.
“The way we engage with agencies is different than how it was three to five years ago. The conversation has expanded to include things like business values. It [was] may be a review of the core capabilities of the agency. Now, we spend more time understanding the management team of the organization, the values of the company and how do they interact. They’re an extension of our brand when we interact together. There’s more due diligence there.”
‘There’s always money for avocados, but none for Black History Month:’ Confessions of a Black ad tech senior marketer
If achieving diversity and inclusion in the ad industry is a mountain then its one with the steepest of peaks according to the latest Digiday confessions.
‘It took the heat out of people’s situations’: Agencies provide mental health support for employees’ kids
Parents have been anxious about the effect of the pandemic on their kids' mental health and agencies have had to step up their support.
As consumers migrate to e-commerce, marketers are increasing email marketing efforts
Brand marketers say email marketing has steadily been increasing as more and more consumers look to shop online.
SponsoredPeople-based identifiers are driving personalized customer experiences
Marketing teams are now well into 2021, and third-party cookies along with mobile ad IDs are officially on notice, which has implications for all marketers. Soon, cookie- and device-based targeting, frequency capping, measurement and attribution will break. Evolving privacy regulations and policy changes from browsers and device makers have sparked many proposed solutions to replace […]
Cheat sheet: Twitter experiments with shoppable cards
Twitter is taking another stab at shoppable content, with a new card feature aimed to convince users to follow through with purchases.
‘How to telegraph energy’: The coronavirus pandemic has agencies mulling the future of the pitch
Agency execs say elements of the pitch process may have changed forever — the amount of time and financial investment devoted to chasing new business, for example.


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Back in December of 2001, China first joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) after a near 15-year battle to break into foreign trade. The nation’s efforts to enter the WTO — beginning in July 1986 — had taken so long that former Chinese prime minister Zhu Rongji jokingly remarked enough time had passed to “turn black hair white.”
The long and arduous application and negotiation process, though, was no doubt worth it for the East Asian nation. China has scored a number of remarkable economic achievements since its entry into the WTO, including:
Second-largest economy by GDP
Largest merchandise exporter
Second-largest merchandise importer
Fourth-largest commercial services exporter
Third-largest commercial services importer
For China’s trade partners, of course, the effect was not quite so rosy. For one, opening the doors to Chinese trade meant new and fierce competition in the labor market, particularly in manufacturing. After all, why pay an American wage when you can get a Chinese worker — working in a factory with minimal regulations — to do the same job for pennies on the dollar?
According to reports from the Economic Policy Institute, outsourcing to China has cost the U.S. over 3.2 million jobs since China’s entry into the WTO 2001. Of these 3.2 million jobs lost, three-quarters (2.4 million) were in manufacturing. Decades of Decline
All told, the U.S. manufacturing industry lost 11 times more manufacturing jobs in the 2000s than in the 1990s, despite comparable rates of overall manufacturing growth.
Adding insult to injury, even those fortunate enough to hold onto their jobs have watched their annual earnings decrease by roughly $1,400 — all in the face of a staggering 35.2% cumulative inflation rate.
Needless to say, offshore labor outsourcing — not just in China — has been an economic headache for American workers for decades and still is today. The total number of U.S. jobs outsourced in 2015, for perspective, was a staggering 2.4 million.
Today, though, China is just one of many threats facing American workers brought on by globalization. With increased rates of IT services outsourcing, India and Indonesia have recently overtaken China as the top-rated outsourcing countries.
Unfortunately, there’s not much American workers can do about this problem, even if they wanted. Between minimum wage laws and higher costs of living, there’s simply no competing in the global job market anymore. After all, according to a 2012 survey from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, nearly 75% of corporations say that labor-cost-saving is a top-three reason for overseas outsourcing — twice the rate of response for any other option.
Not too surprisingly, 89% of U.S. economists agree that job outsourcing directly hurts our economy (according to Sourcing Line Computer Economics), which ultimately raises the question: What can and should be done in order to combat this trend? The Death of Offshore Outsourcing
The good news for job seekers here in the States — at least in the manufacturing industry — is that the effects of offshore outsourcing may have already reached their peak. The bad news, though, is that what comes next could be a whole lot worse.
In fact, the death of offshore outsourcing will be brought on by the very thing destined to put the nail in the coffin for American manufacturing workers: automation.
Already, we’re beginning to see the effects of low-cost robotics and automation overseas. Last week, Apple and Samsung manufacturer Foxconn Technology Group (Taiwan) revealed a reduction in its workforce by 60,000 at a single factory.
For perspective, the company reduced its employee count from 110,000 to 50,000. That’s more than half of the factory out of work, replaced by machines.
The very same week, German sports retailer Adidas announced it would begin making “robot-produced shoes,” made in a new state-of-the-art factory, dubbed the “Speedfactory.”
According to Adidas, the Speedfactory is a 4,600 square-meter facility built to automate the company’s shoe production. The first production plant, which will be located in the German city of Ansbach, represents the end of the company’s 20-year outsourcing streak to Asia.
Adidas has jointly revealed plans to open a second Speedfactory in the United States in 2017, with others to later follow in Britain or France. Considering that the U.S. ranks as the highest salary nation in the word and the UK as the sixth highest, the message is clear: humans, even in low-paying, developing nations, are becoming obsolete. Return of the “Made in America” Tag
While somewhat bittersweet, robotics process automation (RPA) is inevitably going to cut into the offshore outsourcing industry. For factory workers in the U.S., the effect is virtually one and the same, but for American companies and their investors, this could be a major boon.
In terms of cost effectiveness, automation has gained a major advantage over outsourcing in recent years. According to one study by Deloitte, entitled “The Robots are Coming,” an offshore full-time equivalent worker is ~35% cheaper than a UK worker, while a typical robot costs just one-ninth the price.
Interestingly enough, RPA could mean the eventual resurgence of the “Made in America” label, as distribution and supply chain costs come down with onshore factories. Of course, these goods won’t technically be made by Americans, but they’ll be made in America nonetheless.
We’re already seeing evidence that this is the case with the recent resurgence of domestic manufacturing growth. One of the most advanced robotic manufacturing facilities in the world, for instance, is run by Tesla Motors, which builds its electric cars entirely in the U.S.
Further, with the official opening of its Robotics Manufacturing Facility in Michigan last year, Swiss-based ABB became the first global industrial robotics company to begin building robots in the USA.
Taken from a recent ABB blog:
A resurgence in home-grown American manufacturing is now taking root in the country, largely driven by advanced technology.
For American manufacturers, returning home will ultimately translate to improved product quality, reduced delays, and even cost savings. And while bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. won’t necessarily mean the return of the American factory worker, it’s poised to create thousands of high-paying service jobs for the skilled workforce.
Perhaps most importantly, though, bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. means stopping what’s been a 15-year offshore money-bleed.
Until next time,


