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Thetford Somerfield to close
A national supermarket chain has announced it is closing a town centre store in Norfolk - two years after it was reopened following a major blaze.Thirty-five employees at Somerfield in Thetford were told that they faced losing their jobs when the store closes its doors for the last time next month.
A national supermarket chain has announced it is closing a town centre store in Norfolk - two years after it was reopened following a major blaze.
Thirty-five employees at Somerfield in Thetford were told that they faced losing their jobs when the store closes
its doors for the last time next month.
The retailer, which is the UK's sixth biggest grocer, said it was working closely with staff at the supermarket in Minstergate to find new positions within the company or jobs with other retailers in the area.
The news comes after the 20,000sqft supermarket reopened in January 2006 following a £1m refit after an arson attack gutted the then Kwik Save store in March 2004.
A Somerfield spokesman confirmed the Thetford shop would close to the public on April 18.
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She said the “difficult” decision followed an ongoing review of the profitability and projected performance of its stores.
“All 35 employees are currently in one-to-one consultations with their manager.
“We are also working to establish potential opportunities at other Somerfield stores nearby and with other retailers in the area.
“Redundancy packages are available to those we cannot place.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank staff and customers for their support at this store over the years,” she said.
A worker at the Thetford store, who declined to be named, said the news was “disappointing”, but the company was “working hard” to find them new jobs.
An unnamed retailer is already believed to be taking on the lease of the Minstergate store.
Somerfield, which has more than 900 stores, is up for sale with a price tag of more than £2bn.
It recorded pre-tax profits of £26.4m last year.
The company has more than a dozen stores in Norfolk and Suffolk, with the nearest ones to Thetford at Wymondham and Bury St Edmunds.


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cylonlover writes: Data collected from telco companies and network operators shows that smartphone penetration has broken the 50 percent barrier in the United States, with these devices now outnumbering their feature phone brethren for the first time. According to a report compiled by market consultancy Chaten Sharma, smartphones overtook feature phones during Q2 of this year — a push largely driven by Android and iOS-enabled devices.
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domain: news


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Restaurants and experiences that cater to the tastes of millenials are the hottest trends in the ongoing drive to create consumer traffic at shopping centers.
Nearly 40,000 industry leaders flocked to the Las Vegas Convention Center from May 22-25 for ICSC RECon, an annual global convention for the shopping center sector.
Amid the latest retail products on display and deals being made among the more than 1,000 exhibitors including Burger King, Dressbarn and Famous Footwear, the focus was on restaurants and on delivering products to consumers as quickly and easily as possible.
Garrick Brown, national retail research director with commercial real estate services company, Cushman &Wakefield, said millennials — those born between 1982 and 2002 — are the largest consumer group in the U.S. so embracing their spending patterns is key for retailers and retail developments to survive.
“They spend less on apparel and hard goods and more on experiences so landlords want to add those experiential concepts into their properties,” Brown said. “They’re also eating out more so restaurants have been on fire.”
Dan Hubbard, Las Vegas-based senior director of retail services for Cushman &Wakefield, said there’s no shortage of restaurants in the Las Vegas Valley as opening announcements such as Cracker Barrel, Chick-fil-A and World of Beer, which is scheduled to debut by the end of the summer at Galleria at Sunset in Henderson, have been constant.
“A lot of brands are looking to land here,” he said. “It’s especially exciting when you see those announcements being made at properties in the suburbs.”
Increasing health trends are also seeping into the restaurant arena, said Robert Futterman, CEO of RKF, a Las Vegas retail leasing and investment sales brokerage firm and leasing and marketing consultant for Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.
“Quick serve restaurants with a healthy spin that offer organic, farm-to-table food, are really hot right now,” he said. “Anything to do with wellness is really popular.”
Experiential concepts are also pouring into Las Vegas as Topgolf opened in May near MGM Grand with 108 climate-controlled hitting bays, two pools, cabanas, a concert venue, VIP suites, five bars, special event spaces and a retail shop. Dave &Buster’s, a restauranat and arcade for adults, announced its first Southern Nevada location debuting at Downtown Summerlin later this summer.
“Experiences like Dave &Buster’s bring families into a property and after they’re done they’ll go get something to eat and go shopping,” Hubbard said. “It’s very smart to see developers adding those.”
Las Vegas is not the only one focusing on restaurants and experiences as shopping malls across the country are incorporating as many of them as they can, said Paul Ajdaharian, executive vice president of WP GLIMCHER, a developer of enclosed regional and super-regional malls and community shopping centers.
“The future of malls is more food,” he said. “It’s also about creating a sense of place by looking at how to get the most traffic to our property.”
Ajdaharian said it can be as simple as inviting a local musician to perform at the property.
“They’ll tell their friends and family to come and when they get there, they’ll hang out all night and get something to eat, drink and browse our shops,” he said. “Retailers want to go where the traffic is.”
Delivering a fast and easy experience is also vital for retailers and restaurants as people are turning to their mobile devices to shop and place food orders.
Italian startup WIB (Warehouse in a Box) had its fully automatic, modular, e-commerce enabled automated store on display at RECon filled with food and beverage, electronic and health items to show users how to make a purchase on their phone or at the machine.
Nino Lo Iacono, CEO and founder of WIB, said he sought to close the gap between digital and physical store. The concept launched in Europe last year and is now in 20 U.S. markets including Chicago and Minneapolis,
“We enable a retailer or brand to drive sales and be present in an area that they weren’t in before,” he said. “The unit can be placed in areas with high traffic such as corporate offices, hospitals and hotels where a brick-and-mortar store might not have been effective.”
In the ever-changing retail landscape, Hubbard said restaurants will be the force for the industry for at least the near future.
“It’s nice to see restaurants driving the train again and it’s not just casual chain restaurants; we’re seeing a lot of innovative concepts,” he said. “Restaurants are becoming the new anchors for centers today so the more you can land, the more successful you’ll be.”


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As governments increase demands for labels on AI-generated content, Google DeepMind has released a potential solution: a watermarking tool.
Named SynthID, the system harnesses deep learning to embed digital stamps into the pixels of images. According to DeepMind, the watermarks are imperceptible to the human eye, but detectable with an algorithm.
The UK-based research lab said the watermark doesn’t compromise image quality. It also remains detectable after modifications, such as adding filters, changing colours, and cropping.
The concept resembles watermarks applied to movies and stock photos. But in this case, the objective isn’t to protect rights holders from counterfeits, but viewers from deception.
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“While SynthID isn’t a silver bullet for misinformation, it’s a promising technical solution to some of today’s pressing AI safety issues,” Demis Hassabis, Google DeepMind’s co-founder and CEO, said on X.
China has already imposed strict rules on such tech. In January, the country made it mandatory to label content produced with artificial intelligence. Similar rules are also being implemented in the EU.
“We need to label anything that is AI-generated by tagging them with watermarks,” Commissioner Thierry Breton said in June.
The US is also pushing companies to identify content made with AI. After a White House meeting last month, Google and six other tech giants pledged to develop watermarking systems.
SynthID is a step towards fulfilling the commitments — but the system remains experimental. Initially, the tool will only be available to some paying customers of Google’s cloud computing business. It also only works on content produced with the Imagen art generator.
That may change in the future. According to Google, SynthID could be expanded across additional AI models. The company said it also plans to integrate the tool with other products.
Governments and regulators will be closely following the progress. With elections approaching in the US, India, and the UK, the threat posed by AI is drawing nears.


