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small and medium-sized enterprises News
small and medium-sized enterprises
Start-up oasis? Check out this land of 33 islands and why you should head there
Mon, Oct 08, 2018
Cloud services will now secure the personal information of any individual or data of any organisation in an absolutely safe and digital ecosystem, said the business honchos at the fourth edition of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Summit held in Bahrain between September 30 and October 4.
SMEs in steel sector hope lower GST on coal will boost margins
Sun, May 21, 2017
The small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the steel sector are hopeful that the government's tax slab of 5% on coal under the GST will help to increase their production and profit margins.
India Inc positive on expanding trade, investment biz opportunities with Indian Ocean Rim Association: Ficci survey
Thu, Mar 02, 2017
Ficci in its latest survey has said that Indian industry is positive on expanding its trade and investment business opportunities with Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Singapore to open up non-bank finance companies to foreign merger & acquisitions
Tue, Feb 14, 2017
Singapore will open up its non-bank finance firms for the first time to foreign takeovers as part of its efforts to strengthen their financial resilence and operational flexibility.
GST's toll-free helpline number receives 80% calls from SMEs, startups
Tue, Jan 24, 2017
India's SMEs and startup companies are anxious about the government's implementation of GST and its impact on the sectors.
Around 73% of Indian SMEs expect positive outlook for biz in next 6 months: Survey
Fri, Sep 30, 2016
Around 73% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India expect positive outlook for their businesses in the next six months, said a latest survey.


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Epic: 99 cents games are killing the industry
Epic president Mike Capps has raised serious criticism of the culture of 99 cents games for sale on mobile platforms like the iPhone.
Capps explained that the 99 cents apps were making it harder for developers to convince consumers to stump up 60 USD for a triple-A title when they can pick up 60 iPhone games for the same price.
He explained that they are essentially devaluing the games industry by flooding the market with what Nintendo president Satoru Iwata called in his keynote to the GDC at the beginning of the year cheap and sometimes valueless titles.
Capps said: "If there's anything that's killing [the retail games business] it's dollar apps. How do you sell someone a 60 USD game that's really worth it? People are used to paying 99 cents."
- Techland announces a Dying Light modding contest alongside new updates for the toolset
- 2K announces the Evolve Proving Grounds tournament in conjunction with ESL
- Broken Age: Part 2 arrives for backers 24 hours ahead of the full launch
- Halo Championship Series Cup 1 cancelled due to continued online problems
- Dirt Rally announced as a PC exclusive, hits Steam Early Access
- PC benchmarking app arrives for Final Fantasy XIV players to make sure they can run Heavensward
- [UPDATE] Hideo Kojima and Guillermo Del Toro collaboration Silent Hills looks like it has been canned
- Gears Of War Xbox One remaster looks like it's coming
- Batman: Arkham Knight will have GTA V-style character switching

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Plastic particles found in bottled water
You may have seen a report the last few weeks in multiple news publications that a recent study of 11 brands of bottled water has revealed that 93 percent of them contain microplastic contamination. The researchers from State University of New York and non-profit journalism organization Orb Media found an average of 10.4 plastic particles per liter of water. Included in the study were common brands such as Aquafina, Dasani, Nestle Pure Life, as well as San Pellegrino.
My hope is that you’ll take the information you read here and tell your family and friends about it. I know you know someone (most likely lots of people) who habitually drink bottled water.
Microplastics have become very pervasive in our environment, being found in the ocean, lakes, rivers, fish and birds. They are now entering our bodies through bottled water. In addition to plastic particles, bottled water is also filled with chemicals and contaminants; German researchers found nearly 25,000 chemicals in one single bottle of water. They tested 18 samples that are sold worldwide; the chemicals they found in the water are the ones used to manufacture plastic resin (plastic bottles) and are known endocrine disruptors.
Effects of these chemicals include stunted growth, early puberty, premature birth, infertility and early menopause. Additionally, many toxins are found in bottled water as well, including phthalates, mold, microbes, benzenes and trihalomethanes. Researchers at the Environmental Working Group found that one bottled water brand spurred a 78 percent increase in growth of breast cancer cells.
Despite plastic particles and other toxic contaminants found in bottled water, the United States consumes 1,500 bottles of water per second. Furthermore, in the U.S., 99.9 percent of us are living with clean, safe tap water. Bottled water is also extremely expensive, costing between $0.89/gallon to $8.26/gallon. Tap water costs pennies. If you drink the recommended eight glasses of water a day, it will cost you around $0.50 (yes, fifty cents!) a year to do that out of your tap. Drinking the same amount of bottled water will cost you about $1,400 a year.
Bottled water is extremely environmentally un-friendly. Manufacturing plastic bottles uses more than 17 million barrels of oil and produces 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. Further, the average American uses 167 bottles of water annually. This adds up to 50 billion plastic water bottles being used annually in the United States. The amount of plastic water bottles purchased weekly can circle the globe five times.
When plastic is "recycled," is not actually recycled, it’s "downcycled," which means it is made into something less than it was, and will eventually end up in our landfills. Only 23 percent of plastic water bottles get recycled. Plastic water bottles are one of the top three types of litter found on our beaches, shores and waterways. Each year, over 500 billion bottles end up in waterways worldwide.
What can you do? Commit to drinking water from your tap. If you prefer, invest in a water filter. You can purchase a pitcher, like a glass Soma pitcher or Brita. Also available are filters that can be installed on your faucet or under your sink. Any of these options will save you a lot of money in the long run rather than purchasing bottles of water.
Furthermore, invest in a good, refillable water bottle. The safest, most eco-friendly types are made of glass or stainless steel. My favorite is the glass Lifefactory bottle; I love feeling as though I’m drinking out of a glass of water wherever I am. These bottles have a protective covering, however they can still break if dropped on cement or another very hard surface. If you are too nervous about that or want to invest in a refillable bottle for your children, stainless steel is great alternative. Some of my favorite brands are Hydro Flask, S’well, Yeti, and Klean Kanteen. Some of these are insulated, meaning they will keep your water cold for hours, even if left in a hot car.
I hope that at some point it will be socially taboo to drink from plastic disposable water bottles. In my opinion, they are such an easy thing to stop using. There was a time, not long ago, when bottled water barely existed. The only kind available was Evian and that seemed fancy to drink. Back then, if we were thirsty we drank from drinking fountains or the tap.
Please consider talking to your friends and family about the reasons that bottled water is harmful to their health, their checking account, and the Earth!


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Nik Bouman, is a hydroponic herb farmer in Anchorage, Alaska. With Alaskans relying heavily on food imports, Nik’s CityFarms Alaska is providing locally-grown, fresh options for area residents.
Nik became interested in growing crops hydroponically while studying accounting and finance in college. Hydroponic farmers grow their plants without soil and use constant circulation of water and nutrients.
He saw potential for a business, given the unique challenges Alaskans face when it comes to purchasing fresh foods. According to the Alaska Food Policy Council, 95 percent of Alaska’s food is imported.
“Up here, the produce that you buy usually is a few weeks old, just because it has to be shipped up,” he said. “It’s a long supply chain to get up here. The freshness is terrible, and things don’t really last that long.”
When looking to start his business, Alaska’s daylight also became a factor.
“I thought about a having a greenhouse, but in the winter time, we have so little sun. I prefer this consistency,” Nik said. “Being able to have the same quality of product all year is pretty valuable from the business side of things.”
Growing from the Garage
In the summer of 2017, Nik set up a hydroponic system in his parent’s garage and began growing his largest crop, basil, along with seven other types of herbs.
“I picked basil because it can’t be refrigerated, and it doesn’t ship very well,” he said. “So, it was basically the thing that gave me the best advantage and easiest way to make money.”
After a year of growing in the garage, Nik was able to expand his sales into multiple grocery stores in Anchorage and surrounding communities.
Needing to increase his growing capacity, Nik moved his operation into a 1200-square-foot warehouse space in 2018. With the help of a low-interest microloan from USDA’s Farm Service Agency, he was able to purchase all new equipment – including grow lights, towers, water tanks, and pumps – for his expanded operation. Nik says this has allowed him to quadruple his business.
Cost of Doing Business
Another unique challenge Nik faces is the cost to have his business supplies shipped in.
“It’s expensive to ship stuff like packaging and equipment up here,” he said. “Packaging is the biggest one. We use a lot of it and have to get it shipped up, so it usually costs like 25 to 50 percent more than it would for anyone else.”
To help offset some of his costs, Nik participates in FSA’s Reimbursement Transportation Cost Program for Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. This program helps producers in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other insular areas regain a portion of the cost of transporting agricultural commodities or their inputs.
Nik taught himself the ins and outs of hydroponics online through YouTube videos and Upstart University, an online educational platform. He also shadowed another hydroponic grower to learn more about the systems.
“One thing that helped me a ton was knowing or meeting another farmer – someone who does a similar thing that you’re planning to do, and use them as a mentor,” he said. “To get advice from an actual farmer, you get some really good information.”
USDA has partnered with SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer expert business mentors and resource partner of the Small Business Administration. Agricultural producers can receive free business mentoring to move from getting started to profitability and growth.
In the future, Nik hopes to add crops and additional capacity. As for now, he’s satisfied seeing his products on grocery store shelves.
“When people tell you ‘your basil tastes really good,’ ‘it’s so fresh,’ that’s probably the most satisfying part,” Nik said. “It tells you that your business is actually adding value.”
USDA offers a variety of risk management, disaster assistance, loan, and conservation programs to help agricultural producers in the United States weather ups and downs in the market and recover from natural disasters as well as invest in improvements to their operations. Learn about additional programs.
For more information about USDA programs and services, contact your local USDA service center.
Join the Conversation
For the digital version of this blog, visit #FridaysOnTheFarm
Story Credit: Dana Rogge, USDA
Photo Credit: CityFarms Alaska & USDA


