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In order to mark 71 years of Silly Putty, Crayola has collaborated with Detrola by Shinola to launch a new range of Silly Putty Watches.
The new watch embodies the old-school style of Silly Putty with a cherry red case, aqua silicone strap, and sandblasted dial to match the retro brand’s colors.
While the watch resembles the ultra-stretchable toy, its stainless-steel core, durable resin case, and hand-assembled Argonite 705 movement means the new Detrola Silly Putty watch is built to endure play.
Shannon Washburn, Chief Executive Officer, Shinola, said, “Detrola is our most expressive, colorful watch collection to date, with an appreciation for the past and an eye toward the future. Silly Putty is such a fun, iconic American product, a level of ‘iconic’ that we aspire to be. We are so excited to be collaborating with Crayola on a watch that embodies both brands’ aesthetics and excites both brands’ audiences.”
Warren Schorr, Vice President, Business Development and Global Licensing, Crayola, added, “For 71 years, Silly Putty has had many uses – from stress-relief putty to cleaning keyboards. Today, we join another American-born brand, Shinola, to celebrate its inventiveness and longevity with a new, commemorative watch.”


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Reliance Retail, a prominent Indian retail chain, started accepting the digital rupee, national CBDC, at one of its store locations. The retail chain plans to extend this payment option to its operations. The fintech partner, Innoviti Technologies, disclosed the news in a press release.
As per a report by Tech Crunch, Freshpik, a gourmet store chain, already supports Central Bank Digital Currency. The firm also wants to keep the digital rupee across other locations and speed up the country’s adoption of digital currency.
The objective of CBDC Adoption:
Reliance Retail executive V Subramaniam claimed that by adopting the digital money created by the central bank, the company’s objective of giving Indian customers “the power of choice” is achieved. According to the executive, the initiative enables the business to offer a different payment method in its locations.
V. Subramaniam, Director, Reliance Retail Limited, stated:
“This historic initiative of pioneering the digital currency acceptance at our stores is in line with the company’s strategic vision of offering the power of choice to Indian consumers,
Related Reading | The Chinese Central Bank’s CBDC Pilot Expands to 17 Provinces
Reliance Retail worked with ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and the fintech firm Innoviti Technologies to support the CBDC. Customers to use the digital rupee in the store will get a QR code to finish their transaction.
Plans for the nation’s CBDC were released in October by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in a 51-page note. According to RBI, the nation’s central bank identified several elements, including the advantages and disadvantages that might reduce operational expenses associated with managing cash benefits to RBI.
The central bank began testing its digital rupee for institutional and merchant use in November of the previous year. After a successful wholesale pilot, the central bank expanded the testing to include retail use. The testing started with four participating banks in four metropolitan cities beginning December 1, 2022.
As part of the pilot program, the digital currency will be available in the same denominations as traditional currency. Financial intermediaries will distribute the digital currency, and participants can make transactions using a digital wallet provided by the participating banks.

domain: news


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While Wayne Rooney's injured foot receives attention from the nation's top specialists, patients of an altogether different kind are getting expert physiotherapy in the North.
Whether it is terriers on treadmills, spaniels in swimming pools or alsatians having acupuncture, a treatment centre is opening tomorrow that can cater for every canine client's needs.
Dog lovers Jan and Ian Oliver, both 46, have launched K9 Hydro Rehabilitation Centre at their farm in Brancepeth, Durham, with support from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The couple had the idea last year after their Irish wolfhound needed specialist care after an operation.
Unable to find the help they needed, they decided to set up a centre in a disused farm building to help other owners and their pets.
Jan said: "We are offering a full rehabilitation package, whether it is for an injury that is holding the animal back, a weight problem, or a dog that is in need of some general fitness or fun.
"We aim to restore function for the animal and eliminate pain."
The couple have teamed up with physiotherapist Andrea Bainbridge, 40, who works with both humans and dogs.
She said: "Skills used to treat animals are always transferable."
The centre offers a variety of treatments for its pet patients including the region's only hydrotherapy treadmill, a device that combines a water-tank and treadmill, which is ideal for strengthening injured limbs.
Acupuncture and ultrasound therapies are also available and specialist packages can be arranged to cater for individual dogs.
Fun and fitness classes cost #15 for a half-hour supervised session in the pool.
* An open day is being held between 10am and 6pm today. For further information telephone 0191-378 9570.


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According to eMarketer, social media marketing in the United States is becoming the norm among most businesses, and growth within the channel will likely stagnate moving forward. The report suggests that 88 percent of companies in the U.S. are active on social media, compared to 81 percent at the end of 2011. However, as social becomes the standard for marketers hoping to establish themselves on the web, it’s important that campaigns evolve.
Like any other marketing channel or technology that appeals to the public, adoption of social has slowed not because of problems with it, but rather because most consumers and businesses are already active on multiple platforms. For marketers, the challenge now is consistently improving social outreach and audience engagement, whether through new features developed by the networks or innovative campaigns.
By the end of 2014, eMarketer expects 92 percent of companies in the United States to be active on social networks.
By the end of 2014, eMarketer expects 92 percent of companies in the United States to be active on social networks. At that point, according to the data, social will have grown by one percentage point compared to 2013. In recent years, social’s adoption has repeatedly jumped, and the minimal anticipated growth by 2014 will likely be the final wave of increase for the channel.
Moreover, most businesses have made multiple platforms part of their strategies to take advantage of different types of content and the varying audiences most likely to engage with and share content on the sites. EMarketer reported that 83 percent of companies using social maintain Facebook presences. The site has consistently been the leader in social media marketing. Beyond Facebook, Twitter is a priority for 53 percent of organizations currently. Given Facebook’s dominance, it’s unlikely that the site will grow too much more. According to the report, 88 percent of American companies will use Facebook marketing by the end of 2014. Meanwhile, Twitter is expected to reach 64 percent by then.
The dynamic nature of social media means it’s likely new entrants will emerge moving forward. However, Facebook and Twitter remain the two dominant forces in social, and eMarketer (among others) expects them to stay relevant moving forward. Marketers find a driving force behind engagement opportunities available on Facebook and Twitter is the commitment to innovation for both users and businesses on the site.
Facebook has rolled out several new changes that might boost social marketing campaigns, and it is expected to reveal more throughout the year. Brafton highlighted some of the biggest additions of the year, including the full rollout of Timeline, in a recent report.


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Dechra’s profit warning could jeopardize the private equity takeover
Medicine and vaccines maker Dechra today issued its second profit warning in three months, putting a possible takeover at risk after a number of US wholesalers reduced inventories of its products.
The company, which acquired ivermectin maker Med-Pharmex last year, warned that “widely reported destocking” in the US hurt its profits in February, but has now said it was longer than previously expected.
As a result, the company now expects a profit of £186m for the year ended June 30 – £2m lower than announced in a February profit warning.
The drug company is currently negotiating a £4.6 billion takeover with Swedish private equity firm EQT. However, with the share price down 7.1% to 3,392p, investors are anticipating EQT could decide against making a firm offer by next week’s deadline.
“The board is confident that despite the unprecedented and by nature short-term trade headwinds, the group remains very well positioned to continue growing in the medium and longer term,” said the Dechra board. “The fundamentals of the business and strategy remain strong, our underlying markets continue to experience structural growth, we continue to grow in our selected markets and we have an established, highly experienced and focused management team.
“Our strategy is robust and includes a very attractive new product development pipeline underpinning our future growth, backed by a strong balance sheet.”
https://www.standard.co.uk/business/dechra-profit-warning-could-put-private-equity-takeover-at-risk-b1082737.html Dechra’s profit warning could jeopardize the private equity takeover


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[Africa Cloud Review] Simon Ngunjiri: Migrating to the cloud is the most effective route to digital transformation
For African businesses that are still at the start of their digital transformation, migrating to the cloud might seem like a very daunting task. This is according to an article by Francis Wainaina is a Senior Product Manager at SEACOM East Africa where he talks about the four steps to successful cloud migration.
The costs of delaying this migration, however, Francis says, can be far greater than the initial challenges of cloud adoption.
In a survey by World Wide Worx, 31% of Kenyan businesses reported spending between 51% and 75% of their IT budgets on cloud services in 2020, and 68% intend to increase their cloud spend in 2021. With so many businesses moving to the cloud, you can’t afford to be left behind.
The pandemic has doubtlessly accelerated this shift toward cloud environments as we have mentioned before. More organizations are beginning to capitalize on the various innovations that cloud can offer.
According to industry analysts Gartner, Cloud spending rose 37% to $29 billion during the first quarter of 2020. This trend Gartner says is likely to persist, as the exodus to virtual work underscores the urgency for scalable, secure, reliable, cost-effective off-premises technology services. In fact, despite the inevitable economic downturn in the wake of the pandemic, cloud spending is estimated to rise 19% for the full year, even as IT spending as a whole is forecast to fall 8%.
In countries like South Africa, 51% of the public sector segment are already using cloud in production. This is according to a recent survey conducted by ITWeb and AWS on the state of cloud adoption in South Africa.
Migrating to the cloud is the most effective route to public sector transformation for African businesses. Just recently, Google announced a new programme to offer new scholarships for Android, Web and Google Cloud development to developers across Africa. The programme will be offered in partnership with tech talent companies Pluralsight and Andela.
Cloud services have certainly revolutionized the way we do business, offering various benefits such as cost-effective access to computing power, on-demand applications, and services among others. African businesses are moving faster and cheaper especially with platforms like Google Cloud. With 24 regions and 73 zones in 17 countries, Google Cloud delivers high-performance, low-latency cloud services to customers.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) also recently announced that it is bringing its re/Start cloud skills training program to Kenya and South Africa this month as part of its rapid expansion plans this year.
AWS re/Start is a free, full-time, 12-week program designed to support people who are unemployed or underemployed, and who have little technology experience, for careers in cloud computing. The program provides participants with new cloud computing skills, career, and resume coaching, and interviews with local employers.
Bottom line, migrating to the cloud is the most effective route to digital transformation and IS ultimately essential for African businesses that wish to thrive in today’s digital age.