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Style in black and white! Kirsten Dunst proves why she is a fashion muse at the Rodarte book launch party
She is the label's biggest fan and one of its celebrity muses, so there was little surprise Kirsten Dunst was the guest of honour at the Rodarte book launch.
Dressed in the off-the-wall label from head to toe, the 32-year-old showed off her fashion dedication in New York on Sunday.
The blonde was the belle of the ball in one of the label's signature pieces from this year's Spring/Summer range.
Star style: Kirsten Dunst shined at the Rodarte Book Launch in New York on Sunday night
The star made the prefect clothes horse for the black and white clashing geometric printed dress.
Featuring a halter neck with ruffles and a sheer panel accentuating her slender form, the dress managed to somehow be both simple and complex simultaneously.
Allowing the designer creation to shine, Kristen skipped wearing jewellery and just added a pair of ankle boots which contrasted to the feminine frills.
Mixing it up: The 32-year-old star made the prefect clothes horse for the black and white clashing geometric printed dress
Rocking boots: Allowing the designer creation to shine, Kristen skipped wearing jewellery and just added a pair of ankle boots which contrasted to the feminine frills. Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon (left) also wore the same boots
Taking inspiration from the way her asymmetrical skirt fell, the Virgin Suicides actress wore her blonde locks in soft waves.
Knowing she had hit the style nail on the head, the star beamed as she posed for pictures.
Making sure to thank the people responsible for her great look, the 32-year-old caught up with the pair behind the label, sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy.
Design divas: The actress spent time with the duo behind the label, sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy
Kristen has been wearing the sisters' creations almost since they first started in 2005, so being such a big fan, she got them both to sign copies of their coffee table books for her.
The pair also showed off their new designs at the Sunday launch at the Curve boutique.
The event could not have been better timed, as May 4 is also Star Wars Day and their Fall collection featured characters from the film.
Fab girl: Kristen has been wearing the sisters' creations almost since they first started in 2005, so being such a big fan, she got them both to sign copies of their coffee table books for her
Bell of the ball: The 32-year-old was in high demand at the event
Done with George Lucas' blessings, the fashion moguls sent gowns down the New York Fashion Week runway with Luke Skywalker, Yoda and C-3PO on their skirts.
Also attending the event, was catwalk stunner Karolina Kurkova who was hard to miss in a long sleeveless waistcoat with skin tight black pants and a simple white T-shirt.
The model joined Curve's owner, fashion maven, Nevena Borissova and Elle's creative director Joe Zee.
Getting her fashion fix too, was DJ Mia Moretti who wore a Mexican-inspired ensemble.
Fashion gang: Also attending the event, was (L-R) Elle's creative director Joe Zee, catwalk stunner Karolina Kurkova and Curve's owner, fashion maven, Nevena Borissova
Frida Kahlo is that you? Getting her fashion fix too was DJ Mia Moretti who wore a Mexican-inspired ensemble
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All posts tagged "Capitol Hill"
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Zoox Inc., a secretive autonomous-driving startup in Silicon Valley, is seeking to raise as much as $252 million in funding, according to a securities filing. If the fundraising is successful, the investment could give Zoox a valuation of more than $1 billion, according to an analysis by venture-capital research firm VC Experts.
While Zoox has said very little about what it's working on, it's the only startup with a license to operate autonomous vehicles on the road in California. The other startup that had a similar license was Cruise Automation, which General Motors Co. acquired in March.
California has also granted permits to Google parent Alphabet Inc., Ford Motor Co., Tesla Motors Inc. and about a half-dozen other companies. Uber Technologies Inc. has started testing self-driving cars in Pittsburgh, where it collaborates with the robotics group at Carnegie Mellon University.
Technology companies and automakers are racing to build cars capable of driving without human intervention. Interest in such vehicles has helped spur demand for artificial-intelligence and automotive professionals. Driverless-car development is a costly endeavor, which could deter some venture capitalists.
Zoox declined to comment. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported details of Zoox's fundraising. The newspaper said Hong Kong-based AID Partners Capital Holdings Ltd. invested $20 million into the round and that Zoox has 140 employees, including former Alphabet, Apple and Tesla workers.
Before it went quiet, Zoox showed off sporty renderings of a concept car, one with a low roof and no windshields, designed to drive in both directions. Inside, passengers sit facing each other, like in a train compartment. Zoox is looking to create driverless cars for a ride-hailing service similar to Uber, according to a report last year in the trade publication IEEE Spectrum.
Zoox's founders include an Australian designer and a Stanford University grad who worked on self-driving cars alongside Sebastian Thrun, co-creator of Alphabet's autonomous-vehicle project. In recent months, Zoox has brought on board members including Laurie Yoler, the former president of Qualcomm Labs, and Dan Cooperman, the former general counsel for Apple Inc. and Oracle Corp.
By Ellen Huet


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Drugi jezik na kojem je dostupan ovaj članak: Bosnian
While Croatia is eagerly awaiting the start of the match in Sochi where its national team, the Blazers, will face off the host country in the semifinals of the World Cup, Coca-Cola Croatia and McCann Zagreb have made a real feat and in less than 48 hours from initial briefing to final realization, they provided to the nation new moments of pleasure and reminders of the great victories of Croatia at the World Cup.
As we are writing this, the new Coca-Cola packaging that celebrates the great results of the Croatian national football team in the World Cup 2018 in Russia so far is already out on the market. It’s fair to say that other countries can just envy them, regardless of how the competition ends up for Croatia.
“Inspired by the victories in Russia and as a long-time sponsor of the FIFA World Cup, Coca-Cola has decided to celebrate with loyal fans the results of the Croatian football team. We launched a special football bottle and made four labels with the results of all the matches of our team so far. Sounds simple, but if you know that the most recent match was only a few days ago, it’s hard to imagine the amount of effort all the partners in the process needed to be able to put this packaging on the market already on Thursday. All the people who worked on the project worked as an excellent team – from marketing, production, agency, to every man in distribution and sales – just like our boys on the field during each game. We believe that these are not the last labels in this line, and we look forward to the match on Saturday!” said Vesna Vlahović Dašić, marketing director of Coca-Cola Adria (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia).


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The FTSE is set for a modest rise early on in today's session after what has so far been a week of rangebound trading for markets, with investors continuing to seek firmer direction.
Blue chips are expected to open five points higher than yesterday's close of 6,851.22, with gains likely to be limited by the negative finish across the board for US stocks last night, which saw sentiment weakened slightly by worse-than-expected figures on Eurozone money supply and German unemployment.
Meanwhile, SpreadEx's Samuel Fox pointed out that: "Asian markets gained throughout the night, edging towards one-year highs as positive sentiment flows into the markets from around the globe. Bond prices have increased ahead of the European Central Bank press conference where expectations firmly believe we will see some form of easing on the monetary policy.
"With bank holidays in France and Germany, economic data is thin from Europe throughout the day and we are currently calling the FTSE 100 and German Dax flat ahead of the open," he said.
That came as investors awaited a report due for release later today that is expected to show the US economy shrank in the first quarter, with the data widely anticipated to reveal that exports didn't rise as much as had been first believed and construction spending was less that previously thought. The US gross domestic product (GDP) reading is due to be published at 13:30.
"After such a poor reading last time out, many will be looking for a boost in these latest revised figures," explained James Hughes, a Chief Market Analyst at Alpari. "Previously poor weather had been blamed for shockingly poor GDP growth out of the US, leaving many officials such a Fed Chair Janet Yellen to shrug off the number and instead focus on unemployment when dealing with monetary policy.
"With such a focus put on the fact that the number was a freak due to the weather there will be added pressure when next quarters figures are released that the number jumps significantly higher. Should the growth level stay around the same then serious question would be asked about just what the focus should be within the Fed."
Back in the UK, and in this morning's company news, decent weather helped DIY retailer Kingfisher lift profits by a fifth in its first quarter, as the company saw like-for-like sales rise across the board. Kingfisher also announced a special dividend of 4.2p per share, equalling £100m, as part of the total £200m in capital to be returned to shareholders this year.
Supermarket giant Tesco has signed a joint venture with state run China Resources Enterprise to create the biggest food retailer in China. The deal, which includes nearly 3,000 outlets, increases Tesco's foothold in the world's biggest consumer market.
Chief Executive Philip Clarke said: "We're very pleased to have completed this historic agreement. The partnership creates a strong platform in one of the world's largest markets. We can now combine our strengths to build a profitable multichannel business, offering our customers in China the best of modern retail."
UK water company Severn Trent reported earnings in line with consensus, with new Chief Executive Liv Garfield just eight weeks into the job.


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ALMOST 400 jobs are to be slashed from the Clayton plant of car parts manufacturer Robert Bosch and moved to Asia and Europe.
The shock announcement - which could be the state's biggest manufacturing job losses since the global financial crisis - was delivered to workers yesterday.
Management said later that exporting car parts from the plant was ''no longer sufficiently competitive''.
The loss of 380 jobs will cut the Robert Bosch workforce at Clayton by a third.
Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr said the company had not consulted the government and he was ''disappointed'' by the decision.
The losses are a worrying sign that the sector might be returning to the large job cuts that hit it in 2008 and 2009. Manufacturing is the state's biggest full-time employer but it is exposed to global pressures and economic downturns.
The 380 jobs, involving the manufacturing of anti-lock brake systems and electronic stability program modules for cars, will be lost progressively over the next three years.
Production of the brake and stability modules at Clayton will be phased out by the end of 2012 and the manufacture of steering wheel angle sensors and electronic control units will be phased out by the end of 2013.
The plant will still make some car parts and other goods.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national secretary Dave Oliver attacked Bosch over the lack of consultation, saying it had not tried to speak to unions or the federal government to reduce the job losses or try to find new work for the company.
''This just reflects to me the lazy management in this country,'' he said. ''It's extremely disappointing.''
Mr Oliver said he believed Robert Bosch's Clayton plant was profitable but the company had still decided to move jobs overseas.
Robert Bosch's powertrain and chassis systems regional president, Gavin Smith, said it was no longer viable to import components from all over the world to assemble them in Clayton, only to export finished products back around the globe.
''Our decision is all about the increased competition, the falling prices and the geographic lack of proximity to our customers,'' Mr Smith said.
''Our customers are a long way away, our products are predominantly exported to volume markets, the clear impact of transportation … the amount of stock that's in the pipeline, incoming and outbound, the proximity to the customer and the amount of stock that has to be held to meet just-in-time delivery at different locations … there are many, many factors,'' he said.
The high Australian dollar, government cuts to industry assistance programs, the looming carbon tax and labour prices were not factors driving the decision to send the jobs overseas, he said.
Australian Workers Union state secretary Cesar Melhem described the job losses as ''disgusting''.


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MANILA, Philippines — State-run Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) has released more than P2 billion in loans for the purchase of modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs) as part of the government’s policy to upgrade PUJs. Further, another P4 billion covering an additional 43 financing applications are awaiting the Landbank’s assessment and endorsement.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is urging the Government to develop a plan that facilitates the transition to zero emission HGVs, before it commits an end of sale date for conventionally fuelled trucks. Click Here End of sale date for conventionally fuelled trucks.
CATL has presented a sodium-ion cell along with plans to start production in 2023. “The CATL developers must have succeeded in solving the known problems of sodium-ion cells, which are not new in principle,”
The trial in Nottingham will last six months. Click here.. The British government announces an investment of 3.4 million pounds for tests on wireless charging of electric taxis. Specifically, ten e-taxis from Nissan and LEVC are to be equipped with appropriate hardware and inductively charged in Nottingham for six months.
If only governments in emerging markets (ASEAN in particular) would adopt such policies Click here… The Norwegian government is considering a new directive that would require most new vehicle purchases by public authorities to be electric from 1 January 2022. The proposal will now be subject to a three-month period for consultations and comments before … More Norwegian public authorities limited to EVs from 2022
The British Dynamo Motor Company has presented its growth plans. The company plans to hire 275 new employees and increase their conversion capacity to 10,000 vehicles annually by 2026…
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Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has announced that British Super Model, Naomi Campbell will become Magical Kenya International Tourism Ambassador.
Through the social media post, the official tourism handle stated that Naomi will represent Kenya on international Fora.
Naomi Campbell visited Kenya back in 2020 where she met Kenya’s social media comedian Elsa Majimbo quietly in Mombasa.
Unknown to Kenyans, Naomi had struck a golden deal with Tourism CS Najib Balala..
Photos seen online indicates that Naomi also met CS Balala in Mombasa before the deal happened.