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Shortly afterwards, Chinese politicians began raising GE doubts, followed by a string of Chinese celebrities including Mao Zedong's daughter and the father of China's hybrid rice, Yuan Longping. Several Chinese scholars signed a petition urging caution on GE rice and submitted it to the annual parliament meeting.
"The pressure on the Ministry of Agriculture was so high they were actually forced to announce that no approval to GE rice had been given and that GE rice remains illegal," says Isabelle gleefully.
The time was ripe for Greenpeace to begin a large-scale anti-GE rice campaign. The team exposed Walmart for selling GE rice and filed a legal case against it. The team beamed a GE shopper's guide to half a million Chinese consumers through mobile and Internet services. Chinese consumers joined the campaign, ringing up companies and demanding they go non-GE.
Greenpeace campaigner Lorena Luo will never forget one reader who was so dedicated she voluntarily checked all her favourite food brands at her local supermarket against Greenpeace's list. The woman then called those red listed and told them that as a consumer she would like them to become non-GE. She showed the kind of persistence to match any Greenpeace campaigner.
GE rice was big news: TV, magazines, newspapers, online media were joining the debate. Isabelle urged her team to get companies to make non-GE pledges. Two huge corporations, Cofco and Yihai Kerry readily obliged and a string of supermarkets also pledged not to use GE ingredients in their own brands and with their fresh unpacked fruits, vegetables and grains.
And then, in September 2011, came the big news we had all been waiting for.
Thanks to our members, activists, mothers, supportive scientists, volunteers and concerned citizens, we took on Goliath and won.
China's major financial weekly, the 'Economic Observer' quoted an information source close to the Ministry of Agriculture saying that China had suspended the commercialization of GE rice. Isabelle says she was so excited that evening she didn't sleep.
Kontau was likewise thrilled. "A couple of years ago I thought there might be a 20-30% chance of this happening. Last year maybe 50%. I really cannot believe we actually did it!"
While the fight is not yet over, we still need the government to reassess its GE investments and focus on sustainable agriculture, there is no doubt that Greenpeace's seven year anti-GE rice campaign has been a success. Thanks to our members, activists, mothers, supportive scientists, volunteers and concerned citizens, we took on Goliath and won.