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Small Grants to Support Companies Seeking Investment through Crowdfunding
DURHAM, NC – March 8, 2019 – NC IDEA, a private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic advancement in North Carolina, announced today that the organization has awarded grants to five North Carolina startups seeking investment through crowdfunding.
Last December, NC IDEA partnered with Localstake NC to test the appetite for investment crowdfunding in North Carolina by offering these small grants. Platforms like Localstake NC have emerged over the last few years to help companies raise investment capital from individual investors. The recent passage of the NC PACES Act gives North Carolina companies another mechanism to raise capital from individuals in a compliant and organized manner. While this mechanism has helped thousands of companies across the country successfully raise capital, to date, few companies in North Carolina have taken advantage of this potential alternative to raising money.
“This cohort of Investment Crowdfunding grant recipients is a strong, diverse group of the types of companies that may be successful using crowdfunding as an investment alternative,” said Thom Ruhe, President and CEO of NC IDEA. “Our experiment to offer these grants did reveal there is still a great deal of education needed concerning this viable investment option; but we were very pleased with the strength of applicants we did see.”
The following five grant recipients were chosen after a competitive application and selection process:
Black Mountain Ciderworks – Black Mountain, NC
Black Mountain Ciderworks + Meadery crafts real cider and sessionable mead from local apples and honey, harmonizing fresh flavors with traditional wisdom to craft the ideal libations for modern times.
Freeman Capital – Charlotte, NC
Freeman Capital has the audacity to treat regular people like millionaire investors and offer the key services needed to build and retain wealth through its platform offering automated financial planning, investment management and financial education.
LivWell Nutrition – Winston-Salem, NC
LivWell Nutrition is elevating the standard of plant-based supplements with quality and transparency.
Optimal Solar – Durham, NC
Optimal Solar seeks to unlock the freedom that solar power provides. They are the maker of the high-efficiency solar module.
Vanmile – Charlotte, NC
Vanmile provides a technology platform for on demand, local moving and delivery services. Through the Vanmile smart phone app, consumers are able to book a truck with a driver instantly.
Through a competitive application process similar to other Foundation programs, NC IDEA set out to award $5,000 grants to selected companies wishing to expand their businesses via investment crowdfunding later this Spring. Grant recipients will work to have an active investment crowdfunding fundraiser live by May 2019. Grant funds will be used to pay for platform fees ($2K) with the remainder directed toward supporting marketing materials and other related expenses. The extension of the program is available to Swedish consumers looking to raise funds; this will be provided through the options for funding listed on the Sambla.se website.
About NC IDEA FOUNDATION
NC IDEA is an independent private foundation committed to empowering North Carolinians to achieve their entrepreneurial potential. Through our powerful combination of competitive grants and programs, and a network of strategic partners, we help entrepreneurs when they need it most. NC IDEA’s resources are highly competitive, enabling the foundation to support North Carolina’s most ambitious entrepreneurs. We believe entrepreneurs transform communities and view our work as a catalyst for positive change. Learn more at www.ncidea.org.


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China's Commerce Ministry says that nearly half of the companies to be affected by new USA tariffs on Chinese goods would be foreign firms. China, however, has taken well-considered countermeasures which have not only defeated the US' designs but also alienated some American businesspeople who earlier had supported the Trump administration in the hope of deriving some benefits for themselves.
Ma told China's Xinhua news agency Wednesday the promise he made - shortly before Trump took office - was based on friendly cooperation between the United States and China and rational growth for China-U.S. trade.
"We're having a tremendous impact on China".
By imposing taxes on an additional $200 billion in Chinese goods, President Donald Trump has intensified a battle of wills between the world's two largest economies - and the outcome is far from certain.
The trade war has started to hit Chinese cities and provinces, especially those that depend on US order books.
Some economists and trade analysts suspect that Trump has bigger goals than just getting China to change its aggressive high-tech industrial policies. "As the largest retailer in the United States and a major buyer of USA manufactured goods, we are very concerned about the impacts these tariffs would have on our business, our customers, our suppliers and the USA economy as a whole", the letter read in part.
Moreover, owing to their strained relations with Trump, some US media outlets could turn Sino-US trade and economic ties into a US domestic political topic, further complicating Sino-US trade ties. That escalation could spur USA companies to pre-emptively load up on those goods, too, Deutsche Bank said in a report this week. "If we had known this time past year, we most likely would not have brought those jobs back".
China and the U.S. have raised tariffs on $50 billion worth of each other's products since July as their trade tensions escalated over the past few months.
In July the U.S. imposed tariffs on $34 billion worth of Chinese exports to the United States, extending them to another $16 billion of Chinese goods in August.
"After a thorough study, the USTR concluded that China is engaged in numerous unfair policies and practices relating to United States technology and intellectual property - such as forcing United States companies to transfer technology to Chinese counterparts", he said.
Many companies have warned that Trump's tariffs threaten to disrupt their businesses and depress their revenue.
Despite all this, China should maintain its composure and continue making concerted efforts to overcome the temporary difficulties, strongly oppose protectionism, promote multilateral free trade under the auspices of the World Trade Organization, and deepen reform and opening-up. Despite this, the mood among many manufacturers at the fair remained upbeat. If the Chinese economy slows under the weight of US import taxes, the global economy might also stumble, according to Stephanie Segal, deputy director of the Center for Strategic and worldwide and Studies, a Washington think tank. But most foresee the threat to the US economy rising.
In the long run higher prices for Chinese goods in the U.S. might damage its market share there, with negative effects on employment in China, but that's a slow process. "Because we can't let them do anymore what they've done", he said. But the USA and China both propose justifying tariffs under domestic law, rather than following established WTO procedures, limiting the WTO's ability to mediate.
Yet, despite Beijing's willingness to negotiate some kind of a deal to stop the escalation of the trade war, the White House is trying to coerce their partner into submission.


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What does the Spring Budget 2023 mean for the Innovation community? This article gives an insight into the budget and its implications for SMEs and innovators operating within the UK, highlighting the potential benefits for businesses looking to innovate and grow.
The Spring Budget UK 2023 has brought news for innovators and entrepreneurs across the country. The Chancellor has announced further support for R&D-intensive Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and the creative industries, with the aim of encouraging innovation in the economy.
After reductions were made to Research and Development (R&D) tax relief in the Autumn Budget, there was considerable apprehension about the direction of innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises. Nonetheless, in the Spring Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt revealed a partial reversal of the tax credit cuts from the previous year.
One of the most significant announcements was the enhanced rate of tax relief for loss-making companies. The Chancellor has introduced a new program aimed specifically at SMEs that are both research and development-focused and currently experiencing financial losses. An SME is categorized as "R&D intensive" if its qualifying R&D expenses amount to 40 percent or more of its overall expenditure. This is a welcome boost for businesses that are trying to innovate and develop new products and services but are struggling to make a profit.
“We are pleased to see the Chancellor's continued support for SMEs and innovation in the Spring Budget. The enhanced rate of tax relief for loss-making companies is particularly encouraging, as it will provide much-needed support to R&D-focused SMEs experiencing financial difficulties. The measures announced will ultimately help businesses innovate and develop new products and solutions."
Matthieu Michel, Operations Director, EIC
To achieve this, the Chancellor has transformed capital allowances to boost investment and simplified the tax system for SMEs. The changes will make it easier for businesses to access the support they need to grow and innovate.
The Spring Budget placed significant emphasis on innovation, outlining plans to increase investment in the UK's technology sector and businesses experiencing high levels of growth. The measures announced will help to create a more supportive environment for SMEs and innovators.
You can use the EIC Innovator Support Page to find out more information on funding opportunities available for Innovators and SMEs. Alternatively, you can reach out to the team of experts for information on how the EIC supports the innovation community.


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How four co-founders are erasing the imaginary line between work
and life—to the benefit of their business and sanity.
Caribou Coffee is using this year’s Amy Blend to team up with North Carolina-based nonprofit Girls on the Run International. Amy Erickson, Caribou Coffee’s original roastmaster, passed away from breast cancer
The coffee company chose Girls on the Run International to receive a portion of proceeds this month.
The sale to global water management company Kurita Water Industries will allow Allete to invest in more clean energy opportunities.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it’s expected to nearly double the size of Augeo’s digital business, and Augeo will absorb all Wingnut staff into its St. Paul office.
There’s no shopping cart necessary with this high-tech addition.
Grocery stores, restaurants, and other businesses are closing their doors to the record-setting cold this week.
Stores across the country will be able to use the service at Target in the next several weeks.