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18 More games got the green light
Valve announced today the sixth set of approved games via Steam’s Greenlight.
Screw Attack’s Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures has been approved, however, it has only be on Greenlight just recently sometime over a week ago. Horror title ‘Faceless’ has also been approved even though it has ran into some legal issues with another title called ‘Slender Man’.
Check out the entire list of all the 18 games that have just got approval down below
Valve has stated that these games “will be released independently in the months ahead (as they are varying stages of completion)”.
Stay tuned on GamingBolt for gaming information and leave any comments you have down below.


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Only a few months into its life in the open world, the folks behind Evolve, the 4v1 multiplayer shooter/monster brawler are clearly very proud of what the game has accomplished. Earlier this month, when it was announced Evolve had shipped 2.5 million copies, Take-Two interactive, the parent publisher for 2K, labeled it a ‘key long term franchise.’
Speaking at the 43rd Annual Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference, (via Gamespot) Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick doubled down on the company’s commitment to Evolve, going as far as to label it a ‘permanent’ franchise, saying, “We’re really happy with where it’s going. It isn’t 10 million units…yet. But it is an important franchise for us… We think we’ve developed another permanent IP.” Recognizing Evolve’s limitations however, he added, “I think we come out of that experience reminding ourselves we have to have a strong single-player opportunity. But we knew that about Evolve… if there were something lacking, I would say it would be that it was probably a bit too multiplayer-focused, which we knew all along.”
This isn’t the first time Zelnick has used the term ‘permanent franchise.’ Back in 2013, speaking of Red Dead Redemption, he explained, “It’s been our goal not just to preserve and grow the Grand Theft Auto franchise, but also to build other franchises that we think can be permanent, whether that’s the Red Dead franchise or the Borderlands franchise or the BioShock franchise or others, Civilization, for example.” As a publisher, “our goal is to try to create permanent franchises, that’s the unique goal in the industry.”
At the same conference, Zelnick also took the time to discuss Take-Two’s position in the industry overall. Overall, Zelnick is incredibly confident, saying, “The truth is that we’re blessed in that the shelf is way less crowded today than it was at the beginning of the last console cycle. There’s been a big shake out. It’s pretty hard to make AAA products that are really competitive… There is no opportunity to make a AAA game in a garage. Those days are long gone. You need at least 100 people working on a title for at least two or three years. That is a very expensive, complex, difficult undertaking.”
As the news broke, one of our editors was quick to ask if people were even interested in an Evolve sequel. As for what the future holds for Evolve, we will just have to wait and see. Are you still enjoying the chaotic 4v1 brawls? Excited for a potential single-player focus in the future? Let us know in the comments.


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September 12, 2018
Information regarding the new iPhone models were leaked on Apple's own website Wednesday morning — just hours before the company plans to unveil new products.
Talk about taking the wind out of your own sails.
The iPhone XS, XS Max and XR models were all referenced in code on Apple's website discovered by multiple outlets. Reports say the iPhone XS Max will be the most expensive of the new models, starting at $999; the iPhone XS will start at $899; and the iPhone XR will be $699.
You can livestream the event here.
Apple announcing new iPhones later today #AppleEvent leaks confirms:— Thabo & Thabiso (@ThaboThabiso) September 12, 2018
📱 iPhone XS
📱 iPhone XS Max
📱 iPhone XR
● XS and XS Max colors: Silver, Black, Gold
● XR Color Options: Black, White, Red, Yellow, Blue, Coral#iphonexs #iphonexsmax #iphonexr pic.twitter.com/xMznpta9GD
Right now the leaks suggest the names of the need iPhones will be:— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) September 9, 2018
iPhone Xs Max pic.twitter.com/Srpi5uOiUD
The company is expected to officially release names and details on Wednesday afternoon at its annual event in Cupertino, California. Apple has released new products every September since 2012 at this event. This means a new iPhone could be on the market by the end of this month.
Here's what the tech gurus have found out so far about these new iPhones:
• iPhone XS will be available in a gold color, and be the "S" version of the iPhone X
• iPhone XS Max will a "plus" version of the XS, so it will have a larger screen
• iPhone XR will be a cheaper option, using an LCD-screen instead of OLED
The website code also made mention of new Apple Watch sizes, too. It will be called Series 4 and feature watch bands in wider sizes and more colors.


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New products, packaging: Buderim Ginger boss reveals plans
The chief executive of one of the Coast's most iconic businesses says its future is healthy under the new ownership of the Himstedt family.
Buderim Ginger started almost 80 years ago with five ginger farmers and has since become a global success story, exporting to 17 countries and known as the "world's finest ginger".
Its future is now in the hands of Queensland food family the Himstedts, after it was purchased for $13 million from former owners Buderim Group Limited.
The sale included the major tourist attraction, the Ginger Factory at Yandina and the Buderim Ginger brand, which produces retail products such as cordials, chocolates and ginger beer.
Chief executive-of-six-years Andrew Bond, who will continue in the position under the new ownership, said it was an exciting time for the business.
All staff will be offered ongoing employment under the new ownership.
"(The Himstedts) are looking at this as a sustainable business well into the future," he said.
"I certainly think they're wonderful stewards and custodians for Buderim Ginger.
"The sales process was not played out in the public domain until it was quite certain.
"Naturally there's a bit of concern … but the leadership team was very much involved in working with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition."
Mr Bond said new packaging was being rolled out for its products at supermarkets and independent grocers, and the company recently launched new attractions at the Ginger Factory.
Referring to the Sunshine Coast as the "heartland of ginger growing in Australia", Mr Bond said there was an opportunity to create more innovative ginger products.
He said the Himstedt family would continue to guide the business in a healthy foods direction.
"Ginger is one of the great products where it has a lot of health properties, and we're looking to develop a portfolio of 'healthier for you' products," he said.
"A recent example of that is we launched our ginger and lemongrass cordial at Woolworths."
Global export growth is also on the cards.
Mr Bond said the business was particularly successful in Canada, "where they love our ginger beer".
The Himstedt family is most well-known for its transformation of vanilla essence brand Queen Fine Foods.
The family acquired what is now Queensland's longest-selling food brand in 1978 and built on its Australia and New Zealand markets.
They took it international before selling to German multinational brand Dr Oetker in 2015.
The sale follows the successful reopening of the Yandina tourist attraction, after a three month closure due to COVID-19.
The global health pandemic presented some challenges to exports, but the main financial blow was from the factory closure.
The company's annual report reveals the ginger tourism and assets experienced a $5.1 million loss during the last financial year.
It said visitations to the attraction dropped by 28.4 per cent to 220,000 and revenue dropped 23.5 per cent to $4.9 million.
But it noted the attraction had a strong rebound when it reopened in June, and average spend per visitor increased by seven per cent.
The factory employs 110 people, but the business also supports growers on the Sunshine Coast, north to Bundaberg and west to Gatton.
The ginger business received $500,000 as part of the Federal Government's JobKeeper package.
Mr Bond said it was not eligible for the next round of JobKeeper, but noted this was a positive sign of the business's recovery.
"We've been lucky that we've recovered enough that we won't be eligible," he said.
"We're a good example of a business that was able to weather the peak of the storm, and now we're moving forward."
The sale also includes its assets in Fiji, where the business supports 400 farms.
Buderim Foods Pty Ltd is listed as the new owner, with director Tom Himstedt.
Tom is one of three Himstedt brothers, including Sam and Fred, who with father Ross transformed the Queen Fine Foods business.
The Himstedt family topped the previous bid of $8.3 million for the assets made by Adelaide-based Global Foods Group.
Buderim Group Limited is expected to be renamed Health and Plant Protein Group and have a focus on growing its macadamia business, supported by its macadamia orchard in Hawaii - one of the largest in the world.
Buderim Group Limited was publicly listed on October 10, 1989.


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In today's ExchangeWire news digest: the SEC charges 11 individuals for their roles in an international crypto Ponzi scheme; TikTok is predicted to surpass Facebook on influencer marketing spend before the end of the year; and Jack Ma steps down from Ant Group, delaying the company's launch of an IPO.
11 charged for Forsage crypto Ponzi scheme
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged 11 individuals for developing and marketing a crypto Ponzi and pyramid scheme. Forsage collected over USD$300m (£245m) from retail investors on an international scale through smart contracts that operated on the Ethereum, Tron, and Binance blockchains.
The charges signal towards a wider crackdown on digital currencies in the US and come as dating giant Match has abandoned plans to bring cryptocurrency and NFTs to its flagship app, Tinder.
TikTok expected to surpass Facebook on influencer marketing spend
New data from Insider Intelligence has suggested that TikTok is on course to overtake Facebook in terms of influencer marketing spend before the end of the year. The short-form video app is also expected to surpass YouTube in the same area by 2024.
Insider Intelligence’s report also highlights the rapid growth of marketing spending on “nano” influencers, which is expected to increase 220.5% this year. Spending on partnerships with “mega” influencers, by comparison, is anticipated to rise by only 8%.
Ant Group IPO delayed as Jack Ma steps down
Chinese fintech giant Ant Group faces a further delay to its IPO as founder Jack Ma plans to relinquish control of the company.
The billionaire’s withdrawal had been considered over a few years, ignited by Beijing’s derailment of the company’s blockbuster IPO back in 2020 and its wider crackdown on the tech industry. Ma’s decision to step down now means that Ant Group must delay plans for an IPO for up to three years, depending on where the group decides to sell its shares.
New on ExchangeWire
Fact of the Day
17.5 million - the number of users TikTok is expected to reach in the UK in 2022.