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A Queensland strawberry farmer, the head of Australia’s largest organic mushroom producer, and a Victorian dairy company were among 10 award winners at the 8th Australian Organic Industry Awards on Friday night. Held at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley in Lovedale, NSW, peak industry body Australian Organic Limited (AOL) announced the night’s honourees, who collectively span an impressive and diverse range of certified organic products from fresh produce, dairy and meat, to pantry items and pharmaceutical ingredients.
Research released last week showing 8% of Australian people in a test population had traces of weed killer glyphosate in their urine has further brought to light the need for consumers to be aware of chemical use in the food supply chain. The research, conducted by the University of Queensland, comes after earlier reports in the media highlighting a number of concerns surrounding the limited understanding of the amount of chemicals on produce.
Australia's vibrant and growing organic industry and the broad-reaching benefits of choosing to buy organic are again being celebrated this September during Australian Organic Awareness Month. Each year, as the season turns from winter to spring, the spotlight shines on the advantages of going organic, from the health-conscious buyer wanting to eliminate unnatural chemicals in their diet to supporting the market-leading work of producers in animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
In light of renewed biosecurity threats for Australian farms, AOL has placed an order for more visitor signs branded with the Bud logo. The signs will remind visitors to consider biosecurity threats before entering the property, as well as informing guests that they are entering a certified organic property or paddock where specific treatment and harvesting practices may be in place.
Australian Organic Limited’s inaugural Conference was held in Brisbane on 21-22 July, with approximately 200 delegates gathering to discuss change and transformation in the organics industry. The two-day event covered a breadth of pressing topics in the organics space, including supply chains & traceability, climate change, sustainable packaging, soil & biologicals, consumer trends and much more.


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The rumor of the week, possibly of the month has to do with a sudden iPad release. If you think there’s no such thing, guess again, since Apple is now said to be prepping the iPad Pro 2 for debut next week. Of course that’s a rumor, but let’s see what info we have right now.
Industry insiders are the one with the info and honestly speaking, the 12.9 inch iPad Pro was overdue an upgrade. The OG model came in 2015 and rumors about a Spring release of the successor this year came a while ago. The analysts who mentioned the release from next week are quoting reputable sources and mention a time frame between Monday, March 20 and Friday, March 24. Apple was previously rumored to hold the event early next month, judging by some availability calendars.
There’s a slight chance that Apple won’t even hold a special event for the release, opting instead to just send out a press release. We’re actually expecting a trio or quartet of new iPads, so it would be odd to see them all debut without an event. If the conference does take place, it will probably also bring us a new Apple TV and maybe a new iPhone SE.
In the end Apple could split the new iPads launches into two: iPad Pro 2 next week and the affordable 9.7 incher and 10.5 incher in the fall during the iPhone 8 event. Or maybe even at WWC 2017…


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Lenovo officially announced that on March 21st, the Legion will bring a new 2023 ecological new product shockingly, let us decrypt it together and live for the war!
Judging from the previous warm-up content, Lenovo’s Legion 9000P and 7000P series gaming notebooks will be released first, and there may be a Legion Y900 tablet, while the 9000X thin and light gaming notebook, 9000K flagship gaming notebook and 7000P entry-level models will be launched Post it later.
Lenovo Legion Y9000P 2023 will use a 2560×1600 resolution 240Hz screen, support 3ms response, 10bit color depth, Rheinland low blue light, 100% sRGB color gamut, DC dimming without flicker, 500nits brightness, DisplayHDR 400 certification, Dolby Vision.
Lenovo previously announced that the new-generation Legion 9000P professional gaming laptop can release 250W performance, and the new 330W GaN adapter will provide power supply guarantee for this.
Lenovo has released the Legion Pro 7i series laptop at CES 2023, which should be the Chinese Y9000P series. This series of laptop is equipped with the latest 13th generation Core and RTX 40 independent display, optional i9 + RTX 4090 flagship configuration, the screen is a 16-inch 2560×1600 IPS panel with a refresh rate of 240 Hz.


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MORE than half of Britons wonét be looking to review their finances within the next two years, according to new research.
More than a third of consumers will not even look at sorting out their finances in the next two years while 21 per cent said they werenét sure when they would review their money situation.
But people in the north west proved they were better aware of their financial situation with 45 per cent putting their personal finances high on the agenda, and 35 per cent saying they had no plans to look at their cash flow within the next two years.
Elsewhere in the country, people living in the north were least likely to review their finances within two years with 48 per cent having no plans to look at their finances. In Scotland, the figure was 45 per cent.
But those most likely to get their finances in order were the East Midlands (53 per cent) and the West Midlands (54 per cent who plan to review their spending habits and savings within 24 months.
The survey by Misys Life & Pensions, which supplies support services to independent financial advisers, also found that men are more likely to get a grip on their finances with 50 per cent proposing to look at their cashflow compared with 41 per cent of women.
Consumer apathy rules on finances
MORE than half of Britons wonét be looking to sort out their finances within the next two years, according to new research.


