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First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund
What to Expect from the Auto Industry Going Forward
With changing auto industry (VCR) dynamics, automakers are trying to explore ways to remain on top in the US auto market.
Lululemon: The Outliers Affecting LULU’s Stock Price Movement
On June 11, Lululemon Athletica (LULU) filed a shelf prospectus with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (or SEC).
LULU Faces Wall Street Pessimism after Issuing Weak Guidance
Lululemon Athletica warned of a slowdown for the next quarter and the coming year. As a result, a host of brokerage companies reacted with outlook revisions and rating downgrades.
Could Tesla’s Model 3 Be a Game-Changer?
Tesla is expected to start producing its mass-market electric vehicle—Model 3. It could be a game-changer for the self-driving car industry.
Analyst Estimate: Ferrari’s Global Revenues to Grow Steadily
For 2016 and 2017, analysts estimate Ferrari’s global revenues to grow at rates of 3.6% and 3.1%, respectively. These estimates can serve as a proxy.
Word on the Street: Analysts’ Recommendations on Ford
According to the latest Bloomberg consensus, 35% of analysts covering Ford (F) have given the company “buy” recommendations.
What’s Next for General Motors’ Valuation Multiples?
In this part of the series, we’ll find out how General Motors’ (GM) valuation multiples are currently trading against its peers.
How AutoZone’s DIY Segment Performed in Fiscal Q4 2018
In the second half of fiscal 2018, AutoZone’s management decided to discontinue aggressive promotional discounts for its ship-to-home sales.
Thor Industries Reported Mixed Quarterly Results
Thor Industries (THO) has a market cap of $2.83 billion. After the earnings report for 4Q15, Thor stock rose by 0.96% to close at $54.56 per share.
Under Armour’s Upbeat Outlook and Stock Price Performance
Under Armour’s (UA) stock price hit several record highs this year. The stock has provided total returns of 54.9% over the past year.
How the Fed’s Rate Hike Could Affect Ford’s Business
Apart from one-time costs related to vehicle recalls, sinking profitability in Ford’s truck segment could be the key factor driving Ford’s margins down.
What Drove General Motors’ US Sales Down in July 2017?
In July 2017, GM’s total US vehicle sales stood at 226,107 vehicle units, about 15.4% lower than its July 2016 sales.
Here’s What Drove Fiat Chrysler’s 2Q17 Profit Margins
FCAU’s margins continued to expand on a year-over-year basis in 2Q17—for the fifth quarter in a row.
Why Coty’s Capital Expenditure Could Rise
Coty Inc.’s capital expenditure decreased 15.2% to $0.17 billion in fiscal 2015, compared to $0.20 billion in fiscal 2014.
A Look at Michael Kors’ Earnings Expectations and Valuations
As we discussed, Michael Kors (KORS) is slated to report its first-quarter results on August 8. Management has guided for $0.60 to $0.64 in earnings per share.
Nike: 5-Year Returns Targets for Shareholders
At its 2015 Investor Day held on September 14, Nike briefed the financial community on its targets for generating value for shareholders.
What AutoZone’s Fiscal 3Q17 Results Mean for Investors
During AutoZone’s fiscal 3Q17 earnings call, Bill Rhodes, AZO’s chief executive, expressed concerns about slowing growth rates.
Nike’s Fastest-Growing Demographic Segments
The women and young athletes demographic segments saw the greatest sales traction in fiscal 2015 for Nike.
Here’s How Tesla Has Changed Perceptions about Electric Vehicles
A few years ago, Tesla Motors showcased the true potential of EVs with its Roadster, Model S, and Model X.
Fall in Jobless Claims Might Benefit Department Stores
Initial jobless claims for the week ending June 13 came in at 267,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis—better than consensus economists’ estimate of 275,000.
September Began on a Mixed Note for Harley-Davidson Stock
Harley-Davidson stock Last week, Harley-Davidson stock (HOG) traded on a mixed note, ending the week at $47.38 without any notable change. The company’s stock has fallen ~12.3% quarter-to-date 18.8% year-to-date. Let’s explore what could be affecting Harley-Davidson stock lately. Is Harley’s dismal 2017 guidance driving pessimism? In 2Q17, Harley’s adjusted EPS (earnings per share) were […]
Why Did Hyatt Sell Its Vacation Ownership Segment?
Hyatt is focusing on increasing its presence to under-penetrated markets. The company believes that its presence in emerging markets such as India and China is essential for its growth.
How US Auto Companies’ Valuation Multiples Look in March 2018
On March 8, 2018, GM’s EV-to-EBITDA was 7.2x, much lower than its direct competitor Ford’s multiple of 12.8x.
How Are Growth Initiatives at Walmart Shaping Up?
On March 15, Walmart’s executive vice president provided an investor update at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Consumer & Retail Tech Broker Conference.
The Key Reasons for Harley-Davidson Stock’s Dismal Performance
Harley-Davidson stock Last week, Harley-Davidson stock (HOG) traded on a subdued note, ending the week with a ~0.7% loss at $47.37. The company’s stock has fallen ~12.3% quarter-to-date and 18.8% year-to-date. Let’s take a look at what could be affecting HOG stock. Dismal 2017 outlook In 2Q17, Harley’s adjusted EPS (earnings per share) stood at $1.48, about […]
How Harley-Davidson’s Financial Services Complement Its Core Business
Under its retail financial services, Harley-Davidson Financial Services primarily provides installment lending for the purchase of new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Costco’s Industry Positioning: A Porter’s 5 Force Analysis
Costco’s suppliers include companies like PepsiCo (PEP), Procter & Gamble (PG), and the Kraft Heinz Company (KHC). No single supplier accounts for over 5% of revenue.
What Analysts Recommend for GM Stock after 3Q17 Results
According to the latest data compiled by Reuters, 46% of analysts covering General Motors have given “buy” recommendations on the stock, while 50% of analysts have given it “hold” recommendations.
What Drove GM’s Lower US Sales in January?
In January 2017, General Motors’s retail vehicle sales stood at 155,010, down 4.9% compared to its retail sales in January 2016.
The Buzz around Under Armour (UA) Stock
Under Armour has become the number two player in the US activewear market in 2014, overtaking Adidas. It also benefited from the announcement of its connected fitness purchases earlier this year.
Could McDonald’s Valuation Multiple Rise from 3Q15?
Following its 3Q15 earnings, McDonald’s shares increased 8% on positive improvement expectations. The valuation multiple also rose 7.3% as a result of a share price increase.
Analysts are Neutral on Ford Stock before Its 1Q17 Results
According to the latest data compiled by Reuters, 58% of the analysts gave “hold” ratings on Ford (F) stock, 33% gave it a “buy,” and 8% gave it a “sell.”
Analysts’ Post-2Q18 Views on AutoZone Stock
Analysts on AutoZone stock According to data compiled by Reuters, of the 27 analysts covering AutoZone (AZO) stock on March 5, 40% recommended “buy,” 56% analysts recommended “hold,” and 4% recommended “sell.” Target price Analysts have given AutoZone stock a target price of $780.71 in the next 12 months, reflecting an upside potential of ~17.8% based on its March […]
How US Steel Demand Bodes for Cleveland-Cliffs
While US steel production drives steelmakers’ top lines, it’s demand that ultimately drives production.
Revenue Drivers: What’s Putting Pressure on Coach’s Sales?
In fiscal 1Q16, which ended September 26, 2015, Coach (COH) reported a 1% decline in sales to ~$1.0 billion. However, sales rose 3% in constant-currency terms.
Why a Strengthening US Dollar Will Hurt the US Hotel Industry
The US dollar’s strength compared to currencies that are widely used in international trade is measured by the Trade Weighted Dollar Index.
Do Analysts See More Upside Potential in Fiat Chrysler Stock?
In the first three quarters of 2017, Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) stock nearly doubled with stellar gains of 97.2%. However, in October the stock revested and ended the month with a 3.1% loss.
Why Analysts Expect AutoZone’s 1Q17 Revenues Will Grow
In 4Q16, which ended August 27, 2016, AutoZone (AZO) reported total revenues of $3.4 billion.
US Automakers Faced This Key Challenge in 1H17
General Motors (GM) and Ford Motor Company (F), the two largest US automakers, faced several challenges in 1H17. Among them, falling total US auto sales could be considered key.
Trump Shouldn’t Take Credit for Fiat Chrysler’s Recent Move
On January 8, 2017, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU) announced that it will be investing about $1 billion in its plants in Michigan and Ohio.
What to Expect from Toyota’s Upcoming Earnings
In 2016, Toyota was the second-largest automaker in the world by global vehicle sales volume after Volkswagen (VLKAY).
Analyzing Lululemon’s Revenues By Geographical Segment
The company grew its revenues at a compound annual growth rate of more than 35% over the past five years to come in at $1.6 billion in fiscal 2014.
A key preview of retail indicators due for release this week
Last week, both the ICSC–Goldman Sachs Retail Chain Store Sales Index and the Johnson Redbook index recorded strong year-on-year gains.
How Walmart Is Looking to Offset Future Operating Cost Headwinds
Wage costs are expected to be a headwind for Walmart. On February 20, Walmart made the second round of wage increases for over 1.2 million staff.
What’s Driving Record Membership Loyalty at Costco?
Costco has been able to steadily increase the renewal rate in the US and Canada from 88% in fiscal 2010 to 91% in fiscal 1Q16.
Analyzing Target’s Same-Store Sales Growth in Fiscal 2016
Target had upbeat revenue performance in fiscal 4Q16 and 2016. Store traffic was up by 1.3% YoY in fiscal 2016, trending in positive territory in all four quarters of the year.
Why Costco’s Looking at Square Footage Growth in Fiscal 2016
Costco Wholesale’s (COST) net warehouse count increased by 27 in fiscal 2Q16 to 698, compared to 2Q15.
How Nike Has Sustained Profitability despite Headwinds
Nike’s profitability in fiscal 3Q16 was helped by better-than-average performance in North America and Greater China, two of its most profitable segments.
Five-Year Plan: Lululemon’s Long-Term Vision and Goals
Over the next five years, Lululemon Athletica (LULU) is aiming to double its revenue to $4 billion with an expected mid-single-digit growth rate in store comps.
How Does Target’s Historical Sales Growth Compare to Its Peers’?
Target opened 15 new stores in fiscal 2016. Its same-store sales rose 2.1%, with customer traffic at stores up 1.3%.
Why Target’s E-Commerce Sales Are Surging
Target (TGT) reported ~$2.5 billion in e-commerce sales (FXD) in fiscal 2016. This represented 3.4% of the retailer’s total revenue.
Skechers: Achieving Growth through Diverse Product Development
Since the launch of its first line in 1992, Skechers has diversified into several new lines, targeting different demographics and different activities.
How Does Skechers Manage Its Inventory and Distribution?
In recent years, Skechers has reported improved working capital metrics. The company’s inventory turnover (or ITR) rose from 2.9x in 2013 to 3.2x in 2015.
Why Most Analysts Seem to Have Turned Cautious on Fiat Chrysler
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU) has risen 1.5% and 2.4% month-to-date and year-to-date, respectively, as of March 28.
Fiat Chrysler’s US Sales Fell after 11 Months of Gains
In February 2019, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCAU) total US sales were at 162,036 vehicles.
Did AutoZone Resume Its Promotional Strategy in Q1 2019?
AutoZone’s performance is mainly divided into two business segments: DIY (do it yourself), or Retail, and DIFM (do it for me), or Commercial.
Is Ferrari’s Growth in China Enough to Please Investors?
In the third quarter, Ferrari (RACE) reported net revenue of 838 million euros, or ~$956 million.
What Helped Fiat Chrysler Expand Its Profit Margin in Q3 2018?
A couple of years quarters ago, FCAU had a bad reputation for having the lowest profit margins among legacy automakers (FXD).
AAP: What Analysts Expect in the Second Half of 2018
According to analysts’ consensus estimates, the positive trend in Advance Auto Parts’ earnings will likely continue in the second half of 2018.
What Analysts Expect for Advance Auto Parts’ Q2 2018 Results
In the first quarter (ended April 21), Advance Auto Parts’ (AAP) adjusted EPS rose ~31% YoY (year-over-year) to $2.10 from $1.60, beating analysts’ estimate of $1.97.
How Ferrari’s Valuation Looks before Its Q2 2018 Earnings Event
On July 25, Ferrari’s (RACE) forward EV-to-EBITDA multiple was 19.0x.
What Factors Boosted Toyota’s Fiscal 2018 Revenue?
In 2017, Toyota Motor (TM) was the third-largest automaker by volume in the world after Renault-Nissan Alliance and Volkswagen (VLKAY).
Skechers Stock Struggled after 1Q18 Results
Though Skechers outdid Wall Street expectations on both top and bottom lines, its second-quarter guidance left investors fretting.
Comparing Auto Industry Valuation Multiples
In the auto sector, valuation multiples are used by investors to compare companies that are similar in size or business.
How Ford’s Key Brands Performed in China in February 2018
In 4Q17, Ford Motor Company’s (F) Asia-Pacific region’s revenue rose 11% YoY (year-over-year).
How Ford’s US Fleet Sales Looked in February 2018
Ford Motor Company (F) sold 194,000 vehicle units in the US market in February 2018.
Why AutoZone’s Profit Margin Failed to Impress in Fiscal 2Q18
AutoZone’s 2Q18 earnings Previously, we looked at how AutoZone’s (AZO) key business segments fared in 2Q18. The company’s focus on improving parts availability and the in-store experience continued to drive growth. AZO’s commercial and online retail business traffic grew during the quarter. Let’s find out how these factors affected AutoZone’s profitability in 2Q18. Profit margin in 2Q18 […]
Why AutoZone Stock Tumbled after its 2Q18 Earnings Release
AutoZone (AZO), one of the top three US auto part retailers, released its fiscal 2Q18 results on February 27, 2018.
AutoZone’s Valuation ahead of Fiscal 2Q18 Earnings
Valuation multiples are widely used to compare auto parts retail companies. However, only the companies with similar terms of business, size, or financials should be compared using these multiples.
How Will Michael Kors’s 3Q18 Top Line Look?
Michael Kors (KORS) plans to report its 3Q18 earnings results on February 7. Kors’s management has projected that total sales will range between $1,355 million and $1,385 million, reflecting an increase of 1.3% YoY at the midpoint.
What to Keep an Eye on during HOG’s 4Q17 Earnings Event
Analysts expect weakness to prevail in Harley’s 2017 earnings due to sales-related challenges and lower profitability.
Skechers, the Top-Performing Sportswear Stock of 2017
The California-based Skechers (SKX) was among the best-performing sportswear stocks in 2017. The footwear company gained 54% during the year.
Were Consumer Sentiments Positive for Autos?
According to the latest data released on November 22, the US Consumer Sentiment Index was at 98.5 in November 2017.
How Toyota’s Profit Margins Trended in Fiscal 2Q18
In fiscal 2Q18, Toyota reported a flat operating margin of 7.3% compared to 7.3% in the same quarter the previous year.
Analysts’ Recommendations for Hyatt ahead of 3Q17 Results
Analyst views Of the 22 analysts tracking Hyatt (H), two analysts (9.1%) have a “strong buy” rating on the stock, and three analysts (13.6%) have a “buy” rating. These analysts were surveyed by Reuters. Only one analyst has changed the rating from “strong buy” to “buy” after the company’s 2Q17 earnings. Sixteen analysts (72.7%) maintained […]
How Financial Services Complement Ford’s Automotive Business
Ford’s major business is automobile and auto parts manufacturing, but it’s also involved in the financial services business.
Hyatt Increases Guidance for Its Key Metrics
Hyatt’s RevPAR (revenue per available room) for 2Q17 rose 2.4% in constant dollars and 2.9% year-over-year in constant currency terms across its systemwide properties.
Key Factors to Watch During HOG’s 3Q17 Earnings Event
In an investor meeting in February 2017, HOG’s management revealed its plan to expand its international dealer network.
Does US Steel Demand Support Cleveland-Cliffs’s Bright Outlook?
Demand indicators US steel production is the main driver of steelmakers’ (SLX) revenue. However, demand ultimately drives production. Therefore, it is vital for US steel investors to keep tabs on steel demand drivers in the United States (SPY) (SPX), which is where Cleveland-Cliffs’s (CLF) customers are based. Construction, which accounts for ~40% of US steel […]
What September Consumer Sentiment Could Mean for Auto Industry
In August 2017, the US consumer sentiment was at 96.8, significantly higher than the 89.8 in August 2016.
Inside GM’s Chinese Market Sales Growth in August
In August 2017, General Motor’s (GM) total Chinese retail vehicle sales reached ~328,000 vehicle units, or 11.9% higher than its sales of in August 2016.
Do Analysts Expect AutoZone’s Revenues to Rise in 4Q17?
In 3Q17, which ended May 6, 2017, AutoZone (AZO) reported total revenues of $2.6 billion with about a 1.0% YoY (year-over-year) increase.
Why General Motors’ US Sales Surged in August 2017
In August 2017, GM’s total US vehicle sales were 275,552 vehicle units, which was 7.5% higher than sales in August 2016.
What Analysts Are Saying about Fiat Chrysler Stock
Fiat Chrysler stock in 3Q17 In the first half of 2017, Fiat Chrysler stock (FCAU) rose 16.6%. This positive return was much higher than that seen by peers General Motors (GM), Toyota (TM), and Ford Motor (F). In 3Q17 so far, FCAU’s journey upward has accelerated, and as of August 28, it had gained 40.8% […]
PVH Corp Raises EPS Guidance for the 2nd Time This Year
Based on its solid 2Q17 results, PVH Corp (PVH) raised its fiscal 2017 guidance. It also raised its outlook after the 1Q17 results.
Foot Locker Stock Sinks after Fiscal 2Q17 Results
Foot Locker stock hit its four-year low of $31.80 on August 21.
Foot Locker’s Comps Turned Negative in Fiscal 2Q17—Here’s Why
Foot Locker’s (FL) total sales declined 4.4% year-over-year to $1.7 billion during fiscal 2Q17.
Automakers’ Valuation Multiples after Their 2Q17 Results
As of August 16, 2017, General Motors’ forward EV-to-EBITDA multiple was 5.9x. General Motors’ multiple was much lower than Ford’s multiple at 13.5x.
Comparing Mainstream Automakers’ 2Q17 Profit Margins
In 2Q17, General Motors’ (GM) adjusted EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) stood at 3.7 billion. The company’s EBIT margin was 10.0% for the quarter.
Gap’s 2Q17 Earnings: Strong Top and Bottom Lines
Gap (GPS) reported it 2Q17 results on August 17, 2017. The results pertain to the three-month period ending July 29, 2017.
Ford’s 2Q17 Performance Was Better than Its North America Peers
Ford reported a 3% YoY increase in its revenues to $24.5 billion from the North America region. However, Ford’s sales in the region fell ~1%.
What Drove Advance Auto Parts’ 2Q17 Revenues?
In 2015 and 2016, US automakers (FXD) such as Ford (F) and General Motors (GM) benefited from higher US truck sales.
Key Revenue Drivers for PVH Corp’s 2Q17 Top Line
PVH Corporation (PVH) top line is expected to see a 5% YoY (year-over-year) rise in 2Q17.
Can PVH Corp Top Street Expectations Again?
Analysts expect PVH’s earnings per share to rise 11.6% YoY (year-over-year) to $1.64 on total sales of $2 billion, which would be 4.9% higher YoY.
Marriott on the Street: What the Analysts Recommend
Of the 28 analysts tracking Marriott, five (17.9%) have a “strong buy” recommendation, while nine (32.1%) have a “buy,” and 13 (46.4%) have a “hold.”
How Michael Kors Performed in Key Geographies in Fiscal 1Q18
Behind Kors’s sales decline in fiscal 1Q18 were 8.2% and 10.2% declines in North American and European operations, which offset the 60% rise in Asian sales.
How Marriott’s 3Q17 Earnings Guidance Disappointed Analysts
In 2Q17, Marriott International’s (MAR) operating income grew 59% YoY (year-over-year) to $620 million.
Marriott’s Revenue Is Now Expected to Go This Way in 2017
In 2Q17, Marriott’s revenues grew 49% YoY to $5.8 billion, compared with $3.9 billion in 2Q16, due to higher fee revenues and RevPAR and room growth.
Wall Street Analysts’ Ratings for Marriott before Its 2Q17 Earnings
According to a Reuters consensus of 28 analysts tracking Marriott (MAR), five analysts have a “strong buy” recommendation on the stock, and nine analysts have a “buy” recommendation on the stock.
KORS versus COH: Comparing Wall Street Valuations
Unimpressive financial performance has taken a toll on Michael Kors’ (KORS) stock market performance. Its shares have tumbled more than 15% to date.