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Tennis Australia has tapped New Balance as the Official Performance Apparel and Footwear provider for the Australian Open and United Cup. This collaboration brings exciting possibilities for the two prestigious tennis events/
Australian Open's Co-Branded Line of Performance Apparel and Footwear
Men's Journal noted that New Balance will release an Australian Open co-branded range of performance apparel and footwear as part of this partnership. Tennis enthusiasts can purchase these exclusive items conveniently through the New Balance website and on-site at the Australian Open's retail store on Grand Slam Oval. Notably, New Balance will also be honored to outfit the ballkids at the United Cup, which will take place in both Perth and Sydney.
Tennis Australia's Chief Commercial Officer, Cedric Cornelis, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, "We're thrilled to join together with New Balance. We share a common goal of growing tennis through innovation while honoring the sport's rich heritage, making New Balance an obvious partner for two of the sport's biggest events – the Australian Open and the United Cup."
Mr. Cornelis continued by praising New Balance's history of investing in tennis and its expanding presence in the sport. The partnership signifies a shared dedication to making a lasting impact on the world of tennis and inspiring future athletes, as per Sport Business.
New Balance Tennis Ambassadors Showcase Commitment to Excellence
The prowess of New Balance's tennis ambassadors reflects their ongoing commitment to the sport. Among their notable brand ambassadors are American stars Tommy Paul and Coco Gauff. Tommy Paul reached the Semi-Finals in Australia last year, while Coco Gauff made history as she clinched her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open in September.
Evan Zeder, Director of Sports Marketing for New Balance Tennis and Baseball, expressed pride in collaborating with Tennis Australia for these globally renowned events. He described the partnership as more than sponsorship but rather a celebration of two brands dedicated to growing the game and inspiring the next generation of tennis players and fans.
With this partnership, Tennis Australia and New Balance aim to leave a lasting impression on the hearts of future athletes, further solidifying their commitment to tennis and the exceptional experiences these events offer.
Photo: Hamza Ali/Unsplash


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European shares edged higher on Friday but the benchmark Stoxx 600 still marked its worst week since February on signs of slowing economic growth and rising Covid-19 cases.
The Irish market outperformed other European indices on Friday, closing up 0.8 per cent at 8661.38.
Insulation specialist Kingspan was the star performer, with its shares gaining on strong first-half results. The company on Friday said sales rose 41 per cent to €1.9 billion while profits jumped 64 per cent to €329 million in the period January-June period. Shares in the company rose more than 4 per at one stage but closed up 2.4 per cent.
Banks were positive with Bank of Ireland and AIB up 1.2 per cent and 1.6 per cent higher respectively.
Iseq heavyweights CRH and Flutter also rose, with the construction-focused company gaining 0.5 per cent while the Paddy Power owner was up 0.4 per cent.
Other movers on the day included Dalata, down 2.4 per cent, and Kerry, which rose 1 per cent.
The Ftse 100 ended higher on Friday, helped by gains in consumer staple stocks and financials, while a clutch of corporate updates helped investors look past a surprise drop in retail sales.
After falling 0.4 per cent in early trade, the blue-chip index rebounded to end 0.4 per cent higher, but still recorded its worst week since February on concerns over slowing economic growth.
Dollar-earning consumer staple stocks, including Unilever, British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands, gained 0.6-2.5 per cent on a weaker pound.
Retail stocks were the top gainers, primarily led by strong gains in Marks & Spencer on robust earnings and Morrisons after it accepted a takeover deal.
The domestically focused mid-cap index rose 0.6 per cent, but snapped its four-week winning streak.
Marks & Spencer jumped 14.1 per cent to the top of the mid-cap index after saying it expected its annual profit to be above forecasts.
Supermarket chain Morrisons rose 4.2 per cent after it agreed to a takeover offer from US private equity group Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.
Drug maker AstraZeneca fell 0.1 per cent after it said its newly acquired Alexion division was halting a late-stage trial of its treatment for a rare neurological disorder. However, positive test results from its antibody therapy to prevent Covid-19 helped to limit losses.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up 0.3 per cent, with the retail sector gaining 1.2 per cent.
Germany’s Dax was up 0.3 per cent. Frankfurt shares recovered from a fall earlier in the session after data showed a bigger-than-expected jump in producer prices in July.
Swedish real estate web portal Hemnet surged 27.8 per cent on an upbeat quarterly report.
The Nasdaq led gains among Wall Street indexes on Friday, driven by strength in tech stocks, although concerns over a slowing economic recovery and the possible tapering of stimulus saw the Dow and the S&P 500 set for their worst week since mid-June.
Amazon, Apple, Google-owner Alphabet, Nvidia, Microsoft and Tesla, which had led Wall Street's record rally from pandemic lows last year, gained 0.3-1 per cent.
Travel-related stocks including cruise liners, dropped as much as 0.6 per cent, as Asian countries announced more drastic curbs and longer lockdowns for citizens to fight a surge in infections caused by the highly infectious Delta variant of coronavirus.
For the week, the blue-chip Dow and the benchmark S&P 500 are down about 1.5 per cent and 1 per cent respectively, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq has fallen 1.3 per cent, its worst since mid-July.
Deere fell 1.7 per cent even after it beat Wall Street estimates for third-quarter revenue and lifted its full-year earnings forecast on strong demand for farm and construction equipment.


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The market of mobile app is increasing rapidly with more and more people adopting Smart- phones as their primary source of digital connectivity. The industry is huge and growth seems increasing daily with never ending demand As a result, number of mobile app developers have also increased rapidly which are developing thousands of apps daily. The mobile app industry is expect to generate more than $100 billion revenue by 2020. New Business models are being created to generate revenue from apps, Hybrid models like in-app ads and in-app purchase has become proven methods to generate revenue from mobile apps.
We have covered a few points which can help in analyzing and predicting the future of mobile apps:
Everyday we came across articles and news that the boom in mobile app market has reached its finishing line and there is no further growth left. Let us look some stats and figures, App Annie reports that in 2015, the mobile app industry generated incredible $41.1 billion in gross annual revenue which is well expected to reach more than $100 billion gross annual revenue in 2020. These figures are alone enough to end all speculation and mobile app market is far from being saturated. While only 46% of world population owns a smartphone till 2016 , it can be said that mobile app revolution is just beginning with a very bright future.
As a historical fact and people tendency to deny the impact of technology sooner than later , many companies have failed to realize and accept the impact of mobile apps in business and industries. Uber, Snapchat, Whatsapp are the results of young, less experienced and nontraditional entrepreneurs and have created company’s worth more than billions and in a matter of few years and already created a massive dent in working of major industries.
But still as per study conducted, only 18% of companies surveyed consider mobile apps as medium or catalyst to transform their business while a large percentage of companies still look mobile apps as another development channel. Companies are overlooking the fact that more people are using internet on mobile which has now became a necessity for many of them.
The global smartphone market is dominated by two major players namely Android and iOS . As per study by Gartner, around 86% of total Smartphone sold in 2016 were android based. iOS market share is 11.5% . A very small size , only .4% of windows based smartphones are being sold. It is clear that Apple and Google have the largest and most popular app stores and it seems that there is no competitor could dream of catching up in near future.
There are interesting statistics on the average monthly revenue earned by the mobile operating systems. According to an estimate iOS earned an average of $4,000 per month, while android is limited to $1125. Also Since 2016, over 25% of iOS developers have generated over $5,000 in monthly revenue. Only 16% of Android developers have achieved a similar feat.
But the situation changed dramatically in 2016. According to a study, a Windows Phone app fetches $11,400 on average per month, whereas iOS app generates $8,100. Android makes $4,900 in average monthly revenue. However, about 75% of developers are most favorable to Android. They plan to boost there revenues by making Android-based products.
With high performance CPU’s, powerful graphics, vivid display and fast internet connection, Smartphones have converted into gaming devices. According to reports , mobile games, which accounted for less than 50% of total mobile app revenue in 2011, generated 85% of mobile app market revenue in 2015. This figure represents a total of $34.8 billion worldwide.
With increasing number of apps, we can see changes in the time spent by users in different app categories, the following trends can be seen in mobile apps usage:
Various way of generating revenue on mobile apps:
In this model , every user pay for app download from market . Although this is not very popular method to monetize but still , large games and apps have implemented this model. Also the fact that no paid app is among the list of applications that have generated the highest revenues made this model limited to selective apps.
As name suggests this model is combination of “free” and “premium” in which users get basic features at no cost and can access richer functionality for a one-time or subscription fee. Typically, the number of people willing to pay is relatively low. Consequently, apps using this model are focused on securing the highest possible number of downloads. Clash of Clans, Candy Crush etc. generate there revenue from this model.
The subscription model is similar to freemium. The difference is that users pay to access all of the content — not only certain features. This model generates predictable, long-term revenue flow for the owner by keeping customer loyalty high.
Monetization through in-app purchases is especially common in mobile games which charge a service fee for every item sold. This model is so flexible that some games go too far in encouraging users to make purchases. As of February 2016, about 1.9% of mobile gamers made in-app purchases, and this number is rising steadily.
This is the most popular monetization model, The explanation for its popularity is self-evident: Users like to download free applications, and the higher the quantity of downloads, the more prominent the developer’s income. A report shows that by 2020, in-application promoting will draw in $53.4 billion in all out income every year. That means very nearly 63% of mobile screen show advertising income.
Facebook is the undisputed leader in generating revenue through in-app ads with 44.3% of all mobile ads shown being in Facebook apps. After Facebook comes Alibaba, Google and Twitter.
As should be obvious, the tremendous development in the versatile application market isn't ceasing at any point in the near future. In spite of progressively solid rivalry in the business, engineers are applying new adaptation techniques and making all the more fascinating and valuable answers for clients. No less than two new revenue models have been appeared to be exceptionally compelling, picking up in the last couple of years.
All the models covered are efficient in their own way and a lot successful in there mode of operations and target audience. With more experience, developers and business have gained more knowledge to implement the best model for their app to generate revenue.
Hybrid monetization models, such as in-app ads and in-app purchases, are clearly becoming more popular and are adopted majorly by business and companies. Most studies show that in-app advertising is set to be a catalyst of mobile growth in future.
iOS and Android are the leading mobile operating systems, and tech giants Apple and Google own the biggest mobile app stores.Market trends show that the market will continue to generate higher and higher revenue in the future and it is quite clear that mobile app are the next big things in the future and we have just started.
Grepix Infotech is a leading iPhone App Development company in India offer iPhone app development services to Startups, Individuals, Mid-Size Companies, Enterprises, and Government Institutions. We have clients in Europe, the US, UK, India, and Middle East countries.
Vinay Jain is the Founder at Grepix Infotech and brings over 10 years of entrepreneurial experience. His focus revolves around software & business development and customer satisfaction.