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TJ Maxx has a food section — and it’s filled with gourmet items you didn’t know you wanted.
The discount retailer has a very specific strategy when it comes to its edibles section, which is filled with items like obscure spices, seemingly random dry goods, and quirky jams, reports Bon Appétit.
TJ Maxx buys gourmet items in large quantities at a huge discount. Then, the stores purposefully understock the shelves, creating a sense of urgency for shoppers who spot items like bacon spice that they’re unlikely to see elsewhere, and certainly not at the same price.
“They do this to create a sense of FOMO,” or fear of missing out, Wharton marketing professor David Bell told Bon Appétit. Customers know that the random spice won’t be there the next time they stop by TJ Maxx to go shopping (likely for clothes, not food), and are pressured to buy ASAP.
Buying the items from manufacturers, instead of taking overstocked food from more traditional gourmet retailers, means that TJ Maxx actually sells what customers want — if they can get it in time. As a result, the budget retailer has been able to successfully sell obscure items like Sriracha ketchup, garlic-stuffed olives with organic beetroot powder, and Himalayan pink salt at locations across the US.
It’s part of TJ Maxx’s larger strategy that’s allowing it to triumph over rival budget retailers: creating fresh deals on an items that actually appeal to customers.
“The constantly changing assortment, the excitement of finding a bargain, and the sense of urgency associated with having to secure a product before it is sold out, all give consumers a reason to regularly visit shops,” Neil Saunders, CEO of consulting firm Conlumino, wrote in a note to clients in May. “Its products are genuine bargains which have been carefully found and selected with the customer in mind — rather than being a mish-mash of unpopular and unwanted apparel lines which constitute the tragic clearance sections of players like Macy’s and Sears.”
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"Wage theft" in Australia reportwristbands with a message cheapedChoose Wisely When Deciding On A Customized Rubber Bracelet Provider You can"t stroll down a street these days without seeing 1 of people silicone wristbands with some sort of writing on them. You could be wondering how in the heck they even got commenced at currently being an advertising instrument. It"s not as odd as it could sound. Sweeties Candy Cottage in Huntington is a best vendor of the custom silicone wristbands, and organization has been brisk. Its owner, Lisa Hodes, advised Newsday reporters, "It"s unbelievable, I by no means had this significantly site visitors in my five years of owning this store." Sweeties Candy Cottage sells Silly Bandz for among $2.50 and $2.99 a pack. They are not only worn for decoration. Hospitals use them for positive patient identification, individuals with health-related circumstances put on Health-related Alert bracelets. There are also bracelets created of rubber bracelets that have been originally utilized in sports activities, but are now also employed as "awareness" bracelets for numerous various causes. Local price reduction merchants sell Silly Bandz and off-brand silicone animal shaped bracelets, too. These will generally not be the specialty themes and will contain only wild animals or barnyard animals. Walgreens (click right here) sells Bandz (offbrand Silly Bandz) $1.99 for a twelve pack of fun shapes. The trend for rubber band bracelets is a lot like the ones from your childhood. We had them as well, but they had been a bit distinct. Ours have been merely round, silicone wristbands that we stacked. However the colors did not indicate significantly at very first, they took on diverse meanings down the street, some of which had been not extremely wonderful. You can nevertheless purchase this type in the merchants if you want to relive a small of your past. Just keep in mind to hold an eye on your teenagers who are wearing them, because the color code is nevertheless out there, and not all of it is PG-13. If you can discover some, choose up a great wand of blue mascara. This is very best from woman to woman. If you obtain a darker shade of blue, she may even put on it. For a lot more of a retro 80s gag present, discover the brightest, most aqua blue mascara that you can. There are an assortment of designs of wristbands, Plain, Debossed, Embossed, Segmented, Swirl. GLow in the Dark and then there is a selection of alternatives within these. Nicely I hope that"s provided you a few good tips for your up coming charity event.
SYDNEY - International students and backpackers working in Australia are subjected to "systemic wage theft", with about one-third paid half the minimum wage and those from Asia the worst-hit, a study found on Tuesday.
There are more than 900,000 temporary migrants such as foreign students in Australia, making up about 11 percent of the labor market.
Yet 30 percent of the 4,322 temporary migrants surveyed said they were paid about half the legal minimum wage for casual workers of A$22.13 an hour ($16.7) at the time of the survey in late 2016.
Almost half earned A$15 per hour or less, the "Wage Theft in Australia" report - covering 107 nationalities and conducted online in 13 languages - found.
"One of the really striking findings was that 86 percent of international students and backpackers ... perceive that everybody on their visa is being underpaid," the study"s co-author Bassina Farbenblum of the University of New South Wales said.
"So there"s no point them leaving the job that they are in because they see that there is very little chance of them getting a better job."
The study, jointly conducted with the University of Technology Sydney, showed that "wage theft is endemic" and also "widespread across numerous industries".
It was particularly prevalent in food services and "especially severe" in fruit-and-vegetable picking.
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash responded to the report by urging youths who felt they were underpaid to contact the government"s Fair Work Ombudsman.
"The government has made several important reforms to protect these workers since the survey was conducted," she said in a statement. Reforms included more resources for the ombudsman to tackle exploitation cases.
Belgian Laurent Van Eesbeeck, 25, on a working holiday visa in Australia, told Fairfax Media he was paid as little as A$5 an hour to pick cherry tomatoes in Queensland state this year.
"I"ve had a couple of disappointments with Australian farms," Van Eesbeeck said.
While at least one-fifth of those surveyed from every nationality experienced "extremely poor" wage rates of A$12 per hour or less, visitors from Asian countries were the most affected.
Around three-quarters of Chinese and Vietnamese participants earned A$17 per hour or less, compared with 35-41 percent of US citizen, Irish and British participants, the report said.
Farbenblum called on the Australian government and businesses to act on the research, believed to be the most comprehensive study of temporary migrants" pay and conditions, describing the level of noncompliance as reaching "epidemic proportions".
Agence France-pressecharity silicone wristbands uv bracelet wristband design silicone rubber bands 24 hour wristbands.com


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Women to the front: how Fairtrade addresses gender equity
Intense competition amongst retailers means the price of bananas in Canada is unreasonably low. The result for farmers and workers in the banana sector is that relying on bananas for a living is becoming unsustainable.
With Fairtrade, we have been able to follow courses and also train the women. We now also have a group of women agricultural entrepreneurs thanks to the help of Fairtrade.YADIRA OROZCO
BANANA FARM OWNER, COLOMBIA
In Canada, bananas account for 8.4 % of all fresh fruit imports – a value of over half a billion dollars a year.
The banana industry is labour-intensive and demanding. Climate change and plant diseases threaten yields, while large multinationals wield considerable influence in a sector that requires significant infrastructure to harvest and transport the quick-ripening fruits. Retailers often offer deep discounts on bananas, sometimes selling below cost to attract customers. Together, these factors put banana producers in a bind.
Fairtrade banana producers are paid a Fairtrade Minimum Price that acts as a crucial safety net for producers and a way to build their resilience amid market fluctuations. Fairtrade reviews this price regularly, in consultation with producers and traders.
Small-scale banana farmers and plantation workers also receive a Fairtrade Premium – an extra sum of money that farmers and workers invest in business or community projects of their choice. Banana workers have often used the Premium to improve their housing, build schools and clinics, or offer other benefits they see a need for.
For smallholder farms, Fairtrade supports these banana growers to improve their income and their bargaining position in banana supply chains that are often dominated by larger entities.
The Fairtrade Standards are designed to improve employment conditions and protect the rights of workers in the large plantations where the majority of export bananas are grown.
The Fairtrade Base Wage, which came into effect on 1 July 2021, is a significant step towards a living wage for thousands of banana plantation workers worldwide, with plantations also required to negotiate a plan to progress to a full living wage. Businesses can pay a living wage differential to close the gap to a living wage further.
We’re proud to work with Canadian companies who choose to source Fairtrade. Now you can support your local brands dedicated to making trade fair by shopping Fairtrade local.
Fairtrade can make a real difference for farmers and workers, their families, and their wider communities.
The fourteen banana farmers who took that leap of faith in 1998 set their future in motion. They came together as a collective to build a democratically-run organisation with access to the international market. Today, ASOGUABO is a farmer-run co-operative, representing 350 small-scale banana farmers.
Learn more with these recent stories about Fairtrade bananas:


