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Doorage Storage is buying Boston’s On Demand Storage as part of its plan to expand its pickup-and-delivery services across the Northeast.
Meanwhile, the Chicago-based Doorage, founded five years ago, is launching new services in Las Vegas and Columbus, OH as it attempts to expand its reach nationwide.
Sean Sandona, founder and CEO of Doorage, said the takeover of On Demand Storage, one of the biggest valet storage providers in the Boston area, is his company’s first major acquisition outside the Chicago area.
Among other things, the deal will allow Doorage to tap into the large student, residential and small-business customer base in eastern Massachusetts, he said. In addition, Doorage will take control of two On Demand Storage facilities in the Boston area, helping it service much of the New England and New York-area markets in the process.
A massive move
“It’s huge for us,” Sandona said of Doorage’s push into Boston. “This is a massive move by Doorage. It helps solidify our East Coast operations.”
Terms of the Doorage-On Demand deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022, Doorage announced in a release.
Until now, Doorage, with 35 full-time employees and 18 trucks, was mostly focused on offering full services to those in Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison, WI, picking up items at customers’ homes or businesses, storing them and then moving them, if necessary, anywhere in the U.S.
Now the Boston area will become a “full service market,” providing local customers with pick-up, storage and moving options.
Sandona indicated that the privately held Doorage is in merger talks with other storage players across the county.
“We have entered into multiple acquisition agreements with traditional and valet companies and look forward to completing the transition of merging customers, teams, and systems, but Boston is our main focus right now,” he said. “We have two big targets on the radar after this round of acquisition and expansion.”
Let the competition begin
With its entrance into the Boston market, Doorage will be going head-to-head with a number of rivals also seeking to tap into the large college-student market in eastern Massachusetts, such as Storage Squad.
Last year, 1-800-PACK-RAT/Zippy Shell, known for its on-site storage container business, purchased Storage Squad, with an eye on expanding its student-driven valet business both in Boston and across the country.
“Boston is a very good market – and it’s growing fast,” said James Burati, senior vice president of sales and marketing for 1-800-PACK-RAT/Zippy Shell. “We definitely see expanding Storage Squad.”
Burati said his company plans to keep Storage Squad focused on college students, not on other customer segments within the storage market.
As for Doorage, it’s also launching operations this winter in Las Vegas and Columbus, Ohio, offering customers in those markets full pickup, storage and moving services, Sandona said.
By the end of 2022, Doorage will be offering local services in six markets: Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Boston, Las Vegas and Columbus. Next year, Sandona said Doorage will focus on establishing full pickup, storage and moving services in the New York City area.
“The Boston market has always been a target for our team and was one of our final steps before moving into NYC services,” he said.
Eventually, Sandona, who declined to identify his company’s investment partners, said Doorage would like to be in about 30 to 40 markets across the country.


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[caption id="attachment_18758" align="alignnone" width="584"] Solar panels at Apple's data center in Maiden, NC. Courtesy GigaOM[/caption]
People have always looked to Apple to know what the next big, new (and profitable) idea would be in the world of technology.
Todays no different, as Apple is again leading the way to the future now in solar power.
Apple laid out the details today of a significant new investment to power its data center in Nevada one of several that store your iTunes, movies, photos and e-mails with solar power.
Apples investment in solar energy shows that the company is making good on the promise it made last year to power its iCloud with 100 % renewable energy. The detailed disclosure that Apple gave today should give confidence to Apples millions of users that the company is powering its corner of the Internet with clean energy.
Apple's new solar array shows some of the company's hallmark innovation. Apple is using an advanced array that includes mirrors to concentrate sunlight up to seven times onto the photovoltaic cells. It's also the first deal that takes advantage of a new "Green Rate tariff" in Nevada, which allows any customer of the utility there, NV Energy, to specifically buyrenewable energy.
With Google, Facebook, and now Apple all announcing major new deals with utilities in recent months for new renewable energy to power their data center operations, the race to build an internet powered by renewable energy is clearly in full swing. Tech companies are showing they have the ability to use their influence and buying power with utilities to change their supply of electricity away from coal and toward renewable energy.
Microsoft and Amazon both of which still power their Internet using the dirty electricity that causes global warming ought to take notice. In the race for a clean Internet, Apple is leaving both companies in the dust.

domain: news


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Hibbett cuts “Sports” from corporate name in line with greater fashion focus
Birmingham, Alabama-based retailer Hibbett Sports, Inc. announced on Thursday that it has changed its corporate name to “Hibbett, Inc.,” effective immediately, in order to better reflect the company’s shift towards athletic-inspired fashion.
“Over the past several years, we have transitioned our corporate strategy to emphasize the athletic-inspired fashion merchandise that our customers covet,” explained the company’s president and CEO, Mike Longo, in a release. “Our new corporate name of Hibbett, Inc. better reflects our consumer centric Toe-to-Head focus that leads with in-demand footwear and provides cross-category connectivity to our apparel and accessory offerings.”
According to the retailer, despite the change in name, it will continue to offer products for team sports in a number of its stores, as well as through its omni-channel platform, although its focus will now be on athletic-inspired fashion footwear, apparel, and accessories.
As revealed by Longo in Hibbett’s Invester Day presentation on Thursday, the company has been implementing its transition away from sporting goods toward a more fashion-focused assortment for several years now.
“This move allowed the company to enhance a selection of premium brands, for example, Nike, Jordan, Adidas, Puma, Levi, Grindhouse, and others; which meant that we moved into a space that allowed us to begin offering a hard-to-access compelling assortment of hard-to-get product,” said the CEO.
During the Investor Day presentation, the company also revealed that its current target audience is Gen Z, particularly consumers aged between 16 and 20, a demographic on which the retailer over-indexes in both apparel and footwear purchases.
Hibbett’s SVP for marketing and digital, Bill Quinn, highlighted that targeting this audience allows the retailer to develop a connection with consumers at an early age. The executive further pointed out that success with Gen Z can lead to wider popularity, as both younger Gen-Alpha consumers and millennials look to for fashion guidance.
Hibbett also provided insight into its merchandising and marketing strategies, revealing that they are structured around five consumer personas: Streetwear Hound, Fashion Titan, Basketball Obsessed, Sports-Style Fanatic and Alpha Jock.
Each of these customer types has their own particularities, with Streetwear Hounds, for example, valuing scarcity in the products they purchase and having a tight link to sneaker culture. Fashion Titans, on the other hand, are trend-focused and social media savvy, while the Basketball Obsessed follow their favorite basketball teams both on and off the court.
Finally, Sports-Style Fanatics look to express their personal aesthetic through athleticwear ensembles that are inspired by the sports lifestyle and prioritize performance, while Alpha Jocks are trend-setting leaders.
Hibbett’s different store types seek to cater to distinct mixes of these personas. It’s more fashion-focused locations aim to attract Fashion Titans, the Basketball Obsessed and Sports-Style Fanatics. Stores with a heavier emphasis on athletic gear are intended to service the Basketball Obsessed, the Sports-Style Fanatic and the Alpha Jock.
The company’s City Gear banner, which is arguably its most fashion-forward store proposal, focuses on the Streetwear Hound, the Fashion Titan and the Basketball Obsessed.
“All of these personas are innovative, early adopters, or the early majority when it comes to fashion,” explained Quinn. “We use these personas to drive our merchandising and marketing activities around what we buy and communicate.”
Alongside these strategic discussions, Hibbett updated its long-term outlook in the presentation. The company now expects its annual sales to total $2 billion by fiscal 2025, with growth driven by low single-digit comparable sales improvements in brick-and-mortar stores and low double-digit rises in e-commerce. The retailer predicts that e-commerce penetration will increase to the high-teens by fiscal 2025.
In fiscal 2020, Hibbett’s full-year sales increased 19.9% to $1.42 billion, up from $1.18 billion in the previous year, while comparable annual net income totaled $74.3 million, or $4.36 per diluted share.
Copyright © 2023 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.


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Some of us marketers get an incredible energy boost from social media, and sometimes we need an actual physical boost to increase our energy. Oftentimes, hard-working marketers around the globe turn to energy drinks or a lot of coffee. We were curious if the spike energy drink products provide in the physical world could translate to a boost of social media engagement in the virtual world.
Energy Drinks Benefit from Our Emotional State
A study published by Sparks & Honey and tech startup Emozia – the creator of Emotive Recognition Technology – took a look at how our emotions directly impact our purchases of energy drinks. Over the course of 60 days, researchers analyzed participants who allowed them to view their sleeping patterns and energy drink consumption.
They found that the average energy drink consumption occurred at the beginning of a period of high stress levels. Additionally, people seemed to drink more when it was 20 percent sunnier than usual, as well as when they were on the verge of fatigue.
So how does our emotional state impact our interactions with energy drink products on social media?
How 6 Energy Drinks Perform on Social Media
For our study, we created a competitive landscape of six energy drink brands: 5-hour Energy, Full Throttle, Monster Energy, Nos Energy Drink, Red Bull, and Rockstar Energy.
Starting first with social media presence, this group of energy drink brands have no consistent strategy, other than Twitter. As this is a clear B2C (business-to-consumer) product, you’d expect all of them to be rocking Facebook and probably Instagram. Only Monster, Rockstar and Red Bull have profiles established on all six major networks, with 5-hour Energy not far behind. Full Throttle was a strange one, as even its Twitter and YouTube profiles were directly tied to its race car sponsorship. And on Facebook, the only handles were community pages.
Red Bull Leaving Competitors in the Dust on Audience and Activity
As of today, Red Bull’s social media followers far outnumber even the closest competitor, Monster. With more than 59 million social fans, most of those on Facebook, Red Bull’s marketing team is clearly focused on building a strong social community. Monster is no slouch with nearly 30 million followers across the big six channels. Clearly, social media is not a key marketing channel for 5-hour Energy or Full Throttle. Perhaps it’s all about traditional advertising for those firms?
When it comes to activity, Red Bull again pulls far into the lead. Within a 30-day time span, Red Bull led the way in social activity with over 1,500 posts and updates. Rockstar and Monster battle over second place. Twitter was the most active social network among all five energy drink brands, which is typical when analyzing pure activity levels.
Energy Drink Customers Engage on Instagram
However, it was Instagram that led the way in terms of social media engagement. Within the same 30-day time span, Red Bull had nearly 3 million social interactions, putting it in the lead once again. Monster came in second place with over 2 million, while Rockstar slid into third with nearly 1 million, almost entirely on Facebook and Instagram.
This isn’t too surprising. A study published in Ad Age showed that 92 percent of prestige brands have Instagram accounts. Some reasons why companies turn to Instagram could be because the network generates 1,000 comments per second, 8,500 likes per second, and 1.2 billion likes per day.
But how are these energy drink companies making headway on Instagram? If we analyze the top content on Instagram, some clear lessons come forth around how to increase engagement not only on Instagram but also on social media overall.
Tip #1: Keep it short: Red Bull does a great job of creating short, fun, engaging posts.
Tip #2: Know your audience: See a sports and adventure theme, here? Same goes across all of Red Bull’s social media interactions. Clearly, the company has learned its customers love travel, extreme sports and adventure. What do your customers love?
Tip #3: Use great hashtags: Red Bull is full of hashtags both unique and trending. Are you using hashtags well?
Tip #4: Use great images: In case you missed the memo, social media is no longer text-driven. Shorter messages and great images are what engages!
Tip #5: Invest in video: While images of all kinds increase engagement on ALL social media networks now, videos are starting to really drive engagement on more visual channels, like Instagram. Are you leveraging YouTube videos on other social channels? Do you have good video content?
Energize Your Social Media Engagement
I hope you can take some of the data and learnings from this energy drink case study to improve your own social media engagement. Or, at the very least, maybe this will help you decide which energy drink to guzzle while working late on your social media posts!