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Croatia, Barbados and Jamaica are set to be the foreign destinations of choice for UK holidaymakers in 2022, according to currency sales
- The Post Office is seeing ‘pent-up demand’ among British holidaymakers for travel abroad this year
- Its latest travel money index showed sales growth in a range of currencies in the first three months of 2022
- Purchases of the Croatian kuna are up by 137% during the first quarter compared with two years earlier
Some holidaymakers appear to be planning the trip of a lifetime amid a surge in currency sales, according to the Post Office.
It’s seeing signs of ‘pent-up demand’, potentially reflecting people gearing up to travel abroad for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Its latest travel money holiday index showed sales growth in a range of currencies in the first three months of 2022 compared with the first quarter of 2020. Strong growth in purchases of currencies for Croatia and the Caribbean islands suggests these are set to be the destinations of choice, the Post Office said.
Strong growth in purchases of currencies for Croatia and the Caribbean islands suggests these are set to be the destinations of choice, the Post Office said. Pictured is Hvar in Croatia
Purchases of the Croatian kuna are up by 137 per cent. Table courtesy of the Post Office
It said sales for most currencies have been accelerating since the start of the year, with purchases of the Croatian kuna up by 137 per cent during the first quarter of this year compared with two years earlier.
Caribbean currencies have also seen high levels of growth – most notably the Barbados dollar and Jamaican dollar, the Post Office said.
Big rises have also been charted by the Mexican peso and East Caribbean dollar.
Nick Boden, Post Office head of travel money, said: ‘We are used to seeing a spring surge in sales of the Croatian kuna, but the rise in March was unprecedented, indicating that Croatia is set to have another highly successful year.
‘We have also seen an extraordinary rise in sales of Caribbean and Central American currencies in 2022. It suggests that pent-up demand is resulting in many Britons planning holidays of a lifetime to some of the world’s most aspirational destinations.’
In addition to measuring exchange rate movements and foreign currency sales trends, the Post Office index also reported on the cost of meals and drinks in destinations whose currency sales have grown most over the past two years and found a wide disparity of costs.
Prices in Marmaris, Turkey, are far lower than in any other destination because of the weak lira, with the other 10 resorts surveyed varying dramatically in price.
This table by the Post Office shows how the cost of meals and drinks varies across 11 top destinations, with Marmaris in Turkey the cheapest and Bridgetown in Barbados the most expensive
The cost of a three-course meal for two with a bottle of wine and a range of four drinks is £133.70 in Barbados (pictured), compared to £55 in Orlando
Prices have fallen by 13 per cent since 2020 in Orlando, Florida, and the £55.62 cost of a three-course meal for two with a bottle of wine and a range of four drinks (coffee, beer, cola and wine) is less than half the price than it is in Barbados (£133.70).
Mr Boden added: ‘Holidaymakers who are still considering where to book should take resort costs into account because our research found big variations in the cost of meals and drinks.
‘Turkey is cheapest by far but, across the Atlantic, price falls in Orlando make it an attractive choice – especially for families – and summer sun bargain hunters are likely to find Costa Rica and Jamaica the best value at less than half the cost of Barbados. Travelling east, Mauritius also looks great value.’
Source: Read Full Article