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The FSSAI said in a notification that, “‘instant noodles’ means product prepared from wheat flour and/or rice flour and/or flour of any other cereals, millets and legumes.” Also mentioned in the notification is that “starches, dried fruits and vegetables, nuts, edible protein and egg powder may be added, if required”. They also issued draft guidelines for quality standards of fortified atta, maida, durum wheat maida, quinoa, fortified rice, tapioca sago and pearl millet flour.
In April of this year, FSSAI requested state authorities to take action against noodle or pasta companies that were using MSG in their products despite having the ‘No Added MSG’ label on their packets. The high lead content and large amounts of MSG present in Maggi is what led to the instant noodle brand being banned last year.
Since then, the Bombay High Court lifted the ban and asked Nestle India to do fresh tests in different laboratories across the country. Maggi was then reintroduced into the markets in November of 2015.


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Till it launches its personal automobile, Apple appears to be like to be centered on taking extra management of current automobiles by way of a souped-up model of its CarPlay app that might be extra deeply built-in in working new and totally different features which have historically stood on their very own.
Whether or not it’s controlling the stereo, energy seats, local weather management and extra, the brand new iPhone-driven vehicular interface system is reported to be an early stage, top-secret venture, that in line with Bloomberg, even has its personal code-name: “IronHeart.”
Whereas Apple’s automotive ambitions have festered for years, this purported enlarged software program integration initiative marks a detour from earlier efforts, not least of which is that it will require deeper cooperation of the automakers, who would possible be reluctant at hand over additional management of those in-car options.
CarPlay Supported By Each Main Automaker
Because it stands, Apple’s CarPlay app is already extensively used and supported in relation to permitting customers to hyperlink their telephones to their automobile. The corporate reported each main vehicle producer has partnered with Apple in supporting CarPlay, which means there are greater than 600 fashions to select from with extra on the way in which.
CarPlay additionally could be added to an proprietor’s present automobile with an aftermarket system from a number of manufacturers within the in-car electronics area.
Promoted as a wiser, safer means to make use of an iPhone whereas driving, CarPlay presently permits customers to get instructions, make calls, ship and obtain messages, and revel in music on their automobile’s built-in show.
Apple’s ambitions are also stated to incorporate an Apple Automobile. There was speak of an Apple Automobile since a self-driving automobile was noticed in 2017. After a possible linkup with Hyundai was reported however then scuttled, newer speculations have revolved round a partnership between both Foxconn or auto elements producer Magna.
Learn extra: Apple Automobile and Excessive-Tech Partnerships Hit the Street
Apple Expands Necessities for Privateness Controls
In different latest information, Apple stated in a Wednesday (Oct. 6) announcement that, beginning Jan. 31, 2022, all app submissions to its App Retailer that permit for account creation should additionally permit customers to delete their account from throughout the app.
This announcement follows updates to App Retailer pointers introduced in June that present customers with better management over their private knowledge.
Apps typically require accounts, and it’s simple for customers to delete their account with out ending their relationship with the corporate linked to it, The Verge reported.
Apple has been constructing extra privateness into its personal merchandise as effectively, together with iOS 15, watchOS 8, iPadOS 15 and MacOS Monterey.
See extra: Apple Developer Convention Unveils Digital ID, Privateness, Pockets Updates
“Privateness has been central to our work at Apple from the very starting,” Apple Senior Vice President of Software program Engineering Craig Federighi stated on the time. “… This 12 months’s updates embrace modern options that give customers deeper insights and extra granular management than ever.”


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BRAND FOR ALL SPORTS
The National Hockey League created a joint venture with Texfi Industries to produce a line of sports apparel bearing NHL marks with all the clothing inspired by hockey.
The goal is to create a brand relevant to all sports, said Michael Moore, exec VP-chief operating officer of the venture, who came aboard last fall from VP-marketing at No Fear.
The line breaks down into three areas: performance, sport and casual. Performance, especially, will be co-branded with NHL marks, and that has some industry observers wondering if the product will ultimately compete with the NHL's own licensees.
"It's being watched closely by licensees," said Marty Brochstein, executive editor, The Licensing Letter. "Licensees are always concerned about leagues getting into competition with them."
NHL Enterprises President Rick Dudley said he doesn't "believe [the venture] competes with our core business--the team-identified merchandise. The new brand is designed to be a complement to our licensed products."
LOOKING FOR RETAILER PARTNER
Mr. Moore said he's targeting a sports retailer to serve as an exclusive partner for the planned fall rollout. The venture wants to assemble a roster of hockey endorsers who will receive an equity stake for their services.
And he said an ad agency search will commence within the next three months.
"I think it could be the wave of the future," said Michael Jacobsen, editor in chief at SportStyle. "It's a natural extension of what all leagues are doing: taking greater control of marketing and building their brands."
The joint venture has hired a number of former marketing executives from No Fear, the once-hot but now troubled "attitude" apparel brand, whose hipness and energy the NHL brand will emulate.
SEEKING CONSISTENT BRAND
For its new venture, Universal has dropped MCA from its corporate name in order to hone a single, consistent brand image. Its new apparel will be the first consumer products attempting to leverage that positioning.
"There's tremendous equity in the brand name," said Jim Klein, president of Universal Studios Consumer Products Group.
Produced through in-house resources, the line will be sold exclusively through Universal retail outlets now on the drawing board. The first will be launched this fall.
The apparel will break down into three areas: classic fashion, which seeks to capture "the fantasy of Hollywood"; trendwear, which capitalizes on contemporary fashions; and kidswear, leveraging various Universal properties.
"Before we license the name, we want to do it ourselves and focus on building the brand and creating quality product. The product has to be king or this won't work," Mr. Klein said.


text: GAUTENG – The newly trained Constables who have recently graduated from different South African Police Service (SAPS) academies are hitting the ground running. On Tuesday, 20 December 2022 two of the newly trained constables based at SAPS Randfontein arrested a suspect at a local taxi rank in Mohlakeng and recovered suspected stolen property found in his possession. The members were reportedly conducting foot patrols at Umphakati Mall in Mohlakeng when they noticed a suspicious-looking man near the taxi rank. A search led the Constables to recover a knife and a wallet containing various cards including bank cards belonging to two different persons. The Constables also found a lay-by receipt from a retail store containing the personal details of another person. This person was immediately contacted who then indicated to the constables that she opened a case at Randfontein police station after she was robbed on Friday, 16 December 2022. The suspect was subsequently arrested and expected to appear before the Randfontein Magistrates’ court.


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The non-profit group, The One Club named the global winners January 13, 2015 during a special even during the press days of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. There were submissions from 16 countries, but only two winning USA advertisers and ad agencies: Audi of America and its shop Venables Bell & Partners in San Francisco, along with Hyundai Motor America and Innocean USA in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Audi and Hyundai won the Broadcast TV category in a 3-way tie with Toyota Australia.
Audi’s winning TV spot for the all-new Q3, dubbed “The Scripted Life,” encourages people to “break from the script” of mundane, everyday life.
The commercial wasn’t widely watched on YouTube, generating a mere 20,000 views from the time it was posted in late August to mid-January. In my book, it’s just an okay commercial.
Hyundai’s award winner was from the 2014 Super Bowl commercial. The spot for the Genesis touts the car’s sensory surround safety. Dubbed “Dad’s Sixth Sense,” the spot shows how the automatic emergency braking works to help a teen son at the wheel with his father riding shotgun avoiding a crash with another car as he checks out a young lady on the sidewalk.
My absolute favorite of the winning broadcast trio is Toyota Australia’s “Unbreakable Drivers,” for the Toyota Hilux pickup from Saatchi & Saatchi in Sydney. The humor is pure Aussie fun and can’t help but make you smile.
The spot, featuring narration by Down Under actor Russel Crowe, attracted a respectable nearly 590,000 views in just over 3 months.
Volvo Trucks won the Online Video category. Ad agency Forsman & Bodenfors in Gothenburg, Sweden, created this dramatic “Epic Split” video to demonstrate the precision and directional stability of Volvo Dynamic Steering. Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is absolutely amazing doing a split as the two Volvo Trucks back up
Even more amazing: Forsman & Bodenfors and director Andreas Nilsson shot the 1:16 video in one take (in Spain on a closed landing field at sunrise). The haunting music is Enya’s “Only Time.”
But the real eye popper is that this video attracted more than 77 million views on YouTube since it was posted just two months ago!
Honda took home the Interactive award with a 2:55 video from Wieden + Kennedy, London, for the Civic Type R.
Dubbed “The Other Side,” W+K produced two parallel tales of the same man, a caring dad by day picking up his daughters in his white Civic and by night an undercover cop delivering a crew of art thieves to a police sting driving a red, sportier Type R.
The viewer is in control, merely having to press the “R” key to toggle between actor Jean-Phillipe Ricci’s two lives.
The original video on YouTube hit 4 million views in less than 3 months and was boosted by the web site www.hondatheotherside.com along with social media. Daniel Wolfe directed, with Bobby Krlic of The Haxan Cloak handling the music.
Volkswagen was awarded top honors in Experiential Advertising for an in-theater, car safety push from Ogilvy One Beijing in China. Movie goers may have thought they were watching a pre-film car commercial of someone driving along a road, but got a shock when their mobile phones sounded
VW says the effort to curb mobile use while driving attracted a lot of media coverage, was the top auto viral video and generated more than 26 million views in a month.
It’s not the first time VW has used a jarring shock to get the safety message out. Back in 2006, VW of America ran a commercial that showed a Jetta with two young couples coming home from a double date at the movies getting suddenly rammed by another driver. No one was hurt, but the spot from Crispin Porter + Bogusky in Miami was both praised and panned.
Jeep won the Print/Outdoor award for work by Leo Burnett France in Paris. The “Upside Down” poster campaign. In a unique move, the ads do NOT show a Jeep. Instead, each poster shows a different animal. But when the image is flipped 180 degrees there is a different animal. “See whatever you want to see” is the ad tag.
Kudos to all the the winners of the 2nd Annual One Show Automobile Advertising of the Year Awards!
MAKING TRACKS: Satish Korde moves up to Chief Operating Officer at WPP Group’s Global Team Ford in Dearborn, Michigan from CEO of sibling Team Detroit, a post he’s held since the summer of 2011.
Korde succeeds Mark LaNeve, 55, who will move Feb. 1 to his client, Ford Motor Co., as head of U.S. sales, marketing and service.