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In March, after invading the world corona virus began to spread to Africa. Just a short time later, different members of the tech continent’s black technology ecosystem tried to stop the spread of this epidemic.
In early March, the number of countries in Africa with people infected with the coronary virus stopped at one figure, but by the middle of the month, the number of countries with people infected with the virus soared so that WHO had to issue a warning about the situation in the country. this place.
“About 10 days ago, we only had 5 countries with people infected, now we have 30 different countries.” WHO regional director, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, said at a press conference on March 19. “The speed of spread is going extremely fast.”
According to WHO statistics on Tuesday, there were 3671 cases of Covid-19 in sub-Saharan region and 87 deaths from the virus – a sharp increase compared to 463 infections and 8 deaths. March 18.
Change cash usage habits
As Covid-19 was spreading rapidly in major economies in the region, governments and startups in Africa began to take measures to shift a large number of transactions to digital payments and to limit them. using cash – which is considered by WHO as one of the sources of Corona virus transmission.
The leading African country in universalizing digital payments, Kenya, has turned to mobile money as a tool for public health.
At the urging of the Central Bank and President Uhura Kenyatta, Safaricom, the country’s largest telecom operator, offered free transactions on the continent’s leading mobile money product, M-Pesa, to reduce delivery. Cash translation.
The company also announced that interpersonal transactions worth less than 1,000 Kenyan Schillings (about US $ 10) will be free for three months. Kenya is one of the countries with the highest digital payment approval rates in the world – largely thanks to the dominance of M-Pesa in the country – with about 32 million people out of a population of 53 million. sign up for a mobile money account,
On March 20, Ghana’s Central Bank required mobile money service providers to waive the transaction fee for payments below 100 GH ₵ (about 18 USD), in addition to the Restrictions to withdraw cash from e-wallets.
Ghana’s monetary regulator also relaxed KYC requirements for mobile money, allowing citizens to use cell phone registrations to open accounts at digital payment service providers.
The number of people infected with Covid-19 is rising rapidly in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with more than 200 million people, prompting one of the biggest digital payment startups in the country to take action.
The Paga Investment Fund in Lagos has made a number of fee adjustments, allowing merchants to accept free payments to Paga’s customers – a “measure” to slow down the spread of corona virus by reducing cash transactions in Nigeria. ”
And other aspects of the Covid-19 crisis
In March, Africa’s largest startup incubator, CcHub, announced plans to provide technical and financial support to technology projects aimed at curbing Covid-19 and socioeconomic impacts. its.
The organization in Lagos and Nairobi also posted a public online application on its website, in order to provide grants ranging from US $ 5,000 to US $ 100,000 for companies with Covid-19 related projects.
Zindi, another startup in Cape Town, South Africa, has taken a broader approach. As a startup using AI and machine learning to solve complex problems, Zindi launched a contest with 12,000 registered engineers on their platform.
The competition for finding solutions to Covid-19 was organized by Zindi.
This contest will set out a task for scientists to create data models to predict the global spread of Covid-19 over the next 3 months. The competition will run until April 19 with solutions that will be compared with estimates of future numbers to find the winner and receive $ 5,000.
In addition, Zindi is sponsoring another hackathon in April to find solutions to corona virus related problems.
For digital retail, Jumia has announced measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. With operations across 11 African countries, Jumia said it will donate masks to the health ministries in Kenya, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria and Uganda, taking out from the party supply network. outside of Africa.
The company also asked African governments to use delivery networks to deliver to their health care workers and workers. Furthermore, Jumia is considering adding other support measures to the public sector. “If governments find them useful, we are willing to do that.” Jumia CEO Sacha Poignonnec said.


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Blog: Footwear trade secrets leaked
Leonie Barrie | 16 September 2008
Getting information out of the European Commission has always been tough – but this week it got even harder. Why? A report in The Sunday Times newspaper at the weekend in which a top EU official leaked trade secrets over lavish dinners – including details on the tariff on Chinese leather footwear which is due to be discussed with Member States tomorrow.
The official working in the department of Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said the EC would call for an expiry review when current anti-dumping duties end next month – effectively extending the tariff for up to 15 months while evidence of dumping and injury is collected.
Speaking to reporters posing as industry lobbyists, the official said the proposal was unlikely to be rejected because Mandelson has made so many errors promoting free trade that he has no choice now but to introduce protectionist measures.
While the “educated guess” among industry observers I’ve spoken with today seems to support the hunch that a review will go ahead, it’s going to be an extremely controversial decision. Two years ago the move attracted widespread criticism from the two countries involved – China and Vietnam – some EU governments and trade groups, and of course international footwear companies sourcing shoes in Asia.
In fact, so controversial was the decision that the anti-dumping duties were introduced for just two years instead of the usual five.
The Commission has always been incredibly critical of member states for leaking information – and here it is leaking it left, right and centre. The downside, now, though it that it’s playing its cards close to its chest. While details of tomorrow’s meeting will inevitably get out, what we will hear is the result of the meeting – and not necessarily the Commission’s final decision on the anti-dumping debate.
Continuing our look at what lies ahead for the apparel industry and its supply chain in 2017, the panel of industry experts consulted by just-style last week tackled likely shifts in the sourcing land...
This week our focus turns to first thoughts from a panel of industry experts consulted by just-style on the challenges and opportunities likely to face the apparel supply chain in 2017, with prospects...
Welcome back after the holiday break, and from the team here at just-style I’d like to wish all our readers a happy and prosperous New Year....
Apparel sourcing is a complex process built on a mix of location, logistics, lead-time, price, compliance, risk and reliability. And it's in a constant state of flux as retailers, brands and manufactu...
- Outlook 2017 – What next for apparel sourcing?
- $1.7bn package to boost Pakistan clothing exports
- Mexico riots hit apparel retailers and shipments
- Is China about to burst its apparel trade bubble?
- Outlook 2017 – What else is the industry watching?
- MAS Holdings planning second industrial park
- M&S quality focus finally lifts clothing sales
- Aéropostale to reopen 500 stores across the US
- JC Penney latest retailer to shutter stores?
- Sri Lanka on track to regain EU GSP+ benefits
- Global apparel markets: product developments and innovations, October 2016
- Anti-odour clothing: fresh fashion for an active lifestyle
- Outdoor performance apparel 2016: A broader perspective
- Global market review of lingerie – forecasts to 2022
- Southeast Asia strategic sourcing review – a focus on Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar