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Casper Reportedly Valued At $1.1 Billion With New Funding
Casper – the New York based startup known for its line of direct-to-consumer sold mattresses and other sleep items – has been valued at $1.1 billion with $100 million in new funding, according to Bloomberg. The report says Casper plans to officially announce the funding soon and that it’ll be geared towards international expansion and growth of its physical retail locations.
Casper has already raised some $240 million: $13.1 million Series A funding, $55 million Series B funding and $170 million Series C funding. Investors include Target, rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Lerer Hippeau, Norwest Venture Partners, Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), SV Angel, Slow Ventures, and celebrities Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Adam Levine, and Scooter Braun.
According to Bloomberg, Casper surpassed $400 million in revenue last year. The company is part of a burgeoning list of startups that sell niche items directly to consumers mostly online while also operating physical stores. Companies like Warby Parker, Brandless, Glossier, and Harry’s have operations in physical retail while making most sales online.
Casper itself currently has some 23 retail locations. A $1.1 billion valuation for the company implies a new addition to the unicorn club. Another startup, this time from China, Mobvoi is also said to be seeking $100 million funding at a $1 billion valuation, ahead of an IPO. Casper is also reportedly looking to hire underwriters for an IPO.


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AllThingsD got its hands on a report by research firm IHS that explains that each Apple (AAPL) iPad Air costs between $274 and $361 for AAPL to manufacture.
The fluctuation there depends on things like storage space and 3G/LTE capabilities. Adding those features adds cost, naturally.
Considering that the devices start retailing at $499 and go all the way up to $929, it’s only good news for Apple.
AAPL iPad Air’s display is more expensive than previous generations, but the components still end up totaling $42 less than the base model third-generation iPad because there’s not much else new on the inside.
Yes, there’s a new Apple chip, the A7, but at an estimated cost to Apple of $18 (Samsung (SSNLF) still manufacturers it for Apple under contract), it costs five dollars less per unit than the A5 processor did 18 months ago. Dialog Semiconductor produces a power management chip that goes with it, though this one is bigger than one seen in the iPhone 5S.


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Award-winning visitor attraction Kents Cavern dubbed UK's oldest home goes on sale in Torquay
Britain's 'oldest home' has gone on sale in Devon for the first time in more than a century.
Kents Cavern is a series of prehistoric caves in Torquay that has been open to the public since the 19th century but has not been on the market in 120 years.
The site has been owned by the same family since 1903 when the current owner's great-grandfather acquired it. But now the freehold property, caves and business have been put on sale, with a guide price of £2-2.5m.
The caves are an award-winning visitor attraction. More than 10 million visitors from all over the world have visited them, according to Bettesworths Chartered Surveyors, who is marketing the site.
The caves are also part of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, which celebrates the geological heritage of the area.
Kents Cavern, one of the most important Stone Age sites in Europe, was formed over 2.5 million years ago and is made up of an extensive system of caves once occupied by prehistoric humans and Ice Age animals.
Since the caves were discovered, more than 80,000 stone age artefacts have been found, including a prehistoric upper jawbone fragment, which is believed to be the oldest anatomically modern human fossil yet discovered in northwestern Europe.
The sale also includes the attraction's shop, restaurant/café and visitor centre, which have been previously been used to host events throughout the year as well as weddings and business receptions.
Bettesworths said: "The business is being sold with a strong financial performance record, a dedicated and experienced team of staff, and an established reputation for excellence in customer service.
"The sale includes the underground caverns, woodland trail, visitor centre and restaurant/cafe, car park, surrounding land, and recently totally refurbished luxury three-bedroom holiday let or owner’s accommodation.
"The new owner will have the opportunity to operate a successful business with the potential to develop the business even further."


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SVP, Partnerships + GTM - One of the original founding members of the S&O team, Tony oversees strategic partner development and go-to-market planning for our Channel, Technology, and Agency partnerships.
Today Google Partners announced the lists of finalists for the 2019 Google Premier Partner Awards.
We here at Sales & Orders were honored to take home last year's award for Shopping Innovation.
Well, this year we are incredibly proud and excited to have been selected as a Finalist in the Shopping Excellence category (a renaming of last year's award category).
We'd also like to congratulate our fellow nominees 360i, ChannelAdvisor, Effective Spend, and Northern Commerce.
The awards, which are held each year in New York City, are meant to acknowledge leading Partners that have exemplified the qualities that the Google Premier Partners program values in our abilities to support customers in their Google Ads marketing efforts.
The other categories for honor include:
Growing Businesses Online
Winners in each category are to be crowned during this year's ceremony on October 3rd!