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RIL’s Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL) will launch 7-Eleven convenience stores in India, it said on Thursday. Mukesh Ambani’s company has entered into a master franchise agreement with 7-Eleven, Inc, and the first 7-Eleven store is scheduled to open on Saturday, 9 October 2021, in Andheri East, Mumbai.
This comes a day after the Future Retail and Texas-based convenience store chain, 7-Eleven decided to mutually terminate their franchise agreement as the Kishore Biyani company failed to meet the target of opening stores and payment of franchise fees.
The 7-Eleven stores will offer a range of beverages, snacks, and delicacies that will appeal to local tastes, along with daily essentials usually open on all days, 24×7. With a rapid expansion plan on the anvil, the company is expected to be a significant contributor to local employment and building the eco-system for convenient foods. SEI will also support RRVL in implementing and localizing the unique 7-Eleven convenience retail business model for India.
The move is part of the powerful tycoon’s wider ambition to seize India’s growing formalized retail space. Reliance is expanding its foothold at a rapid rate, adding 1,500 new stores last year to a total of nearly 13,000, Ambani said at a shareholders’ meeting in June. The shares of Reliance Industries rose as much as 1.6% Thursday.
“India is the second-largest country in the world and has one of the fastest-growing economies. It’s an ideal time for the largest convenience retailer in the world to make our entry into India,” president and chief executive officer of SEI, Joe DePinto, said.


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A combined social media strategy that taps into the viral power of Facebook, Twitter, YourTube and Flickr is helping the Hilton Hotel Falls/Fallsview hotel to become increasingly transparent. Management can now identify guest problems and address them almost immediately.
The five-unit sandwich shop decided to launch its own iPhone app with the goal of placing its business in front of a much broader group that's constantly on the move.
LocaModa's platform enables IndoorDIRECT to connect brands and consumers to interactive social media on venue screens and on social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and brand websites in real-time.
In addition to promoting hotel specials and packages, Link2Brand can be used to effectively market federal government Per Diem and Preferred Hotel rates to federal government employees.
iBAHN data shows that Internet use by both business and leisure guests at leading hotels, as measured by number of data packets per guest session traveling on iBAHN's proprietary network, increased more than 50% in 2009.
By joining Open Hospitality's Social Media Service, hotels will be able to participate in various social media services, while reducing the impact on staff time required to adequately support emerging media.
According to ABI Research, although worldwide revenue from such systems totaled only $869 million in 2008, it is projected that annual earnings will exceed $2 billion by the end of 2014.
A new study from the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research connects customer demographics to consumers' preferences for the arrangement and types of food outlets at shopping malls.
Aloft Abu Dhabi's use of the TeleAdapt MediaHub HD is making it easy for visitors to play media from their portable electronics through the in-room TV, including a wireless audio interface for streaming and controlling their music from an iPod or MP3-playing smartphone from anywhere in the room.
Since launching its app, the Hyatt Regency Greenville has seen a 300-400 percent increase in usage of their guest-services portal, and orders made through the system are 17-20 percent higher per ticket.


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Coal mining company denies wrongdoing after eight-year investigation, but agrees to amend future statements
Coal giant Peabody Energy has agreed to change the way it reports the risks posed to investors by climate change, ending an eight-year investigation by the New York Attorney General. Peabody and Attorney...
How will the global pledge to 'protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems' shape the global economy?
A photographer by trade, IKEA's Hege Sæbjørnsen explains why a desire to make a positive social and environmental impact prompted a career change
Any watering down of the Carbon Price Support mechanism would deal a grave blow to UK decarbonisation efforts, warns Sandbag's Phil McDonald
VIDEO: Grow Bristol delivers fresh leafy greens grown in a shipping container to city shops and restaurants by bike


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Nissan has recently taken the virtual covers off the Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo, a 2+2 virtual supercar developed exclusively for the PlayStation-only Gran Turismo 6 racing game.
Created by a team of young designers at Nissan Design Europe, in London, England, the model was considered to have so much potential that it has benefited from input from an advanced engineering team based at Nissan Technical Centre in Atsugi, Japan. As a result, Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo gives hints as to how a performance Nissan could look like in the future.
If this concept really does provide a glimpse into Nissan’s future design language, we shouldn’t have to wait too long to find out. We heard that the new GT-R is under development, and Nissan has revealed that it will use hybrid power.
The powertrain is likely to be a development of the existing 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 with an electrical F1-style KERS boost system, developed in conjunction with Williams F1 as part of a road car engineering collaboration signed last summer.
The Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo is set to make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the end of this month, while the virtual concept will be available for download from July 2014.