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It took a revamped boat-manufacturing company acquiring a near-empty Alachua sailboat factory to breathe new life into the site.
In October, A&M Manufacturing took over the 38-acre, 210,000-square-foot Marlow-Hunter building in Alachua after its sailboat production had dwindled over the last 15 years. A&M, which joined forces with StyleCraft Boats in Chiefland, produces fiberglass pontoon platforms and boats and plans on revitalizing the industry with its new designs and concepts.
“A little over four years ago we were able to rescue a [boat] manufacturing business that was in Old Town,” said A&M CEO John Hemken.
At the time, the 25-year-old aluminum pontoon boat repair company was in a dire financial situation. Hemken’s brother and sister-in-law—who own a marine upholstery business that produces fabric for boat seat cushions—were supplying A&M Manufacturing but weren’t being paid.
“So they called me,” he said. “[I] had a consulting practice at that time, and I was working with small businesses to turn them around, but I was in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.”
Hemken said he flew in one weekend and restructured the entire business, “top to bottom,” and knew there was a need for fiberglass hulls in lieu of aluminum hulls.
“This business was started originally as a repair facility for aluminum pontoons,” Hemken said. “But when you start welding, you have to continue because when you weld aluminum, you lose 70% of the strength around that weld.”
Aluminum prices have continued to move upward, while the product gets thinner, leading to “problems, problems, problems,” according to Hemken.
“Right now, an aluminum pontoon boat has about a two-year life because the saltwater electrolysis corrodes the aluminum, then they crack, then they leak, then that welding starts creating a never-ending process,” he said.
Hemken said after three days of working with A&M’s previous owner, he felt the opportunity was too good to pass up. By the following Monday, they were running the company. They eventually assumed ownership, including more than $400,000 in liabilities.
The company now creates multiple styles of fiberglass pontoon platform boats that range from recreational multi-deck vessels with slides, tuff boats used for cranes, fishing outfitters, and platforms for restaurants, such as a tiki boat. They can make specialty boats of varying sizes and are even building houseboats or can take the pieces from an existing aluminum pontoon hulls and transfer it over to a fiberglass hull platform.
A&M Manufacturing is the production side of the business while StyleCraft Boats is the sales and marketing side. StyleCraft is owned by Billy Chapman Jr., a member of the Fisherman’s Hall of Fame who has been an outfitter for four decades with a manufacturing shop based in Chiefland.
“(Chapman’s) a cool dude and he’s world-class at what he does,” said Hemken, adding that Chapman’s traveling and industry connections make him a great promoter for the business.
Over the past four years, the company has grown to 60 employees, but Hemken has his sights set even higher.
“In the (past) three years, we grew the business 5X, five times in three years,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons why we are recognized as one of the top 50 companies in Florida—the Grow Florida (GrowFL) companies to watch list.”
And that’s also the reason why, even with existing space at the Chiefland’s facility, Hemken decided the plant wasn’t large enough.
“So how did we get to [Alachua]?” Hemken asked. “I looked at the opportunities and what we can do, and we can grow 5X, five times, in the next three years, but I believe we can do it the three years after that as well. And Chiefland’s [facility] is not big enough for six years from now.”
Hemken found out about the Alachua plant and connected with the owner, David Marlow, who had seen production go from 1,400 sailboats yearly and employing 400 workers to a crash following the 2008 recession.
“David Marlow consented to allow me to acquire the facility because he has a heart, a soft spot if you will, for boat manufacturing, and his operation here had dwindled down to just a few sailboats [a year] and about eight people,” Hemken said, adding the plant will continue producing daysailers. “He wanted to see it thrive again, so I’m indebted to him.”
A&M will also keep the existing Chiefland facility where Hemken said they are making a woodgrain fiberglass boat line called Elite Craft.
“We call them the James Bond boats, vehicles that emulate the old wooden boats that are so iconic,” he said.
A&M products have found their way across the United States and businesses can contact the company on its website.
One of the iconic American Sailboat factories is changed to a Pontoon boat> Very sad!!!!!!
I hope they manufact sailboats as well.


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One of the features Google introduced to Google Messages comes in the form of emoji reactions. This allows users to react to messages using a set of emojis so that instead of typing a reply, users can react non-verbally with an emoji instead. This can be handy if you don’t want to type out a reply like “lol”.
Now, prior to this, users could only choose from a set of emojis, which for the most part is more than sufficient for most users. But now according to a report from 9to5Google, it appears that Google is now testing out allowing users to react to Messages using any emoji that they want.
This means that if the default set of emojis isn’t enough to convey your message or if you want something fun, then this is a feature you can look forward to. Google won’t be the first to introduce the feature. It is already available on other messaging platforms like WhatsApp where users can choose any emoji they want, but if you use Google Messages more, then this could be something you can use in the future.
There’s no mention of when this feature is expected to make its way to users, but seeing as it is being tested, hopefully we won’t have to wait too long before it is eventually rolled out to the public.