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Vet warns cat owners not to buy lilies this Mother’s Day
A vet has warned people buying flowers for Mother’s Day this Sunday to ensure they purchase pet-friendly florals to avoid poisoning much-loved animals.
RSPCA Head Vet Vanessa Howie issued the warning ahead of Mothering Sunday to help pet owners avoid an unexpected trip to the vets this weekend.
Vanessa said: “Flowers are a lovely gift for Mother’s Day, and I, like many people, love receiving flowers whatever the occasion. But sadly some flowers and plants can be toxic to our pets so it’s important to avoid these.
“Lilies are by far the worst culprit because they are so popular at this time of year but people are not always aware of just how dangerous they are to cats. Cats can actually die from ingesting even a couple of petals from lilies, and the leaves, pollen, and water from the vase can be deadly to them too.
“It is very important that we get the message across that lilies are potentially lethal to cats and that even a little leaf could kill them. Even cutting the stamens out once they have opened is not enough. A small smudge of pollen can be transferred to a cat’s fur, and once a cat starts cleaning itself, they can quickly fall ill.”
“I’ve seen for myself how cats can suffer after lily poisoning and it is so distressing to see and heartbreaking for pet owners.
“Thankfully, it’s really easy for the public to do their bit and help. We, of course, want to treat all the mums out there this Mother’s Day but if they are cat mums too please do not buy them lilies.”
In 2021, Jasper, a grey and white kitten, sadly died after his owner was bought a bouquet of roses and lilies as a gift.
The Croydon cat owner had no idea the flowers would be toxic to cats.
Vanessa added: “Other flowers such as tulips, holly and hyacinths can be toxic to cats and dogs although their toxicity is considered to be low. However, even non-toxic plants may cause some stomach upsets if ingested so it’s always important to remember to place flowers out of reach of pets.”
The RSPCA also reports that chocolate poisoning is the most commonly reported type of animal poisoning – so the charity is reminding people to keep Mother’s Day treats out of reach of cats and dogs.
Vet Vanessa said: “If you suspect that your pet has eaten chocolate, don’t delay in calling your vet first for advice on bringing them into the practice.
“Your vet will want to know how much chocolate your pet has eaten and what type. If possible, keep any labels and have your pet’s weight to hand.”
Signs that your pet could have been poisoned vary and can include:
- Lack of appetite
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Breathing difficulties and bad breath
“Ahead of the Mother’s Day celebrations, and as we all strive to create a better world for every animal, we urge pet owners to ensure the occasion is as pet-friendly as possible and share this advice with others to help us spread the word,” Vanessa added.
For more information on toxic items and products, see the Veterinary Poisons Information Service.
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As part of a new service, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs will sell holiday-themed meals for pickup at Coca-Cola Park, the team said in a news release Tuesday.
The service, Holiday Meals to Go, launched Tuesday and offers four options: breakfast, pork, ham and barbecue. Each holiday meal package will include enough for four to six people, as well as paper products and instructions for cooking and reheating.
Fans will be able to place orders through noon on Dec. 14 at the team website. Ordering options offered are pick two for $130, pick three for $185 or pick four for $235. The release states the first 10 orders for pick three or pick four will receive a free pie.
Contactless pickup will be held at Coca-Cola Park from 2 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 18, and fans will only need to show proof of purchase through their vehicle window.
Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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TORONTO — There was a time not too long ago when Canada’s big quick-service restaurant chains offered menu items for breakfast and lunch/dinner, with nary a specialty snack item to be seen. Those days are long gone, as the newly tapped into snack daypart has seen some of the biggest growth in foodservice over the past few years.
Keeping in line with Canadian consumers’ desire to have more snack items available to them at their favourite QSR, last week McDonald’s rolled out a new menu item across the country — the McMini sandwich. The item made its debut in Quebec as a limited-time offer.
“Canadian customers demand variety, quality and convenient menu items without sacrificing on taste,” said Anne Parks, director of Menu Management, McDonald’s Canada. “We received such positive feedback on the McMini from the Quebec market that, in the spirit of listening to our customers, it was only natural to extend the product offering to other parts of the country.”
McMini sandwiches feature a fresh, mini bakery style baguette, with the choice of crispy or grilled seasoned all-white chicken breast and two gourmet sauces, Spicy Thai and Pesto, for $1.99.


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The global economy is under attack by the Trump administration. Trump believes the United States is not being treated fairly on the world’s economic stage. Donald wants to remove taxes on exports and impose heavy taxes on imports. If Trump succeeds, the global economy will go into a tailspin. Countries around the world will impose taxes on American goods, and consumers will pay the price. It is true. Global economic reform is needed to balance the global capitalistic system, but Trump’s ideas are not shared by very many economists. In fact, most economists say Trump’s global economic policies will create a recession in the United States and abroad. George Soros, the economic reformer, and social justice pundit thinks Trump is a menace and must be stopped. Soros has enough money and power to slow down the Trump economic agenda. Soros is considered one of the people that know how to fix the global economic situation. According to Discover The Networks, George Soros has donated $5 billion to organizations that share his economic viewpoint.
Global economic reform is a difficult mission. China and India are the countries fueling global economic growth, but China is in the middle of a financial crisis, and India is losing some of its appeal on the world stage. Mexico is another contributor to global growth, but Trump has slowed economic growth in Mexico because of his attacks on the country. The European Union is in trouble financially, and Brazil, Russia, and South Africa are experiencing deep recessions. When emerging and advanced markets are analyzed in terms of future economic growth, the results are disappointing. That’s why George Soros wants to stop Donald Trump from exacerbating the global economic situation. Soros wants China to clean up its banking mess, and he wants the European Union to change the way it handles the migration crisis. Soros also wants the United States to reduce the tax burden on imports, in order to level the global economic playing field. But accomplishing those things will take an enormous amount of support from countries around the world, and Trump is blocking that support. Read this story about George at Politico.com.
George Soros is invited to the Davos Economic Summit every year to speak about the global economic situation. Soros isn’t shy when it comes to telling world leaders that a major recession is coming and it will be worse than the 2007 meltdown. Trump’s proposed policies could be the catalyst that sends the world into a recession. Soros is clear when it comes to his feelings about Trump’s policies. Soros is supporting more than 187 organizations that want to stop Trump from turning the world into an economic disaster. Only time will tell if Soros is successful, but Soros has a successful track record, and his record won’t change as long as he is alive.
Learn more about his profile at Forbes.com.


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We are keen to reassure all of our trade customers who are concerned about the cancellation of many trade shows next year, that we will be hosting our own virtual event in 2021.
The virtual show will take the form of an online conference and will give buyers the opportunity to partake in a private showcase of our new products releases, have one-to-one meetings with the team and confirm listings for the year. The event will be held on Monday 1st to Friday 5th February 2021 to ensure that it does not clash with any existing trade events.
“None of us could have foreseen the current situation and we are truly disappointed that we won’t be able to catch up with everyone face-to-face in the new year,” states Kate, our Managing Director. “We hope our week-long drop-in event will complement other shows that may still run. We have lots of exciting things planned and can’t wait to share them with our customers and showcase our range of great new products for 2021.”
The link to our booking platform will be released in the new year. If you are interested in signing up for more information about the event, please email firstname.lastname@example.org


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1. Study shows weight slowly rebounds after stopping Lilly’s weight loss drug
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on Monday (December 11) showed that after using Lilly’s Zepbound for about eight months and stopping the medication, the weight of the trial patients slowly rebounded, and half of the lost weight was regained after a year. Specifically, after using Zepbound for about eight months, 670 patients lost 20.9% of their weight.
Commentary: This shows that Zepbound cannot change the patient’s lifestyle and diet structure, which are the root causes of obesity. Therefore, Zepbound can only be used as an auxiliary treatment method, not a long-term solution.
2. Well-known Apple leaker: iPad series to welcome overhaul, plan to simplify product line and enhance competitiveness
Local time on Monday (December 11), well-known Apple leaker Mark Gurman wrote that Apple will overhaul its iPad series products next year to reduce consumer confusion and provide new momentum for declining sales. Gurman said that the iPad product line was quite clear ten years ago, with two models, one large and one small. But over time, Apple added more options, new low-end models, high-end Air and the strongest Pro version, to attract different types of consumers and ultimately selling more tablets.
Commentary: Apple may want to simplify the product line, highlight the core advantages and differentiation of the iPad, and attract more loyal and high-end users. At the same time, Apple may also launch some new features and services to increase the added value and stickiness of the iPad.
3. Nature: After CRISPR milestone breakthrough, gene editing therapy will enter the 2.0 era
The website of Nature magazine wrote on Monday (December 11) that a series of therapies based on the same principle as bone marrow transplantation are in clinical trials, and CRISPR will enter the 2.0 era. Nature reported that scientists have developed a batch of new CRISPR-based systems that have higher precision and wider applicability than the original gene editor.
Commentary: The 2.0 era of CRISPR means that the safety, efficiency and applicability of this technology will be improved, bringing more hope and possibilities for human health and well-being.
4. Apple reportedly encourages musicians to use high-end audio formats
Apple is offering incentives to artists and record companies to encourage them to use spatial audio technology to make music, immersing listeners in sound. Foreign media quoted informed sources as saying that starting next year, the company plans to increase the weight of songs mixed with Dolby Atmos technology, and artists who use this technology will receive higher royalties.
Comment: Apple encourages musicians to use this technology by providing incentives, also to differentiate itself from other music platforms, and increase the uniqueness and advantages of its music service.
5. Nokia and BT Group reach cooperation on 5G network asset monetization
Local time on Monday (December 11), Nokia and BT Group announced an agreement to develop 5G network monetization opportunities through Nokia’s “Network as Code” platform and developer portal website and BT Group’s cloud-native network. According to the agreement, Nokia’s platform helps operators monetize their 5G network assets, rather than just pure connectivity. It provides application developers with tools such as software development kits and open application programming interfaces.
Comment: This is a deep cooperation between Nokia and BT Group in the 5G field, and also an attempt to explore the value of 5G networks. Nokia’s “Network as Code” platform allows operators to provide their 5G network assets to application developers in a programmable way, creating more business opportunities and revenue.
6. Microsoft and the largest union organization in the United States establish a partnership to explore the positive effects of AI on workers
Eastern time on Monday (December 11), tech giant Microsoft announced on its official website that it has established a new partnership with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). It is understood that the AFL-CIO is the largest union organization in the United States, composed of 60 unions representing 12.5 million workers. The cooperation agreement aims to establish an open dialogue, explore how to meet the needs of workers through artificial intelligence technology, and incorporate their demands into the development and implementation of AI tools.
Comment: Microsoft can better understand and meet the challenges and opportunities that workers face in their work through cooperation with the AFL-CIO, and also improve the quality and applicability of its AI products and services.
Disclaimer: The content and data of this article are for reference only. Please verify before use.


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By David S. Joachim
Published: December 6, 2006; The New York Times
As both the price and size of computer chips shrink, manufacturers are enhancing the abilities of things like phones, navigation systems and even home appliances. These so-called accessibility technologies are not only for those with disabilities. For people with chronic ailments, these products are also a way to prolong independence.