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Ethnic retail chains Fabindia and Manyavar have emerged as the country's most profitable apparel companies by avoiding discounts, staying away from prime real estate and making products in-house.
Lifestyle has entered into a deal with Flipkart to sell goods from its value fashion format Max Retail online exclusively on the latter’s portal.
The company procures 98% of the products it sells from India, of which 80% come from its own manufacturing units and the rest from small and medium enterprises.
Malls operators are urging brands to ask shoppers to get products from shops after online purchase and are also seeking revenue-sharing for such sales
As these large-format stores and ecommerce sites raise global capital and use their buying power to negotiate deals with FMCG suppliers.
As Amazon chief Jeff Bezos had said, the big success of fashion etailing is the biggest learning he's taken away from India.
The stake sale is the preliminary step to taking the company public, they said. This will mark the Wipro's Azim Premji’s entry into the insurance business.
Supermarkets and consumer durable companies said it is a much better Diwali shopping season — when traditionally the biggest chunk of their annual sales takes place — than last year.


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The Department of Energy (DOE) is pressing for the conduct of a comprehensive technical study before it will give any go-signal on plans to utilize palm oil as feedstock for the production of biofuel as a blend to diesel products.
The department clarified to the media that it has not approved yet the use of palm oil for biodiesel, contrary to the statements conveyed by the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), one of the major business organizations in the country.
“A thorough technical study should first be conducted – particularly on the development of standard specifications for biodiesel from palm oil,” the DOE stressed.
Beyond the required technical study, the agency similarly indicated that it will still need to elevate the proposal to the National Biofuel Board – via its Biodiesel Committee (NBB-BDC), “for a comprehensive evaluation and recommendation.”
Apart from DOE, the other members of the NBB-BDC are representatives from the Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry.
The DOE explained that it informed FPI that “only locally sourced biofuel components shall be used in the biodiesel-blend mandate,” and that has been based on the prescriptions of Republic Act 9367 or the Biofuels Act of 2006.
The energy department acknowledged that it received a letter dated October 4, 2021 from FPI and it was in that correspondence wherein the business group recommended the use of palm oil for biodiesel, and this could be aligned as alternative to the prevailing coco methyl ester (CME) as blend to diesel products.
The department further narrated that in FPI’s view, the country can already export its coconut oil “so that local farmers could reap the corresponding benefits of its current high price in the world market,” and in lieu of that, palm oil could be tapped as a cheaper option.
In a virtual meeting between FPI and the DOE, the agency said “FPI suggested using cheaper palm oil as feedstock for a lower biodiesel price; and asked that the Philippine National Standards be prepared to accommodate palm oil as biodiesel feedstock.”
Nevertheless, the energy department specified that it will also need to validate first the figures presented by the business group — specifically the Rotterdam price comparison of crude palm oil (CPO) versus crude coconut oil (CNO).
Relative to that, the DOE stated that FPI “committed to provide the pertinent data to support its proposal,” including those on the historical prices of CPO and CNO in the world market, and the volume of actual production of CPO and CNO in the Philippines vis-à-vis exported CNO and imported CPO volumes.


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Sony is still planning to buy more studios, despite the acquisitions of Bungie and Haven over the past two months.
Sony Interactive Entertainment President Jim Ryan said: The official PlayStation podcast That first-party success for Sony has allowed it to invest in more studios.
“We’re in a really good place with PlayStation Studios right now, and we’ve been in the last few years,” he said. “The critical and commercial success of the games they make has given us permission to invest heavily in content creation.
“We are organically developing our studios and growing through acquisitions. We acquired five studios during 2021. We are in discussions with Bungie and have more planning in place. This leads us into a cycle, a virtuous cycle where success breeds success.”
This organic growth has seen Sony acquire seven studios since the beginning of 2021, led by its $3.6 billion purchase of Destiny developer Bungie in February, for a total of 18 in-house developers.
This investment in new studios is also the reason why Sony has not included first-party games in its updated PlayStation Plus tiers, as Ryan recently explained. “If we do that with the games we make at PlayStation Studios, this virtuous cycle will be broken,” he said last month (which he repeated in the podcast).
“The level of investment that we need to make in our studios is not going to be feasible, and we think that the additional impact on the quality of the games we’re doing won’t be something that gamers will want.”
Ryan Dinsdale is a freelance translator at IGN who occasionally remembers @thelastdinsdale’s tweet. He’ll be talking about The Witcher all day long.
“Certified food guru. Internet maven. Bacon junkie. Tv enthusiast. Avid writer. Gamer. Beeraholic.”
Random: Sega is celebrating April Fool’s Day with the killing of Sonic The Hedgehog
Sega releases Sonic the Hedgehog murder mystery game for free on Steam
The new Apple Leak reveals a surprising iPhone 15 design


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‘Project Runway’ Host Heidi Klum Admits to ‘Crazy’ Kids Clothes Shopping Sprees: ‘I Have So Much Fun Shopping for Them’ (VIDEO)
“I’m one of those moms who goes crazy in a kids store,” she confessed to Celebuzz at the launch of her new children’s clothing line, Truly Scrumptious by Heidi Klum. “I buy things that they sometimes don’t want to have.”
“I have so much fun shopping for them,” added the 39-year-old.
Klum, who’s the proud parent of four children, recently partnered with Babies “R” Us to create a collection of clothes for boys and girls, accessories, bedding, room decor, furniture, and baby gear.
How does the Project Runway host feel about taking on fashion design?
“I love it,” she said. “I enjoy it.”
As a model and the host of Bravo’s hit fashion competition, Klum certainly knew where to look for inspiration.
“I’ve been shopping for baby clothes and toys for the last eight years,” Klum told us. “Obviously, coming from the fashion world and looking still to the runways, I wanted to incorporate cool things into, you know, little people’s clothes.”
However, Klum also looked to her children — Leni, 8, Henry, 6, Johan, 5, and Lou, 4 — for ideas as well.
“My children will have input in the designs in the future,” she said. “I’ve just been looking more and more at my son Johan, who’s a really great painter, and he draws all these really fun caricatures and so I’m going to have some of his drawings printed on some of the boys’ t-shirts.”
Given Klum’s eventful year — including her highly-publicized split from longtime husband Seal in January — how does a Hollywood mom like herself juggle business and family?
“You wake up in the morning and hopefully the sun is still shining,” she said, smiling,”And you just keep on going!”
Watch the video — above — for more of Celebuzz’s interview with Heidi Klum.


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Take this rumor with a pinch of salt
Samsung is rumored to announce the Galaxy S23 series on February 1. As we get closer to that date, more and more leaks about the device are surfacing online. In the last few weeks, leaks have revealed the Galaxy S23’s various color options, its improved cooling system, and that Samsung has started testing One UI 5.1, which could launch alongside its next flagship smartphone lineup. A new rumor now indicates that the Korean giant might bump the Galaxy S23‘s base storage to 256GB—double that of the iPhone 14 lineup.
Leaker Ahmed Qwaider, who has been the source of many recent Galaxy S23 rumors, claims the entire lineup will start with 256GB storage. While the regular S23 and S23+ could feature 8GB RAM, the S23 Ultra will come with a minimum of 12GB RAM and up to 1TB storage.
This is the first time rumors of Samsung ditching the 128GB storage option on its 2023 flagship lineup have surfaced online. The Galaxy S23 series is expected to use UFS 4.0 storage that provides 2x faster read speeds, 1.6x faster write speeds, and lower power consumption.
Roland Quandt, known for his last-minute retail leaks, claims the rumor is incorrect. Unless a more reliable source corroborates this information, it is best to take it with a pinch of salt.
Samsung may release the 256GB variant of the Galaxy S23 series in the US while the 128GB model could debut in other markets. The company did something similar with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, whose 128GB storage and 8GB RAM model only launched in certain markets, with key regions getting the 256GB variant. So, killing off the Ultra’s 128GB model makes sense given its limited availability. It would also be a welcome addition since the S23 Ultra could feature a 200MP camera. However, Samsung could use the bigger base storage as a reason to price the Galaxy S23 series higher than its predecessor.