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More on Entrepreneurship/Creators
11 months ago
Elon Musk’s Rich Life Is a Nightmare
I'm sure you haven't read about Elon's other side.
Elon divorced badly.
Imagine you're a parent. Someone isn't home year-round. What's next?
That’s what happened to YOLO Elon.
He can do anything. He can intervene in wars, shoot his mouth off, bang anyone he wants, avoid tax, make cool tech, buy anything his ego desires, and live anywhere exotic.
Few know his billionaire backstory. I'll tell you so you don't worship his lifestyle. It’s a cult.
Only his career succeeds. His life is a nightmare otherwise.
Elon has said he works 120-hour weeks.
As he told the reporter about his job, he choked up, which was unusual for him.
His crazy workload and lack of sleep forced him to scold innocent Wall Street analysts. Later, he apologized.
In the same interview, he admits he hadn't taken more than a week off since 2001, when he was bedridden with malaria. Elon stays home after a near-death experience.
He's rarely outside.
Elon says he sometimes works 3 or 4 days straight.
He admits his crazy work schedule has cost him time with his kids and friends.
Elon's a slave
Elon's birthday description made him emotional.
Elon worked his entire birthday.
"No friends, nothing," he said, stuttering.
His brother's wedding in Catalonia was 48 hours after his birthday. That meant flying there from Tesla's factory prison.
He arrived two hours before the big moment, barely enough time to eat and change, let alone see his brother.
Elon had to leave after the bouquet was tossed to a crowd of billionaire lovers. He missed his brother's first dance with his wife.
He went straight to Tesla's prison.
The looming health crisis
Elon was asked if overworking affected his health.
Not great. Friends are worried.
Now you know why Elon tweets dumb things. Working so hard has probably caused him mental health issues.
Mental illness removed my reality filter. You do stupid things because you're tired.
Astronauts pelted Elon
Elon's overwork isn't the first time his life has made him emotional.
When asked about Neil Armstrong and Gene Cernan criticizing his SpaceX missions, he got emotional. Elon's heroes.
They're why he started the company, and they mocked his work. In another interview, we see how Elon’s business obsession has knifed him in the heart.
Once you have a company, you must feed, nurse, and care for it, even if it destroys you.
"Yep," Elon says, tearing up.
In the same interview, he's asked how Tesla survived the 2008 recession. Elon stopped the interview because he was crying. When Tesla and SpaceX filed for bankruptcy in 2008, he nearly had a nervous breakdown. He called them his "children."
All the time, he's risking everything.
Jack Raines explains best:
Too much money makes you a slave to your net worth.
Elon's emotions are admirable. It's one of the few times he seems human, not like an alien Cyborg.
Stop idealizing Elon's lifestyle
Building a side business that becomes a billion-dollar unicorn startup is a nightmare.
"Billionaire" means financially wealthy but otherwise broke. A rich life includes more than business and money.
This post is a summary. Read full article here
7 months ago
Meet a Programmer Who Turned Down Microsoft's $10,000,000,000 Acquisition Offer
Failures inspire young developers
Jason citron created many products.
These products flopped.
Microsoft offered $10 billion for one of these products.
He rejected the offer since he was so confident in his success.
Let’s find out how he built a product that is currently valued at $15 billion.
Early in his youth, Jason began learning to code.
Jason's father taught him programming and IT.
His father wanted to help him earn money when he needed it.
Jason created video games and websites in high school.
Jason realized early on that his IT and programming skills could make him money.
Jason's parents misjudged his aptitude for programming.
Jason frequented online programming communities.
He looked for web developers. He created websites for those people.
His parents suspected Jason sold drugs online. When he said he used programming to make money, they were shocked.
They helped him set up a PayPal account.
Florida higher education to study video game creation
Jason never attended an expensive university.
He studied game design in Florida.
“Higher Education is an interesting part of society… When I work with people, the school they went to never comes up… only thing that matters is what can you do…At the end of the day, the beauty of silicon valley is that if you have a great idea and you can bring it to the life, you can convince a total stranger to give you money and join your project… This notion that you have to go to a great school didn’t end up being a thing for me.”
Jason's life was altered by Steve Jobs' keynote address.
After graduating, Jason joined an incubator.
Jason created a video-dating site first.
Nobody wanted to use it when it was released, so they shut it down.
He made a multiplayer game.
It was released on Bebo. 10,000 people played it.
When Steve Jobs unveiled the Apple app store, he stopped playing.
The introduction of the app store resembled that of a new gaming console.
Jason's life altered after Steve Jobs' 2008 address.
“Whenever a new video game console is launched, that’s the opportunity for a new video game studio to get started, it’s because there aren’t too many games available…When a new PlayStation comes out, since it’s a new system, there’s only a handful of titles available… If you can be a launch title you can get a lot of distribution.”
Apple's app store provided a chance to start a video game company.
They released an app after 5 months of work.
Aurora Feint is the game.
Jason believed 1000 players in a week would be wonderful. A thousand players joined in the first hour.
Over time, Aurora Feints' game didn't gain traction. They don't make enough money to keep playing.
They could only make enough for one month.
Instead of buying video games, buy technology
Jason saw that they established a leaderboard, chat rooms, and multiplayer capabilities and believed other developers would want to use these.
They opted to sell the prior game's technology.
Assisting other game developers
They had no money in the bank to create everything needed to make the technology user-friendly.
Jason and Daniel designed a website saying:
“If you’re making a video game and want to have a drop in multiplayer support, you can use our system”
TechCrunch covered their website launch, and they gained a few hundred mailing list subscribers.
They raised seed funding with the mailing list.
Nearly all iPhone game developers started adopting the Open Feint logo.
“It was pretty wild… It was really like a whole social platform for people to play with their friends.”
What kind of a business model was it?
OpenFeint originally planned to make the software free for all games. As the game gained popularity, they demanded payment.
They later concluded it wasn't a good business concept.
It became free eventually.
Acquired for $104 million
Open Feint's users and employees grew tremendously.
GREE bought OpenFeint for $104 million in April 2011.
GREE initially committed to helping Jason and his team build a fantastic company.
Three or four months after the acquisition, Jason recognized they had a different vision.
Jason's Original Vision for the iPad
Jason focused on distribution in 2012 to help businesses stand out.
The iPad market and user base were growing tremendously.
Jason said the iPad may replace mobile gadgets.
iPad gamers behaved differently than mobile gamers.
People sat longer and experienced more using an iPad.
“The idea I had was what if we built a gaming business that was more like traditional video games but played on tablets as opposed to some kind of mobile game that I’ve been doing before.”
Unexpected insight after researching the video game industry
Jason learned from studying the gaming industry that long-standing companies had advantages beyond a single release.
Previously, long-standing video game firms had their own distribution system. This distribution strategy could buffer time between successful titles.
Sony, Microsoft, and Valve all have gaming consoles and online stores.
So he built a distribution system.
He created a group chat app for gamers.
He envisioned a team-based multiplayer game with text and voice interaction.
His objective was to develop a communication network, release more games, and start a game distribution business.
Remaking the video game League of Legends
Jason and his crew reimagined a League of Legends game mode for 12-inch glass.
They adapted the game for tablets.
League of Legends was PC-only.
So they rebuilt it.
They overhauled the game and included native mobile experiences to stand out.
Hammer and Chisel was the company's name.
18 people worked on the game.
The game was funded. The game took 2.5 years to make.
Was the game a success?
July 2014 marked the game's release. The team's hopes were dashed.
Critics initially praised the game.
Initial installation was widespread.
The game failed.
As time passed, the team realized iPad gaming wouldn't increase much and mobile would win.
Jason was given a fresh idea by Stan Vishnevskiy.
Stan Vishnevskiy was a corporate engineer.
He told Jason about his plan to design a communication app without a game.
This concept seeded modern strife.
“The insight that he really had was to put a couple of dots together… we’re seeing our customers communicating around our own game with all these different apps and also ourselves when we’re playing on PC… We should solve that problem directly rather than needing to build a new game…we should start making it on PC.”
So began Discord.
Online socializing with pals was the newest trend.
Jason grew up playing video games with his friends.
He never played outside.
Jason had many great moments playing video games with his closest buddy, wife, and brother.
Discord was about providing a location for you and your group to speak and hang out.
Like a private cafe, bedroom, or living room.
Discord was developed for you and your friends on computers and phones.
You can quickly call your buddies during a game to conduct a conference call. Put the call on speaker and talk while playing.
Discord wanted to give every player a unique experience. Because coordinating across apps was a headache.
The entire team started concentrating on Discord.
Jason decided Hammer and Chisel would focus on their chat app.
Jason didn't want to make a video game.
How Discord attracted the appropriate attention
During the first five months, the entire team worked on the game and got feedback from friends.
This ensures product improvement. As a result, some teammates' buddies started utilizing Discord.
The team knew it would become something, but the result was buggy. App occasionally crashed.
Jason persuaded a gamer friend to write on Reddit about the software.
New people would find Discord. Why not?
Reddit users discovered Discord and 50 started using it frequently.
Discord was launched.
Rejecting the $10 billion acquisition proposal
Discord has increased in recent years.
It sends billions of messages.
Discord's users aren't tracked. They're privacy-focused.
Covid boosted Discord's user base.
Weekly, billions of messages were transmitted.
Microsoft offered $10 billion for Discord in 2021.
Jason sold Open Feint for $104m in 2011.
This time, he believed in the product so much that he rejected Microsoft's offer.
“I was talking to some people in the team about which way we could go… The good thing was that most of the team wanted to continue building.”
Last time, Discord was valued at $15 billion.
Discord raised money on March 12, 2022.
The $15 billion corporation raised $500 million in 2021.
8 months ago
How to Make $1,037,100 in 4 Months with This Weird Website
One great idea might make you rich.
Imagine having a million-dollar concept in college that made a million.
Alex Tew, 21, from Wiltshire, England, created The Million Dollar Homepage in August 2005. The idea is basic but beyond the ordinary, which is why it worked.
Alex built a 1,000,000-pixel webpage.
Each website pixel would cost $1. Since pixels are hard to discern, he sold 10x10 squares for $100.
He'd make a million if all the spots sold.
He may have thought about NFTs and the Metaverse decades ago.
MillionDollarHomepage.com launched in 2005.
Businesses and individuals could buy a website spot and add their logo, website link, and tagline. You bought an ad, but nobody visited the website.
If a few thousand people visited the website, it could drive traffic to your business's site.
Alex promised buyers the website would be up for 5 years, so it was a safe bet.
Alex's friend with a music website was the first to buy real estate on the site. Within two weeks, 4,700 pixels sold, and a tracker showed how many were sold and available.
Word-of-mouth marketing got the press's attention quickly. Everyone loves reading about new ways to make money, so it was a good news story.
By September, over 250,000 pixels had been sold, according to a BBC press release.
Alex and the website gained more media and public attention, so traffic skyrocketed. Two months after the site launched, 1,400 customers bought more than 500,000 pixels.
Businesses bought online real estate. They heard thousands visited the site, so they could get attention cheaply.
Unless you bought a few squares, I'm not sure how many people would notice your ad or click your link.
A sponge website owner emailed Alex:
“We tried Million Dollar Homepage because we were impressed at the level of ingenuity and the sheer simplicity of it. If we’re honest, we didn’t expect too much from it. Now, as a direct result, we are pitching for £18,000 GBP worth of new clients and have seen our site traffic increase over a hundred-fold. We’re even going to have to upgrade our hosting facility! It’s been exceptional.”
Web.archive.org screenshots show how the website changed.
“The idea is to create something of an internet time capsule: a homepage that is unique and permanent. Everything on the internet keeps changing so fast, it will be nice to have something that stays solid and permanent for many years. You can be a part of that!” Alex Tew, 2005
The last 1,000 pixels were sold on January 1, 2006.
By then, the homepage had hundreds of thousands of monthly visitors. Alex put the last space on eBay due to high demand.
MillionDollarWeightLoss.com won the last pixels for $38,100, bringing revenue to $1,037,100 in 4 months.
Many have tried to replicate this website's success. They've all failed.
This idea only worked because no one had seen this website before.
This winner won't be repeated, but it should inspire you to try something new and creative.
Still popular, you could buy one of the linked domains. You can't buy pixels, but you can buy an expired domain.
One link I clicked costs $59,888.
You'd own a piece of internet history if you spent that much on a domain.
Someone bought stablesgallery.co.uk after the domain expired and restored it.
Many of the linked websites have expired or been redirected, but some still link to the original. I couldn't find sponge's website. Can you?
This is a great example of how a simple creative idea can go viral.
Comment on this amazing success story.
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7 months ago
Apple Quietly Introduces A Revolutionary Savings Account That Kills Banks
Would you abandon your bank for Apple?
Banks are struggling.
not as a result of inflation
not due to the economic downturn.
not due to the conflict in Ukraine.
But because they’re underestimating Apple.
Slowly but surely, Apple is looking more like a bank.
An easy new savings account like Apple
Apple has a new savings account.
Apple says Apple Card users may set up and manage savings straight in Wallet.
No more charges
Colorfully high yields
With no minimum balance
No minimal down payments
Most consumer-facing banks will have to match Apple's offer or suffer disruption.
Users may set it up from their iPhones without traveling to a bank or filling out paperwork.
It’s built into the iPhone in your pocket.
So now more waiting for slow approval processes.
Once the savings account is set up, Apple will automatically transfer all future Daily Cash into it. Users may also add these cash to an Apple Cash card in their Apple Wallet app and adjust where Daily Cash is paid at any time.
Apple Pay and Apple Wallet VP Jennifer Bailey:
Savings enables Apple Card users to grow their Daily Cash rewards over time, while also saving for the future.
Bailey says Savings adds value to Apple Card's Daily Cash benefit and offers another easy-to-use tool to help people lead healthier financial lives.
Transfer money from a linked bank account or Apple Cash to a Savings account. Users can withdraw monies to a connected bank account or Apple Cash card without costs.
Once set up, Apple Card customers can track their earnings via Wallet's Savings dashboard. This dashboard shows their account balance and interest.
This product targets younger people as the easiest way to start a savings account on the iPhone.
Why would a Gen Z account holder travel to the bank if their iPhone could be their bank?
Using this concept, Apple will transform the way we think about banking by 2030.
Two other nightmares keep bankers awake at night
Apple revealed two new features in early 2022 that banks and payment gateways hated.
Tap to Pay with Apple
Late Apple Pay
They startled the industry.
Tap To Pay converts iPhones into mobile POS card readers. Apple Pay Later is pushing the BNPL business in a consumer-friendly direction, hopefully ending dodgy lending practices.
Tap to Pay with Apple
Millions of US merchants, from tiny shops to huge establishments, will be able to accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets with a tap.
No hardware or payment terminal is needed.
Stripe has previously launched this feature.
Tap to Pay on iPhone will provide companies with a secure, private, and quick option to take contactless payments and unleash new checkout experiences, said Bailey.
Apple's solution is ingenious. Brilliant!
Bailey says that payment platforms, app developers, and payment networks are making it easier than ever for businesses of all sizes to accept contactless payments and thrive.
I admire that Apple is offering this up to third-party services instead of closing off other functionalities.
Slow POS terminals, farewell.
Late Apple Pay
Pay Apple later.
Apple Pay Later enables US consumers split Apple Pay purchases into four equal payments over six weeks with no interest or fees.
The Apple ecosystem integration makes this BNPL scheme unique. Nonstick. No dumb forms.
Just double-tap the button.
Apple Pay Later was designed with users' financial well-being in mind. Apple makes it easy to use, track, and pay back Apple Pay Later from Wallet.
Apple Pay Later can be signed up in Wallet or when using Apple Pay. Apple Pay Later can be used online or in an app that takes Apple Pay and leverages the Mastercard network.
Apple Pay Order Tracking helps consumers access detailed receipts and order tracking in Wallet for Apple Pay purchases at participating stores.
Bad BNPL suppliers, goodbye.
Most bankers will be caught in Apple's eye playing mini golf in high-rise offices.
The big problem:
Banks still think about features and big numbers just like other smartphone makers did not too long ago.
Apple thinks about effortlessness, seamlessness, and frictionlessness that just work through integrated hardware and software.
Let me know what you think Apple’s next power moves in the banking industry could be.
3 months ago
There Is A New EV King in Town
McMurtry Spéirling outperforms Tesla in speed and efficiency.
EVs were ridiculously slow for decades. However, the 2008 Tesla Roadster revealed that EVs might go extraordinarily fast. The Tesla Model S Plaid and Rimac Nevera are the fastest-accelerating road vehicles, despite combustion-engined road cars dominating the course. A little-known firm beat Tesla and Rimac in the 0-60 race, beat F1 vehicles on a circuit, and boasts a 350-mile driving range. The McMurtry Spéirling is completely insane.
Mat Watson of CarWow, a YouTube megastar, was recently handed a Spéirling and access to Silverstone Circuit (view video above). Mat ran a quarter-mile on Silverstone straight with former F1 driver Max Chilton. The little pocket-rocket automobile touched 100 mph in 2.7 seconds, completed the quarter mile in 7.97 seconds, and hit 0-60 in 1.4 seconds. When looking at autos quickly, 0-60 times can seem near. The Tesla Model S Plaid does 0-60 in 1.99 seconds, which is comparable to the Spéirling. Despite the meager statistics, the Spéirling is nearly 30% faster than Plaid!
My vintage VW Golf 1.4s has an 8.8-second 0-60 time, whereas a BMW Z4 3.0i is 30% faster (with a 0-60 time of 6 seconds). I tried to beat a Z4 off the lights in my Golf, but the Beamer flew away. If they challenge the Spéirling in a Model S Plaid, they'll feel as I did. Fast!
Insane quarter-mile drag time. Its road car record is 7.97 seconds. A Dodge Demon, meant to run extremely fast quarter miles, finishes so in 9.65 seconds, approximately 20% slower. The Rimac Nevera's 8.582-second quarter-mile record was miles behind drag racing. This run hampered the Spéirling. Because it was employing gearing that limited its top speed to 150 mph, it reached there in a little over 5 seconds without accelerating for most of the quarter mile! McMurtry can easily change the gearing, making the Spéirling run quicker.
McMurtry did this how? First, the Spéirling is a tiny single-seater EV with a 60 kWh battery pack, making it one of the lightest EVs ever. The 1,000-hp Spéirling has more than one horsepower per kg. The Nevera has 0.84 horsepower per kg and the Plaid 0.44.
However, you cannot simply construct a car light and power it. Instead of accelerating, it would spin. This makes the Spéirling a fan car. Its huge fans create massive downforce. These fans provide the Spéirling 2 tonnes of downforce while stationary, so you could park it on the ceiling. Its fast 0-60 time comes from its downforce, which lets it deliver all that power without wheel spin.
It also possesses complete downforce at all speeds, allowing it to tackle turns faster than even race vehicles. Spéirlings overcame VW IDRs and F1 cars to set the Goodwood Hill Climb record (read more here). The Spéirling is a dragstrip winner and track dominator, unlike the Plaid and Nevera.
The Spéirling is astonishing for a single-seater. Fan-generated downforce is more efficient than wings and splitters. It also means the vehicle has very minimal drag without the fan. The Spéirling can go 350 miles per charge (WLTP) or 20-30 minutes at full speed on a track despite its 60 kWh battery pack. The G-forces would hurt your neck before the battery died if you drove around a track for longer. The Spéirling can charge at over 200 kW in about 30 minutes. Thus, driving to track days, having fun, and returning is possible. Unlike other high-performance EVs.
Tesla, Rimac, or Lucid will struggle to defeat the Spéirling. They would need to build a fan automobile because adding power to their current vehicle would make it uncontrollable. The EV and automobile industries now have a new, untouchable performance king.
1 year ago
Instagram NFTs Are Here… How does this affect artists?
Instagram (IG) is officially joining NFT. With the debut of new in-app NFT functionalities, influential producers can interact with blockchain tech on the social media platform.
Meta unveiled intentions for an Instagram NFT marketplace in March, but these latest capabilities focus more on content sharing than commerce. And why shouldn’t they? IG's entry into the NFT market is overdue, given that Twitter and Discord are NFT hotspots.
The NFT marketplace/Web3 social media race has continued to expand, with the expected Coinbase NFT Beta now live and blazing a trail through the NFT ecosystem.
IG's focus is on visual art. It's unlike any NFT marketplace or platform. IG NFTs and artists: what's the deal? Let’s take a look.
What are Instagram’s NFT features anyways?
As said, not everyone has Instagram's new features. 16 artists, NFT makers, and collectors can now post NFTs on IG by integrating third-party digital wallets (like Rainbow or MetaMask) in-app. IG doesn't charge to publish or share digital collectibles.
NFTs displayed on the app have a "shimmer" aesthetic effect. NFT posts also have a "digital collectable" badge that lists metadata such as the creator and/or owner, the platform it was created on, a brief description, and a blockchain identification.
Meta's social media NFTs have launched on Instagram, but the company is also preparing to roll out digital collectibles on Facebook, with more on the way for IG. Currently, only Ethereum and Polygon are supported, but Flow and Solana will be added soon.
How will artists use these new features?
Artists are publishing NFTs they developed or own on IG by linking third-party digital wallets. These features have no NFT trading aspects built-in, but are aimed to let authors share NFTs with IG audiences.
Creators, like IG-native aerial/street photographer Natalie Amrossi (@misshattan), are discovering novel uses for IG NFTs.
Amrossi chose to not only upload his own NFTs but also encourage other artists in the field. "That's the beauty of connecting your wallet and sharing NFTs. It's not just what you make, but also what you accumulate."
Amrossi has been producing and posting Instagram art for years. With IG's NFT features, she can understand Instagram's importance in supporting artists.
Web2 offered Amrossi the tools to become an artist and make a life. "Before 'influencer' existed, I was just making art. Instagram helped me reach so many individuals and brands, giving me a living.
Even artists without millions of viewers are encouraged to share NFTs on IG. Wilson, a relatively new name in the NFT space, seems to have already gone above and beyond the scope of these new IG features. By releasing "Losing My Mind" via IG NFT posts, she has evaded the lack of IG NFT commerce by using her network to market her multi-piece collection.
"'Losing My Mind' is a long-running photo series. Wilson was preparing to release it as NFTs before IG approached him, so it was a perfect match.
Wilson says the series is about Black feminine figures and media depiction. Respectable effort, given POC artists have been underrepresented in NFT so far.
“Over the past year, I've had mental health concerns that made my emotions so severe it was impossible to function in daily life, therefore that prompted this photo series. Every Wednesday and Friday for three weeks, I'll release a new Meta photo for sale.
Wilson hopes these new IG capabilities will help develop a connection between the NFT community and other internet subcultures that thrive on Instagram.
“NFTs can look scary as an outsider, but seeing them on your daily IG feed makes it less foreign,” adds Wilson. I think Instagram might become a hub for NFT aficionados, making them more accessible to artists and collectors.
What does it all mean for the NFT space?
Meta's NFT and metaverse activities will continue to impact Instagram's NFT ecosystem. Many think it will be for the better, as IG NFT frauds are another problem hurting the NFT industry.
IG's new NFT features seem similar to Twitter's PFP NFT verifications, but Instagram's tools should help cut down on scams as users can now verify the creation and ownership of whole NFT collections included in IG posts.
Given the number of visual artists and NFT creators on IG, it might become another hub for NFT fans, as Wilson noted. If this happens, it raises questions about Instagram success. Will artists be incentivized to distribute NFTs? Or will those with a large fanbase dominate?
Elise Swopes (@swopes) believes these new features should benefit smaller artists. Swopes was one of the first profiles placed to Instagram's original suggested user list in 2012.
Swopes says she wants IG to be a magnet for discovery and understands the value of NFT artists and producers.
"I'd love to see IG become a focus of discovery for everyone, not just the Beeples and Apes and PFPs. That's terrific for them, but [IG NFT features] are more about using new technology to promote emerging artists, Swopes added.
“Especially music artists. It's everywhere. Dancers, writers, painters, sculptors, musicians. My element isn't just for digital artists; it can be anything. I'm delighted to witness people's creativity."
Swopes, Wilson, and Amrossi all believe IG's new features can help smaller artists. It remains to be seen how these new features will effect the NFT ecosystem once unlocked for the rest of the IG NFT community, but we will likely see more social media NFT integrations in the months and years ahead.
Read the full article here