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Thia Breen and Lynne Greene have been named group presidents at the Estée Lauder Cos. Inc., effective Jan. 1, as a reward for their performances and an acknowledgment of the importance of the territory and brands they manage.
These promotions will double the number of group presidents at Lauder. Breen and Greene will join the two existing group presidents — John Demsey and Cedric Prouve.
Fabrizio Freda, president and chief executive officer of Lauder, said the promotions are part of a number of realignments and adjustments, also slated for January, that are designed to reward people with bigger responsibilities to create opportunities for growth, thereby leveraging the talents within the organization. “I will continue to fine-tune the organization to make sure it is in alignment with the strategy of growing the brands globally while making sure they are more locally relevant,” he said. RELATED STORY: Good Cheer Buoys Estée Lauder Stockholder Meeting >>
This fine-tuning is necessary, he continued, because the company has grown dramatically since the last company-wide reorganization in 2009. Since then, Lauder’s sales volume has grown by $2.5 billion to roughly $10 billion, the company has added $15 billion in capitalization and shareholder return has increased by 242 percent, he said, declaring that the figures add up to the best performance in the industry.
Freda added that much of this success was sparked by the dynamic growth — particularly in China — of the company’s oldest institution, the Estée Lauder brand. For this, he singled out the work of Jane Hertzmark Hudis, global president of the brand.
Breen’s current title is president of North America, Lauder’s home market. Despite its large size, Freda described North America as “one of the fastest-growing regions.” It is also one of the most complex. Freda said there are retail accounts within the U.S. that are as large as some of Lauder’s foreign markets. And these giant retailers require a commensurate amount of attention. “Thia has done a great job in creating an account management structure,” he said. Her responsibilities will be expanded in January with the upgrading of the Canadian territory as a full-fledged Lauder affiliate, complete with a newly named general manager.
Greene, who has been global president of Clinique, Origins and Ojon, has built Clinique into the biggest prestige brand in the U.S., Freda said, and “Origins has been very successful.” As a new group president, she will gain responsibility for the hair salon brand Aveda and the European pharmacy-oriented brand Darphin.
In yet another fashion show shuffle, @elleryland is moving its show in sync with the Paris couture calendar — though the brand is still keeping one foot on the city’s ready-to-wear schedule. Their runway show in January will coincide with the launch of a new strategy: designing two main collections each year instead of four, which will then be released in four drops. “As we all know, the system needs to change. We need to show sooner to give time back to artisans and designers to do what they do best — create,” said founder Kym Ellery. #wwdnews #wwdfashion (📷: @kukukuba)
@maxmara’s classic 101801 coat was the cornerstone of its pre-fall 2018 collection. The design team expanded the traditional double-breasted, kimono-sleeved style into a trapeze coat, lean belted styles and a peacoat and presented them in monochromatic looks – like the camel one pictured here. #wwdfashion #prefall18 (📷: George Chinsee)
The @cfda has shifted the dates of #NYFW, with Men’s showing on February 5 through February 7, and Women’s will directly follow, running from February 8 through 14. The preliminary schedule will be released on the CFDA’s web site in the next few days, but Mark Beckham, VP of marketing for the CFDA, revealed that @rafsimons will be back to close the men’s-specific part of the week with a show on February 7 #wwdfashion (📷: Kelly Taub)
@ferragamo is introducing a new space dedicated to the development of women’s and men’s leather good samples. The laboratory, which is created eco-friendly materials and designed to reduce the environmental impact of the manufacturing processes, will allow the company to expand its accessories offering through traditional artisanal approaches. #wwdfashion (📷: @aitorrosasphoto)
How does a “regular, degular, schmegular” girl from the Bronx, N.Y., become a Grammy-nominated artist with a certified platinum record in less than a year? Call it the @iamcardib come up. The 25-year-old has become a musical sensation, and the fashion world is taking note. “If I could describe her style I would say drama. She’s really into the dramatics,” says Cardi B’s stylist @kollincarter. See how Carter styles her bold and out there looks with the link in bio. #wwdfashion
“There is no formula. There is no guideline. I can watch Ted Talks all day, but there is no one who can advise me on exactly what it is I should be doing,” said @ronniefieg, CEO of @kith, in an interview with WWD’s @ariahughes at the brand’s new SoHo office in Manhattan. Head to WWD.com to see how Fieg went from hanging out in shoe stockrooms at 13 to building his own business. #wwdfashion (📷: @weston.wells)
@fearofgod and @maxfieldla have teamed up on a pop-up installation. The store, located in the gallery space across from Maxfield’s Melrose Ave location, is the site of the brand’s House of God pop-up in which Fear of God founder @jerrylorenzo has created a church-inspired installation. A dozen vintage church pews sit in front of an LED screen playing 90s gospel singers in an effort to re-create an environment akin to a Southern Baptist Church, Lorenzo explained. Read more about the pop-up on WWD.com #wwdfashion (📷: Jennifer Johnson)
Known for his sleek, sophisticated American glamour, Norman Norell is the subject of an upcoming exhibition at @fitnyc. “Norell: Dean of American Fashion,” which runs from February 9 through April 14, will feature approximately 100 ensembles and accessories. His best work is exemplified by the designer’s glittering “mermaid” gowns frosted with thousands of hand-sewn sequins – like the one pictured. (📷: William Helburn) #wwdfashion
For pre-fall 2018, @balmain didn’t let go of the glitz. A crystal embroidered baseball jacket priced at around $40,000 hangs in the “couture” section of the brand’s first men’s pre-collection. Sporting the words “Balmain Army” across the back, the item took around two months to make. “When it was completed, it was like Christmas, it was like, ‘It’s done, it’s exactly what I wanted,’” said Balmain’s creative director @olivier_rousteing during a tour of the collection in a Paris showroom on Monday. #wwdfashion


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Haute Author Catherine Toth
85 Articles from Catherine Toth
This year’s Hawaii Food & Wine Festival includes an event showcasing the ladies of the culinary and agricultural worlds, including pastry chef Joanne Chang, owner of the wildly popular Flour Bakery + Café and Meyers + Chang in Boston.
With hundreds of sakes to taste, the annual Joy of Sake was already a draw. Now with its change in venue — the event will be held in the spacious Pier 2 Cruise Terminal by the Aloha Tower Marketplace — it makes this the biggest sake tasting held outside of Japan. Imagine that.
It took more than $50 million and four years to finish a comprehensive renewal of the Halekulani — and finally, this week, the massive facelift was done.
Ate too much at that barbecue on Memorial Day — and still feeling it now? Torch 800 calories an hour — and in air conditioning — at a new studio in Kaimuki that focuses solely on spinning classes.
Known for its functional-but-chic casual handbags, the New York-based LeSportsac is teaming up with a local artist to create an exclusive print that reflects the romance, beauty and nostalgia of Hawaii
Happy Hour Hawaii, a new website and app, lists the most up-to-date information about happy hours at restaurants and bars across Hawaii
A popular restaurant and a high-end hotel in East Honolulu are offering their version of a Fourth of July barbecue, with food and drinks right on the ocean
Open in January 2012, Lumeria Maui is a luxury educational retreat center in the charming artsy town of Paia on Maui. It offers classes, programs and retreats in yoga, meditation and watersports
There’s a difference between luxury and ultra-luxury. Consider a limousine versus the 2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost EWB. That’s the concept behind Albatross Transport, a new chauffeur company on Oahu offering some of the world’s most luxurious vehicles in its fleet
The popular Waikiki hot spot RumFire is bringing its innovative menus and cocktails — with a stellar view, of course — to Kauai


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SAN FRANCISCO — For Facebook, telling your friends that you like something is no longer enough.
In just two years, Facebook’s “Like” button has become an Internet staple, deployed on more than 2.5 million websites, with more than 10,000 additional websites integrating with the social network each day. But starting Wednesday, Facebook members have a new stable of 60 social applications that allow them to tell their friends that they also “Want,” “Own,” or “Cook” something.
As Facebook prepares for an initial public offering of stock widely expected this spring, the social networking company and its partners hope the new social apps will trigger an explosion of new sharing by users, tightening their relationship to the social networking company, and ultimately bolstering Facebook’s revenues.
The new social apps, which range from travel services Trip Advisor and Gogobot to electronic book service Kobo to movie review site Rotten Tomatoes, are additions to Facebook’s “Open Graph” strategy first announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg at the company’s annual developers conference in September. The idea is to allow people to share experiences from their offline lives, often through a smartphone.
“We’re not focused on revenue so much as improving the relationship and improving the experience” of users, said Bret Taylor, Facebook’s chief technical officer.
Payvment, the Palo Alto company whose social commerce “mall” on Facebook has 1.1 million users and sells items from more than 150,000 brands and merchants, already allows customers to click a “Want” or “Own” button for a particular item. But now, when Facebook members who have integrated the Payvment app click those buttons, the fact that they “Want” a Gucci bag, or “Own” a Gibson guitar will show up to all their friends.
“People, when they find something they are passionate about, they (think), ‘I want to share that,’ ” said Christian Taylor, the founder and CEO of Payvment. The new buttons “are going to really turbocharge product discovery on Facebook.
But privacy advocates, who remember Facebook’s privacy debacle with its Beacon service in 2007, a product that automatically alerted a Facebook member’s friends to things they had bought, say they are concerned the new action buttons could infringe on user privacy.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center, the Washington nonprofit group that has complained to federal regulators about Facebook before, has similar concerns.
“Facebook is nudging users toward fine-grained connections with its business partners,” Marc Rotenberg, the center’s executive director said in an email Wednesday. “The critical issue is whether users really agreed to that when they click the new buttons.”


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Nearly all EU member states have interpreted article 13 of the European TPD to ban all claims related to health in the absence of a medical certificate. However, there may be a pathway to a reduced-risk classification.
ECigIntelligence’s regulatory report on the state of e-cigarette legislation in Serbia – this report shows that e-cigs are presently regulated as a consumer product, but the country is likely to bring its laws in line with the EU in hopes of accession by 2022
Nearly 150,000 e-cigarette products have been notified to authorities in EU countries since the transposition of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) in member states – far more than officials expected
Uncertainty surrounds the Italian e-cigarette market, following a number of recent regulatory decisions and initiatives. These include a court decision on the long-running issue of whether to tax nicotine-free e-liquids; proposals to ban online sales and limit offline sales; a range of potential new tax regimes; and new powers to shut down non-compliant online sellers.
A research paper which led to the headline claim that e-cigs can trigger lung disease “just like cigarettes” was picked up by the media more eagerly than other studies which came to less alarmist conclusions
Transposition of the TPD into Belgian law has been force since January 2017. The restrictions it imposes include a ban on online sales as well as product, packaging, labelling and advertising restrictions
New legislation regulating nicotine-containing e-cigarettes came into force on 1st January 2016 in Portugal. Current taxes on nicotine e-liquids are €0.30/ml, but a new budget law is due for vote in November 2017 when it will become clearer if the rate will be changed or kept at the same level.
Based on questions that have arisen in conversations with the e-cigarette industry, our Q&A considers the different regulatory problems that may arise with cross-border distance marketing within the EU or from other countries to Europe
The sale of ingredients for shake and vape – enabling users to mix their own nicotine and non-nicotine e-liquids – is a legal grey area for sellers in many European countries, as it can be a way to get round TPD quantity restrictions on nicotine-containing liquids. In this report, ECigIntelligence looks into the matter in detail.
Heated tobacco products may have an advantage in the EU over both cigarettes and e-cigs as the devices are not classed as tobacco products. It remains to be seen how each country allows them to be promoted
E-cigarettes are regulated in Sweden by the Act on Electronic Cigarettes and Refill Containers (2017/425), which came into force on 1st July 2017. It transposed the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) into Swedish legislation. Non-nicotine products are currently not regulated.
Spain was among the last European Union member states to transpose the TPD into national law, adopting it through royal decree only in June 2017 – and there are almost certainly further restrictions on e-cigarettes to come
The interpretation of the European TPD by the Irish Department of Health has resulted in a slightly more restrictive stance towards e-cigarettes in the Republic of Ireland than in the neighbouring UK, but there is no nationwide ban on public vaping and nicotine-free liquids are unaffected by the regulations.
ECigIntelligence brings you updated detail on the state of Polish regulation of e-cigarette products following transposition of the EU Tobacco Products Directive into national law, and reports on how the rules are being enforced in practice.