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- Pinnacle Foods has voluntarily recalled almost 25,000 cases of frozen Birds Eye Baby Sweet Peas because of potential listeria contamination. However, the company is not saying where the product went, even though it was distributed to retailers across 21 states, according to Food Safety News. The magazine reports that the recall was labeled as a “very limited quantity” and consequently wasn't worthy of public notification according to Pinnacle Foods and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- FDA policy is to post food recalls on its website only after the recalling company has gone public with the situation. “We are working with this firm in regard to their recall. However, it does not reach the threshold to require a public communication,” an FDA spokesman told Food Safety News. The news did not become public knowledge until retailers, wholesalers and the U.S. Defense Commissary Agency posted their own recall notices.
- The fact that this is a frozen product with a long shelf life — with best-by dates reportedly of July 5-6, 2019 — means there’s a good chance that some consumers may still have bags of the potentially contaminated product in their freezers.
Illness and death caused by food safety issues each year is devastating. The reputational and economic effects of food recalls also can be significant, and something companies must be diligent about. Thus it’s imperative that consumer brands, retailers and other links in the food supply chain remain proactive in order to keep consumers out of harm’s way when it comes to food safety. Getting in front and being transparent is the best way to gain — or regain — consumer trust.
According to the 2017 Harris Poll Reputation Quotient study, a product recall due to contamination consistently ranks among the list of biggest risks to corporate reputation. A 2014 Harris Poll found that 55% of U.S. adults said that if a brand they usually buy has been recalled, they’d temporarily switch to another. But 16% said they’d never buy the recalled brand again, and 17% said they’d also avoid all other products and brands made by the same manufacturer.
Food companies could learn from how other manufacturers have responded to recalls — taking into account ways in which things were handled properly — or not.
For example, when Soylent learned of consumers suffering gastrointestinal distress after eating its meal replacement bars, the company stopped all sales of the bars and recalled products already on the market while they conducted their own internal investigation. No pathogens were ever discovered and complaints instead were believed to be food intolerance-related, with an algae protein ingredient the suspected culprit. Since the recall, Soylent has introduced new product innovations to create buzz around the company name and make its nutrient-packed formulas more palatable to the average consumer. Little fallout seems to have occurred, especially since the company is currently gaining retail distribution.
On the other hand, I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter suffered an E. coli contamination earlier this year, which was kept pretty much under the table. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not initially reveal which states were impacted by the outbreak and the company claimed it wasn't immediately notified of its connection to the disease. The FDA eventually named the supplier of the soy paste as the source of the contamination. Still, I.M. Healthy bore the brunt of consumer backlash because of the secrecy that shrouded much of the recall.
In Pinnacle’s case, the food maker has been anything but transparent and forthcoming with information. According to Food Safety News, the manufacturer’s website did not appear to have any information about the recall as of Wednesday evening. An email response to the magazine, however, read: “The health and safety of our consumers are our top priorities and, as such, Birds Eye Vegetables has voluntarily recalled a very limited quantity of Birds Eye Baby Sweet Peas at the retail level. While there have been no confirmed illnesses reported, we took this action after consultation and agreement with the FDA. The vast majority of the product in question has been removed from retail shelves and will be destroyed.”
Unfortunately, Pinnacle could have put itself in danger of financial damage or jeopardized its reputation from this recall and the way in which it was handled.


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Haiti may be the poorest nation in the Americas. Cuba may have the dictator with the longest lifespan. But Venezuela arguably has the worst government.
Not the clownish dictator, Hugo Chavez, is trying to repeal the laws of economics. How’s that working out for him?
Well, here’s some of what the New York Times wrote.
By 6:30 a.m., a full hour and a half before the store would open, about two dozen people were already in line. They waited patiently, not for the latest iPhone, but for something far more basic: groceries. …Venezuela is one of the world’s top...