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- June 5, 2019
- Real Estate
2019’s real estate trends are about navigating uncertainty. As rapid social and technological changes transform how we live and work, the pressure is increasingly mounting on the real estate sector to respond with fresh ideas by stimulating digital transformations, finding proper solutions to affordability and being creative with deal strategy. Those embracing innovation may be in a position to take advantage of this constantly shifting environment. Fig Tree Capital Ventures is a market leader in providing real estate investment opportunities with lucrative potential in the US market. At Fig Tree Capital Ventures, we believe that the following innovations and broad trends will shape the real estate industry in the year ahead. Read on.
1. Artificial intelligence
As tech startups begin to integrate AI into their market analysis, the hype about AI’s game-changing potential may begin to manifest in the real estate sector. Perhaps the most immediate use of machine language and similar emerging technologies are in the organization, building management and design. ‘Smart’ buildings are beginning to reap the fruits of analyzing consumer behavior that enables them to refine their offering, create a seamless feedback loop and improve their spaces’ layout. AI may revolutionize property security and access as well as building safety and efficiency.
2. Technology industry investments
The real estate industry represents roughly 13 percent of the US GDP, which is potentially a big prize for those eying the opportunity. Startups, services, and tech firms will make increased inroads to capture and consolidate the largely fragmented market. Tech investors and venture capitalists have responded in kind as they scramble for opportunities in building and construction. Also, home selling platforms keep popping up in a quest to disrupt the conventional transaction system.
3. Amenity creep and the apartment arms race
Evidently, the competitive housing market is pushing builders and apartment landlords to an arms race for new amenities. Rooftop access and fancy gyms no longer work the magic. Recent significant multi-family developments include communal gardens, movie theatres, co-working spaces, and dog runs. These transformations are not only presenting unique challenges to landlords and builders but service firms as well, as they rise to challenges in providing benefits like laundry services.
4. A renewed sustainability focus
Recent serious reports on climate change are calling for a renewed focus on sustainability in the building and construction industry. More investors and building managers are set to adopt a range of green practices and make them the core of their businesses as calls to limit emissions and curb environmental impact mounts. While the real estate industry has been proactive in sustainability over the past couple of years, the industry will likely move further in advancing sustainability performance.
5. Transformation of retail
The hyped narrative about the retail apocalypse is merely an overstatement of the current situation- there’s more of culling of the heard rather than extinction. The shrinking American retail footprint and the rise in Omni-channel retail mean investors need to focus on efficient use of space and seek better brick and mortar presence.
6. Retail transforming into a new equilibrium
The much-hyped retail apocalypse narrative is an overstatement of the current retail situation: it’s not extinction, but more culling of the herd. The rise of omnichannel retail and the shrinking size of America’s retail footprint (a response to e-commerce and just-in-time delivery) means commercial developers and investors need to support more efficient uses of space, and see how everyone, from small firms to big box stores, is seeking out a better, brick-and-mortar presence. We’re also in an era where services are overshadowing merchandising while new kinds of tenants such as health and fitness providers, and urgent care medical facilities continue to emerge. Leases are also being written differently; the conventional long-term agreements are –paving the way for short-term deals including pop-up leases.
As the evolution of the building and construction industry gathers pace, we expect to see a major transformation in demand, and ultimately a fundamental change in the supply side. To avoid being overtaken by the speed and significance of the change, you need to keep abreast on new opportunities in the real estate industry. Fig Tree Capital ventures offer lucrative real estate opportunities to investment partners in Texas. If you’re looking for rewarding real estate projects in the US, do not hesitate to talk to us. You can simply fill our contact form or simply call (866) 300-2170.