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Space Racers Names Funrise as Master Toy Partner
Space Race, LLC named Funrise as the global master toy licensee for the animated preschool series Space Racers. A full range of preschool toys based on the STEM-focused preschool property is expected to hit shelves globally by fall 2018.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have found such a perfect partner in Funrise,” says Michael Matays, CEO of Space Race, LLC, and executive producer of Space Racers. “As Space Racers has gained momentum and global exposure, we have seen ever-increasing demand from kids who want to play and go on adventures with the Space Racers. Our partnership with Funrise is a natural next step for the development of this brand.”
]Space Racers launched on public television and Netflix in 2015, and debuted its second season in November 2016 on NBCUniversal’s Sprout network (Universal Kids). It now airs in more than 130 countries and is available in 25 different languages.
Sony Pictures Consumer Products Names Hotel Transylvania Master Toy Partner
Sony Pictures Consumer Products has tapped Jazwares to develop a Hotel Transylvania toy line, while publishers Simon & Schuster Children’s Group, Papercutz Comics, and Bendon Publishing will create a range of books inspired by the film franchise and new television series. Both the toy and publishing categories will anchor the global licensing program which will have comprehensive cross category representation.
The Jazwares toy line, based on new and classic characters from the franchise, will hit shelves in the summer of 2018 leading up to the release of Sony Pictures Animation’s Hotel Transylvania 3. A range of books in various formats from Simon & Schuster Children’s Group, Papercutz Comics, and Bendon Publishing will debut as early as this fall.
The franchise has recently expanded to television with an all-new animated TV series produced by Nelvana and Sony Pictures Animation. The series premiered on Disney Channel in June and features Mavis’ teenage years and that of her friends at Hotel Transylvania.
Miraculous Ladybug Scores International Confectionery Deal
Planeta Junior, Zag, and Ferrero entered a worldwide strategic partnership for Miraculous Ladybug. The partnership will cover several countries in Europe and Latin American and it will include Ferrero and Kinder products for children.
The Miraculous, Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir animated TV series currently airs in 120 markets. Season two launches later this year.


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The Nonagon Association – Science and Technology Park of São Miguel, in cooperation with COTEC Portugal – Business Association for Innovation, promoted, this afternoon, a Webinar under the theme “Management of Industry 4.0”.
This Webinar, started with a brief overview of the importance of innovation for the competitiveness of companies in the Azores, carried out by the President of the Board of Directors of the Nonagon Association, Arnaldo Machado, counted on the intervention of the Director General of COTEC, Jorge Portugal and Irina Filipe, of the same entity, on the THEIA platform, its objectives and associated benefits.
THEIA is a model for evaluating maturity in terms of digital innovation that allows assessing a company’s preparation to identify opportunities and plan its consequent investments.
The “Management of Industry 4.0” webinar was attended by around 40 participants, including the Executive Director of TERINOV, some of the representatives of companies resident in Nonagon, of entrepreneurs from the Go-On Incubator, representatives and resident entrepreneurs TERINOV and some associated companies of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ponta Delgada.
More information about THEIA at: http://theia.cotec.pt/pt


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Uber drivers who pick up passengers at airports in Santa Barbara, Sacramento, and Palm Springs, California, now have a power they never had before: They'll be able to set a fare of their choosing, up to five times Uber's set price for the trip. The company is reportedly testing this new arrangement in smaller cities before rolling it out to other, larger cities or throughout the state. Beginning next week, drivers at these airpor?ts will also be able to set fares lower than Uber's set fare, as little as a 10th of that fare if they choose. They'll also be able to opt out of "surge" pricing, which automatically raises fares when there is high demand and few drivers are available.
The changes come in response to California's new law, AB-5, which took effect January 1 and puts stringent rules in place for companies who define some of the people who work for them as contractors rather than employees. Uber, like Lyft, DoorDash, and pretty much all other rideshare or delivery services, treats drivers as contractors. Under the new law, companies that define people as contractors rather than employees must now meet a three-part test to do so legally, and the first requirement is that a contractor must be in control of his or her own work and working conditions.
With that in mind, Uber has already made changes to allow its California drivers to see the destination of a trip (rather than just the starting point) before accepting it. It's also given them the right to reject trips without penalty, and it's given passengers the ability to request individual drivers that they prefer. And riders in California are no longer given a set fare when they hire an Uber. Instead, they're given a range of fares, with the final number taking into account both the duration and distance of the trip. Experts say these changes will help Uber make the argument that its drivers aren't really employees.
A bidding war is coming
Once the new airport test pricing is fully in place, Uber drivers will, for the first time, be bidding against other Uber drivers for rides. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Uber's algorithms will automatically match riders with the lowest-priced available driver for their trips. This means drivers will need to strike a delicate balance between setting their fares too low and earning too little per trip, and setting their fares too high and having to wait a long time to get a passenger. Unless, of course, they band together to keep fares high, something that Uber drivers have already started doing at Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.
But, if you think about it, perhaps the most surprising thing about this new pricing scheme is the very fact that it's new. Uber has consistently stated that it is not a company that provides rides, but one that connects riders with drivers. If that's the case -- if Uber's main function is to play matchmaker between drivers and passengers -- why is it setting prices at all? Shouldn't every Uber driver have the ability to set his or her own rates?
According to Melissa Berry, writing in the popular blog the Rideshare Guy, drivers have been complaining about their inability to set their own fares for a long time now, and "apparently Uber is listening." That's great, but the company really should roll out these changes not just to all of California, but to all its U.S. drivers, and perhaps drivers in other nations as well. In fact, it should have had them in place from the beginning. As Berry writes, "being able to set your own prices is an important part of being a true independent contractor."


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What to know about the U.S. fast food chain replacing a popular Toronto diner
A new Nashville hot chicken spot is taking over the beloved Parkdale diner Pete's Corner Grill.
Parkdale Pete's was forced to close down at the end of October after nearly 12 years of breakfasts.
The corner spot on Queen Street will eventually be replaced by Dave's Hot Chicken: the L.A. fast food joint specializing in spicy southern-style chicken.
The American brand announced earlier this year that it had plans to branch out of the States with over 30 new locations in Canada, starting in British Columbia and Ontario.
Dave's Hot Chicken has partnered with Toronto Raptors founder John Bitove for the expansion.
What started as a parking lot pop-up on Hollywood Boulevard in 2017 has grown into a franchised brand financially backed by the co-founder of Blaze Pizza, with six locations in Southern California.
The concept comes from head chef Dave Kopushyan and three of his childhood friends, who purportedly launched the pop-up with $900.
Dave's menu concentrates on a trio of combo platters, made up of halal chicken sliders and fried chicken tenders with a side of fries.
The brand is renowned for being extra spicy. Its fried chicken is a fiery deep red, thanks to an abundance of cayenne and other spices. The hottest level you can get is called Reaper, which really needs no explanation.
The brand's success, even during the pandemic, has largely been attributed to its jumping on the fried chicken sandwich trend of other American brands like Chick-fil-A and Popeyes, coupled with the fact it's built for takeout and delivery.
The opening date for Dave's in Parkdale has yet to be announced.
Dave's Hot Chicken
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The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) is once again a Stevie Award winner.
In an April news announcement, BOC said the organization’s latest Stevie Award is its 11th since 2013. The latest honor was a Bronze Stevie Award for Sales & Customer Service in the category of Best Customer Engagement Initiative.
“This new category recognizes organizations distinguishing themselves through customer engagement initiatives creating a positive customer experience and increasing customer loyalty,” the announcement noted. “’Customer first’ and ‘innovation’ are enduring values at BOC, shaping their award-winning certification renewal campaign, which increased the organization’s year-over-year customer retention. With more than 35 years of credentialing experience, BOC is an established organization that strives to set the industry standard for service and always puts the customer first.”
Judi Knott, BOC’s President/CEO, said in the announcement, “We’re proud to be recognized for the customer service that is such a strong part of our BOC culture and valued by our customers. As a repeat Stevie award winner for the past decade, we’re proud to be an authentic leader in customer service.”
The Stevie Awards were founded in 2002 “to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals worldwide,” according to the awards Web site.


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With demand likely to remain high and additional capacity not due for a few more years, the shipping lines look set to reap a revenue harvest until new vessels begin to be delivered in 2023.
Congestion in North Europe’s major ports will reach “critical” levels over the next four weeks as container terminals struggle to turnaround ships embroiled in the six-day Suez Canal closure and shipping lines are expecting that many services will miss one to two sailings, which will negatively impact capacity in the second quarter.
The mega-container ship Ever Given has been recovered and the Suez Canal is unblocked, but the real problems for shippers have just begun, with some lines refusing to accept Asia bookings (in either direction) blanked sailings announced and the ripples of disruption likely to touch all aspects of global Maritime trade.
The Evergreen Ever Given has been grounded sideways since Tuesday morning, blocking vessels in both directions along the Suez Canal, creating one of the worst shipping jams seen in years and threatening even more chaos, when the grounded vessel, together with those behind it, arrive at their destination.
Transport for London’s new lorry safety scheme, the Direct Vision Standard (DVS), issues permits based on how much the driver can see, but assessment and vehicle modification costs are directly increasing collection and delivery charges in the capital, with many European hauliers not willing to enter London, due to the cost of compliance.
Government ministers confirmed last week that that pre-notification requirements for animal origin and associated products, would be implemented in October, rather than April as originally planned and that the deferred import declaration scheme due to end in July would now continue until the 1st January 2022.
The port and terminal disruption that began in Felixstowe last Summers, before spreading to Southampton and London Gateway has not disappeared, with congestion continuing to disrupt collections, empty returns and LCL unloading.
Strike action, due to start today, by British Airways’ cargo handlers at London Heathrow has been called off after progress in talks between the union Unite and BA.
We are deeply saddened to report the loss of our founder, Ken Norman, who passed away peacefully in December.
The shortage of containers in Asia, limiting their ability to load exports, and the continuation of port congestion across the UK and Northern Europe has had a profound impact on sea freight services, with a number of shipping lines suspending all freight bookings until, at the earliest, the last week in December.


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Sprint will increase post-paid rates with a $10 premium data add-on or charge to activations of all smartphones beginning on Jan. 30. With the growth of data consumption, Sprint says this fee will allow them to keep unlimited plans for its customers while maintaining a healthy wireless network.
Some 4G phones are already tagged with an extra $10 per month for using the “EVERYTHING DATA” plan, now Sprint is simply saying this charge will now apply across the board on ALL smartphones ( Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm, and Instinct devices).
Existing customers will not be affected unless they upgrade or activate another smartphone. The company says smartphones average 10 times more data usage than feature phones.