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Yamaha E01 electric scooter concept set for reality
It was back in 2019 that Yamaha took the wraps off their E01 concept scooter at the Tokyo Motor Show. Now, nearly two years on, a production version of the same bike is on the verge of being launched.
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- Best electric motorcycles
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- Piaggio unveil E-scooter aimed at teens
It might look like a conventional twist-and-go but the E01 is going to be Yamaha’s most impressive electric production model yet and details of the showroom version’s design have been revealed via a rush of new patent applications from the firm.
Yamaha are trying to get rights on at least five separate innovations, which aim to bring all the benefits of battery power while minimising the usual downsides of electric bikes.
The production E01, which we know will carry the same name as the concept bike as Yamaha has already trademarked the badge, will be instantly recognisable to anyone familiar with the concept even though every panel is tweaked.
The patents show that the overall shape and style is retained, but the production model has a toned-down design, particularly around the seat.
Where the concept’s entire tail was wrapped in cloth-style seat material, the final version gets more conventional plastic panels around a normal, lift-up seat, with practicalities like pillion grips built into the bodywork.
The engineering patents show that Yamaha has put particular effort into maximising under-seat space. The electric motor is mounted slightly above and behind the front sprocket, driven via a reduction gearset, and one of the firm’s patents relates to details of the motor mounts, which are designed to free-up underseat room.
The rest of the electronics are mounted inline ahead of the motor and transmission. Directly ahead of the motor sits the speed controller, cooled via a dedicated pipe that channels air from behind the front wheel. In front of that lies the battery pack and electronics.
The battery itself is also subject to a patent application. It’s fitted in a plastic case and permanently bolted into the tubular steel frame from below.
The layout puts its control circuitry into the same case, ahead of the main battery pack, which allows the front to be narrower than the rear. That means the cables can be attached to the sides without adding to the overall width.
The result is that while the E01’s battery hump means it’s not a true step-through scooter, the electronics don’t encroach on the under-seat space or eat into any storage opportunities in the fairing on the front of the bike.
Yamaha charge towards electric with trio of battery-powered concepts
First published on 10 October 2019 by Jordan Gibbons
Yamaha have unveiled three electric motorbike concepts that could be the perfect city runarounds.
- Related: electric motorbikes coming soon
Unveiled ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show, which starts on Wednesday, October 23, the three bikes join the TY-E electric trials concept in Yamaha’s electric portfolio, as they join Honda in becoming the second major Japanese brand to make strides towards electrification.
The major model they have unveiled is the catchily named Yamaha E01, and its radical looks hide what the company say is a remarkably practical scooter.
Details on the bike are scarce but Yamaha say the scoot has power output equivalent to a 125cc scooter (about 14bhp to us) and that it’s fast-charge compatible.
The 46th #TokyoMotorShow is approaching.
Check out this preview of concept models and make sure not to miss all the Yamaha news from October 24 to November 4th.
▪ Land Link Concept
▪ YPJ-YZ E-Bike
▪ E01 electric commuter
▪ E02 electric commuter pic.twitter.com/Ir4ESUTsyx
— Yamaha Motor UK (@YMUKofficial) October 10, 2019
They also say it provides plenty of range although stop short of giving any key figures, but we’d imagine 100km (60 miles) will have been a key target. Despite this one taking top billing, however, the Yamaha E02 is arguably the more exciting machine.
Described as the ‘next-generation electric commuter bike’, the E02 is smaller, with power output roughly the same as a 50cc scooter.
What’s more interesting is that the batteries are removable, so we can only assume this is the first fruits of Yamaha’s deal with Gogoro: a Taiwanese scooter manufacturer who already produce a battery-swap scooter.
Gogoro’s machine, the Smartscooter 2, has two 9kg batteries under the seat that, when fully charged, give it a range of 100km. It weighs 112kg fully loaded and the electric motor puts out 6.4kW giving it a top speed of 58mph.
The Smartscooter 2 also has some clever security tech: on top of the usual ignition key, the bike also makes use of fingerprint scanning in your phone to ensure that even if someone steals the key or forces the lock, they can’t get it started.
They sell in Taiwan for just over £1200 however if Yamaha bring a bike like this to the UK, we’d expect it to cost considerably more.
As well as the two scooters, Yamaha have also unveiled the YPJ-YZ, which is an electric mountain bike that borrows some design ideas of their YZ motocross machines.
Yamaha unveiled a variety of machines ahead of the show, plus all sort of other ideas including a self-driving four-wheeled off-roader.
However they have also announced that they will unveil another two bikes when the show opens later this month, so you’ll have to come back to find out what Yamaha have up their sleeves.


text: An incredible marketing campaign by Burger King that spiked a lot of conversation in the media. In a bold move, they showcased a Whopper left in the open air for 34 days, transforming into a moldy, inedible burger. This was a clear contrast to the typically pristine food images in fast food advertising. It's a vulnerable play by Burger King, showing that if you let the burger sit out for days, it will indeed mold. Why? Because they want to show "the beauty of no artificial preservatives". A small jab at the fast food industry, known for artificial ingredients.


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April 6, 2018
FremantleMedia has appointed Rick Glankler as executive vice president and general manager of its Kids & Family Entertainment division.
In his new role, Glankler will take responsibility for all areas of FremantleMedia’s KFE business including production, consumer products, TV sales and brand management. He will oversee all creative and commercial aspects of the business and continue to grow FremantleMedia's portfolio of brands.
“Rick is one of the most respected professionals in the entertainment and toy industries,” says Sangeeta Desai, chief operating officer, FremantleMedia, to whom Glankler will report. “He is a great all-rounder, with an impressive track record in brand management, sales, licensing and product development, and has worked on some of the most sought-after properties in this space. He will play a major role in taking our impressive slate to the next level.”
Under the new structure, Bob Higgins, executive vice president creative and production; Carl Lumbard, head of global licensing and consumer products; Joss Duffield, vice president of distribution and sales; and Tessa Moore, vice president of brand management, will continue to lead in their respective business areas, reporting in to Glankler.
Glankler’s appointment follows the news last week that the division’s current president Sander Schwartz is leaving the company.
For more on Schwartz’s departure, click here.
Glankler joins FremantleMedia KFE from Mattel/Fisher Price where he helped lead the integration and global brand management of HIT Brand’s properties within the Fisher-Price division.
As senior vice president at HIT Entertainment, Glankler’s helped to build some of the most successful kids’ global franchises including Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Angelina Ballerina and Mike the Knight.
Glankler began his career in consumer-packaged goods with companies such as PepsiCo, Kraft and J. Walter Thompson, before entering the world of kids’ entertainment.
“FremantleMedia is one of the most exciting new players in the kids’ space, with fantastic existing content and exciting future plans,” says Glankler. “I’m very much looking forward to working with the team to continue to create relevant and meaningful franchises that kids and families will engage with across all media platforms.”
Read more about:FremantleMedia
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One way cable can slow disruption from free and cheap Web video: By turning your cable box into the best Web video machine in the world. So here's some (minor) progress.
Three Web video firms -- Diggnation publisher Revision3, Next New Networks, and Blip.tv -- have signed on with Clearleap, a company that aims to connect TV providers with Internet content. The idea is to provide cable companies with new content, and Web producers with more exposure, easier access to the living room, and additional ad inventory.
Clearleap's platform works by hooking into cable companies' (or satellite or IPTV providers') back-end systems. It's basically a giant RSS reader that feeds video and show data into cable systems much faster than many providers can do today.
What's the problem today? Getting Internet video into many cable systems is often a cumbersome process: Clearleap CEO Braxton Jarratt tells us it often includes physically shipping a hard drive full of video somewhere, beaming video over satellite, and waiting for someone to enter the metadata manually. The process can take days or weeks. But Clearleap, Jarratt tells us, can do this much faster -- syncing hourly or daily, using the Internet. In the future, it'll even be able to do live video.
What's the point? This could make your cable set-top box -- already plugged into your TV and a dedicated video network -- a better browser for Internet video than a new, rival, "over-the-top" device. (Those include the $99 Roku player, Apple TV, network-enabled Blu-ray players, etc.)
And bigger picture, the idea is to help slow the rate that the Internet disrupts cable and other pay TV platforms.
Having Diggnation on your set-top box is not going to save Comcast or Time Warner Cable in the long run. But if cable companies are going to remain viable as free and cheap video proliferates across the Web, one of the things they need to get better at is bringing more new video into your living room -- including everything that's worth watching online.
Atlanta-based Clearleap, which has raised a little more than $12 million in financing, is still in its early stages. The company is doing trials with some pay TV providers, covering hundreds of thousands of homes. But to make it big, huge pay TV companies like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, DirecTV, etc., which reach millions of homes, will need to sign on. So will more (and more important) content providers. That could prove to be challenging, as the companies with the most valuable content -- like TV networks and aggregators like Hulu -- may not want to deal with a middleman.
But everyone needs to start somewhere -- and this is a good trio of Web video libraries to go after potential partners with.