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The top 20 ecommerce health & beauty brands of 2021 have been revealed, following the launch of the Top 50 Health & Beauty Ecommerce Report from payments solution Adyen and ecommerce growth agency Fluid Commerce.
The 2021 report analysed 50 ecommerce brands built on Adobe Commerce, assessing their websites against a series of ecommerce best practice criteria. When compared to the 2020 edition, this year’s report highlights which brands have invested heavily in their online stores since the pandemic began.
The greatest improvement was found within the hair & grooming industry, with the collective score for the merchants in this sector increasing from 55% in 2020 to 66% in 2021. The average score for all retailers included in the report was 61%.
Coming out on top in 2021 are Cytoplan with 78%, moving up from 63% in 2020, and Executive Shaving, which increased from 63% in 2020 to 77% in 2021. Beauty Works came in third place with 76%. These retailers increased their scores by focusing on three key ecommerce areas: Delivery, Payments & Checkout and Speed.
The report judged online health & beauty retailers based on qualities such as speed and security, trust, navigation, product pages, checkout and payment, delivery and returns, and community.
Fluid Commerce managing director Adam Hindle says: “With life almost back to normal, the impact of the pandemic on ecommerce will not fade quickly. Customers' expectations of a smooth, slick and speedy ecommerce experience has never been higher, and it is fantastic to see how many health & beauty brands have invested in their ecommerce presence over the last eighteen months.
“The improvement among the hair & grooming sector is particularly notable - with so many of us resorting to DIY haircare in the last 18 months, it is worth acknowledging the hard work that brands have put in in order to meet this surge in online demand. Now that hair salons are back open, we look forward to seeing how brands continue to innovate and improve their online offering to keep their new customers’ attention.”
Featuring leading brands such as ELEMIS, Bodybuilding Warehouse and Augustinus Bader, research in the report reveals:
The top 20 retailers
What makes for an outstanding product page
How to create a checkout experience that delivers
Who leads the pack for navigation and UX
Download the Health & Ecommerce Report report now to discover inspiring examples of ecommerce excellence, and learn best practice top tips.


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Report says Fiat Chrysler emissions deal worth $2 billion to Tesla
Posted By Green Car Reports
Date Wednesday, 8 May 2019, at 9:00 a.m.
Analysts should no longer be worried about whether Tesla has enough cash to meet its immediate needs. In addition to $2 billion it raised in stocks and convertible bonds last week, the company signed a deal with Fiat Chrysler last month to share its emissions credits in Europe with the Italian-American automaker, which is lagging in electric cars...Read more
This post was auto-generated from content on the Internet.
GREEN CARS is maintained by Nem


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Jeffrey Fashion Cares Atlanta held its annual fundraiser and fashion show Monday evening at the American Cancer Society with the goal of surpassing the $700,000 it raised last year.
Whether it did won’t be known for a little while, but a grand time was still had by the attendees, which included Andi Dorfman from "The Bachelorette" and Chilli from hip-hop trio TLC. SLIDESHOW on the right.
Fashion Cares also held a live auction and silent auction. The top selling live auction item went for $16,000: Two tickets to the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in Los Angeles and dinner for two at STK Los Angeles. EJAF’s Party has attracted luminaries from Hollywood’s celebrity community including Oscar winners Halle Berry, Nicolas Cage, Kevin Costner, Kevin Spacey, Denzel Washington, Catherine Zeta-Jones and more. Recent musical performances include Mary J. Blige, James Blunt, John Legend, Grace Jones, Florence & the Machine, Emeli Sande and Edward Sheeran.
An unscripted moment delighted the audience. After chatting with Jeffrey Kalinsky backstage, Dorfman tried on a Cathy Waterman ring that was part of the live auction and ended up walking the entire runway with her fiance Josh Murray to help sell it.
The event has raised about $12 million in the past 20-plus years for AIDS and breast cancer benefits.


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Every Friday, FashionUnited selects the most interesting reads about the fashion industry published across UK and international news outlets. Here’s what you may have missed: This week was shaken by the news that Cambridge Analytica may have used Facebook users’ fashion preferences to send them pro-Trump messages during the 2016 presidential campaign in the US. Christopher Wyle, Cambridge Analytica’s former director turned whistleblower, said during a fashion conference that people’s taste in fashion says so much about them that it can even indicate their level of susceptibility to populist political messaging. Several news outlets, including The Guardian , have covered the topic, analyzing the role of fashion in shaping our world view. Fast fashion under fire Fast fashion’s throwaway culture continues to be criticized in the media, as MPs request brands like Boohoo, Asos and Missguided to provide details about their social and environmental practices. From Forbes to BBC and The Guardian , several articles have prompted readers to ask themselves whether it is ethical to pay 2 pounds for a T-shirt. Want to stay up to date about the latest developments in the fashion industry? Sign up for FashionUnited’s newsletter! Photo: Pixabay
Click here to view original web page at Fashion in the news: Did Americans’ fashion preferences elect Donald Trump?


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Clearer skies overseas;
Anguil Environmental finds niche in global air pollution control
By RICK BARRETT firstname.lastname@example.org
At a time when many Wisconsin companies are alarmed about business and technology being exported to Asia, a small Brown Deer firm is proving that it can compete overseas through contracts in Taiwan, Korea and China.
With only about 35 employees, Anguil Environmental Systems Inc. has become a global player in its field of designing and installing air pollution control equipment. About 25% of the company’s $20 million in annual sales comes from overseas business, including contracts from large conglomerates such as Hyundai Motor Co.
In December, Anguil landed three Asian orders to provide air pollution control equipment for Formosa Chemical Co. in Taiwan. The orders, totaling just under $4 million, followed a $1.5 million order from Hyundai for equipment at one of the Korean company’s plants in China. A weak U.S. dollar and strong economies in various regions of the world have helped American companies get overseas business, said Gene Anguil, founder and chairman of Anguil Environmental Systems.
“Exporters can do much better,” he said. “In some cases it’s cheaper to build something here and ship it overseas,” than to have the same product built in another country that’s closer to the end user.
Anguil designs and installs oxidizers, which look like large metal boxes perched atop the roofs of factories and printing companies. Pollutants that are emitted during manufacturing are channeled into the oxidizer, which uses heat to destroy the chemicals and convert them into carbon dioxide and water vapor.
Anguil has installed about 1,500 pollution control systems around the world, with its key markets being the United States, Taiwan and Europe.
The company has sold equipment in Taiwan for about 10 years, largely because that country has some of the strictest environmental standards in Asia.
The migration of international companies into China has helped Anguil’s sales, since the multinational organizations are already familiar
with pollution control requirements in their home countries.
“When these large companies establish plants in China, they don’t want to be perceived as having one set of environmental standards at home and another set of (weaker) standards for China,” Anguil said. “So that’s been a driver” of sales.
China has a pressing need for pollution control equipment. It has some of the world’s dirtiest air and is trying to clean things up in a short period of time, partly to gain acceptance by the international political community and the World Trade Organization.
Not all developing nations are trying as hard to improve the environment. Often there’s a constant battle between the economy and the environment, with clean air losing out to factories that produce jobs and contribute to a country’s economic growth.
“I think that will always be the situation,” Anguil said. “Even in this country, when the economy is not that good and our federal government is not that strong on the environment, we see companies dragging their feet for years” on installing pollution control equipment.
Anguil designs its own equipment, and company officials say aspects of the designs are sophisticated enough that it’s difficult for foreign competitors to copy them.
“We recognize the risk is there,” Anguil said. But companies that need pollution control systems usually don’t want to risk buying imitation systems, only to find out they weren’t effective and resulted in millions of dollars in air pollution fines.
Emphasis on engineering and problem solving can give U.S. companies a competitive edge, said Dale Wiza, chairman of the Milwaukee chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
“There are things that can’t easily be copied,” he said.