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Broadband adoption in Spain in 2005 will be driven by a massive increase in broadband investments and competition as well as new triple-play offers, according to Forrester Research, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORR). But Forrester believes that broadband growth in Spain will slow down by the end of the decade due to low home PC penetration and low overall online penetration. The result: Broadband will be in 38% of all Spanish homes in 2010; ADSL will remain the dominant access technology, capturing three-quarters of the 2010 market.
Forrester reports that more than 22% of Spanish households had broadband by the end of 2004. This represents almost three-quarters of Spanish online households and exceeds the Western European average of 20%. Spain¿s fast broadband uptake has so far been triggered by wealthy early adopters. However, with only 31% of Spanish homes online last year ¿ well below the European average of 51% ¿ and high broadband prices, Forrester predicts that broadband uptake will diminish beyond the early-adopter stage.
Lars Godell, Principal Analyst, Telecom Markets at Forrester Research says: ¿Telefó nica is trying to stimulate PC penetration and broadband adoption by giving away free PCs with broadband subscriptions. But Spain will continue to lag for the rest of the decade despite these efforts ¿ by 2010, 48% of households will be online, compared with 62% in Western Europe as a whole.¿
Key Characteristics Of The Spanish Broadband Market
The Spanish broadband market grew quickly during the past two years ¿ by 202% in 2003 and by 64% in 2004. Early broadband adopters fell for the fact that it is always on and frees up the phone line, allowing massive downloads. The Spanish market is characterized by:
- Price-driven consumers. In May 2004, 18% of Spanish online consumers considered switching their ISP, in line with their European peers. Their top reason for switching? More than half said they could get the same service for less, and almost 40% indicated they wanted a faster connection.
- Limited infrastructure competition ¿ so far. Some 700,000 households (nearly 23%) use cable to access the Internet, but almost 78% use ADSL, which has far better geographical coverage.
- Slowly declining prices. In relative terms, Spain is the most expensive broadband country in Europe, with a broadband price premium over dial-up of 173%, compared with a European average of 74%. But prices in Spain are slowly declining.*
- Fragmented competition with super-optimistic expansion plans. With 55% of the retail market, Telefó nica has managed to retain its dominant position. But the competitive pressure is about to explode, through massive marketing and networking investments by local challengers like Jazztel and the local subsidiaries of France Télécom and Deutsche Telekom.
- The competition betting on bundles to challenge Telefó nica. A plethora of broadband ISPs are trying to attract wealthy Spanish early adopters by bundling services. To keep up the pressure on its competitors, Telefó nica wants to spend ¿9 billion on fixed and mobile broadband over the next three years.
Spanish Broadband Users Have More Fun
So what characterizes the ¿Spanish broadband user¿? Forrester¿s Consumer Technographics® European Studies show that Spanish broadband users: are predominantly young males; fit the early-adopter profile; are on average 33 years old; are better paid than non-broadband users; and download ¿ a lot. Almost 60% of Spanish broadband users download music regularly, compared with 40% in Europe as a whole.
To conclude, Godell comments on the broadband technology that will dominate in Spain: ¿xDSL will remain the most popular broadband technology, capturing three-quarters of the residential broadband market for the rest of the decade. Although cable will continue to grow modestly in absolute numbers, Forrester believes that it will lose market share to alternative access technologies like fiber, fixed wireless, WiMAX, satellite, and powerline.¿
* ONO recently increased broadband speeds from 600 Kbps to 3 Mbps for the same price; Telefó nica responded with a limited-time offer of ¿29 per month for a download speed of 512 Kbps, which previously cost ¿39; and Tele2 offers 512 Kbps broadband and free fixed-line voice for ¿34 per month.


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Aston Martin Lagonda Holdings PLC’s is set for a meaningful step-up in profitability in the fourth quarter, according to analysts at Citigroup, which rates the luxury sports car brand as a ‘buy’.
This week, Aston Martin reported its 2021 nine-month results revealing its set to meet its FY21 earnings before income, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA).
The company said trading was in-line with internal expectations in the year today as it left guidance unchanged – with longer-term forecasts eyeing GBP500mln of annual earnings by 2025, on an expected GBP2bn of revenue.
“We expect the company to generate a 13.2% EBITDA margin in FY21 (14.5% excluding the GBP15mln legal cost impact, in-line with the ‘mid-teens target) and expect profitability to 19.4% in FY22,” said Citigroup, an American investment bank.
“Average sales price remains solid, cost efficiencies are contributing to improved gross margin, and special deliveries in Q4 will drive a meaningful step-up in profitability.”
Citigroup sees some 67% upside with its GBP29.00 price target.


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Philadelphia declaring talent war on New York City
- Staff New York Business Journal
Philadelphia's rivalry with New York City is venturing into talent territory.
Philadelphia Business Journal's Peter Key wrote the city is worried its entrepreneurs will seek opportunities in New York rather than sticking around in Philly.
Recently, the city council held a hearing on attracting and retaining young technology companies to the area.
Key interviewed some who said New York's "coolness" factor is a hard sell for younger, single people, while others said Philadelphia is close enough to New York that people can work in one place and visit the other.
Read more of Key's report.
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Personal loans dry up as APRs treble
The number of personal loans on the market has shrunk by just under a half since the beginning of 2008, according to new research.
Low on credit: Economic downturn has put paid to best-buy loan deals in a shrinking market
Along with a narrower choice, customers have also been hit by huge hikes in APR rates, which have trebled to an average of 29.40% on a £5,000 loan.
The spiraling cost of unsecured lending has been blamed on the backlash from the subprime mortage crisis, with lenders cutting back on best-buy offers and choosing to adopt more stringent credit-issuing policies in the downturn.
In January there were 105 products available to those looking to borrow £5,000, according to Moneyexpert, but today this figure has been reduced to just 57 - a decrease of 46%.
Meanwhile, 74% of the loans offered charged an APR of 10% at the start of the year compared with today's figure, down at 31%.
The news will serve a further blow to consumers during the busy Christmas period despite the Bank of England base rate, normally a strong indicator of how much consumers should expect to pay for a loan, sitting at a 57-year low.
'December is normally a time to give, not it seems if you're a loan provider however,' says Sean Gardner, Moneyexpert chief executive.
'With unemployment on the up, lenders are increasingly thinking twice before offering money they're much less sure they'll get back. The cost of this risk is being passed on to us all with higher APRs and fewer products available.'
Hardest hit are those borrowers with a weaker credit rating. Many may now have to choose between six loans with rates of between 14% and 24%, and some between five loans charging from 50% to 70% interest.
The statistics are the latest sign of drained confidence in the lending market with the indicators suggesting a prolonged period of contraction continuing into the new year.
The cheapest £5,000 loan is offered by Your Personal Loan at 7.8%. It is only offered to homeowners but is not secured against your property. Borrowers should be aware that there has been a growing trend for some lenders to using 'charging orders' to attempt to repossess loans are NOT secured on a property: Read more. For non-homeowners Lombard Direct offers and Alliance & Leicester offer 8.9% between £5,000 and £7,500.
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Samsung Galaxy S9 Front Panel Leaked
Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S9 at Mobile World Congress in February and many are undoubtedly curious as to what the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ could look like.
There have been many rumors and leaks are already surfaced on the internet and now according to a post by Techno Codex, they have managed to get their hands on what appears to be a hands-on photo of the front panel of the upcoming Galaxy S9.
It is hard to tell exactly how big this panel is based on the photo alone, but for the most part, it does resemble the Galaxy S8, which we suppose is in line with the earlier rumors of Samsung not deviating too far from the original design. Previously it was rumored that Galaxy S9 will feature narrowed chin and keeping the forehead at the same size, but the recent image shows that the company still uses the same appearance.
Also, we cannot be sure if it is just the angle of the photo, but the lower bezel does appear to be slightly slimmer than the Galaxy S8 by ever so slightly, but like we said it could be an angle thing. Like the previous flagship S8, the screen itself wrapping around the long edges of the phone's case which has been a hallmark of Samsung's premium devices for nearly three years now.
From previous leaks, the Galaxy S9 is expected to feature a 5.8" Samsung's QHD+ Super AMOLED infinity display with 18.5:9 aspect ratio. The device will be powered by the Snapdragon 845/ Exynos 9810 processors coupled with 4GB / 6GB of RAM. Recently Samsung has announced the world's first 512GB eUFS storage chips that should appear on the next phones as well.
The Android flagship duo is rumored to launch at MWC 2018 in late February and it is expected to start retailing by March 2018. Other rumors suggest OnePlus may launch OnePlus 6 with an in-display fingerprint scanner in March 2018 and Sony may announce a new Xperia flagship smartphone at CES 2018.


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For a few years now, Google has acquired dozens of companies every year.
That's not going to change any time soon.
But last year, when cofounder Larry Page took over as CEO again, the type of acquisitions Google makes changed.
Now, according to an article by Slate's Farhad Manjoo, who talked to Google M&A boss David Lawee, instead of buying "interesting" companies with "interesting" founders pursuing "interesting" problems, Google will only buy companies that will definitively propel one of Google's seven main product lines forward.
Another big change - that may seem like a no-brainer! - under Page, Manjoo says, newly acquired teams are no longer allowed to "disappear without ever producing a product."
Ah, to own Internet's most perfect monetization engine and not have to have start worry about these kinds of common sense changes until decade number two…
Get the latest Google stock price here.