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One thing Yahoo! does well is sports news, and they’ve taken coverage to new heights with the Beyond Gold app, covering this year’s Olympic Games in London. Kiip is also making its way up the charts with a new rewards platform, letting you manage your points on the go. And one of the most talked about apps this week isn’t new, but its new feature is all the rage: Spotify added streaming radio to its Android app, bringing a much-deserved update to the popular music service.
If you didn’t make it to London this year for the Olympic Games, check out the new app from Yahoo! Sports. It offers up-to-the-minute news, scores, medal counts and photos. Here you’ll also find exclusive Yahoo! Sports content and other updates, like expert analysis, to keep up with the Games. One great feature is the photo gallery to see the winning and losing moments that make or break an athlete’s career. It’s one of many apps you can use to keep track of the Games this year.
Gamification has taken the world by storm, rewarding people with redeemable points across retailers, games and social networks. Kiip’s achievement-based platform is a centralized management tool for earning and tracking your rewards, which you can now do on the go. Perform well in some of your favorite mobile games, and you’ll earn points on Kiip. From there you’ll be able to share your achievements on Facebook and Twitter, manage your points and get alerts for new promotions.
Spotify update (Free)
Spotify took the world by storm with its fresh take on music subscription services, even before it launched in the U.S. Slowly but surely, Spotify is releasing its best features across desktop and mobile apps, the latest being a streaming radio for Android users. First launched in January for desktop users, and later for iOS, streaming radio for the Android app completes the circle. You can start a station based on an artist or song, and skip as often as you’d like if you have the premium version. It’s still not as good as Pandora’s streaming radio, but it’s very nice to have the new radio option directly in the Spotify mobile app.
Sophos Mobile Security (Free)
Sophos may be late to the game, but its new mobile security app is timely, given the recent reports that a surprisingly significant number of Android devices are affected by malware. Designed specifically for Android devices, Sophos protects against malware, warning you of privacy-invading programs and will lock-up your device if it’s been lost or stolen. It does so without draining your battery, working in the background to monitor your phone’s safety. Unlike most other big-brand security firms, Sophos is offering its Android security tools for free, hoping to gain a steady stream of users as Android device adoption, and malware, continue to rise.
Carfax Reports (Free)
Carfax delivers vehicle history reports straight to your phone. That means you can check an automobile’s history while you’re at the dealership, expediting the research process and ensuring you don’t buy a lemon. You can scan or type in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to get a full Carfax report immediately. You can also search cars by license plate number. The app is free to download, but you will need a consumer account to gain full access to reports. The Carfax Reports app joins the company’s sister app designed for dealers.
PTSD Coach (Free)
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious circumstance of military service members, many of whom face the horror of war abroad and return home only to relive the memories. As awareness grows around PTSD, more resources are becoming available to veterans and service members, including a recent Android app called PTSD Coach. The app provides education on PTSD, information on professional care, a self-assessment tool and resources to find support. There’s also an in-app toolkit for managing the stresses of daily life, helping the user relax and use positive talk and other common self-help strategies. The app was launched by the VA National Center for PTSD and DoD’s National Center for Telehealth & Technology.


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Subscribe To X
UPS and FedEx both announced this week that delays in their delivery services would result in Christmas presents not being under their customer’s tree. In this video, Joe Bobko, managing director of The Bobko Group, talks with Multichannel Merchant senior content manager Tim Parry about these issues that affect the shippers, the merchants and the consumers.
Monday marked the biggest shipping day of the year for UPS as they geared up and shipped out 34 million packages. So how exactly does UPS handle this organized chaos? Take a look at this video to get a firsthand look inside the busy shipping day of the year.
Lowe’s has launched a dedicated fleet of natural gas-powered trucks at its regional distribution center in Mount Vernon, TX, making the DIY home improvement merchant’s fleet among the first serving a major retail distribution center in North America to run solely on natural gas.
The Canadian-based lululemon athletica, a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company, announced it will be opening a distribution center in Columbus, Ohio, according to a press release.
For some retailers, a pop-up store is key around the holiday shopping season or in hopes of opening up your brand to a new audience. But for J&P Cycles, which runs a pop-up store every year during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, it means a $1 million boost in sales.
The way merchants are packaging their products has changed over the years looking toward more eco-friendly alternatives along with enhanced branding on their packages.
When it comes down to which parcel shipping carrier is a favorite in the B2B world, the answer might as well be, “domestic shipper or international shipper?” according to findings from Multichannel Merchant’s MCM Outlook 2013.
Joining the ranks of Amazon, DHL Supply Chain announced that it has opened a warehouse in Luhari, India to help meet the growing demand from the consumer, retail, and automotive sectors.
Menlo will provide transport management services for inbound product and distribution to the Fox dealer network; inventory and warehousing management and order fulfilment and dispatch. The facility will utilize Fox’s voice recognition technology.
The new major distribution hub in the United States could become Kansas City, according to an article the Kansas City Star.


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TBC Bank Group PLC announces that existing Independent Non-executive Director, Nicholas Dominic Haag, has been appointed as Senior Independent Director of the TBC PLC Board.
World's leading financial editorial, Global Finance named Koba Gvenetadze among Best Central Bankers of 2019.
Bank of Georgia Group said its JSC Bank of Georgia unit andInternational Finance Corp (IFC) had signed a GEL 100m (£28m) loan agreement to support micro, small and medium sized enterprises with local currency.
TBC Bank offers new, simplified mortgage terms to users who are planning to buy a home. The new terms can be applied to people who want to buy or renovate a home from a development company or who have a positive credit history.
TBC Bank has signed a trade financing agreement. The framework agreement will be used to finance the trade activities of local importers and exporters in Georgia.


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Stocks rose mostly in Asia on Thursday after a volatile day of trading led to modest gains on Wall Street.
US futures edged higher amid mixed oil prices.
Shanghai’s benchmark dropped 1% to 3,204.93 after China’s central bank kept its benchmark lending rate unchanged. Other major economies are raising interest rates to keep inflation in check, but China’s economy is slowing and inflation remains moderate.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index rose 0.5% to 27,946.20. Japan reported her August record trade deficit. This is due to the high cost of importing energy and other commodities and the weaker yen.
However, analysts say they expect a rebalancing in the coming months.
“Auto production should continue to normalize as supply chain disruptions ease, but commodity price growth will slow further,” said Darren Tay of Capital Economics.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.5% to 18,941.04 while Seoul’s Kospi rose 0.1% to 2,413.07.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.6% to 6,869.60.
Trading was temporary in New York on Wednesday, the day after the market recorded its worst drop in two years.
Inflation reports at the wholesale level show that even if overall inflation has slowed, prices are still rising rapidly and pressures are building beneath the surface. That echoed Tuesday’s report on inflation at the consumer level, which raised expectations of a rate hike and sparked a runaway market.
The S&P 500 rose 0.3% to 3,946.01 on Wednesday while the Dow rose 0.1% to 31,135.09. The Nasdaq rose 0.7% at 11,719.68 and the Russell 2000 closed 0.4% higher at 1,838.46.
Traders see a one-in-four chance that the Fed will raise the benchmark rate by 1 percentage point next week, four times its normal rate, according to CME Group. The day before, it was him close to a one-third chance. The site says the odds of a three-quarter percentage point increase from 69% on Tuesday have now increased to 76%.
The central bank has already raised the benchmark rate four times this year, with the last two raisings by three-quarters of a percentage point.
The Federal Reserve (Fed) is taking aggressive action on interest rates to cool the highest inflation in 40 years. Tuesday’s report on higher prices rocked the market, showing signs that inflation is entering a more stubborn phase.
Wall Street is particularly concerned about the possibility of raising interest rates too far, slowing the economy and pushing it into a recession. The Federal Reserve is trying to avoid that outcome, but the latest inflation report suggests it’s becoming a tougher task.
The US economy has generally slowed, but consumers have remained resilient and the job market remains strong. Wall Street will get another update on inflation’s latest impact on spending when the government releases his August retail sales report on Thursday.
Markets are also watching U.S.-China tensions and the war in Ukraine, with business and government officials warning of a possible nationwide rail strike this weekend that could cripple an already dismantled supply chain. I am ready for sex.
The railroad has already started cutting shipments of hazardous materials and has announced plans to stop carrying refrigerated products before the strike deadline on Friday. Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern, and other companies that rely on rail to deliver raw materials and finished goods are assuming the worst.
Union Pacific fell 3.7% and Norfolk Southern fell 2.2%.
Biden administration officials are scrambling to develop plans to keep supplies moving even if railroads are shut. The White House is also pressuring both sides to resolve their differences. And a growing number of business groups are lobbying Congress to step in and prevent a strike if no deal can be reached.
In other trading on Thursday, US benchmark crude rose 10 cents to $88.58 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. On Wednesday he surged $1.17 to $88.48.
Brent crude, the price benchmark for international trading, dropped five cents to $94.05 a barrel.
The dollar rose to 143.42 yen from 143.16 yen at the end of Wednesday. The euro fell from 99.77 cents to 99.73 cents.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.