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Christie’s New YorkImportant Watches totaled $6,768,720; the auction was sold 91% hammer above low estimate and 81% by lot, attracting global participation. The sale celebrated fine vintage and modern horological masterpieces from the world’s most reputable and desirable brands, attracted new generation bidders including Millennials and Gen Z from a total of 32 Countries globally, with 23% of registrants new to Christie’s.
The top lot of the sale was a very rare and attractive Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak, a Very Fine And Extremely Rare Titanium Minute Repeating Supersonnerie Bracelet Watch, Limited To 35 Examples, which achieved $466,200, followed by a rare Patek Philippe Nautilus “Green Dial” Steel Bracelet Watch which achieved $352,800.
Rounding out the sale a spectacular Patek Philippe, a very fine rare 18K Rose Gold Wristwatch with Cloisonne Enamel Dial sold for $252,000.
Rebecca Ross – Head of Sales says: “We are truly thrilled to have seen such global participation from 32 countries in our Important Watches sale this week at Christie’s. Throughout the auction, quality and rare timepieces proved to command strong prices, showing the trust and passion private collectors have in Christie’s”.
Reading Time: 3minutes The ultrathin tourbillon by Arnold & Son is offering two new designs. They feature a new type of dial with tinted gold and aluminium sparkles to match their precious cases, which have also been redesigned. In 5N red gold or 950 platinum, the cases are just 8.3 mm thick beneath […]
Reading Time: 3minutes Expecting the unexpected is an HYT maxim; the Soonow Drop Three doesn’t disappoint. Just five pieces of this stunning timepiece will become available globally on March 12, 2020. The concept of fluid time has every colour wheel spinning, as turquoise, orange and burgundy wink at life’s constant potential for those […]
Reading Time: < 1minute Minions, a new model of the Wristmons collection, was created by Konstantin Chaykin. The Russian watchmaster decided to launch his new project at Dubai Watch Week 2021, which opened in Dubai (UAE) on November 24, 2021.


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As part of a well-known collection of digital assets, Dogecoin can become very valuable
The Google Chrome extension is reported to be able to steal bitcoins and other coins from users. Creditsy Dogecoin (DOGE) Live Ticker (a dog coin-related extension) in Google's Chrome Web App Store.
Members of the Dogecoin community generously donated a Doge-themed NASCAR car and sent a real Dogecoin to the moon. The community has also donated Dogecoin to charity, sponsoring wells dug in Kenya to provide clean drinking water. These types of behavior make the Dogecoin community part of it, which in turn leads to Doge's unlikely position in the top cryptocurrencies.
Recall that Elon Musk had deliberately declared himself chief executive of Dogecoin in the past, when the chief executive of Tesla edited his profile to reflect that he was chief executive of Dogecoin, but soon after, he claimed to have retired.
Create your own digital wallet to store your digital assets. (The following steps take IRIS as an example)
A Tik Tok user named "James Galante" posted a video five days ago with the caption "Let's get rich" video clip explaining the $25 investment in the Dogecoin coin at the price level. Investors will receive a contribution of $10,640 when $1 is reached. At the time of posting the video, it had 57,100 likes and nearly 4,000 comments.
Today's dog-money pull-up called the 25-knife pull-up method stems from yesterday's release of a short video titled "Let's All Get Rich" from a big V in the overseas edition of TikTok, in which he recommends that everyone invest $25 in Dogecoin, which is currently worth less than a penny and that investors will have $10,640 when Dogecoin rises to $1.
Dynamic . . . The Dogecoin creator posted a script on Twitter to block XRP fans.
cleos wallet import -n mywallet --private-key private key return.
On October 22, 2014, Twitch, a live streaming video platform for video games, announced on its official twitter account that it had accepted dogecoin as its payment subscription. Notably, Twitch was acquired by Amazon late last month for $970 million, making it the largest acquisition in Amazon's history.