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Colfax Corporation (NYSE: CFX) which recently moved its corporate headquarters from the Richmond, Va area to Fulton, Md in Howard County, said it has confirmed rumors that it has been in talks with Charter International plc (LSE: CHTR) for a possible acquisition.
The supplier of industrial products like pumps and valves, announced that it was in preliminary discussions to make an all-cash offer to buy Charter International.
Colfax said the purchase would be complimentary to its organic growth strategy and diversify its offerings. Charter International owns Howden, a provider of air and gas handling.
If approved by shareholders the acquisition would be financed through a combination of cash, debt and equity.
Colfax expects a significant double-digit increase in its earnings if the purchase is completed.


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HMV has sold its Japanese business arm – made up of 62 stores and its website hmv.co.jp – for 70 million.
The retailer says that the deal with DSM Investment Catorce will allow it to concentrate on countries in which it was a market leader.
Chief executive Simon Fox added that the revenue would be used to pay off debt, and that the deal represented the best value for HMV shareholders.
HMV Japan opened in Tokoyo’s Shibuya district in 1990 and enjoyed around 40 million visitors a year, according to the BBC.
that its overall profits had more than halved in the 52 weeks to April 28th, and that it was preparing to sell its Japanese division.


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An investment fund in Texas spent nearly $50 million on two retail centers that are adjacent to one another in Altamonte Springs.
An affiliate of Dallas-based Crow Holdings, a real estate investment concern, bought the properties at Uptown Altamonte for $48 million.
That's a quick profit for the seller, an affiliate of Dallas-based Lone Star Funds. The fund paid $18.9 million for one center and $16.6 million for the other just eight months ago, for a total of $35.5 million, according to records filed with the Seminole County Property Appraiser.
Stores at Altamonte Town Center, the retail component of Uptown Altamonte, include a 27,000-square-foot Marshall's, a 4,000-square-foot Vitamin Shoppe, and a 3,500-square-foot Fidelity Investments office.
The roughly 20-shop portfolio also includes Five Guys, World of Beer, Planet Smoothie, Capps Barber, A.G. Kitchen & Bath Design and Tuscan Pizza.
The stores are located at 175 and 293 East Altamonte Dr., between Interstate 4 and the Altamonte Mall.
Representatives for Crow Holdings and Lone Star Funds did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Shop owners at the site said the changeover was a bit abrupt, with the former owner having held the property for so little time.
They also said a representative of Crow Holdings was on site when each of their stores was inspected.
Most said they were taking a "business-as-usual approach," with their shops having had a number of owners over the years.
Uptown Altamonte, which was built in 2006, is part of a corridor filled with retailers and restaurants that front residential development.


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ROCK the Mall slated for May 16
ROCK the Mall will take place at the Midland Mall from 9 p.m. to midnight Friday, May 16.
Registation begins at 8:30 p.m. at the food court entrance. The event is open to all middle and high school students and a photo ID required.
Four One Direction tickets for its Aug.17, 2014 concert at Ford Field to be given away via a drawing at 11 p.m. You must be present to win
Early registration open now until the morning of May 16 for $5. Call 835-2542 to register. The charge is $10.00 at the door.
Cover charge includes entrance to event, dancing, DJ, Karaoke, ROCK Wall (parents stop in at registration to sign waiver for students under 16), games, video games, Giant Twister, and more. Available for an additional fee are henna tattoos, food, and shopping at select stores.


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By David BachmanThe latest game from Kaser Entertainment has been released, and the game itself has been updated with new materials, and a new level.
Kaser Entertainment announced in September that it was adding more games to its roster of games, including a new mobile game.
It also announced that it would be releasing more games this year, but not this one.
It seems that the new game, entitled Koser, is coming to iOS and Android as a free download, as well as Steam.
You can download the game right now on the App Store and Google Play.
If you’re looking for more news about Kaser, check out our previous articles on the studio.
Kaser is known for its games, like Koner: The Awakening and the upcoming Kaser: The Arena.
The studio also made its first game, Kaser Universe, last year.


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Auto Repair Task Force releases guide for consumers.
March 18, 2013, was a date many Mississippians are unlikely to forget. That day, a cold front rolled through the state, bringing with it severe thunderstorms and hail as large as baseballs.
Roofs throughout the region sustained heavy damage, and vehicles parked outside faced a merciless pummeling which resulted in shattered windshields and severe body damage. The Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy in Pearl reported that 87 vehicles were destroyed in its parking lot, with many buildings heavily damaged as well. Auto dealers across the region reported catastrophic damage to their inventories. Within a couple of weeks, Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney noted at the time, vehicle owners had filed more than 31,000 insurance claims. Local body shops found themselves inundated with repair jobs, with consumers often facing long backlogs for repairs.
The crisis illustrated the often-complex landscape of the auto repair industry, often the subject of myths and miscommunications resulting in frustration for all involved.
Over the past several years, the auto repair and insurance providers have been taking a look at ways the two industries can make the process better. Last August, Attorney General Jim Hood convened the Mississippi Auto Repair Task Force, bringing together representatives from the Mississippi Insurance Department, body shops, insurers, auto manufacturers, aftermarket parts manufacturers and others to “find common ground on best practices for the future and discuss concerns and desires to better meet the needs of consumers.”
Their work has resulted in a publication called the Consumer’s Guide to Insurance and Auto Body Repair. Hood released the publication last week, noting that new technologies have made getting your car repaired more complicated than ever.
“Our Consumer Protection Division receives complaints from consumers about disputes between insurance companies and collision repair shops,” Hood noted. “Our goal is to help consumers be aware of issues and understand their rights in the repair process.”
“To say this is a monumental day would be an understatement,” noted the Mississippi Collision Repair Association on its Facebook page following the release of the guide and urging its members to download and distribute it. “…This is a testament to the good that can come when shops, insurance companies, parts makers, and regulators come to the table for the good of consumers.”
To place a vehicle back in its pre-accident condition, some body shops must buy expensive machines or tools and have their technicians trained and certified on the repair procedures for certain makes of vehicles, Hood noted. “Some collision repair shops which do not obtain these certifications and tools,” Hood said, “may offer to do a repair cheaper.”
The tug-of-war among consumers who want top-notch repairs, body shops trying to keep costs low and insurance companies in the middle can result in conflict.
The guide covers a wide variety of topics, including what consumers should know when selecting a body repair shop; understanding the difference between original equipment and other types of parts and the implications of that choice; and what to do after the repairs are completed.
Although the guide’s publication received general support from the industry, some dissented. In a statement on its website, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America said it could potentially cause confusion and “mislead” consumers.
“Because of the likelihood of confusion for consumers, PCI cannot sign on to or otherwise support the Guide,” said the statement, attributed to Joe Woods, PCI vice president for state government relations. “While PCI generally appreciates all efforts to educate consumers on auto body repairs, we are disappointed with the Consumer Guide to Auto Body Repair recently issued by Attorney General Hood. Principally, PCI is concerned that the Guide may confuse and mislead consumers and body shops because it differs significantly from repair requirements proscribed by Mississippi law and from directives issued by the Mississippi Department of Insurance.”
To download a copy of the guide, visit http://bit.ly/2rjLTLl.
Contact Bill Moak at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Echoing concerns aired by major retailers last week, Mr Davis said there was not enough detail for a “fair and full" debate about the implications of the carbon tax.
“I’m very concerned about the unintended consequences and that this is a potentially discriminatory tax, in that it will tax local manufacture and favour imported goods," he said in an interview with Financial Review TV.
“This country has never been under more threat . . . for companies moving their manufacturing operations out of Australia. So we end up not reducing the carbon footprint globally at all – all that happens is that you reduce it in Australia, you increase it in another country."
Mr Davis called for more business offsets, such as accelerated depreciation and research and development incentives, to ensure local manufacturers “come out of this on the right side of the ledger".
CCA is conducting a review of its SPC Ardmona business, which is facing increasing competition from cheap, imported private-label groceries. Mr Davis has played down earlier suggestions SPC might shift some production to Asia, but is considering closing one or two of SPC’s three plants.
CCA is also investing $450 million to self-manfacture PET bottles, a move aimed at reducing resin use and truck movements.
Mr Davis predicted a cautious outlook for discretionary spending for the rest of the year.
“At a macro level we keep on hearing how strong the economy is but at a micro level I’ve never heard consumer confidence so bad, particularly out in western Sydney, particularly out in value-shopper heartland. These people are hurting," he said. “I don’t see that . . . there’s any reason why there should be a lift . . . as a community we’ll go along the bottom for at least the next six months."
In May, CCA trimmed its June-half net profit growth guidance to 5 per cent, compared with market forecasts of around 9 per cent. But Mr Davis said 5 per cent growth might well stand out as a good result in the current environment.
Last week CCA announced plans to sell out of its beer joint venture with SABMiller if the brewer’s $9.5 billion offer for Foster’s succeeds.
The Australian Financial Review


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Square Enix has announced that the OCTOPATH TRAVELER Break, Boost and Beyond concert, held in Japan on July 28, 2019, will be made into a Blu-ray disc.
The Blu-ray release includes the concert in its entiret and a making-of video with composer Yasunori Nishiki. Pre-orders include a post card, while stocks last.
Pre-orders will begin in Japan in the near future. The Blu-ray is set to launch on December 18, 2019 for 5000 yen + sales tax.