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Global chip supply shortage could lead to interruptions in automobile production in China and there can be increase in the price of automotive chip from global leaders.
Automotive chip supplier NXP Semiconductors has told its customers that it must raise prices on all products because it is facing a significant increase in materials costs and a severe shortage” of chips, Reuters reported.
“To address the unforeseen increase in costs from our suppliers, we reluctantly must raise pricing on all products,” the Nov. 26 letter to the chipmakers customers said. NXP confirmed the authenticity of the letter but declined to comment further.
Germany’s Infineon Technologies said it was increasing its investments to ramp up a new chip factory in Austria.
“We have already factored in certain growth for car production in 2021. Accordingly, we will adjust our global manufacturing capacities,” the company said in a statement.
German auto suppliers Continental, Bosch and Volkswagen, the world’s largest carmaker, warned about the shortage of semiconductor components.
Volkswagen said on Friday that a global chip supply shortage could lead to interruptions in automobile production in China.
Volkswagen, the biggest foreign automaker in China, said on Friday that China’s overall auto production could be interrupted after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted chip supplies globally for some electronic components.
“The chip supply for certain automotive electronic components has been affected due to uncertainties caused by the pandemic,” a Volkswagen representative told Reuters in an emailed statement.
“This has led to a potential interruption in automotive production, with the situation getting more critical as demand has risen due to the full-speed recovery of the Chinese market,” the statement, which refers to China’s overall auto production and not specifically Volkswagen’s, said.
Volkswagen also said it was closely monitoring the situation and had already started coordinating with suppliers to take appropriate countermeasures.
Germany-based auto supplier Bosch said it too was seeing supply chain bottlenecks for certain components.
“No supplier can elude this market development. We are in close contact with our suppliers and customers to maintain the supply chains as much as possible despite the tense market situation,” Bosch said.
“Although semiconductor manufacturers have responded to the unexpected demand with capacity expansions, the required additional volumes will only be available in six to nine months,” Continental said on Friday. “Therefore, the potential delivery bottlenecks may last into 2021.”
China automotive market
China is expected to sell more than 22 million vehicles in the first 11 months of 2020, down just 3 percent from the same period a year earlier.
China is likely to import at least $300 billion worth of semiconductors for the third year running, Wei Shaojun, vice-chairman of the China Semiconductor Industry Association, told the World Semiconductor Conference on Wednesday.
“After 2013 our chip imports exceeded $200 billion. In 2018 it exceeded $300 billion and was still at $300 billion in 2019. If nothing out of the norm happens this year, it will still be $300 billion or more,” he said, according to a video of the conference that was published by its organisers online.


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Phone Battery Catches Fire Aboard Delta Flight
The battery was not attached to a phone.
A cell phone battery caught fire aboard a Delta Air Lines flight on Friday morning, The Virginia-Pilot reported.
The flight—from Norfolk, Virginia, to Atlanta, Georgia—had just taken off when flight attendants and passengers noticed smoke.
“It wasn't a big flaming fire, it was more smoldering smoke,” passenger Kristi Parrotte told the paper.
Flight attendants, as well as some quick-thinking passengers, attempted to douse the fire with bottled water while asking passengers in the affected area to move to the front of the plane.
The attendants said the battery that caught fire was not attached to a phone and it was not clear who owned it, according to Kerry Dougherty, a columnist for The Virginian-Pilot who was on the flight.
It is also unclear what type of battery—and in what type of phone—it was.
There have been a handful of instances of phones catching fire on aircrafts, and the Federal Aviation Administration has warned passengers not to charge or use Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones while on airplanes.
Travelers boarding this Delta flight were told to keep their Samsung Galaxy 7 phones turned off and not to charge them, and everyone was told to turn off all of their phones once the fire occurred.
“We all made the comment that we see this kind of stuff on the news, but we’ve never seen this in person,” Parrotte said.
There were no injuries, however there was some damage to the seats, according to witnesses. The flight landed without additional incident.
"Delta is working to determine the source and type of the battery and will work with aviation safety officials,” Morgan Durrant, a spokesman for Delta said in a statement to Travel + Leisure. "Safety is always Delta's top priority," Durrant said.
Talia Avakian is a digital reporter at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter at @TaliaAvak.


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After Fisker sale comes fight over proceeds
Now that Fisker Automotive's assets have been approved for sale, the question now turns to how the proceeds of that sale will be split up among the many parties to whom Fisker owes money, including the state of Delaware.
Attorneys in the case say the discussion is only just beginning about dividing up the $149.2 million that Wanxiang America, Inc. has agreed to pay for Fisker's assets, including the former General Motors plant near Newport.
Judge Kevin Gross on Tuesday approved the sale in his Wilmington courtroom, as attorneys for Fisker and the committee of unsecured creditors expressed satisfaction the sale price was six times what Fisker would have received outside of the auction. Gross ordered the auction in January.
Fisker, the plug-in hybrid auto manufacturer, declared bankruptcy in November. Delaware taxpayers had given Fisker $20 million in economic incentives to build cars at the former GM plant on Boxwood Road, and under Fisker's original bankruptcy plan, the state looked likely to recover less than a penny on the dollar.
An attorney for unsecured creditors in the case, Sunni Beville, said on Tuesday that with more money available, they'll fight to enlarge the pot of money put aside for parties like the state's economic development authority, to whom Fisker owes money but have no meaningful lien against the company's assets.
State officials said they will continue to fight to recover as much money as they can. The Delaware Economic Development Authority's loan to Fisker was backed up by a lien against Fisker's assets, but that lien was junior to the loans of the federal government and Silicon Valley Bank, and there was not enough value left in Fisker's assets upon which the state could foreclose, attorneys in the case said.
Hybrid Tech Holdings, LLC, bought out the federal and bank loans, and attempted to use them to buy Fisker's assets, but came up short.
Hybrid purchased the federal government's $168 million loan to Fisker for just $25 million, and Hybrid is now expected to pursue as much value of that loan as it can, Beville said.
Wanxiang has said its business plan includes using the Delaware plant if there is enough market demand to mass produce the Fisker cars. "Whether that happens is anyone's guess," Beville said.
Alan Levin, Delaware economic development director, said his department's "interest in recovering what it can within the bankruptcy process is not at odds with the goal of getting Delawareans back to work at the facility. In fact, the outcome of the auction and today's hearing were positive steps on both fronts, but it's only the beginning and there's still much to learn. We look forward to working with Wanxiang America in the weeks ahead."
Wanxiang's purchase of Fisker's assets includes $126.2 million in cash, $8 million in assumed liabilities for administrative and priority claims, and a 20 percent equity interest in the new company that will own Fisker's assets when the transaction is complete.
Fisker and Wanxiang are expected to sign the sale agreement shortly, and begin efforts to formally close the sale, subject to a federal antitrust review. Once that sale is closed, New Castle County is expected to receive the $1 million it, along with Red Clay school district, are owed in taxes.
"We are pleased that the taxpayers of New Castle County will be made whole and look forward to working closely with DEDO in bringing good paying jobs back to one of our most industrial sites," said David Grimaldi, county chief administrative officer. DEDO is the Delaware Economic Development Office.
Beville said that once administrative and other immediate claims, as well as the costs of running Fisker during the bankruptcy case, are paid off - leaving the bulk of Wanxiang's payment -- she believes the unsecured creditors should be paid 40 percent of what is left.
Attorneys for Fisker, Hybrid and Wanxiang declined to be interviewed.
An attorney for Fisker Coachbuild, the separate company that owns Fisker's trademarks, said in court on Tuesday that the company supports the sale, but wants to confer with Wanxiang before taking any formal action.
Under the asset purchase agreement expected to be signed, Wanxiang would have the ability to separate the Boxwood Road plant and sell it separately. This was similar to language in Hybrid's proposed asset purchase agreement, and meant to match it, not to provide any indication of Wanxiang's intentions, Beville said.
Fisker attorney Ryan Dahl said during the hearing that Hybrid and Wanxiang were the only bidders to participate in the auction, which began on Wednesday morning last week. The winning bid was made by Wanxiang late Thursday night, and it wasn't until after noon the next day, after multiple breaks, that Hybrid announced it would not top it, attorneys said during the hearing.
The opening bid during the auction was $59.4 million.
There were dozens of objections to the sale, but as of Tuesday morning few remained, and Gross said they did not represent an obstacle to his approval of the sale.
Sen. Greg Lavelle, R-Sharpley, said the state should try to get as much money back as it can through the bankruptcy process. As for Wanxiang's conditional pledge to use the Boxwood Road facility for manufacturing, "I certainly hope it happens, but I don't think it's very realistic," Lavelle said.
Contact Aaron Nathans at 324-2786 or email@example.com.


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CEO Jeffrey Fisher anticipates some “interesting” capital recycling opportunities.
CEO Jay Whitehurst considers convenience stores to be safe and secure real estate.12/6/2018
CEO Jerry Barag says REIT’s entry into Pacific Northwest market offers geographic diversification.12/6/2018
CEO Wendy Simpson says companies are trying to figure out how REITs can participate.12/6/2018
Ferguson Partners’ Gemma Burgess praises move to recruit members without prior board experience.
CEO John Thomas sees opportunity for external growth in 2019.
REITs outpace broader equities market.12/4/2018
CEO James Stewart says Las Vegas component of revenue likely to fall over time.12/4/2018
Fidelity’s Steve Buller says REITs de-levered aggressively in wake of global financial crisis.12/4/2018
CEO Benjamin Schall sees continued focus on intensive redevelopment.12/3/2018


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The Inditex Group (which includes Zara and Bershka) is selling its Russian operations to the Arab Daher Group. The real estate group, based in the United Arab Emirates, already holds local rights to Inditex franchising. This allows the fashion giant to leave Russia, but keep the door open.
500 shops, 9,000 jobs
Inditex has reached an agreement to sell its 502 shops in the Russian market to the Daher Group, owner of the Dubai Mall and Inditex master franchise rights in the Middle East and North Africa. Most of the properties were leased by Inditex and will soon be occupied by Daher-owned brands. The UAE and other Gulf states are considered friendly countries by the Kremlin, so Arab companies are encouraged to do business in Russia. A significant part of the approximately 9,000 jobs created by Zara’s parent company in Russia would be taken over by the acquirer.
Initially, Daher plans will be shops with no connection to Inditex, but the Spanish fashion giant is keeping the door ajar. The contract foresees a possible cooperation through a franchise agreement, if circumstances allow it in the future. So Zara will simply return to Russia as soon as it can, but through a franchise.
Return already planned
A clever move, as Inditex gets rid of all the leases and costs in Russia at once, but can quickly pick up the thread in the country, without too much investment and risk. Russia was its second largest market, but following the invasion of Ukraine and the start of the accompanying Western sanctions, the group closed all its shops there in March.
On the cost front, Inditex remains on the surface. The 216 million euros that the fashion group has earmarked for withdrawal from Russia and Ukraine in the first half of 2022 would more than cover the costs incurred. Competitor Mango is also reportedly in talks with local partners to relocate its Russian shops.