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Computers and artificial intelligence have come along at an exponential rate over the past few decades, from being regarded as oversized adding machines to the point where they have played integral roles in some legitimately creative endeavours.
Social media and digital interaction have handed brands exponential opportunity to target and interact with individuals in a relevant way. They’ve also opened up a new avenue of third-party content creation and engagement that’s gaining attention – for both the right and wrong reasons.
‘Influencer marketing’, or the art of tapping into well-known and well-read bloggers and consumers within certain communities to promote products, raise brand awareness and drive conversions, is taking off.
Social Media Today recently reported that 74 per cent of global marketers will use influencer marketing as part of their marketing strategy in the next 12 months. And these activities are apparently paying dividends. According to the 2014 Influencer Marketing Benchmarks Report from US digital and media technology company, Burst Media, brands investing in influencer marketing received an average of $6.85 in earned media value for every $1 of paid media.
Plenty of brands are singing the praises of influencer marketing, too. Sony, for example, has put an emphasis on word-of-mouth marketing in recent years and seen triple-digit conversion rates as a result. Champagne brand, Piper-Heidsieck, also turned to social influencers to reposition the brand as an affordable luxury for everyday moments. Through its ‘Piper moments’ exclusive events, and partnerships with Shoes of Prey, and Adrian Zumbo, interactions helped generate more than 6.3 million media impressions. Most importantly, sales rose 25 per cent during the first seven months of fiscal 2014.
But while there’s plenty of momentum, influencer marketing is also courting plenty of controversy. The big issue is disclosure around brands engaging – and often paying – an influencer to become their next brand ambassador.
Add to this a lack of regulation and defined industry best practices, rising numbers of commercially savvy bloggers, and issues with how to measure effectiveness, and you have a growing marketing channel that’s generating a lot of headlines.
What makes an influencer
What makes an ‘influencer’ is the first point that needs clarification. Head of digital at Ogilvy public relations, Craig Page, describes influencers as anyone with an audience.
“They could be a blogger, a YouTube content creator, a well-known person with a significant number of twitter followers, and of course, journalists, analysts or consultants,” he says. “In theory, everyone with a Facebook account and some friends has some level of influence, but we tend to reserve the term ‘influencer’ for those who either have an audience that is very large and relevant to a certain organisation, brand, topic or subject, or very passionate about the influencer and their content.”
More often than not, these individuals are recognised for having clout on certain subjects, from mass interests such as food, fitness, technology or fashion to complex healthcare matters to specific technical areas of education, engineering or aviation.
Co-founder and MD of word-of-mouth agency Contagious, Nick Law, says modern day influencers come in all shapes and sizes, from small-scale peer-to-peer influencers, who may not have the highest social reach but definitively influence the purchasing decisions of those closest to them, right through to the new ‘social media stars’ with 1 million+ followers. On that list are fashion and beauty YouTube vloggers such as Bethany Mota, Zoella and Chloe Morello, along with Snapchat’s Meghan Hughes and Instagram’s Chris Ozer.
“The main reason we’re seeing so much influencer marketing activity right now, and why it’s so important, is because of the shift from one-way, broadcast communication strategies, to a more complex marketing ecosystem where some consumers now have more influence than the brands themselves,” he comments.
Digivizer head of customer engagement, Alan Smith, is in no doubt influencers have changed the rules of public relations, marketing, engagement, information access, paid-for and earned media, relationship development, customer service and customer advocacy for ever.
“Their mere existence has caused friction with established journalists, and continues to do so in some quarters, and some influencers are better at the task, and more credible, than others,” he says.
“Their importance though is assured. They are a direct connection to the consumer, and often are consumers and the general public themselves. And the old rules of trust and authenticity have been sharpened.”
Defining brand influencer campaigns
The key to influencer/brands partnerships is to ensure there is an obvious and implied sense of ‘shared value’, Page says.
“For an influencer to be really ‘influential’, the relationship they have with their communities is based on a genuine, authentic interest in the topics that they talk about,” he says. “When influencers partner with a brand or organisations where they do not share the same values, they invariably produce content that is seen to be disingenuous and can erode not only the relationship with their community, but the brand or organisation itself.”
Contagious takes into consideration the authority of a recommendation, behavioural factors and propensity to influence over specific channels. “Certain brands would be better suited partnering with an aspirational Instagram influencer whereas others might look to recruit a team of mums who are very socially active on Facebook or offline,” Law says.
All agencies agree it’s vital for every brand engaging with influencers to be clear about their objectives.
“Be agnostic about assumptions,” Smith says. “Don’t rely on past experiences or even past contacts: The world today moves much faster than in the past, and is more granular. The right influencers are likely to be someone unfamiliar to you, and you must rely on data to validate your decisions on who you engage with.
“And understanding their networks and areas of interest is essential. You reach out to influencers without understanding them at your peril.”
When influencers partner with a brand or organisations where they do not share the same values, they invariably produce content that is seen to be disingenuous and can erode not only the relationship with their community, but the brand or organisation itself
Brands should allow influencers to create and recommend content ideas, as they know their audience better than anyone, Page says. “Do give influencers the tools they need, such as exclusive content, spokespeople interviews, event invites or anything else, to extend their advocacy beyond the requirements of an obvious partnership agreement.”
It’s also important brands don’t perceive their engagement with influencers as a customer/provider relationship, Page says. “Don’t ask an influencer to run your content for you,” he adds. “And don’t work with anyone who doesn’t like your product, service or mission.”
A big lesson from Switch on Media head of influencer marketing and social media, Heather Tines Tupper, is to avoid falling into the product launch and campaign mentality trap. “You close a lot of doors if you are focused on a single marketing message,” she warns. “Don’t force one message, one product or service – open up that conversation.”
Courting controversy: The potential pitfalls
Identifying objectives is one thing; knowing the rules of commercial engagement is another. Arguably, the biggest issue is the structure around bloggers being paid for comment in cash or product, and the level of transparency existing around these transactions.
Compounding the issue is the lack of specific regulation or industry codes on how influencers disclose sponsorship and payments to their audiences. Agencies say Australia is very relaxed in this area in comparison with the stricter rules being applied in the US and UK/Europe.
In the UK, for instance, videos by YouTube celebrity influencers including Phil Lester and Dan Howell were banned by the Advertising Standards Authority for failing to disclose they had been paid by Mondelez to make videos of its Oreo cookies.
Yet in April, UK apparel retailer, Lord & Taylor, raised eyebrows for an Instagram campaign that saw 50 influencers posing in photographs wearing the same dress and being paid for their services, but not disclosing their relationship with the brand.
Tines Tupper says the relationship between bloggers and brands is now a mix of paid and unpaid engagement. While there are bloggers who will disclose the nature of their relationship with brands transparently, they aren’t under strict obligation to do so – yet.
So does that mean we need regulation? Tines Tupper suggests the more transparent brands and bloggers voluntary become, the better the relationship and the less chance of consumer backlash.
“As long as you include disclaimers, and as long as people are transparent and honest, there shouldn’t be any issues,” she says. “But we may need laws in the long term.”
The onus is on agencies and brands to be honest and open, too. “Don’t just see it as a monetary opportunity,” she says. “Different bloggers will be more strict on who they will and won’t work with, and the number of sponsored posts they ran and their code of ethics.”
For TWO Social's head of digital, Richard Spencer, the first significant decision brands must make when embarking on influencer marketing if it they’re prepared to pay, or not. One client regulated by APRA, for instance, took the view that unless an influencer has physically used its products, they can’t be used as paid spokespeople, he says.
“Some will also ascribe a lot of value to this. We had one fashion blogger that wanted $30,000 for a blog post, which is a chunk of money and equivalent to some traditional mag advertising, but then traditional ROI measurement comes into play, as with any other advertising format,” Spencer says. “The consideration then is whether that fashion blogger is more influential than Vogue.”
What’s adding to the confusion is the view most people have that social engagement is and should remain free, Spencer claims.
“Most organisations have grown up with the notion that social media is free and it isn’t and never has been,” he says. “Because influencer marketing through social and digital channels is likened to public relations, there’s a feeling that these bloggers should be doing it for free as they are getting great content. But someone pays the journalist, not necessarily the blogger. Plenty of influencers do it as they want to, but there are plenty making a living out of it and money needs to be made somewhere.”
As marketers, we should be paying them, Spencer says. “Equally, should we as brands or organisations representing brands be clear about that? Absolutely. There needs to be something akin to a journalist code of ethics – assurance on what is sponsored and paid for. But good influencers are already doing this themselves.
“What they do have is a personal brand that needs protection."
According to Tines Tupper, one ingredient complicating this exchange is the rise of small talent-management agencies representing bloggers.
“This has created a potential barrier to entry and is creating a lot of challenges for new brands particularly, trying to involve bloggers in a program,” she claims. “Often time they’re trying to take a 10-15 per cent cut but not necessarily offering much value.
“Not every opportunity is to do very expensive campaigns together – there is a lot of variation in these relationships. You might miss out on going to an awesome event or experience because you’re not getting paid for anything and the agent doesn’t pass it along.
“Sometimes from a brand point of view, it’s more about awareness… and it may not be a paid experience.”
This could include a not-for-profit initiative or activity, Tines Tupper says. “But if you have a direct relationship, the blogger may still want to be involved.”
Spencer hopes the industry can do without regulation and says the onus is on the blogger to protect their personal integrity by balancing paid and personal opinion. Unlike Tines Tupper, he saw the new blogger agencies being established as a way of helping minimise this risk.
“There will be those less experienced than the brands trying to influence them, which is essentially where these agencies like the Remarkables, who represent bloggers, are coming in – they’re designed to create a better commercial understanding for these people who might not have that commercial background,” he says. “In those cases, I also hope brands will step up and help out, as they also have a reputation to protect.”
Much like any social engagement, there’s also the risk of backlash for brands from consumers if they choose the wrong, or a less-than-scrupulous influencer to work with. In response to a question on whether brands risk more by using influencers than in other marketing techniques and channels, Smith points out there have always been influencers, even before social media, and therefore always been a risk.
“Anyone who worked in mainstream public relations before the social media renaissance will understand that,” he says. “The social Web does two things, though: It expands the reach of the risk, and shortens the timescale for it to ignite - to a matter of minutes in some cases.”
Management of risk comes down to the experience level of the organisation running the influencer program, Smith says. “Risk is further mitigated if the relationship with the influencer is built on trust, engagement and mutual understanding,” he says. “What’s changed is there are now many more influencers, and the consequences can be widespread.”
What’s changed is there are now many more influencers, and the consequences can be widespread
Rather than call for tougher regulation, however, Smith says consumers will ultimately make the decision as to whether an influencer retains their position of influence. “The consumer will define what’s acceptable, and influencers will align themselves accordingly, especially if they seek to make a living that way,” he says.
The other question is whether consumers will continue to accept branded and paid-for blogger content as more marketers invest in this space. Page believes there has been an “early-mover advantage” in the influencer space, which no longer exists in most sectors.
“That said, traditional paid advertising is being challenged as audiences get better at ignoring content that provides no value for them,” he says. “Savvy brands and organisations realise influencers offer a great opportunity to generate branded content that people actually care about, and have an audience on tap to consume it and share it.
“Influencer engagement will remain part of a smart marketer’s toolkit for a while to come.”
Spencer argues consumers don’t mind being sold to as individuals, provided the sales proposition is relevant and contextual and payment or sponsored brand activity is transparent.
“When the messaging is overtly salesy, or there’s too much advertising in it, and is not relevant to me, then it becomes more of a problem,” he says. “But if it fits, and fits neatly, I think the vast majority of consumers won’t have a problem with organisations selling to them. That’s why advertorial and ads have worked for years.
“Where you have great instances of influencer marketing it has been exposed as a paid-for activity.”
But Law agrees a ‘backlash’ could be on the horizon. “This is still a relatively new marketing medium after all. Marketing professionals may well have to hone their ‘influencer marketing skills’ as things develop in order to keep their brand messages relevant and engaging to influencer audiences but we definitely see this playing out in a more collaborative way moving forward,” he says.
“The secret lies in doing it well. I think the issue is that a lot of people are rushing into ‘influencer marketing’ without understanding that there’s a science to it.
“At the end of the day, you can’t escape the fact that we’re all living in a global environment where the consumer’s voice and opinion is heard more, and therefore makes more of an impact than it ever did. Brands should ignore this at their peril.”
Up next: Tips on measuring influencer impact, examples of successful and innovative influencer marketing campaigns in action plus how to identify the right influencer for you