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There are various complex models for this, but the general explanation is fairly intuitive: Modern economies are built on a mass market. But if the great majority of people don’t have much (or any) disposable income, then there is no mass market, and it’s harder to start a business relying on any kind of mass sales. And with weak consumer spending, existing businesses have little reason to invest in growth, and instead disgorge their profits to shareholders, exacerbating the trend. In the end, you get a hollowed-out, bifurcated economy, where low-grade goods are sold to the broke masses on razor-thin margins, while incomprehensible sums slosh around weird luxury markets. SOURCE: What Democrats get wrong about inequality – The Week.
The words above do the best job I have seen lately explaining how prosperity happens. It is no secret that when Henry Ford started paying a living wage to his employees the birth of the middle-class started in earnest. If he had paid the then current minimum wage his workers and others like them could never have afforded the cars they make. Mass markets depend on a large customer base to be successful. That is as the article says is fairly intuitive.
There is a reason the Walmarts of the world are displacing so many local vendors and that is because with their mass marketing potential they can get their products at a lower cost than local competitors. Paying wages that are not livable wages is the logical result of Walmart’s success.
I am a “car” guy in that I enjoy watching all the car fix-it shows on satellite TV especially the Velocity channel. There seem to be hundreds of companies that take 40 – 50 year old cars and renovate them for their nostalgic customers. Most often the price of these cars are from $80,000 to as high as several million. Obviously the customer base for these companies are the upper 5% or so of the population. It is great that companies can earn a good living from these business but there are only so many people who can afford the products they produce. as the article says incomprehensible sums slosh around weird luxury markets.
It seems like our downfall as a middle-class nation is the result of not providing enough people an income that will allow any kind of discretionary spending. The national minimum wage has remained stagnate for more than a decade due to GOP resistance. In fact some in that quarter want to even abolish the minimum wage entirely and leave it up to individual companies to determine what they pay. There is said to even be some house bills to that effect.
They say statistics show that the income inequality is the worst it has been since the robber-baron years of more than 100 years ago. But we don’t, like we did a hundred years ago, seem to have a person with the character of Teddy Roosevelt to get us out of our most recent downward spiral. I don’t know what it will take to turn it around this time? But I do know that if it continues as is it currently going we will drive ourselves into an almost third-world status. I’m sure China will be more than happy to take over as the world economic leader if we falter.


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Almost six years after Netflix launched its service in India, the global streaming giant is still struggling to find enough customers willing to pay what is already one of the most affordable prices in the world.
The U.S. company further lowered the subscription price in India on Tuesday, reducing the cost of each monthly subscription level by at least 18 percent and up to 60.1 percent. The Netflix Basic plan, which allows streaming to any device but limits the resolution to 480p, now costs 199 ($ 2.6) in India, up from 499 ($ 6.6).
Netflix Standard, which improves video resolution to HD (720p) and allows two simultaneous views, now costs 499, down from 649 ($ 8.5). Netflix Premium, which offers four simultaneous views and streams in UltraHD (4K) video quality, now costs 649, down from 799 ($ 10.5).
This isn’t the first time Netflix has played with pricing in India. In 2019, after months of testing, Netflix unveiled a “mobile-only” tier in India, a world first priced at 199. That plan is now available for 149 ($ 1.96), Netflix said today.
India is one of the biggest entertainment markets in the world. But Netflix has struggled to produce content that helps it woo customers beyond a small circle of loud Twitter users in the country – despite losing nearly a billion dollars. dollars to date.
At the same time, Disney’s Hotstar continues to dominate the market – without much help from Twitter – thanks to a much larger library of ad-supported local content, syndication deals with international giants such as HBO. , as well as almost all sports broadcasting rights. . Their biggest challenger in the country remains YouTube, which App Annie says reaches around half a billion users in the South Asian market.
Research firm Mobile Partners Asia estimates India will have 89 million people paying for subscription services by the end of this year, up from 57 million last year.
Tuesday’s price drop in India, for which Netflix has provided no explanation, comes at a time when the streaming giant has raised the monthly price in several parts of the world.
Further reading: How Netflix groped India.


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Japan's 2023 G7 Priorities and the Future Economic Order
In May 2023, Japan will host the annual G7 summit in Hiroshima. Leaders of the world's largest advanced market democracies will meet to discuss the most pressing global concerns, including a range of critical economic and trade issues. In keynote remarks at CSIS, the Honorable Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), will outline Japan's 2023 G7 priorities and articulate his vision for the future economic order.
Dr. John Hamre, President and CEO of the Center for Strategic and International Studies
The Honorable Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan
Matthew P Goodman, Senior Vice President for Economics
This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.


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Nissan takes control of Mitsubishi with Ghosn as chairmanThu, 20, Oct 2016
Carlos Ghosn officially folded troubled Mitsubishi into the Renault-Nissan alliance and put himself at the helm, with expectations for hundreds of millions of dollars in savings as his group joins an exclusive club of automakers operating at a massive scale.
Ghosn set to add Mitsubishi chairman role, reports sayWed, 19, Oct 2016
Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is set to become chairman of Mitsubishi Motors when Nissan takes a controlling stake in the smaller automaker, reports said. Ghosn, 62, has asked Mitsubishi Chairman Osamu Masuko to remain president, one report said.
After a slew of concepts, Mitsubishi is getting realSat, 15, Oct 2016
Mitsubishi's crossover concepts have been a familiar sight at auto shows. But next year, those debuts will stop being concepts and start becoming production models.
Ghosn's 'massive' Mitsubishi business planSun, 09, Oct 2016
Nissan and Renault will announce a “massive” business plan this year with their new partner, Mitsubishi Motors, including plans in the U.S., Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said.
Ghosn still eyes global top 3 spot despite setbacksThu, 06, Oct 2016
Carlos Ghosn's goal to make Renault-Nissan one of the top three global automakers has suffered setbacks but rising EV sales, a rebound in India and the acquisition of Mitsubishi will boost the French-Japanese alliance.
Beaucoup beautiesMon, 03, Oct 2016
Paris was the gleaming capital of the auto world again last week and we encountered beaucoup de belles voitures -- from supercars to small crossovers. Here are six models that grabbed our attention. Fantastique!
Mitsubishi to resume sales of 8 models in Japan after scandalFri, 30, Sep 2016
Mitsubishi Motors plans to resume sales of eight vehicle models in Japan on Saturday after correcting overstated mileage readings in its second cheating scandal this year.
2016 PARIS AUTO SHOWSun, 25, Sep 2016
Germany's automakers will use the Paris auto show to highlight their latest battery technologies as they seek to recapture ground from Tesla.


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The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 brought the world to a standstill, triggering an unprecedented crisis that permeated every aspect of society.
Beyond the immediate health and humanitarian concerns, the pandemic also had a profound impact on global economies and financial markets, causing disruptions and reshaping the landscape of the stock market.
In this article, we delve into the multifaceted effect of COVID-19 on the stock market, analyzing the initial shock, subsequent volatility, government interventions, sectoral performance, investor behavior, and the long-term implications that reverberate even as the world strives towards recovery.
The Initial Shock: A Market in Turmoil
As the COVID-19 virus rapidly spread across continents, countries implemented widespread lockdowns, travel restrictions, and business closures to curb its transmission. This sudden and drastic change in the operating environment caused an immediate shock to the stock market.
In February and March 2020, major stock indices, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the NASDAQ, experienced a swift and severe decline.
Investors, gripped by fear and uncertainty, witnessed precipitous drops in stock prices, leading to an atmosphere of panic and distress. The abrupt halt to production, supply chain disruptions, and declining consumer demand were among the primary contributors to the market crash during this period.
Volatility and Uncertainty: Navigating Uncharted Waters
The onset of the pandemic introduced a new level of volatility and uncertainty into the stock market. Daily price swings became larger and more pronounced, with rapid market fluctuations observed across various sectors.
Investors, bombarded with a constant influx of pandemic-related news, closely monitored infection rates, vaccine developments, government responses, and economic indicators, seeking insights to gauge the trajectory of the crisis.
This heightened volatility made it increasingly challenging for investors to accurately assess risks, make informed investment decisions, and chart a steady course in turbulent waters.
Sectoral Performance: Winners and Losers
COVID-19 impacted different sectors of the stock market disparately. Industries such as travel, tourism, hospitality, and retail were particularly hard-hit, grappling with widespread closures, reduced consumer spending, and a dramatic decline in demand. Companies operating in these sectors faced immense financial strain, forcing some to restructure, seek bankruptcy protection, or cease operations altogether.
Conversely, sectors such as technology, e-commerce, and healthcare demonstrated relative resilience or even growth during the pandemic. Remote work, online shopping, telehealth services, and the demand for medical supplies buoyed the performance of these industries.
The divergence in sectoral performance underscored the profound influence of the pandemic on market dynamics, emphasizing the importance of diversification and adaptability in investment strategies.
Government Interventions: Cushioning the Blow
Governments and central banks worldwide swiftly responded to mitigate the economic fallout caused by the pandemic. A range of interventions was implemented to stabilize financial markets, provide liquidity, and offer support to struggling businesses.
These measures included significant interest rate cuts, quantitative easing programs, fiscal stimulus packages, and loan guarantees. Such interventions aimed to instill confidence, prevent systemic risks, and safeguard the functioning of the stock market.
The implementation of these measures played a pivotal role in bolstering investor sentiment and ameliorating the immediate impact of the crisis.
Role of Technology: Catalyst for Transformation
The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst, accelerating existing trends and highlighting the critical role of technology in the stock market.
With remote work becoming the norm and physical distancing measures in place, technology companies played an integral part in maintaining business continuity and facilitating economic activity.
Online communication platforms, digital collaboration tools, and cloud computing services became indispensable for remote workforces. E-commerce platforms experienced a surge in demand as consumers shifted their purchasing habits towards online channels.
Additionally, advancements in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and automation gained prominence as investors sought valuable insights to navigate the uncertain market conditions. The pandemic underscored the importance of technological resilience and innovation in driving productivity and adaptability in the stock market.
Investor Behavior: Navigating Uncharted Territory
The pandemic-induced market volatility had a significant impact on investor behavior. Fear and uncertainty triggered different reactions among market participants.
Some investors succumbed to panic and chose to sell off their holdings, fearing further losses and seeking to preserve capital. Others, recognizing the potential for long-term opportunities, viewed the market downturn as a chance to acquire stocks at discounted prices, adopting a “buy low, sell high” approach.
Notably, the pandemic also witnessed a surge in retail investors, fueled by increased participation in online trading platforms and the accessibility of investment information. The rise of individual investors, coupled with the influence of social media platforms on market sentiment, added a new dynamic to the stock market landscape.
Long-Term Implications: Adapting to the New Normal
While the short-term impact of COVID-19 on the stock market was severe, the long-term implications are still unfolding.
The pandemic accelerated certain trends that are likely to shape the future of the stock market. Digital transformation, remote work, e-commerce, telehealth, and renewable energy are just a few examples of areas that experienced a boost during the crisis and are expected to continue growing.
On the other hand, sectors heavily reliant on physical presence, such as travel, hospitality, and traditional retail, face a more arduous recovery path.
Investors and businesses need to adapt to the evolving landscape, reassess their risk profiles, and consider the potential for future disruptions. Lessons learned from this crisis will undoubtedly inform investment strategies and risk management practices moving forward.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on the stock market. The initial shock, subsequent volatility, government interventions, sectoral performance, investor behavior, and long-term implications have all played a role in shaping the trajectory of the market during this global crisis.
As nations work towards recovery and adaptation, market participants must remain agile and responsive to the ever-evolving landscape.
The lessons learned from this extraordinary period will undoubtedly reshape investment strategies, risk management practices, and the way we approach the stock market in the post-pandemic era.