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New Delhi February 1 2019: In its 11th annual Global Shopper Study, analyzing the attitudes, opinions, and expectations of shoppers, retail associates and retail decision makers, Zebra Technologies finds that an innovator at the edge of the enterprise with solutions and partners that enable businesses to gain a two-thirds (66 percent) of surveyed associates believe that if they are equipped with tablets, they could provide better customer service and improve the shopping experience.
Fifty-five percent of surveyed retail store associates agree that their company is understaffed, and nearly one-half (49 percent) feel overworked. Store associates cite frustration with their inability to assist customers as 42 percent find they have little time to help shoppers because of pressure to get other tasks completed. Another 28 percent claim that it’s difficult to get information to help shoppers. Most surveyed retail decision makers (83 percent) and store associates (74 percent) concur that shoppers can have a better experience with technology-equipped sales associates.
Only 13 percent of surveyed shoppers completely trust retailers to protect their personal data, the lowest level of trust among 10 different industries. Seventy-three percent of surveyed shoppers prefer flexibility to control how their personal information is used.
“Our study reveals shopper expectations are on the rise,” says Jeff Schmitz, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Zebra Technologies. “While retailers are addressing fulfillment challenges, they also need to provide a more trusted, personalized shopping experience that gives customers what they want, when, where, and how they want it.”
The study also identified diverging expectations on the impact of automation between retailers and store associates. Nearly 80 percent of retail decision makers – compared to 49 percent of store associates – agree that staff checkout areas are becoming less necessary due to new technologies that can automate checkout. Also, more than one-half of retail decision makers (52 percent) are converting point of sale (POS) space to self-checkout, and 62 percent are transforming it for online order pickup.
More than one-half of shoppers (51 percent) believe they are better connected with their smartphones than store associates. Retailers are investing in edge technologies to combat this gap. Nearly 60 percent of retailers plan to increase their spend on handheld mobile computers by more than six percent, and more than one-in-five retailers (21 percent) plan to spend greater than 10 percent on rugged tablets over the next three years.


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Israelis were avoiding buying tuna fish at supermarkets or ordering it at restaurants after two people were hospitalized earlier in the week for food poisoning linked to the item at a Tel Aviv branch of the popular café chain Aroma.
Shai Berman, CEO of the Restaurants and Cafes Association, said members reported sales of tuna items on their menus had plummeted between 40% and 70%.
“A drop like that is to be expected in light of the fallout from that unfortunate but isolated incident at the Aroma café in Tel Aviv,” he told TheMarker. “Tuna is a basic item, especially for cafes, but we need to remember that cafes have a lot of substitute items, so the drop has affected just one menu item not sales as a whole.”
He said cafes and restaurants were experiencing a big drop in business anyhow because so many Israelis were abroad for the holidary season.
Tuna fears were magnified by reports of other people falling ill and rushed to hospitals after eating tuna at other cafes. Some of the incidents occurred as far back as a month ago.
- Business as usual for Israeli food chain Aroma despite cases of food poisoning
- Not just bagels, lox and gefilte: What's considered Jewish food in 2019
- This love letter to a Tel Aviv food market is getting a lot of love in America
In one case reported by Channel 12 television, two people were hospitalized after eating tuna at two separate Jerusalem branches of the Neeman café chain. Tests showed the tuna contained high levels of the toxin histamine. Neeman was fined but the company never publicly disclosed the incident.
At supermarkets, tuna sales were down, too, especially for the Williger brand packaged by the food importer Neto. Williger is the brand used by Aroma, and its sales have fallen more than 50%, said an executive at a supermarket chain who asked not to be identified. Other brands are down about 10%, he added.
“Scores of customers at our stores have been asking us if it’s okay to eat tuna. In the last two days the drop in tuna sales has reached almost 40% on average,” he said.
On Thursday the Health Ministry reported that the first of several tests on the tainted tuna pointed to improper storage in two-kilo bags at the Aroma café on Tel Aviv’s Menachem Begin Street. It said other test results would be coming in the next few days.
The ministry said the bags contained a warning that the contents should be used immediately after opening, but because the bags are so big they can’t be used that quickly and may remain open for as long as a day at a time.


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Jan 15, 2021 (Baystreet.ca via COMTEX) -- Former Canadian smartphone maker now software company BlackBerry Ltd. /zigman2/quotes/206834662/delayed CA:BB -3.31% /zigman2/quotes/202784246/composite BB -5.01% has recently been given a bunch of attention from investors in Canada and internationally due to a high-profile deal the company recently struck with Amazon.com, Inc. /zigman2/quotes/210331248/composite AMZN +1.17% . The deal is of a multi-year nature, and is focused on the BlackBerry IVY program. This is essentially a suite of software that allows for insights gleaned from data from car sensors and information stored at the source via BlackBerry's QNX platform which has been looking for a partner for some time.
The fact that BlackBerry finally got a high-profile deal done is very bullish for the long-term prospects for this stock. The actual numbers haven't come in yet, so we'll have to wait a few quarters to truly see what the impact this deal will have on BlackBerry's bottom line, but I think it's safe to say that the growth trajectory of BlackBerry just took off.
This is a love-and-hate company for Canadian investors, many of whom lost their shirts with this one during the crash this stock experienced after the release of the iPhone and other android options which pushed the BlackBerry out of the market. BlackBerry will be looking to carve out a niche it can defend in the vehicle software space, something this company is closer to doing than ever. I think this is a stock that indeed could continue to soar in 2021, and is one of those interesting "play money" bets that could really work out for bullish investors. Don't bet the farm on this one, but having some exposure is not a bad idea for those underweight tech.
Invest wisely, my friends.
Is there a problem with this press release? Contact the source provider Comtex at firstname.lastname@example.org. You can also contact MarketWatch Customer Service via our Customer Center.


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Dick’s Sporting Goods’ pop-up, warehouse-store concept has reached Long Island, as the chain works harder to compete with off-price retailers by offering its own discount stores.
A Dick’s Sporting Goods Warehouse Sale, the first on Long Island and second in New York State, opened Friday in Tanger Outlets Deer Park.
The store will be open for a year in a 32,050-square-foot space at 152 The Arches Circle, Suite 201, which was vacated by off-price retailer Neiman Marcus Last Call in August, said Nancy Larson, general manager for the shopping center.
Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. did not respond to Newsday’s requests for comment.
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Warehouse Sale locations "offer deep discounts on customer-favorite apparel brands with hundreds of items 70% off or more," the company said in a Feb. 10 statement announcing the planned openings of the Deer Park warehouse store and three others.
There are now 19 warehouse stores, according to the retailer’s website, including one other in New York State, in Amherst, Erie County. There are 728 Dick’s Sporting Goods stores in 47 states, including nine regular stores on Long Island.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which led to months of business shutdowns starting last March, ushered in record-breaking sales increases for sporting goods retailers because stuck-at-home Americans were engaging in more casual sports and exercise to keep themselves busy.
In its third quarter, which ended Oct. 31, Dick’s had a record-breaking 23.2% increase in sales online and at brick-and-mortar stores that had been open at least a year.
But Dick’s sales had been relatively flat for years before the pandemic, so the retailer is looking for ways to better move its unsold merchandise, and compete more with online retailers and off-price brick-and-mortar chains, such as TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Burlington, said David Swartz, equity analyst at Morningstar Research Services in Chicago.
In June, the retailer announced two new discount concepts, including Dick’s Sporting Goods Warehouse Sale.
"These clearance stores will provide a temporary pop-up-style shopping experience for customers in these communities over the next six months," Dick’s said of its five new, temporary warehouse stores in a June statement.
It’s more beneficial to Dick’s if it moves unsold inventory to its own discount stores, rather than selling it at a discount to off-price chains to resell, or keeping it on the shelves in regular Dick’s stores, Swartz said.
"It’s … a way to move unsold inventory without having to hold huge sales in the main stores. Dick’s will probably ship unsold merchandise from several surrounding stores to the warehouse store. It clears up floor space in the main stores for better-selling stuff," Swartz said.