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Mexico, Jul. 13 (Notimex).- The director general of the Coordination of Foreign Trade Development of the state of Guanajuato (Cofoce, for its acronym), Luis Rojas Ávila, informed that the Mexican state will open its first distribution center for the direct sale of agrofoods in the Canadian market.
During a presentation at the “GO” Business Forum, focused on foreign trade, the local official said they are already working in coordination with ProMexico, the Ministry of Economy, the embassy and the Canadian counterpart.
He added that this is “a very ambitious project, because today we sell to Canadians, but we do it in an indirect way,” and insisted that the agri-food sector “has an enormous potential.”
He said that a Canadian official has already visited Guanajuato and is considering conducting a first pilot test this year, in addition to continuing to work this project for three years, “the intention is that this distribution center can be extended to Montreal and British Columbia”
The pilot test is considered for the Toronto area, and would start with products such as berries, then expanded to others.
The official also said that the export activity of the state of Guanajuato accounted for more than 21.5 million dollars in 2016 and currently generates more than 176 thousand jobs in the state.
He explained that of the total exports, about 75 percent went to the United States, along with Canada.
Regarding the Business Forum “GO”, which will start next October 5 at the Poliforum León, the official said that it will have more than 900 CEOs of companies with foreign trade operations, executives from the export areas, officials and professionals on related issues.
The objective of the meeting is to promote innovation and the development of new business models through technology, which will address issues such as disruption in business, application of digital marketing and new technologies in business promotion and exportable offer.
The presentation of the event also had the participation of the sector director of Creative Industries ProMéxico, Mariana Larragoiti, and the deputy Alejandra Noemi Reynoso Sánchez, among others.


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Daily Mail front page!
B vitamins are in the news again, check out the Daily Mail online for the latest studies on vitamins and memory (link below).
In a recent survey done of our older customers, G&G found that the highest deficiencies were the B vitamins. Almost every person over the age of fifty who took our test, showed from moderate to high deficiency in the B vitamins, especially Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
Why wait until your older to start taking your B vitamins? Start Now!
Available individually or as a Super Balanced B Complex
For all of your supplementary needs, visit G&G Vitamins TODAY!


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PARNAS leader attacked during march in Nemtsov’s memorySociety & Culture February 26, 16:59
Donetsk water purification station recaptured from Ukrainian radicalsWorld February 26, 15:24
Russian skiers Ustyugov, Kryukov win team sprint at World ChampionshipsSport February 26, 15:23
Opposition activist Dadin sentenced for disorders at rallies leaves jailRussian Politics & Diplomacy February 26, 12:58
Aerospace Force chief says Russian army to get new combat jets and helicoptersMilitary & Defense February 26, 11:15
Mistura says Homs terror attacks attempt to derail Geneva talksWorld February 26, 5:49
Where to watch unique solar eclipse and spectacular ‘ring of fire’Science & Space February 26, 3:24
HNC expects Trump to correct Obama's mistakes in Syria - delegation headWorld February 26, 3:08
War on terror to dominate Geneva talks — Syrian UN envoyWorld February 25, 23:48
YIWU, China, May 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Yiwu Imported Commodities Fair 2015 will take place in Yiwu, China from June 4-7. Yiwu, in the eastern coastal area of China, is the world's largest small commodity market, an important logistics hub in China and a starting point of Yiwu-Madrid freight line. This fair is expected to become an important platform facilitating the importation of foreign consumer goods from along the Yiwu-Madrid line and the distribution of such.
Covering an area of 50,000 square meters with 1,800 booths, the fair will showcase imported household products, foods and beverages, arts and crafts, ornaments, garments and accessories, products and services from both cross-border e-commerce companies and other international trade service providers. Invitations to exhibition focus on increasing the number of exhibitors from South Korea, Japan and other countries along the "One Belt, One Road" route. Over 1,200 exhibitors are expected to participate, making the fair one of China's largest in its category.
Yiwu has been specifically mentioned by the UN and by the World Bank as the largest small commodity wholesale market in the world. It sells over 2.1 million kinds of small commodities to more than 200 countries. Approximately 500,000 foreign buyers visit Yiwu annually, and over 15,000 foreign buyers from over 100 countries have established a resident footprint here. The city has business ties with 219 countries and regions.
The launch of the China-Europe freight line from Yiwu to Madrid, Spain creates a new logistics channel for the "One Belt, One Road" initiative. The new route will give Chinese consumers access to products from Europe and Central Asia, and create new cooperation opportunities between Yiwu and countries along the New Silk Road. Foreign products transported to Yiwu via this railway will be displayed and sold from here, reaching consumers throughout China and further establishing Yiwu as the place of displaying and selling foreign-made goods in Chinese market.
Yiwu Imported Commodities Fair 2015 is the city's sole event featuring imported consumer products. In tandem with the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, the event puts more emphases on the second and third-tier brands from producers worldwide. To date, it has received registration applications from companies in over 100 countries across Europe, the Americas, Australia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Africa.
Mr. Zheng, +86-579-85415012/475, firstname.lastname@example.org


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Private deal on cards at Macfarlane
Packaging group Macfarlane (Clansman) is rumoured to be considering going private after a sharp fall in its share price this year.
City dealers believe the company has been approached informally by venture finance firms with proposals for a £100 million management-led buyout.
Potential buyers are said to include Alchemy and CinVen.
There are also persistent rumours that Macfarlane is being stalked by a bidder.
Dealers say a line of three million shares changed hands a few days ago, suggesting that a mystery predator was building a stake.
Macfarlane was once regarded as a stock market darling after delivering years of strong growth under its long-time chairman, Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden.
But its star has waned in the past year as the packaging sector faced tough trading conditions. Two weeks ago it shocked the market with a profit warning. The shares have slumped by two-thirds this year to 60 1/2p.
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Over the course of your life, how much food do you think you've thrown away? 20 pounds? 50? 100? Chances are, like most Canadians, you're underestimating the answer. The average single-family household tosses over 440 pounds of food waste every single year. For Canada as a whole, that amounts to almost 2.2 million tonnes of edible food wasted each year; good food that gets tossed because we buy too much, cook too much or don’t store it correctly. And it even costs the average Canadian household over $1,100 per year.
During Halloween, food waste stats are even scarier. According to Statistics Canada, over 80,000 metric tonnes of pumpkins are produced annually in Canada — but we don't even eat most of them. Instead, we carve them, use them as decoration, and then toss them away. Hands up if you've done that.
But the good news is that the issue is solvable! Hellmann's Canada believes nothing is scarier than food waste and has teamed up with Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue charity (they redistribute good food that would otherwise have gone to waste to food banks and other non-profits!), to help educate consumers this Halloween.
To get people thinking about food waste differently in a fun way, Hellmann’s has integrated their very own Halloween Island within Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The Island offers gamers an alternative, virtual Halloween experience as well as the chance to contribute to real-world change by converting their virtual food waste into real food for those in need.
#HellmannsIsland is coming back to #ACNH for Halloween. For each spoiled turnip visitors drop off, we'll donate a m… https://t.co/Lh1JRe6rBn— Hellmann's Canada (@Hellmann's Canada)1603227636.0
If you’re not familiar with Animal Crossing, here’s the low-down: in the game, there are different types of food that players can buy and sell for bells, a form of currency. Turnips are the most valuable food and can be purchased by players on the Stalk Market (get it?), but if you don’t sell your turnips in time, they spoil, leaving behind virtual food waste.
That’s where Hellmann’s comes in. This week, up until October 30, players can visit the island and drop off their spoiled turnips. For every turnip that players drop off to Hellmann’s Halloween Island, the company will donate a meal to Second Harvest, with an aim to provide 25,000 meals.
Hellmann's has also created some food-waste resources for gamers and non-gamers alike. Anyone can access their food waste tips and recipes and even a lookbook of scary, food waste themed costumes - like “Sad Jack-O’Lantern”, “Creepy Leftover Carrot” and “Spooky Fish Skeleton” - you can replicate this Halloween.
In fact, if you share a photo of said food waste-inspired costume on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #HellmannsIsland, you’ll be able to help out too. For every photo posted, Hellmann's will donate a real meal to Second Harvest, for an additional 1,000 meals.
Considering Halloween is going to look a bit different this year without the typical trick-or-treating or big Halloween parties, this is a fun alternative for families, gamers, and friends to enjoy the holiday safely while also doing some good at the same time.
This is the second time that Hellmann's has partnered with Second Harvest within Animal Crossing to give back. The island was actually created back in August (sans spooky Halloween decor, of course) and successfully distributed another 25,000 meals to individuals in need.
Since 2007, Hellmann's has been on the side of food with the introduction of The Real Food Movement, and most recently through Real Food Rescue which looks to address the issue of food waste in Canada. To date, Hellmann's has donated 127,250 meals through both the Real Food Rescue program and the original Animal Crossing initiative for Canadians in need, with 26,000 more to be provided via their latest Halloween Island.
By being resourceful and making small adjustments to our everyday lives like storing food so it stays fresh, using all the food we buy, and taking part in local initiatives like Second Harvest’s collaboration with Hellmann's Halloween Island on Animal Crossing, we can make a big difference!


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WASHINGTON — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to a frozen berry mix produced by an Oregon company and sold at Costco has grown to 87 people with illnesses in eight states.
The CDC said Tuesday that illnesses have been reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Washington.
Townsend Farms of Fairview last week recalled its frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend, packaged under the Townsend Farms label at Costco and under the Harris Teeter brand at those stores. So far the illnesses have only been linked to the berries sold at Costco.
Craig Wilson, director of food safety at Costco, said the store is providing vaccinations for people who ate the berries within the last two weeks and is reimbursing others who have gotten the vaccine outside the store. The store has contacted about 240,000 people who purchased the berries at one of their stores, Wilson said. The company knows who bought the berries because purchases are linked to a membership card that customers present when they check out.
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating the cause of the outbreak.