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Welcome to the latest edition of the DevContentOps Weekly News Roundup. We update you on the latest news and hot stories related to DevOps, Content Management, Content Marketing and Web Development.
Keeper Security, a cybersecurity software for password and privileged access protection, has announced the integration of Keeper Secrets Manager (KSM) with ServiceNow. This collaboration allows enterprises to safeguard their confidential data using a cloud-based, fully managed platform that is both cost-effective and simple to implement. KSM's integration with ServiceNow streamlines secret management, bolstering cybersecurity measures for organizations.
GitLab has upgraded its AI-powered DevSecOps suite, GitLab Duo. These updates include the beta of GitLab Duo Chat in the November 16.6 release and GitLab Duo Code Suggestions in the December 16.7 release, enhancing developer operations and software security.
The recent mabl Experience, an annual software quality conference hosted by mabl, successfully concluded its fourth edition on November 1st and 2nd. This year's event, a collaborative effort with partners including Atlassian, Google, Abstracta, and GitLab, attracted over 1,300 professionals from more than 800 companies across 70 countries, highlighting advancements in software testing and quality.
Content Management News
SearchStax, a cloud-native search platform, recently launched the Search UI Kit for SearchStax Studio. This new suite of tools and software simplifies the development and customization of search interfaces in headless CMS and composable DXP architectures, enhancing digital search experiences.
This CMSWire article challenges the notion that web content & experience management (WCM) technology has become commoditized, arguing that despite its maturity and improvements, WCM remains essential and diverse, with ongoing challenges and innovations in the field.
Content Marketing News
DesignRush, known for bridging the gap between businesses and marketing agencies, has curated a list of top-tier digital marketing firms. These agencies are recognized for their expertise in implementing state-of-the-art digital strategies, essential for establishing a formidable online presence and boosting revenue streams.
This MarTech.org article provides 4 tips for auditing marketing automation programs (MAPs) and updating the MAP with new features to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in marketing processes.
Web Development News
Vertu Capital, a private equity firm focusing on global software and technology investments, has acquired ActiveState Software Inc., a Vancouver-based firm aiding in the secure development and management of open-source software applications.


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Supreme Cannabis, Wiz Khalifa, and Khalifa Kush Enterprises Canada recently launched KKE - a new line of premium cannabis oil. The new product is curated for recreational consumers looking for a convenient way to access highly potent THC.
The oil will be sold in precise doses so users can safely use the oil. "I'm excited to bring our first products to Canada and launch KKE Oils. They are an awesome, high-in-THC product that everyone will love," said Wiz Khalifa, principal of KKE. "This is a legendary moment that will be followed by many more game-changing releases KKE will launch with Supreme Cannabis over the next year." The oil will be sold in small, matte black bottles with a gold logo. The oil will be available in British Columbia and Ontario by the end of summer.


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Do you want legal protection?
03 June 2013
You’ve gotta love the way they do things in America. Not everything they do, obviously; but I suspect you’re going to like this.
The New Hampshire Senate has just approved a bill that revises portions of the state’s franchise laws, known as the auto retailers’ ‘Bill of Rights’.
Among other things, it would prevent manufacturers from forcing retailers to upgrade facilities more frequently than once every 15 years. It would also allow retailers to buy goods and services locally – and ensure they are reimbursed at the market rate for parts used in warranty work.
Not surprisingly, the New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association is ‘definitely supportive’ of the bill and there are hopes that at least the sentiment, if not the precise legislation, might be taken up in other states.
As you may know, franchise law in the USA is often drafted on a local basis and usually in favour of the retailer.
A Chrysler dealership in New Jersey has filed a lawsuit to halt the manufacturer’s efforts to terminate his franchise, claiming current market share means renovations agreed in 2007 are no longer viable. Meanwhile, electric carmaker Tesla is fighting a state-by-state battle to allow it to open its own stores rather than use a franchised network.
The comparison with our new European Block Exemption rules that came into force this weekend could not be starker, especially as the car manufacturers now have the upper hand.
I’m not suggesting that we should outlaw manufacturer ownership of dealerships but some basic freedoms to trade would be nice.
As of now, you can’t sell the core asset of your business (the franchise) without manufacturer permission, you can have your contract terminated without any recourse to arbitration and you will have to use suppliers approved by your manufacturer partner, whether you like it or not.
Meanwhile, the European Commission is looking for evidence of Unfair Trading Practice. Somehow, I doubt it’s going to result in the same kind of protection they have in New Hampshire.
Join our LinkedIn group and share your your views with us – and other readers


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Saudis indeed are fond of American brands. Either be food, clothes, cars or gadgets, a Saudi would prefer an American brand for these products. Yes, Saudi markets are dominated by the American brands.
Phones: Many international brands are competing in Saudi Arabia, yet the most favorite one of most the Saudis is the American brands. A Saudi love to be equipped with American technology like Apple and Microsoft.
Even though Samsung has gained popularity around the world, Saudis like the American brand Apple than the South Korean brand, Samsung.
Vehicles: A survey asked Saudis to rank the smartphones: Apple got the 5th rank while Samsung the 7th. Most of the Saudi men desire for American cars such as Ford, GMC and of course the Jeep.
Makeup: When it comes to makeup, Saudi women blindly trust MAC and Maybelline for their perfect looks. Clothing American brands like Nike, Gap, Calvin Klein (CK) Michael Kors, American eagle, and Coach are all-time favorites of Saudi youth.
Food: Among so many restaurants that serve Fast Food, McDonald’s has a special place in the hearts of Saudis.
But why is that so? Why are Saudis so crazy about the American products and services? Why do the American brands dominate the Saudi markets? What is so special about the American products?
When asked from a student of Saudi Arabia, Nada Al Shehri, she claimed that American brands have the tendency to influence the world.
They go viral around the globe. As the US brands are able to capture the globe and their products become the New Fashion, they go viral. And that is why Saudis love it. Nada is a Saudi national who is completing her master’s degree in a university of US.
She added that the reason why American brands tend to surpass other brands is that they go with the American Dream. The American dream is a phenomenon still accepted by the people of 21st century.
The American brands reflect the US. The US is an independent and diverse state. The products of US are affordable as well.
Movies: Even though Saudis are a great fan of American brand and love watching their movies and songs, it looks like Americans are not great fans of Saudis. A YouGov Poll conducted by Arab news recently revealed that 8 out of 10 Americans won’t be able to locate Saudi Arabia on a map.
Sameeh Qasem who is currently the managing director at the TIMA digital advertising agency, claims that Saudi Arabia has evolved itself as a great market for international brands. American brands and companies are well aware of the fact and want to compete in Saudi markets.
They know that it is an important market with quite a competition. The brands though are international, but when local influencers opt for it, the public shall follow suits.
These brands can make a mark in our markets by opting locals for their advertisement. She further claimed that many US brands have approached us to provide a local influencer to market their products.
Source: Arab News
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Fitness products that sync with the iPhone have recently become very popular. Nike will soon be introducing their latest entry into this niche and it is called the Nike+ FuelBand.
Nike+ FuelBand is a wristband that will help make your life a sport. It will track your activity all day long, count the number of steps you take, and calculate the number of calories you have burned.
The wristband will sync to your computer via the USB port, or to your iOS device wirelessly through Bluetooth. The software and app will keep track of all your information and help you achieve your daily goals.
At a recent press event in New York City, Nike had promotional support for their new technology from some popular celebrities and athletes. Jimmy Fallon hosted the event and sports icons, Kevin Durant, Carmelita Jeter, and Lance Armstrong made an appearance and endorsed the Nike device.
With this product Nike may be trying to capitalize on the failure of the recently released Jawbone UP band. The UP band was more of a lifestyle device, which attracted a broader market of users. The UP tracked other lifestyle habits such as sleep and food consumption. The FuelBand appears to primarily appeal to athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
The Nike + Fuelband will cost $149, and will be available by Feb. 22, 2012. Nike was taking preorders, however, as of Feb. 3, the website says they are out of stock. Also, The Nike+ Fuelband app is not yet available in the App Store.
It will be interesting to see how well this new wristband does, and hopefully it will not be a flop like the Jawbone UP. One disappointment with this device is the lack of comprehensive lifestyle tracking. There are other products on the market such as the FitBit Ultra that give you more bang for your buck, depending on your fitness needs.
What fitness apps and devices have you used? Do you think Nike will succeed with the Nike+ FuelBand? Please share your thoughts below!