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IBM reported record online and mobile sales for Australia's third Click Frenzy ahead of the Christmas shopping blitz. The results are based on Australian online shopping transactions analysed by IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark.
The key trends are:
- Click Frenzy online sales were up 27.7 percent over the same period in 2013.
- Click Frenzy mobile traffic reached 43 percent, up 29.4 percent over the same period in 2013.
- Click Frenzy mobile sales reached 20.4 percent, up 15.3 percent over the same period in 2013.
Here's a closer look at the key drivers that supported these trends:
Consumers Cash-In on Online Bargains: As consumers become more comfortable with digital coupons average order value increased to $151.02, an increase of 15.2 percent over the same period in 2013. This indicates that shoppers are being much savvier in how they use online coupons and rebates to secure the best bargains. Shoppers purchased an average of 5 items per order, up 48.5 percent over last year.
Smartphones Browse, Tablets Buy: Smartphones drove 24.8 percent of total online traffic, outpacing tablets, which drove 18.3 percent of overall traffic. However, tablets are winning the shopping war. Tablet sales accounted for 13.3 percent of online sales, nearly twice that of smartphones which drove 7.1 percent.
The Desktop is Not Dead: Even so, many shoppers chose a more traditional online experience with desktop traffic representing 56.7 percent of all online traffic, and desktop sales reaching 79.6 percent of all online sales. Further, consumers spent more money on average on their desktops at $161.76 than their mobile devices at $121.82 a difference of 32.8 percent.
iOS vs. Android: Apple continued its leadership in compelling mobile shopping experiences, beating Android across three key metrics: Average Order Value: iOS users averaged $122.42 per order compared to $116.72 for Android users.
- Online Traffic: iOS traffic reached 32.8 percent, outpacing Android traffic, which reached 10 percent as a component of total online traffic
- Online Sales: iOS sales which reached 17.5 percent, were also higher than Android at 2.7 percent as a component of overall online sales.
Ian Wong, Retail Industry Lead for IBM Australia said, "Our hypothesis is that omni-channel retail experiences have really taken hold in Australia over the last 12 months. We anticipate customers are fusing in-store experiences, using the concept of 'show-rooming' to touch and feel products, complemented by mobile browsing both in and out of store, and then using the convenience of online to make the purchase. Australians are really making the most of multiple retail channels to get the best products and best deals possible - and we anticipate this trend will continue to grow in popularity."
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OTTAWA (Reuters) - Hudson’s Bay Co named Canadian retail veteran Mark Foote as chief executive of its Zellers discount chain on Wednesday, where he will try to revitalize stores and increase sales.
Foote, most recently president and chief merchandising officer at Loblaw Cos (L.TO), Canada’s biggest supermarket chain, starts work at Zellers in mid-August.
“Our focus will be on branded apparel, improved service along with the roll out of our new prototype stores,” he said in a statement. There is a “tremendous opportunity to reposition Zellers.”
Zellers, which has about 280 stores, faces growing competition from Wal-Mart Canada (WMT.N).
Foote’s appointment comes two weeks after Hudson’s Bay, the storied Canadian retailer founded by fur traders in 1670, was acquired by U.S.-based NRDC Equity Partners. NRDC, which owns American department store chain Lord & Taylor, did not disclose the value of the deal.
Richard Baker, CEO of the combined firm Hudson’s Bay Trading Co, said in a recent interview that Zellers could become a “more interesting and more exciting place to shop.”
Better merchandising and more branded products could help achieve that goal, he told the Canadian Press news agency.
Foote also worked for more than 20 years at Canadian Tire Corp CTC.TO, the country’s biggest auto parts and household goods retailer, including five years as president.
He helped develop new store formats and led a supply chain restructuring to improve merchandise stocking and service.
At Loblaw, Foote was replaced in April under a big executive shuffle. The grocer, six to nine months behind schedule in a restructuring that could take as much as five years, is overhauling its supply chain, closing some stores and cutting jobs.
Reporting by Susan Taylor; editing by Rob Wilson


text: Belarusians will not pay VAT for the import of electric vehicles into the country. The norm has come into force today and will be valid until 2026. The innovation will affect only Belarusian citizens and foreigners living in the country permanently. Legal entities and entrepreneurs will continue to pay tax in full. Until 2021, the import of electric cars for personal use is also exempt from customs duties. By the way, now in Belarus there are about 250 electric charging stations.


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The out-now October issue marks the launch of Monocle’s Retail Awards. We have a simple ambition: to spotlight the 25 people and places delivering best-in-class experiences and products. But it is also about how retail can hold a neighbourhood together, offer fledgling brands the chance to shine and create moments of interaction that elevate the everyday. Over the years, Monocle has championed the cause of good retail because, at its best, it anchors communities, champions the well-made, supports local businesses – and people – and creates spaces where a multitude of events and moments of inspiration can take place. So, why now? As many big US and European cities are struggling to keep their malls and shopping strips vibrant, we wanted to shine a light on some best practices around the globe.
Who has that special touch when it comes to service, atmosphere and products? Pick up Monocle’s October issue, which is out now, to find out.)


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The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly increasing around the globe. In fact, AI could add an estimated $15 trillion to the global economy within the next decade. Yet many organizations have been resistant to begin integrating AI into their strategies.
According to McKinsey, only about 8% of companies have incorporated AI as a core practice when it comes to making data-backed decisions. There a few reasons for this, but one involves time. In the retail space, the average AI project can take approximately 18-36 months to complete. Because of this slow development curve, many organizations are struggling to prove the ROI of the investment. But they’re not looking long-term. The bigger risk is the opportunity cost of not beginning the adoption of AI now.
AI and VR are changing retail merchandising
One of the biggest obstacles facing brands and retailers is the ability to merchandise efficiently and effectively. Each change on the shelf has a ripple effect that can impact sales, and not understanding that impact can lead to disastrous potential outcomes. When we look at the basics of merchandising and the factors that influence its probability for success, we know that the amount of data is increasing while the time to react is decreasing; the competition is getting stronger while organizational resources are declining.
InContext recently announced our partnership with Symphony RetailAI, in which we are working towards developing a revolutionary approach that will aim to combat the slow technological evolution of AI adoption, and some of retail merchandising’s greatest challenges. This would drastically impact current merchandising processes through the introduction of placement indexing–in conjunction with the long-standing product indexing–creating the two-part synergy known as agile merchandising.
Machine learning can help identify optimal placement by category at the block- and item-levels to drive sales at the shelf. Layering this with product indexing would provide a holistic view of which products should be placed in each location for optimal returns. We would then be able to visualize this in an immersive, virtual store space.
This agile merchandising process will enable teams to quickly iterate and create an environment for more impactful collaboration. It will reduce a month-long project to weeks, and create a better, more accurate understanding of how a new product introduction or new concept will impact sales.
Companies that are risk averse or not operationally or culturally suited for the inclusion of innovative technologies, like AI and VR, have been resistant to change–and their hesitation is understandable, for now. AI is still in its infancy, and therefore education around it’s proven ability to drive smart and efficient merchandising has been hard to come by. As we quite literally face an existential crisis of survival where technological adoption is required for evolutionary survival in the market, we’re excited to show the industry how the merging of AI and VR technologies is making agile merchandising a reality.


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Chipotle upgraded at RBC based on potential for thousands more restaurant locations
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (CMG) was upgraded to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital Markets based on a number of factors that could grow the business, including the potential to expand the company by thousands of restaurant locations. RBC raised its price target to $1,650 from $1,320. Chipotle has an average price target of $1,461.31, based on 33 analysts polled by FactSet. The stock closed Wednesday at $1,395. "[W]e see the greatest upside near-term from reaccelerating unit growth, setting Chipotle further along the path to 6,000+ restaurants, from 2,700 today," the note said. "Management noted recently that its pipeline for new restaurant expansion approximates 200 units this year, up from <150 annual openings in recent years." Chipotle has discussed the addition of drive-thru Chipotlanes at new and existing locations, which could lead to a breakfast test (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chipotles-drive-thru-lanes-could-clear-a-path-for-a-breakfast-menu-11610127240). Menu innovation is another factor mentioned in RBC's upgrade. Chipotle has recently introduced cilantro-lime cauliflower rice (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/mcdonalds-shake-shack-among-the-restaurant-chains-kicking-off-2021-with-new-menu-additions-11609960270). Chipotle stock has rallied 62.4% over the last year while the S&P 500 index is up 16% for the period.
-Tonya Garcia; 415-439-6400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 14, 2021 09:07 ET (14:07 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2021 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.


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The soon launch of GPT-5 It is surrounded by many expectations and predictions from technology experts. In recent weeks, information about this artificial intelligence (AI) has increased, as happened in 2023 when GPT-4 was released on the market.
For Sam Altman, current CEO of OpenAI, GPT-5 will be a tool that will show a important evolution and of great quality that will be far superior to its predecessor: GPT-4.
When can you try GPT-5?
The exact release date of GPT-5 remains a mystery. Even its final name, since the CEO of Open IA revealed that they still do not know if it will change. However, portals specialized in artificial intelligence suggest that in the coming months AI will already be available to users, and therefore, the doubt about what its name will be will also be resolved.
According to Business Insider, at the end of March 2024 some business customers would have already received some GPT-5 samples and improved versions of ChatGPT based on this model. So it is presumed that its arrival is very close.
What features are expected from GPT-5
There is also a lot of secrecy about its characteristics. Recently the CEO, San Altam, only limited himself to mentioning that it will be an “incredible new AI model.” However, several leaks of what could be some of its notable elements are known. One of the points that has been mentioned is that it would be faster and more precise than GPT-4 Turbo and its context window would be double (256k) that of the current version.
Another point to reinforce in this new version, according to the CEO of Open AI himself, will be the reasoning ability, since GPT-4 can currently reason in a very limited way, so expect GPT-5 to excel more in this regard.
Multimodal capabilities are other elements that GPT-5 will have. This point includes a sophisticated processing of voice and images that will allow startups to have an ally to expand their market.
The other characteristics that could reach the new artificial intelligence will be the adaptability and customization. This to satisfy the demand of users in the business environment.
“People want very different things from GPT-4, different styles, and we will make all that possible; Also using your own data, such as connecting to your calendar, email can improve the AI model to know when to book an appointment,” Altman detailed in a conversation with Bill Gates.