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“Apple’s iPhone already looks like a smashing success from a financial standpoint,” Scott Moritz reports for TheStreet.com. “In the past week, with the device’s launch still three months off, a few analysts have already raised their sales estimates.”
Moritz reports, “Even industry skeptics think Apple’s deft design hand, and consumers’ growing allegiance to the iPod brand, will push the company past its target of 10 million iPhones sold over 18 months.”
“‘First, don’t call it a phone,’ says Ovum analyst Roger Entner. ‘The carriers have destroyed the value of the phone. To most people, a phone means it’s free. It’s like calling your car a Yugo.'” Moritz reports.
“One outfit that sits squarely in Apple’s path is Palm. The Treo, an expensive handheld computer phone, had many loyal fans before sleeker smartphones, such as Motorola’s Q and Samsung’s BlackJack, started chipping away at the Palm phone. Now, with the imminent arrival of the iPhone, Palm seems doomed, say analysts. ‘Palm is shaking in their sandals,’ says Ovum’s Entner.”
Full article here.
Palm hires former Apple engineer in attempt to respond to iPhone – March 09, 2007
Palm hires Morgan Stanley to explore sale – March 05, 2007
The once-mighty Palm Inc. doomed to decline and failure – thanks to Apple’s iPhone – February 23, 2007
Analysts: time is right for Palm sale – February 20, 2007
Palm CEO can’t stop talking about Apple iPhone – February 19, 2007
Palm CEO: ‘We don’t want to follow design fads’; Nokia CEO challenges Apple over iPhone – February 13, 2007
Apple ‘iPhone’ could cause Nokia, Palm, Motorola, and RIM to really start to sweat – December 07, 2006
Palm CEO laughs off Apple ‘iPhone’ threat – November 20, 2006


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Auto Dealers in the United States - Facts & Statistics
In 2021 and 2022, in the United States, the automotive sector had to adapt to a rapidly changing market hit by the automotive semiconductor shortage. Around 11.3 million vehicles were cut from production worldwide in 2021 due to the lack of chip supply. Another seven million are expected to be removed from production in 2022. These output cuts contributed to light vehicle price inflation and limited vehicle selection in the U.S., which has impacted car buyers’ experience. In this context, the U.S. auto industry faces financial challenges. The real value added of motor vehicle and parts dealers has been dropping since 2020, down over eight percent year-over-year to 216.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. However, sales were on the rebound in 2021. The U.S. auto industry recorded over 43 million used light vehicle sales and approximately 14.9 million new light vehicle retail sales.
With 48 percent of U.S. consumers intending to buy an automobile as of March 2022, the U.S. light vehicle market is becoming more competitive for auto dealers. As of January 1st, 2022, about 18,230 light vehicle dealership outlets supported just under two million jobs across the country. The sector was spearheaded by companies such as AutoNation and the Penske Automotive Group, which reported approximately 25.8 and 25.6 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenue in 2021.
Price Inflation Challenges Dealerships
With a product range priced well below new vehicles, used vehicle sales are gaining momentum in the United States, accounting for almost 36.7 percent of sales at franchised dealerships in 2021. As of 2020, the average American household spent some 4,500 U.S. dollars on vehicle purchases annually, and used vehicle financing options tend to be more affordable than new vehicle financing options. However, while the used vehicle market presents advantages for consumers, dealerships must contend with inflation. While prices for used cars remain more affordable than new ones, the global chip shortage resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has depleted used vehicle stocks. The average list price of used vehicles in the U.S. reached over 28,200 U.S dollars in June 2022—an increase of around 15 percent year-over-year. By mid-2022, most used vehicle retail inventory was priced at 35,000 U.S. dollars or above.
Price inflation affected new vehicles as well and was reported across manufacturers. In December 2021, the average price of Toyota Motor Corporation’s vehicles had risen by just under 3,000 U.S. dollars. Toyota vehicle supplies—which included the best-selling sport utility vehicle between January and August 2022— were projected to last under 21 days as of June 2022, with all sales remaining constant. Tight supply remained an issue for many other Asian and European brands, including Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. The popularity of American brands in the U.S. market could partly be linked to their more extensive vehicle inventory as of June 2022.
Customers Have Begun to Embrace Online Sales
Customer satisfaction with dealerships had increased at the onset of the pandemic before dropping in 2021. This particularly affected used car buyers, whose satisfaction with their overall shopping experience dropped by six percentage points. This change in car buyer satisfaction is one of the factors leading consumers to diverse ways of connecting with dealerships. The U.S. online car dealers market has been steadily increasing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and is forecast to reach a size of 45.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. Some leading global online car retailers were U.S.-based companies, including CarMax and Carvana. While CarMax is losing popularity compared to physical dealerships such as AutoNation and Lithia Motors, the brand ranked above Carvana—one of its main online competitors—in 2021.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no
liability for the information given being complete or correct.
Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date
data than referenced in the text.
Research Expert covering transportation and logistics


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Online Ad Management, Revenue Service Launched for Larger Publishers
PubMatic’s Premiere for publishers with at least $5 million in online revenue.
Advertising revenue optimization company PubMatic recently launched PubMatic Premier, a service the company says aims to increase revenue that larger media companies generate from online ad networks.
Among its features, PubMatic Premier says it can predict ad network pricing from publishers on frequency-based campaigns, automatically allocate impressions for maximum ad revenue, detect in the highest paying/performing ad networks and allows ad networks to bid on inventory—all in real-time.
According to Joe Luna, director of online advertising operations at Fast Company and Inc., PubMatic Premiere has allowed him to “work with more ad networks than we have in the past, at a time when we’re too busy to manage each network separately.”
PubMatic said it funded the launch of PubMatic Premiere, in part, by closing on a series B financing. Investors included Helion Ventures, Nexus India Capital and Draper Fisher Jurveston, a venture capital firm that also has backed online content network Glam Media.


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LONDON, March 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- LivePerson, Inc., (Nasdaq: LPSN) the leading provider of cloud mobile and online business messaging solutions, has announced a worldwide partnership with Liberty Global, the world's largest international cable and internet provider, to transform how customers connect to the brand in a new conversational era. This partnership, which initially launches in five countries, will offer conversational two-way messaging to all 29 million Liberty Global customers. It represents another major milestone in the industry's rapid shift to messaging, and away from legacy voice calls and IVR systems.
Messaging, primarily on smartphones, is overwhelmingly the chosen method of communication among consumers. As the current and clear channel of choice, it sits at the heart of Liberty Global's "digital-first" care programme. Live across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, with Virgin Media, Unitymedia, UPC, and VodafoneZiggo, the LivePerson platform enables customers calling care centres to convert to messaging, allowing them to solve queries whenever and wherever they choose.
"We understand that the lives of our customers are fluid and demanding," says Melanie Longdon, VP, Customer Experience Operations at Liberty Global, a company with over 30,000 employees and in the top 100 of the Forbes Most Innovative Companies list. "We simply don't have time to wait for answers to our questions – that's why we are messaging each other more than ever in our personal lives. Knowing this, we are using LivePerson's market-leading technology to ensure Liberty Global goes fully digital, and align with consumers, empowering them to use our services on their own terms and at their own pace, for a best-in-class experience."
"Conversational business is the future, and we're thrilled to be working with Liberty Global to deploy it for them at scale," said LivePerson CEO and founder, Rob LoCascio. "Consumers have had enough of calling customer service centres only to be put on hold. It's not the way we live today. With the option to text and message businesses just as they would friends and family, customers can finally solve queries at their own convenience.
"Companies implementing messaging have doubled agent productivity versus voice-based interactions, saved on labour costs, and significantly increased customer satisfaction scores - we're looking forward to seeing these benefits take effect within Liberty Global too."
LivePerson makes life easier by transforming how people communicate with brands. LiveEngage, the Company's enterprise-class platform, empowers consumers to stop wasting time on hold with 1-800 numbers, and instead message their favorite brands, just as they do with friends and family. More than 18,000 businesses, including Adobe, Citibank, HSBC, EE, IBM, L'Oreal, Orange, PNC and The Home Depot rely on the unparalleled intelligence, security and scalability of LiveEngage to reduce costs, increase lifetime value and create meaningful connection with consumers.
For more information about LivePerson (NASDAQ: LPSN), please visit www.liveperson.com.
SOURCE LivePerson, Inc.