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AAA: NJ gas prices down slightly
TRENTON - Motorists are seeing slightly lower prices at the pumps in New Jersey.
AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gas in the state on Friday was $1.98, down 2 cents from last week. That’s also lower than the price from a year ago, when motorists were paying $2.13.
The price drop ends a three-week stretch where pump prices had risen in New Jersey.
The national average price on Friday was $2.18, down 4 cents from last week. That’s also lower than the national average from a year ago, when motorists were paying $2.38.
Analysts say gas prices will likely continue to fall in New Jersey over the next few months due to falling demand and the changeover to cheaper-to-produce winter gasoline.


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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC
Korean Air Lines will face penalties for pressuring staff to lie during a government probe into the "nut rage" incident.
Tue, 16 Dec, 2014
South Korean online retailers said demand for macadamia nuts has skyrocketed after a Korean Air Lines executive delayed a plane over an incident now dubbed “nut rage”.
Mon, 15 Dec, 2014
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Fans have been anticipating a new console-based Metroid Prime title for awhile now. Unfortunately, we may not see such a title during the Wii U’s lifetime.
Speaking to Eurogamer at E3, Metroid Prime series producer Kensuke Tanabe states that a new game in the series would take some time to make. He states: “If we started for the Wii U now, it would likely take three years or so. So it would likely now be on Nintendo’s NX console…It’s a long time but it would need to include a lot of content, which would take a lot of work on the development side.”
Tanabe concludes the interview: “It is a great idea, i agree. Truth be told, making HD games takes a lot of time and resources. I haven’t been able to collect a team or the resources to do it.”
Sadly, this would mean that Metroid Prime fans will have to wait awhile. Nintendo does not plan to reveal the NX until 2016. With the development time after, it could be awhile.
Nintendo did reveal a new Metroid Prime multiplayer title at E3 this year. Entitled Metroid Prime: Federation Force, the title will release on 3DS in 2016.
What do you think? Were you hoping for a Metroid Prime console title to come out sooner? Let us know below. And stick with Gamespresso for all of our E3 coverage.


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Epson has kicked off its Reseller Roadshow in the UK and Ireland. Taking place between 2nd October and 22nd November 2018, the roadshow will showcase Epson’s latest range of print, projection and scan products and solutions.
The programme will also feature insights from world-class guest speakers on a range of different subject areas that impact the channel.
The Reseller Roadshow, which will visit five different cities across England, Ireland and Scotland, will outline the power of business inkjet technology, where Epson has seen an enormous growth in sales in the last 12 months.
Attendees will learn how making the switch from laser to inkjet can deliver significant value to the channel – driving the shift to make print a contractual, and not transactional, business.
Joining the roadshow as a guest speaker is print industry expert and thought leader Mick Heys, Vice President, European Imaging, Printing and Document Solutions (IPDS) at IDC. Heys will be at each roadshow event, delivering key insights into print industry trends and the evolving IPDS landscape.
The roadshow will highlight why size matters in projection and how document management is made easy with Epson’s Document Capture Suite. A demo zone will also showcase how Epson’s products deliver “optimum value” for end users within the healthcare, corporate and retail sectors.
Reinforcing Epson’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), the agenda also focuses heavily on CSR trends and the many opportunities these present for the channel.
Leo Johnson, Head of PwC’s Disruption practice, and presenter of Radio 4’s flagship series FutureProofing, will also join the Reseller Roadshow to discuss how CSR is reshaping business and society.
Darren Phelps, Executive Director Europe – Value Partner Channel for Epson Europe, said: “We are dedicated to offering businesses across Europe cost-effective and efficient technology that is better for the environment. An example of this in action are the advances we’ve made in inkjet technology, which uses up to 96% less energy, produces up to 92% less CO2, and achieves up to 99% less waste than laser technology.
“We are delighted to bring our Reseller Roadshow to the UK channel. Our aim is for attendees to walk away from each carefully designed event with a clear understanding of how Epson’s products and solutions can help resellers strengthen customer retention and grow sales in an increasingly challenging market.”
More information about, and registration for, the Reseller Roadshow events – which take place in London (2nd Oct), Coventry (18th Oct), Manchester (25th Oct), Edinburgh (13th Nov) and Dublin (22nd Nov) – is available here.


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TPoI: Week of January 1st
Happy New Years from everyone at TriplePoint! In this week’s TPoI, The World Health Organization recognizes “gaming disorder” as a disease, Epic Games begins conducting an audit of Unreal Marketplace for trademark abuse, and Google invests in Chinese livestreaming platform Chushou.
World Health Organization Recognizes “Gaming Disorder”
The World Health Organization, a public health division of the United Nations, recently released their newest list of classified diseases which includes the newly recognized “gaming disorder.” GameSpot features a description of the disorder which includes symptoms like “impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.” Siliconera reports that many countries are treating this disorder as a major public health issue, and have set up clinics specifically designed to help treat the condition. Futurism clarified that while the symptoms of this condition are fairly similar to the symptoms commonly found in those suffering from addiction, doctors are taking in specific habits and a time period of at least 12 months before diagnosing patients with gaming disorder.
Epic Games Plans Copyright Audit for Unreal Engine MarketPlace
Late tuesday night, a representative at Epic Games announced in a forum post that the company will be conducting an audit of their Unreal Engine Marketplace to stop asset creators from posting models which infringe on intellectual property rights for objects including real world guns and cars. Develop reports that content can be rejected due to copyright infringement, poor quality, or for not functioning as it is described. PocketGamer.biz states that content creators will have 30 days to modify and submit any assets for approval before they are subject to removal. Gamesindustry.biz speculates that the decision to remove these assets may have been influenced by automotive giant AM General filing a lawsuit against Activision last November.
Google Invests $120 Million into Chinese Livestreaming Platform Chushou
The Chinese mobile game focused livestreaming platform Chushou announced a Series D funding round with $120 million invested from Google’s parent company, Alphabet. CNBC speculates that the platform’s focus on mobile esports titles and ease of use make it very popular with gamers and fans in China. TechCrunch reports that the Beijing-based startup has achieved a huge amount of success, with over 8 million unique streamers and a large amount of financial support from Chinese investment companies like Qiming Venture, Shunwei Capital and Alpha X Capital. VentureBeat notes that Google has had difficulties appealing to the younger, tech-savvy internet users in China and that this investment will help the company start to build a reputation with their target audience.


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Posted January. 21, 2009 08:01,
The Hyundai Motor chapter of the Korea Metal Workers Union has decided to go on strike again. It says the weekday two-shift rotation at the factory in Jeonju that was supposed to begin this month was not implemented. This is nonsense, however. When the deal was made in September last year, the global crisis facing the automotive industry had not struck yet. Now, however, Korea faces a different situation. Workers at the factory are working four hours a day because the plant has a years supply of 1,400 new buses. The unions leaders, however, want a two-shift rotation that would cut working hours while maintaining the same pay levels.
Committee representatives from nine factories say now is not the time to strike, yet the union is still calling for struggle. A Pyeongtaek resident posted a message saying, If you have time, come to Ssangyong Motors factory in Pyeongtaek (Gyeonggi Province). What does the union and strikes mean when the company collapses? on the homepage of the Democratic Labor Struggles Committee, to which Hyundai union leaders belong.
With the global recession, world car sales are expected to drop from 72 million in 2007 to 60 million this year. Even the arrogant United Auto Workers of the United States have begun negotiating on making concessions in working conditions and wages. Toyota, which saw its first deficit in 70 years, will cut production from February to April through job sharing. Only the Hyundai union is moving in the opposite direction by asking for overproduction, a sure way to do damage to the company.
The Korean people and the government can no longer tolerate the strike-addicted Hyundai union. Some say the union should be allowed to go on strike and suffer the consequences of losing their sales channels at home and abroad. Though this could bring a heavy negative impact, the union must end its anachronistic addiction to strikes.
Hyundai employees can protect themselves by rejecting the union leadership that cries for struggle to protect their job security. The most valuable labor right is the right to work. The company should not be swayed by the union. If the company and union again betray the Korean people, who bought their cars in the past regardless of quality or price, they must prepare for a joint collapse.


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The Indian arm of Chinese phone maker Gionee Smartphones has launched a flagship handset with NFC. The Elife E7 includes 16 megapixel rear and 8 megapixel front facing cameras, a 5.5-inch Full HD display and runs Gionee’s Android 4.2 Jelly Bean-based Amigo 2.0 OS. 3G and 4G options are available.
- Wells Fargo adds support for Fitbit Pay
- Apple details Apple Pay Cash in updated iOS Security guide
- India to add face recognition to Aadhaar biometric ID system
- Bank of America reports 84% rise in P2P payment transactions
- One in five Brits to make mobile payments in stores this year