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Steam lands Acti games
Half-Life 2 developer Valve Software took another bold leap today towards domination of online games distribution, as publisher Activision announced a new deal which will see a number of the firm's biggest titles sold and delivered to PCs via the online distribution service. Call of Duty 2 is perhaps the biggest title, and will be downloadable for those coughing up 39.95 USD. The first Call of Duty game will also be available, costing 19.95, likewise Call of Duty: United Offensive - also available for 19.95. More recent release GUN, from Tony Hawks crafter's Neversoft, will also cost 19.95 USD, but as yet neither Valve or Acti are revealing when these titles will hit Steam.
Several Majesco titles are also available via Steam, such as the delightful Psychonauts, not to mention expensive flop Advent Rising. Ubisoft's Dark Messiah of Might and Magic is also yours for the taking on the service. Then of course there's City Life - as well as innumerable other titles such as Red Orchestra and Rag Doll Kung Fu. Indeed, Valve's platform, created to sell Half-Life 2 and related titles via the interweb, has actually elevated Valve into one of the web's most important publishers - which will no doubt be of concern to those firm's still thriving on boxed-copies. EA take note. More soon.
- Borderlands 2 writer leaving Gearbox to join Freddie Wong's RocketJump production company
- Bloodborne will be harder than Demon's Souls and features procedurally generated dungeons
- Hearthstone users pass the 75 million mark, new expansion on the way says new report
- Square Enix unveils the Final Fantasy Type-0 Collector's Edition
- Life Is Strange arrives today
- SEGA cuts jobs in the biggest strategic shift since they binned the Dreamcast
- Big new update arrives for Frozen Cortex
- Introversion's Prison Architect will see its full launch this year, mobile version announced
- Ken Levine's next game is a first-person sci-fi title


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Because of recent changes in Texas laws, the brewery is able to sell beer for on-premise consumption in its tap room, which is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and from noon to midnight Saturdays and Sundays, reports owner Mark Dell’Osso.
Galveston Island Brewing produces about a dozen classic styles of beer from around the world, such as Irish stout, Belgium ale and American pale ale, among others.
It plans to distribute its products to local bars and restaurants.
Who out there has been and who plans to go? If you’ve been, please tell us what you think.


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Rose Ave is the next Abbot Kinney just like coffee is the new cupcake. Aside from the swell of dining options that have opened on Rose over the past year and a half, a new mixed use building it set to open this summer and house sophomore efforts of both Cafe Gratitude (plus garden) and Hostaria del Piccolo, among other unannounced dining concepts.
Just down the block Yo! Venice! notices that Superba Snack Shop at 533 Rose is gutted and an ABC license is posted to a surrounding fence. Although the ABC don't share much information by way of the new establishment's name, what DOES strike a chord is that a one Paul Hibler, co-founder of Pitfire Pizza, is attached to this biz. So, several things. While this is unlikely a new branch of Pitfire, what IS VERY likely is that this here could be the locale for either that new vegan concept mentioned months back or Superba Bakery. Although Cafe Gratitude is a stone's throw away, we're thinking vegan here. Oh, and the build is being done by the team who did Gjelina, Ramland Construction.
·Superba Snack Shop on Rose [Yo! Venice!]
·Paul Hibler To Open Superba Bakery and BAD Vegan? [~ELA~]


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IBM Security has released a global study examining consumer perspectives around digital identity and authentication, which found that people now prioritize security over convenience when logging into applications and devices. Generational differences also emerged showing that younger adults are putting less care into traditional password hygiene, yet are more likely to use biometrics, multifactor authentication and password managers to improve their personal security.
With millennials quickly becoming the largest generation in today’s workforce,, these trends may impact how employers and technology providers provide access to devices and applications in the near future. Overall, respondents recognized the benefits of biometric technologies like fingerprint readers, facial scans and voice recognition, as threats to their digital identity continue to mount.
The IBM Security: Future of Identity Study surveyed nearly 4,000 adults from across the U.S., Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe to gain insight into consumer viewpoints around authentication. Some key findings from consumers include:
- Security outweighs convenience: People ranked security as the highest priority for logging in to the majority of applications, particularly when it came to money-related apps.
- Biometrics becoming mainstream: 67% are comfortable using biometric authentication today, while 87% say they’ll be comfortable with these technologies in the future.
- Millennials moving beyond passwords: While 75% of millennials are comfortable using biometrics today, less than half of are using complex passwords, and 41% reuse passwords. Older generations showed more care with password creation, but were less inclined to adopt biometrics and multifactor authentication.
- APAC leading charge on biometrics: Respondents in APAC were the most knowledgeable and comfortable with biometric authentication, while the U.S. lagged furthest behind in these categories
The evolving threat and technology landscape have created widely-known challenges with traditional log-in methods that rely heavily on passwords and personal information to authenticate our identities online. In 2017, data breaches exposed personal information, passwords, and even social security numbers for millions of consumers. Additionally, the average internet user in America is managing over 150 online accounts which require a password, which is expected to rise to over 300 accounts in coming years. “In view of the multiple cyber theft and breach scenarios, our personal identification data is no longer fully secure. As consumers realise that passwords may not suffice to fully secure data and prioritise security over convenience, the time is ripe to adopt advanced and multi-layer security strategy”, said Kartik Shahani, Integrated Security Leader, IBM India & South Asia
Future of Identity
Analysis in the report by IBM Security details that attitudes regarding authentication vary widely, and while acceptance of newer forms of authentication like biometrics is growing, concerns persist – particularly amongst older generations and people in the U.S.
IBM advises organizations to adapt to these preference by taking advantage of identity platforms that provide users with choices between multiple authentication options – for example, letting users toggle between a mobile push-notification which invokes fingerprint readers on their phone, or a one-time passcode. Organizations can also balance demands for security and convenience by using risk-based approaches that trigger additional authentication checkpoints in certain scenarios, such as when behavioral cues or connection attributions (device, location, IP address) signal abnormal activity.
The data also reveals that younger generations are placing less emphasis on traditional password hygiene, which poses a challenge for employers and businesses that manage millennial users’ access to data via passwords. As millennial and Gen Z employees begin to dominate the workforce, organizations and businesses can adapt to younger generations’ proclivity for new technology by allowing for increased use of mobile devices as the primary authentication factor, and integrating approaches that substitute biometric methods or tokens in place of passwords.


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Lily Aldridge "embraces" her body.
The Victoria's Secret model and her fellow angels Alessandra Ambrosio, Karlie Kloss, Lindsay Ellingson and Doutzen Kroes are preparing for the lingerie label's upcoming show, which airs on TV in December.
Although there is a lot of pressure on them to keep in shape for the production Lily insists she doesn't feel worried about looking a certain way.
"I think it's all about being happy and healthy and embracing your body type," she told Huffington Post Live.
While these models have all been confirmed to walk during the event, the same can't be said for Angels Erin Heatheron, Anne V., Jourdan Dunn and Cara Delevingne.
It is thought they will be absent from the show due to other priorities. Anne has been focusing on her work for TV show The Face and Cara and Jourdan have other ventures on the horizon.
Miranda Kerr dropped some of her duties with the label earlier this year, and confirmed she won't be taking part in the annual extravaganza earlier this month.
Candice Swanepoel, 25, was recently named as the model chosen to wear the brand's iconic $10 million Fantasy Bra this year, which features different coloured diamonds.
She recently gushed about how happy she is to be a part of the leading underwear company and feels grounded.
"Victoria's Secret is like a family," she said. "Travelling as a young model can be tiring and lonely, so thank God they brought me into their family."


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Attorney General Jeff Landry: Trouble on the tracks is adding to America’s woes
Editor's note: The following guest column was submitted by Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry.
The worst kept secret in American households right now is that times are tough. The cost of gas, groceries and other necessitates are rising faster than a flock of spooked ducks. Inflation, supply chain issues and government failures have forced too many families to choose between fuel or food.
Exacerbating the problem is freight railroads failing to deliver. What once were affordable and dependable links in the critical supply chains, freight railroads are now expensive and unreliable clogs derailing any hope of a break for family budgets. Their service to manufacturers, farmers, and refineries with consumers across America has made building materials, food and fuel more costly — and in some cases — even scarce.
To make matters worse: railroads are now telling their customers they want to ship less of these critical goods, not more. Union Pacific Railroad recently told its largest customers to cut back on their railcar shipments. This means less fertilizer for the spring planting season, less gasoline for summer vacations, and less materials to build and repair homes — with Hurricane Season fast approaching.
Why would a railroad turn away business? Because for decades they have prioritized short-term profit over long-term service. Railroads have either cut or failed to properly invest in equipment, switch yards and customer service resources. Over the last five years alone, railroads have slashed nearly 34,000 jobs. With such deep cuts, railroads have decimated their own ability to handle a crisis.
As a small businessman and an economic developer, I understand cutting costs and boosting profits. That is capitalism. But the rail industry in America is split into regional monopolies, practically eliminating competition within the industry. This has allowed railroads to neglect their customers and fail to invest in the future. Their failure to plan is now impacting everyone because as freight shipping costs go up, the cost of everything increases.
It does not take an Ivy League lawyer to know much of this trouble stems from the fact that railroads get special treatment from the federal government through broad antitrust exemptions. Railroad mergers, which have brought about massive consolidation in the industry, are reviewed by a small agency known as the Surface Transportation Board (STB) instead of the U.S. Department of Justice.
With outdated policies, the STB has failed to make sure that railroads live up to their ends of the bargain by providing reliable and efficient service. And without competition and accountability, this mess can never be fixed.
The STB must adopt reforms that gives energy producers, farmers, and manufacturers greater access to competitive rail service. Competition will help lower prices and improve service, just like it does in every other industry. And it should make sure that railroads are accountable for service failures.
The decision to reduce freight, like the one unilaterally made by Union Pacific regarding fertilizer shipments, at a time when everyone from the White House to any kitchen table in America is bracing for food shortages is as tone deaf as can be imagined. Add that to what is going on in Europe’s breadbasket — Ukraine, the denial of American farmers’ access to the fertilizer needed for maximum crop production is insanity.
With continued supply chain problems at every level and inflation getting worse, our policymakers and regulators should be laser-focused on what is happening in the rail freight industry and be prepared to act. Otherwise, this tone-deaf industry is going to put America into a self-inflicted food crisis we have not seen since the Dust Bowl era.
I will be contacting my former colleagues in Congress and asking them to look into this catastrophic move being made by those controlling these railways. I think Americans should do the same. We cannot let these corporate decisions made by an industry that has such a big impact on vast swaths of interstate commerce go without oversight.