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The holiday shopping season has come to an end, but for many the headaches are just beginning as they venture out to return or exchange those unwanted gifts. This year more retailers are charging fees to process returns, adding insult to injury for shoppers already grappling with higher prices and economic uncertainty.
Record Holiday Sales Accompanied by Changing Return Policies
Holiday retail sales rose a better-than-expected 7.6% this year even amidst inflation pressures (source), aided in part by a strong last minute surge in shopping. However, about two in five shoppers plan to return gifts this season according to one survey (source). Retailers estimate nearly 20% of items sold get returned, with the post-holiday return and exchange period generating its own annual retail peak. Unfortunately shoppers are finding less generous return policies at some major chains.
A growing list of retailers including Bed Bath & Beyond, Barnes & Noble, Gap Inc. and others are now charging return-shipping fees or restocking fees. One analysis found that 81% of retailers now charge consumers for returns in some form, whether upfront fees at certain price points or deducting the return shipping costs from refunds (source). Return fraud and extra supply chain costs are being cited for the added fees.
|90 day return window. Deducts return shipping fee from refunds.
|Must return unwanted items by Jan. 24, 2024. Deducts return shipping fee from refunds.
|Items shipped and sold by Amazon.com can be returned within 30 days for refund of item cost. Return shipping not refunded.
|Most products can be returned for refund within 15 days. Return shipping fee deducted from refund.
“Stores are taking a tougher line and reining in what had been an extremely lenient return policy,” said Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Retail (source). “They have started to tighten the terms, and introduce charges and other fees associated with returns.”
Bracing for Impact of Returns Volume
The day after Christmas kicks off retail’s biggest return week, where stores can see nearly a quarter of their annual returns traffic. Shoppers flocked to malls and shopping centers yesterday, with long lines of gift returners mixed among those still perusing post-holiday sales and clearances (source).
Returns volume is expected to further surge next week as more consumers open late arriving packages and discover unwanted items. Retailers and logistics firms must quickly process, inspect and reshelf the incoming returns while also continuing to handle new e-commerce orders and in-store shopping.
Adding charges to returns enables retailers to recoup more costs. “Ultimately the consumer ends up paying for all of this one way or another,” said Rick Watson, CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting (source). “Whether they pay for it directly with the return fees or whether the retailer factors it in as a cost of doing business that gets passed along to consumers down the road in higher prices.”
Consumers Left Footing the Bill
Shoppers are being squeezed coming and going this holiday season. Prices surged 8.5% across all items compared to last year, forcing many to cut back on gifts or purchases for themselves. Now added return charges leave some reluctant gift recipients stuck with items they don’t want.
“I’m frustrated,” said Macy’s shopper Susan Davis. “It’s bad enough nothing seems affordable anymore. Now I can’t even return gifts I don’t like without getting charged? I’ll think twice about where I spend my money next Christmas.” (source)
Experts advise carefully checking return policies before purchasing, including browsing retailer websites for fee disclosures. For expensive items, save return shipping receipts as proof of sending back. Take advantage of free in-store returns when possible instead of mailing items.
If stuck with an unwanted gift, consider reselling it through sites like Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor to recoup some value. This holiday season over 35% of returns are expected to be resold (source). Clothing returns in particular often end up flooding secondary markets each January.
Brace for Higher Prices and Tighter Return Windows Ahead
Retail analysts say the era of free and easy returns with extended holiday return periods may be ending for all but a few categories like luxury goods. Chains facing thinner margins coming off the pandemic cannot afford the generous policies they once offered.
Look for more retailers to implement shipping and restocking fees in 2024, along with shorter return windows. Competitors will take note of changes by major national brands this holiday season as they reevaluate their own policies. TJ Maxx recently cut its normal 30 day clothing return period to just 14 days for holiday items.
Higher supply chain and processing costs will inevitably get passed to consumers through some combination of return fees and overall higher prices. Shoppers wanting to avoid return hassles are advised to carefully check items before purchasing, research retailer policies, save gift receipts and bring back unwanted items as early as possible after the holidays.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.


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MEXICO CITY – A major Mexican tomato-growers’ association says shipments to the United States have stopped as U.S. authorities investigate the origin of a salmonella outbreak.
But a spokesman for the Sinaloa state Tomato Growers Association says it’s just a precaution; there’s no evidence so far that the salmonella originated in Mexico, which accounts for about a third of winter tomatoes in the United States.
Spokesman Mario Robles says the association ships 44 percent of Mexican tomatoes imported into the United States and Canada. Its importer voluntarily stopped shipments during the probe. The tomatoes are being sent to Mexican markets, where they will be sold at a lower price.