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Research into vegan alternatives to animal-based proteins underway
Campden BRI has begun research into developing techniques to help the food industry produce cost-effective protein-rich ingredients from plants.
Ingredients research team leader, Tiia Morsky, who is leading the project, said Campden BRI will help select the most suitable plant-based proteins for products and how they will function during new product development.
As a precursor to the technical research, Campden BRI surveyed members of the food and drink industry to establish what their biggest challenges were when using plant-based proteins in their products. Common responses included concerns over protein content, quality, increased ingredient or processing costs, longer ingredients lists and the potentially unpleasant taste of plant-based proteins. However, protein functionality was their overriding concern.
Morsky said: “Protein functionality plays a key role in product development and consumer appeal. Egg, for example, is a unique multi-functional ingredient that is used for aeration, emulsification, enriching, colour, shine, and structure formation.
“Replacing this ingredient is, understandably, difficult for manufacturers. However, our work has found pulses – such as peas, beans and lentils – display great functional properties with significantly higher foam expansion and foam volume stability when compared to egg white proteins.”
The research will compare different processing techniques and parameters, such as equipment, time and temperature to understand the impact they have on yield and protein functionality. The project then aims to optimise the nutritional value and technical performance of these ingredients – providing manufacturers with more plant-based protein options.
Common sources of plant proteins are pea, soy, and gluten, but these come with concerns over allergies, impact on flavour and sustainability. Lesser-studied plant-based alternatives therefore have promising potential as alternative protein sources.
Morsky said Campden BRI is looking into protein derived from microalgae and chickpeas.
Over the next two years the project will investigate different processing methods and assess more plant-based ingredients to determine how they perform in meat and dairy alternatives and bakery products.


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In a historic move towards achieving gender equality, the United States Senate has taken a momentous step by approving a groundbreaking bill that seeks to ban gender-based pricing. This landmark legislation aims to eliminate the long-standing practice of pricing products and services differently based on gender. The bill’s passage represents a significant victory for advocates of gender equality. It challenges the longstanding notion of discriminatory pricing practices. The bill’s introduction and the potential impact it could have on shaping a more equitable future for consumers.
Understanding Gender-Based Pricing
Gender-based pricing, also known as gender pricing or the “pink tax,” refers to the practice of charging different prices for products and services based on the consumers’ gender. This practice has long been a subject of scrutiny, as it perpetuates gender stereotypes. A classic example is the pricing disparity between men’s and women’s personal care products. The latter is often priced higher despite having similar ingredients and functionalities. Similarly, gender-based pricing extends to various services. This includes dry cleaning, haircuts, and even car repairs, where women are sometimes charged more than men for the same service.
The Rationale Behind the Bill
The bill’s proponents argue that gender-based pricing is a manifestation of systemic gender inequality and a violation of basic consumer rights. It is seen as a tangible barrier preventing women from achieving economic parity with men. By introducing this legislation, lawmakers aim to create a level playing field in the marketplace. This way, prices are solely determined by the product or service’s attributes, quality, and demand, rather than the customer’s gender.
Moreover, gender-based pricing perpetuates harmful gender norms and stereotypes. It sends a message that certain products or services are inherently more valuable to one gender over the other, reinforcing traditional roles and expectations. By dismantling this practice, the bill aims to foster a more inclusive and progressive society. This way, individuals can freely express their preferences without facing financial penalties based on their gender identity.
Impact on Consumers and Businesses
The passing of the bill will likely have a far-reaching impact on consumers and businesses alike. For consumers, it means greater financial empowerment and the ability to make purchasing decisions based on genuine preferences rather than budget constraints imposed by discriminatory pricing. It will also serve as a symbolic win for gender equality, fostering a sense of social justice and inclusivity.
On the other hand, businesses may face initial challenges in adapting to the new pricing norms. Companies that have long relied on gender-based pricing may need to reassess their pricing strategies. This means adjusting their marketing approaches to attract a broader customer base. However, embracing a gender-neutral pricing model also presents opportunities for businesses to position themselves as advocates for equality, which could enhance their brand image and reputation.
Pros and Cons of Gender-Based Pricing on Small Business Owners
The ban on gender-based pricing could have both positive and negative implications for small business owners. Let’s explore how this legislation might impact them:
Small businesses that have traditionally employed gender-based pricing may need to adjust their pricing strategies to comply with the new regulations. This could be a significant change for businesses that have relied on such pricing practices for a long time. However, it may also present an opportunity for small businesses to reevaluate their pricing models. They may find more equitable ways to price their products or services, and this could attract a broader customer base.
Marketing and Branding
Businesses will need to review their marketing and branding efforts to ensure they are gender-neutral. This might involve revising advertising materials, product descriptions, and promotional content to reflect the shift towards equality. Embracing gender-neutral marketing could position small businesses as progressive and inclusive, potentially appealing to a wider audience.
Potential Compliance Costs:
Adapting to the new regulations may require small businesses to invest in updated systems and processes to ensure compliance. This could lead to additional costs, especially for those businesses that heavily rely on gender-based pricing in their existing operations. However, these expenses may be balanced by the potential benefits of a broader customer base and improved brand reputation.
Some small businesses might have differentiated themselves in the market by offering gender-specific products or services. With the ban on gender-based pricing, they might need to find other unique selling points to differentiate themselves from competitors. This could be an opportunity for creativity and innovation, encouraging small businesses to explore new areas of specialization and customer segments.
Small businesses that promptly embrace gender-neutral pricing may be viewed favorably by consumers who prioritize equality and social justice. On the other hand, any resistance to change or public backlash against the transition could have negative effects on a business’s reputation. Thus, managing public perception during this transition will be crucial for small business owners.
Gender-neutral pricing could lead to increased competition, as businesses compete on a more level playing field. This could particularly impact industries that have traditionally relied on gender-based pricing to target specific market segments. Small businesses may need to find innovative ways to stand out in a more competitive market.
Small businesses will need to ensure they are in full compliance with the new regulations. Failure to do so could result in fines or legal consequences, which could be especially challenging for small businesses with limited resources.
For businesses that have built customer loyalty through their previous pricing strategies, the shift to gender-neutral pricing could potentially impact their existing customer base. Striking a balance between new customers and existing customers will be a delicate task for small business owners.
Potential Obstacles and Controversies
While the bill’s passage in the Senate is undoubtedly a significant achievement, it is not without controversy and potential obstacles. Critics of the legislation argue that government intervention in pricing decisions infringes on free market principles. And this could lead to unintended consequences. Some opponents claim that certain products and services cater exclusively to one gender, making gender-based pricing justifiable from an economic standpoint.
Additionally, implementing and enforcing gender-neutral pricing across various industries could present logistical challenges. Determining whether specific products or services are genuinely gender-specific or if they are marketed that way due to societal norms might pose difficulties for regulatory authorities.
However, the bill’s proponents contend that the potential benefits of eradicating gender-based pricing far outweigh these challenges. They assert that promoting gender equality and dismantling discriminatory practices should take precedence over pure market forces.
Education and Awareness
Beyond legislation, the success of gender-neutral pricing also relies on education and awareness. Public campaigns and educational initiatives should be undertaken to inform consumers about their rights and the implications of gender-based pricing. Likewise, businesses must be encouraged to embrace the change and view gender-neutral pricing. This would be a step towards a fairer and more inclusive marketplace.
Time will Tell
The Senate’s approval of the bill to ban gender-based pricing marks a significant milestone in the fight for gender equality. By dismantling this discriminatory practice, the legislation sets the stage for a more equitable future. Potentially, individuals can make purchasing decisions based on their preferences and needs, not their gender identity. While challenges may arise during the implementation, the bill presents a unique opportunity for businesses to position themselves as champions of equality. Through continued efforts in education, awareness, and advocacy, gender-based pricing may become an antiquated relic of the past.


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Mobile payments | BCBusiness
According to Deloitte, Canadian consumers have been slow to adopt to mobile payments.
MiniCheckout founder Laura Aslan says Canadian retailers are too risk-averse, but other mobile payment companies say the secret is a step-by-step approach
Laura Aslan founded and developed her mobile checkout company, MiniCheckout, in Vancouver, but now she’s testing her app in a grocery store in the U.K. After dealing with too many wary, risk-averse retailers in Canada, Aslan says, she had no choice but to go elsewhere.
“Canada is not a great place for the adoption of new technology,” she says. “That’s just how it is here. Canadian businesses tend to sit back and wait for something to catch on somewhere else.”
MiniCheckout is one of many companies trying to solve the same problem: how can customers easily pay for everyday products and groceries with their smart phones? Aslan’s angle is to integrate her app seamlessly with pre-existing point of sale systems, so that customers can scan barcodes with their phone in store, and then simply swipe the phone at a terminal on the way out, just like a self-checkout machine, but on a mobile device.
Aslan pitched the idea to Canadian companies such as London Drugs, but nobody was biting. Then she got a meeting with British retail management company RMS’s CEO Peter O’Toole, and everything changed. “We didn’t have to explain much about the technology or security or anything,” she says, “They got it right away”
MiniCheckout is a tiny player in the mobile payment world, but Aslan’s problems are not unique. While Canada leads in advanced point of sale systems and pin-enabled credit cards, we lag behind Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, and even parts of the US in mobile payment.
"Consumers in Japan have long been using cell phones to pay for train fares, and Kenyans use their phones on a daily basis to settle bills with shopkeepers and transfer funds to family and friends,” reads a Deloitte report on Canada’s mobile payment industry. “Mobile payment penetration in Canada remains low due to a lack of technological standards, limited mobile adoption, a vague value proposition, and an unclear business case.”
“Despite the fact that Canadians are early adopters of technology and very technologically literate, we also are very risk averse,” agrees Payfirma CEO Michael Gokturk. “We question things, and approach things with caution, but with optimism.” Payfirma, which offers an all-under-one-roof point of sale system for stores and online businesses, takes the position that mobile payment can be done in Canada, just not all at once.
"The reason why merchants aren’t demanding it is because you and I aren’t asking for it,” he says. “And that’s the biggest vicious loop there is in the startup ecosystem.”
Instead of pushing consumers and retailers to change their behavior, Gokturk says, the key is to start with one thing at a time. Payfirma, like Square, allows retailers to take credit cards on a mobile device, but consumers do not have to change. Once the market is ripe for mobile wallets, he says, Payfirma will be ready to jump on the bandwagon.
“We’re just not seeing both sides of the market adapt, and in mobile payment, that’s the most difficult thing,” Gokturk says. “You have to line up up a buyer and a seller, and if you try to line up both at the same time, nine times out of ten you will inevitably fail. You have to focus on one side of the equation.”
PayWith, another mobile payment app that sprung out of Vancouver, takes the same strategy but in reverse. Instead of focusing on the retailer side like Payfirma, Paywith wants customers to pay with their phones without inconveniencing businesses. “If you change the process for the merchant, that’s a very difficult shift,” argues CEO David Strebinger, “Changing consumer behavior is much easier.”
PayWith uses a system of virtual credit cards to allow consumers to pay any retailer, whether they use the system or not. For now, only some retailers are available, but Strebinger hopes the app will soon get permission to use tap and pay credit card terminals. “We just need Master Card to say yes, and the whole world changes for us,” Strebinger says.
Like Payfirma, PayWith is tackling one small part of the mobile payment problem, with hopes of expanding once technology and attitudes catch up.
“I don’t think we can immediately solve the problem of being able to pay with your phone everywhere,” Strebinger says. “There’s a technology problem and a training problem that has to be resolved first.”
MiniCheckout, however, will remain in the U.K. for now. Asked if she will bring her app back to Vancouver, Aslan laughs. “I hope so,” she says. “We’re in a better position than before now that we already have it live, and we’re a more solid and structured company than we were before. We’re just trying to find the right salesperson.”