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Inti Creates, the team behind Mega Man 9, 10, and the popular Zero sub-series, will be taking on development for indie developer WayForward’s Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. The company made the announcement of Inti Creates through an update on its Kickstarter page, also confirming that the Japanese studio is also working with Comcept on Keiji Infaune’s Mega Man spiritual successor, Mighty No. 9.
WayForward has never been shy about being a fan of classic Mega Man games, and frequently cites series creator Keiji Inafune as one of its biggest inspirations. So Kickstarter proves, if anything, that the world of 2D video gaming is just one big happy family waiting to work together.
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is not the only game Inti Creates is currently working on. The former studio made of Capcom employees is also contributing art to WayForward’s other game in the works, Shantae and the Pirate’s Revenge.
It’s not too uncommon these days to see Japanese development teams contributing to Western games, but never have the styles of two studios from other sides of the planet been so alike. Inti Creates and WayFoward have both created several 2D platforming games published by Capcom, so his latest cooperation is a very logical fit
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero currently sits at a comfortable $334,000 out of its $400,000 request with 16 days remaining in the campaign. It’s almost guaranteed to succeed before the end of its run, but several of the higher tier the stretch goals could be a little tight. Perhaps the connection with the ultra popular Mighty No. 9 and the classic Mega Man series could be the boost it needs to give it a few ranks.
Should it close out its Kickstarter campaign, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero will be available for the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Wii U, and PC through Steam.


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John Hanke recently informed gamers that Niantic is
not a fan of sites that track Pokémon for their mobile app, and multiple websites doing just that have been shut down since then. On its own that probably wouldn’t be so bad, but
Pokémon GO also got an update last night that made in-game tracking very difficult, as it removed footprints and the ability to track nearby Pokémon from the game itself. With no easy way to locate specific creatures, now a number of gamers are finding their in-app purchases useless—where before they would have bought items to help track and capture certain Pokémon, without that tracking they’re regretting those microtransaction payments.
As a result, many gamers have started requesting refunds, and it appears that, in many cases, they’re getting them without any fuss. This can be done by submitting a request via the app store on either iTunes or the Google Play Store; the latter’s automated system only grants refunds for purchases made in the last 48 hours, but some users on Reddit are reporting that they’ve still managed to obtain refunds though Google support. The process is handled independently from Niantic, though, and we have yet to hear from them about how they feel about such refunds being granted.
We’ll let you know if Niantic offers a comment on this matter, and we’ll probably see in the coming days how much this has affected
Pokémon GO‘s revenue stream. The app was said to be making nearly $10 million a day before, but this could have a large effect on things if enough players decide that the in-app purchases are no longer worthwhile.
Will you still be paying for items in Pokémon GO? How do you feel about gamers requesting, and receiving, refunds for purchases they’ve already made? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.


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WASHINGTON, DC - 12/04/2016 (PRESS RELEASE JET)
Semforex, Inc., a Maryland firm, plans a company and product launch, featuring its innovative ballistic carrier on December 7, 2016, at 6pm at 910 Bladensburg Rd. NE. Washington, DC 20002. The event, hosted by W. S. Jenks & Son, a major supplier of hardware and equipment to law enforcement and military, features the Semforex ballistic carrier.
Point Blank Enterprises, the Florida-based premier manufacturer of ballistics, will showcase some of the newest protective equipment it makes in partnership with Semforex. The Semforex Carrier provides police officers, military, emergency personnel and high-level security professionals a comfort fit, flexibility, and the ability to wear body armor throughout the day. The carriers, designed for men and women, allow for more comfort in all weather conditions. According to one officer, “most of my incident scenes were in the extreme summer heat…I feel that the Semforex Carrier held up and really earned my favor because although my face and arms were sweating, the shirt I wore under the Semforex Carrier was completely dry...”
“When I was in the military service,” says Michael Lamb, Founder and CEO of Semforex, “the flak vests we wore were so heavy it made it awkward to move.” So when Police Officer Charlie Poole of MPD-DC (now retired) talked about the discomfort police officers endure while wearing their protective equipment, he found a willing designer to work with to create a garment that would settle the issue once and for all. Michael Lamb designed an innovative, ballistic carrier that provides an unparalleled fit allowing the wearer to move comfortably and safely with body armor. The carrier hosts specially designed, ballistic packets made exclusively for Semforex by Point Blank Enterprises. The ballistics meet and exceed National Institute of Justice (NIJ) level II, III and IV standards.
Semforex was nominated by the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) for its innovation and won the prestigious Harris Corporation Champion of New Technology Award in 2011.
Semforex, Inc., a certified federal, MD state and DC vendor, is a veteran owned corporation formed in 2012, with offices in Beltsville, MD. The company is currently taking orders. For more information, contact: Yvette L. Hill at 202.286.6185. firstname.lastname@example.org.
|person_outline||Full Name:||Yvette L. Hill|
|mail_outline||Email: Send Email|


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3. Coming: Asia’s Lunar Brand New 12 Months. The Year associated with Rat starts on Saturday, writes Axios’ Courtenay Brown.
Why it matters: Asia’s brand brand New 12 months could be the country’s biggest holiday, and it’s really followed by shelling out for travel, meals and high-end presents through the week-long parties.
- It’s time that is peak companies, especially luxury merchants like LVMH, whoever investors worry that Lunar brand brand brand New Year shopping — normally extravagant — will undoubtedly be muted this season.
- In 2010’s festivities will change compared to the last few years. Public Lunar New Year events in four metropolitan areas, including Beijing, have already been canceled due to coronavirus outbreak fears.
No airline that is major journey cancellations to Asia in reaction to your virus.
There’s anecdotal proof, however, that some individuals are moving Lunar New Year travel plans because regarding the outbreak.
Wuhan is quarantined. Res Aside from Hong Kong’s own coronavirus concerns, officials here nixed a long-running parade for fear so it would attract pro-government protestors.
Celebratory pork will be in a nutshell supply. It’s among the utmost effective consumed food products within the week-long parties, but swine that is african ravished Asia’s pig herds. That’s pressed pork prices to astronomical amounts in Asia.
The underside line: The Lunar brand New 12 months is really a barometer for the sake of the economy that is chinese. This past year, slow investing prompted concern of a consumer-led slowdown. More


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We’re all familiar with toys and other prizes that used to come in cereal boxes and other treats. Lately, we’ve seen software in the forms of CDs and DVDs contained in these packages. It’s a marketing technique designed to sway consumers to purchase the product in question, even though the prize or toy has nothing to do with the contents being sold.
Enter: GamingDicing, the latest trend in merchandising involving video games embedded in products. But, unlike cereal boxes, where the prize can be extracted and held in your hand, GamingDicing ensures the software remains embedded inside the product. With GamingDicing, you can actually play with a golf club, or a pair or sneakers; even a mop or wood duck decoy.
“All of the software is permanently embedded in the selected merchandise,” explains Alan DeFibber of Lost Marbles Enterprises. “Gamers will actually have to have the merchandise next to their gaming systems in order to play them. A micro-output device installed on the merchandise, with the aid of a special adapter, allows you to access the software on any gaming system by plugging directly into it. Each piece of merchandise will be loaded with a game relevant to that item. For instance, you’ll be able to play sports games with the running shoes, or a fighting game when plugged into an action figure,” DeFibber says.
He goes on explain that retailers will love this concept not only because it will result in more sales for otherwise average products, but the embedding concept will preclude kids from sharing the software. He maintains that not too many kids are likely to lend out their shoes or skateboard just so their friends can play a video game. It’s hoped that this will force kids to purchase their own merchandise.
“It’s no secret that a lot of these products we are pushing with the GamingDicing concept are second-rate. They just don’t sell very well, so they need a push. You’re unlikely to see games embedded in Nikes, Old Navy and other well-known brands,” confesses DeFibber. “Even the video games are of questionable quality. I can honestly tell you that I would never buy either of these offerings separately, but as a package deal, who can resist? Everyone likes a bargain,” he adds.
In a recent hands-on, the games that we tested worked extremely well. We were able to play all of the games on every system that we plugged into, from the GBA to the X360 and everything in between. The games were simple, little more than mini-games. We were especially intrigued by the game that was assigned to the porcelain toilet. We were told it was a craps game.
“In the future we hope to have game software embedded in prescription drugs,” says DeFibber. “We just can’t figure out where you would plug the adapter into.”
*This article is presented as an exclusive Cheat Code Central feature titled “Are you dumb enough to believe this?” Please check back each Friday for the newest edition.