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We know nearly all of the specifications of the 2018 iPhones that are being announced this week, but the names remain something of a mystery. Question: will the next iPhones breach that level?
Apple's XC is rumoured to have a slightly less flash LCD screen which is pretty big at 6.1-inches.
Last year, Apple put the iPhone X on sale in early November, nearly two months after it was unveiled.
While the iPhone has made Apple the world's most valuable company worth more than $1 trillion, it has slipped to third place among smartphone makers as Chinese-based Huawei has grabbed the number two spot.
Also shown is the name of the 6.5-inch version: iPhone XS Plus.
No long-range missiles, North Korea military parade features floats and flowers
Kim will meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in the coming weeks to discuss a path toward denuclearization. This year's celebrations also mark the revival of North Korea's iconic mass games after a five-year hiatus.
Jose Mourinho wants Paulo Dybala in exchange for Paul Pogba?
He has some strong words of praise for how well City have done under the leadership of Guardiola. The spirit child of Cruyff? Should United have chosen Guardiola over Mourinho?
Trump expects 'positive' letter from NKorea's Kim
Donald Trump has also blamed China for pressuring Pyongyang against Washington. And it's a case of "you've got mail" for U.S.
That means it is likely costs will be higher for variants with increased storage capacity.
If the $699 expected starting price of the 6.1-inch phone holds up, then that translates to roughly Dh2,600. Since the "X" stands for 10, rather than the letter in Apple's official naming, an XS would mirror similar "S" phones such as the iPhone 4S, 5S and 6S, rather than standing for iPhone "extra small" or "excess".
The headline announcement is expected to be a new iteration of the iPhone X with a 5.8in screen, possibly called "iPhone XS" according to reports.
In June, Apple previewed its next-generation software, Mac OS Mojave and iOS 12, which features Memoji, group FaceTime and a tool that tracks how obsessed you are with your iPhone. He too expects that the new iPhones will have 4GB RAM, which was also stated by TrendForce.
There's a super-sized price coming along with it as well though - the iPhone XS Max is likely to cost €1149 in Europe, which is, well, loads.
Meanwhile, it added the iPhone Xs will start at €909 (£811.84) and the iPhone Xs Max will retail for €1149 (£1026.18). Apple does not comment on speculation or rumours. Obviously, because Apple hasn't launched its 2018 lineup yet, the full details for the upcoming handsets are seemingly missing from those listings.


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Home Tags Google Assistant
Tag: Google Assistant
Google’s smart speakers are up to $50 off from now until February 26 as part of its Presidents’ Day sale
Google's President's Day sale includes a discount on the Google Home, Google Home Max, and Google Home Hub until February 26.
Google invested in a startup with tech that uses the voices of NFL players to answer questions on Google Home devices
StatMuse joins seven other companies listed in Google Assistent's portfolio — including Aiva Health and AskPorter.
I’ve been living with the Google Home Max and Apple’s HomePod side by side for almost 6 months, and they both have one major problem
Both the Google Home Max and the Apple HomePod have their pros and cons, but they share a larger issue: they're really creeping me out.
Jeff Bezos says Alexa was ‘very busy’ over the holiday after Amazon sold more Echo Dots than anything else in 2018
'Alexa was very busy during her holiday season,' Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said in a statement.
Headphones would let Sonos have a presence outside the home, as its speakers are usually designed for in-home use.
Yes, there really are 10,000 Amazon employees working on Alexa and the Echo.
There are hidden features inside Google's most popular products to help you combat your tech addiction.
Google and Lenovo have teamed up to make an $80 smart alarm clock that will wake you up gently every morning
The Lenovo Smart Clock can tell the time and weather, play podcasts and the news, and wake you up gently with brightness and animations.
Some wacky technology has been on display at CES 2019 thus far, including a Lamborghini-themed massage chair and robotic laundry folder.
A Google director who runs a team of 150 people says she doesn’t hire people who act like ‘rock stars’ but can’t back it up ...
Lilian Rincon, director of product management for Google Assistant, looks to hire people who are humble, care about the people with whom they work, and focus on the user.


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Firmware Update Has Broken Google Home And Google Home Mini For Many Users
Google Home and Google Home Mini users have been complaining that post an OTA update, their devices are unresponsive even as all the display lights remain on.
Image for Representation (File Photo)
Google Home devices keep getting firmware updates constantly. However, users hardly notice any difference, unless there’s a big change or a new feature. However, a recent firmware update has attracted the attention of a number of users, who are reporting the issue on Google’s help forum and on Reddit. The complaints raised by users suggest that the Google Home and Google Home Mini smart speakers for a lot of users have been bricked following an OTA. While some lucky users have been able to resolve their device's issues by temporarily unplugging the power cable or performing a factory reset, most users have reported that their devices are completely unusable. If you too have been affected by the firmware update, you'll notice that your smart speaker’s four display lights always stay on.
On September 28, a Google community specialist wrote that “the team is working on this issue and checking the root cause since not all Google Home devices are affected.” However, users were not provided with any update on the issue. On October 23, another Google employee provided an update, writing, “We wanted to provide an update here… the team is aware of these specific issues with both Google Home Minis and Google Home devices becoming unresponsive and we're actively working on a fix. It has been very difficult for our team to diagnose this issue and we understand why many of you have been frustrated with this ongoing process. Our support team will be reaching out to customers on this thread via private messaging to further address this issue and come to a resolution.” However, it is to be noted that this issue doesn’t affect the Home Max, or the Home Hub or Nest-branded speakers.
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