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Netflix’s Reed Hastings steps aside as co-CEO, stays on as executive chairman
Reed Hastings is stepping aside as co-chief executive of Netflix, the streaming giant said Thursday, in a significant leadership change that the company says completes its succession plan.
Hastings, also a Netflix co-founder, is now the Los Gatos, Calif., company’s executive chairman. Greg Peters, Netflix’s chief operating officer, has been promoted to co-CEO, a title he now shares with Ted Sarandos, in a changing of the guard at the world’s largest subscription streaming firm.
The move is the culmination of a gradual ceding of day-to-day authority by Hastings, who has been with the firm throughout its evolution from a DVD-by-mail upstart to a disruptive Hollywood powerhouse with a massive original content operation.
Hastings “leaves some big shoes for Greg and I to fill,” Sarandos said in a recorded interview in which he discussed earnings. “Fortunately, we have four feet to do it with.”
In a blog post, Hastings said he has increasingly delegated management of Netflix to Peters and Sarandos over the last 2½ years. Netflix said in a letter to shareholders that the transition “makes formal externally how we have been operating internally.”
“It was a baptism by fire, given COVID and recent challenges within our business,” Hastings said. “But they’ve both managed incredibly well, ensuring Netflix continues to improve and developing a clear path to reaccelerate our revenue and earnings growth. So the board and I believe it’s the right time to complete my succession.”
The change comes as Netflix tries to accelerate its growth, which slowed significantly last year, as it faced increasing competition in the marketplace from players including Walt Disney Co.’s Disney+ and Hulu, Apple’s Apple TV+ and Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max. The early days of the pandemic caused a major surge in streaming sign-ups as consumers sheltered at home, but since then subscriber growth has slowed down, causing investors to question the business model.
The company reported slower revenue growth Thursday for its most recent quarter as streaming services look to trim costs amid a possible looming recession and the company takes steps to accelerate its business by rolling out a cheaper ad-supported plan and charging customers for password sharing.
The company said its fourth-quarter revenue increased 2% to $7.85 billion, missing analysts’ estimates of $7.86 billion, according to FactSet. Its growth was slower than in previous quarters. Revenue jumped 6% to $7.9 billion in the third quarter. Fourth-quarter net income was $55 million, down from $607 million in the same period a year earlier.
Full-year revenue in 2022 totaled $31.6 billion, up 6% from the year before. That’s a marked slowdown from 2021, when sales increased 19% to $29.7 billion.
“2022 was a tough year, with a bumpy start but a brighter finish,” Netflix said in a letter to shareholders Thursday. “We believe we have a clear path to reaccelerate our revenue growth: continuing to improve all aspects of Netflix, launching paid sharing and building our ads offering. As always, our north stars remain pleasing our members and building even greater profitability over time.”
Some of Netlfix’s moves are bearing fruit. Netflix increased its subscribers by 7.7 million, to 231 million, customers during the quarter, beating analyst estimates of 4.57 million subscribers added. Popular shows that helped draw large audiences included November release “Wednesday,” featuring characters from “The Addams Family”; the Rian Johnson murder-comedy movie “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” released in December; and the recent royal docuseries “Harry & Meghan.”
“Wednesday” has become the third-most watched show of all time on Netflix, viewed more than 1.2 billion hours in its first 28 days on the streaming service, according to Netflix company data, behind only “Squid Game” and “Stranger Things 4.” “Wednesday” has been renewed for a second season. Meanwhile, “Glass Onion” ranked as Netflix’s fourth-most popular English-language movie, drawing 273 million hours of viewing time by audiences.
The results support Netflix executives’ assurances to investors that their business has stabilized after losing subscribers in the first half of last year and laying off hundreds of staffers. Still, some analysts believe that the market for streaming services — which saw massive growth during the early days of the pandemic — may soon reach its saturation point.
Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery are canceling shows after previously renewing them for subsequent seasons, as they look to manage costs while still appealing to audiences.
The two men who will run the company moving forward, Peters and Sarandos, are longtime Netflix executives. Sarandos has been the chief architect of Netflix’s original programming strategy, while Peters has been overseeing the building of the company’s efforts in advertising, gaming and monetizing password sharing — seen as new areas to generate revenue.
“This is the right move at the right time,” said Maribel Lopez, founder and principal analyst of Lopez Research, adding that Hastings was the CEO for subscriber growth, but now Netflix is transitioning to a leader focused on products meant to boost revenue per customer. “Running in a maturing market requires different skills than running a company for scale.”
Sarandos was promoted to co-CEO in July 2020 and has moved past controversy in 2021 surrounding transphobic content in a Dave Chappelle special that upset Netflix employees. Key people in charge of Netflix’s content strategy were rewarded with promotions and loftier titles Thursday. Bela Bajaria was named chief content officer. She was previously head of global TV. Scott Stuber, previously head of global films, is now chairman of Netflix film.
Succession planning has not always come easily to major media and entertainment companies. In 2020, Disney announced that longtime CEO Bob Iger was stepping down to become executive chairman and that his handpicked successor, Bob Chapek, would take on the CEO role. In November, the Disney board fired Chapek and replaced him with Iger for a two-year term.
There are challenges ahead for Netflix, including the continued ramp-up of competition in both the subscription and advertising markets.
“Reed has certainly won the war over the last two decades but the battles on content appeal relative to competitors and entering a very competitive AVOD (advertising video on demand) market will be intense,” said Matthew Harrigan, a senior equity research analyst at Benchmark, who has a sell rating on the stock.
To attract cost-conscious consumers, Netflix in November rolled out a cheaper, ad-supported subscription in 12 countries. In the U.S., Netflix with ads costs $6.99 a month. It was the first time the streamer offered ads after years of being reluctant to do so. Its competitors, including HBO Max, Peacock and Paramount+, had already offered lower-cost video streaming options with ads.
Netflix said that it was pleased with the early results from its ad plans and that there was very little switching among its ad-free subscribers to the lower-cost plan with commercials.
“While it’s still early days for ads and we have lots to do (in particular better targeting and measurement), we are pleased with our progress to date across every dimension: member experience, value to advertisers, and incremental contribution to our business,” Netflix said in its letter to shareholders.
Some analysts believe Netflix is well positioned because big brands will be willing to spend to get access to the streamer’s large audience. In a report from financial services firm Cowen & Co., 41% of 50 ad buyers it asked said they anticipate their largest client would advertise on Netflix this year.
Still, some analysts are skeptical about how popular Netflix’s ad-supported plan will become.
Some industry analysts are scratching their heads over what they say was a missed opportunity for Netflix to capture more box office dollars had it gone with a wider theatrical run.
“I think it remains to be seen what happens,” Harrigan said. “It isn’t like they’re doing something different than everyone else. They’re actually playing catch-up on the advertising side.”
Netflix’s stock closed at $315.78 on Thursday, down 3%. In after-hours trading, the stock rose 7% to $338.95.
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nick knight to receive isabella blow award at bfas
i-D’s longtime friend and collaborator will be honored with the award at the British Fashion Awards 2015.
After working as Commissioning Photo Editor of i-D in the early 80s, Nick Knight founded SHOWstudio in 2000. 10 years after that, he was made an OBE in recognition for his contribution to the arts. This year, the legendary photographer and digital fashion pioneer will be awarded the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator.
The British Fashion Council announced this morning that Knight will be following in the footsteps of Edward Enninful (another fashion legend who has passed through i-D's hallowed halls -- he was our youngest ever fashion editor at 18-years-old!), Lady Amanda Harlech, and Professor Louise Wilson OBE.
Since publishing his first, now iconic book Skinheads in 1982, Knight has gone on to work with designers such as Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Yohji Yamamoto and brands including Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and Tom Ford. He snapped 100 portraits for i-D's fifth anniversary issue and returned again to photograph the whole of our 30th birthday issue. Knight has also created award-winning music videos for the likes of Björk, Lady Gaga and Kanye West (never forget).
With such an illustrious career behind him and incredible vision for the future of fashion, Knight is a fitting recipient for the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator this year. He'll be presented with it at a ceremony on November 22.