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New research released from the Department of Chemistry, Busan National University, South Korea, could have a major impact on the future of OLED TV production, and the end result could be OLED TV production as new, more economical materials are introduced. TV prices may drop.
best OLED tv With crisp, high-contrast images and deep, detailed blacks, it’s a go-to option for moviegoers and gamers alike. And although his competing QLED models are frequently listed, best 4k tv It’s a testament to the popularity of display technology that many are willing to pay the typically higher price tag for OLED TVs with recent enhancements such as mini LED backlights.
The main reason OLED TVs are more expensive than QLEDs is that the production of OLED TVs using a process called vacuum thermal evaporation is expensive and labor intensive. Solution-processed OLEDs are an alternative to current manufacturing methods, but so far, the difficulty of “stacking” the component layers used in OLED panels has limited the use of that technology.
overview of the article of Journal of Chemical Engineering It details the research.
Specifically, researchers at Pusan National University were able to synthesize solvent-resistant hole-injection layer materials used in OLED stacks. It has “achieved higher efficiency and lifetime” and is “a step forward towards the commercialization of leading efficient solution-processed OLED displays.”
A new solution-processed OLED, which promises to be an “economical, large-scale manufacturing technology,” will enable OLED TV panels to be produced more cheaply, efficiently, and at larger scales. This shows that OLED TV prices haven’t fallen to the same level recently as his QLED TVs, which are getting cheaper year by year.
Analysis: OLED prices need to drop to stay competitive
For those wondering if OLED prices will drop in 2023, the recent
LG price announcement for new TV in the United States. The company’s lowest-cost his 2023 OLED, B3 seriesgenerally more expensive than 2022 B2 seriesthe 65-inch B3 model is $400 more than the 65-inch B2.
LG A2 The series, which turned out to be a great low-cost OLED option for moviegoers in 2022, has also been discontinued in the US, but the A3’s successor will be available in select European countries.
The emergence of Samsung’s QD-OLED technology. It is used in the company’s TVs such as:
QN95C Series and Sony A95L serieswhich should bring strong competition to LG and eventually bring down the prices of the company’s W-OLED products. G3 series In most cases, costs have increased from last year G2 The 77-inch G3 costs $500 more than the similarly sized G2 screen at launch.
Indeed, the G3 TV price hike is mainly due to the introduction of a new feature in the series that combines an optical element called Brightness Booster Max.
MLA It features a new META light increase algorithm and a physical heat sink to maximize screen brightness.
The new G3 OLED and QD-OLED from Samsung and Sony will be the options for expensive high-end TVs in 2023.
Hisense U8H and TCL Series 6 Top sets such as the Samsung QN95C display near-OLED blacks while offering brightness comparable to OLED.
Looking at the TV landscape of the future, it’s clear that OLED TV prices will need to come down to stay competitive, but the opposite seems to be happening now.
Will the results of the Pusan National University study lead to price drops for OLED TVs in the near future? It’s hard to predict based on scientific summaries, but the researchers’ optimism is clear, and OLED technology has a lot to offer. It is clear that there is a need for increased manufacturing efficiencies that they claim are commercially viable.


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Compact Power Equipment Centers come on strong with 405 locations in The Home Depot stores
By Marcia Gruver Doyle
From a start of seven locations in 2009, Compact Power Equipment Centers are now in 405 Home Depot Tool Rental Centers, growing by 100 locations in the first four months of 2012 alone.
“We don’t have to worry about bricks and mortar,” says Andy Lewis, CPEC marketing communications director. “The facilities are already there – and in prime areas.” CPEC sees its three-year growth potential extending to 1,000 Home Depot Tool Rental Centers.
CPEC, a separate company, formed its partnership with Home Depot in 2008, coming to the table with a long history in compact equipment. In the mid-1990s, CPEC founder and former landscape contractor Roger Braswell brought what is now known as the Toro Dingo from Australia to the United States. After forming parent company Compact Power in 2003, he bought Mertz Manufacturing and its Boxer line of mini skid steers.
Renting a CPEC machine is designed to be seamless with The Home Depot Tool Center experience. When contractors rent tools they can also rent a machine, and put it on one bill. Each machine is either towable or comes on a trailer. “We look for equipment that can be towed behind an F150-size pickup,” Lewis says. CPEC’s sister company, Compact Power Services, has 270 mobile service technicians that help make sure the 2,500 machines in its fleet are rental ready. Contractors can also buy used rental machines from CPECdirect.com.
In the past year, CPEC has formed equipment partnerships with Terex, Kubota and Altec (see sidebar), which Lewis says works out well for local dealers of these brands. Participating dealers stage the equipment, provide parts and in most cases, do warranty work. “We’re putting out brand new equipment,” Lewis says. “These days, a contractor may be hesitant to buy, so he rents.” And if that contractor’s work picks up, he’s already familiar with the machine, and likely to buy, he says. “The dealer didn’t even have to demo it.”
Tim Bauer, national accounts manager with Kubota, echoes this sentiment. “We’re getting reports that it’s driving sales to the dealer,” he says. “The agreement has allowed us to increase our presence in the rental market.”
While it varies from store to store, the average fleet size for a CPEC location is eight to 12 machines, selected from the following:
JLG T350 towable boom lift
Altec DC610 or Terex Woodsman chipper/shredder
Canycom and Kubota (available in Canada only) concrete buggies
Boxer 300, 400 and 500 Series mini skid steers with landscaping attachments
Kubota, Terex or IHI compact excavators
Terex PT30 and PT50 compact track loaders
Toro or Carlton stump grinders
Kubota BX25 or Allmand TLB-325 backhoes
Boxer, Toro or Barreto trenchers


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Imagine knowing the exact moment your sunscreen stops working, making painful sunburns and skin damage a thing of the past. That’s exactly what Suncayr, a startup out of JLABS @ Toronto is trying to do with its product SPOT. According to Suncayr CEO, Andrew Martinko, SPOT is the perfect complement to a preexisting sun care regimen. According to Mr. Martinko, the SPOT, which is a round sticker applied to a highly visible area on the skin, changes color once the sunscreen is no longer effective signaling to the user that it’s time to reapply.
Suncayr’s goal is simple: to make it easier for people to improve their health by helping them better manage UV protection.
“Sunscreen is a great tool when used properly,” said Andrew Martinko, CEO and cofounder of Suncayr. “But understanding how the sunscreen protection varies in different environments is what makes SPOT different.”
The Suncayr team believes they have found the secret to mimicking the skin behavior in varying environments to ensure the maximum effectiveness of the sunscreen.
“Our biggest challenge has been in the development process. We thought we’d figured it out, and then we’d introduce a new environment and it wouldn’t be as effective,” said Martinko. “Wavy water versus stagnant water, sweating versus wiping the skin with a towel: all of these things factor in to how long your sunscreen protection lasts.”
Suncayr came to JLABS @ Toronto as a QuickFire Challenge winner in 2016, and found it was a perfect fit for the growing company.
“JLABS was ideal for us as we needed sophisticated lab facilities in order to run experiments, and with the QuickFire Challenge win, we were able to subsidize rent, which was huge for our growing startup,” explained Mr. Martinko. “Additionally, we received great mentorship and guidance that we could not have gotten anywhere else.”
The JLABS @ Toronto team connected Suncayr to the Johnson & Johnson Consumer sun care team, which allowed access to internal subject matter experts and certain UV testing equipment that was not available at JLABS.
“The entire JLABS @ Toronto team and Stefanie Dhanda in the Boston IC have been absolutely fantastic for us,” said Mr. Martinko. “The connections they made for us internally and the access to the Johnson & Johnson sun care team has been pivotal in our development plans.”
Suncayr is launching SPOT in Australia in 2017 with plans to launch in North America in 2018. Most recently, the Suncayr team was featured in the Forbes under 30 series.


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Walmart Cuts 7,000 Jobs, Replaces Back-Office Employees with Machines
In an effort to improve efficiency, Walmart recently announced plans to eliminate about 7,000 back-office positions around the country over the next several months. According to company executives, these tasks can be easily automated, opening up more positions for employees in-store and making them more available and accessible to customers. A cash-recycling machine that connects to a new central accounting office with 1,000 associates will soon be installed within each store.
Walmart employees on the other hand aren’t quite so optimistic about the change, pointing out that these store accounting and invoicing jobs are among some of the most coveted, owing in part to the higher wage.
While seemingly drastic, Walmart’s latest initiative is perfectly in line with the current trend of retailers leveraging technology in the hopes of creating a more streamlined process while, hopefully, making customers happier. According to researchers at the World Economic Forum (WEF), the increasing use of AI systems and machines in retail could lead to a net employment impact of more than 5.1 million jobs replaced over the next 5 years, with the majority of these jobs being in the “office and administrative job family.”
Sounds scary, but keep in mind that this change most likely won’t look like a scene straight out of I, Robot. In fact, the WEF estimates that 2 million new jobs will concurrently be gained in what they call “several smaller job families.”
Truthfully, technology in retail is nothing new and while it has certainly changed how we do business and will continue to do business in the long run, it’s not all bad. For smaller brands and retailers, advances in retail technology means the ability to do a lot more with a little less. Whether that means less staff, processes or tools, the fact still remains that it’s a huge help in terms of reducing expenses and improving profitability while allowing more face-time with those who are truly driving your business: the customers.
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Celebrity Cruises reports that its first-ever brand-designed cruise terminal will open this October in Port Everglades, Florida. Terminal 25 will host the cruise line’s newest ship, the Celebrity Edge, and will incorporate a number of new features for guests.
Developed in collaboration with Broward County’s Port Everglades and architectural firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners, Inc., T25 will incorporate a number of high-tech touches, such as a Frictionless Arrival check-in process and an interactive light wall art installation. T25 will also offer Suite Class guests an exclusive experience along the path to The Retreat, with a dedicated lounge, elevator lobbies, screening areas and a private rooftop terrace.
T25 also has a 1,463 sq. ft. GKD Mediamesh that will wrap the terminal’s exterior, juxtaposing the more than 18,000 sq. ft. of outward facing glass, and the first purpose-built crew lounge of any Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. terminal. This crew lounge will have complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity, TV access, optimized storage, quiet places for employees and more.
Scheduled for completion in late October 2018, T25 will be the new home to many Celebrity ships during their winter deployment, including Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Silhouette. Along with these ships, the terminal will be LEED certified and able to accommodate up to a 1,150-foot-long ship. When Celebrity is not using T25 the facility will be open to other cruise lines.
Currently, Port Everglades welcomes on average approximately 335,000 Celebrity guests annually, representing about 9 percent of its overall passenger traffic. Once the new cruise terminal is completed, it is anticipated that Celebrity will generate nearly 500,000 travelers at Port Everglades – representing no less than 14 percent of the port’s projected passenger traffic.